Percy dreamed of hurricanes. Wild, destructive storms that wouldn't let up until the ground split open. In the clouds above, the thunder and lightning clashed like arguing voices, and far below, the ground shook, an earthquake that sounded far too similar to laughter. All Percy could do was sit and watch as the world tore itself apart.

"So much for we look out for our own, huh, Luke?"

Luke parried Percy's strike with ease, his sword barely shifting under the impact. "Come on, Percy. Can you really blame them for being wary? Everyone in the entire camp saw that fire. Put yourself in their shoes. Would you want that happening inside your house in the middle of the night?"

Percy scowled. "I've had to sleep in the Big House infirmary for the past three days! I know you're the best swordsman at camp so you probably haven't been in one in a while, but those beds are not nearly as comfortable as you would think."

Luke pulled back from a strike and propped himself on his sword. He sighed and gave Percy a look. One that made him relent instantly.

"…Fine," Percy admitted. "Yeah. I get it. I'd probably be freaked out, too, if I could do it again. The best I've managed since then is a lame bunch of sparks, barely hot enough to singe paper."

"Well in that case, pick your sword back up. You aren't gonna get any stronger if you sit on your ass and complain."

Ever since Friday night, most of the campers had been avoiding him like the plague. The head counselors of each cabin had at the very least attempted to be diplomatic, but by and large most everyone at the camp had't murmured so much as an insult his way. At this point an insult might even be welcome.

"They're confused, and scared," Annabeth offered at one of their daily Ancient Greek lessons, "Your mother, Hestia? She swore thousands of years ago to never have any children, godly or otherwise, and up until now she's kept that promise."

"So, what you're saying is that I'm an accident."

"Honestly? I wish."

"What the fuck?!"

Annabeth sighed and placed her textbook down on the table with a thud. "Think, Percy. If you were an accident, then at least we could explain how you got here. Why you exist. But goddesses like your mother, or Artemis or even my mother to an extent, they don't joke around with their oaths like… others. The fact that you're standing here right now, and that your mother openly claimed you? It's baffling."

Percy nodded along with her, though that didn't make him feel much better. "If my existence is such an affront to these sacred oaths, then why don't they smite me right here, right now?"

Annabeth shrugged. "Mr. D really wanted to at first. Something about you really puts him on edge. Maybe because he doesn't know what to expect."

"Oh, great. Thanks for telling me that. The god that I'm currently sharing a house with wants me dead."

Annabeth sent an apologetic grimace his way. "Look, there is one way I've thought of that this could work. My mother, since her method of childbirth is from her thoughts, she is still considered a virgin goddess despite having plenty of children. Do you follow?"

"So you think that she might have thought me up?"

"It's possible. Are you absolutely certain that you never met your dad?"

"Only when I was too young to remember. I've got no clue what he looks like."

"But he definitely exists?"

"Yeah. I had this picture of me as a baby. Lost it in the fight with the Chimera, but it was of my mom and my dad holding me. So yes, I'm positive that he at the very least existed at that point."

Annabeth returned to her textbook. Percy couldn't shake the feeling that she still wasn't telling him everything, but he couldn't bring himself to care. She still talked to him.

"You should talk to the Oracle," she suddenly suggested. "Ask Chiron about it next time you get the chance."

And get the chance he did, because not five seconds later Grover barged into the room, face red from sprinting all the way to find them at the mess hall.

"Mr. D and Chiron want to see you," he heaved, "You too, Annabeth."

Before Percy could even ask why, Annabeth's face lit up like an Independence day celebration and she immediately began packing her things.

"But our lesson isn't over," Percy feebly tried to protest, and both Grover and Annabeth gave him a look that most certainly said, Seriously?

"You don't ignore when a god summons you," Grover said, "Especially when you live under the same roof."

"Y-yeah, okay. That's fair."

Annabeth practically dragged him all the way to the Big House as if it wasn't possible that Mr. D had ultimately decided to turn Percy into a grape vine to serve him for the rest of eternity. "I've been waiting for this for a long time," was her only explanation.

The whole way there Percy feared that the sky would open up and swallow him, be it from another one of those freak storms that had rolled in or a godly hand that wanted him gone, it didn't matter. The world was angry, and somehow, it felt personal.

Upon entering the Big House, Percy could still smell the scent of grapes in the air. It should have been more comforting than the lightning and thunder rolling through the clouds, but if anything it only served to make things more real. More threatening.

"Ah, children," Chiron exclaimed as they entered the rec room. The ping pong table was surrounded on all sides by the camp counselors, and every single one of them had a mournful look in their eyes.

"Maybe it had nothing to do with Percy," Silena, the head counselor of the Aphrodite cabin tried, but it seemed even she knew she was lying. Charles, her boyfriend and the head of the Hephaestus cabin, squeezed her shoulder silently.

"Mr. D just left. Headed to Olympus for some emergency meeting," he explained. "And before he went, he was talking about how much he wanted to destabilize your molecules, so…"

"Oh," was all Percy could manage. He found a spare seat and flopped down like a limp biscuit. Katie Gardner reached over and patted him on the back, but it did little to make him feel better. "So what you're saying is that they're probably up there discussing the best way to kill me, right?"

Chiron gave him a sorrowful look from his position at the head of the table. "So, Percy. How have your lessons been going? Good, I hope?"

Percy shoved himself up straight and leaned into his fists, hoping to press his eyeballs out of his sockets so he would at least not have to see the gods coming for him. Maybe they would get him when he wasn't paying attention. A quick, painless death. "Chiron, please. Don't beat around the bush."

The old horse sighed, but relented. "I apologize, Percy, but I fear that the worst is yet to come for you."

He scoffed. "Yeah, because I'm gonna be dead soon?"

"No. Not if you accept your quest."

Percy looked around the room, hoping for an explanation. All he got were a few hopeful looks and a few pained ones. Luke looked especially torn.

"A… quest?"

"Yes. Unfortunately I have few details to spare yet. You must speak to the Oracle first."

The sound of fat raindrops began pounding against the tin roof of the Big House, and everyone but Percy looked terribly surprised, but he knew why. It never rained at camp.

"The gods are fighting," he said, "over whatever was stolen at the winter solstice, right?"

Chiron's eyebrows shot up and Annabeth looked almost proud. "Yes. Where did you hear that?"

Percy opened his mouth, but with every eye now on him his mouth went drier than a cold winter's day. "Annabeth told me a little bit, but there's also all this weird weather, and that's not even mentioning these dreams I've been getting. It's like the world is trying to tear itself apart."

"I was right!" Grover exclaimed. Chiron moved to silence him, but Grover was too pumped now. "He's going to get a quest! He has to!"

"You are correct, Percy," Chiron said, "You see, on the winter solstice, something was stolen. At first, Zeus believed that it was his brother Poseidon's doing, and up until recently everyone else had assumed the same. It was all baseless accusations born from the rivalry those two have always maintained since they divided the realms between themselves, but once you came along, everything changed."

"What was stolen?" Percy dared to ask.

"Zeus's Master Bolt."

Percy almost laughed. "His what? You can't even touch lightning, much less steal it."

But the longer he had to think about it the less funny it got. He remembered from Latin class, the master bolt wasn't the same as a bolt of lightning. It was a real weapon, crafted by cyclopes and strong enough to overthrow Kronos. He swallowed hard. "...Are you serious? How?"

"That's where you come in. You see, the gods cannot take other gods' symbol of power. Such an act is forbidden by the most ancient and sacred of laws. If it is done at all, it must be done indirectly, through a proxy. A mortal."

Percy's stomach plummeted. "Wait. You're saying-"

Chiron met his gaze. "You, Percy Jackson, are the lightning thief."

His breath caught in his throat. "Me?!" He looked around wildly, waiting for someone to tell him this was some sick joke, but all he got were stares of sympathy and pity.

"But that's insane!" He protested. "I didn't even know I was a demigod until last week! How could I have stolen anything from Olympus six months ago?"

Chiron sighed. "None of that matters to the gods."

"But… why me?"

Chiron's gaze darkened. "Because of who your mother is. A goddess who vowed to never have children. A former Olympian who gave up her throne for Dionysus, and has had to sit and listen to every argument they have had for eons despite that. A goddess who so rarely interacts with the mortal realm that many have never even seen her face, and yet, here you are. Her only child. The timing, the secrecy… it seems that Zeus sees only one explanation."

Percy felt sick. "That I was born to steal his bolt. But that doesn't make sense! I've been reading up on my mom since I got claimed, and she doesn't care about power! She cares about family! She wouldn't use me like that-"

He hesitated. "...Right?"

Luke shifted uncomfortably. Annabeth's expression was unreadable.

Chiron sighed. "There have been countless power struggles among the gods, Percy. Your mother may not have a history of playing power games, but Zeus is paranoid. He is extremely powerful, but he also knows what kind of aid your mother could call from the other gods. Even if he did only accuse her on a whim, it is done, and gods are notoriously prideful. Hence he now threatens you to, how should I put this… keep her at bay."

"Why can't they just talk it out? Isn't that like… Hestia's thing?"

"I fear that is not the only issue. Percy, you have abilities that nobody, except for perhaps your mother, know the content nor the strength of. As far as anyone knows, you could be extremely weak, but after your display on friday night? Zeus is not the type to take chances."

The room spun around Percy. "Has my mom not tried to defend herself?"

Chiron almost rolled his eyes. "Of course, Hestia has denied stealing the bolt. But your uncle, Poseidon, openly defended her. That, Percy, is what made matters so much worse, because now he believes that his universally respected and well loved elder sister and most jealous, most powerful brother have conspired to dethrone him. That they have deceived everyone for years, waiting for the right moment to strike."

The weight of it settled over Percy like an avalanche. The gods were ready to go to war over this. "Oh, gods… So all those dreams, those are a warning? That's what happens if Zeus doesn't get his bolt back?"

Chiron gave him a grave and solemn stare, and he had his answer. He stared out the window at the rainstorm. The punishment. It made his stomach clench.

"Okay," he finally said, "Where is the bolt? I'll go get it. Bring it to Mount Olympus myself if I have to. Get them to call off this stupid fucking war. Tell me where it is and I'll go."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Don't you think that if someone knew this wouldn't be happening? You have to talk to the Oracle."

Chiron shot both Percy and Annabeth disappointed looks but said nothing to correct either. "I may have an idea, but yes. You must speak to the Oracle first."

Oddly enough it was Katie Gardner that offered to walk him to the attic. Annabeth looked like she wanted to do it so she could wait outside the door and be the first to hear the full prophecy, but she couldn't get her words out quick enough.

"Thanks again," he said as they reached the green trapdoor on the fourth floor, "In case this is the last time I see any of you before I go."

She whacked him in the back of the head. The children of Demeter weren't known for their combat prowess, but it was easy to forget how strong the combination of combat training and garden work made them. She could haul two fifty-pound bags of Demeter-approved fertilizer across the camp like it was just another Tuesday.

"Don't say that," she scolded him. "You'll be back before you even know it. What are you even thanking me for?"

"For still hanging out with me after… everything. I know it's kind of your job as a counselor but-"

"Hey, don't mention it. Besides, our moms are sisters. As far as I'm concerned, you're welcome in the Demeter cabin whenever you want."

"Really? Is that even up to you? What stops your mom from obliterating me for trying?"

Katie glanced around suspiciously before leaning in close, "Between you and me? I think my mom is going to side with yours. And something tells me that she likes you, so I don't think you have anything to worry about. Now go on, the Oracle is waiting."

He gave her the most solid smile he could manage before climbing through the trapdoor. The first obstacle was the ladder itself, which felt like it hadn't been used since the house had been built. Each step creaked and groaned and threatened to give way with every extra pound of pressure Percy dared to put on it.

As he wondered if his Chimera horn would end up stashed away in this attic once he died, he began to notice the smell. Acrid and dank, like something had been using it as its tomb for the past hundred years.

It didn't take long for Percy to find the reason. Sitting directly opposite of him was a body. The corpse of a woman who had clearly been dead for a very long time.

Percy had never seen a dead body before. Especially not like this. This was not a level of decomposition meant to be witnessed, but surely there had to be a reason for there to be the body of a woman sitting up here for anyone to run across.

It was then that the head snapped into place. Its sunken eyes fixed right on his and its mouth dropped open so wide that Percy feared its lower jaw would go clattering to the floor.

"I am the spirit of Delphi," It said, with each word spitting more and more green smoke into the air, covering the floor in a layer so thick Percy could no longer see his shoes. It sounded like she was speaking at different volumes, but all at the same time. Whispering. Singing. Screaming. "Speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python. Approach, seeker, and ask."

"I, uh… Chiron said to ask you for a prophecy?"

The green smoke began rising from the floor, taking the shape of something, someone much taller than himself. A middle aged dude. Square rimmed glasses, sharp jawline, five o'clock shadow, and combed back salt-and-pepper hair. Something about him felt familiar, but the harder Percy focused, the more the details slipped away. When he spoke, his voice was smooth, too cheery for what he was saying.

"Go west, where the final flame flickers and dies,

Face the god who has turned under blood-red skies.

Return what was stolen, or doom shall descend,

And a traitor once trusted will strike to an end.

As dusk meets dawn, the past will return,

A step toward home, and a lesson to learn."

Percy blinked, and then it was silent. The green mist had disappeared. The Oracle was slumped back against the wall as if she had never moved in the first place.

But the words still rang in his head. Face the god who has turned. A traitor, once trusted.

His hands trembled as he stumbled back. The air in the attic felt thinner now. He climbed down the ladder stiffly, barely aware of his own movement.

Katie was still there. She looked like she hadn't heard a thing.

They returned to the first floor. He must have looked sickly based on how everyone reacted when he finally showed his face. "A little warning would have been nice."

Annabeth was the first to speak up. "What did she say to you, Percy?"

He forced himself to focus. "She said I would go west, where the last flame flickers and dies, and that I'll face a god who has turned under blood-red skies."

His teeth felt cold as he tried to muster up the strength to say the last two lines. He had so few friends already, and one was going to betray him?

"You need not continue if it's too much," Chiron offered, but Percy shook his head.

Percy shook his head. No. He had to say it out loud. Had to make it real.

"I… she said I have to succeed or the world is doomed. Something about learning a lesson. And…" His throat felt tight. "That a traitor, once a friend, will strike."

Thunder struck outside, and Luke shoved his chair out from the table.

"I fucking hate prophecies," was all he said before stomping out into the pouring rain.

"Does anyone have any idea who this god who has turned is?" Percy asked.

"It's Hades," Silena said, "who else could it be? Who would gain the most from countless deaths? From weakened Olympians? Besides, he's always been jealous that he drew the short straw and was forced to the Underworld."

Chiron scratched his beard thoughtfully. "I was considering the same thing. The entrance to the Underworld currently sits in Los Angeles. In the west."

Percy nodded. He had never even left the state of New York, much less made it all the way to Los Angeles, but if that was where he needed to go, so be it. "Okay. Cool. So I take a plane-"

Every single voice in the room instantly exploded in protest.

"Are you insane?!" Grover hissed, "the sky is Zeus's domain, and right now he thinks you stole his master bolt! He would not hesitate even for a second to blast your plane into a gazillion pieces."

Percy nodded tightly and shrunk back into his seat. "Message received. I'll take a train, or a bus. Whatever gets me there fastest."

"Quests are usually undertaken in groups of threes," Chiron cut in while the rest of the voices slowly calmed back down. "That's why we have all of our head counselors here. Pick two companions to go with you. Annabeth has already volunteered-"

"I'm the best person to keep him out of trouble." she cut in, folding her arms and looking away. Percy knew the real reason, though. This was the quest Chiron had promised her. The one that would finally take her outside the camp borders when a quote-unquote special demigod arrived. Percy certainly didn't think he was anything special, but it was hard to deny that a kid born from breaking an eons old oath to never have children was unique.

Besides, Annabeth had been relatively nice to him so far, and she was smart. "She's right. I'll take Annabeth."

Chiron nodded, though it seemed he expected that result. Annabeth likely would have found a way to go on the quest regardless of whether he picked her or not. "And your second companion?"

Percy scanned the room, weighing his options.

Lee Fletcher? Sharp-eyed, steady hands. Natural born marksman. A healer.

Katie? Great with plants. Resourceful. Could make traversing wilderness easier.

Beckendorf? Could build or break almost anything.

Silena? Charming. Literally. Could talk them out of trouble.

Clarisse? The best fighter here, no doubt. But he still wasn't confident she wouldn't gut him in his sleep.

And Luke.

Percy swallowed. Luke would be the best choice. Strong. Smart. Reliable. But he didn't seem too keen on listening to any prophecy, much less going on a quest.

"I get to pick anyone?" he asked. Chiron nodded, and Percy turned to face Grover, who was mid-bite of a tin can.

It took the satyr a minute to realize he was now the center of attention. He tried to swallow the chunk of aluminium before he was totally done chewing, resulting in a pained sound and a few tears pricking up before he coughed and pretended nothing had happened. "You want me to go with you?"

"Of course. You're my best friend, man. Why wouldn't I want you along?"

Chiron clapped his hands together. "It's decided. The three of you, go get packing. Argus will drive you to the bus station in Manhattan, but that is as far as we can take you. After that, you have a long journey ahead."

Percy exhaled. His first quest. His first step toward a prophecy he didn't want.

No turning back now.