The cost of Hubris

Chapter 1: Quest

Hello!

So, the thing you've all been waiting for...

ACTUAL PLOT! YAY!

In a cabin full of potions, brewing stands, and magical ingredients, three teenagers whispered among themselves.

"What should we do? We're the only ones left." A boy whispered, looking out the window every two seconds as if something will jump in and kill him any second.

"There is one way." An older girl said.

"What is it, Lou Ellen?" Another girl, similar to her age, asked.

"This." Lou Ellen unrolled a scroll on the ground. "This is a portal summoning spell. In theory, it could travel back in time if made correctly."

"But we can't alter the past. Surely that messes up everything." The boy countered.

"We're not altering the future. We're bringing someone from another world." Lou Ellen said.

"Who do you mean?" The girl asked.

"A powerful sorcerer by the name of Solis Hemlock. I do not know if he is a child of Hecate or not. All I know is that he is able to help. Remember the prophecy Rachel gave us?" Lou Ellen said.

"Find the darkness to consume betrayal, or the hero destroys without fail. The necromancer rises to unveil, the treachery of war, straight from hell." Ben recited.

"Solis uses dark magic, so he might know something about this darkness. If we can't find it before Percy is consumed by evil, he will destroy the camp. Solis is also a necromancer, so he'll discover the treachery as well." Lou Ellen said. "I can't go because I need to keep the cabin in control, and Ben is too young. Alysson, you have to go."

The girl, Alysson, was shocked: "Why me?"

"Solis has a soft spot for people in distress. And you're the only one left to do it anyway." Lou Ellen said.

"But can't one of the others go?" Alysson asked.

"Travis and Connor are imprisoned; four of the seven are at Camp Jupiter; Nico is in the underworld, Thalia with the hunters, Clarrise is gone, and almost all of the camp cannot be trusted. You have to. It's our only chance." Lou said.

Alysson sighed. She can't deny it. She has to go.

"Okay. What else can help me?" She asked.

"Just don't mention too much about love. The him we are reaching out to is... sensitive. Other than that, just act like a normal human being. Don't act professional, he'll make fun of you." Lou Ellen said.

"Got it. Conjure the portal." Alysson said as she slung her backpack - a brightly colored one with many stickers of fantasy creatures - over her shoulder. "I'm ready."

"Go save us. Save the world. And more importantly, save Percy." Lou Ellen said. She smiled at Alysson as if reassuring that everything will be alright.

A swirling hole opened up in the wall as Ben concentrated on his hand. Beads of sweat dripped down his forehead.

"Here goes nothing." Alysson jumped in. The portal closed behind her just as the door behind her slammed open. A boy with brown hair and a girl with blonde hair stood in the doorway.

"What have you been doing?" The boy questioned angrily.

"Something that could save us all, Markus." Lou Ellen spat.

"Or something to save your butt, Lou Ellen. We know you're a loyalist to Jackson." The blonde girl narrowed her eyes.

"What of it, Annabeth Chase? You were the ungrateful one, or he might've not left us." Ben said as he stood between Lou Ellen and the blonde girl "Annabeth".

"Traitor. Where is Alysson? Hiding like a coward?" Markus pointed at his nose.

"Speak for yourself, Markus Warmonger. Your pride is so big that Hecate can cast down flames at it and it could still cover all of Long Island. Alysson is going somewhere that could prevent war with Percy." Lou Ellen shot back.

"Ha! Hecate is nothing to Ares. She is a sorceress, a trickster of illusions. She would run from a real battle. Jackson is a weakling and only became a hero because Poseidon is an elder god. As for your idiot sister, her quest is pointless. There will not be war. Arrest the traitors!"Markus arrogantly announced.

Two bulky kids stormed into the cabin and grabbed Lou Ellen and Ben. Ropes were tied to their wrists and ankles.

"Come on Alysson..." Lou Ellen murmured.

Leaving you hanging for now. Not sorry.