Part 1 Here! / Part 2 Here! /Part 3 Here! / Part 4 Here! / Part 5 Here! / Part 6 Here! <This is Part 7!>
A/N: Maybe we should make it regular Friday updates? Since I always post a day early lolol
* As a child of Zagreus you’ve gone through some pretty strange things, but this has to be the strangest.
* ‘It’s in the top ten at least’
* In front of you, in a glass box with blinking neon lights, heavily reminiscent of the Zoltar fortune telling game you would play as a kid, has to be the oldest mummy you’ve ever seen.
* The mummy’s skin is leathery and wrinkled, eyes closed shut, long white hair is pushed back by a rainbow tie dye bandana, a few strands of hair braided with glittering beads at the end.
* ‘Clarisse could have warned me when Dionysus said I had to come up here to get my prophecy before I left, instead of just saying: “It’s like a tradition, tell us what card you get.” ‘
* “CoOoooooiiiiiinnnnnn” she groans, and you fumble over yourself to retract the silver drachma Dionysus gave you. Sliding it into the slot, clear guardrails moving it around the box and into the plate beside her.
* You wait for one long second then two, and nothing happens.
* You’re considering going downstairs and telling them you think there’s a paper jam when a thick, black card slides out of the slot.
* The second it’s in your hand green mist covers the room, you narrow your eyes, squinting to see through the haze.
* A dining room table comes into view—
* ‘It’s our dining room table.’
* —you see Maki, Hades, and Your father come into view, Hades at the head of the table, and Maki and your father across from one another.
* “Four half-bloods will travel to the east of the east, only three will return on the same path.” The words creep out in a ghostly whisper from Hades mouth.
* “You will barter with a god and reclaim what was stolen, despite the cost.” Maki hisses, a rattling sound heard in the distance.
* Finally your father turns to you, eyes glowing green as he says: “You will find the most important thing after everything is lost.”
* And then it’s all gone, you’re back in the attic of the Big House, the mummy holds up her hand as you watch with bated breath, she flashes you the ‘rad’ hand sign.
* “Cowabunga Dude!” Before closing her eyes and falling asleep again.
* ‘Definitely upgrading this to the top three weird experiences I’ve ever had.’
* Dionysus practically tackles you as soon as you come downstairs.
* “What did she say?” You wordlessly hand him your card, watching as he pales.
* You look past his shoulder to see Chiron on the porch, entertaining your Demi-god companions, an easy smile on his lips.
* ‘So Dionysus is jumping out of skin with worry and Chiron is acting like we’re going on a trip to Disneyland…make it make sense.”
* “W-well it doesn’t instill the most confidence, but it’s not the worst I’ve seen.” He stutters.
* “Circe herself…well she had that run in with Athena all those years ago, but it brought Telemachus to her so I doubt she holds a grudge. Ares, I don’t think she has any strong feelings towards him. She had that affair with Hermes, we can hope she’s still affectionate with him so Luke should be fine, and you…Hecate is in and out of the underworld we’ll have to hope that carries some weight still.” Dionysus mutters to himself very quickly, grabbing a map from the side.
* ‘He knows all of our names?’
* Truthfully, you thought he was just pretending to care about you guys. But his behavior over the last few days has started to convince you otherwise.
* “The other three they’ll be fine, but you—I don’t know what’s gotten into Poseidon, but he’s been vouching for you on Olympus, people are starting to suspect there’s been a trade of resources from the Underworld in exchange for his support—nevertheless, he won’t take kindly if you enter his domain, Zeus is gunning for you as well, he said if his hero can’t survive neither can you.” He flinches as the words slip past his mouth, carefully lifting his gaze to test your reaction. When he sees no strong emotion a sigh of relief passes his lips and he continues.
* “So you musn’t travel by air either, especially not the sky over the sea, that’s the most treacherous space for you, many don’t know this but you can tap the ground three times, if you call for your father using his old name he will not ignore yo—”
* “Why are you going so far?” This man is a god, the gods that have helped you so far have been—for better or worse—your direct family. Hades himself has only assisted you because your needs have aligned, but Dionysus doesn’t owe you anything. He has no reason to help you.
* Dionysus hesitates under your gaze.
* “If—when you come back I’ll tell you everything.” He rests a hand on your head, a gentle golden glow radiating from his palm. “For now, as an apology for my secrecy, please accept this small blessing, no matter where you go you will find food and water until you reach your destination.”
* You’re in shock at his kindness, unable to decipher the warmth of his eyes. You turn to join your friends on the porch when you feel his hand on your shoulder.
* “And whatever you do, don’t trust Chiron.” He whispers.
* You’re suddenly reminded of what Maki said in the car on the way to Long Island.
* “Whatever you do don’t trust that assholes propaganda.”
* Your gaze wanders from the amethyst eyed god in front of you to the auburn haired centaur on the porch.
* ‘Which one of them’s the asshole then?’
* You don’t have long to wonder as the four of you are ushered into the Jeep and driven to the nearest train station.
* ‘And back to Manhattan we go’
* Grand central station is dingier than you remember, there’s rats in some of the corners and it isn’t tinged with the golden glow of nostalgia that you remember from your childhood.
* You’ve only been here once, for most school trips you took charter buses, and your father opted for driving everywhere in the city. Your father hoisted you into his arms, your face pressed against his neck and shoulder, his hands on your small back.
* ‘I wonder where we were going back then.’
* Why have you never gone on a train since then? You wonder as you board behind a bickering Clarisse and Luke.
* ‘I guess dad was just too much of a rich kid for public transportation.’
* Sure enough the first hour or so out of New York is quiet, passed by playing cards on the torn deck Clarisse borrowed from her half-sibling.
* “Do you have any five’s?” Clarisse asks.
* “Go fish.” Annabeth responds.
* You half expect an outburst but Clarisse just sighs, muttering ‘I should have asked for a two.’ As she grabs a card from the deck.
* 'At least they’re starting to get along better at least.’
* You don’t hold the outburst she has when Luke turns to her with a cheeky grin and asks: “Do you have any twos?” Against her
* ‘There’s only so much a person can take.’
* The train rocks, before the lights overhead flicker and turn off
* ‘That can’t be good.’
* A mist creeps from under the compartment door, clouding your vision.
* Clarisse reaches for her spear and Luke draws his knife
* A harrowing screech fills the compartment, the door slides open to reveal, what appears to be, a floating black table cloth.
* ‘Is someone trying to be funny? Is this like…a prank on a TV show?’
* The wind blowing up the cloth revealing long white hair and glowing red eyes is enough to tell you that no, this isn’t someone’s take on a cartoon ghost halloween costume.
* “Crap it’s an Arae.” Clarisse hisses through gritted teeth.
* ‘An Arae, those are the spirits of curses.’
* An enigmatic monster, but looking at those dangerous red eyes you can tell it fits.
* “Usually they float away, but when they’re in cramped spaces like this…” Luke whispers,watching with bated breath.
* ‘So that’s why we never traveled by train.’ You think as the Arae lunges at you.
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