Takes place a few hours after the Great Prophecy was made. (A.K.A. before our favorite PJO demigods were alive.)
Somewhere, in America, the Hunters of Artemis were all asleep in their tents. All except one.
Lydia was sitting on a tree branch, watching the stars and the distant ocean, thinking about the Great Prophecy.
A half-blood of the eldest gods... Shall reach sixteen against all odds... And see the world in endless sleep... The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap... A single choice shall end his days... Olympus to preserve or raze...
The words kept flowing through her mind, possessing her whole being with itself.
A half-blood of the eldest gods... Father... What if... What if I...
"Having trouble falling asleep?" a young girl's voice asked from the bottom of the tree. Lydia instinctively grabbed her bow, that was lying beside her, but then put it back down beside her when she realized who the girl was.
Her gaze returned to the bright stars as she said, "Yes, my lady."
Artemis was perched on a nearby branch within seconds. "What ails you?"
"The... Great Prophecy," she replied without looking away from the dark and getting darker sky.
"Ah, the prophecy," the goddess said in a quieter tone. Despite the fact that she knew exactly what her Hunter was thinking, she still wanted her to explain. "What about it is upsetting you?"
Lydia turned her head to look at Artemis. "What if... What if, hypothetically speaking, I would... leave the Hunt-not that I ever would-for whatever reason? The gods-the other Olympians-would want to get rid of me, a daughter of Hades..." She looked back at the stars. "Or what if they decided, that even though I am a Hunter, I'm a risk to Olympus's safety? They would... They would vote, wouldn't they, to kill me? And, because of my father, most would be against me..."
Artemis silently gazed at the stars, too, for a moment. "I would not let the latter happen, neither would your father, but I cannot make any promises about the first."
"I assumed you would say that, but what if..." Lydia started to say; though, she stopped, mid sentence, when Artemis gave her a hard look.
"Pessimism will not get you anywhere."
The two remained silent for another minute or so, not acknowledging each others' presence, just simply staring up at the stars that hovered above the seemingly endless ocean.
The doubtful and a bit confused look on Lydia's face pained, and even slightly irked, Artemis. Without considering what effect her words might have, she said, "You are not the child of the prophecy."
Lydia looked back at the goddess. "Is that what you believe or what you know?" she asked, but immediately realized how rude she must have sounded. "I apologize, my lady; I shouldn't have said that."
Artemis seemed to ignore her apology. "I cannot answer that question; the Fates would have my head." She jumped down off the tree, landing gracefully on the grass. " I expect you to be well rested tomorrow morning," she said and, with a quick glance at the horizon, she headed back to camp.
The girl, who was now alone in the tree, sighed. Though most other Hunters weren't able to clue out the hidden orders that were given, she knew that Artemis had told her to simply relax and go to bed.
Lydia closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she, too, jumped out of the tree.
Maybe she's right. I might not be the hero from the prophecy. Only time will tell...
Before she headed back to camp, the Hunter took a last look at the horizon, ocean, and stars while she whispered, "Good luck... whoever you are."
Well, any questions, comments, or concerns?
I hope you liked it.