The pathway led to an open area, full of nature and trees. A small pond was stretched into the left side, the water teeming with unique sea creatures. Butterflies with abstract colours flew around the ragged volcano that towered above, their wings lit by the sun soaring in between the horizons. Cressida, just tired moments before, suddenly felt awake. Her bones lifted and opened their eyes, her skin was thankful for the beautiful environment. Despite her wariness, she felt lucky to be alive.

She heard a gasp beside her, a tiny "wow" full of awe. She glanced and saw Hazel, her gold jewelled eyes full of wonder. "Pretty, isn't it?" Cressida said to her. It seemed like Hazel wasn't listening, she seemed to awe-struck by this majestic view.

Cressida looked away from the beautiful surroundings around her, and a pair of two coloured irises – crystal blue and sheer red – stared at her. Caerus. The god. She almost jumped out of her skin and came to her senses.

"Did I startle you, little one?" He mused, cocking his head while he examined Cressida. Cressida, now aware, saw that this god was up to something gnarly and she had to warn her friends soon. But then she thought of the prophecy, and she shivered, she had to decrypt that and fulfil her 'destiny.' She cringed at the word.

"What's this?" A boyish voice said.

"Jack, what the hell are you doing?"

The six demigods and Caerus, the god, turned to where Jack was. He was by the pond's edge, bending down and holding a trembling fish in his hands. Well, if you called it that. The fish was large, shiny and bulging with what looked like yellowy veins. It had one sharp green eye, gazing at Jack with what looked like fear.

"It looks so… human," Jack whispered, tilting his head so close to the fish. Cressida worried that something was going to happen. All to fast, the fish opened its jaws and bit right on Jack's nose. "Ow! Stupid, smelly, fish! Get it off me!"

But the fish already wiggled out of Jack's grip and dived into the pond. Caerus, laughed to himself while Cressida and the other's ran to Jack's aid.

"You're bit!" Dominique yelled. "You idiot!"

"How bad?" He asked desperately.

It wasn't so bad, Cressida thought. Just a nick.

"You guys, that fish could be venomous…" Dominique started, but was interrupted by the god.

"He'll be fine."

Everyone glanced at the god who had a mischievous look in his eyes. "Now," he said. "We have a quest to discuss, don't we?"

Jack furiously wiped his nose with the hem of his orange camp half-blood shirt as he followed the rest of the demi-gods to the god Caerus. Nico, paler than ever, took the lead. Caerus up close was more daunting. He looked handsome but also monstrous. His red eye glimmered at the demi-gods approach and he shifted on his tiptoed slash winged feet, as if anticipating something.

"What exactly can you offer us? How can you be of any help to our quest?" Nico said, his voice cold and determined.

"Son of hades…" Caerus grinned, feebly touching his one strange of lock on his scalp. "I am a god, I can aid you in whatever you wish. Sound familiar?" He eyed Dominique in particular, as if she had the answer.

Surprisingly, Dominique piped up, standing straighter. "You're the god of opportunity. You can grant anyone his or her desiring wishes. Frankly, I think that's a ton of bull."

The dryads that secluded themselves moments before shifted out of the trees creating the rustling effect. It seemed that Dominique had insulted them. Caerus, however, cackled loudly, his lean and muscular physique moving in a spectacular way. Cressida forced herself to focus.

"Oh dear, demi-gods… you pride yourselves on your abilities yet you forget where you inherited them! Do you dare yourself to deny my true powers?" Caerus, who looked amused rather than furious, waved his hands in the air. In a matter of moments, his hands forced the trees at his mercy and suddenly the sky was full of dazzling swirls of light. He put his hands down. "My power is not limited."

Nico scoffed.

Caerus turned on him. "Will you allow me to demonstrate, then?"

Caerus thrust forward and caught Nico on the arm. Nico's dark eyes grew wide, his skin paler. Hazel stepped forward but was stopped by a dryad who snarled, "Let him be." No one dared to take a step but watch Caerus's demonstration.

"Nico…" Caerus whispered. "You wish… you wish to be normal. You wish…. To find your other half, one that does not have feelings for another. You wish to be happy, full of life yet darkness follows you in your path for happiness. You're full of hatred and regret… why? For the death of your sister, Bianca? Your mother? Or your father's neglect?" Nico gasped, tears brimming in his eyes. "Let me show you. An opportunity to have a life without these painful emotions, to show you the light." And whatever Caerus showed him, it invoked Nico to fall down on his knees and sob. It was a cry full of hopeful misery.

Nico glanced up, his eyes full of hope. Hazel rushed over to him and glared at Caerus. "What did you do?" She growled, gold eyes flashing.

"Nothing harmful. Just showed him what can be, with my help."

Cressida stared at the siblings and watched how easily Nico came undone. She glanced up at Caerus, wondering what darkness lies within her past.

"My nose hurts…" Jack whined. Dominique shushed him.

Nico stood up shakily, with Hazel's help. "You… could do that? Make the things you showed me become true?" Despite the intrigue in his voice, there was also doubt.

"Of course I could. I am the god of opportunism and luck… I can grant you anything you wish."

"Just like that?" Cressida asked. They all glanced at her, even the dryads who were surrounding the perimeter.

Caerus, a playful smile on his lips, gazed at Cressida. "Of course… child. Want to see?" Without asking for Cressida's consent, he took hold of her shoulders, his red and blue eye glittering in amusement. "I will show you, child of the night…"

Then, a painful cry erupted and everything exploded into a whirlwind of darkness.