combines Reyna's authority and Lucas's height.

He was a tan teen with an excessive use of hair gel to make it like the wind swept it to the side. His lanky arms held a bunch of stuffed animals that ranged from a pink dolphin to a grizzly bear. He wore a white toga over his SPQR T-shirt.

"Is this about what I said before? I swear I didn't say a cuss word back there." I said as I jogged along with Alexander and the two praetors.

"We wouldn't know what you said because you said it in a different language."

"Is this about the prophecy you spoke of two months ago?" Frank hurried up.

"It might be a stretch but yes. I'm not as feeble-minded as the last augur who hurled himself with a catapult."

I decided not to ask about what happened to the last augur and instead ask about what the heck is going on. "You said I'm a Japanese demigod. What makes you so sure that I am one?"

We entered Jupiter Optimus Maximus where a bunch of scribbles were etched on the floor. Ahead of us is an altar of stuffed animals and the statue of the Roman counterpart of Zeus: Jupiter. Alexander proceeded to grab a stuffed polar bear but had second thoughts. He gave the bear to me and proceeded to kneel on the floor where a recent-looking scribble was etched on the floor. I soon realized it was words that were etched on the floor.

"You Romans seriously have a lack of paper." I said to him.

"Just shut up and read."

I rolled my eyes at him and began reading the set of words aloud.

A child of the East will soar north

Through lies and treachery, they will show worth

The land lost in clouds, no longer protected

And will tie them together, the bond that they dreaded

Despite the crude writing, I managed to understand what it said.

"Do you understand now?" Alexander said as he grabbed the polar bear from me. "The prophecy is referring to you. I'd been cooped up in this shrine trying to decipher the prophecy when I soon realized that-" He cut the polar bear's arm and placed the amputated bear on the shrine. "It wasn't talking about our Asian campers. Despite my efforts to connect the prophecy to them I realized I was grasping at nothing-"

"And you made the assumption that there exists Japanese gods?" I asked skeptically.

"Yes!" He jumpes and grabbed the polar bear. "I believe that you are my silver lining in the prophecy. That you will be the chosen one to see the hidden camp!"

"Do not pull a Luke Skywalker on me."

"Alexander, are you sure that Kasumi is the one?" Frank asked the augur.

"I have never been sure since I predicted the 'Taco-nado Wednesday'."

"What happened during that?" I asked.

"Last week Wednesday, the food tornadoes 'malfunctioned', flinging tacos everywhere."

"Why wasn't I attacked last week?"

Alexander glared and gave the polar bear to me. "Do not mock the prophecy. I sense something big happening. Who knows? Maybe you'll be captured and get chained underground forever."

"Look." I said sternly which piqued the interest of everyone here. "As much as I want to ditch my job and do something else, I don't want to go on some destiny quest and possibly die the first few steps I get out of here. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm content with my life before all of this."

"Fujiwara." Reyna stepped in, full of authority. "I know how you feel. Every demigod wants a normal life without any qualms but we can't defy fate. After all, I believe the prophecy has something to do with the attack a few hours ago."

"The bird attack?"

"A few months ago, the same attack happened consecutively. The same bird monsters attacked the camp. It was strange since only one or few managed to escape. It's been like that for 3 months; coming back weekly, attacking campers and fleeing. We thought that there was a higher being commanding the attacks since it seems way too organized."

"So we tried to track them but they're smart. Every time we give chase the Mist somehow turns against us and makes us lose our targets." Reyna added in.

"This Mist..." I trailed off. "What is it?"

"The veil that fogs the vision from mortal eyes. If they see something magical, the Mist messes with their vision in order for them to comprehend it."

"So we're dealing with monsters... who are ninjas?"

Reyna scrunched her eyebrows before answering. "Yes."

"Which is why you..." Alexander gave me the bear. "Have to accept this quest. We fear a greater evil than this. And if my prediction is right then you'll be forever known a hero."

I clutched the polar bear. "I'm not doing this because I want to be a hero. I'm doing this because you have no one else to turn to."

"Excellent!" Alexander clapped. "We'll arrange your necessities right now and we can see you off." He walked away outside and from there I hear him ordering people around.

"He's awfully happy for my demise." I said nonchalantly.

"He's like that. You can get used to him." Frank said. "Kasumi, I know we're giving you a heavy burden but-"

I shushed him. "Don't say anything. I already accepted my fate or destiny that I'm gonna do some amazing quest and stuff to save people." I looked at the dismembered bear. "And frankly, I'm not ready for this."

Reyna cleared her throat. "Fujiwara. Walk with me."

I looked at Reyna's intense eyes then I looked down on the bead eyes of the toy. I threw the polar bear somewhere and walked to Reyna's side.

"Lead the way."