Another Quest for Four

Chiron observed Annabeth, Tyson, Grover, and I. We were pretty much in shock after the Minotaur didn't vaporize in thin air like it was suppose to. Chiron seemed to get what was freaking us out.

"The Minotaur was an enemy against Minos," he spoke, like back when I thought he was just my Latin teacher, "So, Minos had Deadalus build the Labyrinth and trap the Minotaur within it. With it gone, the Minotaur had no place to return to so it is lost to us forever." Normally, I'd be jumping up and down saying things along the lines, 'Great!' But, of course, that meant something much, much worse.

Annabeth got back the courage to speak, "Chiron that means they're all lose aren't they? The monsters in the Labyrinth are all lose."

"Bad Monsters Everywhere?" Tyson trembled and hugged his own arms. He shook back and forth. "Not good, not good."

I patted my brother's arm as Chiron paced around the table. We were in the room where everyone got together to discuss a possible quest. Usually, the leaders of each cabin would be here but for the moment it was just my friends, Chiron and I.

"Of course not all of them, Annabeth. My assumptions for the moment are that some were able to escape before the Labyrinth was complete destroyed. Their lives are very fragile and they know that. If they aren't stupid like the Minotaur they won't go risking anything." Chiron was stroking the hairs on his chin in deep thought.

"Maybe we should stop them," I suggested. Grover was the first panicked voice to respond.

"Percy, of course not! With you only a week away from your birthday! Never, it's too dangerous." Whenever he was having a panic attack, Grover started making these really loud, goat noises. At the moment, while he hyperventilated I heard what sounded like a very annoying yelp in between his breaths.

"Grover's right Percy," Annabeth ran a hand through her hair. She crossed her arms and thought. "Maybe I should go," she offered. For a moment, I saw the look in Chiron's eyes as he considered this.

"No!" I protested, "Send me." Annabeth didn't like the idea of me trying to protect her. She glared at me and opened her mouth to say something but I interjected. "They won't expect me to be on a quest. We might be able to reveal some of the enemies locations if I go out there. Draw them away from Camp Half-Blood."

Chiron shook his head and stomped his horse foot on the wooden floor. "Percy, it wouldn't be safe. If Luke discovered you left then he'd attack."

"Then find me a way out of here without him knowing I ever left!" I suggested. There had to be a way out of Camp Half-Blood without anyone knowing. "We didn't even know about the Labyrinth until last summer!"

Tyson began jumping up and down with pure joy. He clapped his hands together, "I know how! Tyson knows perfect way!" Chiron had a smile on his face at that instant. "Forges, we go to Forges! Daddy won't mind!"

Chiron nodded his head, "All right, well, if Luke doesn't know of you leaving then he won't know to look for you. I think that will work very well Tyson, good job." Tyson's eye blinked with happiness and he smiled wide.

"So," I began, catching Annabeth's angry glare and Grover's nervous twitching, "We have a quest? The four of us can go?"

Chiron nodded his head, "And you, Percy, will lead it."

As tradition, I had to go to the Oracle, this creepy mummy that lives in the attic of the Main House. I was the leader so it was my job. When I entered, the Oracle was already flashing with light as if waiting just for me.

Then the mummy opened its mouth and this creepy, female voice ran out through the attic. "Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, I wield two fortunes for you. Your fate is intertwined between many and you must decide now to hear the one that you feel is best. Either the journey which you wish to seek now or the choice you will make in one week. Know that you will only get one…"

"The Journey which I wish to seek now," I replied. I had to do what was right for today, who would say if I was alive next week anyways? If the prophecy wasn't about me, although I wished it was, there was still Nico to fall back on.

"Your choice has been made. There is no turning back." The Oracle's lights grew brighter as it prepared to give me its prophecy.

"Across the lands, you fight a foe

A traitor among you that you do not know.

Your journey is more than what you hope

The fate of the worlds hangs by a rope.

Fight to the end to save those in need

A death is the only way for you to succeed."

The lights of the Oracle went out and I sat in darkness. I will face a traitor and someone will die. I prayed to Poseidon that none of my friends would be the ones to deal with this fate.

I stood up and went to walk out. Downstairs I found the last person I ever expected to find, Mr. D. He saw the dread in my face, while wearing the obnoxious Hawaii style tee shirt as always. He played with his beard. "Not a good prophecy, I presume." I shook my head. As much as I didn't like Mr. D, I couldn't blame him. He was forced to be here by the gods and he had no choice but to be there.

When I stepped outside, I found Annabeth waiting as I knew she would be. Once upon a time, she had a prophecy, which she refused to tell me. She stared at me with her gray eyes with a brace expression. Whatever I heard was already set in motion and there was no turning around.

I pulled her aside and led her to the hill where the Golden Fleece hung in Thalia's tree. I whispered all I heard, leaning against the trunk of the tree. Annabeth stood in front of me. "So, either way, this was supposed to happen? You are supposed to go on this quest because it has to deal with your birthday after all."

I narrowed my eyes in thought, "But I chose this journey, not the other one." Then the lines went through my head, 'Your journey is more than what you hope/ The fate of the worlds hangs by a rope.' "You're right. This was supposed to happen."

"Percy," Annabeth wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. I guess we both knew what this meant. I hugged her back. "You know what's going to happen don't you?" I nodded my head as she turned her face up to look at me.

"Be ready to say Goodbye," then I kissed her on the lips.