Hello, everyone. Here's the next chapter. Please review! Thanks!

Also… a few friends and I started writing a whole lot of new stories so far in an account called Novelist's Fantasy. It's also on my Favorite Authors list. So it'd be great if you guys could check it out and give a few comments and yeah… at any rate, thanks! XD

A Game of Fate

Chapter Twenty

They ran.

They just ran and ran, tearing out of the Titans Headquarters and into the forest ahead of them. Branches tore at their hair and clothes, but they didn't care. But Annabeth did worry a bit about the racket they were making. If it was just one person stomping over leaves, cursing, and charging through the undergrowth, they might stand a chance of escape, but seven people? Honestly, Annabeth was surprised that they weren't caught.

Soon, they crashed into a small forest clearing, collapsing onto the dusty ground, gasping and panting for breath.

"Are we chased?" Piper gasped.

"I don't think so," Annabeth said, wheezing. She hauled herself painfully to her feet and looked around. The forest was silent, apart from their raspy breathing.

There was a moment of silence.

Then, Percy gave a ragged whoop and threw a fist in the air. "We did it!"

Jason and Piper started to chuckle. Annabeth felt a grin splitting her face, and even Reyna, Nico, and Artemis looked as if they actually considered smiling and joining the celebration.

"Yeah, we did," Annabeth agreed.

"So… do we go back home now?" Piper asked.

"Yes," Artemis answered. She stood up. "Thank you for helping me."

"Aw, that was no problem at all!" Percy said, waving a hand, acting all blasé. "We do that every day,"

Jason nudged Percy playfully. "Pride cometh before the fall, child. Pride cometh before the fall."

"All right," Annabeth said. "First things first: is anyone injured?"

Everyone took a moment to inspect themselves. Apart from a few scratches and bruises, there was nothing too serious. Piper tore off some bandages and patched up the worst of the cuts, and the matter of injuries was taken care of.

"Secondly, food." Annabeth said. "We're kind of… lost in this forest, and we might be hiking for days. Did anyone happen to bring any food or water with them?"

There was a long, awkward pause.

"Well… ahem…" Jason rubbed his chin nervously. "Well, we came in kind of a rush, so we didn't really have time to pack and all…"

"Oh," Annabeth said. "Well… we have three water bottles, and one packet of dried fruit. And we all know how long that's going to last us, especially with your massive appetites."

Jason and Percy both started protesting, but Annabeth shushed them. She turned to Artemis respectfully. "You don't happen to know your way around here, do you?"

Artemis's eyes seem to swirl. "I'm not called the goddess of the hunt for no reason, Annabeth."

"So… you know how to get us out of here?" Reyna said.

Artemis nodded. She scanned the forest, and then tipped her head. "This way,"

Wordlessly, they got to their feet, sipped some water, and followed Artemis out.

For the next thirty minutes, they trekked through the forest, crunching over moldy leaves. Birds chittered overhead, and thin streams of sunlight shone from the green canopy above them. Jason and Piper walked side-by-side, chatting. Nico and Reyna walked quietly, not talking at all. Percy was at the back, whistling happily. Artemis led the way with Annabeth.

"So… how are you?" Annabeth swallowed nervously.

Artemis gave a small smile. "I'm fine, thank you very much."

"All right," Annabeth squeaked, and stared at her shoes. Literally thirty minutes ago, she was staring at death in the face. Now, she was worried about embarrassing herself in front of a childhood hero. Look how quickly things that matter change.

"How are you?" Artemis asked.

"Erm… I'm great!" Annabeth chirped.

Artemis laughed. And from then on, they were silent.

But that silence didn't last.

Because… well, why not? They were attacked. Again.

Branches snapped above them as people dressed in silvery hunting clothes dropped from the trees, landing like jungle cats, hissing. Small silver masks hid their faces, but Annabeth could clearly see the aggression in their eyes. Small timber wolves growled from the undergrowth, and hunting falcons screeched from the air. Knives appeared in the assailants' hands, and bows were deftly strung.

Annabeth drew her knife. Who were they? Titans? But the last time she checked, Titans didn't dress like that, and there was something about them…

There was another shout. Everyone reeled back as another group of people charged into view. This time, they were wearing sleek black jumpsuits and little black masks. Like the silvery group, they were armed to the teeth with knives, but they didn't have the wolves or falcons.

"Who are you?" Jason shouted.

Neither side made a single sound. In one perfectly synchronized move, they sprang forward.

Piper screamed as she fought, kicking at a black warrior. Jason was sparring with an assailant dressed in silver, while Nico lashed out another fighter. Annabeth fought like a wildcat, thrashing and writhing. But more and more warriors came pouring from the trees, churning apart the forest floor.

Hands covered Annabeth's mouth and nose. Screeching, Annabeth fought, but a sour smell filled her nose, and slowly, the world turned black.