Reaching For The Stars

Chapter 40

Zoe Nightshade

It was time to hear what the prophecy would say.

Ever since Artume mentioned something happened to Artemis, she couldn't help but feel fearful of what that is. It would take a lot to stop Artemis, which worries her. This quest will be difficult, making her see the wisdom of Artume's plan. Well, as much as she could anyway. It wasn't exactly spelled out. Somehow, Zoe knew it would piss off Zeus. Why else watch her?

"So..." Bianca said as silence stretched among the ping pong table. It was an awkward setting, Zoe would agree. On one table, it held Zoe, Dionysus, Chiron, Percy, other camp head counselors, and Grover. Perhaps it was only awkward for her as she stood out like a sore thumb.

"You have a question or just want attention?" Zoe asked dryly, making Dionysus smirk as he flicked through a wine magazine. Why do children have to be like this?

"Geez..." Bianca let a sigh leave her. "Can't you be nice, Zoe?"

"I'm stating an observation. Don't be insulted."

"Right..." Bianca rolled her eyes. "What will we hear from the oracle?"

"Hopefully the death of some demigods," Dionysus stated with a dry tone, turning the magazine to take a closer look at a vineyard. When it was silent for a brief moment, he looked up to see the group staring at him. "What? Carry on."

"Anyway, we will likely hear who will go on this quest. It is up to Thalia, yet the Oracle may deem it necessary to have more or fewer than three."

"I will go. My lady is in danger," Zoe said firmly. "I must go."

"Oh boy," Dionysus said with a gasp, earning several looks of worry. The sudden attention made him turn the magazine around, pointing to an article. "Drought threatens wine in France! The horror!"

"Mr. D..." Chiron said with a sigh.

"Oh, right, yeah, Artemis is missing, a boring meeting will stay boring. Will not do wonders for making decisions and plans, though."

"I fear so as well," Chiron agreed, eyeing the god who turned back to flick through the pages. "Artemis has been the most vocal on the council. She must be returned before the solstice. It will hinder our chances against the Titan Lord."

"That's in a few weeks' time..." Silena muttered. "That's not long if we don't know where to look."

Zoe kept quiet, yet her hands held the silver bead firmly in her grasp with in her pocket. It was clear as the sun in the blue sky. A silver light went from her to the door and through the hills. It went west. Annabeth and Artemis are somewhere west.

"Let us hope Thalia hears something useful," Chiron said, a breath leaving him. "We could use some light to shed the way."

Whether he summoned it or not, Thalia entered the common room of the Big House again. The sight of the hard expression with deep-etched worry made the room silent. A silence to be broken once Thalia sat down and started to speak.

"I don't have good news..." she said softly. A bit unlike her to be so careful with her words.

"Please, explain..." Chiron said as everyone leaned in to listen closely. Aside from Dionysus, he leaned back while continuing to study the news of everything wine-related.

"The oracle gave me a quest and a prophecy. I fear it won't end well for some who come along," Thalia said, her arm leaning on the pingpong table. "The oracle said this to me:

'The Mystery in the west five shall reveal,

Power and pain is what will be the seal.

Silver and radiance answers true,