Author's Note

Hi, my prologue for the Man and the Moon was recently updated to clear up some messiness and now theres a proper prophecy! Re-read it to make sure you understand!

Artemis

Anger coursed through my veins. My knuckles were white from gripping my silver daggers that stained gold. Apollo now sat on his throne with a scar across his left cheek to his chin that bore traces of ichor. His face grim and his hands covering his face indicated he was sulking.

"Now about that prophecy, that Apollo made a few minutes ago." Zeus said as he shifted uneasily in his white marble throne that laced gold. Stroking his crazy white beard that had static energy course through it making him look like a mad sciencetist.

Thalia stood to attention on my right along with all of the other lieutenants that served the other gods and goddesses. They all had emotionless poker faces but judging from the fidgeting, they all felt uneasy about the future.

I had to bear a child to a beloved.

A rush of blood filled my cheeks, I have always wanted a child of my own but could not. Thats why I made do with hunters. It was not the same experience but it was still an experience nontheless.

Uncle Poseidon sat on his throne that consisted of a red beach umbrella and a turquoise beach chair that looked very comfortable. He was usually very laid back in his beach shirt and khakis and flip flops. But now he sat leaning front with his back straight and his trident next to him had a mini tornado that stirred. He too, was deep in thought, occasionally glancing at my sister Athena.

My aunt Hestia stopped tending the flame and instead was watching the council with her curious 9-year-old eyes. Her face quizzical.

The Hall of Oylmpus was silent and deep in thought.

Minor gods and goddesses were on their throne trying to understand the sudden prophecy. It was straightforward. I had to find a lover and if not, the world will end.

"I will find a lover." I announced and got up from my crescent moon of a throne. Its bright white glow stopped as soon as I got up, attracting the eyes of my family. My legs felt like they were jelly after listening to the harsh prophecy.

"But I will do this on my own terms." I said firmly. Percy caught my eyes, who sat by his father's knees looked preplexed and his eyes emotionless. My silver eyes softened, Annabeth left Percy after the Giant War. She wanted some time alone and so far, no one has heard from her ever since. He deserved better.

"Sister, you will be breaking your oath by birthing a child." Athena said with a poker face, betraying no emotion.

Hestia immediately lost her quizzical look and was now glaring at Apollo.

Apollo removed his hands that covered his face. "It was not my fault! The Oracle decides the future!" He yelped when he saw all the glares and covered his face at once.

"What will be the fate of the Hunt, m'lady?" Thalia asked, sounding and acting more courageous than my coward twin.

"I do not know, sister," I confessed. "We may have to disband or maybe someone would take over the Hunt."

"I will do it!" Apollo announced without a hint of shame and covered his face once he met the glare of Thalia.

"Aunt Hestia, would you take over? You are the wisest among us." I said without a acknowledging what responsiblity Apollo volunteered.

The 9-year-old glanced in my direction, "I will, my dear and I will try my best."

"This settles it then, Hestia shall take my title." I said looking at the council. "I shall live in the mortal world for however long I need to find my lover. You shall not try to locate me or contact me, during this time." I say, laying down my terms.

The Council agreed, the breaking of my oath had to be on my terms. Looking at Thalia made me tear, here I was leaving my sisters-in-arms that had been with me hundreds of years. Thalia had an amazing poker face, betrayed only by a small tear leaking from her eye.

"Gather the hunters, we need to talk." I whispered to Thalia.

"Hestia, please can I talk to you?" I asked the 9-year-old girl that poked the fire with a fire iron. Her golden brown eyes twinkled above the bright flames. "Of course, my niece."

Everyone was silent and had their eyes cast downwards. As I followed Hestia out of the Hall of Gods, the gods acted as if they were mourning my funeral and grieving the loss of this world.

As soon as we were out of earshot, Hestia turned around and embraced me. "I am sorry, child." She said as she grew into a middle-aged woman from a 9-year-old. She was a motherly figure to me and I hild the most respect for her in the council.

"This must be hard for you, dear. Losing your title and reputation within a few verses of poetry." She said, her sad brown eyes locked onto my silver ones.

A glistening tear emerged from my left eye and into her brown dress that evaporated instantly. I broke down into tears and was held by a comforting precense who patted my back reassuringly.

I flashed back to the Hunt, after I looked somewhat decent after my episode. It has been years since I last shed a tear. The most recent was of Zoƫ Nightshade.

The Hunt was buzzing with suspense and speculation as Thalia had told them nothing of what happened in the council.

"Was it a new prophecy?" the camp speculated, "A new god?".

"Pancakes, anyone?" Acacia the nymph yelled, holding stacks of organic golden brown discs that had drizzles of maple syrup flowing down.

We gathered in a circle, or as much of a circle we could form. Munching on the sweet syrupy pancakes.

"The Hunt is being handed over to Hestia," I started sorrowfully with my eyes casted hellwards. The raise of voices died as quickly as it started with Thalia hushing them.

"An oath made under the Moon's birthright,

will curse the world without light,

the world will rid of corruption and evil or,

have no hope to save,

the choices she makes will rave for centuries or raze for eternity."

"Together with a beloved,

she will raise a child of who she claims her own,

the child alone will face the great unknown."

I recited to the hunters. All sounds of eating stopped instead, their jaws hung almost to the ground with disgusting half-chewed pancakes in their mouths.

A tear came and went down my cheeks and was followed by another that was followed by a third, a fourth, a fifth and now it was a constant stream.

Author's Note - Unedited

I just updated the Prologue as I had received feedback saying it was confusing, hope its clearer now.

Anyways, chapters will typically be about 1000 words long before the A/N.

I decided to post 500 word updates for a few weeks or weekly in case I am on hiatus.

Do review and give me some feedback. I need to learn and improve my writing 'skills'

Also, I did not update the A/N in the prologue.

Thanks and see you in the chapter!