Heir of a Titan - Book 2 PJO

Chapter 54: Back to Regular Scheduled Programming

Raph helped me up to my feet, my head was still spinning slightly. I wasn't sure if it was from the left over Oracle stuff or from Aphrodite lifting her curse. But our whole conversation seemed to happen in a brief 10 second span. Percy was helping Rachel to her feet.

Apollo drifted down from the porch. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce the new Oracle of Delphi."

"You're kidding," Annabeth said.

Rachel managed a weak smile. "It's a little surprising to me too, but this is my fate. Nora and Chiron explained everything."

"I did tell you a few times Rachel wasn't just some mortal." I said. Every head whipped in my direction.

"Nora my sun beam!" Apollo flashed a brilliant smile. "Your curse! It's gone!"

"Ya..."

"Hmm. I owe Arti fifty bucks. No matter!" He waved his hand. "I missed your beautiful voice!" 

He came over and pulled me into a tight hug. I held on tightly. Burrying my face into his shoulder. He was warm and cozy, like when I stand with my face in the sunshine.

"So...can you like tell the future now?" Percy asked.

"Not all the time," she said. "But there are visions, images, words in my mind. When someone asks me a question, I... Oh no-"

"It's starting," Apollo announced, pulling away from me and turning towards Rachel. I had the horrible green taste on my mouth and I shivered too. I had a horrible feeling rise inside of me. And then it magnified to many different feelings and emotions. I wanted to breakdown and cry.

Apollo looked rorn between me and Rachel. I managed to turn away and stumble into Raph's arms. He sunk back to the grass with me huddled and shivering against his chest. Green smoke drifted from my mouth. My head tipped backwards. From my unhinged jaw my dark prophecy from before the summer came spewing out of my mouth. But only the second half of it.

"Seven journey home while light walks alone. The ancient rival rises in the west. Unlikely allies keep hope safe before strife becomes thy biggest defeat."

Suddenly Rachel doubled over like someone had punched her. Then she stood up straight and her eyes glowed serpent green. When she spoke, her voice sounded tripled- like three Rachel's were talking at once:

"Seven half-bloods shall answer the call. To storm or fire, the world must fall. An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death."

At the last word, Rachel collapsed. Percy caught her and helped her to the porch. Raph held me right to his chest. I felt slightly feverish, like the first few times I used the Sight vision. I felt Nico kneel down beside us.

"I'm all right," I heard Rachel say, her voice returning to normal. I felt myself slowly stop shaking and gain some strength back. I slowly sat up panti.f slightly.

"What was that?" Percy asked, looking around.

She shook her head, confused. "What was what?"

"I believe," Apollo said, "that we just heard the next Great Prophecy."

"What does it mean?" Percy demanded.

Rachel frowned. "I don't even remember what I said."

"No," Apollo mused. "The spirit will only speak through you occasionally. The rest of the time, our Rachel will be much as she's always been. There's no point in grilling her, even if she has just issued the next big prediction for the future of the world."

"What?" Percy said. "But-"

"Percy, how long have you been around me? It's the same. We can't explain what they mean."