Sacred

Quest

Gemma's POV
I toss and turn all night. I've been here less than two weeks and I'm already going on a quest while some people have been here forever and have never been on one. This is Carter's second quest and Julia's first. Chiron appointed me quest leader and I can't let them down. I lay on my back and just think.
"Life was so easy what happened?" I mutter and close my eyes. Slowly I drift off to sleep.

"Help me! You're my only hope fire. Call to my little hero, he's like you," Hera's voice echoes in my dream, the same as the past nights. A peacock locked up in pain crossed my dream and I wake up.
"Little hero? Who's that?" I mumble and press on my temples. "Just go to sleep Gemma you have a quest tomorrow," I tell myself and lie back down.

The next day I put on a maroon shirt, jean overalls, brown boots, and a winter coat. I brush out my red hair and braid two French braids. Then I strap on a sheath and walk up to ground level. I approach the big house to grab my pack of stuff.
"Gemma hey," Carter greets and I smile.
"Are you ready?" I ask and he nods.
"It'll be a piece of cake all we're doing is saving a peacock," Carter says and I shrug. We walk into the big house where a Latino young adult with curly brown hair stands.
"Aww the girl," the man says.
"What?" I ask looking around.
"Leo Valdez. I know I'm great I saved everyone from Gaia. Please hold your applause. Now you can control fire which you probably know already but so can I and I need to talk to you,"  Leo explains.
"I have no ide-
"Don't play dumb with me girl!" He jokes and drags me to Chiron's empty office.
"What do you need to tell me?" I ask, impatient.
"Listen your powers are awesome but super deadly. I've been having dreams about you, trust me it's not creepy, your powers will help you on this quest but don't overuse them or use them for the wrong thing," Leo tells me and holds out his palm and fire dances across it.
"I know that not the whole dream thing but why would I ever overuse them?" I ask him.
"Never mind. Anyway since you're my half-sister and we both have the powers I decided to get you something,"Leo says.
"You really didn't have to," I tell him.
"I found this bunker when I went here. It's called Bunker 9 and if you ever need anything it's got stuff and it's a nice workshop. I don't think anyone uses it anymore after the whole fiasco. Also I figured out how to duplicate this magical tool belt I got from there so here it is," Leo says and gives me a tool belt. I strap it on with a smile.
"Thanks Leo. I'm Gemma by the way," I tell him.
"Good luck on your quest.... sis," Leo says and I smile.
"Thanks bro-bro," I joke.
"Call me Super-Sized McShizzle," He says and I snort.
"What the heck is that?" I ask.
"It's my nickname," Leo says and I snort.
"Then call me Little-Sized McShizzle," I joke.
"You can't just replace super with little to my name," Leo jokes and I smile," Good luck kiddo." I walk out of Chiron's office and Carter hands me a backpack full of everything we might need.
"Who was that?" Carter asks.
"My half-brother," I reply then look around.
"Are you ready to go?" He asks me and I look at him and smile
"Ready as I'll ever be," I say and we walk out front to see Julia making her way here.
"Oh hey guys," Julia says and grabs her pack from Carter. Quickly we grab a quick bite to eat and walk out of the camp. A small boy accompanies us out of the camp.
"Where to dreamer?" Julia asks me looking around.
"Well um maybe up north like in Maine. We'll probably get some answers there," I suggest.
"How are we going to get to Maine?" Julia asks impatiently.
"The camp cars," Carter says and grabs my hand and leads me to a place with a lot of cars.
"Wow. They're beautiful," I say looking at the variety of cars. An old tan 1998 Dodge Dakota sits next to a sleek 2016 Ford Mustang GT-H and multiple other cars surround the area.
"Come on Carter let's just drive your car," Julia says pointing to a white 2014 Kia Rio.
"You're kidding right?" I ask and walk over to it and inspect it. It seems like it wouldn't even last going to New Jersey much less Maine."It's in decent condition but the camp has to have better cars, right?" I tell them and Carter nods.
"Then what should we drive?" Julia asks, tapping her foot, clearly impatient. I look around the lot and a black 2015 Jeep Wrangler catches my eye.
"That," I say and point to the Jeep.
"Are you-"
"Great, let's go," Carter says and the small boy hands Carter a set of keys then scampers back into the camp. Carter opens the passenger door for me and I climb in and Julia climbs into the backseat, grumbling. Carter walks around and slides into the driver's seat then starts up the car.
"Everyone ready?" Carter asks and adjust the rear view mirror.
"Yep," I say and Julia nods.
"Then off we go. To Maine!" Carter shouts and I smile. Carter pulls out and onto a road to go to the main road.
"Wait Carter can we stop by my house I need to pick up something and explain everything to my mom," I request.
"Sure," Carter says and smiles at me.
Maybe this quest won't be so bad after all. I look behind me and see Julia looking out the window as a small tear slides down her cheek. I close my eyes and think. Have I caused Julia to be upset? Is it something between Carter and me?, I ask myself and lean my head back. Carter looks at me and smiles and I smile back. I hold at my hand a faint flame appears not big enough for Julia to see. This is going to be a very long quest.