A/N

Hey, the8Horcrux! To answer your question, no I am not British. I'm American. I didn't know I wrote like I'm English, I guess Harry Potter has really stuck with me. One more thing, I'm going to update a little slower so I don't run into writer's block and I can actually take my time with these chapters. Anyways, as always enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 14: the Voice

Zoe Nightshade hesitantly made her way through the disturbed crowd. I forgot how creepy it was to witness the Oracle of Delphi actually walking towards us. It's one thing to see her come to life and talk, but it's another to see her leaving the attic to find you, not the other way around. The Oracle stopped right next to a rock situated in the open field. The lieutenant of Artemis walked the rest of the way with a somber look on her face.

The Oracle of Delphi opened her mouth and green mist spewed out just like yesterday. Her raspy, grated voice seemed to be filling everyone's heads, not just mine. Approach seeker, and ask.

Zoe spoke quite shakily. "Tell me what I must do to save my goddess."

Five shall go West to goddess in chains,

One shall be lost in the land without rain,

The bane of Olympus shows the trail,

Campers and Hunters combined prevail,

The Titan's curse must one withstand,

And one shall perish by a parent's hand.

I flinched at the second line. My hope deflated. The prophecy still hasn't changed, even with me being here! The events will happen all over again! There's nothing I can do to stop it. My sister, both of them, and everyone I love will die. I was dimly aware that the Oracle sat down on the rock like a statue, forever unmoving.

Prophecies almost always have double meanings. The familiar voice returned to my conscious. You know the first meaning—create another. Find the loopholes in the framework. Follow the prophecy, but with your own design.

That… that might work. Whoever is talking to me is clearly very educated in terms of prophecies. But which lines will I change? Only five people can go West, so unless I find a way to leave with the Five, I can't change anything. I can try replacing Bianca, though I doubt Zoe will choose a boy over a Hunter, let alone a 10 year old. Maybe I can pull a Percy and ride on a pegasus there? Well, shadow travel anyway. Being on a pegasus means crossing both of my uncles' domains and I really can't afford to die. Not this early, anyway. Maybe I can go with Percy? It would certainly give Zeus an excuse not to shoot Blackjack down, as a horse is technically in Poseidon's domain and Percy is a Son of Posiedon. Or maybe I can just shadow travel there on my own? But where would "there" be? I know for a fact the crew won't be staying in one place for too long, especially with monsters and skeletons on their tail. I know where they're going, I know how they will get there. However, for the life of me, I don't know when.

"Mr. Jackson, Ms. Grace, would you be so kind in carrying the Oracle back inside to the attic? We mustn't leave her body out to decay, especially in this weather. The councilors and I will wait for you downstairs in the meeting room," Chiron said, "The rest of you, please make you way back into your cabins for curfew."

Everyone besides the councilors headed towards their respective cabins, groaning now that the excitement of Capture the Flag is over. Percy and Thalia reluctantly carried the Oracle of Delphi back to the attic. The Stoll brothers darted over to Zoe Nightshade.

"Hey, as an honorary truce, do you want this t-shirt we bought from the camp store? You know, to remember the 56 different times you beat us Campers at in Capture the Flag?" The t-shirt looked inconspicuous enough. It was a simple orange Camp Half Blood shirt. But this shirt is from Travis and Conner Stoll, Sons of Hermes, meaning it's probably lined with poison or something. And they most definitely did not "buy" the shirt. Zoe looked suspiciously at the shirt and turned it away, but the Stolls kept insisting. Exasperated, she took the shirt and handed it over to Phoebe, who studied the shirt with curiosity.

Wait…

My brain slowly connected the dots. That t-shirt is lined with centaur's blood, if I remember correctly. Phoebe is practically Artemis' third in command and is most likely going to put on the t-shirt because it was given to her by Zoe. If she puts on the t-shirt, she will break out in severe hives and won't be able to go on the quest. If she isn't able to go on the quest, Zoe will choose Bianca to go on the quest instead. If Bianca goes on the quest, she will die.

I'm going to have to take that t-shirt away.

I steeled myself to walk up to the Hunters, contemplating the best way to inform them that the t-shirt is lined with centaur's blood. However, I stopped in my tracks when the mysterious voice spoke yet again.

Do not take the t-shirt away. It is imperative Bianca goes on the quest.

Instead of following orders, my curiosity got the better of me. I decided to try questioning in my head, Why? Who are you?

To my surprise, the voice answered back. If Bianca does not go on the quest, there will be no reason for you to go. You will miss a prime opportunity to testify against the Gods and explain why it is crucial that they begin war preparations now. Artemis has been begging Zeus to prepare, as she has been noticing an increase of stirring monsters. But Zeus will not listen to reason. You must convince him otherwise.

Okay, makes sense, but why don't I just tag along on the quest anyway? I reasoned, Also, you didn't answer my question.

They will never allow it. Even if you did sneak in, they will send you back. Bianca is your only personal tie at the moment.

But Annabeth will be on the quest! I protested, She would let me stay.

Are you sure Annabeth is going? She asked.

Of course I am! Annabeth and Percy have always gone on quests together!

And what makes you so sure Percy Jackson is going? She questioned.

I was about to retort: Annabeth is in trouble. Though I already saved Annabeth, meaning she isn't abducted and at Mt. Orthys. Would Percy still go? I decided to try a different approach.

Because Percy can't stay away from quests?

I could've sworn I sensed an amused smile on the other end, Do you see what I mean? We are not certain Percy Jackson will leave on the quest. So we must take precautions.

But my sister…

You have a brave heart, young Angel. You will find a way to save her with a loophole of yours, I am certain of it. I wanted to protest, I wanted to argue, though I chose against it. This woman was kind enough to send me back in time to fix my mistakes, something no other hero has been offered before. She went through all the trouble to do it, and here I am arguing with her. She no doubt has more experience with this sort of thing than I do. I'm being incredibly rude.

I'm sorry.

Don't be, you were merely curious. You have every right to be. I enjoy being challenged with strategic minds such as your own. That is why I look forward to discussions with Athena, The mysterious voice replied.

Would you be so kind as to reveal who you are? I asked as politely as I could.

I'll give you a hint: We have met and talked several times before. Come seek me out, and you will know who you are talking to. I am always close by…

And with that, I felt her presence leave my mind, forcing me to my own thoughts.

"See you later, Death Boy. I have to go join my siblings now. I'll see you around?" Will asked.

I gave him a small wave. "Yeah, I'll see you around."

The clearing soon emptied, and I found myself completely alone. I need to find out who sent me back in time. The woman said she's close by, which could mean a number of places. She also said she enjoys having intellectual conversations with Athena, which most likely narrows her down into the Goddess category. She's polite too, and doesn't treat me like a nuisance to be dealt with, or someone below her. So Hera and Artemis are automatically out of the question. That leaves Aphrodite, though this doesn't seem to match her behavior, or her requests for that matter. Not a single comment about love or fashion was mentioned in the conversation. It can't be Demeter. She didn't say anything about cereal, or complain about her daughter lacking time with her. I know for a fact that this isn't Persephone. She is way too nice to be Persephone. I've never met Hecate before, so she isn't it either. So who is it? I've only met a handful of Gods, and a small percentage of which have been Goddesses. I drifted back to the clue about what the mystifying Goddess said.

I am always close by...

Who do I know that I talk to frequently, is a polite goddess, and is always close by?

The answer hit me like a train.

I dashed to the cabins to find the campfire.

I spotted The goddess tending to the hearth, as always, in the most inscrutable way possible. She looked like an ordinary 8 year old in disguise. But I knew better. Most campers ignore her, thinking she's just another camper hanging by the campfire. They never stop to chat with her, they don't even try to make friends with her. She slowly fades into the background as the years go by.

"Lady Hestia?" I asked. I bowed in respect.

She looked up, and her warm ember eyes met mine. Hestia smiled kindly, "Nico di Angelo, I see you have connected the dots with the hints I gave you. There is no need to bow to me, I am not like other goddesses. Personally, I find bowing to be quite annoying at times. Come," she beckoned, "We have much to discuss by the fire."

I seated myself on the wooden bench right next to the goddess, raising my hands by the fire to melt the ice in my fingertips, "Why did you send me, out of all people, back in time? Why not a hero like Percy, Annabeth, or Hazel? Why me?"

She raised her eyebrows in surprise, as if the answer was obvious, "I believed you, and you alone would have the greatest chance at altering the events of the past in order to save the world. Unlike most demigods, your loyalties lie with your family. You would do anything for them. You will and already have gone to great lengths to save everyone, even when they regarded you as an outcast. If it weren't for your actions, many of Percy Jackson's feats would not have come to pass. You are the glue that has held and brought everyone together."

"But I don't understand. Percy is the glue, not me," I argued.

"Who discovered the Romans first? Who found a Roman sister and brought her back to life? Who united the Greco-Roman Pantheons by retrieving the Athena Parthenos? Who was asked specifically by the Praetor herself, to govern New Rome beside her? It is you, Nico."

Hestia has a point. I never really thought about it that way. I frowned, "That still doesn't explain why I would be most suitable for the task. Percy is the hero of each quest that has come to pass. He is one of the Seven! I'm a nobody. There's a reason why I'm always in the background. If anyone should have a greater influence, it's him."

"Are you sure about that? He may be one of the greatest demigods to ever live, but he is not the most powerful. That title goes to you, Nico. You have managed a feat no other demigod, even the Son of Posiedon, has achieved: Unity. Peace. You recognized that Roman demigods are not so different from us," she took my hand in hers and smiled sadly, "That is why you must be entrusted with this heavy burden, for you are the only demigod that will not break or bend. The Prophecy of the Seven did not proclaim you 'Angel' because of your last name, Son of Hades. The Fates have deemed you the Herald, the Guardian, the Hope of all demigods alike because that is what you are. Angels are meant to guide others through hardships and pain, and that is what I have sent you to do. That is what you have already begun."

"Angels can't change the future," I whispered.

"You will be different," she announced irrefutably. I nodded, finally understanding what she meant. Percy and the Seven are the main players. I'll be the guide that keeps them out of trouble.

"Besides, I have grown quite fond of you ever since you first sat beside me. You understood my loneliness and kept me company. For that, I am grateful. You and I, we are similar in many ways. When all has perished, we still live on. We are not the archetypes of our kind. Our hope is forever unwavering. You have grasped an understanding of family and love, a certain wisdom even I could not have taught you. I am unbelievably proud of what you have accomplished, Nico di Angelo. Of what you represent; what you live for. Will you do me the honor of becoming my champion? Of truly representing all that I stand for?"

I was speechless. A goddess—my favorite goddess, just asked my to become her champion. I was about to say yes, but I hesitated.

"What are the conditions?"

"To continue to put family before yourself. To strive to be eternally loyal to your loved ones. All of which you already live by. That is all that I ask. Should you choose to be my champion, there will be certain perks: if you light a fire at any location, all you have to do is pray to me and a healthy meal will appear to you. You will also have the power to travel by hearth to hearth, which I think you will find conserves your stamina. Finally, you will unlock a special ability of your father's—the control of Greek Fire. Do you accept?"

This time, I didn't skip a beat, "I do."

"Repeat after me: I—say your name—pledge my loyalty to Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth. I put the needs of my family above my own and represent all that the Sacred Hearth stands for. I shall guard Elpis, spirit of hope, and guide others to do the same."

I reiterated the pledge. "Is that all?"

"I, Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth, accept your pledge," Hestia's symbol, a hearth and a flame, shone above my head before disappearing into the setting sun. The symbol was slightly smaller than a claiming.

"Thank you, Lady Hestia," I smiled brightly.

Hestia laughed good-naturedly. "No formality is required! You may call me Aunt Hestia, if you wish. When the time is right, you must join the Five on their quest. Now off to bed with you. Feel free to contact me whenever you need me and I will answer."

A thought occurred to me, "How did you manage to send me back in time?"

"I gained the help of Hecate. She casted a time travel spell, one that can only be used once each millennia. The enchantment takes time to cast. We were nearly too late," the goddess said sadly.

"Is that how you possess the knowledge that you sent me back? You helped cast the spell?" I inquired.

"Yes, and that is how Hecate knows, even now, as well. Unfortunately, time travel does not come with a clear instruction manual. That is another reason I decided you would be best suited for this dire quest—you know how to think ahead."

I nodded. I do have a particular knack for forward-thinking. All thanks to Mythomagic.

"Best of luck to you, Nico di Angelo," Hestia said. "You will need it."

"Thanks, Aunt Hestia."

"The Five are leaving tonight. Plan accordingly when the best time to meet up with them would be. Or don't meet up with them at all. Following them is a valid strategy. I am sorry that I cannot aid you anymore."

We said our goodbyes and I quietly snuck into the sleeping Hermes cabin. After checking to make sure everyone is asleep, I emptied my rucksack of my belongings on the hardwood floors and silently packed for the quest I'm going to hitchhike. I packed a couple of changes of clothes, my sleeping bag, my sketchbook, my pencil and colored pencils, and a single Mythomagic card: Hades, the God of the Underworld, Lord of the Dead. The rest of my cards I stacked neatly in my tiny corner of the cabin floor. I collected my things and shadow travelled out of the cabin. I appeared outside of the forest from the trunk of a maple tree. I plopped myself down against the tree trunk.

I unsheathes the hidden dagger in the folds of my jacket and twirled it in my fingers. The dagger had a simple design, a celestial bronze, leaf-shaped, 5 inch blade with a leather hilt. I snatched it from the armory when I tested out the different swords to use for the Capture the Flag game. The dagger is a little on the light side and a bit unbalanced, but it will have to do for the time being. At least until I figure out how to venture down into the Underworld to make myself a stygian iron sword.

I pocketed the dagger and opened the sketchbook. The pages were simple enough. All in an off white color, like ivory. I began to sketch with my pencil. At first, I drew random lines aimlessly and frivolously. Soon, the lines formed into shapes of all variations and sizes. Before I knew it, my pencil moved with a purpose, shading in all the right places and texturizing the shapes to add definition. Then I took out the colored pencils.

As if in a trance, my fingers moved for me as they searched for the perfect hues to brighten the drawing. A rainbow of colors seemingly exploded on the page. Thousands of shades dotted the paper in intricate petals as a ruthless red sky emerged in the background. The petals are wildflowers—thousands of them. The wildflowers appeared innocent, almost—oblivious of the darkness looming over them. The shades looked familiar. Why do they look so familiar?

The answer hit me, and it hit me hard.

I recognized the sea green of Percy's eyes, the stormy grey of Annabeth's, the royal purple of Reyna's cloak, the dazzling gold of Hazel's irises, and the periwinkle-blue of Megan's frosted orbs. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. A single shade stuck out the most. The color of sunshine in the midst of the backdrop.

Will.

These shades are a symbol of all of the souls who have fallen in the brutal battle. Of all of the souls who have received untimely deaths within the timeless memories of war.

The many shades of my revenge, I thought bitterly.

Is it so wrong that I wish to join them? To leave behind all of my troubles, just like they did? I miss Hazel so much. I would do anything to see that smile of hers again. I don't want to fight anymore, and yet the war of demigods has only just begun.

The Fates simply refuse to give me a break. And honestly? I don't blame them.

It took me a second to register my hyperventilation. I found it hard to breathe, even as my lungs sucked all the oxygen around me. I began to shake uncontrollably. The color pencil dropped from my hand. I was too distracted to wonder which color. What did I just draw?

I stared at the horrific picture, studying it. The sketch looked so life-like—so real. It was as if the war was happening all over again, this time in the deepest caverns of my mind. I can't believe I just drew this.

I heard a noise near the stables. I slipped my sketchbook, pencil, and colored pencils in my rucksack and put it on. I took a shaky breath, trying to gather my bearings, and whatever else is left of my sanity. I have an inkling feeling I know who's making all of the commotion. I slipped into the shadows and silently migrated to the stables.

"Hurry up, Seaweed Brain, or we're going to miss them!" I heard a certain Daughter of Athena say not-so-quietly.

I hung around in the shade of a nearby stable and watched the seen play before my eyes. Percy was hooking a saddle around Blackjack and talking to him, which definitely is still a weird sight to see, even if he is a Son of Posiedon. Annabeth hovered over him, anxious to leave. I don't blame her. I've heard Zoe Nightshade drives like a speed demon.

"I know you want donuts, Blackjack. But we're kind of in a hurry here. Maybe we can get donuts along the way? We really need to get going," Percy said to his loyal pegasus. Blackjack sounded a series of snorts, neighs, and grunts. Percy nodded getting the message, "If we have time, we can stop by the drive-thru," Percy turned to Annabeth, "Wise girl, you don't happen to have any sugar cubes or donuts, do you?"

Annabeth walked up to Blackjack somewhat apologetically, "Sorry, Blackjack. I don't have any donuts or sugar cubes on me," she glanced at Percy, "Are we ready to leave? The harpies are bound to catch us soon."

I decided now would be the best time to make my presence known. I strolled out of my hiding spot and made my way over to them, "I'm coming with you," I announced.

The two older demigods whirled around. "How long have you been standing there?" Percy questioned.

I crossed my arms, schooling my face, "Long enough to know you two are going to follow Zoe and friends on their quest to free Artemis, and I want in," I replied without missing a beat.

"Absolutely not. You're too young to be going on a quest. It's too dangerous," the Son of the Sea God said.

"I'm perfectly capable of handling myself, Jackson. Besides, hasn't anyone ever told you looks can be deceiving? I'm not as young as I look. Annabeth can tell you as much. Whether you like it or not, you need me," I claimed. Percy glanced at Annabeth disbelievingly, giving her a Is he actually serious right now? look. The Daughter of Athena, however, didn't pay any attention to her best friend. Her storm shaded eyes, harder than steel met mine.

Will you finally tell him? She wordlessly asked me.

I nodded in reply.

"Nico's right. He will be a lot more help than you could ever imagine, Percy. He's coming with us. He has an agenda he needs to complete, and I'm not about to be the person who stands in his way."

"How can he possibly help us?" The savior of Olympus turned his attention back on me, "Look, don't take this offensively. But one Capture the Flag win isn't going to make you magically invincible. You're an inexperienced demigod who needs to keep training. Bottom line, you shouldn't be going period."

"He has way more experience than us combined, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth retorted.

"And why is that?" Percy fired back.

"I'm a time traveler," I deadpanned.

And that's how I hitchhiked a ride with Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase into the not-so-unknown.