nPercy speaking

Percy thinking

Adamos thoughts

Adamos speaking

All characters are owned by Rick

(Except Adamos he's mine)

Hark Young Hero, A Quest Awaits You

Chapter 9

It was the next morning after the capture the flag game ended when Chiron had moved me into cabin three. The inside of the cabin smelled like an ocean breeze, and not the Febreze kind. The walls inside glowed like abalone. There were six empty bunk beds that lined the walls of the cabin. I had taken the bunk in the back corner, closest to the bathroom, which I am extremely grateful for since now I don't need to share the restrooms or showers with the other campers.

I didn't have to share the space with anyone, so I had plenty of room for my stuff. Both of my Minotaur horns were on the desk next to my bed, a few weeks' worth of clothes that was in the backpack that Aunt Hestia gave to me and Adamos was at the foot of my bed, the bag of toiletries from Luke sat alone in the bathroom, the magic book and the jar of comforting fire from Aunt Hestia also sat on the desk. I no longer had to really hide this stuff since it was just me here. I also got my own table at the dining pavilion, got to choose my own activities with Adamos, though he still insisted on my late-night training schedule and magic training during my free time. He even increased the amount of time I spent training since we didn't need to sneak around as much.

I think that it was just a subtle way to keep me distracted. I did appreciate it because I was beginning to feel miserable. I knew that I was going to be claimed by my dad at some point, but I was actually feeling like I was accepted into the Hermes cabin. Now though it felt like everyone was avoiding me like the plague. During the times that I was around the other campers and not doing activities or training I could hear faint whispers and stares. The hellhound attack had had sent two messages: That I was a child of the big three, and that not even camp was safe for me.

The other campers avoided me as much as possible. Cabin eleven was to nervous to have a sword class with me after what I did to the kids from the Ares cabin, so my lessons were now one-on-one with Luke. He seemed to be pushing me much harder than before and wasn't afraid if I left with a few more bruises than normal.

"You're going to need all the training you can get," He said as we were training. "Now let's try the viper beheading strike again. Fifty more repetitions."

Even with Adamos's blessing in play I still was barely able to defend against Luke's superior skill and experience whenever we dueled. Since he heard about what I did in the woods he has been fighting me with more force. According to Adamos just because I was given a boost in blade prowess with his powers didn't mean that I had the experience or skills to use them to their fullest. He said I was a level one player that payed for a level fifty character.

I still went to my Ancient Greek classes with Annabeth in the mornings. Adamos did what he always did during her sessions and just played music in the back of my head. Annabeth however was acting different. Every time I said something she would scowl at me like I'd just stolen something from her. I mean I know I threw a shield at her but she used me as bait so I figured we were sorta even. After the lessons though I heard her muttering as she walked away. "Quest…Poseidon...Dirty rotten…Got to make a plan…"

Even Clarisse was keeping her distance from me, though from the heated glare she would occasionally send my way made it clear that she still hated me. I was honestly wishing that she would get angry with me, challenge me, something! I'd rather get into fights everyday than be treated like some kind of freak that doesn't belong.

I felt so left out that one time I just gave Adamos full reign for most of the day. He used the time to visit Kevin, who apparently built himself a wooden hut on the secluded beach, and summoned furniture for the golem. His little hut actually looked really nice. And also played more pinochle with Mr. D, who didn't like that Adamos beat him when we first arrived and was glad for a rematch. This time however, since Chiron wasn't around mostly, Adamos gambled one of my minotaur horns in return for a favor from the god. At first he was reluctant but after a few jabs at the god and the promise to bring him alcohol from outside camp if he won he agreed. Now I currently have a favor from a god.

I knew that I was also resented at camp. One night I came back to my cabin after my late-night training and found a mortal newspaper in front of my cabin, a copy of the New York Daily News, opened onto a specific article. Adamos had to read the article for me and let me say that with each word we both became more pissed.

"BOY AND MOTHER STILL MISSING AFTER FREAK CAR ACCIDENT" was the title of the article. It talked about mine and my mom's disappearance and basically painted me as some kind of mentally unstable problem child. And the one who was responsible for the article was none other than my jerk of a step-dad Gabe. Immediately Adamos managed to trace the paper back to a couple Ares campers, and in response he cursed them so that their clothing was two sizes to small no matter what. I however wadded the paper up and threw it away. Flopping into my bed. "Lights out." I said miserably.

"Come on Percy it's not so bad."

"Are you kidding me?" I say in disbelief. "Everyone here stays away from me like the plague. Even the ones I was starting to get to know are treating me different. I thought that when I would get claimed things would be better. Not…this." I say waving my hand in the air.

"Ok so its not the most ideal position we're in." I scoff at that. "But they're just scared. A child of the big three other than Thalia hasn't been born in decades. That and the whole hound incident, and they just are to afraid to see the truth."

"That doesn't really help my situation now."

"No. Not now. You just have to be patient."

"You know I hate it when you tell me to be patient."

"I know. But don't worry Percy, they'll come around eventually and stop acting like a bunch scared children."

"You do know that we are children?" I ask with a raised brow.

"Your also demigods."

"Whatever. Good night."

"Night Percy." He says then i begin to drift into unconsciousness.

That night I had my worst nightmare yet. I was running along a beach during a storm. There was a city behind me, but it wasn't New York. The buildings were farther apart, and palm trees lined the beach and low hills were in the distance. About a hundred yards down the beach were two men fighting. The were both muscled and had long hair and beards and were wearing Greek togas. However, one was wearing blue while the other had green. They were grappling and fighting with each other. They threw punches, kicks, and headbutted each other, and every blow caused lightning to flash in the sky and the winds to howl louder.

I had a feeling that I needed to stop them. That what they were doing was wrong, and I tried to run to them. However, the closer I tried to get the farther the wind pushed me back. My heels dug into the sand, but I still couldn't push forward. Over the storm I could hear them shouting at each other. The blue one kept shouting at the green one, "Give it back, give it back!" Like a kid who just had his toy taken from him.

The waves only seemed to get bigger as the fighting went on, the ocean spray hitting me in the face. I was desperately yelling at them to stop fighting, but I could barely hear my own voice from the chaos around me. Then the ground shook. Laughter seemed to echo from underneath the earth, and a voice sounded that made my blood feel like ice in my veins.

"Come down little hero," The voice said "COME TO ME!"

The sand split beneath me, opening up a crevice straight down to the center of the earth. My feet slipped and I was prepared to fall into the abyss, but I then felt a pull on my back and was pulled/thrown back to the surface. Out of the corner of my eye I could see a dark-haired man in a brownish gold toga with green accents holding a golden rope that went in my direction. This was the last sight I saw before I fell back to the ground.

I woke up, remembering me hitting the ground from the landing. But I was still in cabin three. My body was telling me that it was still morning, roughly a little after 5:30 a.m. I might not have used any powers from Adamos's domain of night but I have been able to tell time accurately at night or know when morning is coming. I look outside and see nothing but storm clouds. That part of the dream was real at least.

"So you're up?" Adamos says as a statement more than a question.

"Yeah. Had a nightmare." I whisper, trying to bring my blankets closer as I remember the chilling voice.

"Yeah I saw. That was something else. Though I would suggest you pay attention to dreams like that, they can be very informative."

"What do you mean informative?" I ask.

"Sometimes demigods…," Adamos pauses as he thinks. "Dream about glimpses, for a lack of a better word, of things to come, things that happened, or just what's currently happening. They aren't usually straight forward and sometimes the dreams can com from godly beings, though those are usually pretty cryptic."

"So what do you think this one was about? Because it seemed pretty bad."

"That's an understatement." I hear him mumble. "What it means is that we're going on a quest. The problem on Olympus has gotten to the point that we are going to need to act."

"Ok, I guess I better start packing." I say, and I feel Adamos give a nod of agreement.

I take a deep breath. I was finally going on the quest after waiting so long. I get out of bed and get dressed. I look over to the stuff on my desk and put the magic spell book in the magic back pack. I then grab the jar of fire, the flame giving me a warm and comforting feeling, before I put it into the pack. I then start putting clothes into the bag, when I hear a clopping sound at the door.

"Uh. Come in?" I say. Nobodies come to see me since I was moved into cabin three.

Grover trotted inside, "Mr. D wants to see you." He said.

"Why?" I ask, secretly hoping that the wine god didn't want revenge for Adamos beating him at cards. Adamos however was feeling irritation at Grover's presence.

"He wants to kill… I mean, I'd better let him tell you." I gulp at the vague statement.

Nervously I follow him, thinking that I was in trouble.

"You don't think he's actually gonna kill me?" I think.

"Not if he wants a trident through the throat. Dad would probably flood the camp if he tried to do anything. And with how volatile things are getting on Olympus, only an idiot would attempt something."

"Well. I guess that's reassuring. Kinda." I think as I make my way to the Big House. I was still scared that I would be killed because I was a child of the big three and that Mr. D was asked to punish me for it.

Over Long Island Sound, the sky was engulfed in rolling thunder clouds. It looked to the point that I thought it was going to rain in camp despite the magical wards that controlled the weather. I asked Grover if it was going to be a problem.

"No, it never rains in camp, it'll pass." He said

"Then what about that?" I say, pointing at the mass of thunderclouds in the distance.

He just looks uneasily at the clouds. "It'll pass, it always does."

"Do you think that he'll ever get tired of being wrong?" Adamos says as we start to walk to the Big House again.

"What? About the rain?"

"Yeah that storms got traces of power in it. Definitely caused by a god."

"Well at least it was good that I brought my jacket with me."

We walked past the volley ball pit. The kids from the Apollo cabin were playing a morning game against the satyrs. Of in the distant strawberry fields I could see the Dionysus twins and the Demeter kids working on the plants. Everybody seemed to be going about their normal business, but there was a tension present in the air as every so often campers would glance at the sky.

Grover and I walked up the steps of the Big house to find both Chiron and Mr. D sitting at the pinochle table like so many times before. Mr. D was sipping on a Diet Coke while Chiron was sitting in his fake chair. The two were playing a game with two invisible players.

"If it isn't the sea brat." Mr. D said without looking up, but there was a slight edge in his voice. I guess he was still sour about owing me, or Adamos, a favor.(Get it, sour? wine grapes?) "Get over here, and don't expect me to bow to you just cause your barnacle beard's kid." I could feel Adamos rolling his eyes in my mind.

Though at the end of Mr. D's statement a large flash of lightning sounded in the distance. Thunder shook the Big House and caused the windows to rattle. "Blah, blah, blah" Mr. D said.

Chiron was just faking interest in the card game, while Grover was cowering by the railing. "If I had my way, all of your molecules would erupt into flames. Then we'd just have to clean up the ashes and be done with this." Mr. D said. "But Chiron seems to think that doing so would go against what I was sent here to do, keeping you brats safe and crap."

"Spontaneous combustion is a form of harm Mr. D." Chiron says not looking up from his cards.

"Nonsense," Mr. D waved off. "The boy wouldn't feel a thing. Nevertheless, I've agreed to restrain myself. Maybe I could just turn you into a dolphin and send you to your father."

"He tries and I'll stab the bitch in his bitch face." Adamos growls. I just kinda chuckle and sweat drop. (Aw yeah anime reference)

"Mr. D—" Chiron says with a warning tone.

"Fine, fine. There's another option, but it's deadly foolishness." Mr. D then rose from the table. "I'm off to Olympus for an emergency meeting. If the brat's here when I get back, I'll turn him into a dolphin." Then Mr. D turned to me. "And you Percy Jackson, if you have any sense you'll find that that is a much better fate than what Chiron wants you to do." Then he picks up a playing card, it turns golden. He then snapped his fingers and glowed and disappeared, leaving the scent of grapes hanging in the air.

Chiron put down his own cards, his face looking haggard, "Come Percy, sit, and you as well Grover." We sat down at the pinochle table, and from what I see Chiron had a winning for the game. "Tell me Percy, what do you make of the hellhound?" He asked.

The memory of the event brought a shiver down my spine. I could remember the wounds that it gave me. Chiron seemed to be looking at me, as if he expected me to say something. "It scared me, If you hadn't shot it, I don't know what would have happened." It wasn't exactly the truth, I knew that Adamos would help me if I was truly about to die, but I felt that the hellhound could have done much worse to me before that happened.

"You'll face far worse Percy. Far worse before you're done." Adamos hums in agreement with Chiron.

"And what would I be done with." I say with a raised brow.

"Your quest of course. Will you accept it?" Chiron says with more vigor in his voice.

I glance over to Grover, to see that he has his fingers crossed and his face seemed to be scrunched. I looked back to Chiron. "Uh, sir. You haven't told me what it is yet."

He grimaced at that. "Well, you see, the details are the hard part."

"It's really not that hard to explain." Adamos said. "I don't know why they insist on the dramatics." I have to physically restrain myself from snorting at Adamos calling someone else out on being dramatic.

Then thunder and lightning begin to go off around the valley. The storm clouds had engulfed the edges of the camp. "Poseidon and Zeus," I say. "They are fighting over something. Something that was stolen." I say, remembering the dream that I had last night.

Chiron exchanged looks with Grover. Chiron leaned forward in his chair. "And how do you know that?" He asked inquisitively.

"Uhh."

"Tell him about the dreams. He'll believe you."

"I've been having dreams. About two people fighting over something." I say.

"I knew it!" Grover exclaimed.

"Hush Satyr." Chiron ordered.

"But it is his quest!" Grover said with excitement. "It must be!"

"Only the oracle can determine that." Chiron says. The two continue to debate back and forth.

"I can't believe he bought it so easily." I think.

"Yeah well demigod dreams tend to happen when important things are going down. I think that if we just say you had a demigod dream, we could get away with so much stuff and not get into trouble for it."

"You think that would actually work?"

"You'd be surprised how easy it is to trick people to get what you want if you just say the right words."

"Well lets try not to trick everyone to much. It kinda feels wrong." I admit. I just feel Adamos shrug in acknowledgement. I knew that this was the most I was gonna get from him so I just turn back to Chiron and Grover.

Chiron huffs. "Anyways Percy, you are correct. Your father and Lord Zeus are having their worst quarrel in centuries. They are fighting over something valuable that was stolen. To be precise: A lightning bolt."

I just laugh nervously at the claim "A lightning bolt?"

"Don't take this lightly." Chiron warned." I'm not talking about an aluminum cutout in a children's play. The bolt that I'm talking about is a two foot long cylinder of high grade celestial bronze, capped at both ends with god level explosives."

"Oh." Was all I managed to say. Adamos's spear could wipe New Jersey off the map according to him, if a weapon as strong as that went missing, no wonder everyone was so nervous.

"Zeus's master bolt," Chiron started, getting visibly worked up by the second. "The symbol of his power, from which all other lightning bolts are crafted in its image. The first weapon forged by the Elder Cyclopes during the war against the titans, the bolt that sheared the top off of Mt. Etna and hurled Kronos from his throne; the master bolt which holds enough power to make mortal hydrogen bombs look like firecrackers."

"And this weapon is missing?"

"Stolen," said Chiron.

"By who?"

"By whom." He corrected. I rolled my eyes at this, as he broke most of the tension. Adamos just snickers. "And the one who stole it was you."

My mouth gaped and my eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "At least that's what Zeus thinks." Chiron says holding up a hand. "During the winter solstice, at the last council of the gods, Zeus and Poseidon had an argument. The usual nonsense: 'Mother Rhea always liked me best,' 'Air disasters are more spectacular than sea disasters,' etcetera."

"My disasters are way better, thank you very much. And Grandma always liked me more" Adamos said haughtily. I just ignore him.

"After the meeting however, Zeus found that his master bolt was missing, taken from Olympus under his very nose. He immediately blamed Poseidon. Now a god can't steal another god's symbol of power directly. It is forbidden by the most ancient of divine laws. But Zeus believes that your father had a demigod take it."

"But why would he think I stole it?"

"Patience child," Chiron said. "Zeus has good reason to be suspicious. The forges of the cyclopes lie under the seas, which gives Poseidon influence over the craftsman of Olympus's weapons. Zeus believes that Poseidon will have the cyclopes forge copies of the bolt to use against him and overthrow his rule. The only part that Zeus wasn't sure about was which demigod he used for the theft, but now that you have been claimed by your father, he believes that you are the thief."

"But I've never been to Olympus, why does he think that I did it? That's so stupid." I say.

Chiron and Grover look up at the sky. The storm clouds had rolled over the camp, looking like a sea of black had swallowed the sky.

"Percy. I don't think that it's wise to insult the lord of the sky." Grover said nervously. I was still looking at the clouds before turning back, I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand in nervousness. Internally I felt Adamos on edge, as if he was waiting for something particular to happen.

"I believe that paranoid would be a better word Percy." Chiron said. "However, your father has tried to unseat Zeus before. I believe that was question thirty-eight on your final exam…" He looked to me expectantly.

"Is he seriously doing this? Like right now."

"I guess." Adamos sighs. "Father, Aunt Hera, and many other gods and goddesses got together and trapped Zeus in a golden net. In exchange for freedom he had to promise to a fairer rule. That should be the answer he's looking for."

"He was trapped in a golden net. Poseidon, Hera, and other gods trapped him in it and made him promise to be a better king." I said after a bit to feign myself thinking it over.

"Correct," Chiron said "And Zeus hasn't trusted Poseidon since. Of course, Poseidon denies ever stealing the bolt. The two have been arguing back and forth for months, threatening war. And now that you have been claimed, it has pushed Zeus over the edge of paranoia."

"But I didn't know anything about the gods till recently!" I try to exclaim. It was a half-truth as I didn't know much about the mythological world until recently.

"Percy," Grover cut in, "if you were Zeus, and you already thought your brother was plotting to overthrow you, then your brother suddenly admitted he had broken the sacred oath he took after World War II, that he's fathered a new mortal hero who might be used as a weapon against you… wouldn't that put a twist in your toga?"

"Hey pot, names kettle and this is my daughter Thalia. Have we meet?" Adamos says sarcastically.

"But I didn't do anything. Poseidon—my dad—only claimed me recently. So he couldn't have stolen it." Chiron sighed. "Most thinking observers would agree with you that thievery is not something that Poseidon would do. But the Sea god is too proud to convince Zeus, so Zeus has demanded that he return the bolt by the summer solstice. That's June twenty first, ten days from now. Poseidon wants an apology for being called a thief by the same date. I had hoped that Hera, or Demeter, or Hestia would be able to calm them down. But with your arrival Zeus's anger has reignited. Now neither is willing to back down. Unless the master bolt is returned before the solstice, I'm afraid there will be war. Do you know what a full-fledged war between the gods looks like Percy?"

"No." I admitted.

"Imagine the world in chaos. Nature at war with self. Olympians forced to choose sides. Destruction. Carnage. Hundreds of millions dead, the world turned into a battlefield much like both world wars."

"That sounds bad."

"And I'm afraid that you Percy, would be the first to feel Zeus's wrath." As soon as he said this it started to rain. The campers outside all looked at the sky in shock before running to find shelter. This made me feel a bit guilty. My presence had brought this to camp.

"Stop feeling bad about it. This is a problem that we need to solve. If Zeus would rather whine than actually try to solve this problem then that's his fault." Adamos says seriously.

I agree but I was feeling angry. "So I have to find the bolt and return it to Zeus?"

"Yes," Chiron said. "What better peace offering than for the son of Poseidon to return Zeus's symbol of power."

"So do you have any idea who stole the bolt?" I ask.

"I believe I do," Chiron said. "it was a part of a prophecy I received long ago. Some of the lines make sense to me now, but you must accept the quest if you want to know more. You can find out by seeking the counsel of the Oracle."

"Why can't you tell me more."

"Because if I do, you might be to fearful to accept. So Percy, I must ask. Do you accept?"

I looked over at Grover, and he nods encouragingly. "So is this the important thing I'm supposed to do?"

"Yeah, but this is only the beginning."

I gulp nervously. "If I go on this quest, will I find my mom?"

Adamos is quiet for a few seconds before responding with one simple word. "Yes."

I look directly into Chiron's eyes. "All right. I'll go on this quest."

"Then it's time for you to consult the Oracle. Go upstairs to the attic Percy Jackson. When you come back down, assuming your still sane, we will talk more."

I got up and walked into the Big House. "So, do you know who has the lightning bolt?" I ask.

"No, I don't. I have a few ideas but nothing to concrete. The camp and inside Olympus have always been hazy when I look into them. What I do know is that it was a camper that stole the bolt. It was the only logical conclusion."

"A camper?"

"Yes, during the winter solstice the campers took a trip to Olympus. This was around the time that the bolt was stolen, and since gods can't steal other god's symbols, only one of the campers could have done it. I don't know who actually stole it because they were cloaked in some powerful mist to throw off my sight."

"So this is just some one's sick joke at starting a war?"

"I wouldn't consider it a joke, but some one is trying to start a war. Someone incredibly dangerous that would gain a lot from a war between the gods. And I think that after it all they plan on using someone else as a scape goat to put more fuel into the war."

"And who's this scapegoat? And whose behind all of this.

"I can't tell you, he'd not some one we want to trifle with yet. If his plan is what I think it is than he's trying to start a three way conflict all over again. We should just consult the oracle first, then plan from there."

During this conversation I had walked up four flights of stairs. At the end of the hall was a green trap door on the ceiling. I pulled the cord and the door opened. From it descended a ladder. The air that wafted down smelled of mildew and mothballs and something else. I took a deep breath and ascended the ladder. The attic was filled with a bunch of junk: Armor covered in cobwebs, shields covered with rust, a long table filled with monster trophies—monster eyes, claws, horns, and at the end was a large snake head with horns and rows of sharp teeth like a shark. A plaque under it said 'HYDRA HEAD #1, WOODSTOCK, N.Y., 1969.

By the window, sitting on a tripod stool, was one of the most grotesque things I had ever seen: a mummy. What was once must have been a woman was now a shriveled husk. She wore a tie-dyed sundress, lots of beaded necklaces, and a rainbow headband over what was once black hair. Her skin was leathery and thin over her body. Her eyes were glossy white slits, like white marbles. It was clear that she had been dead a long time. Looking at her sent shivers down my spine.

"This is the oracle?"

"Yes."

"Are all oracles like…this?" I ask trying not to look directly at it—her—whatever the oracle is.

"No, the oracle is like this because…circumstances. Lets just ask and get this over with." I agree with him. The sooner I get this over with the sooner I can get away from this creepy felling.

"So do I just ask it or is there like a pass code or something?" I ask aloud. I just feel Adamos give a nod of acknowledgement. Way to be vague as ever.

"Uh—Oh mystical Oracle, show me my destiny." I say aloud. Adamos just snickers in my mind. My face goes a bit red in embarrassment.

A green mist then begins to flow out from the mouth of the mummy, coiling over the floor like tendrils. The hissing of countless snakes came from seemingly nowhere. Inside my head a voice spoke. It wasn't Adamos, this voice was raspy and hissed like a snake. The presence in my head didn't feel malicious at all. It had a presence more similar to the fates. I unconsciously take a few steps back.

"I am the spirit of Delphi, speaker of prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python. Step forward and receive your prophecy." I take a few steps forward. The mist then begins to swirl and take shape in front of me. It takes the form of four men sitting at a table, until it becomes clearer and their faces morph into my jerk of a step father Gabe and his friends. I grit my teeth at seeing him.

Gabe turned to me and spoke in a rasping voice: "You shall go west and face the god who has turned."

His buddy to the right turns and speaks in the same voice: "You shall find what was stolen and see it safely returned."

The guy on the left the turned to speak: "You shall be betrayed by the on who calls you friend"

Finally, Eddie, my building super, spoke the most ominous line of all: "And you shall fail to save what matters most in the end"

The figures began to dissolve. At first, I was stunned, but as the mist began to flow back into the corpse, like a large serpent I cried out to it. "Wait! What do you mean? What friend? What will I fail to save?" However, the last of the mist disappeared back into the mummy. The attic became eerily silent. I had my prophecy and I felt that I wasn't going to get any more out of the Oracle.

"Could you get any thing from that?"

"Hmm, I think I got a bit figured out but it would be best to discuss this later." I just give a nod in agreement. I really wanted to leave the creepy attic.

I made my way down to the porch where Chiron and Grover still were, waiting for me. "Well?" Chiron asked me.

I just slumped into the chair that I was in earlier. "She said that I would find what was stolen and return it."

Grover sat forward, knocking the half eaten can sitting on the table onto the floor. "That's great!"

"What did the Oracle say exactly?" Chiron pressed "This is important."

I could still hear the rasping voice in my head. "She …she said that I would go west and faced the god who has turned. And that I would retrieve what was stolen and return it."

"I knew it!" Grover said.

Chiron however didn't look satisfied. "Anything else?"

"Should I tell him more? Its not really something that I feel comfortable sharing."

"I think you should tell him the last line now, but let's keep the betrayal line to ourselves for now. The thief could have ears around hear and we don't want to tip him off. It would be best to tell Chiron the entire prophecy when were alone. There are unwanted ears present."

"Alright, that sounds reasonable." I think, I assume he means Grover, but I had the feeling that we were being watched as well. I look directly at Chiron once more. "The Oracle said that I would …fail to save what matters most in the end." I say, my voice becoming quieter.

Chiron's serious look became more solemn as did Grover's. The air felt cold and for a few seconds the only sounds were the rain that was falling over camp. "I'm truly sorry Percy. That line does seem rather bleak, but know this, the Oracles words always have double meanings. It's best not to dwell on them to much. We might not figure out its meaning until it comes to pass."

"Okay," I said, wishing to talk about something else. "So, who's this god in the west?"

"Ah think Percy, if your father and Zeus go to war, who stands to gain from it?"

I think for a moment. "Somebody who wants to take over."

Chiron nods. "Yes, quite. Someone who harbors a grudge against the other gods, who has been unhappy with his lot since the world was divided eons ago, whose kingdom would grow with the death of millions. Someone who hates his brothers for forcing him into an oath of no children, an oath that both have broken."

I thought about it and remembered the underground voice in my dreams. "Hades."

Chiron nodded. "The lord of the dead is the only possibility."

Grover began gaping like a fish. "Whoa, wait. Wh—what?"

"A fury came after Percy," Chiron explained. "She watched him until she was sure of his identity, then tried to kill him. The furies only obey one lord: Hades."

"Yes but Hades hates all heroes," Grover tried to protest. "Especially since Percy is a son of Poseidon."

"A hell hound managed to get into the camp," Chiron countered. "Those can only be summoned from the fields of punishment, and it had to be summoned by someone within the camp. Hades must have a spy here. He must suspect Poseidon to use Percy here to clear his name. Hades might wish to kill him before he can begin his quest."

"Great that's two major god's that want to kill me." I mutter.

"But a quest to…" Grover swallowed. "I mean, couldn't the master bolt be in Maine? Maine's very nice this time of year."

"Coward, where's that enthusiasm from earlier goat." Adamos said coldly.

"Hades sent a minion to steal the master bolt," Chiron insisted. "He hid it in the Underworld, knowing full well that Zeus would blame Poseidon. I won't say that I understand the Lord of the Dead's motives for this but one thing is certain. Percy must go to the Underworld, find the master bolt, and reveal the truth."

Currently I started to make my own conclusions. The furies only work for Hades, the hellhound comes from the underworld, and from the story about Thalia the Minotaur could also be from Hades which confirms that my mother is alive and the Lord of the Dead has her.

"Percy calm down. We'll get her back."

"But He has her. He took the bolt and now has my mom we need to get her back!"

"And we will, but I don't believe Hades is the guilty party. He's being used as a scape goat by someone else to start a war."

"But how do you know he didn't do it? Chiron made many good points."

"Because there's something else pulling the strings that I've been following. Hades is many things, but he wouldn't start a needless war on Olympus." I deflate at the tone of his voice. The burning flame that was inside me quelling. Besides it's not like I could just go over and demand my mom from him. He's a god and I'm twelve.

I look over at Grover. He was trembling and nervously eating the pinochle chips. "So what do you suggest we do to get my mom back."

"We need to reason and bargain with him. Hades is a man of his word if nothing else. He has a way with words and can be a bit…manipulative with deals but he will fulfill his end of the bargain if we convince him to let your mom go."

"I guess that's the best that I can hope for."

"Don't give in Percy, hope and courage can be some of the greatest tools for anyone to possess."

I don't respond but look at Chiron. "Is there anyway that we can just tell the other gods about this. Maybe they could solve this." I try to reason.

"I'm afraid not," Chiron said. "While we do suspect Hades—Like I assume your father does—we can't really prove it. That and God's can't enter another god's domain without permission. It is another of the ancient laws. Heroes however are exempt from this rule and can enter when they please so long as they are daring enough. Why do you think the gods like to send humans on quests?"

"So I'm just being used?" I ask, though I could feel Adamos's irritation at the statement, and if he were out here with me I bet he would have smacked me in the back of the head for the comment.

"What I'm saying is that it was no accident that Poseidon claimed you now. He's in a desperate situation and he needs you Percy." Chiron said.

For the first time I actually gave thoughts to my dad. My emotions were completely mixed. When I first learned about him I was so excited about it. Then I began to wonder why he wasn't around more or sent a message. Now I didn't know what to feel. I felt grateful that he claimed me yet at the same time I was a bit resentful because it was only because he needed me to do something for him. But I pushed that all to the side, Adamos has liked advising me when I had problems, mostly with weird quotes and words of wisdom, but I felt that he would tell me to focus on one thing at a time, and right now the quest was more important.

"So, let me get this straight," I began. "I'm supposed to go on a quest to the underworld and confront a god."

"Check."

"Find the most powerful weapon in the universe."

"Check—That's debatable."

"And get back before the solstice, which is in ten days."

"That sums it up."

I looked over at Grover, who was half way through a game of 52 eat up. "Did I mention that Maine is nice this time of year?" He said weakly.

"You don't have to go," I say. "I can't ask you of that—You really don't need to."

"Oh…" He shifted his hooves. "No …it's just that satyrs and underground places…well…" He took a deep breath, then stood, brushing bits of cards off his shirt. "You saved my life, Percy. If… if you're serious about wanting me along, I won't let you down."

"Or we can take some else. Any one else. You think Clarisse would be willing?"

"Grover—Nooooo—I would be glad—No, no, no—if you came—no, no, no, no—on this quest with me—OH GODS DAMMIT!"

"Get over it, Grover's my friend and he's going with us."

"Ugggghhhhaaaaaah. Fine." Adamos whines before giving in.

I internally smirk at my victory. "So where do we go. The Oracle only said to go west."

"The entrance to the underworld has always been in the west. It has moved like Olympus and is also in America."

"And where is it exactly."

Chiron just looked surprised. "I thought that it would be obvious enough. The entrance to the Underworld is in Los Angeles."

"Oh right, because I already know that." I say sarcastically.

"Oh right, my apologies Percy. I forgot that we skipped the orientation film for you. Maybe I should have shown it to you." He mutters the last part.

"Ok so we just get on a plane—"

"No!" Grover shot up. "Percy, what are you thinking? Have you ever been on a plane in your life?"

I just shook my head, I can't remember ever being in an airport actually. My mom never took me because she always said we didn't have enough money and that her parents had died in a plane crash.

"Percy, think," Chiron said. "Your father is the Sea God. One of Zeus's most bitter rivals. If you were to step foot in the skies Zeus would strike you down without a second thought for being in his domain." Over head thunder sounded off, as if in agreement.

"Okay," I draw it out. "So I'll travel overland."

"Precisely," Chiron said. "Two companions may accompany you. Grover is one the other has already volunteered, if your willing to accept her help."

"It's her isn't it." I think blankly.

"Yeah, she's been following us since the goat came to the cabin this morning."

"Gee," I said feigning surprise. "Who would be stupid enough to volunteer for a quest like this?"

The air then shimmered behind Chiron. Annabeth became visible, stuffing her Yankees cap into her pocket. "I've been waiting a long time for a quest, Seaweed brain, and Athena is no fan of Poseidon, but if you're going to save the world, I'm the best person to keep you from messing up."

"Wow. She's already being a pain. Can I put her in her place? Please."

"Go for it. But try to be nice we kinda need all the help we can get."

"Fine." Adamos sighs. He then takes control and gives Annabeth a level gaze.

"Ok first of all this my quest not yours so get off that high horse you seem to have put yourself on." Adamos says giving her a blank look. The others give a surprised look at the sudden change in attitude.

"Excuse me?" Annabeth says in disbelief.

"Oh I'm sorry Beaker, did I hit you to hard with the truth. Has anyone told you your social skills are pretty crappy? I mean you stalk me all morning then the first thing that comes out of your mouth is that you want a quest and calling me a name. If this were a job interview, I would reject you immediately."

Annabeth's cheeks color at the logic. But her pride doesn't let her back down. "You need me, the quest needs three people. I've been at camp longer than most other campers, I know more about the mythological world and have been around it more than you. I can make a plan to make sure that this quest goes smoothly. Athena always has a plan. And why did you call me Beaker, what's with that?"

"Ok 1. I could actually find some one else to go one this quest with me. Maybe I could ask Luke. He's been here for a long time and is supposed to be the best swordsman in camp," At this Annabeth begins to fidget nervously. Chiron and Grover are just watching the exchange like a tennis match. "He would be a great choice of a quest companion. 2. You come up with a plan? If quests were that easy to prepare for Chiron wouldn't be trying to warn me so much. And 3. I called you Beaker because you remind me of the Muppet. Athena kids are supposed to be smart, and he's a scientist. Also, you've been kinda annoying and all that seems to come out of your mouth lately is me, me, me, me. So, tell me Chase," Annabeth flinches when he calls her by her last name. "Why don't you try asking politely about going on this quest instead of demanding it. Because last I checked I was choosing who goes." Adamos says with narrowed eyes that held a serious look.

"I thought that you didn't trust Luke?"

"I don't. This is a powerplay. I mean just look at her." And I take a moment to look her over.

Each shot caused Annabeth's walls to crumble more. She seemed to be frustrated with how this turned out. About being potentially passed over, and about being called on her behavior. She looked like she wanted to argue more but gave up. "Percy… if you would like it. I would like to volunteer for the quest."

"Ease up on her. We need to be able to get along during this thing."

"Fine, fine, I'll stop."

"Annabeth," Adamos says. "I would be glad if you could come with us." Adamos says with a small smile. Annabeth let out a breath of relief.

Chiron gave a raised eyebrow and started to look me/Adamos over, like he was trying to solve the riddle that we were before putting it to the side. "Excellent. This afternoon, we can take you as far as the bus terminal in Manhattan. After that, you are on your own." Lightning then flashed outside and rain poured down harder in the camp. "No time to waste. I think you should start packing immediately."

The other two began to leave but I stayed behind, and that left only me and Chiron. Adamos gave me back control. "We're clear." He says and I give an internal sign of acknowledgment.

"Percy? What's wrong?" Chiron asks noticing that I haven't left.

In response I just hold a finger over my lips in a sign of silence. I get up from my seat at the pinochle table. This brings confusion to Chiron's face, but he remains, not saying a word. I walk into the big house and look around for a bit before coming across what I need: some sticky notes, a pen, and a lighter.

I walk back out to where Chiron still remains. I stop in front of the table and take one of the slips of paper and begin writing on it before sliding it over to Chiron.

He takes the paper and looks it over for a few seconds before looking back at me. "Is this the full—" I then cut him off with a curt "Yes."

"I see. I can see why you would keep this to yourself. This is most disconcerting." Chiron says grimly.

"Chiron," I say softly, drawing his attention fully. "I would like to ask you to look into this. If a camper and the spy are the same I need to know who has tried to kill me."

"I would rather not suspect one of our campers of such things but this prophecy concerns me and with the evidence of recent events I have no choice but to look into it. Rest assured Percy we will solve this." I give a nod in thanks and walk off. I had a quest to prepare for.

A/N: Welcome my M:Men( you know like X:Men but my username starts with M) I'm sorry that this is a bit late. I've been a bit busy and had circumstances set upon me. Anyways I hope that you enjoy this chapter. I hope none of you true fans hold how I treat Annabeth against me. Personally, I always found her kinda annoying. Canon Percy would deal with the rude attitude (heh rhymes) but Adamos is a god. He's not going to let some overconfident and self-centered twelve-year-old girl tell him what to do. Anyways now how was your day? Good? If so that's good to hear. Anyways please leave a review on my work, it helps to fix future chapters probably.