The air felt thick with tension as the group ventured deeper into the cave, every step echoing off the jagged walls. The glow from the bioluminescent fungi lining the cave's interior gave everything a ghostly hue. Tyson led the way, his large form cutting through the shadows, and Alex followed closely behind, her senses on high alert. Percy and Annabeth flanked her, their weapons ready, as they slowly made their way toward the heart of the island.

The deeper they ventured, the more oppressive the air became. It was as though the very cave was alive, its stone walls pressing in on them, the ground beneath their feet damp and slick. Every so often, Alex could hear strange noises echoing from the far reaches of the cavern—scratching sounds, low growls, and a faint whisper of something that might have been a voice.

"Do you think it's a trap?" Annabeth asked, her voice barely more than a whisper. She was scanning the shadows, her instincts as sharp as ever.

"Could be," Percy replied, his hand on Riptide. "But if it is, we'll be ready."

Alex could feel it too—the prickling sensation of being watched, of something not quite right in the air. Her powers hummed beneath her skin, and for the first time since starting the quest, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking straight into the lion's den.

"Stay close," Alex murmured, her voice steady even as her heart raced. She wasn't sure whether she was trying to reassure her friends or herself.

They turned a corner and entered a massive chamber, its size so vast that it seemed to swallow them whole. In the center of the room was a pedestal, and on top of it lay the Golden Fleece—its shimmering threads glowing with an ethereal light, pulsing softly like a heartbeat. Alex couldn't help but be mesmerized by the sight. It was more beautiful than she had imagined, its magic radiating out like a tangible force.

"Is this it?" Tyson asked, his voice full of awe as he stepped forward, reaching out as if to touch it.

"Don't," Alex said quickly, stepping in front of him. "Something's wrong."

Her instincts were screaming at her now, warning her of the danger that lay ahead. As if on cue, the ground beneath their feet shifted with a deep rumble, the walls of the cave trembling in response. The air grew colder, and a deep, guttural laugh echoed from somewhere within the darkness.

"Well, well, well... what do we have here?"

The voice sent a chill down Alex's spine. A figure stepped out from the shadows—a hulking, monstrous silhouette with a twisted grin and gleaming yellow eyes. He was larger than any Cyclops they had encountered so far, his body scarred and his hands massive, each finger tipped with claws that looked capable of tearing through stone.

"You must be the little heroes," the Cyclops sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "I've been waiting for you."

Alex's heart dropped. This wasn't just any Cyclops—it was the Cyclops, the one who had been guarding the Golden Fleece. The one they had to defeat if they were to save Camp Half-Blood. She could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on her shoulders, but she refused to let the fear take hold.

"You won't stop us," Alex said, her voice fierce despite the unease in her gut.

"Oh, I don't plan to," the Cyclops chuckled darkly. "I plan to use you. You see, I've been watching you all, waiting for the perfect moment. And now, it seems, that moment has arrived."

Before Alex could react, the Cyclops lifted his hand and snapped his fingers. The ground beneath them shifted again, and massive stone walls rose from the floor, surrounding them on all sides. The air seemed to thicken, the magic of the cave amplifying as the walls closed in. The path they had entered through was sealed, and they were trapped.

"Now, we play," the Cyclops said, his smile widening. "You're not going anywhere until I say so."

Alex felt the weight of the trap settling around her. Panic threatened to rise, but she pushed it down, focusing on the situation at hand. They had faced worse before. They had to face this too.

"We need to get out," Annabeth said, already examining the stone walls for any weakness.

"Can you get us out?" Percy asked, his grip tightening on Riptide.

"I can try," Annabeth replied, her eyes scanning for a possible escape route.

Alex's mind raced. They couldn't just wait for Annabeth to figure it out—this was their only chance to get the Golden Fleece and make it back to camp in time. They couldn't afford to waste any more time.

"Tyson, can you help?" Alex called out, turning to him. He looked uncertain, his huge frame standing still in the center of the trap.

"What do you want me to do?" Tyson asked, looking around.

"Can you break through the walls?" Alex asked urgently. "You're strong, right? Use that."

Tyson hesitated, looking at the stone walls with doubt in his eyes. "I don't know... it's hard."

Alex stepped forward, her hand resting lightly on his arm. "Tyson, you're a son of Poseidon. You're stronger than you think. You've got this."

Tyson blinked, a look of determination flickering in his eyes. He nodded, stepping forward. "I'll try."

He raised his massive hands, and Alex could feel the earth trembling beneath her feet as he slammed them down onto the stone. The walls cracked, but they didn't break. Tyson growled in frustration, his eyes flashing with the effort.

"Again," Alex said, her voice commanding. "You can do it."

Tyson nodded, taking a deep breath and slamming his fists into the stone again, this time with all his strength. The ground shook violently, and a large crack appeared in the walls. The stone groaned under the force, but it held firm.

"No! You can't escape that easily," the Cyclops growled, raising his hand again. His massive fist slammed into the ground, causing the trap to tighten even more. The walls around them began to pulse with dark energy, and Alex could feel the magic pressing in on them.

"We don't have much time," Percy said, his face taut with concentration. "Annabeth, hurry!"

Annabeth was still examining the walls, her mind working in overdrive, but there was something she wasn't telling them. Alex could see the strain in her eyes, the worry growing in her expression. They were running out of options.

Then, Alex remembered something. The sea. The connection she had to it, to Poseidon. She had never used it like this before, not in such a tense, dangerous situation. But the urgency of the moment left her no choice.

Closing her eyes, Alex focused on the pulse of the ocean inside her. She could feel the water rushing in her veins, the power of Poseidon surging through her. She whispered a prayer to her father, asking for his guidance. And then, she summoned the sea.

Water surged around them, flooding the trap. The walls groaned, the magic that held them together beginning to falter as the water soaked into the stone. With every drop, Alex felt her connection to the ocean grow stronger, her powers taking form.

The Cyclops roared in fury, but it was too late. The stone walls cracked wide open, and the trap began to collapse under the weight of the water.

"Now, Tyson!" Alex shouted.

Tyson roared in agreement, charging forward and slamming his fists into the weakening stone, sending the last of the walls crumbling to the ground.

As the dust settled, the group was free, the Golden Fleece still glowing brightly on its pedestal. They had broken the trap, but there was no time to celebrate. The Cyclops wasn't done yet.