CHAPTER 10

1 week later

Aria was concerned as she finished off a cyclops it had referenced her as the golden hunter. Since facing the manticore she has come across several monsters and most of them have mentioned golden hunter mainly when she brought her sword out. She did not know what to believe. Peggy and the others noticed that she seemed to be more quiet. They were around at Howard's having dinner when there was a knock at the door. Jarvis went and opened it.

"Miss Aria I believe it is for you." He called to her as she got up and went to see who it could be when she saw who it was she couldn't stop the smile.

"Zoe?" She greeted

"It is time to return." Zoe stated looking over the mortals she was with as the others came to see who it was at the door. Hearing what she said made them tense.

"You can't just take her back like that." Howard stated but he backed down after seeing the glare she was giving him.

"Artemis wants me back?" Aria asked grabbing Zoe's attention so she would not hurt Howard.

"Yes, we must leave." Zoe stated

"Surely you could..."

"Zoe can you give me a minute?" Aria asked when Zoe sent a death glare at Howard she instead turned to Aria giving her a small nod walking back out the door. Aria turned around to face them they all looked sad. "We all knew this was coming." Aria stated

"True but still will not mean we won't miss you."

"You never know this might not be indefinite." Aria stated moving over to Peggy giving her a hug. They could see in her eyes however that she did not really believe it. "For men you were not that bad." Aria stated looking at Howard and Jarvis. "Next time I see you I will show you that pig." Aria stated looking at Howard he actually chuckled. "Keep him out of trouble Mr Jarvis, he is one that attracts it. It was a pleasure meeting you." She stated before moving over to the wall where she left her bow and quiver.

"What about your guitar?" He asked as they made their way to the door Aria was next to Zoe she turned back.

"Keep it for me, I will be back for it." Aria stated before running off with Zoe they disappeared down the street.

Aria ended up following behind Zoe letting her lead the way. Once they were back in the forest did Zoe talk.

"Thou art more quiet." She stated slowing her pace so she was walking next to her.

"I have been away for nearly three years. I did not mean too but I grew attached." Aria stated looking behind her.

"Thy others art looking forward to seeing thou again. We art thou family." Zoe stated

"Family...yeah." She agreed but Zoe caught her tone and stared at her closely.

"Is everything okay?" She asked and Aria looked at her she knew that if Zoe wanted to, she could make her answer her.

"I need to speak with Artemis." Aria responded as they once again began to run. Aria had forgotten how much she missed this just running through the forest. A smile pulled at her lips as she ran gaining speed jumping over bushes and swinging from trees. She heard the whistle so slowed down her pace picking up the sentry in the trees she looked over at Zoe and grinned as they moved into camp. The others all looked over at her as she walked with Zoe towards Artemis's tent.

"Lady Artemis." Aria lowered her head in respect once she had entered the tent. There she spent an hour discussing everything she had done and learnt the time she was away.

"Something else is on your mind." Artemis stated once she had finished talking.

"It is nothing MiLady." Aria stated Artemis's response was a single arched eyebrow. This made Aria sigh.

"While I was away, I came across a monster, it seemed to know me. But I know I have not faced it before. It said some things." Aria stated looking at Artemis who seemed to take an interest in what she was saying.

"What did it say?" She asked

"It said that it did not want to cross blades with the golden hunter again." Aria stated

"What monster was it?"

"Manticore...Milady?" Aria asked noting the small crease on her forehead she knew this was the equivalent for her frowning.

"Did it say anything else?" Artemis asked and Aria felt some of her power seep into her demanding the truth.

"It said that he would be interested in knowing my location, it called me princess of Alia. That you were deceiving me not it...that it found highly amusing and that I could not remember." Aria stated "Milady? It was lying yes? You are not deceiving me?" Aria asked when she noticed a certain look in her eyes as she spoke. "Artemis?" She asked when it became clear Artemis was not going to reply.

"I am not deceiving you." Artemis stated but Aria saw her small reaction when she mentioned princess of Alia. "It is late. You should get some rest. Phoebe has your gear." Artemis stated and Aria knew this was her telling her to drop it. Aria stayed there staring at her for a few extra seconds no doubt she was frowning as she tried to decipher what this all meant.

"Milady." She said lowering her head leaving the tent as she left Zoe entered the pair locked eyes for a second before moving on. Artemis watched her leave letting lose a sigh.

"Lady Artemis?" Zoe questioned moving in and sitting in the spot Aria just left.

"She is starting to suspect." Artemis stated

"She will not remember." Zoe pointed out

"No, those memories are gone. Still it will not stop her power. He is searching for her again."

"She is with thy hunt." Zoe stated

"That never stops him."

"She is with thee."

"I cannot stop her curse." Artemis stated getting lost in thought.

"I can prepare her."

"No, we cannot interfere with her curse. It will only make things worse. Keep an eye on her though."

"Yes Milady." Zoe stated before leaving the tent. Artemis sighed deeply closing her eyes she never liked it when this happened and the time was getting close.

Aria had spoken with Phoebe for a while promising to tell her everything tomorrow and taking her things she set up her own tent and went to bed. The look in Artemis's eyes still on her mind. Artemis knew something, she was keeping it from her. She believed her when she said that she was not deceiving her, but she was definitely holding something back. Aria ended up falling asleep. In the morning it was weird to get back into this routine. She did her chores spoke to the others then had some quality time with Nia. She ended up sparring with Phoebe then helping her collect herbs. The day went by rather fast and before she knew it they were having dinner. Artemis joined them around the camp fire. The mood was rather relaxed as laughter flowed around the campfire. Aria was busy talking with Phoebe not paying the others much attention, but she could feel eyes on her she planned to ignore it knowing it was either Artemis or Zoe.

They ended up getting up at dawn packing up camp they were on the move. They had spent three weeks traveling hunting at night resting at midday. Artemis would leave them to do her responsibilities on Olympus. And join them when they were complete. It was strange to Aria it felt like she never left. She noted how she was never actually tired after a long day of travelling. She seemed to have excess energy. She found herself relishing in the hunt especially when it came to monsters.

She was currently with Phoebe tracking some form of monster through the trees. Both had an arrow at the ready so when they came across not one but five cyclops the two of them worked in sync managing to kill three before they could defend themselves. The remaining two roared one of them sent a tree in Phoebes direction. As the other attacked Aria with a club. This club was huge bigger then herself and it smashed through trees with a loud cracking sound. Aria dived out of the way jumping over a log she let lose an arrow but the cyclops moved his hand so the arrow struck his hand instead of his eye. Aria summoned her sword dodging the swing of his club she swung her sword down splitting the club in half. She noticed the flow to her sword seemed to be brighter as she moved the cyclops roared in rage throwing its broken club at her only for it to freeze. It was staring at her sword then its eye moved to her.

"Gol'n hun'er" he stated stepping back from her Aria tilted her head to the side she saw fear on its face. She did not think monsters would show fear.

"Aria!" Phoebe called out making Aria turn to see that Phoebe was in need of help. She side stepped the foot as the cyclops tried to step on her slicing through its leg it screamed in pain. Falling to its knees her backhand stroke already on the way decapitating it. She ran over to Phoebe her sword at the ready she felt a pull in her stomach as her speed increased she ran up a tree and jumped with a downward stroke she sliced the monster turning it to yellow ash. She rolled when she landed. Moving over to Phoebe who was staring at her with wide eyes.

"Are you hurt?"

"Only my pride. It got the drop on me. I am sorry."

"You are alive. Come on we can tell Zoe we got them."

"I still do not understand why they did that to the camp?" Phoebe stated

"They are monsters." Aria replied

"They called you golden hunter, what is that about?"

"Could be about the sword. It glows gold." Aria replied with a shrug but inwardly was trying to figure it out too. They made it back to their camp confirming with Zoe that the cyclops were dealt with. Zoe acknowledged it before sending them off to complete their chores. They were setting up camp to wait for Artemis's return. Phoebe left but Aria hung back Zoe looked at her waiting for her to speak.

"Golden Hunter?" Aria stated she saw Zoe harden her expression before responding.

"What?"

"Tell me why monsters keep referring me to that name." Aria stated

"I do not..."

"Do not lie to me!" Aria demanded

"Watch thou tone." Zoe stated her own tone had an edge to it, one that usually meant do not test me.

"I know you know something. You have been keeping an eye on me since I have returned." Aria stated she would usually back down but she was beyond frustrated at the secrets.

"Aria..." she was now using her warning tone.

"No, unless you are going to answer my question I do not want to hear another lie." Aria stated back she felt angry.

"Zoe?" One of her sisters asked they now had most of the others attention.

"Leave us." Zoe stated making the others leave. "Aria calm down!" She stated but Aria did not calm down she had no idea where this anger was coming from, but it was clouding her judgment. She didn't even realise that she had summoned the sword as it glowed in her hand it was like it was feeding off her anger as it shone brighter. Before she knew what she was doing she was attacking. Zoe had her own hunting knives out blocking her attacks. They were both expert fighters and have sparred many times over the years but right now Aria was fighting savagely. She managed to disarm one of her blades. Zoe had to put distance between them. Aria ended up following her as Zoe moved the fight away from the camp. Once they were away from camp Zoe went on the attack, Aria blocking with ease her sword was like an extension of herself. She managed to disarm her other hunting knife as Zoe crouched pulling out a knife.

"Aria stop!" Zoe stated as Aria was getting ready to do a downward stroke she cried out in pain the sword dropping to the ground as her hands clutched her head. She ended up falling to the ground Zoe moving over to her she noticed that Artemis was standing behind her. Zoe figuring that Artemis intervened.

"What was that?" Zoe asked it was like Aria was possessed.

"What I feared might happen." Artemis stated "Are you alright?"

"I am fine Milady. What happens now? Is she..."

"She is asleep."

"Thy way she fought. It was like thy old her." Zoe stated

"Her curse is starting up again." Artemis stated

"Thy others is she..." Zoe did not want to ask she did not want to think that she could be a danger to the others but if she started fights none of the others would be able to hold her off. Zoe watched as Artemis pulled out two arm bands placing them on Aria.

"I should have put those on her when she returned I am sorry." Artemis stated looking at her. "I thought I had more time." She added

"He is looking for her." Zoe guesses

"Yes, he is on our trail."

"We cannot interfere?"

"No, this fight has to be her. I will tell her tonight. Take the hunt keep moving." Artemis stated Zoe looked like she wanted to refuse that she wanted to stay and support them but she knew from experience that she nor any of the other hunters could interfere.

"We will wait at Kingsriver." Zoe stated that was half a days journey from here.

"If you do not hear from us in three days make your way to the camp." Artemis instructed at that Zoe really looked like she wanted to protest to but nodded her head. She got up and returned to the others leaving Artemis with Aria.