anti hero - percy jackson ²

xi. sorceress

"jason. what an interesting name."

Cassandra wasn't sure how long she'd slept for, but she did know that she was grateful to be back up and moving.

The solstice was approaching, and they didn't have any more time to rest. They needed to find Hera. And soon.

Finally, they broke camp and started down the tunnel.

It was full of twists and turns, and seemed to go on forever. Cassandra didn't know exactly what to expect when they reached the end, but she didn't put anything past the Fates.

They found polished steel elevator doors, each one engraved with a cursive letter M. Next to the elevator was a directory, like for a department store.

"M for Macy's?" Piper guessed. "I think they have one in downtown Chicago."

"Or Monocle Motors still?" Leo said. "Guys, read the directory. It's messed up."

Parking, Kennels, Main Entrance: Sewer Level
Furnishings and Cafe M: 1
Women's Fashion and Magical Appliances: 2
Men's Wear and Weaponry: 3
Cosmetics, Potions, Poisons & Sundries: 4

"Kennels for what?" Piper asked. "And what kind of department store has its entrance in a sewer?"

"Or sells poisons?" Leo said. "Man, what does 'sundries' even mean? Is that like underwear?"

"This isn't good" Cassandra said, crossing her arms. "We need to get in and get out. And fast. Usain Bolt level fast."

Jason took a deep breath. "When it doubt, start at the top."

╰┈ ⋆｡˚ ❀ *· 🌬 ࿐ ࿔ ˚:⋆ ✧･ﾟ

The doors slid open on the fourth floor, and the scent of perfume wafted into the elevator. Jason stepped out first, his sword ready.

"Guys" He said. "You've got to see this."

Piper joined him and caught her breath. "This is not Macy's."

The store kind of looked like the inside of a kaleidoscope. The entire ceiling was a stained glass mosaic with astrological signs around a giant sun. The light streaming through bathed everything in tons of different colors. The upper floors made a ring of balconies around a huge central atrium, so they could see all the way down to the ground floor. Gold railings glittered so brightly, it was slightly blinding.

Aside from the stained glass ceiling and the elevator, there didn't seem to be any other windows or doors, but two sets of glass escalators ran between the levels. The carpeting was covered in oriental patterns and colors, and the racks of merchandise were just as bizarre. It was a lot for her eyes to take in, but she could see some normal things, like racks of shirts and shoe trees mixed in with the armored manikins, beds of nails, and fur coats... that were moving?

Leo stepped to the railing and looked down. "Check it out."

In the middle of the atrium a fountain sprayed water twenty feet into the air, changing color from red to yellow to blue. The pool glittered with gold coins, and on either side of the fountain stood a gilded cage—like an oversized canary cage.

Inside one, a miniature hurricane swirled, and lightning flashed. Somebody had imprisoned the storm spirits, and the cage shuddered as the tried to break free. In the other, was a short, buff satyr, holding a tree branch club, frozen like a statue.

"Coach Hedge!" Piper said. "We've got to get down there."

"No—" Cassandra tried to say.

"May I help you find something?" A voice interrupted.