Cordelia sat on the floor of her mother's cozy apartment, gently cradling her baby sister Estelle in her arms. Estelle, with her wide, innocent eyes and soft gurgles, was the light of her mother's life and Cordelia's too. At just a few months old, Estelle had already started to show glimpses of the divine powers that coursed through her veins, although they were subtle for now. Cordelia could feel the faint energy that hummed beneath her sister's skin, reminding her that Estelle was no ordinary child.
"You're going to be amazing, Estelle," Cordelia whispered softly, running her fingers through the baby's downy hair. "I promise I'll always be here for you."
Sally, standing nearby, watched her daughters with a wistful smile. "You two already have a bond, don't you?"
Cordelia nodded, her eyes still on Estelle. "Yeah. I feel like I've known her forever."
For a brief moment, the room was filled with warmth and love, but Cordelia's thoughts couldn't help but drift back to a conversation she had had with her mother just after Estelle was born.
Flashback:
It had been a quiet evening when Cordelia returned home to visit her mother. She had noticed something different about Sally from the moment she stepped inside. Her mother had a glow about her—a soft radiance that hadn't been there before.
"What's going on?" Cordelia had asked, her curiosity piqued.
Sally had smiled, her hands resting protectively over her growing belly. "I have some news, sweetheart. You're going to be a big sister."
Cordelia's heart had leaped with joy. She had always dreamed of having a sibling, and the news that her mother was expecting filled her with happiness.
As months passed, Cordelia had eagerly awaited Estelle's arrival, but Sally had also shared something bittersweet.
"After Estelle is born and a few months old," Sally had explained one evening, her tone serious, "I'll have to take on my full identity as Amphitrite again. Poseidon has agreed to let me stay here for a little while, but once Estelle starts showing her powers, we'll have to return to the sea palace."
Cordelia's heart had dropped at the thought. "Does that mean I won't see you both often?"
Sally had nodded, sadness in her eyes. "I'm afraid so. You'll always be welcome to visit, of course, but we won't be living on land anymore. Our lives will be... different."
Cordelia had understood the gravity of the situation. Her mother had sacrificed so much to raise her on land, but now with Estelle, the time had come for Sally to return to her divine role.
Present Day:
Cordelia shook off the memory as she kissed Estelle's tiny forehead. She tried not to think about how soon her mother and sister would be leaving for the sea. For now, she wanted to savor these moments with her baby sister. Estelle giggled, her little hand wrapping around Cordelia's finger, and for a second, all of Cordelia's worries melted away.
Later that night, Cordelia tossed and turned in her bed, unable to sleep. She had been having strange dreams lately—dreams of Grover, her best friend, in some kind of danger. The dreams were hazy, but the urgency was real. In each one, she saw Grover running, his face filled with panic, as if something terrible was chasing him.
Suddenly, Cordelia shot upright in her bed, her heart racing. "Grover..." she whispered, dread washing over her. Something was wrong. She could feel it deep in her bones. Without hesitation, she jumped out of bed and began packing her things.
She needed to get back to Camp Half-Blood—fast.
Back at Camp Half-Blood:
When Cordelia arrived back at camp, she was greeted by a flurry of activity. Demigods were rushing around, their faces filled with worry and confusion. Cordelia's stomach clenched as she made her way toward the Big House, where she found Chiron and some of the senior campers gathered.
"What's going on?" she asked, breathless from her hurried journey.
Chiron's face was grim. "The Golden Fleece has gone missing."
Cordelia's eyes widened in shock. The Golden Fleece, the powerful artifact that protected the camp and held immense healing properties, was gone? How was that possible?
"That's not all," Annabeth said, stepping forward. Her voice was tight with worry. "The Golden Fleece is the only thing powerful enough to wake Thalia from her deep sleep. Without it..."
Cordelia's heart sank. Thalia, Zeus's daughter, had been in a deep slumber for years, preserved by the Golden Fleece. Hera had placed her in that sleep to protect her, and the Fleece was key to bringing her back. If it was missing, Thalia's fate hung in the balance.
"Hera is devastated," Chiron continued, his voice heavy. "She's been inconsolable since she found out."
Cordelia's mind raced. Grover in danger, the Golden Fleece gone, and now Thalia's life at risk. It was clear that dark forces were at work, and they were running out of time.
"We need to find the Fleece," Cordelia said firmly, her resolve hardening. "And we need to find it fast."