In The Dark Prophecy, the newly mortal Apollo, still trapped in the body of Lester Papadopoulos, and his reluctant master, Meg McCaffrey, must continue their perilous quest to restore the Oracles. Following the prophecy revealed at the close of the first book, they leave the relative safety of Camp Half-Blood and journey across the country to Indianapolis. Their destination is the stronghold of the second of the Triumvirate Emperors, the cruel and unpredictable Commodus, who is holding the second missing Oracle, the Oracle of Trophonius, hostage. Commodus, a former acquaintance of Apollo's from his divine days, is a dangerous megalomaniac bent on regaining his imperial glory, and he commands a formidable, well-trained army. Apollo and Meg are guided and supported by the Hunters of Artemis, specifically the formidable Hunters' lieutenant Thalia Grace, who provides much-needed protection. They also encounter the blemmyae, strange creatures living underground. As Lester/Apollo delves deeper into the trials, he must confront his past actions and divine mistakes, slowly learning what it means to be a true hero and friend. The quest is a desperate race against time, requiring immense bravery, the use of his new (and deeply unreliable) mortal skills, and the full power of his musical talent to free the Oracle and take a crucial step toward reclaiming his godhood.
