Percy POV
I slashed away at the army in front of me. There were so many monsters that I wasn't sure we would make it, even with the help from Hades.
Suddenly, two bright lights echoed at the edge of my vision. I turned and the bright lights flashed again. I nodded to Luke, who understood that I was going to go check it out. I flashed over to the light and saw Lee and Michael fighting with Bianca, Nico, Katie, the Stolls, Silena, Summer, Luca, and Ethan. Somehow, we all had been locked outside the Empire State Building. Not that it mattered. We might be enough to defeat the rest of the army.
Zoe appeared next to me, seemingly out of thin air, and grabbed me. She pressed her lips against mine. My eyes shot open but I didn't get to enjoy it too much before she pushed me away. I stared at her in shock. She smiled sheepishly and rushed off to help Silena against a giant.
I was so in shock that I stared at where she had been and would've been killed if Ethan hadn't appeared next to me and killed the dracanae that was about to skewer me.
"Get it together!" Ethan hissed. "You had to know she liked you by now." I stared at him uncomprehendingly. He rolled his eyes. "Just stay alive until after the battle. Then you can figure it out." He ran off towards Luca, who was fighting with a scythe.
It was then that I realized that they were channeling the primordials they hosted. Why didn't I think of that?
Ouranos? I asked.
Yes? He responded in my head.
Wanna team up?
I was waiting for you to ask.
I felt his power surge through me and I grinned. I summoned Azure and flew into action.
I loved having all this power. Ouranos kept on giving pointers and ideas that kept me alive and killing monsters.
Blast that giant back, he said. Trip that other one and it'll trip the giant behind it.
I pushed the first giant back with a hard wind. He fell back and onto his friends sword. I tripped the stunned giant and the one behind him tripped over him and skewered the second one with his spear.
I jumped backwards to avoid a spear through my stomach. I yanked the spear away and head butted the empousa using it. I twirled the spear in my hand and jammed it into the stunned monster.
"Michael!" I yelled.
"¿Qué tal?" He yelled back.
"Iron America!" I grabbed a shield off the ground and turned it towards Michael at just the right time. A concentrated beam of light hit it and ricocheted off, vaporizing monsters. "Everybody down!" I shouted. All the demigods hit the deck and I maneuvered the shield so that it hit an ass ton of monsters.
When Michael stopped, about 50% of the monsters were gone. He jogged up to me, panting.
"We've got to do that again," he grinned.
"Maybe some other time," Silena said, sprinting between us. "We've still got some enemies left."
She was right. The monsters had recovered from our attack and were charging us again.
I charged back, my friends fanned out behind me, and threw the shield at the lead monster.
It wasn't until later that I realized Killian and Lilly weren't on the battle field.
"Where's Killy?" I yelled to everyone. "Any sign of them?"
"I don't see them!" Ethan yelled as he stabbed a cyclops.
"Not here!" Luca shouted as he vaporized a squadron of dracanae.
"They aren't dead!" Nico exclaimed before cutting down a hellhound.
"Then where the hell are they?" I yelled. I ducked under a giant's swing and kicked his feet out from under him. I slashed through his throat and he disintegrated.
I looked over to my left and saw the monsters going after Michael specifically. I was about to run to his aid when he screamed, "Fuck this shit!" A light flashed in his hand and formed something I couldn't make out from how far away I was. He aimed it at the nearest monster and fired. With a muffled bang the monster turned to dust, a bullet hole in his head.
Michael turned to the next monster, a dracanae, and fired before the snake woman could react. She turned to dust.
Michael quickly aimed and fired his gun at several monsters, clearing the field in front of him. When only dust was around him, he grinned down at the gun and kissed it.
"Thank you Beckendorf and Lou," he muttered. He looked up to see me and Lee staring at him, the only ones close enough to have witnessed what just happened. "You two want one?"
"Yes!" Lee screamed. A light flashed above Lee and a pistol fell down into his hands.
"Here's a trick," Michael said. The gun in his hand flashed quickly, leaving an AR-15 with desert camouflage on the barrel and a scope on top. He hefted it and grinned at me.
"I think I'll stick with the sword," I said nervously, gesturing with Azure. The way Michael grinned with a gun in his hand terrified me a little.
"Suit yourself," Michael said. He flashed away, leaving me with Lee, who was figuring out how to aim it.
"Figure it out on the go," I told him, eyeing a group of monsters that were charging towards us.
"Gotcha," he said, taking aim. He snapped off a shot and a hellhound turned to dust. He grinned crazily. "Oh, I'm gonna have to practice with these babies." He fired again and a giant fell.
"Just don't kill me." I launched myself towards the monsters, Lee snapping off shots and covering my back.
After thirty more minutes of tirelessly fighting, a boom echoed across Manhattan. I looked up at the Empire State Building and saw golden dust ripple from the spire, like ripples in water.
I grinned.
"Kronos is defeated!" I screamed at the same time Michael yelled, "The Titan Lord is no more!"
The remaining monsters were sent into a panic. They tried to retreat, but Michael, Lee, and a few other Apollo kids Michael had gifted automatic weapons to took them down.
As we waited for them to come back, everyone was celebrating. Travis and Connor bumped heads, something I'm sure they picked up from the centaurs, Katie and Maddie swung each other around in glee, and Michael picked up Bianca and kissed her full on the mouth. I had quickly found Zoe and picked her up. I twirled her around before bringing her down and kissing her. A bunch of my friends cheered.
Michael's Seraf Wolves all disappeared, probably at Michael's command, except one, who limped around after Michael. No one paid it any attention, and Michael winked at me when he caught me looking, so I guessed it was invisible to everyone but me.
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By the time we got up to Olympus, the gods were set about repairing the throne room, which went surprisingly fast with twelve super powerful beings at work. Grover and Alex were caring for the wounded when we popped up on Olympus. The Cyclopes had saved Thalia from the fallen statue. She was on crutches, but otherwise she was okay. Connor and Travis had made it through with only minor injuries. They promised me and Alex they hadn't even looted the city much. They told Alex his parents were fine, though they weren't allowed into Mount Olympus. A few of Michael's Seraf Wolves had dug Chiron out of the rubble and rushed him off to camp. The Stolls looked kind of worried about the old centaur, but at least he was alive.
Nico and Bianca came into Olympus to a hero's welcome, their father right behind them, despite the fact that Hades was only supposed to visit Olympus on winter solstice. The god of the dead looked stunned when his relatives clapped him on the back. I doubt he'd ever gotten such an enthusiastic welcome before.
Clarisse marched in, still shivering from her time in the ice block, and Ares bellowed, "There's my girl!"
The god of war ruffled her hair and pounded her on the back, calling her the best warrior he'd ever seen. "That drakon-slaying? THAT'S what I'm talking about!"
She looked pretty overwhelmed. All she could do was nod and blink, like she was afraid he'd start hitting her, but eventually she began to smile.
Hera and Hephaestus passed me, Alex, Grover, and Killian, and while Hephaestus was a little grumpy about Alex jumping on his throne, he thought he'd done "a pretty bang-up job, mostly."
Hera sniffed in disdain. "I suppose I won't destroy you and that little girl now."
"Lilly helped save Olympus," Killian told her. "She helped convince Lace to stop Kronos."
"Hmm," Hera whirled away in a huff, but I figured their lives would be safe, at least for a little while.
Conch horns blew. The army of Poseidon marched into the throne room.
"Alex!" Tyson yelled. He charged toward his brother with his arms open. Fortunately he'd shrunk back to normal size, so his hug was like getting hit by a tractor, not the entire farm. "You are not dead!" he said.
"Yeah!" he agreed. "Amazing, huh?"
He clapped his hands and laughed happily. "I am not dead either. Yay! We chained Typhon. It was fun!"
Behind him, fifty other armored Cyclopes laughed and nodded and gave each other high fives.
"Tyson led us," one rumbled. "He is brave!"
"Bravest of the Cyclopes!" another bellowed.
Tyson blushed. "Was nothing."
"I saw you!" Alex said. "You were incredible!"
I thought poor Grover would pass out. He's deathly afraid of Cyclopes. But he steeled his nerves and said, "Yes. Um . . . three cheers for Tyson!"
"YAAARRRRR!" the Cyclopes roared.
"Please don't eat me," Grover muttered, but I don't think anyone heard him.
The conch horns blasted again. The Cyclopes parted, and Poseidon strode into the throne room in his battle armor, his trident glowing in his hands.
"Tyson!" he roared. "Well done, my son. And Alex—" His face turned stern. He wagged his finger at him, and for a second I was afraid he was going to zap him. "I even forgive you for sitting on my throne. You have saved Olympus!"
He held out his arms and gave Alex a hug.
When he pulled away, he smiled kindly at his son.
"Dad—"
"Shhh," he said. "No hero is above fear, Alex. And you have risen above every hero. Not even Hercules—"
"POSEIDON!" a voice roared. Zeus had taken his throne. He glared across the room at my dad while all the other gods filed in and took their seats. Even Hades was present, sitting on a simple stone guest chair at the foot of the hearth. Nico and Bianca sat cross-legged on the ground at their dad's feet, Michael sitting right behind Bianca, her head in his lap while he played with her hair.
"Well, Poseidon?" Zeus grumped. "Are you too proud to join us in council, my brother?"
I thought Poseidon was going to get mad, but he just looked at us and winked. "I would be honored, Lord Zeus."
I guess miracles do happen. Poseidon strode over to his fishing seat, and the Olympian Council convened.
While Zeus was talking—some long speech about the bravery of the gods, etc.—Lilly walked in and stood next to Killian, who didn't move away. She looked good for someone who'd recently passed out.
"Miss much?" she whispered.
"Nobody's planning to kill us, so far," Killian whispered back.
"First time today."
Alex and I cracked up, but Grover nudged us because Hera was giving us a dirty look.
"As for my brothers," Zeus said, "we are thankful"—he cleared his throat like the words were hard to get out—"erm, thankful for the aid of Hades."
The lord of the dead nodded. He had a smug look on his face, but I figure he'd earned the right. He patted Nico and Bianca on the shoulders, and they looked happier than I'd seen all week.
"And, of course," Zeus continued, though he looked like his pants were smoldering, "we must . . . um . . . thank Poseidon."
"I'm sorry, brother," Poseidon said. "What was that?"
"We must thank Poseidon," Zeus growled. "Without whom . . . it would've been difficult—"
"Difficult?" Poseidon asked innocently.
"Impossible," Zeus said. "Impossible to defeat Typhon."
The gods murmured agreement and pounded their weapons in approval.
"Which leaves us," Zeus said, "only the matter of thanking our young demigod heroes, who defended Olympus so well—even if there are a few dents in my throne."
He called Thalia forward first, since she was his daughter, and promised her help in filling the Hunters' ranks.
Artemis smiled. "You have done well, my lieutenant. You have made me proud, and all those Hunters who perished in my service will never be forgotten. They will achieve Elysium, I am sure."
She glared pointedly at Hades.
He shrugged. "Probably."
Artemis glared at him some more.
"Okay," Hades grumbled. "I'll streamline their application process."
Thalia beamed with pride. "Thank you, my lady." She bowed to the gods, even Hades, and then limped over to stand by Artemis's side.
"Tyson, son of Poseidon!" Zeus called. Tyson looked nervous, but he went to stand in the middle of the Council, and Zeus grunted.
"Doesn't miss many meals, does he?" Zeus muttered. "Tyson, for your bravery in the war, and for leading the Cyclopes, you are appointed a general in the armies of Olympus. You shall henceforth lead your brethren into war whenever required by the gods. And you shall have a new . . . um . . . what kind of weapon would you like? A sword? An axe?"
"Stick!" Tyson said, showing his broken club.
"Very well," Zeus said. "We will grant you a new, er, stick. The best stick that may be found."
"Hooray!" Tyson cried, and all the Cyclopes cheered and pounded him on the back as he rejoined them.
"Grover Underwood of the satyrs!" Dionysus called.
Grover came forward nervously.
"Oh, stop chewing your shirt," Dionysus chided. "Honestly, I'm not going to blast you. For your bravery and sacrifice, blah, blah, blah, and since we have an unfortunate vacancy, the gods have seen fit to name you a member of the Council of Cloven Elders."
Grover collapsed on the spot.
"Oh, wonderful," Dionysus sighed, as several naiads came forward to help Grover. "Well, when he wakes up, someone tell him that he will no longer be an outcast, and that all satyrs, naiads, and other spirits of nature will henceforth treat him as a lord of the Wild, with all rights, privileges, and honors, blah, blah, blah. Now please, drag him off before he wakes up and starts groveling."
"FOOOOOD," Grover moaned, as the nature spirits carried him away.
I figured he'd be okay. He would wake up as a lord of the Wild with a bunch of beautiful naiads taking care of him. Life could be worse.
"Killian Vixon, son of Hyperion!" Zeus called.
Killian stepped forward, bowing to Hestia before Zeus. I could see that the god of the sky was a little miffed about that, but let it slide.
"For your bravery in defending Olympus and defeating Kronos," Zeus said, "we have deigned to let you live, and will even grant you one small wish."
"Bring Calypso off her island," he said immediately. "Now."
Zeus blinked in surprise. "You certainly had that ready. As you say." Zeus snapped in fingers and Calypso appeared in the throne room. She looked around wide eyed before seeing Killian smiling at her. She smiled and hugged him tightly. They walked back over to us and Calypso hugged me.
"Lilly Kittle!" Apollo called. She nervously walked forward. "In honor of your bravery, we as the council grant you immunity from our further decisions regarding demigods of primordial parentage."
"Thank you, Lord Apollo," she said. "But I would like it if any one with connections to the primordials would be spared. And any demigod of primordial parentage would be given a place in camp should they want it."
"That is much you ask of us," Apollo warned. He glanced at Michael, then Lee, and smiled brightly. "I agree. All in favor?" All hands went up, though some begrudgingly.
"ALEX MARE!" Poseidon announced. His name echoed around the chamber.
All talking died down. The room was silent except for the crackle of the hearth fire. Everyone's eyes were on Alex—all the gods, the demigods, the Cyclopes, the spirits. He walked into the middle of the throne room. Hestia smiled at him reassuringly. She was in the form of a girl now, and she seemed happy and content to be sitting by her fire again.
First he bowed to Hestia. Then he bowed to Zeus and knelt at his father's feet.
"Rise, my son," Poseidon said.
He stood uneasily.
"A great hero must be rewarded," Poseidon said. "Is there anyone here who would deny that my son is deserving?"
I waited for someone to pipe up. The gods never agreed on anything, and many of them still didn't like him, but not a single one protested.
"The Council agrees," Zeus said. "Alex Mare, you will have one gift from the gods."
He hesitated. "Any gift?"
Zeus nodded grimly. "I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Alexander Mare—if you wish it—you shall be made a god. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time."
Alex stared at him, stunned. "Um . . . a god?"
Zeus rolled his eyes. "A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. Then I will have to put up with you forever."
"Hmm," Ares mused. "That means I can smash him to a pulp as often as I want, and he'll just keep coming back for more. I like this idea."
"I approve as well," Athena said.
He looked at us. At Michael, Nico, Bianca, Lee, Katie, Travis, Connor, Beckendorf, Silena, all the people who have become his friends. He looked for someone that was not here. He looked at me.
And I knew what he would do.
"No," he said.
The Council was silent. The gods frowned at each other like they must have misheard.
"No?" Zeus said. "You are . . . turning down our generous gift?"
There was a dangerous edge to his voice, like a thunderstorm about to erupt.
"I'm honored and everything," Alex said. "Don't get me wrong. It's just . . . I've got a lot of life left to live. I'd hate to peak in my sophomore year."
The gods were glaring at him, but I was smiling.
"I do want a gift, though," he said. "Do you promise to grant my wish?"
Zeus thought about this. "If it is within our power."
"It is," he said. "And it's not even difficult. But I need your promise on the River Styx."
"What?" Dionysus cried. "You don't trust us?"
"Someone once told me," he said, looking at both Hades and Michael, "you should always get a solemn oath."
They shrugged in unison. "Guilty."
"Very well!" Zeus growled. "In the name of the Council, we swear by the River Styx to grant your reasonable request as long as it is within our power."
The other gods muttered assent. Thunder boomed, shaking the throne room. The deal was made.
"From now on, I want to you properly recognize the children of the gods," Alex said. "All the children . . . of all the gods."
The Olympians shifted uncomfortably.
"Alex," Poseidon said, "what exactly do you mean?"
"Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents," he said. "They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a good reason."
Zeus's royal nostrils flared. "You dare accuse—"
"No more undetermined children," Alex said. "I want you to promise to claim your children—all your demigod children—by the time they turn thirteen. They won't be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive."
"Now, wait just a moment," Demeter said, but Alex was on a roll.
"And the minor gods," he said. "Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe-—they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades—"
"Are you calling me a minor god?" Hades bellowed.
"No, my lord," Alex said quickly. "But your children should not be left out. They should have a cabin at camp. Nico and Bianca have proven that. No unclaimed demigods will be crammed into the Hermes cabin anymore, wondering who their parents are. They'll have their own cabins, for all the gods. And no more pact of the Big Three. That didn't work anyway. You've got to stop trying to get rid of powerful demigods. We're going to train them and accept them instead. All children of the gods will be welcome and treated with respect. That is my wish."
Zeus snorted. "Is that all?"
"Alex," Poseidon said, "you ask much. You presume much."
"I hold you to your oath," he said. "All of you."
He got a lot of steely looks. Strangely, it was Athena who spoke up: "The boy is correct. We have been unwise to ignore our children. It proved a strategic weakness in this war and almost caused our destruction. Alex Mare, I have had my doubts about you, but perhaps I was mistaken. I move that we accept the boy's plan."
"Humph," Zeus said. "Being told what to do by a mere child. But I suppose . . ."
"All in favor," Hermes said.
All the gods raised their hands.
"Um, thanks," Alex said.
He turned, but before he could leave, Poseidon called, "Honor guard!"
Immediately the Cyclopes came forward and made two lines from the thrones to the door—an aisle for me to walk through. They came to attention.
"All hail, Alexander Mare," Tyson said. "Hero of Olympus . . . and my big brother!"
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Later, back at Camp Half-Blood, Alex caught Michael and I on our way towards the Big House.
"What's up, water spout?" Michael asked, smiling at him.
"Why did you do it?" Alex asked. Michael's smile fell.
"Do what?" I asked him.
"Go back in time," Alex said miserably.
"How do you know about that?"
"Kronos knew," Alex explained. "And he taunted us with it. He taunted us with fact that we used to be enemies. And he knew about you, Percy. About you and Annabeth."
"You know that there is nothing between us anymore though, right?" I asked.
"Yes, I understand that. But that's not the point. He threw it in Annabeth's face. Told her that you wanted to retry the demigod life without her. That she was a crutch to you in the past timeline."
"Annabeth was a crutch to no one." I said fiercely.
"I know. But she believed it. It..." he trailed off, looking like he was about to cry. "It drove her so close to breaking. And then Lace broke free of Kronos's spell and sacrificed himself. That was her breaking point." He looked at me in the eyes and I could see how much this hurt him. "She broke, Percy. She broke. She attacked Killian like an animal. It took us a few minutes to get her, but then she ran off. I haven't seen her since."
I didn't know what to say. I had no words to convey how I felt.
"I am...sorry, Alex," Michael said genuinely. "Truly, I am sorry. I know how much you cared for her." Michael hesitantly reached out and hugged Alex.
The son of Poseidon crumpled into Michael, crying. Michael gripped him tightly, looking lost. Looking at Michael, I knew that we'd do whatever it took to get Annabeth back.
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Later, when we were celebrating, a mortal walked into the camp.
"Percy," Travis said, running up to me. Michael was right behind him, and I guessed that they were trying to sneak in soda from the outside world together. "You need to see this."
"Mortal," Michael panted. "Wants to become oracle...knows Alex."
"It's Rachel," Travis told me. That set me running.
I ran up to Half Blood Hill with Travis and Michael behind me and saw a familiar redhead standing on the hill, talking to Alex, who was...holding Andromeda?
I looked around and saw Bianca sitting under a tree, rocking Asher in her arms.
"Rachel?" I asked breathlessly.
Her green eyes widened. "How do you know my name?"
"I'm friends with Apollo," I said. "What are you doing here? Mortals can't see Camp Half Blood."
"She's clearsighted," Alex explained. "She helped us in the labyrinth. Well, she helped Killian and Lilly, but I told them about her before we split up."
"I want to become the oracle," she said determinedly.
"That's a dangerous thing to want," Travis warned. "The last mortal to try went insane."
"I'm sure," Rachel said. I nodded.
"Let us escort you," I told her. She nodded and together we walked towards the big house.
Alex and Bianca followed us four with Asher and Andromeda. We walked up to the Big House and Rachel Elizabeth Dare stood at the bottom of the porch steps. She raised her arms like she was waiting for someone inside the house to throw her a ball.
Rachel opened her eyes and turned. She looked like she was sleepwalking—like she could see me, but only in a dream.
The house rumbled. The door flew open and green light poured out. I recognized the warm musty smell of snakes.
Mist curled into a hundred smoky serpents, slithering up the porch columns, curling around the house. Then the Oracle appeared in the doorway.
The withered mummy shuffled forward in her rainbow dress. She looked even worse than usual, which is saying a lot. Her hair was falling out in clumps. Her leathery skin was cracking like the seat of a worn-out bus. Her glassy eyes stared blankly into space, but I got the creepiest feeling she was being drawn straight toward Rachel.
Rachel held out her arms. She didn't look scared.
"You've waited too long," Rachel said. "But I'm here now."
The sun blazed more brightly. A man appeared above the porch, floating in the air—a blond dude in a white toga, with sunglasses and a cocky smile.
"Apollo," I greeted.
He winked at me but held up his finger to his lips.
"Rachel Elizabeth Dare," he said. "You have the gift of prophecy. But it is also a curse. Are you sure you want this?"
Rachel nodded. "It's my destiny."
"Do you accept the risks?"
"I do."
"Then proceed," the god said.
Rachel closed her eyes. "I accept this role. I pledge myself to Apollo, God of Oracles. I open my eyes to the future and embrace the past. I accept the spirit of Delphi, Voice of the Gods, Speaker of Riddles, Seer of Fate."
I didn't know where she was getting the words, but they flowed out of her as the Mist thickened. A green column of smoke, like a huge python, uncoiled from the mummy's mouth and slithered down the stairs, curling affectionately around Rachel's feet. The Oracle's mummy crumbled, falling away until it was nothing but a pile of dust in an old tie-dyed dress. Mist enveloped Rachel in a column.
For a moment I couldn't see her at all. Then the smoke cleared.
Rachel collapsed and curled into the fetal position. Travis, Alex, and I rushed forward, but Apollo said, "Stop! This is the most delicate part."
"What's going on?" Alex demanded. "What do you mean?"
Apollo studied Rachel with concern. "Either the spirit takes hold, or it doesn't."
"And if it doesn't?" Travis asked.
"Five syllables," Apollo said, counting them on his fingers. "That would be real bad."
"That's six," Michael pointed out.
Despite Apollo's warning, Alex handed Michael Andromeda and ran forward and knelt over Rachel. The smell of the attic was gone. The Mist sank into the ground and the green light faded. But Rachel was still pale. She was barely breathing.
Then her eyes fluttered open. She focused on the son of Poseidon with difficulty. "Alex."
"Are you okay?"
She tried to sit up. "Ow." She pressed her hands to her temples.
"Rachel," Bianca said, "your life aura almost faded completely. I could see you dying."
"I'm all right," she murmured. "Please, help me up. The visions—they're a little disorienting."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Alex asked.
Apollo drifted down from the porch. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce the new Oracle of Delphi."
"You're kidding," Travis said.
Rachel managed a weak smile. "It's a little surprising to me too, but this is my fate. I saw it when I was in New York. I know why I was born with true sight. I was meant to become the Oracle."
Alex blinked. "You mean you can tell the future now?"
"Not all the time," she said. "But there are visions, images, words in my mind. When someone asks me a question, I . . . Oh no—"
"It's starting," Apollo announced.
Rachel doubled over like someone had punched her. Then she stood up straight and her eyes glowed serpent green.
When she spoke, her voice sounded tripled—like three Rachels were talking at once:
"Seven half-bloods shall answer the call.
To air or fire, the world must fall.
Foes bear arms to the Doors of Death,
Love guards a future hero's breath."
At the last word, Rachel collapsed. Travis and I caught her and helped her to the porch. Her skin was feverish.
"I'm all right," she said, her voice returning to normal.
"What was that?" Travis asked.
She shook her head, confused. "What was what?"
"I believe," Apollo said, "that we just heard the next Great Prophecy."
"What does it mean?" Alex demanded.
Rachel frowned. "I don't even remember what I said."
"No," Apollo mused. "The spirit will only speak through you occasionally. The rest of the time, our Rachel will be much as she's always been. There's no point in grilling her, even if she has just issued the next big prediction for the future of the world."
"What?" Travis said. "But—"
"Travis, Alex," Apollo said, "I wouldn't worry too much. The last Great Prophecy about you took almost seventy years to complete. This one may not even happen in your lifetime."
I thought about the lines Rachel had spoken in that creepy voice: about air and fire and the Doors of Death. It was different than the last time. Something has changed.
"Maybe," I said, "but it didn't sound so good."
"No," said Apollo cheerfully. "It certainly didn't. She's going to make a wonderful Oracle!"
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The next two weeks were good. Despite having to light a few pyres at the start, it was fun. The demigods who died were fortunately few. Unfortunately, I was close to some of them.
One of them was Michael Yew. He pulled the same stunt he did in the last timeline and helped Alex destroy Williamsburg bridge. Another was Alexia. She had just up and disappeared during the battle. Another person that I knew was Theodoric. Apparently he had been the spy for Kronos, and turned against him in the end like Ethan had.
There were a couple more, but not as many as there could've been. It was hard enough as it was.
Alex sulked about Annabeth for all of two days before Michael and I dragged him out. I understand how hard this for him, but it wouldn't do him any good to sulk and bemoan her disappearance. We promised him that we would keep an eye out for her. Michael said that he had his wolves looking for her and that they had a trail leading west.
Zoe and I were thrown into the lake at one point. Michael and Silena had caught us kissing and got the whole camp to throw us into the lake. Talk about deja vu. I was happy that Zoe and I were actually together now, and I didn't have to hide my affections for her in fear of getting an arrow in the crotch.
Killian and Lilly were together now, as well. They both seemed very happy together, and they were thrown into the lake as well.
The only thing that clouded my happiness was thoughts of the prophecy. I knew when it was going to happen and a good idea about what was going to happen. Only one line confused me: Love guards a future hero's breath. Then I'd look at Michael and Bianca, and I wouldn't be able to shake the feeling that it involves them.
And I know that whatever child they have next will have a very important destiny. One that might save or damn us all.