The Forbidden Child

Chapter 24: Annabeth's Own Mission

Annabeth POV

Chiron was on the deck, deep in thought. He was in his wheelchair looking out at the camp. Annabeth thought if anyone had thousands of years worth of information, it had to be her mentor.

"How can I help you, child?" Chiron asked, not giving Annabeth a chance to say hello.

"I want to talk about Helena. Who is she and why is she important?"

Chiron took a deep breath and sighed. "A mystery befalls us and we try so hard to figure someone else out when we should look inside ourselves."

"So in other words, you won't tell me," Annabeth said with a tinge of disappointment. But she wasn't going to give up. She demanded some type of answer. She hated not knowing. "Do you have any idea who her parent is?"

"Child, I know many things. You should know that word is power. If I could share my deepest secrets and knowledge with you, I would. But it's the journey that is important."

"So what can you tell me?"

"Helena is one of us. She is meant to live on earth as a demigod. I know you already figured out that her memory was covered and meant for her to discover on her own. Helena is a special case..." Chiron trailed off. His face was hard to read. It was as if Helena was one of the lost campers, never to be found.

"Apparently a woman's voice told Helena to free her."

Chiron looked up at that statement. He leaned forward and asked, "When did this happen?"

"Right before we came to the infirmary."

Chiron stared into Annabeth's eyes, deadly serious. "You and Helena must work together to figure out who this woman is. If she is in danger, we must help. I know Jason talked to you about her. I can't reveal much, but she might be in danger. Or worse, she might die."

*****

One hour remained before the others left for their quest. But Annabeth wanted some time to think. She couldn't wrap her head around what Chiron told her. Annabeth still had her doubts about Helena's godly parent, but if they were to work together, she was going to have to push her feelings aside.

Annabeth was unknowingly walking towards the pegasus stable. Although there was about an hour left, Jason and Percy were at the stables catching up. Annabeth didn't see Jason's storm spirit anywhere but she noticed Percy was tending to Blackjack.

"Yeah man, we should totally visit that cafe in New Rome. They have the best hot chocolate." Percy said to Jason.

"Hey Annabeth. Came to say goodbye?" Jason asked.

She nodded. "Good luck you guys. Jason, I actually had a question about Helena."

The temperature seemed to drop in the room, almost as if there was a storm coming.

"Look, I told you all that I can. But whoever she is, she's important. I can feel it. But I would be careful of her. If she's as powerful I think she is..." Jason said in a tone so cold, Annabeth was worried she had crossed a line.

Percy stepped in front of Annabeth. "Hey man, it was just a question. Let's just chill. And what's the big deal here anyways? Why hasn't anybody told me anything?"

"I told you all that you needed to know, Percy. It's just, Helena is such a mystery. I've never seen her do anything powerful. The most I've seen her do is laugh with the Hermes cabin." Annabeth said.

"Actually, you guys should've seen her in the arena. She destroyed one of the training dummies. I was actually a little afraid to go near her." Percy said in a nonchalant tone.

"Seaweed brain! Why didn't you tell us that?" Annabeth lightly hit his arm.

Jason looked a bit more calmer and joined in on the conversation, "Maybe her mother is a Roman war goddess? Maybe that's why she hasn't been claimed here."

"Chiron told me that Helena and I should work together to figure out who this woman is." Annabeth sighed. "Like I said, if I find anymore information, I'll contact you. I'll say my goodbyes now. I know you guys can do it. Let me know if you need help." First she hugged Jason. Then she turned to Percy. They shared one last kiss before parting ways. She believed he'll come back. There's no need to linger around.

She left the stables and headed towards the dining pavilion. Dinner would start in a few minutes. If she's going to do research, she needed sustenance.