It was the next morning and the train had taken us to Denver. Percy and I did our best to explain all that happened atop of the arch, during the ride. Trying to ease Annabeth and Grover's nerves, which helped slightly. Of course I wouldn't be surprised if the four of us weren't all nervous wrecks when this quest was over.
The four of us were traversing around downtown Denver with not much to go by. However Annie wanted to reach Chiron to inform him on a few things that happened. Meaning we'd need to find some form of a rainbow. You'd think it would be easy, given the fact that it's summer time. But our efforts were starting to end in vain.
Just when it was time to call it quits, a car wash came into view. Not necessarily idle but I guess it was what we had to work with.
"It's seventy-five cents," Grover grumbled patting his pockets. "I've only got fifty cents. What about you Meme?"
"Sorry the dinning car cleaned both Annie and I out," I state and Percy dug around his pockets. He managed to find a quarter, so things were good to go.
As Grover and I began preparing the nozzle to cast a rainbow, Annie had explained the purpose of Iris messaging to Percy. Since we couldn't just use a phone to get in touch with Chiron. By giving an offering to the goddess she will send out a connection that allows people to communicate. Much like a video call, only less tech savvy.
With the water now at the perfect angle, Percy gave Annabeth our last gold drachma. She tossed it within the stream and it disappeared in a golden light. When Annabeth said to show us half-blood hill, the image began to form.
Soon we were gazing upon the porch of the big house. Strawberry Fields were in the background with the Long Island sound in the far distance. Standing before us, wasn't Chiron as we had hoped. However Luke was shown to us instead.
A sword had been brandished within his hand, and it seemed he was staring at something in the meadow below. Almost like on guard or keeping alert of something. Probably fights breaking out within the cabins, as they took sides for the potential war that was about to be thrust upon us.
"Luke!" Percy exclaims with furrowed brows. This had been the first time we'd seen or heard from anybody, in a few days. Of course there hadn't really been time to chat with someone, considering we'd had more troublesome things to worry about.
The sandy haired boy turned when hearing his voice. Eyes widening when hearing his name called.
"Percy! Naomie! Annabeth! Oh thank the gods everyone is alright," he says in relief. "Is Grover alright?" As he asked our satyr friend came into view. Showing his oldest friend that he was fine.
"Where's Chiron?" I asked. "We really need to speak with him,"
"He's busy attending to a matter with the cabins. Things aren't really great here," he says and before he could explain these issues this car pulled up into the next stall. Music blaring so loud it practically vibrated the windows.
Annabeth and Grocer went to check out the noise. Leaving Luke to give us the intel and rundown of what happened at camp after we left. Apparently word got out of the fight between Zeus and Poseidon, so the cabins are taking sides. Making camp almost like a mini Trojan war.
Aphrodite, Ares and Apollo were taking Poseidon's side. Strange how Clarisse would ever take the side of Percy's dad. Considering how much she really disliked him, I guess she just hated my dad more. Although I couldn't really blame her. Athena of course took Dad's side, being very loyal to our father. Not sure where the others stood, but hopefully it didn't have to come to that.
So with that out of the way we had explained everything we'd been up to. The monsters we had to face along the way, whilst trying to uncover who had taken the bolt.
This cause Luke to explain that Hades had to have been the one to take it. Even though gods couldn't take each other's sources of power. A thought that clicked in my brain.
Something about his statement seemed suspicious, yet flew over Percy's head completely. Why blame Hades, surely he could care less of family quarrels from up above. Having too much to worry about within the underworld.
Then he asked about the shoes he'd gifted Percy. Almost eager to know that he'd been wearing them, yet Percy lied about it. Telling the older boy that they had been a great aid to him. It seemed to ease Luke's nerves when hearing that.
A commotion was heard as the stream of water shut off and began fading. Stating that we should check it out, Luke began saying to tell Grover that it'll be different this time, nobody will get turned into a pine... Then it cut off, leaving us in an empty wet stall.
The others came back laughing at whatever they had done to stop the music. Their expressions changed when seeing our somewhat sombre, almost cold like faces. Annabeth's smile faded.
"What's happened guys? What did Luke say?" She asks with a worried tone.
"Not much," Percy lied shrugging it off. I'm not sure if it was due to the campers taking sides for a war. Or taking into count what Luke said about Hades taking the bolt.
I didn't believe the Lord of the Dead would risk something like this. War leads to casualties, and with that means more dead people that need to be taken into the afterlife. Waiting to be put on trial to decide where their spirits end up for eternity. Seems like too much of a hassle to me.
Someone else had to have taken it, and I was starting to believe it was Luke. Son of thieves makes a perfect candidate, especially since he would've been on Olympus for the winter solstice, as Annie had told us.
Now I just needed more proof......
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In A Flash of Lightning (Percy Jackson)
Fanfiction(On Hold) Naomie Miller was what society would deem as a troublemaker. Which the majority of times was due to no fault of her own, as she was different from most kids her age. Not that she knew it of course, however because of her obliviousness on t...
