"What?!" One camper yelled.
"Who did it then?! It was neither of them!" Shouted another.
"Someone is responsible for trashing my cabin! Fess up!" A Demeter kid barked.
Chiron then stomped his hooves loudly to silence everyone. Annabeth walked up and put an arm around Katie and walked her away as she sobbed tears of relief. Chiron then addressed everyone again.
"I expect no one to harass Ms. Gardner or Mr. Jackson over this from now on," Chiron declared, exhaling through his nose. "I want the rest of you to form a line and approach to be asked a similar question as these past three. We will find out if there is a traitor among us."
Chiron's tone was bone chilling, it sounded nothing like his usual demeanor. I've never heard him sound so... on edge, like he could snap at any moment. I thought it was because he views the camp as his family, and that the recent wars and betrayals have taken their toll on him, more so than the rest of us.
It was extremely upsetting for me; I viewed Chiron as a father figure, as do many campers here. Heck, for some he's the only parental figure they've ever had. I felt my fists ball up in an intense rage; I haven't been this mad in a long time. The people behind this not only messed with me and my friends, but also my family! Those silhouettes from my dreams better hope I never find them!
Everyone on the amphitheater looked around uneasily, as if daring one another to go. Leading as an example, Jason walked up first tailed by Piper, then the rest of the counselors followed, and after that everyone else started lining up behind them. Chiron asked questions similar to the ones he asked Katie and Nico to everyone who stepped up. After Jason and Piper were exonerated, they came over to our group.
"Hey, you two. Glad to see you're doing better, Jason," I said with a smile as I relaxed my fists. "I didn't... do any lasting damage to either of you, did I?"
"I only suffered small scrapes while fleeing from you, so I was practically unhurt." Piper said with a small smile.
"I, however, was pretty banged up after our fight, I won't lie. Nico was too, both of us had some broken bones and some other injuries, but thankfully it was nothing ambrosia couldn't fix," Jason admitted as he rubbed his arm. "At one point I considered using my lightning bolt from my dad on you—even though I knew it might kill you, I thought it was either you or me. Thankfully, I didn't commit to that."
"It was a good thing I stopped you in time," I heard Nico say as he appeared next to us after his talk with Reyna. "I hope I never have to experience anything like that again, though. That was terrifying! I don't know what was in that pie, but it turned you into a demon, Percy. I thought we were going to die for a minute before Mr. D finally showed up."
I grimaced and clenched my fists. "I know, Nico. When I was under the influence, my consciousness was floating in a black void. While there, I saw visions of myself attacking you all. I nearly killed you, Jason, and Piper. It horrified me, when I woke up I didn't know if any of you were even alive still..."
I then felt a hand on my shoulder and saw it belonged to Jason. "It wasn't your fault, Percy, no one is blaming you. I already knew you were being controlled by something, I didn't need the robo-dog lie detector test results to know that. It's like when we were possessed by those eidolons—ok, maybe this was worse, but you know what I mean. We'll find the ones behind this and take them down, you can count on it."
"Jason is right, don't hold this against yourself, because none of us do. We already know how devoted you are to your friends, Mr. I'm-too-loyal." Piper added with a smirk, making my cheeks a light shade of pink.
I then looked at Nico and asked him what his conversation with Reyna was about.
"Oh, nothing important. I was just checking in on her, been awhile since we spoke. She seemed... happier, a lot more easygoing compared to when I met her. You've had quite the effect on her, Percy." Nico told me, smiling.
I blushed slightly and scratched behind my ear. "Oh, I guess you're right..."
Jason then got our attention as his face turned serious before asking the million dollar question.
"You really think there's a traitor among us?" He asked me quietly.
"From what we investigated, the likelihood is high." I reluctantly answered with a frown.
"But why? Why would anyone do that now?" Piper asked, holding herself with a conflicted look.
"I don't know. Maybe they just really hate me or the figures from my dream blackmailed them." I guessed.
"Do you think it could be another Silena situation?" Nico murmured inquisitively.
"Maybe, I hope they didn't willingly choose to participate in this. I don't like condemning other demigods, I even forgave Luke in the end." I said through gritted teeth.
"Who's Luke?" I heard the soft voice of Calypso ask.
I had forgotten she was here during our talk, even though she's latched onto my arm like it's her lifeline. I turned to her with pained eyes.
"He was a former camper, the counselor for the Hermes cabin... and my role model for my first summer here. He betrayed us and turned to Kronos's side and was the main reason the Titan King nearly rose to full power. I ended up hating him, I wanted to kill him, even... but, in the end he saved us all by sacrificing himself to destroy Kronos." I detailed, recalling the bad memories and the dying body of Luke Castellan after he stabbed himself in his weak spot.
"Oh... I'm so sorry for making you relive those memories, Percy. Forgive my ignorance..." Calypso whispered regretfully, her eyes downcast.
"It's ok, Calypso, you were just curious. Plus, like I said, I forgave Luke in the end. He died a hero, he chose to save us and Olympus despite the gods ruining his life. He ended up being one of the greatest heroes to ever live." I said soothingly, a small smile appearing on my face as I lifted her chin up with my free hand.
She smiled sweetly at me and pecked my cheek. I then turned my head towards Chiron and Reyna, who were going through the line of campers still. I felt my heart clench at the idea of one of them being behind this. I hoped we were wrong, but... it just didn't seem like it.
But who could it possibly be? Was it someone I knew, or a total stranger? They had to had been blackmailed, right? I can't imagine why any demigod would want to destroy one of the only safe havens for us in the whole world...
I didn't want to see the face of the one who was responsible, I couldn't bear the thought of it. I decided then and there I needed to excuse myself, and I had the perfect reason to do so.
"I'm going to go pay Rachel a visit, come and find me if anything happens." I announce, catching everyone's attention.
"Good luck, Percy." Jason said solemnly as Calypso removed herself from my arm, but not before giving me a quick kiss.
Yeah, I was going to need it. I had no idea how Rachel would react to my request.
Time to go visit the redhead Oracle.
Despite the amphitheater becoming smaller behind me, I could still hear Chiron asking questions in that chilling tone as I walked further and further away towards the Oracle cave. I was feeling pretty nervous, for a variety of reasons.
I haven't seen her in a year, what if she's mad with me? Will she even want to talk to me about this? Will I get another damn prophecy? Why does she live in a stinky cave anyways?
I steeled myself, I had to try as best I could. I only had today and tomorrow to see this harem done and over with.
What if she says no?
I won't let her say no.
The hell, did I really just think that? I'm becoming too desperate...
A long trek later I found myself standing before the entrance to the lair of the Oracle. I took a deep breath before walking into the mouth of the cave, ready to face my estranged friend.
The interior of the cave was large and spacious. There were paint buckets, easels, markers, and other artsy stuff I didn't know the names of all over the place. The walls of the cave had paintings on them, which I assumed to be prophecies of some kind, though I recognized none of them.
This place reeks of Rachel, that's for sure. I wonder if she still doodles on herself despite having a giant cave for the sole purpose of that? Probably, knowing her.
I suddenly stopped as I felt my breath hitch as I entered the main chamber of the cave. In the middle of the chamber, standing and facing away from me, I saw her.
Rachel Elizabeth Dare.
Her hair was just as vibrantly red, curly, and wild as I remembered. Her clothes had paint splotches and ink marks on them, which answered one of my earlier questions. She was also not wearing any shoes for some reason. Some things just never change, I couldn't help but feel a nostalgic smile creep up on my face.
I took one step forward and stopped. She had heard me and instantly turned around, her bright green eyes catching my sea green ones. I suddenly felt a lump in my throat, I didn't know what to do or say.
I had forgotten just how beautiful she was.
"About time you showed up, Percy. I was beginning to think my Oracle vision was going bad." She suddenly said to me, a joyless smile on her face.
I finally found my voice. "So, you've been expecting me... I assume you know why I'm here, then."
Rachel nodded solemnly. "I do. I'm sorry, Percy, but I can't."
Damn, well that was quick. Was that a world record for getting dumped twice by the same girl in a year?
"Rachel... I don't want to be pushy, or seem like I'm not giving you a choice, but... you know I don't have much time. I have two days left! If I don't meet the deadline, you'll be forced in anyways." I pleaded with her.
Rachel gave me a sad smile. "I don't think so, Percy. I'm Apollo's Oracle, I'm too important to be given away like a trophy. I highly, highly doubt I'd be offered up if such a scenario were to occur."
I felt my heart race. "You mean, you don't know if I'll succeed or fail? I thought it was your job to know the future?"
Rachel put her hands on her hips and scowled at me. "You know that's not how my power works. I can predict the future, but I don't always exactly know it."
I made a face at her. Why was she being so snippy with me? Was she actually mad at me for coming?
I took a deep breath. "I... understand. I didn't think you'd be interested, but I thought I'd ask anyways, since... never mind. Do you know any others I could try asking? I'm running out of time."
"I don't know anyone who would, Percy! My vision merely told me you'd be coming to ask me. Sorry, but you'll have to do this on your own!" She snapped at me before turning away.
What is with her?! Does she hate me for some reason?!
I felt my patience wearing paper thin. I didn't know what I did to upset her, but it was pissing me off that she was being so antagonistic.
"What's wrong, Rachel? You seem upset about something. You can talk to me, I'm always here for you if need be." I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
Rachel turned back towards me, angry tears in her eyes. "You being here at all is what's pissing me off! I'm not going to join your stupid harem, you Sea Urchin Licker!"
I was so close to going off on her, but her tears caught me off guard.
Why was she crying...?
"Rachel, please tell me what's wrong. Why are you crying?" I asked softly as I stepped closer to her. "Talk to me, don't push me away. If you don't want to join, that's fine, totally fine! But, at least tell me what's upsetting you so much."
Rachel started to cry even more as she glared at me. I could tell her mental walls were starting to crack though.
"Just... go away, Percy. Please, don't... don't make this hard." She whimpered through her tears.
"I'm not going to leave until you talk to me, Rachel. Something is eating at you, so just tell me, even if I don't like it. You never had a problem with speaking your mind." I spoke in a soothing voice as I placed a hand on her shoulder.
She recoiled from my touch, shaking slightly. "Why... why are you so damn stubborn? Why can't you just leave like I ask? Why do you have to care so much..."
I looked at her in confusion. "Why do I care? You're one of my closest friends, Rachel, of course I care about your well-being. Talk to me, please..."
I then put both hands on her shoulders, causing her to look up at me. She was now full-on crying, tears streaming down her freckled cheeks.
"You asshole, can't you just take a hint?!" She half-yelled half-sobbed before inhaling raggedly. "You're making this so much harder by being... by being you! Why can't you just for once be normal and care about yourself more than others?! I don't... I can't..."
I still didn't really understand what had made her so emotional, but I was floating around one possible reason...
"Rachel... what is it about my presence that's making things hard for you? I'm not going to force you to join my harem if that's what you're concerned about, I'd never do that. If you don't want to, then that's that." I whispered softly.
"Percy, I'm the Oracle now. I can't have relationships, I just can't. I can't, I can't, I can't!" She yelled at me, but it sounded more like she was talking to herself, like she was trying to remember her purpose.
Remember her purpose...!
Realization dawned on me. I now knew why she was so upset and angry, at least I thought I did. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for her reaction. Then, I spoke something she didn't want to hear.
"A year wasn't long enough, was it?" I asked quietly.
I felt her body go rigid, I now knew I was on the right track.
"Now I understand why I haven't seen you once since I came back to camp. You didn't want to risk running into me again, am I right?" I asked as I gently removed my hands from her shoulders. "You didn't know how you'd react to my presence. You were scared... scared of your own feelings."
"Please... stop..." She begged me, her voice sad and pained.
I didn't listen, I kept going. "I get it, I do. You're the Oracle, you can't have romantic feelings for anyone. That's the burden of being gifted with prophecy, and yet..."
"Percy!" Rachel croaked, her voice cracking.
"You still had those forbidden emotions, deep in your heart. Despite all that's happened, your new role, my relationship with Annabeth, the year long gap between us seeing one another... In spite of it all, you are—"
"SHUT UP!" She screamed so loudly her voice went hoarse.
"—in love with me." I finally finished.
Rachel went completely still, she wasn't even crying anymore. She was like a deer caught in headlights—motionless, frozen. I finally figured out her secret, why she was so hostile with me earlier and wanted me gone. It all made sense now...
Neither of us spoke for what felt like an eternity. I couldn't think of anything else to do or say, my own emotions were in turmoil. It was never my intention to hurt or upset her.
"Rachel—" I tried to say but she suddenly spoke.
"When you disappeared all those months ago, I was so worried. I would pace around my cave, meditate, or do some other zen thing in hopes of receiving a vision or prophecy that involved you, that told me you were alive and ok, but that never happened. My worry then turned into stress as the days passed. I would stay up late at night, unable to sleep because I didn't know if you were alive or dead. I would have difficulties eating or focusing on anything, you were all that was ever on my mind." Rachel confessed to me in a voice that sounded distant and weak.
I opened my mouth to say something, but I couldn't find the words. What can I even say to that? It didn't matter however, as she continued a minute later.
"When we discovered that you must have been at Camp Jupiter, swapped with Jason by Juno, it was like... like the sky itself was lifted off my shoulders. Then, when news eventually came back that you were indeed at the Roman camp and alive? I cried on the spot out of relief. That same night, I gave thanks to Apollo for an hour straight," She added onto her previous confession before taking a deep breath. "After I received Annabeth's letter that you two fell into Tartarus, I started panicking. All of my stress from when you went missing returned with a vengeance and multiplied a hundred fold. I thought then and there that you two were going to die and I'd never see you again. I felt so useless, that in spite of my gift I could never do anything to actually help. You have no idea how relieved I was when I heard you had survived and escaped."
"Rachel, don't take this the wrong way, but why are you telling me this?" I asked as delicately as I could.
She looked into my eyes with a sad smile. "It'll make sense in a moment, don't worry. As I was saying, I was immensely overjoyed when you escaped Tartarus. I then began to wonder why I behaved so strangely during those times, my behavior was too erratic for simply missing a friend. It then dawned on me that I still had a crush on you. No—scratch that, my feelings for you increased as time went on, and I didn't know or understand why, it made no sense, it pissed me off. Even though I swore off romance, even though we hadn't seen each other in a year, even though you had Annabeth, there was still this stupid, stubborn, annoying part of me that liked you as more than a friend. I thought, 'how can I be the Oracle when a stupid boy is all I ever think about?' I would paint pictures of you on canvasses and throw things at them in frustration. I would act childishly, cursing you for putting some demigod hex on me that made my emotions so volatile. I legitimately thought you did something to me to make me want you so badly, and I guess in a way you did, but it wasn't through some black voodoo magic. All you did was be yourself, and you helped me find what was missing in my life because of it."
I stared at the cave floor in total disbelief. I knew she liked me back then, I even thought about asking her out at one point. That may have happened if we had enough time to go on that vacation Rachel invited me to, but then the war with Kronos happened, and then she became the Oracle. I thought her crush on me was brief, and I had already moved on with Annabeth. Would I have done things differently if I had known back then...?
"Just before the final battle recently, I had a vision of you. I saw you getting stuck with immortality... and the harem. I didn't know about the strings that came attached with it until later though... I then had another vision, where you would come to me about it..." Rachel murmured, her voice sounding strained from all of the crying, yelling, and talking.
"You don't have to join, Rachel. I've said this a few times now, but I'll reiterate it again—I'm not going to force you into something you don't want. If you want to keep things the way they are, then I'll leave. I just wanted to know why you were upset, I'm sorry." I apologized gently.
"Percy, that vision I mentioned a second ago? That wasn't all of it. I also saw us... together. Not like we are now, but more... intimate..." She trailed off, making me turn scarlet.
Is she saying she saw us doing... that? There's no way, right?
"You... mean you saw us having—" I started to say before the words got stuck in my throat.
Rachel's face then turned the same shade as her hair as she started waving her hands. "W-What?! Oh no, no, no! I didn't mean like that! I meant I saw us... you know... kissing."
"Oh... So, that's why you were so against me being here earlier. You didn't want your vision to come true, you wanted to be free of me, is that it?" I said delicately, though I did feel slightly hurt by her words.
Is being with me really that bad? We were always happy together back when we hung out.
Rachel let out a sad sigh, her eyes on the ground. "Yeah, that's why. I didn't want my feelings for you to start interfering with my Oracle business, I didn't want to reopen those wounds. I'm not supposed to have a love life, I was scared this might screw everything up, I didn't want to risk it. I'm sorry for being ugly to you, Percy."
I then brought her into a hug, which she reciprocated.
"Do you want me to leave, then? I'll go, if you want." I whispered into her ear.
Rachel pulled back from me slightly, giving me her signature "you're an idiot" look.
"Do you think I told you all of that just to have you leave, Percy? You know my visions always come true in some fashion." She berated me.
"Huh?" I blurted out, beyond confused now. "But you said—"
I was interrupted by the feeling of another pair of lips on mine as Rachel kissed me. Her arms went around my neck as she really got into it, the kiss deepening further by the second. I felt my deeply buried feelings for her resurface as we kissed, my hands going to her wild hair that I loved so much. Her hair was softer than I thought it would be, which just made it all the better. Only once I started to feel lightheaded from lack of oxygen did I pull my lips away from the redhead, happy smiles on both of our faces as we panted.
"I know what I said," Rachel breathed out between her panting. "But I also know that I love you, Percy. You're the whole reason I'm even here; from the moment we met back at Hoover Dam, I knew you were someone special. If anyone else asked me to help them navigate the Labyrinth, I would have likely said hell no, but I agreed because it was you. And when I started getting Oracle visions, and ran off to Camp Half-Blood for the first time? I was hoping it would lead to something that let me get to spend more time with you. But, we know how that turned out."
"But, what about Annabeth? You kept teasing me for not noticing she liked me." I asked as I steadied my breathing.
"Well yeah, of course I did. It was super obvious to everyone except you, apparently. I'll admit I was indescribably jealous of her, since she got to spend way more time with you than I ever did, but... I think a part of me always knew we were never going to be a couple, even before the Oracle stuff. I was a mortal, you're a demigod. You just lived in a different world from me, so I resigned myself to helping you take notice of the other girl crushing on you. Now, though? Now, things are different..." Rachel said, a loving smile etching itself onto her face after speaking.
"Wait, you want to join now? I thought you were concerned about your maidenhood?" I questioned her, baffled.
"I was, but that was because I thought it might look bad if I was the first ever Oracle to not remain a maiden. It's really just a formality thing, like a nun. I was also nervous I might lose my gift if Apollo found out, but now? I don't think I care anymore if I do lose it..." Rachel explained as she rested her head against my chest, listening to my heartbeat.
I rubbed her back gently. "I wouldn't worry too much, Rachel. Apollo is one of the only gods with an understanding side, he was always laid back when I met him in the past. Heck, this one time he let one of my friends drive his Sun Chariot and he didn't even get mad when she almost lost control."
"I only met Apollo once, so I'll take your word for it. But like I said, I now think it's worth losing it for you." She whispered in such a way that gave me goosebumps.
"Such an attitude change, Ms. Dare. Am I really that good of a kisser?" I teasingly asked.
"Yes, you are. That, and this way I can finally take my revenge on you for all the times you disappeared on me, and that one time you tried to pretend I didn't exist." Came her equally mocking response.
I rolled my eyes, making her laugh. "Then I shall take my own revenge for when you gave me another prophecy not even five minutes after you became the new Oracle."
"You wouldn't dare!" She gasped in faux horror.
"I'm quite daring, Ms. Dare."
"Ugh, you did not just make that pun! Unfortunate that you remembered that part of yourself..."
"You know that's one of my best qualities."
"Stuff it, Percy," She snarked at me while rolling her eyes, a big smile on her face. "I think you have something to ask me now."
I swallowed at her words. "You sure this is what you want? It's a one time deal. You will, quite literally, be mine for all eternity."
"Percy, if you don't stop asking stupid questions, I swear I'll—never mind. You probably already get enough flak from Annabeth for it. Just ask me the question, Barnacle Boy." She said with a slightly agitated tone before leaning back and playfully punching my arm.
"Ok, ok! I was just making sure, you know?" I chuckled. "Rachel Elizabeth Dare, will you join my... harem?"
Still sounds weird to say...
"Yes." She immediately responded as thunder rumbled above.
Damn, she didn't even hesitate! That was instant! Four girls now, though. If I can just convince Piper and one more by tomorrow...
"Well, you're stuck with me forever, red—hey wait, I just realized your initials literally spell red: R-E-D. How have I never noticed until now...?" I muttered in realization, like I just found out Santa Claus isn't real.
"Well, it did take you like, what, two years to notice Annabeth liked you? Can't say I'm surprised it took you this long to find the pun in my name that my parents oh-so-graciously bestowed upon me," Rachel replied with an amused smile. "Now then, what will it take for the dumb guy to kiss the girl?"
Hey, I've been here before...
I let out a small chuckle before cupping her beautiful face and kissing her passionately once again.
I didn't know how long we spent making out in that cave, but at some point we left and started wandering around outside, taking in the sights of nature and catching up. I decided now was a good time to explain to her the situation in the camp and what was going on down at the amphitheater.
"Oh yeah, I know all about your rampage, Chiron stopped by a few days ago. You worried me half to death, you know? I thought you were going to be labeled as a traitor and be executed or something!" Rachel exclaimed as she gently pinched my arm.
"I was also worried about that, though I was mainly worried I had killed someone. Glad I didn't." I responded solemnly as we stopped by a random tree.
"Hey, don't look so glum. We've been through worse, we'll sort this mess out." She whispered softly into my ear.
I smiled and wrapped an arm around her. "I know we will, we always manage to survive things we shouldn't."
I then cleared my throat. "So, how are things with your father and school? Is he... respecting you?"
"Since I agreed to go to the academy, he's mostly been ignoring me again, which is fine with me, honestly. The less involved he is with my life, the better I'll be," Rachel then went quiet for a second before murmuring something so quietly I barely heard it. "It still irks me, you know?"
"What does? Him not being around or...?" I asked.
"That my dad's job is partly responsible for Pan fading. I still feel just a teeny tiny bit guilty for it." She said, looking down at her bare feet.
"There's nothing for you to feel guilty about, you're not your dad. There's a new Lord of the Wild now, and he takes his job very seriously. Grover will protect the wilds of the world from any threat, you can count on that. 'The bravest satyr I've ever met', I heard someone say once." I smiled reassuringly.
Rachel smiled back and opened her mouth to say something else when we suddenly heard a voice in the distance call my name.
"Percy! Where are you?!"
It was Jason.
A grimace soon fell across my face. "Only one reason why Jason would be looking for me..."
Rachel grasped my hand. "You mean—there really is a turncoat?"
"I just hope they had a good reason," I whispered before clearing my throat and yelling back. "We're over here, Jason!"
I soon spotted the orange shirt that Jason was wearing as he came into my field of view. He looked relieved when he finally saw me and quickly ran over, stopping a few feet away when he also saw Rachel with me.
"I'm guessing things went well between you two?" He asked. "I stopped by the cave first but no one was there."
"You could say that." I smiled, making him laugh.
"That's good to hear," He grinned for a moment before turning serious. "You probably already guessed it, but... I'm here to collect you. We found out who was behind it not too long ago."
As I thought my day couldn't get any worse, it somehow did. My time with Rachel briefly made me feel hopeful, how foolish of me.
"Who? Why? What's happening?" I asked, rapid firing my questions.
"I really want to tell you, but Chiron insisted that I just fetch you and take you to the Big House where everyone is. Just telling you now, the entire camp is bloodlusted." Jason explained to me before turning around and motioning for us to follow him.
Jason wasn't lying about that last part. Once we got back to the main campgrounds and neared the Big House, there was a massive mob outside. They were not happy, to say the least, but not that I could blame them. I didn't know if I could restrain myself when I finally laid eyes on the guilty party.
We had to pass through the mob of angry campers, some were yelling obscenities while others were demanding blood and justice, especially the Nemesis cabin members. Once we got to the door of the Big House, Jason knocked on the door and said we're back. I then heard one camper yell at me.
"Kick his ass for us, Percy!"
I tried to look back at who spoke, but there was just too many people and too much noise.
Who's ass? I'm about to find out...
The Big House door then opened and I followed Jason inside. On the inside, I saw Chiron, Mr. D, and Annabeth sitting at the table with serious expressions. Well, except for Mr. D, who just looked mildly annoyed like usual. Reyna, who had opened the door for us, came from behind and stood off to the side, Jason joining her. Chiron then noticed me and Rachel, his face looking like it aged ten years in an hour.
"Ah, you're finally back, child. Good, good..." He said tiredly. "And you brought along our dear Oracle."
"Hello, Chiron." Rachel greeted in a quiet voice.
"What's going on, Chiron? Who is it?" I demanded, my fists balling.
"It's... oh gods, poor Clarisse..." I heard Annabeth try to say before stifling herself, raising a hand to cover her mouth.
Poor Clarisse? Don't tell me...
"What about Clarisse? Is it...?" I said, leaving my question in the air.
Chiron nodded gravely. "Yes, it is exactly who you're thinking. One Chris Rodriguez."
I couldn't believe my ears. Chris was behind it? There's no way, the guy didn't have a malignant bone in his body!
He did join Kronos at one point...
Shut up! He switched back and even helped us in the final battle!
"What?! But Chris... he—I can't believe it..." I muttered in disbelief as I put a hand to my head.
"That's nothing compared to how Clarisse reacted. I'm sure you're expecting me to say she got really mad, but she didn't. She just... broke down on the spot, like her world just fell apart." Annabeth mumbled as I sat down next to her while Rachel went to go stand by Jason and Reyna.
"That doesn't surprise me, actually. Clarisse always cared deeply for Chris, he was the only person I've ever seen her treat differently from the rest of us—well, and Silena, but anyways... They were already fighting, to think this now happens..." I said in a melancholic voice as I grieved for the daughter of Ares.
"Yes, quite tragic. Now, explain to me why we aren't executing the little traitor?" Mr. D demanded as he sipped his Diet Coke.
I already felt indignant towards the wine god. "I'd like to know why he did it. Specifically if he was forced to."
"No one asked you, Phoenix Joaquin. I was speaking to Chiron." Mr. D snarked at me as his eyes locked onto the troubled centaur.
Chiron sighed sadly before speaking. "Percy is right, Lord Dionysus. This is unusual behavior for young Chris, I'd also like to know why he committed such a heinous act. There must be a valid explanation. I explained this to you earlier already as well."
Even though Chiron agreed with me, his words were laced with doubt. We needed to get this over with, I was starting to worry about his mental health...
"How come you didn't pry the truth from him when he was outed?" I asked curiously.
"Did you not notice the mob outside, Percy? As soon as Aurum and Argentum detected Chris was lying about tampering with the pie, the entire amphitheater went—pardon my language—total fucking apeshit. Chiron had to throw him on his back and sprint off before the entire camp lynched Chris," Reyna explained to me as she leaned against the wall. "He's in the basement right now, tied up. We thought it wouldn't be right to interrogate him without you present for obvious reasons."
I then put my hands on the table and stood up. "Then what are we waiting for? I'm here, so let's get to it!"
Everyone bar myself, Rachel, and Mr. D shifted uncomfortably. Annabeth then tugged on my shirt, causing me to look at her.
"We're also waiting on Clarisse to arrive. Calypso—who has been comforting Clarisse—stopped by earlier and asked us to wait on her before doing anything." Annabeth clarified to me.
"And she's still not here?! We don't have all day! Do I need to get her?" I asked, feeling antsy.
Suddenly, like as if waiting on cue, the door to the Big House opened. Inside stepped Clarisse La Rue, her eyes puffy and very red. She also looked a mix between livid and depressed.
"Sorry for taking so long," She grumbled in a voice that didn't sound anything like Clarisse. "I'm ready now."