Here's Chapter 12 everyone! Enjoy!
I was back in the cavern, the girl wept as she raised gold from the ground to add to the spire. I caught my breath as I looked in. The thing was huge, scaly dragon legs with a body made of gold and iron, oil served as blood and I could see his diamond heart. The only thing missing was the head.
Soon. Gaea purred. Soon my eldest son wakes. You can never stop him.
"I will stop him." I said, clenching my fists. "I'll stop you from rising Gaea. You want me? Fine. But you'll wish you never chose me."
Come north little hero. She purred. Get stronger, the stronger you are the better. Bring me the Blood of Olympus, so that I may finally wake.
"What is the Blood of Olympus?" I asked.
Gaea laughed and my heart pounded. I looked over at the girl as she fell to her knees, crying. I walked over and knelt by her. I knew it was a dream but I wanted to offer her some encouragement, give her something to look forwards to. "Stay strong." I said softly. "I'm coming to help you, we'll set you free."
The girl looked at me, her golden eyes flashing. I reached over and tried to give her a hug but I passed right through her. She raised her hand and the cavern rumbled, oil bubbling in the pit.
I closed my eyes and my dream switched, images came in and out of focus. First my dad was tied to a stake but then he morphed and became Harry, firing his bow at someone before rolling to the side to avoid being impaled by a sword. He jumped up and changed in midair to become Bella, lunging at me with her talons extended. She morphed into a wolf, pinning me down. The wolf growled out the oracles warning before morphing into Jessica screaming my name.
My eyes shot open.
I looked around, frowning at the white ceiling. I winced at the bright light, gods my head hurt. I looked around, panicked. Then I saw Jessica and Raymond standing in the corner, it looked like they were arguing. Jessica's eyes shone with tears and anger as she waved her arms. Raymond grabbed her hands and spoke softly to her. He hugged her and Jessica buried her face in his shoulder.
I waited until they pulled apart before clearing my throat. Jessica spun with a small gasp, her eyes lighting up. She ran over and gently grabbed my hand, surprising me. "Oh thank the gods." Jessica breathed. "I thought – we thought . . ."
I blinked in surprise, at a loss for words. I didn't expect the daughter of Aphrodite to get so emotional over me, I mean, we weren't that close.
"What happened?" I asked, my voice hoarse.
"What do you remember last?" Jessica asked softly.
"I – I was talking to someone . . . then nothing." I said, looking up at Jessica. "What happened?"
Jessica bit her lip and looked around the room. "Empousia." She said softly. "They attacked us, you – you almost died." She wiped her eyes. "We thought you would never wake up."
I squinted at Jessica, fighting a terrible headache. "How long was I out?" I croaked.
Jessica looked at Raymond who stepped forwards and responded. "A little over a week."
"A WEEK?!"
Jessica nodded and touched my arm. "You lost a lot of blood. We had to bring you to a mortal hospital. They didn't know when you would wake up, we've been sneaking you some nectar, here have a sip."
I took the nectar and swallowed a mouthful, feeling strength coming back to my limbs. "We should get going then." I said.
"Whoa." Jessica said. "I don't know if you can move yet."
"We've lost a lot of time already." I said. "I don't want to hold us back anymore."
"You will of you don't rest." Jessica said firmly. "You need it."
"But –"
"No buts Dianna. Don't make me charmspeak you into sleeping." Jessica said fiercely.
"Yes mother." I muttered.
"Speaking of mothers, what's this about Hecate being yours?" Jessica said, her eyebrows raised in curiosity.
I told them about sending a drachma to my mom before we left my house and how I met her at the crossroads. I told them about our conversation and the gifts she gave me.
"I didn't think the minor gods had kids." Raymond said thoughtfully.
"Why?" I asked, although I had to admit I didn't either for some reason.
"Well . . . I mean they don't have cabins at camp." Raymond said. "I thought that was because they don't have kids."
Jessica frowned. "Yea, where's Dianna going to stay when she gets back. She's not unclaimed anymore, she can't stay in Hermes cabin. At least, she shouldn't."
Raymond frowned thoughtfully. "I don't know, we'll have to talk to Chiron."
"Yea." I said. I took another sip of the nectar and handed it back to Jessica. "We'll figure everything out when we finish our quest."
Then the door opened and a nurse walked in. "You're up!" She said. "I'll have the doctor come and check you out now."
We waited and after the doctor checked me out he said that I should be fine after a day or so of rest. Jessica was adamant about me resting but Raymond and I wanted to continue. So we reached a compromise. I'd nap and when I woke up we'd leave.
I had a blissfully dreamless sleep and I woke up about twelve hours later, feeling invigorated. Jessica used her charmspeak to check me out and we headed to the train station, using the last of our mortal money to purchase three train tickets to Vancouver, Canada.
By the luck of the gods we made it in one piece and with no monster attacks. I slept on the train and didn't have any weird dreams. I told Jessica and Raymond about my weird dreams and we discussed the prophecy and other things. I noticed that Jessica and Raymond were holding hands and I smiled at the sight, happy for them.
But that didn't mean I couldn't tease them.
"So are you two finally together now or are you just holding hands for the fun of it." I teased with a grin.
Jessica smirked and Raymond blushed. Jessica kissed his cheek and smiled softly. "We're together."
"About time." I said, leaning back and folding my hands behind my head.
"It's about time you and Harry got together to." Jessica said, making my face burn as I thought about the kiss we shared.
"Awww." Jessica cooed and I tried to glare at her.
Jessica smiled knowingly before snuggling into Raymond's side and falling asleep, leaving the two of us awake.
For a while we sat in silence until Raymond said: "What do you think that thing in the pit is?"
"One of Gaea's sons. Maybe Krono's?" I said with a shrug. "Does Krono's have scaly dragon legs though?"
Raymond sighed. "No idea."
I sighed and looked at Raymond. "A half-blood of the eldest gods shall reach sixteen against all odds. How old are you?"
"Turned fifteen three months ago." Raymond muttered.
"Maybe this is it." I said. "Maybe this is the start of something big, it could even be the start of the great prophecy."
Raymond slouched in his seat, he looked dejected. "If this is the titans then . . . we may be doomed."
"Why?" I asked, I couldn't help but wonder if the son of Poseidon was giving up, without even trying.
"Never to return until the lands golden age." Raymond said, reciting my warning. "The Titan's ruling was also known as the golden age for some reason."
"Oh." I said softly. "In that case I don't think I want to come back."
"At least you're not going to die." Raymond said bitterly. "A heroes soul cursed blade shall reap."
"Hey, prophecies have double meanings, maybe you aren't the hero. There are lots of other heroes out there." I suggested. When Raymond still looked down I leaned forwards and said. "Listen, no matter what happens you'll always have Jessica and me, we'll help you through it."
Raymond grinned. "We'll help you to." He said. "We'll find the key to that cage and let you out."
I laughed, happy for the first time since leaving camp. "Gaea won't know what hit her."
We high fived and I felt like I had made a friend. I knew that whatever happened we would face it together, as a team.
Gaea would wish she hadn't messed with us.
Not very exciting but I needed to put a little Dianna and Raymond friendship in there. Next Chapter's better. :) See ya!
