Percy Jackson and the Bonds of Destiny.

Chapter 9: Monster Discovered

As the car rumbled along the highway, the tension inside the vehicle was palpable. Thalia's patience had worn thin, and her voice dripped with frustration. "Zoe, are you sure this is the best way to get there? This car can barely go faster than a snail."

Zoe, her knuckles turning white from her grip on the steering wheel, shot a sideways glance at Thalia. "We must proceed with caution. We cannot afford to attract attention to ourselves."

Phoebe, oblivious to the growing tension, chimed in from the backseat, her voice filled with curiosity. "Hey, Thalia, did you know that Washington has a museum with incredible artifacts? Can we check it out, pretty please?"

Annabeth, typically the voice of reason, tried to maintain focus on the mission. "We'll visit the museum, Phoebe, but first, we have to decode those tablet symbols. We need to understand the Titan's plans."

Percy, wedged between the two front seats, felt the tension rising and sought to defuse it. "Guys, we're a team on a mission. We need to stick together and make this work. Thalia's right; we're stronger when we're united."

Thalia, her irritation still evident, conceded with a sigh. "Fine, but this car is testing my patience."

Zoe, her stern expression relaxing slightly, nodded. "Let's not lose sight of our mission. We'll put our differences aside for now."

Phoebe, realizing her earlier enthusiasm had caused friction, sighed, "I'm sorry for making things complicated. Let's focus on the mission."

Annabeth, her practicality resurfacing, refocused the group's attention. "Excellent. Our priority is the mission, but the museum can wait until afterward."

The car continued its journey, the heroes navigating their differences to maintain a semblance of unity. While challenges lay ahead, they were bound by a shared commitment to their mission and the determination to decipher the mysteries of the Titan's threat.

The five heroes, standing within the grand halls of the museum, marveled at the displays of ancient artifacts and the rich tapestry of history that surrounded them. Percy, with a passion for the past that went beyond his demigod heritage, couldn't help but share tidbits about the artifacts and the stories they held.

"That statue over there," he pointed to a magnificent marble figure of a hero, "is Theseus, one of the greatest heroes of Greek mythology. He defeated the Minotaur and navigated the labyrinth. His story is one of courage and cleverness."

Zoe, her connection to Artemis and a shared love for ancient tales, nodded appreciatively. "The stories of heroes are not limited to demigods alone. Mortals have also played their part in shaping history."

Thalia, with a hint of humor in her voice, chimed in, "And we're just continuing that tradition. Only now, it's our turn to make history."

The group pressed on, reaching the ancient artifacts section of the museum. Annabeth, an eternal student of history, was drawn to a display featuring intricately carved tablets and scrolls. "Here, this is what we're looking for," she said, her fingers brushing over a collection of tablets.

Percy, recognizing the symbols etched onto the tablet, couldn't help but feel a connection to the engravings of sea creatures. "I've seen these symbols before. They're connected to the sea, and that's definitely linked to Poseidon. The Titan's interest in the sea might be the key to understanding the threat."

Thalia, her gaze focused on the carvings, was determined to uncover their meaning. "These symbols are more than just ancient hieroglyphs. They're clues to a mystery, and we need to decipher them."

Zoe, her Hunter instincts ever vigilant, spoke in a low voice, "The Titan's influence can reach even places like this museum. We should stay on guard."

Phoebe, ready with her bow at her side, echoed Zoe's caution. "We have no room for error. The stakes are too high for our quest to falter."

Annabeth, always with a plan, said, "Let's make sure to document everything accurately. We don't want to miss any details that could be vital."

Their unity was evident not only in their shared purpose but in their trust in each other's abilities. Thalia, Percy, Annabeth, Zoe, and Phoebe knew that their journey was just beginning, and the quest to unravel the mysteries of the demigod world would require their combined knowledge, courage, and determination.

Time skip to car

Thalia, her mind racing with possibilities, finally spoke up. "Wait a minute. These symbols, the ones that mention 'the heart of the mountain' and 'where the waters unite'... I think I've got it."

Zoe, her curiosity piqued, glanced at Thalia. "What is it, Thalia? Have you deciphered something?"

Thalia nodded, her excitement growing. "I think the message is referring to the Ophiotaurus. It's a creature that's half-bull, half-serpent. It's rumored to be a powerful being capable of bringing down the gods if it's sacrificed."

Annabeth, her eyes widening in realization, connected the dots. "The heart of the mountain could be a reference to the location of the Ophiotaurus. And 'where the waters unite' could mean where the Ophiotaurus is hidden."

Percy, seated in the backseat, couldn't help but feel the gravity of the revelation. "If the Titan is after the Ophiotaurus, we have to stop them. Sacrificing it would be catastrophic."

Phoebe, ever ready with her bow, nodded in agreement. "We have to protect the Ophiotaurus at all costs."

Zoe, her expression determined, directed the car toward their destination. "We'll head to the White House, where Artemis's trail leads. The Titan's plot may already be in motion."

As the car continued on its path, the heroes knew that the revelation of the Ophiotaurus's significance had added a new layer of urgency to their mission. The fate of the gods and demigods hung in the balance, and their unity would be crucial in safeguarding the powerful creature from the clutches of the looming Titan.

As the heroes ventured closer to their destination, the White House loomed ahead. The weight of their mission and the revelation of the Ophiotaurus's significance hung heavily in the air. Thalia, in the backseat of the car, felt the need to gather more information and decided to use her cap of invisibility.

She touched the cap Annabeth had gifted her, which concealed her from the mortal world, and then recited the words that would render her invisible. Gradually, she faded from view, her presence reduced to a mere whisper of existence.

Invisible and undetectable, Thalia moved away from the car and ventured further into the surroundings. She made her way to a secluded area near the White House, where she sensed an unusual concentration of power. There, she came upon a scene that sent shivers down her spine.

Atlas, the Titan who had borne the weight of the sky, stood amidst the shadows. Thalia, hidden from view, observed the towering figure. Atlas's eyes burned with a menacing light, and his deep voice reverberated with ancient power.

"You will do as I command, Boy," Atlas boomed. "The time has come, and you will not fail me. The Ophiotaurus must be secured."

Thalia, hidden from view, strained to hear The hooded figure's response. There was a hint of unease in his voice, but his words were unclear.