Chapter Text
~ In Camp Half-Blood ~
[Will Solace’s POV]
I was in the infirmary doing the final preparations for mine and Nico’s wedding which would be in a month, gods, I can’t express how excited I am. Why isn't Nico here? Well, he’s teaching the sword fighting class. As for details of our wedding, well… it’s a surprise, you guys just have to wait and see.
It’s been 11 months, and things have been peaceful lately, no sign of Zephyrus. That name made me shudder. I just can’t shake him out of my mind, now can’t I? Fortunately for us, we have the wedding plans to keep us distracted.
And everything was going well, until today. As I was picking which flower should be the highlight of our wedding, a mortal teenager that looked exactly like my dad minus the muscles walked into the infirmary. I was hoping this isn’t what I thought it was but of course the gods just won’t give me a break as the boy approached me and said, “Hi son, I’m so sorry about the succeeding events.”
I sighed then looked at him, why am I not surprised that my dad’s a mortal now, “Are you alright?”
Apollo nodded, “There’s a new prophecy.”
Dread washed over me, as I looked into my father’s eyes which was filled with guilt, I knew my fears were confirmed, but I couldn’t let my dad blame himself for this, so I squeezed his shoulders reassuringly, “Hey, this one’s on me, and I’m ready to face whatever it is.” The thing is, I was sure I was. I knew that this peace was the calm before the storm, and now the calm has passed. I can’t run away from my sins forever, I knew I had to face it someday. I just wished it could have been after the wedding, but I should have known better.
Apollo studied me then nodded hesitantly, “Let’s go see Rachel and figure it out because I’m not going to let you face this on your own.”
I smiled at him, “Even if you’re turned to a mortal.”
Apollo scoffed at that, “I have no idea why Zeus’ judgments on things are always so bad, this would’ve been easier if I was a god.”
I chuckled at that, “I’m sure he has his reasons, we’re just not sure if they’re valid.” Apollo cracked a smile at that then put his arm around my shoulder, “Let’s go see Rachel then.” I hummed in agreement then we walked towards Rachel’s cave.
As soon as we got there, Rachel was fussing around, and without even looking she said, “There you guys are, what took you guys so long?”
I chuckled, “So you expected us to come then?”
Rachel stopped in her tracks then smiled at Will, “Duh! I’m the oracle after all.”
I nodded, “Right, right, sorry.” Rachel then ran to hug me, “Ugh no, don’t be. I hate that this prophecy has to be centered around you.”
I sighed, “The life of a demigod, huh?”
Rachel sighed, “Yeah, does Nico know you’re here?”
I immediately looked away, “Umm, about that, could we keep it a secret after I get the prophecy then I’ll find a way to break it to him, hmm?”
Rachel gave me an exasperated look, “You know how protective your fiance is-”
I cut her off defensively, “Yeah, I know, I know, but let me handle him, okay?”
Rachel sighed, “You better know what you’re doing, William Andrew Solace.”
I rubbed the back of my neck nervously because I didn’t really want Nico to be involved, he’s already been through a lot, but I also knew he wouldn’t let me do this without him, unless I do something about it…
I was snapped out of my thoughts when Apollo clasped his hands together, “Alright Rachel, what about that prophecy, eh? We could also use some of your visions for guidance on where to start first.”
Rachel crossed her arms towards Apollo, “Magic word?” I stifled a laugh as Apollo sighed, “Please?”
Rachel nodded, “Much better.” Then she searched inside her chest that was at the corner of the cave until she found a piece of paper. She hesitantly walked back to me then handed it to me. I took it, “Oh? It’s already said?”
Rachel nodded grimly then exchanged a look with Apollo, “You haven’t told him it’s a Great Prophecy?”
Apollo sighed apologetically, “I didn’t want to be the one to break the news.” I ignored them despite the dread building up as I opened the scroll then read it aloud:
A plague will start by a healer's hand,
But can only be stopped by the same man.
The sun will fight by his side,
Only for him to lose his sight.
I suddenly felt the weight of all those kept up guilt come out, “A plague will start by a healer’s hand?” I then turned to Rachel, “How bad is it out there?”
Rachel bit her lip nervously, “Do you have to know?”
I gave her a stern look, trying to pluck as much courage as I could. Rachel then pulled out a newspaper, “This happened 3 days ago, but it seems to be spreading fast around New York.”
I suddenly felt guilty, “Oh gods…” Apollo kept his arm around me to keep me upright as he added, “And, it’s spreading badly around the dryads, and satyrs too… You guys are only protected because of the magical borders of camp, but yeah, it’s bad.”
I then remembered the next line, “I’m the only one who can stop it, right? So do I just look for everyone affected and heal them?”
Rachel pursed her lips, “That could work, but you’ll overwork yourself, not to mention that mortals would freak out if you approach them then heal them with your touch.”
Apollo nodded, “That’s right, we need a cure that Olympus is going to distribute and make it seem like scientists have discovered it.”
I took a deep breath, “So, I have to discover a cure, and only I can do it? The prophecy doesn’t even say how.”
Rachel nodded, “Yeah, it‘s as if the prophecy is incomplete.” And as if on cue, Rachel’s eyes turned green as green smoke surrounded her. Why did it scare me? Oh right, it reminded me too much of my plague powers. Okay, I have to focus. Rachel then began reciting what seems to be another prophecy:
The heroes must venture to Chaos to craft a cure,
But it can only be done by those with a heart so pure,
To stop a wind god who plotted it all,
And a snake that's guarding but also in control.
Rachel gasped then I immediately ran to her to catch her, going into doctor mode despite the weight of how much that second prophecy had shed light on our quest and its dangers. I checked her vitals and she seems to be alright. Rachel opened her eyes then I sighed in relief. She smiled at me, “If I were you, I’d worry about myself more.”
Apollo knelt down beside me in concern, “How are you feeling son, you alright?”
I was scared, that's for sure, but I’m going to face this, and nothing is going to change my mind, “Yeah, I-I’m fine.” I said shakily.
Rachel and Apollo exchanged a look as Rachel sat up then turned to Apollo, “Can two prophecies be connected?”
Apollo hesitantly nodded, “It hasn’t happened before, but I guess it’s possible.”
Rachel nodded then turned to me, “Are you sure you want to talk about this now? We could take a break and continue tomorrow, you know.”
I shook my head, “A plague that I started is spreading like wildfire out there, let’s not wait for it to be a global pandemic, I have to do something fast.”
Rachel nodded as Apollo said, “You mean, we have to do something, the prophecy did say the sun will fight by your side.”
I chuckled, “I guess the fates declared for you to come.”
Apollo hummed, “The reason why Zeus turned me mortal is because apparently gods can’t go on quests.”
Rachel snorted, “What a stupid rule.”
I cracked a smile at that then remembered the plague, I was plunged in guilt and so, “Where do we start then?”
Apollo shrugged, “The wind god must be Zephyrus.”
I nodded, “That part is obvious. As for the snake, do you think-?”
Apollo shuddered, “It’s possible, Python must be bitter that I killed him and now he wants to bring me down.”
Rachel sighed, “And also the whole Olympian council.”
I turned to her in shock, “What?!”
Rachel nodded, “He’s tired of the gods ruling the world the way they are, and so, he wants to start a new era where everything is fair, well fair based on his judgment that is. He's gathered an army, I saw it in a vision.” Then she turned to Apollo, “His army is composed of your enemies.”
My dad looked scared and so I tried comforting him, “We’ll stop them, okay? We’re going to make sure they don’t even reach Olympus.”
My dad sighed, “Zephyrus plotted it all, I should’ve known.”
Rachel nodded, “And I do have an idea where you guys can start.”
I turned to her with hopes in my eyes, “Where?”
She pursed her lips, looking quite hesitant, “I didn’t see it fully, but I did see Apollo asking Asclepius, as for if he’ll help you or not, I’m not sure.”
Apollo’s eyes lit up at that, “Of course Asclepius! He’s always been a good kid like you.” He turned to me then smiled, “Maybe he’d know where Chaos is which didn’t move with us when the whole civilization did so it’s still somewhere Greece, and he may know how to craft things from Chaos itself.”
Rachel nodded grimly, “Are you sure he’ll help though?”
Apollo nodded without hesitation, “I do.” I trusted my dad then hummed, “Well at least we’ll have somewhere to start.”
Apollo then realized something, “One problem though. Asclepius stays in Epidaurus, how do we get there?”
I sighed, “Well, if Chaos is going to be in Greece, at least we’d be close.”
Apollo nodded grimly, “But a trip to the Ancient Lands is always more dangerous.”
Rachel nodded, “Not like you have a choice, but I do have an idea for transportation-”
I immediately knew what she was going to suggest and so I cut her off, “No, we’re not letting Nico shadow-travel us there, it would kill him. Plus, the prophecy didn’t hint of him coming, he would have to stay out of this. This is my burden, and I’m facing it alone.”
Rachel shrugged, “You’re so stubborn, but you know who’s more stubborn? Nico. Goodluck stopping him from coming.”
Truth be told, I do have an idea on how I’ll stop Nico. Guilt filled me as the thought came into mind, but it would be a last resort thing, and I’m doing this to protect him: to keep him safe, so this couldn’t be that bad, right?
Rachel then snapped her fingers, “That’s it! Pegasus!”
I smiled at her, “That’s not a bad idea.”
Apollo chuckled nervously, “I’m a bit rusty.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at that as Rachel laughed rather loudly, “Don’t worry dad, Percy’s in camp for the weekend, maybe he could give you some lessons.”
Apollo nodded, “If I must…” I then stood up then offered him a hand, “Come on, let’s go see him, he’s probably in the stables finishing up his pegasus riding class.”
Apollo nodded then took my hand as I helped him up. I nodded at Rachel but before we could leave, she grabbed my arm, “Don’t you think I didn’t notice how you completely ignored a part of the prophecy.”
I sighed, “You actually think my dad would blind me?”
Rachel sighed, “Not purposely, no, but that’s not what I’m worried about, what if it’s metaphorical?”
I gave her a confused look, “Metaphorical, how?”
She shook her head, “You won’t literally lose your sight but you may lose sight of your goal, or worse of who you truly are?”
I shook my head, “Don’t worry about me, my motives are true and as the prophecy said, I’m pure hearted, nothing can make me betray those I love.” I still doubted myself especially with the guilt still taking over my system, this could easily be used against me, but I had to reassure the people around me. How am I going to believe in myself when even those I cared about doesn't?
Rachel sighed but she had a panicked look, “And I believe that, but Chaos is a strong force, how are we sure it doesn’t have any negative effects?” I must admit that did scare me. None of us has really been in direct contact with chaos...
Apollo then called out, “Will? Where are you?”
I called out, “Coming dad!” Then I turned to Rachel, “We don’t, but what choice do I have?” I felt the determination in me rise, but I really do hope that the guilt would just subside. Dam me and my fatal flaw.
Rachel gave me a sad smile then hesitantly hugged me, “Stay safe.” When she pulled away she then added, “And as cheesy as it sounds, I think to overcome Chaos is to listen to your heart, okay?”
I chuckled because that has been such a reoccurring advice from the past years, “Okay.” She smiled at me then we said our goodbyes as I followed my dad, leading him to the stables. When we got there, Percy waved at me, “Hi Will, how are the wedding plans going?”
I chuckled nervously, “Good, but I have a problem.”
Percy immediately gave me a concerned look, “Anything I could help with?”
I nodded at him then introduced Apollo, “I need you to teach my dad how to ride a Pegasus.”
Percy nodded, “Oh sure-” Then he stopped as if realizing something, “Your dad?”
I sighed, “Yup, Apollo’s a mortal and it is really essential for our quest if you could teach him.”
Percy’s eyes widened as he looked at me then Apollo then me again, “A quest?” He then gave Apollo an exasperated look, “What’s wrong with Olympus now?”