Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson or Harry Potter.
The Unrelenting Frozen Seas: The Journey
Prologue: Loss
Beta: Siegfried01
Edited: 12/18/14
The group of demigods managed to make it to the safe house by the James River with no complications thankfully, monster or mortal. Said safe house was rather simple, nothing more than a tarp covered with branches and leaves as a roof hidden behind a woven circlet of more branches; a lamp, an icebox, a couple of kid-sized sleeping bags along with some spare cloths and blankets along with a couple of assorted weapons and medical supplies: just some choice supplies that Rhode and Thalia managed to snag over their travels.
Currently Annabeth was clothed in a pair of slightly too-long jeans and an oversized army-themed jacket with a red tee that went almost to her knees underneath it. The glaring difference in size was due to the fact that Rhode was the one closest to her in body size, and even then the daughter of the sea had at least half a head over the girl.
Their newest traveling companion was very pouty when she woke up covered in drool, glaring at Rhode as best as she could; in all honesty all it made her do was look adorable.
Turned out that Annabeth was a daughter of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and battle. The little girl said that she was claimed at birth, or that's what her dad had told her. Annabeth didn't like talking about him very much. All they knew was after Annabeth ran away, she said that Athena had guided and protected her for a while until the group found the young blonde in Richmond.
To appease the irate girl Rhode had offered to read her a book. Hey, she was a daughter of Athena so it had to work, right?
Apparently it did, and Rhode made sure to file that away for later, as Annabeth was currently perched in Rhode's lap as the older girl read a copy of the Iliad that Luke had stolen aloud in Ancient Greek for the small blonde. Annabeth quickly became fascinated by the story, asking for help with a few words that she didn't know.
Seeing Annabeth's eyes start to droop slightly, Rhode grinned. "Having fun, Bethy?"
"Stop calling me that!" The blonde whined, pouting as she did. Thalia and Rhode had taken it onto themselves to annoy her constantly with their nicknames. Originally she thought that having a nicknames would've been fun. Obviously she hadn't taken into account that two certain daughters of the sky and sea were the ones doing the naming.
Honestly! Annie and Bethy? Those names were stupid, and extremely annoying! Especially when the cousins sung it together. Her name was Annabeth; not Annie-Bethy!
"Nope," Rhode smirked as she closed her book, "as founding members of this little band of misfits, Thalia and I have all the nickname privileges. Especially cute ones."
"They're dumb!" Annabeth huffed as she crossed her tiny arms, standing up to make her slightly taller than Rhode who as still sitting.
"No, not really," the daughter of the sea snickered, gaining her another pout from the blonde scion of Athena.
Annabeth opened her mouth, most likely to shoot another retort, when a fluttering of feathers distracted her and she squeaked as a weight landed on her head. "Gah! Get it off!" She shrieked, flailing her arms wildly, causing Luke and Thalia to pause from their task of taking an inventory of their supplies.
"What's wrong?" Luke asked with his new sword out but blinked, "Um…"
There was a brown owl with a letter in its mouth roosting on Annabeth's head.
Said owl choked out a hoot from behind the large envelop made out of some kind of thick brown paper before dropping the envelop into Rhode's lap.
"Did that owl just deliver your mail?" Thalia asked incredulously as she retracted her spear, absentmindedly tucking the can of mace back into her pocket. As if understanding her, the owl bobbed its head at Rhode.
"I…think so."
"It could be mine!" Annabeth stated, "My mommy could've sent it!" Fluffing its feathers, the owl settled onto her hair before hooting sadly, shaking its head.
"I guess not, according to the owl." Rhode pointed out as she picked up the letter.
"To Rhode Jasmine Potter." she struggled to read the cursive font, it was a right bugger on her dyslexia. The green eyed child frowned though, she didn't use the Potter name for years, "James River, Virginia." The girl looked at her friends as they wondered how the heck it knew where she was, "Left side northern corner of the shack…okay this is getting weird. Like really, really weird." Rhode said as she looked around, worried she was being stalked.
"Rhode," Thalia said, walking up to her, "Maybe you should rip it up, or just throw it away." She stated cautiously, "Who knows what could be in it."
"That would be best." Luke nodded in agreement.
Rhode turned the letter around and read, "Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Magic school?" Luke and Annabeth asked, one in disbelief the other in child-like wonder.
"Yep," Rhode pulled out the letter.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"Is this a joke?" Rhode let out a laugh.
Thalia snorted along in agreement, "I think so, it has to be some kind of prank."
Annabeth cocked her head to the side, thinking. It was a pretty weird joke. Luke was thinking along the same lines.
"Is it though?" the blond said, getting questioning looks from the older girls of the group. At the looks, he said, "I mean, someone just happened to train an owl to deliver Rhode mail about some magic school?" A look of doubt came to his face.
Thalia's brow knitted at that as she glanced at the owl, "But Luke, come on, magic school?" she said. It sounded ludicrous.
The owl on Annabeth's head hooted at her. Thalia just glared at it, "Shut up. Before we decide on owl stew for dinner tonight."
Annabeth glared at Thalia for that, but the older girl ignored her.
The blond boy shrugged, "We are half-bloods. Who knows, right?" There was plenty of weird stuff out there.
Rhode frowned, "What should we do then?"
"I say we just burn it," the daughter of Zeus commented.
The owl hooted angrily at Thalia, "Bird, I will Kentucky fry you. Shut it." She snapped as her hand flickered with static.
The owl shut its beak.
Rhode looked at the letter cautiously, all them were giving it uneasy looks. "I'll reply, just in case." She said. The daughter of the sea took out a pencil and scribbled: Is this a joke? Either way, No!
Stuffing the letter back into the envelope, Rhode said, "Here," Giving it to the owl.
The owl gave a sad hoot, taking the letter and flying away.
The group was making their way through Pennsylvania and had stopped to take a break in an open field. Next to their field a stream slithered its way lazily around the surrounding hills as the summer flowers danced in the light breeze. It had been several days now since Annabeth had joined them too.
The screech of metal meeting metal echoed out, breaking the peaceful atmosphere.
Sidestepping a thrust from Thalia's spear, Luke struck the side of the shaft, sending Thalia off balance as he quickly followed up with a jab to her ribs. Using the momentum from her stumble, Thalia used the other end of her spear to parry, twirling around and sending a trifecta of swift stabs at Luke, forcing him on the defensive.
Spinning her spear, Thalia sent the tip rocketing down at Luke like the axe of an executioner, forcing him to roll away. Her jacket had been discarded for this spar, showing off her Rolling Stones tee, giving her a wider range of movement.
"Go Luke!" Annabeth cheered from her place off to the side, Rhode was sitting next to her, her eyes razor sharp as she scanned the duel. She smirked as Luke sent a flurry of slashes at Thalia, the daughter of Zeus using her superior reach to parry them with ease and retaliate almost instantly. Immediately gaining the momentum in this battle.
"Hey, Bethy," the daughter of Poseidon grinned, drawing her little friend's attention, "I bet you my Skittles for your Hersey Bar that Thalia will win in…" Rhode scanned the fight again, "under the next minute."
"What?" Annabeth blinked, "No way, it's pretty even." She disagreed.
"So no bet?"
"…Your Skittles will be mine."
The two girls shook on it, turning back to the fight.
Thalia reared back to avoid a slash, sweat flying off her skin. Swinging the butt of her spear at Luke's knees, she smirked viciously when the son of Hermes wince and stumbled at the hit.
The daughter of Zeus capitalized on this by slammed the butt of her spear into his diaphragm. Luke expelled some air as he fell onto his back, his sword kicked out of his hand. He tried to get back up, but Thalia's steel toed boot found its way on his chest, keeping him down.
Luke's Adam's apple bounced nervously as the tip of her spear poked it gently.
"Aannd…I win," Thalia grinned, panting slightly. Patting Luke's check teasingly with the flat of her spear, her smirk grew wider as Luke grumbled. "Again."
"What's the score?" She teased, twirling her spear like a conductor's baton. Luke's answer was to shove himself to his knees, grumbling even more. Nodding self-assuredly, she smiled. "Yep!" She said, popping the 'P' as her smile turned lopsided, "Me? A lot. You? None. C'mon Luke, up your game," she teased, digging the point of her spear into the dirt as she gave him a hand.
The blond boy accepted it and grunted, standing up and bent down for his sword, sheathing it, "I am, you just like to beat me up."
"Someone has to." The raven haired girl stated, leaning against the black shaft of her weapon.
"I think he enjoys getting his butt whooped."
"Rhode!" Luke exclaimed, cheeks flustered at the thought.
Thalia was the same, but snuffed out the color quickly and glared at her best friend, "Very funny, Bubblehead."
Rhode shrugged, "Just an observation." She said, getting Thalia to shake her head. The black haired girl looked to Annabeth, "So, Bethy, that Hersey Bar, please." She held out her palm.
Annabeth grumbled and shifted through her small backpack. She pulled out the chocolate bar and gave it to Rhode, pouting the whole way.
"Thank you for your business." The daughter of Poseidon smiled, stashing it in her bag.
"Rhode, you're up." Thalia said.
Rhode blinked, "Want to take a breather first?"
"Nah, I'm in the zone. Plus, you could use the handicap."
Rhode shed off her green and yellow hoodie, pulling out her Pez Dispenser, "Oh, we'll see." She grinned, summoning her spear.
Luke moved and sat next to Annabeth and wiped his sweat covered brow. He noticed she was glaring at him, "What?"
"I lost a Hersey Bar because of you…you couldn't last ten seconds longer?"
Luke just stared at her dryly, "You were honestly betting on us?"
"Yes." Annabeth pouted, crossing her little arms. She'd have to re-evaluate betting on Luke again.
The blond rolled his icy blue eyes, "Well, Thalia's tough. It happens."
He got an accusing finger pointed at him for his troubles, "Excuses…you owe me a Hersey Bar."
"Let's just watch the duel." The son of Hermes smooth talked, making Annabeth draw her eye greys away from him.
Rhode and Thalia were about three meters apart as they circled another. Thalia at her spear pointing forward, her left hand on the middle of the shaft as her right was in the back, ready to thrust.
Rhode was in a similar stance, but her spear was set up in a more slashing angle as her left hand clasped tightly near the back of the light brown shaft, her right palm cradled the wood just mid-way towards the tip.
There was just silence as the wind swept by and Thalia took the initiative, going for a thrust, but Rhode, bashed it away, swinging the butt of her weapon towards Thalia's head. Her cousin ducked, backing off a few steps and charged in once more.
Rhode side stepped and swung her weapon in a flurry of slashes, aiming low and high randomly, keeping Thalia on her toes as she dodged and swatted the attacks away.
Despite the duel happening, a smile came to Rhode's face. She loved this, her blood was pumping with excitement, the rush of her movements, putting her skills to the test.
And showing Thalia just how tough she was.
When Thalia and Rhode usually dueled, the daughter of Zeus would usually win. Occasionally, with a little trickery or with some water, Rhode could pull off a win. But even then, it was difficult. Mainly because static hurt! Like, a lot!
But no tricks this time, she was going to win. Rhode knew it!
She went for a jab and twisted out of the way of Thalia's returning thrust. Thalia swung low, making Rhode hop back and bend her knees, lunging with a thrust.
The daughter of Zeus moved, batting the spear away as she swung the butt of her own weapon at Rhode's arm, which she ducked under with a roll.
Rhode broke the engagement, taking a few paces back, almond-shaped eyes narrowed, but her smile still in place.
Thalia also had a smile as she spin her spear a little and pressed her aggressive assault as she went for a piercing strike.
Rhode did the same, their spearheads scraping one another as they veered off course. They were close as Thalia went for a punch. Rhode swayed out of the way and kicked Thalia in the shin.
"Ow!" Thalia yelped, hopping back a little, glaring at the impish look on Rhode's face, "Oh it is so on now."
"I thought it already was?"
"I'm so whooping your butt."
They grinned at one another and got back to the fight.
Annabeth was awed by how the two girls of the Big Three were going at it. The blonde wanted to fight like that someday.
Luke took a sip of water as the duel went on, neither girl backing down and looking like they were having a blast.
Rhode went for a strike at Thalia's knee, which was blocked, but she spun around the block. A glint caught Thalia's eye as she lashed out her free hand, block the spear strike and caught Rhode's hand that held her dagger.
She wrenched it out of Rhode's hand and swept her legs from under. Rhode fell on her back with a grunt.
The daughter of Poseidon was about to get up, but Thalia pinned down her body and arms by pressing the shaft of her spear against her, "And I win." Thalia grinned, panting from the fight. Sweat dripped from the tip of her nose. "I hate it when you use your dagger, I gotta be extra careful. Still, you're getting way better." She complimented with a wink.
Plus, she was feeling pretty winded, so Thalia had to finish the fight fast.
Rhode was also panting, blinking out some sweat. Her lips formed a pout, "I'll win next time." She assured.
"Sure." Thalia playfully rolled her blue eyes, brushing off her bravado. A second later, her face was doused in a splash from the small stream they were near. Thalia sputtered and spat out water. Under her damp bangs, Thalia glared at the innocently smiling Rhode.
"You looked hot. Just wanted to cool you down."
"Why you little-!"
"Ah!" Rhode cried out as Thalia pulled her in a headlock and they started to wrestle.
"Think that was funny?"
"Yes!" Rhode shot back, trying to wiggle out of the hold.
"Dry me!"
"Bleh!"
The blonds in the distance were laughing at the mock fight the two were having.
"Come on, Rhode!" Annabeth cheered with a giggle.
"Go Thalia!" Luke whistled as the two cousins were rolling around in the grass, struggling to get a hold on one another.
"Noggie!" Thalia declared.
Rhode yelped, "Ow! Wet Willy!"
"Ew, ah, gross! Indian Burn!"
"Ouch, ow! Wedgie!"
"Hey! Not the boxers!"
Even with their juvenile fighting, the two girls were laughing the entire time.
The four demigods were running through the woods in Westport, Connecticut. All of them were beaten up since they'd been in some battles.
"Just a little farther!" Luke promised. Annabeth stumbled, and he took her hand. Rhode was in the middle as she was holding her spear in her right hand while cradling her left hand that was swollen and angled in a way it shouldn't be. Thalia brought up the rear, brandishing her shield as she was driving back the monsters chasing them while limping on her left leg.
The latest monster attack had gotten them by surprise and Thalia got injured. Rhode had gone ballistic at that and destroyed five of the monsters in fury while busting her hand in the process.
They scrambled to a ridge and looked down the other side at a white Colonial house.
"All right," Luke said, breathing hard. "I'll just sneak in and grab some food and medicine. Wait here."
"Luke, are you sure?" Thalia asked. "You swore you'd never come back here. If she catches you -"
"We don't have a choice!" he growled. "They burned our nearest safe house. And you've got to treat that leg wound and Rhode needs her hand healed."
"This is your house?" Annabeth said with amazement.
"It was my house," Luke muttered. "Believe me, if it wasn't an emergency -"
"Is your mom really horrible?" Annabeth asked curiously. "Can we see her?"
"No!" Luke snapped.
Annabeth shrank away from him since his anger surprised her. Rhode wrapped her steady arm around her and glared at Luke. She knew they were stressed out and tired, but they couldn't lose it with each other, not now.
"I…I'm sorry," the blond amended with haggard eyes, "Just wait here. I promise everything will be okay. Nothing's going to hurt you. I'll be back -"
A brilliant golden flash illuminated the woods. The demigods winced, and a man's voice boomed: "You should not have come home."
"What was that?" Rhode muttered as she held Annabeth closely while scanning around as Thalia and Luke did the same.
"I don't know." The boy muttered with weary icy blue eyes, "Let's…Let's just get the stuff and get out, fast."
It was what they intended to do at least, until the group met their first Olympian.
Hermes, the messenger god, stood in the old home of Luke along with this tall old woman that was as thin as a scarecrow, had weird cloudy eyes, and had white hair that stuck out in tufts all over her head.
Her name was May.
In May's living room, candles flickered on the fireplace mantel, reflected in the mirrors along the walls. In the kitchen, Thalia was sitting at the table while Ms. Castellan bandaged her wounded leg. Annabeth sat next to her, playing with a Medusa beanbag toy as Rhode played with the blonde as her hand rested in a bowl of water, healing her busted wrist.
Hermes and Luke stood apart in the living room.
The god's face looked liquid in the candlelight, like he couldn't decide what shape to adopt in front of his son. He was dressed in a navy blue jogging outfit with winged Reeboks.
"Why show yourself now?" Luke demanded. His shoulders were tense, as if he expected a fight. "All these years I've been calling to you, praying you'd show up, and nothing. You left me with her." He pointed toward the kitchen like he couldn't bear to look at his mother, much less say her name.
"Luke, do not dishonor her," Hermes warned sternly, icy blue eyes narrowed. "Your mother did the best she could. As for me, I could not interfere with your path. The children of the gods must find their own way."
"So it was for my own good. Growing up on the streets, fending for myself, fighting monsters."
"You're my son," Hermes said proudly. "I knew you had the ability. When I was only a baby, I crawled from my cradle and set out for -"
"I'm not a god! Just once, you could've said something. You could've helped when-" Luke took an unsteady breath, lowering his voice so no one in the kitchen could overhear "-when she was having one of her fits, shaking me and saying crazy things about my fate. When I used to hide in the closet so she wouldn't find me with those . . . those glowing eyes. Did you even care that I was scared? Did you even know when I finally ran away?"
In the kitchen, Ms. Castellan chattered aimlessly, pouring Kool-Aid for Thalia, Rhode, and Annabeth as she told them stories about Luke as a baby. Thalia rubbed her bandaged leg nervously. Rhode looked uncomfortable, fingering her pearl just as nervously. Annabeth glanced into the living room and held up a burned cookie for Luke to see. She mouthed, Can we go now?
"Luke, I care very much," Hermes said slowly, "but gods must not interfere directly in mortal affairs. It is one of our Ancient Laws. Especially when your destiny . . ." His voice trailed off. He stared at the candles as if remembering something unpleasant.
"What?" Luke asked. "What about my destiny?"
"You should not have come back," Hermes muttered. "It only upsets you both. However, I see now that you are getting too old to be on the run without help. I'll speak with Chiron at Camp Half-Blood and ask him to send a satyr to collect you."
"We're doing fine without your help," Luke growled and balled his fists. "Now, what were you saying about my destiny?"
The wings on Hermes's Reeboks fluttered restlessly. He studied his son like he was trying to memorize his face, "My son," he said, "I'm the god of travelers, the god of loads. If I know anything, I know that you must walk your own path, even though it tears my heart."
"You don't love me."
Hermes looked as though he'd been struck, "I promise I . . . I do love you. Go to camp. I will see that you get a quest soon. Perhaps you can defeat the Hydra, or steal the apples of Hesperides. You will get a chance to be a great hero before . . ."
"Before what?" Luke's voice was trembling now. "What did my mom see that made her like this? What's going to happen to me? If you love me, tell me."
Hal had only hinted, and it horrified the man. If Hermes, a god, knew Luke's so called destiny, than he should say it!
Hermes's expression tightened. "I cannot."
The boy's eyes widened, his chest felt like it was being twisted, "Than you don't care!" Luke yelled.
In the kitchen, the talking died abruptly.
"Luke?" May Castellan called. "Is that you? Is my boy all right?"
Luke turned to hide his face, but he had tears in his eyes. "I'm fine. I have a new family. I don't need either of you."
"I'm your father," Hermes insisted, almost pleadingly.
"A father is supposed to be around. I've never even met you. Thalia, Rhode, Annabeth, come on! We're leaving!"
"My boy, don't go!" May Castellan called after him. "I have your lunch ready!"
Luke stormed out the door, Thalia, Rhode, and Annabeth scrambling after him. May Castellan tried to follow, but Hermes held her back.
Rhode looked back and saw that Hermes was almost in tears, biting his lip to prevent himself from shouting after Luke. A part of Rhode couldn't help but feel sorry for the god. She frowned and turned towards her group, following them in a hurry. She inwardly wondered how her meeting with her own father would go. She hoped it wasn't going to be like this.
Hermes held May's thrashing body, who was crying out for her child. He could only swallow heavily as his heart ached over what had transpired with Luke.
As the group left, they could still hear May's screams as Luke was feverishly wiping his eyes. He felt a tug on his sleeve and saw a worried Annabeth looking up at him, "Are you okay, Luke?" she asked in a worried voice with those big grey eyes.
The blond swallowed heavily, "Yeah," he pushed out as he tried his best to smile for Annabeth, to make her not worry about him, "Just, just a little tired, kiddo." He ruffled her blonde hair.
"Let's find a safe location for camp, guys." Rhode said, hefting her pack.
"I'm all for that." Thalia said, rubbing her wrapped up wound, "Need to rest this off and we could all get some sleep."
"I'll take watch." Luke said with finality, he really didn't want sleep right now anyway.
They later found a clearing and set up camp. Annabeth fell asleep the fastest as she rested in Rhode's lap and the sea child stroked her blonde hair kindly. Thalia was laying down on her bag as Luke was poking the ground with a stick as night was soon setting in.
"Luke-"
"Not now Rhode, please." The boy said with a pained tone. Begging her not to ask the question she had on her mind.
Thalia and Rhode looked at one another. Luke had told them about his mom, her fits and the glowing eyes, the strange things she would say, he made them promise not to tell anyone. Annabeth was so young, she probably didn't even understand what had just happened except that Luke was upset with his parents.
If he didn't want to talk about, that was fine. As long as they were there, showing he had a family, that was the best they could do for the blond boy right now.
"Just get some sleep, Rhode." Thalia added, not wanting to bother Luke, this was a major event for him. He needed to calm down for tomorrow.
They didn't understand why, but the monster attacks were getting more frequent.
"Right." Rhode nodded and gently laid Annabeth on her bag. The daughter of Poseidon laid down too, being mindful not to drool on the blonde.
Tomorrow was another day, just another day to try and survive.
After that night the group left his mom's house, Luke had changed. He just kept being reckless and moody, like he had something to prove. It didn't matter what Thalia or Rhode told him, he just kept picking fights with every monster they crossed. Annabeth didn't seem to understand what was going on or why her older friends were arguing.
Wasn't killing monsters good?
But one night they were attacked, again. These giant black dogs the size of rhinos with molten red eyes had found them. There were six of them. The older kids took two each while Annabeth stayed back for her safety. Even with learning a thing or two about using her dagger from Rhode, the plucky blonde wasn't ready for vicious Hellhounds yet.
One of the massive dog lunged at Rhode, but she held her shield firmly in front of her with her spear at the ready. Just as it was about to land on her, Rhode rolled forward and pushed her spear up at the dog, stabbing it right in the gut. It landed in a heap and melted into shadows.
The second black hound, baring its savage maw, pounced at Rhode. She side stepped, bashing it in the face with her shield and sliced off an ear with her spear. The hellish beast howled in pain and growled throatily, charging at her once more, baring its sharp claws.
The daughter of Poseidon rolled out of the way and dismissed her shield. The black dog turned around only to get a dagger in the face, killing it. Rhode was posed on her knee, her right hand stretched out after throwing her dagger with great accuracy.
"Rhode," Annabeth cheered and run up to her friend since all the monsters were gone, "That was so cool!" she said in her squeaky voice.
Rhode smiled and patted her small friend, "Thanks, Bethy."
Luke pulled his sword out of the ground after his final stab while Thalia wiped her brow since she had finished her opponents too.
"Well, that was fun." Thalia said sarcastically and turned to Rhode and Annabeth to tell them to regroup but her voice died in her throat as her electric blue eyes widened in horror.
Luke saw it too and shouted, "Move!" he told them.
Rhode turned. They had miscounted. There were seven of them.
The daughter of Poseidon could have held up her spear maybe, but all her instincts did was push Annabeth roughly out of the way and bring out her shield once more.
Her friends cried out her name as Rhode tensed behind her defense, waiting for the collision. But it never came. There was a whistling in the air, followed by a dozen thwacks, and then something landed roughly.
Rhode looked from behind her shield and saw that about a dozen silver arrows had skewered the monster dog as it melted into the night. She looked to where the arrows came up and up on the nearby hill were about maybe a dozen and a half girls. They were wearing white shirts, silver jackets, silvery camo pants and black combat boots while holding silver bows. The strangest thing about them was they had this silvery glow about them that made the girls seem regal in a way as the moon shone brightly.
"Four half-bloods, Milady." One had said with some kind of accent, Rhode couldn't really place it, but it sounded old-fashioned. She was tall and graceful with coppery colored skin. Unlike the other girls, she had a silver circlet braided into the top of her long dark hair, so she looked like some kind of Persian princess. She had dark brown eyes and a slightly upturned nose.
The one she had addressed looked only a bit older then Rhode, probably Thalia's age. She had auburn hair gathered back in a ponytail and strange eyes, silvery yellow like the moon. Her face was so beautiful it was something you would see in a painting or a sculpture, but her expression was stern and dangerous.
"I see, Zoë." The clear leader of the group said as she looked at the group of demigods, "It seems to be a roaming group."
"They're both here." The girl, Zoë, said looking at Thalia and Rhode intently.
"Indeed." The leader said, her lips curling into a small smile.
Thalia got in front of Rhode and Annabeth as Luke walked up behind her. The daughter of Zeus said, "Who are you guys?" she demanded, her eyes suspicious and body tense for these unknowns, despite helping their group.
The girl named Zoë frowned, like Thalia had said something wrong. But the leader just raised her hand in the air to halt her words, "Calm yourself, Zoë. They are on edge from just fighting a pack of hellhounds and are ignorant of us." The shorter girl said softly and walked down the hill and stood before Thalia, "I am Artemis," she said. "Goddess of the Hunt. These are my hunters." She addressed to the girls behind her.
"What?" Thalia said, dumbfounded.
That was what Rhode was thinking too. But also, if she was a goddess…Why was she so short?
Artemis announced. "Zoë, we will rest here for tonight. Raise the tents. Treat the wounded."
"Yes, my lady."
The Hunters set up their camping site in a matter of minutes. Seven large tents, all of silver silk, curved in a crescent around one side of a bonfire. One of the girls blew a silver dog whistle, and a dozen white wolves appeared out of the woods. They began circling the camp like guard dogs. The Hunters walked among them and fed them treats. Falcons watched them from the trees, their eyes flashing in the firelight like they were on guard duty too. Even the weather seemed to bend to the goddess' will. The air was still hot, but not as bad as before and the bright moon seemed to complement the fire pleasantly.
A broad ginger with milky skin called Phoebe was summoned over by Zoë to deal with healing any injuries they might have suffered. Thankfully it wasn't much; the worse among them was Annabeth who had a cut on her check but that was healed in a second, the rest of them just had a couple of scratches.
Though, Phoebe didn't even glance at Luke, she simply tossed him a roll of gauze for the cut on his arm; when she did though, her eyes shone with disgust. This of course caused some tension between her and the girls, Thalia forcing her fist not to break out into sparks.
"Thalia Grace, Rhode Evans." The old-fashion voice of Zoë said, getting the two girls to look at her.
"Just Thalia." Thalia said on reflex and Zoë nodded.
"Follow me, Lady Artemis wishes to speak with you two."
"What about us?" Annabeth asked the hunter, looking up at her.
Zoë gave her this soft smile, "I'm sorry little one, but our goddess wishes to speak with these two, alone."
"Okay." Annabeth nodded reluctantly as Luke frowned, wondering what the goddess wanted.
Rhode and Thalia stood up and walked behind Zoë as she led them to the last tent, which looked no different from the others.
"So, who are you?" Thalia asked the hunter.
"I am Zoë Nightshade, Lady Artemis' Lieutenant. While Milady is away on her godly duties, I am in charge of the Hunters."
"That's pretty cool." Rhode commented, getting a slight smirk from the hunter.
"Indeed." She answered and waved them inside.
The inside of the tent was warm and comfortable. Silk rugs and pillows covered the floor. In the center, a golden brazier of fire seemed to burn without fuel or smoke. Behind the goddess, on a polished oak display stand, was her huge silver bow, carved to resemble gazelle horns. The walls were hung with animal pelts: black bear, tiger, and several others the girls didn't recognize. It looked like Artemis had another animal pelt lying next to her, but it was a live animal - a deer with glittering fur and silver horns, its head resting contentedly in the goddess' lap.
"Join me, Thalia Grace, Rhode Evans," the goddess said.
"Just Thalia." The daughter of Zeus said again, never liking her surname as usual. Both girls sat across from her on the tent floor. The goddess studied them, which was kind of weird if Rhode was honest. She had such old eyes for a young girl.
"Are you surprised by my age?" she asked them.
"Uh... a little." Rhode admitted. Thalia nodded in agreement.
"I could appear as a grown woman or anything else I want, but this is what I prefer. This is the average age of my Hunters, and all young maidens for whom I am patron, before they go astray."
"Go astray?" Thalia asked with a raised brow.
"Grow up. Become smitten with boys. Become silly, preoccupied, and insecure. Forget themselves." The goddess answered as Zoë sat down at Artemis' right.
"Oh." The raven-haired girl said with a furrowed brow.
"Boys are weird." Rhode said with a nod. She still remembered the talk that she and Thalia had about babies.
Artemis and Zoë seemed amused by this, "Indeed they are, young Rhode." The goddess smiled a small smile.
"So what do you want to talk about?" Thalia asked, as blunt as a two by four, just wanting to get down to business as to why a goddess wanted to see them personally.
"Ah, straight to the point. I like that." The goddess nodded, "It is simple, I wish for you two to join the hunt."
Thalia and Rhode looked at one another and back to the goddess, "The hunt?" Thalia asked, unsure what she meant.
"My Hunters follow me on my adventures. They are my maidservants, my companions, and my sisters-in-arms. Once they swear loyalty to me."
"So, what's so great about the hunt?" the punkette asked, leaning back as she supported herself on her palms.
"To begin with," Zoë said with a smirk, "immortality."
Thalia stared at her, then at Artemis. "She's kidding, right?" but she sounded intrigued by the idea.
"Zoë rarely kids about anything," Artemis said with a shake of her head, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips, "My hunters are indeed immortal...unless they fall in battle, which is unlikely. Or break their oath."
"What oath?" Rhode said curiously.
"To foreswear romantic love forever," the goddess answered. "To never grow up, never get married. To be a maiden eternally."
"Like you?"
The goddess nodded.
Thalia looked at the goddess after a moment of thought, "So you recruit demigods like us?"
"Not just half-bloods," Zoë explained. "Lady Artemis does not discriminate by birth. All who honor the goddess may join. Half-bloods, nymphs, mortals."
"So, like a melting pot?" Rhode said in thought.
Zoë paused for a moment, then nodded, "Tis a reasonable example." And then continued, "You become naturally stronger and faster than any mortal, demigod, or nymph." Zoë said, her words were like honey, "Your skills with a bow grow greatly, and most of all, we hunt the monsters, they flee from us in fear."
Thalia's eyes glazed in thought, she was liking this more and more. Getting back at all the monsters that terrorized them when they were younger, being so strong…yeah, that sounded good.
Rhode thought it sounded a lot like the Lost Boys, never growing up, just having fun. No more running, no more hiding, a goddess watching over her…maybe even like a parent.
Not that she didn't love her dad! But, after surviving for three years and just praying to him, well, she just wanted to meet him, ask him questions…know what he looks like. Okay, maybe that was selfish of her since he was a god and had godly things to do, like rule the sea. Rhode guessed she should be grateful he answered her prayers at least.
Thalia shook out of her thoughts, "But, what about our friends?" she asked.
Artemis frowned, "For Athena's daughter, normally I do not recruit so young. They do not understand the choice at such an age and it would be unjust of me to bind a child of her age bracket. Care for them I most certainly will. But to invite them? Well, in the future hopefully."
"And Luke?" Thalia asked.
Zoë spoke up, "He will either find his way on his own or die." Her words were blunt and unforgiving, shocking the younger girls at how casually she said them.
Artemis gave her faithful friend a side-glance for the latter comment, but did not disagree.
"What? No!" Thalia shouted, getting to her feet, "We've traveled together for months, I can't-! We can't just leave him like that!" she said, heat in her tone.
Zoë scoffed at her, "He is a man, and like all men, they are a waste of space."
"Says you!" Thalia said, her hands clenched, "If it wasn't for that 'waste of space', me and Rhode would be dead a few weeks back!"
"Please, thou are acting like a fool."
"Oh yeah? What would you know?" Thalia said, her temper flaring.
"I have been around long to know how little heroes end up, child."
"Oh, so you're an old hag then?"
An irate look flashed across Zoë as she rose to her feet, "You ill-tempered child." she said, annoyance lacing her voice.
"Ill-tempered, huh?" Thalia's eyes turned stormy, glaring at the lieutenant of Artemis. "At least I don't have some gender superiority complex!" The raven-haired girl said heatedly. The girl just rubbed Thalia the wrong way.
Zoë gave Thalia a chilling glare, "Thou will regret this choice, girl. Thou will see, like every other man, he will let thee down someday. As they always do."
Thalia was about to retort before Artemis voice cut them off like a harsh wind.
"Enough." the goddess commanded, making the girls cow under her stern gaze. She turned to her half-sister, a tiny frown on her face, "Thalia, I would ask you not to insult one of my hunters." Thalia made a grunting noise, her eyes anywhere but on the goddess'. The moon goddess turned to her friend, "And Zoë, the girl has already made her decision. Even if you disagree, it is a matter of choice. Respect that."
"Forgive me, Lady Artemis." the lieutenant said, looking a touch embarrassed for letting a child rile her up.
"Come on, Rhode." Thalia said suddenly, "Let's get out of here."
Zoë sniffed at the daughter of Zeus, "Does thou have corn in thy ears? As my Lady said, tis a matter of choice. The daughter of the sea god can make her own choices."
"This is true." Artemis nodded as Thalia gritted her teeth and turned to Rhode.
"Come on, we don't need this, Rhode." The raven-haired girl said to her cousin. Plus, she didn't want to lose Rhode, her best friend and family, to some sexism campaign.
Rhode looked like a deer in headlights with all the eyes on her, "Um," she stammered for a moment. Getting up, she bowed to Artemis, "Thank you for your offer, but I don't think I'll fit in; and even then," shooting a quick glance to Thalia, her eyes hardened, "I can't leave my family."
Thalia smiled at that and turned to give a haughty smirk to Zoë. In your face you prissy princess!
Zoë frowned at this, finding it to be a waste of potential for the girl. But still, it was a matter of choice…even if the immortal girl found it to be the wrong one.
Artemis sighed, saddened by their decision but still respected it all the same, "Very well. We will be staying here until sunrise. So, I offer my protection this night to your group."
"Thank you." Rhode said quickly as Thalia looked like she wanted to decline as she was in a glaring match with Zoë.
"You're welcome." The goddess answered as Thalia and Rhode left to go back to Annabeth and Luke for the night.
It had been a few days since meeting the meeting with Artemis.
Thalia was still a bit pissed off by Zoë Nightshade.
With the early afternoon light, the group had been breaking for lunch and rest a bit since they had just been attacked once more a few hours ago.
Rhode used a lighter to start a small fire with the wood she and Annabeth got. Thalia and Luke were currently gutting some rabbits the group had caught.
A whoosh noise reached there ears, "AHH, poachers, help! Nine-one-one! PETA!"
The group just jolted up and looked at each other.
"Rho, I think your trap snagged someone." Thalia said as she was cleaning her hands.
"I figured, but I'm just wondering how." Rhode mumbled as they walked up to where the trap was.
Hanging in the fishing net was a willowy boy with curly brown hair. He had brown eyes, a bucket hat, and despite looking young, he had chin hair. He had on a brown sweater hoodie and blue jeans, and red Converse, but was missing one.
And on the foot that was missing a shoe, wasn't a human foot. There was a hoof!
"Um," the boy said as he spun upside down, "Could you guys let me down?" he asked politely.
"Who are you?" Thalia demanded, her spear just beginning to crackle angrily.
"My name's Grover, I'm a satyr!" the goat boy, Grover, exclaimed quickly, "Please put the spear away, I'm allergic to pointy things…and let me down!"
"How'd he even get into the trap?" Annabeth asked with a wonder.
"I saw an innocent piece of celery laying around and got hungry."
"It was meant for rabbits." Luke told him bluntly.
"…Yeah, those big bullies do love celery." The goat boy nodded, "So, can I get down now, please?"
"Why are you here?" Luke asked.
"I was sent by Chiron, I got to get, um," he hesitated for a moment, looking at Rhode and Thalia but swallowed heavily, "Well, all of you to Camp Half-Blood. You see, it's a safe place for guys like you."
Thalia stared at him for a bit, making him sweat. She then cut him down, which he was thankful for as he put on his fake foot.
Grover sniffed the air, "What's on fire?" he asked.
"We're cooking rabbit, want some?" Annabeth asked innocently.
Grover looked offended, "I'm a vegetarian! All satyrs are." He explained to the little girl.
Annabeth tilted her head at that, but nodded in understanding.
"Let's eat and you can explain what's going on." Thalia said as they went back to their little camp.
Grover nodded as the rabbit cooked, he started to tell them about Camp Half-Blood and all the stuff there.
"There's really a place like that?" Luke asked.
Thalia let out a tired smile, "Damn, just…wow."
Rhode gave Annabeth a half hug, "We're going to have a home, Annabeth!" she cheered happily.
Annabeth nodded her head, returning the hug her with a beaming smile, "We don't have to worry anymore!"
Grover smiled too as he continued to explain until another owl with a letter swooped by, giving it to Rhode.
The entire group tensed as the owl landed on a nearby branch. Grover raised a brow as to why they were so tense.
Thalia noticed the satyr's look and answered with annoyance in her voice, "This is the fiftieth one we got." She said, reaching over to snag the letter, contemplating on ripping it pieces or burning it to ashes.
"That's from one of those magical schools, right?" Grover asked curiously.
Thalia nodded, "So it's real. We figured as much…by the time the tenth one came." She grunted, resting her chin in her palm, waving the letter in her other hand, "But with how persistent they are after Rhode said no to all of them…it's really creepy." She said, stating her displeasure.
Grover said, "We actually have a camper or two who goes to magical school. Mail comes by owls. I know a bit about them."
Luke leaned forward, "What can you tell us?" he asked keenly.
"Which school?"
"Hogwarts." Rhode answered.
Grover smiled brightly, "Oh, the Scotland one. A student told me about the forest there. It's beautiful from what I heard. Also dangerous. Very dangerous. Let's see, I hear it's run by a guy with a D, uh…"
"Dumbledore." Annabeth supplied, having read the letter a few times herself.
"Yeah! That guy. Says he's some kind of genius."
Thalia laughed, "What? Like some old Kung Fu master, but with magic instead?"
Grover nodded, making Thalia turn to Rhode, wiggling her fingers.
"Join us, Rhode. For you must achieve your destiny." She said in a cheesy old man voice, then snorted.
Luke rolled his eyes. Thalia hated this magic school idea. She was always so protective of Rhode. Not that he blamed her with how much they've been bothering them, but he wanted more information first. "So this school is good?" he asked Grover, keeping the conversation on track.
Grover nodded once more, "Yep. I mean, from what I heard, some of the best wizards and witches went there. Like Merlin."
"…Merlin's real?" Rhode asked with a small look of awe.
"So's Le Fay." The satyr added.
"That means King Arthur's real too." Annabeth said with stars in her eyes.
Rhode gained a giddy expression, "This sounds so cool. I mean, I can do actually magic?" Childish excitement filled her. She could learn magic!
"Guys, we don't have time for magic." Thalia argued, "Half-bloods on the run, hello?"
Annabeth pouted at her, "You always say that."
"With good reason, Annie."
"But you're forgetting about Camp Half-Blood." Luke raised his point, getting a displeased look from Thalia, "We don't have to run anymore. We can finally have a life." He said in a tired tone.
Thalia gave him a sympathetic look, understanding him completely. But she was still stubborn on the magic school topic.
"I'd also get to see the world. Well, Scotland at least." Rhode stated.
"Yes, Scotland. A place on a whole other continent." The daughter of Zeus stated while crossing her arms.
"Well, it is a boarding school." Grover attested.
"But with magic!" Rhode added excitedly.
"I think she should go." Luke commented as Thalia gave him a look, "What?" he shrugged it off, "If she doesn't like it, she doesn't go back. And learning magic would be useful, right? Heck, it could save our lives one day."
"Exactly!" Rhode beamed at her friend.
"These guys obviously want Rhode to go," Annabeth said, sounding as serious as an eight year old could be, "So I think we should let her go. That way they stop harassing us. If not, owls will continue bothering her." The tiny blonde concluded. True, she wouldn't be able to pet all the cute owls that came to them, but it was just annoying now.
"Going would be like mean walk into a trap by her stalkers!" Thalia stubbornly said.
Luke counted by saying, "Sometimes springing the trap is the best solution. Besides, Rhode's aware of the danger and can take care of herself."
"She'd be all alone..." Thalia sternly retorted, making Rhode look at her and got pissed at that. It was like Thalia thought she couldn't take care of herself?
"Um," Grover interrupted, getting Thalia's intense eyes on him, "Like I said, we have a camper who goes there and another who's also going as a first year like Rhode. So, she won't really be alone."
Rhode put her foot down, "So it's settled." she said sternly, "Camp Half-Blood will be home base in a way. With other demigods there, I have backup and an older student that can give me a heads up if somethings going on. I'll be fine." the daughter of Poseidon concluded, looking right into Thalia's eyes.
Thalia looked around and saw it was three to one, damn democracy. "Alright." she said begrudgingly, getting Rhode to nod.
Still, the punkette of the sky felt uneasy for some reason.
Writing her reply of Yes, Rhode handed the paper to the owl. It hooted happily and took the letter, flying off. Rhode turned to Grover, "So that student at camp can help me out with supplies, right?"
Grover nodded, "Yeah. He's a good guy, he should help you out."
Rhode gained a smile. Okay, maybe she was getting overly hyped, but this was magic! Every kid at one time or another wished they could do it. And now the daughter of Poseidon could. It was going to be awesome!
"Are you going to get a pointed hat?" Annabeth questioned Rhode.
"Maybe." Rhode told her, it wasn't her really her style though.
"What about a big wart nose?"
"Okay, that's just a story, Bethy. And no more of those questions." The daughter of the sea stated as Annabeth pouted.
She had more questions!
They had lunch at that moment and ate in silence. The half-bloods had contemplating looks on their faces, wondering if they made the right decision. After about ten minutes, everyone had filled themselves and Grover spoke up.
"Anyway," Grover said as he finished eating a tin can from his bag, "We should get going, your scents are all over the place here." And pointed at Thalia and Rhode, "Especially you two." He said gravely.
"Why them?" Luke asked, throwing his empty skewer into the fire.
"They're kids of the Big Three, they have the strongest scents around. Heck, that's why Hades monsters keep finding you from what you told me."
The group looked at one another and Thalia asked with confusion, "Why would Hades be after us?"
Grover's eyes widened, "You, you don't know?!" he said startled, jumping to his fake feet.
"No." Rhode shook her head.
"You two aren't even supposed to be born!" the satyr exclaimed.
"What?" the daughter of Zeus asked in a dangerous tone, eyes narrowed.
Grover held up his hands, "No, that came out wrong, I mean," He sighed with slumped shoulders, "I guess I should explain it all."
So, about sixty years ago, right after World War II, the Big Three agreed they wouldn't sire any more heroes. Their children, like Thalia and Rhode, were just too powerful. They were affecting the course of mortal events too much, causing too much carnage. World War II was a fight between children of the Big Three. The winning side, Zeus and Poseidon, made Hades swear an oath with them: No more affairs with mortal women. They all swore on the River Styx.
The group grew silent at that.
"So," Thalia said in a tight tone, "We aren't even supposed to be born, huh?"
"Yeah." Grover answered in a tiny voice, there was pity in there too.
The daughter of Zeus balled her fists, her mind racing, "But, why would Hades be after us? We did nothing! Our dads broke the oath!"
"Well, he doesn't see it that way." Grover said, "He just sees that his brothers sired two heroes and wants you dead."
"But that's not fair!" Annabeth cried out, clearly upset as Luke didn't look very pleased either.
"But, shouldn't the Styx punish the ones who break?" Rhode asked Grover in a small voice, trying to wrap her head around all this.
"Well, they're gods, immortals, they got off easy, so-"
"It comes to us?!" Thalia said in fury as she stood up, "That's, that's bullshit!" she said. She was being punished because King Asshole couldn't keep it in his pants!
…Was, was that way she lost Jason? Why Rhode lost her mom and step-dad, having to live with her terrible relatives?
They got punished instead?
Static popped off Thalia's body, she wanted to punch something, she was just so angry. The daughter of Zeus stormed off, needing to cool down.
"Um, she shouldn't just-" Grover said, but Luke cut him off.
"Trust me, just let her get it out."
Rhode stood up and went after her friend.
Grover was going to say something again, but Luke just said, "She can calm Thalia down, they tend to do that for each other."
"Oh, okay." He nodded and went back to explaining more about the camp to the two blonds.
Thalia stormed through some trees until she punched one. She did it so hard she broke the bark and her knuckles started to bleed, but she honestly didn't care.
She and Rhode suffered because of Zeus and Poseidon...
Where the hell is the justice in that?
"Thalia." the raven-haired girl turned to see sad green eyes, "You okay?" Rhode asked.
"…No." the blue-eyed girl said as she leaned against the tree she punched and crossed her arms, chewing her lip, "…It's not fair."
Rhode moved next to her, leaning against the tree, "Since when has life been fair?" she said wearily, sounding far older than a ten year old should.
Thalia wrapped an arm around Rhode's shoulder, pulling her close as they listened to birds chirping and bugs buzzing.
"Sad fact is, you're right." The daughter of the sky said grumpily.
"…It's just us against the world, right?"
Thalia nodded, it always had been.
"But," Rhode said quickly, "We got Luke, Annabeth, and even Grover now. It's not just us anymore."
"…True."
"So, forget them and their oath!" Rhode said, wiggling out of Thalia's hold to stand in front of her, giving the smirk that just screamed troublemaker. It made a sense of pride bubble in Thalia's chest, her friend was just a rebel at times.
Good for her.
Rhode held out her pinkie, like all those years ago, with a big smile on her face.
"Let's make another promise. We make it through this together and live how we want. If the gods don't like it, well tough cookies!"
Thalia narrowed her eyes at Rhode and couldn't help but laugh. Yeah, Rhode really knew how to make someone feel better.
The daughter of Zeus laced her pinkie around the daughter of Poseidon's.
"Yeah, screw 'em."
They shook on it and smiled at one another.
It had been two weeks since they had met Grover. They had gotten to know him and he just fit so well into the group.
They wished it could have lasted, the fun times that is.
Until it happened.
Hades army had finally caught up to them.
After getting trapped by a Cyclops in his lair in Brooklyn, the Cyclops had tied, gagged and hung Rhode, Thalia, Luke, and Grover to the ceiling. They had been tricked by his voice mimicry. But Annabeth saved them by stabbing the Cyclops in the foot and got Thalia down, who zapped the monster to dust.
But that had stalled them too long and with their scents in the air…
"Ju-Just a little farther!" Grover shouted in a panic as they ran down a dirt road, him in the lead on his speedy goat legs. He was carrying Annabeth since her little legs couldn't keep up with the rest. Luke was next to him with ease as he was the fastest out of all of the demigods. Thalia was right behind them, having a few wounds on her just like all the rest. Rhode was taking the rear, but she wasn't looking so good.
Earlier, she had used nearly all of her energy to make a small earthquake, getting some of the hellhounds and giving the group a little time to run. Rhode had lost her spear too, after she had thrown it at the spine of one of the Furies in surprise, dusting it. The other hellhounds had trampled it, snapping the wooden shaft to splinters. The daughter of the sea looked like she was going to pass out at any second.
Thalia grabbed her hand, pulling the green-eyed girl with her, "We're going to make it. We're going to be fine, Rho." She told her best friend while holding her hand tightly, running as fast as she could.
"I-I…" Rhode panted as she worked through her aching body to keep moving. Grover pointed out the hill in the distance, saying they were close.
Thalia's blue eyes looked into tired green ones, "Come on! W-We promised, screw them. Screw their oath! We're gonna make it!"
They made it up the hill, but Thalia noticed…she noticed if something didn't stop the monsters, get their attention…they wouldn't make it. She looked at Rhode and paused for a moment on that hill. She quickly shed off her jacket, draping it over her friend's shoulders, "I-I love you." She told her in a whisper, getting a confused look from Rhode, "Luke, take Rhode. Now." She ordered, making the boy look at her.
"Thalia, what are you…" Luke's icy blue eyes widened, "No, no!" he told her but she glared at him.
"Shut up and do as I say." She ordered again. Rhode looked at her in shock.
"No!" the child of the sea declared, but Thalia pushed her towards Luke. She tried to go back, but Luke held onto her arm tightly, "No, let me go! Luke, let go!"
"Thalia, please!" Grover pleaded in tears, no, it wasn't supposed to be like this! It wasn't!
Thalia turned around, facing the coming monsters an brought out her weapons, "Go." She whispered, her shoulders tense as they stood on that lonely hill.
Luke turned away, picking up Rhode. She struggled the best she could against his hold, but was too tired to give much of a fight. He ran down that lonely hill, holding Rhode as tightly as he could, blocking out her pleas and cries as he blinked out a few tears. Grover ran too as he held Annabeth, making sure her head was in his chest so she couldn't see, despite her desperate pleas of going back for Thalia.
Thalia's intense electric blue eyes cut to the foes before, tears streaming down her cheeks as her face was etched in stone.
Her right hand clenched tightly around the shaft of her spear so hard that her palm started to bleed. She raised her left arm, Aegis facing her coming foes as it was ready to defend her.
"So, you want me, huh?" she whispered quietly to herself as the monsters pounced with deafening roars.
"Well," Thalia's eyes crackled as black clouds billowed around above, "Come and get ME!" she roared as the sky boomed, taking out one of the Furies and a dozen hellhounds in a lightning strike.
"FOR ZEUS!" Thalia screamed in ferocity, charging at the army from Hades.
Her mind flashed in that instance to her friends and family.
To Grover, that silly awkward goat boy.
Duck, stab, roll, block, and stab again.
To Annabeth, that plucky little blonde girl.
A static blast here, a shield bash there. A fiery whip hit her left shoulder, her shield arm fell.
To Luke, a friend that she cared for…maybe more.
She was tackled to the ground. Crying out, she let loose a static blast and scrambled to her feet, firing off an arcing blast of static.
And finally, Rhode…that little girl from the start of it all. All the times they shared together. All the good and the bad…her best friend that she loved so much…
She roared, blasting off the final Fury's whip arm as her back was slashed deeply.
And Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus, knew one thing.
Electric blue eyes crackled as she let out a final roar of defiance. Her body arced like a plasma globe. She released a bomb of static from her very body, destroying many monsters around her as she fell to her knees.
She regretted nothing.
"THALIA!"
The daughter of Poseidon felt numb to the world.
It had only been an hour since the group had made it to Camp Half-Blood.
Once given some nectar, Rhode's wounds healed and she had gotten some energy to move around.
And now she was before the new tree that sat on what some were calling Half-Blood Hill.
The pine tree that was once her best friend, Thalia.
Zeus had taken pity on her, turning her into a tree so Thalia's soul wouldn't end up in the hands of Hades.
Rhode tugged Thalia's leather jacket tighter around herself, having not taken it off all this time. Her throat hurt from all the screaming she had done as she watched Thalia battle for her life, and…fall. The image forever burned in her mind and her nightmares. The roar of victory of the monsters as they raised their heads in triumph still rang true. Emotions churned around the heart of the child of the Poseidon like a maelstrom, not knowing what to do, or what to feel.
The green-eyed girl's hand shakily reached out towards the tree, her palm gripping the tracks in the bark like a lifeline. "Y-You promised," she sobbed, breaking down completely and allowing herself to cry, her wails of anguish echoing atop that lonely hill. Rhode's cries grew softer until she simply wept, her forehead resting against the wood as her shoulders shook like a leaf in the wind and her world felt as if it was spinning.
Someday soon, you will sacrifice yourself to save your friends.
Hal's words from what felt so long ago played in her mind. They resonated in Rhode's very core…he was right.
You will stand tall and still, alive but sleeping.
Another sob escaped Rhode's throat. It was her fault. Thalia was gone…and it was all her fault. She wasn't strong enough to help her best friend, her sister, her family. She was a failure. She wasn't even strong enough to keep her promise to her sister, how could she keep her family safe?
She felt small arms wrap themselves around her left arm, turning to see familiar steel grey eyes that so often shone with bright curiosity, her heart ached when she saw they were instead puffy and leaking tears. Pulling her close, Rhode rested her head on Annabeth's gently, whispering words of comfort as she soothed the girl as she bawled. An arm wrapped itself around her shoulders, making Rhode look up to see Luke on her right, smiling brokenly as he did his best to remain strong. For them. Tears filled her eyes as she tugged him closer, hugging his waist tightly as he enveloped her and Annabeth in his arms.
So they mourned. They mourned for their friend, for their sister, and their family. Each broken inside by the cruelty of the world.
It was the summer of the year 2001.
The thirty-first of July.
Rhode Jasmine Evans, daughter of Poseidon, had turned eleven.
Thanks again Sieg, you rock as always with these betas.
So yeah, that ending was so hard to make. I hope I conveyed the emotions well enough. I know that I sniffled a few times making it. So Rhode's heart is crushed at the loss (hence the chapter title) of Thalia, her BFF. Next, we see Rhode's remaining time at camp until the Hogwarts arc finally starts soon.
11/21/04: On a more personal note, I have been going through some family troubles. Forgive me for saying my problems here, but I am not the best at expressing my emotions in real life. I'm more the rock of the family when everyone else is troubled despite being the youngest. My writing on the other hand helps me greatly with expressing myself. I don't know if this is some kind of twisted joke due to the ending of this chapter. But I feel so connected to Rhode right now.
I would like to dedicate this chapter to my Aunt Michelle. She currently has cancer and is at home with her husband and children, spending her final moments with them. There is no chances of her getting through it. Any day now, she will be gone. As I typed this chapter, I think I might have expressed some of my own grief into Rhode, which has helped me with trying to cope with this coming loss.
Again, the chapter title rears its ugly head.
I love you Aunt Michelle, you were always the kooky fun loving one. I'll miss you so much and I wish we could have spent more time together. May you find peace, your loving nephew.
Now please review, no flames, and peace off.