A Quest

The next morning, Chiron moved Percy to cabin three.

He didn't have to share with anybody, ofcourse. He had plenty of room for all his stuff: the Minotaur's horn, one set of spare clothes, and a toiletry bag. He got to sit at his own dinner table, pick all his own activities, call "lights out" whenever he felt like it, and not listen to anybody else.

And he was absolutely miserable.

Just when he'd started to feel accepted, he'd been separated out again.

Nobody mentioned the hellhound, they were all talking about it behind his back. The attack had scared everybody. It sent two messages: one, that he was the son of the Sea God; and two, monsters would stop at nothing to kill him. They could even invade a camp that had always been considered safe.

The other campers steered clear of him as much as possible. Cabin eleven was too nervous to have sword class with him after what he'd done to the Ares folks in the woods, so his lessons with Luke became one-on-one. He pushed him harder than ever, and wasn't afraid to bruise him up in the process.

Which he would heal with the help of the only nurse who was willing to help him, Y/N. But she wasn't as stern as she was back when he got injured by the hellhound. She smiled at him like she usually did, joked around too but something felt off about her. Something was bothering her. Percy decided to let it slide thinking maybe it was about her father again.

But the truth is...it wasn't just Percy who felt miserable about the situation. Y/N wasn't worried about Percy hurting her cause it was clear that it wasn't his fault. How would a newbie make a hellhound appear in the camp when he barely remembers the path or how things work here?

Her worry was something else. He got a whole cabin for himself, he was the son of Poseidon. She felt like being a son of one of the big three, he would leave her like the rest. But she wanted to hold on to this friend. If she was the kind to give up easily, her hope would've vanished after staying undetermined for six months. So she continued smiling at him like nothing happened.

Annabeth still taught Percy Greek in the mornings, but she seemed distracted. Every time he said something, she scowled at him. After lessons, she would walk away muttering to herself: "Quest ... Poseidon? ... Dirty rotten ... Got to make a plan ..." Even Clarisse kept her distance, though her venomous looks made it clear she wanted to kill him for breaking her magic spear.

So the only person who tried to make it as much normal as possible for him was Y/N, although he felt like she was trying too hard. It wasn't necessary but most part of him was glad about it. He needed someone to be like they were before.

[ TIME SKIP ]

At the volleyball pit, the kids from Apollo's cabin were playing a morning game against the satyrs. Dionysus's twins were walking around in the strawberry fields, making the plants grow. Everybody was going about their normal business, but they looked tense. They kept their eyes on the storm.

Y/N was as usual with the Apollo kids, watching their match when she noticed Percy along with Grover walking towards the Big House. She suspected this. Ofcourse, he was...going to get a quest now. It was now or never. She wanted to go along with him. Well her main purpose was to find out her dad since it was clear that he would meet Zeus and therefore go up there. She wasn't sure if he would even be there but...she was sure that if she went, atleast someone will inform him about a half-blood looking for him? But that is if they didn't die before their quest.

For days, she was expecting a summon to the Big House. Now that Percy was declared a son of Poseidon, one of the Big Three gods who weren't supposed to have kids, she figured it was time for him to get a quest since he'll be the first suspect of the theft cause Poseidon and Zeus were fighting about something. He would go see the Oracle right? She once stumbled in the house accidentally. Okay, not accidentally but curiously? Yes, and she was terrified after seeing a mummy in there.

"Hey you wanna join?" one of the Apollo kids asked her and looked at the direction she was staring at. "I thought it was just a rumor?"

Y/N snapped her head towards him and said, "It is! He's....gonna get a quest."

"Aww worried about your boyfriend?"

"Ugh, leave me alone you privileged claimed assholes," Y/N spat the words and left the area followed by silence among the Apollo kids. She wanted to go along. He needs some help right? No one would really help him after what she saw the previous few days - that how they acted around him. When she reached nearer, Chiron turned to her.

"I assume you're here to hear about what the Oracle said? But...is there anything else?" There was a mischievous glint in his eyes. He probably knew her intentions.

"Okay I know there's no point in hiding it. But I want to go," Y/N said.

"Look we all know you worry a bit too much when it comes to him but I think it's a bad idea. We are dealing with actual gods here," Grover said.

"Exactly," Y/N immediately said, "You know why I want to go right?"

They heard footsteps and looked behind. Percy was done talking to the Oracle. She hoped he felt more scared of the mummy than her.

"Well?" Chiron asked him.

He slumped into a chair at the pinochle table. "She said I would retrieve what was stolen." He turned to Y/N and asked, "Hey, what are you doing here?"

Everyone looked at her in silence and she cleared her throat, "Oh well I heard about your quest."

Grover sat forward, chewing excitedly on the remains of a Diet Coke can. "What did the Oracle say exactly?" Chiron pressed. "This is important."

Percy's ears were still tingling from the reptilian voice of the Oracle. "She...she said I would go west and face a god who had turned. I would retrieve what was stolen and see it safely returned."

"I knew it," Grover said.

Chiron didn't look satisfied. "Anything else?"

He didn't want to tell him. There was more that the Oracle said. What friend would betray him? He didn't have that many. And the last line- He would fail to save what mattered most. How could he confess that?

"No," Percy said. "That's about it."

Chiron studied his face. "Very well, Percy. But know this: the Oracle's words often have double meanings. Don't dwell on them too much. The truth is not always clear until events come to pass."

He got the feeling that Chiron knew he was holding back something bad, and he was trying to make him feel better.

"Okay," Percy said, anxious to change topics. "So where do I go? Who's this god in the west?"

"Ah, think, Percy," Chiron said. "If Zeus and Poseidon weaken each other in a war, who stands to gain?"

"Somebody else who wants to take over?" he guessed.

"Yes, quite. Someone who harbors a grudge, who has been unhappy with his lot since the world was divided eons ago, whose kingdom would grow powerful with the deaths of millions. Someone who hates his brothers for forcing him into an oath to have no more children, an oath that both of them have now broken."

Percy thought about his dreams, the evil voice that had spoken from under the ground. "Hades."

Chiron nodded. "The Lord of the Dead is the only possibility."

A scrap of aluminum dribbled out of Grover's mouth. "Whoa, wait. Wh-what?"

"A Fury came after Percy," Chiron reminded him. "She watched the young man until she was sure of his identity, then tried to kill him. Furies obey only one lord: Hades."

"Yes, but-but Hades hates all heroes," Grover protested. "Especially if he has found out Percy is a son of Poseidon... ."

"A hellhound got into the forest," Chiron continued. "Those can only be summoned from the Fields of Punishment, and it had to be summoned by someone within the camp. Hades must have a spy here. He must suspect Poseidon will try to use Percy to clear his name. Hades would very much like to kill this young half-blood before he can take on the quest."

"Great," Percy muttered. "That's two major gods who want to kill me."

"But a quest to..." Grover swallowed. "I mean, couldn't the master bolt be in some place like Maine? Maine's very nice this time of year."

"Hades sent a minion to steal the master bolt," Chiron insisted. "He hid it in the Underworld, knowing full well that Zeus would blame Poseidon. I don't pretend to understand the Lord of the Dead's motives perfectly, or why he chose this time to start a war, but one thing is certain. Percy must go to the Underworld, find the master bolt, and reveal the truth."

Grover was trembling. He'd started eating pinochle cards like potato chips.

The poor guy needed to complete a quest with Percy so he could get his searcher's license, but how could he ask him to do this quest, especially when the Oracle said he was destined to fail? This was suicide.

"Look, if we know it's Hades," Percy told Chiron, "why can't we just tell the other gods? Zeus or Poseidon could go down to the Underworld and bust some heads."

"Suspecting and knowing are not the same," Chiron said. "Besides, even if the other gods suspect Hades-and I imagine Poseidon does-they couldn't retrieve the bolt themselves. Gods cannot cross each other's territories except by invitation. That is another ancient rule. Heroes, on the other hand, have certain privileges. They can go anywhere, challenge anyone, as long as they're bold enough and strong enough to do it. No god can be held responsible for a hero's actions. Why do you think the gods always operate through humans?"

"You're saying I'm being used."

"I'm saying it's no accident Poseidon has claimed you now. It's a very risky gamble, but he's in a desperate situation. He needs you."

Y/N flinched hearing that. It was like Percy's father only claimed him because he needed him. Well, that's sure how Percy felt right? She knew how much bitter he felt about his father.

Emotions rolled around inside Percy like bits of glass in a kaleidoscope. He didn't know whether to feel resentful or grateful or happy or angry. Poseidon had ignored him for fourteen years. Now suddenly he needed him.

He looked at Chiron. "You've known I was Poseidon's son all along, haven't you?"

"I had my suspicions. As I said...I've spoken to the Oracle, too."

Y/N quickly added, "We all had our...suspicions."

"So let me get this straight," Percy said. "I'm supposed go to the Underworld and confront the Lord of the Dead."

"Check," Chiron said.

"Find the most powerful weapon in the universe."

"Check."

"And get it back to Olympus before the summer solstice, in ten days."

"That's about right."

Percy looked at Grover, who gulped down the ace of hearts.

"Did I mention that Maine is very nice this time of year?" Grover asked weakly.

"You don't have to go," he told him. "I can't ask that of you.

"Oh..." He shifted his hooves. "No...it's just that satyrs and underground places...well..."

He took a deep breath, then stood, brushing the shredded cards and aluminum bits off his T-shirt. "You saved my life, Percy. If...if you're serious about wanting me along, I won't let you down."

"All the way, G-man." Percy turned to Chiron. "So where do we go? The Oracle just said to go west."

"The entrance to the Underworld is always in the west. It moves from age to age, just like Olympus. Right now, of course, it's in America."

"Where?"

Chiron looked surprised. "I thought that would be obvious enough. The entrance to the Underworld is in Los Angeles."

"Oh," Percy said. "Naturally. So we just get on a plane-"

"No!" Grover shrieked. "Percy, what are you thinking? Have you ever been on a plane in your life?"

"Percy, think," Chiron said. "You are the son of the Sea God. Your father's bitterest rival is Zeus, Lord of the Sky. Your mother knew better than to trust you in an airplane. You would be in Zeus's domain. You would never come down again alive."

Overhead, lightning crackled. Thunder boomed.

"Okay," Percy said, determined not to look at the storm. "So, I'll travel overland."

"That's right," Chiron said. "Two companions may accompany you. Grover is one. The other has already volunteered, if you will accept her help."

"Gee," he said, feigning surprise. "Who else would be stupid enough to volunteer for a quest like this?"

"I would!" Y/N exclaimed.

Percy sighed, "Look I know you overthink and help people all the time but I can't ask you for this."

"Who said I'm doing this for you?" Y/N perked up one of her eyebrows and chuckled. "Maybe a little bit."

"No, he's right." a familiar voice said.

The air shimmered behind Chiron.

Annabeth became visible, stuffing her Yankees cap into her back pocket.

"I've been waiting a long time for a quest, seaweed brain," she said. "Athena is no fan of Poseidon, but if you're going to save the world, I'm the best person to keep you from messing up. And Y/N you aren't ready for a quest."

"And he is?" Y/N started getting angry, "I might be behind all of you in physical fights but I can help you heal!"

"We have ambrosia for that," Annabeth said.

"Oh yeah? And how long is that gonna last?"

"Why are you so eager to put yourself in danger? I thought you hoped to see your father?" Percy asked.

Y/N's cheeks reddened in embarrassment. It felt like no one believed that she was strong and capable enough to go to a quest. Not even Percy.

"I suppose you have a plan, wise girl?" he asked Annabeth.

Her cheeks colored. "Do you want my help or not?"

The truth was, Percy needed all the help he could get. He knew Y/N would hop in to help him but somehow he just felt like he already got too much help from her.

"A trio," he said. "That'll work."

"Excellent," Chiron said. "This afternoon, we can take you as far as the bus terminal in Manhattan. After that, you are on your own."

Lightning flashed. Rain poured down on the meadows that were never supposed to have violent weather.

"No time to waste," Chiron said. "I think you should all get packing.

Oh.

They already started ignoring her. Ignoring her presence. Ofcourse they rejected her offer. Annabeth was more capable. She knew it but it felt unfair.

All of them quickly left to their cabins after looking at her weirdly for a moment.

She didn't care at that moment of how she looked. She was desperate and that's a fact.

Chiron turned to Y/N, "Travelling in trios is always safe and lucky. Annabeth is.."

"-a huge help I know. I've been hearing it from you ever since I arrived." she said, her voice was trembling. She felt like crying. And she never cried. Not even a single day after arriving in the camp.

"This is a huge quest. I hope you know what you're saying," Chiron said.

Y/N snapped her head towards him. He was looking at her with a smile.

Oh, he approved.

"I know what I'm saying. If anything happens...I know I'll be the first one to go."

"Don't underestimate yourself dear."

"I'm just stating facts," Y/N smiled and said, "I'm the weakest one."