Legacy: Orphans of Legends

by BirdFeather1837

Olympus has prevailed through the struggles of the Titan and Giant Wars thanks to the bravery of the demigods and Olympus has forever changed. After swearing a sacred oath, the gods promised that they would recognize all their children and the minor gods. But change never comes swiftly, especially with immortals, and secrets that were made in shadows must now come into light.

1. Ch 1: Help Anyone

Legacy of Troy: Orphans of Legends

A/N - All original locations, characters, and events that are referenced from PJO and HOO belong to Rick Riordan.

All new characters and locations belong to the benevolent treasury that is my imagination :)

Thank you for any comments you wish to leave.

Now. Sit back. And let me take you on an adventure of a lifetime! Or at least a few minutes worth of your time, whichever works for you.

Into:

15 years after the 2nd Giant War, a quiet peace has been welcomed after the harsh struggles of the Demigods of Camps Half-Blood and Jupiter. Yet, unfortunately, peace can only last so long in the world of the Olympians.

As time goes on, new heroes and heroines are forced to take up the mantle from their predecessors. For in the darkness of the world, evil works continuously to seek revenge against the Gods and their children.

Those children who stray outside of the protective borders of the camps are subject to being hunted and exploited by monsters and rogue immortals alike. Deep in the mid-western wilderness in the dead of night, a group of such children struggle to outrun their enemies, who are slowly closing in on their prey.

CH-1: "Help… Anyone."

Faith POV

I am not having a good day. I'm exhausted, hungry, beat-up all over my body (at least what little I can feel of it), and cold, really frickin cold.

When I get back to my tent, I'm going to hibernate for two whole months. No, three, definitely three, I thought to myself. But first things first, gotta find a way out of this problem and back home. If only it was as easy to do as it is to think.

My name is Faith Honoré, I'm a hunter of Artemis. Usually I'd stop and give you my whole life story; my strengths, weaknesses, favorite hobbies, etc… But right now is really not the best time.

I, along with the three other hunters of Artemis, have been going across miles of rough midwestern wilderness for 5 days straight. Or was it 6.

We were barely taking anything longer than ten minutes of rest. In truth, it would have been fine had 2 of my friends not have been unconscious at the moment, forcing Thalia and I to have to carry them for the last two days.

I took in another of what had to have been the millionth deep breath, and readjusted Carson on my back to get a better grip and continued alongside Thalia, who was carrying Alice. We both made are way over yet another gods-damn mountain.

How many of these peaks are there in the Rocky Mountains? And why the hell were they "literally" so rocky?! Stupid Rocky's!

After another few hours, we both stopped again to catch our breath, neither of us needing to ask each other since we were both tired with trying to keep the pace that we had been holding. Though to me, each step I took was an achievement of its own.

Thalia stuttered out, "We'll rest for ten minutes here, check Carson out." She then found a soft patch of grass and set her spear down which she had been using as a walking stick.

"Okay" I said in relief "How much farther do you think we have?" I asked while making my way over to Thalia, who looked more beat-up than me, but had kept a look of determination on her face.

"I don't know exactly, maybe another day or two before we make it out of these mountains." Thalia replied as she slowly put Alice on the ground. I did the same with Carson, being as careful as I could so I wouldn't increase her injuries any more than they were.

"And then what? We keep heading East?" I just couldn't believe that things will get any better once we were on flatter terrain. While it would mean we could pick-up the pace without the hindrance of all this uneven terrain, but the same would go to our enemies as well.

"They'll catch up to us eventually. There must be a way to get help sooner. Carson and Alice's condition will only get worse and..."

"I KNOW ALREADY!" Thalia shouted back with a look anger at my bluntness. I jumped back a bit at her tone. I'm usually unfazed by such sudden burst of anger. But in my defense, Thalia can look pretty scary when she's angry; she'll sometimes unintentionally make sparks with tiny spouts of electricity around her body, which she was doing now. I don't know how she stopped her small sparks from harming Alice.

She then sighed at the ground, calming down and looking too tired to continue being angry.

"I know that there isn't much of a chance, but it's the best option I can think of without a way to contact the rest of the Hunt. We just have to keep going, and hope for the best." Thalia reasoned.

Despite her hard headedness, Thalia was a good leader. She doesn't let pressure or stress affect her decisions, most of the time.

Thalia then began checking Alice over. Seeing that she was okay (or at least not worse), she then gracefully plopped down on the ground, resting her sore legs. She took out a canteen of water and took a few small sips.

I was still frustrated with our circumstances. I hated the plans where you just keep going without a solid clue as to how to reach your destination and hoping everything goes smoothly.

Now that I think of it, most demigod quests are like that. I was hoping the Hunt would avoid such stupid things. At least we didn't have to deal with prophecies.

In my experience, hope was never something you should rely on. Funny since my name basically means hope! Thanks paps, way to plan ahead. But I knew that Thalia was right. If we stopped and tried to hideout, our enemy would never give us the chance to run away again.

We were lucky the first time, and I for one do not want to continue to press my luck till it eventually would run out. We still don't even know entirely who are enemy is!

I took a moment after sitting down and looked up towards the pitch black of the night sky beyond the branches of the pine trees that surrounded us. There was no moon shining down on us tonight, or any of the previous nights either. That can't be natural, something or someone must be blocking it intentionally, otherwise the Hunt would have found us by now.

I once again prayed to Lady Artemis, despite the lack of a moon, to send help and strength to us. But after running and hiking across the mountainous lands of… Where the heck were they, Idaho maybe? I've lost track. I was beginning to doubt that continuing such actions were truly any helpful to me or my fellow hunters, but I continued to do so anyway. It can't hurt to try.

After not seeing or feeling a response, I sighed and returned my attention back to my two unconscious friends Carson and Alice. Both still looked horrible, though I'm more worried for Carson.

She's lost a lot of blood from her right shoulder wound that a spear caused in battle three days ago by an empousa, as well as the various bite and scratch marks on her arms and legs, the worst being on her right leg which had a huge gash in it that was caused by a hellhound, I was barely able to stop it from bleeding out most of her body's blood (and yes, it was disgusting to have to do, I actually lost my breakfast when I started). I may know basic first-aid, but I'm a hunter! Not a stupid doctor!

Carson had finally passed out yesterday due to fatigue and blood loss, being a Hunter may give you more strength and stamina than most mortals, but even Artemis' blessings had their limits, which we were no doubt testing.

I patched her up as best I could give the circumstances without any nectar or ambrosia, which we had lost when we were first ambushed by that accursed pack of hellhounds back in Hells Canyon.

Artemis had sent us to Seattle to meet up with the Amazons to see if anyone wanted to be recruited into the Hunt. Are two groups of badass warrior ladies had become very close to each other since the events of Cuba during the Giant war, which was before my time with the Hunt began, neither the Hunt nor the Amazons speak much of it. Carson had once told me they had lost too many for the victory to be worth being prideful of.

Sadly, there were no willing recruits this time. Queen Latisha had always valued the partnership with the Hunt just as her predecessor, Hylla, had; she did say we could loosen up a bit when it comes to hating males.

I laughed at that remark; Considering the Amazons treat their male members like pets and slaves (which the Hunt found very appropriate), I failed to see the brighter side of her views.

After we left the Amazons wearhouse, Thalia said we had to take a detour to a place called Hells Canyon in Oregon for a scouting mission given by Lady Artemis herself. Suffice to say, the mission didn't go well and we found ourselves being hunted by various monsters that seemed to come out of nowhere.

I would have asked why Artemis had given us a mission like that, but I thought better of it. I can ask after we get to safety.

I checked Carson's wounded shoulder and leg, still bloody and looking worse than the last time I saw them. Best guess was they might have become infected, despite my attempts to prevent it to.

"Can't catch a break." I whispered to no one except myself.

I almost wished I was a daughter of that numb skull healer Apollo. Just almost. At least then I would have been more useful to my friends in this situation.

Over by Thalia, Alice seemed to be better than Carson, but not by much. She also donned several cuts and bruises like the rest of us.

What really got her down was when she was savagely thrown to the side of a building and smashed her head by a cyclops yesterday. She still lasted long enough to fight the enemy off before going unconscious, that girl is as stubborn as a wild animal sometimes.

She won't bleed to death, but I still knew that such an injury was still serious without medical treatment. The sooner the better, my experience in this kind of situation is limited. Three years in the hunt, and I'm still at beginner level. So frustrating.

Lady Artemis had always taught me that age and experience does help, but what matters most is your hunter's instincts and intuition to survive. I'm not even sure if that was advise or just an opinion.

I wonder whether my intuition is what has kept me alive so far, I thought. Right now, all I'm getting from it was the command: sleep, sleep, sleep repeated.

Oh, how I wish I could oblige that advise, but right now, sleep was something I could not afford. Our enemy won't stay back forever, they'll catch up eventually. At least we haven't run into any more monsters since we entered these mountains, but it's strange;

While I'm great full, personal experience has shown that going on for some time without monster attacks is uncommon, especially for a group of demigods

"Ugh…ouch." A voice said below me.

I look down to see Carson waking up. Thank the gods, I was beginning to be afraid she'd never wake up.

"Carson! Can you hear me?" I asked. Thalia noticed her as well and walked around so she was kneeling beside me.

Carson blinked a few times and crunched her eyebrows, no doubt having a huge headache while dealing with the pain, and then spoke slowly.

"Faith? Yeah, I can hear you, where are we? Did we get away okay? Is Alice alright?"

Being a daughter of Athena, Carson tended to be one for questions, always needing to know as much as possible.

"We're okay for now, Alice is pretty banged up, and we are currently somewhere in southern Idaho." Thalia said, trying to sound positive and gave her a kind smile, but I doubt she succeeded very well. Carson could always call out a fake smile, it must come from reading people well. Daughter of wisdom and all.

Nevertheless, she seemed to relax somewhat at her attempt to sound positive. Guess it worked a little.

"Well that's good at least. Have we contacted help yet?" She asked, Thalia and I shook our heads sadly.

"No, we don't even know if they are looking for us or even if they know that we need help. We're not due to return till tomorrow. Our best hope is to keep moving and hope they find us eventually before those hounds do." Thalia said

Carson grunted in frustration (or in pain). "What about the moon, has that come out yet?"

"No, it hasn't. It's the fourth night in a row without one in the sky. It's only been a little cloudy at the worst of times. Honestly it feels like it's being blocked on purpose." I replied.

"How is that possible?" Carson asked, mainly to herself as if deep in thought. Thalia answered her anyway.

"I'm not sure, but we only have a day or so till we think we make it out of these mountains. If we can just make it out of this terrain, we will have better luck getting help." Thalia said.

Carson seemed to accept this, although she did not look happy about the makeshift plan we came up with. You're not alone in that regard.

I gave her my canteen of water to take a sip. I glanced at Thalia as she got up and went over to Alice to check her wounds as well.

She had placed a damp rag on Alice's head, wiping away her sweat. She must have caught a fever, great. How much more can the Fates throw at us before their entertained enough?! I thought (or internally screamed).

I sighed at the sight. Alice has been in the Hunt for 14 years, she was one of my closest friends in the group and it pains me to see her like this.

Hopefully, Thalia and I will find help before things get that bad. There must be a way to...

I suddenly froze right there, leaning my head to the side trying to hear something that had caught my ear.

Out of the dark and calm breeze of the night, a single noise began to dominate the wind and rose in pitch till it was the unmistakable sound of a smooth yet savage… howl.

Instantly, Thalia and I were on our feet, hands on our weapons, trying to find the direction of the howl. Sounds like it's coming from the northwest. It's too beastly to be a normal wolf.

Carson winced at the sound, as if she was familiar with the origin of it. I tried to place it with the numerous monster calls I was familiar with. Last time I checked, hellhounds don't howl. That narrows the list of what it could be, but I still can't tell.

Thalia then adorned a face of recognition that swiftly turned to her signature look that said, "I. Am. Pissed." Carson soon followed Thalia's look of hatred. I still don't recognize it, there can't be to many monsters out there who know how to howl.

"What is that?" I asked as the sound died down just as slowly as it began, yet neither hunters gave me a response. Instead they continued to look angry and quiet. They scanned their surroundings and tilted their heads licensing to see if the sound would come again.

My head started spinning with confusion and worry. I had heard many stories from the older hunters that involved beasts of savagery and relentlessness unlike any other monsters. Mutts, that's what they called them, the way they said it almost made them sound worse than males. One thing that most hunters have in common is their hatred of men, and if they considered these enemies to be worse than males, they must be bad.

The two's silence began to make me nervous. If whatever out there made these two war veteran hunters jumpy, it couldn't be good.

Calm down Faith, you're not alone. I tried my best to soothe myself, but it wasn't going so well.

Thalia, on the other hand, still looked pissed. She was probably thinking, "damn you Fates". I would have agreed in that remark. Thalia was nothing if not rebellious, and never took fear in the stories of old hunts, some of which she had been a part of.

I heard that she had also encountered those Mutts a few years after she became lieutenant. She never took pride in her success though. She probably lost a few hunters that day, but she did say she found a lost family member, a brother I think.

Then there was another howl like the last one, but this one was more powerful, as if it was directed at them. That can't be good.

"Shit." Thalia said, "Faith quick! Grab Carson, we need to move."

Knowing it would only slow us down, I decided against asking any questions. In situations like these, it's best just to follow orders and ask why and how later. We quickly picked up our wounded girls as safely and quietly as we could. Breaks over! Back into the fire… lovely.

Carson tried to muffle a wine as I placed her on my back. I tried my best to not cause her pain but speed was needed. Once we were up, Thalia hurried off along the mountain side with myself right behind her.

On we went. Neither Thalia nor myself knew exactly where we were headed, all either of us thought of was getting as far away from the source of that sound.

I began to get another feeling; like we're being watched or something. I glanced around to see if I was right, but saw nothing through the dark of night. Just rouge shadows and shapes, then one shadow moved slightly, it was swift and silent. It can't be the source of the sound, but if not that than what? I thought about alerting my friends, but I decided to just play it off as my mind playing tricks on me.

Soon we heard another howl from behind us, but it was slightly closer. Maybe a few miles away, these stupid mountains make it hard to judge sounds and distance.

And then there were two more that joined the first. How many are there? Please do not let it be their whole frickin army, I just can not deal with an army right now.

"Augh!" Carson cried as I stuttered, almost tripping, and I tightened my grip on her on reflex. "Sorry." I whispered. This unlevel terrain is driving me crazy!

"Just leave me. I'm slowing you two down. Both of you take Alice out of here. I can at least slow those things down." she pleaded. Blood loss must be messing with her brain, she doesn't really think I'd leave her? No chance. Thalia apparently thought the same.

"Not happening! We are all getting out of this together!" Thalia's rebuttal was firm and unquestionable. That's are lieutenant for you, defiant and loyal as always.

Line Break

It had been a few hours since our little pep talk and things weren't better at all.

We continued across the rough, rocky, and (annoying) unlevel terrain. The mountains stood high above us as if they were daring us to challenge them. But one in particular was looming over us as we tried to make our way around its basin. It might just be me, but I'm getting the feeling that it's watching us. The fatigue must finally be getting to me. First shadows moving, then mountains creepily watching. What next? Trees that sing?

Carson's weight felt like it was getting heavier the farther we trekked. She continued her best to remain quiet, but her body was in a lot of pain.

"Just hold on Carson, we're going to make it." I whispered to her though it was more for myself rather than her.

"I hope we do, but those Mutts are elite predators." She said. But who the hell are they? No one has told me about them other than they are our "arch" enemy. Whatever that means, the Hunt doesn't exactly have a short list of beings and groups that wish us dead.

Then, after what seemed like a life of silence, more howls came from deep in the forest. There sounds like there was a lot more of them this time. Whatever they are, they must have picked up our sent, crap! How many? Four, five, maybe six? What if they have hounds, dracaena, or cyclops like before? Please don't let them have a drakon! A drakon would suck right now.

"Damn it, NO. I'm not dying like this again." Thalia growled as she doubled her efforts, I didn't know what she meant exactly. I'd heard that she might have died before she became a huntress. Something about a tree and a golden blanket of some kind? I decided to just be thankful for the determination she seemed to resonate with.

We continued on, driven by adrenaline and instinct. Running and running through the foliage till we reached a clearing of the trees where we met a wedge in the "over watching" mountain we'd been circling. The cliff face seemed to stretch out to the next mountain to the south as if the two were stretching out to each other, and the result formed a giant wall. The rock formation offered no way over the obstacle.

We would have to go down the mountain slope and then up and around the next mountain if we wanted to keep going East. I thought

"Damn mountain." was all I said to the situation. There is no way for us to continue around this oversized rock. I gave the rock face my most hate filled glare. As if the mountain was an actual living thing that was hell bent on making our lives filled with challenge after challenge. Honestly, after the visit to the Waystation in Indianapolis, nothing would surprise me too much.

The cliff face must have been 40 meters high at the wedge. As it went on to connect to the other mountain, the lowest point barely looked no higher than 20 meters. Not exactly what I'd call an improvement, it still leaves us no way to scale it with the girls on our backs.

Thalia heaved a groan, noticing exactly what I had, then shouted, "Great! Just great!" Not seeming to care whether our pursuers heard her or not, though at this point I doubt it mattered. She stood there trying to find a solution.

She grunted, "There is no way this will work, we need to backtrack and find another way around th…" She never finished as she was canceled out by a roaring sound through the forest.

Howling...

Loud and beastly howling, coming from the tree line, sounding like a chorus of rough flutes playing together. Thalia and I turned to face to the darkness between the trees and we backed up slowly to the unclimbable cliff side. There's gotta be a dozen now, their probably beginning to surround us. We're boxed in.

Seeing no way out, Thalia and I looked at each other. I could see the multiple emotions in her eyes. Anger, determination, most of all there was that rebellious glare that she was famous for, it went well with the short, black, punk spiky hairstyle she never got tired of and those electric blue eyes that could send shivers down anyone's spine. But something else was there as well. A question.

Her look seemed to ask if I knew and was ready for what was to come in the next few minutes. Am I?

While I don't know what my eyes showed at that moment. Inside I was panicking. After everything, this is how it is? After all my troubles and mistakes that lead me here. All the things I have to make up for. All the lives that died to give me a chance to live. THIS is my fate?

.

.

.

.

.

NO!

NO!

NO!

HELL! NO! I refuse to die here willingly in this dark corner of the world without amounting to anything!

As my attitude hardened, I gave Thalia the best rebel glare I could make (Thalia, actually, had a whole introductory lesson on how to make different glares at people, she saw it as an intimidation tactic). She smirked and nodded, accepting my answer to her unspoken question and I swear I saw a look of pride at my efforts. Guess I can cross one skill off the bucket list.

She shared a similar look with Carson who must have given her the same, if not better, response.

We set the unconscious Alice and Carson, who looked to be having trouble staying conscious, down on the side of the cliff.

There was another blast of howling that rained through the forest directed towards us. That settles it, their coming. We might have two or three minutes. No running this time.

As I began to get up, I was stopped by a tug on my sleeve. I looked down to see Carson looking up at me with renewed strength. She looked to me then to Thalia.

"Can I borrow a blade Thalia? I'll guard Alice as best I can." Carson said.

Thalia took a second, then nodded and gave me one of her hunting daggers which I then gave to Carson.

At this point you're probably wondering why none of us are getting our bows and arrows out, which the hunters are famous for. Well they were lost when we were first ambushed days ago (by lost, I mean they were stolen by cyclops and are probably being used as chew toys right now).

Honestly, I was okay with that. I'm not the best when it comes to archery. Personally, I'm more of a fan of the spear. Sadly, Thalia is the only one in the Hunt that has a spear. Since our patron is a Goddess of Archery and all.

As Carson grasped the dagger in her left hand, Thalia's hand grabbed the hilt along with mine and Carson's. I looked at her confused at first, but I instantly understood. She looked at both Carson, me, then at Alice lying off to the side. Her face filled with a look of sorrow and regret. The cost of command, your responsible for those under you and their safety. An honor for sure, but one I'd prefer to not have. I doubt I could handle the stress of failing.

"Whatever happens tonight, you girls are some of the best hunters there are. I wouldn't rather be with anyone else at the..." "Don't say it." Carson interrupted her. "We are still breathing sister, and I don't plan on changing that."

That's Carson for you. She has been in the Hunt for over 250 years and still only looked 14. She was my teacher as well as my friend who'd taught me almost everything about the Hunt and the skills to become a prime member.

I placed my other hand on Thalia's shoulder, giving her a light squeeze for encouragement.

"But no matter what becomes of us this night, the honor was ours Thalia Grace." Carson stated. Thalia looked grateful and held a new determined look on her face. Usually she hates hearing her last name. I admire these two, both seeming to accept the current situation, but with an air of defiance. I better add my own little attempt of inspiration.

"Next meal is on me girls." I said. Not the most inspirational of things to say, but I'm not the best at speeches. More importantly, I was never one to accept a death threat so easily. They both gave me approving looks to me and we just stayed like that together, all of us feeling grateful for each other. I let a tear or two fall, no longer having the will to hold back my fear. The two elder hunters didn't say anything to the act.

What? We may be badass women who could eat monsters for breakfast, but we still got scared at times. The first time I cried, Carson had said that it was okay to cry in times of hardship; so long as you kept moving forward, those tears would never be looked upon by my sisters as disgraceful.

Our moment did not last long sadly.

"I see that you all have accepted your fates." A smooth monotone voice spoke out from the trees.

Thalia and I immediately turned and took a defense stance around the wounded hunters. Carson moved over to shield Alice from the voices origin.

Out of the dark shadows came a man who looked to be well built with what looked like a low cut mohawk. He looked be wearing a dark collared shirt with two strings falling down from the collar. It was hard to make any more details with no light of the moon, though we could still see well at night. Thank you blessing of Artemis.

He was followed by three other figures, two men and... a girl I think, then four dracaenas and six large dark wolves that I could barely make out.

These wolves looked like they were three times the size of the Hunts wolves, and their hair is messy and spiky in some places. They defiantly need a bath.

"I must admit, you four have avoided us much longer than I would have figured. With two wounded no-less. I commend you on that." He almost sounds like we impressed him. Never had an enemy compliment me on my ability to avoid them. He also speaks very precisely, he sounds like a therapist or psychiatrist would sound like when they are talking to a patient. Slow, fluent, unhostile, and without contractions.

"Ssspeak for yoursssself, thesssse wretched mongrelssss have forccceeed me to chasssse them all the way from Sssseattle, my tale issss killing me!" spoke one of the dracaenas. Wait what?... Oh yeah, dracaena are snake people with their lower bodies are that of a snake. Plus, they draw out their S's since, you know, their snake people. Duh.

"Glad we offered you both some entertainment and discomfort. If you want some more of that last part, come and get it!" Thalia replied as she moves slightly ahead of me brandishing her spear that sparked with small flashes of lightning along its length. Go figure Thalia would be as spit fire as ever in the face of an enemy.

Mr. Mohawk man (Sounds like a good nickname to me) just ignored the complaints from the dracaena and quietly laughed and smirked at Thalia as if he found her rebellious nature to be humorous.

It put a smirk on me at least. He's got no idea how much of a pain in the ass Thalia can be.

"I have heard many tales of the new and mighty lieutenant of Artemis' Hunters. Despite only having a position for a short time in comparison with your predecessor, you have grown quite strongly in the position. I believe Nightshade would have been proud. Though you and I have never faced against each other before, I have been looking forward to the chance." The man said in a smooth and patient tone.

I donned a look of confusion for a moment after he'd said that. What's his deal? He sounds like he is also complimenting us for putting up a good fight after a game. And how would he know anything about… what was her name? Zoe?

I've heard stories of her and how she was the greatest (or the most famous) of all the Hunters both current and former, so great that Lady Artemis had bestowed the rare honor of placing her in the stars among dozens of other heroes. How would he have known her?

"You Dare!" I looked back at Carson's voice, "You are not fit to speak her name you filthy piece of scum!" she shouted out as she forced herself up while leaning on the rock face. She continued to stand close to Alice, but she still looked intimidating despite her injuries and paled face. I smirked. And there's Athena's Goddess of War's side showing.

The wolves growled at Carson's remark and looked like they were itching for a slaughter (which is what this will be if we don't get help like right frickin now!) The dracaenas hissed and prepared to put their bows and arrows to some good use.

Mohawk simply glared back at the wolves and dracaenas and they instantly silenced themselves, but still gave us looks of hatred and hunger. You must be very popular if they are that willing to listen to you Mr. Mohawk.

He then turned his attention back to us and sighed shaking his head, as if he was dealing with an annoying child in Walmart. He began looking each of us over, his gaze fell on Carson and Alice.

"You are not looking so good huntress, and your other friend on the ground does not look like she's going to be of any assistance to you." The man stated, not at all frightened by Carson's show of strength. The one girl of the group however looked a little intimidated by her.

"I will give you the chance hunters, surrender now willingly, or we will force you to submit. I'd prefer the former." He said. Surrender, why? And he's asking us? Without gloating or insulting to us? This guy is odder than most of the other monsters I've met. Most would either boast or attack us by now.

Thalia seemed to share my confusion. "And why would a Mutt offer us surrender. You guys usually just demand and take whatever you want. Or are you afraid we'll kick all of your asses across this whole mountain?" Like I said, Thalia's a spitfire especially towards someone she doesn't like.

The other enemies looked like they could barely hold back their anger (aside from Mr. Mohawk, the girl, and one of the wolves that looked to be more clean and less hostile than the others).

The other two men looked like they were twitching with anger. Like they were literally trying to hold in their rage. As for the girl, she smirked at Thalia's last question. Does she find it funny? No, from the look she's giving her, she probably just thinks Thalia's got guts for saying such a threat in this situation.

Mr. Mohawk only looked to be slightly annoyed than aggravated at Thalia's disrespect. "Think of my offer as you wish, but I promise that if you do choose to surrender now without a fight, all of you will not be harmed and I will see to it that your comrades are given medical care."

Why is he trying so hard to convince us to give up? There is no way he'll follow through with his word. Not if his followers have any say about it.

I glanced at Thalia to see if her face could give me any hint about what she plans on telling him. I doubt that we would be treated as kindly as the guy claims, if there was one thing Lady Artemis warned us of these Mutts, it was to never trust them to their word unless they were promising you some amount of pain and suffering.

I was starting to get an idea as to what these guys are and why they are called Mutts.

Thalia seemed to be thinking the same. "If you think I'm actually going to trust any promises from monsters like you, you've got a better chance at getting Hades to laugh at a knock-knock joke." Thalia said. Ha! Nice one Thalia.

There is no peaceful resolution to this, if either us or them are going to get what we want, there's going to have to be some fighting. Like the four of us hadn't had enough already! I thought

Mr. Mohawk scowled at that, then he sighed loudly and put his right hand to his eyebrow and his left to his hip. He must be reaching his limit of patience.

"I am trying to avoid a fight lieutenant, but if that is what it must take to get you to cooperate with us, then so be it." He turns to the man on his right side who had untamed black hair with sideburns, a scar adorned his left cheek under his eye. He looks like he cried a tear that carved the scar.

"Take them, but I want them alive Agus. Understood?!" he said the last part louder and with high authority. The "right hand" man looked annoyed at the limitation, but nodded to his leader then turned to us and made a crooked smile, showing his teeth, which happen to have a pair of large canines. This is not going to go well.

The next thing I knew, the man that was called Agus suddenly bursts into another giant dark wolf like the other six around the clearing. He is followed by the other man to the left of Mohawk. Well that confirms what we're dealing with. I think I would have preferred cyclops's.

Werewolves, it had to be werewolves of all monsters! Next thing you know, there's going to be a pack of vampires and an awkward yet hot teen girl who likes a guy from both groups! Gods, how can I be thinking about the stupid Twilight Saga at a time like this?!

I tried my best to stand firm, but I couldn't help but shake and shuffle back slightly at the beasts. Sadly, it did not go unnoticed by

The wolf that had been the one called Agus did what I assume was a wolf's attempt to laugh, then began to inch forward. Head low, legs bent. Readying to jump up and attack at a moment's notice. He presented his open mouth with sharp sets of teeth. Are those red stains on his teeth natural, or from a previous meal?

I tried showed no fear at the show of force, after three years in the Hunt, it's going to take a lot more than a little growling and huffing to intimidate me. But there are a lot of them, and we are not exactly in the best fighting shape. Can't afford to distance myself; if we stay together, we'll be stronger. If they divide us, we're dead.

Thalia and I backed up so we could better protect Carson and Alice. She must think the same. Two and a half hunters against eight werewolves and four dracaenas were not exactly fair odds in my book.

"This is now your last chance hunters." Mr. Mohawk stated "Please, think of your wounded. Think of yourselves, do you three really want to die here in the middle of nowhere? There is no glory in it, there is no honor in your unnecessary deaths!" The man said with a hint of pleading in his voice.

"Why doesss that matter? They are our enemiesss; they are your prey. They have forccced usssss to hunt them down for the lasssst three dayssss. They dessserve a painful death." The lead dracaena stated as she loaded and aimed her bow at Thalia. The other three dracaenas did the same, each pointing at a different target (us). Mr. Mohawk looked at the monsters with disgust, as did the girl behind him, but before he could get a word in, a voice from behind me beat him to it.

"Maybe your right." Carson said, I fought the urge to look back at her to ask what she meant, but I did anyway. "But it's better than being made prisoners to monsters like you." She said and then readied her dagger, taking as good a battle stance as she could with her injury, she had nothing but determination edged on her face.

Agus (seeming to have had enough of the talking) growled and leaped at Carson, dead set on sending her straight to Hades, but was blocked as Thalia intercepted him with her spear. Hitting him with a powerful swipe that looked like it had more power in it that would have been expected from Thalia who looked to be only 15 to 16 years old.

The wolf flew back ten meters back and thumped against a pine tree then fell on the ground. But he just got back up and shaked his body, as if the strike only fueled his rage and strength.

Two other wolves followed the charge, one going to me, the other to Thalia. The rest of the group slowly closing in behind the first wave. "Hold your fire unless you absolutely need to, we need them alive." Mr. Mohawk ordered the dracaenas who looked ready to shoot at a moment's notice with or without orders.

The wolf that was set on me approached teeth bared. I got into an intercept stance with my dagger (a silver carbine knife if your curious) in a reverse grip. I took a pose that probably looked like someone about to fight a boxing match except with a knife in one hand.

As beastly as the wolf was, it was smart enough not to charge at me all at once. He or she (I'm not exactly focusing on it's gender here) began nipping at me with its mouth, barking randomly while trying to make an opening. All my focus is directed toward my opponent, I couldn't afford to even take a glance around me without giving him an opening.

We continued our stand off for another minute or so, both of us making slow movements. I couldn't say for certain, but I think that I was being forced away from the group. Gotta turn this around!

I begin searching for my opening to advance on the wolf. Another few seconds goes by and then I have it. It's risky, but it's all I have.

I faint left, hoping the wolf takes the bait. That moment seems to last for eternity, I decided to go for broke and asked for guidance by someone I thought I'd never ask. Mother, if you're out there, anything you got would help at this point!

The wolf takes to bate and lunges at me, I take my chance. I drop low and dash forward under the mid-jumped wolf and slice my dagger up. I could feel it dig into the wolf's belly as it sails over me. I roll into a summersault, then twist to face the wolf's direction. Come on, please tell me it worked!

As I look at the wolf, it landed and walked sluggishly forward, not turning to face me. I can see red along its belly as drops of blood fall to the ground, coating it in crimson. Since when do monsters bleed? It whimpers a little then stops; with one last inhale, he crumbles to the side, lifeless.

I finally release the breath I'd been holding in for I don't know how long. My mind was blank, I didn't move. There was silence everywhere, I couldn't tell what was going on around me. I didn't know what to do next. As I stared at the carcass of my enemy, it stayed there lying still.

Don't most monsters usually fade into dust and ash when they die? My mind couldn't comprehend what I'd just done. I killed it, no Tartarus, no re-forming. Dead.

I had never killed something before, even on food hunting trips, I always intentionally missed because I couldn't bring myself to do it. But this time I had no choice.

I don't know how long I kneeled there where I stopped, staring at the body. It felt like an eternity. I actually took a life, a living life. My brain was locked in a cycle or confusion and rampant guilt of me killing my enemy.

I killed him. The words seemed to echo in my head as with a voice that sounded like mine, yet wasn't.

I killed him

I killed him

I killed him

I killed him

.

.

As the words repeated over and over in my head, I lost track of everything else. The battle, the enemy, my friends, even my own body which I began to ache for a breath of air that my lungs didn't seem to want.

I can't breathe…

Fear and panic began to run rampant in my mind without any control. I began to see dots in my vision as it also became fuzzy.

"Breathe." Said a voice that sent a shock through my whole body.

What? Who…? I took a glance around my field of vision trying to find the source.

"Faith, breathe." A calm and caring female voice said in my head. I don't know why, but it brought me back to focus. I finally inhaled a much-needed breath and closed my eyes to try and get my head straight. What's going on?

"You fought well my dear, but it's not finished yet, your friends need you. Now stand up Faith, stand up!" The voice was firm, yet filled with encouragement that flooded me with strength.

I finally brought myself up to my feat, but had to bend over and lean on my knees till the dizziness left me.

I had never heard that voice before, yet it still sounded familiar to me somehow. Was that my...?

No, I can deal with that later. I thought as I decided to think on it later, if there was a later that is.

Once I finally could focus, I took a swift look around me to gage the situation.

Thalia was fighting off, three wolves at once. Swinging and stabbing her spear like she was born with it. There were two more bodies near her, another wolf and a dracaena that was dissolving to ash.

Once again, Thalia proves just how badass she can be. They must have marked her as the primary threat since they thought only one wolf could deal with me. I got up and began heading her way to help when I heard a blood chilling scream of pain.

"AAHHHH!" I turn and saw that Carson is being stabbed by another spear through the stomach by a one of the other dracaenas! I didn't see Alice near her, but my only concern now was Carson.

"NO!" I scream and rush to her aid.

The dracaena turns and sees me sprinting at her, smiles, then laughs wickedly as she prepares to yank the spear out of Carson's stomach. "Yessss, come huntresssss, to your dea… What?" The serpent haired demoness stopped mid-sentence to look down as to why she couldn't pull her spear up.

Glancing down, I see Carson holding the spear in place with her hands gripping it with white knuckles.

"AAHHHGGG! Do. It. Faith!" Cough, "Strike her DOWN!" Carson urged me. "Sssstupid curssssed child, jusssst die already!" the dracaena screeched as she was about to strike at the cause of the delay with her tail.

I took the opportunity Carson gave me and I attacked the dracaena who had given up on the spear and move back to her bow, but I was already too close for it to be effective.

The dracaena drew her bowstring back to let loose an arrow, I took yet another chance and continued to sprint at her. The closer the target, the harder it is to hit.

The monster let the arrow loose, as it flew at me I tried to dodge it with a slight shift right. It worked, I think. I was alive and still moving, so I continued. The dracaena, seeing that she couldn't use the bow, snarled and dropped it, deciding hand to hand was her best bet. A dracaenas claws are as sharp as needle points. The monster slithered forward, meeting my charge.

As we were about to collide, I dropped right to try and get around her, but she was quick and smacked me away with her claw. I flew and landed a few meters away and tumbled through the grassy field and stopped just a few feet from the rock face.

Ouch! That felt like a war hammer hit me. Note to self, one trick doesn't always work on different opponents. I struggled to get up and got on all fours trying to catch the breath that was knocked out of me. Get back at it girl! I thought to myself.

All of a sudden, the dracaena had its claw around my neck and hoisted me up and slammed me against the wall while still clutching my neck. I felt pain all over my back as it was pushed against the hard rock and struggled to breath.

"Pathetic, you huntersss all think you are untouchable, jussst beausssse ssssome goddesssss picked you broken girlsssss up and told you that you are special. Well you're wrong, you are weak, (she slammed me against the rock as she finished) and blind, (and again) and you will die this night!" The dracaena spouted at my face. The slamming made the back of my head go numb.

Was she rehearsing this speech in her spare time? I thought randomly.

As the dracaena took in her moment of triumph, I took a quick glance at the situation around me. Thalia had another body on the ground that was sizzling and looked like it had been overcooked and another one that was slowly dissipating into ash.

But as for Thalia herself, she had an arrow or two sticking out of her, one in the left arm and the other in the right calf. She was still facing three wolves and another dracaena and didn't look like she could last much longer. No help there, what about Carson?

I glanced to Carson and did not like what I saw. She was still breathing, but also still had the spear in her stomach and had an arrow stuck in her right shoulder (the same spot that was already wounded from a previous spear attack). She was as pale as a child of Hades and she was gazing up at the sky as if she was in a trance. Damnit, she looks like the won't live another 30 seconds. And where the hell is Alice?

Before I could find an answer to that question, the snake head that was currently squeezing the life out of me, started squeezing harder to get my attention. Now what does she want to rant on to me about?

"The Wolf-Head said we needed you alive, he never said it had to be in one piece." She said as she raised her other claw above my head, preparing to do gods know what to me.

I was out of options, none of my friends could help me and I couldn't help them. We had no allies coming to our rescue, no one searching for us, and no one will even know what happened to us. I can't let it end like this!

"Prey to the godsss that you passsss out quickly you virmin." The dracaena spouted.

Someone… Help.

As the dracaena's muscles contracted and prepared to strike. She snarled and showed her fangs and wiping out its serpent tongue along her teeth, relishing the coming meal. I closed my eyes with tears coming out with no control.

Anyone… Help.

ROAR!

What was that? And why am I not in pain yet? I opened my eyes.

The dracaena had stopped and froze in place with a look that had once been full of satisfaction and blood-filled lust to kill, was now covered in a look of confusion and… fear? She turned her head to face the direction of the mighty sound, and I noticed her tensing up. Why, what could scare you that badly?

I followed the monsters gaze only to see a sight that astounded me. There, just in front of the tree line, was a huge brown grizzly bear that was the size of a hummer standing on its back legs and growling furiously at the scene before it. Two wolves moved from Thalia, who was also pinned by a dracaena and a wolf, to in front of the new beast.

The dracaena that had me pinned began to speak. "What doesssss that monsssstrossssity think it'ssss do…" A black arrow interrupted the snake headed monster as it protruded from the top of said head with a simple thunk.

As the monster disintegrated to ashes, I was released and fell to the ground heaving in a much-needed breath and coughing. Where'd that come from?

My eye caught the arrow lying in the grass, it was all black except for one of the three fletchings which was colored red while the others were black like the rest of the arrow. It's not an arrow used in the Hunt, those have silver arrow heads and a silver marked fletching.

The next few moments passed in a daze. More black arrows rained down from the top of the cliff wall and hit the enemies surrounding Thalia, killing the last dracaena, and wounding the wolf that limply ran off into the woods. The grizzly charged the two wolves in front of it with a loud roar, the three huge animals began chomping, biting, and scratching at each other.

I took the opportunity to glance at Carson and saw that girl who had been next to Mr. Mohawk kneeling down over her, she seemed to be doing something with her hands over Carson. I dragged myself up and made my way over to them to stop the enemy from doing whatever she was doing to Carson. It took me a few seconds to reach them as the numbness in the back of my head had yet to go away.

As I stumbled to them, I finally noticed that Carson no longer had the spear in her stomach and the arrow that was in her shoulder was gone too. The girl must be trying to perform first-aid on her wounds. Why would she help us, isn't she one of the ones who wants to capture them?

Don't ask why, just help Carson. I can deal with the other girl after we save her. It's not ideal to let the enemy treat your wounded, but I didn't have any other options.

I slid down to the other side of Carson trying to see how it was going. If I had any food left in me, I would have lost it from how disgusting the scene was. "She's lost too much blood as it is, we need to close the wound now and get a transplant." The girl said not even glancing away from her patient, then asked "Do you know her blood type?"

I tried to remember if I was ever told that, but I came up blank. "No, I don't know, is there anything else we could use."

The girl simply shook her head in response, continuing her attempts to save my friend.

"Cough, cough…It hurts." Carson coughed up blood and her face contorted in pain.

"Stay with me Carson, come on, stay with me!" I pleaded

Then there was more roars and screams, I glanced back at the battle between the bear and the wolves. The grizzly had one struggling wolf in its maw, the other was on its back trying to clamp its mouth on the bears neck.

Suddenly there was a hand around my neck and lifted me up then threw me down and held me on the ground with my back to the sky.

Seriously! Give me a break! How many times am I going to be shoved into something while having my neck grabbed?!

"Lyra come, Akilah has ordered us to retreat! Leave that filth, she won't last another minute anyway. We can at least take this one along with the other back, they'll be good enough for our king." The unknown man said while I thought, Hades to that!

"No Agus, I won't leave her here to die. Not if there is a chance that I could save her." The girl whose name was Lyra said with steely determination. Why would you risk your life for your enemy? I thought. Never mind, this is my chance to strike while he's distracted.

I looked for something to fight with and saw Carson's hunting knife in arms reach. If there is a lady luck, I need to remember to send her a thank you card if I survive this.

As swift as I could manage, I grabbed the knife with my right hand and grabbed the man's hand that was around my neck with my left to hold in place. Then quickly swiped the blade behind my neck and cut Agus's hand off from his arm (luckily, I avoided cutting my left arm as well). Agus screeched in pain and held his now handless arm.

"AAAHHHRRRGGG! You hunter vermin!" he screamed at me, then with his other hand, grabbed my leg and threw me hard to the rock face (there I go again, being slammed against something). Pain erupted throughout my body, I became dizzy and numb. I fell and landed back on the ground, but I didn't even feel the impact. My left eyes vision became coated in red.

It hurts, everywhere. Help me, someone please. Thalia? Carson? Artemis?

I was facing up at the night sky, I could barely see the tree tops, they looked so distant. I could faintly hear screams to the side, but I didn't have the strength to look. Was I breathing? I think I am, but I can't be sure. My attention was drawn to the crescent moon in the partly cloudy sky.

When did the clouds start to clear, and why didn't I notice the light from the moon sooner? Will Artemis come to help us now? I sent one last prayer her way,then felt a cold chill begin to crawl up my spine. Why do I feel cold?

I don't know how long I layed there, a few minutes or an hour could have gone by and I'd hardly notice.

Suddenly there was a figure above me, I couldn't make it out very well, it had a bow in its hands with an arrow nocked, but then but the bow down and the arrow back in his quiver on its back. It kneeled to me, for what, I couldn't say. Please don't let it be the werewolf Agus come back to finish me. I thought, but then remembered that the werewolf didn't have a bow before. No, it wasn't him, but then who. Maybe he can help me?

I sluggishly raised my right hand (how I found the strength, I don't know) and tried to speak to the figure to ask for help. Help me. My mouth moved slightly with the words but my voice would not work. I was so tired and weak from the days of running and fighting, my arm was shaking with the effort I made keeping it up.

I was about to give up and let my arm go limp, but then the figure grabbed my hand with its own at the last second. It feels firm, but warm and gentle too. I tried to focus on the figure,but my vision was just getting more blurry.

"You're going to be okay, I promise." The figure said in a quiet male voice.

I don't know why, but those words seemed to relax me and I finally gave in to the fatigue. My eyes slowly closing. I shouldn't fall asleep, but I'm just too tired to fight the urge any longer.

The last thing I saw was another figure joining the one kneeling next to me on the other side of my body, it had a weird shape to its head. Those look like cat ears?

After that, I gave in and fell into the realm of Morpheus. Hoping he will offer me warm dreams by the fire.