The Sun and Sea (P.Jackson x Male OC)

My Father Will Hear About This!

They finally got to stop in a room full of waterfalls. The floor, which was a giant pit, was surrounded by a stone walkway. On all four walls, water rushed down from giant pipes, then spilled into the pit.

Briares was slumped against a wall, scooping up water in a dozen of his hands to wash his face. "This pit goes straight to Tartarus," he mumbled. "I should jump in and save you trouble." The way he talked reminded Theo of how he used to talk, before Will Solace mended his mental wounds. Will was Theo's rock, he always knew what to say and what to do. 

"Don't talk that way," Annabeth scolded. "You can come back to camp with us. You can help us prepare. You know more about fighting Titans than anybody."

"I have nothing to offer," Briares said. "I have lost everything."

"What about your brothers?" Tyson asked. "The other two must still stand tall as mountains! We can take you to them."

Briares's expression morphed into, what Theo assumed, was his grieving face. "They are no more. They faded."

The waterfalls thundered as Tyson blinked tears out of his eye. Theo put a comforting hand on his shoulder, hoping it would help.

"What exactly do you mean, they faded?" Percy asked. "I thought monsters were immortal, like the gods."

"Percy," Grover said weakly, "even immortality has limits. Sometimes  . . . sometimes monsters get forgotten and they lose their will to stay immortal." 

Just by looking at Grover, it was obvious to everyone he was thinking of Pan.

"I must go," Briares said.

"Kronos's army will invade camp," Tyson said desperately. "We need help."

Briares looked at the floor. "I cannot, Cyclops."

"You are strong."

"Not anymore." Briares said as he got to his feet.

"Hey." Percy grabbed one of his arms and pulled him aside. Theo couldn't hear what they were saying, but Percy looked determined while Briares just looked defeated. Finally, Briares trudged off into the depths of the maze, hopefully to be seen again.

Tyson started to sob, so Theo squeezed his shoulder, hoping he was comforting.

"It's okay." Grover patted his shoulder and Theo gave him a smile. He knew how scared Grover was of Tyson, so that small gesture definitely would have a positive impact on Tyson.

Tyson sneezed. "It is not okay, goat boy. He was my hero."

Theo cringed a little, but he remembered what Will told him.

"Sometimes, a hero needs someone to lean on too, after all, heroes are still human," Theo paused to think over his next words. "Heroes are not always bombproof, no matter how much you wish they were. So maybe, you could be that someone for them, to just be there when they need it the most."

Theo didn't realize that he was crying until Percy came up to the two crying boys to give them a hug. Theo was the first to pull away, wiping his tears as Percy gave him a thankful look.

After a while, Annabeth stood and shouldered her backpack. "Come on, guys. This pit is making me nervous. Let's find a better place to camp for the night."

~~

They eventually settled in a corridor made of huge marble blocks. It looked like it could've been part of a Greek tomb, with bronze torch holders fastened to the walls. It had to be an older part of the maze, and Annabeth decided this was a good sign.