I 09. I

𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔

❝ once she hit the sand ❞

      ARIADNE WATCHED AS ANNABETH'S EYES GLAZED OVER ONCE SHE SPOTTED THE GATEWAY ARCH. She would have laughed if she didn't know how serious the blonde was to see it, and the brunette kinda did too.

She laughed at her friend, who sent her a mocking glare while she raised her arms in surrender. "I wanna do that."

"What?" Percy questioned.

"Build something like that. You ever see the Parthenon, Percy?"

"Only in pictures."

Annabeth sighed, "Someday, is going to go see it in person. I'm going to build the greatest monument to the gods ever. Something that'll last a thousand years."

"You?" Percy laughed, to which Ariadne shot him a disapproving look. "An architect?"

The brunette crossed her arm, pinching him slightly. "Be nice, Kelp Head."

Annabeth blushes, embarrassment rushing through her face. "Yes, an architect. Athena expects her children to create things, not just tear them down, like a certain god of earthquakes I could mention."

Ariadne cringed slightly, watching as the dirty Mississippi River rushed under them. Percy focused their too.

The blonde but her lip, "Sorry. That was mean."

Percy shook his head, "Its okay. Why don't we work together? I mean, didn't Athena and Poseidon ever cooperate."

"The chariot." Ariadne muttered, but once she saw Annabeth's pointed look and Percy's raised eyebrow, the girl frowned and nodded. "Butt out. Duly noted."

Percy chuckled at the girl while she focused on Grover who began talking to her like they were back at camp.

The blonde turned back towards the boy, "My mom invented it. But Poseidon created horses out of the greats of waves. So they had to work together to make it complete."

"Then we can cooperate, too. Right?"

Annabeth smiled softly, "I suppose." Percy nodded, happy that they got that worked out.

Grover grinned towards Ariadne who became suspicious with his look, "Do you remember when you tried to swim?"

Annabeth let out a bark of laughter, remembering that exact day. Ariadne groaned while Percy was confused.

"You mean when she flopped in the lake while Like had to rescue her?" Annabeth asked, and Grover nodded with laughter.

Percy eyed them, "What happened?"

Grover beat the brunette to it, "Ariadne tried swimming when she was nine and it didn't end well."

"At least I was trying, you screamed everything you were splashed with water." She shot back, Percy grinning at her.

The Satyr narrowed his eyes, "Tell that to Annabeth, I told her not to but she did it anyway."

"Don't be scared of a little water then." The blonde reasoned, crossing her arms as Percy turned to the brunette.

He tilted his head, "You can't swim."

"Nope. I'm better at sitting and watching the fish,"

"I can hold my breath underwater." He boasted while she rolled her eyes.

"No dip, you're the literal son of Poseidon."

The two argued some more before they talked about different memories they had from camp, telling Percy three different stories as they all laugh and smiled.

Of course, it couldn't always be like that in the life of a demigod.

The group departed the Amtrak for the three-hour stop before Denver, crowds swarming around them in the downtown station.

Ariadne has a small smile on her face as she watched Grover stretch and mumble something about food, which caused Annabeth to grab the back of his shirt.

"Come on, goat boy," the blonde said. "Sightseeing."

He gave her a confused look, stomach rumbling slightly. "Sightseeing?"

Annabeth gave him a roll of her eyes, "The Gateway Arch. This may be my only chance to ride to the top." Her eyes gazed up at the handle-like structure before casting over towards her other three companions, "Are you coming or not?"

"As long as there's a snack bar," Grover shrugged.

She nodded before looking at Ariadne and Percy, both glancing towards one another while they debated.

Ariadne nodded, knowing this was important for the girl. "We're coming."

Percy raised an eyebrow, "We are?"

"Yeah," she smiled, "why not?" Her hand latched onto his as they followed Annabeth and Grover, pulling them through the crowd and towards the monument.

The boy smiled at the girl who had an excited expression upon her face, and loving the feeling of her hand in his.

And once again, neither noticed the two doves swooping over the crowd, following them as they kept an eye on them for the goddess of love.

***

     THE LINES WEREN'T THAT LONG, AND NEITHER WAS ARIADNE'S PATIENCE. She had a short temperament when it came down to it, never really having to wait for things as if she got bored at camp, there was always more to do than sit around and wait.

But of course, that didn't apply to the real world. Surrounding her were dozens of people who had traveled to see the Arch, which was only a mile from the train station.

Her eyes followed the many artifacts from the eighteen hundreds, which Annabeth was bouncing at.

Ariadne has never found interest in historical events, unless she was forced to learn about them. Her focus was more on battle strategies, or the stories of people falling in love. You would think she was a daughter of Aphrodite because of how many romance books she reads, it was a pastime of hers.

They traveled down stairs and underground, which she wasn't exactly hesitant about. If there was soil around, or a way of escape that she knew definitely worked, than she was okay.

She nodded mindlessly as Annabeth explained how the Arch was built and other facts she found interesting. But the others didn't.

Percy and Grover passed her jellybeans secretly while the blonde dragged the brunette around, explaining every artifact with incredible detail.

The son of Poseidon handed her a purple jellybean which she grimaced at, "Uh, is there a blue one?"

"What? I thought you liked them?" He asked, looking through the bag for a blue one.

She shrugged, "I do, but sometimes they get a bit... tasteless for me."

Grover handed her five blue jellybeans, which happened to be the last of that color. The girl thanked him as she ate three of them, stopping mid chew once she saw Percy's gaped mouth.

"What?" She asked, Grover chuckled as his friend didn't reply.

"His favorite are the blue, but it's okay, you have them."

Ariadne shook her head, "Here." She put them in his hand as he closed his mouth, "Just give me the red."

Percy nodded, fishing out the red candy while he cheered in his head about getting some blue candy back. "Thanks."

The girl gave him a smile, "No problem." And that was the last thing she said to him before Annabeth dragged her to another artifact, which happened to be a covered wagon, and somehow, Ariadne was interested in it.

"You smell anything?" Percy muttered to Grover, who had his nose stuck deep into the bag of candy.

The Satyr took his nose out, "Underground. Underground air always smells like monsters. Probably doesn't mean anything."

Percy glanced over at the girls, Annabeth reading over the construction equipment used in the Arch while Ariadne kept her hand close to her ring. She was feeling a bit on edge, which caused her demigod senses to increase.

"Guys," he said, "you know the gods' symbols of power?"

Annabeth looked over, "Yeah?"

"Well, Hades—"

Grover whimpered slightly, Percy stopping as they looked around. "You mean, our friend downstairs."

He gulped, "Um, right. Our friend way downstairs. Doesn't he have a hat like Annabeth's?"

"You mean the Helm of Darkness?" The blonde asked, he nodded. "Yeah, that's his symbol of power. I saw it next to his seat during the winter solstice council meeting."

Percy frowned slightly, "He was there."

"It's the only time he's allowed," Ariadne told him. "The darkest day of the year. But his helmet is a lot more powerful than Annabeth's hat."

Grover turned to his friend, "It allows him to become darkness. He can melt into a shadow of pass through walls. He can't be touched, or seen, or heard. And he can radiate fear so intense that it can drive you insane or stop your heart. Why do you think all rational creatures fear the dark."

"But then... how do we know he's not here right now, watching us?"

Ariadne shared a look with the other two, she sighed. "We don't."

Percy glowered, "Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better." He looked at Grover, "Any blue jellybeans left?"

The Satyr shook his head no, which caused Percy's shoulders to slump. Ariadne gave him a comforting smile before looking at the people around them.

"Are you afraid of the dark?" He whispered to her, eyes watching for any sign of fear.

She shook her head, "No. I'm more afraid of never having a way to escape."

And as she said that, they were stepping into an elevator, well, Annabeth and Grover were. The other two stepped hesitantly into the little spots left, faces pale and eyes wide.

Annabeth looked over at Percy, "You alright?"

"Yeah... I just hate confined spaces."

Ariadne shuddered as the steel trap moved, the only way of escaping was out those doors, and what if they were caught and wouldn't open? Well, if that was the case, she would have a panic attack and die.

The elevator was going a curve, which caused her stomach to become queasier by the second. Percy gripped her hand tight, keeping it hidden from the view of their other two companions.

She interlocked their fingers, pale in the face as the lady holding a Chihuahua spoke up. "No parents?"

Ariadne noticed the rhinestone collar around the dogs neck, and she slightly missed Gladiola.

The woman had eyes that reminded her of a bug, with teeth that looked as if they were stained. Her clothes was mostly denim, from her hat and dress.

"They're below," Ariadne shakily told her. "Scared fo heights."

The woman seemed to mock sympathy, "Oh, poor darlings."

Her Chihuahua growled at them, closest to Ariadne who eyed it warily. She wasn't opposed to those types of dogs, but that one did not like her and she didn't know why.

"No, now, Sonny, behave." The woman scolded her pet, it's beady eyes still watching the brunette girl.

Percy gulped, "Sonny. Is that it's name?"

"No."

Ariadne furrowed her eyebrows, senses so high she was noticing every tiny movement. From how the woman shifted, or how the dog panted slightly as it was held down. The girl was so sure it would jump onto her face if it's owner wasn't holding it tightly, and she could just imagine what the dog would do to her.

The top of Gateway Arch was an observation deck lined with windows and a floor of carpeting. On one side, you could see the river, on the other, the city.

Ariadne grinned once she looked out a window overlooking the river below, her heart calming down slightly as the elevator ride was over.

She closed her eyes, placing her hand against the cool glass. Her only thought was how many fish were in there, or if it was to dirty for them to survive.

Percy stood in the middle of the deck, not even daring to look out a window in fear of throwing up all over the floor.

The brunette opened her eyes as the park ranger said that the deck would be closing in a few minutes, which meant Annabeth quickened her speed of describing the structural support and any changes she would've made to the monument.

Percy took the chance to push Grover and Annabeth into the elevator, Ariadne following behind slightly as she didn't want to leave.

There was no room for them once their two friends were inside, as two other tourists had taken the spots.

The park ranger looked at them, "Next car, kids"

Annabeth didn't want to leave them, "We'll get out. We'll wait with you."

Ariadne didn't care if they did or not, only wanting to look out the window a while longer. Percy shook his head, "Nah, it's okay. We'll see you guys at the bottom."

The doors shut, shielding their nervous faces from their views as the trap descended down the curve.

Percy looked at Ariadne who was occupied at a window, he cleared his throat. "I hated this."

She chuckled, "We'll be down soon, just look out the window, it's nice."

He shook his head, stepping towards the middle while she did as well. They waited for the ranger to arrive up again while they rocked on their feet.

A couple with their child, them, and the lady with the dog were the only ones who had remained. Ariadne gave the woman a gentle smile, which the dog growled at.

The lady gave her a smile as a forked tongue stuck out. Ariadne froze before grabbing Percy's hand, eyes wide. "Percy," she whispered sharply.

He saw it too, so they both stepped back. The Chihuahua leaped from the woman's arms while it let out barks towards them, inching closer to the demigods.

"No, now, Sonny," she spoke to the dog. "Doesn't this look like a good theme? We have all these nice people here."

The kid on the deck pointed over at the dog, "Doggie! Look, a doggie!"

Ariadne felt scared for the kid, if this was a monster sent after them, they would get hurt and she couldn't love with that.

Foam dropped from the Chihuahua's mouth as it's teeth seemed to grow, eyes growing darker.

Percy pulled the brunette back as they watched the dog growl some more, "Well, son," the woman sighed. "If you insist."

"Um," Percy gulped, "did you just call that Chihuahua your son?"

"Chimera, dear." The woman spoke nonchalantly, "Not a Chihuahua. It's an easy mistake to make."

Her sleeves rolled up to reveal the green scales along her arms, and Ariadne cursed in her head. The woman's stained teeth became fangs as her eyes dilated into slits that's were sideways.

"Shit." The brunette whispered, eyes incredibly wide while her heart raced in her chest.

The parents and kid screamed out as the dog grew, running into the ranger who was paralyzed while it watched the monster form.

Ariadne gasped as the Chimera grew taller, turning the size of a Doberman and than a lion, until it's body rubbed against the top of the roof.

It's head was that of a lion, blood soaking it's mane while the body and hooves of a goat stomped against the ground, shaking the deck. The creature had a serpent tail, a diamondback growing three meters out of its behind.

On its rhinestone collar was a plate that said: CHIMERA—RABID, FIRE-BREATHING, POISONOUS—IF FOUND, PLEASE CALL TARTARUS—EXT. 954.

Even if Ariadne wanted to twist her ring into a sword, the monster would nail them if they even moved. Her body wasn't exactly frozen, but her heart was pumping a lot more adrenaline in hopes it would make her move.

Snakes didn't necessarily scare her, she was okay with all animals and insects as long as hey didn't attack her. But the serpent tail with its flickering, fork tongue was enough for her to run for the hills. She didn't want to be terrified, but she was.

But her need for survival was greater than fear, so her hand slowly removed itself from Percy's, inching towards her ring.

But the woman let out a hiss of laughter, "Daughter of Dionysus, I forgot you don't have any true fears, besides mazes of course." Ariadne narrowed her eyes, never moving them from the Lion's face, "But maybe, I will be the very person to give you something to fear."

The girl have her a glare, "Try me, bitch."

"Be honored, Percy Jackson." The woman ignored her, "Lora Zeus rarely allows me to test a hero with one of my brood. For I am the Mother if Monsters, the terrible Echinda!"

Percy was exactly Ariadne, they couldn't shut up sometimes. "Isn't that a kind of anteater?"

Her face became scaly as it twisted with rage, "I hate it when people say that! I hate Australia! Naming that ridiculous animal after me. For that, Percy Jackson and Ariadne Phoenix my son shall destroy you both!"

The Chimera pounced towards them, teeth bared as it roared. Ariadne and Percy jumped to the side, missing the bite the monster took. They ended up next to the park ranger and family while they screamed, attempting to open the elevator door.

Her eyes found the kids who screamed and cried, and she snapped. The girl band on her finger was thrown and transformed into its sword, pointed at the monster who growled.

Percy uncapped his pen to release Riptide, they were able to formulate a plan without words, he ran towards the opposite side of the deck than her.

"Hey, Chihuahua!" He shouted, sword in his right hand while the creature whipped around.

The monster opened its mouth, a blast of fire aimed towards Percy who dived away. Ariadne almost dropped her sword once she heard his scream, her heart stopping.

Fire spread across the carpeted ground, heading straight towards her. She dove away from it, rolling before standing up quickly.

A hole appeared in the deck where Percy once stood, metal melting and falling down hundreds of feet to the ground.

Ariadne grit her teeth, opening her mouth to distract the monster. "Hey, ugly!" The Chimera spun around, snake tail whipping around dangerously. "Come and get me."

It advanced towards, lion head baring it's fangs to distract her from its tail, but she saw what it was doing. Her sword sliced the serpent which caused it to hiss, the lion head roaring in pain.

Her sword held a slight purple glow, vines moving slowly along the blade. Once the creature targeted her, she realized she was cornered.

The Chimera snapped its teeth at her head while she ducked, but the tail swiped at her body, sensing her flying over the creature and hitting a window.

She slumped to the ground in pain, gasping as she stood up. Blood rushed down her head, causing her to glare at the monster.

Ariadne let her sword clash against one of the lion's teeth, it cracked and broke off under the pressure. The Chimera let out a roar of pain before its serpent tail struck her in the side, fangs digging into her ribs before releasing.

A scream escaped her lips as she dropped her sword, falling towards the hole in the deck. Her hand latched onto a metal bar, sending a stinging pain throughout her arm while her hand burned. But she didn't release, no matter how much she wanted to, she didn't for the sake of not wanting to fall to the ground.

Percy became angry, extremely angry once he saw her struggling and heard her scream. His sword let out a clang once it struck the creatures skin, causing him to duck to miss the tail aiming at his body.

He noticed her gold sword lying on the floor, quickly reaching out and turning it back into the ring, putting it into his front jean pocket so he didn't lose it.

Ariadne cheered in her head, happy he had grabbed her weapon. But the pain in her side exploded, releasing a burning feeling in her veins. It felt as if her insides were melting, bones turning into ashes as she felt lightheaded.

"Percy!" She called out, the tail coming closer to him. "Look out!"

But the tail had sunk its fangs into his calf, wrapping around his ankles and piling him off course, causing him to miss the jab at the lion's mouth. Riptide soared from his hand and above head, blade slicing a long cut on her now throbbing arm while she cried out in pain.

His sword fell into the Mississippi River below, become a tiny glint in the air. She hung out the hole with only a grip on a bar, her hand blistering while she felt tears collect in her purple eyes.

Percy eyed her, seeing her grip slipping and loosening while her eyes were fluttering to stay open. Both were poisoned, weaponless, on the verge of death. Echidna let out a cackle similar to that of a witch, "They don't make heroes like they used to, eh, son?"

Ariadne gathered whatever energy she had left to hang on and open her mouth, her voice rough and harsh towards the women. "And they don't make monsters like they used to, guess you're unlucky."

Echidna growled, "You will die soon, daughter of Dionysus." Her gaze turned back towards Percy, "You are a son of Poseidon, you would not fear water."

The brunette girl was slipping, desperately trying to hold on for Percy's sake, she didn't want to leave him alone. "Show me the water will not harm you," the snake women continued. "Junk and retrieve your sword. Prove your bloodline. But the girl over there," gesturing towards Ariadne, "she won't survive the fall or make it to the water. The poison is to near her heart for it to beat any longer."

Percy almost felt like crying, seeing Ariadne struggle against the wind, eyes close to closing as her skin was pale. "Go." She mouthed, but he shook his head.

Echidna smirked, "You have no faith. You do not trust the gods. I cannot blame you, little coward. Better you die now. The gods are faithless. The poison is in your heart."

And it was almost in Ariadne's. Veins burning as her body throbbed, her heart was slowing down as she closed her eyes. "Die, faithless one."

She fell through the air, wind blowing her hair wildly. Her eyes squinted, seeing the Arch growing distant, and she let the tears.

I'm sorry, father. I'm sorry Castor and Pollux. I'm sorry Annabeth. I'm sorry Grover. Clarisse, Chiron, Hestia. And I'm sorry, Percy.

Her scream ripped through the air, knowing the ground was nearing. But arms wrapped around her waist, hugging her tightly into their chest as she looked up.

They buried their face into her neck while they fell, twirling and spiraling in the air while they neared the ground.

Ariadne opened her eyes as much as she could, looking up at the sea-green eyes that stared into her amethyst ones.

Their bodies collided with the water, separating each other as one floated in a pocket of air. The other, floating to the bottom while her eyes closed, heart stopping once she hit the sand.

authors note:

this gif literally looks like Ariadne and Percy arguing and I love it