Hi. Sorry this chapter took so long. I couldn't figure out what to do with it. So...read and review? And if you like Harry Potter, would you go check out some of my other stories? They're being neglected. They have no love.

The Hunters all started talking at once, complaining and whining in a deafening clamour. I winced, holding a hand to my ear. Annabeth turned to Thalia, jerking her chin toward the group of girls. Some of them were over a thousand years old. You'd think they'd have more control.

"HEY!" Thalia yelled. Silence fell. Thalia smiled sarcastically. "Thank you. Now if you'd all stop acting like you're six, we can move on."

She paused to glare at one of the girls. The younger girl had her arms crossed over her chest, a pout affixed on her face.

"For those of you who didn't understand, that wasn't a question. That was an order. Artemis wants a few of us to get stuff done. Too many Hunters will get in the way. Thus, you guys are going to Camp Half-Blood. I want you to get your butts over there without complaining. Annabeth and Atalanta will take you."

Before anyone could voice a complaint, Thalia whirled around to storm away, three girls following her. Annabeth stared after her. Then she turned to me, hissing, "She left us with this? I'm going to kill her."

Annabeth turned to the Hunt, a confident smile on her face. "For those of you who don't know, I'm Annabeth, daughter of Athena. This is Atalanta, daughter of Aether."

I flinched almost imperceptibly as a Hunter who looked about twelve looked at me curiously, head tilted to one side. I forced a smile, shaking hair in front of my face. She shifted her gaze to Annabeth. "Is this really necessary?"

"You heard Thalia," Annabeth told her. "What's your name?"

"Serena."

"Serena, I don't want to have to argue with you. We have to get to Camp Half-Blood as soon as possible. There's a war going on. We need all the help we can get," Annabeth reminded her. "That includes you. You'll still be fighting, still serving Artemis. Just not directly. Just through us, not Thalia."

Serena glanced quickly at the taller girl at her right, then at me. Finally, her gaze returned to Annabeth. She twirled her dagger between her fingers and sighed theatrically. "Fine."

The Hunters, I realized, made terrible travelling companions. Maybe it was because these were the youngest and the least accomplished, or maybe because their goddess and lieutenant were both gone. Whatever it was, most of them refused to shut up.

I blocked them out, focusing on the walk. I emptied my mind of all thoughts, of every sensation. I walked.

I couldn't do it for long. Eventually, my eyes wandered to the Hunter beside me.

That could have been me. I could have chosen to join the Hunt. I could have had companions.

What would my life have been like? Would I have been able to laugh and joke and complain?

I realized the girl was looking back at me, an amused glint to her eyes.

"You know," she began thoughtfully, flashing me a grin, "Aether wasn't the best choice."

"What?" I asked blankly. The girl stared at me, her face a cross between amused and angry.

"Do you think I'm an idiot?" she demanded, her voice growing harsh. "I mean, really. Of all the gods you could have picked...Logically, of course, it was a good choice. Primordial god, the children of whom don't get chased by too many monsters...But you made the mistake of saying that in front of me. An actual daughter of Aether. I can tell that you aren't one."

I swore harshly in my head. Why hadn't I thought of that? What were the odds that I would encounter an actual child of Aether, amongst the Hunters and a camp with cabins for only the twelve major gods?

I was distracted from my thoughts and horrified by the girl's next question. "So, Atalanta – who are you?"