Not for the first time, Ceri wondered why Hades didn't have a cabin in the first place.

It's like everyone pointedly ignored where they'd all end up when they died. Well, maybe not satyrs and maybe not centaurs (she didn't know where they went). She recalled Grover saying that when satyr's died they got reborn into plants and stuff. Parts of nature. And then there were the different variants of the afterlife. Like Magnus Chase going to Valhalla.

It didn't really matter though, she'd died and she'd been reborn here so . . . so she couldn't really say she knew what happened after death either. It was a mixed bag, she guessed.

But still, everyone here had the assumptions they'd end up in the Underworld. You'd think they'd want to appease the Lord of the Dead before that, you know? If they went so far to make Hera a cabin even though she'd never even have half-bloods, it'd make sense to make him one, too.

Why was she thinking of this, though?

It might be because the Stoll brothers were annoying her and she wanted to do as Meg had and poke one—or both—in the eyes. It started when they were introduced.

"Ceri?" one of them had questioned when she'd told them her name. "Sounds like Cherry."

"Does Cherry like cherries?"

She wanted to punch them. They'd only continued to refer to her as a fruit. She could hear the difference.

Now, again, Ceri was supposed to be the nice and kind one. Not so when she was stressed, apparently.

It might be because while Bianca and the Hunters were joking and laughing at the Artemis table, she and Nico had to sit at the Hermes table and listen to the brother's coax her brother to gamble. She wondered if she had it better than Percy and Thalia, who both sat alone at their father's tables. Then she remembered how cute it was when Nico had a "doctor's note" so he didn't have to sit alone at the Hades table so he could dine with Will.

They'd have to make an addendum, no children of Hades should sit at their table period, as the dead crawl out when they do and it's mildly disturbing for the other campers.

Anyways, it was annoying. Bianca was having fun without them and Ceri wasn't ashamed to admit she felt jealous. Not of Bianca, of course, but of the Huntresses who got to be with her. It should be her and Bianca, not them.

At least the cups they drank from were never empty. She downed her hot chocolate like it was whiskey, just barely keeping herself from dumping the hot liquid all over Travis and Connor Stoll. It wouldn't be very nice, and she didn't want to make any enemies first thing while she was here.

Just being Hades kid would get her into a lot of trouble.

"This is a bit boring," Nico told the brothers when they laid out the rules for poker. Ceri smirked, proud of her twin. "Where's the fun in this?"

"The stakes!" Travis insisted.

"Usually you bet things, like money and drachmas." Connor added.

"We don't have any money," Nico said with a frown. "We're orphans."

Technically speaking, as the children of Hades, they could potentially become very rich. Not that she was going to mention that, of course. Still, she was having a hard time keeping it to herself. She'd never been really good with secrets, even important ones.

She wondered when she'd cave and tell Nico who they were. She hoped she could keep it to herself long enough . . . ugh he'd be so upset with her though. What if he didn't consider her his sister anymore if (when) she explained everything in detail? A large part of her knew that wouldn't matter to her Nico, but the insecure, very new side of her that belonged to Sophie questioned it.

What if, when he looked at her, he saw a stranger?

Ceri wasn't super excited to play capture the flag with the Hunters.

The air around them was tense and since she knew how it'd end in their victory, she didn't see the fun in it. Heck, even they didn't want to play. They wanted to go out and help Artemis now that Zoë had her dream last night. But Chiron was in charge of them all—apparently even the Hunters—and they weren't allowed to go. Not until after the match and the Spirit of Delphi came out to party with them.

That got her thinking though, what if she could change some aspects of the future. If she could get Percy to score the win for Camp Half-Blood, she could potentially change other things as well. Maybe. Small details.

Was it okay for her to play with fate? Most likely not. But Ceri was impulsive by nature so she thought, let's give it a shot. If it came to bite her in the butt later, it bit her in the butt later. Or as the Japanese said, shouganai. It can't be helped.

When it came time for the game, she had a shaky plan at best. Well, it wasn't a plan, per se. She just wanted to see if she could hide in the shadows long enough to get the drop on Zoë before she got the drop on her brother and the Stoll's.

She remembered that Zoë had gotten to the flag and hadn't had any obstacles getting away from the defending team before she reached the other side. Percy had seen an opening and made a jump at it. Which in turn pissed Thalia off when they lost. Ceri wondered if Percy and Thalia needed to have a fight before Delphi came to deliver her prophecy. She hoped not.

Ceri felt uncomfortable in the armor her fellow campers set her up in. It was a bit heavy and definitely didn't fit right. Looking at Nico, she blushed in realization that she probably looked just as childish as he did in his armor. The both of them looked ridiculous with how it seemed to swallow them whole, the plates way too big, and the helm nearly falling off. At least she'd opted out of the sword he kept struggling to lift. She'd gone with a dagger instead, not looking to really use it, save for the butt of it.

"Isn't this awesome?" Nico said with a grin. He looked so happy just to be standing there, experiencing these things for the first time that Ceri resented her foreknowledge. If she hadn't hit her head she'd be just as lost and just as excited, maybe even more so. Games like this used to be her bread and butter. But the mist over Ceri's memories for some reason didn't apply to Sophie's, giving her these weird reactions even she found strange.

She was still technically the same person, had the same soul and everything except . . . not. She worried her brother would notice, and hoped he'd chalk it up to her still being glum about their sister's decision.

When she didn't reply, Nico started to badger Percy like an excited puppy.

"Do we get to kill the other team?" Nico asked, reminding her that maybe some things were just innate to the children of gods.

"Well . . . no."

"But the Hunters are immortal, right?"

"That's only if they don't fall in battle. Besides—"

"It would be awesome if we just, like, resurrected as soon as we were killed, so we could keep fighting, and—" Ha.

"Nico, this is serious. Real swords. These can hurt."

Her brother deflated at the truth. Ceri laughed at his forlorn face before she turned to the son of the sea god.

"You sound like a mother, Mama Percy," she said with a mark of mischief in her voice. Percy's face reddened, causing her to laugh more. It was fun knowing exactly what he was thinking in specific situations.

"No I don't," he mumbled. "Anyway, just follow the team. Stay out of Zoë's way. We'll have a blast."

Then came Chiron's thundering hooves.

"Heroes!" he called. "You know the rules! The creek is the boundary line. Blue team—Camp Half-Blood—shall take the west woods. Hunters of Artemis—red team—shall take the east woods. I will serve as referee and battlefield medic. No intentional maiming, please! All magic items are allowed. To your positions!"

"Sweet," she heard Nico whispering to Percy. "What kind of magic items? Do I get one?"

Percy opened his mouth to respond when Thalia called, "Blue team! Follow me!" He looked a bit relieved to say the least.

Their team broke into a raucous cheer before they followed after the girl in punk.

They set the flag at the top of Zeus's Fist. It wasn't a statue or anything, just a pile of boulders, really. Percy once referred to it as the Poop Pile. She had to admit that's exactly what it looked like when seen from the side. Still, it was impressive in that it was at the very least twenty feet high, and difficult to climb.

The Stoll Brother's, Nico and then her were set to guard the base. She wasn't looking forward to Zoë shooting her arrows at them. A part of her was paranoid one of them would kill her and she wasn't all that excited about death. A daughter of Hades she may be, but that didn't mean she was immune to her own fears of the inevitable end.

After Thalia and Percy had their small little tiff and half of their team departed, Percy took to climbing up the mounds of rocks. Nico tried climbing up after him shortly after, but she stood by the Stoll brother's, waiting for the moment Percy made his break. She'd have to keep her eyes open for Zoë.

Percy looked down at Charles Beckendorf who she hadn't really noted until then. He was as described in the books, dark skinned and muscular in the way that most demigods seemed to share after they'd been at camp a while. He was quite handsome. Actually she didn't think she'd actually seen one ugly person yet. Clearly the children of the gods were blessed on that front.

"Can you guys hold the fort?" Percy asked.

Beckendorf snorted. "Of course."

"I'm going in."

Then Percy was gone and Ceri was wondering if she could step into the boulder's shadows and meld herself with it. She should be able to, but she had no training. She toed the line of a shadow and concentrated on becoming one with it. When nothing happened, she sighed and looked up in time to see just the girl she was waiting for aim her bow for one of the Stoll's.

"Watch out!" she cried, and was relieved when the boys turned and barely swiveled from the girls shot. Nico was grinning, holding up his sword when Zoë, swift as lightning, slammed her fist into Travis Stoll's face and quickly made her way up the boulder's. Ceri pressed her hands against the rocks, willing for some sort of power to come flowing through her.

Ceri narrowed her eyes, watching as Zoë nearly reached the flag. It wasn't even a serious game, but she felt her stomach drop the same moment Ceri felt a strange twinge in her gut. Instead of seeing Zoë triumph, she saw the rocks beneath her feet crumble. She tripped, her hands catching a snag in a bolder in time for her not to drop.

Ceri's eyes widened, knowing that somehow she'd done that but was confused on exactly how. Part of her wanted to believe it was coincidental, but the larger part reasoned that it hadn't happened in the books.

The Huntress glanced at the ground in confusion, but seemed to toss the oddity aside and focus back on the flag.

But good 'ole Beckendorf was there having raced up there right after her, his fists closing around her ankle as he dragged her down and they heard Thalia shouting something in the background. Zoë kicked mercilessly at Beckendorf's head, growling in fury when he simply grit hit teeth and kept his grip tight on her.

She readied her bow and arrow then, most likely with fart arrows seeing as that was probably the least lethal offense they had.

They never got to find out.

Percy came dashing in with the flag, an expression of intensity and exhilaration on his handsome face, blocking out and seamlessly dodging the onslaught of the attacking Hunters in pursuit of him. Nico and the Stoll brothers cheered him on, seeing he was nearly there.

Ceri heard a grunt of pain and turned back to see Beckendorf on the ground, Zoë already racing back down the boulders with their flag in hand.

She went zig-zagging between the Stoll's and Nico when they tried reaching for her or attacking. She was quick. Ceri almost couldn't believe her eyes, and neither, apparently, could Percy. He slowed for a split second before he reinvigorated his legs and pumped himself towards the waters, probably looking for a power boost.

"Percy she's going to run into you!" Ceri shouted before he made it to the waters.

Percy heard her before the Huntress with the flag could reach him to slow him down. He dodged her in time that they ran past each other to Zoë's chagrin. Ceri was already running towards him, fishing out a water bottle that was filled with lake water she'd packed just in case. She wondered if it would even work as she uncapped it and splashed it over him as their paths crossed.

And then it was just a game of speed.

Moment's later they all heard Chiron shout, surprise evident in his voice, "Camp Half-Blood wins!"

She burst into laughter at that, elation causing her to bounce on her heels.

"WHAT!?" A Hunter yelled.

The whole of the campers burst into loud cheering. The Aphrodite cabin was the loudest, they really didn't like the Hunters, so it made sense. They were shouting out, "Love always wins!" as well as other sappy things while the Hunters gaped and looked like they were short circuiting.

"This makes no sense," another of the Hunters said.

"But we always win," cried a third.

"Why is this surprising?" Nico wondered aloud with a big grin. Ceri burst into further laughter, her body rocking with humor. She savored her sister's disappointment even as it hurt her, as petty as it was, and relished in her brothers look of joy.

Travis Stoll chuckled, mischief in his eyes as he informed Nico that this was the first win they'd had in years. That before today, the Hunters winning streak had made it to fifty-five, and that they'd managed to break it.

Thalia looked perplexed, upset and happy all at the same time. She looked ready to ram in on Percy for taking the risk, but since it'd paid off, she couldn't really say anything. Percy just looked worn and pleased, riding on the high of victory.

He walked towards her, gratitude in his eyes.

"Thanks for earlier, Ceri."

"Anytime, Mama Percy."

His smile turned into a frown. "Please don't call me that."

"Then Seaweed Brain?" she said it teasingly, but his face drew in.

It was the wrong thing to say. She'd forgotten Annabeth was missing.

"You'll find her, Percy." She was ninety-nine percent sure of it. The one percent was the off chance things didn't go as predicted.

"I can't until we get a quest," he said, his face a storm. It was clear he really cared about his friend. Well, Annabeth would turn into more than a friend, but for now friend.

Thalia came in then with a small grin on her face, apparently having decided to choose happiness over anger at Percy. "I guess the risk paid off."

Percy smiled, looking tired. "Only thanks to Ceri." Which was actually very true.

Had she not been here, they'd have lost. It was a cheering thought as much as it was terrifying. They could lose because of her just as much as win. When the high of the win slipped from her, she thought for a moment that she wanted a do-over, just in case this screwed everything up. Oh, gods, she prayed. Please don't let this come bite me in the butt.

"Oh right, the water. How did you know it would work?" Thalia asked.

"He's the son of Poseidon," Ceri said with a shrug. "It was a gamble."

"So you do like to gamble," Connor cried, overhearing them.

"Not with cards! The stakes aren't high enough!" It was meant as a joke but it was seconds later she realized it was the truth. Was this her fatal flaw? She knew every hero had one. Would it prove to be everyone's end if she gambled with their lives? She sure hoped not.

The Stoll's laughed.

And then laughter seized, Percy's and a few others stare in some direction caused her to look up to see a figure making it's way down through the forest. She was able to sigh in relief. Thank the gods for small mercies. The oracle had come.

Five shall go west to the goddess in chains,

One shall be lost in the land without rain,

The bane of Olympus shows the trail,

Campers and Hunters combined prevail,

The Titan's curse must one withstand,

And one shall perish by a parent's hand.

It rattled around in her head as she tossed and turned later that night.

The moment they'd received the prophecy, Zoë and the Hunters had wanted to depart immediately, but they'd been forced to stay for a moment to prepare and decide who was all going. That came in the form of some of the more older campers and the Hunters meeting for a bit. She wasn't invited, but she could guess how it'd gone down. They wanted to ignore the fact the prophecy included campers, and in their sexism towards men, they'd refuse to bring Percy along. Not that that would matter, seeing as he'd go along anyways.

With the help of Blackjack and the unseen puppeteering of Aphrodite, of course.

Ceri had managed to catch her sister before they'd left for the meeting, but she wasn't sure if her words had gotten through.

"Don't steal things that don't belong to you!" Ceri had told her, and Bianca just seemed to laugh at the oddity of her littler sister warning her not to commit crimes. She wanted to be more specific on what not to steal, but was unsure how well that would play out. It was annoying, having to be careful.

And how useless was she in all this? Knowing all there was to know about the story, and yet there was no role for her to take. All the slots were filled in the play, and she was left to the background helping with lighting and curtain pulling. She'd had a small victory earlier today in changing a small event, but she couldn't see how that would change anything substantial.

There was a good thing about the prophecy though that she hadn't realized before. Her sister didn't need to die, as it was never stated she would. She just needed to get lost in the desert. Unless the land without rain meant the Underworld. Gods she sure as hell hoped not.

Nico was trying to sleep in the sleeping bag on the floor next to her, but he didn't seem to be having anymore luck than she did. There were empty beds since it was during the school year and most of the camp was empty anyways, but she hadn't wanted to sleep in the Hermes cabin beds. The floor wasn't comfortable, but it was better than feeling strange about sleeping in some strangers place.

Just outside her ears perked at the voices of her sister and Zoë. This was when Nico would get out of bed to follow them, and later he'd make Percy promise to keep her safe.

When Nico started to slip from his sleeping bag she decided she'd let happen whatever would.

Maybe even then she recognized the futility in warnings.