Alexander: The Second Conquest

Six: Is Everything Real?

I know what you're thinking.

Alexander,it's such a stupid idea to go on your own. Even though I agreed with that statement when feelings of revenge grew in me,I wasn't going to change it.

The mini fountain at the corner of the gift shop started to make ripple noises,and Percy's face appeared above it through Iris Message.

"Percy?"I stepped closer,confused.

"Alexander?I didn't think I would find you here. Where have you been?"He sounded distressed.

"What is it?"I ignored his question. I had kind of escaped Camp Half-Blood to sail across the ocean and go to Greece for vacation.

"I felt something through my empathy link with Grov-is that you,Juniper?"

"It's me,"Juniper had stopped crying,although her eyes were puffy. "Whatever you felt,you're probably right. Grover's gone missing."

Percy looked even more worried now. "Listen,Alexander,since you're there-"

"I was going to go after him anyway,"I interrupted. "I know who captured him."

"Good,"Percy's image began to flicker and get blurry. "Update me when you find Grover."

When the image vanished,I straightened and turned to Juniper. "You just take care of yourself. I'll bring back Grover as soon as possible."I promised her.

She nodded,too stricken to say anything. I awkwardly patted her shoulder in a form of reassurance and headed out. Just as I was about to wonder where I would find Grover,the sound of reed pipes filled my ears.

I looked around wildly. No one seemed to be affected...could they even hear it in the first place?Then I remembered.

Grover played the reed pipes.

He was calling out for help. If I could hear it,that meant he must be nearby. Searching like some kind of police dog,I doubled back whenever the sound got weaker and sped up whenever it got stronger.

The melodious sound was suddenly cut off,and I was left alone with no source of guidance. Cursing softly,I tried to use my instincts while watching anyone who had a weird,glazed look in their eyes.

"Hello!You're that guy with Julian,right?"Asteria waved from one side of the shops,holding a basket of bread. I wanted to go to her,but then I stopped.

Her hair was a lighter brown.

Someone tapped my shoulder,and I whirled around,my whole world shifting into the central. It was empty,just like I remembered it.

"Stop it!"I yelled,feeling my head hurting.  I didn't realise Hector could manipulate the Mist to literally change my reality.

Did Asteria even exist?My insides went cold at that thought. Am I...even in Macedonia?

My vision spun as I collapsed,trying to grasp on my last shred of sanity. I tried to remember the last thing before I set foot in Macedonia. It was all a wisp of memory,except...

Allen.

I pictured his appearance. His skin was darker than a tan,and his brown eyes were always troubled and worried and cautious. The scar that cut through his right eye made him look more experienced than he actually was. His dark red hair was the only thing abnormal about him other than his magic. Was it dyed,or was it natural colour?

You're doing great. Keep going.

Struggling to take a deep breath,I pictured Frank next-he was the second person I saw. He was this gentle giant-one of a kind. At the same time,he was a monster in battle. His arrowhead cut and his huge build really did make him look like a true leader. My mind cleared with every feature I remembered and put together.