The Shadow Summoner | Book Three - PJO Universe

seventeen

WITHOUT HER SUNSHINE

To say Ariana was a complete stress head since Apollo left to go on his death mission was an understatement.

Nobody, take Nico's word for it, would go near her. Even when her brother and Will managed to drag her back to Camp Half-Blood and situate her in Cabin Thirteen, nobody would go near her.

Ariana had shut herself in the dreary cabin for days, refusing to come out. The other campers had been warned to stay away, for even Will and Nico received cold glares when they occasionally visited, bearing food.

The only sound that emanated from the cabin was the sound of quill scratching against paper, and soft sniffling.

Shadows swarmed around her, various plants and flowers would randomly pop up anywhere near her and the water pipes would randomly burst.

The first day without any word of Apollos whereabouts were the worst. When the demigods had returned to the Camp, nobody knew what had happened.

They had no indication as to whether Apollo was a god again or even alive.

Nothing.

The atmosphere in Camp Half-Blood was thick with tension and despair. The demigods had all gathered in the pavilion, discussing the uncertain fate of Apollo and the lack of information about his whereabouts. They exchanged glances and whispered amongst themselves, unsure of what to do next.

Nico and Will huddled together, their faces etched with concern. They knew Ariana was taking the situation particularly hard, shut away in Cabin Thirteen like a prisoner in her own misery.

The daughter of Hades hated no knowing, she'd sit in her bedroom with a thousand thoughts running through her mind most consisting of:

• Find Apollo.
• Where is Apollo?
• Tell Percy and Annabeth I'm alive.

A knock at her door shook her from her thoughts, she turned to see Nico pop his head through.

"Hey Ari.."

"Do we know anything yet?" The girl asked frantically, standing up from her bed.

Nico winced, slowly shaking his head. "No... but Arya is asking for you to help her with her sword training. Do you want me to tell her you're not well?"

Ariana shook her head, sighing. She couldn't let Apollo plague her mind like that. He wouldn't have wanted that.

"No, I'll come help her now. Just give me a few minutes."

Nico nodded in understanding. "Alright, but don't push yourself too hard, okay? We're all worried about you."

With that, Nico disappeared from the doorway, leaving Ariana to gather her thoughts and composure. She took a deep breath, trying to put aside her worries about Apollo and focus on the task at hand-training with Arya.

Surprising everyone, Ariana was true to her word. Ten minutes later, in fresh clothes and her black hair braided into two French plaits, she stood in the sword arena with Aria.

"Try holding your sword like this." Advised Ariana, demonstrating with her own sword.

Eagerly, Arya copied her movements as she grinned. Her smile reminded Ariana so much of Annabeth that she cursed herself for not talking to her and Percy yet.

"Great." Ariana grinned, though her eyes full of pain. "Now try hit the-"

Ariana didn't even need to finish her sentence as the daughter of Athena stabbed the dummy, causing it to fall over.