𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋

꧁𝐋𝐄𝐎 𝐜𝐡𝟑𝟖꧂

Leo

Seventeen hours. Seventeen hours to Greece. What's the bet that it takes longer than that? I thought, while I agreed with Hazel that she would pay me six drachmas if I was right - that it would take longer. Honestly, optimists these days. And I'm the one that built the ship!

I frowned, still thinking about Calypso. I really wanted her with me, but I knew it would be safer at camp. It was at that point I realised I left the lights on in our workshop. Stupid, Leo! I went to go ask Calypso to turn them off, via an iris message in the bathroom, but a glint of metal caught my eye. I walked over to the side of the deck, and a singular knife was planted in the ledge.

Just as I went to grab it, a wave of fear washed over me like a cold blanket. I froze.

At first it was unsettling and creepy, making the hair on my neck stand on end. Next, I felt paralysed and a freezing sensation shot up my spine. I was flat out terrified.

"What the-" I started, but was knocked off my feet. Yellow vapour obscured my vision for a few moments as I flew through the air. I hit the deck and the wind left my lungs. I made an intelligible sound like oof. I heard shouts - an arm came before me and I took it. I was hauled up by Jason, who stood next to me, arm gripping my shoulder.

The vapour cleared and the five of us were standing in a line, Piper shoulder to shoulder with me to the right. Before us stood a man.

He looked a year or two older than me, eyes blazing. He wore a red bandana, ratty jeans and a leather jacket. His hair was long, black and straggly, almost obscuring those haunting eyes. He smiled cruelly.

"Hello demigods."

"You.. You're Phobos, God of fear," Piper said, "You helped me, last time, with Annabeth."
"Indeed."
"You're my half-brother."
"That is correct."
"You are also Frank's half-brother."
"Yes," he nodded at an unsure Frank.
"You fought Percy."
His fists curled and another wave of fear made me step back. Sore about that, then.
"Also correct."
"So um... hi? What's up?"
"I am here to give you a warning."
"Don't leave the lights on in your workshop or the goddess of wasting electricity will give you a hard time? Got it," I stuttered.
"Turn back," he hissed.

Hazel stepped forward bravely, drawing her long sword. "No." The rest of us copied her actions.
"I don't understand. Why don't you fight for us? Piper and I are getting recognition for all the minor Gods and-" Jason tried.
"You think I am but a minor God?"
"Oh. Oh no! Of course not.. sir. It's just-"
"Everyone feels fear. All the time. Fear is one of the strongest emotions, in tie with love and hate. The Gods fear. Titans fear. Even primordials fear. Yet I am a minor God? I assure you that you all are more scared than you think you are. The fear on this boat makes even I nauseous. Fear has been around since the beginning of time."

"Now, I quite fancy taking the winning side. The odds were stacked against you before. But now? You stand no chance. Gaia has asked me to give you a little bit of a scare. Something I do best. So... who would like to see their worst fears first? How about you, Valdez?"

"Double it and give it to the next person?" I tried, avoiding his eyes while stepping back slowly.

"How do we stop him? We can't exactly kill a God," Jason murmured to Piper and I.
"I dunno... what's the God of fear scared of?" Piper whispered.
"Your face?" I stammered.
Piper wrinkled her nose. "That comment is pretty ironic considering our parentage."