Cressida's predicament was both unnerving and deeply frustrating. To enter a world of Greek gods and demi-gods, not to mention Monsters. And now, as her eyes flutter open, she wonders how her life became so convoluted. She didn't want to embark on this newly found mission her Mother has sent her to do. With other demi-gods. She couldn't help but wonder if death was better than this.

All of these disconcerting thoughts went to the back of her mind as she sat up groggily. How did she get in here…?

She slumbered on a silky black bed that glittered unusually when it moved. Around her was a mundane cabin, with wooded walls and Greek artefacts: a portrait of Greek scriptures which Cressida surely understood, small figurines of centaurs and satyrs, a vase displaying the muses, a pottery head with some woman's face engraved on it – or was it a man? Cressida didn't know. Not much anyway.

A knock rapped on the door, Cressida sat up bolt-right. Is it Nyx..? Silly question, she thought. The curtained windows let in a sliver of daylight. Nyx would be in Tartarus, in the Mansion of Night. Then it was like a light bulb lit up in her head. She knew exactly where she was; the events of last night came back to her in an instant…

The door opened without Cressida affirming to come in. A man in a wheel-chair, middled aged, bearded with brown shaggy hair rolled in. He had a serious look on his face, and he stroked his beard as he made his way over to Cressida's bed side.

"Welcome back, Cressida," he said clearly. "But I suppose you will not be staying for long." He then looked a bit sad.

Cressida swallowed, couldn't believe she was Home after all. "Hello, Chiron," she said. "It's been… wild ever since."

He nodded solemnly, "Yes, it appears it has. It hasn't been this 'wild' since Percy's arrival…" his eyes lit up as he reminisced.

"Percy?" Cressida asked. "I... I've heard his name a couple of times since being here…" she looked away.

He sighed. "Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon. He was one of the bravest and mischievous demi-god of his age, yes. And he exceeded in many things, he has. He and other 7 demi-gods, from both Camp Half-blood, and Camp Jupiter, have fought gallantly against Gaia. Alas, there was some tragic and mournful death, I'm afraid. But their names have not been forgotten."

Cressida let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and looked over at Chiron who had tears in his eyes. "Did he…?"

"No, he did not. He resides by the sea living with his mother and Annabeth – she fought in the battle too." He said softly. "It's been a year since those events," he added.

A year ago wasn't so long, Cressida thought. She now understood that artwork by the lake and the woods which had very defined carved artwork on a plaque. On this wooded plaque featured the names and faces of the lost ones in battle, there were about more than 100 on it. The plaque was huge, and it was lit up with candles which flamed for all eternity. It had engraved patterns on the side of the plaques with such beautiful, glowy flowers which shined ever so brightly in the night. It was beautiful.

"Cressida today is the day."

Cressida's heart stopped then. "I know," she said quietly, looking down at her hands.

"The others are outside, all ready. It's good if you pack for sustenance and essentials; clothes and water." He said. "And, there is a prophecy that will shed some light for your journey."

"But…" she started. She remembered the Fates calling out to her, and Nyx saying Cressida's life is unpredictable.

"Yes, it is unpredictable," he said, as if reading her mind. "Though we may not know of your future, Cressida, this prophecy will regard to your future events in order to find what you will be looking for."

"What are we looking for?" Cressida asked dubiously.

"That is for you to find out."

Cressida nodded and Chiron patted her hand lightly. He wheeled himself out but before he did, he stopped at the threshold. "And Cressida," he said, looking at her through sunken eyes.

She looked at him.

"Good luck."

Cressida was ready. She had found a black rucksack at the foot of the silky black bed and found a few essentials in it. She thought Chiron hadn't known it was there, because he hadn't said anything about it. This was probably Nyx's gift of future doom.

She walked down a flight of stairs, and realized she was in The Big House – which served as the main administrative building at Camp Half-Blood. She had her bag on her shoulders and found the counsellors of every cabin with their orange camp T-shirt, sitting on a long wooded table greeting her. Well, not really. Sarah was there too, and she looked worn out.

"Cressida," Sarah panted and ran over to her, and hugged her. Cressida felt her body calm down and hugged Sarah. "I've missed you like crazy!"

She let go and scrutinized Cressida. "How are you?"

"I'm okay," Cressida said. She was aware of everyone else's stare and felt small.

Sarah sighed and sat down at the table, Cressida still stood. "I wish I was going on this quest, but Dominique was chosen," she scoffed. "Why her?"

Cressida didn't say anything.

"And… not to mention one of Camp Jupiter's is outside…" Sarah added, her voice laced with contempt.

"Camp Jupiter has helped us in ways inexplicable, Sarah. And you know that. Yes, they did attack but there was so harm done. Let bygones be bygones…" a feminine voice said.

Everyone looked at the source of the voice. It was a tall blonde girl, standing straight by Chiron's side. She had an air of confidence with her stormy grey eyes. She looked at Cressida and her face hardened. "Your mother tried to kill me once." She said.

Cressida held her faze before the girl looked away.

"This is Annabeth, Cressida," Chiron confirmed.

"Where's Perc?" a Demeter counsellor asked. He had brown mousy hair and tawny eyes.

"He's still with his mom," Annabeth spoke fondly. She smiled at everyone. "It's good to be back."

"Very well, then. Cressida its time." Chiron said loudly.

Cressida nodded and went towards the door. She looked back at everyone and contemplated whether or not she will ever see them again. She looked at Annabeth who held her chin up high, eyes burning into Cressida's skull. Cressida exhaled and turned away, opening the door.

On the veranda, the others were sitting on a couch, reading a parchment. They all elevated their heads at Cressida's arrival.

"About time," Jack said, grinning. Cressida couldn't grin back. He looked so excited his knees were bouncing.

Dominque looked ready. She was always one to seek approval and to prove herself to the world. Then there was the dark haired boy. He was sitting opposite of Jack and Dominque, and he was seated next to a girl. The dark haired boy was pale and gaunt, wearing a skull shirt and black jacket. He had his arms around the girl protectively. They didn't seem romantically involved, more like brother and sister like despite the no resemblance in looks.

The girl had curly cinnamon coloured hair and gold eyes. She was wearing a purple camp shirt and dark pants. On her forearm she was marked with an 'SPQR' and it had a few bars on it. Cressida noticed the earth shaped symbol on the bottom of that tattoo. The girl and boy weren't even looking at Cressida.

Dominique stood up and handed over the parchment to Cressida. "It's the prophecy," she said loudly. "Written from the Fates themselves. Your Mother sent them from a cloud of darkness," she shuddered.

Cressida took the Parchment and read the lines of words. She felt her heart sink...