Dionysus summoned all thirteen of the Olympians to a meeting—something he hadn't done in… well, ever. When the Gods materialized in the grand throne room, tension immediately rippled through the air. Zeus, with his stormy scowl, was seated at the head, while the others filled their spots around the long marble table, murmurs and whispers bouncing off the walls like stray lightning bolts.

"What's this about, Dionysus?" Hera asked, her voice cool and imperious. "This had better be important."

"Oh, it is," Dionysus replied, for once dropping his usual lazy tone. He was unnervingly serious, his usual wine goblet nowhere to be seen. Instead, he fixed the gods with a rare, focused glare. "It's about Artemis. And it's about one of the demigods—Nico di Angelo."

That caught everyone's attention. Artemis missing was one thing—most of the Gods had already been on edge about that. But mentioning Nico, Hades' son, in the same breath? That was enough to send the entire room into a flurry of unease.

Dionysus didn't waste time with pleasantries. He dove straight into recounting Nico's vision—the terrifying image of Artemis taking the burden of Atlas to save Silena Beauregard, Aphrodite's daughter. As the details unfolded, the reactions around the table varied wildly. Zeus's eyes darkened with storm clouds. Athena's mind raced, calculating every possible outcome. Poseidon frowned deeply, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced with grave concern.

But it was Aphrodite who reacted the most explosively. As soon as she heard Silena's name, the love Goddess' aura flared with a rage that was as beautiful as it was terrifying. Her soft, alluring features twisted into something deadly, and she turned her gaze—fiery and unyielding—straight to Hermes.

"Your son," she hissed, the words dripping with venom. "Your son, Luke, is the reason my daughter is suffering. Because of him, she almost—" Her voice cracked, but she quickly recovered, her eyes narrowing to slits. "He made her a pawn in his twisted games. Do you understand what you've done?"

Hermes, usually quick with a joke or a grin, looked like he'd just been struck by a celestial lightning bolt. He was pale, visibly shaken, and his usual carefree aura was nowhere to be found. "Aphrodite, please—"

But Aphrodite wasn't hearing any of it. Her expression hardened further, if that was even possible. "No. You don't get to beg for him, Hermes. You don't get to plead his case. Your son used my daughter's heart, her love, against her. And for that, he will pay." Her voice echoed with finality, and a chilling silence fell over the room. "I curse Luke Castellan to never find love, as Silena prayed. Let him live with the emptiness he forced upon her."

The words of the curse rippled through the room, the air shimmering with the power of Aphrodite's wrath. Hermes looked as though he'd been physically struck, his shoulders slumping in defeat. There was no arguing with Aphrodite when she was like this—no God, not even one as slippery as Hermes, could talk his way out of a curse born from such a deep betrayal.

As if that wasn't enough drama for one day, the tension in the room thickened even mtoe when Hades, who had been uncharacteristically silent until now, suddenly turned his gaze on Apollo. If looks could kill, Apollo would have been six feet under—or rather, six feet further under, in the deepest pit of the Underworld.

"What. Did. You. Do?" Hades' voice was a low, dangerous rumble, like the distant grumbling of an earthquake.

Apollo, who had been trying to keep a low profile after everything that had happened, looked up sharply. "I don't know what you mean, Uncle."

"Don't play dumb with me, sun boy," Hades snarled. "You used your blessing on my son. You made Nico see a vision. You dragged him into this. Again."

Apollo's jaw tightened, but he didn't back down. "I did what I had to do. Artemis is in danger. My twin sister—"

"Your twin sister is not my son," Hades cut him off, his voice as cold as the River Styx. "You had no right to use Nico as a vessel for your godly messages. He's not your puppet, Apollo."

Apollo's usually radiant demeanor dimmed as he met Hades' furious glare. He opened his mouth to argue, but Hades was far from done. "You know the Fates have warned against involving him further. And yet you still—"

"Enough," Zeus's voice boomed, silencing the room. The King of the Gods looked at Apollo with a warning in his eyes. "Apollo, you've overstepped your bounds. You were reckless."

Apollo stiffened, but before he could speak, Zeus continued, "I will allow you to send a quest to Camp Half-Blood to rescue Artemis. But listen well: this will be your only chance. And you will never use Nico di Angelo as a conduit for your visions again. The Fates have spoken. He is not to be involved in the Grand Prophecy."

Apollo clenched his jaw, nodding stiffly. "Understood, Father."

But the tension was far from diffused. Hades was still simmering, his anger not so easily assuaged. And Aphrodite… well, Aphrodite was still glaring daggers at Hermes, her curse hanging heavy in the air. As the meeting came to an end, the Gods began to disperse, but the air was thick with unresolved anger. Even as they returned to their domains, the fallout from this gathering would ripple through the demigod world in ways none of them could yet predict.

One thing was certain: the quest to rescue Artemis was only the beginning of a much larger storm, and the demigods were about to be caught right in the middle of it.

When Mr. D sauntered back into Camp Half-Blood, the usual air of lazy disinterest about him, no one expected the bombshell he was about to drop. The demigods had grown used to his detached attitude, more focused on his cans of Coke and sarcastic quips than on their well-being. But this time, as he gathered the campers, there was something different in his expression—something more serious, more foreboding.

"Listen up, brats," Mr. D announced, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the gathered demigods. "Apollo's gone and made a mess of things—shocker, I know. So now, because the gods apparently can't do anything without screwing it up, you're all being sent on a lovely little quest. You know, the kind where you probably won't come back alive. Fun, right?"

The campers exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of Mr. D's words sinking in. A quest was never something to be taken lightly, and if Apollo was involved, it meant things were serious. Deadly serious.

"It seems Artemis has gotten herself captured by Atlas—don't ask me how, I don't care—and that insufferable son of Hermes, Luke, is in on it too. Silena Beauregard is with them, because of course she is," Mr. D continued, rolling his eyes as if this were all just a mild inconvenience to his day. "So, Apollo thinks it's a brilliant idea to send you lot out to rescue them. Why he didn't just do it himself, I'll never understand."

The moment the words left his mouth, the camp erupted into chaos. Charles Beckendorf, who had been listening intently, practically leaped forward, his eyes blazing with determination. "I'm going," he declared, his voice firm. "I'm not leaving Silena out there with those maniacs."

But before anyone could respond, Zoe Nightshade stepped forward, her glare sharp enough to cut through steel. "You will do no such thing, son of Hephaestus," she snapped, her voice icy. "Lady Artemis does not need the assistance of a demigod whose loyalty is divided."

Charles bristled at the insult, his fists clenching at his sides. "Divided? Are you kidding me? This isn't about loyalty—it's about saving the people we care about. If you think I'm just going to stand by and do nothing while Silena is in danger, you've got another thing coming."

The tension between them crackled like electricity, neither one willing to back down. Zoe's eyes narrowed, and it was clear that she wasn't used to being challenged—especially not by someone who wasn't a Huntress. But Charles stood his ground, refusing to be intimidated.

"Your presence would only endanger the mission," Zoe hissed. "You don't understand what we're dealing with."

"And you don't understand that Silena means everything to me!" Charles shot back, his voice rising with frustration. "I'm not asking for your permission, lieutenant. I'm going, whether you like it or not."

Before the argument could escalate further, Thalia Grace strode forward, her own eyes blazing with a mixture of determination and something darker—something that had been simmering beneath the surface for days. "If anyone's going on this quest, it's going to be me," Thalia said, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade. "Artemis is my sister. And I'm not about to let Luke get away with this."

Zoe's head snapped toward Thalia, her glare intensifying. "And what makes you think you're fit to lead this quest, daughter of Zeus?" she demanded, her tone dripping with disdain. "You've already failed to protect those you love once."

Thalia's jaw tightened, but she didn't back down. "I won't fail again."

The standoff between the three of them—Charles, Zoe, and Thalia—was intense, the air around them thick with anger and unspoken accusations. Campers stood frozen, not daring to intervene as the argument teetered on the edge of something explosive.

Percy, watching from the sidelines, felt a wave of anxiety rise in his chest. This wasn't how quests were supposed to start—with infighting and bitterness. But then again, when had anything at Camp Half-Blood ever gone according to plan?

Nico, who had been quiet throughout the chaos, suddenly tensed beside Percy. The son of Hades looked pale, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and dread. Percy immediately turned to him, concern flooding through him.

"Nico, hey, you okay?" Percy asked, keeping his voice low as he placed a comforting hand on Nico's shoulder.

Nico's breath hitched, his hands shaking slightly as he gripped the edge of his black jacket. "It's just… the vision. Apollo's vision. It's—" Nico's voice wavered, and Percy could tell he was struggling to keep it together. "I saw it, Percy. I saw Artemis taking the burden of Atlas. I felt it. And now, they're all arguing like it's some kind of game, but it's not. This is serious. This is life and death."

Percy's heart clenched at the sight of Nico so shaken. He knew that Nico was stronger than anyone gave him credit for, but this vision—this burden—had clearly taken a toll on him. Percy tightened his grip on Nico's shoulder, trying to anchor him. "I know, angel. I know. But we'll figure this out, okay? You're not alone in this."

Nico didn't say anything, but the tension in his body seemed to ease just a little. Percy could see how much Nico was struggling to keep it together, but he also knew that the son of Hades was stronger than he looked. Nico had faced more darkness than most of them could imagine, and he was still standing.

Back in the center of the camp, the argument between Charles, Zoe, and Thalia was still raging, with no resolution in sight. It seemed like everyone had an opinion on who should go, who should stay, and who was fit to lead the quest. But with so much anger and distrust flying around, Percy couldn't help but wonder how they were ever going to make it through this.

This quest was off to a rough start—rougher than any Percy had ever seen. And deep down, he had a sinking feeling that things were only going to get worse from here.

At the end, Chiron had to step up and name someone as the leader of the quest. Seeing as if this was a quest to rescue the Goddess Artemis, Chiron decided upon Zoe Nightshade, a decision that immediately set off a wave of protests from Thalia and Charles.

"But Chiron," Thalia snapped, her voice brimming with frustration, "you can't seriously be choosing her to lead this! I know Artemis is her Goddess, but this affects all of us—this is a fight against Luke and Atlas. We need someone who knows them, someone who can go toe-to-toe with them!"

Charles nodded fervently beside her, his usually calm demeanor slipping in the face of his desperation to join the quest. "And I'm going, too. I have to. Silena—"

"Enough!" Chiron's voice cut through the rising storm of voices with the authority of centuries of wisdom. "This isn't about who's more deserving or who has a personal stake. The Oracle's prophecy will guide the quest, and Zoe, as Artemis's lieutenant, is the natural leader. We can't let personal feelings cloud our judgment."

Thalia clenched her fists, biting back another retort, but the tension in her posture was palpable. Charles, too, looked like he wanted to argue further, but one glance at Chiron's stern expression made him think better of it. The son of Hephaestus instead shot a venomous look at Zoe, who returned it with equal fervor. Neither seemed willing to concede any ground.

Zoe, satisfied that Chiron had silenced the objections, turned and left to seek out the Oracle, her stride as determined and fierce as ever. The rest of the group watched her go, a mix of anger, frustration, and uncertainty swirling among them.

When Zoe finally returned, the camp had gathered around the Big House, waiting with bated breath to hear the Oracle's prophecy. As she emerged from the shadows of the attic, her face was paler than usual, but she maintained her air of command.

"The Oracle spoke," Zoe announced, her voice steady despite the gravity of her words. "This will not be a quest for three, as is tradition. We will need five to complete it—five who will face the challenges ahead. And the team will consist of both Huntresses and campers."

Murmurs ran through the crowd at this revelation. It was rare for the Oracle to deviate from the traditional number, and even rarer for the prophecy to specifically call for a mixed group.

Zoe's eyes swept over the gathered demigods, but when her gaze landed on Charles, her expression hardened. "No males will be part of this quest," she declared, her tone brokering no argument. "That is non-negotiable."

Charles's jaw dropped, and a flash of anger crossed his face. "What? You can't just—"

"I can," Zoe interrupted, her voice like steel. "I'm leading this quest, and I won't have any male presence distracting or endangering my Lady Artemis. You're not coming, Beckendorf."

Charles looked like he might explode on the spot, his fists trembling with the effort of keeping himself in check. "This isn't just about Artemis, lieutenant! Silena is out there too, and I—"

"I don't care about your personal attachments," Zoe snapped, cutting him off again. "This quest is to rescue Artemis. That's all that matters."

Before Charles could argue further, Zoe turned her back on him and faced the crowd once more. "Bianca di Angelo and Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano will join me. They are strong, capable, and loyal. They will represent the Huntresses."

Reyna, standing tall with her usual poise, gave a nod of acceptance, while Bianca, though visibly nervous, squared her shoulders and stepped forward. It was clear she was determined to prove herself.

Chiron, who had been quietly watching the unfolding drama, finally spoke up. "The quest requires representation from Camp Half-Blood as well. Zoe, I choose Thalia Grace to join you."

Thalia's eyes blazed as she took a step forward, her expression a mix of determination and a simmering grudge. "Fine," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "But I'm bringing Annabeth with me."

At this, Annabeth's head shot up in surprise. She'd been hanging back, not expecting to be pulled into this mess, but the look on Thalia's face made it clear that the daughter of Zeus was not asking for permission.

Zoe looked like she wanted to protest, but Chiron gave her a warning glance. "Annabeth is one of our most resourceful and intelligent campers," he said firmly. "Her inclusion is final."

Zoe's lips pressed into a thin line, but she said nothing, silently fuming as she accepted the decision. Percy, who had been standing at the edge of the group, watched the whole scene unfold with a growing sense of disbelief.

"Wait," he muttered under his breath, his thoughts racing as the reality of what was happening hit him. "Am I... not going on this quest?" For once, it seemed like fate—or the gods, or whoever was responsible for these things—had decided to give him a break. A summer without a quest? Was that even possible?

He opened his mouth to voice this, but Nico quickly clamped a hand over Percy's mouth. "Don't," Nico warned, his voice a low, urgent whisper. "Don't you dare jinx yourself, Percy. Just keep quiet and let this happen."

Percy blinked at him, the realization of what Nico was saying slowly sinking in. "You're right," he mumbled behind Nico's hand. "I should just keep my big mouth shut."

Nico nodded, finally letting go of Percy's face. "Exactly. This might be the one time you don't end up dragged into some world-ending catastrophe. Let's not ruin it."

Annabeth, who had overheard the exchange, raised an eyebrow at Percy, a small smirk playing on her lips. "You're actually going to sit this one out?" she teased, though there was a hint of relief in her voice. "It's about time you got a break."

"Don't rub it in," Percy shot back, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. Let someone else handle the life-threatening quests for once. "It looks like you are getting the quest and experience you've been after for so long." Percy was trying to be friendly, but he could tell from Annabeth's grimace that it did not work out.

Or maybe Annabeth could simply see that this team was a bomb waiting to explode at any given moment.

As Percy tried to relax, a nagging thought tugged at the back of his mind. Sure, he wasn't going on the quest, but that didn't mean he was off the hook. Trouble had a way of finding him, no matter where he was. And with tensions running high between Thalia and Zoe, not to mention the shadow of Luke and Atlas hanging over everything, Percy knew it was only a matter of time before he'd be pulled back into the fray.

But for now, he was content to let someone else take the lead. He'd watch from the sidelines, offering support where he could, and maybe, just maybe, he'd finally get a chance to enjoy a quiet summer at camp.

Yeah, right.