Chapter XVIII
With a, or rather a hundred stern looks Argus gestured me into Chiron's office. He quickly communicated with the centaur in sign language, not that he couldn't talk, he just preferred not to. My ASL was extremely rusty at best, but even then I knew it was about me and it certainly wasn't praising my exemplary behavior. Eleanor turned in her chair and looked at me with curiosity, though no doubt she already had an idea what had happened.
"Hey Ell," I greeted her as I strode over to the empty chair next to hers and pulled it back.
As I sat down I met Chiron's eyes. It was clear enough that he was displeased and admittedly I felt a bit bad, not that bad of course, but I still would have preferred to avoid his disappointed mentor look, he had millennia to perfect it after all and it wasn't very comfortable to be at the receiving end of.
"Eleanor, I think we have talked enough for today," He said without looking away from me. "You had an eventful day, I think you should go get some rest for now."
The daughter of Apollo looked between me and Chiron before nodding, slipping out of the door without a word.
"Argus said he heard someone in the attic," Chiron stated calmly as I anxiously tapped on the desk.
"No point in delaying the imminent is there?" I asked and sighed as I leaned back. "Yes, I went to ask the Oracle. I apologize for what I did, or at least for how I did it, but I do not regret it."
"Theseus, my boy," The centaur started, his voice had a sad undertone. "if you think I am angry with you because of what you did, you are mistaken, nor am I necessarily disappointed. I had hoped that you wouldn't do it, but I'm afraid it was to be expected..."
For a brief moment his expression was pained as he looked out of the window overlooking the camp, before turning back to me.
"You know when it first became clear to me just how much you knew of the prophecy, I was worried it would come to something like this." Chiron looked tired, as if he had a hundred such experiences. "The reason for it is much the same as why I still haven't told Percy the exact wording of it and why I have asked you to do the same."
"The futility of trying to prevent prophecies, that is it, isn't it?" I asked, frustrated.
"Its danger even," Chiron said, nodding. "as said before, I cannot blame you for trying, almost everyone does in such cases."
"I am well aware of both," I said and managed a weak smirk. "but as I had said before, I am not trying to prevent it, I'm trying to control it."
"Which might invalidate the first," Chiron agreed, cautioning. "but it makes it no less dangerous. What if instead of you or Percy dying, you turn on each other instead because of it, what if you kill him?"
I remained silent as I considered his words. Though this was not fate I wanted to think about to any extent, it was a possibility.
"I'd rather take my own life than kill him," I answered without much hesitation and Chiron shook his head sadly.
"I know, at least as it stands currently," He said, shaking his head. "But would that be much better?"
"Of course not," I conceded angrily. "But what choice do we have? It is still better to have a true chance to control the prophecy, then no chance at all. Perhaps neither of us must die this way. Perhaps Luke will at my hands instead, perhaps this is the fate which has been intended all along, hero is frankly a subjective term after all."
"Perhaps," Chiron looked no less doubtful. "either way, you have received a prophecy, one which can be avoided just as little."
"Does this mean I have permission to go?" I asked hopefully, though Chiron just gestured to me to retell what the Oracle had said.
As I spoke Chiron's expression grew thoughtful with brief flashes of worry on his face. Finally I finished, I didn't hold back any of the lines, there was no point in it, because, as we had already discussed plenty just now, they'd come to pass either way.
"So you have a destination," He stated and I hummed in agreement.
"The Underworld," I said firmly. "At least, that'll be the starting point,"
"Yes, you know what the first line's meaning is?" Chiron asked, though the question seemed more checking than anything.
"Alcides' path," I muttered and pondered. "Alcides, that's an alternate name, for... Heracles, I think, is it not?"
"Yes," Chiron confirmed again before posing the harder part of the question. "And his path?"
"Well, from the following line it is obviously the path he took to the underworld," I stated and frowned. "it used to be in Laconia, but I doubt that still holds up today."
"It surely has been carried over," The centaur agreed. "Though I must admit that even I am not aware of its current location, there have only been a couple of quests to Underworld since the west's flame moved, all using more traditional entrances."
"I am sure finding it can't be too hard," I stated, focusing on much more apparent problems. "The second line is rather clear, which leaves us with the third to figure out."
"A traitor and a thief..." Chiron mused before sighing. "Dishearteningly enough there are far too many of both of those, especially the first, in these times we are in."
"Which makes figuring it out whack-a-mole," I smirked. "A true Sisyphean task one might even say."
Clearly I needed to work on my Underworld puns and references as it did very little to lighten Chiron's mood, oh well, I would have plenty of opportunities for that in the coming days.
"Anyways," I said, shifting my attention back to the prophecy's next line. "the next line, on verge of life and death shall keep, that sounds bad, someone could very well die by the sound of it, perhaps I should go alone..."
It was a thought I had when I had first heard the line since I was really unsure if I was willing to endanger someone else in this, as it was admittedly a gamble.
Having Bianca along would be invaluable rationally speaking, but it also meant risking someone besides myself. Going alone on a quest was not unheard of, it was only when you go above three that things get dangerous after all.
"The matter of companions is one for you to decide, but also a matter for a later time." Chiron said and I nodded. "For now let us continue shall we?"
"Past the land of reverie and haze you must," I said, repeating that fifth line. "I am not really sure about that, I mean I have my theories but..."
"The land of the Oneiroi," Chiron said, speaking out my thoughts. "it is not a place for mortals, demigod or not, it could very well be the land where life is not as well."
"Unless I am mistaken there are no stories of heroes ever venturing into it," I asked, wary of the unknown.
"You are not," The centaur sighed. "which means I am unable to provide you with much information on this matter, just remember that taking a falsehood for truth can be more dangerous than near any monster."
"I have spent enough time reading the Iliad to know that," I remarked. "but do not worry, I won't be rallying my troops to go meet the Trojans in battle anytime soon."
"Not acting as Agamemnon did is quite sensible," Chiron agreed, slightly amused, though he grew serious again. "but do not take this lightly."
"I won't," I promised quickly. "now let's move on to the highlight" I leaned forward before repeating the sixth line. "Face one of three long slain, there are far too many trios in this world, but luckily it's narrowed down quite a bit."
"Which doesn't make this all that much less worrying," Chiron said and I shrugged.
"I am not denying that, but it makes figuring it out easier,"
"Does it?" The centaur asked, pausing shortly before continuing. "You are in the land of the dead, many of whom were slain in some form. It could be Minos, he is one of the three original judges and he was very much slain."
"Gods, I hope you are wrong," I said, anxiously tapping the table. "I believe he could quickly take a second spot among people who hate me for my name.
"He'd have plentiful competition," The centaur remarked. "your namesake was almost as proficient at making enemies as Percy after all."
I chuckled, though quickly another thought came to my mind. "But wouldn't that mean I am going to die if I were to literally face a judge of the dead?"
"It was merely an example," Chiron said calmly. "but yes, possibly."
"Well at least there is some silver lining to that unknown opponent," I said, my mind already on the next line. "Triumphing and grasping sky's bane, that's good isn't it? sky's bane surely means the scythe, I mean is there anything more fitting of that title than the weapon that emasculated him?"
"Likely," Chiron agreed, though his voice was cautioning still. "that is if you manage to overcome the challenges on the way there, which is far further from guaranteed."
"I mean the last prophecy we had also promised success," I said, remembering the last prophecy. "so I'd take it as a good sign nonetheless, even if it's conditional."
"You are not wrong, but it is folly to try and reach such conclusions on the basis of former prophecies," The centaur said. "over my years I have seen few things as much as the unpredictability of prophecies,"
"Perhaps you are right, nonetheless I believe it promising," I said, though Chiron spoke again before I could continue.
"Not to dampen your optimism further, but there is still one more line," He said and I nodded.
"Yes, and weather earth's wrath," I repeated and hummed. "On this one I am just as clueless, it could be near anything. I mean, it could even be just a pseudonym for the scythe again, it quite symbolically is earth's wrath manifested."
"Let us hope you are wrong," Chiron said. "If you are right it is not unlikely that you will face a judge yet."
"That certainly is something I'd like to avoid," I remarked. "do you have any idea what it could be?"
"Too many to be helpful, none of which good," He said and sighed again. "you should go and rest for now as well, you will need it."
"So, I have your approval for this quest?" I asked anxiously and Chiron's expression became unreadable.
"My permission," He corrected, shaking his head. "I still wish you hadn't done as you had. But you have chosen this path and received a prophecy. I have had enough students to know there is little point in trying to dissuade you now."
"Thank you Chiron," I said. "I must apologize again for how I did this. It might just be youthful naivety, but I truly believe I am doing the right thing."
"I know," He said sadly, though he seemed absent-minded and quickly I excused myself, my mind no less calm than before.
With a thousand thoughts swirling in my head I somehow had managed to force myself to sleep, though my rest was not without dreams, much to my chagrin I found myself in an all too familiar place.
Tall, dark walls and columns rose to my sides, the light of green fire flickered on the black marble floor beneath my feet. Despite the burning fires it was unpleasantly cold and a chill went down my spine. In front of me a tall and ornate throne rose, gold and diamonds sitting within it.
I recognized it instantly, this was Kronos' throne upon Mount Othrys, or at least an image of it. I had been here a few times already, first when I was merely eight, the last time had been just over a year ago.
It was the preferred environment of my dearest grandfather to talk to me, a vision of the zenith of his power. His palace in the golden age, before the gods had even been born.
Surprisingly enough though, Kronos himself was nowhere in sight. When I had been here before he had usually met me in physical form. The ominous invisible voice thing was cool and all for terrifying people, but not exactly ideal for manipulating someone after all, at least if not based on fear.
To say that he had been nice would be an extreme overstatement, but he hadn't been hostile either, surely all a facade to manipulate his tool, oh forgive me, I meant grandson, but still.
Feeling uneasy in the silent halls, I walked forward towards his throne, my eyes falling upon the scythe hanging on the wall above it, a clear display of power towards anyone who would dare challenge him. The glint of its curved shining gray blade made me shiver.
This was not the cheap knockoff Luke wielded, a mere temporary replacement made of steel and celestial bronze. It couldn't compare to the original weapon, made of the even for me mythical adamant, this was the weapon and symbol of power of Kronos, made by Gaea herself. The only weapon to truly ever kill an immortal, though even that was called into question by Kronos' rising.
"Ah, so you have finally accepted my invitation and come to talk," An impossibly cold and old voice rang out behind me, Kronos' voice. "It has been a while since we talked."
"Kronos," I acknowledged him as I turned with a sigh. "Those invitations must have gotten lost in the mail. Though I had hoped that while would go on a little longer, frankly."
The Titan lord looked imposing, towering over me. He looked far less dismembered than I would have wished, healthy even. His black curly hair was unnervingly similar to that of Poseidon and Zeus, or by consequence, my own. Though all of the mentioned thankfully had the decency not to have it go over into a long, pointy beard as Kronos wore.
"You should be thankful that I am choosing this method of communicating with you, Grandson." He said, with unnerving emphasis on the last word, and walked past me, settling on the throne in front of me.
"And why is that, Grandfather?" I asked, spitting the last word like an insult. "I could have done without your wistful memories of your golden days, you are living in the past."
"The past?" Kronos chuckled, an unpleasant sound to say the least. "Why, this is not merely the past, this is the future, and you will help me create it."
"Just because you are lord of time you can't just claim such nonsense," I said, admittedly slightly amused. "I believe you are merely senile, are you forgetting I am no longer heeding your wishes."
"Oh how brash you are," He said, clearly not taking my insults seriously. "Do you truly think it matters? If you think yourself unpredictable you are mistaken. Poseidon's children might have a tendency to be unpredictable, but it doesn't matter. I very much know what you will do, and should I tell you why?"
"If you are going to give me a we are not so different talk," I remarked, trying to cover the dread I felt with confidence. "please stop and think of something original for a hero-villain confrontation, will you?"
"It is because I in essence created you." Kronos said, answering his own question, ignoring my comments, though his voice grew even colder. " You might think you have foiled my plans by your pitiful rebellion against me, but it is quite irrelevant. In the end you will do what I want, even if you think otherwise."
I wanted to answer but I felt powerless, my mouth didn't even open, it was as if I was frozen. Kronos' eyes focused on me and he had the nerve to smirk.
"And yes, before you interrupt me, as you had put it, we are not so different," Kronos chuckled. "I made you who you are after all. A shame though, you could have been a knight, but instead you will merely be a pawn."
"So we are talking in chess puns now?" I asked, thankfully able to speak again. "Will you finally me then what you are meaning to accomplish with this gambit then?"
"So impatient," He muttered and stood up. "and what would be the point in that? You need not know my plans, but perhaps a word of warning for you."
"A warning? From you?" I asked, confused. "Why should I listen to such a thing?"
"What you make of it is not my concern," Kronos said. "but perhaps you should reconsider who your allies truly are."
"If you think you can sow distrust in me with such cheap attempts, you are sorely mistaken." I said, scowling.
"Say hello to my oldest son for me, will you?" He asked and I got an eerie feeling, how did he know?
I didn't have time to think about it any further or ask him about it as he waved his hand. Darkness flooded the room, swallowing everything and dragging me down into a deep, numb and dreamless sleep for the rest of the night.
When I awoke the memories of the dream were still fresh, searing themselves into my mind. Why had Kronos chosen to contact me today of all times? That was no coincidence, it couldn't be in light of what he had said, he seemingly even knew the destination of my quest, but how?
Despite what I had said I couldn't help but consider his so-called warning, reconsider who your allies truly are. But only three people knew of what happened yesterday, well four if I counted Kronos did as well. Bianca, Chiron and Eleanor all knew more or less. I didn't bother entertaining thoughts concerning the first two, I might have had problems with Chiron, but he was no friend of Kronos. And Bianca seemed even more unlikely, I only mentioned in passing to her and the notion of her working with Kronos was entirely ridiculous.
Which left one suspect, Eleanor, it was the obvious answer. She knew what had happened and that I visited the Big House and not to mention the most relevant aspect, she had only left Kronos' forces a few hours ago or so. But why would Kronos help expose his own spy? On the other hand, perhaps he wanted me to believe just that...
I didn't believe her to be an enemy, or at least I didn't want to. She had seemed very genuine and from her it was believable, had she been one of the more fanatical ones I probably wouldn't have believed her. Though again, that could just as well be part of his plan, he wasn't called the crooked one without good reason.
Though on the other hand, she had even sworn an oath on the Styx, which means she truly must have been genuine about what she said, including her desertion. Seeing as she wasn't a soulless husk or dead by now, that clearly had been the truth.
Still I couldn't shake the feeling of distrust, perhaps she was an unwilling pawn in his plans as he would say. He could very much just be speculating, it wasn't hard to guess that she would tell us about what was going on. And perhaps he truly knew me well enough to predict that I would attempt to stop him from gaining the scythe. It was only a matter of connecting dots from there to get where he was.
I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair and dragged myself over to the fountain. Beyond its usefulness in sending Iris Messages, there were few things as good at waking you as dumping your head in genuine sea water for a son of Poseidon. As if I had just taken a shot of pure caffeine, energy shot through my body and my mind cleared.
There was no time for doubts, I decided, I had a quest to plan. Which meant I had to figure out my starting point and consider if and who I would take as companions. Both meant the same next step, find and talk to Bianca.
It was already nine or so, usually I would have been long awake by now, but seemingly Kronos had taken it upon himself to not just torment me, but also destroy my sleep schedule. When I arrived at the dining pavilion it was rather deserted.
Only seven campers sat eating and chatting, not surprising considering a good chunk had already finished eating and were engaged in various activities, not to mention that there were only twenty-five year-rounders or so at camp right now.
Thankfully Bianca was among those seven, saving me from having to search for her. She was sitting at the Hermes table, mirthfully chatting with whom I identified as Lou Ellen. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, the two had grown to be quite close friends. Perhaps it was a kinship they felt from both having chthonic gods as parents as I was ninety-nine percent positive Bianca had told her, though she denied it. Either way the two got on like a house on fire.
"So you have finally risen from the dead," Bianca greeted me as I approached and I chuckled.
"That coming from you?" I remarked and turned to the daughter of Hecate. "Good morning Lou,"
"Morning Theseus," She returned my greeting tiredly. "Though she is right, I don't think I've ever been awake before you, at least that I am aware."
"Well, there's a first for everything," I said and looked at Bianca. "Can I talk to you for a moment, Bi?"
"Sure, go ahead," Bianca said as she took a sip of orange juice from her goblet.
"I meant just the two of us," I said and looked at the daughter of Hecate. "no offense, Lou."
It wasn't that I distrusted the daughter of Hecate. Considering she was still at Camp, despite her mother's alignement, meant quite the opposite. But you might call me paranoid, but the less knew anything about this, the better.
"None taken," She said and smirked as she looked at Bianca. "I'll leave you two, all by your twosome then."
Bianca looked flustered and groaned lightly as Lou left chuckling and I raised a brow at her.
"What was that about?" I asked, confused.
"Oh, just forget it," She said, trying to wave it off, which made me all the more curious, though I let it rest. "so what is it that requires this secrecy?"
"Well, I followed your advice, and now I need your help."
"I can't deny you then, can I?" Bianca asked and I hummed. "Alright then. What's the problem and how can I help?"
"You know, I hadn't expected you to actually do it that very night," She said as I finished and sighed. "And it seems my plans of taking a break from the Underworld are ruined as well."
"I guess that preempts my second question," I said, slightly surprised. "so you want to go?"
"Of course," Bianca said incredulously. "It would just be plain irresponsible to let you go without me down there, besides as if I'd miss a shot at dying early."
"Let's try to avoid that, shall we?" I asked and smiled. "But seriously, as glad as I'd be to have you along, are you sure?"
"Yes," She said and scowled. "I thought I had myself clear, you have told me the prophecy, I am aware of the risks, and I can deal with them."
"Alright, alright" I said, raising my hands. "just making sure."
"You said that was your second question," She remarked. "what's the first?"
"Well, you know how the prophecy refers to the Alcides' path?" I asked and she nodded. "Thought it might be best to ask my favorite Underworld expert, since even Chiron couldn't tell me where it is."
"You know, you are incredibly lucky that you have got me around?" She remarked with a smirk as she crossed her arms.
"Oh, I am very, very well aware," I replied thankfully. "So can you help?"
"I can actually," She said and relief washed over me, one problem taken care of. "The good news is I actually know where it is, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, the bad news, that is about the worst entry point we could use."
"Why?" I asked, concerned yet interested.
"Well for one it's not exactly that easily accessible from what I've heard," She said, seeming troubled. "and not exactly unpopulated, though I don't really know much concrete about it."
"I am afraid we don't have much of a choice," I said and she nodded. "so Kentucky it is?"
"Yeah, I guess," Bianca still didn't look happy about it. "So who is our third member?"
"Unsure," I admitted hesitantly. "The prophecy didn't specify anyone and frankly our selection is rather limited."
"Well, since you'll be quite the dead weight without water around-" She said teasingly.
"Hey, that's unfair!" I mock-complained, amused. "I am very much capable of solving problems without water."
"I am sure my father will appreciate earthquakes in his domain," Bianca countered. "the infrastructure repairs aren't expensive enough as it is."
"I am very much capable beyond my powers," I insisted and she waved it off.
"Sure you are," Bianca said, a teasingly condescending smile on her face. "Still my point stands, we should pick someone whose powers won't be useless."
"So, none of Demeter's kids," I concluded before adding. "I guess the same goes for Castor and Pollux."
"Well, there is asphodel and poplar down there," She pointed out. "but you are probably right, plants aren't the way to go, that leaves twenty campers."
"Eighteen without us," I said and she groaned.
"Smartass," She muttered, though she smiled. "Doesn't solve our problem though."
"As entertaining and insightful it is to hear you argue," Eleanor called over from the neighboring Apollo table as she strolled over. "You really have to work on your secrecy, not that I learned anything I didn't know."
"Wait, so you know who my father is?" Bianca asked surprised and Eleanor looked surprised.
"Well, duh, or at least Kronos suspected strongly and so the other officers and me were informed about it." She explained as lightly leaned on the table.
"It's still strange how people I've never met know so much stuff about me..." Bianca remarked.
"To be fair Bi, it has become far more of an open secret by now." I told her as I considered how many people knew already. The Olympians did from what Hera had said, I did, Thalia, Percy, Grover, Chiron and a few more did as well.
"Why did we even bother with the secrecy then?" She asked, as she rubbed her temples, frustrated.
"I guess you can ask your father when we go meet him." I responded and Eleanor shook her head in amusement.
"Anyhow," Eleanor said. "I have heard we are going to Kentucky and the Underworld, not that there is too great of a difference-"
"Isn't Kentucky your home state?" I interrupted, confused.
"That's exactly my point," She confirmed bitterly. "as I was saying, I know where we are going, so might sharing the prophecy?"
I looked at her and couldn't help being a bit suspicious, despite the fact that I had quite little reason to distrust her, I couldn't help it. I knew where she was going with this, she clearly wanted to go and while I could see the merit in that, she could be a real lifesaver potentially, I was nonetheless somewhat hesitant about it.
Because even if she wasn't working for Kronos anymore, he could easily anticipate me taking her and exploit that. Perhaps I should try and convince someone more unexpected like Silena, he surely couldn't be planning for that...
On the other hand, perhaps I should be happy about any volunteers quite literally willing to go to hell or rather Hades and back. So I simply sighed as I repeated the prophecy once more. She put her hands on her hips and her face clearly expressed concern.
"You know I regret using the term we just now," She remarked.
"I mean, I can't force you to go?" I offered and she shook her head.
"Maybe, but I started this mess by telling you about it," Eleanor said, her tone insistent. "so I'll be happy to help you clean it up as well."
I looked at Bianca, looking for a sign of approval or disapproval, though her expression was neutral as I intently searched her face.
"If you are fine with it Thee, then I am as well." Bianca told me with a shrug.
"Alright, I guess I'll get talking with Chiron then, iron out the details." I said and they both nodded.
"So I then assume that means I am in?" Eleanor asked. "I'd get packing but I haven't even unpacked yet, so I'll be getting some practice in before we go. If you need anything I'm in the arena."
She turned to walk away, though she stopped shortly after and turned back to us.
"By the way," Eleanor started again. "That new swordsman trainer, Quintus, am I the only one who thinks something is off about him?"
"No," Bianca quickly agreed. "I don't know why, but when we were in the arena yesterday he seemed to avoid me for some reason."
I narrowed my eyes, that was strange. Quintus was a bit weird, sure, but he treated me relatively normal. Besides the fact that he for some reason avoided calling me by name, though he didn't do so with anyone else, he seemed pretty normal himself. Or as normal as an adult demigod could be, but beyond that I hadn't really noticed anything since the month he had been here.
"I can't say I can share your concerns ladies," I told them as I turned. "but I'll get going, see you in the afternoon I guess. I suggest you get ready till then, this'll be quite the road-trip."
AN: 05.08.2022 I just realized I had for someone reason chapter 8 in this ones place, sorry for that
A bit later than usual today, but as always, thanks for reading, doubly so for following or favoriting and especially for reviewing, so please do so.