Daughter of Mother Earth

Chapter Sixty-Eight

"Hopefully this means Gaea will back off a bit," Annabeth said.

"How so?" Leo asked.

"Think about it. Creating a clone with powers must have taken a lot of energy to control." Annabeth ran a hand through her hair. "Maybe that's enough to make her take a quick nap for a while."

And stay out of my head, Crystal thought.

And as if the day couldn't get any weirder, a whinny brought the group's attention to Piper on a pegasus. Behind her laid Percy and Jason, both unconscious.

Crystal mentally groaned. I hate being a demigod.

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Apparently, sickbay was now the "cool kids spot." Jason and Percy were stretched out on their own cots, with ice packs on their heads and ambrosia in their hands. Coach Hedge bounced between the two as he tended to their wounds. Annabeth stood to the side, silently listening to Piper's explanation as to what had happened to the boys. Crystal sat on her own cot, fuming in annoyance as Leo fussed over her.

"Leo, please," Crystal pushed away his hand for the tenth time. "I'm fine, I promise. Besides, Coach gave me a little bit of nectar to help."

The satyr scoffed. "And at this point, we're going to run out of it."

Crystal rolled her eyes and glanced at Piper, worry evident on her friend's face. "Pipes?"

"Is the ship ready to fly?" Piper quickly asked.

Leo frowned. "Yes, but we-"

"We need to get to Atlanta."

"Piper, is everything okay?" Annabeth asked.

"I'll explain later."

"But-" Leo's words were cut off when he felt a hand on his arm.

Crystal gave him a look that said, don't argue. She had a feeling that her friends needed a moment to speak. Reluctantly, Leo nodded and left the room with Crystal in tow. She threw one last look at Annabeth before exiting the room.

It didn't take long for everyone to regroup at the dining table, with Piper explaining what happened while they were gone. Crystal too explained their situation after Piper finished.

"So basically, Gaea is possessing everyone and trying to start another war," Percy said.

Crystal nodded, chewing on a piece of salmon and cucumber maki. "Hopefully after both of these events, she'll back off for the time being."

"Is there a way to convince the Romans it wasn't our fault?" Piper asked.

Annabeth shook her head. "There's no way they'll believe us."

"We could contact Reyna," Jason suggested.

Piper's face sunk at the way Jason said the praetor's name. That was a low blow. Jason remained oblivious, continuing the idea that Piper could convince his friend of the past. Annabeth shot her a sympathetic look and Hazel winced. Crystal stared at her food with pursed lips and wide eyes, silently praying for Jason to shut the hell up. Are men really that dense? Crystal glanced at Leo, who was more invested in his quesadilla than the conversation. I stand corrected.

"Uh, yeah," Piper mumbled. "It's worth a shot."

"Octavian is the one we need to worry about. He wants to take over and he got the opportunity," Frank said.

Hazel nodded. "Not only that, but they're closing in. The Roman eagles can smell us, our scent isn't completely concealed."

Leo tapped his fingers in thought. "Crystal, remind me next time to invent a chicken nugget scented smokescreen."

"Chicken nugget?" Hazel asked, confused.

Leo's eyes sparkled in excitement. "Oh yeah! You've been gone for like, seventy years. Well, a chicken nugget is-"

A sharp kick to his shin shut Leo up. He yelped and glared at Crystal, who was looking away in faux innocence, a ghost of a smile on her lips.

"Anyway," Jason cleared his throat. "We need to keep moving, at least until we get over the Atlantic."

Piper frowned. "Won't they still follow us?"

"Not into the ancient lands," Hazel shook her head, swallowing a bite of food. "Romans are forbidden, not even Octavian would break that rule. If anything, they'll assume we'll die in the Mediterranean."

Crystal hummed. "Ah yes, the bright side."

"Okay, so we just don't die," Percy said. "We plan ahead. What was it that Mr. D said about the twin giants?"

"Otis and Ephilates," Jason replied. "Ella's prophecy."

Annabeth took a sip of her drink. "They tried to get to Olympus by stacking mountains like blocks."

The conversation faded from Crystal's ears as she tugged a curl in thought. She couldn't help but think back to when Gaea possessed her. If she did it once, couldn't she do it again? Why hasn't she done it again? Gaea took control of Leo, Percy, and Jason since they started the quest, why not just her multiple times? What is she planning?

"Gaea wants two of us." Crystal blinked as she came back into reality.

"She what?"

Piper cleared her throat. "On the highway, Gaea said she only needed the blood of two demigods- one male, and one female. She told me to choose which boy will die."

"Do you guys remember Khione?" Leo asked.

"Ah, the ice bitch." Crystal rolled her eyes. "Who could forget her?"

Annabeth chuckled. "It's not wise to insult a god, minor or major."

"And I'll do it again."

"Anyways," Leo cleared his throat. "She said something about spilling Jason's blood. Said it would taint the place for generations as if demigod blood had power."

Percy dropped his pizza slice. "Oh shit."

Everyone turned to the demigod who had started muttering to himself. He turned to Hazel and Frank.

"Polybotes, the giant that attacked Camp Jupiter. I had a dream. He was talking about how he wanted me as a prisoner, not dead. He wanted to kill me when the time was right and raise Gaea."

Crystal's throat suddenly felt dry. Raise Gaea... A chill ran over her, causing her hands to shake.

"How does this all fit together?" Hazel asked. "I mean, Ella's prophecy, the Mark of Athena, the twins. How?"

Percy crossed his arms. "Well first, we need to get to Atlanta and find Phorcys."

"First a wine god in Kansas and now an old sea god in Atlanta?" Crystal muttered. "What's next? A snow god in Hawaii?"

A moment of laughter filled the space, lessening the tension in the air.

"We should be landing in Atlanta tomorrow afternoon, so we should be getting some rest. It's getting late." Leo stood up, brushing off his dinner crumbs.

The others began standing as well, clearing their plates and cups.

"Wait," Piper suddenly spoke. "They're here. The eidolons."

Crystal's blood ran cold.