Mana
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I was happy Chiron was back. Really, I was. He is kind of like a father to me, since mine sucked. But having him back meant that I was about to go on my third quest. With two untrained demigods. They'd worked hard all week, I know they did, but facts are facts.
Strengths? JJ was a fast learner with her dagger. She wasn't exactly skilled, she wasn't terrible either. Her charm speak was also nothing to laugh at.
On the other hand, Glynn was book smart. She knew myths almost as well as I did, maybe even more so. And she could…um…splash people with puddles. Sometimes.
Fantastic.
Chiron made himself at home as soon as we entered the Big House. "Alright. Start from the beginning."
So we did. JJ and Glynn told Chiron what they had told me; all about their journey here, about JJ's boyfriend and about the demigod that was hunting them.
Then I stepped in and told him the rest. About the quest, the training and the phoenix that attacked me in the mess hall.
"And you really think all of you are ready?" he asked me.
"…of course I do. We've trained them hard, and this doesn't seem like a problem that we can just hold off on."
Truth? I lied. Of course we weren't ready. Devin, Mattias and Lorna had all voiced their concerns about this quest. Even Alia was uneasy about having me go. But what could I do? Waiting wasn't an option and I'd done all I could to train the other two.
"Very well. JJ, this is you quest. Go to Rachel's cave to get your prophecy."
"Hey! This is my quest too. The dude could've been trying to kill me, not her. I should go too."
He sighed. "Both of you then. Mana, we need to talk."
"Later," I countered. "These two have never gotten a prophecy before, and as the most experienced one on this quest, I need to know exactly what the prophecy says."
I knew I was pushing it, but the chances of me coming back were slim as it was. I needed every bit of detail I could if I wanted to improve those chances.
"Are you trying to make me die young?" he asked, exasperated.
"You're not young, Chiron. You're like, hundreds of years old."
"Go, if you feel so compelled. But come back after and talk to me. Tell me what Rachel says. We also have some other things we need to discuss."
"Looking forward to it."
Rachel's cave is mega cool. Apollo himself set it up, so I suppose that does make sense.
Unfortunately, she wasn't in her cave so I didn't get to stay for a visit. Instead she was sitting on the beach, looking out at the water. When she saw us coming, she grinned and stood up.
"I know that face. That's the 'I just got assigned a dangerous quest and need a prophecy' face."
"Well read," I replied.
She shrugged. Then her face went pale and Rachel started swooning. I quickly caught her before she face-planted and supported her weight.
"Um, is that normal?" Glynn asked.
"No," I said, sarcastically. "This never happens. She just took one look at your face and almost died of fright."
"Hey! I resent that!"
"Maybe you do. Doesn't make it less true."
"Mana? Is there supposed to be green smoke coming out of her?" JJ asked.
Sure enough, green smoke was pouring around Rachel. Luckily, yes that was normal. She raised her head and opened her eyes. They were green. As in, her entire eye was green, not just the irises.
She opened her mouth and a voice that was definitely not Rachel's voice spoke:
"A demigod whose core is corrupt and dark,
Must be beaten by a single spark.
But beware, for this victory comes at a cost,
Three children will be wounded, beaten, lost.
Success cannot come without help from a friend,
And one half-blood will meet a most painful end."
Rachel promptly went slack in my arms.
Well.
I'd heard some creepy prophecies before but that? That was terrifying.
"Anyone else feel the temperature drop?" JJ asked. Both she and Glynn had faces that were almost as pale as mine.
"We are so screwed," Glynn moaned.
"A demigod whose core is corrupt and dark. That must be the rogue demigod," I said.
"Must be beaten by a single spark. What does that mean? What spark?" JJ asked.
"No idea."
"But beware, for this victory comes at a cost," Glynn continued. "Three children will be wounded, beaten, lost. Obviously the children is the cost. But who are they? And why are random kids the cost for us succeeding?"
"Success cannot come without help from a friend. At least someone friendly is going to help us. Probably," JJ added.
Then the worst line. "And one half-blood will meet a most painful end. One of us is going to die."
They both looked at me. "Thank you for that blunt statement about our demise," JJ snapped.
"You're a Hades kid. Can you tell who will die?" Glynn asked.
"What kind of stupid question is that? Even Hades himself can't predict that. Death is never certain until it happens."
"Well, what are we going to do?" JJ asked.
"You guys go pack. We leave in the morning. I'm going to talk to Chiron. After you've packed, I guess just go join your cabins."
"Wait, you don't care that one of us is going to die? That doesn't change anything?" Glynn stared at me in disbelief.
"Of course I care. But running away isn't going to help. We're demigods, our lives are supposed to suck. Maybe if we're all lucky, it'll be me that meets a painful end, eh? Now go."
Maybe I was a bit harsh. But I was really shaken up. Did I want to die? No, of course not. Then I would have to be close to my dad for the rest of eternity. Better me than them though.
I slowly walked back to the Big House. Chiron was waiting for me.
"Tell me. What was it?"
So I repeated it. His face stayed mostly neutral but his eyes flashed in fear at the last line.
"Yeah. One of us is going to die. I have a bad feeling it's me. Ever get those feelings? I also don't like the line about the children. Beating kids is just wrong." Yeah, I was rambling. That's what happens when I'm scared. Or hyper. I talk fast.
He managed to keep his composure. "Mana, I have a feeling you wanted to tell me something?"
How did he know? "It was Mattias wasn't it? He communicated with you through his eyes when you first arrived didn't he? He ratted me out. Little piece of-"
"Mana!" Chiron interrupted. "What did you want to tell me?"
I suddenly became very interested in my boots. "I've been having, um, weird dreams lately."
"Not completely uncommon. You've always been bad with nightmares. That's expected, you're a child of the Big Three, and you've known since you were young."
"Yeah, but those dreams usually just scare me. These scare and confuse me which is worse. I don't remember them, Chiron. I don't remember a single one. All I know is that something terrible happens in the dream and then I wake up, drenched in sweat, freezing and terrified. It's been happening every day for two weeks."
He bent down and held me at arm's length. I could feel him inspecting my face, taking in the dark circles under my eyes. Had it been anyone else, I would've smacked their hands away. But since it was Chiron, I stayed still. "Did you talk to any Hypnos kids?" he asked.
I shook my head. "No, no one else knows about them. Only you and Mattias."
His eyes were full of sympathy. Not pity, just sympathy. "I know you're scared."
"I'm not-"
"And I know you're going to continue to deny it and pretend that you're fine. But I want you to remember that you are not alone. You have friends with you."
This sappy stuff was strange. I never ever have heart-to-heart moments with anyone. Considering I was borderline freaking out, I would let it slide. But if he tried to hug me, that would change.
"Chiron, what do these dreams mean?"
"I'm afraid I don't always have all the answers, child. But you're strong and you're smart. I know that you'll figure this out."
"Yeah, then I'll die."
"You don't know that." He stared at me for a long few seconds. "Go. Spend some time with your friends. You have a big day tomorrow, and you might not see them for a while."
That I had to agree with. Not for a really long time. At least when I die, I'll most likely get Elysium. I mean, I did save the world and everything. And Hades is my dad. That has to count for something.
I didn't say anything. I just nodded and quickly left.