Zoe found herself standing in darkness. She waved her hand in front of her face and found she couldn't see it. "Hello?" she called out. Her voice echoed back at her. "So I'm in a room? A big one I guess," she said out loud. A groan sounded behind her. Zoe shot around, releasing a loud gasp.
There before her, separated from her by a chasm of darkness with a single light illuminating the area around him, was her father. On his knees, beaten down, clothes in tatters, and wrapped in bronze chains anchored to the floor. The chains pulsed and Percy winced. His breath was heavy, jet black hair falling over his sea green eyes which appeared out of focus. Then Zoe spotted it. Below him was a crack, a foot long and an inch or two wide, with a harsh red glow emanating from it. The darkness surrounding the light seem to suck it in, letting it only illuminate a short distance around Percy.
"Dad!" Zoe tried running to her father but found her legs refused to move. "Dad, it's me Zoe," she shouted at him, desperate to hear his voice, to hear he was okay. He made no indication that he heard her. "Dad. Please just look at-"
A dark feminine laugh interrupted her. She watched Percy's eyes come back into focus and snarl. A woman stepped into the light, her back to Zoe. Draped in a dark cloak with the hood up. "Look at this," the woman began, pacing the floor in front of the god. "The great Lord Perseus Jackson, The Destroyer, The Bane of Titans and Giants, Survivor of Tartarus, at my mercy. Oh if only Kronos or Gaea could see you. Now that I think about it, I know a few gods who would pay a pretty drachma to see this."
Percy growled. "When I get out of here, and it is when not if, I'm going to enjoy returning you to your master." His eyes glowed with power. The chains pulsed and Percy winced, the power was gone. The crack below him grew minutely.
"Tsk, Tsk," the woman mocked. "Now is that any way to talk to a lady on your first date? No wonder you never get a second one. You know the more power you exude, the more that is taken from you. And the more that is taken from you," she began to sing along, "the sooner the fun can begin."
Zoe watched as her father's eyes flashed with desperation. "How do I know you're a lady I'd date?" asked Percy, a smirk finding it's way across his pained face. "For all I know it's all gorgon-like down there. No offense but that's a huge downer for me."
The woman stopped pacing and crouched before him. "Aw, don't worry godling. Soon, he shall claim his prize and you will be right where you belong. The retribution shall begin with your fall and all will be as it should have been over a century ago." She patted his cheek, before standing and walking away. "And I can't wait to see it."
Zoe watched her fathers head slump, his body trembling. "Dad," she whispered. "Just hold on. Reyna is coming for you. She'll find you." Zoe paused. "She promised." She noticed Percy taking a deep breath, before adjusting himself and getting comfortable. Hope filled her heart when she noticed a difference. Percy's eyes were filled with determination.
Zoe woke with a start, covered in sweat. She sat up to find herself back in her own cabin, moonlight filtering through her curtains. She laid back down, her brain firing a thousand thoughts a moment. Her father was captured. Where was he. Who was the woman. What was that crack. All these thoughts and more dominated her mind as she tried to go back to sleep.
After several minutes of fruitless tossing and turning, Zoe threw off her covers and climbed out of bed. Changing into her camp clothes, she left her cabin entirely, climbing the side wall and settling with laying down on top of the roof. She gazed upon the moon and stars, trying to find peace. Her eyes locked onto the constellation of The Huntress. She had always looked up to her namesake. Zoe Nightshade, the lieutenant of The Hunt, a strong, fierce woman. Loyal, with a strong sense of duty and determination. Zoe bore her sword Riptide proudly, like her father before her. Percy had always told her that Nightshade would be proud with her sword in the hands of a girl like her. But she was never sure. If only she could ask The Huntress for advice. But then again, her soul was put into the sky. Maybe she could help. At the very least it would help Zoe relieve her feelings. It's not like there was anyone around to make her feel ridiculous.
"H-Hello?" Zoe began timidly, averting her gaze from the sky. "You-you probably won't even hear any of this. I mean...yeah you were put in the stars by Lady Artemis but it's not like you're a god who can hear prayers. But I need someone to talk to." She looked up. "Everyone keeps telling me to stay here. That Reyna and the others will find him. But what if they're wrong? What if I can help?" She sat up, knees tucked to her chest. "And what if I can't? What if I'm not ready. I'm thirteen, both Dad and my other namesake, Annabeth Chase, were on their second quest by my age. Reyna had already been at Circe's island for a while." Zoe closed her eyes, taking a breath, fighting back the tears in her eyes. "What if I am never good enough." She sniffed, wiping the corners of her eyes with her shirt collar. "Sorry, I came up here for advice not to throw a pity party." The constellation seemed to twinkle.
"I had a dream," her voiced trembled, tears stinging her eyes. "Dad was beaten, almost broken. Kneeling in chains that seemed to suck in his energy. Worse of all, there was a crack beneath him, that seemed to grow periodically." She shuttered. "He looked so defeated. Then some...woman showed up. I couldn't see who she was but something about her seemed familiar. She mentioned retribution and that he would soon be where he belongs, whatever that means." Tears streaked down her cheeks and she looked up at her idol. "What do I do? What can I do? Please, give me a sign. I don't know what to do."
Zoe's head dropped between her legs, letting all her pent up frustrations out. After several minutes, Zoe was out of tears. Looking back up, she wiped her face again clearing away the remnants of tears and snot away. Her gaze found The Huntress again, eyes widening.
Where before, The Huntress was aiming to her right, she was now aiming left and down. The stars that formed her arrow seemed to strobe lightly. Following the arrows point, Zoe found it pointing towards the Big House. Curious, Zoe climbed down from the roof and began making her way across camp.
She followed the stone paths crisscrossed across the peninsula watching for any of the harpies roaming for kids breaking curfew. The moonlight casting shadows across the plain from a scattering of trees and bushes. She walked for several minutes before she heard the chirps and footsteps of several harpies moving towards her. Instantly she was moving up the closest tree, her training with the Hunters allowed her to move quickly and silently even in the quiet night. Five harpies came into view as Zoe settled against the trunk of the massive oak. The feathered humanoids with human upper bodies and bird like lower bodies and wings stretching across their arms.
The lead harpy examined the ground before taking a sniff in the air. The harpy behind her growled. "Come on, no campers here."
The lead harpy's head snapped towards her, a look of annoyance across her face. Without a word, she took off, the rest of the harpies close behind her.
The pattern of moving and hiding from the harpies continue for nearly an hour until she reached the Big House. She glanced at The Huntress to find it back in its original position, gleaming brightly. Turning back to the house, she couldn't figure out why Nightshade would lead her here. All of the lights were off and even if someone was awake, how could they help. Knowing there had to be more to this, she walked the perimeter of the building. She took care to make as little noise as possible, not wanting to risk Chiron hearing her. Rounding the back of the house, Zoe found another stone path leading from the walk around patio to a small house. Painted white, with a walled porch and rocking chair. The Oracle's house and what appeared to be the kitchen light was on.
Quickly making her way to the house, she gently knocked on the front door. Seconds passed as Zoe's anxiety grew. Just before she panicked and left, the door opened. A woman, about mid thirties and slightly taller than Zoe, answered the door. Her chocolate brown hair tied in a messy bun, with tired brown eyes. She wore a blue flannel shirt and pajama pants. "Hello, Zoe," she said, her voice was full of life despite how tired she looked. "What can I do for you at this time of night?"
Zoe's emerald eyes looked down at her feet, hand rubbing her arm. "Miss Bennett, I need your help," she whispered.
Miss Bennett smiled at the shy girl. "Come on Zoe, I've got some tea ready for you." Zoe looked up at the woman quizzically. "Hello, Oracle here, seer of the future," the woman waved at Zoe with a bright smile. To bright for how late it was. The Oracle turned and walked into the house, Zoe following closely. Making their way into the kitchen, the woman made the girl a cup of tea before passing the beverage to the girl.
Zoe took the cup, settling at the island before taking a sip. Sweet and warm, just like Reyna makes it. "Thank you."
The woman smiled at the girl before settled across from Zoe with a cup of coffee in hand. "My dear Zoe, I've known you since you were but a little girl in pig tails. I've never seen you so distraught. Now, why don't you tell me what's wrong?" So Zoe told her, she recounted her dream, her talk with The Huntress and how she came to be there. Miss Bennet sat there, absorbing all of the information given and occasionally drinking her coffee.
"...and here I am," Zoe finished nervously, rubbing her hands on her mug.
Miss Bennett gave a thoughtful look. "Well, it seems to me like you already know what your here for. And what question you should ask." She gave the girl a pointed look.
Zoe took a breath before steeling her nerves. "How do I save my father?" she asked with as much confidence as she could muster.
The older woman gave Zoe a smile, before her eyes were consumed by a bright green. Dark green smoke poured from her mouth, quickly filling the kitchen. Zoe stumbled back at the rapid change, the green smoke rising before her. Upon reaching the ceiling, the mound of smoke dropped revealing four figures of green smoke. Her father, clothes in tatters as if her dream came to life, Reyna, in her full regalia, Liam, looking like he did after the game that night, and Karina, dressed in her Camp Jupiter clothes.
"Daughter of Heroes stands tall and fair," the words seemed to tumble out of Percy's mouth. The voice not his own, seeming like Miss Bennett was talking for him. Along with another, ancient, voice.
"Follows Destruction's golden trail," Reyna spoke this time, with the same disembodied voice of Miss Bennet and the darker voice.
"Break the bonds, forged in love," the voice coming from Liam now.
"And free a god, before he is lost," Karina spoke.
"A warrior princess crowned in natures fury, Reveals Disasters' secret to his fall from grace," The four spoke together. Sounding like a cacophony of voices.
The four figures collapsed into smoke, said smoke began retreating from the room back into the Oracle's mouth. Once the room was clear, Miss Bennett's eyes returned to normal and she slumped in her chair. Zoe, for her part, shook herself mentally from the experience. She slowly approached the island before sitting back in her seat. "Are you okay?" She asked the Oracle.
Miss Bennett was breathing deeply, trying to stabilize her body. After her breathing slowed, she reached for her coffee and took a sip. "Yes dear, I'm fine. Just takes a lot out of a woman you know? Spirit of Delphi gives no warning before hijacking the body. Now what happened?" After Zoe recounted the events and the prophecy, Miss Bennett slowly nodded her head. "Sounds like you're about to go on an adventure. Reyna feared this would be a possibility and left me instructions."
Zoe watched the woman in bewilderment. "Reyna thought this would happen? Then why not tell me so?" she asked.
"My. Dear. Zoe," Miss Bennett said. "You know how protective the Consul is of you. She hoped she was wrong, that she would be able to find Percy without risking you. However, being the pragmatic she is, she gave me information to relay to you in the event of you receiving a prophecy."
"What information?" Zoe asked, eyes wide and body tense.
Miss Bennett smiled at the girl. "Percy's journey began in Miami. Monster attacks have decreased significantly since his capture." She took a sip of her coffee. "And if you choose this path, there will be no going back. You will learn things, about yourself, about your father. Things she would rather never see the light of day, or the darkness of night for that matter." Miss Bennett bent over the table. "Personally, I found her last comment a little odd," she whispered, like she was sharing a secret."
"Miami?" Zoe asked with a raised eyebrow. "What could be in Miami?"
The Oracle raised her hands in defeat. "No clue kid, I'm just the messenger. Who will you take?" she asked, taking a sip of coffee.
"Liam and Karina, if they will come. Like it was even a debate," she replied instantly.
Miss Bennett gave her a warm smile. "I'm sure they will. Anyways you should be going. Remember the words and good luck."
Zoe returned her smile, "Thank you Miss Bennett. For everything." She finished the tea, Zoe gave one last wave to the older woman before heading back out into the night.
It took another hour for Zoe to reach her cabin, quickly running inside to pack her bag. She packed multiple changes in clothes, some ambrosia and nectar, and some spar cash, drachma and denari that she had been gifted by her father and Reyna. Sure she had everything she could pack, she left her cabin and making her way to the Hecate cabin. On the way, she contemplated where they would go. She knew Reyna had a lead to the northeast but didn't know what the lead was, nor who it came from. Northeast was also a massive area to cover, the three of them would have even less luck than the others to find him. 'Follow Destruction's golden trail,' so her father left a trail. She just had to find it somehow and follow it.
Eventually, she reached the her friends cabin. Leaving her bag at the steps, Zoe crept into the cabin with barely a creak. Her training with the Hunters enabling her to move swiftly and silently. Finding her friend, she chose to go the quick route. Glancing left and right to make sure the others were asleep, Zoe kneeled down and slapped her hand on Karina's mouth making sure to leave her nose unobstructed. Karina's eyes flew open and she struggled briefly, Zoe's hand working to muffle the noise.
"Ssshhhhhh," Zoe whispered, still holding her hand over her friends mouth. "It's me, Zoe. I'm going to remove my hand but be quiet."
Karina nodded at her and Zoe slowly removed her hand. "What in Pluto's name are you doing?" She whispered.
"I got a prophecy," Zoe stated and Karina's eyes widened. "I need to find my father and I want your help."
Karina's eyes turned to understanding, and then determination. "You can count on me. You going to ask Liam?"
Zoe nodded. "Yeah, I'm going to go see him now. Pack your bag and meet me at the docks. I think I have a plan," she told the girl before standing.
"You think?" Karina asked, but Zoe was already moving out of the cabin. Sighing quietly, Karina got up to get dressed and packed.
Zoe made her way to the Zeus cabin next. Carefully weaving in between cabins to avoid the harpies. Upon reaching the cabin, she simply knocked. Not knowing what state of dress Liam would be in since he was the only member of his cabin much like she was. Zoe waited a minute before knocking again. Still nothing. Zoe glanced around the area before pounding the door. She heard a shout, a thud, and a groan. Zoe smiled as she awaited her friend to arrive. She was forced to endure for another few minutes before the door finally opened. Liam stood in the doorway in a camp t-shirt and basketball shorts, his hair was a rats nest but at least he had washed the makeup off.
"Zoe?" He asked before rubbing his eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"I am going on a quest to save dad," she answered quickly, glancing around for the harpies. "I have a prophecy and Karina is already on her way to the docks so hurry up and pack a bag." Liam looked at her like she had two heads before shaking his hair and running a hand through his hair. Wordlessly, Liam reached behind the doorframe where Zoe couldn't see and produced a large backpack, plopping it down at her feet. "What's this?" Zoe asked already having a good idea of his answer.
Liam shrugged. "Once I heard about your dad, I knew this would happen eventually, so I prepared for it. Just give me a minute to get changed and we can leave." Without another word, Liam closed the door leaving a blushing Zoe.
She couldn't believe that he knew her that well. She wasn't sure if she should be happy or creeped out about how accurately he predicted her. She chose to be happy to have such a good friend. Several minutes later, Liam opened his door to reveal he had changed into jeans, combed his hair down, and wore his signature kopis in its ring form on his right index finger. Picking up his bag he nodded at her and they proceeded to the docks behind the cabins.
"So what's your plan once we reach the docks?" Liam asked as they ducked into a bush to avoid the roaming harpies. "There's not some secret tunnel out of camp there is there?"
Zoe scoffed at him, leaving the bush after their potential pursuers had passed them. "The Labyrinth hasn't been around for almost one hundred and fifty years, you dolt." She paused before answering. "No, but there is a request I can make, and depending on how that goes we can make our choices from there." Liam simply nodded in acceptance and the two continued in silence.
Several minutes passed before they reached it. The docks sat between New Athens to the east and the forests to the west. Large enough to house up to two dozen boats of various sizes. Some areas had boathouses while others were open to the elements. At the moment there were only a handful of boats available, as others were being rented out. They spotted Karina sitting on one of the supports at the end of the pier. As they approached, Karina noticed them and came to greet them. "Alright what's the plan?" She asked, excitement plain to see on her face.
Zoe held up her pointer finger. "Just a moment." She then turned and approached the end of the pier. She pulled out her camp necklace from beneath her shirt. Seven beads for seven summers at camp. Beside them was a pearl, given to her for an emergency, hanging from a small clamp that was clipped to her necklace. Removing the pearl from the clamp, she crushed it beneath her boot and a sea breeze flew past them.
"Why hello sweetie, what do I owe the pleasure?" Asked a mature female voice.
Turning around, Zoe leapt into the arms of an older woman. "Grandma," she shouted cuddling into the woman's bosom. The woman stood a few inches taller than Zoe, her hair a dark sea green like seaweed falling to her shoulders. She was dressed casually, though she made it work, with the poise of a queen. Oceanic blue eyes shimmered happiness, and a wide smile split her beautiful face. The woman let go of the girl before turning to the others present.
"Lady Amphitrite," the two spoke together, bowing to the Queen of the Seas.
Amphitrite looked between the two, eyeing Liam before turning back to Zoe. "Now my dear, I told you to save that for an emergency. So what's the problem?"
"I need your help," Zoe stated, determination clear in her voice. "I have a prophecy, I'm going after Dad."
The queen hummed in thought. "So you want help getting out of here, no?" Zoe nodded her head. "I suppose I could help. You understand what you three are getting into don't you?"
"We know that Percy is in trouble and that we have a chance to make a difference," Liam spoke up, eyeing the woman nervously.
Amphitrite looked to the boy in distaste before sharing a look with Zoe. Zoe gave the goddess a pleading look, looking reminiscent of Percy's legendary baby seal look. The grandmother resisted for but a moment before relenting and turning back to Liam. "Normally I wouldn't associate with children of the man child but I'll make an exception for Zoe's sake." Liam released a breath. She snapped her fingers, the sound loud and clear like it could be heard across the lake. "Your ride will be here shortly." She then kneeled down, cupping Zoe's cheeks. "Be safe my child, your father couldn't bear it if anything happened to you. And chaos knows what Poseidon will do if his granddaughter was hurt."
Zoe gave her grandmother a smile then hugged her. "I'll be careful. Thank you Grandma." After the two came apart, Amphitrite gave Zoe another smile before vanishing in a sea breeze.
"So," Karina spoke up. "What's this ride she was talking about?" She shifted her bag to get comfortable.
"I don't know-" Zoe was interrupted by a loud neighing. Looking across the lake, the three spotted a large pegasus flying towards them. "Blackjack!" Zoe yelled out happily as the flying horse landed on the dock. Blackjack stood there, now as large as Pegasus himself, his black mane and wings reflecting the moonlight.
Yo, what up Little Boss? His voice questioned in her head, neighing and shaking himself.
"Hey Blackjack, long time no see," she replied, a wide smile plastered across her face.
The horse sputtered. Yeah, you know how it is. Being a god's sacred animal comes with responsibilities apparently. With Boss gone I have been trying to limit the damage of natural disasters. And here I thought it was just a shiny title to help get the mares. The mares love a stallion with a title you know?
Zoe cringed a little at his implication. "Yeah, sounds rough buddy. Anyways you ready to take us out of here?"
Blackjack shook his head in agreement. You bet Little Boss. Tell your friends to hop on and I'll get you to Miami, Boss' mom told me what you guys need.
The girl smiled at her friends before waving them forward. Together, they climbed aboard the large pegasus, before taking off into the night sky. The entire world before them, and an adventure unlike what they could imagine in waiting.