Raised from the Depths: The Apple of Their Eyes [A Percy Jackson FanFiction]

Prologue

The night was dark, quiet, and peaceful. The air was still inside inside the Big House, but outside snow swirled lazily to the ground, only to melt on the ground, which was not yet cold enough to only the frozen flakes to reside there. No demigod was awake, and even if they were, no one dared to leave their cabin, for fear of the patrol Harpies that roamed the camp, feathers ruffled and ears alert for any movement.

Inside the Big House, a white stallion centaur was trotted across the floor, careful not to be terribly noisy, as to not wake Dionysus in the other room. Every time he turned to walk toward the window, his tired eyes watched the snow fall in both confusion and fear. Camp Half-Blood wasn't supposed to have weather changes like this. When it stormed on Long Island, at camp, it stayed calm and sunny. In a blistering heatwave, the strawberry patches remained hydrated, the campers cool and comfortable. And when there was snow and frost, the grass and plants stayed green and lush.

It was not supposed to be snowing outside, even if the ground was too warm for it to stick.

When he turned away from the wall and began back across the room, the snow exited his mind for a second, and in it's place, he thought of the prophecy he had received from Rachel Dare a couple weeks ago. It was entirely too soon, of course. Camp Half-Blood had just ended it's most traumatic summer in a long time, and they had lost quite a few campers to the Titan of Time. After the war, Rachel had given what they had deemed the prophecy of the seven, which already indicated that another terrible threat was arising in the future. But there was a second prophecy, a predecessor to the prophecy of the seven, that left Chiron with a lot of weight on his shoulders. Weight that he feared one of his campers would have to bear soon.

Suddenly, a rainbow of light erupted from the pool of water in the opposite corner of Chiron's room; a small fountain that he used to convey Iris messages. The running water had been shut off during the night, but it still burst to life as a message came through.

A face shimmer in the mist as the fountain turned itself on, as if by magic. "Chiron?" A voice called gently, no doubt aware of how late it was in New York City.

Chiron turned to face the light in surprise, before approaching the image in the mist swiftly, squinting to recognize the face with his groggy eyes. "Michelle?" He spoke in a deep voice, just able to recognize the demigod that had left Camp Half-Blood more than a decade ago. Most demigods didn't last long after that.

But there she was, staring at Chiron with urgent, unwavering, earthy green eyes. "Chiron, I need help. I-I don't know what to do." She spoke quickly and hoarsely, as though something horrible had happened.

The fear in her voice seemed to bring Chiron into focus. "Calm down, Michelle. What's going on?" He asked in a stern, calming voice, much like he would when she was a teen.

Michelle took a breath. "My daughter- I think she's in danger." She spoke lowly, as if to make sure Chiron was the only one that could hear her words. "After I left Camp Half-Blood, I met a mortal man who could see through the Mist. We got married and adopted a child, but... Chiron, this child was a demigod. My husband could tell just by stepping into the same room as her. She doesn't know yet- and we've tried to keep her safe for the last 16 years, but I can feel it, Chiron."

"Feel what?" The immortal being inquired.

"I can feel their presences. The monsters. I can sense the darkness, I can hear them through the grass and trees. Someone's found my daughter, Chiron. And it isn't something friendly." Michelle explained gravely.

Silence settled over the two, and Chiron ran his fingers over her chin and down his beard, his brows furrowed in contemplation. "Are you suggesting that you want your daughter relocated here?" Chiron finally questioned.

Michelle's eyes locked on the floor. "Camp Half-Blood is the only place where she will be truly safe." She said in a soft voice; a voice that was certain, but sad all at once.

"Very well. I will send a group to retrieve your daughter and bring her here. Where is your location?" Chiron asked.

"Marquette, Michigan." She answered quietly.

Chiron nodded, "Well, Michelle, let us hope that help will arrive before whoever is after your daughter can act."

With that, the room went dark.