The next week whizzed past. I slowly discovered that I was no good at sword fighting, archery, medicine, or knife throwing. I did, however, have quite a knack for setting things on fire and breaking things. I called my parents 3 times each day, assuring them that I was okay and that I would be back for Christmas. I even sent Hestia an Iris-message.

I was in the gym, trying to put out the fire that I have no idea how I set on one of the dummies, when the Apollo kid approached me- the one that had fetched me for breakfast the week before. "Hey," he said, "I don't think I introduced myself. I'm Orion Roma." He extended a hand.

I shook it. "Like the constellation?" I asked. He laughed

"Yes, like the constellation. So you're Hestia's daughter, huh? That's pretty cool. I thought she was supposed to remain a maiden forever." He said.

I shrugged. "Hey, not my fault. I think it was supposed to be a secret, but then she told me that there was a new rule that all demigods had to be claimed by their 13th birthday."

"So your dad never told you where you were from?" He asked.

I shook my head. "I don't know who my dad is. She left me with, well, my current adoptive parents. I don't know why it's such a big secret. She never even told me who he was." I changed the subject. "Awesome weather we're having, huh? It feels like springtime!"

"Yeah!" Orion said, "It's November, but it's short-sleeved weather! Not typical for New York."

Just then, a girl ran into the sword fighting gym. "Hey, you two!" She said, "Chiron wants everyone in the mess hall. Big announcement." She was clearly out of breath. Orion and I abandoned the charred remains of the dummy and jogged over to the mess hall. Everyone was gathering there- Satyrs, tree spirits, and campers alike.

"Quiet!" Chiron bellowed. All the chatter stopped. "Alright. As you may already know, the weather is much too hot for a Manhattan winter. I am sad to announce that this hot trend is happening all around the Northern Hemisphere, especially on and around the North Pole. I want three demigods to venture out and find the source of this problem- and I know just who to send. Zenia, will you please step foreword?" The crowd gasped, including me. He wanted me to go? I have only been here a week, and I wasn't good at anything! "Go up to the attic and talk to the Oracle. She will tell you what to do."

I went into the big blue barn and ascended the stairs into the top room. Strewn about the room were various relics of the past. In the corner sat a teenager with wild red hair. She looked up at me.

"Zenia," she spoke, sounding like a thousand souls of the dead screaming. It was terrifying. "I thought you might come. You have come for your quest, no?"

I nodded.

"You are the bearer

Of the key of mystery

Do not look behind you." The Oracle shook, and returned to normal.

"That didn't rhyme!" I accused.

"It's a haiku. They don't have to rhyme." She responded.

"Haiku's have five syllables at the end, not six."

"Oh, details, details. Now go and pick out two people to go with you on your quest."

"Where's my quest to?"

"In the underworld

The one who calls you by name

He will know what you seek."

"Hey, that last line had six syllables, too!" But she was gone. I shrugged and ran downstairs to tell Chiron.