by Emery Pugh
SPOILER ALERT: The following content may reveal parts of the plot of the Percy Jackson book series. There may also be spoilers about the Heroes of Olympus book series, which is a five-book sequel to the Percy Jackson series. The Trials of Apollo series, the sequel to Heroes of Olympus, will be mentioned. It is highly recommended that you read at least the Percy Jackson series AND the first book of the Heroes of Olympus series. If you don’t mind the spoilers, then read on. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Chapter 10
Godric
It could not have been me! There must have been another son of Zeus in the room! Right? This must be the one time I get lucky.
Unfortunately, no. Everyone in the room was staring at me.
“You have a few days to prepare before the Roman campers arrive,” Chiron said. “The quest will be announced to the rest of the camp tomorrow. Meeting adjourned.”
Everyone else filed out of the room. I stood there in silence, staring at the surface of the Ping-Pong table.
Chiron wheeled over to me. We were alone.
He put a hand on my shoulder. “I’ve seen many heroes go through the same challenges as you, but fate chose you – for a reason.”
“What reason?” I asked, still staring at the Ping-Pong table.
“Because you can do it.” Chiron smiled and started to wheel himself out the door. “Oh,and one more thing, Godric.”
I looked at him. “Yeah?”
“Trust the one who seems most unlikely.”
“Okay,” I said slowly. “But… who is the one who seems most unlikely?”
“It’s what they always ask,” sighed Chiron. “That’s for you to figure out. Now go get some sleep. You’ll need it.”
I didn’t sleep. I didn’t even go to my cabin. For the next few hours, I stood there, staring at the Ping-Pong table. Once that got boring, I roamed around camp, hardly knowing (or caring, for that matter) where I was going.
The sun finally rose from the east. I stopped walking and snapped to attention. I found myself at the edge of the camp woods.
A howl came from the trees. It was surprisingly close by. I reached for my sword, but it wasn’t there. I cursed and remembered that I had left it in my cabin before the camp counselor meeting. So naturally, I ran.
I caught a glimpse of a wolf flashing between the trees. I was pretty sure it was one of the same pack of wolves in the Labyrinth during capture the flag.
The conch horn sounded. It was time for breakfast.
Before going to the dining pavilion, I rushed to my cabin and grabbed my sword and set off on a run. I almost knocked over Sanderson on the way out.
“Ow!” Sanderson gasped. “My ribs!”
“Sorry,” I said sheepishly.
“Where were you last night?” demanded Sanderson. “I came to your cabin to tell you something.”
I thought for a moment. “Honestly, I didn’t even know where I was going for most of the night. So… what were you trying to tell me?”
“I wanted to tell you that I’m in on the quest.”
That comment made my day. He actually volunteered to sign his death warrant by going on this quest with me.
“Thanks, man. Now we can both die together.”
Sanderson grinned. “Yup. C’mon, let’s go to breakfast.”
I sat down to breakfast with absolutely no appetite. Time seemed to whizz by like a flash. I had just sat down and stared at my food for a little bit when Chiron pounded his hoof on the marble floor.
“Announcements!” he called, as the diving pavilion quieted down. “A quest has been made. The Romans have discovered what has been causing these monster attacks. A team of seven will be organized, of both Romans and Greeks, led by Godric. He is yet to choose his quest partners.”
Murmuring rippled across the room. I could tell I was receiving many glances and stares.
Chiron opened his mouth to say something, but froze and slowly sat down. The muttering came to an abrupt halt. I looked around wildly, thinking that I suddenly went deaf. Then I realized what actually happened. They were all staring at the new camper, Hector, who was sitting at the Hermes table, as is custom for unclaimed demigods.
Shadows were swirling around Hector. A dark skull flashed for a moment over his head. Some of the other campers screamed.
Hector looked confused. “What? Why are you all staring at me like that?”
Chiron stood up. “Welcome to Camp Half-Blood, Hector, son of Hades.”
I abruptly stood up and pointed at Hector. There was a reason why Hades chose to claim his son at this moment. It was a sign.
“You’re going with me on this quest,” I said.
The Lighthouse 