The Spirits of the Universe (PJO)

Chapter 27--Secrets of the Forest

A/N--Sorry for the short chapter, I had a lot to do this week. Still, I hope you enjoy :)

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"What's that?" 

I tore my gaze from the darkness surrounding us to my wrist, where Liam's gaze was curiously fixated on the bracelet I was wearing. It was a simple metal band with steelwood beads colored in various shades of blue, snugly sitting on my skin. Besides probably being able to deflect a sword strike, the piece of jewelry was strikingly ordinary . . . "Vespera gave it to me."

"Why?"

"I thought you didn't care about anything to do with her," I said. 

"We're hiking alone through this freaky forest that we know is definitely not empty," Liam grumbled. "I tend to prioritize my mental state over my distrust for certain individuals. Could you give me a break for once and answer the question?"

The boy needs a beating to realize this is the most honest place on the planet, End scoffed. No one's trying to trick you—they'll face you with pure hostility. He's just weak.  

Much to her displeasure, I didn't agree with her. If whoever attacked the horses plagued us in the same way, would we be able to fight back?

To make things worse, the guards had been shaken by the encounter. They didn't show it, of course, claiming that they'd stash the horses back in the stables and catch up with reinforcements, but with the looks they were giving us, you'd think we were dead already.

With them gone, any advantage we had with our numbers had vanished. 

So Liam, Aridne, and I pushed deeper into the forest. As we treaded forward, the surroundings became more ominous, darker, and creepy. Eventually, Liam and I found ourselves shuffling close behind Aridne, our hands hooked in each other's backpack straps to ensure we wouldn't get separated. (We didn't risk lighting the lamps the mayor had given us, praying desperately that the I-can't-see-you-you-can't-see-me tactic would work effectively.)

"She asked me to give it to her mother," I whispered.  

"Well, why wouldn't you deliver it before we headed into the Great Forest? You're not going to find anyone here . . . oh." Liam's eyes widened in understanding. 

I sighed heavily. "Yeah. She's probably dead, along with half the residents of Helmmount when they fled the Great Forest."

"It's been a while, right? How hasn't she lost hope?"

"Losing hope means that you're giving up on changing your situation," I told him. "It's better to dream."

That's stupid, End said. If you're regretting something, you should do something about it rather than relying on a savior. Otherwise, you're an idiot—

End, stop, Order chided. Can't you tell Percy's going through the same thing? We're supposed to build him up, not tear him down.

That's a load of my pegasus' poop. Right, Percy?

Look what you did, Order sighed when I didn't respond. Now he's angry at us. Not everyone has your . . . er . . . strength . . . to deal with their problems. 

That's right, End sniffed. I'm the strongest being in the universe. Maybe I've been over estimating everyone—I've definitely lost my touch.

I rolled my eyes, but Liam's voice threw my focus from the siblings. "How're you going to find her?"

"I don't know," I said, stumbling over a twig. "I don't want to think about it. Not yet."

"Well, get thinking," Aridne said. 

Liam and I wheeled on her, but for different reasons. Liam had forgotten that she was with us, but he was relieved to have a third person with us. Meanwhile, I was surprised that Aridne had actually replied to me—and then I was upset at myself for being surprised.

Some great emotions you have, End said as I struggled to keep my face neutral. Don't you think so, Order?

It kind of reminds me of when that male wood nymph stopped talking to you, Order retorted. You looked close to quitting with your universe domination plan—

You promised not to talk about that, End hissed, embarrassed.

Then stop bothering Percy. He's in a vulnerable position.

It's already bad enough to have two immortals arguing twenty-four-seven in your head, but it could turn even worse when they start commenting about you as if you couldn't hear them. If I was in a foul mood before, this wasn't helping. 

"Finally!" Liam exclaimed. "I thought you were going to wait until someone died before you started talking!"

"What do you mean?" I asked Aridne. "You know where she is?"

"I don't know where she is," Aridne corrected in that cold tone that I was sadly used to now, "but I know where to start looking." She pointed in front of her.

Liam and I looked that way. It was a bit dark, but our eyes quickly adjusted. Then I took a breath of surprise.

"Those are . . . houses," Liam said.

Looks like we're here, End said.