The next few days were probably one of the worst ones of my life. Percy was immediately moved to Cabin Three, Poseidon's cabin. I was happy for him, but I had also never felt so lonely. Sure, I had made friends with some people in Cabin Eleven, but Percy was the only one who truly understood everything: from the crazy Minotaur accident to the fight we had with Clarisse. I hadn't realised how much him being around had actually meant to me.

The fact that most of Cabin Eleven were avoiding me now didn't make things any better. Rumours were going around that I had been the one who summoned the hellhound, since I had managed to control it. I didn't even know what to think: what if I had summoned the hellhound without my own consciousness?

One night I just had enough. I couldn't sleep with all the campers staring at me and whispering to each other. I grabbed some of my stuff and went to the arena. Lately I had been going there a lot, trying to learn more about my power. It turns out that I could move a lot of objects: swords, spears, a piece of bread, a random satyr (he was not happy) and most things. To sum it up, I was pulling some kind of Matilda magic.

I sat at the arena, moving two swords around so that they were fighting each other. Moving two objects at the same time was hard, but I was beginning to master it. I was so focused that I barely heard the footsteps behind me until I heard a voice.

"Gods, Amalthea, what are you doing here?" Luke asked me, sitting down beside me.

I put the swords down gently onto the floor. I didn't want anyone seeing me doing this stuff. It was creepy.

"Couldn't sleep," I answered, "And when I can't sleep, that only leaves me with listening to everyone talking about me. I'd rather not do that."

Luke looked around nervously, before sitting down next to me.

"Lots of weird stuff happens around here," Luke said slowly, "People here... well, you've heard some Greek myths. Gods tend to turn their backs on family to make sense of lies and avoid responsibility. And their kids? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

I stared at him. Luke spoke bitterly, as if he was speaking from experience. I realised that a godly camp probably had more drama than what had happened the past week.

"I want to say it's not true," I mumbled, "I want to say that I am in control of whatever this is, and that I can use it for good. I want to say that I didn't call that hellhound on Percy. But I honestly don't know if that is true."

Luke looked pained for a second, like he wanted to tell me something desperately. He must have decided not to, because he took a deep breath and spoke again.

"Camp Half-Blood will help you control these powers," Luke said, "Over time, people will realise that this power you have: it's amazing. They'll start to see how cool you are and these rumours will stop. Until then, I'll be helping you through everything."

I smiled at him gratefully and nodded.

"Ok," I laughed, "Sounds like a plan."

"Yep," he answered, hopping to his feet, "But we should seriously get back to the cabin. There won't be any plan for the future if we get caught by the harpies."

He held his hand out for me and I got up. When we got to the cabin, most people were in their sleeping bags, whispering and dozing off. Some of them gave me weird looks, but I wasn't as upset now.

"Ok, everyone, lights off now," Luke said, "We already ran over ten minutes so I'm expecting no talking!"

I got into my sleeping bag just as the lights were turned off. I smiled in the darkness and began to slowly doze off.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎

That night, I woke up to someone shaking me hurriedly. At first, I thought that it was morning already, and I had overslept, something that Aunt Jenna had told me off for many times in the past. I slowly rubbed my eyes and got up. My surroundings were dark. I wondered if my eyes were open yet. I moved around, only to see a face staring right at me.

"Holy cow!" I yelped. Grover immediately slammed his hand on my mouth and shushed me in panic. He looked at Connor's bunk bed nervously, which was right next to my sleeping bag. Luckily, Connor simply mumbled something about pranking Cabin Five, and then shuffled around in his bed.

"Grover, what are you doing here?" I whisper-shouted, "It's like... midnight!"

"Sorry," Grover mumbled, "Put on a jacket. I'll explain on the way."

When I had grabbed a jacket, I walked out of the cabin, mumbling and groaning about my lack of sleep. Maybe I was a demigod, but I still needed my sleep.

"Mr D's really mad," Grover said, "Like, really, really mad. Try to be polite to him."

"Why am I waking up in the middle of the night to see Mr D?" I grumbled, "Making me walk all the way to see him... Who is he, my dad?"

Grover stayed silent and looked at the sky. I figured he wouldn't want to engage in any conversation disrespecting Mr D. Nevertheless, his silence scared me.

"Wait- oh gods, he's not..." I asked, gagging slightly, "Please don't tell me he's about to claim me or something."

"No, 'course not," Grover said, laughing nervously, "I mean, you are a demigod, so there's always a chance he's... but no, that's not what's happening."

"You're being all mysterious," I said.

Grover smiled slightly, and then it immediately faded as he entered the porch of the Big House. I followed him, my own smile also fading as I saw Percy sitting there nervously. I looked around for Mr D - not that I was looking forward to seeing him - and realised he wasn't there.

"Ah, Amalthea, you're here," Chiron said with a slightly forced smile, "Perfect timing."

"You just missed Mr D," Percy said, smirking slightly when he saw Grover sigh in relief, "He was in a great mood. He offered to turn me into a dolphin."

Chiron smiled, but he looked tired and strained. "Sit, Amalthea, please. And Grover."

Grover and I sat on either side of Percy and Chiron.

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

The two of us looked at each other in confusion. 

"It scared me," Percy said. "If Amalthea hadn't called it off, I'd be dead."

"I'm scared," I also admitted, "But also confused why the hellhound listened to me."

"Yes, another mystery unsolved. However, you'll meet worse. Far worse, before you're done."

"Done?" Percy asked.

"The quest, of course. Percy, will you accept it?"

"Um, sir," Percy said, "you haven't told us what it is yet."

Thunder rumbled across the valley. The storm clouds had now reached the edge of the beach. I watched in shock. It was too violent to be natural. This was magic.

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

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

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

"I knew it," Grover said.

"Hush, satyr," Chiron ordered.

"But it is his quest!" Grover's eyes were bright with excitement. "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."

Percy stared at Chiron blankly. I snickered slightly. Two so-called powerful gods, fighting over a stupid lightning bolt? Couldn't they just summon a new one? I've seen about a hundred lightning bolts in my lifetime.

"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," Percy mumbled under his breath, "Naturally."

"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."

"And it's missing?" Percy asked.

"Stolen," Chiron said.

"By who?" Percy asked.

"By whom," Chiron corrected, "By you."

I raised my eyebrows, looking back and forth between the two like a tennis match.

"At least," Chiron continued, "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-" Percy argued.

"Patience and listen, child," Chiron said. "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. The clouds didn't seem to be parting around us, as Grover had promised. They were rolling straight over our valley, sealing us in like a coffin lid.

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

"Perhaps paranoid," Chiron suggested. "Then again, Poseidon has tried to unseat Zeus before. I believe that was question thirty-eight on your final exam..."

"Damn, okay, way to leave me out of the conversation," I grumbled. Chiron just had to reference some old test question from their school.

"Something about a golden net?" Percy said, "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."

"Gee, I feel so wanted," Percy said sarcastically, "Hello? I'm 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?"

"But I didn't do anything. Poseidon, my dad, he didn't really have this master bolt stolen, did he?" Percy asked nervously

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?"

"Bad?" Percy 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," I repeated, hoping to get included in the conversation again. I didn't get out of bed to third-wheel some dramatic family gossip.

"And you, Percy, and you, Amalthea, the closest friend of Percy's, would be the first to feel Zeus's wrath."

Never mind. I do not want to be included.

"What's this got to do with me?" I protested, looking at Percy, "Er- no offence. I would gladly... what was it again...  feel Zeus's wrath with you."

Percy laughed, despite his obvious nerves.

"Well, Amalthea, you have proven to be a rather talented demigod," Chiron said, "This, and the fact that you are Percy's friend, is more than enough for Zeus to believe you are an enemy."

 Just as he was about to reply, it started to rain. Volleyball players stopped their game and stared in stunned silence at the sky. His eyes darkened as he saw the storm.

"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?" Percy asked.

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

"Good reason," Percy muttered.

"You agree then?" Chiron said.

Percy gulped. He looked at me for reassurance. I motioned at him and then patted my back aggressively, trying to signal that I had his back. His gaze turned to Grover, who gave him a thumbs up.

"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."

I stared as Percy walked into the Big House. I bit my lip anxiously, desperately hoping that he wouldn't come out of the building insane. I would have burnt an offering right now and prayed to the gods, except half of them apparently hated him.

"He'll be okay, right?" I asked Chiron.

"I can only hope," Chiron sighed, "It is hard to tell with Oracles."

After that extreme positivity from Chiron, I didn't speak anymore, and just kicked my feet. My ADHD seemed to act up a lot when I was worried. Grover, on the other hand, resorted to chewing cards and fidgeting with his pipes.

Five more minutes went buy, and I was getting more and more worried about Percy. I began to wonder what I would do if something happened to Percy. He was my closest friend. We hadn't known each other for long, but the time we spent together meant more than years of friendship. He had to be okay.

Another five minutes, and I heard shuffling inside. I looked up excitedly, desperately wishing that Percy would come out unharmed. A silhouette popped out. Relief rushed through my body as Percy shuffled out, looking disturbed, but otherwise fine.

"You okay?" I asked nonchalantly as if I hadn't been on the verge of a panic attack.

Percy nodded, but he was looking at me weirdly. His eyes drifted between Grover and I.

"Well?" Chiron asked.

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. "Anything else?"

Percy stared at him in silence. I tried to make eye contact with him, but he seemed like he was purposefully avoiding me.

"No," Percy said, "That's about it."

"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."

Percy nodded slightly.

"Okay," he continued, "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 harbours a grudge, who has been unhappy with his lot since the world was divided 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 said slowly.

Chiron nodded. "The Lord of the Dead is the only possibility."

A scrap of aluminium dribbled out of Grover's mouth. "Whoa, wait. W-what?"

"A Fury came after Percy," Chiron reminded him. "She watched the young man until she was sure of his identity, then tried to kill him. Furies obey only one lord: 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."

"Great," Percy muttered. "That's two major gods who want to kill me."

"Wait," I said, "So how did I control Hades hellhound?"

"Perhaps Hades only wanted to scare Percy," Chiron considered, "Or perhaps he wanted to pin blame on you. Make you mistrusted here."

"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."

"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."

Grover was trembling. He'd started eating pinochle cards like potato chips. Gods, I was so nervous myself that I wanted to give those cards a try too. All the same, I was angry at the god who was trying to ruin my life here. 

"Look, if we know it's Hades," Percy told Chiron, "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 said. "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 strong enough 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."

Dad of the Year. Whoever my parent was, I hoped they weren't like that.

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

"I had my suspicions. As I said... I've spoken to the Oracle, too."

"So let me get this straight," I said. "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."

Percy, Grover and I exchanged a look.

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

"You don't have to go," Percy said. "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 aluminium bits off his T-shirt. "You two saved my life. If... if you're serious about wanting me along, I won't let you down."

"All the way, G-man," Percy grinned, turning to me, "What about you, Thea? You in?"

A nickname, huh? I grinned slightly. My answer was obvious, of course.

"Let's kick some godly butt," I said.

Percy smiled at me happily.

"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. "Okay. So we just get on a plane-"

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

"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."

Overhead, lightning crackled. Thunder boomed.

"Okay," he said, "So, I'll travel overland."

"That's right," Chiron said. "You may choose your companions. Usually, a trio is the best number, but considering the circumstances, another companion may be in order."

"Gee," Percy said, "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."

"Seaweed Brain," I snickered to myself. When I saw Percy glare at me in mock-anger, I quickly smothered my laugh and looked away.

"If you do say so yourself," Percy retorted, "I suppose you have a plan, wise girl?"

Her cheeks coloured. "Do you want my help or not?"

"Alright," Percy muttered.

"Excellent," Chiron said. "This afternoon, we can take you as far as the bus terminal in Manhattan. After that, you are on your own."

So who do we think is Amalthea's parent? Any ideas?