Chapter 11 - I Got Initiated Into The Pack

Christine Galliardo (?)

I groaned as I shifted on my bed. My body was sore all over and my head throbbed in a dull rhythm. I blinked at the sliver of light streaming through a hole on the roof. I should ask Jason to help me fix that. Dad will get angry for sure. Anyway, when did I get back to the cabin? What time is it? Did I miss breakfast? A series of questions flooded my mind. I lazily sat up and ran my hand through my hair as I turned to look if Jason was around.

Instead of the blonde son of Jupiter, a wolf was waiting by the doorway. He has white fur with tufts of beige across his lean body. I could tell he was still young, yet old enough to start learning how to hunt with the pack. How did I know his gender? I just know. Don't ask.

I stared at the wolf a moment longer than I liked before realizing what had happened and was really happening. Camp Jupiter. Wolves. Lupa. Her final test. The searing pain that wracked my body. Me blacking out. When everything finally sink in, the throbbing pain in my head became worse. My body has started to register the multiple injuries that afflicted it. I felt nauseous, disoriented, and weak at the same time. I leaned heavily to the wall for support. I wanted to call badly for Alexios but I gave him a silent order before he left. Do not come back until it is over. Alexios listens only to me and takes my commands seriously. He probably wouldn't show up unless he confirmed it is really over.

The wolf made a low, whistling sound which seemed to be a cross between a bark and a howl. I looked up weakly and saw Lupa standing by the doorway. The sun casting soft amber hues on her chocolate red fur. "Do not fight it." She said. "Resisting will only prolong your pain."

"Lupa...ugh!" I keel over, panting heavily. I could taste something sour and acidic creeping up my throat.

The wolf turned to his mistress. They exchanged a brief look before Lupa decided to come over. As she drew near, I felt myself shrinking. By the time she was standing beside me, she was five feet, give or take, taller than me. A strong feeling of trepidation swallowed me. I sank lower as if trying to melt down to floor.

"Let it flow. Let it take you."

Her voice was soothing, almost motherly. I kept my head down, sinking into a submissive stance before the alpha wolf. It was only then, that I realized that what I was looking at below were not my hands.

Instead of human hands, paws now supported my small frame. Fur of winter white streaked with silver grey covered every inch of my body. Instead of human words, a small whimper of a young animal escaped my throat. Lupa leaned in and licked my head. My body went autopilot. I stayed still as she cleaned my ears and face. I wanted to speak but wolf instincts forbid me to. I whimpered helplessly.

"You are now a part of my pack. A warrior of mine." She declared. "And a child of Rome. Now and for eternity."

Thalia Grace

CRACK!

I turned sharply toward Chiron's direction. The teacup made of fine China he was holding a while ago now lay on the wooden floor in shattered pieces. The tea was now only a puddle, dripping through the gaps between the floorboards. The sudden shock on Chiron's face changed quickly as it appeared. He turned to Rachel. "Ms. Dare, would you please get the broom and dustpan from the storage closet?"

The Oracle slid out of her seat. "Should I get the mop too?"

"Ah, yes. I believe it was left outside for drying."

"Got it."

"Thank you."

Rachel left the rec room to fetch the said cleaning materials. Chiron sighed before leaning down and picking up the big pieces of the shattered teacup.

"Are you alright, Chiron?" Annabeth asked worriedly.

"Yes, child." He assured. "Don't worry about me." He gestured to Nico. "Please continue Mr. di Angelo."

Nico cleared his throat before speaking. "As I was saying, the gods have decided to issue a quest for the reclamation of the Underworld. There weren't specific about it though. They just want it back to the control of Hades. The gods assumed that Tartarus will weaken for a significant degree if the Underworld will be taken out of his grasp."

"That would be difficult." Reyna pointed out. "Considering the fact we have another all-out war coming within a few days. We got less than enough for an army against Tartarus, even with the gods helping. Many just recently fully recovered from the previous battle. Letting even a few to take the quest will be a huge stake for our side."

"That's true." Nico frowned. "But it may be an advantage for us."

"You mean sealing the doors that connects Tartarus and the Underworld?" Butch asked.

"Yes." Nico nodded in confirmation. "By sealing the doors, we cut off the rest of Tartarus' army and prevent those defeated from coming back easily."

Hazel beamed. "Just like the Doors of Death!"

"Exactly."

"But the issue still remains." Lou interjected. "We can't send campers out to a quest for the next coming days. The war's our top priority. Plus, the main player has gone missing. Again."

We looked at each other. The daughter of Hecate was right. The main player - Christine Galliardo or should I say, Ariacalyssa - has gone missing now in the most critical days before the war. I don't know what gotten in that girl's head but I'm pretty sure chickening out is not in her vocabulary. Rachel reappeared by the doorway, carrying the cleaning equipment in addition to a garbage bag and a pair of gloves. Chiron threw the pieces he picked up and began helping Rachel cleaning up the floor.

It was my brother who dispersed the silence. "Say, did anyone of you notice anything odd about her since the previous meeting?" He asked then, shrugged. "Like zoning out or I don't know, talking to herself?"

"Dude!" Leo snorted. "That's normal. I mean, Frank always talks to his mini dads in his head."

"I don't!" Frank defended.

"And Annabeth has that faraway look when she's getting into the crafty Athena mode."

Annabeth groaned. "That's not what he meant, Leo."

I placed hand under my chin. Something about her as a whole that bothered me. "Penny for your thoughts, sis?" Jason asked.

"There's one." I started. "Something about her eyes. No...it's everything about her that was odd during the previous meeting."

"What is?" Will inquired curiously.

"Her as a whole." I answered. "Like she's a different person back then."

Hazel gasped loudly. "Oh gods!"

"What?"

She sharply turned to Chiron as disbelief and shock were drawn to her face. Jason seemingly picked up her thoughts and gone pale. He bit his lip and gave us a troubled look.

"Hey, look. We're not psychics." Percy interrupted. "At least, not all of us. A little telling would be nice."

Hazel composed herself. Though, I could see her wringing her hands out of uneasiness. "I think...the reason she left was partly because she's going schizophrenic."

"Demigod language, please." Katie requested.

"Meaning she's having a split-personality." Reyna took the liberty to answer. Despite the calm front she's putting up, I could still see the incredulity creeping beneath. "She has started to develop another self. That is, her Roman counterpart. And if I am correct, she must have gone to Camp Jupiter. To meet with Lupa."