Daughter of Mother Earth

Chapter Fourteen

Everyone was singing a song led by, of course, Apollo, when suddenly Rachel collapsed. A few campers immediately rushed to her aid, bringing a stool as if they had been prepared for this.
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Once Rachel was seated she immediately straightened up and opened her eyes. They were a bright glowing green. This wasn't the first time Crystal had seen Rachel give a prophecy.

Green smoke hollowed from the mortal's mouth, and pooled around her. In a raspy voice, the Oracle said:

Child of lightning, beware the earth,
The giants' revenge the eight shall birth,
The forge and dove shall break the cage,
And death unleash through Hera's rage.

Rachel suddenly slumped and nearly fell from her stool. Her helpers kept her upright.

Everyone looked around, whispering. Annabeth took a deep breath and stood up.

"I bet it's Jason's quest. He's obviously the child of lightning. Also, according to tradition, he can choose any two companions."

"You, Annabeth! You've have the most experience." Travis yelled from his seat next to Crystal.

"No, Annabeth has other things to do. Besides, it says who I pick," Jason said. "The forge and dove shall break the cage."

Annabeth nodded. "So someone from Aphrodite and Hephaestus cabin."

Nyssa, Leo's new half-sister spoke up, "If it says beware the Earth, then you need to travel by air. The flying chariot is still broken and the pegasi are being used for Percy's search. I'm sure our cabin with it. Since Jake is immobile and I'm senior camper, I'll volunteer for the quest." She didn't sound too happy, though.

Leo stood up. Crystal looked at him, shocked, for he had been quiet the whole time. "It's me. I have an idea for transportation. Let me try! I can do it!"

Jason looked at him for a minute then smiled. "Alright. It seems right. Find us a ride, and you're in."

"Yes!" Leo smiled.

"It's going to be really dangerous. Monsters, work, horrible suffering... It's a possibility that you come back alive." Nyssa warned him.

"Oh," Leo didn't look so happy, but then he made eye contact with Crystal. "I mean... Oh, cool! Suffering? I love suffering! Let's do this."

Annabeth nodded. "Okay Jason, one more person. The dove-"

Drew Tanaka stood up, "Oh, that's me! The dove means Aphrodite, so I'm the one!"

Piper immediately stood. "No. It's me."

Drew scoffed, "Please, why would it be you?"

"I'm a daughter of Aphrodite, too," Piper frowned. "Plus, I have a feeling it's me."

"So? That doesn't mean-" Drew was interrupted by a shy voice.

"Drew, just forget about it. If you freak out if a strand of hair is out of place, then I doubt you'd be able to go on a quest." A girl with curly brown hair and blue eyes stood up.

"How could you say that to me, Alexandria? I'm your sister!" Drew placed her hands on her hips in fake sadness.

Alexandria rolled her eyes. "First, it's Alex, and the only way I'm you sister is because of Aphrodite. Piper is more of a sister to me, and she just got here today! Don't be so rude to her because you're jealous."

Drew growled, "I am not jealous."

"Just sit down." Alexandria crossed her arms.

After a few moments of a stare off, Drew scoffed and sat down, pouting.

"So, Jason, who do you pick?" Annabeth asked.

"I choose Piper." Piper smiled and nodded.

Chiron stepped up, "Now that everything is-"

Suddenly Rachel sat up again. The green smoke came back, and out came another prophecy:

For thy child that hopes to be claimed
Her mother shall continue to go unnamed
But if the child should refuse the call
She will forever doom us all