A/N: Loads of stuff has been happening lately, haven't been in the right frame of mind to write-but here's the next chapter, enjoy! :)


Chapter Six: A shadow before it's begun

Dan's POV:

At the campfire, Chiron had an announcement for everyone. Something seemed important. I listened closely.

"It appears," He began. "That Athena visited two of her children last night to warn them about a prophecy."
The word 'prophecy' got everyone's attention. The campfire seemed to burn the colour of interest-whatever that may be, I don't know.

"The prophecy was told by Rachel earlier." He nodded towards where a red-headed girl was sat. She just grinned, looking relaxed and un-oracle like. He then looked at Melody and Alex.

"Can you tell me what the prophecy was?"

Melody seemed to grow pale. Nonetheless, she shakily began to speak.

"Eight shall travel, through mysteries that unravel.
Into the dark of the labyrinth, To find a goddess and a nymph.
Will they overpower the goddess of power, Will they do it by the right hour..."

She drew a sharp breath, and seemed to be shaking uncontrollably. She tried to speak the rest of the prophecy, but the words didn't seem able to slip off her tongue. Alex rested a hand on her shoulder, then made eye contact with Rachel. They both nodded, as Rachel came and escorted Melody to sit with her.

"Child of Zeus' final sight of light, Another's final step into the night." The words Alex finished sent a chill through my spine.

"It appears we need a quest. Dionysus has already given permission." Chiron said. He glanced at where Melody sat. The whole camp was silent. The campfire burnt a low black colour.

Chiron sighed. "We will discuss this tomorrow morning-you can all go to bed now."


I ignored Zeus-statue's piercing gaze as I slumped down into my sleeping bag. Why had Melody reacted so much? I'd never seen her like that. .

Thalia came in after me. She'd washed the thick black eyeliner away from her eyes, and looked so different.
"Hey." She said.
"Hi." My voice was thick, and unlike my usual bright tone.
"Bothered about the prophecy? It's probably going to be neither of us going, just some randomer they meet on the quest. Apparently Melody's supposed to lead it. The quest leader chooses who goes. People are allowed to volunteer, of course..." She trailed off, pausing a moment before continuing. "I doubt she'd choose you to go in fear of the prophecy." Thalia spoke more gently for this sentence.

"Hm?" I wasn't quite following what she meant.

"You don't see anything at all, do you?" She laughed a little, turning over in her sleeping bag, leaving me unsuccessfully wondering what she meant.


Darius' POV:

The next morning, everybody was allowed to take breakfast beside the lake as it was a nice place for announcements. I knew that the quest would be given out today. Nobody had to sit in cabins or any groups, so everybody was with their friends. I found Larka, and we went to sit with Percy, Annabeth, Alex, Melody, Grover and Jacob. I hadn't seen Jacob for a couple of days, so I was glad to see him.

Chiron didn't hesitate to begin talking: we'd hardly sat down when he spoke. "Athena seemed to choose the quest leader. Melody Redmayne," I noticed Melody freeze. I don't think she was expecting him to know her last name. "Will you accept being our quest leader?"

A few whispers and glances spread around the camp. I knew people weren't used to new campers leading quests, although it *had* happened before. Melody stood up. She still seemed a little shaky, but in a strong tone she replied, "Yes."

Chiron beckoned her to come down. "Our oracle foresaw eight should go on the quest. We have one...it's up to the leader to choose the seven others. Or listen to any volunteers." He then leant down and whispered something to Melody. A hushed silence spread around the area as everyone waited.


Melody's POV:

"Choose wisely. Maybe choose four and wait for three volunteers if it would be easier." Chiron had whispered. I nodded.

Everyones attention on me was awkward, and made it harder to think. I thought about what I'd heard about quests from people in my cabin.

People in my cabin. Choose wisely.

"Alex and Annabeth." I began. They both stood up and walked down to stand with me, smiling. The crowd murmured. I thought again, remembering old stories.
"Percy." He also joined us, putting his arm around Annabeth. Loads of people rolled their eyes after this. I wondered who else. I'd chosen three...the next two names that came to mind, it would be cruel to separate them. "Darius and Larka." I smirked slightly after saying it. They joined me. I looked at Chiron, and said quietly, "That's it."

"It appears we have six people. Two more volunteers are needed." He announced.

The crowd spoke, before five people stood up.

I knew three of the five. Dan, George and Jacob. I thought of the prophecy.

i don't want Dan to get hurt. I don't want George to get hurt. I-

I pushed away the thoughts of Jacob that had been grating the edges of my mind.
"Jacob." I decided. Then I studied the two others who I didn't know, a tall girl with stringy brown hair and an arrogant air about her, and a boy with dark curls who didn't seem able to stand still. I recognised him as a member of the Hephaestus cabin.

"Leo and Clarisse." Percy whispered in my ear.

I could guess who was who. "Leo." I said.

The girl, Clarisse, went storming off. Leo seemed to practically bounce down to join us.

"The quest leaves after dinner!" Chiron let us get prepared.


Percy's POV:

Me and Darius led Larka and Melody down to the shed full of weapons.

"Choose whatever feels right." I said, staring around at all the cobwebbed weapons.

After a while of rummaging, Larka found a large sword with a dragon's head carved into the hilt. A single glowing purple stone was in one eye. The eye disconcerted me a little. Melody also found more than one weapon; a small, thin-bladed sword and a dagger. I thought about what training they'd need for later on as I led them both with their new weapons down to the training arena.


After a few hours of training, we stopped for a break. I brought cans of mountain dew around (I always have a supply of blue mountain dew) to get us our energy back. I told everybody a basis of what they'd need, so we all set off to pack our things.


Dan's POV:

Me and George sat together in silence near the woods.
Why hadn't we been chosen to go? I suppose I wasn't too bothered about not being chosen, I just wondered why. And I wondered about what Thalia said last night.

I heard a twig snap behind me.

Mine and George's heads whipped around.

Another camper stood there. I recognise her as the other volunteer who wasn't chosen for the quest.

"Hey. Name's Clarisse." She had an arrogant tone to her gruff voice.
"Hi." I replied.
"Any of you fancy breaking some rules?" She sat beside us.
"Hm...what?" George said.
"You heard me. Fancy following them? I plan to join their quest-help them even-don't tell Jackson I said that, by the way. You see, I can't go alone, and my cabin would blab." She slyly looked at us.

I sighed, thinking a moment. "Alright then." I replied.

George looked around. "Fine."

"Cool. Meet me at the training ground when they've finished. Pack now." She instructed us, before going into the woods.

I exchanged a glance with George before we left.