AN: Thanks to "gamer98" for the positive review and the boost in views, it's much appreciated :) To give you some feedback: I am sorry for any spelling/grammar errors that might occur. English is not my native language and I use the British way of spelling words (like colour/color).

I have tried bringing the original characters more to the front next to my own creations, so I am happy it is working. As to why Circe is working with CHB, you're correct that blood is thicker than water. You'll find out more about this later on.

Chapter 25 Consequence

The friends sat at the amphitheatre discussing the return of their friend.

'Rain told me that they had to drug him into submission,' said Cate. 'I'm glad he still got spirit, but that doesn't sound all that good.' She tossed the drachma to Damien who ran it across his knuckles.

'You should've heard him yelling at Helen and cursing everything and everyone when he woke up,' said Eve as she continued to restring her bow. 'She came in furiously scrubbing her face and asked where she could find the spit mask.'

'A what?' asked Cali as she turned her marshmallows around in the fire.

'You have those?' asked George as he sharpened a knife.

Eve nodded. 'We have a lot of equipment. After the whole thing with Nyx, Will and Harley wanted to get more specialized material. A spit mask is mostly used in situations where patients spit at their caretakers.'

'Sam spat at Helen? Oh dear,' said Jesse.

'Yeah, I heard that they might tell him everything, but it could have serious consequences,' said Cali. She offered one of the pieces to the group and bit in hers. 'And then you have the whole Sarah thing as well.'

'But she's at Jupiter, no? So they'll take care of her for now,' said Damien.

A trio approached them. Two cloaked figures stepped from the shadows. Removing their hoods, they revealed themselves as John and Suzan. Percy joined them a moment later.

'Eve? You busy?'

The group turned to the three. Eve stood up.

'Not really, what's up?'

'We need you to come with us. Sam is being told about the Greek mythology world and we might need your help.'

'Of course.'

Eve picked up her bow and joined the three before jogging towards the hospital.

'The myths are stories that were told to explain the world, later the philosophers started questioning them as science started to emerge as a way to explain the world with proof,' recited Sam. 'Today they often serve as metaphors and sources of inspiration for fictional works, like that one.' Sam nodded at the book.

'You've read it?' asked Annabeth.

'Gotta do something when being locked up in a nuthouse,' replied Sam with a grin as Violet rolled her eyes.

'What do you think of it?'

'Pretty cool premise, neatly woven into the real world. Loveable characters, decent fantasy by my standards. The whole thing about the gods influencing the world is a good cover for the Greek style of building things. And democracy too. Even her scout troop is called after the maidens of Artemis.'

'True,' said Annabeth with a smile. 'But what if I were to tell you that some parts of the book are real?'

Sam thought about it for a second. 'What is real?'

'Remember to keep an open mind about this. The Greek and Roman gods are real and they have children with mortals. These children are demigods and are trained to get the hang of things as a demigod. We all have forms of ADHD and or dyslexia as a result of demigods being able to read ancient Greek or Latin.'

Sam chuckled before laughing at the people sitting in front of him. 'We? Violet, I think I have another patient for you. Listen, Annabeth, why don't you untie me and let me walk out of here. You're crazier than me.'

'Sam, I lied to you,' Violet cut in. 'The Greek gods are real and we are their children and descendants.'

'You … you lied,' muttered Sam as his eyes glistened. Sam cackled as he blinked the tears away. 'You lied.'

'Sam,' spoke Annabeth calmly. 'You are one of us. You came to this summer camp to train at being a demigod. Earlier this year you had some trouble and attacked a god. This got you exiled until you came back.'

'Could we stop for a minute?' asked Sam. 'You are telling me that I am a demigod, but it just can't be. Can you guys leave for a while?'

Violet watched her former patient as she sensed the turmoil in his emotions. The sharp anger was fighting with fear. Disbelief was crumbling beneath a wave of sadness.

'Of course. We could release the restraints if you promise to not leave,' said Violet.

'I can't,' replied Sam decisively.

'Alright,' said Violet. 'Do you want a drink? We can get you something.'

Sam shook his head. 'No thanks, but could you get my notebook? I want to read it again.'

'Sure thing. Hunter, you coming?'

'Give me a sec.' Hunter grabbed the rail at the end of the bed and stared at Sam's eyes. 'Ask away.'

'Did you lie to me too?' The shakiness in his voice was louder than the words.

Hunter nodded. 'Yes, but not about myself. I am a Hunter of Artemis and I was charged with keeping you safe. In the end, I kept a friend safe from harm.' She gave him a smile.

His stare hardened. 'You're not a friend. You're a fraud. Get out.'

Violet pulled Hunter away as her expression changed. She pushed the girl against her shoulder and held her in the middle of the hallway as Annabeth closed the door. The maiden cried silently as Violet comforted her. She waved the daughter of Athena away as she felt Hunter's pain rise up.

Arriving at the hospital, the group found Annabeth seated next to a distraught Hunter Kowalski and Violet who was trying to keep Hunter close by.

'Hey guys,' said Annabeth giving them their privacy by guiding the others towards the hallway.

'What's up with the hunter?' asked Suzan.

'Sam sort of reacted negatively to the idea of him being a demigod and getting "tricked",' admitted Annabeth. 'He lashed out at Hunter and she's not taking it very well. They went through a lot together and she's hurt.'

'Hell, this is turning into a major train wreck,' said John with a sigh. 'We need mom to reverse the Mist. He'll be able to handle it better if he has all of his memories intact.'

'Hunter, please stay. We could use you,' said Violet loudly as the hunter pushed the notebook into her hands and made her way towards the door. 'He didn't mean it like that. He's scared and frustrated.'

'You heard him, he doesn't need me anymore.' And with that, the hunter vanished into the early night.

'Balls,' cursed Violet approaching the group. 'We need to tread lightly, if we want to keep the consequences to a minimum.'

'Maybe John is right,' said Percy. 'Can't we wait for Hecate to do her thing?'

'Let's wait until after we've talked to him again,' decided Eve. 'It's what you brought me here for.'

They nodded and together made their way to Sam's room.

She walked around aimlessly, avoiding people as they appeared at each corner and turn. The early autumn air of Sepetmber was colder, but closing up her jacket didn't seem to help. The knot in her stomach became worse as she remembered the nights they had laughed and eaten grilled food close to the fire.

Eventually her feet brought her to a shrine. The walls and floor were made of marble, while the benches were made from a blue stone. Lit torches luminated the space. At the end stood a large statue. It took Hunter a moment to realize it was the Athena Parthenos.

Ignoring the tall image of the war goddess, Hunter sat down on one of the benches and hugged her knees leaning against a cold wall. Fresh tears stung as they slid down her cheeks. A wail escaped her lips and resonated against the structure.

'I never liked it when girls cried in my temples,' spoke a voice.

Hunter felt a cloth brush against her cheek, wiping away the tear. She tensed as she saw the cloth was held by a well-manicured hand.

'Especially, when they cry because of one of my children,' spoke another.

Hunter slowly let her legs slide down as she turned to Athena.

The war goddess was dressed in battle armour, with blue robes covering her body. She used a piece of that cloth to wipe away Hunter's tear. Her grey eyes were comforting, yet calculating. The goddess wiped away the other tear and made the cloth bigger and draped it over Hunter like a blanket.

'Thank you, Lady Athena,' sniffed Hunter.

'Do not mention it. Smart girls are not to cry in my shrine.'

Hunter nodded before turning her attention to the second goddess in the room. She wore dark robes that seemed to melt together with the shadows. Green runes flickered in the darkness. Her face was ghastly white, with tired green eyes staring at the shrine. In her hands she held a black helmet shaped like a cat head.

'Lady Hecate,' muttered Hunter courteously.

'Hunter Kowalski,' replied the goddess.

'It's been a while since I saw you wear that helmet,' said Athena with a raised eyebrow. 'Last time you had the entire island of Manhattan confined.'

'I only wear it in times of great need,' replied Hecate with a sigh. 'When magic might not be enough. But blue robes, Athena? If I didn't know better, people could assume you could be pleasing the Lord of the Seas.' Hecate grinned.

Athena returned the grin with a playful glare.

Hunter had held her breath during the exchange, afraid to disturb either one of them.

'Breathe, my dear,' said Hecate. 'We won't vaporize you.'

'I do not like staining my shrines and she likes the people who keep her children safe,' retorted Athena. 'That's why her eldest is expecting a baby.'

'He doesn't want me to be there,' exclaimed Hunter.

'Because he is scared, angry and disappointed,' said Athena. 'He feels betrayed by a friend he thought he could trust. Give him time to think and he will get back.'

'Trust us,' said Hecate. 'Sam is a stubborn boy, and yes that is my fault.' Hecate silenced the war goddess with a look. 'It's part of who I am and I pass it on pretty easily, but he cares for those he loves. And love is quite powerful magic.'

Hunter groaned as she looked up and saw the stars on the ceiling. 'But I am a fraud. I was not a random encounter, I was a pawn in the Fates' plan. It was my task to keep him safe.'

'And yet, he feels badly about what he said,' replied Hecate with a small smile. 'Would that be what you feel if you wanted to cut ties?'

Hunter shrugged. 'I guess not.'

The green runes on the shadowy robes glowed up and Hecate gave Athena a nod. 'We must go, it is time.'

'Wait, what's happening?' asked Hunter.

'It's time for the last preparations,' said Athena with a stern gaze. 'Battle is coming and we need Sam's power.'

Without any further warning, both goddesses vanished in columns of fire, leaving Hunter alone in the shrine.

As Hunter opened her eyes, she looked back up to the ceiling and its stars. As she walked out of the shrine, she noticed that she was still wearing the blue cloth Athena had given her.

It was covered in silver specks, resembling the stars on the ceiling. A black and white design of a compass rose stood in the middle. Suddenly the black parts melted away and formed a cat figure. The shadow cat walked across the cloth and played with the stars.

Hunter draped it around her shoulders before feeling a weight in her pocket. She reached in and pulled out the disposable camera she and Sam had bought in Indianapolis. Hunter let out a laugh as the idea formed in her head. Feeling comforted by the cloak, the Hunter of Artemis ventured into the night.