Hi everyone.
This is a new project of mine, and it's about the other heroes in the Percy Jackson series. I noticed that the books did not really mention much about the past of some characters, and so I decided to use my imagination and write a chapter about each hero's lives!
I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson.
Zoe: Becoming a Hunter
Zoe patted Ladon's snout and smiled. It was not a happy smile. Thinking of what she was going to do later made her heart pound and her palms sweat. Nonetheless, she was determined. She was going to carry out her mission, and she was going to succeed, too. Failure would mean punishment and certain death.
Ladon stirred and opened one bright, gleaming eye to look at her. He snorted and blew out smoke, then went back to daydreaming. If this were some stranger, or even another Hesperide, who had come to pat his nose, they would find themselves either being torn from limb to limb, or erupting in a column of flame that smelled suspiciously like cough drops. But this was Zoe, and Zoe was Ladon's favourite Hesperide. In fact, she was his only favourite. So Ladon settled down contentedly, waiting in anticipation for what was to come—a brushing and a fresh bucket of lamb's meat just for him.
True enough, Zoe did not disappoint. Producing a hefty package from behind her and placing it before Ladon, she proceeded, brush in hand, to his tail, where she started scrubbing his scales till they shone. The calm sounds of the brush against Ladon's body armour managed to soothe Zoe's frazzled mind just a little, and she was able to think about today's plan without hyperventilating.
She had chosen today to carry out her plan, for today, a birthday celebration was to be held for one of her sisters. Even in the clearing, far from the main square, she could hear the sounds of preparation, and smell the smells of the party that was to come. Music floated in the air, and she could detect the faint smells of spices. The birthday celebration would be the perfect distraction. She had it all thought out: At nightfall, where everyone would be gathering at the main square for the celebration, she was to follow her sisters, and party just a bit, to show everyone that she was not missing. Then, she would sneak off to her room, making up an excuse here or there if necessary, and grab her backpack, already packed with survival equipment and enough food to last her at least a week, and sneak out and off to the world beyond Mount Tam.
It had to happen today. And it would. She was ready; she had no choice but to be.
The conch horn sounded, a single clear note that penetrated through the forests and reached her almost immediately. She jumped in surprise, knocked out of her reverie. Zoe picked up the brush she had dropped, went up front to retrieve the now empty bucket from Ladon, and went back to her room, trying to mask her heavy footsteps with fake, happy humming. She joined her sisters and strolled into the pavilion.
The party was well underway. Music floated in the air, and everyone, from the eldest Hesperide to the youngest tree nymph, seemed to be enjoying herself. In the centre of the clearing was a long table piled with all sorts of foods that had taken the better part of the day to prepare. Zoe could feel everyone's excitement: parties were very much welcome among her kind. But the fluttering of her heart was not due to excessive consumption of nectar. In a while, she would leave this place forever, for the better or for the worst, she wasn't sure. But she knew, knew with all her heart that she was going to see the outside world with her own eyes. This in mind, a fiery determination entered her eyes.
The sun set, and fireflies flitted here and there, joining in the party. The air smelled of honey and something else she could not place her finger on- a sweet intoxicating smell that was home. Mount Tam had always been like that. It was where she lived, how could she be so stupid as to want to leave her home? How dumb could that be? She had to be the most clueless girl ever. No, she was not going to run away. She would stay here forever. The idea seeped into her brain, snaked into her mind, cunning and persuasive, and whispered words to her. Why leave? Stay, and be happy. Everyone would be thrilled. There would be parties and celebrations. There would be games to play and food to eat. There would be sisters to laugh and joke with. There would be nothing to worry about. Zoe closed her eyes, a small smile on her face as she thought of that utopia. Yes, she would stay here forever.
Forever.
Forever?
No. She crushed that thought, stomped on it with all her might. Snap out of it! She told herself. This had taken months of planning; it was not going to end up in smoke. She wanted to leave. There was just too much about the world that she did not know. Zoe did not want to be pampered all her life on this mountain. Mount Tam, despite all its comforts, always made Zoe feel as if she were stuck in a room with solid concrete walls and a high ceiling: suffocating and like a jail. She felt trapped. And no amount of sweets, nectar or cakes could remedy this feeling. The only way was to escape.
She knew the consequences. Ayla had attempted it before. And it had not gone good.
She sipped on her nectar and chatted to her sisters. She would miss them, but she was not going to let that ruin her plan. Selfish as it may seem, Zoe was going to leave her family behind and venture out into the unknown.
The party was now in full swing. Night had fallen over the party, embracing it with its dark, calming arms. The velvet sky twinkled with millions of stars. A cool breeze swept past Zoe. And it was time.
Putting down her nectar, she took on a brisk walk that was purposeful and did not seem suspicious. Blood pounded in her ears, but she kept her back ramrod straight, like how her sisters had always taught her to, and, eyes straight ahead, she walked to the edge of the party and exited the clearing.
The first and most daunting part of her mission complete, Zoe rushed to her room and grabbed her backpack. Throwing it over her shoulder, she crept out of the room, and walked slowly, hiding in the shadows, trying very hard not to make a sound. The owl overhead watched her with bright, observant eyes.
Things were going well so far, she had made it down most of the mountain without anyone noticing her. The rest of the mountain was pretty empty, for everybody was at the party. She continued at a brisk walk, still hiding in the dark for the fear that some lonely soul who did not bother going to the party today would find her and tell the whole world. Zoe's breathing, heavy with fear and anticipation, slowly lightened as she exited the thick layers of trees and saw thousands of small fires and twinkling lights- telltale signs of human civilization. Zoe smiled, feeling accomplished. She was almost free. Almost.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Zoe's breathe caught in her throat as she whirled around. Standing in front of her were three girls. They wore simple white dresses very much like the one Zoe was in. The middle one, the tallest girl, stepped forward, a mixture of disbelief and disgust evident on her face.
Zoe stopped, rooted to the spot. Shock momentarily crossed her face, before she smoothened the creases and stood tall and haughty, just like how her sisters had taught her to do before. This only served to irritate the girls standing opposite Zoe, for they knew what she was doing, and were now mentally berating themselves for ever teaching their little sister to act like a princess.
"Where do you think you're going?" the middle girl repeated, cold anger bubbling under her calm tone, threatening to break free at any moment. She was taller than Zoe, and took full advantage of it, stepping close to the runaway and looking down at her.
Zoe was not fazed. The momentary surprise of getting caught was over, and now she stood firm on the ground, determined not to let her sister intimidate her.
"I'm leaving," she said, eyes hard, voice unwavering.
Her sisters narrowed their eyes. "Why?" The one on the left asked.
Zoe took a deep breathe.
"Because I can't take it here anymore. It feels like a jail on Mount Tam! I want to go to the world outside and see it with my own two eyes. I want to know what it feels like to be free! I can't do that on Mount Tam."
Was it her, or did her sisters' eyes soften at her outburst? No, it had to be her.
"Please, let me go, I don't want to stay here anymore."
The owl overhead hooted, as if in agreement. Zoe glanced up, irritated yet amused. Interesting animals, owls were. Smart and wise, but also cunning and dangerous.
She turned her attention back to her three sisters. Their faces were blank, an empty slate out of which she could not derive any emotion. She could not tell what they were thinking. Her mouth had suddenly gone dry. She licked her lips nervously, unsure of what to do. Her sisters, especially the oldest, seemed to be in a dilemma. Zoe could see the indecision in their eyes.
Finally, the middle girl sighed and closed her eyes in defeat.
'Fine, you can go."
Zoe's eyes widened in disbelief. That was surprisingly easy.
"Really?" she said, her brain ordering her body to not show signs of joy or shock, but her eyes betraying her anyway and widening just the slightest.
Her sister nodded and smiled. A rarity. "Go. Hurry, before anyone else discovers you."
Zoe broke out into a huge grin. This feeling was unexplainable; to have thought that there was no way out, but finding an exit anyway.
"But beware, once you leave, you will not be considered one of us anymore. You will be a stranger, and we will not treat you with hospitality. Understand?" Zoe nodded feverishly, not caring about the threat, for she never ever planned on coming back anyway. Sending a last grateful smile to her sisters, she picked up her baggage and made her way down the mountain. Mount Tam was now officially out of her life!
She walked down to civilization, but stopped in her tracks. Someone was following her.
She turned around cautiously, expecting a mortal mugger or something of that sort to be holding a knife at her throat. But no. It was not a thief, or a kidnapper.
It was a little girl. She was dressed in a silver coat and trousers, with her auburn hair pulled up in a tight ponytail. She looked around 12, not a kid, but not yet an adult. Her eyes were a strange sliver that glinted under the moonlight and made her have an unusual mysterious sparkle. They were deep and meaningful, and looked too wise to belong to a 12 year old. Zoe looked at the girl curiously. The girl just smiled.
"Can I help you?" Zoe asked tentatively.
The girl paused for a while, then said, "I saw what you did, Zoe. It was brave to stand up for what you believe in."
"What?" Zoe breathed sharply. "How'd you know me?"
Without a word, the girl turned into an owl, and then back to herself.
"Lady Artemis..? You're Lady Artemis?" For the second time that day, Zoe felt disbelief beyond belief.
Artemis smiled. "I can appear in whatever shape and size I wish to, but I do prefer this state. It is the average age of my fellow sisters."
"The Hunters?" Greek mythology was definitely not alien to Zoe.
"Yes, my Child." Artemis walked closer to Zoe before continuing. "It so happens that I am looking for a new Lieutenant for the Hunters, someone who is responsible and strong, someone who will love the Hunters and do what's best for them. My right hand girl, if you will." Artemis giggled at the sound of her words.
"Opinion and bravery are qualities that I value greatly, dear Zoe. And so I ask you if you would like to be a fellow Hunter, and my new Lieutenant."
Zoe's mouth fell open in earnest. Here was an Olympian goddess asking a favour of her! Lady Artemis wanted Zoe to be part of her family. The request in itself was already an honour.
She knew the benefits of being a hunter: immortality, exceptional combat skills, having a great family, where everyday spent with them was an adventure. And of course there was the oath, to forswear romantic love for all eternity. That, personally, was fine with Zoe. Boys were never important to her anyway.
The offer was almost tempting. She would be able to roam the world, and she would have a family to do it with. Being the Moon goddess's companion and sister-in-arms sounded like a really great deal.
Artemis was looking at her, those silver eyes bright and observant. She could tell that the young Hesperide was faced with conflict. She could tell that Zoe wanted to say yes, but something was holding her back. And Artemis knew exactly what held Zoe back.
After a moment of silence, Zoe looked up from the ground, brows furrowed. "It is an honour that you would consider me worthy to be the Lieutenant of the Hunters, Lady Artemis, but I am afraid I do not think I can do it."
"Why?" Artemis' eyes never left Zoe's. Zoe felt intimidated. But she knew it was not wrong to refuse, and there was nothing that Artemis could do to force her to agree. She was not doing anything against Ancient Laws.
Zoe took a deep breathe. "Believe me, Lady Artemis, I very much want to be a part of your family, but it is not possible. I am not someone the Hunters would be proud of My father-"
"Dear child," Artemis smiled for the first time since she made the proposal. "Do you not think that I would know about your ancestry and your past? I am aware of your family, Zoe, and I still want you to be a Hunter."
My mind must be imagining things, Zoe thought. How is it that Lady Artemis could be so accepting of her, even though she knew that her father was a diabolical Titan?
"No, you are not imagining things, Zoe." Artemis paused to study the girl's face. There was something under that confusion now: wonder, a hint of amazement.
"Would you like to be a Hunter?"
There was a pause.
Finally, Zoe lifted her head from the ground, her mouth curved at the edges in a small smile, eyes twinkling. "Yes, my Lady, I would very much like to be a Hunter."
Zoe recited the oath:
I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis,
I turn my back on the company of men,
Accept eternal maidenhood,
And join the Hunt.
Artemis smiled. "And I, dear Zoe accept your pledge. I believe this now belongs to you." The goddess then proceeded to fitting a silver circlet onto her head. It braided itself into her hair, and Zoe admired how the circlet managed to fit so perfectly, as if it were meant for her all along.
And for the first time in her life, Zoe felt truly happy.
I do apologise if I got the history of the Hesperides wrong. And also, I decided to let Zoe speak in modern English. Because if it would go horribly wrong if I tried to write in old English.
Thanks for reading!