Author's Note: Hi, sorry for taking so long to update, I just wanted to say thanks to xSonofDeath13x for reviewing. Warning: This chapter has major spoilers for my last book The Fall of Time, so if you're still reading that one or are planning on reading it, I would suggest finishing that book first. Thanks, Riptide2

Chapter 4: Dreams, Riddles & Resurrections

"A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world." - Oscar Wilde.

I tried to go back to sleep, but every time I heard that rumbling laugh from the clouds, saw the look on Hades' face as he vowed to get revenge on Zeus, or felt that thing in the clouds' presence. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night.

I gave up trying to sleep at about four-thirty and just went to get dressed. I was about to grab Riptide and get some practice in, when I noticed a strange blue light flickering from my night stand. I stepped over to it on the top was my desk lamp, some candy wrappers, my apartment key, some mortal money and drachmas, and Riptide. I blinked as a necklace appeared beside Riptide, or at least I was sure it hadn't been there before.

It was on a black cord with a small silver clasp, tied to the middle was a rectangular piece of sea rock. There were imprints of fossilized seashells on the sides and on the front was a three tipped spear, a trident, inlaid in gold. It was resting on a single, folded sheet of paper.

I knew immediately it was from my father; I could feel his power in the pale blue, flickering light.

I reached out to take the paper and the light seemed to wrap around my hand. It was almost like my father was right in the room, like he'd just laid a hand on my arm and smiled.

I stepped back as the blue light flared before fading away. I picked up the necklace and unfolded the paper.

In the middle a single sentence was written in a man's clear, bold script.

When the time is right, use it wisely.

I frowned as I reread the note. How was I supposed to use a necklace?

I looked down at the gold trident engraved in the front. "Thank you, Dad."

Like I'd expected I got no response.

Shrugging, I slipped it into my pocket beside Riptide.

I was just stepping out as the conch horn sounded.

Since Tyson wasn't at Camp, I sat alone at the Poseidon table. I couldn't help missing Grover. I'd gotten an Iris message from him in the spring saying he was going to fly to Europe to check on the nature spirits there, but I hadn't heard from him since, even with the empathy link. He wasn't supposed to be back until the end of the summer, but I was still worried about him.

I almost made it through breakfast without Chiron hounding me. Guess I should explain, when we got back from the last quest we didn't exactly tell him the whole story, and he knew it, so he's been trying to figure it out since.

Anyway, Chiron laid a hand on my shoulder as I was about to leave, "Percy, are you alright?" He asked.

I had to look up since his centaur form towered over me, "Yeah, I'm great!" I said sarcastically, but immediately felt bad as the concern in his eyes deepened. I sighed, "Sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you. Just..." I wasn't sure if I should tell him or not.

"Percy, what is it?" He asked, as we stepped behind a column.

"I - well I had a dream." I stared over his shoulder at the lake in the distance as I told him about my last dream. Something about it definitely worried him because he never even tried to correct my grammar.

"It's just as I feared." He muttered when I finished.

"What is?" Chiron usually tried to look on the bright side, but if he was worried then it was seriously bad.

Chiron looked grim, "The true reason of your quest."

I grimaced as the memories came flooding back. Annabeth's scream as Hades killed her, that feeling of falling into darkness as Kronos took over my body, and Annabeth crying over me as everything went dark and I died.

"What do you mean 'the true reason'?" I asked trying to shove the memories away.

"I mean that the missing Keys of Death were only one reason for the quest." Chiron's horse half skittered nervously.

"Chiron, for goodness sake enough with the riddles," I knew he could probably assign me clean up duty for the rest of the summer, but I was mad. I'd died on that quest and now here he was telling that the thing I'd died for wasn't the real reason.

"I wish I could tell you more, Percy, but even I do not have all the information." His shoulders sagged and I couldn't get over how old and tired he looked. I mean, Chiron was really old but he usually didn't look it. I couldn't help wondering how many times over the years he'd waited for campers, like Connor, who'd never returned.

I sighed, "Just tell me what you know."

"About a week before the Keys were stolen, Persephone was kidnapped as you saw. Because of how she was taken, Hades has accused Zeus and Demeter, Persephone's own mother, but they deny having had anything to do with her disappearance. The fact is that Tartarus only stole the Keys of Death after Persephone was kidnapped, knowing that Hades was vulnerable and that Zeus would be blamed." Chiron said.

"Do we know who kidnapped Persephone? I mean was it really Zeus?" I knew first hand just how paranoid Zeus could be, he saw enemies in everyone, but this really didn't sound like him. Especially now, since relations between him and Hades were just starting to un-thaw.

Chiron sighed, "I do not believe that Zeus would act so rashly, but without all the facts no one can be above suspicion."

Story of my life, I thought, but Chiron wasn't finished.

I didn't miss the way he glanced at the side of my head, at the strip of golden blond hair beside the white from holding the sky, as he continued, "Percy, you haven't been the same since the quest, what actually happened?"

I froze. I'd convinced everyone not to tell Chiron the whole story. We'd told him that Tartarus was stopped before he had the chance to raise Kronos and complete his plan. What was I supposed to tell him now?

"I - I didn't tell you everything. We didn't stop Tartarus before he raised Kronos." The name seemed to darken the day, take the warmth out of the sunlight, even now knowing that Kronos was gone for good, it fell cold and hard over both of us.

I took a breath before continuing, "We tricked him into letting us steal the Keys, but before we did Tartarus enchanted them, so that once I touched them I became Kronos' - host." Chiron looked shocked.

I stared at the marble floor as I continued, "He took over my body. I remember falling and trying to fight him, I remember pleading with Annabeth to kill me, to just get it over with, then lying on the ground and saying goodbye to her, and ... dying." I finished in barely a whisper but I knew he heard me as his eyes widened even more.

It was kind of a relief to just getting it out there, saying it out loud.

He stuttered, "But - how are you - ?"

"Obviously the Fates aren't done with me." I couldn't keep the bitter edge out of my voice. Why couldn't they ever leave me alone?

I could see Chiron wanted to know more but Annabeth ran over just then, saying, "Chiron, they need you over at the archery range."

After he left, Annabeth turned to me, "So what was that about?"

I forced a smile, "Nothing, want to go to the beach?"

She smirked, "Race you there!"

I spent the rest of the morning on the beach with Annabeth, until the Hermes cabin, minus Travis and the still missing Connor, showed up and challenged us to a water fight, which they lost.

After lunch we left them to nurse their bruised egos, and Annabeth and I sparred one-on-one, and I have to admit she kept me on my toes.

We both had to hit the showers before supper, so I didn't see her again until we were lining up.

Sitting alone at the Poseidon table after we gave our offerings, I couldn't help but notice how Chiron kept glancing over at me.

When we'd finished and the nymphs cleared away the dishes, Chiron hammered his hoof on the marble floor for attention, "As you may know, Connor Stoll, son of Hermes, went missing on a quest to the Underworld seven days ago."

Travis was staring at his hands, but from where I was sitting I could see he was crying. I couldn't help but feel guilty. We never should have left without his brother.

At the front Chiron continued, "After so long missing, it is doubtful that our prayers will be answered." Nico frowned at this. "I have asked his brother to say a few words." Chiron finished as Travis walked silently to the front, carrying a folded shroud. It was a golden color with a cadesus in the middle.

"Connor wasn't just my brother, he was my - best friend and - ," Travis gulped and looked up - and froze.

"Miss me?" a familiar voice asked.

I whirled around standing at the entrance was a very much alive Connor.