June 2003

"What did Chiron mean by 'still sane'? You aren't going to torture me or anything..." Percy took a breath. "Right?

"Of course not. You're just going to talk to the Pythia," Kiara said, reaching for the rope attached to the green trapdoor. "She was a mortal woman who held the spirit of the Oracle of Delphi. The spirit can only be held by a mortal and has been since my father fought Python."

Kiara pulled the ladder down, coughing as dust rained from the attic hatch. The ladder creaked ominously, but she knew it would hold until Camp Half-Blood itself fell. She climbed carefully into the dark space, the air heavy with mildew, rotting wood, and the faint, suffocating presence of Delphi's spirit.

The attic was the same as when she entered years ago. The scent of mildew, rotten wood, and Dephi's spirit suffocated the room. The old armor of past heroes and mementos from quests rusted away in silence. Kiara read the inscription of the glittering branch next to her, Branch from the Tree of the Golden Apples - 2003.

"Are those eyes?" Percy asked, poking a jar.

Kiara turned from her thoughts, catching his disgusted expression. "Hydra. 1947."

"Ew." His reaction drew a laugh from her, a brief reminder of how young he really was.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Kiara asked, her voice softer now.

Percy's hands clenched into fists. "What choice do I have? If I don't, Zeus might vaporize me, or Dionysus could turn me into a dolphin. You heard Chiron—'nature at war with itself.' I can't just stand by."

"You could. You're twelve. We could figure something out—"

"Before June twenty-first?" Percy interrupted.

Kiara had no answer. They both knew that he had to do this. If he did not the camp and world would be torn apart on sides of a war that would never end.

"Let's just get this over with." Percy stepped up to the Pythia's mummy.

She stood up. Percy jumped back bumping into Kiara as he tried to get away from the mummy, but she just pushed him forward.

"Kiara, what's happening-" The green mist seeped from the mummy's mouth, curling toward Percy. The moment it touched his hand, his voice cut off.

Percy froze, his glazed eyes fixed on the mist. Less than a heartbeat later, it retreated, sliding back into the mummy's lifeless form. Percy stumbled forward, gasping.

"Wait! What do you mean? What friend? What will I fail to save?" he demanded, his voice shaking.

His hands trembled as he turned to Kiara. The lingering spirit sapped his energy, leaving him pale and shaken.

"Come on. You head down first. I need to do something," Kiara ushered him towards the trapdoor.

Percy, too exhausted to argue with her, stumbled down the ladder.

The mummy leaned against the wall, her poor body arranged to keep her from falling. Kiara tapped her hand with a finger and the faint outline of a young woman shimmered before her, the memory of a life once vibrant. A bittersweet smile crossed the spectral face, faint as a breath.

Kiara felt the buzzing beneath her skin surge through her arm and into the spirit. It wasn't much—just a flicker of energy—but enough to let the lost spirit taste the world again.

"Hello," the woman said, her voice carrying a wistful echo.

"I'm sorry this is all I can offer," Kiara whi spered, guilt threading through her words.

The spirit shook her head, her hair floating in an invisible breeze. "To see the sky, even in a memory, is enough. Do not overburden yourself, child. You are not meant to bear spirits as a daughter of prophecy. My rest will come, in time. I will wait for her."

Kiara forced a smile through the heaviness settling in her chest. "You can feel it too, can't you? The change?"

"It is coming for us all." The woman looked out the tiny attic window. "Sooner than expected." Her voice softened, a thread of pity weaving through it. "Perhaps a prophecy will find you."

Kiara stiffened. "I don't want to know about the future."

The woman's expression turned sad but kind. "It's not a choice. The moment the Fates twisted your thread with theirs, the burden was sealed. But do not despair. The future is not so dark." She glanced toward the tiny attic window, her gaze distant. "They will be with you. Always."

Kiara followed her eyes to the camp below, where a few half-bloods braved the rain.

The woman's ethereal fingers curled lightly over the coins, her touch as insubstantial as fog. "Dorothy Halloway," she murmured. "Remember me, when I have passed."

"I will," Kiara promised, drawing her hand back as the connection flickered, leaving the attic dim and still once more.

-o-

"Well?" Chiron asked Percy after he finished one of the emergency cookies on hand at the big house.

Percy flicked at the crumbs at the porch table avoiding Chiron's eyes. "She said I would retrieve what was stolen."

Grover sat forward, chewing excitedly on the remains of a Diet Coke can. "That's great!"

"What did the Oracle say exactly?" Chiron pressed. "This is important."

Percy hesitated, a shiver running through him. "She . . . she said I would go west and face a god who had turned. I would retrieve what was stolen and see it safely returned."

"I knew it," Grover said.

The Oracle rarely delivered prophecies that brief.

Chiron didn't look satisfied. "Anything else?"

"No," Percy said. "That's about it."

He studied Percy like he was puzzling out a frustrating crossword. "Very well, Percy. But know this: the Oracle's words often have double meanings. Don't dwell on them too much. The truth is not always clear until events come to pass."

"Okay," Percy said, anxious to change topics. "So where do I go? Who's this god in the west?"

"Ah, think, Percy," Chiron said. "If Zeus and Poseidon weaken each other in a war, who stands to gain?"

"Somebody else who wants to take over?" Percy guessed.

"Yes, quite. Someone who harbors a grudge, who has been unhappy with his lot since the world was divided eons ago, whose kingdom would grow powerful with the deaths of millions. Someone who hates his brothers for forcing him into an oath to have no more children, an oath that both of them have now broken."

"Hades."

Chiron nodded. "The Lord of the Dead is the only possibility."

A scrap of aluminum dribbled out of Grover's mouth. "Whoa, wait. Wh-what?"

Kiara startled at Chiron's declaration. "The gods don't like being accused without-"

"A Fury came after Percy," Chiron continued. "She watched the young man until she was sure of his identity, then tried to kill him. Furies obey only one lord: Hades."

"Yes, but—but Hades hates all heroes," Grover protested. "Especially if he has found out Percy is a son of Poseidon. . . ."

"A hellhound got into the forest," Chiron continued. "Those can only be summoned from the Fields of Punishment, and it had to be summoned by someone within the camp. Hades must have a spy here. He must suspect Poseidon will try to use Percy to clear his name. Hades would very much like to kill this young half-blood before he can take on the quest."

Percy grumbled to himself at the mention of the hellhound. Kiara still had the wounds on his chest burned into her eyes. Those claws should have killed him. If not the deep gashes, then the poison in the monster dust should have finished the job.

He shouldn't have survived, not without enough ambrosia and nectar to push him dangerously close to burning alive from the inside. But he did. Kiara had seen the river flow up his body covering the weeping wounds before receding leaving month old scars.

"But a quest to . . ." Grover swallowed. "I mean, couldn't the master bolt be in some place like Maine? Maine's very nice this time of year."

"Hades sent a minion to steal the master bolt," Chiron insisted. "He hid it in the Underworld, knowing full well that Zeus would blame Poseidon. I don't pretend to understand the Lord of the Dead's motives perfectly, or why he chose this time to start a war, but one thing is certain. Percy must go to the Underworld, find the master bolt, and reveal the truth."

"Look, if we know it's Hades," Percy told Chiron, "why can't we just tell the other gods? Zeus or Poseidon could go down to the Underworld and bust some heads."

"We can't accuse anyone of the gods without proof," Kiara warned. "A prophecy and deductive reasoning won't hold up against an angry god."

Chiron said, "Even if the other gods suspect Hades—and I imagine Poseidon does—they couldn't retrieve the bolt themselves. Gods cannot cross each other's territories except by invitation. That is another ancient rule. Heroes, on the other hand, have certain privileges. They can go anywhere, challenge anyone, as long as they're bold enough and strong enough to do it. No god can be held responsible for a hero's actions. Why do you think the gods always operate through humans?"

"You're saying I'm being used."

"I'm saying it's no accident Poseidon has claimed you now. It's a very risky gamble, but he's in a desperate situation. He needs you."

Percy looked at Chiron. "You've known I was Poseidon's son all along, haven't you?"

"I had my suspicions. As I said . . . I've spoken to the Oracle, too."

"So let me get this straight," Percy said. "I'm supposed to go to the Underworld and confront the Lord of the Dead."

"Check," Chiron said.

"Find the most powerful weapon in the universe."

"Check."

"And get it back to Olympus before the summer solstice, in ten days."

"That's about right."

"Did I mention that Maine is very nice this time of year?" Grover asked weakly.

"You don't have to go," Percy told him. "I can't ask that of you."

"Oh . . ." He shifted his hooves. "No . . . it's just that satyrs and underground places . . . well . . ." He took a deep breath, then stood, brushing the shredded cards and aluminum bits off his T-shirt. "You saved my life, Percy. If . . . if you're serious about wanting me along, I won't let you down."

"All the way, G-man." Percy turned to Chiron. "So where do we go? The Oracle just said to go west."

"The entrance to the Underworld is always in the west. It moves from age to age, just like Olympus. Right now, of course, it's in America."

"Where?"

Chiron looked surprised. "I thought that would be obvious enough. The entrance to the Underworld is in Los Angeles."

"Oh," Percy said. "Naturally. So we just get on a plane—"

"No!" Grover shrieked. "Percy, what are you thinking? Have you ever been on a plane in your life?"

"Percy, think," Chiron said. "You are the son of the Sea God. Your father's bitterest rival is Zeus, Lord of the Sky. Your mother knew better than to trust you in an airplane. You would be in Zeus's domain. You would never come down again alive."

Overhead, lightning crackled. Thunder boomed.

"Okay," Percy said, determined not to look at the storm. "So, I'll travel overland."

"That's right," Chiron said. "Two half bloods may accompany you. The other has already volunteered, if you will accept her help."

"Gee," Percy said, feigning surprise. "Who else would be stupid enough to volunteer for a quest like this?"

The air shimmered behind Chiron.

Annabeth became visible, stuffing her Yankees cap into her back pocket.

"I've been waiting a long time for a quest, seaweed brain," she said. "Athena is no fan of Poseidon, but if you're going to save the world, I'm the best person to keep you from messing up."

"If you do say so yourself," Percy said. "I suppose you have a plan, wise girl?"

Her cheeks colored. "Do you want my help or not?"

"I'll think about it," Percy joked.

"You need to choose an experienced quester," Chiron added.

Percy frowned. "We don't need a babysitter."

"What would you do if you came across an Empousa?" Kiara asked, raising an eyebrow. "Don't tell him, Annabeth."

"I'd stab it?" Percy mimed swinging a sword.

"Do you know what they look like?"

"A monster?"

"You wouldn't make it past Pennsylvania."

"Hey!" Percy protested. "Well then who? Luke-"

"No," Kiara cut him off. "Me."

"You? When did you go on a quest?"

Kiara avoided his gaze. "I have, and that's all that matters."

"Excellent," Chiron interrupted, clapping his hands together before Percy could press further. The sharp noise made Percy flinch, but he reluctantly let the matter drop. "This afternoon, we can take you as far as the bus terminal in Manhattan. After that, you are on your own."

Lightning flashed. Rain poured down on the meadows that were never supposed to have violent weather.

"No time to waste," Chiron said. "I think you should all get packing."

-o-

"What are you doing?" Luke asked, stepping into her cabin.

"Packing," Kiara answered absently, tossing clothes into her bag.

The campers of Cabin Seven stopped what they were doing, their eyes flicking between Luke and Kiara. A look from her sent them turning back to their tasks, though Kiara could feel their stolen glances and the prickling weight of their curiosity.

"Don't make a scene," she muttered, pulling Luke out of the doorway. "I am going on that quest."

Luke shook her off but followed over to her bed. "No."

Kiara didn't miss a beat. "I am."

"You aren't." His voice was low but firm.

"I am," Kiara repeated. "What, you want me to leave Percy and Annabeth on their own to journey to Hades?"

"You can't."

"I can. And you can't stop me," Kiara said, not meeting his eyes. She rifled through the medicine cabinet, not sure what she was even looking for. "You're not my counselor. You aren't incharge of me."

Luke's gaze followed her every move, and Kiara could feel the unspoken tension between them. He was scared. She could feel it, but she couldn't look at him right now. Not with this decision hanging over her.

"You're my family," Luke said quietly.

"I know that, but I can't leave them on their own."

"They're not your responsibility," Luke shot back, his voice rising.

"No," Kiara agreed, her voice quieter now. "But I want them to make it back. Because no one was there for us. And if they don't—"

The door swung open, and Percy stepped inside, a little wet from the rain. He glanced between them, awkward but determined. "Annabeth sent me to get you. She's not happy. Something about the prophecy and wasting time..."

"She's not wrong," Kiara muttered, grabbing her bag.

"Really?" Luke exhaled sharply, muttering so Percy couldn't hear, "You know this is useless. The gods are going to war. This is just an excuse. You're going to go there for a stupid lighting bolt and they won't even care."

Kiara grabbed her bag, nodding at Percy. "I'll be right there."

Luke opened his mouth, but Kiara was already moving. She didn't want to argue anymore.

Percy gave them a long, careful look, then nodded. "Okay. If you're sure..."

"Kiara, you can't do this."

"If I don't they'll be on their own and we don't know if they'll make it back."

Luke's shoulders slumped in defeat. "None of us should play errand boy for the gods."

"It's the way our world works," she said softly, her voice steady. "They're not going to change anytime soon. So we do what we can."

"Promise me you'll be careful," he whispered.

"I'll come back."

"You better."

-o-

Kiara and the kids met Chiron and Argus at the base of Thalia's tree.

"This is Argus," Chiron introduced. "He will drive you into the city, and, er, well, keep an eye on things."

Kiara smacked the back of Percy's head when he gaped at Argus' hundred watchful eyes. Before she could say anything, a familiar voice called out from behind.

"Hey!" Luke panted as he ran up the hill. "Glad I caught you."

Annabeth blushed, the way she always did when Luke was around.

"Just wanted to say good luck," Luke told Percy. "And I thought . . . um, maybe you could use these."

He handed Percy his winged sneakers. Kiara had not seen the faded red shoes in years.

Luke said, "Maia!"

White bird's wings sprouted out of the heels, Percy jumped back, dropping them. The shoes flapped around on the ground until the wings folded up and disappeared.

"Awesome!" Grover said.

Luke smiled. "Those served me well when I was on my quest. Gift from Dad. Of course, I don't use them much these days. . . ." His expression turned sad.

"Hey, man," Percy said. "Thanks."

"Listen, Percy . . ." Luke looked uncomfortable. "A lot of hopes are riding on you. So just . . . kill some monsters for me, okay?"

Percy nodded. Luke patted Grover's head between his horns, then gave a good-bye hug to Annabeth, who grew red.

Luke hesitated, glancing at Kiara. Finally, he hugged her. "I don't like this, but... bring them back. Be safe."

Kiara returned the hug briefly but firmly. "I will."

Luke pressed a hand to Thalia's tree and with one last look ran back down the hill.

"You're hyperventilating," Percy teased Annabeth.

"Am not."

"You let him capture the flag instead of you, didn't you?"

Annabeth groaned, shoving him away. "Oh . . . why do I want to go anywhere with you, Percy?"

Kiara looked at Chiron who waved her on. She followed Annabeth and Argus down to the van.

The van was a little worse for wear, seats scuffed bearing the marks of misplaced weapons and snack stained floor. The windows were scratched from taking questers out of camp over the years. Annabeth threw her bag into the middle row grumbling something about idiotic boys under her breath. Kiara laughed, settling into the passenger's seat. The van rumbled to life under Argus' steady hands, and the faint hum of the radio filled the cabin.

"Where to?" Argus signed.

Kiara thought for a moment before replying, "The Greyhound Station on the Upper East Side."

"It will take a few hours."

"Perfect."

-o-

The age gap between a twelve year old and fifteen year old never felt larger. Kiara was going to stop the car if Percy or Annabeth asked one more time when they would get there. The others found amusement in her pain. Well at least Argus seemed to enjoy her frustration. Grover had fallen asleep a few minutes into the ride.

Percy leaned over the center console. "Um, Kiara-"

"No. We are not there. We are stuck in traffic. It's going to be one more hour. And if either of you ask again, so help me I'll-"

"Something's following the van."

Kiara's eyes flicked to the rear view mirror, a flash of scales caught by the light. Percy was right. Something was coming and coming fast, weaving between cars and bikes. Kiara turned around but all she was met with was frantic glances. Percy would lead the quest but Kiara would keep them alive.

"Grover, wake up," Kiara called desperately but all she got was a snore. "One of you wake him up."

"Argus-"

He waved a hand, the eyes on his arm looking at her knowingly. His eyes scanned the road, watching the monster near them and the traffic flow around them. A red light gave him a moment to sign, "Go. Take them. It won't care about me."

She hesitated.

"Kiara," Annabeth whispered. "It's getting closer."

"Wake up!" Percy shoved Grover, sending him tumbling to the floor with a yelp.

"What?"

"Something's following us," Kiara informed. "We're going the rest of the way on foot. The traffic's too bad to stay."

"We won't make it to the Greyhound," Grover worried.

"I know somewhere else we can stay." Kiara jumped out of the van and slid open their door. "We have to run. Now."

They scrambled out, the monster now only a block away. As they hit the pavement, Kiara caught her first real glimpse of it: a woman with glowing green eyes, her lower body twisting into a massive, scaled snake tail. Her smile was impossibly wide, her teeth too sharp to be human.

"Run, little demigodsss," the creature hissed, her voice slithering into their ears like poison. "You'll taste all the better if you struggle."

Kiara took off at a run, dodging bikes and annoyed taxi drivers. Three pairs of footsteps followed close behind her.

"Where are we going?" Grover wheezed.

"My mother's house," Kiara shouted over her shoulder.

"What?"

A familiar signpost caught her eye. "Just follow me."

They turned a corner, leaving the busy road for one of the back alleyways of Bushwick.

The monster grew nearer. A sound like the snakes that slithered in the zoo waiting to strike followed them, only this time there wasn't a wall between them. Kiara looked over her shoulder to make sure the others were behind her.

"Kiara?"

"We're almost there."

The street led them past bustling restaurants and cafes. Kiara's heart pounded in her chest as they dodged past mortals, who stumbled away, muttering about a rogue snake. They weren't wrong.

"Hurry," Kiara gasped, her heart hammering as she spotted the familiar outline of her mother's apartment building up ahead.

The snake-woman seemed to realize where they were headed by the angry hiss that came from behind them. "You won't get away from me that easily."

Kiara watched the worn metal gate grow nearer and nearer.

"Come on. Come on," she begged. "Just a few more seconds."

"I'll let you all go, if you give me the boy," the woman offered.

Kiara's heart dropped. She wants Percy. But the gate was right there. Just one more—

She wrenched the gate open with every ounce of strength she had. A burst of magic slammed into her chest, squeezing tight before releasing her, the sharp metal digging into her hands. She flung it wide.

Grover stumbled past her, nearly tripping over the stairs. Annabeth followed, pushing through with a look of fierce determination. But Percy—Percy was still too far behind.

A growl of frustration from the creature echoed through the street as she stretched out a hand, her claws tearing through Percy's jacket sleeve.

"Percy!" Kiara's desperate shout was cut off by a soft, almost delicate hand on her shoulder.

A calm voice broke through the chaos. "Lamia, I am sure you know that Lady Hecate's blessing protects those under her care."

Kiara froze and let out a quiet whisper, "Mum-"

Lamia's hiss was venomous, cutting through the air. "A witch. Stay out of this. This is between the gods and their progeny."

The distraction was just enough. Percy took the chance and bolted past the gate, the sound of his sneakers on concrete fading as the heavy gate slammed shut behind him.

Kiara's pulse hammered in her ears.

"It seems Mother has decided," Kiara's mother said, stepping forward with quiet authority, her gaze sharp.

Lamia slithered up to the gate, her eyes flashing dangerously. "You interfere with more than you comprehend." Her claws scraped against the iron gate, sending a shrill screech through the air.

Kiara's heart attempted to beat out of her chest as Lamia recoiled, clutching her burned hand. "Think about who you side with, mortal."

Kiara's mother stood her ground, unflinching. "Do not challenge her authority. Mother does not like her children fighting."

Lamia's face twisted into a grin, filled with malice. "You would spare them their future if you just let me feast on them."

Kiara's breath caught in her throat, a cold rush of dread washing over her.

"Leave."

The snake-woman laughed, a sound that sent chills up Kiara's spine. "Be careful, little witch. One day, you will face someone less merciful than me. I can find my meal elsewhere. Your next foe will not be as satisfied." Lamia glanced over Kiara and the others. "After all you are surrounded by the children of monsters. When will they snap? When will you condemn them?"


I did it!

So maybe I'm a few days(a week) late but its better than a month or two. I see some of you adding this to "Stalled.3", "Slow updates", "Maybe later". I'm kind of thankful for you. You've pushed me to trying to stick to my schedule. Spite is a great motivator. (But really I love you all. Thank you so much)

I was wondering how you think this chapter went. I'm a little worried I'm being too repetitive or that the story is moving too fast. I can't really feel how fast we're going right now because I'm working on it all the time and its felt like its taken years(for me it has) to get to this point even though we are only on chapter 6...

If your bored or just waiting around and want to see more of my writing please check out "everything else is a bonus". Its just a collection of shorts I make up as I'm writing this. Some of them are AUs of Daughter of the Crow but others are just random ideas I have.

Any questions are welcome. If you liked this chapter, please consider giving it a comment or favorite. Thanks for reading!

- Natalie