Here we go again…
To tell the truth, I'm tired–Tired from all the fighting, the violence and the sacrifices, not to mention dozens and dozens of life-threatening experiences for all of us. Just when I thought that I get to live peacefully with Jason, my dagger acts up and introduces me to my older-past version, who by the way, takes my body and is still residing within me. And now a newer-yet-older prophecy comes out. During the normal days when I was still attending school, Homer was always discussed in our English class. By that, I meant his 'books', the most famous among them isThe Iliad. I never thought that that particular story was my story in the past. I'd give it a thumbs down though, it's not even a bit accurate (well some of the characters are), compared to what Helen just showed me.
Frank and Percy got to their feet and put Rachel in the nearest sofa. Jason, Annabeth and Chiron were in their "Do not disturb: Deep-in-thoughts-mode-here". Hazel must have noticed this because she said, "Can we connect the dots and discuss this more openly please?"
"I'm sorry," Annabeth said, "I was just thinking that if this prophecy has not been foretold to the knowledge of our forefathers, then Paris must have heard this before he even went to Troy."
"But I thought Paris was from Troy? What do you mean he went there?" Percy asked ignorantly.
"When baby Alexandros was born, a seer foresaw the destruction of Troy if he were to stay alive. His father, King Priam, was not able to kill his son himself, so he ordered his chief herdsman Agelaus, to do it instead." Annabeth told the story with an as-a-matter-of-fact tone. "When he arrived at Mount Ida, he took pity in the child and took it as his own. The next day, he resigned from his position in the Trojan palace so that he and the baby can leave in peace… away from Troy. He named the baby Paris."
"Mount Ida must have been the place where my dream was set. That's why I, or Paris rather, was wearing shepherd's clothes." Jason said, eyeing the sheathed Katoptris lying in the middle of the table.
"It wasn't clear why, but according to history, when Paris returned to Troy his parents and siblings welcomed him in open arms." Annabeth continued.
"Wait. Paris mentioned something to me in my dreams, you know, when he and Helen are kind of in a… like, dating stage." I wouldn't go into details, but I informed them that Paris did say that when he visited the temple of Apollo he heard this prophecy, he thought that this would oppose the earlier prophecy that was set for him.
"When he told this to his original family, they celebrated, thinking that Troy can finally live in peace." I said. "That is also the reason why they accepted Helen into Troy."
"Be broken by the child of lightning Lord…Helen does fit into the whole thing!" Hazel exclaimed.
"Their union was also blessed by Aphrodite, decreed by the goddess dove. Remember, she and Apollo sided with the Trojans." Rachel said. I was surprised to see her already on her feet, though still a little woozy from the whole trance thing, with Frank assisting her towards our table again.
"And yes, Paris was right. Apollo created that prophecy so that it can counter the Troy-will-burn prophecy." She added.
"But Troy did burn. The Greeks won and the Trojans lost." Frank said as he settled his bow and arrow to his chair.
"Could it be…" Annabeth suggested "That is the reason why those two now resides within Jason and Piper? To finish the prophecy? Helen did mention afterall that she was Piper's past life, and Jason with Paris?" she turned to Jason for confirmation.
"Possibly. But technically, Helen is not the daughter of Zeus anymore, not with her currently residing in Piper." I can sense the disappointment in Jason's voice as he looked into my eyes.
"But technically… aren't you a child of the lightning Lord?" Percy pointed to Jason.
"That's right!" Annabeth's gray eyes were brightly lit.
"The both of you," Chiron addressed to me and Jason; "You can still fulfill the prophecy and put a stop to this upcoming war, finished what Paris and Helen haven't. I have a strong feeling that this war will even do a greater damage than the previous Trojan War. You meeting each other... it was no coincidence, and the fates have destined it."
Jason looked at me, the green eyes didn't bother me and neither was he with mine. From an anxious face, he then started to smile at me tenderly.
It could've been anyone really: any girl could've been the one holding his hand when Jason realized that he lost his memories. Any girl could've been the one who went with him in our first quest, and any girl could've been his girlfriend .The Prophecy of Seven... that was not the only reason why we're destined to meet, it happened eons ago.
And then it hit me: I have already been loving him for three thousand years.
With it comes eternal love, I said to myself. Jason intertwined his hands with mine and whispered in my ear, "We were meant to be..."
I was beginning to like the idea of the fates when Chiron said, "If you fail however, as I've said, we will all experience a much worser fate than Troy's."
"But how– anyway, can we discuss this whole end-of-the-world thing with Leo around? Where is that dude anyway?" Percy said looking out of the window. As if right on cue, we heard a loud BOOM!
The boys got to their feet. "Looks like an explosion from over there!" Percy pointed to the cabins' area. Then a second explosion went off again, this time, much louder.
BOOOOOM!
"What is that?Sounds like ten Greek fire went off at once!" shouted Annebeth. "We better go see!"
My heart stopped as I realized where the explosion came from: Bunker 9.
...
"LEO!" I screamed and then I ran outside, towards the explosion. I was scared to death, I don't want anything bad happening to him.
"Piper wait!" I can hear Jason and the others shouting behind. I didn't stop. I need to see if Leo's okay. I ran as fast as I could, until I reached the Cabin 9. I saw Hephaestus' kids running around everywhere, but not from the loud blast, they're all fast-pacedly assembling themselves as if preparing for combat.
I can hear Nyssa shouting "Battle positions! Hurry!" She went past by me and I grabbed her by the arm.
"Nyssa! What's going on? Where's Leo?"
"I don't exactly know. Last time I've seen him, he was just staring blantly outside, mumbling on and on about a woman."
"Woman? What exactly did he say?"
"Just something like 'Where is my woman? I need to find my woman...' Personally, I find it too creepy so I left him alone, next thing I know, I suddenly had an impulse to gear up for battle. Cabin 9 also got this very strong urge to prepare for something." The way she said 'something' made it sound like she doesn't have a clue what that is, but scares her.
So the prophecy has now started. And maybe Leo has sensed this. Maybe that is also why he must've thought of Calypso. But something's not right about that.
"Piper! What's going on here?" Jason said as he caught his breath, which clearly tells me that he didn't fly on his way here. I saw Percy and the others running from behind.
I turned to Nyssa, but she was gone. "Nyssa said that Cabin 9 went all frenzy just becasue they felt something, so they're all up in their 'battle' stations."
"Why? That doesn't make much sense. Where's Leo?"
BOOOOM! Another loud one, where I'm very sure, came from the entrance of Bunker 9. I ran again, thinking that Leo's caught in the explosions, with Jason trailing from behind.
I followed the smoke and stumbled upon the woods, just a little further 'til I can see the clearing towards the entrance to Bunker 9. Sure enough, huge black smoke came from inside, and the strong odor of burning metal filled my nose. Just as I was getting nearer the clearing, I see Leo emerge from the smoke, soot is now covering his clothes and part of his face.
"Leo!" I ran towards him. I don't care if he looks like Menelaus from the past, I just know that he's the Leo I went to school with, shared life-threatening adventures with and saved the world with, all the while bringing humor to the entire crew of Argo II. I tackled-hugged him, my heart danced for joy as I'm relieved to see that he's safe and in one piece.
"Gods Leo! I taught you're a goner from that explosion! You can't leave me with a bad image in my head, you just can't!" I sobbed in his soot-filled shirt, the idea of losing Leo with Menelaus in my mind, scares the hell out of me.
Leo didn't say anything, instead he hugged me back and caressed my hair. He took a handful of strands and inhaled deeply, as if savoring a newly cooked food upon serving.
"Hmmmmm." He sighed, " My... woman." His voice as cold as ice. A familiar sensation is rising within me.
"Get away from him Piper! That's not your friend!" I heard Helen once again.
I was mildly confused from Leo's actions and Helen's voice when unexpectedly... Leo pulls me into a deep, passionate kiss.
xxx
A reminder guys as the story gets more intense, (lol.) don't forget to check the title of each chapter so you won't get confused as to who is speaking (POVs). Anyways, I just finished writing the whole timeline of this story and I can't wait to write all the chapters! (Thanks to the gift of the arts and music– my prime source of muse.) :D
I assure you that it will be so much EXCITING so please please STAY TUNED! Any thoughts on what you think the outcome of these events will be? Be kind and put it on the review box below. :)
Until then!