Sparrows Compass

//We've almost reached the goal. When we hit it, I can upload upward of 2-3 a day for free, maybe even 4.

Patre0n.com/ShadowDrev

Goal: $240/$420

Also, if you haven't read NameLess (Originial novel) or WaterLocked (Danmachi Novel), feel free to take a look. At least NameLess if nothing else. It's my pride and joy, and above even FrostBitten.

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The crew reached Napeague Bay in the amount of time Hephaestus had claimed they would, exactly five minutes. As they pulled up, the trio of Demigods took in their surroundings, glancing around at the small number of mortals that were wandering around the area. Many of them were with their families and were just milling about enjoying the nice, albeit slightly cool weather.

Despite that, though, the thing that really drew Chions' attention was the monstrosity fixed to a makeshift pier off to the side.

A large vessel that was no doubt the one they were taking into the Sea Of Monsters.

For starters, it was pitch black with a singular red stripe lining the side. Carefully fashioned into the detailed paint job was the picture of a Khalkotauroi, something that at this point Chion was certain he'd never truly escape from. Spaced out along the streamlined aquatic vessel were the words FESTUS' AQUATIC, scrawled in big block letters that almost eclipsed the images of the bull. The boat was large, maybe around 50 feet from the tip to the rear and built like some kind of high-tech yacht with numerous outlines on the outside as if it had compartments, as well as being built almost like a slightly smaller tank. If Festus had said that it could run on land as well as the water, Chion would've believed him. Based on what the youth had seen from just the children of this god of metallic creations, the inside of the vehicle was probably even wilder.

"This is where I leave you," Hephaestus said as he parked the cab, avoiding swerving into a toddler and his mother. "I've already stretched myself thin coming this far and telling you so much. You'll have to figure things out on your own from here."

"It's fine. You've been a big help, Uncle Festus." It felt weird saying it, but at the same time, it rolled off his tongue naturally like he had said it millions of times before. Even if he didn't remember much, his body seemed to understand things quite well. "We literally wouldn't have been able to do it without you."

"You're the son of the most intelligent demigods I've ever met." Festus shook his head. "If anyone would have figured it out, it's you."

"You believe that strongly in my father?"

"When all of this nonsense is over and you regain your past memories, you'll understand the belief that runs deep within us gods." Festus, revved his engine. "Until then, just stay alive and keep moving forward."

Knock! Knock!!

The rapping of knuckles against solid glass drew Chions attention away from the god and onto Luke, of whom was peering through the window with hands on both sides of his eyes. However, the white-haired youth ignored the blonde for a few seconds to ask one final thing, the question that was nagging at him the moment Hephaestus had brought up his memories.

"How DO I regain my lost past?" Chion grabbed his back from the floor and slung it back over his shoulder.

"That's a simple answer but not a simple task." Festus gave the youth a side eye. "You just need to overcome your curse."

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As Chion and Luke watched the cab drive away, Annabeth made her way over to the speedboat and began dropping the supplies and bags into the back. She had to stay one step ahead of everything and make sure that nothing had been skimmed over, though in truth, she also wanted to get a firsthand look at the vessel personally crafted by Hephaestus himself.

If the outside had looked crazy, it was nothing compared to the interior.

The front of the boat, mainly the area where one steered the ship, was built like a control station with a curve of panels and buttons lining either side of the wheel. Radar, sea to air missiles filled to the brim with Greek Fire, extra weapons, the list went on and on, to the point where Annabeth didn't even have time to glance over everything. Even with a manual, she reckoned it would take hours just to understand how to properly work the dang thing, and that was being optimistic. The only concise thing the girl truly understood was the steering wheel and maybe how to start the vessel.

Naturally, this was what one would expect when it came to dealing with the God of Forging. It was nothing less than mind-boggling.

(("I guess I should get started now then.")) Annabeth moved around and made sure everything was strapped down for the voyage. (("We need to know as much about this thing before leaving."))

"Wow, this thing is loaded." Chion jumped onto the boat, landing softly, almost without a sound. Just beneath his blue hoodie, his white sheath caught the girl's eye. "Reminds me of the bed Beckendorf made."

"The ship reminds you of a bed?" Annabeth questioned, glancing in the youths direction.

"It wasn't just any bed though," Chion explained, pointing to the panel of buttons. "This one had a panel like that and could sink into the floor."

Annabeth shook her head. She needed to remain focused. If she allowed herself to be drawn into the youths tomfoolery, then they wouldn't get anything done.

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It took around an hour for the team to get settled into the miniature ship, to get acquainted with everything the vessel had to offer. Chion wasn't in any hurry to get the ball rolling, but Annabeth was in even less of a hurry, insisting on knowing a substantial amount about the boat and its various functions before setting out. Not that they could depart in the the first place, seeing as they had no idea where they were going. Obviously, they knew what direction to travel to get to the Bermuda Triangle, but they had no clue as to what direction needed to be taken in order to GET to the island the Golden Fleece was located. If they left the Bay at that moment, they would eventually have to stop to contemplate their next move.

In an unknown terrain such as the sea, this wasn't the most optimal of outcomes.

So, that's pretty much what Chion was attempting to figure out whilst Annabeth and Luke were exploring the ship. Locating a way for them to safely navigate the unknown waters of the Sea Of Monsters.

(("Problem is that I have no idea on what I'm supposed to.....Wait.")) Chion focused on a passing thought, something he had just recalled back at camp. (("Wait. Wait. Wait. Maybe there is something that I could potentially use."))

Reaching for his backpack, the white-haired youth quickly unzipped it and began rummaging through its confines. Up until that moment, he had always wondered why a goddess of intellect and battle strategy would give him something that didn't work. Naturally, it would seem like a blunder on Athena's part, but at the same time, she was a goddess and would most definitely hold herself to that standard. If Chion was in her shoes, he wouldn't have made the mistake so as to not heavily affect how others perceived her, even if the other party was a 12 year old Demigod with amnesia with a slightly above average IQ.

After a few moments, he found what he was looking for. The broken compass that didn't point North or really any particular direction, spinning in every direction.

He had found this back when he had first gotten the backpack and, thank the gods, hadn't bothered to throw it out, keeping it in the carry-on since the start of his journey. Initially, he had figured it was a broken instrument that served no actual purpose, but it was possible that it could lead him through the Sea Of Monsters in one piece, acting similarly to the compass of Jack Sparrow. It had only been a movie he had seen during movie night at camp, but it served as a catalyst for the thought that maybe the compass was more useful than it seemed.

(("Let's see. The compass in the movie reacted to whatever the holder truly wanted in that moment.")) Chion shut the top of the compass closed and narrowed his eyes. (("Obviously this is a mere whim, but there isn't any better alternative. The compass HAS to be good for something other than spinning in circles. So, what do I want the most right now? Obviously money, fame, power, and Coca-Cola. But aside from that."))

For the briefest of moments, the vision of CC's Spa And Resort flashed through his head. Then the magic began. The top of the lid sprang open, revealing the hands of the compass as it spun rapidly in clockwise rotations. Slowly but surely, the points slowed to a crawl and then a halt, wobbling back and forth between the SouthEast direction. Even though Chion had bet on a silly piece of fiction, it had actually worked. Though it was to be expected that Athena wouldn't have gifted him a complete dud. The only thing that still remained to be used was the snowflake necklace he wore around his neck.

It was around that time that Luke poked his head into the area Chion was sitting in, a spot just behind the steering wheel.

"Hey Chion." Luke knocked on the glass once more. "Annabeth wants to see us. Says she figured out how to steer us towards the Bermuda Triangle without wrecking something."