Forgotten prophecy

Chapter 7

Escaping the cave was no simple or easy endeavor. Ryker clawed his way to the surface and broke through the hardened dirt with a loud growl. To the camper who had been walking directly where Ryker broke through the earth it must have seemed like Gaea had returned. He went squealing back into camp and Ryker was forced to drag himself out of the earth with no assistance. He collapsed onto his back and focused on regaining his breath. The sun has set and the moon had begun its takeover of the night sky. An owl hooted in the sky and Ryker felt something land on his legs. He sat up and looked into the large glowing eyes of a spotted owl. Hello.

Ryker rubbed his eyes with his dirt stained his hands, certain that he had heard things. He had 'spoken' with animals before but he had never gotten a true word from them. Did you just speak?

Did you? The owl shot back, ruffling his feathers. Put out your arm and get to your feet. Your mother told me to keep an eye on you, so that is what I intend to do.

Bit bossy for a bird, aren't you? But Ryker did as he was told and soon he was standing. The owl walked up his arm and perched comfortably on his shoulder. Ryker winced as his talons dug through the thin camp T-shirt and into his shoulder. So my mother sent you?

That is what I just said. The owl reminded him. Ah, you have company.

"Ryker!" Piper called as she ran up to him with Jason and an unfamiliar dark haired boy with eyes as blue as the sea. "What happened to you? What's with the bird?"

I am an owl. The bird said, outraged. And I have a name!

Ryker blinked and glanced at the owl. Do you?

It might be a bit hard for you to say in this tongue. The owl admitted. Why don't you give me a name?

"His name is Silver." Ryker said, noting the way that some of the feathers on his wings seemed to reflect silver in the moonlight. "He's a gift... from my mother."

"Oh, you met her then?" Jason nodded as if he had expected. "When Thalia said that you were swallowed by the earth we figured that you were either dragged down to Tartarus or your godly parent was saying hello."

"Tartarus... isn't that the place monsters go?" Ryker asked uncertainly.

"Yeah." The dark haired boy nodded, stepping forward. He extended a hand in greeting. "Percy Jackson."

Ryker shook the proffered hand. "Ryker.... Just Ryker." He frowned as he considered Jason's words. "You act like being dragged down to Tartarus happens a lot."

"Not really." Piper said cheerfully. "Besides, we were reasonably certain that it was your godly parent."

"So who is it?" Jason asked eagerly. "Piper and I have a bet see..."

"I think that your mother is Demeter." She offered. "Jason thinks that your parent is-."

"Cybele." Ryker said. "My mother is Cybele."

The three blinked in unison and exchanged uncertain glances. "...Huh." Percy said after a moment. "Guess we have to build a new cabin after all. And here I thought all the gods were accounted for."

"What are you talking about?" Ryker asked.

Idiot. Silver pecked at his head and Ryker winced. You are the only living child of your mother. I bet they haven't even-.

"Cybele..." Piper murmured, closing her eyes. "The Goddess of Mountains, Wild Animals, The Forest, and Caverns. She has a Roman aspect too. Magna Mater I believe."

"Actually come to think of it, I have heard of her." Jason said snapping his fingers. "Romans brought her back as a last ditch effort to win the second Punic war. It worked too, they won. I've never heard of her having any children though."