Chapter 56:

Hello there. I know the updates have been slow but I am still adapting to the University. By the way, I am still not happy with my Roman meeting chapter but as I decided I couldn't keep you waiting any longer I decided to accelerate an event and write it now. Hope you enjoy.

Rachel's POV

While Percy went to organize everyone to leave Bunker 9 I wondered how things have gotten so drastic so quickly. These changes in history are certainly taking its toll with all the dangers ahead.

When Percy left I grimaced. I prayed I wouldn't have to use it but with our problems multiplying it seems I will have to. I muttered "reveal yourself" in the old tongue and a wooden bracelet appeared in my wrist.

I stared down at the simple bracelet. It was one single piece of White Oak wood without any carvings but it was probably one of the best gifts I have ever received. I let my memory wander to the day I was given this, 3000 years ago.

FLASH BACK

Achilles finally left his private room, with his new lover Oenone close behind. Zoë left to get some food but I waited until they came back. They both smiled at me.

"Thank you so much for your help, Rachel," Achilles said gratefully.

"It was my pleasure," I said grinning.

"Maybe so but you still helped me and I owe you if you could please come with me I would appreciate it," He said. "Oenone and I agreed we would both give you a thank you present."

"Oh that is not necessary," I said quickly.

"Yes it is," Oenone said. "But first my love will give you your present while I give Zoë hers," She said and left after one last beamed smile.

I shrugged and followed Achilles until we reached his private room. After explaining me what it was, although I knew because I used a spell to watch their conversation, not that I told him, he gave me a small wooden box. I opened it and saw a simple wooden bracelet.

"This kind of wooden bracelet is a rare," Achilles stated. "It is crafted by the combined efforts of Mermaids and Dryads and it has a core made of gill and an outer layer made of White Oak. It extremely powerful properties but to put it simple, it is a catalyst for a magician like yourself. Wherever you may go that bracelet may channel energy from nature itself into one big boost of raw power to fuel your magic. As long as there are plants or sea around you, it will store the energy.

My eyes widen. That is one great catalyst. I grabbed it and put it on my right wrist.

"Thank you," I said smiling.

The weird thing was that Achilles didn't smile me back. He looked grim.

"I am not done explaining," He said. "I am giving you this to help you survive in case you need a boatload of power to defend yourself but if it has a lot of power concentrated, then you must channel it to your body in small amounts in intervals."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because if you store more power in your body than it can handle and you don't use it quickly in a full scale spell you will die."

END OF FLASH BACK

I shuddered at the memory. Ever since I got this bracelet its energy reserves keep growing, slowly but surely. By the time there was so many tons of wood o make the Wooden Horse I got enough energy to I cast a strong warding spell to hide this bracelet, a spell that even Ares couldn't sense when he kidnapped me.

I hadn't told Percy about it and that is the one secret I have hidden from him with magical barriers in my mind. Ever since the Giants allied with the Titans I have considered to tell him about it but I hadn't because this magical item could kill me if I channel too much power and it could be a last resort method to save him.

"A last resort I might have to use," I thought as I remember the lines of Alice resent prophecy.

Two stand against the dark,

One of Set and of Sight

I still don't know who is Set but if I am Sight I may have to fight the dark with this great power in my arsenal. And then… there are those lines of the New Great Prophecy.

Two minds shall intertwine,

To the very edge of death,

But of victory as well.

I gulped as I thought that. That can only mean Percy or me will get dangerously close to death; and if I would have to guess… I would say it will be me trying to sacrifice myself to save Percy by overloading the power I possess.

I sighed. I guess I will have to wait to see what choice I make according to the situation. But I know one things for sure. If there is anyone I am willing to die for, it is for Percy Jackson, the man I love.

Well, please let me know what you think.