Chapter 7

I leaned back against the wall, opting to keep myself out of the conversation. After the appearance of the Oracle, my fight with Thalia had been cut short as she spat out a prophecy I couldn't care less about.

Besides, even if I had cared to listen, Elaine had distracted me mentally by spitting off facts about the Oracle in ancient times as if she was there to experience it. Well she was, but it didn't really make it any more interesting.

Though I must say I kinda appreciated the interference of the Oracle. In all honesty, I didn't really intend to fight Thalia, not too seriously at least.

Ignoring the image I had to uphold, I hadn't even been too mad at her reaction.

I would've done the same, I noted.

However, if Elaine hadn't absorbed the attack, I'm sure I would've felt very differently.

I glanced down at my left arm.

After the previous roll of bandages had been cindered, I was lucky to find that Chiron had had an extra roll with the same magical properties.

Though, it took him longer than expected to retrieve them from his room.

The extra time had made me think that he may have done something to them.

I looked back up to scan the room in front of me.

The camp directors along with the cabin leaders were all discussing how they would go about their newly appointed quest, which I again didn't care for.

It had something to do with Artemis and the Annabeth girl being kidnapped, or something.

It wasn't my problem, and besides, sending away the hunters and the two powerful demigods would probably make my mission easier.

I only cared when it came to the part of deciding who would go.

Thalia and Grover had been chosen for the campers, and though personally I would've taken Theseus, I knew Zoe would never travel with a demigod male willingly.

I had known her long enough to know of her past, even without being told by her herself.

"And for the hunters, I shall take Phoebe, and Bianca."

The hell?

"What?!"

"What!?"

Me and Bianca had said at the same time.

I felt all eyes fall upon me, but I didn't care.

"I had a deal with your patron!

You think you're just going to take away half my reason for being here? With the chance of dying?"

Zoe stood up and reached back as if she was ready to pull her bow.

"I've had enough of you, Plutus." She snarled.

"I can no longer tolerate your inability to understand your lack of say.

Said patron is in danger, so as of now your deal is void. And as for Bianca, she is a hunter under MY care! You have no control over what she can or cannot do."

"That's how it is?" I asked with a groan.

"Then I need to be going too. I'd much rather leave Nico here at camp than Bianca under the care of someone like you."

"You think you can make that choice, boy?" She asked darkly.

I was about to meet her hostility with equal energy, but was cut short by Chiron clearing his throat.

"Actually, Zoe, I have news for you you might not like.

While retrieving a spare set of bandages for Plutus, I was confronted by someone." He said slowly.

I cocked my brow. Is that what took him so long.

"It was his patron god." He said, making Zoe's eyes go wide.

"And it appears he has requested directly that Plutus be a part of this quest.

And I'm sure you know, there's little any of us can do to go against a god's words."

Dionysus raised his eyes from his wine magazine. "I knew I sensed something." He grumbled.

"Chiron-!"

The centaur raised his hand to silence the girl. "I've been open to your decision to leave behind Theseus as it was a quest assigned to you, but I will not budge.

If you are to take Thalia, Grover, and Bianca, then your fourth companion shall be Plutus." He said.

I was slightly surprised by the authority in his voice. I guess he had been around long enough to learn how to give orders.

And even Zoe could sense how serious he was, remaining quiet as she examined the ping pong paddle in her hand.

That said, she still had a look of dormant rage on her face.

"You've put me in a bad spot, Chiron.

Sending me to find my goddess with a man who I still cannot trust."

She dropped the paddle and looked up at the group in front of her.

"However, it is as you say. I cannot go against the direct will of a god."

She turned to face me.

I struggled to not look way as I saw the familiar determined look on her face.

"We leave at the first sign of light, Plutus.

I know your intentions have nothing to do my goddess, but this quest requires we bring her back to Olympus, safely.

If you wish to travel with me, then you must make this a priority."

I dismissed turned my back to her and made my way towards the exit.

"I have little care for your goddess, to be honest.

But you've already been blessed by having me on this quest.

Artemis will be back before the winter solstice, I promise you that, hunter. Don't worry about me too much.

After all, I already showed you I'm capable, have I not?"

Zoe cringed with anger, and I'm sure she was still upset about the capture the flag loss.

"Swear it, boy. Swear it on your true name."

Hmm? Did she really think she was going to get me that easy?

"Promises mean little to me. I'm a man of action.

You worry about yourself and keep that pretty little crown on top of your head."

I said before slamming the door of the big house behind me, not caring for the lieutenants response.

-Line Break-

I laid back with a huff as I closed my eyes, hoping to remain in this place of peace forever, even if I knew it wasn't possible.

I had honestly forgotten how useful it had been to retreat into Elaine's chambers within the stone of souls to give myself a place to think.

I heard Elaine shift in the bed right beside me.

"I still find it quite humorous that you chose Plutus as an alias out of all names." She said, making me open my eyes to meet her own.

She was laying on my side with a little less room on the bed than myself, which made me frown. Why did she even offer her own bed to me anyway?

"It was practical, as I didn't have time." I said quickly.

"If you say so." She said, but I could tell she didn't believe me. I notice her tone of speaking had grown more modern the more time we spoke talking, but thankfully it still kept the same regal tone I found I liked, very much.

"It's a shame, really." She placed a finger in the bottom of my chin, rubbing the slight startling of stubble that had recently appeared.

"Those who met you under this name will never have the chance to see the face underneath the hood."

I rolled to my side to get her off me, not in the mood to be played with right now.

"Unless you plan to reveal thyself?"

I shook my head.

"I don't plan on staying around long enough to even consider doing that."

Elaine sighed.

"Master, I am aware of your capabilities, but I must say that the task ahead of you is quite difficult.

Do you really intend to protect Hades's child while also find and recovering the lost goddess?"

The way she spoke, it made me doubt myself for only a moment.

"I'm a man of my word, Elaine.

Besides, with you back, I don't doubt that I'll be able to handle it."

My respond granted me a small smile from the spirt, and I decided I had said the right thing.

"You are too kind, young Perseus.

But I just admit, the lines of the prophecy do worry even me."

I nodded.

I tried my hardest to remember what the Oracle had said, as at the time I thought the lines had nothing to do with me.

"Two will fall." I said, though I couldn't remember the specific details.

Elaine gave me a worried look.

I shook my head.

"I don't plan on dying anytime soon Elaine. Don't worry."

"Then…?"

I frowned slightly.

Grover and Thalia.

"You know very well that my main priority is Bianca," I started.

"But if it's within my power, then I'll prove the Oracle wrong.

Zoe and Bianca can't die." I finished, my voice filled with determination.

"That leaves the two campers."

"The loss of Zeus's own would cause an uproar."

I shrugged. "Maybe it'll be Zeus himself to put her down.

Was she not the product of a broken oath? I wouldn't put it past him." I finished with distaste.

She nodded. "One shall die by a parent's hand"."

She paused before giving me a look.

"We are dealing with Titans, and I'm sure you're well aware of Zoe's heritage."

"I won't let her die."

Elaine seemed troubled.

"Then master…

Do you really put it past Thanatos to strike down his own son?"

I lifted my head up to get a good look at the women. Her face was only sincere.

I thought long before answering.

I was about to speak when my instincts drew my hand to my ring.

I sensed something.

I nearly jumped when I heard Plutus rise from his seat.

The man had stayed to himself for the majority of my time here, not involving himself with the conversation.

I watched as he silently made his way over to me.

I tensed when I watched him draw his spear.

"Plutus?" Elaine asked with a confused expression.

The man didn't respond, and before I could call his name myself, I was frozen in shock as he jabbed his spear forward directly into my skull.

My eyes snapped open a second later, and I found myself in the real world.

I was at the last place I remembered before entering the stone, sitting cross cross on the shore of the canoe lake.

And in front of me was Theseus Harte.

"Hey, Plutus." He said, trying to sound upbeat, but it came out awkward.

"What do you want?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were fine. I mean, I didn't even think you were awake. Not many people can just sit there without any movement."

I didn't reply as I thought back to Plutus's action.

I knew I had sensed something, but it wasn't the man, but instead Theo in the real world. Since I'm sure Plutus had sensed it to, without a way to determine who exactly it was, I suppose he had "stabbed" me so I could see for myself who had approached me.

I noted that with the off chance I was lax enough to endure the stone while an enemy was near, hopefully Plutus would alert me if need be.

"Why did you come here?"

The boy gestured his head upwards.

"I wasn't sure if you were paying attention or not, but Zoe said we leave at first light."

I looked where he was signaling to see what appeared to be the sun peeping over the horizon.

Had I really been in the stone that long?

"I didn't need you to wake me." I said, lying partially.

"Yeah yeah, I get it, you wanted to be alone, but I had to tell you something."

Hmm? I waited for the boy to keep going. What could he possibly have to say to me?

"Well, I had seen Nico, and he told me to make sure the both of us keep Bianca safe. He said you especially, you gained her trust, which not many people can.

That means your special, in his words at least.

Honestly, I think he sees you as some kind of superhero." He finished with a little chuckle.

Before responding I really processed his words.

"What do you mean the both of us keep her safe?"

Theo tensed up, before looking panicked.

"Oh, damnit." He said. Cursing didn't seem right coming out of his pure hearted mouth.

He laughed awkwardly before rubbing his neck.

"Well, I'm not gonna lie, I kinda planned on coming on the quest anyway."

His face turned more serious.

"I can't really explain it, but I just feel like I'm supposed to be here. And Annabeth…"

He trailed off, looking down at his hands as if he was meant to do something with them, but couldn't figure out what.

I let out a sigh before getting up.

I was sure I would already be the last one to the meeting spot.

"I'll remember Nico's words, but they didn't really much matter as I never planned on letting Bianca get hurt.

"You've seen me fight, Theo, you know what I can do."

He nodded slightly before peeling up.

"Wait actually, I don't."

I slowed down to look back at him.

"That scythe you pulled out, and your chains? Where did they come from?

I saw you fight Thorne with a sword, but when we fought it was totally different."

I shook my head. "How many times do I have to tell you all to not ask questions when it comes t me?"

Theseus looked defeated, but relented.

"My fault, I guess."

I turned yet again and started walking towards the big hill where our ride would be waiting.

"Your not going to tell the others right."

I gave it a second before replying.

"In all honesty, you would've been my first choice, if I was in charge of this quest."

I wasn't close enough to hear his response, but I swore I could feel Theo's glowing smile from behind.

What an idiot, I swear. Give him one compliments and now he would probably think that we were best friends.

I shook my head with slight amusement as I was approaching the van waiting for me.

As a expected, the group was already there, all except one.

I quiet slipped in, with only Zoe noticing me.

"Where's the goat?" I asked, making Bianca jump and Thalia reach for her concealed spear.

"Where in the Hades did you come from…?" The daughter of Zeus asked, but I ignored her.

"He called in sick. I suppose he got nervous." Zoe answered in an annoyed tone.

"I was starting to think you had done the same."

I scoffed, opening the passenger side door to the van.

"You know better."

Zoe looked upset at my answer, but held her tongue.

Before stepping in, I called out to her, "Your driving, right?"

She scowled. "I am the oldest one here, of course I am."

Thalia butted her head between us. "Uhh, I don't know how much I trust Zoe behind the wheel. I mean, do hunters even use cars?"

I raised my brow. "After the sun chariot incident, I suggest you get comfortable in the back."

"What about-" I cut Bianca off before she could even finish her sentence.

"Your 13." I said, and it was settled.

Zoe hurriedly got behind the wheel as the other two slid into the row behind us.

"I never heard you call shotgun." Mumbled Bianca behind me, but I pretended not to hear as a smile crept onto my face.

"You know, when you were younger you always wanted a little sister." Elaine said from the back of my kind.

I hated when she told me things about myself I didn't know.

"Elaine, please be quiet."

As the car started, I turned to talk to Zoe.

"You know, it's never best to go against an oracle. We only have four." I said, quoting Elaine as we started down the road.

She shook her head with an aggravated look.

"Time is limited, and I will not risk any more of my hunters. And you would be a fool to believe I shall pick another camper."

"Theseus was a good pick."

She shook her head. "You couldn't be more wrong. Whether he strong or not matters not to me, his selfish reasoning for wanting to come along would hold us back."

I raised a brow. "Is the way he wants his friend back any different than you wanting your goddess?"

She gave me warning look. "This is my quest, Plutus. I suggest you watch yourself, trying to get a reaction.

If I had my way, even you wouldn't have come along."

I scoffed.

"Im sorry I ruined your girls trip, huntress. Im sure you can deal with traveling in the presence of a man for less than a week. With your goddess on the line, and all." I said sarcastically.

Her eyes squinted, but she kept them on the road.

"You are slowly becoming my least favorite companion to travel with, boy. You'd be surprised how hard that is to do in recent times."

I felt a pang in my heart.

I knew who she was talking about.

Me and Remleon. Her "least favorite" quest mates.

"Did she just compare you to your own self?" Asked Plutus, but I ignored him.

I decided to keep my mouth shut, simply due to the fear that Zoe would continue to reference our past together, and the fear of my own reaction.

The two of us in the front said little, with most of the talk coming from Thalia and Bianca.

I only perked up from my seat when I noticed something in the rear view mirror.

A floating black mass high above the sky.

I squinted, struggling to focus.

After a moment, I realized what it was.

An all black Pegasus trailing us from a safe distance, and on top was a boy who only had his jet black hair visible.

I smiled slightly.

I guess he really was serious about keeping his promise to Nico, and protecting his sister.

However it didn't matter.

I was here for one thing, and as long as Bianca was in my sight, being in danger would be the least of her worries.

But actually looking back on the start of this quest, I wondered how I could possibly be so very wrong.