Chapter VIII: Hazel

Hazel hates being on this quest. She feels as if they had a battle nearly every minute. She is sleep deprived and hungry. The kobaloi were the last straw. She carried with her a book on mythological monsters. Just yesterday, she had finished the 'K' section that ended with kobaloi. She hated those witty creatures. And just like a nightmare they had popped up on their ship.

She has been practicing her Mist powers ever since she defeated Pasiphae. She even managed to stop summoning the cursed diamonds. Since that, she felt like she herself was a curse, cursed to doom the entire ship.

Percy had called a meeting. As Hazel sits on one of the side chairs, she looks at the boy at the head chair. Percy. Ever since he came back from Tartarus, he seemed so distant to anyone but Annabeth. She felt a sudden sadness and longing for the Percy she knew.

"Umm..according to Percy, we're currently entering the Aegean Sea." Leo says glancing at Percy who gives him a thumbs up.

"We're pretty close to Greece. I think we all know Gaia's will throw anything and everything in our way to stop us…" Percy says.

Annabeth adds on, "Plus we've only got got seven more days." The mood in the room goes still.

"When's this thing going to end?" Piper asks, her voice cracking. No one answers.

"C'mon guys, we've got to be strong." Jason motivates.

"He's right," Leo supports. "Gaia is going to be so sorry she ever even thought of messing with Leo Valdez and his buddies."

Hazel smiles. She appreciates the attempt. "We're nearly there. We defeated Alconyeus, Polybotes, Enceladus, Ephialtes and Otis. Who says we can't take on Gaea?"

Percy looks at her with gratitude. " Hey Jason, remember when we were insulting The Nutcracker to anger Otis?" All of them crack up laughing. Hazel feels like for the first time, the quest doesn't feel like a death sentence.

Hazel is awakened by a derisive cough. She lifts herself up and lets out a scream. An image shimmers infront of her. An Iris message. She remembers the time she had contacted Reyna. A centaur stands right in the centre of the image. He looks old and grave with horns sticking out of his head. His smile however is kind and gentle.

"I'm dreadfully sorry, my dear girl. I didnt mean to scare you like that. My name is Chiron." he says, unconsciously tapping at his chin. He looks troubled.

Chiron. Camp Half Blood's director.

"I was hoping to find perhaps Percy or Jason. You will do, nevertheless. You are?"

"Hazel Levesque," she replies, still recovering from her shock.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance Hazel. I presume you come from the Roman camp."

She nods. Chiron continues, "We do not have much time. It would be kind of you to deliver my message to the rest. The Romans are advancing on us. It will take a day or two before the war begins."

"About that," Hazel says. "Reyna, Coach Hedge and my brother are on the way with the Athena Parthenos. We think it will bring peace to both the camps."

"Your brother?"

"Nico Di Angelo"

Chiron looks stupefied. He opens his mouth and then shuts it as if the knows better than to ask. "Where is the ship currently Hazel?"

"Heading to the Aegan Sea and next to Greece."

"It is not too late. You must take a detour. Go to Sparta, to the palace of Leadeamon. My wife, Chariclo reigns there. If you can get in her good books, she might help you defeat Mother Gaea…"

"Your wife?" Hazel's head is buzzing with questions.

For a minute, Chiron almost looks embarrassed. "We have parted ways. But we still keep in touch. She might give you information if she knows you come from me."

Hazel takes it all in. "I'll tell the others…"

"Go in a group of two. My wife can be susceptible to charm But she is also very wise and crafty. Be careful and thank you "

"No, thank you Chiron! "

"May the Gods be with you Hazel Levesque" And the image cracked and broke away in tiny, multicoloured kaleidoscopic pieces.

"Chiron contacted you?" Annabeth asks for the millionth time. All of them are groggy from sleep. She had woken them up right after the message.

"Yeah." She had told them everything. Leo had arranged the route to Sparta and all the rest were discussing the matter at hand.

Percy is trying hard to supress a smile "He had a wife?!"

Annabeth ignores him "OK, we should send out two people to Chariclo as soon as we reach Sparta to the what again?"

"Palace of Leademon" Hazel corrects.

"I think Hazel should go, she got the message and all," Frank suggests

"Thats great!" Percy agrees. "We should send someone charming as the second person."

Hazel fights the urge to yell. The last thing she wanted to do was get help from a female centaur. Percy seems to read her expression "If thats okay with Hazel?"

She tried for a smile. "Yeah, aren't I charming enough?"

"Honestly, I think what we're missing here are the looks," Leo says. "No offense, but I don't think Hazel is capable of wowing Chariclo…You need someone really experienced for that."

"You would like to volunteer to be the second person then?" Jason asks Leo, bemused.

"Indeed."

"Fine, tag along," Hazel says with superiority. "I hope this is worth my sleep."