Chapter 10

The ceiling glows red, then the ceiling starts burning! I am frozen with fright, then leave to look outside! A star... a very large star has landed on my ceiling! I run back inside in amazement. The star is floating barely above my floor, even then, my floor is glowing. The star forms a shape of a man, "I've a way to help you escape." The burning and glowing ceases and a handsome man with curly golden hair and golden eyes appears.

"Who are you?" I say-coldly, but very interested.

"Do you not recognize me?" he laughs, pulling out a golden bow and golden arrows, and posing.

"Apollo..." I whisper, his presence makes me feel like I'm drowning in fear and anger... the very man who killed my father. He smiles, "Yes-it is I, nephew. Long time no see?"

(Darn, sorry for interrupting you but... I wish I could stop there! That would be a totally awesome dramatic moment! Continuing, again, sorry!)

"Why are you here?" I swallow. He approaches closer and I feel a bit too hot because he is the sun god.

"Think... Why would I be here?" he chuckles. I take a deep breath to calm myself but thoughts are running through my head, has he come to punish me? Then, a horrible thought comes to mind, has he come to... kill me? His own nephew? I wince at the thought.

"I haven't come to kill you, nephew... even though you do quite look like Orion," he wrinkles his nose, "anyways... I've come to set you free to the real world."

"How long have you known about my existence... and why do you want to 'set me free'? Artemis-Mother is against it, then why should you be?" Apollo smiles, "Yes, she is. But, I hated that Orion-he didn't deserve Arte... anyways, Artemis wants to keep you safe and hidden, because if you get set loose... well, her name will be ruined and-"

"Aren't you two close?" I ask.

"I feel bad for you... I know how it is to be punished to one place... anyways, I will claim you and say you're my son... if..." he grins. I groan, "Why would I want to be claimed by you. " I give him a disgusted look and Apollo's voice grows loud, "Be quiet, demigod!" then, he calms down, "You want to protect your mother, don't you? Anyways, I know you later will, so if you accept..." I shake my head, "I'm not quite convinced, Apollo." I sneer, "I sort of got into a fight with her?" Apollo nods, "I'm aware. Anyways-I know you're pretty close with her and if someone gets ahold of you, well... they might threaten Arte and well, we might get into a war with some people and, uh, that would pretty much kill all the mortals-duh."

"Fine, to save the mortals. That's one, uncle. I'll take it... so what's the 'if'?" Apollo beams, and I mean actually beams, "Now we're talking! My 'if' is a quest. Deal?"

"What's the quest?" I ask. Apollo chuckles, "The quest involves some minor gods... if you've been educated properly by Arte, you should know Eris, Hectate, Phobos, and Demios." I swallow, "I know them... the minor gods and goddesses. Eris is the goddess of strife and discord. She's the daughter of Nyx, who is the goddess of night. The Romans called her Discordia. She's the opposite of Harmonia-obviously the goddess of harmony. Hectate is the goddess of magic, crossroads, witchcraft, the night, necromancy, ghosts, and the moon. Zeus favors her, I heard... She has black hair, luminous skin, and starry eyes. She's a virgin goddess and her parents are Perses, the titan of destruction... anyways, and her mother, Asteria the titan of the starry night, who is the daughter of the Titans Coeus and Phoebe and sister of Leto. Her Roman name was Trivia. Mother told me she is recognized as a wicked, gruesome goddess, but she does have a powerful, gentle, and generous side of her, as well. Deimos means dread. He's the son of Ares and Aphrodite, the twin brother of Phobos. He is the minor god of dread and terror. Phobos was the minor go of panic and fear. Both usually accompany their father into battle. Oh... and Eris is Ares's brother, so that makes her Phobos and Deimos's aunt." I finish.

"They are in London and causing dread, terror, panic, fear, strife, and discord. That obviously means there is Phobos, Deimios, and their aunt, Eris. Hectate is there as well-because there is talk of ghosts at night and witchcraft, and people saying they say the ghosts."

"What can I do?" I ask. I scoff, "Go tell Ares to control his crazed boys and sister!"

"You shouldn't have said that." Apollo grimaces, "Ares has a temper and pride... Remember, Aphrodite takes offense-she has her pride and saying her boys are 'crazed' is not good." I shrug, "What's my quest?"

"Restore order in London. I visited the Oracle of Delphi... she said this-and this is part of the reason I'm not killing you..."

"How am I supposed to do that?" Apollo rolls his eyes, "Rachel." he calls. A girl with red hair, green eyes, about 5'7 appears.

"So?"

"Hi Apollo!" she greets us, and looks to me, "I'm Rachel Elizabeth Dare-"

"Orion, son of the moon... for Eris, you must seek something from Harmonia... Hectate, she is not all bad... but you must not make her mad... Phobos and Demios are trouble... you just need something double... Orion, son of the stars... you shall defeat the son of Mars... go forth and find friends... but one shall be shred... it shan't be easy... no, you will find things and it will not be all that breezy... you shall be victorious... but do not be too vainglorious... for there is much more to come... yes, much to overcome... alas, begin your journey, son of moon and stars... may this be with you-charm..."

Rachel shakes herself awake, "It's nice to meet you!" she sees us staring at her, "Oh... I've made a prophecy." She bites her lip, "What did I say?" Apollo explains to her and Rachel reassures me, "Orion... don't be so afraid... the Oracle isn't always... well, don't take it for your road-things could turn out differently... anyways, farewell, and good luck." Rachel disappears.

"Interesting..." Apollo smiles. I just mutter, "That was just weird."

"Well, Orion? Go on... I see you're all packed up!" Apollo shakes his head, laughing, "Oh, no, wait... here, I must get you out first... by the way-how old are you... really?" he says as we float through my ceiling.

"About a thousand years." Apollo nods, "I thought it should be around that age..."

I gasp in awe at what is in front of me.

(Artemis sends you little arrow bracelets!)