I 023. I

𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔

❝ golden fleece ❞

ARIADNE WAS NEVER A FAN OF JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS. She hated it, actually. It was a boring story to her no matter what Annabeth argues against. But yet, it appeared in her dreams. The golden ram just stared at her four what seemed like ours. Beady eyes boring into hers while it chewed on some grass, that was her dream.

The Golden Fleece. That was it. When Percy mentioned his dream and the empathy lol he had with Grover, she knew where he was. Captured by Polyphemus and she realized why she couldn't see everything the demigod boy could. His empathy link allowed him to see directly into the situation, while her dreams were just of silhouettes and what could possibly be Grover and Polyphemus.

But Tantalus could care less that camp was dying. Even her father didn't care. If camp was destroyed he could go back to being a god all day, sipping wine all he wanted. No matter how much pain it would cause his kids, he didn't care.

The new activities director told Ariadne, Percy, Annabeth and Tyson they were to clean dishes with the Harpies first 'punishment' because they 'ruined' the chariot races.

But as always, Percy was no help and dug them deeper in their already ten foot hole. He told Tantalus to go chase his donut.

Water was replaced with lava. That's what the Harpies used to clean the dishes. All three of the demigods had to wear asbestos gloves and aprons. Tyson was able to stick his hands inside the liquid fire. Tantalus had said there was extra plates too since he decided to have a great feast to celebrate Clarisse's win. They ate Stymphalaian bird— which she was happy she didn't eat.

They worked for hours and were able to talk about what they would do. Percy explained his dream again and she told them hers ( to which Percy said, "Ha! I'm not crazy!" But looks from Ariadne and Annabeth told him different ).

"If he's really found it..." Annabeth muttered.

"He had to," Ariadne told her. Percy has a smug smirk which she almost slapped off. "If there's any possibility we can retrieve it—"

"Hold on," Percy stopped her. "You guys act like this... whatever it is Grover found is the only thing in the world that could save the camp. What is it?"

"I'll give you a hint," Annabeth said. "What do you get when you skin a ram?"

"Messy?"

Ariadne glared at him, "I swear on the gods above I will..." she made a slice motion across her throat which he narrowed his eyes at. Annabeth sent her a stern look before continuing.

"A fleece. The coat of a ram is called a fleece. And if that ram happens to have golden wool—"

"The Golden Fleece? Are you serious?"

Ariadne continued for the blonde who was scrapping bird bones off into the lava. "Perc, remember the Grey Sisters? They said they knew the location of the thing you seek. And they mention Jason. Three thousand years ago, they told him how to find the Golden Fleece. And just before dinner, I had a dream about the ram as well. You do know the story of Jason and the Argonauts?"

"Yeah," he gave her a nod. "That old movie with the clay skeletons?"

"Hopeless I say! By the gods you are hopeless!"

He rolled his eyes, "What?"

Annabeth cut in, "Just listen. The real story of the Fleece: there were these two children of Zeus, Cadmus and Europa, okay? They were about to get offered up as human sacrifices when they prayed to Zeus to save them. So Zeus sent this magical flying ram with golden wool, which picked them up in Greece and carried them all the way to Colchis in Asia Minor. Well, it actually carried Cadmus. Europa fell off and died along the way, but that's not important."

"It was probably important to her," he said.

"The point is," Ariadne told him. "When Cadmus got to Colchis, he sacrificed the golden ram to the gods and hung the Fleece in the middle of the kingdom. The Fleece brought prosperity to the land. Animals stopped getting sick. Plants grew better, you know, that stuff. That's why Jason wanted the Fleece. It can revitalize any land where it's placed. It cured sickness, strengthens nature, cleans up pollution—"

"It could cure Thalia's tree

She nodded, scrubbing a plate harshly. "And it would totally strengthen the borders of Camp. The thing is, it's been missing for centuries. Tons of heroes have searched for it with no luck.

"But Grover found it," Percy told them. "He went looking for Pan and he found the Fleece instead because they both radiate nature magic. It makes sense, guys! We can rescue him and save the camp at the same time! It's perfect!"

Annabeth's eyes furrowed, "It's a little too perfect, don't you think? What if it's a trap?"

"What choice do we have?" Percy argues. "Are you going to help me rescue Grover or not?"

Ariadne and Annabeth looked over at Tyson who was playing around with the lava— making boats out of cups and spoon. The brunette sighed, "Perc, we'll have to fight a Cyclops. Polyphemus, the worst Cyclops. And there's only one place his island could be: the Sea of Monsters."

"Where's that?"

Annabeth narrowed her eyes. But the brunette continued to try explaining. "Perc. The Sea of Monsters. The same sea Odysseus sailed through, and Jason, and Aeneas and literally every Greek hero."

"You mean the Mediterranean?"

"Yes and no."

"Another straight answer. Thanks."

"Look, Percy," Annabeth said, "the Sea of Monsters is the sea all heroes sail through on their adventures. It used to be in the Mediterranean, yes. But like everything else, it shifts locations as the West's center of power shifts."

He seemed to realize what they were saying, "Like amount Olympus being above the Empire State Building. And Hades under Los Angeles."

"Right."

"But a whole sea full of monsters— how could you hide something like that? Wouldn't the mortals notice weird things happening... like shops getting eaten and stuff?"

Ariadne raised an eyebrow, "Oh, of course they do," she smiled. "They know, they don't understand, but they know if something strange happens. You gotta know the Bermuda Triangle, yeah?"

"Of course. Well, at least we know where to look."

"Well... I mean... it's still a big place to look, Perc," she tried telling him. "Searching for one tiny island in monster-infested waters—"

"Hey, I'm the son of the sea god. This is my home turf. How hard can it be?"

Annabeth looked deep in thought, "We'll have to talk to Tantalus, get an approval for a quest. He'll say no."

"Not if we tell him tonight at the campfire in front of everybody. The whole camp will hear. They'll pressure him. He won't be able to refuse."

"Maybe," the blonde's grey eyes held a hint of hope. "We'd better get these dishes done. Hand me the lava spray gun, Percy, will you?"

Ariadne gave the boy a crooked smirk, "You know, you have good ideas when you aren't being stupid."

"Thanks," he scoffed. "And that's coming from the impulsive, angry girl."

Annabeth had to stop her from dunking his head into the lava.

***

BURNING EMBERS WERE DULL. As the Apollo cabin led the usual songs in the sing-a-long, no one sang. It was a depressing mood that night because of the pigeon attack. Her brothers weren't even eating any marshmallows like they usually would.

Her father had left early after a few songs, a look of distaste on his face once he looked towards Tantalus. She knew the feeling. Ariadne say towards the front with a blanket wrapped around her body. Her hope was that the fire would warm her but it didn't.

Percy say on her right, blanket thrown over him as well. Ariadne's head rested on his shoulder to Annabeth's surprise. But they must've forgotten about their argument because his head rested against hers. Hands were intertwined under their blanket as they waited for the time to bring up the quest.

But neither had really forgotten or said their sorries. It was a weird theming between them. Neither could understand how they could be ready to pummel the other but then at the next second they would be hugging. If anything, their arguments were always referred to by Annabeth and Grover as 'old-married-couple-fights.' That was always said behind their backs of course.

Ariadne moved and grabbed a marshmallow, deciding she wanted one. She put it on a wooden stick and held it above the burning embers. As she watched it grow darker ever so slowly, Percy watched her with a frown.

She was confusing. Plain and simple. He didn't know what went through her head, and that's something that set him on edge. She was unpredictable in his mind. But as long as she was on his side and stuck by him, he was okay with that, because that was just Ariadne.

He nudged her shoulder, "Hey," his voice was soft and that seemed to warm her heart for a weird reason. "Hey, it's gonna be all right."

"You don't know that," she said. Her eyes watching as Tantalus tried chasing a marshmallow.

"I have a pretty good feeling, and that's enough for me."

Her hands brought the treat away from fire, blowing some flames off before picking at it. "I'm just worried, you know?"

"I know," he nodded. "We all are— but we will get through this, we will save camp. I know it." She just nodded at his statement, eyes staring at the marshmallow. "Aidan," he whispered. "It'll be okay, I promise."

She looked at his sea-green eyes and the butterflies released in her stomach. Her heart raced against her chest while she pushed down the blush climbing up her neck. "Yeah."

Percy's hand reached forward and plucked the marshmallow right off her stick. She gasped as he placed it in his mouth, chewing it with a greedy smirk. "Kelp Head! You jerk, that was mine!"

"You weren't eating it," he shrugged. "Besides, it tasted good. Thanks."

Ariadne narrowed her eyes before grabbing another two more and placed them onto her stick. She let them roast before blowing them off, her yes noticing Percy watching her and the marshmallows.

She took one off and ate it, swallowing the last part before reaching towards the other. Once she took it off the wooden stick she handed it to Percy who gave her a look of surprise.

They both watched the fire as the last song played, a slight smile on their faces. Once the song ended, Tantalus stood up. "Well, that was lovely!"

He tried taking a marshmallow off the stick he was holding but it jumped into the fire like the last one. "Now, then! Some announcements about tomorrow's schedule." A cruel smile placed upon his face.

Percy took a glance at Ariadne who nodded before calling out, "Sir!"

"Our kitchen boy has something to say?" Tantalus's eye seemed to twitch at the sight of the demigod.

Ares campers laughed slightly at the jab. Percy shared a look with both the brunette and blonde girls before they all stood up. It was now or never.

Percy took a deep breath, "We have an idea to save the camp."

Camp was silent. People looked at them with interest as the fire rose yellow.

"Indeed," Tantalus said flatly. "Well, if it has anything to do with chariots

"The Golden Fleece," Ariadne spoke up. Eyes shining in the firelight. "We know where it is."

The fire burned orange and rose higher. Percy and her blurred out their dreams before Tantalus could even stop them. Annabeth reminded everyone what the Fleece could do, "The Fleece can save camp. I'm certain of it."

"Nonsense," Tantalus retorted. "We don't need saving

All the campers have him hard looks and he became uncomfortable. "Besides, the Sea of Monsters? That's hardly an exact location. You're pulsar even know where to look!"

"Yes, I would," Percy told him.

Ariadne's eyebrows furrowed, "You would?" She whispered.

"Thirty, thirty-one, seventy-five, twelve," he told the crowd. She realized they're ere the numbers the Grey Sisters told him. The location he seemed.

"Ooo-kay," Tantalus whistled. "Thank you for sharing those meaningless numbers."

"They're sailing coordinates," Percy told him. "Latitude and longitude. I, uh, learned about it in social studies." And it reminded her of the picture she caught him looking at, the picture of her. She needed to tease him about that later.

Annabeth was impressed. "Thirty degrees, thirty-one minutes north, seventy-five degrees, twelve minutes west. He's right!"

"The Grey Sisters gave us those coordinates!"
Ariadne told the campers, her hand tightening around Percy's. "That should be somewhere in the Atlantic, off the coast of Florida. The Sea of Monsters! We need a quest!"

"Wait just a minute—" Tantalus tried.

"We need a quest!" The campers chanted. "We need a quest!"

"This isn't necessary!"

"WE NEED A QUEST! WE NEED A QUEST!"

"Fine!" Tantalus roared. His eyes blazed with anger but that didn't unsettle her, she had seen Ares angry before, he wasn't a match. "You brats want me to assign a quest?"

"YES!"

"Very well," his tone was dark. "I shall authorize a champion to undertake this perilous journey, to retrieve the Golden Fleece and bring it back to camp. Or die trying

She was relieved. Percy, Annabeth and her were finally going on a quest to retrieve what they needed. Her dreams had helped them and they were going to save Grover, Thalia and the camp.

"I will allow our champion to consult the Oracle!" Tantalus announced. "And choose two champions for the journey. And I think the choice of champions is obvious."

Tantalus looked at Percy, Annabeth and her with anger. "The champion should be one who has earned the camp's respect, who has proven resourceful in the chariot races and courageous in the defense of the camp. You shall lead this quest... Clarisse!"

Ariadne froze. The flames of the fire become a million different colors. Ares cabin jumped up and cheered louder than ever, "CLARISSE! CLARISSE!"

Clarisse stood up with pride. "I accept the quest!"

"Wait!" Percy shouted. "Grover is my friend. The dream came to me."

"Sit down!" one of the Ares members yelled s "you had your chance last summer!"

"Yeah, he just wants to be in the spotlight again!" another shouted.

Ariadne started to walk towards the voice. "Do you want to be thrown around by vines, Xavier?!"

Percy held her back as she kept glaring. Clarisse gave her one. "I accept the quest! I, Clarisse, daughter of Ares, will save the camp!"

Ares campers stomped and cheered even louder— if that was possible. Annabeth started protesting as the Athena cabin joined in, even the Apollo cabin argued on their side. Ariadne was shouting at Ares campers who threw insults back. Her brothers were on her side as they shouted out. A marshmallow civil war broke out as she tried not to throttle people with vines.

"Silence, you brats!"

Everyone shut up instantly at Tantalus's sharp voice. "Sit down!" he ordered. "And I will tell you a ghost story."

Ariadne shared a glance with Annabeth and Percy before sitting down. Percy kept a firm grip on her hand incase she tried to tackle someone.

The fire was a dim blue and it made Tantalus's face look even darker, more than any monster she had ever seen.

"Once upon a time, there was a mortal king who was beloved of the gods!" He placed a hand upon his chest. "This king was even allowed to feast in Mount Olympus. But when he tried to take some ambrosia and nectar back to earth to figure out the recipe— just one little doggy bag, mind you— the gods punished him." She had a feeling he was talking about himself. "They banned him from their halls forever! His own people mocked him! His children scolded him! And, oh yes, campers, he had horrible children. Children— just— like— you!"

"Do you know what he did to his ungrateful children?" Tantalus's asked them softly, but there was venom lacing his tone. "Do you know how he paid back the gods for their cruel punishment? He invited the Olympians to a feast at his palace, just to show there was no hard feelings. No one noticed that his children's ere missing. And when he served the gods dinner, my dear campers, can you guess what was in the stew?"

Malice was in his eyes as no one dared answer. Ariadne gulped slightly and scooted closer to Percy, he gripped her hand tighter.

A dark grin crossed Tantalus's face, "Oh, the gods punished him in the afterlife. They did indeed. But he had his moment of satisfaction, hadn't he? His children never spoke back to him or questioned his authority. And do you know what? Rumor has it that the king's spirit now swells at this very camp, waiting for the chance to take revenge on ungrateful, rebellious children. And so... are there anymore complaints, before we send Clarisse off on her quest?"

Silent. So silent, no one dared to even breath.

Tantalus nodded to Clarisse, "The Oracle, my dear. Go on."

She shifted in her seat; even she was terrified of him. "Sir—"

"Go!" he snarled

The girl bowed before running towards the Big House.

"Why about you, Percy Jackson?" Tantalus asked the boy. "No comments from our dishwasher?"

Percy clenched his jaw, but otherwise, stayed silent.

Tantalus was pleased and he looked at Ariadne, "I have no care for you, girl, even if your father is here." She gave him a glare.

"Good," the activities director said. "And let me remind everyone— no one leaves this camp without my permission. Anyone who tries... well, if they survive the attempt, they will be expelled forever, but it won't be coming to that. The Harpies will be enforcing curfew from now on, and they are always hungry! Goodnight, my dear campers. Sleep well!"

A wave of his hand and the fire went out.

She held tighter onto Percy as they both sat there, staring at where the flames used to be. Her purple eyes shined in the dark and she was ready to stab the man through with a vine. But what good would that do?

They would find a way to save camp. And if they did and she was expelled from camp, then so be it.

***

ARIADNE WATCHED AS THE WAVES CRASHED OVER HER. She gasped once she resurfaced from the powerful waters, looking for help. Once she saw a rock before her she latched on. Her cries sounded throughout the howling wind.

Her body was pulled under as she kicked to free herself. Hands were wound around her ankles and she saw her mother drag her down. The girl lost her breath before slamming against the sand.

"Lunatic. That's what you are. You don't deserve to be here. You shouldn't be here."

She tried finding her ring but it was in her mother's hand, taunting her. The ring was crushed and feel down into the sand. If she could cry, she would. Her mother gripped her face harshly while her green eyes stared through her soul.

"Don't belong here. Crazy. Insane. Mad."

The girl was thrown out of the water and onto dry land where she gasped for air. But something wrapped around her throat: a vine. It lifted her up and above the sand while she struggled, nails clawing at the plant.

"You think you can run away from this?" her mother asked. "From us?" But it wasn't her voice. This one was much darker, similar to the one which haunted her nightmares. "You can never run far enough away because we will always find you. I will hunt you down and make you watch as your friends and family are slaughtered. Do you think I will rest until you kill Perseus Jackson yourself?"

She dropped to the ground, covering her ears. "Stop. Please, stop."

A cold laugh followed, "If you think we will you are mistaken. Because you, Daughter of the Vines, are valuable to us. And if we need to kill everyone you love to make you break: then so be it."

Her head throbbed as the voice chanted, "Lunatic. Lunatic. Lunatic. Lunatic..."

"Stop! Stop!"

"Lunatic. Lunatic. LUNATIC. LUNATIC."

Ariadne let out a loud scream of pain and anger, the ground broke and vines erupted from it. The voice kept chanting over and over again but she couldn't take it. Her closed eye went wide once she saw the vines attacking and destroying New York City. Demigods sprawled along the streets as monsters roared in satisfaction, gods crumpled before a blond boy she knew, his eyes alight with a fire of revenge.

Her eyes found Percy's sea-green ones, who held betrayal and anger. His face bruised and battered with cuts and scratches all over. Grover and Annabeth gave her hard glares before the vines went after them. She held her hand out and stopped the plants as the image changed.

Monsters were being turned to dust as demigods alike destroyed them. Annabeth and Grover were fighting alongside one another and Percy was slashing at a giant. Ariadne watched as he held his hand out which she took, together, they both took the creature down. Her vines helped aid the gods in victory as Luke was broken down.

The voice was tired of her and let a pit form, both her and Percy falling into it. She was then free falling by herself. Falling deeper and deeper into the pit while she shut her eyes.

This all depended on her choice, and who she sided with in the end.