In Pursuit of Lost Echoes

011

Astraea 

After finding the abandoned workshop, the rest of the night was spent on attaching Festus's wings. Astraea couldn't complain though, even though she was exhausted, and grimy she liked watching Leo work. He looked so concentrated and intense, it would kind of take her breath away. Every once in a while he would notice her stares from the corner of his eye, he'd look up at her and send her a charming smile, wipe his curls out of his face and continue working. It definitely took her breath away. After he was done attaching the wings, he smiled confidently, grabbed the tool belt and climbed on the dragon. 

"Are you coming?" he asked Astraea, shooting her a troublemaker smile. 

"You know I am." She snips back at him playfully, climbing onto the dragon and holding onto Leo's waist. She felt his heartbeat increase intensely which made her smile. 

The flight back to camp didn't take as long as she thought it would, but it was beautiful. The sun was rising gently above the trees giving them a golden glow. Leo who was sitting in front and controlling Festus was enjoying every bit of it. His curly hair was blowing gently, and he closed his eyes giving his face a carefree look. Astraea was enjoying the view. 

They spotted camp a little bit ahead and it looked beautiful, the lake was sparkling and the morning mist seemed to fall on top. 

"I really hope no one attacks." Astraea whispers to Leo. 

"I didn't even think about it." he said, scrunching his forehead in thought. "I guess we'll see how it goes." he concludes.

As soon as they landed campers started running up, the camp alarm went off. A conch horn blew. The dragon set down in the middle of the green pasture and Leo started yelling, "It's cool, don't shoot!"

Hesitantly the archers lowered their bows and the warriors backed away, keeping their spears and swords ready. 

Piper ran up still in her pajamas, looking the dragon up and down. "It's beautiful." she muttered, receiving stares like she was insane. 

The dragon reared its head and shot a column of fire into the sky. Campers scrambled away and hefted their weapons, but Leo slid calmly off the dragon offering his hand to Astraea, like a true gentleman, and she graciously accepted. Leo held his hands up like he was surrendering, expect that he had that crazy grin on his face. He looked at Astraea and she smiled as well. 

"People of Earth, I come in peace!" he shouted. "Festus is just saying hello!"

"That thing is dangerous!" an Ares girl shouted, brandishing her spear. "Kill it now!" 

"No!" Astraea shouted at the same time someone ordered, "Stand down!"

To everyones surprise it was Jason. He pushed through the crowd, flanked by a terrified looking Annabeth and Leo's half sister Nyssa. 

Jason gazed up at the dragon and shook his head in amazement. "Leo, what have you done?"

"Found a ride!" Leo beamed. "You said I could go on the quest if I got you a ride. Well, me and Astraea got you a class-A metallic flying bad boy! Festus can take us anywhere!" 

"It- has wings," Nyssa stammered. Her jaw looked like it might drop off her face. 

"Yeah!" Leo said. "We found them and reattached them."

Annabeth looked at Astraea. Her face seemed to visibly relax seeing the girl not hurt, but her eyes stayed stormy. 

"But it never had wings. Where did you find them?" Nyssa continued. 

Leo hesitated, looking down at Astraea for help. 

"In.. the woods," she said, sending them a clueless smile. 

"Repaired his circuits, top, mostly, so no more problems with him going haywire."  Leo added, trying to take off the attention from where they found the wings. 

"Mostly?" Nyssa asked. 

The dragons head twitched. It tilted to one side and a steam of black liquid- maybe oil poured out of its ear, all over Leo. 

"Just a few kinks to work out," Leo said trying to wipe the grease out of his hair. 

"But how did you survive.." Nyssa was staring at the creature in awe. "I mean it breathes fire.." 

"I'm quick," Leo said. "And lucky that Astraea was there to save me, multiple times. Now, am I on this quest, or what?"

Astraea looked over at the crowd of people now gathering around them, she sensed the dragon will not be taking the amount of weapons surrounding him lightly. 

Jason scratched his head. "You named him Festus? You know that in Latin 'festus' means 'happy'? You want us to ride off and save the world on Happy the Dragon?" 

The dragon twitched and shuddered and flapped his wings. 

"That's a yes, bro!" Leo said. "Now, um, I'd really suggest we get going guys. I already picked up some supplies in the-" Leo got cut off by Astraea jabbing him in the ribs. "- in the woods. " Leo said rubbing his side. "All these people with weapons are making Festus nervous." 

Jason frowned. "But we haven't planned anything yet. We can't just-"

"Go." Annabeth said. She was the only one who didn't look nervous at all. Her expression was sad and wistful. "You guys only have three days until the solstice now, and you should never keep a nervous dragon waiting. This is certainly a good omen. Go." said said.

Then she walked over to Astraea and handed her a small backpack. "When you were not in your cabin last night, I guessed something was up and packed you some things for your quest. I'm begging you now, stay safe. I already lost Percy, I can't loose you as well." she then hugged the brunette and stepped aside. 

Leo climbed on the dragon and stretched his arm out for Astraea, "You ready?" he asked, eyes gleaming. 

"You know I am." the girl smiled. 

3 Days later..