The moment Chiron heard the prophecy, he called an emergency meeting of the cabin leaders.
The campfire flickered as a dozen demigods gathered, each with wary eyes. Clarisse from Ares scowled across the flames. Silena from Aphrodite twirled a rose nervously. Will Solace from Apollo leaned forward, attentive.
Chiron stood, arms folded behind his back. "We have a new prophecy. It names a lost child of the Wild. We believe it may relate to Pan—and someone he left behind."
"Pan's dead," Clarisse growled. "Grover said he faded."
Grover stood beside Chiron, hands clenched. "That doesn't mean everything he touched disappeared. The Wild has roots that go deeper than we know."
Katie Gardner from Demeter's cabin leaned in. "The granddaughter of grain… that's a direct reference to our line. But Pan and Demeter? That's… that's not a pairing I've ever heard of."
"Old gods, old secrets," Chiron said. "This is not a tale Olympus is proud of."
Annabeth nodded thoughtfully. "A child of both the untamed wild and cultivated earth. That's like trying to mix chaos and order. No wonder she was sealed away."
"But where?" Will asked. "The prophecy says 'where ivy coils 'round stone and bone,' and mentions mountains and a throne. Could it be some kind of forgotten temple?"
"Or a tomb," Grover whispered. "There are places in the West where the forest still remembers. The kind of places even monsters won't go."
Chiron's expression darkened. "There are locations in the High Sierras, groves older than Olympus. I suspect her prison lies there."
Clarisse shook her head. "And you're saying this girl—this sealed demigod—could end or save us?"
"She holds the balance," Chiron confirmed. "Which is why the prophecy says three shall tread the silent field. It must be done carefully."
Percy looked around. "So… who's going?"
"I volunteer," Grover said immediately.
"Me too," Annabeth added. "I want to see this through."
Chiron nodded. "And Percy?"
"I figured I didn't have a choice," Percy muttered.
Chiron offered a faint smile. "You three have faced the impossible before. Just be careful. This quest is different. If the Wild rises… so might its enemies."
Silence fell over the circle, heavy with the weight of ancient roots stirring.