This is still my best work, the most unique, the most interesting... I love it and I will be continuing it. Do not worry.

This was a hard chapter but next time the fun begins!

Chiron had insisted they talk about it in the morning, which really peeved Aaron off, but he could sense the fear and exhaustion in the demigods. He did not press the issue, but he did insist on putting a leash on Deadlus, via a spell that ensure the man could not leave Camp by any means. The man pouted, but did not complain.

They all moved to the war council, which was in the sword arena while Mrs. O'Leary was chewing on a Rubber Yak.

Chiron and Quintus and Metis stood at the front by the weapon racks. Clarisse and Annabeth sat next to each other and led the briefing. Tyson and Grover sat as far away from each other as possible. Also present around the table: Juniper the tree nymph, Meggy standing for the Aphrodite children, Travis and Connor Stoll, Beckendorf, Lee Fletcher, even Argus, the hundred-eyed security chief. Aaron stood by Chiron and Metis, too wise and powerful to not be in a position of power.

"Luke must have known about the Labyrinth entrance," Annabeth said. "He knew everything about camp." There was an edge of respect and pride that did not sit well with Aaron.

Juniper cleared her throat. "That's what I was trying to tell you last night. The cave entrance has been there a long time. Luke used to use it."

Meggy frowned. "You knew of the entrance, and said nothing?"

Juniper's face turned green. "I didn't know it was important. Just a cave. I don't like yucky old caves."

"She has good taste," Grover said.

"I wouldn't have paid any attention except…well, it was Luke." She blushed a little greener.

Grover huffed. "Forget what I said about good taste."

Quintus sighed. "It is an entrance, it is how I found myself there. Luke was hoping to have me give him the String I gave Ariadne eons ago to move through the Maze."

Clarisse said. "If he could get an army of monsters inside Camp Half-Blood, just pop up in the middle of the woods without having to worry about our magical boundaries, we wouldn't stand a chance. He could wipe us out easy. He must've been planning this for months."

"He's been sending scouts into the maze," Annabeth said. "We know because…because we found one."

"Mary Porter," Chiron said, his tone soft and sad.

"Who?" Percy asked.

Clarisse glared at him. "The point is, Luke has been looking for a way to navigate the maze. He's searching for Daedalus's workshop." She turned to Dedalus. "Were you going to help him?"

'"Yes, I was, but Aaron offered me a better option and path. As did Lord Hades and Lady Persephone.". "

Charlie turned to Daedalus. "Isn't Daedalus dead?"

"I used magic and automatons to sustain my life, it is something I will not go into but I swear by Styx that I am he."

"We need to go in. Ariadne's string still exists, we make sure it never falls into Luke's hands."

"Wait a second," Percy said. "If we're worried about an attack, why not just blow up the entrance? Seal the tunnel?"

"Great idea!" Grover said. "I'll get the dynamite!"

Aaron sighed. "I ran into the Maze not that long ago, it took everything I had to cast the spells just to monitor it. The Maze is a living essence, it is a patchwork of consciousness. It needs to be destroyed by another element of equal power, god tier power."

"We could fight," Lee Fletcher said. "We know where the entrance is now. We can set up a defensive line and wait for them. If an army tries to come through, they'll find us waiting with our bows."

"We will certainly set up defenses," Chiron agreed. "But I fear Clarisse is right. The magical borders have kept this camp safe for hundreds of years. If Luke manages to get a large army of monsters into the center of camp, bypassing our boundaries…we may not have the strength to defeat them."

Nobody looked real happy about that news. Chiron usually tried to be upbeat and optimistic. If he was predicting we couldn't hold off an attack, that wasn't good.

"We have to get to Daedalus's workshop first," Annabeth insisted. "Find Ariadne's string and prevent Luke from using it."

Daedalus sighed. "I will met you at the Workshop, but you have to go a different way than I would. The Maze allows me easier access, you would have to find a unique way, one that comes with many trials."

Chiron cleared his throat. "First things first. We need a quest. Someone must enter the Labyrinth, find the workshop of Daedalus, and prevent Luke from using the maze to invade this camp."

"We all know who should lead this," Clarisse said. "Annabeth." There was a murmur of agreement.

"You've done as much as I have, Clarisse," she said. "You should go, too."

Clarisse shook her head. "I'm not going back in there."

Travis Stoll laughed. "Don't tell me you're scared. Clarisse, chicken?"

Clarisse got to her feet, I thought she was going to pulverize Travis, but she said in a shaky voice: "You don't understand anything, punk. I'm never going in there again. Never!" She stormed out of the arena.

Travis looked around sheepishly. "I didn't mean to—"

Chiron raised his hand. "The poor girl has had a difficult year. Now, do we have an agreement that Annabeth should lead the quest?"

They all nodded.

"Very well," Chiron turned to Annabeth. "My dear, it's your time to visit the Oracle. Assuming you return to us in one piece, we shall discuss what to do next." What felt like hours passed before Annabeth returned.

"My dear," Chiron said. "You made it."

Annabeth looked at Percy first. "I got the prophecy. I will lead the quest to find Daedalus's workshop."

Nobody cheered.

Chiron scraped a hoof on the dirt floor. "What did the prophecy say exactly, my dear? The wording is important."

Annabeth took a deep breath. "I, ah…well, it said, you shall delve in the darkness of the endless maze..." We waited. "The dead, the traitor, and the lost one raise." Grover perked up. "The lost one! That must mean Pan! That's great!"

"With the dead and the traitor," Percy added. "Not so great."

"And?" Chiron asked. "What is the rest?"

"You shall rise or fall by the ghost king's hand," Annabeth said, "the child of Athena's final stand."

Everyone looked around uncomfortably. Annabeth was a daughter of Athena, and a final stand didn't sound good.

"Who's this ghost king?" Beckendorf asked.

Aaron frowned. "Nico, more than likely... he is lost and a son of Hades, he would be a good fit for the title."

"Are there more lines?" Chiron asked. "The prophecy does not sound complete."

Annabeth hesitated. "I don't remember exactly." Chiron raised an eyebrow. Annabeth was known for her memory. She never forgot something she heard. Annabeth shifted on her bench. "Something about…Destroy with a hero's final breath."

"And?" Chiron asked.

She stood. "Look, the point is, I have to go in. I'll find the workshop and stop Luke. And…I need help." She turned to Percy. "Will you come?"

Percy didn't even hesitate. "I'm in."

"Grover, you too? The wild god is waiting."

Grover seemed to forget how much he hated the underground. The line about the "lost one" had completely energized him. "I'll pack extra recyclables for snacks!"

"And Tyson," Annabeth said. "I'll need you too."

"Yay! Blow-things-up time!" Tyson clapped so hard he woke up Mrs. O'Leary, who was dozing in the corner.

"Wait, Annabeth," Chiron said. "This goes against the ancient laws. A hero is allowed only two companions."

"I need them all," she insisted. "Chiron, it's important."

"Annabeth." Chiron flicked his tail nervously. "Consider well. You would be breaking the ancient laws, and there are always consequences. Last winter, five went on a quest to save Artemis. Only three came back. Think on that. Three is a sacred number. There are three fates, three furies, three Olympian sons of Kronos. It is a good strong number that stands against many dangers. Four…this is risky."

"Five." Metis said, having been quiet. "Aaron will be going, I cannot see the path clearly, but I can see that he is needed. He might be the only one able to handle Nico."

Chiron sighed. "Very well. Let us adjourn. The members of the quest must prepare themselves. Tomorrow at dawn, we send you into the Labyrinth."

Aaron left with Meggy. "Do whatever you need to in order to keep this camp safe,"

"Not a problem."

"Pull out all the stops, no expenses..."

And like that, Aaron started to get ready for the battles to come.

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a lot of fun.

Now that the hard chapter is over, the fun can begin!

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.