Chapter 3- The Quest Begins

"GAH! CHIRON!" Percy exclaimed "W-We were just here to pay some respect to Avatar Rach-"

Chiron cut him off with a sigh.

"I know why you're all really here- the Prophecy of Seven. We've been wondering about it for a long time."

Piper looked up at the teacher "H-how did you know about the prophecy?"

Chiron laughed "I've always had strong connections with the Spirit World and the Oracles. In fact, I'm surprised Leo hadn't told anyone about this prophecy earlier." Leo was shocked. Did this guy know about him being the Avatar?

All heads turned to Leo.

"What's he talking about, Leo?" asked Jason.

Chiron looked at him puzzlingly "You haven't-"

"Haven't what? Told them that I've been taking extra lessons from you because my History grades aren't doing so good? No I haven't. It was, um, too embarrassing…"

Chiron raised an eyebrow but seemed to take the hint.

"Anyways" continued Chiron, "we're not sure what exactly is the threat this time, just… that it's a big one, and the threat is coming very soon."

Hazel seemed concerned about this. "How soon-"

CRASH!

Hazel was interrupted by the sound of shattering ice.

"What was that?!" Chiron dashed outside, and the seven students followed him into the night, where they found the school's lake, usually frozen at this time of year, yet this time, there was no ice. Someone had broken it.

The group turned to face the newcomer; it was a boy wearing a black Aviator's jacket, a skull T-shirt, black jeans, black boots, and a skull ring. His black hair was covering one of his dark eyes. Leo instantly recognised the boy; Nico. Nico was a year older than Leo, and despite being a waterbender, he wasn't very powerful and didn't care much for bending. He had a reputation as a punk.

"Nico!" shouted Chiron. "Was this your doing?!"

Nico glared at Chiron and ran back inside the building.

Chiron sighed. "He never practices his bending when he should, and now he's used his skill to break the ice. Well, I'd better warn the-" Chiron was cut off by an unsettling laughter, sounding like that of a young girl.

"Gah! What was that?!" exclaimed Percy.

Chiron frowned, but before he could reply, the figure of a hooded woman flashed before them. Leo recognised her.

"Hey! You! What are you doing here?" shouted Leo.

The woman ignored him. Instead, she chose to smile at Chiron. "It looks like my mistress has awakened… well, not completely. We need three offerings. This one-" she pointed to Leo. "And any other boy as well as a girl from this group. With that, we shall be able to fully awaken my mistress and you will all be annihilated!"

"Not just yet! The oracle and ex-avatar Rachel has given us a prophecy, and with this we shall be the ones who will annihilate you!"

The woman cackled unsettlingly

"Ah yes, I suppose your little quest starts now. Why am I telling you this, you may ask? Well, you've got nothing to lose. You might as well make it easier for us and come out so we can take our offerings peacefully, and perhaps we can put the rest of you to use and sacrifice you as well. Such valuable blood mustn't go to waste…" the woman cackled once more, and then vanished into thin air.

As if on cue, the moon and stars disappeared completely from the sky. It was pitch black, and Leo was starting to get dizzy.

"Come on" said Chiron worriedly. "Get back in the school before the darkness consumes us all. It is time for you all to go on your quest. You shall leave tomorrow morning. I'll get everything ready."

The group entered the building and went back to their dorms, feeling somber and spooked.