𝐄́𝐊𝐋𝐄𝐈𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒² || 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐘 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐎𝐍

𝐈𝐗

✦ 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐘 & 𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐘 ✦

JASON FELT UNEASY LEAVING AURORA AND LEO, but in this chilling place, sticking with Cal, the hockey jock, seemed the safest choice. As they ascended the icy stairs, Zethes, armed with a dangerous sword, trailed behind them. The sword looked lethal enough to turn Jason into a Popsicle with just one hit.

The ice princess accompanying them occasionally smiled at Jason, but her smiles lacked warmth, making him feel like a mere specimen under scrutiny. Learning that these were Boreas' children, Jason wondered about meeting their father, considering Boreas was supposed to be the friendliest of the wind gods, according to Aurora.

Seeking comfort, Jason held Piper's hand, which she didn't resist. However, when the ice princess noticed, she warned them against warmth, especially in her presence. This made Jason's hand, and Piper's, frosty and smoking.

While traversing the frosty hallways adorned with icy tapestries, Jason's mind raced. Memories of Thalia, his sister, who looked nothing like him but felt familiar, consumed him. He was angered by Hera's theft of his memories and the weight of the quest she thrust upon him. Despite this anger, Jason couldn't shake off his curiosity about his past.

Piper's touch brought him back to the present. Her fading Aphrodite blessing made her look more genuine to him. Though they seemed to have no past before the Grand Canyon, Jason found himself growing fond of her. Yet, he reminded himself not to entertain such thoughts.

They finally arrived at a grand set of doors with a map of the world carved on them, representing the Winter winds. The ice princess, introducing herself as Khione, daughter of Boreas, prepared them for a meeting with her father, warning them of his cold nature. As the doors opened, Jason braced himself for what awaited them inside.

The throne room was colder than the entry hall, feeling like a meat locker. Mist filled the air, and the floor was covered in snow, making every step slippery. Ice sculptures of warriors surrounded them, which turned out to be more alive than Jason initially thought when they blocked his path.

Khione, the ice princess, led them into the room, where they encountered Boreas, the king of the North Wind, sitting on an icy throne. Despite the chilling atmosphere, Boreas seemed less hostile than his daughter. He initially spoke in French, surprising Jason and Piper with Piper seemingly speaking the language fluently, although she claimed she didn't know how.

The situation quickly escalated when Boreas revealed his intent to kill them on the orders of Aeolus, the master of the winds. However, after a tense exchange and Jason's display of power against Khione, Boreas agreed to hear their story.

Piper eloquently recounted their journey, explaining their quest and the urgency to find Hera. Boreas seemed to know about the storm spirits they were pursuing and hinted at a looming danger that even Hera might not be able to handle. He advised them to head to Chicago to find the person controlling the winds and possibly learn about Hera's whereabouts from Aeolus.