Orphis Brown and the Stolen Crown

Chapter 12

The resort was a normal resort.

Except for the fact that it was huge and only slightly shorter than the Empire State building. And also the fact that it was the lair of Porphyrion.

A security guard that was obviously mortal let them in with a dazed expression, and Orphis immediately knew that he was cast under a spell, just like they had been in the lotus casino.

They headed to the elevators and found four elevators. It looked like the whole building had 101 floors. One of them was sealed off with duct tape, with little cute duck patterns on it. A hastily scribbled sign read Under Maintenance.

Naturally, they broke the rules and went in the elevator that was 'Under Maintenance'.

Obvious fact of the day: It was not under maintenance. The demigods ducked through the duck tape (get it? duck through duck tape?) and found that the elevator was completely functional

This elevator was like the other elevators, though the buttons from 1 to 101 were fake and made out of cardboard and looked as if it were made by 2nd graders, but there was a golden button at the very top. Floor 599.

Yeah, Porphyrion was totally copying Olympus, except with the arts and crafts skills of a 9 year old. Probably because his hands were too big for the scissors.

There were rumors the elevator music was horrible, and Orphis confirm that first hand.

The demigods had to endure Orion's haikus that were worse than the ones Apollo composed for 599 seconds. Apparently, Porphyrion didn't know the concept that is known as speed.

Finally, just when Orphis didn't think he could stand it anymore, the elevator door opened with a ding and the pleasant female voice that said, 'Floor 599. Have a wonderful day.' The demigods stumbled out the elevator and fell flat on their faces.

Literally. Porphyrion's penthouse was amazing and so huge that you could stack about 50 giraffes and the topmost giraffe would still have trouble touching the ceiling.

Orphis looked around, and he could see a double king size bed in the middle of the room. Then he looked down and gasped. The crown was under the bed.

Apparently, the others had seen it too. They scrambled to grab it, but Oliver said, 'Wait'.

Nobody listened to him. Probably he just wanted to say something about his love life getting interrupted, but just then, Porphyrion strided into the room, his arms wide in welcome.

'Behold, demigods, Porphyrion Resort!' Porphyrion grinned, 'How do you like my work?'

'It's great!' Oliver started, but Selina glared at him.

'It's horrible!' Wendy declared out loud. 'We need this crown.'

Wow... what a great example of wisdom from the daughter of wisdom. 

Orphis thought for sure Porphyrion was gonna step forward and crush Wendy flat, but instead, Porphyrion threw back his head and laughed, a horrible cackling laugh, so loud and horrible that Orphis suspected that Porphyrion was going to attempt at laughing them to death instead.

'No way! I stole this crown fair and square, and I'm gonna keep it! I literally walked into Olympus and stole the crown right under the Olympians noses! It was too easy!' He didn't mention the fact that he plummeted out of the godly crib and broke his ankle.

Orphis tried to say something but Wendy glanced at him, sending a clear message. Don't worry. I got this!

Porphyrion snarled, 'What did you say?'

'This is terrible handiwork!' Wendy continued. 'Way too big for your visitors, don't you think? That double king sized is even way too big for you!'

'No it's not!' Porphyrion complained, 'It's just the right size!'

'Oh yeah?' Wendy smiled, 'Then prove it!'

Anyone with half a mind would know its a bad idea to go along with this. Apparently, Porphyrion did not have half a mind.

He fell for it and plopped right on the bed.

Wendy looked at Selina and apparently she understood.

Selina snapped her fingers and a long rope appeared out of midair and wrapped Porphyrion tightly. The more Porphyrion struggled, the more the cords became tighter.

'That's unfair!' Porphyrion roared 'That's a foul!'

'Bruh, that's Trickery 101.' Selina told him, 'You actually fell for that?'

'ARRRRGH!!! LET ME GO!!!'

'Not today, bub.' Orphis strided over to the bed and snatched the crown from under the bed.

'Let's go.' He told the others. 'We have a crown to return.'