As soon as I got off the bus,I stumbled right into Percy.He caught me,"Watch where your-ah geez.That must have hurt."I pointed my mangled finger in his face,"What gave it away?"I grabbed my finger and yanked it to the left,popping it even.I then grabbed some tape from my pouch and taped up my finger to set the bone.Apollo flew away,and Thalia sighed,"Sorry about that,Paul."I grunted as I fixed my hood,"Oh you're good.Just didn't think the daughter of Zeus would be scared of hei-"I was interrupted by Thalia "accidentally" shocking me into a tree.I groaned as I stood up,"A simple 'Shut up' would have worked."Nico started to bounce around and went over to talk to the girl at the fire place.I heard Bianca start talking with Zoè,and Percy turned to the Hunters,"You guys are going to want to meet Chiron."Zoè gave him her hourly scowl,"I have no interest in meeting with him.Tell him we will be in the Artemis cabin."They all started to walk away,and Bianca gave us a shrug before joining them.Grover suddenly ran up to us,"They will probably need a guide."He then ran over to them.I sighed,"Well tell Chiron I am back.I am going to 'borrow' some stuff out of the infirmary and the store."I ran off to go steal things.

After about an hour,I was meet by Chiron when I was relaxing by the beach.Chiron trotted over to me,"Hello Paul.I am glad that you are okay."I smiled at the centaur,"Yeah I'm good.It will take more than a couple of monsters to deal with me."Chiron smiled back,"Well that is good to now.There is a capture the flag game soon.Would you like to join us or the Hunters?"I snorted as I stood up,"You guys.The Hunters are all pushovers.I am all you need."Chiron took that as a joke,"Okay.Follow me to the area."

When I got there Percy and Thalia were standing in front of us.Thalia was talking first,"All right,here is the plan.Percy will lead defense,and I will lead offense.Split up."I walked over to Percy and slapped his shoulder,"Not happy to be defense?"Percy sighed,"What gave it away?"

"Your shoulder's are slouching.You want to be defense.Offense is too easy."Percy gave me a strange look before picking up the flag,"Come on,I now where to put it!"He put it next to Zeus's fist.Or course he did.So the game started,and Percy climbed to the top of the fist to scout the area,while me,Nico,Beckendorf,and a few others where defending.Then Percy called from the top,"You guys think you can defend this?"Beckendorf snorted,"Of course."Percy ran off,and immediately an arrow hit the ground and ejected gas.I cough and immediately knew what was happening.I turned around and saw a hand grab the flag,and I talked the approximate location of the person.I was spot on.I tackled her to the ground,grabbed the flag,and rolled away from the gas.I Hunter I didn't know charged at me,and I poked her in the eye with the flag.She screamed,and I pulled out my gun,spun it once,then shot her in the face.Electricity coursed through the gun and hit her right in the face,knocking her out.I stabbed the flag behind me,and turned toward where Bekendorf and Nico were,but saw them unconscious.I faced back toward the Hunters running at me,and I cursed.I shot one in the face,ducked under a sword strike,sliced a bow in half with my blade,and punched two Hunters.I picked up a bow that was dropped,flipped it so that the bowstring is facing away from me,pulled back,and let go when a Hunter was right on top of me.If you have ever been hit by a elastic band,imagine that,but ten times worse.I dropped the bow and caught two arrows aimed at my face,before talking somebody who was really close to getting the flag.I punched her twice in the face and stood e on,how long can it take for Percy to get the flag?I looked around to see anymore enemies,but saw only one figure.I saw Zoè walk up to me and draw her bow behind me like I didn't see her.I caught her arrow without looking,and I pointed at the figure,"Do you see that?"Zoè snorted,"How dumb don't think I...is that the oracle?"I realized the whole camp and Hunters were watching in shock as the mummified body of the oracle walked right up to Zoè.I scrambled back and pulled out my gun,but put it down when Chiron shook his head.Zoè was talking,"-Rescue Lady Artemis."I have never seen a prophecy from the Oracle,so I was surprised when it started to glow green and speak in a raspy voice.

"Five shall go west to the goddess in chains

One shall be lost in the land without rain

The bane of Olympus shows the trail

Campers and Hunters combined prevail

The Titans Curse must one withstand

And one shall perish by a parents hand."

After all that,it fell to the floor.It landed right next to me,and I made no attempt to catch it.I stared at the corpse,"Well.That was...interesting."Zoè glared at nobody in particular,and stormed out.Bianca was rubbing her head,"Should we really just leave this here?"Travis Stoll pointed at me,"I say Paul and Percy do it."No one argued,so I sighed,"Fine.Percy,you get to grab the head."As we shuffled along,I made sure we were out of earshot before talking,"Not what you wanted."Percy stumbled,nearly making me drop it",What do you mean?"I sighed,"You were looking at the Oracle like it killed your mom.You were mad at it."Percy gave no response,so I carried,"That was your prophecy as much as Zoè's.More you."Percy looked interested,"You mean to save Annabeth?"I shuffled sideways to go up the stairs,"I guess."We went to the top and we placed the corpse on her tripod.Percy brushed his hands,"Whats your relation with Zoè?Out of curiosity."I snorted as I took off my cloak,"Honestly?We annoy each other.But we have an understanding,especially after Croatia."Percy frowned,"What happened in Croatia?"I clapped his shoulder,"That is a story for another day."We were about to walk down the stairs when Thalia suddenly barged in,"You two,go to the rec room.We are having a camp meeting with all the camp counselors."I started wiping the dust off my cloak,"Good thing that isn't me."Thalia shook her head,"Zoè was allowed to pick two Hunters to accompany her.And since you are technically in the Hunter category,she picked you and Bianca."I put on my cloak and sighed,"Let us go then."

Zoè started the meeting with a positive note."This is pointless."I took out my knife and started flipping it and catching it by the hilt when Thalia responded,"Shut up Zoè.Do you even know where to go."Bianca spoke up,"West!The oracle said-"I sighed and put away my knife,"I really don't want to hear the prophecy again.We know what hay you have to go west,but that is a very broad direction."There were a few grunts of agreement.Travis picked up a donut,"Any idea what the bane of Olympus is?"Chiron shook his head,"It could be Keto or Typhon,but we would know if they come out.Maybe there are others that only gods may know."Everybody turned to Mr.D,who looked up from his wine magazine,"Don't look at me.I am a younger god."Beckendorf rolled his eyes,"How about the other lines of the prophecy."Thalia nodded,"One shall be lost in the land with our rain."Percy shook his head,"Maybe we should avoid deserts."Katie Gardener frowned,"One shall be killed by a parent's hand.Whose parents will kill their kid?"I glanced at Percy,and realized he was probably thinking the same thing.Zoè picked up a ping pong paddle and glared at it,"I think we should just bring all the Hunters."Thalia rolled her eyes,"You are missing something,as usual.It says campers and Hunters combined prevail.Not to mention we should only bring five."Grover started to eat the cheez wiz,"So what about the Titans curse?That sounds ominous."I shrugged,"It could mean a lot.Or it could mean nothing."Chiron sighed,"Who is going to be on this team?"

"Three Hunters and two campers."

Everybody stared at Percy and we shrugged,"What?It is more than fair."Thalia nodded,"Agreed.I should go."Grover smiled,"I will go.Anything to help Artemis!You will need a tracker anyway."Zoè looked like she was about to argue but didn't,"Fine.I shall go,as well as Paul."I rose an eyebrow,"Hold your horses.I am not really a camper or Hunter.And I am an average Joe."Zoè's eyes twinkled,"You scared?"I grunted,"You now how to motivate me.I am in."Zoè nodded,"Good.I will like Bianca to come as well."Bianca looked shocked,"Why me?I just started?"Zoè nodded,"And what is a better way to prove yourself."Suddenly Percy frowned,"Wait a second.I want to go as well."Zoè frowned,"Wait one second boy..."I gave her my "shut up" glare and turned to Percy.No words,I just put my hand on his shoulder and stared at him.He went quiet and crossed his arms.Chiron forced a smile,"Well, jagged was fun!Dinner in two hours!"

Percy didn't show up for dinner,so me,Chiron,and Grover went over to the Poseidon cabin.As soon as we went in there,Grover started to apologize,at least until Chiron politely told us to go away.So we were standing out here before Grover started talking,"So...where are you from?"I leaned back on the wall,"Savannah,Georgia."Grover nodded,"Can't really say the same,how..."Before he could say anything Chiron walked out,"Grover,follow me.Paul,do whatever."I sighed and walked into the Poseidon cabin.I saw Percy staring at a golden drachma.I walked up beside him and nudged him with my elbow,"You good man?"He nodded,"Yeah.Just wondering what I am going to do for Christmas."

"Well I know you want to go on this quest to save Annabeth,and I know you aren't happy about your situation.Do what you think is right,not by what is written as rules."

I walked away before he could respond.I took a walk around the beach for a little bit,before finally sitting down on a bench.I looked up and stared at the stars,and I lost track of time.Then Zoè walked over to me and sat down next to me.She crossed her arms and looked at the waves,"I apologize for forcing you to accept this quest."I was a little annoyed that I was interrupted,but I didn't show it in my voice,"I made my own decision Zoè."There was a moment of silence before I spoke,"You know you probably have to go to the mountain near San Francisco.And we might have to fight you Dad."Zoè sighed,"I want to avoid that if I can,but you are probably right."I grunted as I leaned forward,"And do me a favor and don't be to mean to Percy.I know he reminds you of Big H,but he isn't like that."Zoè nodded,"No promises,but I will try."I stood up and offered a hand to her,"You should probably crash.See you at two?"She nodded and took my hand,before we walked to are respective cabins.