- Noah -
This drive is a nightmare in so many ways. Thalia's non- stop bickering with Zoe as if they are a divorced couple can't stop for more than 15 minutes before they're back at it again. Grover hasn't stopped drooling over any of the hunters throughout the ride, and he's been doing his best to impress them with his "songs". My energy levels are through the roof yet I can't do anything but sit still for the past few hours, and Zoe can't drive.
I'm grateful to finally be out of the camp after doing nothing but socializing and training for weeks, but now I'm thinking that I should have gone to the meeting; if only so that I could've chosen less obnoxious people to go questing with. Furthermore, my inability to be present has left me with nothing but questions that need answering.
"So you're telling me that you have no clue what this 'Bane of Olympus' even is. You, the thousands of years old lieutenant of Lady Artemis? Are you kidding me? Please tell me this is a joke. And what happened to Argus being the one to drive us?"
My very clear confusion towards our situation is only amplified by my increase in energy levels. It seems to me as though my body's strength increasing is also tantamount to just how much starburst energy I can manipulate and create.
That also means upgrades and potential new power uses, but those are thoughts for later.
"Your first words this entire ride and you use them to ask nothing but foolish inquiries? Hush boy, for you know nothing of my time with my lady, nor do you have any right to question me. Simply sit in your seat and wait until we arrive at the destination the satyr's woodland magic has led us to." Zoe doesn't think twice before coming up with her dismissive response, but if I'm being honest I can't even blame her.
If anything, I think that's the most I've heard her say in all the time I've known her, and she even managed to keep the insults to a minimum.
Everyone's anxiety is riding high, and we're in this cramped van trying not to die of boredom before we can die in a combat situation. Bianca seems to have it the worst though, as the worry on her face is clear as day for all to see. I'd assume it would be her worrying for her goddess, but that isn't likely due to the fact that she's a new recruit.
So it boils down to her brother, Nico, whom she apparently left behind when she joined the hunters. Not a decision I'd make when it comes to my family, but I don't know either of them so I won't judge too much. I didn't really see him all that much in my time at the camp, but I must say that he has aura farming potential unseen by at least a good 80% of the camp.
Instead of coming up with my own reply to Zoe, Percy was the one to say something to her.
"Being quiet is nice and all, but he has a point. Not to mention the fact that your driving is…less than ideal. Having a nice and distracting conversation might be the distraction we need." Percy said with a strained smile.
I decide to respond before Zoe does, as I doubt that she'd have anything nice to say.
"Don't even worry about it bro, it's all good. I'm just gonna take a nice nap until we get there. Hopefully by then we'll know what the hell we're even doing, but I doubt that."
I gave the rear-view mirror a small smile; making sure that Zoe at least glanced at me before nodding at Percy and then resting my head against the back of my seat.
No one else said a word surprisingly, but that does nothing but make sleeping easier. I wish I could practice my powers, but this isn't exactly the environment for that, so I guess I'll just wait until the middle of a fight to try something out.
That's what's worked for me so far-no need to switch up the formula.
- The General -
For what seems like the millionth instance since my release, I revel in the sensation of my essence no longer being under constant strain, and the feeling of my strength returning to me. Just being able to move without constraint, to flex my divine might without it being to make sure that I'm not crushed under celestial weight, makes this one of the greatest gifts my brother has ever given me.
I've spent countless years in that wretched prison, trapped beneath the very skies that my kind used to rule millennia ago, stewing in my anger towards the little upstarts. Oh, they will get their reckoning; I'll make sure of it, and I don't give a damn what I have to do to ensure it.
So far we've gathered plenty of forces for our cause, with many more on the way. Monsters of all sorts, demigods of multiple parentage's, other titans, and some major and minor gods previously under the Olympians' rule.
For example Arachne, under the coercion of my brother, has acquired herself quite the formidable creature. But one of the more notable additions to our growing army is the Castellan boy. I myself believe that there could be better alternatives, but Lord Kronos is quite adamant in his decision to nurture him and further his innate potential.
While the boy's combat talent is quite a sight for a mortal, it's his mind and loyalty that are in question. The hatred he holds for the gods is almost as gargantuan as mine, and if he found that it'd deal them a worse blow, I have no doubt that he'd betray our cause just to do so.
If I can see this, then I know without a doubt that Lord Kronos can; which makes me wonder just what his plan's endgame is.
The boy's hatred for the Olympians I can even understand to a degree, but then it's his devotion to those demigods that truly make his loyalties seem shakier and shakier. He wishes to create a world where they can live freely and rise above those who'd wish to oppress them.
Unfortunately for him, that will not be happening. Lord Kronos has shared with his most trusted allies his vision for our empire once the war is over, and the half-blood children of the Olympians simply do not fit into the frame, so to speak.
In the event that the boy does betray us, I shall take it upon myself to end his life personally. However, until then I have other matters to attend to. These mortal museums are of no interest to me, but I shall set these creatures upon the demigods inside all the same.
Let them struggle, fight, and push forward; none of it will matter. For whether it be by my physical prowess or Lord Kronos' cunning, our success is assured.
- Noah -
I slightly stretch my body, hearing the cracking of my bones as I look around while blinking slowly. It took me a bit, but I managed to doze off after a while. My meditation practice has been coming in handy when it comes to fixing up my sleep schedule. If I hadn't been working on that, then I would've lost my sanity having to deal with Grover.
Whether it be him trying to impress the hunters or his incessant need to use that magical flute of his, he hasn't failed to at the very least slightly grate on my nerves for most of the ride.
No offense to him because I think he's a pretty cool guy, but if he could just tone everything down a bit I'd be so much happier.
Everything in the car seems to be fine so far. Percy's just waking up too, and everybody else seems to be absorbed in their own things. The girls, bar Zoe, are tending to their weapons while Grover is completely knocked out. His snores are amusing though.
While someone else in my situation might have found this silence unsettling, I think that it's kinda nice. It's sorta calming, in a way. No more arguing, no more annoyances, and even the tension between Thalia and Zoe has calmed down. It would've been perfect if there wasn't a sinking feeling in my stomach.
Something isn't right.
I take one more glance at Percy who looks like he's just seen a ghost, but Zoe cuts through my thought process before I can voice my concerns; her voice oozing relief.
"We have arrived at a stopping point", she said, "be wary of what we might find here, and stay cautious."
The sinking feeling in my stomach grows as Percy finally says what's on his mind.
"Uh…there's something that I should warn all of you about…" Percy said grimly; his face set in what almost looks like fear.