Y/n's POV

Annabeth, Percy, and I were on our way out when we spotted Hermes in a side courtyard of the palace. He was staring at an Iris-message in the mist of a fountain. Percy stopped walking, causing Annabeth and I to pause as well.

"I'll meet you guys at the elevator," Percy spoke. "I need to talk to Hermes about something."

"Okay. We'll meet you there," Annabeth said as the two of us continued walking. Further down though, we were stopped again.

"Y/n!" Poseidon called out and jogged to catch up with us. "If you'd still like to have that chat, I have a few minutes to spare."

"Go," Annabeth urged. "I'll be waiting by the elevator."

Poseidon and I found a small pound that had somehow been untouched by Kronos' wrath. We took a seat on the small dock, the bottom of our feet skimming the surface of the liquid. Beneath the water, I could see a few fish swimming around, acting like nothing had happened. But I suppose for them nothing had.

"So," Poseidon started. "What is it you'd like to talk about?"

"There has been a lot on my mind recently," I disclose and swing my feet back and forth. "With everything that has been going on the past few years, all I've been focused on is defeating Kronos. But now that that's over, Hephaestus and Aphrodite are telling me about my destiny with someone I barely know. While that seems great and all, I can't help but feel like my life is gonna be a series of quests, each more deadlier than the last. I know you can't tell me much, but will I ever catch a break? I feel like I just need some time to find myself, you know? Take things easy."

"As a child of the Big Three, your life was always destined to be harder than others," Poseidon declared. "You've been through so much at such a young age that sometimes I feel guilty. After all, I am the one who put you in this position. And you are right. I cannot say much. The Fates...they're very particular about what demigods can know. But what I can tell you is that your journey is far from over. Do not fear though. Not all of it will be bad. Like Aphrodite said, someone will be coming into your life that she's been waiting centuries for you to meet. I can say that I too are excited for this portion of your life. I just want you to be happy. That's all I've ever wanted for you."

"Thanks, dad," I murmur and lean my head on his shoulder. "I know I'm not as important as Percy but-"

Poseidon cut me off. "Y/n, I think its time you realize that you are not a side character in Percy's story. You have played a significant part in taking on Kronos these past few years. While it may not seem like it to you, you have impacted the future more than you know. Yes, your destiny is intertwined with Percy's, but you two are very much different people. There will be a time coming very soon where you must forge your own path. Your own story. Don't let people think you are only a hero because of your brothers quests and feats. You are a hero in your own way. A different way. Understand?"

"Yeah. I understand," I confirm and stand up. "I should get going. Annabeth and Percy are probably waiting for me. Thanks for the talk, dad. It has put a lot into perspective. I hope I can see you soon."

"Me too," Poseidon agreed. "Now go. Your friends are waiting." Annabeth and Percy were waiting for me at the elevator, and while I wanted to question why the front of Percy's shirt was charred, I didn't. I had a feeling he had an encounter with one of the other gods.

"What were you talking to dad about?" Percy quizzed.

"You know, the usual. Destinies and the future," I answer as the three of us road the elevator down to the lobby. When the doors sprung open, we found Sally and Paul arguing with the doorman, who had since returned to his post.

"Percy!" Sally yelped and hugged him tightly. "We saw the building light up blue. But then you didn't come down. You went up hours ago!"

"She was getting a bit anxious," Paul mentioned.

"I'm all right," Percy promised as Sally hugged Annabeth and then me.

"I'm glad you're all okay," Sally admitted. "Today has been stressful enough as is, and I don't think I could handle finding out one of you was hurt."

"Mr. Blofis, that was wicked sword work," Annabeth commented.

Paul shrugged. "It seemed like the thing to do. But, Percy, is this really...I mean, this story about the six-hundredth floor?"

"Olympus. Yeah," Percy confirmed. At the moment, everything felt perfect. Annabeth, Percy, and I were okay. Sally and Paul were safe. The war was over. Olympus was saved. But of course, the life of a demigod can never be so easy. Nico burst in the front door of the building, having come from down the street, and something about his face told me something was wrong.

"It's Rachel," Nico exhaled, clearly out of breath. "I just ran into her down on Thirty-second."

Annabeth frowned. "What's she done this time?"

"It's where she's gone," Nico corrected. "I told her she would die if she tried, but she insisted. She just took Blackjack and-"

"She took my pegasus?" Percy interjected.

"Yeah. She's heading to Half-Blood Hill. She said she had to get to camp," Nico shared.

The four of us ran to the river, and along the way I realized how horrible traffic was. There was no way of catching a cab, and even if I could call for Skipper, there was no way he could get all of us to camp. We pushed past mobs of dazed mortals that clogged the sidewalks, still intent on reaching the river.

"She'll never get through the defenses," Annabeth claimed. "Peleus will eat her."

"He may seem nice, but that's only once you get to know him," I reveal. "Peleus only lets certain people near him. And since Rachel is a mortal, if she could get through the border, he wouldn't even think twice about attacking. Lets just hope the border keeps her out."

"We've gotta hurry," Percy insisted and glanced at Nico. "I don't suppose you could conjure up some skeleton horses."

"So tired...couldn't summon a dog bone," Nico wheezed.

Finally we scrambled over the embankment to the shore, and Percy let out a loud whistle. I had a feeling I knew what he was doing, but I hated the thought. The East River was so dirty and polluted, I didn't want any sea creatures coming near it. But the creatures came to Percy's call. Four wake lines appeared in the grey water, and a pod of hippocampi broke the surface. They whinnied unhappily, shaking the river muck from their manes.

"Rainbow!" Percy greeted. "How's it going, buddy? I'm sorry about the water, but it's an emergency. We need to get to camp."

In no time, Annabeth, Nico, Percy and I were zipping up the East River faster than jet skis. We sped under the Throgs Neck Bridge and headed for Long Island Sound. It seemed like forever until we saw the beach at camp. Once we waded ashore, Percy and I dried our companions off and waved to the hippocampi, who disappeared under the waves. Argus was waiting for us on the beach, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Is Rachel here?" I ask. "And is everything okay?" Argus shook his head and waved for us to follow him.

It seemed so surreal being back at camp because everything was so peaceful. There were no burning building, no wounded fighters, and no monsters waiting to kill of. Of course, the place was practically empty since most demigods were still back at the Empire State Building. Up at the Big House, something was most definitely wrong. Green light was shooting out of all the windows, and the Mist swirled around the yard. Chiron was laying on ahorse-sized stretcher by the volleyball pit, a bunch of satyrs standing around him, while Blackjack cantered nervously in the grass.

"Don't blame me, boss!" Blackjack pleaded when he saw Percy. "The weird girl made me do it!"

Rachel Elizabeth Dare stood at the bottom of the porch steps, her red hair sparkling in the sunlight. She had her arms were raised like she was waiting for someone inside the house to throw her a ball. It was weird. Super weird.

"What's she doing?" Annabeth demanded. "How did she get past the barriers?"

"She flew," one of the satyrs responded. "Right past the dragon and right through the magic boundaries."

"Rachel!" Percy called out.

"Percy, don't," Chiron warned. "You can't interrupt."

"I thought you explained things to her!" Percy exclaimed.

"I did. And I invited her here," Chiron announced.

Percy stared at him in disbelief. "You said you'd never let anyone try again! You said-"

"I know what I said, Percy," Chiron remembered. "But I was wrong. Rachel had a vision about the curse of Hades. She has convinced me that she deserves a chance."

"And if the curse isn't lifted? If Hades hasn't got to that yet, she'll go crazy!" Percy reminded him. The Mist swirled around Rachel, and she shivered like she was going into shock. "Hey! Stop!"

Percy ran towards her, ignoring the protesting satyrs, but he didn't get very car. When he got within ten feet, he hit an invisible force field. His body bounced backwards, and he landed in the grass. Rachel opened her eyes and turned, and it looked as if she were sleepwalking.

"It's all right," Rachel assured him. "This is why I've come."

"You'll be destroyed!" Percy argued.

"This is where I belong, Percy," Rachel persisted. "I finally understand why."

"Rachel, this is ridiculous. You'll be killed!" I shout at her.

Suddenly, the house rumbled, and the door flew open. Green light poured out, and I recognized the warm musty smell of snakes. Mist curled into a hundred smoky serpents, slithering up the porch columns, curling around the house. And then the Oracle appeared in the doorway. The withered mummy shuffled forward in her rainbow dress, and today she looked even more worn out than usual. Her hair was falling out in clumps, and her leathery skin looked like it had aged fifty years while we had been gone. Even with the scary mummy lady approaching, Rachel didn't look scared and held out her arms.

"You've waited too long. But I'm here now," Rachel declared. The sun blazed more brightly, and a man appeared above the porch, floating in the air: a blond dude in a white toga, with sunglasses and a cocky smile. Apollo. He held up a finger to his lips to shush us and looked over to Rachel.

"Rachel Elizabeth Dare," Apollo drew out. "You have the gift of prophecy. But it is also a curse. Are you sure you want this? Do you accept the risks?"

"It is my destiny," Rachel spoke. "So yes, I accept the risks."

"Then proceed," Apollo allowed.

Rachel closed her eyes. "I accept this role. I pledge myself to Apollo, god of oracles. I open my eyes to the future and embrace the past. I accept the spirit of Delphi, voice of the gods, speaker of riddles, seer of fate."

I didn't know where she was getting the words, but they flowed out of her as the Mist thickened. A green column of smoke, like a huge python, uncoiled from the mummy's mouth and slithered down the stairs, curling affectionately around Rachel's feet. Then the Oracle's mummy crumbled and disintegrated away, leaving nothing but a pile of dust in an old tie-dyed dress. Mist enveloped Rachel in a column, and for a moment, I couldn't see her at all. When the smoke cleared, Rachel collapsed and curled into the fetal position. Annabeth, Nico, Percy and I rushed forward, but Apollo stopped us.

"Stop!" Apollo commanded. "This is the most delicate part. Either the spirit takes hold, or it doesn't. And if it doesn't? Five syllables. That would be real bad."

"Ugh," Rachel groaned as her eyes fluttered open and she sat up.

"Rachel! Are you okay?" Percy questioned.

"Rachel, your life aura almost faded completely. I could see you dying," Nico informed her.

"I'm all right. Please, help me up," Rachel pleaded. "The visions – they're a little disorienting."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Percy pushed and helped her to her feet.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce the new Oracle of Delphi," Apollo cheered.

Annabeth huffed. "You're kidding."

"It's a little surprising to me, too, but this is my fate. I saw it when I was in New York. I know why I was born with true sight. I was meant to become the Oracle," Rachel stated.

"You mean you can tell the future now?" Percy implored.

Rachel shook her head. "Not all the time. But there are visions, images, words in my mind. When someone asks me a question, I....oh no."

"It's starting," Apollo affirmed. Rachel doubled over, as if someone had punched her in the stomach. When she stood up straight, her eyes glowed and eerie green. And when she spoke, her voice sounded tripled – like three Rachels were talking at once.

"Eight half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death."

At the last word, Rachel collapsed. Thankfully, Nico and Percy caught her, and the two of them helped her over to the porch. Her skin looked feverish, and she sat down, trying to catch her breath.

Percy frowned. "Rachel, you okay?"

"I'm all right," Rachel insisted.

"Apollo," I mumble shakily. "What was that?"

"I believe that we just heard the next Great Prophecy," Apollo affirmed.

"I don't even remember what I said," Rachel confessed.

"No," Apollo mused. "The spirit will only speak through you occasionally. The rest of the time, our Rachel will be much as she's always been. There's no point in grilling her, even if she has just issued the next big prediction for the future of the world."

"What? But-"

"Percy," Apollo intervened. "I wouldn't worry too much. The last Great Prophecy about you and Y/n and your friends took almost seventy years to complete. This one may not even happen in your lifetime."

"Maybe. But it didn't sound so good," Percy pointed out.

"No, it certainly didn't," Apollo concurred. "But she's going to make a wonderful Oracle!"