𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓

"Useless, I'm completely useless."

    ESSENCE 'ERIS' LEWIS DID NOT CARE TO GO ON AN ADVENTURE OR QUEST. She was happy staying at Camp Half-Blood forever and spending the rest of her days in the Art room with Willow. A lot of half-bloods were desperate to go on a quest to prove themselves to their Godly parent but not Eris. She was unclaimed there was no one she could prove herself too. If she went on a quest she wouldn't be anything but dead weight; she could barely fight and had no special abilities. If she went on a quest and faced a monster she'd die. So Chiron called her into the Big House where Annabeth Chase and Percy Jackson are and asked her to partake in the quest to find Zeus' lightning bolt in the Underworld so a war doesn't break out between Zeus and Poseidon Eris gives a very logical response:

"No, thanks."

"But why?" Chiron asked frowning at her. "This is an excellent opportunity to prove yourself to the Gods."

She flinched, "L-Look at me, Chiron," she told him. "I-I don't have any special water powers o-or super intelligence," she gestured to Percy and Annabeth. "I can't even wield a sword right. Those monsters will eat me alive out there. Out of all people wh-why are you asking me? You guys already have three people picked out, you don't need me."

"Because Percy-"

"I had a dream," Percy blurted out. "About you the night I got here." Eris' face must have showed her disgust because Percy quickly turned bright red. "N-Not like that. I mean...someone visited me in a dream." He told her. "I don't know who it was, I don't even know what they looked like but they told me I need to bring Essence on this quest. I...I think you're meant to come with us."

   She shook her head. "No.No. There are thousands of girls named Essence in this world you can't be."

   "He said to bring you specifically. He said I need to bring Eris Lewis in this quest. He was talking about you," Percy said.

   "I can't go," she replied. "I'll just be a liability. He's probably just tricking you."

   "She's not wrong," Annabeth muttered but Chiron silenced her with a quick warning look.

   But Eris didn't take any offense to it, Annabeth was a daughter of Athena it was rare when she was wrong.

   Eris shook her head and stood. "I-I'm sorry but I can't help you. I'm not dying because of some silly dream you had," she grabbed her things and headed to the door.

   "Wait-"

   She didn't let Percy finished and closed the door behind her. As she walked towards the Art Room a bright flash of light appeared beside her and now Willow was walking by her side. Her sister was unusually quiet.

   "You should go," Willow said quietly tucking her hands away in the pockets of her leather jacket. "This is your chance to prove yourself. It's a once in a life time opportunity to prove yourself to the Gods."

   "I'll end up killed," Eris said shaking her head. "And if I don't end up killed one of them will end up killed from trying to protect me. And why do I need to prove myself to the Gods. It's not my problem they can't talk out their issues instead of arguing. They've done nothing to me anyway, they let you die."

   "Eris-"

   "No, Willow!" She snapped, she ignored the looks she was starting to receive. No doubt they thought she was going crazy again. "They let you die. They could have done something. They could have saved you. You told me you prayed to them before you were killed and they did nothing."

   Though Eris may not hate the Gods she was sure she would always hold some type of resentment towards them. How could you have children and just abandon them? Not help help your child when they were in need? They just had children then threw them away like garbage. What were they doing that so busy that they couldn't help their children?

   "My death was my own damn fault!" Willow told her harshly. "I am not the Gods' responsibility. I am Hermès' responsibility. If they didn't answer then oh well. I should've been better, I should've ran faster-"

   "Your death is not your fault!"

    "Yes it is!" Willow screamed, "It is my fault and I have accepted that. Fine. Don't go on the quest to please the Gods but go for yourself."

   "Did you not hear me? I'll die out there."

    She shook her head, "You need to have faith in yourself. Listen remember what Percy said the Oracle told him 'You Shall Find The One You Were Longing For, The One You Wanted To Love And Adore'. Eris, I think that line may be about you."

   She frowned, "What? Me in a prophecy? Why would I be in prophecy? No one even notices me."

   Willow shrugged, "That line...I think it means you may meet your dad on this quest," she said and Eris' heart dropped. " it said 'you shall find the one you were longing for'. You've been dying to know who your father was for ages. I think this is your chance to finally be claimed. And that dream Percy had about you...it has to be true."

    Eris had given up on being claimed a long time ago. She had spent so many years trying to figure out if she had any hints of being a child of Athena or even possibility a child of Ares despite her weak nature but it was no luck.

Eris thought it was her own fault she wasn't claimed. She probably wasn't good enough to be claimed. She wouldn't want to claim a weakling like herself as her child too.

She didn't care much for getting know her father, she had given up on her a fantasy of having a loving relationship with her godly parent after she overheard some kids talking about how the Gods could care less about their children. What she wanted was a family. She didn't know her mom all she had was Willow and technically Willow was dead. She wanted to see her brothers and sisters but she didn't even know who they were. Maybe her other siblings would love her even if she was 'crazy'.

"I...I don't know," Eris mumbled. "I could die."

"You can die from literally anything. And this may be your only chance," Willow said, "and you'll have two powerful Demi-gods with you. You'll be fine and I'll be with you every step of the way."

You mean I'll be a liability.

But you may be able to finally have a family.

Eris bit her lip. She was being selfish she knew but...all she had ever wanted was for someone other than her sister to love her. She turned on her heel and stormed back inside the big house.

"I....I'll go," she said told them and their faces instantly brightened in relief. "B-But don't expect much of me. I doubt I'll be useful."

IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR ERIS TO PACK. She didn't have much anyway, she just backed up some deodorant, a toothbrush, extra clothes and her sketch book. She locked up the rest of her things in the trunk under her bed so they won't be stolen and headed up Half-Blood hill with Grover, Annabeth and Percy.

Chiron was waiting at the top of the hill in his wheel chair and next to him was a blonde hair guy who looked like surfer with large live moving eyes all over his body.

"This is Argus," Chiron said, "He'll be driving you all into the city and, er, well, keep an eye on things."

Eris waved awkwardly at Argus but Argus only gave her a blank stare in return. She flushed, looked down at her shoes and muttered a quick apology.

She heard footsteps coming behind them and turned around only to see Luke Castellan walking up to them.

She didn't care too much about him. She knew Willow adored him they were siblings after all and when Willow died Eris saw how upset Luke was. He had barely been able to keep his composure when he returned from his quest without Willow by his side and had to tell Eris her only piece of family had passed away. He avoided Eris like the plague ever since. Eris just assumed he did it because he was guilty and probably thought she was crazy too.

"Hey!" He panted. "Glad I caught you."

Annabeth's face started to be covered in hot blush. Eris glanced between Annabeth and Luke before her mouth formed an 'o'. If Annabeth wanted to keep her crush on Luke a secret she needed to do better.

"Just wanted to say good luck," Luke told Percy, "And I thought um...maybe you could use these." He handed Percy a pair of normal looking sneakers until he suddenly said, "Maia!"

Eris took a fearful step back away from the shoes and hid behind Percy as long white wings sprouted from the sides of the shoes. The shoes flew around in the air until it fluttered to the ground and the wings disappeared.

She glanced at Annabeth who looked like she was going to start hyperventilating. Was having a crush that emotional? What was it like to even love someone romantically?

Grover's eyes sparkled, "Awesome!"

Luke smiled, "Those served me well when I was on my quest-" Eris flinched at the mention of the quest that killed her sister and unluckily for her Percy noticed. "Gift from my dad. Of course I don't the much these days..." he trailed off looking away. Eris looked away and sniffed.

Percy seemed to catch onto the uneasy tension. "Hey man...thanks."

"Listen, Percy..." Luke looked around uneasy. "A lot of hopes are riding on you. So...kill some monsters for me. Okay? And uh, Annabeth."

Annabeth looked up at the sound of her name coming from his mouth. "Y-Yes?"

"Look out for Eris will you?" He asked and Eris' eyebrows rose. Someone was actually concerned for her. "Willow would want you too."

Annabeth gulped and quickly nodded.

Luke and Percy shook hands. He patted Grover on the head and he gave Annabeth a hug who looked like she was going to pass out any minute. Eris didn't get anything from him but she didn't mind.

Eris looked around uneasy, "Uh, A-Annabeth are you okay? You you're really red."She asked quietly,

Annebeth's flush deepened. "I-I'm fine," she said harshly but Eris didn't take offense to it. Annabeth was probably just embarrassed.

Percy frowned, "You let him capture the flag instead of you, didn't you?" He asked.

Annabeth scowled. "Oh...why do I want to go anywhere with you, Percy?" She turned around and stopped down the hill where a white USV waited, Argus followed behind her twirling his car keys.

Eris went to quickly follow her but stopped when Chiron placed a hand on her shoulder. "Uh, Essence-"

"Eris." She correct quietly. She didn't hate her first name it just sounded too formal. She wondered if her mom or dad named her. Did Gods even name their own kids? We're they even there for the birth?

He nodded, "My apologies. I wanted to give you this," he reached in his satchel and pulled out a average looking dagger. It was nothing special, no doubt he had pulled it out of the Weapons storage. "Can't have you go on this quest unprotected."

Eris shakily took the dagger and attached it to her hip. Just the thought of having to kill a monster or anything in general made her feel uneasy. "T-Thanks," she muttered. "I appreciate it."

   Chiron smiled kindly at her. "You will be just fine. I'm sure Percy, Annabeth and Grover will take great care of you." He said.

   But they shouldn't have to take care of me. I should be able to take care of myself.

  She held her tongue and nodded. She exchanged a look with Percy before quickly scurrying off.

    THE USV WAS FILLED WITH UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCE.

  Eris leaned her head against the backseat window with her eyes closed trying to get some sleep. None of them had said a word to her and she didn't expect them too. She was just dead weight on their epic quest and she doubt they liked her being with them.

  They all had some time to bond while she was basically a stranger. Of course she knew who Annabeth was but they had never had a conversation but she knew Annabeth was one of the campers who thought Eris was insane same with Grover.

  Percy cleared his throat, "So far so good," he said, nudging Eris lightly with his shoulder she flinched. "Ten miles and not a single monster."

   "It's bad luck to talk that way, seaweed brain," Annabeth snapped.

  "Remind me again—why do you hate me so much?" He asked Annabeth.

   "I don't hate you."

   "Could've fooled me," Percy snapped.

Eris took a deep breath, "Please don't fight," she whispered.

"Look...we're just not supposed to get along, okay? Our parents are rivals," Annabeth said, playing with her invisibility cap.

"Why?" Percy asked.

Annabeth sighed, "How many reasons do you want? One time my mom caught Poseidon and his girlfriend in Athena's temple, which is hugely disrespectful. Another time, Athena and Poseidon competed to the patron god for the city of Athens. Your dad created some stupid saltwater spring for his gift. My mom created the olive tree. People saw her gift was better so they named the city after her."

Percy blinked, "They must really like olives."

   Eris covered her mouth with her hand, trying to stop giggling. Percy was funny even when it seemed like he was trying to be serious.

     "Oh, forget it!"

     "Now, if she invented pizza—that I could understand!"

   "I said forget it!"

   Eris couldn't help herself for the first time in what felt like years she laughed. She laughed until her cheeks felt hot. She became silent when she noticed their shocked stares. She flushed and looked down. "I-I'm sorry."

   Annabeth shook her head, "No. You didn't do anything wrong...it's just I've never heard you laugh before or talk much...you're usually quiet."

   Eris curled into herself. "Oh.." she didn't know what else to say so she just stayed quiet.

Annabeth had never been out right mean to Eris but Eris knew Annabeth most likely was not fond of her being on this quest. Additionally, Annabeth wasn't the easiest person to talk to. Annabeth had these quick calculating stormy grey eyes like she could see inside your soul, they were scary. Eris was already someone who could barely hold eye contact with anyone other than her sister so you could imagine how stressed the thought of having to look Annebeth in the eyes made her.

Argus dropped them off at Greyhound Train station on the Upper East Side. Rain poured down on them as they finished their walk to the bus stop. To keep busy they played Hacky Sack with one of Grover's apples. Annabeth was unbelievable at it, she was bouncing the apple off her knee, elbows, and chest. Percy was good too and after round 2 of the game Eris decided to stop after being embarrassed from constantly dropping the apple. She was terrible at this game.

The game ended when Percy tossed the apple to Grover who caught it with his mouth and without thinking about Grover ate the apple in whole; core, stem, and all. Eris' face turned beat red from laughing so hard as they ignored Grover's embarrassed apologies for cracking up laughing.

Finally, their bus arrived and the stood in line to board. Eris climbed on quickly to the back of the bus where the nearest emergency exits were and took the window seat. Percy hesitantly took the seat next to her to her surprise as Annabeth and Grover shared a seat across from them.

   Percy eyed her, watching as she practically curled her body up in a tight ball and started out the window. "Uh...thanks for coming...I guess," he scratched the back of his head. "I know coming on this quest isn't ideal for you but the dream I had...I felt like something bad would happen if you didn't come."

   Glancing at him, Eris decided Percy was kind of...cute. He had jet black hair and very pretty sea green eyes with golden tan skin. When he smiled it wasn't a ordinary pretty smile it was a 'I'm a trouble maker with a heart of gold' kinda smile. Though he wasn't tall (Annabeth and Eris towered over him) she had no doubts he'd be as tall as a basketball player.

   "You don't have to thank me, I-If anything I should be thanking you guys," Eris said softly, "I'm just dead weight, I can't do anything useful. I'll just be a liability."

   "That can't be true-"

   "It is true," she told him, "you guys will just end up watching over me like you're my babysitters or something. Besides I didn't come on this quest for you, I could care less ab-about the lightning bolt."

   Percy couldn't help but ask, "Then why did you come?"

   She bit her lip and for the first she looked him in the eye. "I came so that I can hopefully meet someone I've been wanting to meet for a long time." It was technically the truth it just wasn't the entire truth. It was half-asses answer.

   Percy was about to press her on who she was trying to meet when he watched Eris' pretty brown eyes widen into the shape of saucers as she covered her own mouth with her hand. He blushed harshly when she grabbed his hand and squeezed it hard absentmindedly.

   "Percy," she whispered absolutely terrified. He followed her gaze and found an old lady boarding the bus. The old lady tilted her head up and he saw her cold black eyes. It was Ms.Dodds.  He grabbed Eris' shoulders and pushed her down so she was covered by the seat in front of them, almost out of sight.

   Two more old lady's came on the bus who both looked exactly like Ms.Dodds. They sat in the front row behind the driver.

    "She didn't stay dead long," Percy whispered to Annebeth. "I thought you said they could be dispelled for a life time."

"I said if your lucky," Annabeth shot back. "You're obviously not."

"All three of them," Grover whimpered. "Di immortales!"

"Grover," Percy hissed, "Stop panicking look at Eris," he whispered gesturing to Eris. Her eyes were filled with terrified tears as she trembled in fear, she was breathing so harshly Percy thought she was going to pass at any moment. She looked like she was about to wet her pants.

Eris had never seen a live monster before. She had never even been outside of camp half-blood since Chiron brought her to camp. She was trained well enough for this, she wasn't going to be able to save anyone not even herself. She was going to die.

"It's okay." Annabeth told them calmly, "The furies. The worst three monsters from the Underworld. No problem. No problem.We'll just slip out of the windows."

Eris hurried to attempt the crack open the window next to her only to feel sweat race down her face when it wouldn't open. "Th-they won't open. Oh Gods, I'm going to die."

   "No one is going to die," Annabeth said firmly. "A back exit?"

   Eris quickly looked behind them only to find no back exit. They were trapped.

    "They won't attack us with witnesses," Percy said uneasily. "...will they?"

   Annabeth shook her head. "Mortals don't have good eyes. Their brains only process what they see from the mist."

   "They'll see three old ladies killing us won't they?" Percy asked without thinking about it. Eris whimpered and curled up into a fight ball, tucking her head between her knees.

   She should've never listened to Willow. Now she was going to die. She hadn't even found out who her father was and now she was going to die.

    "Maybe but we can't on mortals for help. Maybe an emergency exit in the roof?" Annabeth suggested.

   Eris was confused on how Annabeth could stay so calm. Wasn't she worried they were going to die? How could anyone be calm in a situation like this.

  The bus hit the Lincoln tunnel and the bus became dark except for the running lights down the aisle.

   Ms.Dodds stood and in a flat voice she said, "I need to use the restroom."

   "So do I," The second sister said.

    "So do I," The third sister said and a tear rolled down Eris' cheek and we accepted her fate.

   At least when she died she'd be with Willow.

   "I've got it," Annabeth said quietly. "Percy take my hat."

   He frowned, "What?"

    "You're the one they want. Turn invisible and go up the aisle. Let them pass you. Maybe you can go up front and get away."

   "But you guys-"

   "There's an outside chance they might not notice us," Annabeth replied. "You're the son of one of the big  three. Your smell might be overpowering."

   "I can't just leave you guys and what about Eris?" Percy gestured to the trembling Eris next to him. "She can't even defend herself. She's terrified."

   Annebeth's expression hardened. "I'll take care of her, I promised Luke. Don't worry about us. Go!"

   Percy hesitantly took the Yankees baseball cap, put it on and disappeared.

   Annabeth hurried into the seat next to Eris and placed a hand on her shoulder making her flinch. "Eris, you need to calm down. We'll keep you safe."

  Eris shook her head, her heart moving at a thousands miles per hour. "N-No! I c-can't-" she froze when she felt eyes on her. She looked up and her eyes met Ms.Dodds' pure black eyes.  Me.Dodds and Eris stared at each other before the furies crowded them all at once. And Eris couldn't hold back the scream the erupted from her lips. She huddled in the corner of her seat and took out her dagger with trembling hands.

   The furies hissed and lashed their whips at them. "Where is it? Where?"

   "Careful!" One of the furies snapped, making brief eye contact with Eris. "Master said we cannot hurt the girl!"

    Girl? Eris frowned, trying to ignore the tears running down her face. The only girls there were her and Annabeth and since Eris was unclaimed did that mean Athena sent the furies?

   Annabeth looked confused for a moment before she shook her head. "He's gone!"

   The furies raised their whips and Annebeth took out her dagger as Grover took out a tin can prepared to throw it. 

    Eris squeezed her eyes shut. "B-Back!" She screamed, waving her dagger around wildly. "G-Go away!" She stopped screaming when she felt her dagger hit something hard and heard a small squeal of pain.

  She hesitantly opened her eyes and found her dagger embedded into the third furie's stomach. She couldn't control her fast pace breathing as she stared at her dagger before hurried yanking it out of the furie.

   The furie looked looked down at her open wound, "Ow..." it hissed with wide eyes before it exposed into golden dust.

   "Sister!" Ms.Dodds cried.

   "Oh gods! D-Did I just," Eris stumbled over her words. She had just killed a monster!

    Annabeth stared at Eris with wide eyes before suddenly the bus jerked to the side and the furies smashed into the windows on the other side.

   "O-oh shit!" Eris screamed as she, Annabeth and Grover were tossed around the bus. She winced as the back of her head harshly hit a window. She heard the window crack and suddenly blood was rushing down her forehead. Her head exploded in white hot pain.

   Annabeth quickly grabbed her backpack, yanked out a bag of ambrosia and shoved a piece in Eris' mouth before putting her bag back down.

   It tasted like the chocolate birthday cake Willow used to make her every year for her birthday. Her heart ached at the thought.

   The bus shot down the highway, through traffic and down the roads of New Jersey. The bus suddenly came to a harsh stop and twirled around in the road before crashing into a tree near the forest.  The emergency lights came on and the doors flew open, all of the passengers and the bus driver practically flew out of the bus trying to run.

   The two furies left regained their balance and raised their whips. Annabeth pushed Eris behind her as she raised her dagger and yelled at them in Greek to back off.

    "Hey!" They heard someone yell and Percy was standing in the doorway off the bus with Annabeth's cap off.

   Ms.Dodds walked up to him, baring her yellow teeth and her sister crawled down the aisle towards him like a lizard.

   "Perseus Jackson!" She hissed. "You have offended the gods! You shall die!"

   "I liked you better as a math teacher." Percy told her.

   Annabeth pushed Eris toward the very back of her bus and she and Grover started to creep up behind Ms.Dodds looking for an opening.

   Eris watched fearfully as Percy took out a ball point pin. He uncapped the pin and it turned into a long brilliant celestial bronze sword.

   Ms.Dodds hesitated. "Submit now!" She hissed. "And you shall not suffer eternal torment."

   "No thanks," Percy told her sassily.

   Annabeth's eye widened, "Percy, watch out!"

   Ms.Dodds launched her whip around his swords hand while her sister on the other side lunged for him. Percy reacted quickly. He stuck the Fury on the left with the hilt of his sword sending her crashing into a bus seat. Annabeth caught Ms.Dodds into a wrestlers hold as Grover yanked the whip out of her hand.

   "Ow! Hot! Hot!" Grover yelped.

   The fury from before regained her balance and launched herself at Percy and he swiped at her with his sword and she exploded into golden dust. Grover quickly tied up Ms.Dodds with her whip and Annabeth let her go.

  Annabeth yanked Eris up from the corner and lightly shoved her in Percy's direction as Grover kicked Ms.Dodds to the back of the bus.

   "Zeus will destroy you!" Ms.Dodds yelled. "Hades will have your soul!"

    "Braccas meas vescimimi!" Percy yelled in Greek and Eris frowned wondering why he told Ms.Dodds to eat his pants. Thunder rumbled the bus and Eris' trembling increased.

   "We need to leave!" Annabeth yelled, grabbing Eris' wrist.

  She didn't have to tell Eris twice. They rushed outside of the bus where they sound passengers from the bus running around yelling "We're gonna die!"

  Grover's eyes widened, "Our bags!" He yelled. "We forgot our-"

   BOOM!

   The bus exploded into flames as passengers ran for cover. But an angry cry of pain told Eris Ms.Dodds was most definitely still alive.

   She watched with wide eyes as lightning struck the bus no doubt from Zeus himself.  The. She realized that her beloved sketchbook  was gone.

   Fuck.

   "Oh shit! We need to go!" Annabeth yelled, "she's calling in reinforcements!"

   Annabeth yanked Eris with her into the woods with the others quickly following behind them. They ran into the woods not knowing what was waiting for them.

So I know Eris seems a like a wimp and that's because she is. She has little fighting skills and no powers....yet. I made her this way because I felt like it was unrealistic for every single half-blood to be fearless. She's a wimp and a bit of a coward and that's okay bc I would be like that two in this situation. I'm not used to writing characters like her so this is refreshing to me. Now she will go through massive character development through out the series. By the end of the book series she'll be a completely different person in a positive way.

Please comment it helps me update!

   I love you!