A Problem Arises when the trees are whispering. The problem unites three worlds against it. Can all of them work together to stop the threat from arising?
We landed in the Willowing Woods. Of course, Percy screamed all the way there. I chose him because I knew that having an elemental ability would hide his humanity a little more than just the Mist. The barrier sensed that we were on an important mission, so it let us in undetected. I blushed when I realized that Michael was holding my hand. I knew this was silly, we were already dating, it was just an everlasting habit for my stomach to flutter. Plus, we have been apart for two years.
"Shhhh!" Michael and I said to Percy, "We can't attract any attention."
"Ok" whispered Percy, "How do we get in the treasury?"
"Let me pull up a map," I said. I pulled out my phone, (which was connected to the Nierce network), and pullet up the schematics of the castle in a hologram for everyone to see.
"The castle tower in the top is the treasury. Only the king and his most trusted advisors are allowed to get in there, so we won't be able to do a frontal attack. We will have to get in through another way." I spoke.
"How about the water ducts?" asked Percy. I pulled up the water duct's path. The ducts did reach up to the treasury.
"Looks like we go to the water ducts."
"But what about me?" complained Michael, " I can't breathe underwater!"
"We'll just have to put an air bubble around you then." I spoke.
"What if we don't fit?"
"Oh, we'll fit. The water ducts are actually large enough for all of us if we go single file, but because of the complicated system, Percy will need to go first."
"Why me?"
"Because you can detect exactly where we are in water, right?"
"Right."
"So, you will be able to detect the rout to the treasury."
"Makes sense"
"Ok!"
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"I hate water." grumbled Michael.
It had been only 5 minutes since I had put the air bubble around him and made him swim. Of course, he was somewhat impatient, just like Percy.
"Are we there yet?" asked Percy. point proven.
"No!" I yelled. My voice sounded watery to me. I was the one focusing on the map, and plotting the route, while Percy and Michael complained. How did Annabeth deal with him all the time? I knew that Michael hated water, but not that it made him wine like a baby. While I was trying to focus on the task at hand, I heard voices. Not from Michael and Percy, who were very loud, but outside the ducts.
"Shh!" I whispered, "listen."
"Why did you bring me hear?" said a feminine voice. I looked behind me and I saw that Michael looked like he had just seen a ghost.
"Because I heard a noise in the ducts and knew we should check it out."
I showed for us to go quickly, or else we'd get caught. They got the message. We swam as fast as we could without making a lot of noise.
"Who were they?" asked Percy, when we were far enough away that the estrangers wouldn't hear us.
"My parents." answered Michael in a small voice. Me and Percy stared back at him.
"Come on. The sooner we get the stone, the better." said he.
We swam for a few more minutes and found the exit. The tunnels were meant to be deceiving for intruders, but to provide enough water for everyone. Thank goodness we made it. We went up for air. It was a small air pocket, about 2 feet. above it was a small vent.
"I am never doing that again." complained Michael. I popped the vent open and looked around. All I could think was rich. I climbed out. Michael came up after me, and Percy after him. We were completely dry, thanks to our powers.
"Look for any glowing purple gemstones." I directed. I went to cover the south part of the room. Michael the east and North, and Percy the west. We were quiet to make sure we weren't caught.
"I found it!!!" whispered Percy. We rushed over. The stone was hovering in a glass box 3 feet higher than the floor.
"Michael, I'm going to need a favor." I spoke. He nodded. He sent a blast of light that would hopefully dive the illusion of fire in the woods. Then the guards would rush there to stop it. Percy got out the decoy stone we made. I concentrated on the box. I made the stone slowly go through the glass and into my outreached hand. Then Percy slipped in the decoy before the glass solidified, just as we'd planned.
We turned to go through the window with invisibility cloaks, when we heard a thump. behind us. We looked behind us, and there were two people looking at us with shock. The woman had brown eyes, black hair, and a flowery dress with armor and a sword. The man had blond hair, deep blue eyes, and full armor on. He looked uncannily like Michael. Then I realized. That was Michael's dad!!
"Son?" asked Drake Varex.
"Dad?" asked Michael. Contrary to what I expected someone to react to their son stealing from the treasury, they both hugged him so tight. I started tearing up. I would have never gotten treatment like that, except when my mother was around. I clutched my locket. It had become a habit since she died. then the parents seemed to notice me and Percy standing there. Then they realized who I was.
"Your alive?" asked Jane, Michael's mother.
I nodded.
"Who is he?" she pointed to Percy.
"A friend of ours."
"Why are you stealing?"
"We have to make the special sword that goes with this, to heal a deity, and save the world."
"Ok." They hugged Michael, who was about to cry, another time.
"We can help you escape.
"Thank You"
"Come back soon."
"We will, Mom." said Michael. he grabbed my hand and Percy's. I concentrated, and after looking at Michael's beloved parents, I slipped us into the void. Bringing the stone with us, to go see Leo Valdez and Calypso.
