1 and a half monthes later

Artemis Pov

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" was all that could be heard throughout the whole camp. Today was the day. The day Annabeth Jackson was giving birth.

The hunters and I had arrived just a few days prior to today to prepare for the coming child. She had been given my blessing so I insisted on being present. I have never witnessed child birth even if I am a goddess.

I also had never given my blessing to an unborn child before, so I was unprepared for the sheer amount of blood and other fluids, as well as the sheer pain resenating from this girl, that accured during the labor. I aided Chiron and Argus throughout the entire ordeal as well as Hermes and my Brother since they are both gods of medicine.

By the end of it all, I will admit that I felt a little scarred from the experience. So much blood coming from someone willingly as to give life to another. Even if her life wasn't at risk with all the gods there, it was still a very terrifying sight. The girl had been born perfectly healthy. She was given a perfect bill of health by both Hermes and Apollo, and she was given to her mother and father.

I looked upon the child seeing her eyes a mix of her parents. Greenish grey. Her hair had been dark blonde almost brown, but I was unsure until she was cleaned up. She looked very much like her mother, but had her fathers nose and ears. She was very beautiful. I hoped one day she would join the hunt. I would be glad to have her at any age.

I decided to leave the new parents alone with their child and return to my hunters. Eterna and Thalia were quite happy at this point, and the other hunters had seen them kiss. they had acted like they didn't know anything, but I knew better. They always seem to leave Thalia and Eterna alone when they wanted to be but couldn't say it to them.

I saw them sitting together by the campfire. It was quite late in the day so the ampitheater had been set for the evening sing along. They sat right at the front, and they seemed to have thee greatest influence on the flame making it grow bright pink. At this point I don't believe they care who knows. Thalia was leaning on Eterna's shoulder and had their fingers intertwined. I now see just how beautiful love can be.

I knew no other man's love goood be as pure as Eterna's, but it made a point to prove that not all men are driven by lust and desire. There are some who are genuinely driven by passion and love. I doubted I would ever see a case like theirs and the Jackson's in a very long time. I wished I was wrong. I knew I was right.

Thalia Pov

We sat there, enjoying each others presence by the fire. We had been together for only a month and a half, but I knew it would last forever. He never took his own desires or thoughts into consideration when asking me anything, or when he answered any question. he always considered my feelings first. He never did anything I didn't approve of and without complaint. I had been tempted to take advantage of that once, but quickly threw away the thought.

I was loving every moment of our time together because I knew that prophecy was soon to take affect. I'm not sure why I knew that. I just did. The prophecy would begin and another war was sure to follow. I hated war. I had been through two already. The Titan and Giants wars. If I could just disappear with him to avoid the impending struggle I would, if only he wasn't to be the center of it all.

He was destined, like Percy had been, to decide the fate of Olympus. Why did I always findd these kinds of guys? I could feel that tonight would be our last night of peace, and I was going to make the most of it. I turned to him taking his cheek in my hand, and kissed him passionately in front of the whole camp.

I really didn't care who saw because Artemis had already approved of our love. As long as she approved, I couldn't give a shit what anyone else thought. As we kissed I heard whistling noises, chattering, and the fire grow in intensity. I could hear it grow stronger and higher the longer we kissed. I noticed his eyes were glowing bright pink again, but this was a softer light. Gentler and kinder. It was a light of purity and love. It was very warm and beautiful. I wished his eyes would stay that way, but they didn't.

When we finally released I saw the other hunters sitting not too far from us, giving me the thumbs up. So they knew the whole time. Oh well. Like I said I don't care. I loved him and that's all that matters. If this was going to be our last night to have a quite time together than so be it. I would rather go through another war than have not of met him. was sure of that.

The next day

Artemis Pov

They had come so fast. Several Drakon. Lydian Drakon. I don't know where they came from, but they attacked the camp from all sides. It was only a matter of time before we were overwhelmed. The barriers defending the camp wouldn't hold for much longer. Sooner or later they would break through and we would have to fight them.

I was in the strategy room along with Chiron, Argus, Percy Jackson, My hunters and all the cabin leaders. We were discussing how to take on these creatures when they broke through. We knew it was just a matter of time. It was February so most campers were at home for the school year. Only thirty campers were around right now. not nearly eenough to take on five Lydian Drakon. Even with my aid this was going to end badly. I could destroy them, and since they were creatures I had full right to be involved. I am allowed to hunt any creature at any time regardless of what they are doing, so if I happened to help save the camp I wouldn't be in trouble with the Fates.

Eterna and Thalia were out readying our defenses. They had gone with the Ares and Athena campers to our borders with the three Drakon on it. The drakon had appeared in two groups. One with three in it and one with two. I would go to the side with three and aid them as best I could, but these were creatures even older than I. My powers won't work as strongly on them so It wasn't as easy as simply turning them into a fish or toad. I would have to slay them the hard way.

Clarrise and her husband Chris were off preparing the other defenses against the other two Drakon. She had been a great aid in both wars and had become an authority on Drakon slaying sincee the Titan war. She had single handedly killed one of these creatures before. I was glad she was here to aid us.

Chiron and I decided to send all my other hunters to aid Clarrise and Chris along with the remaining campers. They would at least be able to hold them off until our group defeated the other three. We would then meet them to destroy the remaining two Drakon on their end, if they hadn't destroyed them before then.

We ended our meeting and all headed to our respective positions. This was going to be a long day.

Thalia Pov

These things were enormous. I knew not to look into their eyes or I would be paralysed, but last time it had been only one Drakon. Now there were three that we had to fight, and then possibly two more later. This was not going to be easy.

We had set up numerous electric spike pits which Clarrise had told us was a weakness of the Drakon she had discovered in her encounter with the one back during the Titan war. I remembered when she had impaled that creature with the whole length of her electric spear. We figured if we could get one inside them and discharge it, it would have the same effect on these ones.

I stood beside Eterna preparing for the battle. We stood together ready for the onslaught to begin. We watched as the creatures broke through the barrier and charged.

Eterna let loose several arrows at once. Each surprisingly penetrated the Drakon's thick scales. I had almost forgotten the kind off power his bows had. As one pierced an eye we all covered our ears as It screamed out in pain. Artemis had begun firing as well taking out another one's eyes. Only three eyes left.

The campers charged forward, only to be eaten or scared away by the sheer size of these creatures. Eterna and I charged as well, I knowing ho to fight these creatures froom experience. I saw Percy come around to fight with us. He had regained the curse of Achilles and was again invincible. He fought along side us dodging poison, teeth and claws. I became a little more hopeful as one of the creatures stumbled into our spike pit, killing it with the surge of electricity that ran through the creatures body.

Then I despaired again as I saw almost all of the campers, fifteen we had started with, were down to just two. They had all been killed. The remaining two Drakon were starting to over power us when I felt an air of deaht appear near me. I turned to see Eterna had gone into that trance like state again. The ground started to die near him. He didn';t summon soldiers this time.

"Everyonee get back!" He yelled in a voice that was not his normal voice. It seemed to echo like Rachael's wwhen she speaks a prophecy. I stood near him, but was carried away by Artemis who told me I didn't want to be nearby when what was about to happen happened. We all got far away and saw the two Drakon circling Eterna. I was about to scream when I noticed the dark cloud forming around him.

With each of his breath it thickened and expanded. The one Drakon charged, but disintegrated on contact with the cloud. No not disintegrated, it rotted away. That was a death cloud. The other seemed to realize that a nd began to run when the cloud seemed to reach out and grab it. It started rotting away everywhere the cloud touched. It was so horrifing watching something, even an evil creature, rot away like that.

When the Drakon comlletely dsappeared, the cloud seemed to be sucked back to a central object. As it thinned we saw Eterna breathing the cloud in. He had created it and was now consuming it. His eyes faded back to normal, and he fainted again. I ranoveer to pick him up and rushed him along with Grover to the medical center of camp. Of the fiteen campers, twenty satyrs, a conselor, two hunters and goddess, we had lost all the campers and all but one of the satyrs. It was a disaster. I hope Clarrise was having better luck than us.

Clarrise Pov

This had been a very easy job. We hadn't lost a single camper. Not even a satyr had fallen. Wehad a bed of diamond coated electric spike ready to spring the moment these creatures moved along the barrier. We didn't even need to fight them. I was sure if it had goone so well for us, a goddess had to make it even easier for the other team. I was so wrong.

I met wiith Artemis in the central field hoping for a celebratory cheer. I would have thought the pit would destroy the creatures easily. If one had survived I would have thought she would have killed it easily.

"The pit worked like a charm didn't it? I mean they really are a work of genius huh?" I told her.

"Those spears only managed to pierce one of the creatures armor. It failed to penetrate the other. We lost all of them. Only my two hunters, Percy Jackson and the satyr Grover survived. Eterna managed to defeat the remaing two, but the loses were already suffered." she told me knocking the smirk right off my face. How could the pits only take out one? They wweere designed to take out Drakon. I had set them up years ago.

"Those pits are made of diamond coated material. Even Drakon scales can't stop that." I told her hoping she was kidding.

"Those spikes were merely celestial bronze electrified. They would only penetrate weaker scale. What makes you think they were diamond coated?" she told me. I stared at her in disbelief.

"Because I set them up myself. I coated them with diamond and had the whole Hepheastus cabin work to prepare them. How could they just be clestial bronze?" Shee didn't answer.

I can't believe this had happened. Someone had to of switched them because i remember every moment from their creation to placing them in the ground tthemselves. I just couldn't figure out who could havee swithed them without anyone noticing. They had only been there for a few hours, and we had people on watch the whole time.

"We need to talk to Chiron." I told her as we marched up to the big house.

Eterna Pov

I don't know how I did that, or even if I could do it again. I was just so afraid Thalia was going to be hurt. I wanted those Drakon gone so badly. I became so angry and then everything was pink again. I remember everything this time though. I remember the destruction of the creatures. I remember telling everyone to run. I even remember Thalia's voice as she told me everything would be alright as she carried me to the infirmary.

I woke up to find her next to my bed." Hello sleepy head. Have a good rest?" she asked me.

"Did we win?" i asked her knowing the answer. I just wanted to hear it from her.

"We suffered heavy losses but yeah. We won." She said leaning down to kiss my forehead.

"Good. Can I have a glass of water?" I said as I sat up. My mouth was dry as a bone from all that gas. It burned with each word.

"Sure." she said as she passed me a glass filled with water. She had one ready for when I woke up. She kneew I didn't like anything else. I sipped at it enjoying the feel on my dry throat.

When if felt a little better we got up and headed over to door. I wanted to see if anyone knew why five Lydian Drakon suddenly appeared and Attacked camp. It just didn't make sense. Their mating season was the only time they interacted at all, and only with the opposite sex. These had all been male, which normally kill each other on sight. These ones had attack as a group almost as if they had a plan. Drakon were not stupid creatures, but they attacked for food or territory. They don't need to plan anything. They just do, and alone at that.

I knew some else had to be influencing these creatures. I just couldn't figure who it would be. I would ask Artemis who she thought it was because I knew she would be wondering the same thing. We headed towards the big house where Artemis, Dionysus and Chiron were talking. When we got close I saw that Artemis had joined their card game. I didn't think she would ever do anything with Dionysus, considering he was her second least favorite god. Second only to Aphrodite as far as I knew.

"Mi'lady, do you believe the same thing I do?" I asked her as we got on the porch.

"Would that be that the Drakon were controlled by an outside force? If so then yes." She answered.

"Would you have any idea who would do that?" I asked. I couldn't think of anyone still in power who would want the camp gone.

"It's more a question of who could than who would. You see Lydian Drakon can not be controlled by even the gods or the titans. They are older than the gods, and all carry the blessing of Gaia, so they cannot be influenced by either of us. Personally, I can only think of three who could do it. Gaia who is once again ina deep sleep, Ouranus who has been scattered across the universe, and the Fates who merely watch and observe. The first two are in no state to influence them, and the third would have no reason too as well as going against their nature to do so." She told us.

She was right. I hadn't known these creatures were that hard to control, but if so those who could were either incapacitated or have no reason to.

"Also you should know they were not after the camp. I looked into the mind of a few of them and they had a target. It was you child." Dionysus said pointing to me.

"Me? Why would they be interested in me?" I asked. The prophecy regarding me had nothing to do with the ones capable of doing this, and those who saw it as an opportunity to take over were all out of commission.

"I think the prophecy goes deeper than just the gods. Maybe it involves older beings." Dionysus answered. Before we could say more, the one called Rachael came out of the house glowing green. We were all a little startled, but we also knew this meant a prophecy was to be told.

"Rachael, speak what you must." Chiron said. She kept walking until she was on the grass in front of the big house. She rose in too the air and spoke.

"All who hear these words must know. This shall finish the prophecy the gods have spoken of in their council." she must have meant the prophecy Apollo told us at the wwinter solstace.

Those who have existed since the very start

and spoke the words that harden many a heart

will come to fear the child of pink

and wish to destroy him before he reaches the brink.

They who know it cannot be fought

will try to prevent what they themselves wrought.

He shall be thrown into the Plane of Balance with another

and be left to prevent or create one or the other.

Destruction or creation shall be his decision

and the sacrifice he shall make with cost anothers ambitions

unless she chose to stand with him till the end

and follows him even in his evil trends.

These two, together or apart

will decide the Fate of all those since the start.

In the end they themselves with save all and become one

or lead all to destruction and become none.

She finished the propphecy and fell to the ground. I think we all knew exactly who was after me now. The ones who had been around since the start. The ones who knew not to fight destiny. The Fates.

Thalia Pov

The Fates were after my boyfriend, I was destined to possibly lose him and destroy everything in existance, and now we probably had every bad guy ever after us to stop us from following through with this destiny.

I knew yesterday would be our last peaceful day, but I thought it was just another war. If that were the case we could at least prepare for that and get ready for a fight. We could study our enemy and learn how to fight them.

Instead we were up against the fricking Fates, the oldest and most powerful beings in existance. You don't fight that, you simply allow that because there's no point in fighting it. Their name says it all.

I didn't care though. I would go through anything for him, even the Fates, and I think the prophecy stated that that would be put to the test. I was ready. Nothing would keep me from him. Nothing.

"Artemis we must inform the other gods. Maybe they can-" Chiron began to say, but was interrupted by Artemis.

"Can what? The very Fates are after him. The other gods would be of no aid here. They see all and know all. If they want this child gone, then there is little we can do. However, even the Fates cannot change destiny once started so they may try, but they will not get the child. I will personally see to that. You may inform the other gods, and tell them to prepare for rising. I fear many things other than just the Fates want him gone." she told him.

She was right. If the Fates were scared, then obviously others would want to stop him. I also knew that they would stop at nothing, regardless of who or what it took, to kill him. They knew they wouldn't be able to in the end though, and I would be there to make sure of that.