Hello all. Another chapter, just like I said.

For those of you who who care, there is a bit of Romeo & Juliet in here... I'll give ten drachmas to whoever points it out first :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Chapter 8

I am Blessed and Face my Doom!

In my cabin I decided to pack the basics in my yellow duffle bag; two architecture books, a toothbrush, and extra change of clothes. I put my cell phone in my pocket and then neatly stuffed my bag. I packed pretty nicely, although it wasn't as nice as Annabeth's, but I wasn't one for packing and being neat anyway even though I was a son of Athena. Annabeth was done a couple of minutes before I was and kept complaining how long I take to pack.

"Hey, just wait until we're waiting for Percy," I said.

"No because he packs faster than you. You keep trying to repack to make everything fit. Percy throws everything in and zips it up which is faster," she said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes and finished repacking my bag for the tenth time. I was satisfied with it this time. I was just glad she didn't bring my OCD into the conversation.

We walked after saying goodbye to our cabin and went to Thalia's Tree. Turns out Percy and Lyra were already waiting there with Chiron in horse form. "Told you," Annabeth said quietly. I stuck my tongue out and kept walking. We got up to the top and Annabeth ran to Percy while Chiron came over to me.

He said, "Aran, we need to talk before you head out. It's pretty serious."

I nodded and told the others to wait for me in the car. It was a silver 2010 Toyota Corolla. It was pretty small, but it could fit all of us and Argus seemed to like it. He's our bodyguard and has eyes all over his body. The rumor is that he doesn't talk because he has an eye on his tongue.

Annabeth sat in the front while Lyra sat on one end of the back row and Percy sat next to her in the middle. Chiron looked around and bent close to my ear. He whispered, "Aran, you have a special blessing on you." I looked at him strangely and he continued, "It must have been placed on you recently or else I would have seen it earlier. It is called Athena's Blessing. The blessing, when activated, gives the host immense knowledge and battle awareness, but only for a short time." I nodded taking this in.

"That would explain how I beat Percy. That would explain why Athena visited me in the locker room," I said. Thunder rolled in the distance of the clear day. It wasn't irritated sounding, more like proud sounding. I figured that was my mom telling me good job for figuring it out.

"Yes. But it comes with a price. The wounds you receive cannot be treated using nectar or ambrosia. The only known way to treat those wounds is to use mortal medicine and heal like a mortal would," he told me, looking at me like he knew something I didn't. He probably did, but I just nodded and told myself that I couldn't let anyone know, or else they could and then backstab me or something. Hey, you never know.

I walked down and scooted in next to Percy. It was a bit cramped, but it was bearable. I closed the door and sat back hoping to get some sleep before we arrived. I did, luckily.

I woke up to a car rocking back and forth. I heard people talking and then I heard a voice say, "Come on, he's still sleeping. Carry him in Percy." I could tell it was Annabeth scolding Percy. I think I saved Percy a harsh scolding by opening the door and rubbing the grogginess out of my eyes. I could make out Central Park and I remembered that Percy's apartment was in Manhattan.

I opened the door slowly and lethargically and they turned their attention to me. "Well it's about time," Percy said. I ignored him and walked over to the sidewalk so that I wouldn't get killed by the city folk. After Argus waved goodbye and drove off.

"Ok. We need to find a rental car place and get a car. If we do this by say noon then we could make it to a hotel in Pennsylvania and crash there for the night. Then we could drive to maybe drive to Indiana, then maybe to Montana, and finally Northern California. After that we could take the boat that was reserved for us then make our way to Hawaii and back. Sounds good?" I explained and asked. They nodded and Percy said that his mom would want to know about this, so he went into the apartment while the rest of us went to Central park and found a tree to sit under.

We were sitting for awhile and Annabeth said that she'd check on him and mumbled something about not being on time. I laughed quietly to myself and looked at the reservoir in front of us. It was peacefully quiet in the park, which was unsettling for demigods. I glanced over my shoulders and didn't see any monsters so I relaxed a bit. I stretched my legs out in front of me and brought out my sword.

I tapped it just to see it in full form and put it away. Then Lyra spoke up, "Aran? What were the last lines of the prophecy?" I told them to her and she thought quietly for a second. "Are you sure that there wasn't any more to it? It sounds, I don't know, incomplete?"

I looked at her and she was looking at the reservoir. I didn't want to tell her, but I didn't think it would be that bad seeing as how the hero would get found. "Yeah, there is more. I just didn't want to tell anyone because I think it applies to Percy. I mean come on; he's probably going to be the one to defeat the Titan and the last two lines would devastate anyone he's close to." I looked back at the reservoir and recited the last two lines, "But that legend will be forgotten until stumbled upon at home."

We sat there in silence until we saw Percy and Annabeth walking back and laughing. That really made me feel bad, knowing what would most likely happen to him. Annabeth would forget him and then find him again. That would be terrible. I glanced at Lyra and she was probably thinking the same thing. "We have to tell them."

"We can't. If he knew then his last days wouldn't be as enjoyable. It's not like he's dying either. Let him be ignorant. He's having so much fun right now with Annabeth. We can't let that be destroyed." I replied.

She hesitated for a moment then nodded. We got up from our tree and walked over to them. They were still laughing about something. "What's so funny eh?" I asked.

"Nu-nothing. Just something that Percy's mom said," she said and then they had a new round of laughter.

We decided to walk to the car place and they were laughing all the way there. We got some strange looks from people and some were just being perverts. I glared at each one and they stopped looking. I eventually ended up behind the group and Percy was in front.

What really ticked me off was this one hobo who decided to take a fancy to my sister and Lyra. He walked up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder. I told the group to wait and turned to face the guy. He was definitely a hobo, raggedy clothes and a torn scarf. I felt bad for him, until I figured out what he wanted. "Could you maybe walk to the side a bit so I can get a better view? I'll pay of course." He told me. He had dirty black hair and yellow eyes.

"Dude, get the **** outta here before I turn you into a grease splat on the pavement." I told him almost yelling. The others were huddled into a group and talking about something.

The hobo sighed and said, "Oh come on. What's the harm in looking?"

"DUDE THAT'S MY SISTER AND HER FRIEND! WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU!" I screamed at him. No one except my group seemed to notice this.

Percy came up next to me and said, "Um, hey there uh mister. Can we help you?" My face was purple at that point. I was doing my best not to beat the living daylights out of this perv.

"Percy, he was trying to bribe me into moving so he could check out Annabeth AND Lyra. We can most certainly NOT help this loser." I told him. Percy looked like he was also about to punch this guy as well, but then he calmed down a bit.

"Apollo, what are you doing? You know Annabeth is with me and Lyra's only twelve. I would find it very offensive if you continued." My jaw dropped.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Apollo? The God of light, music and poetry? That Apollo?" I asked.

"Well yeah. Percy, I am a god of music and poetry, two things that work best on getting the ladies. I would make a request to perform a least a poem eh?" Apollo the hobo said.

Percy stood there for awhile before he nodded slightly. "We can't refuse the gods, although I still don't like it." He told me. Apollo smiled and I stared in shock at him. Percy called our siblings over and introduced them to Apollo. "This is Apollo. He wants to… er… perform a poem."

Annabeth raised an eyebrow and stared disapprovingly at the God and Lyra looked uncomfortable. "Fine, make it quick. We need to leave for Pennsylvania in twenty minutes." Annabeth said.

Apollo started glowing and then held up his hands dramatically, trying to settles an invisible crowd.

The warm city

Speaking for itself

I am so awesome

He bowed and we clapped half-heartedly. "Now I have a question for each of you." First he turned to Percy, "How would you want to go out?"

I knew he was talking about the prophecy because he is also the God of prophecy. Percy said, "Um, peacefully? Not surrounded by monsters?"

Apollo the hobo nodded then turned to me, "And you. Who do you think cares about you?"

I was a bit confused by this but answered truthfully, "No one."

Apollo stared at me for a second and then he turned to the girls. "And for the ladies, can I have your number?"

Percy chuckled and I got a bit ticked off. "Yeah, when I die." Annabeth told him.

Lyra had some difficulty though, "Um, well I don't, I mean I, er, I really shouldn't, um…"

It looked like Percy was going to step in but I decided to quicker, "She doesn't have a phone and why would a god want a demigod's number?" Apollo looked at me again dead in the eye.

A few seconds passed and he finally said, "Oh yeah. That would be wrong wouldn't it? Well I have to go now, although I have left a gift for you right around the corner," and he pointed to the corner ahead of us, "I do hope you enjoy it. Let's just say it was a gift from your old buddy Apollo yeah?" He started glowing brighter this time and we all looked away while he revealed his true form. It would have stunk if we got burnt to a crisp before the quest was over.

Percy ran ahead while I trailed behind the girls. They were laughing about something, but I was more focused on what Percy found. He was staring at the object with a big smile on his face. Annabeth and Lyra saw this as well and ran to him. I was the last, but I got over the shock quicker.

I yelled, "Shotgun!" while Annabeth called, "Driving!"

We laughed and ran to the front of the blue 2010 Toyota Corolla and jumped in. The sides of the car had grey waves painted on them, which probably signified Annabeth and Percy. The insides had tan leather seats and a dark blue dashboard. On the dashboard was a digital clock, a bunch of button to change radio stations, two cup holders, and another panel that displayed what song was playing. On the rear-view mirror was a button that switched between the temperature outside, the direction we were travelling, and our MPG. We kept it on the temperature and direction and turned on the radio to a random station.

We got in and Annabeth started the car. It roared to life and Annabeth honked the horn at Lyra and Percy who were still standing in awe. They snapped out of it and ran to the car. Percy jumped in behind me and Lyra behind Annabeth. Annabeth handed me a map and then we started our trip to Pennsylvania.

We didn't reach a hotel until around nine that night. We stopped twice: once for gas and the other time for restrooms and food. We arrived at a Marriot and magically had a reservation. Chiron had Iris-messaged us along the way and told us about our magic reservations at whichever hotel we stayed at. We thanked him kindly and now it payed off. Double suites. Heck yes.

"Shotty bed!" Annabeth and Lyra yelled as they opened the door. We indeed had suites and they were connected by a central room. There was only one bed in each (don't ask me why because I had no clue) along with a small kitchen in the main room as well as a couch and a 48' HD TV. The walls were tan with flower patterns and the carpet was an interesting shade of red, lighter than blood but still eerie. There were two bathrooms in the bedrooms and two smaller 38' TVs. It really was awesome.

"Darn it! Way to go Perce," I said. The others laughed and I dumped my stuff on the floor. I looked at the couch at the same time as Percy, but unfortunately I reacted a bit late.

"Shotty couch!" Percy yelled with a grin. I mentally slapped myself for being slow and walked off into one of the bedrooms.

Behind me I heard Lyra, "I call this one!"

"Ouch, there goes my hearing," I said rubbing my ears. Lyra laughed and plopped down on her bead. I walked back out of the room and called everyone together.

"Ok, now that we know where three of us are sleeping, which room do I get?" I asked the group.

They all looked at each other smiling and yelled, "BATHROOM!" I went wide eyed and started to protest but Percy tackled me to the ground and Annabeth grabbed my stuff and threw it into a bathtub while Lyra laughed. I tried fighting against Percy's grip, but it was seriously tough with his Curse of Achilles. He rolled me over and put my arms behind my back.

I decided to play along and said, "You'll never take me alive, coppers!"

"Well son, you've done some bad things. It's about time we lock ya up. What do you think Chief?" Percy asked Lyra.

"Yes, he will be tortured upon entrance! Ready the tub of doom!" She called to Annabeth. She grinned and took my duffle bag out of the tub and started the bath. An warm bath by the looks of it, at least. Percy somehow got a hold on some rope and tied my hands up. He grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder. Lyra was ahead of us and I could hear everyone laughing. Percy stood me up on the edge of the tub and Lyra took out Abyss and prodded my back.

"Time ta jump ye scalawag!" I heard Annabeth say.

I grinned mischievously and said, "Fare thee well, oh cruel world. Parting is such sweet sorrow. Oh happy bathtub!" I heard my friends crack up behind me and I jumped. The tub was pretty deep so I didn't feel worried. I got as much air as possible and made a big splash. I think Percy realized what I was doing, so he willed himself not to get wet. Annabeth and Lyra on the other hand got soaked in cold water.

Yes, freezing cold water.

The water was freezing, I won't lie. I had some trouble standing up and was worried for a split second that I might drown, but I felt a hand grab my arm and pull me up. When I got up I was intensely shivering. Annabeth looked angry and cold, but she was still laughing. Percy was rolling on the floor and it looked like his gut would burst soon. Lyra was the only one not laughing. She was looking at be worriedly and was dry, so I figured that she willed herself dry after she got wet.

At that point my knees started to buckle and my eyes started moving slower and slower. The urge became so great to close my eyes that I thought if I even blinked I wouldn't open my eyes again. I couldn't feel my body anymore, like my body decided to stop feeling period. I couldn't even feel my heart beating anymore, although I knew it was, but not a lot.

I tried to get out of the tub, but I ended up falling forward on a crash course with the ceramic floor. Oh boy, was the only thought I had before I stopped falling abruptly. I heard someone yelling but my brain would not work and I couldn't tell who said it. Then I felt more arms on me and I was instantly dry. I could feel myself being picked up and carried onto something soft. I heard more speaking and thought I heard someone crying.

Then I finally closed my eyes and everything went dull.

Then I jumped right into a dream.

I was walking, no running, along the shore. I could feel I was headed somewhere important. I glanced down to see my feet moving faster than I had thought. My shorts were cut and torn and had decent size holes in them and even looked like they were burned in some spots. I wasn't wearing a shirt and I had a six pack, which I currently did not have. My sneakers were dirty and muddy and my hair was a lot longer than I like it, just about at my shoulders.

Then I heard a noise behind me, or rather a bunch of noises. I glanced over my shoulder to see a large group of hellhounds and dracanae, snake women, chasing after me. They were catching up and I didn't have much time.

Then a cyclops jumped out from the woods on the side of the dirt road. He went to slam his spiked club over my head, but I had better reflexes and slid under his huge legs. The look on his face is priceless, I thought while continuing to run. I could hear the monsters behind me getting closer and I ran faster with newfound strength.

Up ahead I could see the dirt road turn right at the base of the hill. On the big hill was a huge pine tree. Gotta keep going. Gotta make it. Come on, come on! I was at the base of the hill when a felt a cold chill go down my spine and I instinctively took a big step to the left. A hellhound's claws slashed downwards in the spot I was just standing. Then five of the hellhounds appeared in front of me, coming out of the darkness.

I stopped and whipped out my sword. In a matter of seconds the monsters behind me caught up and then I was surrounded. All around me I could hear hisses and growls from the monsters. I held my sword in front of me and prepared to attack. I've been in this situation before. I can fight through them, I thought, although I didn't know why. I turned to the cyclops who was lumbering towards me and the monsters backed off a bit.

I looked at him and stared him in the eye. I could hear myself growling in anger at him. He had a lop-sided grin on and he only wore a loincloth. His pale and dirty skin was revolting and the smell was no better. He experimentally swung his club a few times and then we charged. I was about to jump forward to attack when I felt myself being jerked backwards.

I woke up in a cold sweat. I looked around to see I was in a bed under a bunch of covers in the clothes I was wearing before. What happened? Then I got a bit cold and I remembered what had happened. I scolded myself for being that stupid, but then I thought that the water shouldn't have been that cold.

I decided to stand up and look around a bit. I got up slowly and stretched out, the sound of my bones cracking echoed around the room. I chuckled quietly at that, somehow finding it funny. I got progressively warmer until my fingers responded immediately. I walked over to the door and opened it, leading me into the main room.

I walked in and found Percy sitting with his arms around Annabeth like he was comforting her. They both looked tired, but Percy looked like he was struggling not to blink or else he'd conk out.

I opened my mouth to say hey, but my throat was extremely dry. I walked over to the kitchen and got myself a glass. I was bringing it to my lips when I heard Annabeth say, "Don't drink that." I nervously put it down and backed away from it and walked to the couple on the couch. I sat on a nearby chair and Percy tossed me a coke. I drank it, but the carbonation made me cough.

"Ugh, thanks Percy." I wasn't trying to sound sarcastic, but I think Percy took it that way and he sheepishly smiled. My throat felt better so I decided to ask what happened.

"Well, after you jumped in me and Percy were too busy laughing to realize that you were turning blue. Lyra pulled you out and yelled at us to help. Percy helped pull you out while I cut the ropes on your hands." At that point I looked at my hands and just then realized the ropes were still attached to my wrists. I held up a finger and brought out my sword and cut them the rest of the way. I put my sword away and nodded for Annabeth to continue.

"After that we rested you on the bed and gave you some nectar. You were looking almost ocean blue at that point. Lyra was freaking out more than we were and she eventually left while we were gathering extra blankets to put on you. You warmed up but then you started sweating and thrashing around in your sleep."

I thought about this for a bit. I could tell this was probably one of the stupidest things I've yet done in my life. And also I could tell that for some reason Percy and Annabeth felt guilty for my stunt.

"Guys, do you think that you're responsible for what I did?" I asked. They nodded slowly looking at each other then actually looking at me for the first time since I woke. I chuckled at their thought process. "Guys, really it wasn't your fault."

"But we could have stopped you."

"I should've made the water warmer." They both said at the same time. I chuckled again.

"Really, it's no big deal. Did you guys tell me to jump in? Nope, that was my choice. Mine and mine alone. You guys could've influenced me, but I still jumped. You guys couldn't have done anything about it… By the way, where's Lyra?" I said looking around.

Annabeth and Percy looked better after I talked to them. Annabeth slowly pointed to the other bedroom, but I could tell they didn't want me to go in. I cocked my head to the side and their eyes were screaming NO! Too bad I ignored them.

I got up and went opened the bedroom door and peered inside. It was dark and the only thing that caught my attention was a figure on the bed. I left the door open and walked over to the bed. I sat on the edge bed so the person's front was facing me. I looked down and tucked some loose chestnut hair behind her ear. She woke up at my touch and stared at me before springing up and tackling me with a hug.

I was so surprised I almost fell off the bed. I caught myself and then heard Lyra crying a bit. I wrapped my arms around her and rubbed her back up and down. She seemed to relax and eventually withdrew her arms from around my neck. She had tears in her eyes but wiped them away quickly as she sat next to me. "Hey Lyra. Did I wake you?"

She stayed silent and I asked her, "What's wrong?"

Yup, pathetic, but she sighed and said, "I thought you were dead, Bonehead. I haven't realized what I can do with my powers, and they almost got you killed."

I put two and two together and figured out what she was talking about. "Don't worry about it. I'm alive, aren't I? I couldn't leave you guys while there's still a prophecy to fulfill. And besides, it wasn't entirely your fault." She looked at me with confusion. I chuckled and said, "Was it you decision to make me jump? No, I was the one that jumped. I do have to say, that was easily the stupidest thing I've done yet." I said laughing a bit.

Lyra continued to stare at me in confusion and asked, "But aren't you mad at me? I mean I almost killed you…"

"Nope. It wasn't your fault. It was a bunch of accidents stacked on top of each other with mine being the biggest. Seriously, don't worry about it."

She smiled at the end and I hugged her to let her know it really wasn't her fault. She hugged back and then we walked out into the main room.

What? Warm water and then frrezing cold water? I think someone is unaware of their powers... Or maybe Annabeth's just plain cruel. Naaaah.

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