LOST AT SEA | jason grace

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐱.

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐱. 𝑠𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑠 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑧𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

𝙿𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙴𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚄𝚂 𝚂𝙷𝙰𝙿𝙴𝙳 humans out of mud, forming them in the image of the Gods. Zeus decided that humans were to remain mortal, worshipping the Gods from below. But Prometheus made a big mistake (Lorna couldn't remember what- she didn't really listen to Annabeth) and Zeus banned the use of fire on Earth. Seeing his creations suffering, Prometheus stole fire from the workshop of Hephaestus and Athena, and brought it down to Earth. Now, he's in the underworld, chained to a cliff, visited by a vulture who would tear out his liver daily.

Humans used fire for cooking, light, heat, and forging weapons. Children of Hephaestus were given the gift of Pyrokinesis, but fire was unpredictable, uncontrollable. These blessed children soon lost control over their powers and it lead to mass destruction.

But Jason and Piper didn't know that. Only Lorna did.

With his gold coin in his hand, Jason stepped forward, his eyes on Zethes. "Look, there's been a mistake. Leo isn't a fire guy. Tell them, Leo. Tell them you're not a fire guy."

"Um ..."

"Zethes?" Piper tried her dazzling smile again, though she looked a little too nervous and cold to pull it off. "We're all friends here. Put down your swords and let's talk."

"The girl is pretty," Zethes admitted, "and of course she cannot help being attracted to my amazingness; but sadly, I cannot romance her at this time."

He poked his sword point farther into Leo's chest.

"Destroy him now?" Cal asked his brother.

"No," Zethes said regretfully. "She is the one we've been watching for." Zethes pointed his sword at Lorna.

"Watching for?" Leo asked. "You mean like in a good way: you'll shower her with fabulous prizes? Or watching for like in a bad way: she's in trouble?"

A girl's voice said, "That depends on my father's will."

Lorna looked up the staircase. At the top stood a girl in a white silk dress. Her skin was unnaturally pale, the color of snow, but her hair was a lush mane of black, and her eyes were coffee brown.

"Father will want to see the children of Poseidon and Zeus," the girl said.

"Then it is them?" Zethes asked excitedly.

"We'll see," the girl said. "Zethes, bring our guests."

Leo grabbed the handle of his bronze dragon suitcase. Before he could take a step, she froze him with a look. Not literally froze, but she might as well have.

"Not you, Leo Valdez," she said.

"Why not?" Leo said.

"You cannot be in the presence of my father," the girl said. "Fire and ice- it would not be wise."

"We're going together," Jason insisted, putting his hand on Leo's shoulder, "or not at all."

The girl tilted her head, like she wasn't used to people refusing her orders. "He will not be harmed, Jason Grace, unless you make trouble. Calais, keep Leo Valdez here. Guard him, but do not kill him."

Cal pouted. "Just a little?"

"No," the girl insisted. "And take care of his interesting suitcase, until Father passes judgment."

Jason, Piper and Lorna looked at Leo, their expressions asking him a silent question: How Do you want to play this?

It's fine, guys," Leo said. "No sense causing trouble if we don't have to. You go ahead."