I'm so, so sorry. I was reading, yeah? And then I thought, "Hmm... I should make a fem!Percy fic, and have her join the hunters! Oh, wait... I already have that... and I haven't updated that story in six months... Yay... *depressed sigh* Once again, so sorry. Don't own PJO. Oh, wait wait wait - My writing style has changed, so hopefully, there won't be a bunch of well, bunched up sentences! Woooooo!
The archery range was full of hunters and campers alike. It seemed, for the Hunters, when everything was already there, they became restless. So, if all you want to do is get back to hunting, what would you do? Something like hunting, a.k.a. training. It was actually funny to watch after only a few days, the targets were "Not good enough." And Zoë personally asked Chiron to get "better" ones. That was something different.
From my point of view, it was a challenge. If they were good, no, amazing archers, then I had to be better than amazing. What would that be, anyway? Amazinger? Sure, why the hell not? I had to be amazinger than them. I couldn't really train much during the day, with classes and all, so I fit most of my shooting into the free time.
Embarrassingly enough, the Hunters came back one time, while I was still there. Even worse, I didn't even notice them until one of the hunters, Phoebe, I think, set up beside me. I tried not to let it affect me, but my current shot went horribly off-line, barely hitting the area around the bullseye. Yeah, that was horrible for me. Then again, the targets were fairly close, only about thirty meters away.
That night, however, my mind made dozens of theories between me somehow offending the Hunters, to being framed for something, as I was retrieved by some Hunters by the request of Lady Artemis. I was brought to Cabin 8, it's silver outside shining brightly in the moonlight.
When we walked inside, two things happened. The first thing, I noted that it was much, much, much bigger than it looked on the outside. The second thing was that every single Hunter's head snapped to mine when the door closed. But they didn't look angry, they looked... welcoming, almost. Almost like... a family... Quickly, I shook my head. I have no family, nobody who truly wants me. Except for Thalia, I suppose.
There was a separate room in the back, past the bunks, which I noticed were also larger. 'Favoritism from Zeu- father? Probably.' I thought. As we got closer and closer to the room, I noticed that only one hunter remained by my side. I also noticed a growing power from the room, as if from a god. 'Bravo, Perse Two and two together does make four after all.' Great, internal voices. Although, in some odd way, the sentence did make sense. 'Well of course it did, I'm you!'
I dismissed the voice, and realized we were already at the door. As it seemed to open of its own accord, I took that as a signal to enter. Behind it, as I had so cleverly figured out earlier, was Artemis. The door swung shut, and I just noticed that the last hunter had left, most likely at the door. I began to slightly panic, as I didn't know what was going on.
"Persephone, please sit down." Artemis' voice was commanding, but also friendly, if that was possible. She patted the chair that was across from her, which actually looked really comfy.
"Lady Artemis," I started off, hoping to stay on her good side, and find out what the hell I was doing here, "aren't you on your hunt for the monster?" I was right, the chair was really comfy. She shook her head and laughed, and it was a beautiful laugh, not one of those really high-pitched annoying ones, or those obnoxious long ones. A gentle twinkle.
"Not yet, Persephone. I start tomorrow." I didn't bother to correct her on my name, as that would be interrupting her. "My hunters here have noticed that you seem slightly lonely, and also have a, well, slight dislike against the male gender." For the first time, I noticed she was in a seventeen-year-old form, rather than the twelve-year-old one from the school.
"I beg your pardon, Lady?" I tried sounding formal, but it felt so odd coming from my lips. She giggled again and put a hand on her lips to stifle it.
"Well, you are trying, I'll give you that." She murmured softly, so soft that I could barely hear. Then, louder, "What I am saying, young Persephone, is that I would like you to join the Hunt." My eyes widened at this, somehow not realizing what it had all been leading up to, and I berated myself for not realizing sooner.
"I... I'm sorry Lady Artemis, but as of the moment, I can not." It may have been stupid to reject a god's offer, especially for something like this, but I just couldn't leave Thalia alone, among other reasons. However, she only sighed, as if she had been expecting this.
"Is it because of the boy? Luke, was his name?" She simply asked, probably knowing the answer. Not trusting my words, I merely nodded. She sighed again, but didn't seem angry. "Just remember, he will betray you, that is something I know. Even so, when that does happen, the Hunt's arms will be open for you." I took this as a dismissal, but had one more question before I left.
"Lady Artemis..." I trailed off, unsure how to state my question. "Was I the only person you offered this to?" She simply nodded no to this.
"I also offered it to Bianca, the girl that you saved at the school." She added, seeing my confusion. Before I could get a word out, "She declined, saying that she was the only family that her little brother had left, and she needed to take care of him." This answered my question, and with a polite nod, I left the building.
The next day, I was woken up by Thalia. "Wake up, little sis! We need to get to the Big House, and quick!" I jumped out of bed, and quickly put a new set of clothes on. I was at the door in less than two minutes, while Thalia was anxiously watching the clock that read, 7:57. "We have to be there in by eight, cmon!" We were rushing there, probably a theatrical sight, and made it seconds before eight.
"Thalia and Persephone, nice of you to finally join us." Chiron grinned with a twinkle in his eye that made it impossible to be mad at him, although some of the other campers had a laugh at that, but I glared at them to make them shut up. "Anyway, we have received bad news." This opening sentence had a few cabin leaders yelling out loud, waking up anyone who wasn't awake already.
This time, Thalia's glare is what made them quiet down. Chiron looked at her with appreciation on his face. "Anyway, there has been a large power brewing in the west, and a quest needs to be issued to stop them." He took a pause, and this time, the campers knew better than to interrupt. "As we believe it may involve Lady Artemis, the Hunters shall be the one to lead the quest." The lieutenant, Zoë, simply nodded at this.
"There will be a total of five people on this quest, as the gods have said, because any more would cause monsters to become too attracted to this scent. Two hunters, and three campers. Dismissed, and Zoë, the Oracle is in the attic." Nobody left, all of them were waiting for the lieutenant to come back down.
After what seemed like hours, but in reality was only about five minutes, she came back down, ashen-faced. She nodded the Chiron, and spoke powerfully. "I believe I understand the prophecy, somewhat, and am ready to choose." Nobody's hand went up, begging for a turn. "For the hunters, Phoebe, you're with me." The rest of the hunters groaned, and one seemed ready to complain.
"Not now! For the campers, Persephone, Thalia," My sister groaned at this. "And, in case we need bait," Zoë whispered this part to our half of the room and smirked, "The leader of the Hermes cabin. That is all."
"Wait!" Thalia called. "I want to know what I'm getting into! What is the prophecy?" Zoë turned around and spoke, her voice getting somewhat wiser,
"The party of five must fight to survive," She started. 'Woo! Fighting to survive, already loving this!' "And must use their brains to save the goddess in chains. Beyond the garden of hope, lies a steep slope. Atop, a choice lay to betray you all." And then, she left.
Woo! Suspense! Also, I know the prophecy is good, but... It rhymes! +1 point for mwah! Hope you all like it, hopefully more soon!