Olympus' Biggest Mistake

Chapter 18

The past week kept Camp Half-Blood busy and bustling like New York traffic. Quests were assigned for the sole purpose of finding out the mystery that is the being of snow and ice.

The prophecy confirmed the need to take training seriously, and the cabin leaders saw to it. In fact, the gods decided to grant all cabin leaders partial immortality like that of the hunters. They sought to ensure the veterans of two wars would lead future generations to peace.

As for the search for the being of snow and ice, the Athena cabin found more myths than they bargained for. Chinese, Japanese, African, Norse, Egyptian, Roman, Aztec, Mayan, Polynesian, and even American folk lore. So many gods, monsters, and beings that held powers of ice. Too many exist to narrow down which was the possible correct choice.

So far, they ruled out Chinese, Japanese, African, Mayan, and Aztec myths. Any gods or monsters in those pantheons didn't match up with the prophecy. Along with lack of reason to oppose Olympus, none of the beings in those pantheons seek law and order.

The Roman pantheon is an extension of the Greek with more lore if not modified a bit. The Egyptian pantheon is deeply rooted in history with plenty of strange beings of ice. The Norse pantheon interacts with the Greeks the most and has the frost giants as a good suspect. Polynesian gods represent many aspects of life and the world.

However, only one being in American folklore exists that is of ice and snow. But how could a shrewd wicked old man like Jack Frost oppose Olympus? Not to mention, he is far much younger than any pantheon in existence.

The only reason Malcom believes he should be added to the list was because he fit the prophecy. Americans literally associate ice and snow with only one man.

Legends say he is a being that represents a sort of balance in nature, like law and order. Others say he is a free spirited young man that protects the young and seeks change. However, Jack Frost is practically seen as an entire season.

Jack Frost fits nicely, sure, but he's too young with no ties to the Greek pantheon. The legends give him the power visual and the persona of keeping a sense of balance. Only one problem remains, what issues could he have with Olympus?

"I don't know Malcom." Annabeth states. "Sure, he seems pretty powerful and all but," She releases a heavy sigh, her mind exhausted from so many theories. "Just what problem does he think Olympus brings to his so called law and order?"

Malcom shrugs in frustration. "Look, we've all been at this for a week straight. Only a handful of other beings fit the bill on the prophecy."

"I'm not saying he isn't a valid candidate, but this is frustrating." Annabeth sighs once again and drops her head in her hands.

Malcom pats her back comfortingly. "I know. But you don't have to carry all this weight Annabeth. We're all fearful of what might happen in this new war."

Annabeth rests her hand on the one comforting her. "I just can't see a reason as to why any of the candidates want to overthrow Olympus. I have to figure this out. I can't let more demigods die because we couldn't figure out a stupid cryptic riddle."

"Annabeth!" Malcom yells, roughly grabbing his sister by the shoulders to face him. "You have others to help you. Don't you see that? All of camp is working hard to make sure that the last two wars don't repeat themselves."

Annabeth stares into her brother's eyes with a stubborn look. Their siblings watched in sadness, unable to enter the conversation.

Malcom releases a sigh of his own. "You're not carrying the sky on your shoulders. Let us help you carry the load. You can't just take everything on yourself like-"

Annabeth narrowed her eyes as tears threatened to fall.

Malcom took a fearful step back. He almost spoke a forbidden name in the Athena cabin. Even if he stopped himself, the point was already received.

"Like who, Malcom?" She glared daggers at her brother. In a weak attempt to cover her sadness, she tried to lash out at him. "Who? Huh. Who am acting like?"

"Gods, Annabeth! Like Percy!"

Her hands balled into tight fists. "What did you say?"

"You, you're trying to take on everything like Percy did. We get it, okay? You miss him, you feel sorry, you regret your mistakes. That doesn't mean you push us away so you can go die in this war alone."

Malcom rubs his temples as he witnesses Annabeth stiffen. He paced back and forth in front of his sister. "Alive or dead, do you really think he would want you to act this way?"

Annabeth ran through her memories, everything with Percy, all the time they spent together. She saw him clearly in her mind, smelled the scent of the sea, heard his angelic laugh. Then she felt it again in increasing pain.

Her breathed shortened and became shallow. Her chest tightened as if being crushed by the sky once again. Burning tears stung her eyes as she grew light headed. The curse of Aphrodite was kept at bay for too long and returned stronger.

Even if she was immortal now, a curse by a goddess is still a curse. Unable to handle it any further, Annabeth promptly lost consciousness before she collapsed.

Malcom could only watch as time seemed to slow down making him feel the pain longer. He was too slow and not close enough to catch her falling form.

"Hurry!" He shouted to his scrambling siblings. "Get Will Solace here now!"

The son of Athena could only hold her head in his lap as he rocked back and forth. "It's okay. You're okay, I'm so sorry."

A few minutes later came a rushing son of Apollo. "What happened?" Will asked as he checked her pulse. He bombarded Malcom with questions, never taking his eyes off Annabeth.

"She had this painful blank look in her eyes and then she just dropped." Malcom finished explaining the events leading to his sister's collapse.

"Any ideas as to what caused it?"

"Percy." Malcom stated somberly. "I told her she was acting like him, trying to take on all the world's burdens."

Will murmured a few words relating to her condition before speaking again. "Not regret or guilt, something else is causing her body to react violently."

"Hm. I'm as clueless as you are on this."

"Our parents are coming down soon, I suggest you talk to your mom." Will offered a small hope.

The gods came to visit without fail at least every week. It was a fresh change to all affected by Percy's wish.

Athena greeted her children happily, becoming a much more loving mother. To the goddess of wisdom, even affection to her children brought a different sensation to her being.

As the wisdom goddess looked around her children, she frowned at her daughter's absence. "Malcom." She calls for the son closest to Annabeth.

"Hey mom, what's up?" He scratched the back of his head in slight nervousness.

"Why is Annabeth not out here and in the cabin?"

"I think it's best if we all just go see her."

The moment Athena saw her daughter's unconscious body in her own bed, she knew something was wrong. She placed the back of her hand on her forehead before quickly retracting it. She felt it. A curse was placed on her daughter and the deity of knowledge knew who was to blame. The love goddess Aphrodite.