ARCHER - PJO / HOO / TOA

CHAPTER FIVE

I walked up the stairs, my jaw clenched firmly. I could hear Grover behind me as I knocked against the door. It was storming--- at least it wasn't storming in camp.

Percy opened it, his brows furrowing. "Hello," he greeted, head cocking to the side.

"Mr. D needs you," I informed him, my hands clasping behind my back. It was the most blunt way to put it. "I can't tell you why, or I'd probably be angering another ancient god," I added. With that, I gestured for him to follow me (and Grover). I knew he was still in his pajamas, but it didn't matter. It was apparently urgent.

I heard the two chatting behind me as we walked to the Big House. I wasn't sure exactly what they were talking about, but I thought I heard some sort of mention of an umbrella.

We finally made it to the Big House. I pushed Percy up the stares, my gaze lingering on Dionysus. In my eyes, he was better than my father.

"Well, well," Mr. D said. "If it isn't our little celebrity."

Percy just stood there.

"Come closer," Mr. D told him. "And don't expect me to kowtow to you, mortal, just because old Barnacle-Beard is your father."

Lightning flashed. Thunder shook the house.

"Blah, blah, blah," Dionysus grumbled.

 Chiron focused his gaze on the pinochle cards. Grover shrunk back by the railing, the sound of his hooves clopping against the patio reverberating through the air.

"If I had my way," the god continued, "I would cause your molecules to erupt in flames. We'd sweep up the ashes and be done with a lot of trouble. But Chiron seems to feel this would be against my mission at this cursed camp: to keep you little brats safe from harm."

"Spontaneous combustion is a form of harm, Mr. D," Chiron reminded him.

"Nonsense," Mr. D huffed. "Boy wouldn't feel a thing. Nevertheless, I've agreed to refrain myself. I'm thinking of turning you into a dolphin instead, sending you back to your father."

"Mr. D---" Chiron warned.

"Oh, all right," Dionysus relented. "There's one more option. But it's deadly foolishness."

I tensed. The quest. I had told Chiron about the prophecy the Oracle had given me when I had snuck into the Big House. And, with that, came a long talk, a small scolding, and the realization that I was supposed to go on a quest.

My feet found their way up the stairs, my breath catching every time I thought I heard a creak or a voice. Once I'd gotten to the door of the attic, I slipped inside.

I approached the old mummy, my steps slow. I reached over, taking her hand. Before I could even speak, green smoke erupted from the mummy's mouth.

It formed the shape of my mother. I felt my throat close up, fear taking me over. My jaw clenched as her mouth opened, speaking in a voice I barely recognized,

The sacred three broken, for the retrieval of a weapon.
The prophecy siblings, one finding their eyes closed for eternal sleep.
Three betrayed, one forsaken.
The prophecy siblings, one destined for death.

I stumbled back, my brows furrowed. What was that supposed to do with me? I didn't get a quest. Annabeth got a quest, but I didn't. I swallowed, as the voice of Mr. D suddenly filled my ears.

I rushed down the stairs, not bothering with the cobwebs breaking into my hair. I broke through the door, running all the way back to my cabin.

When I had gotten there, I curled up on Lee's bed and buried myself in the blankets. I wasn't upset about anything the prophecy had said, I had no idea what that even had to do with me. I was upset about the fact that I had seen my mom again.