001.

—THE FATES WHISPERED IN HER SLEEP.

Lora heard the Fates whispering in her dreams.

They hissed in her ear, soon, soon, drawing out the word like a snake. They smiled wickedly at her, showing their sharp teeth. 

Don't be scared, they cooed, their voices dripping with honey. We will make this unforgettable for you, in every way.

Annabeth's voice woke her up from the nightmare.

"Lora!" she called, banging on the door.

"We need you."

"I'm coming," Lora replied and got out of bed.

She owed her life to the Fates, and Percy had convinced her to join the Argo II since she had the same destination as them: Rome. Lora put on a sweater and felt a surge of anxiety. You don't belong here, her mother said, her voice cold and distant.

Annabeth had stared at Lora in shock when she had first seen her. Lora could understand her reaction, especially since Annabeth had witnessed her death. Everyone was cautious around her, especially Leo.

Lora felt a pang in her chest. Gods, Leo. They used to be best friends in middle school and then Leo had gotten her kicked out of the school and ignored her, acting as if she had wronged him. If anyone, Lora should be mad, not him.

Or, he found out you're a murderer.

That was understandable. Lora could admit that she had never been wanted. She walked over to the lounge.

Annabeth gave her a friendly grin, while Leo pretended not to see her. Percy flashed her a smile and Hazel waved at her.

Leo was busy listing what he needed for the ship—tar, celestial bronze and lime.

"We need to hurry, Octavian's probably already searching for us," Lora blurted out, hoping to break the awkward silence.

Or maybe you just want to hurt Leo. Some people never change, do they? Her mother's voice echoed in her head.

Lora bit her lip and looked away. She hated how her mother could always make her feel guilty and worthless.

Pathetic. That's the word to describe you, her mother sneered.

"The Romans will send a strike force after us. It's a matter of honour." Hazel agreed, clutching her sword's hilt nervously.

Lora tuned out as they discussed their plans. Percy, Annabeth and Frank would get the tar, Piper, Jason and Coach Hedge would stay here to guard the ship, and Leo, Hazel and Lora would get the bronze and the lime. Wait, what?

"Oh, no. I can't go with Leonidas." Lora shook her head frantically.

"Leonidas?" Percy repeated, snickering.

"Didn't he tell you? That's his real name." Lora glared at Leo. He had gotten her expelled from school after all.

Percy turned to Leo for confirmation and Leo nodded reluctantly.

"Come on, Lora. It's not like you have a choice." Leo said, rolling his eyes. "We need to get the bronze and the lime before the Romans catch up with us." he mocked her previous words.

Lora crossed her arms and scowled. She didn't want to go anywhere with Leo. He was annoying, arrogant, and irresponsible. He had caused her so much trouble in the past, and she didn't trust him at all.

"Can't I go with someone else?" She asked, looking at the others for support.

You don't even deserve their hospitality. At least do what they say, her mother chided.

Lora thought that was the most mother-like thing her mother had said in a long time.

"Sorry, Lora. This is the best way to split up the team." Annabeth said, sounding apologetic.

Lora sighed. She knew Annabeth was right.

"Fine. But don't expect me to be nice to him." She said, pointing at Leo.

Leo shrugged. "Whatever. Let's go before we waste more time."

He grabbed his tool belt and headed for the door. Hazel followed him, giving Lora a sympathetic smile. Lora grabbed Festus's head and dragged it behind her. She hoped this mission would be over soon.

**

Arion refused to take Leo or Lora. Hazel explained sheepishly that it didn't want strangers to ride on it. Lora sighed. Thinking about Achilles and Patroclus, she whistled.

Leo jumped. "What did you do that for?"

"I'm trying to summon two horses," Lora explained, though she was a bit pleased that it scared Leo. Achilles came, his body forming with sea foam as he emerged from the water. 

Lora frowned. Where's Patroclus?

Achilles bowed, allowing Lora to get on the horse.

He's indisposed, Lorena. Lora caught Leo looking at her expectantly.

"Well? How do I go?"

Lora sighed again. "You have to get on behind me."

Leo groaned. "Can't I ride with Hazel?" He asked, looking at Hazel.

"Sorry, Leo. Arion won't let anyone else ride him." Hazel said, sounding apologetic.

"He's very picky about his riders."

Leo sighed. He knew Hazel was right. She had a special bond with Arion, the fastest horse in the world. He could run on water and air, and he was loyal to Hazel.

"Fine."

Lora shrugged. "Are you coming or not?" She tried to not feel a bit hurt, even though she had treated Leo like that five minutes ago.

He climbed onto Achilles's back and sat behind Lora. She felt his arms wrap around her waist and his breath on her neck. She shivered and tried to ignore him.

Achilles neighed and galloped into the air, following Arion.

__

She gasped when she saw the woman's face. It was like looking into a mirror, but a mirror that showed her a younger and more beautiful version of herself. The woman had the same silky blonde hair and the same blue eyes as Lora, but she also wore a crown with a star on it.

"Mother?" Lora whispered, stunned. She glanced at the others, who were equally shocked.

Amphitrite laughed wickedly. "Is that who you see? How deliciously dramatic."

Leo spoke up hesitantly. "Aunt Rosa?"

Hazel scowled. "Miss Leer?"

Amphitrite tilted her head. "Tell me, Hazel Levesque, why do you loathe your teacher so much?"

"She-she hurt me in many ways."

"You're Nemesis," Leo said bluntly.

Nemesis nodded. "Very good, my dear. I take the shape of the person you detest the most."

You hate me that much, Lora?

"But...I don't hate my mother?" Lora shook her head, feeling small and helpless. Her tone made it seem more like a question.

I suppose you need someone to take the blame for your mistakes. You're such a coward, Lora.

Lora felt a hand on her shoulder. "It's only a goddess trying to trick you, Lora. It's not your mother." Hazel said softly.

Or it's a reminder. Of what you've done, her mother laughed.

"What do you want?" Leo asked bluntly.

"I would only offer you advice. But since I felt a bit nicer, I come with these." Nemesis held up two gold coins.

"Drachmas?" Hazel asked, confused.

Nemesis looked highly affronted. "These are fate drachmas ,Hazel Levesque. They let you make a wish or redo your last choice. They offer you paths, or they close down roads."

She looked at them fondly. "They are hard to work with. Sometimes they do the opposite of what you want, but if you figure out the trick to make it work for you...well, then."

"Uh...what?" Leo asked wisely.

Nemesis sighed. "There are two sides," she showed them both of the sides, one side bearing the face of Tyche, and the other had the face of Nemesis. "When you get into a situation, flip the coin. The solution you want will appear, or the opposite of what you want will happen."

"But there's a way to make it do what you want."

"Indeed."

"Why are you giving these to us?" Lora asked, her voice cracking. She couldn't bear the sight of her mother.

"I am on your side, Lorena McGee. I wish to help you defeat Gaea. As for Leo Valdez..." Nemesis got a fortune cookie from her basket.

"Leo Valdez, your worst hardships are yet to come. You must listen to reasons. You must understand their past. Only if you do that, you will find a place in the crew. You will not be the seventh wheel. I give you this fortune cookie, to be used in your greatest time of need."

Lora didn't understand what Nemesis was going on about.

"But there are consequences." Leo guessed, his face pale.

"That is true." Nemesis agreed. "There will be a consequence for your wish."

Leo slowly nodded and firmly said: "I don't want it."

Lora wanted to smack his head. It was a good fortune cookie. "Leonidas," she seethed. "Take it."

"I'd rather not, McGeek," he sneered back but he put it in his pocket.

"Hazel Levesque," Nemesis turned. "You have faced many hardships, but soon more are to come. This fate drachma should help you. Your brother has six days to live, and six days for Rome to get destroyed. When you meet the cursed boy, perhaps you'll understand that not all heroes can change." She handed Hazel one fate drachma.

It will not work for you, Lora. The fates giggled.

Nemesis frowned at Lora. "Lorena Mcgee, your fate has been sealed by Fate's wishes. However, there are three of them and in one way, you will get what you want. Your quest is a bit difficult but if you repair old friendships, it will not seem so. This fate drachma will work for you, I am sure."

The fates cursed in Lora's head.

"Thank you," she said, taking the drachma and sliding it into her bag.

Nemesis smiled and put the basket on her arm. "Well, I have given you my gifts. Now it's up to you to use them wisely. Remember, there is always a price to pay for changing fate. And sometimes, the price is more than you can afford."

She turned and walked away, leaving the three demigods stunned and confused.

Lora felt a cold shiver run down her spine. She had a bad feeling about this. What did Nemesis mean by her fate being sealed by Fate's wishes? And what did she want from them? 

She looked at Leo and Hazel, who seemed to share her uneasiness. They had to find out more about these fate drachmas and the fortune cookie. And they had to be careful not to make any rash decisions that could backfire on them.

**

"Who is Aunt Rosa?" Hazel asked. Lora already knew the story, and she watched Leo's eyes flash with memories.

"Long story. She abandoned me after my mom died and gave me to foster care." Lora stifled a scoff. It had taken much longer than five seconds for her to get him to tell her about Aunt Rosa back in middle school.

"I'm sorry."

They exchanged some deep thoughts about Nemesis' words. Lora didn't join and she climbed one of the largest boulders to get a better view. She felt someone stumble and lose their balance behind her.

She caught the hand, before realising it was Leo.

She was tempted to let go, but her mother reminded her of a few memories in her head. Bodies flashed in her eyes once again.

Her mother. Beckendorf. Her classmates.

Trying to block out the memories, she pulled Leo up and allowed herself for a moment to meet his eyes. She opened her mouth, to ask him why he was so angry, or tell him that she missed their friendship. She shut her mouth and turned away.

"Um, thanks," he muttered.

Hazel uneasily spoke up. "I saw flames in your hand when we were talking to Nemesis."

"Yeah. It's a power of mine."

"Oh." Hazel's hand protectively went to her denim jacket's pocket. Lora gave her a confused look.

Hazel ignored the stare and looked at Leo. "What's wrong with you and Lora?"

"Nothing." Lora and Leo snapped at the same time. They glared at each other. Lora turned to Hazel and softened her tone. "It's nothing, Hazel."

"You both had a past. What past? What happened?" Hazel pressed. Lora uncomfortably fidgeted with her ring.

"Ask her," he said.

"Ask him," she said.

They scowled at each other while Hazel looked more frustrated.

"Hazel," she sighed. "I really don't want to talk about it."

"Me neither." Leo agreed.

"Okay," Hazel gave in. She looked around. "Where is this cursed boy Nemesis was talking about?"

"Talking about," a voice whispered. Leo looked around in alarm. Hazel froze.

"Is-is someone there?"

"Someone there," the voice repeated sadly.

Lora spotted the camouflaged nymph, and she smiled, nostalgia filling her brain. The nymph was beautiful, with long lashes and pretty eyes. Lora approached the nymph and reached for her hand.

"Echo," she said. "We meet again."

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