---

I look back to Chiron, worried that something might go wrong, but he's not there. I guess he forgot to tell me that receiving a prophecy was a one-on-one deal. Rachel's body started to rise into the air, eyes alight a bright green, smoke flowing out of her mouth; slowly winding around her and coming to envelop the both of us. Then she started to speak:

"One must find the Flower of Asphodel,
Once descended into hell.
From there to Rome and a visit home,
The cursed one banished forever to roam."

The smoke started dissipating, and Rachel's form lowered until she went rigid; head tilted back eyes wide with horror.

"The ghost king must choose,
To play to win, or play to lose.
The outcome be for the cursed one,
The ban lifted, forever won."

Rachel fell to the cave floor, unconscious. I rushed forward, trying to catch her, yelling for Chiron. He galloped in fast, taking it all in with one glance. He gently pushed me aside, picking up Rachel's limp form and putting her on her leather couch. A moment later she was awake, feeling normal. "Great, I fainted again. What'd I do this time?" I carefully explained to both Rachel and Chiron what happened, and how that last line was delivered with fear. Rachel hadn't experience this before, and Chiron had never heard of the Oracle having such an episode before. Rachel was massaging her neck because she had probably stretched her neck muscles with the delivering of the last line. Chiron's face had turned inquisitive at the line with the ghost king. Honestly I have no idea who that is. I just know that he plays for the outcome of the rest of my life: be banned from both New Rome and Camp Half-Blood, or I get to stay.
Nobody had a clue as to what the Flower of Asphodel is, though for some reason I had a hunch.

---

As supper I ate alone again at my cabin's table, watching the other campers. The only think I was thinking about was the prophecies. All three of them. I've heard that three is a sacred number among the Greeks and the Gods; three on a quest, the Big Three gods... but now I throw off the number. Before I came, there were the big three demigods: Percy Jackson, Nico di Angelo, and Jason Grace. (Apparently Jason's sister Thalia no longer counts as she devoted her life to being a Hunter of Artemis) I throw off the equation. The big four? Not quite as catchy. I've heard stories of people going on quests with four people, and someone always dies. As night always comes earlier in the fall, I look up and see a constellation of the huntress; once a girl named Zoe Nightshade. Both she and another girl; Bianca, were on a quest with four people, and they both died. It made me sad, and also apprehensive of my own quest.

Eventually I comprehend the ruckus I hear, and turn to see what's going on. Nyssa was on crutches standing next to her cabin's table, Leo, Hurley and a few other surrounding her; welcome her back. It was good to see Nyssa back... yet she had this solemn darkness in her eyes, seemingly hopeless. Maybe if I took her on the quest with me she'd perk up a bit, if she was healed in time. There were so many people I'd met that I could take on the quest: Danielle, Nyssa, Nico, Percy, Annabeth, Will. And I know if anyone knew I had a quest, people would line up for a chance to go. That's why I had to consider them all. Going into the Underworld? That's risky business. I know Piper would love to go to Rome and visit her boyfriend, Jason, but she just didn't fit the requirements.

I went to bed hungry that night, as I was thinking and not eating. I watered Liam, changed into my pajamas, and tried to sleep.

Notes

Who is Haley going to take on her quest?
What is the Flower of Asphodel?
What game is to be played?

Guess you'll have to wait for the next chapter!