So, I made two polls for this story. One is who will Galileo fall for; the other one concerns who should I kill off (don't have any votes yet for the second poll).
for the first one I'm at: Aphrodite 1; Thalia 1; Reyna 1; Jasmin 0; Persephone 0. Please PM me or check the polls on my profile or put it on a review.
Chapter 3:
"So let me get this straight, Artemis is on the run and being hunted by gods," I asked, holding my head up tired and frustrated. For some reason I kept feeling an anxiousness and an urge to get up and sprint out of the camp to go help her.
"Yes, that's correct," Thalia said worried beyond imaginable. There were shadows under her eyes, which were semi-bloodshot. "We too are on the run and are seeking a safe place. We don't really know why either. Any ideas?"
"None that I can think of, sis" Jason responded, gulping as Thalia shot him a murderous glare. Not a good sign, I guess.
"Though you are welcome to stay," Percy, Annabeth, and Leo added, voices pitted with worry and sympathy.
"I know you probably are going to hate this, but shouldn't we go help," I stated rhetorically to Percy, Jason, Piper, Annabeth, Leo, and Nico. "I mean we need to help her like you guys tried to help Apollo last time. We can't just be idle."
"I agree, Galileo, but going up against the gods is tough. Especially for a demigod like—" Jason said.
"Choose your next words carefully," I interrupted, aiming an arrow at his throat. Percy had shot up, clutching Riptide, while Leo was holding a fireball.
"What's wrong with you?" Nico shouted at me, utterly surprised.
"I think you know how I feel Nico," I retort cold, not wavering, "Or at least you might've in some way. Maybe it's worse for me. None of you have ever been neglected by your godly parents and saw one of your parents cut down before your eyes and see their life pouring out from them at the age of nine." The growl and rage in my voice and all the sadness pouring out of me. My arm shook so much that I dropped my bow. I cracked, unstable. I sat back down and buried my head in my arms. "Sorry, it's just…hard," I mumbled, voice cracking. The side effects of this: mood-swings, a rogue attribute, and a survival instinct like no other.
Leo extinguished his fire while Percy capped Riptide. No one said anything for a while and I was thankful for that. The only noise was Thalia whispering to three other Huntresses, all in black and silver. There was one who really caught my eye, she looked quite familiar. Wasn't she in my school? The pinned up red hair, white skinny frame and that ever-present smile; of course, she was one of my "friends." Never really had any to say the least.
"Um, I for one think Galileo's right," Piper announced, a little nervous from breaking the brooding anxious silence. "We've done it multiple times before, we've saved the world at least twice, this isn't exactly the worst." Some of the Seven and the Huntresses nodded, except for me.
"Piper, I'm sorry to tell you off, but don't force them with your charmspeak, please," I asked, all the fight and anger washed away. I felt like I was sinking into a dark abyss ever so slowly, as if death, madness, or evil was just around the corner. Piper gave me a baffled look and I winked at her, I'm three-quarters god after all. Her face changed to that of realization, understanding that to really affect me too, she'd have to put more effort in her charmspeak.
"Here is what I propose," Annabeth said, "We keep this a secret from the rest of the camp and act as normal as possible, then, we go on a quest to help her with or without a prophecy to guide us. I have a feeling that in this case a prophecy won't exactly help." Her confidence overwhelmed any doubt in her plan. It made sense to do just as she said, after all, with the gods divided and a case like this, it was better to keep the news a secret. We all nodded in approval, though Thalia seemed somewhat reluctant to leave so soon.
"Thalia, you and the Huntresses should stay here for a little bit. I can tell that all of you are exhausted and need to recuperate. And you are target already," I pressed not asking her for her approval. There was no way they would be helpful at the moment and the less people who are at risk, the better. "Don't argue. You guys need the rest and the protection. It is better you live and as exhausted as you are, you won't be particularly useful, no offense," I interrupted the ginger Huntress just as she opened her mouth as if in protest.
"You don't have the right to make decisions, you're brand new, demigod," Thalia growled.
"Sure, that may be true. But I am more god than mortal seventy-five percent and twenty-five percent respectively," I retorted, arrogance and defiance broiling. Everyone but Percy and Annabeth looked at me in shock. "And don't forget, Thalia, I had to fight all the way here like you, Luke, and Annabeth. The only difference is that I had to do it alone against mortals and monsters with only a celestial bronze dagger and a normal utility knife from Virginia."
"Why were you in Virginia, though?" Leo asked, curious. He tinkered with an Archimedes sphere already bored with the conversation.
"Well, he was in a foster home there for about two weeks before coming back to New York" Percy said, remembering the jist of it. I said a silent thank you, sat back down, and pulled out a small circular pendant of white animal bone with a shard of garnet in the center. I smiled. The pendant brought back memories of my childhood. Camping in the forest, fishing, playing squash, and skiing with my dad. The karate tournaments I had won and those I had lost, after which he'd take me to get a milkshake. Exploring the wilderness, solving all types of problems, sparring with wooden swords and knives and Bo staffs, going to museums, and of course we read together. The memories of the way he used to smile and hug me and ruffle my hair saying, "I love you, son" or "I'm so proud of you, Galileo," even "you are mio piccolo angioletto" warmed me inside and pushed back the dark feelings; he was a great man, hero, and father.
"Galileo, I know it has been tough on you, but don't close yourself inside a box. Go and join the capture the flag game," Chiron said. He was in his centaur form, dressed in thick leather and Kevlar lamellar armor, a spatha sword strapped on his left side, and a bow and quiver on his back.
"Okay, I will," I responded, "It's just that I've confronted so many things in just five years…I'm afraid that I'm losing myself. Some form of hubris and anger comes over me when I'm challenged and this hunter instinct has grown in me, too." I sighed, massaging my temples, a small headache coming over me. Chiron just patted me on the back and left me in the tent, alone. I guess to let me decide what to do. I stood up from the chair, grabbed the fake switch-knife comb on the table, straightened the one-strap backpack (morphs into a quiver with infinite arrows and holds up to two tons of stuff feeling only like five kilos), and check for the pair of long blades—each blade was eighteen inches long the handle, butt, and small hilt of blade totaled to six inches—and the hunting knife strapped to my right calf. All the weapons were made of a combo of celestial bronze, tempered steel, and celestial silver, a combo that made them seem divine and dangerously beautiful. With everything prepared, I rushed towards the out rim of the woods where all the demigods and hunters of Artemis gathered already splitting up the teams. The campers seemed excited that the hunters were here, extra competitive towards them. My boots crunched against gravel as I reached the crowd.
"There you are," Jasmin said, excited, "Looks like you are with the Hunters, Piper, me, Clarisse, Nico, Annabeth, and a dozen Athena's kids." Her smile was infectious. The daughter of Apollo coursed with excitement, counting her arrows and inspected her lamellar armor and wore a red-plumed helmet.
"Damn it. Percy, Leo, and Jason are on the same team? Sparky, flaming mechanic, and Water boy, just great," I muttered, worried as heck. That and basically the entirety of Camp Halfblood made up the blue team. The phalanx they formed, chock full of shining, armed teens looked utterly terrifying. Percy, Jason, and Leo who stood ahead of them only made it worse.
"But we do have Thalia, Annabeth, Piper, and Nico. And a bunch of trigger-happy archer-rangers," Jasmin said, countering still facing ahead. Her braided black hair, slipping past her helmet smelled of cinnamon. She faced forward, determined and armed with a bow, a kopis, and a dagger. Exactly like my father when he sparred and fought against monsters.
"Hey, only problem about that is Thalia gets easily irritated and likes to zap Percy, Nico can't use his shadow travel much, and Piper isn't exactly a good fighter. Plus, we can't stop Percy's water and Leo's fire without one of them." I was so nervous, I didn't notice that Artemis' bow expanded in my hand. I looked at it again. At least I couldn't miss with the bow, not unless I was being stupid. Jasmin gave me skeptical look, staring at the bow and up at me. I smiled, she did have a point.
"Who are the leaders?" someone asked from the assembled Athenian kids, arranged in a small band, six long three deep. A great idea popped in my mind and my eyes twinkled. If they drew the campers in a kill-zone, all the archers could rain arrows on the other team.
"I will be one, representing the Huntresses," Thalia announced, standing straight and her eyes dared anyone to object. Her bow already had an arrow notched in it. Boy, that girl was scary.
"Annabeth should be one, too," I said at the same time as the mini-phalanx did. No one objected. "Who else, Piper? Nico? Clarisse?" I asked, curious to what they would say. Either one would be good leaders. Clarisse shook her head, same as Nico, and Piper just shrugged. Silenced enveloped our side for a moment.
"What about, you, Galileo? You would be a good leader, considering your heritage," Jasmin said, her voice crescendo-ing.
"What? You want to let the new kid lead. Are you insane?!" a few campers retorted. Thalia and some Hunters defended her, flinging insults. The mob erupted in shouts and protests, clashing so loudly, a giant would get a headache.
"SHUT UP!" I yelled, firing a stun arrow, the equivalent to a flashbang on stick, into the air. Everyone turned and gazed dumbstruck. Waves of anger and annoyance radiated from my body, the crowd froze, shocked. Even Annabeth's jaw dropped, someone who went through Tartarus and survived. "Look, stop quarreling. We need to work together. It doesn't matter who the leaders are. The important thing is that we work as a well-oiled machine. Only then can we beat the enemy with all the odds stacked against us. If we don't work together, well, we have already lost." I looked into the crowd, anger subsiding to cool, soft wisdom flowing forth in a short speech. Annabeth gave me a thumbs up and Jasmin flashed me a white grin, urging me. "So they have Percy and Jason. Well, we have their girlfriends who know all their weaknesses. And speaking as a guy their age, Annabeth and Piper are Percy's and Jason's kryptonite. Clarisse, Nico, and Thalia can easily crush Leo. Jasmin and the Huntresses can take out most of the campers at longer range. And you, sons and daughters of Athena, can defeat the Ares cabin and make the most of yourselves." Confident faces washed over the campers one by one, each filled with an unbreakable determination. The sky, bathed in orange, purple, and red flames from the sun glinted off their weapons and armor to the extent that each looked awash in blood or wreathed in fire. Not only were they confident but they were menacing.
"I think we have our answer to the first question," Thalia spoke, calm and collected, raising an arm towards me, "All nominating Galileo raise a weapon and yell 'aye'." A chorus so loud and in unison followed, it would humble even Leonidas, the king of Sparta, proud. The sons and daughters of Athena bashed their shields with Clarisse while the Huntresses either played hunting tunes or thrummed their bowstrings, some even clashed their hunting knives together. Thalia summoned a thunder cloud that roared so loudly, the entire blue team cringed. "Demigods, today we fight for honor and for glory," I roared, exactly like Leonidas, drawing my two blades and twirled them, the blades dancing dangerously to a graceful rhythm. I threw my head back and laughed at my display with some others, ruining the effect. On the other hand, Percy, Leo, and Jason glanced warily at their troops and each other. Their nervousness fueled my determination.
"Alright, Water boy," I called at Percy, who promptly flipped me off, "You ready?" Aw, what the hell, can't I have some fun? Leo lit up in response, head and hands flaming so he looked like a three-pointed candle stick. I turned to my team. "Let's move! In the meantime, Annabeth, come up with a plan that incorporates these groups: You, me, Piper, and Nico are in one group. Thalia and Jasmin split the Huntresses and Clarisse is with the rest of Athena's cabin." I rushed ahead without waiting for a response. I grabbed our red banner, running through the woods, leaping over logs and rocks, all the while careful to be as silent as a ninja. Blonde hair whipped my face, covering sight like a golden veil as the ponytail came loose. No matter, I could fix it later. However, it would give me away though most of my clothes are black and dark camouflage, perfect for the sunset-twilight lighting in the woods. The only other giveaway was the red bandana, tied as a headband across my forehead, and the big banner. The length of the banner and its large flag made the thing act as a sail, a big red sail with some gold furnishings. The soft combination of dry pine needles and earth that blanketed the forest floor muffled noise, which was good to block the noise I would've made but prevented my hearing anything.
A brown, charred tree, felled by lightning, blocked the path, angled and flanked by others of its kind, hurt but still supported. Soft thumping of boots and swishes of cloaks whispered from behind, not too far off. I pushed full throttle at the tree and jumped to the side, foot outstretch towards the nearest tree, pumping forward and over the tree. Only spiderman or a ninja could've compared to the acrobatics. I hit the ground, rolling to break the fall, and saw the perfect spot. A small hill sheltered by trees, bushes, and small boulders on the slope. The higher position offered a good vantage point, while the brush and trees obscured our flag. Rough, steep ground sloped downward as it faced the river, forming a horseshoe of steep slope for 270 degrees, the other ninety protected by felled logs, thick underbrush, and thorn bushes. I grinned, the campers would have a tough time climbing up the slope while harassed by arrows and facing spears and swords stabbing down from above. I heaved in a breath of sharp fresh air and exhaled to calm my heartbeat, thumping to the beat of the "Staying Alive" song. Thumps and clanking of armor echoed in the woods as the Athena cabin rushed into the clearing, observing the sorroundings and nodding with approval. I turned to the noise of a sharp whistle. The Hunters were already here. I nodded in acknowledgement and they too give signs of approval.
"Good move, G," Annabeth complimented, patting me on the shoulder before launching into a plan. The Hunters with Thalia would attack from all sides with me, Nico, Annabeth, and Jasmin going in one tactical squad, taking out the gaurds and leaders. Clarisse and Piper would hold the fort with the phalanx forming a line of defense that is part distraction. Once the soldiers are able to lure the enemies in an enclosed, hard to escape area the rest of the Huntresses would launch a storm of arrows to destroy the attacking force. Her eyes were tenacious, fierce, and thoughtful like Athena herself in battle. The plan seemed bulletproof except for one problem.
"What do we do about Leo and the rest of the Hephaestus cabin? The Archimedes spheres and other automata are going to a pain in the ass," I asked, serious. If they cooked up something good, it could really screw things over for the plan especially if they have tripwire stun-darts and proximity alarms.
"Good point. That's where you and Nico come in handy. Nico could shadow travel with you to get to the other flag. Since you can't miss, teleporting behind or to the side just as you are about to attack will keep them occupied and slaughter them." Her eyes twinkled at the plan. It was utterly perfect and spotless.
A tender hand went through my long, unruly hair, gently pulling most of it back into a ponytail. A few locks forward from my temples weren't pulled back, and just as I was about to adjust my here, the same soft hand stopped me. "Don't," a gentle, honeyed voice whispered, "You look perfect like this. Neat and orderly yet also wild and rebellious. A healthy mix of both totally completes your look." I turn my head and see Jasmin's face close to mine, eyes fixated on mine with a grin that makes her more than pretty. She snapped her head forward hearing something. "Lets go, they gave the starting signal."
Feet crashed against the forest floor and shouts echoed all around as blue-plumed demigods rushed across the river to our side, oblivious to the danger. The Ares kids rushed in a phalanx formation, while a small detachment of Hermes' kids and another of Nemesis' kids rush on the outer fringes, farther away from the two phalanxes. The lightly armed campers of cabin eleven held some nastylooking trap-like contraptions. The Nemesis kids sneered and held vicious looking blades, already savoring revenge from what I had heard, was a crushing defeat against cabin six last time. I spotted, between the bushes, another section of Apollo campers hidden low, bows readied facing the front, nervous that none of the people from our side attacked yet. Nico lifted his stygian blade, a dark aura emanating from it. The sword seemed terrifying but I knew it wasn't particularly strong, after blocking several heavy blows it would break. Plus, Nico wasn't exactly renowned for his swordsmanship. Annabeth drew the sword of wicked bone that she carried with her ever since coming out of Tartarus and tightened her grip on her round shield. Following suit both me and Jasmin notched arrows silently, waiting for the signal.
Shadows flitted behind and in front of us, surely the Huntresses rushing to the flag. A few paused to the sides of the Apollo kids like us. I looked at where the flag was supposed to be, spotting Jason and Percy with an attachment of Demeter, Hecate, Iris, and Aphrodite kids. Leo, the Hephaestus cabin, and the Nike cabin patrolled the area before the flag. Impressive, bu they were about to find out just how effective Annabeth and the Huntresses could be.
A bolt of lightning exploded right next to Percy and Jason, knocking them prone and to the sides. Another bolt struck where Leo was, throwing them into chaos with their three leaders dazed and taken out for a little, panic erupted. Arrows flew at the Apollo campers, shouts of pain and grunts as arrows zipped and impaled them. The shouts and screams, stopped after a few seconds, though it was enough to get the people in order. The Apollo cabin taken out without them firing a shot would surely wake them up. Our turn. Jasmin and Annabeth rushed ahead of me and Nico, silently slipping past bushes and vegetation and hugging the shadows towards the flag. Percy and Jason were already up, ordering the troops to search for the attackers. Some demigods broke off from the defense and in groups of four hurried to the woods, determined. I counted to five and motioned for Nico to follow.
I rushed to about fifteen yards to the Hephaestus kids and launched three arrows in quick succession, rolling out from behind cover. The three arrows hit, letting out shouts before being knocked out as the stun liquid coursed through their chest, imobilisng them. Of course that is only because it would be considered a kill shot.
Leo whipped his head towards me and launched an Archimedes sphere before it could go six feet though, a fired an arrow, intercepting whatever the contraption was. The bronze bent and cracked, releasing a yellow cloud in the midst of the others. Immediately coughs and groans exploded out from the cloud. A smattering of arrows perforated the cloud, silencing some and making others yelp in pain. Crouching behind a rock, I observed Leo burst out from the cloud coughing, red-eyed, and angry. "Curse you, Galileo, you slippery bastard," he cursed, lighting up a orange ball of fire in his right hand and holding a hammer in his left. He had a small cut on his forehead, red blood dripping down his face and an entire t-shirt sleeve and piece of his jeans singed off. I reached behind me for an arrow, and just as I notched it an orange streak hurtled at me. The streak exploded in a burst of flame against the rock. The heat singing small holes in my bandana and the bottom two-thirds of a lock of hair was singed off. I winced in pain, the skin on my cheeks and left hand hurting like a thousand needles had been plunged into them.
I seethed, had he just dared to chuck a fireball at me and then burn off part of my hair? He was going to pay. Sneering coldly, I drew one of my blades, its metal shining wickedly just begging to be used. The hunger for revenge emanating from the bronze-silver-steel sharp blade had such an intensity it could have been made by Nemesis. As Leo turned to the side confused and hurling some fireballs here and there, I lifted my hand in the air, all fingers clenched in a fist except for the index finger and the pinkie. I launched myself forward, enveloped in a deathly aura. For a second everything was dark and cold, frozen in action, the next, I flying at Leo from behind, arms swept back and blades pointed towards him. Just before impact, I slashed down with both blades in an X across Leo's back. The potent alloy cleaved through the breastplate and orange t-shirt. Hot blood welled up from the large X on his back, traced from both shoulders to just above his kidneys. The wiry boy let out a shrill gargling scream and collapsed on the grassy earth, writhing. Blood trickled from the wounds, not mortal or crippling, but bad enough to keep him out. I forced my gaze away from the liquid ruby gashes, tempted to hurl my dinner all over the grass. No, I couldn't pay attention to Leo and what I did; I just needed to go forward. I turned, finding the ground littered with arrows, broken contraptions, and dazed or unconscious teenagers. The Hunters were doing exceptionally well. I noticed three Hunters struggling on the ground. A bronze filament web wrapped around the girls' bodies, keeping them immobilized for the most part. Not twenty paces away a couple Hunters lay, stunned and cut by weapons. Swords, perhaps. Already six down just here, this was going to be rough. I leaped up, vaulting over an out crop, charging towards the flag. And bowled right into Jason.
We hit the ground hard, grunting and gasping for air. The son of Jupiter tried to scramble towards his Imperial-gold gladius, but I lunged and tackled him head on. His breastplate had a dent in it and a few arrowheads lodged in it. Cuts peppered his face and arms. He looked horrible. And he fought horrible. I punched the collapsed Jason in face, knocking his head to the side and into the ground, splitting his lip and bloodying his noise. He splayed out like a crumpled starfish, dazed for the moment. My blades lay just a few yards away, glinting and spattered in crimson blood. The spare bow of Artemis was right next to the blades, a little dirty but still fine. Except that it shone like a beacon of fire in the setting sun. Looking up, I saw the Hunters facing off with the campers, over a dozen campers were strewn about on the ground, though almost as many Hunters were down too. Some hunters were locked in combat and others fired arrows into the shattered phalanx. Broken spears and arrows and discarded weapons flashed reflecting the lights. The only problem was, we were making slow progress. A roar blasted the hill, an arc of lightning struck down near the flag and an explosion of evaporating water spattered the air. A small crest of foaming blue rose up above the fighting and crashed down in another boom. Thalia and Percy were fighting, but this wasn't any ordinary practice, this felt full on. I notched an arrow to my bow string and rushed forward, passing by Annabeth who was fighting Travis and Castor at the same time, so far pushing them back. Jasmin hailed the demigods with arrows, hitting them two-thirds of the time, the other arrows blocked by shields. It was an all out melee and brawl. People seemed to forget the purpose of the game, too focused on the competition. I fired shots at the demigods I passed, knocking them down or hurting them to help a Hunter. The blue banner shone perfectly in splendor. I was almost there.
A bullet hit me in the side and I crumpled. Cold liquid soaked my side. I peered to my right and saw Percy, standing over a stunned Thalia. His gaze had "Oh no you don't" written all over it. So smug, it made me want to puke. Suddenly, I leaped up to my feet straight from the sprawled position. I snatched the two gleaming hunting knives from their leather boot-sheaths, left one held underhanded and the right held like a sword or blade. Darting toward Percy in an incredible burst of speed, I slashed at his leg with the serrated knives. The clang of metal against metal reverberated in the air, the shock traveling up my arms. I sighed in frustration. I was just beginning to understand just how formidable the son of Poseidon could be.
The menacing blade of Riptide sang through the air. Its blade slashed at my stomach, wreathed in Apollo's flames (not really flames just a reflection). I ducked under the high stroke, getting in close to Percy's guard. A look of alarm painted his sea-green eyes just before I delivered a punch to his stomach. His breastplate groaned; four dents in it, the knuckles of my leather gloves studded with metal. A knife, like a scorpion's stinger shot forward at the stumbling demigod, punching into the breastplate and leaving a superficial yet stinging wound. A hiss of pain followed with another slash of Riptide threw me off balance. HE followed up with a strike from below so I had to deflect the cut downward, leaving chest exposed. The wiry demigod smashed past my guard with his shoulder. My back smashed into something hard, dazing me. Percy became a whirlwind of celestial bronze, sword flashing and swooping in like an osprey diving to catch fish. Each time I ducked and blocked, I was battered by the force, guard almost yielding. Drenched in sweat, exhausted, angry I made one final attempt. The son of Poseidon, veteran of Tartarus, champion of the gods raised his sword in a coup de grâce, delivering the blow that would beat me. Except it didn't. I flitted to the side as the blade whistled down and, delviring three slashes to his side with the knives, I roundhouse-kicked him in the head. The kick was sloppy, but it did the job. He crashed to the ground, wounded and dazed as I leaped over him grabbed what I had been leaining on their flag. Energy crackled, a refueling spark. As planted in the ground as it was, two gerks ws all it took to set the banner free. No sooner had I grabbed it, shouts echoed around me, I billowing sail of red flashed far away getting closer. They had the flag. The Hunters, or the couple dozen left, covered the retreat. Grass tore away from the ground as I sprinted faster than ever. My legs burned with exhaustion and pain from the fights. More than a few cuts and slashes covered my arms and legs, no thanks to Percy. I clenched my jaw and forced away the pain. I couldn't afford to think about the pain if I indeed wanted to reach the river. Jason, starting to get up, formed a natural rock of sorts, blocking my path. I didn't slow down. His strong back supported my feet well as a springboard. I landed running, scooping up the ornate silver bow of Artemis. Its beautiful, sleek body felt right in my clutch. The river neared, only a couple hundred yards away, the only obstacle: a gaggle of cabin thirteen Hermes kids. I strapped the flag to my back and notched three arrows to the bow. Still running I leveled the bow and set the arrows screaming at them. Three went down, unconscious from the knockout salve that coated the arrow tips. Travis and another were the only two kids left. Fifty yards. Forty. I let two successive arrows hit them in the leg, knocking them down. Thirty. Twenty-five. The other person rushed towards the bank, farther away than me but gaining. Will Solace. Both of us drew arrows and let them rip. They collided, a noise of shattering metal…and my silver arrow broke through, slashing his calf. He hit the ground hard and my legs crashed, wet, through the river and onto the other side. I skidded to a stop, marveling at the arrow. There was no way that I had just split Will's arrow. One of the best shots at Camp Half-blood beaten by me of all people. I looked around, surveying my sorroundings. A mob of demigods and Huntresses alike crowded a little ways from me, wide-eyed.
"Oh. My. Gods." A gasp from behind of disbelief. I turned to see Thalia looking at me and shking her head, "No. No, it—it can't be." Her pretty, dangerous face had gone pale as if she'd seen a ghost. The crowd grew bigger. Nervousness erupted inside me. I felt like disappearing alone. All the attention almost made me blush, so I ducked my head.
"Hey, what's going on guys?" A familiar voice asked, confused as to why there was such a huge crowd. Annabeth whispered something to him. Percy looked at me and took a step back as if punched in the gut. "No way. How can you be the son of Ar—ow. What was that for." Annabeth stamped on his foot.
It was a slap to the face. The ultimate insult. I knew right then and there who my mother was. And she was in trouble all because of me. Looked at my reflection in the water and sure enough the symbol of Artemis burned over my head in silver. I dropped to my knees on the bank and hung my head in shame, not that it sucked to be the son of the goddess of the moon and the Hunt. That is actually kind of cool. The truth was I shouldn't have been born, though now it did make sense that I had to fight an unnecessary amount of monsters to get here. The gods wanted me dead and to punish Artemis. Since she is immortal, they would be hard pressed to kill a living image of her. Thalia, Jasmin, and Percy dropped down in a squat next to me, their faces showing concern.
"It's all my fault, isn't it?" I muttered, blinking back tears. "Artemis, my mother, is in danger because of me. The Huntresses as well, right Thalia?"
"It's not your fault, Moon Boy," she replied trying to comfort me. I smiled a little at that, the nickname true to the facts. It must be a shock to her and the other maidens of Artemis that they were teamed up with the son of their patron goddess. It also hit me right then that there was a good reason for my name. After all, Galileo Galilei was the first person who really looked at the moon and observed it. The only thing I found confusing though was how the planets and that stuff worked. "Come on, let's go. You did really well during the game, your mother must really be proud and care for you," Thalia said, her voice soothed the invisible injuries.
"Yeah, I mean you did kick the crap out of me in the end, literally. You took out Leo by yourself and left Jason crippled. And you even shot through Will's arrow. You do realize exactly what you did don't you?" Percy said, trying to cheer me up by stroking my not-so-big ego. He was right; I kicked the asses of three of the best heroes at the camp.
"Thanks for the pep talk guys," I said after a few moments. I got up slowly, grinning. I brushed off my knees and grabbed my mom's bow. "I have an idea, though it may be a little crazy. Could we meet in your cabin Percy at midnight? Make sure that Annabeth is there as well. We are going to need her."
