Percy yawned and closed his eyes. The Poseidon cabin was empty and quiet. He heard a knock on the door. "Come in!" He called. It was nearly one in the morning. Grover walked in. "Chiron would like to speak with you." Percy nodded, and grabbed Riptide on his way out. He was surprised to see Nico and Thalia there too. Chiron was talking with Annabeth, who seemed mad about something.
Chiron cleared his throat as Percy sat next to Thalia who nodded hello. Nico was a little friendlier, with a mischievous grin and a head tilt. Chiron began to speak. "The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus wish to speak to you three. You three are the more powerful demigods. However, it is still a quest. So, who would like to lead?" Percy was concentrated on Annabeth, though. She had her arms crossed, and a frown on her face. When Thalia volunteered and went up to the attic, he approached her.
"Something wrong, Annabeth?" "It's a quest." "So?" "So, only three can go. I can't." "Um, okay?" "Listen Seaweed Brain! Something bad might happen to you out there! I have a really bad feeling about this! Be careful, please." When Percy promised he would be careful, she threw her arms around him. "Thanks," she whispered. Thalia came back, with a weird expression on her face. "What is it?" asked Chiron. Thalia nodded and recited.
"The powerful mortal three will report for a task
Beware the hidden danger within the mask
For nothing will be safe when it sets off for flight
Guard yourselves both day and night
One side will be gone for good
And death would be seen underneath its black hood."
Nico and Percy glanced at each other. "So, there is a mask cloaked figure that will either eliminate all of us, unless we eliminate it?" asked Percy. Chiron nodded. Thalia sighed. "I wish it said more about the task." "Well, we are going to find out at Olympus, right?" Chiron nodded and dismissed them to bed. They would start in the morning.
As Percy tried to get some sleep, he experienced an awful nightmare. He was standing on a rock in the middle of the sea. Thalia and Nico were in a boat. The boat was sinking, and being tossed and turned in the rough sea. As Percy tried to help, it got worse and worse. The boat cracked and Thalia and Nico fell into the sea.
Percy, Thalia, and Nico all awoke with a start.