Chapter 1.
The sound of snow crunching caught my ears and I inhaled sharply. I waited for the foot falls to get closer, my breath held and my ears straining to listen as I listened. Just a little more, with a loud crunch I sprang up. I entered the morning air, my Nemion Lion cloak shimmering in the morning sun. My eyes narrowed at the light, the snow that I had been hiding under coming off in clumps as I aimed. The cyclopes turned in surprise at me, to late. I let lose my arrow and it found its way into the eye of the giant, turning to golden dust I heard a whistling sound come from my right.
I spun on my heels, turning left as I did, I dodged, landing on my hands and sprung off them to land on my feet. I looked to see another cyclopes about to let fly another arrow. I flexed my right hand and pulled back the arrow and let mine fly a second before his. I dived to the side, the cyclopes arrow just barley missing me. I stood and dusted myself off. The snow clung to me as if my body warmth was what it sought.
I looked around the white forest, snow was thick in mountain pass that I was passing threw. A cold chill held a sharp edge, as if daggers seeking to still the warmth from my cheeks. My eyes scanned the area, nothing, but white reflective snow caught my eye. I took a deep breath and turned walking slowly from the swirling golden dust on the snowy floor. I traveled a ways, bow still in hand. I had heard the two cyclopes coming.
They had been young and untrained in the ways of fighting, I on the other hand had been fighting for a month now, and before that as well. I smiled, that seemed a life time ago, so weird how one could change after only a few months. I keep walking the cold air entering my lungs and fueled my wanting to be away from the spot of my ambush. I then stopped, I was tired. I hadn't slept well since leaving the protection of Half-Blood Hill. I slowed and stopped looking over at a tree that would serve as a small resting spot.
I let my bow fall from my right hand and it disappeared into a bright light. I walked over and sat below the tree. My eyes felt tired, all the running and me a hunter being the pray. Death, also know as Thanatos, had been sending monster after monster after me, as well as his shades. The monsters could be dispatched easily enough, but the shade servants where another thing. I laid my head back as weariness washed over my my minded turning to the last month at Camp-Halfblood, to my friends, and to what I had decided to do by myself.
My eyes fluttered as I awoke, my eyes feel upon the enchanted window. The snowy landscaped seemed barren to me, as if the moon lite forest had lost all its luster in the night. My eyes then looked slowly around the room. The huntresses stood around as if they where there to protect me from a unseen evil. Jill sat to my right in a small chair made of wood, she had a soft look on her face that I was sure she didn't let other see. I moved slowly to get up. My eyes falling on others that looked at me with worry in their eyes as if they where afraid I'd disappear if they looked away.
Clarisse was there she was holding the hand of Chris and was giving me the usual hard stare, but it seemed softer. Chris seemed to be in conflict with himself. He neither looked sad or worried. He appeared more confused as if he was unsure what to do. My eyes then fell to the Stoll brothers, who both had a small smile, but it was drawn taunt and looked fake on their faces. They where trying to look happy, but I had the feeling that they where just as worried as the rest around my bedside. Thalia, Angie, and Heather all where near by, like they where the head of my own security. Heather was at the door standing guard. Thalia was standing behind Jill, as if ready for any order I would give. And Angie was at the foot of my bed looking around as if surveying the area, ready for an attack.
I coughed as I sat up and found a cup pressed gently to my lips. My eyes feel to Jill who nodded and I drank hurriedly. The water was sweet as if the river its self had decided to mix in a small amount of sugar just to give it a taste. I downed it and smacked my lips, they felt dry and I wondered aloud, "How long have I been out?"
Jill took a deep breath, "You have been asleep for three days." My eyes widened, I had been out cold for three days. I had fainted in the pavilion, remembering the sight of Nico trying to grab me as I fell I looked around the room for him. Finding him in the corner, the shadows seemed to be cling to him, hiding him from my sight at first glance. But my eyes had picked out his form and he himself had walked from the shadows. He looked pale, well he was always pale, but he was white as a sheet. His hair was a mess as if he had been sleeping all day, but his eyes told the truth of this. He had not been sleeping, dark bags hung under his eyes.
Looking at him I remembered, the reason I had fainted, the reason I was now laying in this room. My father was dead, I let out a loud moan that made every one jump. I cupped my hands and was at the verge of tears, when my father voice whispered in my head.
"Don't cry, crying gets you no where, be strong and seek to over come that which draws you to tears." I took a deep shaky breath, then let it out. Taking my hands from my face I looked at my friends, my mind whirling with emotions of sadness and anger at myself. I hadn't even been able to get a hold of him to tell him I was fine. I didn't know in the slightest what my fathers last thoughts had been. Had he been angry or worried over me. Had he been sad that I hadn't even called him, not even to tell him I was fine, hadn't even sent a lousy letter. On the brink of tears the voice sound once more in my head, but this time I held a sharp tone, the one my father got when I didn't listen.
"Your not at fault, stop beating yourself up, I would not wish this." I nodded and closed my eyes. I then heard the voices around me. Clarisse was telling Chris how if she got the chance she'd strangle Thanatos. The Stoll brothers where offering to help, I felt a pull at my lips as a small smile slipped upon them. What had I done to earn such friends, I couldn't be my charming personality. I took in a deep breath the smell of pine, dirt, and wild flowers filled my nose and I let out a soft sigh. I opened my eyes and looked at my friends.
"I am sorry to have worried you all," Clarisse and the Stoll brothers stopped chatting with one another and stared at me, worry still on their faces. "I am sorry to ask this, but if you all don't mind I would like to be alone for a while." Every one nodded and started to shuffle out. Nico lingered at the side of my bed as if he wanted to say some thing, then before he stepped away he looked at me, a pain in his eyes that I had only seen once before now bore into my eyes.
"I'm sorry." An with that he walked towards the door and left. Jill stood and before leaving grabbed my hand and gave is a gentle squeeze. In that small gesture I understood every thing she wanted to say and I nodded at my friend. She nodded back and let my hand go, the touch had been hot to my skin and had sent a tingle up my arm, but I was in no mood to try to figure out that emotion. There was more pressing matters to think upon.
Thalia and the huntresses where the last to leave. They seemed to be ushering the others out as if my asking them to leave had been a order. Thalia had not moved from where she had been standing as if her feet had taken root and only a ax could get her to move or a word.
"Thalia, I want to be alone, that means every one, I know this is your cabin but I'd..." I didn't get to finish as she cut me off.
"This is your cabin as well, I only remained to tell you, that if there is any thing you need , you only need to ask and it shale be brought." I looked at her, she had changed, what had happened in the three days that I had been asleep.
"Thalia, I do not want special treatment form any one." She went to speak, but I cut her off this time, "It is not your job to look over me, you aren't under orders from my mother are you?" She fidgeted and I growled loudly, "Hear me daughter of Zeus, I want nor need to be coddled, I am not a child who needs a hand maiden, if you wish to be friends, then so be it, but so help me if I catch one of you treating me like a child I will leave here and you will not find me." Thalia nodded, her eyes where bright, but not rage more like relief at not having to do some thing that went against who she was.
"Alright I will leave you alone and tell all those to leave you as well, but Heather and Angie will be close just encase you do need some thing, as friends not servants of coarse." I nodded and saw both my friends looking at me with soft smiles. I smiled back, it was forced, but I hoped it was good enough to get them to leave me be for a while. It worked and they strolled out of the cabin. The heavy oak door closed behind them, I sighed and looked down at the sheets, the soft silver sheets hugged my lower half.
I closed my eyes once more and felt the tears flowing hot down my cheeks. I did not cry out nor did I sob, just tears, ran fast down my face, as if a flood had broke threw a dam in my eyes and where now spilling out. The voice of my father once more spoke, this time in a gentle and soothing voice.
"Get it all out, cry its alright." I did just that, but I would not let myself break down into sobs no matter what, I would stay strong, even while I cried my brain worked at what had happened. The dream, the one about my father and Thanatos. I had a feeling that this dream held some thing of importance to me. I thought about it, and the more I thought the less I cried. Soon the tears where no more and my thoughts where all focused at the task at hand.
Thanatos had taken my father, death had claimed him, but death was a Deamon. He had no allegiance with the gods, so that meant my fathers soul was not in the Underworld, or was it. I would have to ask Nico. I cursed myself for sending him away. I would have to ask him. My mind then snapped back to the problem at hand, death, was there a way to come back from it. I had heard stories about people failing to bring those they love back from the dead. A gifted musician Orpheus, had been the only person who had ever come close to taking a soul from the Underworld. But death had taken my father, the Underworld was Hades domain.
That meant that my father might not even be there. I felt hope stir inside me as I pulled the sheets from my legs and stood, the cold wooden floor meet my bare feet and I felt a chill shoot up my spin. I ignored the cold and walked towards the door, pulling on my boots I brushed the wrinkles out of my cloths. I wore a green shirt with the words Camp Half-Blood on it and dark blue shorts. The same cloths I had been wearing when I had collapsed three days ago.
I pushed the door open and was meet by Heather, Angie, and Ashley, the youngest hunter and some one I had claimed as a sister. She looked up at me with her grey eyes, those bright eyes shown with a playful light that made me wonder if she had received a new toy. Angie and Heather looked at me with the same worry as all my other friends.
"Your up, they wouldn't let me in to see you." Ashley glared at Angie and Heather, the same glare I noted that I believed that all girls are born with. I nodded.
"I'm up, I feel better so no need to worry." Her bright eyes beamed at me and she sprung forward wrapping my waist in a hug. I hugged the little girl back. I noticed how small she was, an how fragile she was. How could she be a huntresses, would I lose my adopted sister as well. How may more people would I lose. I closed my eyes and steadied my emotions, then stood slowly.
"Are you alright." Heather asked as she placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. I nodded and turned to look at them, they wore the garb of the Artemis Hunters, white cloaks over white tunics and white paints with pure white wrapped sandals. I had always wondered at how they stayed clean, magic most likely. I pushed the thought out of my head. I had no time to let my ADHD distract me.
"Do you know where Nico is?" Heather nodded and pointed, I turned to see his cabin, then turned back an nodded. I turned to go when Angie coughed, bring me to a stop and I turned to face my friends and little sister.
"What do you need to see Nico for?" Angie looked at me, her green eyes held mine as if they sought to read my mind threw my eyes. I sighed and walked back to them. I then noticed that Angie and Heather both looked like they where holding themselves up by pure will.
"I have to ask him some thing," I then looked closer at my friends faces, the same dark back where under their eyes as Nico and Jill had under theirs, "Now the my turn to ask a question, when was the last time you two slept?" Heather and Angie looked at one another then back at me. No answer, but I had already guessed. I looked down at Ashley and pointed at my friends.
"Ashley get these two off to bed, if they give you any trouble then get Thalia and tell her it was an order." Ashley nodded and gave me a mocking salute.
"Sure thing chief." She then turned and gave my friends the best mom face she could. "You heard my brother off to bed with you or I get the Lieutenant." I smiled as I saw my friends glare at me but slink towards the cabin, they looked as if to protest, but Ashley using the threat to get Thalia was enough to get them to do as she said.
I then turned and walked away knowing that my friends where in the capable hands of my step sister. I Walked slowly, I noticed several eyes on me as I passed threw the cabin area. None came close though, I noticed the Apollo cabin, they all seemed to want to run out to me, but stayed where they where. I guessed Thalia had already talked to them. I made it half way across to my destination, when a familiar silver form bound to me. It stopped and sat down, its tail wagging as it huffed gently.
"Hey boy." I reached out and petted Twilight's head, the big wolfs tail hammered the ground and he stood as I stopped petting and walked with me. If any one had dared approach they wouldn't dare now. Twilight was his usual size, and looked as fierce as any monster you can think of. Though he is just a big softie at heart. We walked the rest of the way to the dark cabin. The Hades cabin was made of dark stone, with a bone made stairs leading up to the door. Two Greek open wall lamps hung on the wall with blue flames burning in them. The door was of a black wood and had a skull with red gemstones in the eyes sockets along with a white polished knocker. Probably made of bone.
I reached up and took hold of the knocker and slammed it down hard enough to wake Nico if he had finally decided to get some sleep. I stopped when I heard movement in the cabin, the sound of foot falls on the other side of the door then a click sound and the door creaked open. Nico stood there rubbing his eyes, his cloths where messed up and he looked like he had been sleeping, his messy black hair shot in all directions.
"Nico I need to ask you some thing." He nodded and opened the door more and stepped away from it and waved me in. I stepped in and closed the door behind me. My eyes looked threw the dark, my night vision had improved since I had found out I was a demi-god. I looked around the room, it was big but only held on bed. A big four post bed with skulls at the top of each post. As well as a small dirt pit in the middle of the floor surrounded by small stones. The floor was dark stone and the walls had posters of goth and punk bands on them. A desk was next to the bed and above the desk was a dark steal shelf that had several small figurines on it.
My eyes fell back to Nico who was looking at me with questioning eyes. I sighed and walked over and leaned against the wall. "I need to know if my dad is in the Underworld or if Thanatos has him." Nico nodded and rubbed his eyes again.
"Most likely, Thanatos has him, but there is a way to make sure." Nico stood and grabbed his sword, strapped it on and walked past me, in the corner was a black mini fridge. Nico opened it and riffled threw. Pulling out two sodas, he grabbed the chips of the fridge and headed for the door. I followed him as he opened the door and turned right.
"Where are we going?" He looked back as he rounded the corner of his cabin, his brown eyes holding a dark gleam to them.
"Where going to ask the dead." We walked to the back of the cabin where he put down the two sodas and the bag of chips. Reaching down he grabbed a heavy oak board and looked up at me.
"Help me move this." I nodded and reached down and lifted with him. The oak bored came away and relieved a hole in the shape of a grave deep enough to lay a small man into. I looked at Nico questioningly, his features where hidden in the evening light. That and the shadow of his cabin seemed to hid him as well as if the shadows where being suck to it and him. He popped open the soda and poured it in, I noticed that it was Orange soda and the chips he was tossing in where sour cream and onion. I watched in silence, Nico tossed all the chips in and tossed the bag to the ground. I felt the air chile and saw my breath as the air around me grew colder and colder.
"Come to me, the Ghost King commands you." I felt the wind whip and my hair and tug at my cloths, the cold air chilled me to my bones, I felt a unnatural feeling coming at me from all angles. I felt my breath catch as the first white wisp came into view a floating form of pure white. I then looked around and saw more coming. Nico pulled his Stygian Iron blade and pointed it.
"Hold, on the soul of Christopher Edon may drink form here!" I could have sworn all the ghost shivered in fear at Nico's words, it was a threat and a challenge, one in which no of the dead wished to try their hand at. Nico frowned as no ghost came forward, the then held up his sword , flipped it in his grasp and buried it into the ground before the pit and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Be gone the ghost king commands you!" His sword sunk deep into the soft earth and a green light went shooting up like a blast of fire from the pit. The green light seemed to banish the darkness, as it did I got a look at the nearest ghost. He wore ancient Greek armor and seemed to have a arrow in chest where his heart was. The light faded as did the ghost and I looked at Nico.
"So that's a no?'' Nico nodded and pulled his blade from the ground and cleaned the dirt from it with his shirt. He the sheathed it and we moved the wooden cover back over the pit. Nico then began to fall, I reached out but he caught himself on the side of the cabin his eyes closed.
"Are you alright?" He nodded and keep is eyes closed he looked even paler than a sheet of paper, I swore if he got any whiter I might be able to see threw him. He gulped loudly and opened his eyes, they looked tired and drained. I then felt a pang of guilt. He hadn't slept for days and here he was using up what little energy trying to help me cause he felt guilty.
"Nico, its not your fault," He nodded, but keep his mouth shut he rubbed his eyes and sighed.
"I know, its just I feel bad, if I had caught it I would have been able o tell my dad or I don't know do some thing about it." He looked up at me again this time there was anger in his eyes.
"I would have gone to Thanatos myself and demanded the soul of your father back." Nico's voice was quiet but it held and edge of hate and rage, like death had stepped on a very fine glass surface and broken it.
"He defied the fates, he took a mans life when his fate was not to die for many more years, he took a soul that was rightfully my fathers and took the life of a friends father." He pushed himself off the wall the shadows seemed to enhance the darkness of his voice. His eyes glowed with and intense madness that seemed to have a deep intelligence to it.
"He will pay, by Hades I will help you take back your fathers soul one way or another." I nodded and Nico slumped I caught him this time and I heard the last words to his oath.
"I swear on the river Styx." A loud boom could be heard from every where, Nico was series. He was with me if I need him, the only problem was, this was personal and I wouldn't an one help. I looked at Nico and smiled at my friend, no my best friend, male any ways. I lugged Nico back into his cabin and left leaving a note. The not told him what I planned to do, in a brief explanation. I walked from my friends cabin and head towards my own, no one approached me as I crossed the yard and made it to my own cabin in a minute or two. I pulled the heavy door open and stepped in. Only Angie and Heather where there with Ashley, who happened to be sleeping with her head in Heathers lap.
I strolled past being quiet as I did and reached for my gear. Angie made a sound to get my attention and I turned to look at her. Her eyes held me in question and so did Heather. It was Heather who spoke first.
"Where do you think your going." I sighed I knew this was coming and I knew that they would see threw most lies that I cam up with, but I hoped this one would work, if not I would just out run them. I pulled out my favorite hunting pants, the ones that I had worn on my first quest. Along with a red shirt with a black out line of a sword on it that said stick it on the front. I then turned to my friends.
"I'm going out to the forest to clear my head, I have to make since of every thing." Angie nodded, but Heather looked at me suspiciously.
"Really, and you need your armor for that?" I forced a smile and shrugged.
"Maybe, never know what you'll meet out there." Heather seemed to like this answer and I turned, but Angie spoke up.
"What did you and Nico talk about?" I gritted my teeth, time to lie, some thing I didn't like to do. I let my jaw go slack and I turned around and nodded,
" Nothing much, I was trying to get him to realize it wasn't his fault." I stepped back, and slide the door open. Angie began to get up and I knew then she wasn't buying it. I turned and threw the door open all the way and ran. My feet making no sound as I rushed over the cut lawn. I sprinted the forest in view. All I had to do was make it into the woods and they wouldn't be able to catch me. I heard the sound of shouts go out around the camp as well as the sounds of feet behind me. Twilight bound next to me, I pushed my legs harder. I raced into the underbrush of the forest and jumped my body being swallowed by the great woods as if there was never a James Edon in history. I landed on the soft ground with no noise. I didn't glance back, the sounds of feet and snapping branches and twigs where all I need to know that I was still being chased.
I cleared the small stream when use for capture the flag, past the grove of the cloven elders and farther into the woods then I had even traveled. After a while the sound of my pursuers subsided and I knew I was alone. I changed into my cloths, leaving my short and shirt in the places I had thrown them. I slide my daggers into the sheath on my lower back. Fastened my cloak and gantlet and looked behind me, no feet nothing, that and Twilight had not growled a warning. I turned back around, I felt bad for leaving, but I had no choice this was some thing I had to do by myself, no one else could help me. I began to walk know knowing where I was going, but know what I planned to do when I got there, free my father and make Thanatos pay.
The sound of a growl woke me, my eyes flashed open and I noticed it had started to snow again. My clock was covered and I shivered a little under its warm protection, My eyes looked at Twilight, he was back and looking out into the snow storm. My eyes narrowed and I say some thing that made my heart sink. Thanatos came gliding into my vision with six shades. I stood and readied myself.
"Only one thing to do." And I got ready to face Death one way or another.
