CHAPTER XIX:Meeting The Spirit Of Delphi.

I sat in a calm green meadow, that swayed quietly in the wind. Several snakes with many different patterns surrounded me, and a beautiful woman stood in front of me.

The woman stood just outside the circle of snakes. She wore a beautiful white dress that was decorated with golden snakes. The woman wore a necklace of Apollo, and a golden snake charm was wrapped around her wrist. I looked up at her face and saw brilliant emerald green eyes, and luscious brown hair. She smiled down at, reaching out her hand, and helped me to my feet.

"Hello Mary. I've been waiting for you." She said.

Her voice was kind and soft like the wind, with a slight familiarity that I could not place.

"Mary, daughter of Hades, please come with me." The woman said.

The snakes opened a path for me, and I followed her as we walked through the meadow to an Ancient Greek city. Translucent figures in the shape of people moved through me and the woman like phantoms. I followed her through the crowded streets as these shadows of the past moved about. In the distance I could see a giant marble statue of Athena watching over the city and it's people.

"Athens, beautiful isn't it? It's not your favorite city, but it's mine. It was a shame to watch such beauty destroyed in the Peloponnesian war." She said.

We moved through the streets, and started climbing steps to the statue. I could still hear the snakes hissing as they continued to followed us, as we continued our walk.

"Madam...who are you?" I asked.

She looked at me and smiled "Who do you think I am?" She asked back.

"The spirit of the Oracle?" I said.

As we continued our walk up to the white marble figure of Athena as she answered "Am I the Oracle? Yes. Am I the spirit of the Oracle? No. So Not wrong, but not correct either.".

I stared at her confused wondering what she meant.

"My spirit was split in two parts, thanks to Apollo, and I'm only a halve of a full spirit. I allow you to walk through dreams, and see glimpses of the future. However, I can't help you see into the future while you're conscious. As for my appearance this was one my first mortal forms." She continued.

We were nearing the statue now, and I was still confused.

"So this Oracle thing. That means I can't date or have children right?" I asked.

"Those rules don't apply to demigods, in a way. If you did have children as a demigod, or mortal, with the spirit of the Oracle you'd be burned from the inside out. However, because of Aphrodite it passes the spirit on instead. Which means falling in love forfeits my spirit from your care." She answered stepping up to the giant statue.

"Damn....that bitch ruins everything." I said.

"Yes, indeed she does. Now you're probably wondering why i brought you here." She said.

I nodded as snakes circled us again staying at a distance when we stopped.

"The minor gods are rising in defiance. Morpheus, Hypnos, Hecate, and so many others against the gods of old. I fear your father may join them as well." She said.

I stood in fear and shock that my father could join their rebellion. I knew the minor gods were unhappy, but war seemed extreme, especially for my father. Was he unhappy that his opinion only mattered on the winter solstice? Yeah, but not enough to fight his family.

A million thoughts ran through my head, as I suddenly felt a surge of calm. Two snakes had broken away from the circle and slithered up to my ankles, and had bitten me, calming me down from a pending panic attack. I sat down and took deep breaths, as the snakes slowly moved away, and went back into the circle around us.

"The minor gods children will obviously join them, but some other demigods will follow....be careful Mary, and no matter what you do, do not give up on your halve of the Oracles spirit. It will save your life." She said.

I popped awake to see the sun was high in the sky. I sat down thinking about what had happened, until I realized one major detail about today.

"Mary?! Where are you?!" I heard a voice call out.

Persephone stepped in front of me annoyed of the new arrivals in her realm, "Honey your...friends.....are here. PLEASE escort them out." She said.

Persephone turned around walked away, and practically stomped away, as I stood up and walked to the flowery stone path. Penny was waiting there with Mino in the middle of the path.

"Hi Mary, ready to look for the next artifact location?" Penny said smiling.

I nodded, and led them out of Elysium as the Oracles voice echoed in my head. 'Do not give up your halve of my spirit'.