Edge of Revelation

6 days later, in the halls of Olympus…

All the residents of Olympus were in a festive mood as news spread of Percy Jackson's success. Minor gods, nymphs, Olympians, all breathed a sigh of relief as Zeus and Poseidon called off hostilities. Many of the gods dispersed to celebrate while others watched the road for the arrival of the son of Poseidon. Zeus and Poseidon themselves awaited Percy in the throne room. This feeling of jubilation was not shared by all, however.

Partway down the mountain, a magnificent palace shimmered in the evening sun, glowing brighter as night fell and the moonrise drew near. Its silver walls sent rays of moonlight across its surroundings, though not so far as to annoy those in neighboring palaces. Deep within, the goddess Artemis stood alone. In one of her many chambers, she watched a still pool. The pool did not show her reflection, however. Upon its surface, the image of Hector, Serenity, and Diego working together to cut down hellhounds played like a live broadcast. As the last one was cut down Diego sighed, "That's the eighth ambush so far this week. I thought the monsters were more interested in Percy?"

Serenity answered, "We split ways some time back. For the monsters it could be as simple as eating in rather than going cross-country."

Hector laughed. "I think she has a point. At least its nothing too big yet." Artemis let a smirk cross her face and a knowing chuckle escaped her lips as she whispered, "Don't speak to soon my little hunter. Just wait for your trial."

Hector glanced down at the silver drachma. "We are almost at the forest Aunt Luna showed me. The Redwood National and State Parks." He tilted his head, as if listening to a voice. "And Big K says to follow the hind when we see it. It will lead us to the entrance to the valley." An annoyed expression settled on Hector's face. "And more ranting about how the gods don't deserve our service."

Artemis frowned as Diego sighed, "Does he ever talk about anything else? Bad enough to listen to him all day but he is like a broken record at this point."

Before Serenity could comment a golden light flashed in the corner of Artemis's eye. Her eyes glanced over before returning to the pool. "Brother, what have I said about entering my temple uninvited?"

"I can't recall little sis, why don't you remind me?" Apollo walked over and looped an arm over Artemis's shoulders. Appearing as a young adult, Apollo towered over Artemis's eight-year-old form. A t-shirt and jeans completed the casual appearance. Artemis sighed and gently pulled her brother's arm off her. "Don't call me sis, and I'm older than you."

Apollo's eyes narrowed in concern at her lack of reaction. Glancing down into the pool he softened and tried to give her a grin. "Cheer up. He can do it. You raised him afterall. Well, as best you could without alerting the other gods."

Artemis crossed her arms, her eyes troubled. "Our grandfather has been unrelenting with him. Every day, every hour he continues to whisper in his ear. Furthermore, I can sense that he has been using his power on Hector to weaken his resolve, increase his tolerance to dark thoughts. Every time Hector draws on his power Kronos gains a little more influence in his thoughts and mind. But there is nothing I can do now. I can't visit him again without father growing suspicious. I'm losing him Apollo."

"Nah sis." Apollo turned Artemis towards him and put a hand on each of her shoulders. "I get how you're feeling. I worry about my kids too, especially where grandfather is concerned. It's normal for a parent to feel this way." In response to Artemis's surprised look he gave a wry grin. "You girls may have told him that Naomi is his adopted mother, but you can't hide anything from me. We both know he will have worst quests ahead. It doesn't get easier, but I know that he'll make it back. Besides, you only helped him, right? You never used or abandoned him. He doesn't have any reason to believe otherwise."

Artemis took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "They are being tracked by monsters. You and I know what they are. They shouldn't have a scent. But monsters are somehow finding them with greater frequency. I think Athena is onto him. You know how she felt when their nature was discovered. If she finds out they're still alive…"

"And what would it matter if she did? We can talk down the council."

"Brother, all Kronos needs is evidence of me betraying him in order to convince him. If something happens and he is ambushed at the temple-"

Apollo released her and held out his hands. "Come on sis, stop worrying about it. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"

Another flash interrupted their conversation as Hermes entered the temple. Before Artemis could tell him off, he interrupted, "Council meeting after Percy returns the bolt."

His face was grim, his eyes dark with concern. Artemis waved a hand behind her back to wipe the pool clean while Apollo asked, "What's the emergency?"

Hermes next words made Artemis pale and Apollo's eyes go wide. "Athena has some news for Zeus, but she wants to share it with the council. She thinks that the son of Kronos has survived."

Meanwhile, in the redwoods of southern Oregon…

Hector, Diego and Serenity crested a hill overlooking the surrounding area. Redwood trees spread out like a green sea to match the blue sea in the distance. The roar of the Pacific sounded like distant thunder and from the ocean a cool wind blew, easing the tired trio. They had been making their way down from where the train left them in Washington, riding buses where they could and hiking cross-country where they had to. Their clothes were ripped and torn and their faces were covered in dirt and grime.

Despite their rough appearance and the new ease with which they carried their weapons, all three had a small smile on their faces. A kind of camaraderie had developed between them as they fought their way down south. Now they were at the doorstep of their destination and a feeling of excitement began to flow through them. Even the reserved Serenity was bouncing in her steps. They scanned the surrounding forest, looking for any trace of the golden hind. Serenity narrowed her eyes and pointed in the distance. "There, between the two hills. Its drinking right now so hopefully it will stay there."

Hector and Diego followed her finger to where she was pointing and exchanged a confused glance. "Serenity, you're pointing over a mile away. How could you even see anything?"

Serenity raised an eyebrow. "Very funny guys. Let's just go."

She ran in the direction of the hind. Hector and Diego shrugged and took off after her. A few minutes later they arrived at the brook, but no hind in sight. Diego looked around, then turned to Serenity. "No sign."

While Serenity attempted to defend what she saw to Diego, Hector was examining the ground to either side of the brook. It was difficult to make out anything as the forest was different than the one, he grew up in, but he managed to make out tracks along the edge. Kneeling down to examine them closer, he mentally ran them across the tracks that Aunt Luna and his mother taught him to recognize. Standing up he told the others, "Serenity was right. These tracks belong to a hind."

This time Serenity looked at the ground in confusion. "How can you tell?" Diego simply grinned. "Lead the way mountain boy."

Hector took point through the forest, keeping his head low and following the path of the hind. It had been a year since the last time he tracked anything and a few times he lost the trail. In those instances, he relied on Serenity to catch another glimpse of the hind. Diego hung back from the two, keeping an eye and ear out for anymore monsters tracking the groups. The sun ran across the sky as hours passed. The trail ran back and forth, leading higher and higher into the mountains before finally disappearing into a crevice in the side of the mountain. The entrance was narrow, just big enough for the hind to make it through. Daylight shone through the crack, showing the valley continued. The three stepped through Hector leading and Diego bringing up the rear.

On the other side, sheer rock walls towered over them on either side. An old path, little more than a goat trail, wound through the canyon. A lone eagle flew overhead, screeching as it saw the trio. They continued to follow the path until the rock walls spread apart, opening to a valley below. The three came to a halt at the top of the cliff. Diego let out a quiet, "Woah."

Unlike the redwood forests that they had come from, the valley that lay below was completely filled with evergreen trees. The very air felt different, as if a different climate was held within the valley. A single river circled through the valley, fed by various brooks pouring down from the surrounding mountains. The grandest part of the valley was a temple made of silver with a massive statue in the front: Artemis with the golden hind standing beside her.

The three descended into the valley and approached the temple. No words were spoken as they drank their surroundings. Hector could feel it in his skin, in his blood: there was power here, a wild magic that brought forth his memories of Aunt Luna and pushed the cold presence of Kronos back into the recesses of his mind. They climbed the steps to the statue which towered 20 feet above their heads. The statue's eyes were trained on where Mt. Olympus would be and in her left hand, she carried her bow while the right rested upon the hind. Walking around it they approached the temple itself. It was built in a Greek style and reminded Hector of images he had seen of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, that lost wonder of the world. What had Chiron said? That her sanctuaries had moved west? The realization struck him like a thunderbolt: This was the temple. Reduced and worn by millennia without priests to maintain but this valley was an echo of the original grandeur.

The temple doors lay ahead, a silver sheen covering them entirely. Three pedestals stood in front of the temple, with an inscription upon each pedestal. A final inscription was written into the stone floor. The writing was in Ancient Greek and Hector struggled to read it before sighing. "I could never get Greek. Serenity, you had the most luck with it. Would you?"

Serenity stepped to the front and was quiet for a few minutes, silently mouthing the words. "It appears to be a psalm to Artemis. I can't read the entire thing…but I think I understand what the trials are."

She pointed at the pedestals. "Those are offering bowls. A prospective hunter would bring a trophy from her kills and place them in the bowl, one for each. They each represented a different facet of the skills she would need. From left to right it would be the Trial of Strength, Accuracy, and Cleverness. Somewhere in this valley," she turned and gestured to the forest, "the goddess placed monsters to be hunted in accordance with the trials."

Diego eyed the forest nervously. "So, you're saying Aunt Luna handpicked monsters to kill us? You sure she forgave me Hector?"

Serenity tilted her head in curiosity while Hector nodded. "Yeah, she did. Don't worry; this was intended for me and not for you."

Diego sighed in relief and Hector looked around before continuing, "Night is falling quickly but I don't want to linger in her temple for too long. And…I have a feeling these trials are intended to be done by moonlight, when Artemis can oversee them personally from her moon chariot."

Serenity nodded as she reread the inscription. A twitch in her expression was the only clue to her increasing exasperation with the strange language. Diego asked, "Should we split up? Take on all three?"

Hector shook his head. "No, Aunt Luna told me that she designed these trials for when I was older. Since we are here early, we need to work together." Had I known this was her intent, I would not have been so eager to receive a quest.

Serenity glanced at the statue and whispered, "And…the blade?"

Glancing at the doors Hector replied in kind, "Prophecy spoke of the trials. That means the blade is probably inside and it is most likely a bad idea to try and break in early."

A chill breeze picked up, bringing the scent of pine needles but also a feeling of rebuke to Hector. He shivered and said to the statue, "I said I'm not trying to break in. I will respect your temple."

A brief flash drew Hector's attention to the door. He walked slowly over to it and saw just below the surface of silver a small indention made in the door. Reaching into his pocket he drew out the coin and compared it. "It seems like the coin will fit, but I'm guessing the barrier won't go down till the trials are done."

Serenity probed, "What if it doesn't?"

Hector replied, "Then we'll think of something. Let's sit and rest at the bottom of the temple. Catch a breather before nightfall. Tonight's a full moon, and we're going hunting."