CASSIDY TRIED THEIR BEST TO RECALL THE MYTH ABOUT PYTHON. Unfortunately they couldn't recall anything other than that Python had taken over Delphi and he was slain by Apollo. They doubted it would be so easy this time. Meg elbowed Apollo and Cassidy and pointed to a tiny ledge on the opposite wall, where a golden apple glowed. "Easy jump" She whispered. Apollo gave her a look that might have incinerated her had he been a god. "Too dangerous" he replied. Cassidy had a thoughtful look on their face as they glanced between Python and the apple "We might be able to make it" they murmured. "Python!" Apollo reminded. "Apple" Meg hissed. "Monster!" Lester hissed back. "Apple" Cassidy agreed.

"One"

"No!"

"Two"

"No!"

"Three"

Meg and Cassidy jumped, forcing Apollo to jump as well. They made it to the ledge though just barely, sending a spray of rubble into the chasm. Meg snatched up the apple.
Above us, the snake rumbled "Who approaches?" The snake sounded so much like Tartarus it unnerved them. Cassidy glanced at Apollo who tensed, looking a second away from curling up into a ball and crying.

The monster shifted his weight. More gravel spilled into the crevasse. Cassidy found themself tensing as well, one hand resting on one of their daggers and the other on their sword. Suddenly going after the apple didn't seem like such a good idea. Then, from the cavern above, came another voice, smaller and much more human. "Hello, my reptilian friend"

Python let out a harsh laugh "Well, I was wondering if you would make the trip, Monsieur Beast" Despite the situation Cassidy couldn't help but raise an eyebrow "Since when do centuries dead monster snakes speak French?" They muttered. Apollo was too petrified to respond. Much to Cassidy's surprise Meg also looked terrified. Just not of the snake. "Don't call me that" The man snapped. "And the commute was quite easy now that the Labyrinth is back in service" Meg looked even more terrified after she heard his voice.

"I'm so pleased" Python replied dryly. "So, Python" Monsieur Beast continued, "Any prophetic words to share with me?" He asked. "In time... my lord" Cassidy frowned at those words. What was a monster like Python doing working for somebody who sounded human? "I need more than your assurances" The man said. "Before we proceed, we must have all the Oracles under our control"

All the Oracles? There was more than one? Cassidy glanced at Apollo who nearly stumbled back at the words. They reached over Meg to steady him. They'd rather not die because an ex god lost his balance. "In time" Python said, "As we agreed. We have come this far by biding our time, yes? You did not reveal your hand when the Titans stormed New York. I did not march to war with Gaea's giants. We both realized the time for victory was not yet right. You must remain patient for a while longer"

A chill ran down Cassidy's spine, how long had this threat been around for? "Don't lecture me, snake. While you slumbered, I built an empire. I have spent centuries-" The man began but was interrupted by the snake "Yes, yes" The monster exhaled, causing a tremor along the cliff face. "And if you ever want your empire to come out of the shadows, you need to deliver on your side of the bargain first. When will you destroy Apollo?"

The man stepped closer to the chasm. His voice became clearer and louder. "Don't worry about Apollo. He is exactly where I need him to be. He will serve our purpose, and once he is no longer useful..." He didn't need to finish his sentence. Python shifted his bulk, showering us with more rubble. It was getting annoying. "And how exactly will you convince him to serve our purpose?" The Beast chuckled. "I have well-placed help within the camp who will steer Apollo toward us. Also, I have upped the stakes. Apollo will have no choice. He and the girl will open the gates"

Cassidy stiffened. A spy inside camp? Again? They didn't know who would help anybody like Python. Then again, after the past two wars the gods had become incredibly unpopular amongst their children... No, Cassidy knew everyone at camp. They could never imagine anybody betraying their fellow demigods. However the same could have been said for Luke or Silena or Claire...

"I trust you are right, your judgment in the past has been... questionable. I wonder if you have chosen the right tools for this job. Have you learned from your past mistakes?" Python asked. The man snarled. Next to them Cassidy heard Meg whimper. "Listen here, you overgrown reptile" the beast snapped "My only mistake was not burning my enemies fast enough, often enough. I assure you, I am stronger than ever. My organization is everywhere. My colleagues stand ready. When we control all four Oracles, we will control fate itself!"

"And what a glorious day that will be" Python's voice was jagged with contempt. "But beforehand, you must destroy the fifth Oracle, yes? That is the only one I cannot control. You must set flame to the grove of-"

"Dodona" Apollo said suddenly. The word echoed through the chasm. Cassidy gaped at him, how could a god be this much of an idiot? The conversation stopped. "You dumbass" Meg hissed.

"What was that sound?" The beast asked. Cassidy's mind raced, trying to think of a good escape. None of their options were looking so good. Most would end up with them getting caught or relying on the Labyrinth being in a good mood. 'Fuck it' Cassidy thought. They leaped off the ledge, dragging Lester and Meg down with them.

The three fell through the sulfurous clouds and landed in a mound of wet, full garbage bags. They tumbled down the pile in a frenzy of flailing and landed at the bottom, covered with muck but still alive. Cassidy wrinkled their nose as the smell, brushing fruit peels off their arm.

"Are you crazy?!" Lester demanded, pulling a banana peel off his head. Cassidy scowled at him "We're alive aren't we?" They retorted "Besides we wouldn't be in that mess if you could keep your mouth shut" They stood up, brushing the garbage off themselves. They grimaced at the feeling of the sticky soda on their arm. Meg wiped her face without much luck. In her other hand, she clutched the golden apple with trembling fingers.

Cassidy frowned in concern, maybe they should have given a warning. "Are you all right?" Apollo asked her. "Fine" Meg snapped. The child of Dionysus and the ex god exchanged concerned looks. That was clearly not true. Her face was pallid. She had bit her lip so hard, her teeth were pink with blood. "That man upstairs, you recognized his voice?" Apollo guessed. "Shut up. That's an order!" Meg snapped.

Lester opened his mouth to reply but no sound came out. Cassidy recognized the look in Meg's eyes, too often they'd worn the same guarded look. They knew if they pushed Meg she might snap. And if she did, there was little chance of gaining her trust enough to have her tell them.

Instead Cassidy decided to take a quick scan of the room. The only visible exit was a metal door marked with a biohazard sign. "Where are we?" Meg asked. Apollo glared at her. "You can talk now" she added. "This is going to shock you, but it appears we are in a garbage room" Lester said sarcastically. "Oh really? What would we ever do without your godly perception" Cassidy said.

"But where?" Meg asked. "Could be anywhere. The Labyrinth intersects with subterranean places all around the world" Apollo explained. "Like Delphi" Cassidy glowered at the god. "That was unexpected" The ex god agreed. "We need to speak with Chiron"

"What is Dodona?" Cassidy asked "I- I'll explain it all later" Apollo said. "First, we need to get out of here" Meg glanced behind her. "Well, it wasn't a total waste" She reached into the garbage and pulled out a second piece of glowing fruit. Only one more apple to go" She said. "Perfect" Apollo muttered "Now, why don't we see what fabulous biohazards await us behind that door?"

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[Edited: Yes]

[Author's note: Welcome to the internet by Bo Burnham was playing in my playlist while I was writing the eavesdropping scene]
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