---

I awoke the next day to the sound of birds. I snuggle down into the covers as the AC was blasting all night, and the room is chilled. I look out the window next to my bed, watching the sunrise with Liam. After a few minutes I get up and get dressed for the day, figuring that today was as good a day as any to find some campers to go on the quest with me.

As I eat my plate full of pancakes, I scan the rest of the campers. No, not him. Or her, or her. Wait a second. Maybe he could go... I make a mental note to watch him at sword and shield practice, along with archery.

I grab a sword and go without a shield this time, as I was told. Still in the newbie group I had little time to observe him. Clarisse was as hard on me as ever, constantly pushing and tripping me into the dirt. I focused on footwork from then on, conscious of the small rocks around us. Thankfully our group got the first break, and I could finally watch Mark Silverman; son of Ares. With a sword in each hand he was fighting off two other campers, one I recognized from Demeter cabin, the other was a strange new demigod somewhat like myself; Darren Clendale. Apparently he was the son of Artemis. (Long story there.) Mark deftly sidestepped Darren's jab when the girl from Demeter grew a vine around his leg, holding him in place. While Mark was distracted, the girl twirled around behind him and drew a knife to his throat: signaling the end of the match. They wiped their brows with the backs of their hands and said some "good games" and stepped out of the ring. As he walked towards where I saw sitting I scanned the rest of the campers for another possible quest-mate. None really stood out. I stood up and picked my way down the bleachers to ask Mark if he'd want to go. Normally I avoid people at all costs, but I needed Mark for this mission. I hopped onto the ground and strode over to where he was sitting, trying to act casual. "Um, can I ask you a question?" Real smooth, Haley. He says nothing, simply glares at me as he polishes his swords. " 'Okay, sure Haley.' Do you want to go on a quest with me to the Underworld?" Now that got his attention. "What quest? Haven't heard anything about one." His voice was low and gravelly for 17. "It has something to do with the Flower of Asphodel and a Ghost King playing for my future." His eyes flick down, then he looks back up at me, square in the eye. "Sure. When are we leaving?" His eyes were dark and piercing, enough so to make me squirm. "As soon as I can find another camper. You're the first one I've asked." His lips crinkle a little at the edges, a hint of a smile playing on them. "I'm honored." I scurry away before he makes me any more uncomfortable.

---

During free time I wander around. Watching campers doing different activities. A few heads turn towards me when I just sit and watch them, but I ignore them. Eventually I tire of it, and go and visit Danielle at the Infirmary. Danielle! I should of thought of her sooner. A healer could come in handy on this type of quest. I practically bust through the cabin door, breathing heavily from running all the way here. "Danielle! Danielle! Come here!" I grab a seat and she scurries over to me, eyes bright with alarm. "What? What is it? Is something wrong?" Then, even out of breath, I start to laugh. "Ah, no. Everything's perfect. That is if you agree to come on my quest." Her eyes go even wider at the mention of a quest. "Seriously? Really? I've always wanted to go on a quest!" She turns and grabs a bottle of water for me, but I can still see her fist pump with her back turned. I grin wide, happy that she's so excited to go. "Thanks," I say as I open the bottle. "So. Where we goin'?" She swings a chair and sits in front of me, elbows on her knees, leaning forward as if not to miss a word. "The Underworld." Her face pales a little at this revelation, but her eyes widen just a smidgen more when I thought they couldn't get any bigger. "Ooh. Sounds dangerous. Maybe we should talk to Nico or Percy or Annabeth about it. They've been there before. Oh! Maybe we could Iris message Grover in New Rome! He almost got dragged into Tartarus from cursed shoes." "Those all sound like great ideas. But what the heck is Iris messaging?" Danielle explained to me how to call a Iris message, and how Iris is the goddess of the rainbow, etc. etc. I tell her the jist of the prophecy I had received, and it puzzled her even more than it did me. But she highly recommended talking to Nico for some tips on the Underworld and how to get out once you're in.

I trudged up the hill to Zeus' Fist, and sat on the same boulder I had before. I watch the sun slowly set, the cabins glowing vibrantly in the soft orange glow, making the orange camp t-shirts pale in comparison. I hear a small scuffle near the trees, and assume it's Nico. Then a large shadow falls over me, something dripping onto my head and shoulders.

Notes

Is it a monster?
Is Nico drooling about having McDonalds?
Who knows?!

Want to know more about Darren, the son of Artemis?
Read his story here!
http://www.percyjacksonfanfiction.com/Story/61303/The-Son-of-Artemis/