Chapter One

Percy's time as a counselor was going fairly well for him He was working as a camp counselor at Camp Half-blood for the whole year now. It was easy to forget about everything else at a place where you didn't conceal who you were. He could use his powers as freely as he wished. And as a bonus, his love of his life was usually in proximity to him.

Currently, Percy was by the creek with his feet in the water. The whole day he had been training new and old demigods alike in sword training. He smiled as he recalled the first day he'd tried it as he watched kids of Ares spar competitively. It had been beginner's luck the first time when he had disarmed Luke who had been seven years older than him.

Out of nowhere, cold hands clamped around Percy's ankles and before he could react dragged him into the water.

"Hey!" Percy's cry was cut short as his head went under bringing him face to face with Annabeth.

Percy quickly created a bubble of air around him and Annabeth about eight feet in diameter.

"I didn't see that one coming," Percy readily admitted.

"Neither did you see this one coming either," she threw her arms around him and kissed.

Percy held her and kissed her back. It was amazing how only a few seconds could make his day.

For Percy, he was willing to let the moment last forever but Annabeth pulled back.

"Chiron asked me to find you, it's time for dinner. You couldn't hear the conch horns calling with you all lost in your own thoughts."

"I guess I couldn't hear those conch horns. Seriously, do you ever get a drag out of being such a killjoy?"

Within several minutes, the pair had made it to the mess hall. As they walked in, catcalls were made. Connor and Travis Stoll, Clarisse all raised their eyebrows, while Jason Grace and his sister Thalia who were evidently visiting, sent winks their way. The rest of the campers Percy knew were not present at the moment but at least a couple dozen new faces belonging to minor gods and goddesses and even a few from the Big Three were seated. What Percy found interesting, was that Rachel Dare and Chiron were seated at the head table with serious expressions on their faces. This sight generally meant a prophecy was to be presented.

Chiron stood up. "I am sure we all know that it has been a whole year since we had demigods sent out an official quest. This is about to change as Rachel has a prophecy come to her earlier this day." Chiron paused for a moment.

Excited whispers and chatter spread through the hall, kids were discussing who they thought would be sent and how the quest would affect them already.

Clarisse jumped to her feet. "Well let's hear it!" She hungrily urged.

"After you eat," Chiron rebuked calmly. "Settle down. All of you."

Percy secretly wished he could scoot to Chiron's table and question him one on one. Unfortunately, from one glance Annabeth could assert his motives.

"You know better seaweed brain, just wait like everyone else," Annabeth soothed patting him on the head.

He rolled his eyes.

Percy had five slices of thin crusted cheese pizza and cherry soda. Jason and his sister moved their plates over to sit with them.

"Hey," Thalia greeted.

"Any ideas about what the prophecy could be about?" Jason wondered.

"No!" Percy and Annabeth chorused.

Thalia chuckled, her eyes sparkling. "Well me and little bro actually got the scoop before anyone else."

Percy perked up."What is it?"

"Sorry I can't spil, Chiron's orders. But the prophecy is the reason why I'm here. Perhaps it could apply to me or Jason," she hinted slyly.

"So you came over to taunt us?" Annabeth joked.

Percy knew at least now that the prophecy included a son of Zeus, the quest was likely something that had to do with an epic battle. Percy grinned.

Annabeth glanced over again. "A battle really, Percy-"

"Shut up."

The rest of dinner was eaten in silence, until everybody was finished.

"Okay!" Chiron shouted. Rachel and him were standing up. Promptly everyone hushed.

Rachel took in a deep breath then recited,

The Sea and the Storm,

Together they must form,

The puzzle must be solved to attain peace,

Then the trickery of Loki will come to cease,

Only through the power of the Big Three