The Heir of a Thousand Lifetimes (A PJO Universe Story)

Achilles keeps talking to me.

I never realized regret and misery could have a scent, yet the river reeks of both. The sky is crimson, and the ground beneath my feet is a fine black sand over what appears to be volcanic rock. A gentle hand touches my shoulder from behind, and I turn around to see a man with eyes that mirror my own.

"My heir," he smiles. It is warmer than any sun. My heart nearly stops in my chest- this is Achilles. I open my mouth to speak, to say something, anything, to him, but he shakes his head. "The time for conversation will come." He places something in my hand and closes my fingers around it before I can see what it is. "You are the fulfillment of my legacy. I am at your disposal."

He steps back a bit. His golden hair glitters like topaz in the distorted light.

"You have been made a seer by the sun god, but you have my mother's seawater in your veins." He runs his hand over my hair and smiles to himself. "He should have known better...you are not his. You are my heir. It is seared in your soul and splayed across your skin. You look like my mother reborn. She will be very pleased to meet you." He takes ahold of my shoulders and briefly touches his forehead to mine. "Until we meet again. Do not hesitate to call upon me, for I will not hesitate to call upon you."

I wake up with a start, my head jerking up from where it had apparently fallen onto the table. Everyone is staring at me. Josie is sympathetic, while Chiron and Cassius are alarmed.

"That was powerful enough of a vision that it knocked me unconscious while it played out," I joke awkwardly in an attempt to diffuse the tension. Chiron places his hands on the table.

"What happened? What did you see?"

I narrow my eyes. "Well, Achilles decided to say hi to his heir, who is apparently me, since I'm descended from the greatest warrior of all time and nobody decided to tell me!"

Josie raises a hand and adds, "And Pyrrhus. The second-greatest general, right after Alexander. Who you're also related to. That's also relevant."

"Which further proves my point!" I look over at Cassius and gasp as something suddenly occurs to me. "You're descended from Patroclus."

"...I am."

"And I'm descended from Achilles. And I'm his heir, whatever the hell that means."

"You are, yes."

"And Achilles and Patroclus..."

He has the decency to blush and uncomfortably scratch the back of his neck. "Well, yeah. So about that, we need to talk. I'm not just- well, it's complicated."

"Oh, we'll definitely be talking. But I have more questions first," I say, turning back to Chiron. I cross my arms, which reminds me, I'm still holding onto what Achilles gave me.

I suddenly go silent as I look down at my hand. Cassius leans over to see what has captured my attention.

"What's that?" he asks curiously. I swallow.

"Achilles gave this to me," I say, my voice far quieter all of a sudden. Josie chokes on the water she was drinking, and Chiron gasps.

"It transferred through your vision into reality?" he asks, amazed. I nod.

My fingers stiff, I open them to reveal a beautiful, round, golden amulet. It is covered with ornate designs and is no bigger than a half dollar.

"That's the shield of Achilles," Chiron says quietly. My eyes flick up to meet his, but they are focused on the necklace. "The detail is remarkable for a piece so small. Why did he give it to you?"