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chapter five ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
005. Trespassing on the Princess Andromeda
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Cassie was exhausted and currently being dragged.
According to Annabeth, her and Tyson heard Percy crying for help.
Cassie heard none of the sort but she'd also been drifting in and out of consciousness for the past hour.
So much for avoiding Annabeth when she kept getting found. Like how the blonde was the one dragging her right now.
They found Percy staring off into the distance on the beach.
"What's going on? I heard you calling for help!" Annabeth asked.
"Me, too! Heard you yell, 'Bad things are attacking!'" Tyson agreed.
"I didn't hear anything but I was brought here against my will." Cassie remarked, plopping onto the sad.
"I didn't call you guys. I'm fine." Percy reassured.
"But then who . ." Annabeth saw the things Percy was holding "What-"
"Just listen. We don't have much time."
"When do we ever?" Cassie replied.
Percy explained his whole meeting with Hermes and when he finished, the harpies were catching their scent and screeching.
"Percy, we have to do the quest." Annabeth informed.
"We'll get expelled, you know. Trust me, I'm an expert at getting expelled."
"So? If we fail, there won't be any camp to come back to."
"You can get some more experience in being expelled." Cassie grinned, watching the sand flow through the gaps between her fingers.
"Yeah, but you promised Chiron-"
"We promised we'd keep you from danger. We can only do that by coming with you! Tyson can stay behind and tell them-" Annabeth got interrupted.
"I want to go." The cyclops said.
"No! I mean . . . Percy, come on. You know that's impossible." Annabeth's voice quivered.
Cassie rolled her eyes, standing up.
"Chase, if your gonna start again with this whole 'Cyclops are blood thirsty monsters! Let's run away!' thing. You're not coming with us."
"Carter, you don't know half of it!"
"Then explain would you! All we know is that you're being a jerk."
"Just shut up for once!"
Cassie scowled and turned away from Annabeth.
'Stupid Chase and her stupid stubbornness.'
Percy glanced between the two and weighed his options. Part of him didn't want to bring Tyson.
There was a huge possibility that the cyclops would start crying during a monster attack, resulting in their deaths.
But, Percy also wanted to keep the big guy safe and the harpies were drawing near.
"We can't leave him. Tantalus will punish him for us being gone." Percy reasoned.
"Percy were going to Polyphemus's island! Polyphemus is an S-i-k. . . a C-y-k . . ."
Annabeth huffed in annoyance and Cassie snickered. Not matter how intelligent the blonde was, she had dyslexia just like the rest of them.
"You know what I mean!"
They did, but Cassie liked making Annabeth's life harder.
"No we don't. Care to clarify, Brainiac?"
"I think you'll be just fine without clarification, Warpath. But he still can't come!"
"Tyson can go if he wants to!" Percy concluded.
"Want to!" Tyson clapped in excitement.
Annabeth glared at Percy but didn't protest.
"All right. How do we get to that ship?" The blonde questioned.
"Hermes said my father would help."
"Well then, Seaweed Brain? What are you waiting for?"
Cassie and Annabeth stared expectantly at Percy and he stepped into the waves.
"Um, Dad? How's it going?"
"Percy! We're in a hurry!" Annabeth urged.
"Nah. Take all the time you want. It's not like the harpies are about to come eat us or like camp's slowly dying." Cassie said getting a slap on the head.
She returned her middle finger to the blonde.
"We need your help. We need to get to that ship, like, before we get eaten and stuff, so . . ." Percy's voice faded.
For the first few seconds, nothing changed. The shrieks of the harpies drew closer. Then, four white lines streaked across the ocean surface.
They drew close to shore and the waves parted on the beach. Four horse heads popped out of the water.
They were a beautiful pearl white.
"Fish ponies!" Tyson cheered.
Good description for the creatures with the back halves of a fish.
"Hippocampi! They're beautiful." Annabeth gapped.
"Cool!" Cassie exclaimed.
One of the ponies neighed and nuzzled Annabeth before lightly pushing Cassie.
"We'll admire them later. Come on!" Percy shouted.
"Oh, so now you want to hurry." Cassie remarked.
"There! Bad children out of cabins! Snack time for lucky harpies!" Cassie could imagine being pointed at as the harpies came closer.
Slow but vicious was how to describe the harpies. You don't want to find yourself in their talons.
"Tyson! Grab a duffel bag!"
Tyson didn't move from his place, staring at the hippocampi.
"Tyson!"
"Uh?"
"Come on!"
The three got the cyclops to move and grabbed their bags. They got on the horses, the bigger one obviously for Tyson.
"Giddyup!" Percy commanded and his steed whisked into the waves. All four following one another.
Cassie imagined this was what jet skis felt like. Except you know, the harpies wailing from behind them.
Soon, camp disappeared. Just another blob in the distance.
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Cassie's eyes never left the ocean, watching the waves crash and the water splash.
She prayed Camp would be fine till they found the Golden Fleece.
The cruise ship, Hermes had told them about was right in front of them.
It was there way to Florida, to the Sea of Monsters.
Percy liked riding the hippocampus more than riding a pegasus. He didn't even hold on.
As they approached the ship, it's height became apparent.
It was huge, at least ten stories tall with an endless amount of decks.
The ship's name was clear to see if you didn't have dyslexia. It took a while but soon Cassie could make out the black text:
PRINCESS ANDROMEDA
At the mast was a statue of a woman chained up. It was obvious, she was the boat's namesake.
Percy knew the myth of Andromeda. After all, he was named after the hero of the myth.
Perseus had saved the trapped princess from being sacrificed to a sea monster. He'd stopped the monster, using Medusa's head.
Perseus was never defeated. That's why Sally Jackson named Percy, well Percy.
He was one of the few heroes who got a happy ending. Percy's mom wished for Percy to inherit Perseus' luck.
But with how the son of Poseidon's life was going, that luck was most certainly not passed down.
"How do we get aboard?" Annabeth yelled, but before she got an answer, the hippocampi seemed to understand her question.
They got close to the service ladder, easily keeping in pace with the boat.
"Well blondie, after you!" Cassie shouted.
Annabeth threw her duffel bag over her shoulder and grabbed the ladder. Once she got on, her hippocampus submerged into the water.
The daughter of Athena started making her way up before Cassie followed after. Then Percy, then . . . Tyson.
Well, Tyson was supposed to but the cyclops was occupied with his hippocampus doing tricks.
Tyson laughed giddily as his ride flipped.
"Tyson, shhh. Come on, big guy!" Percy beckoned.
Annabeth and Cassie had already safely got onto the ship.
"Can't we take Rainbow?" Tyson pouted.
Percy blinked. "Rainbow?"
Tyson's hippocampus whinnied in agreement.
"Um, we have to go. Rainbow . . . well, he can't climb ladders." Percy put lightly.
Tyson snuggled into Rainbow's mane.
"I will miss you, Rainbow!"
The hippocampus made some kind of crying noise causing Cassie to look over the edge.
"Maybe we'll see him again sometime." Percy reassured.
"Oh, please! Tomorrow!" Tyson exclaimed.
Cassie shuffled through her bag and took out her polaroid camera which was somehow in there.
She snapped a photo of the brothers and put the picture in one of her duffel bag pockets.
"Really?" Annabeth asked, with a raised eyebrow.
Cassie shrugged. "If he's your enemy, he's my new best friend."
Annabeth scoffed crossing her arms. "Gods Carter, you're so-"
"Infuriating? Annoying? I can list more." Cassie offered.
Annabeth rolled her eyes as Percy and Tyson got on board.
Cassie smirked. One point: Carter! Zero points: Chase!
Percy glanced between the two before slapping Cassie. Cassie whipped her head toward him questioningly.
'Just felt like it.' Percy mouthed, still trying to not be heard.
Cassie made a face and smacked Percy. Hits were sent back and forth before Annabeth shoved the two away from each other.
"Come on." She waved towards the double doors.
Cassie's sword appeared in a red flash. She went forward and pried open the doors with some cursing.
Percy stuck his hand out to halt every one. He inspected the hallway and removed his hand once he deemed it clear.
They passed corridors and stared down into the promenade. All the shops had their lights off, closed and the ship was dead.
"It's a ghost ship." Percy said.
"No, bad smell." Tyson replied.
"I don't smell anything." Annabeth inputted.
"That's cause it's coming from you." Cassie joked pinching her nose and stepping away from the blonde.
"Shut up!"
"Cyclopes are like satyrs. They can smell monsters. Isn't that right, Tyson?" Percy thought.
Tyson nodded, clearly on edge. Away from Camp, the Mist changed Tyson's face. He had two eyes if one didn't look to hard.
"Okay. So what exactly do you smell?" Annabeth inquired.
"Something bad," was Tyson's vague response.
"Great. That clears it up." Annabeth quipped.
They ventured through the pool level. Rows upon rows of empty chairs decked the area.
The water flowed from the pool lights and moved with the rocking of the ship.
Above them were more levels and fun stuff like glow-in-the-dark golf.
Yet no one was there. No one was anywhere on the ship.
But there was familiarity on the ship. A sense of danger. One Percy might've put a name to if he wasn't completely drained.
"We need a hiding place. Somewhere safe to sleep." Percy told them.
"Sleep," Annabeth nodded tiredly.
Eventually, they found an empty suite after a few minutes of exploring.
Weirdly enough, the door was wide open with the welcoming basket and stuff you get in hotels on the bed.
They opened their duffel bags and saw all the things Hermes had given.
There was extra clothes, camp rations, toiletries, a bag of cash, and a pouch of drachmas.
Hermes even packed Tyson's oilcloth and some tools to use on metal bits, and Annabeth's cap of invisibility.
Along with Cassie's polaroid and her sunglasses. Made more sense how she had her camera now.
"We'Il be next door. You guys don't drink or eat anything." Annabeth announced, grabbing Cassie's arm.
"Why not? You think this place is enchanted or something?" Cassie asked.
"I don't know. Something isn't right. Just . . . be careful." The blonde warned before leading Cassie to where they would be sleeping.
The girls got into the room which thankfully had two beds. Cassie locked the door and threw her duffel bag on the ground near one of the beds.
"Be careful with that!" Annabeth scolded.
"Yeah, yeah." Cassie replied jumping on the bed. "Ah, sweet glorious bed!"
Annabeth rolled her eyes as Cassie continued to blab.
Something about Ares, maybe Clarisse. Annabeth wasn't too focused on the brunette (for once 😉).
"Wait! Carter shut up-"
"Rude much?"
Annabeth made a stop motion with her hand and Cassie closed her mouth.
"Do you hear that?"
Annabeth listened and Cassie crept to the door placing her ear to it.
It sounded like hushed voices. The brunette looked through the peephole but saw nothing.
Annabeth nudged her out of the way and tried to look out the peephole to but she wasn't tall enough.
Cassie chuckled.
"Too tall for you, blondie?"
Annabeth smacked her.
"You're only a few inches taller."
"Those few inches make a difference though." Cassie said in a sing song way. "But there's no one out there. At least not from what I can see."
Annabeth sighed and went back to her bed. Cassie went to change in the bathroom before following after to her own bed.
Soon, both girls found themselves asleep.
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Cassie shifted in her bed, stiff and nervous. Nightmares were normal for demigods but this one was different.
She was standing in a dark tunnel, right before a huge pit.
Cassie instantly knew where she was. She had been there before.
The entrance to the literal hell hole: Tartarus.
A sinister laugh rang from the pit.
"If it isn't Cassandra Carter."
The voice was smug, like he knew he'd win.
Cassie wanted to scream some vulgar things at Kronos. She wanted to take her sword and electrocute him to death.
But she was frozen and how would she kill a titan. So she stayed quiet. Gave into her fear.
"Don't let me stop you. Perhaps this time, when you and your little friends fail, you'll wonder if it's worthwhile slaving for the gods. Why not join me? Your father knew better. He liked the fighting. What's not to like. Besides it runs in your blood."
Kronos had the audacity to laugh. Cassie didn't know if the titan could see her but she smirked.
"Well, this is where it runs out." She smiled and gave him the middle finger.
Kronos growled. "You're making a mistake, demigod. I could help you. You have no clue what the Fates have in store for you."
"I'll find out when it happens and I don't need your help."
Cassie shot awake, heart racing. She slipped out of her covers and walked to the window.
Rubbing her face she stared into the vast ocean.
'It was just a dream. It was just a dream.' She reassured herself.
Glancing back at her bed, Cassie knew she wouldn't fall back asleep. Not alone at least.
Her gaze shifted to Annabeth's sleeping form. The blonde seemed so calm. So relaxed.
Cassie moved toward Annabeth's bed, outstretching a hand to tap the daughter of Athena.
She pulled her hand back inches away from Annabeth. Cassie thought about it but then gave in.
She gently tapped the blonde who shifts in her bed then sat up, rubbing her eyes.
Annabeth's vision cleared and she stared questioningly at Cassie.
"What time is it?"
"Midnight." Cassie answered.
"What's the problem? Monsters?" Annabeth questioned.
"Not that I know of."
"Then?"
"I kinda had a nightmare and was wondering if . . ." Cassie gestured to the now vacant side of Annabeth bed.
Annabeth opened then closed her mouth like a goldfish. She was trying to figure out what to say.
The blonde was lucky it was dark in the room so Cassie couldn't see her flushed cheeks.
"I-I mean if-if that's fine with you. You don't have to. I just don't think I'll be able to-"
Cassie stopped her rambling when Annabeth rolled more onto one side of the bed.
The daughter of Athena pat the other side of the mattress and Cassie understood the gesture.
She got on the free side and covered herself with the blankets.
"Thanks." Cassie muttered.
She took comfort in the bed, Annabeth's tired figure beside her, and the smell of the blonde's lemon shampoo.
Cassie liked the lemon smell.
The daughter of Athena hummed in response and both fell into quiet, peaceful sleep.
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Cassie woke up to Annabeth's unlatching their hands which had somehow been linked together.
The daughter of Ares ruffled her hair as heat rose on her face.
Neither said a word to each other as a whistling sound broke the silence.
A voice yelled on the intercom. "Good morning, passengers! We'll be at sea all day today. Excellent weather for the poolside mambo party! Don't forget million-dollar bingo in the Kraken Lounge at one o'clock, and for our special guests, disemboweling practice on the Promenade!"
His last words caught their attention.
"You heard that too right?" Cassie questioned, getting out of bed.
Annabeth nodded, disappearing into the bathroom, letting Cassie tell the boys.
She adjusted her oversized red shirt and strolled to the interior door which connected their suite to the boys'.
Cassie stuck her head in the door crack.
"I think we gotta figure out more about this disemboweling practice." She said.
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The four changed clothes and left to the main part of the ship. It was full of people. Elders, teens, parents, kids.
Crew members wandered around, checking on everybody.
Nobody said a word to them as they walked by. Everyone had a blank face, showing that something was off.
A family walked by and the dad told his kids, "We are on a cruise. We are having fun."
"Yes," the three children replied, no emotion what so ever.
"We are having a blast. We will swim in the pool."
They sounded like robots.
A crew mate ambled past, nodding to them.
"Good morning. We are all enjoying ourselves aboard the Princess Andromeda. Have a nice day."
"Percy, Carter, this is weird. They're all in some kind of trance."
Cassie refrained from making a sarcastic remark. Sure she was trying to get on Annabeth's nerves but she knew when to stop.
As they made their way past a cafeteria, there was the first monster of the quest.
A young hellhound chomping down on its eggs.
Percy was nervous. He'd almost been killed by one of those.
But no one seemed to notice the dog. A couple behind the mastiff was happily waiting to scoop up some eggs.
"Not hungry anymore," Tyson informed.
He didn't get a reply because a reptilian voice hissed from down the corridor
"Ssssix more joined yesssterday."
Annabeth motioned for them to hide and they did, . . . in the women's bathroom.
They were too unnerved to notice.
Cassie listened as two creatures slithered by the bathroom door.
"Yesss. He drawssss." Another snake-like voice agreed.
"Yesss. Ssssoon we will be sssstrong."
The things slithered away, cackling.
Annabeth turned to them. "We have to get out of here."
Percy pulled a face. "You think I want to be in the girls' restroom?"
"Who wouldn't?" Cassie responded.
"I mean the ship, Percy! We have to get off the ship." Annabeth corrected.
"Smells bad. And dogs eat all the eggs. Annabeth is right. We must leave the restroom and ship."
They were actually agreeing and Percy knew better than not listening.
But then they froze. A voice called out from outside. One so recognizable because it was the voice of a traitor.
"Don't push me, Agrius!"
Luke.
"It'll pay off. They'll take the bait. Now, come, we've got to get to the admiralty suite and check on the casket." Luke ordered.
Their voices became more distant.
"Leave now?" Tyson asked, almost like he was begging to go.
The other three exchanged looks, silently agreeing.
Cassie offered a small smile to the Cyclops.
"We can't bud. Not yet."
"We need to know what Luke is planning." Percy added.
"And if possible, were going to beat him up, bind him in chains, and drag him to Mount Olympus." Annabeth finished.
Cassie grinned, now flipping her infamous sword in her hand. It crackled red with electricity.
"I like the sound of that."
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ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ author's note
So i feel like dying (not in that way) because im sick. 😁👍🏼. That's fun but dw it's just a cold. Should go away in a week or two!
But you know that feeling where you can't breathe and your throat hurts. Yeah that! 🙃
On a positive note . . .
Woooo! I wrote a little Cassibeth scene. From scratch! The first of many this act, i hope. 🤞🏼 Anyways, enjoy :)
Oh and check out these new graphics. There in the gallery but i know y'all's don't check that all the time so here:
credit to the lovely mxyfieldz_
credit to the wonderful AshSeadreamer
You should check out Ash's shop which is totally free other than a follow and credit of course!
And Mxyfields' is currently closed but if you like her graphics you should wait to October/November for the next batch!
Bye for now. 😎✌🏼
— Just Another Overthinker