CHAPTER 3

THE SILVER SWORD

"Where's Chiron?" I asked while we were walking. I noticed that Camp Half-Blood hasn't changed a lot since I've left. Everything was pretty much exactly the same. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, it was super sunny, and the grass was… well, green.

"Last I saw him, he was in the Big house." Annabeth answered. Since we were walking side by side, I realized that I was now taller than her. At least by an inch or two. I was secretly happy about that, not that I was going to say that out loud. I knew she would just tell me how immature I am or something.

When we arrived at the Big House, I saw Chiron and Mr. D on the porch playing pinochle. When they saw us, Chiron gave me a tired smile, but Mr. D grunted and took a sip of his Diet Coke.

Chiron looked pretty much the same. He was wearing a blue t-shirt that said 'Centaur Bachelor Party 1458'. (did I mention he was half- horse?)

Mr. D was wearing a shirt that was so loud, I'm pretty sure China called to tell him to turn it down. It was a Hawaiian pattern shirt with many bright and neon colors. He squinted his eyes at me; I don't think he was so thrilled we interrupted his game.

"Ah, Percy," Chiron said, gesturing for us to come over to the table they were at. "Long time, but I wasn't expecting you until this evening."

"I kind of got side tracked."

"By what?" He asked.

"A monster."

I thought Chiron was going to react somehow, like, ask me if I was ok, or wonder about the monster that attacked. He didn't.

Instead, he just sighed.

Chiron seemed so exhausted; it looked like he aged about 400 years.

I said, "Um, Chiron, are you ok? You seem a little-"

"Out of it?" He guessed. "Yes, I am. I'm sorry, Percy, but ever since the incident, there has been even more attacks than ever."

"Incident?" I asked. "What incident?"

Chiron was about to answer when Mr. D interrupted him, "Oh, for the love of Wine!" D exclaimed, "Does this kid know anything?"

I was about to snap back when Chiron put his hand up. "Dionysus, I will finish this pinochle game later. I need to have a talk with Percy."

"Please," Mr. D said, "That's only because you're losing." Then, snapped his fingers and disappeared with only smoke leaving in his place.

Chiron sighed, "Please, you three, come inside."

I've only been in the Big House once or twice before, campers usually weren't allowed inside because it was restricted. From the outside, the Big House looked like a beautiful, white church. Inside, it looked even more magnificent. The walls were the color of a pearl; silky cream. The floors were marbled black and white squares. It was so elegant, I felt sort of out of place.

"Please, sit down. I have much to share with you, Percy." Chiron said.

Annabeth, Grover, and I obeyed and sat down on the black cushion chairs.

Chiron crossed his arms, "Alright, now Percy, what I am about to tell you cannot leave this room, do you understand me?"

I nodded, suddenly very curious. I glanced toward Annabeth and Grover, who were sitting on either side of me. Their faces were expressionless, so I guessed they already knew.

Chiron took a deep breath, "Now, in case you haven't figured it out yet, Kronos is rising."

I nodded again, "That monster, the one that attacked at my school, said something like that. He said it was very soon."

"Unfortunately, that is true. Usually, it takes many, many centuries for a Titan or even a god to fully form after they are killed, or in this case, torn up into many pieces."

"But then why…-" I began.

"Please let me explain." Chiron said, "Only a magical force could help with Kronos's actions. A force so powerful, that it isn't even possible for me to begin."

That sent shivers down my spine. Where is he getting to?

"Do you remember the golden sarcophagus Kronos was buried in, Percy?" He asked.

I shuddered, how could I forget? It was when me, Annabeth, and Tyson went to the Sea of Monsters. The coffin was on the Princess Andromeda, Luke was there too…

Chiron continued, "As you know, the gods put Kronos, or what was left of him, in that coffin. It is unbreakable, it's made of pure-solid gold. The only way to break it is a strong, magical force."

He paused.

Then I asked, "What's this magical force?"

"Well, it is, was, in this Camp."

"What?" I didn't get it, a weapon that powerful in this Camp?

"Yes, actually, it was in this room."

I sat there, wide eyed. I looked around as if to see a poster that said 'Big, magical force right here!'

"Ok…," Was all I said.

Chiron chuckled a little, "Hard to believe?"

"Just a little."

He smiled a little, "Yes, I know it is a bit odd. The most powerful weapon known, and it is hidden in a very public place? But, it is so unpredictable, no one would ever think about looking in the Camp."

"What is it?" I asked, "The weapon?"

Chiron looked hesitant, "It's called the Silver Sword."

It felt like the room dropped 20 degrees. But I didn't know why, I've never, ever heard of that Silver Sword thing.

"Doesn't ring a bell." I said.

Annabeth gawked, "Percy! How do you not know what the most powerful, most dangerous weapon is?"

"Er… because I don't?"

She rolled her eyes, "You're hopeless. The Silver Sword is made of a stainless steel Greek metal. In the ancient times, they used that sword to ward off evil spirits or fight the most deadliest creatures. This Camp held the sword here in case of emergencies. But if it gets in the wrong hands…" then she muttered, as if to herself, "I can't believe he got it."

I raised an eyebrow, "Can't believe who got it?"

I thought she was going to answer but it seemed like she was in her own world; staring out the window.

"Annabeth?" I said, trying to get back her attention, "Annabeth?"

Instead, Chiron finished for her, "Yes, unfortunately someone somehow had gotten into the Camp and stole the Silver Sword."

"Who would do that?" I wondered.

Chiron's face hardened. I glimpsed at both Annabeth and Grover, they looked the same as him.

Finally, Chiron answered, his voice filled with pain, "Luke."