Chiron led the three to the attic of the Big House, where the Oracle once resided. The place was the exact same as Percy and the others remembered it; relics from past quests were scattered all over the floor in no particular order, and covered in a thick layer of dust. Off to the left was a tall bookshelf full of novels and biographies, none of which looked like they had been touched since they were placed on the shelf. The window in the very back was so caked with dust it barely let any light in at all, giving the entire room an eerie vibe. A peculiar musty smell filled the air as soon as they opened the door, taking Percy back to when he was 12 years old, asking the Oracle what his destiny was.
"This place brings back memories, huh?" Percy murmured. Annabeth just looked around, the wheels in her head already turning, spitting out memories long since forgotten.
"But Rachel is the Oracle now. So why are we here?" As if in response, Chiron pulled a book on the shelf, titled "Introduction to Optics". At first nothing happened, but suddenly, the bookshelf started slowly scraping off to the side, revealing another room. Chiron looked at them, a tiny smile playing at the corner of his mouth
"You didn't really think the Big House's attic was that small, did you?" He questioned as they stepped into the adjoining room. It looked almost identical to the previous space, save cobwebs hanging much lower and different items clogging the floor.
"This room was originally built as a meeting place for extremely secretive meetings, so that nosey campers wouldn't interrupt. However, about 20 years ago, a prophecy was delivered concerning something called the "light", and how this great power would someday be Olympus' only hope against an evil greater than even they had ever faced." Chiron stepped up to a table that sat in the middle of the room. The desk had a single drawer with an odd shaped keyhole. Chiron pulled a key out of his pocket.
"I had hoped I wouldn't be using this key for a very, very long time." he sighed sadly as he inserted the key and turned slowly. The tumblers could be heard clicking and clunking, dust flying into the air as the drawer opened. Inside was a scroll, and what looked to be an amulet. Chiron pulled both items out, blowing dust off of them softly.
"This prophecy is only to be opened once the light has been retrieved. And this," he said as he held up the amulet. It was a piece of beautiful Amethyst on a golden chain.
"This was given to me when Hermes hand-delivered this scroll. He told me that this would lead you to the light." Percy took it staring at it for a few moments, then handed it to Rachel.
"You're taking lead on this one, Rach." Percy smiled. Rachel looked like she had been hit by a train, taking a step backwards cautiously.
"No Percy, I'm…. I can't." Annabeth put a hand on her shoulder reassuringly.
"I agree. This somehow feels… right. You'll do great, I know it." she smiled. Rachel grudgingly took the amulet into her hand. The moment she touched it, her expression went completely blank.
"108 St. Luke Lane, Chicago, Illinois" she droned mindlessly. She blinked twice and shook her head, her expression returning to normal as she beamed with happiness.
"That…. That was AWESOME!" she exclaimed. Percy's eyebrows arched in disbelief.
"That's it? That's where the light is?" He shrugged nonchalantly, placing his hands on his head with a confident smile.
"Awesome. This'll be easy." he said cooly. Annabeth, without a facial expression or any form of warning slapped him in the back of the head. He whipped around in disbelief and anger.
"What the heck, Annabeth! What was that for?!" he exasperated. She glared daggers right back at him, clearly not very happy either.
"What was that for, Seaweed Brain? THAT was for cursing the quest you nitwit! Now, we will inevitably run into all sorts of trouble. Thanks a lot, Percy." she said grumpily, crossing her arms and staring him down.
"Well you didn't have to HIT me! Geez!" he accused, rubbing the back of his head tenderly.
"If she didn't, I was gonna." Rachel commented. Percy looked back and forth between them, betrayal written all over his face.
"Thanks alot for all the LOYALTY guys. Top notch, really. I'm gonna go pack." he stomped off in the direction of his cabin.
"Hopefully no one else feels the urge to spontaneously SLAP me on the way!" he yelled over his shoulder. Without moving or even looking at one another, the 2 girls hi-fived.
"Nice shot, Annabeth. Great form too." Rachel chuckled, Annabeth joining in. After a moment, they both calmed back down.
"He totally just cursed us, didn't he?" Rachel asked.
"Ohhhh yeah he did. Big time. Be prepared." Annabeth said. She then turned to Chiron.
"We'll bring the light back, Chiron, don't worry." she said confidently. Chiron nodded, staring off into the distance, thinking.
"I do hope so, Annabeth. If the light is needed, a great power must be rising. I fear this could be one of our greatest challenges yet. And this may be just the beginning." The girls turned and walked into the other part of the attic, heading towards the stairs.
"And be on guard, girls. If the Light is as powerful as we think, you won't be the only ones looking for it." Chiron added. Annabeth nodded before jogging down the steps and meeting up with Rachel, who was putting the amulet around her neck. She looked completely nervous, her hands shaking slightly as she took in a few deep breaths to calm herself down.
"Rachel, everything will be fine. Percy and I have been on more quests than any other camper here, and have always come through. Trust me, you'll do great." Annabeth reassured, heading off towards her cabin to pack. Rachel too went back to her cave, pulling out a duffel bag and shoving clothes into it.
"Ok, Rachel calm down." She said to herself as she packed.
"You go, find the Light, and come back. What's the worst that could happen?"
