²𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐃𝐘✸ percy jackson

XXII.

MΛЯK ӨF ΛƬΉΣПΛ

THE BASIN FILLED WITH ALARMING SPEED. Piper, Jason, Percy, and Lucia pounded on the walls, looking for an exit, but they found nothing.

"Why does this keep happening!" Lucia couldn't control her frustration, she struck off some seashells, her knuckles splitting and causing blood to dribble down her wrist.

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 Lucia stood in a niche, the water was soon up to her 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?"

Lucia protested."That could bring down the whole room and crush us Sparky,"

"Or electrocute us," Percy added.

"Not many choices," Jason argued.

"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 Lucia was glad for something to do.

Percy jumped in the water.

Lucia, Jason, and Piper climbed from niche to niche, kicking and pounding, wiggling seashells embedded in the stone; but they had no luck.

Sooner than Lucia expected, Percy broke the surface, gasping and flailing. She offered her hand, and he almost pulled her in before she could help him up.

She brought him close to her, her hands rubbing his back as he coughed and leaned into her embrace. His forehead rested on her shoulder as he tried to catch his breath.

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

"What." Lucia frowned, "How the hell is that—"

The life force of the nymphs, Lucia thought, answering her own question. It was so poisoned and malicious, that even a son of the sea god couldn't control it.

As the water rose around her, Lucia felt it affecting her too. Her leg muscles trembled like she'd been running for miles. Her hands turned wrinkled and dry, despite being in the middle of a fountain. The light around her was dimming, Her fear spiked as the room became darker. She felt her body get weaker. Spots filled up her vision.

She was a being made out of pure light, she wasn't meant to endure so much darkness...

The boys moved sluggishly. Jason's face was pale. He seemed to be having trouble holding his sword. Percy was drenched and shivering, Lucia couldn't even share her heat. She was starting to feel a level of cold that was unnatural to her.

Lucia frowned, Percy's hair didn't look quite so dark, and his eyes didn't look as green, as if the color was leaching out.

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

"Jason," Percy coughed, "do the lightning," he demanded in desperation.

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. It was just as dark as the water in the pool.

Every drop stung Lucia's skin like acid.

"Not what I wanted," Jason said.

Lucia felt herself getting more lightheaded, the pressure of the rain caused her to sink. There was no source of power for her to even borrow from. She was being drained rapidly. The light was being snuffed out, enveloping the others in darkness. "I-I can't."