Annabeth gave her the run down, despite her about to burst into hysterics. Percy magically disappeared overnight and no one has seen him since.

Annabeth has been calling every she has ever met all day. The Hunters of Artemis, Nico, the Party Ponies, everyone, was looking for this kid.

Apparently saving Olympus makes a good impression.

Seeing Annabeth cry is like a punch in the face. This girl has been through hell and back. Confident leader Annabeth Chase doesn't cry.

It makes Emmerson's heart hurt. Thinking about camp made her heart hurt.

But, she was feeling, well... she was feeling homesick.

Despite everything, Emmerson wanted to go home. Camp would always be home. And now, she had a perfect excuse to go.

She knew that shit was about to go down. If the savior of Olympus has gone missing, something is going on. Her hunch was screaming at her, even though she had no idea what it was.

When she told Annabeth about her gut feeling, Annabeth said she should come back to camp. And when Annabeth tells you to do something, you do it.

Emmerson had no choice. She had to go home.

The problem was a ride. She was outside the territory of the Gray Sisters and frankly, Emmerson didn't trust herself enough to try to teleport. So, she needed another solution.

Perhaps, a mortal solution.

The next day at work, Emmerson hyped herself up before asking Nadine for a ride.

"What for, dear?"

Gods, Emmerson loved Nadine. No matter what bullshit Emmerson threw at her, Nadine always accepted it. Emmerson wants to tell her so badly.

"...So, um, something is going on in my family."

"The magical one?" Nadine raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, so... I need a ride to Montauk, New York."

Nadine looked at Emmerson inquisitively. "...Montauk?"

"Yes."

Nadine sighed. "You know, there is a lot of magic in that area. I guess I shouldn't be surprised your family lives there."

Emmerson nodded. "Yeah, my family is really big." She hesitated. It was now or never. "Listen, um... You should know, I can't tell you everything about my family. I want to. Really bad, actually. But I'm under an oath."

Nadine looked alarmed. "Oath?"

"Yes, ma'am." Emmerson nodded.

"Oh dear," Nadine looked concerned. Her eyebrows were scrunched and her wrinkles were more defined than usual. Suddenly, her eyes widened as she looked at Emmerson. She blinked a few times before her opening her mouth. She opened and closed it a few times. It seemed she was trying to find the right words. "Do your cousins happen to wear, I don't know, orange T-shirts?"

Emmerson was shell-shocked. Lady Nadine truly knew everything. Emmerson nodded.

Nadine's face lost all color. "Oh, dear," Nadine repeated. She took Emmerson's hand. "Are you..." She paused. "Are you a demigod?"

Emmerson gave her the tiniest, quickest nod.

Nadine sat down, "That..." She took a deep breath. "Well, I didn't expect that," She huffed out a laugh. "But, it does make sense."

Emmerson sat down beside her.

"So, your mother?" Nadine looked at Emmerson like it was for the first time.

"Hecate."

"Hecate," Nadine repeated. "So, what does this mean? What's happening with your family?"

Emmerson looked thoughtful. "We're not sure, yet. That's why I need to go to camp."

"Camp?"

"A camp for demigods."

"Sure. Okay." Nadine nodded, trying to comprehend the situation.

Emmerson looked at Nadine, "How did you know we wear orange shirts?"

Nadine smiles at her, "I've been all over the country. I ran into a few of them. They had a different energy about them." She seemed nostalgic. "I gave them a few rides. They sacrificed their meals to the gods. I had a hunch. Or maybe just an idea. I didn't really believe it, but it explained me."

Emmerson nodded. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure my mother blessed you."

Nadine shook her head. "If I get any more gray hairs, it'll be your fault." She gave a hearty laugh.

Emmerson smiled sheepishly and giggled with her.

Nadine let out a sigh and clapped Emmerson on the shoulder. "Yeah, I can get you a ride."

Emmerson almost forgot. "Right, thanks," she laughed.

_

Nadine knew some strange people.

This guy Steve owed Nadine a few favors. A while back, she housed Steve while he broke up with his toxic boyfriend. He had to get a restraining order. Nadine cared for him the entire time.

He was more than happy to give Emmerson a drive. He always wanted to go to New York anyway. That's what he said, at least.

The moment Emmerson stepped in the car, she was mugged by the smell of weed. He was hitting that thing like no tomorrow. She wasn't sure if he was fit to drive, but judging by his awareness and overall behavior, Emmerson would say he had the tolerance of a saint.

Steve was wearing a cropped Guns and Roses graphic tee and had every piercing you could ever have. She even saw his belly button was pierced.

Emmerson decided that Steve was cool.

Throughout the drive, they would talk about music, books, and anything. She even told him about the age-old middle school drama she had forgotten about.

It turned out that he loved The Cranberries. He also mentioned that his favorite book was The Bell Jar.

Yeah. Steve was cool as fuck.

The drive to Montauk seemed much faster than it actually was. Suddenly, Emmerson was outside of the Delphi Strawberry Service.

Steve gave her a funny look but got over it pretty quickly. They waved each other goodbye and Steve was long gone before Emmerson could blink.

Emmerson trudged up the hill, pausing at the top, overlooking the camp.

She was home.

She said hi to Peleus and made her way down the hill to the big house.

She opened the door, gaze locked on to Chiron.

"Hello, Emmerson," He greeted her warmly.

"Hi, Chiron." Emmerson smiled.

"I assume you heard?"

She nodded. "Where's Annabeth?"

Chiron pursed his lips. "She received a prophecy this morning. She flew to the Grand Canyon. There's supposed to be a hint to finding Percy. We're waiting for her return."

Emmerson nodded. "Alright. I'll see you later. I'm going to say hi to Lou Ellen and Sansa."

Emmerson all but ran to her cabin. The cabin was dark. The outside was meant to look uninviting. However, the inside was cozy. There were layered carpets, floor pillows, cauldrons, and candles.

Perhaps that's why she likes Nadine's tent so much. Her cabin was so similar to the tent.

Upon entry, Emmerson was greeted by Lou Ellen. She gave her a big hug, which Emmerson reciprocated.

"Emmie!" Lou Ellen said, surprised.

"Hi," Emmerson smiled. "How's everyone?"

"Oh, You know, could be better." Lou Ellen shrugged. "Wait, you do know, right?"

"Yeah, Annabeth called."

Lou Ellen sighed and shook her head. "I feel so bad for that girl."

Emmie nodded.

Lou Ellen paused, looking at Emmerson. "You... you did something." She squinted her eyes, leaning close to her face. "You have energy. Have you been training?"

Emmie nodded with a smile.

"Oh! You have to show me what you can do."

Emmie rolled her eyes but got up. "I'm still learning. Apparently I have crazy control over The Mist."

"Show. Me."

Emmerson willed herself to become invisible. She hid her energy, suppressing it, and layered Mist over herself. Lou Ellen let out a gasp and started clapping.

"That's really good." Lou Ellen said approvingly. "I couldn't even sense you."

"That's the point," Emmerson says as she reappears.

"What else?"

"I'm... not really sure. I haven't had time to just create." Emmie shrugged.

"Well, now you do." Lou Ellen looked far too excited for Emmerson's liking.

True to her word, they worked on creating skills for the rest of the afternoon. They worked on telekinesis because apparently they could do that. Emmerson was surprised by how much there was to learn. She eventually mastered moving the smaller items. She was working on moving the couch when they heard a huge splash coming from the lake.

Lou Ellen and Emmie glanced at each other before rushing out of the cabin.

Emmie didn't know what she was expecting, but she wasn't expecting three new demigods crawling out of the lake looking like wet dogs.

They dried them with the iconic leaf blower. Emmie stifled her laugh.

She no longer felt like laughing, however, as soon as she made eye contact with Annabeth. She looked so sad and tired. Percy's absence was felt.

Will ran over to Annabeth, "I said you could borrow the chariot, not destroy it!"

"Will, I'm sorry," Annabeth sighed. "I'll get it fixed, I promise."

The attention turned to the unknown trio.

"These the ones? Way older than thirteen. Why haven't they been claimed already?"

"Claimed?" The short Latino guy asked. He was ignored.

"Any sign of Percy?" Emmerson asked.

"No," Annabeth admitted.

Drew stepped forward, "Well," She said. "I hope they're worth the trouble."

Emmerson rolled her eyes.

"Seriously, what's claiming?" The boy said again, a little louder this time.

Suddenly, a red glow covered the area and a hammer glowed over his head. He asked if his hair was on fire.

"That," Annabeth clarified. "Is a claiming."

Explaining the existence of gods never gets easier. However, it seems that whatever the trio had experienced previously had prepared them for the revelation. They were still confused, but not freaking out. That was good.

Annabeth looked at Emmerson. "Show him around?"

Emmerson nodded. "Sure," She agreed easily. You never say no to Annabeth. "But, you're filling me in on everything."

Annabeth nodded.

Emmerson made her way over to the boy. She stretched out her hand, "I"m Emmerson."

He shook her hand, "Leo."

She led him away to the camp, leading him to his cabin. "Hephaestus kids are known to be good with their hands, creativity, the works," Emmerson explained. "Sound familiar?"

Leo nodded. "My mom owned a repair shop."

Emmerson sighed. "I wish I was more creative," She smiled. She was hoping to make Leo more comfortable. It was hard, however, when she was awkward. She had no idea how to do small talk. She also wasn't sure how to explain the world of the gods.

She was regretting saying yes to Annabeth

Leo didn't know what to say. So, he blurted "Who's your parent?"

Emmerson looked at him, "Hecate. Goddess of magic, crossroads, witchcraft, and the ruler of The Mist."

"What's the Mist?"

"It's pretty much a veil between the mortal world and ours. When you were flying in a chariot, mortals probably would have seen a bird or something."

"Huh."

Emmerson shook her head, "I know." She laughed.

"How long have you been here?"

"Since I was ten, so five years."

He nodded.

"Where are you from?" Emmerson asked. She wanted to fill the silence.

"Texas. You?"

"Pennsylvania."

"Philidelphia?"

"No," Emmerson laughed. "Bethlehem. It's just outside of Allentown. An hour and a half north of Philly."

Leo nodded like he was familiar, though he was probably just being nice.

Leo was a fun guy, it seemed. He was cute in an elfish sort of way. Though the interaction was awkward, he filled the otherwise awkward silence with questions. He was definitely ADHD. He asked about training, the campers, and even the gossip between the gods. Emmerson gave him a rundown of all of the main monsters and myths. She recommended a few books, although knowing it would be useless. Leo didn't strike her as someone who could sit down and read a book.

During the walk to his cabin, she pointed out the volleyball court, rock wall, and training arenas. She also mentioned camp games.

Leo was surprised that Capture The Flag could be so brutal.

Upon their arrival at his cabin, he suddenly became nervous.

She nudged him, "You'll be fine. It's always hard the first day. This cabin has been through a lot this past year. Give them time."

She joined Leo in entering the cabin, though only introducing him to the others. She didn't want to get in the way. She also wasn't exactly close to anyone in the Hephestus cabin anymore.

Emmerson was walking toward the Hecate cabin when she saw a green glow coming from Hera's cabin.

It was probably Rachel. What she was doing in Hera's cabin, she had no idea.

Emmerson was planning to ignore it and walk away, but Rachel and Annabeth suddenly burst open the door with the new girl passed out. Emmerson was a bit surprised, but recovered quickly, assisting them in carrying the girl.

They brought her to the Big House. Chiron seemed to be in a deep talk with the other new boy. The boy was a hunk if Emmerson was being completely honest. The polar opposite of Leo. This boy was blond and blue-eyed, muscley, and tall.

Emmerson was intimidated.

She watched as his face shifted when noticing the girl passed out in their arms. Rachel, Annabeth, and Emmerson set the girl on the couch.

"What happened?" Chiron asked, urgently.

"I don't know! Something spoke through me and she just collapsed." Rachel replied, flustered. "It wasn't the Oracle, though."

Annabeth gave Chiron a knowing look, "I've never seen anything like it. I've heard Rachel's prophecy voice. This was different. She sounded like an older woman. She grabbed Piper's shoulders and told her—"

"—To free her from a prison?" The boy guessed.

"How'd you know that?"

Apparently the boy, Jason, has a patron. The lady appeared to him as dark and misty and claimed to sponsor him. He is her champion.

Whatever that means.

Emmerson had never heard of anything like that.

Emmerson crossed her arms, uncomfortable by the implications.

Hera is captured in some way, shape, or form. Regardless, that isn't good. Not good at all. Emmerson didn't care for the Queen of Olympus. She's seen the assholery of Hera and wants no part in saving her. She feels bad for Jason. Of all the gods to sponsor him, he has shitty luck.

"So Hera is imprisoned?" Rachel asked. "Who could do that to the queen of the gods?"

Annabeth crossed her arms. "Well, whoever they are, maybe we should thank them. If they can shut up Hera—"

"Annabeth," Chiron warned, "she is still one of the Olympians. In many ways, she is the glue that holds the gods' family together. If she truly has been imprisoned and is in danger of destruction, this could shake the foundations of the world. It could unravel the stability of Olympus, which is never great even in the best of times. And if Hera has asked Jason for help—"

"Fine," Annabeth grumbled. "Well, we know Titans can capture a god, right? Atlas captured Artemis a few years ago. And in the old stories, the gods captured each other in traps all the time. But something worse than a Titan ... ?"

Suddenly, Rachel went rigid and her eyes glowed green.

"The city of dark, magic shall reign

A child of mist will face the bane.

Navigate the Shadow's embrace

And death shall plague the birthplace

Tread the path of woe, a task to venture alone

Live, sacrifice, and fight blood and bone

Only then, shall you return home"

The room went cold. Emmerson wanted to go home. She let out a long sigh. She felt everyone's eyes shift to Emmerson. She slowly looked up, meeting the eyes of Chiron and Annabeth

"...You don't think that means me, do you?"

Chiron and Annabeth did the eye thing.

"It appears, that you have been chosen for a quest, Emmerson," Chiron confirmed in a low and empathetic voice.

Emmerson nodded, albeit rigid and tense. She pursed her lips.

Annabeth moved over to her and placed a hand on Emmerson's shoulder. "We'll talk more about it at the campfire. Okay?"

Emmerson sighed but nodded once again. "...I gotta talk to Lou Ellen." Emmerson backed off, taking her leave. She turned, addressing Jason, "Nice to meet you," and left the Big House.

Lou Ellen was understandably concerned. "Live, sacrifice, and fight blood and bone, sounds nice." She tried to cope with humor. She looked at Emmerson seriously, "Listen, of all people to receive this quest, I think you can handle it. You're strong. Whatever you have to do, it looks like you'll have to do it alone. But hey, if you need a helping hand, we're here."

Lou Ellen's pep talk made it easier to face the campfire. Dinner went fast.

Emmerson always liked the campfire. It was a moment that made her feel that she was at a normal summer camp. In no way was Emmerson a singer, but she enjoyed the sing-a-longs. She liked sitting with everyone. Usually, it was happier.

Now, everything seems to be serious. Not even the sing-a-longs made her feel better. After the last song was over, Chiron stood and addressed the campers.

"Very nice! And a special welcome to our new arrivals. I am Chiron, camp activities director, and I'm happy you have all arrived here alive and with most of your limbs attached. In a moment, I promise we'll get to the s'mores, but first—"

"What about capture the flag?" somebody yelled. Grumbling broke out among the Ares kids.

"Yes," the centaur said. "I know the Ares cabin is anxious to return to the woods for our regular games."

"And kill people!" one of them shouted.

"However," Chiron said, "until the dragon is brought under control, that won't be possible. Cabin Nine, anything to report on that?"

Nyssa stood. "We're working on it."

More grumbling.

"How, Nyssa?" an Ares kid demanded.

"Really hard," the girl said.

Nyssa sat down to a lot of yelling and complaining, which caused the fire to sputter chaotically. Chiron stamped his hoof against the fire pit stones and the campers fell silent.

"We will have to be patient," Chiron said. "In the meantime, we have more pressing matters to discuss."

"Percy?" someone asked. The fire dimmed even further, but Piper didn't need the mood flames to sense the crowd's anxiety.

Chiron gestured to Annabeth. She took a deep breath and stood.

"I didn't find Percy," she announced. Her voice caught a little when she said his name. "He wasn't at the Grand Canyon like I thought. But we're not giving up. We've got teams everywhere. Grover, Tyson, Nico, the Hunters of Artemis —everyone's out looking. We will find him. Chiron's talking about something different. A new quest."

"It's the Great Prophecy, isn't it?" a girl called out.

The voice had come from a group in the back: Drew.

Drew didn't address the crowd very often.

"Drew?" Annabeth said. "What do you mean?"

"Well, come on." Drew spread her hands like the truth was obvious. "Olympus is closed. Percy's disappeared. Hera sends you a vision and you come back with three new demigods in one day. I mean, something weird is going on. The Great Prophecy has started, right?"

Emmerson looked at Rachel, as did everyone else.

"Well?" Drew called down. "You're the oracle. Has it started or not?"

She stepped forward calmly and addressed the camp. "Yes," she said. "The Great Prophecy has begun."

Fantastic.

"For those of you who have not heard it," Rachel said, "the Great Prophecy was my first prediction. It arrived in August. It goes like this:

"Seven half-bloods shall answer the call. To storm or fire the world must fall—"

Jason shot to his feet. His eyes