American Royalty II

Part 7: Why can't the Fates just leave us alone

"What?!" everyone shouted in unison.

"Please tell me you're joking?" Valerie groaned, burying her face in her hands.

Percy shook his head, his expression grim. "I wish I were."

Annabeth's eyes narrowed. "Another prophecy? We just got through the last one!"

Piper shook her head, her expression a mix of frustration and resignation. "This is unbelievable. We just can't catch a break."

Leo, trying to lighten the mood but failing, said, "Maybe it's not about us"

"When is it not about us?" Percy asked flopping down on the couch.

"We haven't even heard the prophecy yet," Leo pointed out.

"Right, forgot about that part," Percy said standing up next to Nico, "Do you wanna do the honors?"

Nico rolled his eyes and went to sit down next to Will burying his head in Will's shoulder. 

"I'll take that as a no," Percy said rubbing his hands on his jeans, "Ok fine, I'll do the honors,"

"When shadows rise and worlds entwine,

A darkness spreads, a sinister design.

Heroes from two realms must unite,

To stand against the coming night.

One held captive, key to the fight, 

Must recover to set things right.

The captured soul must not be lost, 

For with her fall, all hope is tossed. 

The chosen one will prevail,

even at deaths door he will not fail.

Seven pieces they have to find,

to thwart the darkness that lurks outside.

A choice of love, a path of pain, 

To save the world, or fall in vain.

For if they falter, if they fall,

The darkness will consume us all." 

Percy finished, leaving the last sentence hanging in the air. The gravity of the prophecy settled over the group, and the room was silent once more.

"I guess this means we aren't exactly leaving anytime soon," Jason said, standing up and walking to the kitchenette. He emerged with two cases of butterbeer.

"Well, if we're going to be stuck here, we might as well make the best of it," Leo said, accepting a bottle from Jason.

Annabeth sighed, her expression a mix of determination and concern. "We need to focus on the prophecy. Kit's a big part of this, if I had to guess she probably has some idea as to what's going on, we need to try contact her. We also need to figure out what these 'seven pieces' are."

Piper nodded, taking a bottle from Jason. "Agreed. I assume that by 'darkness' it means the Death Eaters and Voldemort."

Nico took a bottle and sat back down next to Will. "And we need to keep an eye on Harry and his friends. They might have more information than they realize."

Percy nodded, opening his butterbeer. "We'll start with Dumbledore. He might have some insights."

Valerie, accepting a bottle, added, "And we should be ready for anything. If this prophecy is as serious as it sounds, we need to be prepared."