Disclaimer: I do not own the PJO series. I am not Rick Riordan. You should know that by now.
Author's Note: The Oracle at this point is a live priestess. She becomes possessed by the spirit of Delphi when the question is asked.
Sorry for the wait, I was traveling in Europe with my family. I broke my right arm. Again. But I'm still writing this story, because I want to write the next book. This is more of a prequel, to make my readers see this in a certain light. Please review! Constructive criticism welcome!
Also, thanks to drnl for your wonderful review.
Shocked by the sudden transportation, I stumbled and fell onto the highly polished black marble floor of the temple. I slowly stood up, surveying the temple of Delphi. I was impressed.
Statues of early gods were everywhere, made out of marble. I recognized Gaia, Ouranos, Hekate, and Apollo. Pillars of marble held up the cave roof. With wonder, I realized that the temple had once been a huge cave that had been converted into a grand temple.
I walked toward the dais at the back of the temple, feeling as though the statues' eyes were following me. A vision briefly flickered in front of my eyes, of the temple in ruins, with a huge group of people in odd clothes walking through it. I glared at my sword.
"Interesting sword." The words came from the dais. On the throne was a woman so still I had taken her for a statue. "Haven't seen celestial steel for a long time."
I froze. "How did you know what I had with me?"
The priestess sighed. "I am the Oracle of Delphi, speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python, the dragon of Delphi, which lies in your future as well. I can see things hidden to mortals, demigods, and the gods themselves. You are none of those. Approach, seeker and ask."
"What do you mean? I am not any of them. I'm a mortal, now."
"You are much more than that, Zoë Nightshade. Ask."
I swallowed. "What is my destiny?" It wasn't exact, but I had no idea what I was supposed to ask about.
Green light flared in the priestess's eyes, filling the temple with an ugly glow. She opened her mouth, and green fog poured out, covering everything. I couldn't even see the priestess, it was so thick.
But suddenly I was aware of another light. Silver and white poured out of the sheath at my waist. Wonderingly, I pulled out the enormous sword. Suddenly, it slipped from my grip and hovered eight feet in the air, casting its silver glow down on the temple. Between the light and the mist, it made a scene out of a legend.
The Oracle spoke, its rasping voice muffled by the fog.
"When the sword is too much to bear,
Bring it to the kraken's lair,
There long-forgotten guardian sleeps
None can find it in the deeps.
But, Zoë Shade of the Night,
More awaits thee; see in sword's sight,
A future of wonder, and danger, as well.
Beware of those whose swords can sell
The Titans rise, you shall fall
But revive again, for the good of all.
Live and die by your blade
Heed my words, Zoë Nightshade
Seek the help of the mythology grand,
Forgotten in long-ago Egypt sand
In the tundra of the North
Do not stop; journey forth
Lest you waken the sleep of the ice
Less than an hour shall suffice.
And lost are you to history
Until timeless once again you be.
Pictures formed in the fog: me on Ladon in a group of people; there was no sound, but I appeared to be arguing. It changed, and I was firing arrows at a beast twice as big as I was and hurling boulders at me… I was standing in front of Ladon the dragon, dodging his snapping heads… I was firing arrows amongst a group at a lion with a spiky tail… I was dodging blows from a huge cobra… I was running from an immense dragon… I was firing arrows at Talos… I was knife-fighting with a skeleton warrior… I was slashing with Forgotten at a being made completely out of fire… The images were moving faster and faster, too fast for me to see clearly, until, with a roar, the mist shot back towards the priestess and disappeared within her.
I stood up for the third time in a matter of minutes. The priestess seemed to be unconscious, but, suddenly, her eyes glowed sickly green and opened. The eyes turned towards me, and a jolt of fear shot through me/
Go now, Daughter of the Sea. You shall not return for a long, long time. Remember me in the days to come.
With that, the Oracle transported me back to the place I had been before Hekate had brought me there. The force of its teleportation threw me forward into the dirt. Again. I picked myself off the ground and glared at the skies. Thunder rumbled in reply.
I sighed and leapt lightly onto my horse. "When did life get so complicated?"
He didn't answer, of course.
Well, my sword was currently helping me, not hurting me, so I could wait before trying to unravel its meaning. But I hoped that I would never have such an experience again. My eyes and head were still aching.
With absolutely no clue what to do next, I spun Ladon around and nearly ran into the person standing there. I yanked back on the reins, and Ladon reared, whinnying. But I was too startled by the person standing there to pay much attention.
For the person was none other than my not-so-dear sister, Aegle.
A little bit of a cliffhanger, but I'm sure you guys don't mind… Review! I want at least seven reviews before I update! Thanks to all my reviewers, but criticism is necessary! Thank you very much!