FATE

"Approach, Seeker, and ask."

Dumfounded.

That's how he felt right now.

What was standing before him was a hundred-something-plus-year-old lady whose soul was cursed to remain in her body forever. A soul cursed by Hades for merely relaying a prophecy - something she couldn't control. What was once a young, beautiful lady was now reduced to this...thing standing before him - a literal husk of herself. She never left the attic in the big house and only spouted prophecies when it was time for a quest. The one and only time she left the Big house was for Zoe Nightshade when a bloody Olympian was in danger.

Words refused to exit his mouth, preferring to take residence in his oesophagus, resulting in him stuttering gibberish. He was called the 'Fatebreaker' by Nereus of all people. Didn't that title make him an exception in that he was free from prophecies?

"I...I..what?!", he stammered.

There were two things this implied. One, the God Apollo had something to say to him, or two, the Fates had come to say hi. Both possibilities weren't very appealing.

Suddenly Luke, who was sitting beside him tensed and stood up. A fire was burning behind his eyes as though he had been waiting for this moment his entire life.

"How do I prove myself to the Gods?", he asked.

Either Luke thought the Oracle pointed at him, or he just didn't care.

The leathery, worn face turned to Luke, its glassy eyes staring him down. Absolute silence descended upon the camp, and a drop of sweat slid down the Son of Hermes' face. Would he be cursed? Would he be ignored? Or would the oracle start tap dancing?

The oracle broke the silence by opening its mouth and spewing the very same green mist. It billowed out into a large cloud and formed a vague image.

It was of a path leading to a mountain whose summit was swirling with storm clouds and raw power. Behind it was a sunset that made a disturbing bloodred slash across the azure sky. On either side of the path was a meadow of shadows and flowers.

"The Garden of Twilight", Chiron whispered, his pupils trembling.

Just then, the oracle spoke once again, but this time it was as though a thousand mouths spoke at once,

"The aurous apple you must seek,

The holder of the heavens you shall meet.

One shall be struck down by a poisoned claw,

Another swallowed by a monster's maw.

The strings of Fate the weavers tend,

The lion and the thief you must send."

The mist then swirled and retreated like a great green serpent into the mummy's mouth.

"What-"

Luke's sentence was cut off when everybody froze. It wasn't the I-am-so-surprised/scared freeze, but one that meant literally becoming statues. It was as though time itself had frozen everybody. Everybody except Athos.

"What's going on?", he muttered, slowly getting up, looking around him warily. This was not how he wanted the trip to camp to go. Blending into the crowd of Demigods for a year or so before accompanying Luke on his quest was his best scenario, but it looked like his plans would be getting pushed forward.

He turned around finding the oracle staring right back at him, but something was wrong. Thin, white, ethereal strings extended out from her limbs and spine into the sky. His eyebrow twitched and he turned back to the campers finding similar strings extending from their bodies with Luke having the most, followed by Annabeth and Clarrise.

'The Fates?', he thought, his heart beginning to beat faster. Was he going to die here? If so, why all the theatrics? Wouldn't a simple snip of a thread suffice?

Just then, one of Luke's strings snapped, vanishing into thin air.

'Is my presence dragging others out of the loop too?', he frowned.

Suddenly, the heavens darkened and a few more strings descended aiming at Athos, but black mist shot out of his head, swallowing the strings whole.

Well, this confirms it. His immunity to the Fates was due to the taint on his soul, but this left a burning question - would this affect his ascension?

The strings on the oracle became taut and her glassy eyes gleamed, giving out a far more ancient aura than before. When she spoke it sounded different, like three grannies speaking at the same time

"O Slayer of Destiny, O Breaker of Fate,

The Gods' Bane you must find,

Mount Othyrs' hunger you must sate,

And return this favour in kind.

The Twang of the Destroyers bow shall lead the trail,

The flames of rebellion you must ignite,

In pain and agony, you must travail,

Help the lovers of Phitha reunite.

'Free us', Breaker, we plead,

From the confines of the Khaos seed."

The strings disappeared and the sky brightened. Everyone unfroze.

"-the fuck was that?!", Luke completed his sentence.

"Language!", Chiron chided from table twelve.

'Did nobody notice the Fates hijacking the oracle?', Athos thought, speechless at what he just witnessed.

"Sorry about stealing the prophecy, but trust me, you don't want one when it's your first day. But if you don't mind me asking...How and why are you standing?", Luke apologised, looking confused.

"Erm...I...don't know? Used my legs?", Athos shrugged putting on his dumb face.

"CAMPERS! Owing to the uncalled-for prophecy, Capture the Flag is cancelled. Cabin counselors and Athos, to the Rec Room.", Chiron announced, pounding his hoof once again silencing the now rowdy campers. This was the first prophecy in decades! How could they not be excited?!

"This is going to be a problem", Luke muttered under his breath, sounding concerned, but his eyes that were glinting with excitement told a different story. He then spoke out loud, "Eleven! Back to the Cabin, Now!"

His Cabin obliged, standing up and forming a line before marching back where they came from. Athos followed them, his head a mess.

'Destroyer? Gods' Bane?! Lovers of Phitha! What in the flying fuck is going on?!' He screamed internally while exiting the pavilion. 'Why did the Fates not kill me? Were they restricted or just unbothered? And most importantly, why did they sound as though they were asking for....help?'

Athos almost snorted. The Fates? Wanting a mortal's help? Pshaw! Pigs would take to the sky when that happens. But then, he realised two things. One, the Clazmonian Sow existed, thus pigs could indeed fly and two, the Fates mentioned a Khaos seed. Were they not bluffing about being in danger?

"Alright, campers! Listen up. I know that was quite abrupt but you must've all guessed that a quest is nigh. I hope the Hermes Cabin can help out the Camp Store this week. By help I mean please refrain from stealing for a few days. We don't want Chiron on our asses, do we?", Luke grinned once they reached the Cabin, earning a few chuckles.

He then turned toward Athos.

"Follow me Athos. The Rec Room is in the Big Ho....", his voice suddenly died out staring at something above Athos' head, his eyes almost bugging out.

Athos looked up in confusion finding a hologram of golden light spinning and gleaming. The skin of an animal. The skin of a Lion.

***

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