Raised from the Depths: The Apple of Their Eyes [A Percy Jackson FanFiction]

Ten: The Oracle's prophecy

"Give me the apple."

"Give me the apple."

"Give me the apple."

The chants started off softly in my ears, three voices blending together until all I could ever hear was "the apple". The voices were getting louder, more aggressive. I tried to covered my ears, but that had no effect.

When I opened my eyes, I realized I was no longer in the Hades cabin. It was bright and sunny, all around me. The sun seemed to bathe my surroundings in a harsh light, making the grass seem as gold as grain. A path of gleaming, black stones lead up to an enormous tree, it's large, thick branches casting a black shadow on the ground below it.

My heart began to race as I realized I could make out four different silhouettes hiding within the shadows. Three of them were small, but the one looming at the base of the trunk was massive.

"Give me the apple." One of the voices hissed as a peacock strutted slowly out of the dark, it's black beak clicking menacingly.

"The apple." Another voice demanded as a large owl followed suit on the opposite side of the tree, it's giant wing-span spread out aggressively. I took a step back.

"Affinity." The voice in the center called, and I watched as a beautiful white dove fluttered out. "Give me the apple."

"I-I don't have it." I explained.

The dove turned her head so that I had to look into it's blood-red eye. "Liar!" It squawked.

The peacock ruffled it's feathers as it clicked it's beak again. That's when the ground began to shake underneath me as the massive form around the trunk began to run towards me. It lunged out of the shadows, and I watched as several dozen sets of razor sharp teeth came bearing down on me.

I screamed and turned my head away as I swatted wildly in a meek attempt as self-defense. When my hand made contact, it was not flesh-cutting teeth I hit, but warm, soft skin.

"Ow!" I heard Sol's voice shout. My eyes snapped open. Standing above me was Sol, rubbing his cheek as he glared down at me. "You know, you're the one who asked me to come get you when Rachel was here."

I grimaced. "I'm sorry." I apologized, sitting up as I looked around. I was back in the Hades cabin, cold and alone.

"Wait." My squinted my eyes as I stared at Nico's empty bed. "Where's Nico?"

"Maybe he's already at the Big House." Sol muttered. "Gods, it's freezing in here. Hurry up, it's literally warmer outside."

"I'm ready, I'm ready." I said, wrapping two blankets around me and slipping on a pair of boots, before following Sol out into the winter wonderland the camp had become. It was completely deserted, no camper daring to set foot out in camp. Sol was right however- stepping out of the Hades cabin was like stepping into a refrigerator after escaping a freezer.

We walked up to the Big House, grateful for the warmth that greeted us inside. Standing in front of a cozy fire was Chiron, next to a red-headed girl and Mr. D, who was seated in a reclined chair, absently flipping through a magazine.

As we stepped inside, Chiron and the red-headed girl turned to face us. "Good morning, Affinity." Chiron greeted with a tired smile. He gestured to the girl, who's smile was much more energetic as she made her way towards us. "This is Rachel Elizabeth Dare, the Oracle of Delphi."

Rachel Dare stopped in front of us, reaching out her hand. I took it as I nodded at her. She was quite beautiful, but it an eccentric sort of way. I'm not quite sure what I pictured an Oracle wearing, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't ripped blue jeans covered in paint splotches and marker drawings, and a forest green, draping shirt. Her face was pale and covered in freckles, framed by brilliant, frizzy red hair. "I'm Affinity- uh, Affinity Marie Darwin."