𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑
𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕

❛ it was the beginning of many, yet
her journey was the one destined
to surprise others
more than 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 ❜

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓, 𝕹o one really understood the pull Aurora Stark had with the Hephaestus cabin. It was beyond a doubt that the handy cabin lionized her nifty hands always calling her to participate in whatever project they were currently working on.

Some can argue her prodigal hands rivaled those of the Hephaestus children as she held the ability to think and then create whatever was swimming in her endless thoughts. All in all, it was a remarkable combination to have. It was enviable to think about, yet no one can deny that she truly was her fathers daughter.

Even Percy was getting used to her mind the longer he was around her.

After the entire fiasco of Poseidon claiming Percy as his son, the other campers didn't exactly take it all too well. They did their best to avoid the boy to the best of their ability as if he held a contagious disease. The only individuals showing him any remote kindness included: Grover, Luke, Annabeth, and Aurora.

However, he wasn't going to deny he relished in Aurora's company the most.

She didn't treat him any differently than when she first met him, it was sort of refreshing to feel and when he asked her why . . . he understood her response,

"Typically when people realize I'm the Tony Stark's daughter . . . they change," she sighed as she looked out towards the lake. The canoe they were in rocking gently against the water. "Sometimes it's infuriating other times it's just — tiring. All in all, it can be pretty lonely. So, I can sadly say, I sort of relate to your situation."

The wary look in her eyes was surprising to Percy. Being the daughter of a billionaire should place the world at your feet — the opportunities were practically endless with a man as authoritative as Tony Stark as your father. Yet, the look in her eyes held anything but the excited glint he believed children in her position should have. She genuinely looked weary, especially when she presented her vulnerability when it was just them two. She was at the tender age of twelve and, yet she looked like she had been through the deepest parts of hell.

Either way, he cherished their growing time together because he got the see the light in her eyes when they talked about home. The home she was craving so desperately to get back to.

They told each other what home was. Home to Aurora was anywhere her father was regardless of any obstacle, where he'd kiss her forehead goodnight telling her that none of his creations could outlive the blessing she was to him. Home to Percy was his mother, the same woman who'd do anything to bake him his blue cookies . . . the same woman who'd give up years of happiness to protect him.

Two children from two different backgrounds connected in a way no one predicted.

So, ultimately, when Grover informed his best friend about Dionysus requesting his presence in the Big House his backup was none other than the beautiful Stark with Sarcasm that could kill.

                         And it wasn't hard to find her, seeing as Percy was now getting used to her routine — in the mornings, you'd find her with the Athena Cabin seeing as they were more early birds than most. In the afternoon, she'd be with the Hephaestus Cabin providing aide in whatever form/shape she could, and finally in the evening she'd either have her nose buried in a book sitting under her usual tree or you'd see her on a canoe with Percy relishing in the breeze parting her silky hair.

                         Seeing as it was the afternoon, with the sun beating down their neck they made their way to the Hephaestus cabin, where the loud sound of metal against metal grew louder.

                         Grover swallowed a bit as he walked towards the workshop next to the cabin, "Percy, I know you really like Aurora, but I think there's something you should know."

                         Percy halted his cheeks turning a pretty pink as he blinked at his best friend, "What?"

                         Grover glanced back towards the workshop about half a dozen kids were banging away, their hands having a mind of their own, "Aurora doesn't take too kindly to people interrupting her when she's working on a project," he swallowed once again. "Says it could break her focus."

                         Percy furrowed his eyebrows, "Have you ever interrupted her?"

                         Grover shuffled and shakily nodded as if the memory itself was hard to think about, "Never again . . ." he shuttered. "I almost had my hooves knocked off."

                         "I'm sure she'll let you have your hooves, Grover. Come on, I don't want Dionysus to turn me into a catfish."

At first, laying eyes on Aurora was proving to be a laborious task. The children of Hephaestus paid no mind to the two best friends, too engrossed in their projects to even acknowledge them.

The workshop was incredibly spacious despite the scattered wires, engine, and machine parts. About a dozen scrap metal and car parts were placed on the metal workbench towards the corner of the room. The back wall was practically a display case for different assortment of weaponry — some regular swords, bows, and knives . . . others looked like they belonged in the future. Distinctly reminding Percy of the ones in Men in Black.

                         At the center of the room, was a beat-down old vintage car, with some of the Hephaestus children clamored around working on different sections.

                         A tall male glanced up from assessing the cars propped open hood, a kind smile washing over his face, "Grover! What's up, man!" He was pretty burly as he walked over and lightly slammed a hand over Grover's shoulder as a greeting. He then looked over towards Percy, "Percy, Welcome to the Hephaestus cabin," he spread his arms out to gesture at the area surrounding them. "It's not much, but it works well."

Percy took a look around and shook his head marveling at the many projects sitting on multiple workbenches, "It's great actually."

Charles Beckendorf shrugged, his hands clad with thick fire-resistant gloves that held grim on them, probably from the car, "What brings you guys here today?" He suddenly paused as if remembering something. His brown eyes landed on Percy and observed him. "Aurora's working on the underbody of the car."

Grover failed at covering up the smile on his face while Charles just held a knowing look. Like he understood something, while Percy had no idea.

Charles looked over his shoulder specifically towards the two slender legs pocking out from under the car, "Hey, princess!" he called. "You have visitors," he turned back towards the duo and lowered his voice. "Good luck."

"Thanks," Percy nodded dumbly.

"I'm busy!" The muffled voice of Aurora yelled back.

                         Charles glanced back towards Percy and almost chuckled to himself, "It's pretty important."

                         A huff was heard before the full body of Aurora Stark slid out from under the car. Her buttoned-up Jean shorts were greasy a long with her white tank top. Her usual silky hair was pulled into two messy braids on either side of her face, making the grime on her face all the more noticeable.

                         "You know I don't exactly appreciate when I'm interrupt—" her voice faltered from its aggressive tone when she noticed who was standing before her. "Oh . . . Um, Hey"

                         Percy nodded, "Hey."

                         Charles did his best to contain the rise of laughter crawling through his throat a long with the rest of his siblings who looked as amused as he did. Percy had no idea what they found humourous, it made the tip of his ears turn red in embarrassment.

Aurora shot them a glare which they shrugged off with a chuckle. It was only then that Percy filled her in about his situation and to Grovers utter surprise, she agreed.

She wiped the grease off of her face with the back of her hand, "Well, I guess we'd better get going, right?"

                         The trek to the big house was unusually quiet, Percy probably too busy in his thoughts to even try and start a conversation. Grover nor Aurora minded really, all too preoccupied at the thought of what was the reason behind Mr.D summoning the fresh Demi-god.

They walked up to the front porch of the Big House. Dionysus sat at the pinochle table in his tiger-striped Hawaiian shirt with his Diet Coke, just as he always had. Chiron sat across the table in his fake wheel-chair. They were playing against invisible opponents—two sets of cards hovering in the air.

The air automatically smelt like grape wine, despite Dionysus' punishment he couldn't help but always have a glass of grape wine next to him. He claimed it cleansed his chakras to which Aurora snorted to the first time she had heard it.

"Well, well," He stated, a frown appearing on his face as his eyes were focused on the multitude of cards in front of him. "Our little celebrity," he suddenly paused and lifted his head locking eyes with Aurora who had her arms crossed over her chest . "With a mortal celebrity"

Aurora bit her tongue, holding in the many remarks waiting to bubble out of her throat. Instead, she focused on Percy.

"Come closer," Dyonisus called. "And don't expect me to kowtow to you, mortal, just because old Barnacle Beard is your father."

BOOM!

The sky menacingly cracked with lightning as it flashed across the murky gray clouds. It was so piercing it shook the windows of the house. Aurora could feel the vibrations in her bones causing a shiver to crawl down her spine.

                         She looked at Dionysus with risen eyebrows, "Personally, I don't think Poseidon appreciates you insulting him"

                         He scoffed out a breath and waved her off, "Blah, blah, blah,"

                         Chiron feigned interest in his pinochle cards. Grover cowered by the railing, his hooves clopping back and forth — taking a couple of steps towards Aurora.

                         "If I had my way," Dionysus began only soaring a small glance from his loosing cards, "I would cause your molecules to erupt in flames. We'd sweep up the ashes and be done with a lot of trouble. But Chiron seems to feel this would be against my mission at this cursed camp: to keep you little brats safe from harm."

                         She furrowed her eyebrows, "Well threatening children surely doesn't make us feel safe," she shrugged. "And last I recall Spontaneous combustion falls into the category of harm, Mr.D"

                         Grover delivered a nudge to her side causing her to roll her eyes.

                         He lifted his eyes to meet hers, "Would you like to test it out?"

                         BOOM! BOOM

                         He glared at the sky in rage, "Oh, bite me," he growled. "The children wouldn't feel a thing. Nevertheless, I've agreed to restrain myself," he turned his head towards Percy with a smirk. "I'm thinking of turning you into a dolphin instead, sending you back to your father," he then turned to Aurora. "And you, turning you into a piece of fabric seems fitting."

                         "Mr. D—" Chiron warned.

                         "Oh, all right," Dionysus relented. "There's one more option. But it's deadly foolishness," Dionysus rose, and the invisible players' cards dropped to the table. "I'm off to Olympus for the emergency meeting. If the boy is still here when I get back, I'll turn him into an Atlantic bottlenose. Do you understand? And Perseus Jackson, if you're at all smart, you'll see that's a much more sensible choice than what Chiron feels you must do."

                         Without a second glance he picked up a playing card, twisted it, and turned it into a security pass — one that would grant him access to Olympus. He then snapped his fingers. The air seemed to fold and bend around him. He became a hologram, then a wind, then he was gone, leaving only the smell of fresh-pressed grapes lingering behind.

Chiron smiled at the demigods, but he looked tired and strained, "Sit, Percy, Aurora, please. And Grover."

They nodded and followed his instructions. Chiron laid his cards on the table, a winning hand he hadn't gotten to use causing Aurora to smile at her prediction.

"Tell me, Percy," he said. "What did you make of the hellhound?"

Aurora winced at the mention of the literal hound from hell. Nightmares had already plagued her youthful mind, yet remember the demonic creature only seemed to amplify them.

"It scared me," Percy said. "If Aurora hadn't shot it, I'd be dead."

Aurora glanced nervously at Chiron,"I'm afraid to say, that's only one of the many we have."

"Aurora is right. You'll meet worse, Percy. Far worse, before you're done."

"Done . . . with what?"

"Your quest, of course. Will you accept it?"

Aurora's eyebrows shot up in surprise, "A quest?" She blinked in surprise, "Isn't he a little too new to all of this to go on a quest, Chiron?"

Chiron looked grim as if he understood where Aurora was coming from but his hands were ultimately tied, "He has to."

Percy worriedly glanced at both Grover and Aurora a mixture of both fear and confusion swimming in his ocean-like eyes,  "Um, sir," He said, "you haven't told me what it is yet."

Chiron grimaced, "Well, that's the hard part, the details." Thunder rumbled across the valley. The storm clouds had now reached the edge of the beach. As far as they could see, the sky and the sea were boiling together.

"Poseidon and Zeus," Percy said. "They're fighting over something valuable . . .  something that was stolen, aren't they?"

Chiron and Grover exchanged looks. Aurora had placed her elbows on the table with her hands intertwined under her chin.

Chiron sat forward in his wheelchair, "How did you know that?"

Percy squirmed while glancing at Aurora, "The weather since Christmas has been weird, like the sea and the sky are fighting. Then I talked to Annabeth and Aurora, and they'd overheard something about a theft. And . . . I've also been having these dreams."

Grover shakily swallowed, "I knew it," He  said.

"Hush, satyr," Chiron ordered.

"But it is his quest!" Grover's eyes were wide. "It must be!"

"Only the Oracle can determine." Chiron stroked his bristly beard. "Nevertheless, Percy, you are correct. Your father and Zeus are having their worst quarrel in centuries. They are fighting over something valuable that was stolen. To be precise: a lightning bolt."

Aurora's eyes widened at the information, "What?!" She exclaimed, "I assumed they were arguing about something less serious and just being overlydramatic about it," she shrugged. "Like always."

Percy laughed nervously, "A what?"

"Do not take this lightly," Chiron warned. "I'm not talking about some tinfoil-covered zigzag you'd see in a second-grade play. I'm talking about a two-foot-long cylinder of high-grade celestial bronze, capped on both ends with god-level explosives."

"Oh."

"Zeus's master bolt," Chiron said, getting worked up now. "The symbol of his power, from which all other lightning bolts are patterned. The first weapon made by the Cyclopes for the war against the Titans, the bolt that sheered the top off Mount Etna and hurled Kronos from his throne; the master bolt, which packs enough power to make mortal hydrogen bombs look like firecrackers," he looked at Aurora in that last statement. "No offense, child."

She shrugged, "None taken."

"And it's missing?"

"Stolen," Aurora said as she processed the information Chiron was feeding them.

"By who?" Percy questioned

"By whom," Chiron corrected. Once a teacher, always a teacher. "By you."

Percy's mouth fell open in shock, and at that moment everything clicked to Aurora.

"At least," Chiron held up a hand. "That's what Zeus thinks. During the winter solstice, at the last council of the gods, Zeus and Poseidon had an argument. The usual nonsense: 'Mother Rhea always liked you best,' Air disasters are more spectacular than sea disasters,' et cetera. Afterward, Zeus realized his master bolt was missing, taken from the throne room under his very nose. He immediately blamed Poseidon. Now, a god cannot usurp another god's symbol of power directly-that is forbidden by the most ancient of divine laws. But Zeus believes your father convinced a human hero to take it."

"But I didn't—"

"Patience and listen, child," Chiron interrupted. "Zeus has good reason to be suspicious. The forges of the Cyclopes are under the ocean, which gives Poseidon some influence over the makers of his brother's lightning. Zeus believes Poseidon has taken the master bolt, and is now secretly having the Cyclopes build an arsenal of illegal copies, which might be used to topple Zeus from his throne. The only thing Zeus wasn't sure about was which hero Poseidon used to steal the bolt. Now Poseidon has openly claimed you as his son. You were in New York over the winter holidays. You could easily have snuck into Olympus. Zeus believes he has found his thief."

"But I've never even been to Olympus! Zeus is crazy!" Chiron and Grover glanced nervously at the sky, while Aurora facepalmed. The clouds were doing something unusual. They were rolling straight over their valley, sealing them in like a coffin lid.

"Er, Percy? . . . " Grover said. "We don't use the c-word to describe the Lord of the Sky."

Aurora bit her lip, "They get a little offended, and by a little I do mean a lot."

"Perhaps paranoid," Chiron suggested. "Then again, Poseidon has tried to unseat Zeus before. I believe that was question thirty-eight on your final exam . . ." He looked at Percy as if he actually expected him to remember question thirty-eight.

"Something about a golden net?" He guessed. "Poseidon and Hera and a few other gods . . . they, like, trapped Zeus and wouldn't let him out until he promised to be a better ruler, right?"

"Correct," Chiron said. "And Zeus has never trusted Poseidon since. Of course, Poseidon denies stealing the master bolt. He took great offense at the accusation. The two have been arguing back and forth for months, threatening war. And now, you've come along the proverbial last straw."

"But I'm just a kid!"

"Percy," Grover cut in, "if you were Zeus, and you already thought your brother was plotting to overthrow you, then your brother suddenly admitted he had broken the sacred oath he took after World War II, that he's fathered a new mortal hero who might be used as a weapon against you . . . Wouldn't that put a twist in your toga?"

Aurora nodded agreeing with what was currently being said,  "Honestly Percy, it's sad to say, but you really are in a tough situation. Zeus has every reason to believe you took the bolt."

"But I didn't do anything. Poseido— my dad, he didn't really have this master bolt stolen, did he?"

Chiron sighed, "Most thinking observers would agree that thievery is not Poseidon's style. But the Sea God is too proud to try convincing Zeus of that. Zeus has demanded that Poseidon return the bolt by the summer solstice. That's June twenty-first, ten days from now. Poseidon wants an apology for being called a thief by the same date. I hoped that diplomacy might prevail, that Hera or Demeter or Hestia would make the two brothers see sense. But your arrival has inflamed Zeus's temper. Now neither god will back down. Unless someone intervenes, unless the master bolt is found and returned to Zeus before the solstice, there will be war. And do you know what a full-fledged war would look like, Percy?"

"Bad?" He guessed.

"Imagine the world in chaos. Nature at war with itself. Olympians forced to choose sides between Zeus and Poseidon. Destruction. Carnage. Millions dead. Western civilization turned into a battleground so big it will make the Trojan War look like a water-balloon fight."

"Bad," Percy repeated.

"Horrendous," Aurora corrected

"And you, Percy Jackson, would be the first to feel Zeus's wrath."

Suddenly, the pitter patter of droplets echoed in Auroras ears. While she was immersed at the conversation at hand, it had began to rain. She stared at the sky, stunned.

"So, I have to find the stupid bolt," Percy said. "And return it to Zeus."

"What better peace offering," Chiron said, "Than to have the son of Poseidon return Zeus's property?"

"If Poseidon doesn't have it, where is the thing?"

"I believe I know," Chiron's expression was grim. "Part of a prophecy I had years ago . . . well, some of the lines make sense to me, now. But before I can say more, you must officially take up the quest. You must seek the counsel of the Oracle."

"Why can't you tell me where the bolt is beforehand?"

"Because if I did, you would be too afraid to accept the challenge."

Percy visibly swallowed, "Good reason."

"You agree then?" Percy looked at Grover and Aurora who both nodded encouragingly. Aurora gave the boy a comforting smile and nodded her head to Chiron gesturing for the boy to simply take the challenge.

Easy for them, Percy thought. He was the one Zeus wanted to kill.

"All right," He said. "It's better than being turned into a dolphin."

"Then it's time you consulted the Oracle," Chiron said. "Go upstairs, Percy Jackson, to the attic. When you come back down, assuming you're still sane, we will talk more." Four flights up, the stairs ended under a green trap-door.

And that's exactly what he did.

Aurora had stood on the porch watching the rain fall. Too busy thinking about Percy's upcoming quest to notice the approaching figure.

Chiron glanced at Aurora and sadly smiled, "Aurora."

Aurora turned her head towards Chiron a smile on her face, "Yeah?"

He turned his gaze back to the rain, "Have I ever told you the history regarding Elysium?"

Aurora furrowed her eyebrows momentarily confused before shaking her head, "No," she frowned. "I don't think you have."

He nodded, "Well, Elysium wasn't always in Hades' domain," he looked up at the murky gray clouds. "It was before my time, but some say it was ruled in the sky, by families who wanted nothing but to see perseverance of the world around them."

Aurora frowned, "Why is it now under Hades' doma—"

She didn't get to finish her question. The thunderous eruption of the sky above interrupted her and in that moment she knew, no god or goddess wanted Chiron to finish telling her what he wanted to.

Chiron sighed, "All I can say for now, is that this isn't only the beginning for Percy, but for you as well."

Aurora gave him a look full of question, "What? Chiron, I don't understand."

He forced a smile, the strain between his eyebrows was enough to make him look tired, "You will."

As she opened her mouth to argue, a traumatized Percy came stomping down the stairs. His face was sweaty and mouth dried. He looked petrified.

"Well?" Chiron asked when Percy approached them. His hands sweaty.

Percy slumped into a chair at the pinochle table, "She said I would retrieve what was stolen."

Grover sat forward, chewing excitedly on the remains of a Diet Coke can, "That's great!"

"What did the Oracle say exactly?" Chiron pressed. "This is important."

"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 and when Percy glanced at Aurora, she didn't either, "Anything else?"

Percy hesitated for a bit, "No," He said. "That's about it."

Chiron studied Percy's 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."

Aurora continued studying Percy with her arms crossed and her bottom lip in her mouth. There was more to it — there always was and Aurora could very well tell. She took psychology for mere entertainment, a nanoscopic task for the hell of it — And yet it was proving to be more than helpful in the twelve year olds mind. The smallest shift of weight and twitch of brow was enough for her to realize he was only telling them half of the truth.

"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?" Percy guessed.

"Yes, quite. Someone who harbors a grudge, who has been unhappy with his lot since the world wasdivided 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."

"Hades," Percy realized.

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, Grover," Aurora reminded him. "Furies take orders from only one God: 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."

At remembrance of the night in question, Aurora unconsciously ran a finger over her bracelets wanting more than ever to ground herself.

"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."

Aurora rolled her eyes at her friend.

"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."

"Look, if we know it's Hades," Percy said his eyebrows furrowed, "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 shook his head, "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 strongenough 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." Chiron said.

"You've known I was Poseidon's son all along, haven't you?" Percy accused.

Aurora sighed, "Percy, it wasn't hard to piece together. Especially with what I've seen, but Chiron was with you the longest and he had a suspicion . . . A hypothesis, If you will."

Percy locked eyes with Aurora, green meeting brown, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Aurora rolled her eyes once more while placing her head in her right hand, that was rested on the pinochle table, "Because it was a hypothesis," she stated as if it was common knowledge. "I had no evidence yet to prove it. Any good scientist knows to never hold a baseless theory with no evidence," she shrugged. "Anything can go wrong."

"So let me get this straight," Percy said turning away from Aurora, still mildly confused. "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," Aurora nodded with a shrug of her shoulders.

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

"You don't have to go," Percy 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."

Aurora smiled at the friendship and patted Grover on the shoulder in encouragement.

"All the way, G-man." He then turned to Aurora with a hopeful expression on his face "What about you, Aurora?"

Aurora glanced at Chiron before looking down at her feet and took a deep breath. With everything going on with her personal life she truly didn't think she'd have the capacity to go on this quest, but Chiron made it clear that this would only be the beginning.

Aurora looked back up with a tight lipped smile, "Well, I don't exactly have a choice now, Do I?"

Chiron gave her a sad smile, "Unfortunately, you do not."

Aurora sadly nodded before giving Percy a comforting smile, "I'll do it."

Percy's face washed with relief his green eyes more calmer than before at her agreement not knowing the consequences it would only bring her.

He then 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-"

"Absolutely not!" Aurora gasped.

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

Percy shook his head, feeling embarrassed.

"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."

BOOM!

"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. Aurora is another. However, there is an exception in this matter. Aurora is required to accompany you, allowing another companion to join. But there is someone who already volunteered, if you will accept her help."

Aurora face palmed, "Of course."

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

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," Annabeth glanced at Aurora, her lips twitching up in a smile. "Not to mention, bringing a Stark along results in destruction."

Aurora sarcastically smiled at her friend, "Yes, because everything we touch spontaneously combusts."

"I suppose you have a plan, wise girl?"

Her cheeks colored at the nickname, "Do you want my help or not?"

"Having a Child of Athena would prove useful, but it would never compare to the mind of a Stark," Aurora teased while her friend only rolled her eyes.

"A team of four," Percy 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."

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