I'm not really used to writing like this but I think I'm getting the hang of it...I think. Am I?
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I do not own anything :( But what me got out of the dumps - Countdown to SoN begins! Who's excited? I am! :D
Please ENJOY!
"Not quick enough! Faster, closer…" The grey-eyed girl fought with the dagger she loved so much. This gift, her preferred weapon, was one of the strangest things to be caught in a hunter's possession. She was training with the goddess of the hunt herself for no one in camp was capable of fighting that close or balancing a knife. It was only the goddess who could since her identity is still secret.
She dodged each one of the lady's strikes directed at her and countered them with her own tricks. As the years gone by, she has gotten stronger, faster, and of course, more beautiful. Now almost 17, her eyes painted pictures that could show any emotion that you may wish. Her hair still framed her delicate face added to that the strong features she got from being with the hunt.
"My lady!" A hunter interrupted the one-on-one session between the mother and her adopted daughter. Artemis spun in the wrong direction and let a gash from Annabeth's dagger materialize on her cheek. Ichor flowed slowly out and Rina, the hunter, looked guilty.
"I'm sorry mother" The child of Athena spoke. Ironically, the knowledge that was rightfully theirs never was an easy thing to gain thus resulting to her calling the maiden "mother".
"It is alright child. You may clean-up and prepare for supper." She dismissed Annabeth whilst taking ambrosia and nectar from the nearby station to heal her wound. Once she was out of sight Artemis spoke.
"I am sorry for interrupting you my lady." Rina apologized but Artemis dismissed it and knew better than to hold a grudge on her girls. No harm was done so why should there be?
"It is your brother, he's outside. He wants to talk to you privately before the sundown." The urgency in her voice alerted a part in the immortal's system but she could not tell what it is as of the moment. She could always tell her brother's visits weren't the most pleasant of them all though important, his twin would do anything to avoid the meeting.
The moon goddess walked towards a patch in the forest almost too far to be seen by her hunter's camp. She saw the glow radiated by her brother. She always thought he glowed like that not because he was the "SUN" but because he was just THAT arrogant.
"What is it brother?" an irritated voice spoke out. It was hers and from the high pitch, it was clear she was growing impatient.
"Oh, I think I should be the one asking the questions now. I just had a vision sister. Is she still alive?" A sinister voice was lacking from the god of poetry's statement. No humour was present, not even a thrill or suspense. He delivered a question with a flat tone expecting but no doubt it was waiting for an answer.
"Who are you talking about?" she asked. She knew this would either piss him off, or REALLY piss him off. But she's his sister, what could he do?
"You know exactly who I am talking about! The daughter of Athena"
"How would I know? She is unnamed, is she not? How will she be identified?"
"I know Helen would be appropriate. Just like her, she will bring destruction. I know the girl is alive. If i find her, don't doubt me. I will get my daughters to kill her before the prophecy will take its course."
"Why not kill her yourself?" Her smug look dominated her previous features filled with fear.
"You know I couldn't…no man could and would especially now that she is nearing 17." His expression dimmed just as the light surrounding him did the same. The sun was going down and it was time for the moon goddess to attend to her duties.
"If she is still a maiden, I wouldn't let anyone touch her. You know that" the hunter said as like a farewell.
"I know. Don't do anything you would later regret sis." He hugged her twin which she felt a bit comfortable in.
He left the clearing they were in and she directed herself to the direction her camp was set. The hunters were around a campfire, each holding a wooden bowl containing stew. They were burning a part of their meal and a sweet aroma filled the goddesses' body. She was contented with that but she was alarmed when an unfamiliar aroma, almost like wine or fowl liquor was being offered to her.
"Is there something wrong my lady?" Zoe saw their leader tense and she was just concerned.
"Nothing…I just…" she choked on the aroma that was overpowering her hunter's offering when combined.
Three hunters aided the goddess and helped her get back on her feet.
"I think that aroma is coming from camp Half Blood." The older hunters cringed at the name of the camp they felt they were held back and or unappreciated in.
"We must stop this now." In 5 minutes, the area was cleared and all their belongings were packed. The goddess was weakening. Wine was something she didn't love. She would eventually drink the liquid poison for some special occasions but she knows her limits.
They arrived at camp with the summer campers still in the dining pavilion. Chiron, the centaur, noticed the unexpected visit. He directed the hunter's to the Olympian's cabin before talking to the lady.
"Who was drinking alcohol and offered it to me?" the rage in her voice could kill the one in the end of her receiving line.
"Alcohol is not allowed. The camper's know that." He answered.
Her eyes scanned the perimeter of the mess and they landed on two boys who looked like they have seen better days. She approached them, something unexpected from the goddess.
"Are you two drinking alcohol!" She almost screamed at the young men whose eyes widened at the sight of the goddess. Their cups fell and sure enough, one contained liquid with the aroma of aged grapes and another of a strong citrusy and salty concoction.
They bowed at the sight of the goddess. "Why are you two drinking?" Men could never redeem themselves to her. They could only smite their name more until they wipe themselves off the face of the earth.
"If she hadn't joined the hunters she would've never been killed!" The one with pale skin stood up and yelled. He stared at the goddess responsible of the hunt though guilt never ran through her veins.
She recognized this boy is Nico di Angelo, son of Hades. "It is her choice son of Hades. I assure you she achieved Elysium." Though speaking to a drunk-boy was no good.
He knew not to argue more with the goddess especially this one that could turn him into any woodland creature but he was clearly not himself. The boy with raven-black hair sitting beside him stood up and apologized for his friend. The green-eyed boy had a cup of non-alcoholic club soda with a little sprig of lime juice; he was not drunk. The goddess was impressed by the son of Poseidon's sincerity but it was still not enough to cover his companion's, who is a son of Hades, mistake.
She was about to lecture the two boys more while thinking of an appropriate punishment according to their actions. Then, two of her hunters came to her.
"My lady, Annabeth is not well. We think she caught a fever." One said.
"Take her to the infirmary. Get one of my brother's children to heal her there." She ordered the girls who came to her.
"Lady Artemis, please let me take care of your hunter. We owe our services to you." The green-eyed boy proposed. She wasn't supposed to think about it but something about the boy seemed so genuine and sincere she could easily trust him. To let a male take care of her would be dangerous because no one knows what shall happen. He seemed so eager to receive such a task and there was an aura telling her he would never fail his commitments.
"Alright…she is in my cabin. You take her to the infirmary and nurse her to health. You shall treat my hunter with respect, no more and no less. Got it?" She announced, a bit nervous and unsure of what she has just done.
"Thank you lady Artemis, we will not let you down." He unconsciously reassured her and filled the lost hope she had for men in a snap. This boy was something, no, this man was something.
"And don't let your friend take care of her in his condition. I suggest you also attend to his needs once you accommodate Annabeth." He just nodded to the moon goddess' requests. He went to the direction of the Olympian's cabin and readied himself before facing a pack of men-hating hunters.