Snowstorm came to me the moment I called, landing beside me with a quick nuzzle before I was mounted up on her back and turning around, Michael and Hannah standing a safe distance away from the span of Snow's wings. Hannah was currently dressed in my armour as she was the closest to my size and height with black hair, so from the back she made a passable decoy of me. I hoped Kronos wouldn't notice since he was rather busy with other things at the moment such as slowing time in and around the city, but I didn't know how long it would be until he realised that Hannah wasn't me. We had to be fast. "Let's go Snowstorm, if ever I need you to become the wind it's now." Snorting with determination, Snowstorm promised that she wouldn't let me down and took off all at once, soaring into the sky where I felt the winds shift and seemingly wrap themselves around us until she was galloping upon waves of air, like the breeze had become tidal currents and were carrying her at a completely inhuman speed.
Reports had alerted us to the fact that the campers and Chiron had left the camp, which meant that Camp Half-Blood was predominantly undefended. I just hoped I didn't get obliterated the moment I passed the barrier. I hated it, but I sent a prayer to Dionysus. Mr D, please don't kill me but I need to get into the camp. I promise I'm not here to attack, but there's something I need to do. You can trust me. Please let me pass the barrier in one piece. Also, don't turn me into a rodent or anything. Since no reply or sign came to signal that he agreed, all we could do was plough forwards. Snowstorm cried out to warn me that we were approaching camp, then all at once we slammed into the barrier. At first I thought we were going to rebound off it or burst into thousands of tiny particles, seemingly slowing down as we passed through but then we burst out the other side, Snowstorm wavering but she gave a mighty strike at the air with her wings and balanced herself once again so that she landed in a gallop, heading straight for the Big House. This was it.
It was impossible to not take a glance around the camp which looked so completely different to the last time I'd seen it. There were fortifications everywhere and there were very few people left, though Ares cabin still seemed to remain which I thought odd because of all campers I figured Ares' lot would be the first ones to jump at the chance to fight in a war. It was nostalgic though, seeing everything as my eyes swept across the rolling hills and forests, but then I turned and faced the Big House instead. I strode straight inside past a camper who was snoring, dead asleep, and went directly to the attic. Outside I heard Snowstorm whinny for me to hurry because Argus was coming, which meant he would probably try and rip me apart when he realised who I was, unless hopefully Beckendorf had passed word that I was not a traitor and actually on side. Fingers crossed.
Racing upstairs and pulling down the stepladder, I went straight up into the attic and didn't even allow myself to investigate and admire all the different trophies from all kinds of monsters and quests, though they all seemed like they required a good dusting. Instead, I focused on the Oracle who sat upon her stool as still and silent as if she were a mere mannequin. A dead, dried and shrivelled mannequin, but still. Percy had told me what the Oracle looked like so I was prepared, but still it was slightly unnerving to find a corpse that looked like a shrivelled raisin sitting upright like someone had forgot to bury her. I cleared my throat because it had become dry with dust, then stepped forwards. "I am Nerida Lily Jackson, I come seeking knowledge, Oracle of Delphi." I questioned cautiously, my hand naturally hovering over my Amaryllis charm out of honed training to always be prepared. I watched as the mummy remained utterly unmoving until all at once, a rather unsettling reaction began to take place. The figure opened her mouth and a thick green smoke began to pour out like some kind of faulty fog machine as they empty eye sockets began to glow like they had become radioactive. They were staring at me intently. In my head a voice seemed to whisper without a true source, not coming from the Oracle's body itself, but even as she whispered I couldn't help but picture the image of a snake.
I am the spirit of Delphi, speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python. Approach, seeker, and ask.
Well, she was talking to me. This was a great start. "Please tell me, what is my destiny? Tell me how to save Luke and how to defeat Kronos." This time the Oracle did not speak, but lifted her withered hand that I was fairly certain I could snap between two fingers and rub into dust it looked so decayed and old. She picked up one of her necklaces and let the pouch that was tied to it rest upon her palm, so I assumed she wanted me to take a look at it. I did not want to get any closer to that figure any more than I already was, but I hardened my resolve and stepped through the thick layer of green fog that swirled around my ankles in order to take a look. Inside I found a tiny scroll and when I carefully pulled it open, I saw a tiny scrawl there. Like most demigods, I had dyslexia which had manifested itself when I had regained my eyesight, and I thought then at the very least it was a good think I knew how to read both letters and braille. It took me a minute, but I then realised that this was the Great Prophecy that everyone had been talking about, only now I could read all of it for myself without getting the abridged version.
A half-blood of the eldest gods
Shall reach sixteen against all odds
And see the world in endless sleep
The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap
A single choice shall end his days
Olympus to preserve or raze
This was it? This was the Great Prophecy that was supposed to be about Percy? I couldn't believe it. I refused to believe it. Rather angrily, I threw the tiny scroll at the Oracle without caring how rude and sacrilegious that might have been. She at least didn't seem to care. "This doesn't answer my question! How do I save the people I love? I can't let them die, tell me! Please! I'm begging you!" Wallowing in fear for Percy's fate, I could understand then how people went mad from hearing their destiny, because sometimes knowing the future was far more frightening than walking blindly towards it. The Oracle continued to regard me, lights still gleaming in the empty holes of her eyes which I hoped meant she was still listening, searching for the answer I needed. After a few moments, the Oracle opened her mouth and spoke again with that same echoing sound at the centre of my head which swelled and grew within my mind.
A choice the cursed child already has made
Without her, love shall pass and fade,
Through forgiveness shall she meet her foe
And stand amongst those she would refuse to know,
With golden raiment and mortal's breath
Will she return he who would pass into death.
It made no sense to me. None whatsoever. For a while I was speechless, watching the lights inside her skull fade and the mist seemingly be sucked up like noodles back into her mouth before she then slumped once more, never to move again. Her words rattled around in my mind as I struggled to comprehend them, but they were just so vague and disjointed that I couldn't figure out what I needed to do. Was she talking about Percy? Could I save him? Or Luke? Both? And what about my foe, did she mean Kronos? It wasn't what I hoped for, but it was all I was getting and seeing as I hadn't gone mad, I reasoned that there had to be some kind of meaning to it all. Either way I couldn't hang around here, I needed to get back before Kronos realised I was missing so I left the attic, hoping never to go back there ever again. Outside Snowstorm was beating her wings and snorting furiously at Argus, keeping him from entering however when I appeared, all one hundred eyes adorning his body turned to me. "Hey Argus, long time no see." I offered him weakly, trying to smile. "Listen I know I'm not supposed to be here but I asked Mr D's permission and since I'm not dust, it's safe to say he let me in so I'm cool to be here."
I'm pretty sure Argus could rip me to shreds as he was head of security around here, but after considering this he grunted then ambled off once more, sending me a look with a handful of his eyes which seemed to say 'get gone soon'. Snow pounded her hoof upon the ground and snorted harshly at him. 'Well I never! Such an ignorant brute daring to try and interrupt my lady. The pure nerve! Do not worry my lady, I handled him for you. Is it time to go? You have been gone at least half an hour now.' Nodding my head with a heavy sigh I agreed, feeling despondent and like I had failed as I mounted up onto Snow's back as she asked me how it had gone with the Oracle, but I couldn't bring myself to tell her that I was none the wiser. I shifted her saddlebags which I had fixed to her, stuffed with supplies like ambrosia, nectar, medical supplies as well as food, and most importantly, my iPod and headphones with the charger safely stowed away. The bags were magic so they were actually a lot deeper than they looked, able to carry a great deal of stuff which was useful. Just as I was about to pull on my headphones and start some music to help calm myself down and try to think a little more clearly, something golden caught my eye.
Turning my head I looked to Thalia's pine tree, which was actually just a really tall pine tree now since Thalia was no longer part of it, but there hanging on its branches and strengthening the barrier was the Golden Fleece. I smiled weakly to myself, remembering the quest I had taken with Percy, Tyson and Annabeth to reclaim it and rescue Grover, until suddenly it hit me. Golden raiment. The Fleece. The Fleece. Was that what the prophecy had meant? Did it want me to take the Fleece and use it to save the person who would die in the Great Prophecy? To save Percy? I sucked in a deep breath, my sudden gasp making Snowstorm pause before her takeoff and ask me what was wrong. "I need that Fleece." I told her shortly, making her turn her head in order to stare at me in alarm.
'But my lady, it is guarded by a dragon!'
"I know, but I need it. Do you think you can fly fast enough to pass over the dragon without getting caught or set on fire whilst I grab it? We'll have to move fast and hope the winds are still in our favour, but Snow I think I have to take that Fleece. I think it was part of my prophecy, and even if I'm wrong, it could be useful for the war. Many people will be injured and that Fleece could save a lot of lives." Including my brother's, possibly. Snowstorm was a little nervous but agreed to try. She would apply the acceleration and all I needed to do was react quickly enough to snatch the Fleece before the dragon guarding it even noticed what had happened. We needed to be swift and pretty much soundless, so I offered up a prayer to the wind gods again in order to beg for them help, promising them more pizza and chocolate milkshakes later. They seemed to accept this promise, because the wind lifted around us and seemed to almost throw Snowstorm off the ground which made her cry out until she stabilised. "Let's go Snow, I know you can do it." She snorted haughtily, saying that of course she could because she was incredible. Smiling, I closed my eyes and focused on the energy of the fleece. My eyes would be no good here as Snow would move to fast for me to react on sight alone. I needed my other senses, and I sincerely hoped that they hadn't dulled so much that I failed. Snow gave me a countdown, then all at once she flew forwards until we were nothing but a silvery gold streak like an arrow fired from Artemis's own bow. All at once the magical energy of the Golden Fleece flew at me and my hand darted off whereby it curled into the woolly blanket-like shroud, seizing it tightly and pulled it from the branch as Snow did not stop or slow down. We were gone before the dragon even realised the Fleece was missing, whereby we heard its roar bellow into the skies as it realised its treasure was gone. Thank gods we didn't get barbequed because that would have been a terrible ending for us.
The flight was as brief and swift as before, returning me to Kronos's army where I hastily rolled up the Fleece and stuffed it into one of Snowstorm's saddlebags for her to look after, dismounting in order to through my arms around her neck and kiss her face before I had to run in order to join the army once again, quickly switching armour with Hannah and was just adjusting the strap when Kronos came to inspect us. His intense stare looked me over and I hoped I didn't look too obviously windswept. "The armour, it still does not feel comfortable?"
"Not really, my lord. It just doesn't feel right for some reason." I told him truthfully, still fidgeting with the strap. Hannah had backed away before she could be seen helping me, but now she meekly returned and helped me to secure the buckle I was struggling with as Kronos did not even spare her a glance, which I'm sure she was very glad about. Once it was done, I picked up my helmet and placed it on my head, making sure it was secure before then turning and bowing to Kronos though as I did so, I felt irritated and stupid, wanting to stab him in the feet with Amaryllis. Admittedly the armour was extremely impressive, having been crafted by the telkhines who could not be denied their talents with metalwork. The armour was such made from some kind of metal that was harder and stronger than even celestial bronze, a deep silver colour which bordered upon black, but the breastplate was intricately designed into a pattern of what I determined to be fish scales, because I'd rather that than the scales of a snake. I'd had enough of snakes to last me a lifetime. Each scale, however, seemed to have been almost individually places and they gave off a kind of hue that changed whenever I turned and caught the light, ranging from blue and green to purple. It hugged the shape of my body as it had been made specifically for me, but still I felt awkward in it. Probably because it was another gift from Kronos, attempting to win my favour though it still baffled me as to why he wanted it.
Paired with it, my helmet was made from the same material in the traditional Greek style, though it was rimmed with a border pattern like waves and the plume was a midnight blue shade. I had also been given a shield, one that fit to my arm and depicted a sea monster of some sort, though I wasn't too fussed on it. Still, a shield would be useful so I carried it anyway, hoping I could perhaps break it on Kronos's head. "You will grow accustomed to it, my dear." I had to smile to hide the twitch of my face that wanted to scowl and shudder, because Kronos had now begun to call me that pet name which I hated more than anything. "I leave the battalions to you, then. As soon as you cross the Williamsburg Bridge, push your way through to the entrance to Olympus. Crush all resistance in your path."
"Understood, my lord." Saluting him, I signalled the troops in order to begin our march forwards, where I sucked in a deep breath and prayed that everything would go to plan, because in truth…I was quaking in my boots.