Log #2

417 PAGES

- FINISHED -

A walk through the woods

My son is older than me

Please, Zeus, make it stop

They found themselves strangling through the woods, searching the way to camp half-blood. Apollo and Meg had to find the route to the camp by themselves thanks to their ambush on the way here which made Percy had to be separated from them and lured the enemy away. The woods were acting strangely. The serene atmosphere sent chills through apollo body. The woods were so quiet but trying to forcefully say something. Then he heard someone said, "Find Me, Find Me" followed by the vines trying to throttle them. They ran with Meg leading the way. He was surprised to how Meg looked so confident navigating through the forest and how her words sent the vines into hesitation. But before he realised, they were out of the woods. He saw a bonfire in the distance and the open meadows of the camp half-blood. 

People were staring at them pleading for an explanation. It has been months since they have visitors. People were missing from the camp. The satyr hasn't brought back any unclaimed demigod. The communication between camp half-blood and camp Jupiter and even the outer world has been severed. Moreover, the woods seemed to go into life and went berserk calling for Demigods. Still, He and Meg came out with such a scene from the woods and been nominated as guests of the year. 

After hearing the full stories from Chiron - the advisor of camp half-blood, He went back to Apollo cabin for a rest. In assistance of Will solace, a young man with shaggy blonde hair and blue eyes, indeed, Will is his son. But in this case, Will is older than him. He could not feel more humiliated than he was now. Then he recalled for Chiron's stories. "The gods went on silent since the battles of Gaia. Both camps were in chaos. Demigods could not go on any quest because the oracle hasn't been working on any prophecy. Rachel Dare, his favourite priestesses of oracle has gone to find out what happened but hasn't come back since. They were already short of Demigods and the woods keep devouring them one by one. This morning was Miranda Gardiner- the heads of Demeter Cabin. They have been avoiding the woods but people are still missing."

The worst has yet to come but in the morning two demigods were missing at once. They were Austin and Kayla from the Apollo cabin. Apollo was so angry and almost burst into the woods by himself. But the fact that he was so vulnerable and weak restrained him from the thought. He was so ashamed of being a father who could not even save his own children.  Suddenly, they heard the sound of Helicopter on top of Half-blood hill, beside the Athena Parthenon. It was Rachel Dare. Soon, they learned about their enemies from her. The enemies had been building their powers and connections through millennia. They are none other than the Romans Imperials. They escaped from the underworld - Hades palace and has been working in shadows ever since. They have been preparing and now are their chance. The Oracle had been weakened since Apollo was turned into a mortal, and the palace of the strongest oracle, the Delphi, had been overthrown by Phyton. They are still not sure of who their real enemies are, but these are the best clues so far. 

Their alternative ways were by saving the ancient oracles. They need prophecies in order to go on a quest. Soon, they realized that the "Groves of Dodona" the most ancient oracle had moved to the woods of camp Half-blood. This is the best explanation as to why the Groves kept crying for the Demigods help. The enemies had to destroy all the ancient oracles in order to control over the prophecies and futures. 

Apollo went into the forest with Meg who found herself as an exceptional daughter of Demeter. This explained how she managed to tree-talk and summoned the grain baby spirit in diapers. But unfortunately, Meg hasn't fully escaped from his step-father influence. One of their enemies was indeed imperial Nero, The worst kind of Apollo descendants as well as Meg' step-father. In the end, they managed to save the grove of Dodona and the rest of the missing Demigods, but Apollo has to lose Meg for the price of that. The last Order from Meg to Apollo was "Do, what you need to do". He wasn't sure if Meg said that in order for him to save her from her step-father or it was just part his wishful thinking. 

'There was once a god named Apollo

who plunged in a cave blue and hollow

upon a three-seater

the bronze fire-eater

was forced death and madness to swallow.'

Then there was this another bits and pieces,

The fall of the sun; the final verse,,,

Indiana banana,,,

Happiness approaches,,,

Pages burning,,,

This is their first prophecy from the Grove of Dodona. A prophecy was never obvious from the start. But one thing for sure, Apollo's aid was coming. The bronze fire-eater,, happiness approaches,, 

then they heard this familiar thud.. thud.. noises from the sky. Tears of joys overflow the eyes of the whole campers. Leo Valdez is Back. Finally after the sacrifices he has made in the battles of Gaia. Well, let's say he is dead, but he is not, he was roaming on the sky, and here he is riding on the back of his machine Festus which mean happiness in latin with the immortal sorceress Calypso. Another long journey awaits Apollo and Leo. They have to go on a quest and save the remaining ancient oracles. And their first destination will be Indiana. 

It was so tense. I realized I was holding my breath and jumping on my couch several times when I was reading this book. I feel so touched especially when Leo Valdez finally make a major come back from death. I never believe that Leo is dead. To be Honest, I have made a special connection with Leo since I was reading the previous 5 books. I feel like he resembles me a lot. he was the type of the lonely guy who always makes the sacrifices because he thinks nobody will be at a loss even if he was not there anymore. He always feels out of place there. But still, he is so strong despite from all of this. That's why I feel happy for him when he finally found Calypso who cares and understand him deeply. I can't wait to read the next series "The Dark Prophecy" but it won't be released until April 2017.