~Silas Geltz

I look at the Atlas statue in front of us. The big problem here is that we were right across from St. Patrick's Cathedral and a Banana Republic. Not the most quiet place around. Oh well, here goes nothing.

I climb up the stone pedestal holding up the Atlas from the back to reduce the amount of viewers. I felt around the top part of the pedestal. I felt round something near between Atlas's right foot and the pedestal. A click sound, and a stone covered by a nice piece of cloth with writing in ink on it pops out. I looked up just in time to see a small metal contraption slip seamlessly back into the pedestal of the statue, as if the pedestal never released anything.

"Got it," I say to Hali.

As Hali put the stone into her anklet, I opened up the cloth and looked at the ink writing. 

"The next stone is at the New York Zoo. Polar Bear Exhibit." I read out loud. But there are no longer any polar bears in New York...

Hali tapped me on the should quietly. I turned to see two security guards.

"Dirigibles!" I shout randomly. We scramble off the pedestals and start fast-walking toward the Rockefeller Center. 

"What are security guards from the Rockefeller Center doing here?" Hali whispers.

"Like I would know! They probably are monsters of a sort!" I reply.

Somehow, Hali and I bumped into someone else, and the security guards caught us.

I blacked out.

~~~~~~~~

We wake up to find ourselves being dragged by the security guard, quickly finding everyone else tied as well in a similar situation. 

Aurora, Colin, and Alana I see through the slit between two doors that they were struggling to hold off the security. One of them transformed into a chimera, blending in with the animals.

"I'm going to try to get us out of here." I say and began shouting a curse quartet:

"Minotaur's hoof, rattesnake's belly,

I want to turn these ropes into jelly!

Yet there is also a lock in our way,

could you please turn it into hay?"

The ropes expanded and jelled into some strawberry jelly while the middle of the door suddenly got stuffed with hay scarecrow style. 

"Ech!" Mason said as we shrugged off the jelly ropes. 

Our plan was...foiled.

We are tied down. All of us.

I suddenly have an idea and transform into a chimera. Wait, I could do that? Yay! New abilities!

Anyway, back to the matter at hand.

Silas mutters a spell and breaks free of the ropes as I bound with the animals.

”Wait!” Hali says. “Are you going to just leave us?”

”No.” I reply. “I just need to speak with the animals. I’ll be back.”

And with that, I speed toward the deer I met earlier. I soon get to it and say urgently, “It didn’t work! You and the rest of the animals must evacuate as fast as you can! Hurry!”

Daughter of Artemis, is that you?

”Yes! Now go, quickly!”

Wait a moment. There is something I must tell you. Something the Oracle, Poseidon, or Hades didn’t tell you all.

”Please, just go! Before you get hurt!” I yell at it.

Let me explain, Daughter of Artemis. Or else this quest will fail.

“Very well. Hurry!”

Those security guards are not normal. You see, they are slaves of Oceanus, sent to kill you and your friends. You are in grave danger. You must untie the others quickly or else...you will all die. But that’s not all. The next stone you are after requires a child of the Big Three to activate. But you still serve a purpose. You see, you are the only child of Artemis, even though you are...adopted. But Artemis bestowed her gifts upon you for a reason.

”And that is?”

You have a strangely abundant amount of courage, Aurora Astéri. Artemis knew that the first time she looked at you, and for that, you became hers. But, some time in this quest, that courage may lead to your doom. You will have to depend on your new friends, Daughter of Artemis, in order for you to succeed. Be wary, but be brave. Your friends need you just as much as you need them, if not more so. Now, I have one last gift for you, Daughter of Artemis.

The deer begins to glow with sheer, pure light, and from it rises a beautiful pearl that has a lock symbol engraved in it. The pearl falls into my hands as I stare at it, mesmerized.

”Thank you. But, why...why did you—“ I look up, but the deer is gone. I desperately take in the world around me, and realize that all the other animals are gone too. Then I stare at myself, and I am...human again?

”But how...” I mutter to myself, dumbfounded. 

The others.

I run as fast as I possibly can (which is quite fast) to the room where they are tied and find them just as they were before.

”There you are! We thought you abandoned us.” Kathlynn comments.

I glance at the pearl in my hands and, for some strange reason, know exactly what to do. I raise the pearl in the air and yell, “Beautiful pearl from the sea, revoke this curse and set us free!”

Glittery swirls release from the pearl and gather around us.

The chains break. The ropes fall. And the pearl shatters.

”Wow...” Hali says, seeming curious. “What just happened?”

”It’s a long story.” I answer curtly, then pull my bow and arrow over my shoulder. “Now let’s get back to the car before they find us.”

We all run to the car and, surprisingly, make it. “I call shotgun!” I yell, and Zora looks disappointed.

”Er, okay,” Hali laughs.

During the car ride to the Zoo, I explain to everyone what happened with the deer. Most of them seem surprised, especially Hali. “So, someone from the Big Three has to get this one, too?” She asks.

”Yep. And the deer said I had some important role in this, too. What do you think that means?” I reply. 

~~~~~~~

Um, when does Oceanus actually come to them? Because I was wondering if Aurora could sacrifice herself then. But for the Zoo, I thought that maybe she could help whoever’s getting this stone. Y’know, maybe she could turn them both into animals for a limited amount of time? As long as you guys are okay with it. 

The days going pretty long, so I’m guessing night has fallen. 

Hali~

I can tell that Kathlynn hates me. But this is no time for petty games, so I couldn’t care less. 

I listen intently to Aurora’s story and feel slightly jealous that she has some kind of physical communication with her parent, even if it is through a middle man. And Colin’s even luckier, though I can tell it really shocked him. 

I drive away from the Centre and the van fills with silence. Everyone’s tired. Which reminds me. 

“I hate to break it to you guys, but we have to spend the night somewhere.”

“Ridiculous,” Kathlynn scoffs. “We need to stop Oceanus and go to the Zoo. Sleep isn’t a huge priority right now.”

I raise an eyebrow and smile. “How long have you gone without sleep and still had energy to defeat monsters and titans?”

No reply. 

I nod my head. “So...we can stay at a cheap and discrete motel.”

“With my charmspeaking, of course,” Zora adds. 

Suddenly I slam on the brakes, and protests erupt from the back. 

“Hali?” Aurora whispers. “Is something wrong?”

I look at her in confusion. How does she not see him? 

“Th-There,” I stutter, looking in front of me. 

She looks also but shrugs her shoulders. “Was there a raccoon or something?”

I look back and see no one sees what I see. 

“Solange, take over,” I say quietly, opening the door and getting out. 

She looks confused but nods and sits in the drivers seat.

“Go when I step out. I’ll manage and get another car. Just text or call me where you guys are,” I whisper. I know if I say it out loud, people will protest. Solange is the most trustworthy in this aspect, as she is one of the older ones. 

She nods in understanding but grips my hand. “Be careful Hali.” (FRIENDSHIP FINALLY BETWEEN THE TWO! PAST IS FORGOTTEN! HURRAY HURRAY)

I smile and nod, stepping out completely and shutting the door. The van takes off, and soon it’s tail lights become faded in the distance.

I walk up to Oceanus and nod. 

“So you finally decide to show your face.”

“How’d you know?” he asks. 

“I don’t know,” I admit. “But my father and I both know when our enemy is staring at us.”

“Let’s not talk about your absent father, Hali,” he replies. “Let’s talk about you.”

“This isn’t a therapy session, Oceanus,” I shoot back. “You’ve declared war on the long held peace of Olympus and the Camp, so quit acting so nonchalant.”

At this, he blasts me with water so full of force that if I hadn’t deflected at least some of it, it would have torn my head off. 

I take the water that I’ve gathered in a large orb and throw it back at him. He deflects it, and instead forms it into millions of tiny water daggers. 

He throws them at me, and I dodge most of them, but some still cut at my face, my arms, and my legs. I feel blood starting to surface. 

I summon any nearby water and swirl it, creating a water tornado around him. It carries him for about a few feet before he implodes it and takes the remaining water to blast an orb at me. 

I deflect it the best I can, but not before it hits me on the side of the face. Great, another bruise. And I haven’t even hurt him yet. 

I suddenly gather water and move it quickly towards his side so he’s knocked over, and he takes that water and gathers it above my head. 

“Oh no,” I whisper. 

It rains down violently on me, and I crush beneath its weight. I feel weak and scream when a bone in my rib cage suddenly burns, along with one in my arm. 

I feel as though I’m about to flatten under the weight, when I gather the last strength I have to use my left hand and move water full force at him. It throws him hundreds of metres away, and I surprise myself. But I soon snap out of it when I realise I need to get out of here. 

I quickly flag down a nearby car, and convince them to come out when I show my injuries. 

When they step out, I lightly push them aside with water and climb in the car, turning they keys. 

“Hey!” they shout in protest. 

I look towards them apologetically before I press fully down on the gas pedal and use my broken arm to call Solange while my good arm steers. 

“Hey, where are you?” I ask. 

“New York’s Finest Motel,” she replies. “It’s past ten Hali. Where are you?”

“Directions.”

There’s a large gash in my side, and blood is slowly oozing out. I wince. I need to get there fast. Why didn’t I just heal myself with water? But then again, water is what hurt me in the first place by the Titan of Water, so I’m not sure if it all counteracts each other-

“100 Broadway Plaza and North 31st street, right at the corner. It has a bright neon sign. Hali, what happened?”

“Later,” I say, quickly hanging up and hissing when my broken arm thumps to my side.

I swerve to avoid cars, which there aren’t that many out at this time of night, and finally make it to my destination. I quickly and carelessly park and stagger out, clutching my side. I don’t need to look down to realise how bad it is and how much Oceanus and I both underestimated each other. 

“Hali?” Solange exclaims. She stands on the outside second floor balcony, waving at me. 

I wave back and collapse. I fight to get up, but it doesn’t work, so I start crawling while feeling pitiful and absolutely horrid. I throw up on the side and hope that nobody with a queasy stomach sees me. I’m a literal bloody mess. 

I feel an arm wrap around me, then another one, and everything is a blur from there. But quite literally, because my vision has gone dim. 

~~~~

Taking from the inspiration my stomach gave me. I kid you not, I have a stomach ache right now, although I imagine Hali’s pain would have been a lot worse. 

Braelynn~

"We didn't pay for this dump of a place!"

"We didn't even pay for this place!"

Water leaks from the ceiling, causing a constant dripping in the backround of the fight that has broken out from between us. Hali is hurt, we're stuck at the worst hotel in existence, and we are all grumpy and tired.

"Arguing won't do anything, let's just-try to help Hali," I reason. There are a few complaints, but the fighting begins to settle down.

I walk over to Aurora, shaking my head. "I just want this all to be over." She smiles at me.

"Don't worry, I'm sure it'll all be fine." She squeezes my hand. I can tell she's trying to convince herself just as much as she's trying to convince me.

~~

Sorry that was short and I kind of forgot about this!! Ahh-just-apologies to everyone haha.  

Male

Reserving Hades

Able to raise the dead and shadow travel

Prefers sword

Age 18

From Georgia 

Hali~

I feel myself choking in a mass of darkness, and the feeling of loneliness gnaws at me. My mind starts to go blank, and I can’t remember anything, any memories or happy times. I feel my thoughts start to deteriorate, and my body becomes frozen and I can’t move. Then I start to drown in this dark and oily water. I can’t see a thing in front of me, except the fading grey light above me that mocks me, far from my reach. 

~

I gasp as I wake up, and almost cry out when I still see darkness. But there’s a dim  neon light from the window that’s sliced by the cheap curtains. 

I see the light start to outline the others, sleeping on the bed, couches, or floor. I’m on a table so I quietly slide down with a silent hiss and clutch at my side. 

The air smells faintly of mold, damp clothes, and blood. 

I avoid stepping on anyone and quietly open and close the door, stepping completely outside, standing at the balcony. 

I lean against the rail for support, facing the street, buildings, and the small amount of cars commuting. It must be around 3 in the morning. 

I sigh. I should be resting for the Zoo trip later, but instead I find that sleeping will only draw me farther into the darkness. I shudder and try to empty my mind to calm down. Calm down. 

I almost cry out when I feel a hand on my shoulder. 

“Chill,” they whisper, following a silent laugh. 

I look and find Colin, who has moved beside me, looking out the balcony also. 

I sigh in relief. “Sorry. Jumpy.”

“Yeah, I can tell.”

I scoff quietly. 

“You good?” he asks. 

“Yeah,” I lie, still staring out. “You?”

“I’m pretty sure I’m fine,” he replies. “I didn’t get stabbed.”

I let out a quiet laugh. “That doesn’t matter. How are you? For real.”

I look towards him and he shrugs. “Dunno. Unstable.”

I shift towards him. “Unstable? Care to elaborate?”

He shrugs again. “Unsettling dreams lately. I’ve never been able to sleep well to begin with, but this is like the final assurance that I won’t.”

I frown. “I think it’s just the stress of all of this. It’s been happening to me lately too.”

“You don’t think it’s...Oceanus? Maybe he’s messing with our heads?”

I shake my head. “I can’t quite be sure.”

~Time skip! A few hours later~

“C’mon,” Solange says. “Everyone have what they need? We can’t leave anything behind in that hotel because we sure aren’t going back.”

Everyone mumbles in agreement before we climb into the van. 

“You fit to drive, Hali?” Aurora asks. 

“I should be fine,” I reply. I don’t that to be a worry for anyone. 

She nods. “Alright.”

I head off for the Zoo, Aurora telling me directions as we go along. Seems as though sleep was good for everyone, as everyone is more energetic and talkative. 

Suddenly I swerve and stop short of the red light. 

A man looks back before frowning and crossing the road. I let out a struggle of an exhale. I thought he was Oceanus. 

“We have a few feet in front of us,” Kathlynn remarks. “Seeing things again? Don’t kill the rest of us too.”

Aurora turns to glare at her, but I continue to look ahead. She’s right. I need to stop seeing things. 

Within another half hour we’re at the Zoo, and I park before we all climb out. We still take on the roll of students, but have long since ditched the uniforms. We don’t want to be recognisable to people from yesterday.

“Have any idea where the polar bear exhibit is?” Solange asks. 

I pick up a few maps at the entrance and hand them off.

“Hey,” I say, getting everyone’s attention. “Let’s all go together this time.”

I say this and some people nod in happiness that their opinion was expressed. I quietly sigh in relief at the thought that I won’t be alone and at least I’ll be a little distracted. I can’t risk seeing things again. 

We head into the zoo together, maps in hand.

”I guess I’ll be the main navigator,” I volunteer. Everyone else nods and I look down at my map.

”Polar Bear Exhibit. That’s on the other side of the Zoo. But, the Zoo’s café is on the way. Maybe we could get something to eat?” I suggest hungrily.

”That’s not our main priority, though,” Kathlynn crosses her arms. “Why can’t we just get the stone?”

”I know I’m hungry,” Hali replies.

”Nobody asked you, seaweed.” Kathlynn scowls.

”Um, actually, I did.” I chirp in. “But anyway, why are we fighting? We need to hurry.”

I glance down at my map again and point directly in front of us. “The café is that way.”

~smol time skip, a few minutes later!~

We walk toward a nice little shack with a big menu. “Here we are,” I announce.

I step closer toward the shack and the person in it. “Hi, how can I help you?” A woman by a cash register asks.

Everyone tells me their orders and I repeat them to the cashier. “No problemo.” The woman replies. “That’ll be...$48.69.”

Zora pushes by me and says, “Could we have that for free, please?”

~~

Sorry this was so short! 

~Silas Geltz

"I'm ssorry Zora ssweetie, what did you ssay?" the cashier asked. 

I thought I herd hissing from the cashier. How did she know Zora's name?

"Uh, I think we're fine." I said, reaching for my headphones, pretending to listen to some music on the phone. 

"I'm ssssorrry," the cashier hissed, more clearly this time. "But it's not very nicccccce to leave jussssst when I ordered your food and asssssk for money." Her features began to change, and her legs became--scaly. 

"Ssssseato!" the cashier called out, her features becoming more serpentine by the second. "My mother, help me in the domain you share with my brother!*"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* What I mean here is that Echidna is not literally a brother of Oceanus, but consideres him a brother as an ally against heroes. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We all draw our weapons, many of them hiding in hidden forms. My headphones shifted, elongated, and turned from the puffy balck headphones into Ochiá and a small quiver which slips neatly over my head and onto my hips. I knock an arrow into the familiar malaysian blackwood bow. Unfortunately, the lady was not alone. A chimera seemed to have come from under one of the tables. 

~Dylan Jackson

The burger was a luxury compared to the stuff we had gotten at the hotel. I chewed it up and swallowed it in a matter of seconds. I wasn't excited about getting the stone though. I look around. The many animals are all a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. The sun was shining out, making me a little bit thirsty. Apparently, the cafe was right next to the orca whale exhibit, which is the first lucky thing that has happened to me yet. 

I decide to walk to the orca exhibit. There was no one there, except for the orcas. I kneeled by the exhibit, putting my hand in the water. The whales immediately swam to the other side of the enclosure. I let my hand sit in the water, thinking about my mother. She was an animal trainer, and she had died in a car crash when I was seven. I felt something rub up next to my hand, and look down to see a tiny orca whale nuzzling my hand. I smile and stand up. As I walk back to my table, I see a man with blue hair.

"This way!" I yell, and bolt after him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry for not posting! Basketball has been taking up most of my time as of late. 

I'm still here, but I have terrible writer's block, soooooo......idea's anyone?

Hali~

I drowned the chimera and Colin banished it underground while some others worked with the snake lady. Once they were defeated, though, we left had quickly as possible, Dylan moving the fastest. He started chatting over which exhibit to go to like nothing had happened. 

“Polar bears, here we come.”

~

Alright, that was short, but I was just trying to put Storm and Bob’s posts together.