The Daughter of the Sky // Wattys 2016

Chapter 17

     "Are you insane?" Danny yelled, clutching his perfectly gelled hair in disbelief. "You chose a daughter of Athena to accompany you on your quest, when the Oracle of Delphi herself specifically said she was going to betray you? Do you have ears by chance?"

    I tried my best to tune out Danny's negativity as I shoved clothes into a backpack.

"Athena has lots of daughters, in case you haven't noticed."

"Oh yeah, that's a strong argument."

    "It was just a feeling I got," I sighed. I didn't expect him, or anyone else to understand. "I can't explain it, but I know she'll be useful. I'm sorry, Danny." Maybe his feelings were hurt because I didn't chose him to come with me.

    "Oh," he scoffed, "don't apologize to me, Orion! I didn't want to die this week anyway! Nope, not me! Not today."

    "Look, I need Percy because he knows the gods. He knows Poseidon and he's met my dad too. I have no idea what the gods are like, let alone how to talk to them. Plus, the guy is pretty good with a sword and he's been on more quests than anyone else at camp. And from what I hear, Paris is the best sword fighter at this camp behind Percy.Having two experienced fighters by my side wouldn't hurt. Children of Athena are also supposed to be brainiacs, right? Paris probably knows battle, weapons, and all sorts of strategies. I can't pass that up."

    "Someone did their homework for once," Danny scoffed, "but that doesn't change the facts! Doesn't it bother you in the least bit that this could completely backfire on you and Percy? Hello? 'Only she will lead to pure destruction?' We're talking certain death here, Ri."

    I thought about the possibility of Paris betraying both me and Percy. If I was wrong about her she could lead to our ultimate demise, just like the prophecy said. 

Only she will lead to pure destruction. Sure, the line was troubling, but I couldn't turn off the light bulb going off in my head that blinked furiously every time I thought of Paris. Something just clicked the second we met, and not in a cliche way. She was important, I could feel it. 

    "I think there's a silver lining in everything, and I'm choosing to believe that. There's nothing to worry about." 

   "Ahem," Danny's complaining was cut short. Paris stood in my shimmering, platinum doorway. She uncomfortably picked at her nails. I wondered how much of our conversation she had heard. 

    "I'm sorry if this a bad time, but I figured we'd talk about tonight."

   "Go ahead, ladies. Don't let me stop you, not that my opinion matters!" Danny raised his hands in defeat.

    Paris smirked. "Alone, if you don't mind, Danny."

   Danny tried his best not to look phased by Paris' dismissal. "Oh, yeah. I knew that. I'll catch you two at the send-off then."

   Paris pursed her lips into an awkward smile as Danny walked out of my cabin, leaving me and my possible mortal enemy alone in my cabin. She was quiet for a long time, like she was building up the courage to speak. It was odd seeing her shy; she seemed so proud and open when I had met her during capture the flag. Maybe that was all for show. Maybe she didn't trust me either.

     "I heard about the prophecy Rachel gave you," Paris said softly, "and I want you to know I would never try to trick you into anything. I think you're cool, and a good ally to have at camp." Her grey eyes looked strong and promising.

     "Don't worry about it. You're not the only daughter of Athena, right? There's tons of you out in the real world," I tried my hardest to sound sincere. After all, I did choose her.

     "Right. It could be anyone, but it's a good idea to keep your guard up. I don't blame you. Anyway, I really came by to thank you for the invitation. I haven't been outside of camp since I got here three years ago."

      "You're thanking me for drafting you into a fight between the gods that could possibly lead into World War III?"

      She laughed and opened her mouth to speak, but Percy cut her off. He was completely out of breath from sprinting.

     "Come on, what are you two waiting for? The send off is about to begin."

I hadn't even noticed it was dark out.

    The three of us arrived in usual demigod fashion; late and covered in sweat. The entire camp surrounded the marble columns leading to the outside world. 

It was strange to think I was going to be able to go out into the real world as a completely different person.

   "Heroes!" Chiron chuckled, patting each one of us on the back as we made our way to the front of the cheering crowd. "Glad you could join us."

   "We all set?" I looked at my two friends and back at the vast nothingness beyond the two columns.

    Percy and Paris nodded in unison, not a trace of doubt on either one of their faces. They were in this for good.

    "Let's go," Percy said and began to walk outside of the camp's boarders, disappearing past the force field that kept mortals and monsters out.

    Just as I was about to join the two, Chiron gently pulled me back. "I was meant to give you this when you first arrived at camp, but I didn't know if you were ready or not. Your father's wishes."

    I furrowed my eyebrows as Chiron fished for something in his burgundy coat's pocket a...Swiss army knife? 

Great. Note to self: send Zeus a big thank you card for all the camping gear. It'll really come in handy when I'm trying not to get killed by bloodthirsty demons!

    "Um," I tried my best to sound polite, "my dad wanted me to have a Swiss Army knife?"

    "Give it a shake."

    Timidly, I shook the knife to activate its compartments. To my surprise, the knife got heavier and heavier; in a fraction of a second it had turned into a full blown golden sword. The thing reminded me of a lightning bolt itself. Images of golden eagles covered the hilt of the sword. Zeus' patron animal.

    "My father got me a sword?"

    "Good luck to you, Orion." Chiron ignored my confusion and pat my shoulder one last time before leaving me alone at the exit of the camp with a golden sword in my hand and a huge lump in my throat.