THEY WEREN'T GETTING ANY SLEEP. Cassidy knew that much was certain. Short of being knocked out or enchanted to sleep it was very unlikely they could. They'd lost the ability to properly sleep after Tartarus. So they started packing. They took stock of their daggers and sword. They replenished their pouch with new grape seeds. Cassidy could feel Fluffy's eyes on them as they worked.

"I'm sorry" Cassidy said finally. "I know it wasn't my greatest idea" Fluffy let out a small derisive snort. They could hear the 'you think?' In his voice without him having to say it. "Look, I'm sorry I got you injured-"

"I'm not angry about fighting the Chimera I'm angry that you put yourself in unnecessary danger. I'm angry that you keep putting yourself in danger without a second thought" Fluffy snarled, his wings flaring. "And if you don't care about that then remember that your life isn't the only one that hangs in the balance"

Cassidy winced, shrinking under his gaze. They knew they could be stupid but it was unfair to Fluffy who's life was linked to theirs. Fluffy tucked his wings to his side and left the cabin. Cassidy knew he wouldn't go far, maybe he'd be waiting outside. Or he'd take a short walk around camp.

It wasn't until late afternoon that Meg and Apollo awoke. Cassidy found the former in the armoury and the latter joined them shortly after. "Perhaps a shield?" Apollo suggested as they browsed for battle supplies.

"Nuh-uh. I always use two swords. Plus I need a free hand for slapping when you act stupid" Meg replied. "My daggers are my primary weapon. The sword is just backup. A shield will get in the way" Cassidy stated. They pulled a long bow out of the rack and offered it to the ex god. Inexplicably, he recoiled. "No"

"No? How many braincells did you loose when you got turned mortal?" Cassidy asked. "It’s your best weapon. You’re Apollo" Meg agreed. "I swore an oath. I’m not the god of archery or music anymore. I won’t use a bow or a musical instrument until I can use them properly" Apollo explained. "So you lost a lot then" Cassidy shook his head "Stupid oath" Meg said. Neither of them slapped him though the idea seemed incredibly enticing.

"And what the fuck do you plan on doing oh great god of too many domains? Standing to the side and cheering while Meg and I fight?" Cassidy sneered. The look on his face said that was, infact, what he'd planned to do.

Apollo scanned the weapon display and grabbed a sword. He didn't even need to draw it for Cassidy to know it would be too heavy and awkward for him but he strapped the scabbard around his waist. "There, happy?"

"Harley could do better" Cassidy said sourly. Either way, they returned the bow to the rack. "Fine but you’d better have our backs" Meg said. Apollo nodded "Your backs shall be had" When the three reached the edge of the woods they found a small going-away party waiting: Will, Nico, Malcolm and Billie. All with grim faces. Cassidy couldn't blame them. The odds weren't great. Fluffy sat next to them, waiting.

"Be careful, and here" Will put a ukulele in Apollo's hands before he could object. He tried to give it back. "I can’t. I made an oath-" he began "Yeah, I know. That was stupid of you. But it’s a combat ukulele. You can fight with it if you need to" Will said. Apollo studied the instrument "The work of Hephaestus?" He asked. Will shook his head. "The work of Harley. He wanted you to have it. Just sling it over your back. For me and Harley. It’ll make us both feel better"

Apollo conceded. Nico handed him some ambrosia wrapped in a napkin. "I can’t eat this" Lester said. "It's not for you, dumbass, you're travelling with two demigods and a magic leopard" Cassidy reminded. They took the ambrosia from him and tucked it into their coat pocket. They had taken some of their own but a little more was welcome. Malcolm showed Meg and Fluffy a parchment map, pointing out various places in the woods that they should avoid. When they were finished with the map, Billie Ng approached Meg. She gave Meg her flashlight and a small packet of flower seeds. "Just in case" Billie said.

Meg seemed quite overwhelmed. She gave Billie a fierce hug. Malcom handed Cassidy the map "Don't forget. When in doubt, veer to the right" he said. "I know Malcolm, thanks" Cassidy said. Apollo rested his hand on Will’s shoulder. "Don’t worry. We’ll be back by dawn"

"How can you be sure?" Will's mouth trembled slightly "I’m the sun god, I always return at dawn" Apollo replied confidently. Cassidy thought that was awfully optimistic considering how his time as a mortal was going.

It ended up raining. Ofcourse it was raining. Cassidy wondered just how many people Apollo had ticked off to end up like this. The rain was just on the edge of sleet. Liquid enough to soak their clothes, icy enough to slam against their exposed faces like glass shards. The four stumbled along, lurching from tree to tree to find any shelter they could with little luck.

From time to time they heard monsters in the distance which put Cassidy and Fluffy on high alert but nothing showed itself. After what seemed like hours, Meg stifled a scream. The other three moved instantly to her side. Fluffy's claws were out while Cassidy had two daggers drawn. Apollo had his hand on his sword but didn't draw it. At Meg’s feet, wedged in the mud, was a glistening black shell the size of a boulder. It was cracked down the middle, the edges splattered with a gooey substance. "I almost stepped on that" Meg covered her mouth as if she might be sick.

Apollo inched closer, studying it. "It’s a myrmeke, or it was" he said. Cassidy made a face "I hate those things" they grumbled. Fluffy let out a low growl to voice his agreement. "A murr-murr-key?" Meg asked "A giant ant. There must be a colony somewhere in the woods" Lester guessed. "There is, we've come across it before. Best to avoid it" Cassidy said. Meg gagged. "I hate bugs"

"Well, don’t worry, this one is dead. Whatever killed it must’ve had powerful jaws to crack that shell" Apollo noted. "That's not comforting" Cassidy said. "Are- are these things dangerous?" Meg asked. The ex god laughed. "Oh, yes. They range in size from as small as dogs to larger than grizzly bears. One time I watched a colony of myrmekes attack a Greek army in India. It was hilarious. They spit acid that can melt through bronze armor and- ow!" He glared at Cassidy who had elbowed him.

Cassidy glared back. "You're mortal now dumbass" Apollo's smile faded at the reminder. "Right, well, the rain should keep the myrmekes in their tunnels. Just don’t make yourself an attractive target. They like bright, shiny things" he said.

"Like flashlights?" Meg asked. "Um…" Apollo hesitated. She handed him the flashlight. "Lead on, Apollo" Cassidy had to stifle a laugh. After another hour or so the rain tapered off, leaving the ground steaming. The air got warmer until thick white vapor curled off the tree branches. "What’s going on?" Meg wiped her face. "Feels like a tropical rain forest now"

Cassidy shrugged. Apollo didn't have any answer either. Suddenly Fluffy's ears pricked up. "What is it?" Cassidy asked. "A geyser" The leopard replied. Lester smiled when the child of of Dionysus translated. "A geyser" Meg repeated. "Like Old Faithful?"

"This is excellent news. Perhaps we can get directions. Our lost demigods might have even found sanctuary there!" Apollo exclaimed. "I highly doubt we're that lucky" Cassidy muttered. "Would it kill you to be optimistic?" Fluffy flicked them with his tail "With the geysers" Meg said incredulously. "No, my ridiculous girl, with the geyser gods. Assuming they’re in a good mood, this could be great" Lester said.

"Sure and if they aren't?" Cassidy asked "Then we’ll cheer them up before they can boil us. Follow me!"

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[Edited?: Yes]
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