created →jason grace

six

{Lina}

IT WAS NOT AS surprising as Lina thought it would be. Deep down Lina guessed that Jason had to be from a powerful god. She could hear Annabeth arguing with Chiron, but Lina kept her eyes trained on Jason. She could see an almost glow to him now or maybe it was just a trick of the light.

Suddenly Rachel swooned. Campers shot out to catch her and one brought out the oracle's stool. Green mist oozed from her mouth and the voice came out raspy and ancient.

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

When the last word exited Rachel's mouth she collapsed but the campers were there to carry her away.

"Is that normal?" Piper asked. She then realized all eyes were on her. "I mean does she normally spew green mist?"

Lina chuckled and was about to answer her when someone decided to cut in. "Gods, you're dense!" Lina could hear the sneer in Drew's voice. "She just issued a prophecy—Jason's prophecy to save Hera! Why don't you just—"

"Drew!" Lina hissed. "If you don't shut up I'll melt all of your makeup products. Also, don't act as if you're better, I remember you asking the exact same thing the first time you heard a prophecy."

Annabeth only gave Lina an exasperated look before talking. "Something about that prophecy definitely isn't normal. If breaking Hera's cage releases her rage and causes a bunch of death ... why would we free her?"

Jason rose. "I don't have much of a choice. Hera took my memory. I need it back. Besides we can't just not help the queen of the heavens if she's in trouble."

Lina, Chiron, and Annabeth were having a silent exchange.

Annabeth: The giants' revenge ... no, it can't be.
Lina: It's most likely that it is them.
Chiron: Don't speak of it here. Don't scare them.
Annabeth: You're kidding me! We can't be that unlucky.
Lina: When have we ever been lucky? Name one time.
Chiron: Later, child. If you told them everything they, would be too terrified to proceed.

Lina only sat back and rolled her eyes at the centaur. Annabeth took a deep breath. "It's Jason's quest," she announced, "so it's Jason's choice. Obviously, he's the child of lightning. Now he's allowed to choose any two companions."

"Three," Jason interrupted. "The prophecy mentioned three people other than me. The forge, the dove, and the sun. The forge is the symbol for Vul —Hephaestus."

Lina saw Nyssa slump her shoulders. "If you have to beware the earth," she said. "you should avoid going overland. You'll need air support. The flying chariot is broken ( Lina winced at this) and the pegasi are being used to search for Percy. The Hephaestus cabin should be able to help. And since I am senior camper, I can volunteer for this quest."

Lina heard how little enthusiasm was put into her words and Lina couldn't blame her. No one wanted to be involved in prophecies anymore.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lina saw Leo stand up. "It's me," he said

She saw some of his brothers try to pull him down, but Leo stayed up.

"No, it's me. I know it is. I've got an idea for the transportation problem. Let me try. I can fix this!"

Lina saw Jason study Leo for a bit. She thought he was gonna say no. Then he smiled. "We started this together, Leo. Seems only right you came along. You find us a ride, you're in."

"Yes!" Leo pumped his fist in the air.

"It'll be dangerous," Nyssa warned him. "Hardship, monsters, terrible suffering."

"Oh." Suddenly Leo didn't look so excited. "I mean ... Oh cool! Suffering? I love suffering! Let's do this."

Annabeth nodded. "Now Jason, only two more to go. The sun is the symbol for Apollo." She turned to the Apollo cabin and she gave Lina a glance. "If you don't mind I have a suggestion for you."

Jason made a gesture for her to continue.

"I would suggest Lina on this quest," Annabeth spoke.

At once the Apollo cabin became noisy. Lina could only gape at the girl. Jason turned to look at Lina a question in his eyes. She sighed, "Alright if you would have me I'll gladly go."

Lina could hear Will yelling protests but she chose to tune him out. "I would be honored to have you come," Jason told her.

"Alright," Annabeth spoke again. "For the last quest member. The dove—"

"Oh, absolutely!" Drew was on her feet flashing Jason a smile. Lina pretended to gag. "The dove is Aphrodite. Everyone knows that. I am totally yours."

Lina glared at the girl and was about to say something not very nice when Piper cut her off.

"No." Piper stepped forward.

Drew rolled her eyes. "Oh please, Dumpster girl. Back off."

"I had the vision of Hera; not you. I have to do this."

"Anyone can have a vision," Drew said. "You were just at the right place at the right time." She turned to Jason. "Look, fighting is all fine, I suppose. And people who build things..." She looked at Leo in disdain. "Well I suppose someone has to get their hands dirty. And I suppose we'll need a glow stick somewhere along the way." She said turning to Lina. "But you need charm on your side. I can be very persuasive. I could help a lot."

Lina could see a bunch of the campers nodding their heads and agreeing. She even saw Chiron considering her words as he stroked his beard. Lina felt sick, how dare Drew use her charm speak.

"Well ..." Annabeth said. "Given the wording of the prophecy—"

Lina sent Annabeth a disgusted look. "No!" Piper's voice came out. It sounded richer and Lina smirked. "I'm supposed to go."

Suddenly everyone started nodding. It made sense to them that Piper should go.

"Get over it!" Drew snapped at the crowd. "What can Piper do?"

Lina saw Piper stop. It looked as if the girl was panicking and didn't know what to say next.

"Well she can probably do a lot more than you can." Lina called out to Drew, sneering at her.

"Well I guess that settles it." Drew said smugly, completely ignoring Lina.

Suddenly there was a flash of light over Piper. Once it cleared Lina could see a white sleeveless gown on Piper's body. On her arms delicate armbands circled her biceps. Amber, coral, and gold flowers glittered on her chest, and her hair.

"Beautiful," Jason exclaimed from next to Lina. "Piper you .... you're a knockout."

Lina felt that sting in her chest again. It wouldn't go away not even as the campfire ended and she trudged back to her cabin to prepare for her journey.