The Nightshadow Alliance

Chapter 7 || The Rest of The Prophecy

The counsellors gathered in the Big House, all schedules disregarded. Thalia, Nico, and Percy talked in a corner, Annabeth and Piper sat on the couch, talking. Katie talked to Lou. Connor, Travis, and Leo were serious for once. Holly and Laurel Victor were arguing.

Clarisse spun a dagger around in her hands, Alex - from the Nemesis Cabin - was talking to Rachel. Will was advising the Tyche cabin counsellor about the best way to administer first aid. Clovis was awake and alert for a change, deep in discussion with Pollux, Butch, and the Hebe counsellor.

Camp Jupiter's representatives were there as well - the Praetors, the Pontifex Maximus, and the centurions of each cohort.

Even though the two sides had mingled since the Gigantomachy, Rachel still noticed the Romans' more war-like and intense mindset. Because even though they talked, they all seemed much more composed.

Even though the atmosphere was light-hearted, Rachel knew everyone was tense inside. The worry of the upcoming war stayed in the air, even in everyone's relaxed state. Chiron entered the room, and all talking died down, everyone waiting for their mentor to start the meeting.

'Is everybody present here?' Chiron asked. After a nod of approval, Chiron began talking again:

'As discussed in the previous meeting, the Romans were attacked. A new prophecy was declared too. Upon mutual agreement for a more relaxed discussion later, decoding the prophecy was left partially. After discussing it, other important matters shall also be brought up. Now, the prophecy?'

Annabeth fished out a piece of paper from her pocket. 'I wrote it down last night, along with some possibilities to what the prophecy could mean, many of which were discussed in the previous meeting. We had discussed till the fourth line, which was - Sun's fiery bow, against night's might. The next line is - Laurel crowns, Spartan Shields, and Shades Untold.'

'Well, weren't Spartan Shields used by Spartan warriors from Ancient Greece?' Leo said.

Piper twirled a strand of her hair, 'I'm pretty sure they were. So maybe the Spartan Shields part is representing the Greeks?'

Jason nodded. 'Probably. Laurel crowns were often adorned emperors and other officials in Rome, so it could be symbolizing the Romans. I don't really know about the Shades.'

'I do,' Nico spoke from his shadowed corner. 'Shades are often used while talking about ghosts or spirits.'

'So could the third line be a reference to the fact that dead spirits, Greeks and Romans will work together?' Thalia asked.

'I think so, yes, maybe,' Hazel said.

'The last line is,' Annabeth said, 'Darkness wanes, a new age unfolds. It most likely means that once the threat is over, a better era of life would begin.'

'Although, that still doesn't confirm our victory,' Nico said.

'Way to be the pessimist, Nico,' Reyna said. 'But yes, it doesn't confirm our victory.'

'Now that that's over, would anybody like to share anything else?' Chiron asked.

'Yes,' Thalia said. 'Someone, an enemy most likely, was trying to recruit me to their army. Told me to be ready with my reply next time we meet. He wanted me to lead the battle. Against the Olympians. He said he would spare everyone else if I joined him.' She paused. 'But I'm going to tell him no. We'd be hard pressed to find better deities to rule than the Olympians, however terrible rulers, and parents they may be.'

A snicker echoed through the room. Everyone looked towards Percy.

'What?' he said defensively. 'We all know the Olympians are terrible rulers, and even worse parents. And don't tell me you guys don't see where it comes from.'

'Probably Kronos. That guy's a terrible father. What way to raise your kids is to swallow them?' Leo said. 'Ok, I get it, you want to keep them close to you, but really Kronny? Swallowing them? That's overkill.'

The tension in the room left, and all the demigods managed to crack the smile, even Nico. Conner and Travis nearly fell off their seats.

'I saw a lady with a dark aura around her, like my father's. I'm assuming she ordered the attack at Camp Jupiter, since she asked a monster about how the siege went. She had the power of a primordial,' Nico said, bringing the tension back in full force.

'So, you're saying that we might have to go against another primordial in this war?' Aaron asked.

'Possibly,' Annabeth said. 'But maybe not the only one. Thalia, you said the person talking to you was a male?' Thalia nodded. 'And Nico said he saw a lady with a primordial's aura. So most likely, we are going against multiple deities.'

'I hate wars.' Jason said.

'We all do Jase, but there's nothing we can do about it.' Piper said sympathetically.

Rachel had been quiet for the majority of the meeting, but she knew she had to share what she'd seen too, even if she didn't want to.

She took a deep breath. 'I had a dream in which the whole of the camp was destroyed, deserted. Even the hearth was nearly out. Standing there, I felt... I felt hopeless. A crow was trying to send some urgent message, but I couldn't understand it.'

The room burst into chaos. Rachel knew why. Since she was the oracle, most of her dreams and visions turned into reality. She needed to clear that up.

'Guys! It doesn't necessarily need to be true that the camp will be destroyed just because I'm the oracle!'

Everyone looked startled. Barely anyone had actually ever heard her raise her voice. But it did the trick, everybody quieted down and let her explain.

'Often, when some other being decides to send me a dream, it's often misleading, and they do it for reasons you all just demonstrated to yourself. There's a chance that the camp won't be razed to the ground, but for that to happen, we can't take this lightly. As Annabeth said, we could be going against multiple primordial beings, and that is no easy feat.'

'Rachel's right,' Percy said. 'Not all demigod dreams have to come true. Or oracle dreams, I guess. It's the enemy's way of making us give up before the war even starts. We can't give in though.'

People all over the room chorused their agreement.

'Another thing. Since the entirety of the camp has heard the prophecy-' Chiron said.

Rachel gave a sheepish grin.

'-we shall tell the campers that we have judged it to be the next great prophecy, but that we don't know when it might take place. Now that we're done with that, anything else you all would like to share?'

When all stayed silent, he said:

'Very well. Dismissed everyone.'

-oOo-

Will sat on the beach, his head resting on his boyfriend's shoulder. He was his life, his heart and soul. An unlikely duo, the two were. They contrasted each other perfectly - Light and dark. The sun and shadows. Happy and moody. They were different, but perfect. Perfect for each other.

'Don't you just love the sunset?' Nico asked, looking at the horizon.

'Yeah.' Will said, snuggling into him. 'It's beautiful. And perfect. But not more than you.'

Will turned Nico so they faced each other. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind Nico's ear. As the last sliver of the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in a tapestry of twilight colours, Nico leaned in and kissed him. Their lips met. It wasn't long or particularly romantic. Will reached up and stroked his hair. It was brief, sweet, and exactly what Will needed. They pulled away, smiling.

'I love you, William Solace. Do you know that?'

'I do Sunshine. And I love you too.'