Percy Jackson--The Blazing Trident

Chapter 2: The Prophecy of The Sea

Annabeth nudged me. It was getting late, and though the fire had finally seemed to falter, it was far from over. I could still make out the embers floating in the wishing current of the tide. Whoever did this, I couldn't forgive them, ever. 

"Percy, I know you're distraught but we must head back. I'll explain as much as I can, but I'm afraid there isn't much to say. I don't understand it much myself either." Chiron led us back to camp silently after that and we sat down to have our own little private council meeting: just me, Annabeth, and him.

"I don't know what's going on." He said at last. "Ancient monsters are awakening, forbidden things come unsealed, and Poseidon's tri-" He frowned, looking reluctant. "Well, see that part for yourself." He waved his hand and some mist appeared showing the image of my dad's trident. It was as imposing and powerful looking as ever...but wrapped around it were flares and sprays of fire. In the background I could see and hear fighting. War? I was astonished. No way....

The image shut off. We were silent.

"Yeah? Well, what are we gonna do then? Ask Rachel for a prophecy?" I broke the ice. 

Chiron twitched. "Let's leave our little Oracle alone for now. Right now, I must take a few drastic measures. I shall introduce you to a friend of mine--the only wise, civilized centaur other than myself."

I furrowed my brow. Not all of his buds were crazy, drunk Party Ponies?

Chiron smiled weakly. "He's quite nice, really. His name is Pholus."

Annabeth snapped her fingers. "Pholus! I remember his story, but didn't he die when he helped Hercules?"

Chiron snorted. "Wouldn't that mean I'd have died too? Rumors spread like flies with a plague. Don't listen to village gossip." I wondered if I was supposed to know who this Pholus guy was. Chiron must've seen my confused expression because he asked if I knew who Pholus was.

"Right, Pholus, duh!" I laughed nonchalantly. "Of course, man. Totally tight with him. Like, I probably should know who he is sooo...." Chiron sighed and exchanged a look with Annabeth. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate that? It's like they're having an inside joke, except less funny and more death. I'm pretty sure I'd complained about it already, too!

In any case, Chiron seemed to dismiss explaining it to me, since he pretty much didn't bother to give me another lecture. Actually, I remember before, Annabeth had given me a huge book and told me to memorize it if I wanted to know what the myths and heroes we talked about were, but there's no way I'd read a tome bigger than the gods' egos (a possible exaggeration). Much easier to listen to Chiron's boring speeches. Since he didn't, I figured it wasn't that important. That, or he's getting stressed again and has lost some gray mane, but I'm not thinking about that lest the image of him in his tail curlers pops up again.

I thought back to the sea on fire. This was unnerving. I'd never seen anything like it before, and believe me, I've seen a lot. But never a sea on fire, and definitely not the  Trident on fire. The battle in the background made me feel terrible. I should be down there right now, defending against whatever was attacking. I'm 16, but this is one of those moments when I feel like I'm 12 again--clueless, helpless, and utterly powerless. All I can do is watch and not get in the way.

It was about noon, and lunch should've started a few minutes ago, but the campers were running late training. They were gathered near, but still had on some equipment and weren't making an apparent attempt to get there quickly. The others were watching Clarisse and some guy from Apollo's cabin start a mini-fight.

"Campers!" Chiron shouted. They continued to ignore him. Chiron stomped right up and banged his hoof on a table. "CAMPERS!" Everyone reluctantly put up their swords and other things like poisonous bombs to come sit.