Modern Myths

Book 1 - The Lightning Thief: Chapter 13: Roman Adventure

7/26/06, Wednesday

Camp Jupiter, Oakland Hills, Oakland, California, 10:00am

Jason POV

I was told by Mars that I had to put together a team to retrieve 2 oracles.

At least he gave me a piece of paper with exact directions for after I arrive at the address.

I chose the new guy, Frank Zhang, Son of Mars & Legacy of Poseidon, & Dakota, son of Bacchus.

I want Gwendolyn, but while only a centurion can be assigned a quest, they can't recruit another centurion to help.

I hate that rule, and the exactly 3-person rule, with passion.

What about the other ranks between Centurion & Legionnaire, like Decanus, Decurion & Optio/Biarchus?

I've been pushing the senate to restore these ranks, so a Decanus can lead his 10-man band on quests.

It's a sacred number, as it is the smallest unit of military to both Greeks & Romans, so the bad luck associated with deviating from a sacred number isn't an issue.

After debating on our supplies, we got 3 Giant Eagles.

That means we can fly to Willamette River, Portland, Oregon & back, as each can support 2 people.

After I finished packing supplies, I met Gwen on my way to the eagles.

Gwen: "You've been pushing for the return of Decanus for a while now. That's different from when we first meet."

Me: "When we first met, I was afraid of the prophecy & being trapped in the shadow of other sons of Jupiter. I did everything in my power to be a nobody, from joining the unlikeable Cohort to befriending the unpopular. After Bacchus opened a therapist office in his temple & demanded to see me, I'm not afraid to stand out anymore. I'm willing to speak my mind & advocate for change."

Gwen: "Well if anyone can do it, you can. You be careful out there."

Me: "I will." I departed for the Aviary.

I met up with Frank & Dakota.

Me: "Are you 2 ready?"

Both: "Sir, yes sir!"

Me: "Then let us go."

Willamette River, Portland, Oregon, Noon

We arrived at the destination listed.

Now for my least favorite part, entering my uncle's domain.

As both a roman & a son of Jupiter, I was taught to fear the sea.

Me: "Get dressed."

We swapped out our purple shirts with Camp Jupiter written in gold on them, with a golden roman crown, & jeans for scuba gear.

Me: "Everything working?"

Frank: "Yes, sir."

Dakota: "My zipper is acting up, sir."

After we helped Dakota get his zipper up, we dived into the river & followed the directions on the paper that I memorized to find a cave.

We entered it & found the 2 sitting there together at the entrance to 2 separate caves.

Since it was a giant air pocket, I wasn't sure if it was safe to take off the masks.

One woman has a graceful olive-skinned. She had long auburn hair gathered up in a donut braid. She wore a sleeveless dress that was as light and grey as moth wings. She looked twenty but her eyes were like black pearls.

Her: "You can take your masks off. The air is breathable. I'm Herophile, the Oracle of Erythaea."

We did that.

The other woman has auburn hair and a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

Her: "I'm the Cumaean Sibyl. I recently regained my form after being cursed by Apollo millennia ago."

Me: "Greetings, I'm Jason Grace, Centurion of the 5th cohort of the 12th Legion."

Both: "We know."

Sibyl: "Apollo reached out to apologize to me & explained everything. Let us be on our way."

Herophile: "I believe her successor is also located in this town, correct?"

Me: "Yes. We've been asked to retrieve a Harpy named Ella from the Multnomah County Library."

Sibyl: "Then let us be going, so I can die!" She says with great enthusiasm.

We swam back. Given how close it was, we probably didn't need our gear in the first place, except to keep dry, but better safe than sorry.

The 5 of us made our way to the library to find Ella.

Sibyl: "I've met her a few times here before. Follow me."

She guided us to the Harpy's cardboard nest on the roof.

Sibyl: "Ella, it's me."

A harpy with shaggy bright red hair and feathers as well as coffee-colored eyes and rounded face. She is rather petite compared to the other Harpies.

Ella: "Sibyl!" She runs up & hugs her. "What brings you here?"

She explains why we're here.

Ella: "You really want me to replace you?"

Sibyl: "You're the only person to read my books, and that's only 1 of many reasons."

We got lunch, then made our way to the eagles & flew back.

Camp Jupiter, Oakland Hills, Oakland, California, 7:00pm

The girls insisted on exploring the Paint Hills on our way back & we weren't in any rush, so I agreed.

We landed.

I helped Herophile off my eagle, while Frank helped the Sibyl off his.

We met at the Senate building with Apollo, Pluto & Minerva waiting for us.

Apollo & Minerva called Ella & Cumae to step forward.

The gods put their hands out & said something we couldn't understand as energy entered the other 2, then 9 books appeared in front of them.

Apollo: "We restored the 9 Sibylline books." He says giving the books to the Praetors.

He holds Herophile's head as energy flowed into it from his hands.: "You can now pass your power on to whoever you deem a worthy successor."

"Now to begin the exchange."

He puts his hand on both of their chests & a cloud of energy moved from the old Oracle into Ella.

Cumae: "Sweet release!" She says as her body turns to dust.

Pluto: "Her soul is with me. I shall personally escort her to Elysium." He says holding a glowing orb, before leaving.

Ella: "I accept this role. I pledge myself to Apollo, God of Oracles. I open my eyes to the future and embrace the past. I accept the spirit of Cumae, Voice of the Gods, Speaker of Riddles, Seer of Fate." She says automatically before collapsing.

Apollo touches her head.: "She's fine. I'm taking her to my temple here to rest." He says before picking her up & flashing away.

Apollo POV

After laying her down on a couch on my Roman temple, I flash back to my temple on Olympus.

Now to revive the power of the rest of my oracles & select new users of them.

That's 13 in total, 2 per new Camp, 1 for the Amazons & 6 left over.

Didyma, Abae, Menestheus, Claros, Ptoios, Eutresites, Hysian, Smyrna, Tegraios, Ismenian, Spodios, Argolis & Gryneium.

Smyrna was an Amazon, so that makes that one easy.

Delphi & Trophonius for Half-blood & Cumae & Erythaea for Jupiter.

Let me know what you think & please join my discord at https://discord.gg/P7a3YDspn9 .