𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

79

The basin filled with alarming speed. Hadrian, Jason, and Percy pounded on the walls, looking for an exit, but they found nothing. They climbed into the alcoves to gain some height, but with water pouring out of each niche, it was like trying to balance at the edge of a waterfall. Even as Hadrian stood in a niche, the water was soon up to his knees. From the floor, it was probably eight feet deep and rising fast.

"I could try lightning," Jason said. "Maybe blast a hole in the roof?"

"That could bring down the whole room and crush us," Hadrian said.

"Thank you captain sunshine" Jason grumbled. Hadrian flinched at the nickname.

"Or electrocute us," Percy added.

"Not many choices," Jason said.

"Let me search the bottom," Percy said. "If this place was built as a fountain, there has to be a way to drain the thing. You guys, check the niches for secret exits. Maybe the seashells are knobs, or something." It was a desperate idea, but Hadrian was glad for something to do.

Percy jumped in the water. Jason and Hadrian climbed from niche to niche, kicking and pounding, wiggling seashells embedded in the stone; but they had no luck.

Sooner than Hadrian expected, Percy broke the surface, gasping and flailing. He offered his hand, and Percy almost pulled him in before he could help him up.

"Couldn't breathe," he choked. "The water... not normal. Hardly made it back."

Hadrian couldn't help the way his heart hammered in his chest. Percy's hair was plastered all over his face, some of the black water made his t-shirt- Hadrian's t-shirt cling to his body.

Falling from ice, the son of Neptune shall drown.

The way Percy had sounded and looked so terrified in Phorcys' tank. And now this? When would the gods give him a break?

But then he thought, The life force of the nymphs. It was so poisoned and malicious, even a son of the sea god couldn't control it.

As the water rose around him, Hadrian felt it affecting him too. His leg muscles trembled like he'd been running for miles. His hands turned wrinkled and dry, despite being in the middle of a fountain. His bow suddenly felt a lot heavier, like it was a chore to even hold it up.

The other two moved sluggishly. Jason's face was pale. He seemed to be having trouble holding his sword. Percy was drenched and shivering. His hair didn't look quite so dark, as if the color was leaching out. Hadrian pulled him closer into the niche, an arm around his waist. It seemed to help with his shivering

"They're taking our power," Hadrian said. "Draining us."

"Jason," Percy coughed, "do the lightning."

Jason raised his sword. The room rumbled, but no lightning appeared. The roof didn't break. Instead, a miniature rainstorm formed at the top of the chamber. Rain poured down, filling the fountain even faster, but it wasn't normal rain. The stuff was just as dark as the water in the pool. Every drop stung Hadrian's skin.

"Not what I wanted," Jason said.

The water was up to their necks now. Hadrian could feel his strength fading.

He had been arrogant. I'll charmspeak the damn ocean if I have to. He couldn't charmspeak his way out of this. Soon the poisonous water would be over their heads. They'd have to swim, and this stuff was already paralyzing them.

They would drown, just like in the visions he'd seen.

Percy started pushing the water away with the back of his hand, like he was shooing a bad dog. "Can't—can't control it!"