CHAPTER 6
THE HUNTERS CRASHED OUR PARTY
The next morning, I woke up from a dreamless sleep. Thank gods, I didn't think I could handle another dream about Luke or his evil plans. But that just got me thinking some more; if Luke is going to use the Silver Sword on the summer solstice to 'wake up' Kronos, that means there's only 9 days until the solstice. Until war on Olympus will begin.
Someone had to stop him. I might've selfish for thinking that someone had to be me, but I am the one in the prophecy.
Then I thought about what Annabeth had said to me yesterday on the beach. It's too dangerous. I knew she was right, but… still.
I shook those thoughts out of my head and got to my camp-morning routine.
Since it was everyone's first week back to Camp Half-Blood, we played Capture the Flag. It was Athena, Hephaestus, Apollo, and Ares against Hermes, Demeter, Aphrodite, and Poseidon. (Which was just me.) The odds for us winning were pretty slim.
I put on my armor and marched toward my team.
We were the blue team and so far, the red team were kicking our sorry butts. They took down about half our side. Either the Apollo kids shot them with an arrow, or the Ares kids beat them up the old fashioned way. About 10 minutes into the game, it was just me and 2 or 3 kids from the Hermes cabin against the whole red team.
I didn't know what to do because the Athena cabin was usually on our team, but this time, I was on my own.
I kept walking in the woods, when I saw a blue flag. I grinned and raced toward the flag.
Then, all of a sudden, Annabeth popped out of nowhere. She had a bow in her hand which I guessed she probably took from one of the Apollo kids.
She smiled sweetly, "You are so going down." She said, as she raised the bow and arrow at me.
"Aw, come on," I said, my hands up "You wouldn't shoot your best friend, would you?" But her smile gave me the answer.
Just as she was about to shoot, I heard screaming, yelling, and people marching. It sounded like it was coming from Camp.
Annabeth glanced at me questioningly, "What is that?" She asked as she put her bow down to her waist.
I shrugged, "Let's go back."
She nodded and we ran toward Camp.
When we got there, we saw all the kids gathered around someone. Annabeth and I pushed through the campers as we made our way to the front. What I saw surprised me. It looked like Chiron was arguing with about a dozen tough-looking girls in camoflaouge outfits.
The Hunters of Artemis.
Beside me, Annabeth whispered, "What are they doing here?"
I stayed silent because I didn't know myself. I, along with the rest of the Camp, was watching the scene between Chiron and the Hunters.
"I understand, but this can wait." Chiron was saying.
"No," a Hunter said, she seemed pretty pissed, "This cannot wait."
Chiron took a deep breath, "We are in a public place right now. We will talk about this soon enough, but as of right now, we won't. You girls are always welcome to stay-"
"We are here because Lady Artemis has sent us." Another girl interrupted, "We will discuss this now. Whether you like it or not. If we do not stop and defeat Luke, war will breakout-"
"ENOUGH!" Chiron yelled in voice I have never heard.
For about 60 seconds, there was just silence. It was so quiet, I could hear the wind hitting the leaves on the trees, and falling onto the ground.
At last, Chiron sighed and rubbed his temples, "I am sorry. But, if we must discuss this, we may do this in the Big House, without an audience." He added after looking around.
The Hunter in the front of everyone put her hands on her hips, "Fine." She huffed.
Chiron nodded then turned his attention to the campers, "What are you all looking at? Go to your usual activities. Capture the Flag has been canceled. Now, off you go." He shooed off all the campers.
Annabeth and I were about to turn about along with the rest of them, when Chiron stopped us. "Not you 2. I would like you to stay."
We were both very curious. What happened? Did I do something? Are we in trouble? Did I forget to put on my pants? I looked down just to make sure.
Once we 2 and Chiron were alone, he said, "Let's go to the Big House."
"Wow. In the Big House twice in 2 days. New record." I say as we and the Hunters took a seat in the chairs around the large, round table.
Annabeth sent me an irritated look that clearly said, Shut up.
So I sat down quietly.
"Alright," one of the Hunter girls said, "We are alone, now let us discuss."
Chiron sighed, "Ok. Please explain what you saw."
"Saw what?" I blurted out. I got many annoyed looks from the Hunters.
"First of all," the Hunter growled, "No one told you to speak, boy." Then she tuned to Chiron. "Why must he be here? You told us to discuss this alone."
Chiron stood there patiently, "He is not just a 'boy', Joanna, this is Perseus Jackson. And he has every right to be here."
The girl, Joanna, narrowed her eyes at me. I don't think she was impressed.
"Anyway, as you were asking, Percy," Chiron continued, "The Hunters claimed to have seen Luke at the Bermuda Triangle a few days ago."
"Claimed?" Joanna asked incredously, "We are not claiming anything. We saw what we saw." The Hunters nodded in agreement, but Chiron just shook his head.
"It's not possible for him to be there." He simply said.
Joanna snorted, "I don't think you know what you are talking about, centaur. We know what we saw. If you are calling us liars-"
"She's not lying." I said suddenly. Everyone's eyes looked at me.
"Percy, what do you mean?" Chiron asked.
I shifted in my seat uncomfortably, but I tried to explain the best I could about my dream. After I was done, I couldn't tell what anyone was thinking.
Finally, Chiron said, "Are you sure?"
I nodded.
"It just doesn't make any sense." He said, shaking his head to the floor. I didn't know what to say, but luckily I didn't have to.
"It makes perfect sense." Annabeth said. "The Bermuda Triangle is land beyond the gods. That's why Luke is there. No one can stop him if he's there."
"But-" he started.
"No Chiron," Annabeth said. "You know it's true. You just don't want to believe it."
He was speechless. I would've been too if I was in his place. I've learned over the years, though, that you can't argue with Annabeth. Especially, if she has that gleam in her eye: she's determined.
When he found his words, Chiron said, "You're right, Annabeth. Completely right." He sighed, "I'm just not sure what to do." He admitted.
The Hunters have been quiet, but Joanna spoke up, "I think you know what you must do, Chiron." She spoke with less hate this time.
He nodded slowly.
It seemed like everyone knew what was going on except me, like always. "Umm… what must he do?" I asked stupidly.
Chiron turned to me, I couldn't read his eyes. "Quest, Percy. We need a quest."
HOPE YOU GUYS LIKED IT! PERCEBETH COMING UP, ALONG WITH MORE ACTION!
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