His Father's Glory

Chapter 17

Rachel sat upon a lounge chair, her eyes closed.

I suppose this was no longer Rachel, but the Oracle of Delphi.

"You were expecting me?" I asked. I move to lean on the wall across from her.

"It is not every day a child of a primordial steps foot into our borders."

I recoiled at her words. Does that mean Rachel knows?

I shook my head. Now is not the time to think about it.

"Is there a prophecy?" I asked, changing the subject.

The Oracle tilted Rachel's head in a pondering way.

"Indeed." The Oracle took a deep breath.

A final battle amongst friends new and old
Shed light upon lies forever told

The second ousted when first becomes last
Time ahead mirrors journeys past

The child misplaced embraces the quarry
At last to win their father's glory

I was quiet for a moment as I processed the words that came from the Oracle. I slid my back down the wall, unable to stand anymore. I hung my head and rested my face in my hands.

"War is coming, Cleo Castellan. And you are at the center of it."

My heart dropped into my stomach.
It is my fault.

"You and the child you brought into this camp."

My head snapped to look at her.

"Gabby? She's just a kid! She hasn't even been claimed yet!" I yelled.

"She doesn't belong here," the Oracle said. "She is not a demigod."

"What do you mean she's not a demigod?" I demanded. "She sure as Hades isn't human!"

"I know not what she is," the Oracle rasped, "but she isn't human nor a demigod."

With that, the glowing light receeded and Rachel slumped in her seat. The Oracle was gone.

I sat in silence, my mind racing so fast, that I couldn't keep up.

Another final battle?

A small noise drew my attention to Rachel. She began to wake up although, she seemed disoriented.

Understandable. She was possessed by an archaic power for probably the longest time since she became the host.

I stood, not knowing what to expect.

Rachel cracks her eyes open and groans again.

"Water, please," she whispered as she gestured to the side. A mini fridge sat with a basket of snacks on top.

I quickly open it, happy to find a bottle of water. I twisted off the lid and gave it to her.

Rachel gives a small grunt of thanks as she drains the bottle. I stood awkwardly, waiting for her to say something.

"She gave you a prophecy?"

I nodded.

"You are not a son of Hades, are you?"

My heart stopped.

"What makes you say that?" I mumbled.

"I met Kronos. I hit him in the eye with a hairbrush." She smiled to herself but it quickly dropped. "You have a similar aura surrounding you. Not as evil, but the potential for darkness."

"What are you saying?"

"You are more powerful than any being I have met before. How you choose to use that power will decide our fate."

"Did the Oracle tell you this?"

"No," she said. "But I can sense it. What I can't sense, are your intentions. "

"I am not your enemy. I am as worried for Annabeth as you are." I walked to the entrance of the cave before looking over my shoulder at her. "I will do everything in my power to make sure Annabeth is safe."

With that, I left.

Seems that running away is another gift of mine.

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A/N: woah I didn't wait 6 months before publishing a chapter?

It's a little shorter than normal but I'm going to try and be short and more frequent.

Thanks for reading!