The First Son of Artemis, Book Two: A Mother Trapped
Jay's POV (1st person)
I wished Zoe would just show up. I had been sitting in the tree for almost half an hour, I was sure she would've showed up by now. I heard fighting in the distance. Percy had taken a group left while Thalia had gone right. Bianca and Nikki went with Percy, I was sure they'd be alright. I was slightly worried about Nikki, this was her first game of capture the flag, and I remember how nervous I was when I played my first game. I stuck to the tree's mostly, some Ares kids got so angry they tried to call me out for cheating, saying it was unfair that I stayed in the trees the whole time. Hey I'm just using my parentage to my advantage, they shouldn't be complaining.
So I figured I'd pass the time waiting for my opponent, by thinking about all that had happened in the last week. You see if you're a demi-god, you never have a normal relaxed week. Hard to believe just yesterday I was waking up in a nice comfy bed, having breakfast with a baboon and a crocodile while watching ESPN. Now I was waiting in a tree to fight my mother's immortal lieutenant. Funny how fast things change in my life.
The of course there was that weird vision I had yesterday. Annabeth holding up that giant… whatever it was. Luke and someone called "the general". Luke I'm pretty sure I could handle 1 on 1. However a ten foot tall dude in gold armor and a pointy spear nicknamed "The General"… yeah I wasn't too sure about that. Pointy objects, plus Jay, equals a dead Jay. Zoe's dream lingered in my mind though. My mother had been lost in it. Now it could be just a dream and that's it, just a result of Zoe being worried about her as well. She left without much word to me, and she specifically instructed me not to follow her. She said it was a solo hunt for her, normally I would not worry at all, but she just seemed so tired which for a goddess was worrisome.
I turned around to check on my team's flag, and what I saw made my lips curl upwards into a wicked smile. There she was, Zoe was trying to sneak to my teams flag. I pulled my bow-string back, ready to fire at a moment's notice. All she had to do was turn around, I didn't fire when she wasn't ready, that could seriously hurt her. I had been waiting for this as weird as it sounded. Zoe had saved my life so many times in the last two years, I wanted to see how I stacked up against her. I mean it was a fair fight, and you could probably tell a story about it. The first ever son of Artemis battles the lieutenant of the Hunter of Artemis, who will prevail. Well it was time to find out.
She quickly ran over to the flag. I could almost see the smirk on her face. She had one hand on the flag, then she stopped. She looked around, she must've noticed there weren't any guards.
"Come on Zoe, turn around." I whispered to myself.
I saw her slowly reach down to her hip and take out one of her small knives.
"What is she-." I was cut off by the same knife that was in her hand zipping by my face! I dodged at the last possible second, oh my gods this girl could throw. I was perched up in a tree and she still almost impaled me.
"I know you're in that tree Jay you can come out now." I heard her say, she still hadn't turned around.
I should've know I couldn't surprise her. I leaped from branch to branch until I touched down and was face to face with Zoe, except this time she wasn't trying to save me.
"I have to admit, sneaking over here by yourself good plan you could have easily taken out any of the guards here." I told her with my two daggers out.
She smiled and took out her two. "Jay you realize this is what I wanted all along? You have to remember you've had your Hunters senses for only two years, I've had them nearly three thousand." She said with a smirk.
Looking back on it now I probably shouldn't have said this, but I have no filter between my brain and mouth sometimes. "Oh really now? Such a shame I'm gonna hate having to fight an old lady!" I yelled thinking I was clever.
If it was possible, Zoe's eyes got even darker and even more intimidating. In what felt like a millisecond, she lunged out at me trying to stab my eyes out. The first strike came near my head. I ducked down and tried to use my leg to kick her off her feet, however she saw this and jumped back.
"You're gonna regret that "old lady" comment you stupid boy!" She yelled with the murderous glare in her eyes.
I heard battle cries growing louder from the forest, I had a feeling my team was getting close to the Hunters flag. Come on Zoe take the bait.
"Come on is that all you got!? Maybe I should form my own form of Hunters except with males, because I mean we're obviously superior in every-way." I said with a smirk.
Okay she looked ready to blow now. She came lashing out with blinding speed and I barely had time to raise my knives to block her. We stayed with our daggers locked and I could see the look of pure loathing in her eyes. It was almost funny, because I knew she would never stay mad at me long. I managed to push her back, but it wasn't long before she lashed out again.
We went back and forth slashing at each other, our daggers clanged together, we dodged attacks with speed and grace. I knew I was right about one thing, no other camper could've taken Zoe, except maybe Percy and Thalia. Just the speed of her attacks and how she dodged, nobody could've kept up. I heard the shouts getting closer, I knew we were close. Zoe didn't seem to notice she was busy trying to stab me to death.
I pressed the offensive I brought a hard right strike, she knocked it away with her right hand. She tried to go in for a stab with her left, I used my left hand and elbowed her arm away. While she was disoriented, I brought my arm to her mid-section and hit her away!
I felt proud of myself. However it was very short-lived, she got back up and came at me with new found speed. She got the drop on me and knocked one of my daggers away, I barely had time to move before she elbowed me in the stomach and knocked me to the ground. I heard the battle cried right near the edge of the forest now.
Zoe pinned her knees to my arm and held her dagger at my throat. She had a wicked triumphant smile on her face. "Ha! I win, you thought you would-."
She started going on and on about me being an idiot and women supremacy. Like my mom, if Zoe started talking female supremacy, she could literally talk for hours. When she started calling me some pretty choice names, I must've surprised her, because I started laughing and grinning after I looked behind her.
"WHAT are you laughing at you stupid-."
"Why don't you turn around hahaha." I said laughing even more.
Zoe turned around and to her horror, Nikki my new cousin was just about to cross the border with the Hunters flag in her hands! She was followed by Bianca Di-Angelo who had her bow out and was firing at the group of hunters who were chasing them, screaming in protest. I could see Zoe's eyes widen and her mouth drop. It was one of the funniest moments of my young life.
"You were just trying to keep me distracted!" Zoe yelled getting off of me.
"All's fair in capture the flag Zoe!" I said with a smile.
Nikki crossed the border and was greeted with an absolutely huge cheer from all the campers! I ran over to join all my fellow campers, Percy and Thalia just made it back with their groups and it was as if it we had just won a war!
"For the first time in 56 games the winners are… CAMP HALF-BLOOD!" Chiron cheered, obviously just as excited as the rest of us. Wow 56 straight losses before today, Chiron must have been just as tired of the Hunters as showing us up as the rest of us.
We were all there jumping all around hugging each other, cheering and celebrating. There maybe have only been 13 of us but it could've easily sounded like 50. Nikki came up and hugged me, after she let go I could see the huge smile on her face. Her blonde ponytail was a tangled mess, she had sweat dripping down her face, and twigs and bits of dirt littered her face, but she didn't seem to care. Her blue eyes glittered in the morning sun and she seemed to be having the time of her life.
"Oh my gods Jay that was so much fun! I don't know how I did it, but the sword and the bow it just seemed to move naturally in my hand! One hunter tried to slash me, but I just knocked her dagger away and I got her! It was so much fun and oh my god i-." She started ranting on with a smile not leaving her face.
"It's good to see you finally come out of your shell haha. See I told you camp was fun!" I said smiling back at her while the celebration raged around us.
"And… this is my home now?" She asked.
I nodded. "You bet it is, I think you're gonna fit in just fine here cuz." I said smiling.
An even bigger smile crossed her face. Before she could say anything else, the two Stoll brothers lifted Nikki off her feet, they hoisted her onto their shoulders.
"Nikki, Nikki, Nikki." The campers started chanting.
I sat down on a tree and smiled, I was totally beat after my little scuffle with Zoe. I looked over at the disheartened Hunters. They all seemed to dis-like us even more if that was possible. I couldn't help but feel a little bad for them, I mean they were my mother's faithful, even if they didn't know I was her child.
Soon my favorite son of the sea god came over and sat next to me smiling. "Pretty good day if I could say so myself huh?" I asked her.
He nodded his head. "Yeah it has been. It was great to finally put the Hunters in their place. I… just wish Annabeth were here." He said sadly.
I should've known he was still upset about that. I put a hand on his shoulder. "Listen Percy, we are going to go find Annabeth. I… I had this vision when I passed out yesterday, Annabeth was trapped under what seemed like a cavern ceiling-." I started.
"And you saw Luke there, and a guy with golden armor called "The General"! I had a dream like that last night!" He exclaimed.
"Do you think that means Annabeth is really in danger then?" I asked.
He nodded. "I'm certain of it, my dreams always have some significance. I think we should talk to Chiron and go see the-."
He was cut-off by a huge collective gasp from campers and hunters alike.
Nikki's POV (1st person)
A huge gasp came from all the campers and the two Stoll's almost dropped me.
"What is going on!? She never leaves the attic!" Chiron said.
What seemed to be a walking women mummy, with dirty, dusty clothes came floating down the river bank. Every camper and Hunter looked at it in awe, I had no clue what it was, but it was creepy. She went to Zoe, who was trying to console her hunters after the loss. I saw Jay and Percy run over to it and stand in front of it with Zoe. Soon ever camper and Hunter was around the mummy.
Green smoke came out of its mouth, and it spoke in a creepy demonic voice.
Children of Moon and Sun shall lead five west to the goddess in chains.
One shall be lost in the land without rain.
The bane of Olympus show the trail, campers and hunters combined prevail.
The Titans curse one must withstand,
One shall perish by a parent's hand.
I saw Zoe and Jay both go deathly pale looking, like a vampire had just sucked all their blood. Jay's look of worry… turned to one of rage.
"No, no, no, I'm gonna kill him." I heard him mutter as he walked past me.
I had never seen this look on Jay's face. It scared me. He usually looked so sweet and helpful, but the look on his face now it downright looked murderous. I wondered what the little riddle meant, I really needed to figure out what it was. Goddess in chains didn't sound good, maybe Jay thought it was his mother.
"Tell me when the war council meets Chiron. It's obvious who has to lead this quest." He said.
Chiron grimly nodded his head. "WAR COUNCIL! We meet at the big house in ten minutes!" He shouted.
I saw Jay run off into the forest. Bianca quickly ran after him "Wait Jay!" She yelled.
I watched them run off and Chiron tapped my shoulder. "Nikki I know you're new, but you're the only Apollo camper right now. Please meet at the big house in ten minutes. I know some of this stuff is confusing, but we will explain there." He told me before trotting off.
I'll admit I like capture the flag, but not the idea of a war council.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
You could cut the tension at this meeting with a knife. Even the Stolls were quiet. Zoe and another one of her Hunters, I think her name was Phoebe, the one who fought Jay at dinner yesterday. She seemed to have an angry impatient look in her eye. Zoe was still pale, but she had a determined look. With her tiara, mannerisms, and general vibe, she looked so much like royalty, I felt I should bow to her. Thalia had that intimidating look in her electric blue eyes. Percy was sitting by himself looking nervous as well, he was fiddling with his pen sword (Which is awesome by the way) being careful not to activate it. Jay was sitting with his elbows on the table, tapping his foot impatiently.
His silver eyes were bloodshot, around his silver orbs he called eyes, and you could see the red, like he had been crying. Bianca was next to him, her hand on his forearm, trying to make him feel a little bit better. It's hard to believe how fast we went from celebrating like we were, to all serious and upset.
Chiron came in, in his wheelchair now. The ping pong table I think it was, seemed to fall even more silent. Chiron cleared his throat and spoke. "Alright, for Nikki, who just joined us, that was our oracle. The oracle issues our quest whenever we need one issued. However she had never left the attic of the big house until today. So it is obvious, we must send out a quest." He announced.
"Well what is the quest asking us to do? It was really vague, it says we have to go west to a goddess in chains, which goddess, and where in the west?" Conner Stoll asked.
"I can answer that." Zoe said standing up.
"Yes Zoe, please tell us." Chiron asked.
She took a deep breath. "Well I had a dream the other night, the same day Jay had his vision. It was of Lady Artemis, she was lured into a cave and she found your other camper, Annabeth. Annabeth was holding up a ceiling cavern, Lady Artemis took the burden from her. Now Lady Artemis is trapped under the cavern, her powers are dwindling as we speak." Zoe told us.
Everyone turned to look at Jay. He just shook his head, slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "Well it's obvious Nikki and I will go, Percy and Thalia are coming to. That leaves room for three more. It says we need hunters and campers, I think it would be smart to take Grover. Zoe that leaves you to take whatever Hunter you want. Be ready to leave in an hour." He said before starting to walk away.
The other Hunter Phoebe laughed. "Hahaha, and who are you to give orders boy? Who put you in charge, I will not listen to you, and neither will Zoe. We don't need you campers to rescue Lady Artemis! We do not need the help of you and your idiot-." She was cut off when a silver dagger was embedded into the ping-table right in front of her.
To say she was surprised was an understatement. She went to get up, probably to try and attack him, but Jay shot the Huntress the most murderous and intimidating stare I had ever seen. It was like she was trying to stare her to death. I had to admit, if it was me he was mad at, I would probably curl up and sob.
"Listen, I have no time to deal with your prejudices! Nikki and I are in charge of this quest! I am leaving in one hour with or without you. That goes for all of you, be ready to leave in an hour." He ordered, and safe to say, Percy, Thalia, Grover, and I were all going to be ready within the hour.
I had to admit it to Phoebe, she didn't back down. She sent Jay a murderous glare. "And why exactly do you care so much about Lady Artemis boy! She cares nothing for stupid, idiot-." She started.
"SHE'S MY MOTHER! AND I WON'T LET HER SUFFER AT THE HANDS OF TITANS!" He screamed so that the whole camp could hear.
Another eerie silence fell over the entire camp. Blood drained from Phoebe's face, she looked mortified. Jay's whole face was red, as he held back tears. He turned on his heel, he toss a chair out of his way and walked off towards the cabins.
"Jay!" Bianca yelled running after him.
Phoebe looked at Zoe. "Zoe… what is that boy talking about?" She asked her lieutenant.
Zoe looked around the table. "Everyone who Jay said be ready in an hour. Phoebe and I will come as well. Come on Phoebe I need to explain things to you." She said grabbing her fellow Hunters arm and walking off.
In a very awkward silence everyone left the table. Percy came over to me and put a hand on my shoulder. "Hey don't worry about Jay. I knew as soon as he heard his mother was trapped he'd react like this. He'll cool off, just give him a little bit." He told me trying to encourage me.
I had to admit, I was a little scared. I wasn't scared of Jay, I couldn't be, not after all he did for me. I was scared of how this quest would go however. I had only been here for one day, and from what the prophecy said, at least two people would die. I felt a little more comfortable having everyone else with me. However "children of sun and moon will lead", meant Jay and I would be in charge. That was a big burden to hold.
"Why did he get like that? I mean I would be mad and angry if my dad was trapped to, but why so much anger?" I asked Percy.
Percy sighed. "Artemis is the only real family Jay has left. His grandparents… well there a different story, he can tell you about them if he wants. Artemis though, is Jay's only true family still left, he's like my brother, but Artemis is his only real family. Also she has saved us and Jay many times in the past, Jay sometimes feels like he's weak because he's had to be saved so many times. So seeing his mother trapped, he really doesn't want anything to happen to her because he feels like he owes her." He explained.
Wow Jay really had been through a lot just like me. I fixed my blonde pony-tail and put a brave look on my face. "Okay then, I guess we should get under-way then. Any tips for my first quest?" I asked him hopefully.
He just smirked. "Trust your instincts. Now you should go get prepped, meet at the big house in an hour." He told me.
Trust my instincts huh? Well I guessed that was the best I would get.
Jay's POV (1st person)
I marched into the Poseidon cabin and grabbed my bag from under the bed I slept in last night. I walked outside to the tree where I had hid my extra stuff. I picked up a lose stone at the foot of the tree. I grabbed my bag that Amos had given me before I left Brooklyn house. I wasn't going to mess around this quest. If I needed to unleash both sides of my blood, and use magic and my demi-god abilities. I don't care if I couldn't really control it that well yet.
It was a staff that shot lightning. That's all I needed.
I dropped some extra ambrosia and nectar in my bag, and finally pulled out my staff. It was shrunk right now, it was only a foot long now, and it would grow to three feet if I activated it. I heard leaves rustling behind me, I immediately turned around and aimed my staff. If I didn't recognized Bianca when I did, she would have been filled with lightning.
"Dammit B, you scared the Hades out of me." I said putting my staff in my bag.
"I'm sorry. What's that thing you were about to shoot me with?" She asked.
"It's my staff, it's what I use to do magic. Remember I'm the all-powerful, first ever demi-magician." I said, saying the last part annoyed.
"Oh, so you're taking THAT with you, but you won't let me go!?" She said angrily.
The honest reason I didn't bring her, was because the prophecy said at least two people would die this quest. I couldn't take the risk of losing Bianca. "Listen B, two people are going to die on this quest, I know prohecys have double meanings, but I'm not taking the chance." I said trying to walk past her.
She grabbed my arm and held me in front of her. "Do you really think I'm letting you go alone!? The same goes for you, two people are going to die I… I can't lose you." She said her voice quivering a little.
"B I-."
"No! Nobody other than Nico has ever had such an impact on my life. You saved me and my brother when you didn't have to. I can't lose you, you make me so happy it's not even funny! I won't let you die on me! I won't lose you! I can't! You can't just come into my life like this, and then go off running possibly to die-!"
I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into my chest. I held onto her, she wrapped her arms around my neck and nuzzled her head into my neck and began to cry. She sobbed, and I suddenly felt a huge surge of love and caring for Bianca. I could see what she was talking about. I did come into her life and make her care about me, now I was about to go off possibly to my death. I cared so much for her, and I just wanted to make her feel better. I felt so terrible, I cared for her but… then there was Zoe. I needed to do something for her, I needed to come back. I was going to save my mother and come back to Bianca.
"B, look at me." I told her.
With tears slightly coming down her face still, I pushed a stray strand of hair away from her face. "Listen I will come back to you. I promise, I am not going to die. I need you to stay here and watch over camp. Percy, Thalia, and I are all going to be gone, you're powerful enough to lead while we're gone. Before you know it, I'll be back." I told her honestly.
She looked at me and wiped the tears from her face. She looked at me in silence for a moment, before crashing her lips onto mine. And that's how we stayed, for at least 5 minutes, locked together kissing, in the daylight right in front of the canoe lake. When she finally pulled back she leaned her forehead against mine.
"You better come back do you understand me? Remember my father is lord of the under-world, if you don't come back, I'll go to Elysium myself and kick your ass." She told me.
We both giggled and smiled at each other. I kissed her one more time. "I have to go, I'll be back before you know it." I told her.
She nodded. "Go, go save your mother. I'll be here when you come back." She said letting go of me.
I sighed and took one last look at her, then I turned, and walk towards the big house. Whoever this "General" was who trapped my mother, he was going to regret the day he messed with Jason Nicholson's family.
A:N) I am soooooo sorry guys that this chapter is so late!:( I had extreme writers block with this chapter, it is so important for the story so I wanted to get it just right. So I'm asking you guys, how did I do with this chapter? I'm kind of iffy on it :/
Did you guys like the anticipated Jay vs Zoe fight? How are you guys liking Nikki so far? If you don't like Nikki so far, what do you think I should do with her? Last but not least, did you guys like the Janca (JayxBianca) shipping? They did win the poll, but I mean anything can change in my twisted evil mind. ;)
Last but not least, what are you guys looking forward to the most!? I promise the next update will come faster than this one! So as usual guys thank you all so much for taking the time to read!
I hope you all enjoyed! Have a lovely day! Goodbyeeeeee!:)
