The Spirits of the Universe (PJO)

Chapter 22--I Meet the Three Old Hags of the Universe . . . Again

My mind was still racing as I entered my room. I didn't even admire the luxurious furniture. It'd been a couple of hours, but I couldn't stop replaying what happened in the sparring arena.

What happened to talking to Ananke? End asked, sounding bored. 

We can do that tomorrow, I said. It's getting late—I should go to sleep.

But like always, it wasn't as simple as that.

I didn't even make it to the bed before a pair of slender arms wrapped around me. "Ananke's really giving you the special treatment, isn't she?" N asked. 

I disentangled her arms, and N took a few steps back in hurt. Almost immediately, I felt a pang of regret in my chest. "Sorry. I'm just not feeling it today."

An awkward atmosphere surrounded us, and I didn't know what else to say. Fortunately, N forced a smile and said, "It's okay. The prophecy's probably troubling you, isn't it?"

"'Troubling' might not be the right word—scarring might be better. I don't think we should've come here."

"Tell me about it."

So I told her. At this point, I had the lines memorized, which brought forth different emotions. They always did. At the end, we were both sitting on the bed.

 "Well, this sure sounds positive," N sarcastically said. 

"I don't know what to do," I said honestly. "I came to Planet Chaos for a break, but instead I'm a criminal. And now I'm apparently a part of a prophecy that is so important that only the primordials know about it."

"Many people would kill to be in your position."

"Yeah, well, I didn't ask for this," I said, looking at my fidgeting hands. "I don't know what to do now."

That was the story of my life. I'd been living for the gods ever since I was twelve—and after two wars, I couldn't even catch a break. I'd lost friends, family, and my entire childhood. It was . . . frustrating, to say the least. And yet . . .

"The only thing you can do is move on," N said softly. "I know you don't like to hear that, but you have no other choice. You can worry about fixing your life after you proclaim your innocence. I'll be there for you."

I don't think I have to say this, End started, but I won't be there for you. It builds character.

Don't listen to her, Order said. We'll of course be here to support you.

"But what if it's not over? What if, after this, I have to keep fighting?" I asked, completely ignoring them.

"That's something only Ananke knows. Besides, the book Lady Chaos lost is a lot more important than anyone thinks. If you find this for her, you will be praised as a hero."

"That totally sounds like Chaos," I said sarcastically. Then I changed the subject. "How do you know so much about this book?"

"A few primordials owe me favors," she said. 

"Did any of them tell you about anything else Chaos lost?" My mind hurt just thinking about the amount of effort it would take to find many of Chaos' things. How would this even be possible?

N shook her head. "I wouldn't worry about that. Prophecies tend to have a double meaning. Maybe it's a spy you catch on the way, or something the Chaos Army finds while chasing you."

"Or they capture me," I grumbled. "And throw me in a jail cell for the rest of my life."

I was getting angry just thinking about it, and N seemed to realize. "Let's get your mind off of this for now. How about a date? It'll be my treat—we can go anywhere you want. It has to be dark, though."