STRENGTH ✷ act two, chapter four,
━━━━━ the island of the fountain.
PUBLISHED . . . March 8th, 2024
EDITED . . . To Be Determined

   THE NEXT MORNING, CLARISSE WAS COMPLETELY... OFF. Even when she'd came knocking on the Hermes cabin's door to check if Nabi was ready for the quest, she seemed to be in a horribly bad mood.

   "Y'know, when you said 'reward' yesterday," Nabi tried to joke, "I didn't think you'd mean a life-threatening quest — you're lucky we're best friends."

   "Yeah," Clarisse grumbled, as she leaned against the Hermes cabin's door with her bag slung over her shoulder, "c'mon, hurry up."

   Nabi chalked it up to just Clarisse's nerves, but she knew it wasn't that. The angel girl plastered on a smile, but it was hard with the way her friend was acting. "M'kay, I'll be quick."

Clarisse just pursed her lips, and turned away to stare outside. They were the only ones awake, since it was extremely early — the Ares girl wanted to leave as soon as possible with the safety of the camp at stake.

   In truth, Clarisse hadn't actually asked Nabi to come with her. She'd knocked on Nabi's door, and Nabi had already packed everything she needed.

   She knew Clarisse would come find her, anyways.

Hopefully, Connor and Travis could handle taking care of Honey for a bit. Nabi had left a sticky note on one of the brothers' foreheads, whilst both were fast asleep.

   "Have you asked Silena to come with?" Nabi said, double-checking everything in her bag.

   Clarisse said, "Yeah, but she said she'd rather 'watch over' everybody, make sure the camp was alright while we were gone."

   "Okay," Nabi shrugged, "who's the other quest member, then?"

"No one," Clarisse scoffed, "everyone else at camp sucks. I don't need them."

Nabi sighed, but slung her backpack over her shoulder as Clarisse led them to the camp's shores. Nabi shrugged, "Just us, then. You and me, me and you."

"Yeah," Clarisse told her, trudging ahead slightly, "Annabeth, Percy, and their Cyclops 'friend' left the camp.

Nabi's eyebrows raised, surprised, "What?"

"They probably couldn't deal with not being the centres of attention, for once." Clarisse scowled, "They were annoying, anyways. Tantalus expelled them."

"Clarisse," Nabi frowned. "that's—"

"Rude? Mean?" Clarisse's scowl only grew, "Whatever. It's not like you tell me that all the time."

They continued walking in an uncomfortable silence; it was clear Clarisse had something on her mind, with the way her brow was furrowed and her face was in a permanent scowl. But Nabi couldn't take the uneasy quiet, and awkwardly cleared her throat to ask, "What was the prophecy?"

"You don't need to know."

"Well," Nabi said, "I think I deserve to know, if I'm going on the quest with you."

"Fine." Clarisse clenched her jaw, irritated. Then, she began to recite:

"You shall sail the iron ship with warriors of bone,
you shall find what you seek and make it your own.
But despair for your life, entombed within stone ..."

She paused, unsure of finishing the lines. Hesitantly, she muttered the last bit,

   "... And fail without friends, to fly home alone."

Nabi bit her lip. The entire prophecy didn't sound very... nice. She gave Clarisse a smile, "That doesn't sound too bad. We're friends, silly. You won't fail."

"You're a friend," Clarisse clarified, gravely, "but it says friends. Plural."

   Nabi didn't know what to say to that. She swallowed her trepidation down, and tried to provide the Ares girl with comfort. "We'll be fine, don't worry."

   Eventually, after walking for a few minutes, they were at the camp's beaches. As Nabi's shoes dug into the sand, both of them getting closer to the shore, she saw...

   "Is that a boat?" Nabi asked.

   It was an ironclad warship that had a trapezoid casemate with slats for cannons on each side, and a blood red flag with two symbols of Clarisse's father — a boar and a spear — waving from the flagpole. Along the prow, moss-covered letters read: CSS Birmingham.

   "Yeah," Clarisse seemed proud of the boat as she folded her arms smugly, but then her smirk dropped for some reason, "I prayed to my dad — it's a confederate ship he gifted me. The losing side of every war always owe him a tribute."

   As they climbed aboard, Nabi felt that the entire ship wreaked of... death. There was no other way to put it, but she could feel it.

"That's..." Nabi hated praising Ares, so she settled on, "lucky for us. But how are we gonna... y'know, steer the ship without a crew?"

Clarisse explained, "He told me he would've given us soldiers himself, but he said that you would do it."

Nabi rolled her eyes. "He couldn't have just did us a favour?"

Nabi handed her the backpack she'd brung, then stretched her arms out. She concentrated, willing the undead to come forward. A dark hole opened up, and out came a bunch of undead confederate soldiers — ones with gray uniforms and shimmering faces that partially covered their skulls. They floated a bit, before their legs gained a little more substance and they were able to walk. The soldiers were most definitely linked to the ship in their past lives. They lined up in front of Nabi and Clarisse.

   "Uh," Nabi blinked, "this is Clarisse, and I'm Nabi... thanks for... appearing?"

   All of their creepy, glowing green eyes turned to scan both of the girls' features. Nabi shifted uncomfortably, even though she was the one who'd summoned them. On the other hand, Clarisse held her head up high, and commanded, "From now on, you follow my orders. You do anything I say. Is that clear?"

   The soldiers seemed stiff and angry, but chorused, "Yes, Lady Clarisse."

   Clarisse seemed cautious for a second, but shook her head and began barking orders at all of them. Nabi looked down at her hands, which for a faint moment, were almost translucent. Then, they glowed a faint white as an odd pain constricted in her heart. She winced. But soon her hands were back to normal and her chest no longer hurt so much.

   That was... weird.

Soon, the ship was off. Nabi watched as the camp grew smaller in the distance as they sailed away.

   "We'll head to the Island of the Fountain," Clarisse said, "before we do anything else."

   "What?" Nabi gave her a confused look, "Where is that? I thought we were going straight to the Sea of Monsters."

   "We were, but..." Clarisse's jaw clenched.

   Nabi noticed her tense expression. "But what?"

   "My dad said he'd only award us the ship if we'd give him a sacrifice," Clarisse swallowed, "I'm not... worthy yet to start getting gifts without reason."

"You're kidding." Nabi scowled, "He's— Clarisse, that's so stupid. The camp's in trouble, and your dad's putting us in more danger than we need to be?"

"That's just how it works!" Clarisse scowled, a little offended at what Nabi was implying, "That's just how the gods are. You know that."

"How'd he talk to you?" Nabi asked.

"He showed up in a dream," Clarisse muttered, turning away, "told me I needed to go to an island — the Caledonian boar's roaming a place called the Island of the Fountain. You know that a boar is a symbol of Ares. He gave me the sailing coordinates, said to slay it for him as an offering."

Nabi knew the myth of the Caledonian boar — it was a monster sent to ravage the region of Calydon back in Ancient Greece. It was so strong that a group of the foremost heroes had to band together to defeat it. In the end, Atalanta was a brave woman who'd been credited for the boar's death, as well as kept the monster's hide as proof of her victory.

"We don't need to go." Nabi mumbled, placing a hand on Clarisse's arm gently, "What if we take too long? The camp's—"

"I know the camp's in danger, for fucks sake," Clarisse growled, pulling her arm out of Nabi's grasp, "don't you think I care about that? I do. I set up the border patrol to help, and done a lot of other shit, okay? But my dad wants the offering, and who knows how angry he'd get?"

   Why was Clarisse acting like this? Usually, Nabi could get through to her and calm her down. But whatever Ares had said...

Nabi frowned. "If Ares was a good father, he wouldn't have needed an offering."

"Oh, like you know what it's like to have a good father?" Clarisse sneered, "How long did it take for Thanatos to claim you?"

Nabi would be lying if she said Clarisse's words hadn't hurt. Even the Ares girl seemed to recoil at her own words, yet she was too prideful to apologise.

"What's your problem?" Nabi tried not to let the anger rise in her throat, but she hissed, "I just don't want you or the camp at risk of getting hurt, I—"

"Gods, just stop!" Clarisse yelled, "I didn't— I didn't even want you on this stupid quest!"

"Then why did you show up to my cabin and string me along?" Nabi cried. Her voice struggled to remain at the same volume; it was obvious she was getting frustrated.

   "I wouldn't have brought you along if it weren't for the soldiers." Clarisse glared, "Don't talk as if I really needed you."

It felt like a punch to the stomach. Nabi turned on her heel, afraid if she continued talking to Clarisse she'd start yelling too. Clarisse stuttered, "I didn't mean... where are you going?"

"I'm staying out of your quest." Nabi said, blinking back tears, "If you don't want me on it, then I won't get in your way."

Clarisse's shoulders dropped, and she struggled to speak, "Nabs... I— I meant... in my dream... I didn't—"

"Have fun getting that offering," Nabi muttered, "alone, Clarisse."

【 🦋 】

   THEY'D ARRIVED AT THE ISLAND OF THE FOUNTAIN ONLY A SMALL WHILE AGO, and Clarisse had left the ship to defeat the Caledonian boar, armour on and sword in hand. Despite the fight they'd had, Nabi thought it was stupid of herself to let Clarisse leave on her own; they didn't know just how dangerous the monster was.

Nabi was an hour into her sulking fest — staring at the ocean and making awkward conversation with gurgling soldiers. Her concern for Clarisse grew with every minute, afraid she'd been seriously hurt.

   "So..." Nabi sniffed, "did you just have a bad fight with your best friend?"

   The soldier next to her grunted, "No."

   "You're meant to say yes," Nabi grumbled, slouching against the side of the ship, "we're meant to be in the feels, together."

   "No." The soldier garbled, blinking back at her with mist pouring out of his eyes.

   "Is that all you say?" Nabi asked.

   He repeated, "No."

   Nabi threw her hands up. "Fine, whatever..."

   She was fed up with having to wait, especially as the time ticked by and she had no clue if Clarisse was okay. "Tell the captain that I'll be gone, for a bit. Keep the ship right here."

"Yes, Lady Nabi." The soldier nodded, and walked off. Huh, so he really could say more than just 'no.'

  Nabi got off of the boat and onto the island's sandy shores. From the ship, the island didn't seem all that impressive. It only had a thick forest, but as Nabi delved deeper into the trees and weaved through the place, she realised it was really beautiful. Flowers bloomed within every nook and cranny of the grass, and the sun filtered through the leaves above.

Oh gods... Nabi paused. She had been too busy arguing with Clarisse to realise the name of the place. The Island of the Fountain.

Come and find me at my fountain, Nabi.

Immediately, she began running through the trees — she didn't know how she was going to find it, but a feeling inside of her told Nabi to just keep going. As she kept running, she spread her wings and took off.

Her eye caught a stone path, and she decided to follow it. She kept soaring through the woodland for a short while, until she settled to walk once more, where she found a tall hedge with an entrance; an opening to a garden.

The garden she'd seen in her dream.

   It was so much more beautiful in person — the rows of different flowers were vibrant and thriving. From lilies to azaleas, and even flowers that wouldn't usually grow in such an environment. Nabi hadn't seen them in her dream, but there were a few marble statues of the same goddess that she'd met.

   But the fountain itself, as Nabi got closer, was the real beauty. It was much bigger than she'd realised in her dream. She had the weird urge to jump in and douse herself in the fountain's crystal-like water. Nabi walked even closer, staring at her reflection; perfect and pretty. The girl staring back at her was... it was a version of her without any scars or blemishes.

   "I see you've found my fountain, Nabi."

   Nabi turned around. In front of her stood the goddess, still in the form of a young girl, with wings of purity and her hair twisted into a bun. She had the same minidress and flower crown on.

"Hello, my fairest," The goddess smiled, "I am Hebe; the goddess of youth. Shall we have a talk?"

【 🦋 】

   THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH COULD BE HEARD IN THE BACKGROUND, the water streaming down prettily as they sat down on a picnic blanket. Nabi couldn't believe she hadn't put it together. Hebe asked, "Would you like anything to eat?"

"Uhm," Nabi shyly said, "I don't mind anything, but I mean... I guess I am kind of hungry."

"Very well." Hebe nodded, and with a wave of her hand, a couple plates of sandwiches and other biscuits appeared in front of them.

Gingerly, Nabi took a sandwich from one of the plates. She took a bite, and was pleasantly surprised at the taste of ham and cheese.

   "You're quite lucky," Hebe said, "the Fountain of Youth never has visitors. It's where I come for a little peace and quiet, or when I'm in the mood for tea parties with other gods!"

   "Oh, that's nice." Nabi said.

   Hebe laughed. "I like to do other things too, by the way. You should come visit me at my arcade in Times Square."

   "You... have an arcade?"

   "Us gods like to pass the time," Hebe hummed, "now why don't you finish eating?"

   Nabi nodded. "Can I ask, do you take the form of  a girl because of the whole 'youth' thing?"

   "I do," Hebe said, "I must always be the youngest in a room, or in this case, the garden. Even if by a few months, my form is of a girl younger than you."

Nabi swallowed the last of her sandwich, brow pinched together as she worried, "Right. Uhm, are you going to tell me the story of..."

"Your mother?" Hebe said, "Yes, I am. You'll need to know your mother's story, as a warning for how yours will unfold."

Nabi squirmed a little, uncomfortable at the soft pity in Hebe's eyes. The goddess murmured, "Mika was the fairest of my daughters, of all my children. I regret it, horribly... technically, it was my fault she was cursed."

   "But— but how?"

   Hebe gave her a sad smile, and said, "Geras and I constantly bicker. He is the god of old age, and I, the goddess of youth — I can't fathom why anyone would want to grow old, when you can be eternally pure, forever beautiful."

   Nabi knew of the other god — back in the old times,  in Ancient Greece, he was known for his virtue. But some campers would tell rumours of how they'd met him on their quests, and how he'd grown bitter of those who didn't embrace old age.

   She stayed silent, as the goddess continued, "I bragged to some of the gods of how beautiful Mika was. You're just like her, mind you. So young... so precious. I complained that Geras would steal her beauty away, she'd shrivel and die like all mortals do. It's such a shame."

   Nabi wanted to tell her that growing old didn't seem too bad. You'd get to live life to the fullest, and reminisce on all the experiences you've had over the years. To be honest, it was all Nabi wanted; to grow old with her friends and family, to have a life free from the gods. But she knew her grandmother wouldn't agree.

   "How foolish of me," Hebe mumbled, "to believe Geras could be offended and not retaliate. He cursed your mother — if I did not want to watch my daughter grow old, then she would die before she could do so. Simple as that."

   "...This curse," Nabi swallowed, "it's been passed onto me?"

   Hebe nodded solemnly, and placed a hand over Nabi's as she sighed, "I'm afraid so. The more you grow stronger as a person and hone your powers, the more the curse will grow too. I am the goddess of the pinnacle of life. At the peak of your strength, you will fall."

   So she'd been destined to die from the beginning?

   The gods had let her live her life, blissfully unaware that she probably wouldn't even become an adult. Nabi had made plans, though. She wanted to share an apartment with Silena when they'd get older, and Connor and Travis were allowed to barge in whenever they wanted. She wanted to go to university with Clarisse, and travel to places they'd dreamed of outside of camp. She wanted Percy to ride in her car, once she learnt how to drive and had enough money to buy one; she had promised him they'd take a road trip and he'd show her Montauk. She wanted to have study sessions with Annabeth, even if they didn't take the same courses when they were older, in small cafes and large libraries.

   She wanted all of these things that had nothing to do with being a demigod — she wanted a normal life.

   Nabi couldn't take it in, mulling over Hebe's words. She couldn't comprehend that... that she had no chance of having a real life to begin with. "But my dad said... he said to 'let the dead rise' or else I'd die. Why would he warn me if I was going to die, anyways?"

"Well, he'd rather you live for as long as you could," Hebe told her, "rather than die earlier than what's already fated, my dear."

Nabi couldn't... believe it.

Tears welled up in her eyes. How was she supposed to tell all of her friends she wouldn't get to be there for them when they were older?

Hebe said, "It is a shame, of course. I've said that already. I might not see the point in growing old, but I know you mortals do. Your mother broke down when I told her."

Nabi felt like crying. She was angry for existing, and angry at the gods — at Hebe, in front of her — for putting her into this world knowing her fate. They couldn't understand. They'd never understand how it was to be a mortal.

   She felt bad for the people she knew, because if she'd just known about this horrible curse, she never would've gotten close them. She could've saved all her friends the trouble and pain of knowing her.

   The goddess sighed, "I'm afraid it gets worse for you..."

"What?" Nabi's voice cracked, and she was going to continue talking, but she couldn't bring herself to.

   Hebe seemed to think about something, staring at her fountain as she pondered. Then, after a pause she asked, "Would you like to see how Thanatos and Mika met? How they fell in love?"

Nabi rubbed her sleeve over her face to wipe the tears, and weakly nodded. Hebe said, "Then close your eyes, AND I'LL SHOW YOU THE STORY OF YOUR MOTHER'S YOUTH."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

𝗥𝗜𝗞𝗔'𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦!

જ⁀➴ so ... first fight of the book ,, how we feeling ?! i saw someone in the comments of the last chapter asked smth abt what their first ever argument was and if there were any in the near future ,, but i don't think anybody expected a fight THIS near into the future 🙈 lol they're still teenagers who're struggling guys it's ok life is just hard !! but i wonder what made clarisse extra angry and on edge .. guess we'll have to keep going to find out 🤩

nabi 100% didn't deserve any of that btw...

   also the reveal with her grandmama ,, did y'all expect it ?? guess we're diving into the curse and her mother's story in more detail next chapter !! soo fun !! 🤗 anyways, thanks for reading n commenting lovelies !! and i know i've already sent an announcement but thank u guys sooo much for the 2k votes like u guys r unreal <3 love you all and eternally grateful !!