Sorry about not updating in awhile, but I promise I will at least once a week from now on. And also, a big thanks to everyone of my reviewers! I love you all so much! Now, onto chapter 2!
I lazily turn over in my bed, still wishing I was asleep. But I hear a knocking on my door, and groan because I can't ignore whoever is out there. I stand up, pull on a shirt that's lying on the floor and walk to the front of the cabin. Annabeth is outside, holding a cup of coffee in her hand.
"Good morning." I say
"Good morning. Here." she says, handing me the cup.
"Oh, thanks."
"No problem. Come on, Chiron said he wanted to see you."
With that, we leave my cabin hand in hand and make our way to the Big House.
"It's kind of funny how he's asking for me. I was planning on talking to him today." I tell her.
"Really? What about?" she questions. I have a small debate in my head over whether to tell Annabeth about my dreams. It's not like she could be harmed from them, and she'll most likely be there when I tell Chiron about them. But then again, this does seem like a confidential thing. Maybe she shouldn't know until this is all sorted out, because I wouldn't want her to worry or anything. I decide to wait and tell her after me and Chiron talk.
Chiron himself is sitting on patio in front of a pinochle game between him and Grover when Annabeth and I walk up.
"Percy!" my best friend shouts when he sees me, eager to get out of his chair. We climb up the steps and Chiron gets up too.
"Percy, how are you, my boy?" he asks, patting me on the back.
"I'm good, thanks." I reply.
"Good, good. Annabeth, thank you for getting Percy. You can go back to your cabin now and wait until breakfast is called." he says.
"Oh, that's alright. I don't mind staying for a bit." she says, smiling.
"Well, uh, you see, this meeting between me and Percy is…very private. I've gotten orders that this particular matter is confidential." he replies.
"Oh, alright." she says.
"Thank you. And Grover, would you mind…?"
"Not at all, it's alright." he says, and they both leave. I take Grover's seat and Chiron stands next to the pinochle table.
"So…I have a feeling this is about the same thing I wanted to talk to you about. My dreams, right?" I ask.
"Yes, that is correct. But, they don't seem like normal dreams, do they?"
"No, they're completely different."
"Right, that's because they are trance sleep-enhancing future flashes. But we usually call them trance flashes for short. What they do is show you brief flashes of the future during your sleep, real events that will happen. They usually occur when you may need help in knowing what will come, so you can expect things."
"Wait…what's going to happen then? Am I…going on a quest?" I ask, nervous and somewhat excited at the same time. I want to get out of camp, and if I am, then Annabeth and Grover are definitely going to come with.
"Yes, Percy. But this quest is different. You must travel into the future and-"
"Whoa, whoa, what? I'm time traveling? Is that even possible?" I ask incredulously. With a small chuckle, Chiron continues.
"Yes, very possible. Only a few, powerful heroes have succeeded in doing it, though many have tried. It's a complicated process, but if we're careful it will all be alright. Now, where you will head is a country called Panem. There is an annual event that goes on there called the Hunger Games." With a sigh, he begins to explain.
"The Hunger Games…well, you see, there are twelve districts there in Panem, all ruled by a power-hungry community called the Capitol. Each year, the rulers there choose two kids, one boy and one girl, between the ages of twelve and eighteen from each district to compete in these Hunger Games. They're put into an arena and forced to fight to the death. Only one comes out alive, the victor."
"What…but why? Why would they do something like that?" I ask, shaking my head.
"To stay in control. Keep the citizens from causing a rebellion. But that's not what your mission is centered around. In the year that you're traveling to, there is a girl from District Four that will compete in the Games. Her name is Diana, and she will one day have a great-grand-son that will help in the rebellion. You must become alliances with her so you can save her and protect her. She is very important, and it is crucial that you keep her alive. I trust it'll be easier for you, with your powers and your heritage. Now, I want you to think long about everything I've said, and when you are ready, you can tell me whether you accept or not."
"I accept." I immediately say. This quest does sound a bit easier than my past ones, since I'm not battling monsters or gods. And, it kind of sounds a bit fun. The idea of being a bodyguard for someone is interesting, and exciting.
"Percy, you must think about this. You may have to kill humans. And the people who design these arenas, the Gamemakers, they can be as deadly and smart as gods. Even though you are dealing with mortals, this quest can be very dangerous. And, no one here will be able to go with you. It's going to be hard enough making it seem like you died while getting you out of that arena, let alone more people."
"I know, but it's not like any of my past quests have been easy. I'm ready for this, and I can do it." I tell him, hoping my voice sounds confident enough. But I am somewhat nervous about not having Annabeth or Grover accompany me. How could they come with, though? I've fought battles by myself before though, and I know I'll be alright.
"Very well. I'll tell Zeus, and you'll meet up in the sword arena to practice for a bit." he replies.
"Cool. So…can I tell anyone about this?" I ask tentatively. Chiron sighs and thinks for a bit before responding.
"Yes, but only your friends, like Grover and Annabeth. And make sure they don't tell anyone else; I don't want something this big getting out." I nod and we go over a small training schedule with me that I'll follow for a few days until I travel.
Once we go over everything, I leave the Big House and jog to the Athena cabin. Annabeth is sitting on the steps, and once she sees me she stands up.
"Hey, Percy! How'd it go?" she yells. I give a big smile and then run up to her.
"Great, I've got a quest!" I say, exhilarated and bouncing on my feet. Her eyes widen and a huge grin spreads across her face.
"Really? Oh my gods, this is amazing! We can finally leave this place instead of sitting around all summer!" she squeals, attacking me with a huge hug. My stomach sinks and I gently pull away.
"Um…Annabeth." I say, rubbing the back of my head with my hand. Her face becomes worried and her eyes confused.
"I can't bring anyone with me, cause it's a really special quest. I have to travel into the future, and it's going to be hard getting me back here, let alone a few more people." She looks shocked, obviously not expecting this, and steps back.
"The…future? Like, time travel, the future?" she asks incredulously. I nod, grinning again, and begin to explain my quest. The whole time Annabeth's expressions change from interested, to confused, to horrified, and then impressed.
"Wow, Percy. Are you sure about this?"
"100 percent. I'm excited about it even, really excited."
"I'd be too. See, this is exactly why I need you to help me in sword fighting. You're going to the future...you're obviously more skilled than any other person here." she says. I smile and take her hand, and we walk together to the dining hall, my rumbling stomach ready for breakfast.
Once we get there Grover runs up to me and gives me a high-five.
"Way to go, man. I heard that you had a quest." he exclaims.
"Oh, yeah. I'm guessing Chiron told you, huh?" I ask
"Yeah, but he said he'd better let you tell me about it."
"After breakfast. I'm too hungry to talk now."
We agree to meet up at the sword arena so I can tell him about the quest later. I sit myself down at my table, and after some daily news told by Chiron, food appears on my plate. There's eggs, bacon, buttered toast, some pancakes, grits, and syrup, and my glass is filled with fresh orange juice. Annabeth meet at the fire pit, and she asks me what I'm going to put in.
"Hmm…some eggs and toast." I decide, putting exactly that in there. Closing my eyes, I ask for some help on my quest from my dad. A heavenly scent wafts up from the flames in response, and I smile. After saying goodbye to Annabeth, I go and sit back down at my table to finish off my food.
Once my plate is clean I leave the dining hall with my friends, us heading towards the sword arena to start on my schedule. I'm just beginning to explain my quest to Grover when we stop walking and stare ahead of us. Because standing in our path is a very angry Clarisse, a glint of evil in her eyes and looking like she's ready to kill anything that comes in her way.
Oh, boy. This'll be fun.
Yeah, I don't like the ending much, but I decided leaving it here so I could have a some-what cliffie.
So, if anyone didn't already know this, the blonde in Percy's dreams is Diana, the girl he has to save. Any guesses to whom her great-great grandson is? Drop a review and tell me! Thanks for reading, and next chapter will be posted sometime next week!
