Apple of Discord: Chapter 5

“Are you okay, demigod?” Grey asks, sounding worried.

“I’ll be alright, yeah,” you reply.

“Did you get the information you needed? I can’t wait to hear all about the Watcher,” Grey says excitedly.

“Well, that’s going to be a problem,” you say. “He sacrificed himself to give me this.” You pull the journal from your backpack. “He and all his work are gone.”

Grey regards you silently for a moment. The only sound is the faint whirring as his aperture eyes narrow.

“Care to repeat that last bit?” Grey asks.

“Not really.The memory is painful,” you reply. “Before he vanished, he said all the answers to my questions would be in here.” You tap the cover of the journal, lightly.

“Really?” Grey says in earnest fascination. “Open it! I want to know where Nero is holding Cat and Master Da’Mon!”

The journal is very worn looking. It’s old dark brown leather cover is creased and abraded by what looks like years of use. A small dark steel-locking hasp holds the book closed. You remove the locking pin and open the book.

On the opening page are the words, Cat and Master Da’Mon are being held in the old Tipps Iron and Steel Factory. You read it aloud to Grey.

“Well, that’s convenient,” Grey coos. “I’ll get an extraction team together.”

“Great. Who will you be sending with me?” you ask, closing the book.

“Not you,” Grey begins gently. “I have other camp staff for that. I need you focused on the Apple of Discord.” Grey pauses for a moment as if considering his next words.

“Early reports indicate that with every piece you find, the effects the Apple has on the world diminish. I’d imagine that changes when the pieces are put back together."

"However, it appears as though the effects on the holder of the pieces gets worse the more pieces you have.” There is another long pause. “I’m so sorry.”

You can feel the Apple inspired anger immediately bubble up inside you. Recognizing it for what it is helps a little—but not completely.

There is an actual weight to the oppressive nature of the Apple pieces that you can feel in your legs and chest as much as you feel it in your emotions.

“I need to be on the extraction team. The Apple can wait for a few hours,” you insist.

“I want you there too, but I need my best demigod on the Apple of Discord.” Grey turns his owl head 360 degrees. “We will get your fight instructors back safe and sound.”