━━ ❝ 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 to shine like a star you must burn
like one ❞
•--• ✹ •--•
[ i. completed / somewhat edited
ii. previously called folklore
iii. extended summary inside
iv. book 1 of the greek tragedy series ]
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WHEN ONE THINKS of "monster island," one would think craggy rocks and bones scattered on the beach like the island of the Sirens.
The monster might as well put up a billboard that said, SOMETHING EVIL LIVES HERE.
But except for that, the place looked like a Caribbean postcard. It had green fields and tropical fruit trees and white beaches. As they sailed toward the shore, Annabeth breathed in the sweet air. "The Fleece," she said.
Cassie nodded. She couldn't see the Fleece yet, but she could feel its power. She could believe it would heal anything, even Thalia's poisoned tree.
Cassie's nerves heightened, they had finally found Grover, they were so close to saving him and camp. What if something went wrong? No- positive thinking only.
"If we take it away, will the island die?" Percy asked.
Annabeth shook her head. "It'll fade. Go back to what it would be normally, whatever that is."
Cassie felt a little guilty about ruining the paradise, but she reminded herself they had no choice. Camp Half-Blood was in trouble.
In the meadow at the base of the ravine, several dozen sheep were milling around.
Just past them was a path that led up into the hills. At the top of the path, near the edge of the canyon, was the a massive oak tree. Something gold glittered in its branches.
"This is too easy," Cassie said. "We just grab it?"
Annabeth's eyes narrowed. "There's supposed be a guardian. A dragon or ..."
That's when a deer emerged from the bushes. It trotted into the meadow, probably looking for grass to eat, when the sheep all bleated at once and rushed the animal. It happened so fast that the deer stumbled and was lost in a sea of wool and trampling hooves.
Percy blinked. "That answers the question."
A second later the sheep all moved away, back to their regular peaceful wanderings. Where the deer had been was a pile of clean white bones.
The three exchanged looks.
"They're like piranhas," Annabeth said.
Cassie looked at the sheep, who looked all innocent and nice. "Piranhas with wool. How will we-"
