Chapter Text
I stand next to Chiron, facing a semicircle of other demigods.
“The Oracle has confirmed what we expected,” Chiron says, “that this quest will proceed toward the Underworld, where you will confront the god who has rebelled against his brothers, Hades. The entrance to Hades's domain lies under the city of Los Angeles. This is where you will journey to. Time is short. I have selected our most compelling candidates, from which you will choose two to join you on this quest and ensure that we succeed.”
I already know who I want. “Luke.”
Chiron looks at me, raising an eyebrow. “Are you referring to Luke Castellan?” he asks, nodding toward where he is standing.
I blink. Is that his last name? “Yes.”
“Customarily, one waits to at least hear a name or two before choosing. Are you sure you don’t wanna hear more?”
I shake my head. “He’s talented, smart and he has been on quests before, so he would have more experience with this sort of thing than me. I’m only twelve.”
“Very well, then. Your first team member will be Luke Castellan.”
Luke walks up to stand on my other side, a slight smile on his face.
“Now there are many other fine choices. Perhaps—”
“I know my other choice already.”
“Oh? Who would that be?” Chiron asks.
“Grover Underwood.”
Whispers erupt all around me, and Luke looks at me, raising an eyebrow. Why are they doing that? They’re acting like I did something scandalous.
“Why did pick him?” Luke asks. “It’s not very typical to take a satyr along your quest. Are you sure you don’t want to pick Annabeth?”
“Because he’s my best friend, and I know that he always has my back.” And trust him with my life. I know he would never betray me.
“Then, it’s been decided,” Chiron says. “Luke Castellan and Grove Underwood shall accompany you on your quest.”
The others around me walk off. Some look relieved while others seem annoyed that I didn’t pick them.
“Do you think he’s gonna fail again?” I hear someone murmur to their friend.
“Knowing what happened last time, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Fail again? What are they talking about?
I should ask Luke about it. Maybe he might know what they’re talking about.
I turn to Luke, and he’s glaring daggers at them, arms crossed. Okay, guess I’m not doing that, then.
But, still, why is he so upset? Are they talking about him? What happened before?
—0—
I sit on the edge of the fountain inside of my cabin, stuffing things into my duffle bag. Footsteps approach me. I look up as Luke walks in with a bag slung over his shoulder, holding a shoe box under his arm.
“How much money did they give you?” Luke asks.
“Um, two hundred dollars in cash, and a bag of these.” I hold up a baggie full of weird gold coins. “I think they’re Canadian, maybe? Or from Chuck E. Cheese, I don’t know.”
Luke laughs a little. “They’re golden drachmas. Dollars for the human world, drachmas for the mythic world.”
I flush. “Oh…See, that’s why I need you. I don’t know these things.”
Luke grins, sitting on the edge of the fountain next to me. He ruffles my hair. “Of course. What would you do without me?”
I give him a mischievous smile back. “Oh, you know, probably end the world.”
He blinks. “Well…we don’t want that. Glad I’ll be coming, then.”
“Definitely.”
“Uh, anyway, I want to give you these before we leave.” He opens his shoebox, holding up a pair of red Converse.
“Oh, these are…nice.” Converse are cool. It’s kind that he’s giving them to me, I guess.
Luke laughs. He picks up one of the shoes, and says, “Maia.”
A light grey wing sprouts out from the shoe. Oh, wow. Much cooler than regular Converses.
“A gift,” Luke says. He clicks his tongue. “From my father.”
“Ah, I see.”
Luke nods. “Maia,” he repeats. The wing slowly crumbles into nothing, and he puts it back into the box. “Why did you pick Grover to go on the quest?”
“While I know choosing Grover was a bit…unconventional, it's just…he was with me before I knew all of this was real and I need him by my side.”
Luke nods. “I get that. I was surprised too but that makes sense. And hey, Grover’s a lot stronger than people think. He’s a good choice.”
My cheeks heat up. “Uh…thanks. Shall we?”
“Definitely.”
—0—
We walk to the edge of the meadow, standing in front of a large pine tree. Luke stands in front of it, bowing his head and placing his hand on the bark. Huh, wonder what that’s about.
“He’s gonna really miss that tree, huh?” I say to Grover.
“When Luke and Annabeth just arrived here with Thalia, they were chased by monsters. Agents of Hades, sisters—”
“Furries?”
“Huh?” Grover blinks. “What do you mean by that?”
Oh, crap! “I meant furies. Slip of the tongue.” Why did I say that? Those are people who dress up as animals, and they are completely different.
“Right.”
“But, still, a fury,” I say. “Like Mrs. Dodds?”
“Yes! One was our algebra teacher, Alecto. Thalia turned back to fight to buy her friends some time. Her satyr Protector tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t listen. So, at the last moment, Zeus intervened to save her life and… changed her form.”
Wait. Seriously? “The most powerful being in the universe’s best idea to save his daughter’s life… was to turn her into a tree?”
“She didn’t deserve her fate,” Luke says, walking up to us. “But, she was one of the bravest people that I’ve ever met.”
“She certainly met the fate of a pinecone,” I mutter to myself.
Luke chuckles. I startle. Wow, I didn’t think anyone would hear me. Besides, I’m surprised he found that funny, since she was his friend. I guess I should be glad he isn’t offended.
“Forbidden children are always in danger,” Luke says, “even the strongest ones, like Thalia. It’s always good to watch your back.”
“Well, that’s what you two are here for, right?” I say, giving a strained smile.
“Exactly,” Grover says. He slaps me on the back, making me stumble forward a little. He winces. “Uh…sorry, my bad.”
“It’s alright.”
“Shall we?” Luke asks.
“Yeah, let’s go,” I agree.
The three of us head down the hill.