𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑛𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒¹

𝐴𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑎 𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑠 𝑈𝑝

‧̍̊˙· 𓆝.° ｡˚𓆛˚｡ °.𓆞 ·˙‧̍̊

SOMEHOW, ASTORIA OPENED HER eyes to a warm light in her room; it was the afternoon but something told her at least a day had passed. She shifted to her side, ready to fall asleep again, but a gentle knock on her door woke her senses. In a sluggish manner, she turned over to face the door. Who was it? A part of her wished it was Percy, but she shut that thought as quickly as it came. She wobbled over and opened up to see Chiron smiling at her. He was in his true form, probably because of the stairs, and his tall stature was not unlike a statue she'd seen when she first came to this world.

"Good morning, dear," he said.

Astoria could sense his nervousness and trepidation, which concerned her. Did she do something wrong? Yes... but not really.

"Good morning Chiron," she stared, "what's wrong?"

His lips thinned and he took a small breath. "I'd like you to follow me." His hooves clicked with every step as he trotted back downstairs into the living room. Astoria frowned, but followed in pursuit. Chiron made himself comfortable in his human form, sitting on a burgundy granny chair. He gestured to the couch where Astoria took her seat.

"Astoria, dear," Chiron started, "would you like a cup of tea?" He pushed a beige mug towards her, and she stared at the swirling mixture of brownish orange. "It's oolong and black tea."

Astoria reached for the cup and took a tentative sip. It was hot, and the strong aroma flooded her brain. There was a slight bitterness to it, but she could also taste some sugar and earthy notes.

She set the cup back down.

"Thanks for the tea," she said, "but why did you want to talk to me?"

Chiron shifted in his seat.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Me?"

She hasn't been asked that in a long time. It stumped her. There were a swell of emotions wrapped and speared through her heart that would make it look like an arts and crafts masterpiece for beginners. The most blaring emotion seemed to be frustration. She was frustrated at Percy, whose pride had begun to bare teeth against someone as hierarchically important as him, frustrated at the little arguments that never seem to end, frustrated at the books that have changed for the worse, and frustrated at herself for thinking she was someone significant.

Astoria opened her mouth, but words failed her.

Thankfully Chiron was as empathetic and understanding to how she felt. He nodded his head, telling her that he already knew.

"I'm sure you already know about the quest to save Artemis," he said. Astoria nodded.

"But what does that have to do with me?"

Chiron stared at her for a moment.

"Could you recite the prophecy from memory?"

Her guts swam, and an unnerving tingle spread throughout her body. She gulped, but proceeding to recite,

"Five shall go west to the goddess in chains,
One shall be lost in the land without rain,
The bane of Olympus shows the trail,
Campers and Hunters combine prevail,
The Titan's curse must one withstand,
And one shall perish by a parent's hand."

Astoria looked at Chiron warily. The director grimaced at her words, and suddenly a knot formed in her stomach as she instinctively knew.

"The prophecy is different."