Thunder and Blood

1

Percy

For my 18th birthday present, Chiron gave me a quest. 

I'm sitting in my bed in cabin 3, waiting. He told me that he would come to me to tell me what it is I'm supposed to do, not the other way around. And I'm anxious, tapping my foot on the ground, staring at the door. He never gave me a time either, which is annoying. I've been sitting here for half an hour already. 

All I know is that this isn't just any quest, it's a solo quest. One I must complete alone. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited, but I know for a fact that I'll miss my friends. 

Hopefully it won't take long. 

Then - to my relief - I hear the sound of hooves coming up to my cabin entrance. 

I stand.

"Ah, Percy." Chiron smiles at me, coming in. "Sorry for the wait, there was a fight between the children of Ares and Aphrodite." He explains. I'm instantly intrigued. He sees this and sighs. "Drew and Clarice... those two will always give me a headache." He chuckles. "But don't tell them I said that." 

"I wouldn't dream of it." I smirk.

"But I haven't come here to talk about Camp Halfblood drama." He becomes more serious, but his face is relaxed. "Your quest, Percy. Who have you told about it?"

"Just Annabeth and Leo, why?"

"The less people that know, the better. Heed my words, tell no one about what I am about to say. No one can know what you are doing or where you're going, not even Annabeth." He tells me. "This quest has nothing to do with the Gods, there is no prophecy to guide you. I can't control how you do it or what methods you use, but you must promise me that once you finish, you come straight home. Do you understand?"

I nod slowly, his grave tone worrying me. 

"Good." He gestures for me to sit. I do, taking my seat on the edge of my bed. "I need you to watch someone for me."

"Watch?" I repeat. "Like a spy?"

He tilts his head. "Sort of."

"My quest is to watch someone?"

"Precisely. For information, specifically."

"What kind of information?"

"The kind that only you and I will know, Percy. Like I said before, no one can know of this. If you get back, you'll tell your friends that you went home to see your mother."

I swallow. "if I get back?"

"Where I'm sending you, Percy, it is not for the faint of heart."

Now I'm really worried. Has Chiron gone crazy?

"This town has... creatures. They aren't monsters, at least not one's you've seen."

No longer feeling like sitting, I get up, walking the length of the room as I think about what he's saying. "You make them sound worse than monsters. What are they?"

"Shapeshifters, they're called. I've never met one in person, but I've heard myths."

"Am I looking for one in particular?"

He nods once. "It's a rare spirit, one that isn't of Greek or Roman origin."

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. "Not Greek or Roman? What else could it be?"

"Japanese."

He's got to me joking with me. "Is this some prank? Did Grover put you up to this?"

"Not in the slightest, Percy. I am being serious."

"A Japanese spirit? You want me to stalk a japanese spirit?"

"That is correct. And then I want you to kill it."

I stare at him. "What kind of information do you want?"

"Everything. I want to know everything that you find on it."

I know there is no backing out on this quest. No matter how much I want to. "When do I leave?"

"Now." He rummages through his pocket. 

"Wait! I need to say goodbye, Chiron, please."

"I'm sorry Percy, but I can't let you." And he mutters something in ancient greek. He's quiet, and I'm only able to catch two words. Mist begins to swirl around me, blue mist. I've never seen this done before, I certainly wouldn't have thought Chiron could create magic like this. I watch in horror as my hands begin to disappear before me. 

I didn't get to say goodbye to Annabeth, or Grover, or any of my friends. I have no clothes and no money. Nothing but riptide in my pocket. 

All I know is that he's sending me to California, to someplace called Beacon Hills.