RACHAEL

Chapter 8

On my way to the arena, I thought about what Annabeth had said. Night herself rising? The entire Earth cast into darkness? Gaea and Kronos were bad enough but this…

Seriously, these monsters were thousands of years old. Couldn't they just take a break for a while and let me live my life? Apparently not.

Leo, Percy, Annabeth and I had already seen the others off, reminding them to Iris-message us if need be. I shook my head. I didn't want to think about that now. Instead my mind wandered into a topic I had discussed in my head for years: My parents.

I sighed as I ran through the list once again. Poseidon? Possible, since I could talk to horses and sea animals like Percy and the water boosted my strength, but I could in no way control water. Secretly, I hoped it wasn't. I mean, Poseidon is great and all, but my fear of swimming created plenty of room for doubt. Whatever kind of demigod I was, I wanted to be wholehearted about it. Something told me I wouldn't be a very good daughter of Poseidon if I was afraid of water. Zeus? Forget it. Hades? Uh…no thanks. Athena? Also possible, since I was a huge bookworm and most of my demigod friends sometimes forgot the fact that I was dyslexic. I also loved strategy and owls, which was Athena's sacred animal. But I didn't really like weaving. Hera was an easy one to rule out, since she didn't even have any demigod kids. Aphrodite I could strike out too. I had no care for makeup or beauty or boys; an opposite of the Aphrodite kids.

Moving on…Apollo? Could happen, as I am wonderful at archery as well as music, but…not so good at poems. Demeter? Nah, I liked nature, but I doubted I was a daughter of Demeter. Dionysius was a big no-no and so was Hermes. I don't steal. There was one possibility that seemed almost certain, and that was the fact I could be a daughter of Hecate, goddess of magic. The only thing about that was that monsters in the outside world had attacked me when I was only 11, but usually kids of the minor gods don't really attract many monsters till they get a lot older.

The problem was, the only way I would know for sure is if they claimed me. Which wasn't really happening. What was weird was that Percy had made the gods swear that they would claim all their demigod kids by the time they turned 13. I was 14 but…still no parents. I remembered Thalia, who knew she was a daughter of Zeus but couldn't fly or control the air like Jason, her brother could. She couldn't control the air or fly because she didn't believe she could. So what if I had hidden powers but I didn't know I had them?

I groaned. This was getting confusing.

As I neared the arena I spotted a group of centaurs trotting to the Big House. I picked up my pace and caught up with Chiron.

"Chiron!" I called out as I neared him.

He smiled. "Hello, Rachael? Something you wanted to ask me?"

"Kind of."

"Listen," He said. "I know you are scared about what is coming, but I have complete faith that you will pull through." He smiled and his brown eyes twinkled. I nodded. "And," He continued. "I have a feeling that you will play a big part in helping our camp." I nodded again and jogged over to the arena. Maybe Chiron wasn't allowed to intervene, but he still believed we could do this.

I was learning with the Hermes kids today, rather then the Athena demigods. I spotted the twins, Conner and Travis Stoll, who were organizing people into pairs for a sparring session. Conner and Travis weren't bad, but being the children of Hermes, the god of thieves, I had learned to keep one hand on my wallet while they were around. Also, the fact that their last name was 'Stoll' was a common joke.

"-And Rachael will be with me," Conner finished.

"Wait, what?" I asked.

"Sparring. Pairs. Go!" Travis yelled and pushed me into the center of the arena, which I didn't find very helpful. I automatically took out a dagger, since it was a sparring session and I obviously couldn't use Alexis, but Conner just shook his head.

"Come on, Rachael. We all know you're good at archery and with a dagger. Try a sword."

I grunted stubbornly. "Fine." I grabbed a Celestial Bronze sword and we began. We struck and parried, our blades clashing against each other's at record speed. I tried a disarming move, but Conner twisted his blade and my sword clattered to the ground. I had lost. I wasn't that upset, though. Sword fighting just wasn't really my thing.

"Next up," Travis shouted while glancing at a crumbled sheet of paper, "Robert and Ian!" I slipped out of the arena and headed back into the Athena cabin to shower and change, surprised to find Rachel sitting on my bed.

"Hi Rachael!" She said, waving to me.

I smiled. "How are you doing Rachel?"

Rachel was our Oracle, but wasn't a demigod, just a normal mortal but who could see through the Mist. We had this ongoing joke about our names being so similar, so whenever we talked we tried to incorporate our names in the sentence as much as possible to see if we could confuse ourselves.

"Fine, Rachael."

"But it's autumn. Shouldn't you be in school Rachel?"

"Yes, well, I needed to talk to you about something." I nodded, and we dropped the 'Rachael/Rachel' joke.

She scooted over to give me room and I sat down beside her.

"So what's up?" I asked.

She fidgeted in her seat "I've been having these visions…"

"-about Night?"

"How'd you know?"

"I've been having dreams too." I squirmed at the memory.

"I'm worried Rachael. Night herself…we barely survived Gaea."

"I know. There's something else too." I filled her in on what happened with Savvy. "I don't know what to do. Should I go after her?" Rachel was silent. "Rachel? Hello?" I turned to face her, but she had gone completely stiff. Green mist swirled around her. A prophecy? She opened her mouth and began:

A price to pay, shall end the light of day

Two halves must unite, through a window of light

The darkest shall rise, after tales of endless lies

Born in the shortest of twelve parts,

Alone to face the ones with no hearts

Rachel collapsed on my bed. My head was spinning. A prophecy? Why would there be a prophecy? Unless…was I meant to find Savvy? But prophecies had double meanings and it didn't always mean what you thought it did. Putting the thought aside for later, I tried to pick up Rachel, but she was too heavy for me. A daughter of Apollo, Nicole Fletcher strolled in and I called her over to help me.

"Woah, what happened?" She asked as we carried Rachel towards the infirmary.

My head spun. If it really was about Savvy then I didn't want to share the prophecy just yet so I simply said: "She banged her head on the bed frame pretty hard."

"Oh, okay," Nicole replied, not thinking anything. Thank the gods she wasn't a daughter of Athena.

When we got to the infirmary I spotted Chiron speaking to Mr.D, aka Dionysius, our camp director. He had been banished by Zeus to 100 years of training because he chased some 'off-limits' nature spirit. He was, as usual, wearing a Hawaiian T-shirt and shorts and yet again attempting to drink alcohol without the King of the Gods noticing.

"Robert Mondavi private selection, 12%. Care for some, Chiron?"

"Why do you insist on persisting, Dionysius?"

Mr.D poured himself a tall glass of the drink, but just as he was about to sip it turned from a brilliant shade of crimson to white.

"Blast this curse," grumbled Mr.D. Nicole and I walked in and placed Rachel down on an unoccupied bed.

"What happened?" Chiron asked, worriedly, hurrying over.

"She uh…" I hesitated. Lying was far from my strong suit, and Savvy had never been able to convince me that it was okay. She was different. She'd drag me into some crazy prohibited stunt and then make up an amazing story if we got caught while I just stood there stuttering. I couldn't lie. "…she banged her head on the bed frame," I managed finally.

Chiron looked at me wearily and I froze. Gods, why couldn't I lie?

But Chiron just nodded. "She might be out for a few minutes. Nicole, you may go now as I do believe you have canoeing lessons."

Nicole hurriedly ducked her head and ran out the room. For reasons unknown, she was terrified of Mr.D. I never understood why. Mr.D looked up at me as if just noticing I had entered the room, but said nothing.

Chiron took a deep breath. "No sign of head injury, and no trace of anything ever hitting her head. Are you sure that's what exactly happened Rachael?"

I knew it: he saw right through my lie. But I have to say it wasn't a very good one.

However I still continued. "Yes."

Mr.D looked up at me. "Do we look stupid to you Rebecca Steward?"

"Rachael Stone," I corrected.

"Whatever."

Chiron still eying me, I left the room. Thank the gods that was over. Chiron knew Rachel had spouted a prophecy, I was sure of it. But why hadn't he made me tell it to him? I shook my head. I needed to think.

Absentmindedly I made my way to the canoe lake. The afternoon sun shined brightly on the water, making it sparkle. I sat on a ledge covered in pebbles and took off my combat boots and socks and dipped my feet into the water. Immediately I felt awake again, my energy restored. The water always helped me concentrate, just like Percy. I didn't mind the water, but I was deathly afraid of swimming. It had taken me forever just to go down to the canoe lake. I shivered as I looked at the deep water in front of me. That was why I had never tried to control water; the idea terrified me. What if it backfired or something?

I thought back to the prophecy. I had mixed feelings about it. Rachel had spouted it just after I had asked her advice about going after Savvy. That couldn't be a coincidence. Despite the fact that Savvy was a mere mortal, I had to find her, no matter what. I had tons of friends at Camp Half-Blood, but Savvy was different. We had a sort of unique connection and I had shared with her things I had told few others.

However, at the same time I cringed with fear at the idea of facing yet another enemy, even darker and more foreboding than the previous. The thought made me want to crawl into a hole and sleep for a hundred years.

I sighed and slipped my feet loosely back into my shoes. I had a full hour before my next class, so I might as well practise. I headed over to the archery range and pulled out Alexis. Taking a deep breath, I nocked my first arrow. I held the end against my chin for a couple seconds and on exhale, I released. Carful not to jerk my bow, I watched my arrow plant itself firmly into the target and smiled. Dead center.

I shot another round of arrows, and after a while, lost myself in the practise. I could feel myself slip into another world, where there is nothing except the target and me. What seems like half an hour later I stopped quickly for a break and just held my bow and looked around. A light breeze ruffled my curly hair as it had been doing for some time now, but suddenly the wind switched direction and I felt the presence of some other creature, watching me. I gaze upwards briefly but saw nothing. Shaking my head, I resumed my training.

I will find Savvy. I will.

Some time later, I heard a conch horn blow in the distance and I jolted suddenly, causing the arrow I had just fired to land off-target. Judging from the position of the sun, it was way too early for dinner. So why was Chiron assembling the demigods? Perhaps he has found information about Savvy? Energized by this thought, I sprinted towards the dining pavilion.

I slid into a seat next to Percy and across from Leo and Annabeth, who all looked just as surprised as I was. The other demigods slowly trailed in and sat down, each of them chattering nervously.

"What's going on?" I asked to no one in particular.

Annabeth shrugged. "Maybe Chiron just wants to discuss some things."

As if on cue, Chiron stepped up. "I am fully aware," he began, "that this gathering is out of ordinary, but I do feel that it is appropriate to come together to discuss recent events."

I immediately stiffened. I knew what must happen next, so I walked to the center of the building, next to where Chiron stood and began my story yet again. It pained me to repeat it so lost of meaning, and I stuttered when it came to the part about Savvy disappearing into the light. Percy and Annabeth didn't say anything about Night and neither did I. No use scaring the camp until we know exactly what's going on.

Chiron sent me back to my seat and I sat down glumly. Katie Gardner, the counsellor of the Demeter cabin called out, "Should we send out some satyrs to look for Savvy?"

"No," Chiron said. "We do not know where she has gone so there is not much we can do now."

I couldn't stand it anymore. This 'mere mortal' was beyond their worry and they had more 'important' things to attend to. The idea disgusted me. Like it or not, Savvy was my best friend and I would find her. "I can go and take a couple other demigods with me," I suggested, trying to keep my voice steady.

"No" is all Chiron said.

At this simple and uncaring reply, I pretty much exploded. "But I must go!"

"Rachael calm down," Percy said, grabbing my wrist.

"I will not calm down!" I yelled, pulling my hand away. "I want to go find her!"

"Racha-" Leo tried.

"Shut up FireBoy!"

"Rachael," Chiron started. "You cannot go on a quest to find Savannah."

"And why not?"

"Because we need you here," he said.

I remember the prophecy and by now I'm almost sure that it means I have to go after Savvy. But I promised to myself I wouldn't tell anyone yet so there is nothing I can do. "Fine." I said, defeated. But I already started making plans to sneak out. Maybe after it gets dark I could sneak one of the pegasus…

I glanced up and was surprised to fine the sun low in the sky. Had that much time really passed? Chiron must have noticed the same thing because he quickly summed up and announced dinner.

I switched to my place at the Athena table and sat silently eating my food for a few minutes.

"Rachael can guard the flag with me," Annabeth said, snapping me out of my faze.

I perked up. "What? What are we talking about?"

Annabeth frowned. "It's Friday. We have Capture the Flag today. Didn't you know?" I shook my head. So many things had been going on lately I had completely forgotten. All the campers lined up by the fire to offer a portion of their food to the gods, particularly their parents. Since I didn't know who my parents were I always did a general offering but mostly for Athena, Apollo, Poseidon and especially Hecate, which were the most likely possibilities. After we sat down we continued discussing strategies for Capture the Flag. Ares and Athena were the captains this time.

"So who have we made alliances with?" I asked. During the war games, campers were allowed to trade privileges, shower times, chore schedules and good activity times in order to gain support.

"Well so far it's us, the Hephaestus cabin and the Poseidon cabin." I grinned. At least we'd have Percy on our side. "I think we also have Demeter," Annabeth continued. "Oh, an uh…Rachael," Annabeth whispered, leaning in closer to me so we could not be heard. "Leo and I Iris-messaged the others to fill them in."

"Good," I said. Annabeth pushed back and we resumed the topic of the war games.

One of Annabeth's siblings, Christina added, "And Aphrodite, but I don't see how they're going to help. All they do is hang out by the lake and stare at their reflections. Pretty much everyone else is on the Ares team with Clarisse." The three of us glanced towards the Ares table. The dozen kids there were buff and looked like a well-oiled tem of rugby players. A couple kids were arm wrestling and Clarisse herself was toying with her electric spear.

"She got another spear?" I asked.

"Yep," Annabeth answered, smiling playfully. "Her third one now."

I smirked. Percy had snapped Clarisse's first spear in half and I had contributed by driving an arrow through her second. "Clarisse will be looking for revenge," I said.

Christina spoke up. "On the topic of strategy, we were thinking Annabeth would guard the flag close up and you would be waiting in the trees some seventy feet away." I nodded. It sounded good to me. "The Hephaestus kids will be launching a head on attack and will be setting some traps around where we're going to put the flag. A few Demeter kids and I will scout around for their flag and the rest of the Athena kids will sneak around the back and snatch it."

"Percy can defend using the river," I added.

"The rest of the Demeter and Aphrodite kids are guarding the border," Annabeth said. Once dinner had finished, Chiron cleared his throat to gather everyone's attention.

"Now," Chiron said, "It is war games day so we are playing Capture the Flag. You all know the rules. The creek is the boundary line and the entire forest if fair game. All magic items are allowed and the banner must be properly visible. The flag may have no more then two guards, one at least ten feet away from the flag and only at least sixty feet away. Prisoners may be disarmed, but not bound or gagged. No killing or maiming allowed," He glanced pointedly at the Ares kids at this but then continued. "I will serve as referee and battlefield medic. Arm yourselves!" At this Chiron spread his hands and the tables were filled with weapons and armor. Everyone rushed forward and grabbed equipment.

I already had my bracelet with my bow and arrow so I strapped on my armor and armed myself with five knives: one hidden in each of my combat boots, one in my right sleeve and the other two simply strapped to my belt.

Annabeth yelled. "Red Team! Forward!" We cheered and hiked toward the north side of the woods, and the blue team towards the south.

Everyone scattered, taking his or her positions. The Hephaestus kids quickly set traps around our banner and rushed to their hiding point. Percy hid by the river, ready to bend the water to his will. Annabeth crouched behind a rock about ten feet from the flag and I hiked for a while, looking for a suitable tree. I decided on a forty feet tall oak and climbed. Taking out Alexis, I hid in the branches.

Far away, a conch horn blew. I heard kids yelling and metal clanking, but stayed firmly in my spot. It wasn't ten minutes before I heard a small group, maybe three or four walking towards our flag. They broke through the bushes near where I was waiting and I spotted four Ares demigods: Clarisse was leading three of her siblings.

I smiled. It was time for revenge. This was going to be a very interesting war games.