mere hours, and before I knew it, it was Friday. Today evening, I would have to inform Thalia about my decision. I have to admit, even though she gave me plenty of time to make up my mind, I still haven't done so. My mind is still divided into two parts. One part of me thinks that it would be stupid of me to decline her generous invitation, only because I would miss my family too much and become emotional. Indeed, it would be a great experience for me that if I turned down, could never experience it again. Besides, it wasn't like I was all alone. The hunters were a very tight-knit group, so they would become my new family.
Another part of me urges me to turn down the offer because it would be too selfish of me to just leave all my friends, and family behind like that. If I joined the hunters, who knew when I would see them again. It could be a few months, years, or even decades later! Besides, it kept reminding me that I wasn't qualified enough to join them. I can't even defend myself with a sword! Sure, I knew how to use a bow and arrow quite well, but it wasn't enough to guarantee that I could successfully defend myself with it, whenever and wherever required. Practicing archery at camp was one thing, and attacking others with a bow and arrow is a completely different thing.
This is what was bothering me for the past few days. I would even get headaches, from thinking so much about it! Painkillers only helped to a certain extent. Livia did her best to guide me, and it helped. So did Percy, and Annabeth. Percy was all for me joining the hunters. Annabeth on the other hand, gave it a more rational thought, unlike Percy. But hey, it's Percy we're talking about.
Annabeth did help by giving me a brief overview of what would happen if I was to join the hunters. First, I would have to take the oath, in front of Lady Artemis. Then, she had to accept it. Only then, would I officially become a hunter She also told me about two friends of hers, who were hunters, and passed away during a battle. One was Bianca DI Angelo, and she apparently had recently joined the hunters, when she sacrificed herself, for the quest to succeed. On the very same quest, died another hunter Called Zoe. She had been a hunter for a long time but died from a poisonous bite from a dragon known as Ladon. Somewhere, in my mind, I vaguely recollected hearing the name Ladon before, but it felt like it was ages ago.
After speaking about her late friends, however, Annabeth looked quite crestfallen and sad. She, like Livia, encouraged me to chose what I thought was right, and assured that me that neither decision was wrong. I politely thanked her, before allowing Percy and Annabeth to return to whatever they were doing. I never expected to hear myself saying this, but Annabeth and I could become pretty good friends. If it wasn't for the fact, that I used to loathe her for dating Percy, as I had a crush on him. I sighed. It felt like that happened ages ago when it's only been a few weeks.
As soon as I got home from school, the first thing I did after freshening up, was play some music, and sit down on my bed, as I forced myself to make a decision. I felt that that music would help, but instead of playing a trendy pop song, I played some classical music. Specifically, ones played on the piano. And then, I began thinking. I pondered for ages until I finally came to a decision. It was an extremely difficult one, but it felt like what would be best for me, keeping in mind what Percy, Annabeth, and Livia said. I could only hope that my choice, would turn out to be a good one. At some point in time, my cat Hestia jumped onto the bed, and sat on my lap, as I stroked her soft fur.
I had already packed my bag for camp, by the time my godmother got home. She walked in just as I finished zipping up my bag.
"Hi Ster, you ready?" She asked me, putting her office bag in a chair.
"Yep, all done," I said, giving her a thumbs up.
"Alright. I'll just wash my face, and be down in a few minutes, okay?" She told me, as she went upstairs. I called out a 'yes' after her and slumped down on the sofa. A few minutes later, Livia came down her car keys in hand. I got up from the sofa, slinging my bag over my shoulder, as I strode towards her. "Have you made up your mind" She gave me a reassuring smile? I nodded, giving her a weak smile in return. "Try not to worry too much dear. Remember, I will always support you no matter what." I simply nodded again, too nervous to speak.
We left our house, as she locked the door behind us, while I continued to go up to our car. She unlocked the door, and I quickly got in, shut the door, as I sighed. I heard the door next to the driver shut, and the engine start before the car began moving. Throughout the car ride, I fiddled with my fingers and the pendant chain around my left wrist. The silver-grey pendant seemed to glow brighter today as if wishing me luck.
Once we reached, the car stopped as Livia and I got out. She walked over to my side and faced me.
"You can do this, okay." She placed her hands on my shoulders. I pulled her into a hug, and she put her arms around me. We stayed like that for a while, before I pulled back.
"I have to go. I'll IM you about what happens as soon as possible." She gives me a smile again, and I smile back before I begin climbing the hill. "Bye Livia," I say to her.
"Bye Ster. Good Luck!"
As I got closer to camp, I spotted Peleus in close proximity, and the entrance right in front of me, around 20 feet away. I kept going until I was less than two feet away from the gate. I took a deep breath, and exhaled, as I stepped over the border.
Camp looked just like it always did: demigods were everywhere, doing different activities, the cabins, the creek, the occasional satyr. I missed this place. Camp Half-Blood was really starting to grow on me. I would have spent longer simply roaming the grounds, but I had to see Thalia first. The Hunters were set to leave before Capture The Flag, so I would have to inform her of my decision beforehand. So, without further ado, I immediately headed for the Artemis Cabin, with my backpack.
When I got near Artemis' Cabin, I could see the silver building, with its majestic doors, and greek columns. I slowed down, unsure of what to do. I decided to go with knocking on the door, which was closed.
I rapped my fingers twice against the hard wooden door, and it swung open to reveal a hunter, whom I couldn't identify on sight. After a closer look, I realized that she was the hunter who attacked Laurel, while I was forced to run away.
She smirked, "Thalia will be right outside" and shut the door. I stood there, slightly shocked, and the door opened again a couple of minutes later. I stepped back to give Thalia room to come out of the cabin. She sauntered out of her cabin, with confidence, as she approached me. I closed my eyes, and sent a quick prayer to my mother, and opened my eyes seconds later. The hunter stood right in front of me, as our eyes met.
"So, what's your decision. Will you be joining us, or will you be declining our invitation"
A/N:- Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2021 is going to be a much better year than last year. I know I promised you guys that I was going to finish this story yesterday, but a close family friend of ours invited us for dinner last minute, and so I didn't have much time to write. Hopefully, just hopefully, I'll complete the story in a few days, maximum. I'm so sorry that I keep breaking my promises, but this year, I'll try my best to keep my promises. On another note, I hope you guys are enjoying the story, and if you are, make sure to vote/ comment.ps- sorry for the short chapter. I know my chapters are usually longer :(
