Daughter Of Lightning - Book 1(Percy Jackson x OC fanfic)

CHAPTER 13

(Ella's POV)

"Tell me, Percy," Chiron said. "What did you make of the hellhound?"

"It scared me. If Nora hadn’t shot it, I’d be dead." He gave me a grateful look. I smiled.

I then got up & stood by the railings. Chiron began discussing about the quest which Percy was supposed to go on to return the missing lightning bolt back to my dad.

"Poseidon & Zeus," he said. "They’re fighting over a lighting bolt...it's stolen right?"

"How did you know that?" Chiron asked.

"The weather since Christmas was weird, like the sea & the sky are fighting. I talked to Nora," he looked over at me, I nodded. "she told me the lighting bolt was stolen."

"Is this true, Nora?" Chiron looked at me.

"Yes, Chiron. In a dream Zeus-I mean dad said his lightning bolt was stolen. He told me to find out who, stole it. I know Percy didn't do it, he's always been honest with me." He blushed. "And," I continued, "I feel like the thief is someone from camp." Chiron nods.

"This brings us to your quest. Will you accept it?" I gave him an encouraging nod.

"All right," he said. "It’s better than being turned into a dolphin."

He said which made Grover & me high-five.

"Then it’s time you consult the Oracle," Chiron said. "Go upstairs, Percy, to the attic. When you come back down, we'll talk more."

When Percy left it started to rain. The volleyball players stopped playing & stared at the sky.

I called Grover & suddenly pushed him out into the rain. He started whining like a five year old. Something about his fluffy fur being soaked.

I was on the porch laughing, even Chiron couldn't help but laugh along with me.

But when Grover gave me an evil look, I knew I was done for.

"Nora, you have five seconds to run. One-"

I didn't hear the rest as I ran round the back of the house.

Suddenly I felt myself being lifted off the ground by two arms around my waist.

"Ahhh! Grover put me down!" I said laughing.

Chiron smiled at us. The next thing I felt was cool drops of water on my face.

Grover set me down & I let the water soak me completely. I walked a bit further & spun around laughing in the rain.

(Percy's POV)

My audience with the Oracle was over.

I went back outside to see Nora dancing in the rain. She was laughing, I couldn't help but smile. I sat next to Chiron. She looked up & caught my gaze. My heart skipped a beat & I felt my cheeks heat up.

"Well?" Chiron asks, but I was too busy looking at Nora.

He clears his throat. I smiled sheepishly.

"She said I would retrieve what was stolen."

"What did it say exactly?" Chiron pressed.

My ears tingled from the reptilian voice. "She...she said I would go west & face a god who had turned. I would retrieve what was stolen and see it safely returned."

"Anything else?" What friend will betray me? I didn’t have many. The last line-I'd fail to save what mattered most.

I looked at Nora as she came & sat next to me. Would I fail to save her if she came with me on the quest?

"No," I said. "That’s about it."

He studied me. "Very well, Percy. But the Oracle’s words often have double meanings. Don’t dwell on them too much. The truth isn't always clear until events come to pass."

"Okay," I said, anxious to change topics. "So where do I go? Who’s the god in the west?"

"Think, Percy," Chiron said. "If Zeus & Poseidon are at war, who stands to gain?"

"Somebody else who wants to take over?"

"Yes, someone who has a grudge, who's been unhappy with his lot since the world was divided eons ago, who would grow powerful with the deaths of millions."

I thought about my dreams, the evil voice that had spoken from the ground. “Hades.”

"The Lord of the Dead is a possibility. A Fury came after you," he said. "she watched you till she was sure of your identity, then kill you. They obey only one lord: Hades."

"But a quest to..." Grover swallowed. "I mean, couldn’t the master bolt be in some place like Maine? Maine’s very nice this time of year."

"Hades sent a minion to steal the master bolt," Chiron insisted. "He hid it in the Underworld, knowing that Zeus would blame Poseidon. I don’t understand Hades motives, or why he wants to start a war. Percy has to go to the Underworld, find the master bolt, & reveal the truth."

Nora was really quiet & seemed distracted. I held her hand. She focused her gaze on me.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." She forced a smile. I felt like she wasn't telling me something, but I let it go & decided to ask her about it later.

"Look, we know it’s Hades, so why can’t Zeus or Poseidon go to the Underworld."

"If all other gods suspect Hades-I think Poseidon does-they can’t retrieve the bolt. Gods can't cross each other's territory except by invitation. Heroes, have privileges. They can go anywhere, challenge anyone, if they’re bold & strong. Why do you think gods operate through humans?" Chiron said.

"You’re saying I’m being used." I said.

"I’m saying Poseidon claimed you because he is in a desperate situation. He needs you."

Emotions rolled inside me like glass bits in a kaleidoscope. I didn’t know, was I resentful, grateful, happy or angry? He ignored me for twelve years. Now, he needed me. I look at Grover, he gulped the ace of hearts.

"You don’t have to, I can’t ask that of you."

"It’s just..satyrs & underground places..well.." He took a deep breath, then stood. "If..if you want me to come along, I won’t let you down." I felt so relieved. He was the only friend I'd had for more than few months.

"All the way, G-man." I turned to Chiron. "So where do we go? The Oracle said go west."

"The Underworld entrance is always in the west. It moves from age to age, just like Olympus. Right now, it’s in America."

"Where?"

He was surprised. "I thought it was obvious enough. It is in Los Angeles."

"Okay," I said. "So, we’ll travel overland."

"Right," Chiron said. "three companions may accompany you. Grover is one. The other has already volunteered, if you accept her help."

Gee," I said. "Who is smart enough to volunteer for this quest?"

I expected Nora to reply, but she wasn't there. Where did she go? The air shimmered behind Chiron. Annabeth became visible, she had her Yankees cap in hand.

"I’ve waited a long time for a quest, Athena is no fan of Poseidon, but I'm gonna help you."

"If you say so, Wise Girl." I said.

"Who's the last one, Percy?" Chiron asks. I looked at him & he nodded in understanding.

"This afternoon, we'll take you till the bus terminal in Manhattan. After that, you're on your own." he said. "You should all pack."

I left to pack my stuff & find Nora...

Comment, vote & share.
Take care my lovely readers.❤
Alice signing off.
XOXO.