A heavy gray sky hung low over Camp Half-Blood the afternoon Chiron called Percy and Annabeth to the Big House porch. Everyone already sensed something was coming, quests always changed the atmosphere, making the air tighter, sharper. Percy stood over the map Chiron laid out, arms crossed, eyes narrowed in concentration, while Annabeth leaned beside him, analyzing every detail like she was already halfway through planning the mission.

“This will be dangerous,” Chiron said, voice calm but serious. “Disappearances in the northern forests are increasing. Something old is stirring. Percy, you’ll need a team.”

“Annabeth’s my first partner,” Percy said instantly. She didn’t react, of course she was going.

“And your second?” Chiron asked.

The question hit harder than the first. Percy went quiet, staring at the map but clearly thinking beyond it. There were plenty of campers talented enough, plenty who’d volunteer in a heartbeat. But he wasn’t picking randomly, he was picturing whatever was hiding in the dark places of the forest.

After a long moment, Percy let out a slow breath. “For this… there’s only one person I trust.”

Annabeth looked at him, recognizing something in his tone. Percy finally lifted his head, decision clear in his eyes.

“I want her.”

Chiron raised his brows slightly, surprised but approving. “A strong choice.”

Annabeth nudged Percy with her elbow, a faint smirk tugging at her mouth. “Took you long enough.”

Percy ignored the comment, fingers curling against the edge of the table. “She can handle whatever’s waiting out there,” he said quietly. “We need someone like her.”

A cool breeze swept through the porch, rustling the edges of the map. Word would spread, it always did. Percy Jackson had chosen his second partner. And just like that, you became a key part of the quest before you even knew it.