Percy didn't know what to say. When the last line of the prophecy was delivered to the counselors of the various cabins, he couldn't meet anyone's eye. Gasps were heard all around the ping-pong table, and even the cheese enchilada in Grover's hand dropped onto the floor. The satyr practically worshipped cheese enchiladas, and it wouldn't be good to drop your item of worship onto the floor where it would get dirty, would it?

"WHAT?"

"But-"

"My cheese enchilada!"

"Why-?"

There was a huge cacophony of protests and queries until Chiron raised his hand. The counselors fell silent, but most were squirming uncomfortably in their seats. Leo was as ADHD as ever, tapping his feet against the floor while fiddling with pieces of celestial bronze scraps. The son of Hephaestus reminded Percy of his Cyclops half-brother, Tyson. He hadn't seen Tyson in a very long time, which made his heart ache even more. Grover had dived under the ping-pong table to locate his lost enchilada, causing many campers to scowl when he accidentally grabbed their feet while he groped around for it.

Chiron cleared his throat and Grover had no choice but to return to his chair, inciting whimpers from him.

"The child of Ares may not necessarily be Clarisse…or any other Ares camper, right?" Piper asked. A roasted chicken sprouted out of the cornucopia that she held tightly in her hands. Percy knew that she was trying to use her power of charmspeaking to calm the counselors down as he felt his mind go blank for a second. He rubbed his temples with his fingers. "Look, let's not talk about that now, alright? Let's focuse on something else, like 'Call upon the aquatic mares'."

Will Solace leaned forward and crossed his fingers in a business-like way. He spoke, "Well, we all know that the 'aquatic mares' are hippocampi."

"And that the 'sorceress' is Circe," Percy continued. Okay, apparently not everyone knew that, since some of the counselors started giving him blank looks. "Long story," he added hastily.

Chiron nodded and turned to him. "You have to go to Circe's Island, Aeaea-"

"Woah, woah, wait. Go back there? I'm not sure if the island even exists anymore. If I ever set foot on that place again, Circe will come running after me with her magic fire. She wouldn't even think about turning me into a guinea pig. And this time, I've got no multi-vitamins to save me. So, it's not a good idea."

Chiron's expression hardened. "Do you want to save Annabeth or not?"

The son of Poseidon gave a sigh of resignation and showed his palms. "You got me there. But are you sure that there isn't another way?"

"There is no other way. The prophecy says that you have to go to Aeaea."

Stupid prophecies. They made Percy really want to be a normal kid. As a normal kid, you didn't have your future planned into a confusing, poem-like bunch of words. Yes, sure, prophecies helped sometimes (emphasis on 'sometimes'), but most of the time they just left Percy staring into space while struggling with his muddle of thoughts and emotions. What's more, prophecies really sounded like those mean kids in the schools Percy used to attend, who bossed people around and made them do the things they disliked.

"Fine," he almost spat. "So, 'Wisdom's saviours come in pairs'. Another demigod is supposed to accompany me."

It was a statement, but everyone around the table knew that a silent question had been asked. Nobody spoke, and the only sound was that of a certain satyr munching on enchiladas. Even Leo had stopped tapping his foot, like all the nervous energy was drained out of him.

"I'll come with you."

Everyone turned and faced Piper, their eyes widening in surprise. Jason, who was sitting beside her, took her hand. "Piper, it's dange-"

"-rous, yes, I know. But have you thought about it? 'A magic tongue will break the spell'. There are only two charmspeakers in Camp Half-blood, Drew and me. Erm…no offence, but Drew isn't exactly the fighting type. Since we're going to a sorceress' island, there has to be some combat involved."

The son of Zeus didn't yield. "But you may get hurt or something-"

"Do you trust me?" Piper asked her boyfriend, putting a finger on his lips. He nodded. "And do you trust Percy?"

Slight hesitation, followed by another nod.

"Good. Look, Jason, no one goes on a quest without getting hurt. No demigod is safe forever. I know that you care a lot about me, but sometimes, you have to let go. A caged dove cannot do much. Besides, Annabeth is my friend. I have to help her."

Jason looked like he was trying to swallow a rock. Finally, he croaked, "J-just promise me that you'll come back, Pipes."

"I promise."

Some girls around the table were already tearing up. Clarisse was being helpful by handing out pieces of tissue. Katie Gardner from the Demeter Cabin was just about forming a mini fountain on her side of the table.

Percy noticed that Piper didn't use charmspeak in her words. She probably wanted Jason to really let her go. It wouldn't be fair if she had used charmspeak. If she had, the poor boy would probably wake up one morning and start wailing about his lost girlfriend. Not that Jason would be that pathetic. Maybe he would fly around the camp like a blonde Superman and look for Piper. Yeah, that sounded more like it.

Leo had stopped fiddling with his metal and was pretending to sob like some of the girls. Probably an attempt to cheer the counselors up. Percy didn't really find that funny, but decided to crack a smile so that Leo wouldn't be too disappointed. The son of Hephaestus gave him a thumbs-up and returned his attention back to his precious bronze scraps.

Chiron cleared his throat again. However, Percy wasn't listening. His thoughts drifted to what happened in the Infirmary last night…

Thirteen hours ago:

Percy felt his eyes widen in horror when a wannabe Oracle of Delphi stepped into the Infirmary. Oh, wait a minute…he squinted in the darkness and realised that it was Rachel Dare, the Oracle. Thick green mist swirled around her when she proceeded to walk towards Percy. Afraid that she would strangle him or something, he quickly backed away and pushed a stool towards her.

A clip-clop of hooves signaled that Rachel wouldn't be the only company (besides Annabeth) that Percy would be having that night. Soon, Chiron entered, just as the red-headed girl sat down on the stool and rasped:

"Son of the sea, do not despair,

Wisdom's saviours come in pairs.

Call upon the aquatic mares

To bring you to the sorceress' lair.

A magic tongue will break the spell

And Ares' child shall be dispelled."

With that, she collapsed on the stool, and the green mist disappeared. Suddenly, her eyelids flicked open to reveal a pair of startling green eyes. "W-what happened?"

Chiron and Percy exchanged a knowing look. The son of Poseidon helped Rachel up and replied, "C'mon, we've got a lot to discuss."

After taking one last, long look at Annabeth, Percy left the Infirmary, with Chiron and Rachel in tow.