Amaurosis

XIX: Sibling Rivalries

The Argo II landed with a thump, collapsing on the white sands of Crete just like us, exhausted. We awaited to disembark, lining up and readying for Festus to open the wooden gates.

Excited faces filled the main room, and everyone was filled with adrenaline and motivation to gather some celestial bronze, fix the ship, and finally finish this dreadful quest. If I was in Percy and Annabeth's shoes, going on my third quest, I would have one foot in door to retirement.

"So, where's the big guy?" Leo enthused, soaking in our surroundings and marching off the ship. He reminded me of a tough kid strutting through the halls of school, and we were his entourage. "Festus can't wait to get the Argo II back up and running."

I, on the other hand, was beyond nervous. All my nails were, thanks to my chattering teeth, so short my fingers almost bled, and my heart was pounding so fast, I was getting light headed. Nico glanced my way and nodded, almost like a mutual 'I got your back'.

Since last night, I hadn't seen Nico in the same light. Disheveled, dark chocolate waves brushed the tops of his long, thick eyelashes. Endless pools of black ink, determined yet drained, gazed directly into mine, and dark gray circles hollowed his eyes, making them appear sunken. Soon enough, he was right beside me. Another thing I never noticed before: he was at least a head taller than me.

"See," he nudged my shoulder, hands shoved in the pockets of his leather jacket as he lifted his chin to point to the deserted horizon. "Nothing to worry about. We'll just get in and get out, finish the quest, and go home." I didn't respond. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. You know, with great responsibility comes great need to take a nap." My eyes trailed his pale face, landing on his lips, which he curved into a soft smile. And just like that, he stole the stress from off my shoulders.

I sighed and smiled sadly. "I hope you're right. We only have a week until I have to marry him." I stared at the ground, kicking around some sand and letting my grave future sink in.

He stopped me, put his hands on either of my shoulders, and stared into my eyes, genuine determination flowing from him. "Morpheus is not going to get to you, and you are not marrying him." He took a deep breath. "Not if I can help it."

"Aha!" Leo yelped from a couple dozen meters down. "A little rusty, but we found him! Saving the world here we come!"

Nico and I casted each other one last glance and ran toward the rest of the group. A giant bronze Greek soldier, at least ten regular humans long, lay buried in the sand. Splotches of burnt red covered his armor. Aside from the rest, he was in near perfect shape, but a small slice separated one of his feet from the rest of his leg.

"That's from when Medea killed him," Annabeth said from behind me, capturing my attention. "The last time Jason was here."

"Jason?" Percy asked, as confused as always, before turning to his blonde counterpart. "Way to go man, you killed Talos." Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"How'd that kill him?" I asked, not sure how an automaton could die unless its maker decides to inactivate it. They weren't like mortals-- more like if a mortal and an xbox had a baby, and that baby needs a controller to turn it on and off, except it's broken and it can only stay on.

"Well," she answered solemnly, tilting her head to see Talos more clearly. "Turns out his body had a single vein from his neck to his ankle, and the ankle wasn't protected at all. So, when she hit him there with her sword, all the golden ichor spilled from his body."

Leo began scrapping, but something wasn't right. The wind began to pick up, but it wasn't coming from a single direction. It was like we were in the center of a forming tornado.