𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄
𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒐𝒓𝒂'𝒔 𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎

❛ let her mourn a dream
impossible to achieve ❜

𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐀'𝐒 𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌, 𝕬urora couldn't really say it bothered her—but Percy hadn't let go of her hand for a good minute. She truly didn't mind, it eased her nerves to feel him next to her after almost losing both him and Nate. Feeling him there and assuring herself that he wasn't leaving anytime soon eased her rampant mind and trembling body.

She'd figure he felt the same way, because at times he'd look at their connected hands, look at her, and deliver a small squeeze—almost as if he too needed the reassurance that she was there.

The only time they let go of one another was when Annabeth came up from below deck to check on the two. After she deemed them okay, she left as the rocking back and forth didn't seem to agree with her. Either way, they stood side by side as the moonlight landed on the two with the sky full of stars—almost resembling possibilities, Aurora thought.

After a moment of silence, Aurora couldn't help but allow her mind to wander at the thought of Tyson. The lovable Cyclops who would do anything for his brother and his friends. Whom loved to be by Aurora's side as she comforted him in a way Percy couldn't. She thought about how excited he would have been if he saw this view of the stars and how animated he would've been if Aurora decided to teach him of the many constellations in the dark side.

She thought that maybe Percy was thinking of him too as he looked up at the stars alongside of her—his face heavy with emotion.

"I'm so sorry about Tyson, Percy," she spoke up. She probably ruined the mood, but she knew how hurt he was at losing Tyson and it made her heart heavy with guilt.

"It's not your fault," he shook his head. "I should have been able to save him."

Aurora turned her body so she was facing him with her arms crossed, "He chose to do what he did, ocean eyes. He wanted to protect you. Don't beat yourself up about it"

"Right," he shoved his hands into his pocket. "I was embarrassed to be related to him but he still sacrificed his life for me, for us."

Aurora frowned, "You weren't in your right mind, ocean eyes."

He turned to her, "Same goes to you."

Aurora furrowed her eyebrows together, "What do you mean?"

"You still blame yourself for your dad's kidnapping when it wasn't your fault."

Aurora shook her head and turned her attention back to the moon, "That's different."

Percy's nostrils flared, "How is that any different?! You were at camp and had nothing to do with it!"

Aurora was beginning to grow angry too, "If I was there I could have protected him!"

"Yeah, well, If I was fast enough I could have saved him!"

Aurora's face softened and she placed both hands on his shoulders. "Ocean eyes, Tyson chose what he wanted to do. My dad didn't."

"But his kidnapping is not your fault, neither is Thalia's death."

Aurora took a step back surprised that he mentioned her dead close friend, "You don't know the full story do you?"

Percy ran a hand through his hair, "No, because every time I try to ask you or Annabeth you both never tell me."

Aurora turned back to the horizon, "The night Grover was escorting us to camp, he got confused, took some wrong turns. I did my best to help out but I was seven what could I do? You remember he told you that once?"

Percy nodded.

Aurora licked her lips reminding herself to line her lips with gloss, "Well, the worst wrong turn was into a Cyclops's lair in Brooklyn."

"They've got Cyclopes in Brooklyn?" he asked.

Aurora blew out a breath, "You wouldn't even imagine, but that's not the point. This Cyclops, he tricked us. He split us up inside this maze of corridors in an old house in Flatbush. And he could sound like anyone, Percy," Tears welled up in her eyes and she tried to desperately blink them away, but Percy could see them—especially when the moonlight hit her face just right. "Just the way Tyson did aboard the Princess Andromeda.It's why Annabeth was freaked out," she said. "This Cyclops. He lured us, one at a time. Luke thought he heard Annabeth scream for help. Thalia thought she was running to save me. And me . .  I was with Annabeth in the dark. I tried my best to calm her down but she was terrified."

Percy frowned, "You must've been scared."

Aurora shrugged, "My main priority was to help calm her down so we could find the others, and the good part was we did, but the bad part was that when we found them, we found them tied up and gagged, hanging from the ceiling like smoked hams. The Cyclops was starting a fire in the middle of the floor. Back then I didn't have the bangles my dad made for me and only had a dagger. I told Annabeth to go uncut the others while I did my best to distract the Cyclops. When he heard us he turned and smiled. He spoke, and somehow he knew Annabeth's dad's voice. I guess he just plucked it out of her mind. He said, 'Now, Annabeth, don't you worry. I love you. You can stay here with me. You can stay forever.'

Percy shivered, "What did you do?"

Aurora briefly took a breath, "He lunged for Annabeth, and I couldn't—" her voice cracked. "I couldn't let him get to her. She was my—" she abruptly cut herself off and looked down at the waves splashing against the side of the boat. "Long story short, While he was distracted with Annabeth I ran to him and stabbed him in the stomach."

Percy stared at her, "Are you kidding? You were seven years old and you killed a cyclops?"

Aurora shook her head, "If I had been quicker maybe Thalia would've still been alive. All the monsters who'd been chasing us had time to catch up. That's really why Thalia died," she looked up at the sky. "I haven't forgiven myself since then and I probably won't forgive myself anytime soon about Tyson."

Percy shook his head but chose not to say anything. Aurora was extremely stubborn so he knew as much as he wanted to protest it would just go through one ear and out the other. However, He had to admit, Aurora was a strong girl. The way she always seemed to place everyone above herself even if it sometimes meant she had to sacrifice herself and her happiness, was something he admired. Truth be told, it was something that infuriated him too—in a weird way. She didn't realize the love and impact she had on the people around her, yet always threw her head into saving someone not entirely thinking about the consequences. He couldn't lose Aurora like he did Tyson, because as much as he wouldn't like to admit, she was right—his life would be incredibly dull without her.

They sat on the deck, watching the Hercules constellation rise in the night sky. Aurora took his hand and gave him a squeeze seeing how tired he was, "Go rest. You need it"

Percy nodded, "You haven't slept, you need it too."

Aurora sent him a smile, "I'd rather sleep up here where I can see the stars."

Percy glanced at her, "You mind if I stay?"

Aurora smiled and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, "As long as you don't snore, I don't mind."

Percy rolled his eyes, "Very funny."

Aurora shrugged and sweetly smiled, "So I've been told."

In a minute, Percy fell asleep leaving Aurora to look up at the stars above her. Deeming them the watchers of the night, she abruptly closed her eyes and let sleep consume her fatigued written body. She half expected to appear on the familiar cliff, she had grown to admire—only to be met with a dreamless sleep, full of tranquility and pleasantry . . .

Until something hit the side of her head abruptly waking her up from her peace.

When she grumpily began blinking the sleep from her eyes, the first thing that caught her attention was Percy, he was muttering 'no' over and over again while moving around. Annabeth had already come up from her hammock and was hovering over Percy shaking him awake.

"Ah!" Percy sat bolt upright.

"Percy, you were having a nightmare. You need to get up."

"Wh—what is it?" Percy rubbed his eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Land," she said grimly. "We're approaching the island of the Sirens."

"I want you both to do me a favor," Annabeth said. "The Sirens . . . we'll be in range of their singing soon."

"No problem," Percy assured her. "We can just stop up our ears. There's a big tub of candle wax below deck—"

"I want to hear them."

Percy blinked and glanced at Aurora as if wondering if what he was hearing was right. He only caught her sitting up as if she knew this was bound to happen, "Why?"

"They say the Sirens sing the truth about what you desire. They tell you things about yourself you didn't even realize. That's what's so enchanting. If you survive . . . you become wiser. I want to hear them. How often will I get that chance?"

She told them her plan. Reluctantly, Percy helped her get ready.

"I want to do it too"

Percy looked at the girl wide-eyed and shook his head. "No!"

Aurora rose an eyebrow, "Why not?"

"Because you could get hurt!"

"Why are you not giving Annabeth crap about doing it?"

Percy stammered, "B—Because . . . That's different!"

Aurora rolled her eyes, "Not your call, ocean eyes."

Percy sighed, "Fine"

He got Aurora ready. As soon as the rocky coastline of the island came into view, Percy ordered one of the ropes to wrap around Annabeth and Aurora's waist, tying them to the foremast.

"Don't untie us," she said, "No matter what happens or how much we plead. We'll want to go straight over the edge and drown ourselves." she sent him a pointed look, "Try not to look at Aurora."

Aurora glanced in between Annabeth and a blushing Percy, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Percy was beet red at this point, "N-Nothing!"

Percy promised he'd keep them secure. Then he took two large wads of candle wax, kneaded them into earplugs, and stuffed them into his ears. Annabeth nodded sarcastically, letting him know the earplugs were a real fashion statement. Aurora was doing her best to not burst out laughing but when Percy made a face at her she did.

He turned to the pilot's wheel. As they approached the island, jagged rocks loomed out of the fog. He willed the Queen Anne's Revenge to skirt around them. If they sailed any closer, those rocks would shred their hull like blender blades.

He glanced back. At first, The girls seemed totally normal. Then they got a puzzled look on their face glancing at one another. Their eyes widened. They strained against the ropes. They both called his name.

Sickly sweet voices invaded Aurora's mind, so much so, her body desperately moved for her. Practically wanting to reach out towards the enchanting melody and devour it whole. For a moment, all she could do was listen on enchantingly before an everlasting image appeared in her mind. So tender, so sweet. She miserably wanted it to be true.

The first thing she noticed of the image was a modern office, with a sleek black desk towards the back of the room alongside large windows, ones you'll find in skyscrapers. On each side of the room were multiple framed pictures and the closer you looked the more you realized they were both doctorate and Phd degrees awarded to one individual in particular: Aurora Rosalie Stark.

The sight of the image and the sweet sound of the sirens song made her struggle, wanting nothing more than to grasp that beautiful reality. Something she had always dreamed of and spend her moments in the picture.

As if on instinct, She yelled for her daggers and in a minute they appeared. She sawed and hacked at the ropes around her as the song and vision beckoned her closer. And when she felt no restriction, she flung herself off the side of the ship and swam closer to her dream.

Her sheer desperation worsened when she saw the silhouette of a beautiful looking woman stood behind the desk with a grin as if the world was at her favor. As if the fates granted her the life she'd never believe she'd have.

It was an older version of Aurora.

It took her only seconds to realize it was her, because the smile she had sometimes seen on pictures was present on her older version self as she swiped through blue holographic images in front of her. She swam closer to see what the older version of Aurora was looking at, only to feel a tug on her ankle--halting her in her spot.

She kicked and tugged and for a moment the hand on her ankle disappeared. Allowing her to see what were on the holographic images: people.

A diverse set of people appeared, either pictures, videos, and articles thanking the great Aurora Stark for saving their lives and for the change she'd laid out for the world. Their gratitude could be felt and it made Older Aurora grin like a Cheshire Cat.

That change in the world was all she's ever wanted to create.

The hand now appeared on her waist causing her now to claw and thrash in its hold. Nothing was stopping her from achieving this world, not even the gods. She'd destroy the fates if she'd have to.

"Mommy!"

Abruptly the hand and herself stopped in bewilderment at the tiny voices and footsteps echoing in her dream. Three kids ran into the room and all real Aurora could do was blink in surprise.

The oldest seemed to be a boy with bright green eyes and a mop of black curls on his head. He looked about the age of eleven or twelve with pale skin that resembled Tony's. The second oldest was also a boy but he looked more like Aurora. Instead of the dark hair his older brother had, he had chestnut-like curls much shorter and unruly. His eyes were brown with the same gold specks in them like Aurora. He looked around his brother's age maybe about nine or ten with the same bronze skin like Aurora.The youngest was an adorable little girl. She was the perfect combination of her two older brothers. She looked much younger than her older brothers maybe around four or five with bronze skin like Aurora and green eyes like her brother. Her hair was dark brown.

Aurora looked back up to her dream self and watched as a delighted smile stretched across her face when she saw her kids. She immediately stood up and outstretched her arms to which they ran into, completely delighted to see their mom.

"Hey!" she squeezed them like no other. "What are you doing here, baby?"

The oldest grinned a crooked smile overtook his face, "Grandpa Tony wanted to come and see how things were going! He brought grandma Pepper with him!"

Aurora grinned and ruffled his hair, "He did?"

The second oldest frantically nodded, "Yeah! grandpa Nate's here too!"

Something in Aurora shifted, a confused expression on her face, even her actual self furrowed her brows, "N—Nate's here?"

The little girl outstretched her arms for her mother. Aurora complied and picked her up and placed her on her hip. "Mommy, let's go say hi!"

Aurora's head tilted, "To your grandpa's and grandma?"

The little girl nodded, "They want to see you, mommy, lets go."

The boys also nodded, "Come on, mom!" they took her hand and began pulling her towards the doors, and that's when the hand around her waist began to pull her away from her beautiful dream.

Suddenly, another arm snaked across her waist causing her to struggle even more. Yet, before she knew it, her entire body was engulfed in water. The sweet songs of the sirens faded away causing her ultimate reality to disappear along with it . . .

And that's when her lungs began burning. The lack of oxygen had her clawing at her aggressor out of sheer desperation. Her throat contracting as the water around her seemed to swallow her whole.

Then, There was a flurry of white, a tickling sensation all around her, and when her vision cleared, Aurora found herself in a familiar position. A bubble surrounded her, and in that moment air rushed in her lungs causing her to pant in exhaustion.

Her head shook in denial while she muttered, "No, no, no." over and over again. "I have to get them. I—I have to get back."

A hand gently appeared on her back, providing much needed comfort. And it didn't take long for her to realize in was Percy. She relished in his comfort, especially after the illusion she had just witnessed.

Percy, on the other hand, simply held her. He knew how much Aurora wanted that life for herself, and it pained him how there was a possibility that there was a possibility she wouldn't be granted her dream. The monsters and bad people of the world were always lurking in the depths of the shadows, so there was a high possibility that she wouldn't live long to see her wedding day and Percy wished he could help. Aurora deserved her happily ever after.

Fish gathered to look at them a school of barracudas, some curious marlins.

Scram!  Percy told them. They swam off, but Percy could tell they went reluctantly. He swears he understood their intentions. They were about to start rumors flying around the sea about the son of Poseidon and some pretty girl at the bottom of Siren Bay.

"I'm okay," Aurora tried to persuade him, but he could see through her facade. "Just another day in the life of a Demi-god."

Percy let her go and stood in front of her, he could see the unshed tears on her waterline and the small quiver to her chin. The water droplets on her eyelashes brought out the unusual gold in her eyes, but his eyes were drawn on her frown.

"Auro—"

She waved him off, "I'm fine, ocean eyes," she sent him a false smile. "Thanks for keeping me alive."

As she looked at him, she took notice of a bruise forming on his cheek and his left eye turning black.

"Oh gods," she rushed forward and placed the tips of her finger on his bruises and all Percy could do was watch her. "Ocean eyes, I'm so sorry. Here let me—"

He reached up and took a hold of her wrist, his eyes never breaking from hers, "You would have done the same for me."

Aurora halted her fussing and never broke from his gaze either before saying lowly, "Without hesitation."

Then she noticed his aura, the pretty magenta she'd seen become a regular occurrence in her life. A color she didn't realize could be so intoxicating and the worst part was, she could see the pretty color around her too.

She took a step back and coughed, "We should get back."

Percy took a step back too and nodded, "I'll get us back to the ship," he told her. "It's okay. Just hang on."

Percy made the current steer their weird little air submarine through the rocks and barbed wire and back toward the hull of the Queen Anne's Revenge, which was maintaining a slow and steady course away from the island.

They stayed underwater, following the ship, until he judged they had moved out of earshot of the sirens. Then he surfaced and their air bubble popped. He ordered a rope ladder to drop over the side of the ship, and they climbed aboard.

Aurora rushed to Annabeth who was still tied up and from the red eyes Annabeth sported proved her own vision wasn't any better.

Percy kept his earplugs in, just to be sure. They sailed until the island was completely out of sight. While Aurora cut off Annabeth's ropes, she turned to Percy and nodded saying that it was safe. She soon wrapped a blanket over herself and looked up at the sky while Annabeth went below deck to rest. He took out the earplugs. No singing. The afternoon was quiet except for the sound of the waves against the hull. The fog had burned away to a blue sky, as if the island of the Sirens had never existed.

"You okay?" Percy asked.

"That was . . . enlightening" she murmured.

"What?

Her eyes were the same color as the soil, "How powerful the temptation would be. I underestimated it."

"I saw the way you became CEO," Percy told her. "And your kids."

She frowned. "Yeah?"

"What Luke told you back on the Princess Andromeda, about becoming a CEO and raising a family that really got to you, huh?"

Aurora shrugged and wrapped the blanket around her, "I guess, I finally learned about my fatal flaw."

Percy rose his eyebrows, "Which is?"

Aurora sighed, "I make sure everyone around me is happy at the expense of myself," Aurora frowned, "People call it the savior complex. You should be happy you don't have it, ocean eyes. Some people think its a one way ticket to the highway to hell."

"What is my fatal flaw?"

Aurora shook her head, "I genuinely don't know, ocean eyes but every hero has one. If you don't find it and learn to control it . . .  well, the fatal part is sort of self-explanatory."

Percy glanced at her, "Your kids were cute. I hope you get to have them in the future."

Aurora bit her lip and placed her head on her knees who were pressed up to her chest. "Me too, ocean eyes. Me too." she glanced at him and gave him a small smile and when she glanced back up her eyes widen, "Percy."

He turned.

Up ahead was another blotch of land a saddle-shaped island with forested hills and white beaches and green meadows-just like Percy'd seen in his dreams.

They had reached the home of the Cyclops.

— NAT TALKS !

What did you think of Aurora's vision?

Theories?

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