Sparks in the Flame

Percy

“Are you sure he’s been saying exactly those things to you, child?” Chiron asked. Percy had taken Grace straight to Chiron when she’d decoded her prophecy, and she was now reciting what she knew.
“Yes.” Grace responded. It was early morning, but still dark out, although Percy could already feel the humidity in the air. “In my dream, the strange man kept talking about ‘fire’ and ‘flames.’ When Percy said ‘flame’ it reminded me of what he’d said.” Grace looked at Chiron. “Do you remember my prophecy?”
“The darkness of fire shall decide your fate. One other you will become to hate. The shadowed hand swipes the brethren of flame. The dance of darkness the fire will tame.” Chiron recited, eyes closed.
Grace grinned. “Yes! That’s it! That Corrina girl said it was dark, like really dark. In my dreams, I experienced what she was describing right before that man began to talk.” Grace began to speak faster, more excitedly. “You see? It was him that took Corrina and the other Hunters! It must be! He was the same one who controlled the darkness in my dreams!” She looked between the two of them expectantly.
“Um, Grace, are you sure there’s a connection? It was just a dream, you know.” Percy said. She frowned; crossed her arms. Chiron gave Percy a gentle, yet stern look.
“Is there anything else that could connect your prophecy with what happened to the Hunters?” Chiron asked, putting a hand on Grace’s shoulder.
“Oh! The man also mentioned a dance of some sort!” She said.
“You mentioned that to me before we came, I remember now.” Percy said. “He wanted the Hunters to join ‘his dance’ right?” He asked her. She nodded.
Grace snapped her fingers suddenly. “I must be the ‘fire’ he keeps talking about! Come on Chiron, this has to be my quest!” She pleaded.
Percy put his hand over her mouth, turning to face Chiron. “Hey, shouldn’t I get a say in this? I’m her brother. I’ll go instead. Even if this was her quest, I’m more experienced.” From beneath his hand, Grace bit him. He pulled his bitten finger to his chest. “Ow! You little-“
“Enough.” Chiron silenced them. “Demigods, please. This is a much too serious matter for this childish quarreling.” He turned to Percy. “And you. Be a good influence on the younger campers; none of this nonsense.” Percy blushed as Grace snickered at his reprimanding. Chiron turned away from the demigods. Percy could sense the wheels turning in his head. After a few moments, still nothing. It must be taking a while to get the dust off those ancient wheels, Percy thought. Finally, Chiron drew in his breath and faced them.
“I am going to consult the Oracle and decide in the morning.” Chiron said. Beside Percy, Grace tensed. Her anger was palpable.
“Please Chiron, if I may. The Oracle has already spoken about this, it has to be my quest.” She pleaded. Chiron put his hand on her shoulder.
“Good things come with time and patience, my child.” And with that, he turned and wheeled back into the Big House, the door shutting behind him with a thud. Percy turned to Grace, expecting tears, but he was met with a steely, determined gaze.
“Oh no. What are you about to do?” He asked. She began walking quickly back to Cabin 3, with Percy having to jog a little to keep up. When they reached the cabin, Percy stepped in between her and the door. “I know that look, Grace. I do that. What are you planning?” He inquired.
“Nothing, Percy, god.” She responded. “Come on, lemme in.” He begrudgingly dropped his shoulder and allowed her access to the doorknob. “I’m just a little annoyed that Chiron won’t listen to me, that’s all.” Grace said, stepping behind the newly-erected curtain to put her pajamas back on.
“Now, I’m gonna get an hour or two of sleep before breakfast, and you should too, we’ve been up almost all night.” She said, stepping back out and climbing up to her bunk. Percy sighed, hoping that she wouldn’t be this annoying forever.
He laid down on his bed, clothes still on. He was feeling pretty wrecked from the night’s activities. It didn’t take long for him to drift into a heavy sleep; heavy enough where he didn’t notice Grace leave her bunk.
*
Percy sat underwater on a throne made of coral. Surrounding him was just about every type of ocean animal he knew, plus a few he didn’t. He put his hand on his head – a crown sat atop it. In his right hand, he held his father’s trident, something he’d seldom been allowed to look at, never mind touch. The sea creatures seemed to be bowing to him. He stood up and waved to them, smiling. He blinked and a pufferfish appeared in front of his face. It opened its mouth.
“Percy! Percy! Come on, man, wake up!” It yelled. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his free hand.
Percy shot upright in bed. Standing above him was Nico, accompanied by Mrs. O’Leary, whose teeth were lightly clamped around his hand. She had barely squeezed her massive body into the cabin, and her haunches went out the door.
“Percy!” Nico snapped. “Snap yourself out of whatever dream you were having and get up!”
Percy carefully extracted his hand from Mrs. O’Leary and wiped her drool on his t-shirt. “What could it be this early?” He said.
“Percy, it’s Annabeth.”

Notes

Hey everyone! Long time no chapter! Well, things are just heating up at Camp Half-Blood...
I'm gonna switch things up a bit and go to Grace's chapter next instead of giving Percy another one because I have grand ideas for her!
Idk if I'm going to go back to two chapters at a time or stay with one, let me know what you guys think!
xoxo,
galeckey1234