30+ Advance chapters on my [email protected] /Saintbarbido.
(General P.O.V)
The full moon hung low over Camp Half-Blood, its silver light casting sharp shadows across the cabins. The night air was eerily silent, save for the soft rustling of leaves and the faint murmurs of campers on patrol.
Yet, something darker prowled under the surface, hidden among the shadows.
A creature darted across the rooftops, its form cloaked in the darkness. Its glowing yellow eyes pierced the night, scanning for prey. Its claws scraped against the wooden cabins as it leapt, movements predatory and unnervingly swift.
Two campers on patrol paused near the armory, oblivious to the predator stalking them from above. The creature crouched low, its muscles tensed as it prepared to strike. A guttural growl rumbled from its throat, hunger gleaming in its eyes.
It leapt.
Before the campers could react, a series of thick grapevines shot from the ground, wrapping around the creature midair. It thrashed and snarled, but the vines held firm, throwing it back with a force that sent it skidding across the dirt.
The creature rose, growling as it locked eyes with Mr. D, who stood a few feet away, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. Behind him, the grape vines coiled and swayed like living serpents.
"Really, Lothal?" Mr. D said, his tone dripping with disdain. "Stalking campers in the dead of night? Quite cliché. I expected better from you."
The wolf-like creature's growls deepened, its claws digging into the earth as it prepared to pounce again.
Mr. D raised an unimpressed brow. "You'd think a demigod would have more self-control, but nooo, the moon comes out, and suddenly it's all teeth and claws. Pathetic."
With a deafening snarl, the creature lunged at him, its fangs bared.
(Loth's P.O.V)
The next morning, the camp buzzed with nervous energy as rumors spread about strange noises and vines tearing up the training grounds.
I was still stuck in the infirmary, so I found out from Annabeth when the group came to visit me, with Chiron in tow. I should have known something was up.
Annabeth was uncharacteristically quiet. That was the first clue that not all was well. The air in the room felt heavy, like they were here to deliver bad news.
"Okay, spill it," I said, leaning back against the headboard. My body still ached, and my left hand throbbed beneath the bandages.
Percy exchanged a glance with Annabeth before speaking, "I had a dream last night. Zeus and Poseidon were arguing—screaming at each other about betrayal. This morning, the Oracle of Delphi gave me a prophecy."
I blinked, still groggy. "A prophecy?"
Uh-oh. So it's that time already. We had finally arrived at the Quest to retrieve the Master Bolt.
Annabeth recited the prophecy, her voice steady despite the ominous tone of the words:
*"Three of divine shall venture to the west,
To retrieve the god's spark lest Olympus rests.
Shadows and serpents lie in wait,
And the cursed shall find their fated state."*
'Wait...that's not the original prophecy.' I realized, my stomach sinking at the last line.
'The cursed.'
It didn't take a genius to figure out who that referred to.
"So… Zeus lost his shiny lightning bolt, and we're supposed to find it?" I said, trying to mask my unease with sarcasm.
"It's more complicated than that," said Chiron with a sigh in his voice. "The Master Bolt is Zeus's symbol of power, the very weapon that defeated Kronos. Its theft has created the worst quarrel between Zeus and Poseidon in centuries. And unfortunately, Zeus believes Poseidon is responsible."
I frowned. "Why would he think that? I mean, isn't it against the rules for gods to steal from each other?"
Except for that one time Ares stole Aphrodite from Haephestus. But everyone pretends not to know the literal Goddess of LOVE is cheating, so maybe that example doesn't apply. Still a dick move though. Haephestus was my second favorite God.
"Exactly," Chiron replied. "But the Ancient Laws don't apply to demigods. Zeus suspects Poseidon used one of his children to steal the bolt—"
"—and since Percy just found out he's Poseidon's kid, he's the prime suspect," Annabeth finished.
I scoffed, unable to help myself. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Percy didn't even know he was a demigod until a few weeks ago."
I must have imagined the sound of Hecate laughing coming from deep in my mind.
Thunder rumbled outside, and Grover winced. "Uh, maybe tone it down?"
"I'm just saying," I muttered.
Annabeth sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "It doesn't matter what we think. The only way to clear Percy's name is to find the bolt and return it before the summer solstice."
"And thanks to you, we have a lead." she added, her gaze shifting to me.
I raised an eyebrow. "Me? How am I involved in this mess?"
I already had too much on my plate. Every cell in me wanted to tell them to leave me alone and handle it themselves, but that darn prophecy stopped me short.
Chiron stepped forward, his expression grave. "The Oracle's prophecy mentioned shadows and serpents. The clues point westward—to the god responsible for the Fury that attacked Percy at Yancy Academy, as well as the Hellhound that was summoned to camp."
My hand itched beneath the bandages at the mention of the Hellhound. I knew who the Centaur was referring to. "You're saying… Hades stole the Bolt?"
Chiron nodded. "The evidence suggests Hades is the culprit. He has both motive and means. If war breaks out between Zeus and Poseidon, civilization itself would fall, and Hades would gain millions of souls for his kingdom. Additionally, if Zeus and Poseidon destroy each other, Hades could claim their domains for himself."
I stayed silent, my mind racing. With my knowledge of the future, I knew Hades wasn't the thief—it was Luke, acting in the interests of a real EVIL...Kronos.
But if I revealed that, I'd have to explain how I knew, and that was a complication I couldn't afford.
Grover broke the silence with a nervous laugh. "Duh, of course it's Hades! He's the god of the Underworld. Of course he's evil."
I glared at the Satyr, irritated. "That's a naïve assumption. A pretty smile can hide ugly words, and a scary face can hide kindness. Don't take things at face value. Just because Hades is the God of the dead doesn't necessarily make him the Villain."
The words slipped out before I could stop them, and for a moment, the room went quiet.
Annabeth gave me a curious look. "That… was unexpectedly wise coming from you."
I shrugged, smirking faintly. "Thank a deceitful Dryad for that brief burst of maturity."
That particular incident had almost cost me my life. The upside was that it taught me a valuable lesson. Never judge a book by it's cover.
Chiron cleared his throat, bringing us back to the matter at hand. "Regardless of Hades's intentions, we must act quickly. You will need to journey to the Underworld and retrieve the bolt."
I had to bite down on my tongue to keep from yelling about how wrong they were.
Percy nodded, determination hardening his features. "We'll get it back."
I snorted. "Good luck with that. But you didn't come all the way here just to tell me about your quest. How does this involve me?"
Annabeth and Percy exchanged a glance before Annabeth spoke. "You're part of the prophecy too, Loth. You're coming with us."
I F*cking knew it.
---
After being released from the infirmary, I returned to the Hermes cabin to pack my things.
My thoughts were in disarray and kept drifting back to the prophecy. "And the cursed shall find their fated state."
As much as I hated to admit it, that line gave me hope. If it meant finding a cure for the Hellhound's Curse, I couldn't afford to sit this one out.
I was going to rip that fang from Medusa's mouth if I had to. Temporary solution notwithstanding.
While I was lost in thought, someone covered my eyes from behind.
"Guess who?"
My nose, like the rest of my senses was different. Enhanced by the Curse over the last few days.
The scent of lavender gave it away instantly. "Luna."
She laughed, releasing me and stepping into view. "You're leaving, aren't you? Annabeth said so."
"Yeah," I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "I'm part of the prophecy."
She frowned, then pulled out a bracelet woven from strands of her purple hair.
She tied it around my wrist. "This will help. My spirits will keep you from turning into a bad doggie like last night."
I stared at her, surprised. Before I could respond, she pecked my cheek and skipped off.
Last night? What happened last night?
---
On my way to the Big House, I noticed the stares from other campers. They all knew about my condition—and the quest.
Clarisse, ever the bully, barked mockingly as I passed. "Woof, woof!"
Normally, I'd have snapped and torn her apart, but the bracelet on my wrist seemed to cool my anger. I kept walking, thinking of every single reason I loved Luna.
As I neared the Big House, my enhanced hearing picked up voices—Percy and Annabeth.
"...I don't trust him," Percy said bluntly. "We could just bring back Medusa's venom for him."
That...actually stopped me cold in my tracks. Percy was the one guy in this whole Camp I even remotely considered a friend. To hear him say that he didn't trust me, stung."
"He's part of the prophecy," Annabeth argued. "We need him. His magic could help us stay hidden from monsters."
Sorry Annabeth, Mist Control is Luna's specialty. In my current state, even trying to move the stubborn warmth in my chest was a problem.
Grover chimed in, his voice unexpectedly firm. "You'll need to trust him, Percy. Outside the Camp, it will be the three of you against everything. You'll all need to trust each other if you don't want to die."
I stepped into view around the house, my expression neutral. "Glad to know where we stand."
Percy turned, startled. "I didn't mean—"
"Save it," I said, waving him off. "You're right to be cautious. But I'm not going to be a liability. This might be my only shot at fixing this… curse. I'm not wasting it."
The look of shame on Percy's face didn't make me feel any better.
Swallowing my pride, I stepped closer to him and offered a fist.
"I'll watch your back, if you watch mine."
At first he was surprised, then a smile appeared on his face, mirroring my own.
"Yeah, I'd like that."
-0-
The camp's main entrance was quieter than I expected, though a few Campers had shown up to bid us goodbye.
Chiron and Mr.D approached us, the former's expression solemn, while the latter looked like he wanted to be anywhere else.
"You have ten days to retrieve the bolt," Chiron ominously revealed. "Zeus will not wait a second past the Solstice. If you three fail, unimaginable destruction will follow."
"Try not to die. It's such a hassle dealing with the paperwork." Mr.D followed up in a bored tone, his eyes lingering on me.
I smirked faintly. "We'll keep that in mind."
With one final look at the camp behind us, we turned and left the Camp's protection, the hellhound's mark itching on my arm and the prophecy's words ringing in my mind.
Shadows and serpents awaited, and my fate loomed ahead.
::---------------------------::
Mr. D actually called Loth by his real name! *gasp* Its the end times.