Chapter 9
Malikai's POV
I sneezed as I entered the dusty attic. The room smelled like old wood and herbs... What the heck?
I crept cautiously to the shelves on the wall.
Creak.
I turned around slowly. Suddenly, I jumped back, suppressing a yelp.
What, exactly, is THAT?
A mummified young girl was propped up on a stool, She wasn't exactly wrapped up like an ancient mummy, she just looked kinda shriveled. She had weird looking jewelry on, a necklace to be exact. Something with beads. I'm sure she would've been prettier if she wasn't so wrinkly.
"Can you tell me my prophecy? Any people, events, anything?" I pleaded, leaning in closer in desperation.
The mummified figure suddenly opened its mouth, green fog swirling out of it. It drifted around on the floor, circling my ankles like a snake. I tore my gaze away, trying my hardest not to book it. And then, it started to speak. The voice was ancient and rusty, cracking with age.
Off to the land of the dead
To find the one of the shadows you shall seek
And to San Fransisco to plug a leak
Then to tie loose ends
You make forever hidden friends
who must remain a heavy secret
death unto those who do not keep it
With that last word, the fog retreated back to the mummy, leaving a tense silence behind. Shivers ran down my spine and I stumbled back down the stairs in fright. I reached the ping-pong table and with my arms around myself, sat down in the metal folding chair, visibly shivered at what had just happened.
After a moment of sympathetic glances being sent my way, Chiron spoke up. "Well, Malikai. What did she say?" He asked gently.
"Uh-h. Chi-Chiron. I kinda, um. Well... something about monsters."
He chuckled lightly at my answer."Malikai, that is what most prophecies are about these days. What else?"
"Um, well, something about friends and tying loose ends, and, er, shadows."
Annabeth looked at Chiron as if to say, I told you so. Chiron just stared back and seemed slightly annoyed.
"Then it is decided. The quest will start this Sunday. We will decide who will go on this quest at the campfire tonight. There has been a volunteer. All will be informed tonight during dinner. Meeting adjourned."
Everyone got out of their seats hastily, and I was the only one left behind. Apparently, one person dared to stay behind. The daughter of Ares.
"Look, I know we probably got off on the wrong foot, but I'm Alexis. Call me Alex." She said. She held out her hand. "Good luck, these quests are dangerous. And I don't know much, but let me warn you, don't try to change your fate. Any hero that tried, died. Take it from me. Be careful. See you at the campfire. And, finally, good luck. You're definitely gonna need it."
With that, she left. Meanwhile I stayed, trying to comprehend what she had just said. Being a demigod is really… confusing. Besides dealing with monsters, you also had to solve these complex prophecies that will probably decide whether you die by drowning or falling off a cliff. Either way, being a demigod is not easy.
Stephanie's POV
I sighed as I rolled out of my bunk. I love my cabin mates, but I know I can't trust them. Not after what just happened. I barely know them, and I just met them literally five hours ago. I heaved another sigh as I put on my dirty orange t-shirt and headed outside with my friend, Alex from the Ares cabin. I know I can trust her, because she wasn't at all near the crime scene when it had happened.
"Hey, Steph, I heard that the son of Khione, Malikai, is gonna choose people for the quest. He's going to try to find the killer," Alex said.
"Oh, yes! We have to find that cold-hearted demigod or whoever it is. I won't let this happen to an innocent kid," I replied, clenching my jaw in determination.
"Is that so? You're sure that you're gonna be picked?" Alex lifted an eyebrow at my confidence.
"Of course! Why wouldn't I be?" I said, tilting my head to the side curiously.
"That's great and all but there's a chance you won't be chosen, you know? Only three people can go for one quest."
Oh. But Malikai wouldn't do that to me, would he? "Well, I'm pretty sure I will be accompanying him. Oh, look, we're almost there! My first campfire! I'm so excited, oh my gods!" Pushing the earlier doubt aside, I dashed towards the dining pavilion, towing Alex behind me.
"It's not that big of a deal." Commented one of my siblings, face slack with boredom.
Alex's POV
I was heading out to the campfire to find out how Malikai was going to do the quest. I was personally hoping I was one of them because I haven't left this haven/ torture chamber for years.
I was wearing the necklace I got with four clay beads, that reminded us of what went down. I had not seen my parent for years. Self-pity rose in me but I shoved it down quickly. I glanced around, determined to distract myself with something else. As I neared the campfire, it showed that the fire was a dark purple and extremely minuscule.
Malikai stood up. "G-guys. I got a quest to f-find the killer of C-castor. I will be taking volunteers," his voice cracked, but got more steady afterwards, "I will be taking …" Chiron slowly revealed himself. He beckoned someone from the crowd.
"Simon?" I replied, flabbergasted. I wanted to protect my new family, and didn't want to put anyone in harm's way.
"You have one more person to choose for the quest." Chiron said quietly.
"And for the third camper, I choose... Hana." Malikai finally said after another moment of contemplation. All of the Aphrodite kids started to snicker. Hana stood up, smiling, and said, "I accept the quest."
I could feel the now bright red flames flickering at my back as something inside my chest sunk.
I stood up quietly, and walked off into the distance, letting the campfire's flames disappear behind me. Clarisse followed me into the arena, as well as Stephanie. I unsheathed my simple celestial bronze sword and started hacking at the dummies.
"The freaking oracle said I would get my chance, when a new person came. Yeah, right. How pathetic." I said, speaking to no one in particular.
"Woah, girl, calm down. Here, lets do this." Clarisse beckoned to me and I reluctantly approached her. As she went into an attacking stance, I shifted into a defensive one. I couldn't help but to smile a little and silently thanked her.
MALIKAI'S POV
So all I could say was... I was scarred for life, I don't even know why I picked Hana, it was like a gut-insinct thing. Now people are getting the wrong idea, not to mention all of the Ares' kids getting mad that I picked an Aphrodite kid. Especially Alex, just by the look on her face I could tell she was absolutely pissed. I don't know what to expect on this quest but I was packing anyway, Percy told me what to bring so I got a flask full f nectar, a ziplock bag full of ambrosia and my lotus card inside my belt with the rest of my supplies. I wasn't exactly looking forward to this quest.
