The Mist's Misfortune: The Child of Wisdom

11

We didn't shadow-travel right away. We were still a bit tired from evading the manticore so we ended up asleep by the shore of the stream.

Victor offered to take first watch. I couldn't argue with that. Right at the moment I closed my eyes, I was brought to a dream.

I was wearing a black gown while holding a glass of red wine. I scanned the room for any familiar faces.

The first one I saw was Percy. I was expecting him to be bruised and scarred but he wasn't. He was wearing a black suit and tie with gold shoes. He looked good. What was happening here?

Percy sat on a chair that resembled a throne for a prince. The room where he was in looked like a throne room. It was filled with people as if there was a party.

Next to him was another throne where a girl sat. She had hair as black as night. Her eyes reflected the stars of the galaxy. She wore a white dress that highlighted her pale skin.

"Isn't this party fun?" The girl asked him.

"Sure." Percy said listlessly.

"Are you okay?" The girl grabbed on to his arm which almost made me crush the glass I was holding.

"Yeah."

The girl narrowed her eyebrows. "Percy. I know something's wrong. Tell me."

Percy looked at her reluctantly.

"I think this world isn't real."

The girl looked at Percy in astonishment. "Isn't real? Of course it's real. You're the prince of Dementia. You're my boyfriend. It's all real."

Her statement made me drop my glass. Time slowed as the glass shattered on the floor. Percy turned to me and mouthed my name but the girl turned his face and kissed him.

As I reached for them, the dream shifted. Everything was black, as if I was floating from nothingness itself. A voice spoke to me so eerily.

How are you, daughter of Athena?

"Who are you?" I asked.

Why ask a question you already knew the answer to? That is but a waste of time.

"What did you do to Percy? To Rachel?"

I merely gave them what they wished for.

"What they wished for? You mean, what you made them wish for. They would never do that."

Don't be too sure, child. People change.

"They might, but whoever they were before stays in their hearts."

You hold them sentimentally, do you not? This ought to be a good show. Wake for now, daughter of Athena. Your trials await you.

"Tria-"

I sat up, all bewildered. Nico and Victor turned to me, obviously surprised.

"About time you woke up." Victor gave me a burger. "Here, breakfast."

"What time is it?" I asked as I munched on the burger. Cheese exploded in my mouth.

"Around nine. You were sleeping so soundly that we couldn't wake you up." Victor smiled.

I gave them a weak smile. I wish they woke me up. I don't like that dream.

"You had a dream, didn't you?" Nico asked as he bit down a few fries.