Chapter 4: He Was Not Ready
Percy slammed his fist onto the table inside the Big House. He was ready. Annabeth had been taken. He'd managed to save two new Demigods, a girl named Bianca di Angelo and her brother, Nico, but he failed to save Annabeth. Grover was just outside, being comforted by Thalia and Bianca.
Chiron stood next to Mr. D, the god Dionysus, on the other end of the table.
"Annabeth's been kidnapped!" Percy hissed at Mr. D, "And you're just gonna ignore it?"
Mr. D slowly took a sip of a Coke in his hand. He slowly placed it down and snarled, "We simply cannot risk any more campers being lost. But by all means, go. Try to take on the demigod Landon-"
"Luke, Mr. D." Chiron corrected.
"Whatever. And try to take on the entire army of monster that Kronos has in store!"
"You don't even care!" Percy hissed.
"Percy." Chiron calmly warned.
The three remained silent for a long time.
"Now," Mr. D said shaking with anger. "I must attend to the satyr and hear his report."
He stormed out of the Big House. Chiron began to follow him.
"Chiron," Percy said.
Chiron stopped and turned to Percy.
"There's something I need to tell you."
Percy told him all about the visions, the image of his older self, the message, and Kronos. Chiron looked stunned.
"Very interesting..." Chiron said nodding.
"Interesting?" Percy snapped. "My mom is dead in the visions!"
Chiron looked at Percy. Percy sighed apologetically.
"Forgive me, Chiron," Percy stated.
"It's alright Percy," Chiron answered. "It's just that... I've never seen this type of magic in a very long time. It does not seem like my father's work, but it does seem suspicious. I think-"
Chiron looked at Percy's sword on the table.
Chiron replied solemnly, "Your sword..."
Percy turned and picked it up off the table. The edges of it were cracked and rusty. Percy leaned in closer. A fresh crack suddenly gleamed across the sword.
"Riptide..." Percy said.
"It would seem that your sword is now a reminder," Chiron said grimly.
"A reminder?" Percy asked.
"For the future." Chiron answered, "It is as I had feared. As long as this conjectured future remains unchanged, the sword will slowly degenerate. The visions are of the future."
Percy squirmed at the thought of Riptide disintegrating. He held on to it for two years now. It had saved his life multiple times. He could bare thinking about his favorite weapon being destroyed.
"What do I do?" Percy demanded.
"For now," Chiron sighed. "Move on. But if you receive a vision at any time, do your best to 'change the outcome' as your future self says. For now, I must attend to Artemis."
Percy stood alone in the Big House as Chiron left him.
Change the outcome. Let him... Let him what? Who?