A web of fates | Percy Jackson and the Olympians

XII| Daphne is forced to visit an old friend

"You were the one who attacked Annabeth?" Toni chided, walking up to her brother with her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her tone was laced with disapproval, a stark contrast to the celebratory atmosphere that had begun to permeate their makeshift base.

The daughter of Nemesis did not look even slightly impressed, her eyes were narrowed into slits, betraying a simmering anger beneath her carefully constructed facade. Ethan stood his ground, unflinching under Toni's scrutiny.

The demigods of Kronos' army had just returned to their base after a gruelling battle, and already many of them were cracking open bottles of alcohol. The air, thick with the stench of sweat, blood, and ozone, was quickly becoming saturated with the cheaper, harsher scent of liquor. Daphne, seeing a full bottle of what looked like whiskey laying unattended on a crate, grabbed it, twisted off the lid, and took a long, generous swig.

She welcomed the burning sensation that ran down her throat, a familiar sting that momentarily cut through the numbness she often felt. It gave her a reminder that she was able to still feel pain. That she was, despite everything, still human.

Ethan looked at his sister sheepishly, avoiding her gaze. "I didn't mean to stab Annabeth with a poisoned dagger! It was meant to be Percy!" He blurted out, the confession sounding almost like an excuse.

At the mention of the dagger being poisoned, Daphne's dark eyes flickered with a dangerous glint, and she drank even more of the alcohol, the neck of the bottle nearly touching her lips. Of course it was poisoned, why wouldn't it be? This whole war was poisoned.

"Well you weren't exactly acting on clear instructions, were you?" Toni continued, her voice tight with controlled frustration, still looking rather unimpressed.

She knew Ethan acted impulsively, and that was often more of a hindrance than a help. Daphne watched as Ethan tried to defend himself, stammering out justifications that sounded weak even to her own ears, taking small sips of the bitter brown liquid as she watched the two siblings argue.

"The one person who I said not to injure," Daphne murmured tiredly, her voice barely audible above the rising din of the other demigods. "Oh, we are so doomed. Percy has basically been in love with the girl since day one. He'll end this war singlehandedly if it means to save her."

She knew Percy Jackson.

Everyone did.

And she knew what he was capable of.

Toni rolled her eyes at Daphne's dramatic comment, but there was a flicker of worry in her expression. "There is a very small possibility we might actually be screwed." She admitted, grudgingly.

Ethan continued to defend himself, his voice rising in petulance, clearly not regretting a moment of what he'd done. "Why should I have to listen to you?" He snapped, his eyes flashing with resentment. "Besides, the poison wasn't even that dangerous. She'll survive."

"Let's hope," Nodded Daphne, her body slumping against the cold, damp wall as she slid down to sit on the floor, the bottle clutched loosely in her hand. She swirled the remaining alcohol in the bottle, watching the amber liquid move in a mesmerizing dance. Whilst she did so, Daphne allowed her mind to wander to Theo, a pang of guilt twisting in her chest. She hoped he was okay. He was one of the few she actually cared about.

Toni, sensing the growing tension and the futility of arguing with her brother, sat down next to Daphne on the floor, a small scowl etched on her face. "You better hope Percy doesn't go all angry demigod on our asses," she said gruffly, taking the bottle from Daphne's lax grip. "It's hard enough fighting this war as it is."

Sensing the daughter of Nemesis' irritation, Daphne simply nodded, closing her eyes for a brief moment. All around them demigods were doing the same, drinking away their pain, their fears, their regrets. It wasn't like they had anybody to stop them from doing so - Kronos definitely did not care whether they drank or not. He probably encouraged it.