CHAPTER ONE
Percy POV
"Perseus Jackson!" a voice boomed.
Percy groaned and rolled over, "Ten more minutes Annabeth," he muttered.
BANG!
"GODS OF OLMYPUS! Thalia?! Did you have to shock me?! Percy rubbed his eyes. "I'm awake now, no more lightning please!" he exclaimed. Percy looked around.
It seemed like he was at the beach, if water was suppose to be green. "I'm behind you" said the voice, sounding irritated.
Percy turned around and quickly bowed.
"Uh . . . . , hi! Nice to meet you . . um . . Lady Nemesis?" he guessed. The goddess behind him wore a black dress surrounded by mist, giving her a mysterious look. Her dark eyes flared.
"Um . . . ok . . . not nemesis . . . so Tyche?" he suggested hopefully. The goddess glared at him.
"You know, you are quite annoying. The rumors of your insolence appear to be true." Percy reddened slightly.
"I am not Nemesis or Tyche. I am Hecate, the goddess of magic and the Mist . . . . and crossroads." said Hecate stiffly. At her side, a dog and polecat appeared.
"Um, well, it's nice meeting you, but I was having a nice dream before . . ." Percy trailed off. Hecate looked at him sternly.
"Perseus Jackson, I have not summoned you for tea and a nice chat. You stand at crossroads at this moment, thus invoking me."
Percy rubbed his neck. "Uh, I'm pretty sure I'm still at camp sleeping, so I don't really get where this is going. . ." Hecate sighed.
"You, currently, are in a deep slumber hidden from your friends, courtesy of the queen. She believes its necessary blah blah blah. I am here to offer you a choice, er, choices." Percy felt like Kronos had bonked him on the head.
"EXCUSE ME! HERA, ahem, QUEEN HERA DID WHAT?! Wasn't my life already finished? Kronos is gone; can't I live happily ever after for once? Well, pardon me for not yelling at. . ." Percy continued ranting for several minutes. Finally, Hecate's dog barked at him
Hecate sighed. "Thank you Heba." She swept a hand in front of her and 3 images appeared. "These are your possible futures, Perseus."
Percy stared at the images. One showed him and Annabeth fighting in front of a huge pair of doors, seemingly familiar. The second image showed a giant ship getting bludgeoned by giant rocks. The third image showed him the ocean. Percy liked the last one.
"Your possible futures, Perseus. The first showing your biggest task, which with my help, you are most likely to overcome and live. The second is a future in which I will not aid you. Your friends aboard the ship will survive. You, and the girl, however, won't, and the world not likely either. The third is the most harmless. You can escape your fate and live peacefully in the sea. You can leave the burden of saving the world to your friends. Oh, and the first two, you will face more perils than you have ever seen in your life."
Percy gaped at her. "You're not serious." Hecate stared at the sea solemnly.
"Your destiny is not something many envy. There is a price for everything thus creating balance, as Nemesis would say," she muttered.
"Well, I want the first thing. I will never abandon my friends!" He cried. Hecate smiled. It was not a nice smile. "My help comes with a price, demigod."
"Name it," said Percy grimly.
"You will guard someone for me in exchange for my future help, a boon for a boon," deadpanned Hecate.
"Done," said Percy.
"Heroes these days," Hecate murmured, "so eager, and foolish."
"Hey, do what me to help or not?" complained Percy. Hecate smiled. "Let us begin."
