19. I hate prophecies

Percy POV

The second I heard that there was a new prophecy, I panicked. I didn't know why but I had a bad feeling about this one. And knowing my luck, the Fates would somehow thread my life string around this.

After promising to spar with Artemis at a later time, we filed into the Big House with the head counsellors for a meeting. The head counsellors for the cabins weren't the same people when I was here but they were still people I knew. Cecil had taken the Stoll brother's place as the head counsellor for the Hermes cabin. Clarisse had given her position to Sherman Yang of the Ares cabin. Katie had allowed her sister Miranda Gardiner to lead the Demeter cabin.

The Big House was more or less the same. It still had the same sky-blue exterior with the peeling off paint. On the inside, however, was where it was different.

The living room was the first thing I noticed that had changed, albeit slightly. Chiron or Mr D, or whoever was in charge of dealing with maintenance and replacement of items, had decided to make the living room capable of fitting more campers. There were more couches and even though the place was a bit small, it was still cozy.

When I reached the Rec Room, I was surprised to find that they had removed the ping pong table. 

I liked that table.

It was replaced by a long white meeting table a bit bigger than the ping pong table but it had enough seats for all the head counsellors in camp. Now the Rec Room looked more like a conference room. As the demigods went to their respective seats, I found myself instinctively walk to where the Poseidon seat usually was and sat down in it. When I did, a small smile crept onto my face. It has been a while since I sat on this seat. It reminded me of so many bittersweet memories.

'We came here to discuss a prophecy, right?' Artemis said from the seat that she had conjured up. She looked over to where the young son of Apollo, who was sitting shyly next to a daughter of Athena. My heart clenched painfully when I saw her. 

She looked so much like Annabeth, I had to will myself not to break down in front of everyone.

She explained that she had gone with Brian, the son of Apollo, to Rachael's cave because they had wanted to see her artwork. Both of them seemed to enjoy art and loved Rachael's pieces. She then mentioned how Rachael was in the middle of showing them a canvas painting that she had painted a few years ago when she suddenly dropped it on the ground and went rigid.

'I knew that Rachael hosted the Spirit of Delphi and I knew that she was about to recite a prophecy from the stories I've heard,' Amanda, her name was, said 'That's why I asked Brian to go get you, Chiron. I didn't know what to do so I wrote down the prophecy here.'

Everyone waited anxiously as Amanda reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. I didn't know if it was just me but watching her unfold that tiny piece of paper was excruciatingly painful.

Amanda cleared her throat before reciting the prophecy.

'The one that tricked them is their priority,Making the hero suffer will be their duty.Curses one shall bear,The Son of the Sea shall fall into despair.As old age kills the hero,The world shall feel great sorrow.'

The words of the prophecy rang in my ears, every single line echoing in my head but there was one part that stood out.

The Son of the Sea shall fall into despair.

The Son of the Sea.

I stared at the piece of paper in Amanda's hand as I tried to gather my thoughts. I felt anger bubbling up inside of me when I finally processed what had just been said. I was a part of another prophecy.

Another prophecy.

Haven't I gone through enough? Weren't I part off so many prophecies before this? Why did the Fates hate me so much, so much that they would include me in yet another prophecy. By the looks of things, it wouldn't be an easy prophecy. 

I felt everyone's eyes on me as I sat there trying to hold back my anger. I tried not to think about the prophecy but the lines kept repeating itself in my head. 

Eventually, I just couldn't ignore it anymore. Instead of denying my fate, I thought about the lines of the prophecy. It didn't give a clear hint about who was coming for me but I had some sort of idea who my enemy was. Taking into account of the dream I had a while ago gave me a likely suspect.

And I hope my assumption was wrong.

I jumped slightly when I felt someone touch my arm. I looked over to my right to see Jason looking at me with sadness and a bit of sympathy in his electric-blue eyes. Usually, I wouldn't want pity from anyone but knowing that Jason was just there next to me brought me a bit of comfort.

'You okay, dude?' Jason asked softly with concern lacing his words.

I forced a smile and nodded, 'Yeah, kind of. I just don't know what to think about this.'

I looked up around the table to see most of the campers wouldn't meet my eyes. They were fidgeting nervously and looking everywhere but my direction. I didn't know what to think.

'Percy...' Thalia started but the words died in her mouth. I could tell she was thinking about something but didn't know how to put it into words.

I waited for her to say something but it seemed that whatever she had wanted to say had left her mind.

'What do you think the prophecy means?' Nico asked worriedly. I understood how he felt. He lost his sister to a prophecy after all.

'I'm not exactly sure,' I said scrunching my eyebrows 'But what I do know is that whoever they are will be coming for me.'

A solemn silence fell upon the room. I could feel the worry and sadness coming off of my friends in waves. I knew they liked this prophecy as much as I did.

'So we have established the hero of this prophecy is...Percy,' Chiron said hesitantly 'And whoever is coming for him will be doing so because he tricked them?'

All eyes turned towards me, asking a silent question. I took a deep breath before speaking, 'I'm not sure who the prophecy is talking about. I have tricked...a significant number of people.'

I thought it was best that I lied to them. The idea I had was too scary to think about. I couldn't do that to my friends. 

'And what about the other lines?' Will Solace asked '"Making the hero suffer will be their duty"? "The Son of the Sea shall fall into despair"? It sounds like whoever they are would be really powerful if they can to do that to Percy of all people.'

A wave of nervousness rippled over everyone in the room. We didn't need another powerful enemy. Nobody was ready for that.

'What about the third line?' Miranda spoke up '"Curses one shall bear"? What does that mean?'

I felt someone's stare boring into me. I looked up to see Chiron staring at me with a little bit of apprehension gracing his facial features. A part of me knew he figured out something everyone else in the room didn't. Another part of me told me that he came to the same conclusion I had.

'I am not sure...' Chiron started but stopped when he met my eyes. I silently begged him not to say anything, not to alarm anyone else. It seemed that he got my message because he stopped speaking.

'I don't know how someone can bear curses.' Artemis said confused 'People can get cursed, yes, but for them to bear the curses...I have not heard of such a thing.'

I breathed a silent sigh of relief. So Artemis hadn't figured it out. Good.

'At least we do know another thing,' Thalia said a bit relieved '"As old age kills the hero". So Percy survives this...thing. The next line though...'

Thalia sank into her chair with a downcast look on her face. In fact, everyone had the same expression as her, especially the ones I knew better. I know that when the day of my death arrived, a lot of people would be affected. 

Maybe I should have accepted the partial immortality after all.

'Don't worry about it, Thalia,' I said softly 'If I do die of old age, we have a long way to go. I'm not leaving you guys so soon.'

My words brought a small smile onto her face. I felt a hand rest on my shoulder and I turned to find Jason smiling at me as well.

'Now that the meeting is dismissed, I assume,' Artemis said looking at Chiron. When he nodded, she continued 'I shall go to Olympus to report this, though I presume that my brother has already come to know of this development.'

As one, everyone stood up from their chairs and proceeded to file out of the room and go about their daily activities. I followed them out with people patting my back and offering words of encouragement. Even though some of them didn't really know me, it was gratifying to know I had so many people supporting me.

'Percy?' a voice said. I turned around to see Thalia waiting for me on the Big House porch.

'Yeah?' I asked when I stood next to her, both of us leaning against the railing of the porch and looking out towards camp.

There were demigods doing all sorts of things. I could see some people training, practising with their favoured weapons to not lose their touch. I could see some of Hermes' kids running away from a few campers, most likely because a prank had gone wrong. Looking out into the demigods' home, my home, momentarily gave me some peace. They were all so carefree, oblivious to the very thing coming for me and by extension, them. 

Once again, people would get hurt because of me.

I was brought out of my own thoughts when Thalia placed a hand on my arm.

'It's going to be fine, Perce,' she said with a gentleness I have never seen before 'We'll stand with you until the end. All of us.'

I smiled at my cousin. It was good to know that she and everyone else had my back, even though I would be the reason people would get hurt, or worse, die.

'I would like to borrow Percy if you don't mind, Thalia.' a familiar voice spoke up from behind us. 

We turned around to find Artemis standing a few feet away from us. Thalia smiled and slightly bowed her head.

'Of course, milady,' she said respectfully before turning back to me 'Don't worry, Percy. Remember what I said.'

I watched from the porch railing as Thalia made her way towards the rest of the Hunters, who were busy practising archery with some of the Apollo kids. 

'What did you want to talk to me about, Lady Artemis?' I asked after I turned back to face her.

'I was wondering if you would accompany me to Olympus?' she asked somewhat nervously 'To inform the council about this new prophecy?'

I nodded, 'Of course. This is important after all'

'Okay,' Artemis said relieved before putting a hand on my shoulder 'Hold on.'

I closed my eyes as I felt the nauseating sensation of Olympian teleportation. 

I still preferred water travelling.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself in the middle of the throne room. None of the gods or goddesses were present but that was about to change. 

I watched as Artemis summoned her bow in her hand and pulled the bowstring back. A glowing silver arrow materialised on the bow and as soon as it did, Artemis fired it into the roof of the throne room. The arrow sailed through the air leaving a silver trail behind it before it hit the roof and dissipated.

I watched stunned as all fourteen thrones slowly filled themselves until all fourteen Olympians were seated in their respective seats. I could feel a sudden increase in power in the air and it gave me goosebumps. As long as I was alive, the feeling would never get old.

'Why have you called this meeting, daughter?' Zeus asked once everyone was seated 'Have you come across any information regarding this...war?'

I heard the hesitance in Zeus' voice. The word 'war' would make even the most powerful being nervous. As soon as that word was mentioned, all the assembled gods and goddesses immediately stopped doing whatever they were doing and listened intently to Artemis.

'We have some information, father,' Artemis started as she looked at me 'It seems that Apollo's Oracle has given us a prophecy.'

A wave of nervous chatter erupted from the Olympians. The situation would have to be really serious if a prophecy was given.

And I knew the situation would be really bad.

'And why haven't you informed the council, Apollo?' Zeus asked him accusingly.

'I was about to call a meeting,' Apollo shrugged 'But Artemis beat me to it.'

Seeing that his father accepted his explanation, Apollo turned to Artemis with a curious but apprehensive look on his face, 'And what is the prophecy?'

I caught Artemis' look and I understood her silent message. I tried my hardest to suppress the laughter building up inside me.

I was pretty sure she had forgotten the prophecy. 

'The one that tricked them is their priority,Making the hero suffer will be their duty.Curses one shall bear,The Son of the Sea shall fall into despair.As old age kills the hero,The world shall feel great sorrow.'

Even though I had more or less accepted the prophecy and what it would mean for me, it still wasn't easy reciting a few lines describing your own fate.

The room had gone silent as soon as the first word came out of my mouth. I could feel fourteen stares boring into me, making me more nervous than I already was.

'That is the prophecy.' I said gulping.

It was silent for a little while until most of the Olympians present started shouting their heads off at the revelation. 

I looked around to see a few of the gods looking at me. Artemis, Apollo and Hestia were looking at me with sadness and empathy in their eyes. I met my father's eyes to find him looking at me worriedly.

Zeus was trying his best to calm everyone down but that wasn't exactly his job description. Completely giving up, he summoned his master bolt into his hand and threw it into the sky.

All chatter stopped as soon as the deafening boom was heard. My uncle waited until everyone had calmed down before continuing to speak.

'I know this prophecy is...disturbing,' Zeus said 'But we would act on this in a collected manner.'

'What does the prophecy mean?' Athena asked nervously. It was a surprise that Athena didn't know something for once. Not only that, but Athena was nervous. The fact that she was showing her nervousness made everyone in the room uneasy.

All eyes turned towards me. I huffed annoyed. How bold of them to assume I have already figured out the prophecy.

Everyone knows a prophecy cannot really be figured out until it comes to pass.

'We have figured out part of the prophecy.' Artemis said, getting the attention off of me.

'And which parts are those?' Apollo said worriedly 'Wait, what was the prophecy again?'

Artemis rolled her eyes at her twin brother and repeated the prophecy.

'That does sound rather cryptic,' Athena mused 'The prophecy is obviously about...Percy. And our enemy is declaring war because he tricked them?'

I felt immense guilt rise up inside of me. People would get hurt because of me. Again. Maybe if I turned myself in...

'And what about the third line?' my father asked worriedly, pulling me out from my thoughts 'So a hero would 'bear curses'? How is that possible?'

I flinched slightly remembering Tartarus. As much as I tried to forget whatever happened down there, the haunting images would forever be in my mind. Even though I don't have nightmares about it anymore doesn't mean I would forget it.

'That is the one part we have not figured out yet,' Artemis answered the unasked question 'I was waiting to see whether any of you have heard of someone bearing curses before.'

I watched as all the Olympians get lost in their thoughts trying to figure it out. I was surprised no answer came after a solid five minutes, not even from Athena! Was it that unknown amongst the gods, that even the Goddess of Wisdom had no idea about it? 

'I know what that line means.' I croaked out hesitantly, startling the Olympians and breaking them from their thoughts.

'You do?' Apollo asked shocked.

I prepared myself to answer the question. By revealing what I had in mind, I would be revealing my suspicions on our enemy. My enemy.

'There is only one way for someone to bear curses,' I said after taking a deep breath 'The Arai. I encountered them in...Tartarus.'

The throne room descended into a deafening silence. I looked around the semi-circle of thrones to find most of the gods looking confused at the name. A very few had looks of fear on their faces, and that scared me.

'The Arai,' Athena said before a look of realisation dawned on her 'Of course! The Arai are physical embodiments of curses. When you kill one of them, a curse would be placed on you.'

At the explanation, a general feeling of trepidation could be seen on the faces of everyone in the room.

'And what would that mean for us?' Ares asked trying to hide his anxiety 'We all know that throughout the many years we have lived for, many mortals, monsters and even demigods have cursed us.'

'The curses would not trouble us, Ares,' Athena said shaking her head 'The prophecy states that only one person would bear the curses.'

'And that person would be me,' I interrupted the discussion, making everyone turn to look at me 'I can't let anyone else bear the curses.'

I ignored my father's protesting look as Zeus spoke up, 'But that still doesn't tell us who our enemy is.'

'It does,' I said swallowing any remaining denial I had left. I knew I tricked a lot of people in my life but only one person, a very powerful person, would warrant something as serious as a prophecy 'The Arai either work alone, or they follow orders from one person, and one person only. By the looks of it, they are not working alone.'

'And who is their master?' Zeus asked. I could tell he was dreading the answer.

I could feel the tension in the air, and it was suffocating me. 

I looked at every Olympian individually before closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

'Our enemy is Nyx, the primordial goddess of Night.'

A/N: Sorry for the late update, folks. I may or may not have procrastinated.

So the enemy is revealed. I'm pretty sure most of you have figured it out at 'Curses one shall bear'.

Not going to lie, it is a pretty bad prophecy but I tried my best. If you all have any suggestions, let me know.

So I'll be speed typing the next few chapters maybe. I'm planning on finishing this fanfic by the end of the year. There are probably 4-6 chapters left.

So anyway, thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your day.

~Sacai2005