Percy sat down in the tent and shut his eyes. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he tried to sift through the jumbled mess that was his memories. He barely remembered what he had done just now. It was like a faint dream abruptly ended and he found himself in front of his father, a friend and Artemis. Frankly it scared him, like he was in the back seat in his own mind.
Vaguely he was aware of Bianca and Nico sitting at the edge staring at him but they said nothing. It was understandable after he acted a little crazy, in fact it was a little like what Apollo would do. That was the disconcerting part along with the freaky dream he had too. Perhaps he spent too much time with Apollo before.
Still he just felt so excited to see a hunter, it felt like centuries since he had seen any. He struggled to remember the faint memory but it never became any clearer, he was certain it had been centuries.
Only now sitting in quiet contemplation could he evaluate what was wrong, it was this almost uncontrollable urge to do something. Like his ADHD was acting up again. Percy grimaced, he had ADHD all over again.
Just as he opened his eyes, his mind regained clarity and he felt nothing of the sort but he could tell something was lurking there. It was a frightening feeling. He released a breath and it seemed the uplifting feeling returned, he felt serenely happy but with a less noticeable feeling to do something crazy.
"Hello?" Bianca called.
Percy hummed as he met Bianca's gaze, a small smile crept across his lips at the sight of her. Living to be exact and nervous, but her black obsidian eyes held life. Nico was beside her, almost physically attached to her hip and full of so much innocence. His heart couldn't help but thrum in an ever quickening pace. They were alive.
"Hello, are you listening?"
"Bianca di Angelo" Percy said warmly and his mind unfortunately strayed to other things, like how she died which caused his smile to fall. Then he discovered he had a remarkable interest in every shift of her facial expressions. The barely noticeable freckles on her face and her almost dark black hair's inability to reflect light, much like her father's.
It was a little irritating.
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking. My name is Percy Jackson." Offering his hand forward, he watched her eye it nervously. It seemed the effect of their recent encounter hadn't left her just yet.
"I know, you said that before with the monster" Bianca said. Reluctantly she took his hand but stared at him as if he had an extra head.
Her hand was a little sweaty, or perhaps his own. He confirmed it was his.
"Right, right" Percy muttered. Straining his mind, he still had trouble remembering much before this point but in the end that didn't matter. Facts from his mortal life had seemed so irrelevant before but now he craved them, not that they would come. "You do know you are demigods, correct?"
Bianca nodded her head while Nico smiled with a look of wonder. "From what we have been told" Bianca said. She seemed troubled by her own statement.
"Yes… you are demigods like myself. I am a son of Poseidon and you are…" Percy paused for a moment and came to the decision to not tell them. It was a well-known fact that the gods didn't appreciate others telling their children about them and he doubted he had a good explanation.
Percy blinked hazily at the knowledge. Apollo perhaps? Once again he blinked at the realization that he used to be friends with Apollo. It was definitely the probable reason of why he acted a little crazy before, so like Apollo.
Turning his attention back the pair of siblings, he continued. "I don't know who your godly parent is but they will eventually claim you."
"Claim?" Nico asked.
"Yes, they claim you with their symbol that appears above your head. Mine was a trident, and Thalia's is a lightning bolt for Zeus. Of course there are other demigods at camp."
"Okay" Bianca said.
Percy chuckled at the straight answer but it seemed to make the siblings more curious. "I'm sorry but usually it's harder to get demigods to believe it." Was it really?
"You mentioned something about a camp with more demigods?" Bianca asked slowly.
"Yes, for demigods we have a scent that attracts monsters so we go to camp and train, but the hunt accepts maidens too. The only difference is the hunt travels across the states and have immortality."
Bianca perked up visibly at the mention of immortality. The hunt would do well for a daughter of Hades, especially when Zeus would kill her.
"So we choose one and that's it?"
"The hunt has conditions unlike camp, they only accept young girls who are still maidens and they must take an oath to never be near men or fall in love."
Bianca opened her mouth to say something but glanced at her brother and shut it while shifting uncomfortably. Percy slowly realized what it would mean for Nico and he swallowed in realization, he felt like he made a mistake.
"Do you want to join the hunt Bianca? They certainly have more freedom than those at camp but your brother…" Percy's question hung in the air, unanswered for a brief second.
Bianca's eyes widened. Nico's gaze tried to meet hers but she quickly looked away.
"Bianca?" Nico questioned innocently, but slowly realization came to him as he noticed her reactions.
"It is your choice Bianca…" Catching her gaze, Percy grit his teeth and hesitantly gestured to Nico. "But it would be better to tell your brother what you want now, instead of not at all."
Nico seemed to catch on, his black eyes looked in disbelief, switching between himself and Bianca. "Bianca?" Nico's voice was noticeably hoarser which made Percy raise a brow.
"I… I do" Bianca murmured. Carefully she gazed at her brother and swallowed. "I do want to join the hunt."
Nico clenched his fist, shaking in shock. "Why?"
The bubbling rage took Bianca by surprise. "I want freedom… they look like a family… they are everything I want-"
"Then what am I?" Nico asked harshly.
There was nothing like the scorn of a child of Hades. No doubt Bianca could be just as harsh.
Bianca's eyes watered, she didn't want to answer. Finally the anger showed. Bianca's tear filled eyes glared at Percy.
Percy deliberated on what to say, he didn't like it, but Bianca would be safe in the hunt. "I personally would recommend going to the hunt… you are better off there than in camp-"
"Shut up!" Nico snarled.
Percy twitched. He was thoroughly irritated with Nico talking back but Nico was just a child right now.
It took a long moment for Percy to control himself once again. Rubbing his face, he looked back to Bianca and continued. "The hunt is safer than camp, Artemis takes great effort in protecting it from monsters."
"You-"
"Nico!" Bianca snapped back. Nico recoiled as if he was slapped in the face. "It's what I want, I am tired okay. I'm so tired of this responsibility, I'm taking care of you all the time."
Just as Nico was about to say something, Bianca placed her finger upon his lips to silence him. "Listen… I think it's good for you to be alone, you have been following me around all the time. I have never done anything for myself and neither have you."
"I-"
Bianca huffed as she wiped her tears. "I just want to do something for myself, a decision for myself. Why can't you see that?"
Nico took a moment, a long moment to gather himself. His eyes never strayed from Bianca but he looked hurt. "Just go" he whispered.
"Nico?"
"Just go!"
Bianca looked torn, even Percy felt that maybe he did something wrong.
"Its fine Bianca, go see Artemis about the hunt… I will deal with Nico." Nico looked up and a familiar glare appeared. It reminded him of Hades which made his lips quirk, it was still but a shade of what Hades could really give.
Hesitantly Bianca left the tent and only the two remained.
Percy felt guilty, he spoke without thinking but a part of him knew he made the right choice. Convincing Nico was another thing, he was a child, an unguided one and thus Percy hardened his resolve.
"Tell me Nico, what would you have done if Bianca went to camp with you?"
"Well?" he paused and waited a moment but Nico only grit his teeth. "You would follow her around, watch her practice with a bow and sword, and maybe give it a try yourself. But still follow her around everywhere she goes."
"You would ask her when dinner was, what you could eat, where to sleep, where to practice, if you could practice."
Nico's glare remained but he looked like he was trying to think of an excuse. "I…"
"In the end, what would you have done for yourself? You have always asked your sister haven't you?" Percy didn't wait for Nico to respond and continued on. "Make a choice right now, what do you want to do in the future, not what Bianca wants you to do but you."
A growl escaped Nico's lips. Perhaps he loathed himself.
"Maybe you should grow up and make a decision for yourself?" Percy said in a chastising tone.
"You don't have a sister." Nico hissed. "You wouldn't know what it's like."
Percy nodded sagely, Nico was grasping for straws now. "That's right, I don't have a sister, nor a brother but that's fine. It hasn't stopped me from doing anything. Perhaps I don't know the feeling of being left behind by family but I decided to always move forward no matter what."
"So what will you do?" The question hung in the air. Nico held no malice but was evidently lost in deep thought. "Think about it for now, we have quite a while to talk at camp about it."
o - o - o - o - o
The lieutenant of the hunt was thoroughly incensed as she paced in her lady's tent. Her grip tightened and she wished a certain male's neck was firmly in its grasp. After seeing her weapon in his hands, disgusting memories were refreshed in her mind, the kind she wished to never remember.
Zoe paused briefly as a dangerous glint flashed in her eyes. He touched her, she barely met him and he had already harassed her and then all the hunters afterwards like a child. Her desire to kill him was overpowering but she would wait, no doubt her lady would want to take part in the deed.
The tent flap lifted and Artemis stalked in, her furious expression had not abated but returned.
"My lady?" The silent question was cast and Artemis caught her gaze.
Artemis sighed reluctantly. "There is not much I can do Zoe…"
Zoe looked hopeful, perhaps a short time as a jackalope would do. Maybe they could leave him in the forest with hungry animals as well. "Artemis, surely thou can-"
"No. Poseidon will know if I turn his son into a jackalope and I have a feeling he wouldn't fall for any tricks, he is already on guard." She remarked with evident annoyance.
Zoe snorted bitterly. "He is just a male."
The goddess of the moon turned to her with a serious expression. "Do not underestimate him Zoe, he may have been playing around before but he still fought against me and he was watching all of you as well."
Artemis stepped past her and sat down crossed legged, gesturing for her to do the same. "There is little I can do about this now. Poseidon was thoroughly enraged, he made it clear that today's matter was over. Apollo has also mentioned that it was due to extenuating circumstances that the boy acted out in such a way. But be clear about this Zoe, this is the first time I have seen Poseidon like this since Theseus died which should tell you enough about how he would react should we act on the matter."
Zoe scowled at the memory. That was not a pretty sight. Theseus was one of Poseidon's favourite children though he had his unfortunate moments and he did not take his death well compared to the others. He was moody and unstable, many mortals died when they spoke out about Theseus and even some gods gained his ire. "Very well Artemis."
Artemis nodded seemingly satisfied with the response. "Now, before I was rudely interrupted…" she paused to huff angrily. "I returned from the council with orders to hunt the beast that manticore is after."
"I will gather the hunt immediately milady." Zoe made to stand but Artemis laid her hand on her shoulder. Silently she signalled it was not a command.
"No…" Artemis stated.
"Artemis, surely we can help." Zoe stuttered.
Artemis shook her head. "You cannot, I must hunt this monster alone… it is in a place you can't travel, and it is far too dangerous for the hunters."
Her mind began racing for a solution. "What if-"
"No Zoe, I request you to watch the hunt, if not as a friend then this is my order. You must stay with the hunt, take them to the camp for safety." Artemis stated solemnly.
Zoe stiffened and reluctantly nodding her head. Clicking her tongue in annoyance. "Do you know what monster it is?" she asked curiously.
"If it is what I believe than we have bigger problems to worry about" Artemis scowled and continued when she saw Zoe's concern. "But it is not inherently dangerous… just challenging to track."
Grudgingly Zoe nodded her head, though she was not pleased about it at all, it was still Artemis' decision.
Slowly Artemis caught her gaze, giving her an expression of distaste which warned her of the unfortunate situations she may be forced into.
"You will go with Apollo, he has already left to get his chariot and will be arriving soon to take you and the campers to camp half-blood."
Zoe blanched, the boy and Apollo separately were bad enough but now they would be together.
"Now Zoe try not to kill any boys." Artemis smirked. "Do not purposely injure that boy."
Zoe was planning to shoot arrows into every male at camp, especially that boy. In fact she planned to save him for last or maybe use him to set an example.
"Thou shalt do my best to leave them alive." Zoe pledged with an innocent smile.
Artemis shared her grin. "Good, now-"
"Excuse me?" A feminine voice said from outside the tent.
Artemis smiled knowingly. "Bianca Di Angelo, is it? Please come in, I was planning on talking to you anyway" she called aloud.
Seconds later the demigod girl walked in awkwardly as she looked around. The whites of her eyes were slightly red but she seemed to be certain of herself. "Percy sent me here…"
Zoe raised a brow, her anger came back at the conceited male. She added on a few more things she wanted to do to him.
Artemis' smile dropped to an expressionless face, evidently displeased with Bianca's very presence. "And what did that male tell you to do?" she asked dryly.
Zoe could see Artemis try to refrain being rude in front of the girl.
Bianca seemed to notice the suffocating atmosphere of the goddess sitting before her and her voice took on a much weaker, nervous tone. "He said that I should come to you about the hunt."
Zoe's mind began racing at what the boy was planning, trying to figure out why.
"You wish to join the hunt?" Artemis raised a curious brow as she studied the girl, taking in every aspect. Whether someone was worthy to be in the hunt was an entirely different matter, even more so under such suspicious circumstances.
"Yes." She whispered with a small nod of her head.
Narrowing her eyes, Zoe began to fume at the thought of getting help from a male, they didn't need help in recruiting demigods to the hunt.
"Even if thou know nothing of what the hunt entails?" Zoe asked. To come in ignorantly was foolish.
"Percy explained what the hunt was." Bianca said hesitantly.
"And what of your brother, I imagine he does not know of your decision?" Artemis asked suspiciously.
Bianca shifted nervously under Artemis' penetrating gaze. "Percy said he would talk to my brother about it… he said it was my own decision to choose what I want to do."
Zoe got even more annoyed, the boy was a nuisance to her and she didn't want his help.
Seemingly satisfied with her inspection Artemis said. "Very well than, repeat after me. 'I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis'."
"I... I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis." she said slightly more confidently.
"I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt"
"I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt." Bianca finished.
Artemis smiled tightly. "I accept."
Immediately the brazier casted a silver glow against the occupants of the tent before returning back to its original orange colour.
"Welcome sister." Zoe said grudgingly, taking her hand she led her outside to meet her new family. A new member was always a welcome sight.
o - o - o - o - o
Percy's attention flickered to the glaring Thalia. Drinking in her features slowly. The unkempt black hair and the electric blue eyes, the white high cheek bones and the haughty demeanour of Zeus. He couldn't help but smirk at her angered face, he enjoyed it a little.
He smelled a faint burning ozone smell mixed with pine and his smile fell. An almost imperceptible crackling sound emanated from Thalia which made Percy swallow fearfully. He had been on far too many ends of bolts of lightning.
Thalia's mouth raved on and on about him sending Bianca over to Artemis but he was too engrossed in thought and reminiscing on the past to even listen. Nico lay asleep after having said not a word much like Hades would do when angry. He was akin to a bubbling volcano that would explode at the worst time.
"Percy?" The question came from a far too different voice compared to Thalia to not attract Percy's attention.
Bianca stepped in, appearing uncomfortable in her new silver outfit but she seemed content and the light shade of silver dusting on her skin suited her quite well. Bianca first glanced at the menacing glare of Thalia and quickly looked away towards her brother and her look softened.
"He hasn't said anything just yet but he isn't angry anymore. Give him time Bianca." It was more of a bent truth, Nico was furious still but kept it inside much like Hades. The target though was himself but Percy found it amusing nonetheless.
Bianca caught his eyes and looked relieved. "Thank you."
"It was what you wanted anyway, Nico will still get to meet you on occasion" he reassured her.
Bianca smiled and found herself looking at Thalia again. Few could handle Thalia's look and she was not one of them. Quickly she left the tent to join the other hunters.
"Ouch!" Percy recoiled quickly and glared at Thalia with her finger pointed out, ready to give another spark. Carefully he rubbed his arm to get rid of the painful tingle that was causing his muscle to spasm.
There was smoke literally rising from his singed arm hairs. "Thalia, what was that for?"
Thalia's glare darkened and electricity sparked outwards on her finger dangerously. "Have you been listening?"
Percy swallowed reluctantly. Thalia seemed to notice it and rolled her eyes dangerously. "Yes?"
Thalia scowled as she gave him another shock for the lie but it was much lighter. "I leave for five minutes and you convince her to join the hunt!" she hissed darkly. "She should have come to the camp instead of going to these man haters."
Percy slowly shifted away from the poised finger while eyeing it as if it was a demon about to approach. "I couldn't stop her choice, she would have asked anyway."
"How would you know?" Thalia leaned forward until her finger was a few inches from his skin, easily close enough to deliver another savage jolt. The raised arm hairs indicated as much about her intent.
"Because she has everything except what the hunt will provide for her, she wants a large family and freedom of her responsibility."
"But Nico is her family, she just left him behind" she enunciated each word venomously.
Apparently Thalia was still quite annoyed at the hunt, he had a hard time believing she would actually join the hunt after this. "Nico needs to be free from his sister, he depends on her too much."
"So you did it for him?!" She quipped. "That sounds like an idiots excuse."
Percy twitched, these verbal spars seemed to be heading towards the physical side as the frequency of sparks crackling on Thalia's finger increased. "Yes, and I also did it for Bianca's safety."
"She is in the hunt, they have no barrier to protect them, she will fight monsters every day and be in even more danger" Thalia snapped, lightning crackled and painfully seared his arm.
Percy gritted his teeth, he probably deserved this anyway but his sister in all but blood was being quite direct at the moment. "Thalia, do you know who their father is?" he asked abruptly. He was conflicted with keeping Bianca safe and keeping his arm in one piece, he decided to trust Thalia. Hopefully she would keep this a secret for long enough so they could prove their usefulness.
Thalia paused, the sparks receded to small sputters on her finger as she contemplated the question. It was a momentary reprieve but Percy was still thankful for it.
"Their father is Hades and I am sure you know what your father will do to them if he sees them."
Thalia's expression froze, the sparks on her finger all but disappeared as she glanced at the boy in a new light which was soon followed by realization. "So you split them up?" she whispered.
"Yes. They need to prove their usefulness so Zeus won't kill them, but also so he doesn't realize they are brother and sister." To protect them in such a way should have made him feel guilty but he found he was numb to such a thing. Almost as if he was used to it.
Thalia contemplated his words carefully as her brow furrowed into a troubled expression. "Do you really think he will?" she asked with a hint of disbelief.
"Thalia it is not a question of if but when... when he gets the opportunity he would kill them if no one would find out so we just have to make them useful to the gods. How do you think I have survived so long?" he chuckled with mirth. He wasn't exactly sure how he survived so long but he would have to guess that Zeus was afraid of what Poseidon would do but Zeus downright hated Hades.
"I don't know, I would say intelligence but we all know you don't have that" she mocked. Quickly Thalia's light blue eyes dulled as her thoughts strayed to Annabeth.
Percy shifted uncomfortably, he didn't remember what happened very well but he distinctly remembered Thalia being angry with him. "Look..., I'm sorry Thalia, it was my fault and-"
"It was your fault" Thalia said harshly. Her glare reignited upon him making Percy feel even more confused. "You left on your own without telling anyone."
Not a word escaped Percy, mostly because he didn't even remember why he left on his own.
Thalia sighed loudly and rubbed her head. "Just leave it, there is nothing we can do about it right now anyway."
"We'll get her back" he said reassuringly. Thalia nodded her head and narrowed her eyes with evident determination.
Percy stretched reflexively as he stifled a yawn, he felt it was nearing morning too. Slowly standing up he felt a small spell of dizziness but the feeling quickly passed only to leave a feeling of weakness in his limbs.
"Should you really be standing already?" Thalia questioned with concern. Her arm latched onto his offering support which he gratefully accepted. It was still quite hard to move, he wasn't really sure how he managed to fight Artemis before.
"Come, I believe Apollo will be here soon."
