AN: Here you go guys. :3

Thanks for the reviews everyone. I really appreciate them.

Now..on with the story~!

btw, there will be a few things in the future chapters that my friend and I made up so if there's anything you don't understand then I'll do my best to try and explain them further.

Chapter 21

Jarred slumped into a chair at the ping-pong table. The counselors stared at him like they were looking to see if he was going to spout out nonsense.

Seeing that the boy was still sane, Chiron spoke up. "What did the Oracle say Jarred? Say it line by line so we may help deciphering it."

Jarred sat up a bit. "'Children brought together by the sun, is the first line." He said. They quieted down as they thought about what the line could mean.

"'Children brought together by the sun...'" Pascal murmured. "Maybe the sun meant Alice since she is the daughter of the sun god." He said uncertainly, looking around.

"Probably..." Jarred said, quietly thinking it over himself.

"Who do you think they could be?" The Athena counselor asked. "One is obviously Jarred since he's the one leading the quest."

Jarred and Pascal glanced at one another. "Pascal's one of them." Jarred looked back to the Athena counsellor. "That I know for sure."

Chiron nodded. "Then who will be the third?"

"Stephanie. She was the other person I met through Alice."

At this, Stephanie looked up and nodded at Jarred. "I'll do it." She said, keeping her voice steady.

He smiled at her slightly, grateful that she agreed. "Thanks."

"What's second line Jarred?" Arcus said his voice raspy as he stared at the table.

"'A race against time must be won.'" He said. "That means that we have to get back before the two weeks are up."

Arcus flinched but nodded. Jarred felt sympathy for him. Alice is his favorite sibling after all. "Next line Jarred." Jake said.

"'To west star road they must take a trip.'"

"West star road...Los Angelas or Las Vegas perhaps?" Chiron said. "The Underworld is near that location as far as I know."

Jarred nodded. "I think its Los Angelas." Stephanie said, her expression was a mask of worry and fear.

"What's wrong love...?" Jarred heard Pascal whisper to Stephanie.

Nate rubbed her dear friend's shoulders encouraging Jarred to continue with the next line.

Jarred winced before continuing. "'To save the one is death's grip...'" He murmured quietly.

"Alice..." Arcus whispered.

"'Seek the truth and get what is found, and bring home the ocean safe and sound.'" He continued, not wanting to think about Alice.

The other counselors stayed silent as they processed the line. "Seek the truth...that could mean anything actually." Jake said, scratching the back of his head.

"Get what is found would most likely mean the antidote." Nate said.

Jarred nodded. "We'll probably find out about, 'seek the truth' later on the quest."

Pascal nodded as he rubbed Stephanie's shoulders. "Bring home the ocean safe and sound...must be something of Poseidon's"

"What do you think it could be?" He asked.

"I honestly have no idea." Pascal said as the others shook their head.

"The next line was 'One's true loyalty must suffice.'" jarred said looking to Chiron.

"That would mean you would have to make a choice." the centaur replied.

"'One's loyalty'..." Jarred murmured quietly. One of us would have to betray the other I suppose...

"What's the last line Jarred?" Jake said quietly.

"'To save a life that comes with a heavy price.'"

Everyone quieted down. "That means...If we do save Alice...it would come with a heavy price." Pascal weakly said.

The three to go on the quest gave each other a nervous glance, worry shone in their eyes. So many things could happen during this. Alice could die...We could get trapped in the Underworld...We'll run into monsters which would slow us down.

"There's no time to lose." Chiron finally said. "Heroes you must go back to your cabins and prepare to leave early morning tomorrow."

All three of them nodded and headed out the door, talking quietly to each other of what they would need.

"Jarred..."

Jarred turned. "Yeah?" He looked up at Arcus.

The son of Apollo looked terrible. His normally well kept hair was a mess and his bright eyes were dull and had bags under them. His clothes were wrinkled and a bit dirty. He had worked non-stop to heal Alice and Jarred saw that what happening was taking a toll on the older boy.

"I just came from the infirmary...to give you something..." Arcus said his voice weary.

Jarred nodded. "What did you bring?" Curiosity sparked in his eyes.

Arcus pulled out a slightly thick silver chain necklace from his pocket. Hanging from it was a ruby red gem charm that was glowing slightly. He moved forward and put it in Jarred's hand. With a jolt, the younger boy realized that the charm was very warm in his hand.

Jarred felt a small shiver run up his spine. "What's this?" He asked, looking at the red gem carefully.

Arcus took in shaky breath. "That necklace...is a direct link to Alice's life. It'll let you know how she is. The colder the gem is the-" Arcus choked back a sob before continuing. "The closer she is to dying." His voice cracked at the last word. "And when the gem's glow fades..."

Jarred put a hand on the other boy's shoulders. "We'll be back in time Arcus." He gave Arcus' shoulder a small squeeze before letting go. "Oh, and Arcus. Try to rest for a little while, it'll do you good." Jarred gave a small smile before heading to his cabin to pack.

"I'll try...Keep the necklace on you..." Arcus' faint voice reached Jarred just as he closed the cabin door.

Jarred slipped the necklace over his head and looked down at the glowing red stone. We'll get back in time... He thought as he put his few belongings into his backpack.

"You should get some sleep..." A twinkling voice sounded from the doorway just as Jarred finished packing.

He turned to see Stephanie. "I will." He stood up setting the backpack on his bed. "I want to visit the infirmary first."

The daughter of Aphrodite stared at him for a minute before nodding. "I'll see you tomorrow..." she said before heading towards her cabin.

Jarred watched her go before walking to the infirmary. Why do I feel so calm with all of this? I want Alice to live and I want her to be alright yet I don't feel scared. Nothing, no worry or fear or anything, I just feel...calm. He forced that thought away as he walked through the door.

He looked around and saw that Alice was the only one occupying a bed. Someone, most likely Arcus, had laid her on her back and placed a cool towel on her forehead to help with the fever she's enduring. She was as pale as the last time he saw her and was still shivering violently.

He slowly walked over to her and knelt down at the side of her bed. Taking her cold into his own he hung his head. Gods please let me be able to save her in time... He hoped his prayer would be answered.

As if hearing his prayers, a wave of warmth went through him. Good luck hero...

Jarred opened his eyes, stunned by the sudden warm feeling. "Thank you." He whispered, and stood up. Looking down at the sick girl before him, he gently kissed her cheek before leaving.

He entered his cabin and went straight for his bed following Stephanie's advice. The moment his head hit the pillow, he was fast asleep.