My first story on my new account! This is a time-travel fic, with different mythologies, so hopefully unique. Also, I'm from Australia, so you'll have to bear with my British english. Also, a huge special thanks to my beta reader! The chapter is about 4600 words, so a bit on the shorter side. I'll update every second Friday! Without further ado, enjoy!

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1: I GET KIDNAPPED BY A BUNCH OF VERY TALL LADIES

Sing, oh Muse, of the plight of Perseus Jackson, Hero of Olympus, former Pharaoh of Egypt, temporary Host of–

Hold on, wait a minute.

This isn't how I'd start a story. Sure, Apollo liked the classic style, at least he did in ancient Greece, but this sounds like I time-traveled to Shakespeare's time. Which, to be fair, I nearly did. This is the story of how I got thrown into a much bigger world than I ever expected to. For the second godsdamned time. Except, you know, this time involved literal time travel.

Sure, it might sound fun. Killing monsters, speaking to gods, trying to kill pharaohs and kings and emperors; it's everything you dreamed of in your childhood! But trust me. This was not fun.

My name is Percy Jackson, and up until about a month ago, I was just having fun and and enjoying life. Until I got abducted by a trio of nine-foot-tall ladies.

Let me tell you a story.

LINE BREAK

Camp went late that summer. It lasted two more weeks, right up to the start of a new school year, and I have to admit they were the best two weeks of my life. Well, they would have been, if I didn't have a sinking feeling in my stomach.

Butterflies in my stomach wasn't doing it justice. It was more like… skull moths, fluttering around my ribcage. Gods, I sound like Nico.

On a more positive note…

Grover had taken over the satyr seekers and was sending them out across the world to find unclaimed half-bloods. So far, the gods had kept their promise. New demigods were popping up all over the place – not just in America, but in a lot of other countries as well.

"We can hardly keep up," Grover admitted one afternoon as we were taking a break at the canoe lake. "We're going to need a bigger travel budget, and I could use a hundred more satyrs."

"Yeah, but the satyrs you have are working super hard,' I said. 'I think they're scared of you."

Grover blushed. "That's silly. I'm not scary."

"You're a Lord of the Wild, dude. The chosen one of Pan. The guy who saved the whole camp with Panic. A member of the Council of-"

"Stop it!" Grover protested. "You're as bad as Juniper. I think she wants me to run for president next." He chewed on a tin can as we stared across the pond at the line of new cabins under construction.

"You could totally be president."

The U-shape would soon be a complete rectangle, and the demigods had really taken to the new task with gusto. Nico had some undead builders working on the Hades cabin. Even though he was still the only kid in it, it was going to look pretty cool – solid obsidian walls with a skull over the door and torches that burned with green fire twenty-four hours a day.

Next to that were the cabins of Iris, Nemesis, Hecate and several others I didn't recognise. They kept adding new ones to the blueprints every day. It was going so well Annabeth and Chiron were talking about adding an entirely new wing of cabins just so they could have enough room.

The Hermes cabin was a lot less crowded now, because most of the unclaimed kids had received signs from their godly parents. It happened almost every night, and every night more demigods straggled over the property line with the satyr guides, usually with some nasty monsters pursuing them, but almost all of them made it through.

"It's going to be a lot different next summer," I said. "Chiron's expecting we'll have twice as many campers."

"Yeah," Grover agreed, "but it'll be the same old place." He sighed contentedly.

"I'll be travelling a lot," Grover warned, "between protecting nature and finding half-bloods. I may not see you as much."

If only he knew…

"Won't change anything," I said. "You're still my best friend."

He grinned. "Except for Annabeth."

"That's different."

"Yeah," he agreed. "It sure is."

In the late afternoon, I was taking one last walk along the beach when a familiar voice said, "Good day for fishing."

My dad, Poseidon, was standing knee-deep in the surf, wearing his typical Bermuda shorts, beat-up cap and a real subtle pink-blue-and-green tropical shirt. He had a deep-sea fishing rod in his hands, and when he cast it, the line went way out – like halfway across Long Island Sound.

"Hey, Dad," I said. "What brings you here?"

He winked. "Never really got to talk in private on Olympus. I wanted to thank you."

"Thank me? You came to the rescue."

"Yes, and I got my palace destroyed in the process, but you know – palaces can be rebuilt. I've had so many thank-you cards from the other gods. Even Ares wrote one, though I think Hera forced him to. It's rather gratifying. So thank you. I suppose even the gods can learn new tricks. Much like our Mycenaean-"

The water began to boil, cutting him off. At the end of my dad's line, a a gigantic serpent with its scaled hide glistening in a camouflage patchwork of green, brown and yellow.

Its ridged forehead and tapered snout make it look more like an eel than a snake, however. Its eyes resembled huge green spotlights the size of trampolines, and its irises glowed so intensely, I was sure everything I saw for the rest of my life would be tinted with lime jelly. The serpent's teeth gleamed in rows of perfect white triangles with its pink maw showing.

It thrashed and fought, but Poseidon just sighed. Holding his fishing pole with one hand, he whipped out a knife and cut the line.

The monster sank below the surface, and Poseidon frowned.

"Not my destiny," he complained. "I have to release him or else the darned goat-eater will be all over me. Very annoying to have something as monstrous as this in my domain and not be allowed to touch it. Much like Hades and Ammit."

"Goat-eater?" I decided to gloss over the whole 'Hades and Ammit' business, because that probably meant a new sibling for Nico.

He grinned. "Names have power. Has Dionysus not told you that yet?"

"That's not- nevermind."

"You'll meet him soon enough, anyhow."

"So who exactly is this goat-eater?"

Poseidon grinned. "Ah, wish I could say. He has a bit of a reputation with goats. Eats them, resurrects them, and eats them again. It's a whole thing."

"Eats goats and… revives them to eat them again?"

"Yes. Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr. I believe they're called Otis and Marvin, now? They pull his chariot, and when he's hungry... well, let's just say they're very forgiving goats."

"Ha-ha." Poseidon reeled in his empty line without saying a word. I shifted my feet. "Um, you were kidding, right?" Poseidon gave me one of his inside-joke winks, and I still didn't know whether he was serious or not.

"I'll see you soon, Percy. And remember – know which fish are big enough to land, eh?" With that he dissolved in the sea breeze, leaving a fishing pole lying in the sand.

Later that day, I was sitting on the beach when I heard a voice.

"Hey." Annabeth slid next to me on the bench. "Happy birthday." She was holding a huge misshapen cupcake with blue icing. I stared at her.

"What?"

"It's August eighteenth," she said. "Your birthday, right?"

I was stunned. It hadn't even occurred to me, but she was right. I had turned sixteen this morning. With all the fighting and prophecies, I hadn't even noticed.

"Make a wish," she said.

"Did you bake this yourself?" I asked.

"Tyson helped."

"That explains why it looks like a chocolate brick," I said. "With blue cement."

Annabeth laughed. I thought for a second then blew out the candle. We cut it in half and shared, eating with our fingers. Annabeth sat next to me, and we watched the ocean. Crickets were making noise in the woods, but otherwise, it was quiet.

"You saved the world," she said.

"We saved the world."

"And Rachel is the new Oracle, which means she won't be dating anybody."

"You don't sound disappointed," I said.

Annabeth shrugged. "Oh, I don't care."

"Uh-huh."

She raised an eyebrow. "You got something to say to me, Seaweed Brain?"

"You'd probably kick my butt."

"You know I'd kick your butt."

I grinned. "Yeah, you would."

We sat there in comfortable silence, the ocean waves gently lapping against the shore. The sky was turning a deep shade of purple as the sun set, casting a warm glow over everything. It felt like the perfect ending to an impossibly long day.

"I can't believe it's over," I said after a while. "Everything we went through... it feels surreal."

Annabeth nodded, her expression thoughtful. "It's not really over, though. There's still a lot to rebuild, and new challenges will come. But we'll face them together."

I looked at her, admiring the way the fading light played across her face. "Yeah, together."

She smiled, a small, genuine smile that made my heart feel lighter. "So, Seaweed Brain, what's next for you?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe a break? I mean, saving the world is exhausting work. I could travel the world."

Annabeth laughed, a sound that seemed to chase away the last remnants of the day's tension. "A break sounds good. But not too long. I don't want you getting rusty."

"Rusty? Me? Never," I said with mock indignation.

We both laughed, the sound mingling with the distant calls of the crickets and the soft crash of the waves. It felt good, like a promise of normalcy and peace.

"Where would you travel?" Annabeth said.

"I don't know." I said. "Haven't thought that far ahead yet."

Annabeth laughed. "Typical."

"I could go to Egypt. See the pyramids and whatever. Just need to learn hieroglyphics."

"You don't speak in hieroglyphics Percy. They have a language, Coptic. Plus, Egyptians have been speaking Greek since 3000 B.C."

I said something really intelligent, like: "Ah." Annabeth laughed.

"Happy birthday, Percy," Annabeth said softly, leaning her head against my shoulder.

"Thanks, Annabeth. For everything."

As me and Annabeth chatted by the beach, discussing the events of the summer, we were interrupted by a sudden outburst from Rachel Elizabeth Dare, the new Oracle of Delphi, struggling to articulate her latest vision, her words tumbling out in a jumbled mess.

"Storm og stein," Rachel muttered, her voice strained. "M stꜣwt ḏd... Ad dolorem mortalem... μέσου χρόνου…"

I exchanged a concerned glance with Annabeth. Her ability to speak clearly was deteriorating, leaving her grasping at fragmented phrases from languages that were probably long forgotten.

"Rachel, what's happening?" Annabeth asked, her voice laced with worry.

But Rachel could only respond with a pained expression, her eyes clouded with confusion and distress. It was clear that she needed help, and fast.

"Run," I told Annabeth. "Get Chiron. I'll stay with Rachel."

Annabeth simply nodded and ran. "Hey Rachel," I said.

Rachel's eyes were wide and unfocused, as if she was seeing something beyond our reality.

Her hands trembled, and she clutched at the air, as if she was trying to ground herself. "Storm og stein," she repeated, her voice breaking. "M stꜣwt ḏd... Ad dolorem mortalem... μέσου χρόνου…"

"Rachel, it's Percy," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "You're safe. We're at camp. Annabeth's getting help."

She blinked rapidly, her gaze flickering to me for a moment before slipping away again. "Perseus," she whispered, her tone both desperate and resigned. "They... they come for you... shadows and chaos... you should have died."

A chill ran down my spine. I had seen Rachel have visions before, but this was different. More intense. More urgent.

Annabeth returned with Chiron, who took one look at Rachel and immediately started issuing commands. "Bring her to the infirmary," he said, his voice commanding. "Percy, help me support her. Annabeth, fetch Will Solace."

We carefully guided Rachel to the infirmary, her cryptic mutterings continuing the entire way. Chiron's presence was reassuring, but even he looked worried.

Inside the infirmary, we settled Rachel onto a bed. Will Solace, our resident healer, arrived moments later, his expression serious. He examined Rachel with a practiced eye, his brow furrowing as she continued to murmur in ancient languages.

"Storm og stein," Rachel repeated, her voice barely a whisper now. "M stꜣwt ḏd... Ad dolorem mortalem... μέσου χρόνου…"

"She's slipping in and out of the prophetic state," Will said, glancing at Chiron. "It's like she's caught in a loop."

Chiron nodded. "Her gift as the Oracle is powerful, but it's also a heavy burden. The strain is becoming too much for her to handle."

I felt a pang of guilt. Rachel had taken on this role to help us, to guide us, and now it was tearing her apart. "Is there anything we can do?" I asked, desperate for a solution.

Will shook his head. "We need to let her rest. The best we can do is make her comfortable and try to ease the strain."

Annabeth, who had been standing quietly by the bed, stepped forward. "Rachel," she said softly, taking her hand. "We're here. You're not alone."

Rachel's eyes flickered to Annabeth, and for a brief moment, there was clarity. "Annabeth... Percy... beware the shadows. Chaos is coming."

"Rachel, you're sick," said Annabeth in a matter-of-fact tone. "You should be resting."

Rachel shook her head. "No… No! I… said… speak for gods. But not only Apollo. I didn't know… all gods."

"What?" I said.

"Follow the stars, Percy." Rachel said in a raspy tone. "Walk alone… only the stars."

And then she fell limp, her eyes glazed over.

I exchanged a worried glance with Annabeth. "What does she mean, 'follow the stars'?"

Annabeth shook her head, her expression troubled. "I don't know, but we need to figure it out. If Rachel's visions are this intense, something big is coming."

"Yep," I agreed. "And all that stuff about chaos and shadows." She pursed her lips.

"I don't know, Percy, but I don't like it. I thought … well, maybe we'd get some peace for a change."

"Wouldn't be Camp Half-Blood if it was peaceful," I said.

"I guess you're right… or maybe the prophecy won't happen for years."

"Could be a problem for another generation of demigods," I agreed. "Then we can kick back and enjoy."

She nodded, though she still seemed uneasy.

Chiron nodded solemnly. "We will decipher her prophecies in due time. For now, she needs to rest." He turned to Will. "Keep a close watch on her. Inform me of any changes."

Will nodded, already adjusting the blankets around Rachel. "I'll take care of her," he promised.

Annabeth and I stepped out of the infirmary, the weight of Rachel's words heavy on our minds. As we walked through the camp, the sun was setting, casting long shadows across the ground. The other campers were going about their evening routines, blissfully unaware of the looming threat.

"Do you think it's another war?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Annabeth sighed. "I hope not. But with the kind of visions Rachel is having, it could be anything."

That evening was the last night of camp – the bead ceremony. The Hephaestus cabin had designed the bead this year. It showed the Empire State Building, and etched in tiny Greek letters, spiralling around the image, were the names of all the heroes who had died defending Olympus.

There were too many names, but I was proud to wear the bead. I put it on my camp necklace – four beads now. I felt like an old-timer. I thought about the first campfire I'd ever attended, back when I was twelve, and how I'd felt so at home. That at least hadn't changed.

"Never forget this summer!" Chiron told us. He trotted in front of the fire with a slight limp. "We have discovered bravery and friendship and courage this summer. We have upheld the honour of the camp." He smiled at me, and everybody cheered.

As I looked towards the forest, I saw three very, very tall ladies, their eyes fully white. They were shrouded in white, wearing hoods. Behind them was a sheet of fog like a bridal train. The atmosphere shifted as the three mysterious figures approached. Their presence seemed to cast a hush over the campfire, and even the crackling flames seemed to dim.

Chiron's expression hardened slightly. He stepped forward to greet them, his demeanour both respectful and wary.

"Greetings, Fates," Chiron said. "What brings you to our humble camp on this auspicious night?"

Now, I was no genius, but these were most definitely not the Fates. I locked eyes with Grover, who seems to be thinking the same thing.

The figures remained silent, their hoods concealing their faces as they surveyed the camp. The atmosphere seemed to thicken with anticipation, and even the crackling of the campfire sounded muffled in their presence.

I exchanged another glance with Grover. These were not the Fates. There was something different about them, something ancient and powerful.

Chiron stepped forward, his hooves scraping against the ground as he approached the figures. "Forgive my curiosity," he continued, his voice steady. "But we do not often receive visitors such as yourselves. May I inquire as to the purpose of your visit?"

The figures remained silent for a moment longer, their hoods casting deep shadows over their features. Then, as if in response to some unseen cue, they began to speak in unison, their voices echoing.

"We have come," they said, their voices blending together in a haunting chorus, "To deliver a warning."

I felt a chill run down my spine as the words washed over me. A warning? But what could possibly warrant such a visit from beings of such ancient power?

Chiron's brow furrowed. "A warning," he repeated, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "Of what, pray tell?"

The figures seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if weighing their words carefully. Then they spoke once more.

"Shadows are rising," they said, their voices echoing with an ominous intensity. "Chaos is coming." Then they pointed at me. "You should have died."

That was exactly what Rachel had said. That couldn't be a coincidence. I was standing in front of the (apparent) Fates, there was probably a lack of coincidences in a 2-mile radius.

"Storm and stone." With those ominous words, the figures turned and began to fade into the mist, their presence dwindling until they were nothing more than shadowy silhouettes against the night sky. As the figures began to fade into the shadows, I couldn't help but feel a surge of urgency welling up within me.

"Wait!" I called out, my voice echoing across the campfire. "What about me?"

The figures paused, their hooded forms turning back towards me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. It was like they knew I would ask that. "You," they said, their voices echoing. "You are the key."

I felt a knot form in the pit of my stomach as their words sank in. The key to what? And why me?

"What do you mean?"

The figures regarded me with an intensity that made my skin crawl, their hooded forms swaying slightly in the flickering firelight. "You, Percy Jackson, are the one who will save the world."

"Um, you're a bit late. The whole 'big three kid is meant to die at 16' and Kronos rising has already happened."

"No." They said in tandem. "A new threat. Or rather, an old one."

A hush fell over the campfire as their words sank in.

The figures remained silent for a moment longer, their hooded forms swaying in the cool night breeze. Then they spoke once more.

They turned back towards me, their hooded forms swaying slightly in the dim light. "You must come with us, Percy Jackson."

"Lead the way," I said, my voice firm.

As I followed them into the forest, I glanced back at the camp one last time. The flickering campfire and the faces of my friends were the last things I saw before the shadows of the trees enveloped me. The three tall ladies moved silently, their forms gliding over the forest floor without disturbing so much as a leaf. I had so many questions, but I decided to wait until we were deeper into the woods.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, we reached a small clearing. The moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting an eerie glow on the scene. The figures turned to face me, their hoods still concealing their faces.

"Percy Jackson," they intoned together, "we are not of this time. We are the Moirai of another era, another pantheon, and we have come to warn you of a danger that transcends the ages."

"Another era?" I echoed, my mind racing. "Another pantheon? What do you mean?"

They didn't answer immediately. Instead, they began to chant in a language I didn't recognise. The air around us shimmered, and suddenly, the clearing was no longer a clearing. We were standing in the middle of a pyramid, with men shouting and… were those demons?

"This," one of the figures said, gesturing to the ruins, "is what remains of Egypt."

"Why are you showing me this?" I asked, trying to keep the awe out of my voice.

They ignored me, and began chanting again. I recognised the language this time. It was… Greek?

The scene shifted onto a huge palace on fire, with a dark stairway leading down. It had a delta symbol, like the labyrinth.

"Crete," said another Fate. "Greece."

Then the knock-off Fates began softly speaking in another language. I recognised it from the Latin classes I had in Goode.

Again the scene shifted. I saw a grand city with towering structures, many of them aflame. Statues of ancient Roman gods crumbled as shadowy figures darted through the chaos. "Rome," said the third Fate.

The Fates began speaking softly, as if they were speaking a familiar language. Then a snowy village, being attacked by what looked like giants covered in frost. "Scandinavia," said one. "All of Midgard is under threat."

I stared at the scenes unfolding before me, my mind reeling from the implications. Egypt, Greece, Rome, and now Scandinavia. Each place showed destruction, chaos, and shadowy figures wreaking havoc.

The three figures turned their focus back to me. "You are the key, Percy Jackson," they repeated. "The key to preventing this."

"But why me?" I asked, feeling a mixture of frustration and fear. "I've already dealt with more than my fair share of prophecies and threats. Can't someone else handle this?"

The figures remained silent for a moment, their hooded forms unmoving. Then one of them stepped forward, lowering her hood to reveal a face that was simultaneously ancient and youthful, with eyes that seemed to hold the weight of centuries.

"You, Percy Jackson, are not just a demigod," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "You are an enigma. We have seen you carve your way through Egypt, fight your way through Greece, burn your mark on Rome, and march through the freezing wasteland of Hel."

"What?" I said. "First of all, I've never been to Egypt. Or Greece, or Rome. And what do you mean, freezing wasteland? Isn't hell meant to be hot?"

Their gazes held mine. "You haven't, not yet at least."

Another spoke. "And yet, you already have."

I frowned. "What? Who are you?"

"We are the Norns." Said one.

"The Norns?" I echoed, racking my memory. "Aren't you from Norse mythology? Like, Thor and Odin and Loki?"

"Yes. And there is much more to the Norse, as you will soon find out."

"I don't understand," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

The Norns nodded sympathetically. "You are not meant to understand fully yet, Percy Jackson," the Norn said, her voice holding a note of compassion. "But know this: the fate of not just one world, but many, hangs in the balance. The shadows that rise threaten to consume everything in their path, and you have been chosen to stand against them."

The Norns' words sent a shiver down my spine. "Why me?" I repeated.

"Because," the Norn in front said, "your destiny is intertwined with the fates of many. You are more than a demigod of Olympus. You have the potential to be a hero across the ages, across worlds."

"Okay," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "So what do I do?"

"You must travel to these realms," the Norn said. "Unravel the secrets that bind them to this coming chaos. You must seek allies among the gods and mortals of each pantheon."

"Great," I muttered. "Another quest."

"Not just another quest," said another Norn. "This will be unlike anything you have ever faced."

"What do you mean?" I said. "Surely it can't be that hard."

The Norns looked exasperated at this point. "This will be a journey across ages Perseus. Do you know what that means?"

I raised an eyebrow. All I got in return was three expecting looks.

Oh.

Oh.

My mind went blank, and I couldn't come up with any witty remarks or even a coherent thought. "You want me to time-travel." It wasn't a question. I knew exactly what they wanted.

"The past and the future are intertwined," another figure explained. "This threat can be stopped. But it comes with great peril."

"Hold on," I said. "What threat are you talking about?"

The Norns exchanged glances before one of them spoke. "It is not just one threat - it is many."

"Right," I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Could you at least tell me?"

"We cannot reveal everything, but we can show you your first mission. In Egypt, demons stir and Sekhmet has been sent to earth as the scourge of the magicians."

"What? What in Hades are you talking about?"

"Her wrath threatens to awaken a greater darkness," the Norn continued, ignoring my perfectly valid question. "You must go to Egypt, find Sekhmet, and stop it before it spreads."

I took a deep breath, trying to process everything. "So, I go to Egypt, stop the big bad Sekhmet, and then what? Do I get a guide or something?"

"You will have allies," the middle Norn said. "Look for the magicians who guard the House of Life. They will aid you in your quest."

"And remember," another Norn added, "this is only the beginning. Each realm will present new challenges and new allies. You must be prepared for anything."

"Okay," I said, my resolve hardening. "Pretend I decide to do it. How do you expect me to just travel through time?"

"We can transport you to Egypt, and from there you must find your own way. Will you accept, Percy Jackson?"

I really wanted to just say no. I mean, nothing was stopping me. But I couldn't shake the feeling that if I turned them down, everything would get a lot worse. So, instead, I nodded, trying to wrap my head around the idea. Time travel wasn't exactly covered in Camp Half-Blood's training. "Fine, I'll do it. What's the plan?"

The Norns exchanged approving glances. One of them stepped forward, extending a hand. "You have a natural ability, Percy Jackson," she said. "We will help you unlock it."

Before I could ask what she meant, the Norns began to chant, their voices rising in a strange, ancient melody. The air around us shimmered, and suddenly, I felt a strange pulling sensation, like I was being sucked through a vortex.

The sounds of the forest vanished, replaced by the distant calls of hawks and the dry heat of the desert sun. I found myself standing on the outskirts of an ancient city. Huge pyramids loomed in the distance, and I could faintly hear shouting in a language I didn't understand.

I was momentarily blinded by the harsh sun, but as I blinked rapidly, I realised where I was. "Egypt," I muttered to myself. "Alright. Egypt, demons, Sekhmet, magicians. This'll be a piece of cake."

That's a wrap! Reviews are appreciated! Will update soon, hopefully!