The next morning at breakfast, Percy wasn't the most talkative person. And that definitely worried me. But I didn't pry. For all I knew he could've had nightmares about his death, which was what I had. But I've, sadly, gotten used to it by now. But he could've also had more visions, which still wanted me to ask but I just stayed the whole time, leaving it to be a very awkward breakfast.

And once it ended we just separated since he had to do inspection with Annie anyway.

So I went off to do my rounds as well. First, I visited the strawberry fields where I worked my Demeter magic. And once it hit about ten o'clock, I headed over to the archery ranges, already having summoned my bow and quiver from my backpack.

And when Will noticed me heading over, he gave me a smile and gestured me over to where it lookedl ike he had a class in front of him.

"But you're teaching," I said as he brought me up in front of the targets, where a few of rookie demigods were staring at me.

"Yeah, and I was about to show them how to shoot but I thought you could help me with that," he gave me a smile.

"What, are you lacking skills?" I teased him. He rolled his eyes as the students chuckled.

"Just go and shoot Clair," he sighed.

When I walked up to the first target, Will was commentating like "pay attention to how she grabs the arrow from her quiver," or "look at her stance, tall and confident," or "see how she pulls back her drawstring?".

And when I let the arrow fly it hit the bullseye, earning 'oohs' and 'aahs' from the kids. So that gave me the impulse to walk across the range and shoot each and every target in the center. Once I was finished, the students clapped while Will yelled "Show off!".

"Whatever, Solace," I rolled my eyes and raised my hand, summoning my arrows and putting them back in my quiver. "Anyway, I'm gonna-"

But then a conch horn sounded.

"What was that?" one of the kids asked. But Will and I knew what it was.

"Was that for Beckendorf's..." Will looked at me, his voice trailing off.

"I'm guessing so," I nodded, and started heading over. "I'll need to prepare my fire. See ya there, Will,"

And when I reached it, Chiron looked at me solemnly. Though I never really asked to be the one to burn the shrouds on the funeral pyre, it was apparently traditional that a fire user from the Hephaestus cabin or a millionth would light the shroud(s).

His shroud was made out of metal links which seemed like it would be difficult to burn but, once I ignited it with my fire, it seemed to melt like butter. Golden smoke rose up into the sky as we all said our good byes.

And after that I went into the forest to do my job.

I walked around, nurturing the trees. And after a while, I stumbled upon a clearing.

A very familiar clearing. It was the clearing where the Council of Cloven Elders had once put Grover on trial.

And Standing there was the most interesting trio I have ever seen: Juniper, a dryad friend of mine who was also Grover's girlfriend, Leneus who was one of the Council's members, and Nico di Angelo himself.

Nico was wearing the usual: aviator jacket, black tee, black jeans, his skull ring on his left hand, his Stygian iron sword sheath hanging on his belt. He looked even more grown the last time I saw him, which just saddened me even more. I could sense he's become more distant since the last time we met, but I pushed that thought aside, for now.

I went to stand next to him and wasn't acknowledged by Jun or Leneus but Nico bumped my shoulder.

I looked up at him. He's gotten about a few more inches taller than me, which I found completely unfair. But other than that, he looked normal. His hair was hanging in his eyes, like Percy's.

When I looked back to the conversation Juniper and Leneus were having, it seemed to be about he fact that Grover was missing. Me, Percy, and Annie have known this since about two or three months ago. 

He had just... disappeared without a word about his whereabouts. The last time anyone had checked, he was in Central Park, but no communication had happened after that.

After a few minutes of my arrival, a certain hellhound bounded over to me out of the forest, making me smile. I pet the top of her head as she licked my hand. Like I said before, I never really minded the dog drool. It's still easy to get rid of. Cough cough Nico's jacket sleeve cough cough.

Percy walked in, too, most likely being the person who allowed Mrs. O into the forest int he first place. Leneus kept freaking out about her while Juniper turned to him.

"I was asking about Grover," She informed him. "He wouldn't stay gone this long if he wasn't in trouble. I was hoping that Leneus-" Juniper tried to explain only for the old goat to butt in.

"I told you! You are better off without that traitor!" Leneus exclaimed.

"He is not a traitor! He's the bravest satyr ever and I want to know where he is!" Juniper stomped her foot.

 "Well I will not give you any information unless you get that Underworld creature out!" Leneus demanded. 

I looked over at Nico. He looked like he was about to burst out laughing at Leneus.  

"I'll walk the dog," he volunteered. He whistled for Mrs. O'Leary. He walked off into the forest.

"And I actually need to finish my rounds in the woods," I followed after Nico. Mrs. O'Leary was between us.

"You have to do what now?" he looked down at me.

"My job," I answered.

"What kind of job?"

"This," I concentrated and the Demeter magic flowed out of my fingertips. As we passed the plants the air was filled with the scents of all types of wild flowers. Some dryads came out to thank me. I nodded at each one of them. I looked at Nico who was staring at me in awe.

"Cool,"

"I am a millionth," I said. 

"Of course you are," He gave me a slight smirk. We circled and started heading back to the clearing.

"I'm happy to catch up to you. Again," I said, making him let out a small laugh.

When we reached the clearing, Percy was glaring in the direction where Leneus ran off to. And when the satyr was out of view, I turned to Jun and walked to her.

"You holding up alright?" I asked gently.

"Um... sure?" she sniffled as I looked at her green tinted eyes. She had definitely been crying.

"Come here," I opened my arms and she walked into them, letting out a breath.

"Anyway. Nico, welcome back," Percy said. Juniper and I pulled away as Nico looked over at Percy. "Did you come back just to see Juniper?" He asked.

And that caused a blush to go across Nico's pale cheeks. Though I didn't want to, that question and that reaction got me instantly jealous, but I withheld any reaction that could trigger a question.

"Um, no. That was an accident," Nico answered. "I kind of... dropped into the middle of their conversation,"

"He scared us to death!" Juniper exclaimed. "Right out of the shadows. But, Nico, are you sure you haven't heard anything about Grover?"

"Jun, I think I told you this before," I jumped in before Nico could open his mouth. "If he did die, he would only reincarnate into something else. We can't sense things like that, only mortal souls,"

Juniper nodded glumly, and I felt so bad for her. A person she cared deeply about... missing and possibly dead? I had dealt with a similar feeling way too much.

"I hate having to wait," she mumbled. Then suddenly her posture perked up. "The girls are calling. See ya later, Clair," 

She gave me a side hug then went running off into forest. Mrs. O had bounded off into the forest as well, looking for a good tree. So that just left me, Nico, Percy.

It was silent between all of us. Nico tapped his Stygian iron sword on the ground. A pile of bones rose to the surface creating a field mouse that scampered off into the woods.

"I was sorry to hear about Beckendorf," Nico muttered.

"How did you-"

"Talked to his ghost," Nico answered.

"What'd he say?" Percy asked.

"Says he doesn't blame you. He figured you'd be beating yourself up and said you shouldn't," Nico said.

"Is he going to try for rebirth?" 

Nico shook his head.

"He's staying in Elysium. Says he's waiting for someone. I have no idea what that means but he seems ok with death," 

Percy nodded slowly.

"Had a vision of you on Mount Tam. Was that-"

"Real. I didn't mean to spy on the titans but I was in the neighborhood,"

"First of all, doing what? Second, Percy I told you if you had any visions you have to tell me otherwise I would never know. You know I have to keep my promise. Otherwise I'mma have something worse than death happen to me," I said to both of the boys. 

Percy sighed as Nico avoided eye contact.

"Well, to answer your question Clair, it was following a lead on... you know... my past," Nico muttered those last two words. 

I could understand. He's had a rough life. He was born a bit before World War II, then stuffed into the Lotus Casino for seventy to eighty years, then was dragged out by a lawyer into the 21st century knowing nothing about his past.

"So how'd it go? Any luck?" Percy asked.

"No. But I may have a new lead soon,"

"What is it?" Percy pushed. Nico bit his lip.

"That's not important right now. You know why I'm here," 

I sighed and looked at Percy.

"I don't think he's made his mind yet. I've pushed him but he keeps putting it off," I said, exasperated.

"I don't know Nico. It seems pretty extreme," Percy sighed.

"You've got Typhon coming in, what... a week? Most of the Titans have been unleashed and are on Kronos' side. It's probably time to think extreme. All of this comes down to you and Luke. And there's only one way you can beat him. We can give you the same power," Nico urged. "You heard the Great Prophecy. Unless you want your soul reaped by a cursed blade..."

"You can't prevent a prophecy," Percy argued.

"But you can fight it," Nico insisted. "You can become invincible,"

"Maybe we should wait. Try to fight without-"

"No! It has to be now!" Nico snarled, making me look at him surprised.

"Nico, calm down," I said in a gentle voice. Nico's eyes flickered to me as he took a deep breath. He hadn't let his temper flare up like that in a while.

"Percy, all I'm saying... when the fighting starts, we won't be able to make the journey. This is our last chance. I'm sorry if I'm being too pushy, but two years ago my sister gave her life to protect you. I want you to honor that. Do whatever it takes to stay alive and defeat Kronos," Nico said.

"And to add onto that-" I started. "-I want you to stay alive. To be able to defeat Kronos. I want you to have at least some protection that is strong. I know it seems risky but that's basically you. You're risky all the time. And I know you can do it," I walked up to Percy and put my hands on his shoulders looking him straight in the eye. "From baby sister to big brother, I have faith in you Percy. Even if you are stupid, sometimes, you're one of the bravest people I know," I said, staring into his sea green eyes.

I could see the conflict going on through his eyes but in the end he said: "Alright. What do we do first?" Percy decided with a sigh.

"That's the Percy I know," I hugged him. I looked at Nico to see him smiling.

"First we need to retrace Luke's steps. We need to know more about his past, his childhood," Nico explained.

"Why do we need to know that?" I asked Nico.

"I'll explain when we get there. I've already tracked down Luke's mom. She lives in Connecticut,"

"And how do we get there?" Percy asked.

"I'm guessing Nico's way of teleportation. Shadow travel," I looked over at my brother.

"Shadow travel?" Percy asked. Nico whistled and ten seconds later Mrs. O bounded into the clearing again. Nico whispered into her ear and she suddenly tilted her head, alert.

"Hop on board. Just tell her to go to May Castellan's in Connecticut," Nico said to Percy gesturing to Mrs. O'Leary. Nico turned to me. "Have you shadow traveled before?" 

I shook my head. "Just learned about it,"

"Then you're coming with me," he said.

"Wait, hold up," Percy looked at Nico. "Is it safe?" I rolled my eyes.

"You don't need to worry Percy. Remember what I've said? I trust him. And in turn he trusts me," I grabbed Nico's hand. "Don't worry about me. If anything you should be thinking about how to prepare yourself for your swim in the Styx," 

Percy shot Nico a look that definitely said 'do anything to her and I will kill you'. Nico nodded, understanding though looking fairly scared. 

Percy climbed onto Mrs. O'Leary's back and whispered something in her ear. She perked up and sniffed around. Then she broke into a run heading straight for a tree. Before they crashed they dissolved into shadow. 

"Well Death Boy. Let's go," 

He closed his eyes. And we melted into the shadows.

***

We appeared in front of a one story house on a cliff in the woods. The house had a front yard with a lawn and tire swing tied to a tree branch. 

Nico stumbled. I steadied him before he could fall face first into the ground. Percy and Mrs. O'Leary already made it ahead of us.

"You ok, Nico?" I whispered. He nodded tiredly. He rubbed his eyes.

"I'm ok," he blinked and looked at me. 

"You sure?" I asked, making him nod again. Then he looked down at our connected hands only to hastily let go.

"Alright, so we're at May Castellan's place?" Percy asked, breaking the growing silence.

"Er... yeah," Nico nodded.

"How'd you do that?" Percy questioned about Nico's shadow travelling.

"Practice. A few times running into walls. A few accidental trips to China," I had to suppress a giggle at that one. 

Then Mrs. O'Leary started snoring. Good thing the traffic drowned her out.

"You gonna take a nap too?" Percy looked at Nico. I turned my gaze to him as well, raising my hand and ready to aim for his cheek.

"I've got that covered,"

"No need for that," He backed away. "Although the first time I shadow traveled I passed out for a week. Now it just makes me a little drowsy but I can't do it for more than once or twice a night. Mrs. O'Leary won't be going anywhere for a while," Nico explained.

"So. We got some quality time in Connecticut. What now?" I asked him.

"We ring the doorbell," Nico answered.

***

The door swung open revealing a woman in a pink house dress that was covered in scorch marks and smears of ash. She had white hair, some parts sticking out. Her bright, electric like gaze turned to Nico.

"Luke!" She gave him a hug. 

I couldn't help but laugh silently. But I was also wondering why she thought that Nico, out of all people, was Luke. 

Then before five seconds passed she then turned to Percy and once again said 'Luke!' and gave him a hug. "Come on in! I've got your lunch ready!" She ushered us in completely ignoring me. 

Good thing I did not remind her of Luke cause that would've been even weirder. 

I stepped inside the house and immediately sensed something wrong. The air. The smell. I kept breathing in the familiar scent.

"I packed your favorite lunch!" Ms. Castellan beamed at us. "Kool aid and peanut butter sandwiches!" 

Then it hit me. I stumbled into the door frame.

"Clair?" the boys looked at me. Then they rushed over to me.

"What's wrong?" Percy asked.

"You of all people should know. I'm allergic to peanuts," I looked down to the ground, avoiding both of their eyes just saying that sentence. 

Me: being a powerful Millionth, allergic to peanuts. They're one of my weaknesses. They act like a sleeping gas to me. A few seconds of just the smell in my nose... I start to get dizzy and start to lose consciousness. It only takes twenty seconds for me to pass out.

"Right. I forgot," Percy mumbled.

"I'll help you outside," Nico offered.

"Don't worry about me. Just open the door," 

Nico turned the knob and pushed the door open. I stumbled outside, like a drunk, fell to the grass and passed out.

***

When I regained consciousness, I felt someone stroking my hair.

"I recognize you now," I heard Percy's voice. "The first time we came to camp, you were sitting by the fire, in the middle of the commons area,"

"You did not stop to talk," a female voice from above my head said. "Alas, most never do. Nico talked to me. He was the first in many years. Everyone rushes about. No time for visiting family," 

I started to slowly try and open my eyes.

But my eyelids were heavy. "Oh. She stirs," the voice from above whispered. 

I felt soft hands on my shoulders and they sent waves of calming heat through my body, kind of like a massage. I opened my eyes and blinked. My eyesight focused and I found myself looking into a girl's eyes. But her eyes didn't seem normal. They looked like they were each holding little embers. 

She gave me a warm smile. I slowly sat up and saw the two boys holding plates, eating.

"Evening," Percy gave me a smile.

"How many hours?" I rubbed my eyes.

"Four," Nico nodded. I groaned.

"Why did it have to be here? Out of all places, here?" I mumbled.

"It's not our fault you're allergic," Percy shrugged.

"Whatever. Anyway, what'd I miss?"

"I have confirmed my suspicions. We need Percy's mother's blessing. And, at the present moment, we have a visitor, " Nico summed up. I looked at the girl again. She looked oddly familiar.

"Lady Hestia. Goddess of the hearth. I remember the first time I saw you when me and Percy first arrived at camp," 

She nodded. "I recall that you tried to approach me but then you went off to Chiron and your brother,"

"I, er... I didn't want to get lost on my first day," I said, looking away.

"I understand," She gave me a smile that felt so relieving, reminding me of my own mother. The thought of her made me twist the ring on my left hand.

"Anyway, Claira. You should eat, my dear," she waved her hand and food appeared on a plate right in front of me. Before I ate, I did the daily routine like at camp: I scraped part of the food into the fire in front of us and sent up a small prayer to my father as well as to the rest of the gods. A prayer of hope that they'll stay strong to the end.

"Thank you for that prayer, Claira," Lady Hestia said, surprising me a bit. For all the years I've been doing this, I've actually never received a thank you for my sacrificial food prayers.

"Uh, no problem, m'lady," I gave a curt nod.

Once all of our plates were finished, I immediately questioned the boys about what happened in the house with May Castellan.

But what I got was an uncomfortable look from both of them.

"Would it be best if I explained?" Hestia looked at them and they both nodded.

I looked to the goddess and she started to speak. "May Castellan was born with a gift. She could see through the Mist," she began.

"Like Percy's mother," I remembered. 

"Yes. Some bear the curse of sight better than others. And, for a while, May Castellan had many talents. She even attracted the attention of Hermes himself. They had a beautiful baby boy. For a small while, she was happy," The way she said that last sentence didn't sound good. "And then she went too far," I was right.

Then it dawned on me. "Wait... the disturbances I sometimes feel in the back of my head... the voices screaming in my mind... could that be..." I looked at Hestia to see her nodding her head.

"The people that the Oracle's soul could not latch onto," she mumbled, only so I could hear it.

That made me shudder. "I wonder what I would've gone through if I'd stayed awake..." 

"Be glad you weren't Claira. I imagine your mind would crack under an enormous wave of instant insanity in the presence of her... episode," Hestia said.

"Well... I'll be grateful to peanuts for once," I let out a sigh.

She nodded. "Now-" She turned to Percy. "-I know why you came here. Will you follow Luke's path and seek the same powers?"

"We have no choice, my lady," Nico said, setting his plate down. "It's the only way Percy stands a chance,"

"Mmm," Hestia opened her hand and the fire in front of us roared to life. The flames shot up at least twenty feet. I welcomed the heat coming off of it. But then the fire died back down to a normal height.

"Not all powers are spectacular. Sometimes the hardest power to master is the power of yielding. Do you believe me?" She looked over at him. 

Percy nodded more to make sure she didn't do anything else with the fire than to actually answer her question.

"You are a good hero, Percy Jackson. Not too proud. I like that. But you have much to learn. When I had gave up my throne when Dionysus became a god, I kept the peace. Now I tend to the fire. I fade into the background. But that is no matter. I yield when necessary," Hestia turned to bonfire filled eyes to Percy. "Can you do this?"

"I don't know what you mean," He answered.

Hestia kept her gaze trained on him. "Perhaps not yet. But soon. Will you continue your quest?"

"Uh, is that why you're here? To warn me against going?" Percy asked.

She shook her head in response. "I am only here because I am all that is left. When all the other mighty gods have gone off to war, I am here. Home. Hearth. I am the last Olympian. You must remember me when you face your final decision," 

Percy glanced at me and Nico then looked back at Hestia. "I have to continue, my lady. I have to stop Luke, er, Kronos,"

"Very well," Hestia nodded. "Since you have sacrificed to me, I can return you to your own hearth. I will see you again, Percy, on Olympus," And then the Lady Hestia waved her hand and my vision faded to black.

***

And that's another one down! Hope you enjoyed reading and I'll see ya in the next chappie!
:D