The group of us except for Reyna and Leo go off into the woods to a cave. From the outside, it looks like any other cave. However, as a legacy of Dolos, I can see it for what it really is: a modern bedroom complex with plush pillows and three beds.
We all file into the cave without so much a knock on its imaginary door. The inside is definitely much larger than the outside let on, I as saw before. The walls are painted in a multitude of drawings. One that stuck out, in particular, is a row of cruise ships. In that scene, an evil-looking Navy officer raises a spear over a bespectacled blond guy with a gold Roman gladius. Beside him is a brown-haired boy with a combat ukelele and bow and arrows. The blond guy is in a vulnerable position relative to the spear. When I others look at what I'm looking at, they all shudder. Percy's expression darkens at that sight. Deciding to not push the issue, I simply continue into what passes for a living room.
In the large recliner sits a familiar face. Frizzy red hair, emerald green eyes, tall and freckled. Rachelle is her name, I believe?
"So the crew of the Argo II returns," Rachelle begins. "I expected this day to come."
"Of course you have, Rachel," Annabeth bites back. The two girls share an understanding look between them.
Oh wait, her name is Rachel. Nevermind.
"You have returned, Arthur," Rachel says to me. "That last prophecy had me in a tizzy. I swear, every single time someone asks me that exact question, they claim I give a different prophecy every time."
"Once again, I hate it!" Annabeth suddenly bursts out. "Is it just me, or are these all different prophecies? Percy claims to hear about a legacy of the gods. Arthur got something else entirely, and Nico heard something about the clash of the undead."
"In any case, we can probably get a standard prophecy, right?" Frank questions.
"Let's see," Rachel replies. "Arthur, I'm assuming it pertains to you. Let me hear it."
"What shall I do to help Lord Hades?" I ask.
Once again, Rachel becomes a creepy breathing mannequin. The others in the room are desensitized to this spectacle, for they look on like it's business as usual. I struggle to contain my disgust at the sight. Once, again, her sweet, sultry voice switches to a deep, ancient chant. This time, her words aren't so cryptic.
"You shall go west on roads rediscovered.
Alone you shall travel in the groves of the nether.
One life or many, the choice will decide.
A lost hero's fate remains undefined."
This prophecy is infinitely better than the detonator that was the one on Olympus. Still, I feel uneasy at the meaning of these words.
"That may be the most unambiguous prophecy ever issued," the recovered Rachel speaks out. "However, I think our usual procedures are null."
"Normally, you can have two companions on your quest," Percy explains. "But, it's pretty obvious this is a solo quest. Unfortunately for you, you're on your own."
"But the prophecy says only in the 'Groves of the Nether,'" I plea. "Surely it doesn't mean I'm all on my own, right?"
"Even if others come with you, as that monster has proven two nights ago, we can't help you," Frank says. "The monster simply can't be killed with a show of force from just one pantheon or another. Also, since Zeus himself ordained this quest, this means you are to be solo, like Hercules."
I groan at the prospect. Perhaps I have never told anyone about this, but despite having so many friends in my life, I have always felt somewhat alone. There has never been another person, save for one, with as many talents as me. It's a lonely world to be in when everyone else only talks about one or two things. The prospect of being alone again makes me quite agitated.
"Are you okay, Arthur?" Hazel perks up. "It's like your face went totally blank for a moment."
"I'm fine," I reply as neutrally as I can.
"If Grover or Coach Hedge were here, they can read you quite well," Percy says. "There's clearly something you're not telling us."
Thinking of nothing better to distract them with, I push my luck.
"What is that scene Rachel painted onto the wall over there?" I ask.
"That would be the death of Jason Grace," Frank says. "He was on the quest to help Apollo secure the Oracles from Caligula and the Triumvirate. Supposedly, he heard a prophecy that either he or Piper must die on this quest. Jason chose to sacrifice himself rather than Piper."
"What still bothers me is that Jason's nowhere to be seen in the Underworld," Nico suddenly speaks up. "I assume it has to do with these cross-pantheon interactions. He could have found himself wandering the Duat or wherever you Egyptians go when you die."
"In any case, I think we've overstayed our welcome," Carter states. "Sadie and I have some important business to attend to back at in Brooklyn. Arthur, I advise you to come and train with us one day. Being one of our distant relatives, you should be more than able to master the Path of a god."
"Thanks, but no thanks," I reply. "I have an afterlife to save."
The next few weeks after Carter and Sadie depart are a blur in my mind. More and more campers begin to show up for the summer session. I once again get to see Julian from New Orleans, but a few extra surprises show up. One person, in particular, I am very surprised to see.
At the Dining Pavilion, I make my usual decision about where to sit for the night. That's when she walks up to me, someone I haven't seen in years from back in San Antonio. Her dirty blonde hair, iridescent hazel eyes, and tan Persian skin are all that remains from when we were both in second grade. She is now taller than I am. Despite my being several months older than her, she now looks almost fully grown despite being a few hairs over twelve. I feel myself blush a little bit, seeing how much, dare I say, prettier she has become. Her eyes light up as she recognizes me.
"Arthur, is that you?" she asks. "Oh my gods, it's been five years! How come you're here at Camp Half-Blood? I know you have two mortal parents."
"One question at a time, Penelope," I answer.
It is, in fact, my old childhood friend. I fondly recall the giant dirt fort we dug in my backyard all those years ago. My parents were thoroughly impressed with our craftsmanship. My father had basically adopted her, for she never knew her father. Only now do I know why that was the case.
"I'm here due to a weird turn of events," I begin. I recall and tell her the events since February. She has a hard time processing all the words coming out of my face.
"So that's why your father was often on business trips," Penelope says. "I should have known you're divine too."
Her face becomes a bit sullen.
"I guess you're also wondering where I've been. As you remember, my mother and I moved to Atlanta when we were in second grade. Although I got along quite well with the people there, I never quite liked the city. Around when I was ten, that's when the monsters began to attack. Eventually, my mother was forced to tell me the truth. For the last two years, I have been coming to Camp every summer."
"Who's your godly parent?" I ask.
"Hephaestus," she replies. "After meeting him for the first time, I knew why I was always the 'ugly duckling' at school. Of course, when I began to grow out of it, I didn't like the new attention I got either. The boys at school are so annoying. Even though my friends are great, I, I..."
Penelope begins to blush a little bit. She tries to cover it up with a wipe of her brow, but I pretend not to see nonetheless.
"I haven't met another friend like you, Arthur," she finally says. "I still have that picture of us adding that tower to the old fort."
"Well, can we recall some good times with over a few plates of food," I tease. "Come on, let's line up with the rest of the cabin. Before you ask, Chiron has labeled me 'indeterminate.' I can sit at any table I please."
With that, we prepare our meals and talk with the other Hephaestus campers for the rest of the time. We got some suspicious glances from the other campers, and I swear I heard someone mention Percy and Annabeth, but I don't care. I'm just glad to see my old friend again.