Okay so this is a really bad filler, I know, but I suck at transitioning. Hopefully this isn't too barf-worthy. Cookies for all! (::)(::)(::)(::)

I couldn't fully understand why Nico wanted to talk in a cemetery, or why he wanted to dig a hole in the ground near the back, or why he fed the huge pit his McDonald's happy meal and started chanting eerie Ancient Greek, until ghosts started swirling around the dark hole. Who knew the undead liked chicken nuggets, tiny apples, and milk?

"Keep them away!" Nico said. "This is for River!"

Hearing her name, I jumped to life. I tried to keep them away, but it was useless. I didn't have a weapon. Thankfully, Nico was there to help and together (mostly him) we managed to keep all the other spirits at bay. The second River's lips touched the concoction in the pit, the other ghosts dispelled.

River looked the same as she always had—same hair flowing down her shoulders, same secretive smug grin, like she was waiting for something funny to happen and only she knew about it.

"Riv," Nico said. "Who did this to you?"

Regarding him with sad eyes, she sighed. "I was sleeping when this happened. I'm not sure. But, don't worry about me. The fates knew what they were doing. Everything is going to be okay—I promise."

I shook my head. "No, it isn't. There is a war at camp waiting to happen, because they think Connor Stoll did this."

She smiled sadly. "You're brave—that's why I like you. You solve problems without senseless violence. I can't stay long, but I love you two. Tell everyone at camp that, too. I'll see you soon."

Nico and I watched in silence as she went away.

The other ghosts started to dispel and the sinking feeling of loss and hopelessness ran through my body all over again. I felt ready to burst into tears and cry. There is no way I can do this, I thought. River was wrong…

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

That night, I had nightmares like crazy. In one, Nico had just risen the dead and was about to charge into battle with the drakon as Connor ran swiftly to the shrine. I just stood there, wanting to help, wanting to do something. But then it was too late. Nico had been mauled by the monster and Connor was in trouble. I tried to run to his aid, but my feet wouldn't move. I was completely useless. And yes, eventually, after Connor's extremely gory death, I too was killed.

Then in another, we defeated the drakon—they —defeated the drakon, and we were on our way to camp, but we were a day late and everyone was dead. The cabins were on fire and there was nothing left of Camp.

And then the worst one of all: It started off like the last two dreams—we got there, but instead of being helpless and weak, I actually fought back. I wasn't sure how I managed to harness the power to create rainbows out of thin air, but I did. And somehow, that power was strong enough to stop the drakon from killing Connor, who was trying to grab the shrine. Nico was beside me and together we killed the monster—I took part in killing something. As much as I was relieved that I no longer had to worry about the quest, "Dream Me" was also horrified by the act.

I woke up in the middle of the night and quickly came to the conclusion that a "peaceful demigod" was an oxymoron. Even though I had hardly any sleep in the last few days, I made an effort to stay awake. I had to find myself a weapon.

The plan was to go in, find something lightweight and deadly, and leave without waking anyone up. As if it could ever be that easy.

I made sure the harpies weren't around before I made a run for the tool shed thing that they keep all the weapons and stuff in. Check. Get in quickly without being seen. Check. Look around and trip over your own foot twice. Double check.

I heard someone laugh behind me. "You're such a klutz, y'know that?"

I turned around to see a very sleepy Miranda. "Hey," I said, picking up a golden knife, inspecting it's texture.

She walked in sitting on a bench beside me. "So. What's a peace-loving girl like you doing in a lethal place like this?"

I laughed somewhat bitterly. "If I am going on this quest with Connor, I am going to fight. I'm not some princess—I can't just sit back and do nothing. I offered the proposition, it's my duty to make sure everything turns out okay."

"I heard about that. Connor told Travis, who told Katie, who told me. It sounds a bit risky, though. I mean, it's dangerous…"

I felt a fire burn in my heart. I wasn't sure if it was anger, sorrow, or disappointment in myself. "That's why I'm going to need a weapon. I have to do this."

"Why? If there is a chance of you dying, why go?"

"Is that not what heroes do?" I whisper-yelled. "Is that not what we are here to train for? I am doing this no matter what?"

"At what costs?" Miranda cried. "I know, I get it. You want to fight to save Connor. You want to prove your cabin wrong about him. You want to prove that violence and war solves nothing, but you can die. Have you any idea how many friends died trying to fight off a drakon? How many of my brothers and sisters lost their lives in battle? I don't want to lose you too!"

I looked at my best friend, taking in her dark, messy bed hair, her shaking body, red eyes on the verge of tears. "I'm going to die if I can't defend myself."

She sighed and took a deep breath. "Well then," she smiled, weakly. "We better find you a good weapon."

After going through guns, knives, bow and arrows, and a lot of other junk, I found an old shield with a matching spear nearby. They weren't too big and even though it looked heavy, it was actually light and durable. The spear's shaft was just perfect for my hand.

"Hey, Miranda?" I asked, picking the duo together. "What about this? It's perfect for me, I think."

She looked over her shoulder. Her eyes widened when she saw the shield and spear, mouth agape. "I-I-, uh… um… Well," she made a face like she'd eaten something moldy.

"What?"

"Well, dear heart, that is the shield and spear of Achilles…"

Suddenly, I felt like fainting. I had no right to touch something so precious. "I'll just put it back," I was about to lay it back down when Miranda told me to keep it.

"It could protect you," she said. "Besides, it makes you look fearless." She winked at me, laughing. I was thankful to have a friend like her.

Ta-dah!