Chapter Two
I was ripped out of my thoughts by Thalia Grace's enraged shouting and stomping both directed at the hunters who were now a few meters away.
"The nerve of those Hunters! They think they're so. . . Argh!"
"I'm with you," Percy said behind her. "I don't trust them-"
Thalia whirled around furiously. "Oh you're with me?" She cut him off before shouting at him.
"What were you thinking back there in the gym, Percy? You'd take on Dr. Thorn all by yourself? You knew he was a monster! If we'd stuck together, we could've taken him without the Hunters getting involved. Annabeth might still be here. Did you think of that?"
Thalia stared at him for a few more moments but as he didn't say anything she stomped off. I decided to turn to the son of Poseidon who was still looking at the blue cap at his feet.
"I don't think you care, but I wouldn't blame yourself too much, she made her choice." I said.
My words caused him to look up surprised as if he forgotten about my presence which I tried not to be insulted at.
"I guess." He said. "Who are you anyways, you work for Luke don't you? He said turning hostile as his look lingered on my necklace, my armor having disappeared by now.
"Worked, I guess that's behind me now and also I prefer to think of it as working with him not for him, not that I had all that much of a choice in the matter." I said, taking off the necklace and removing the scythe medallion off it shoving it into my pocket.
"What do you mean? You all had a choice, didn't you?"He asked his voice still hostile.
"Well my father if you want to call him that is Koios." I explained though I didn't exactly seem to tell Percy all that much, not that it surprised me, my father isn't exactly well known.
"One of the major titans, lord of the north, brother to big K." I further explained that thought I wasn't sure if it helped, Percy chuckled weakly.
"You seriously call him, big K?" Percy asked amused at the nickname.
"Well you don't want his attention in most cases, besides Luke really hates it calling it disrespectful and such, so yeah I do." I said to him, getting a weak smile at my comments about Luke.
Percy started walk towards the campsite the hunters had erected in the last few minutes, which was by now being circled by hunters a group of large white wolves. Falcons were perched in the trees watching the camp and its surroundings and I had the feeling especially us. In the middle of the camp a large bonfire had been lit, a few logs lying around it and on the other side silver tents had been set up. We both sat down on the logs, though no one said anything, Percy just sat there looking into the distance and I waited, not that I really knew for what.
After a few minutes one of the hunters wordlessly threw Percy a backpack To my surprise she also threw me my bag from my room, that I had packed for leaving Westover Hall after today, though I had no clue how they knew which room was mine. Shortly after the satyr, Grover and Nico joined us and Grover started tending to Percy's shoulder, which caused the latter to wince in pain occasionally, though after he was finished Percy was much less pale and looked a lot more healthy.
Soon Nico pulled out something from his bag, cards and figurines, I had already seen him play with them in the gym but only now I recognized them. The game was highly popular amongst the demigods on the Princess Andromeda as their was only so much to do on the ship, besides training and swimming in the pools, since large parts of the ship had been refitted as stables, quarters for demigods, storage training areas and such and only little was left from the original cruise ship's inside. I had for some time at least spent quite a lot of time on the game, though I hadn't played since I got to Westover Hall half a year ago.
"Big collection." Percy commented.
Nico grinned at this, seemingly happy that he got to talk about it. "I've got almost all of them, plus their holographic cards! Well, except for a few really rare ones."
"You've been playing this game a long time?" Percy asked.
"It's called Mythomagic isn't it?" I asked.
Nico nodded. "Yeah, but I've just been playing for a year, before that..." He stopped as if he had to think deeply about it.
"What?" Percy asked.
"I forgot, that's weird." Nico stated, he looked unsettled.
Whatever worry or confusion there was didn't last long as he was much more interested in Percy's sword, who explained the sword's properties for the next few moments.
"Are you really the son of Poseidon?" Nico asked Percy excited.
"Well, yeah." Percy said, and I expected him to ask Percy further questions but to my surprise he turned to me.
"So you're a demigod too? Who's your dad?" He asked joyfully.
"Koios, I'm sure you don't-," I replied and was about to explain but was cut off by Nico.
"But wait, how can he have a son, isn't he supposed to be, you know... in Tartarus?" Nico asked confused.
"Well I sure think and hope he's still down there, to answer your question let's just say, I wasn't born classically, but I'm surprised you even know him." I answered him, wondering if my father had a card in Mythomagic.
"But shouldn't you be evil then or at least trying kill to Percy right now." He wondered, causing me to chuckle.
"I don't know if I should be but my father would surely want me to." I answered.
Nico seemed content with that answer and turned to Percy again. He pestered him with questions about Annabeth Thalia and to everyone's amusement his surfing skills and Percy was getting visibly more annoyed, though he was quickly relieved from Nico when Zoë stopped where we were sitting and turned to Percy.
"Percy Jackson. Come with me, Lady Artemis wants to speak with thee." She turned to me. "With thee as well."
Percy threw me a look as we both rose up and followed the lieutenant to the last of the seven tents around the fire, the tent was no different from the others on the outside. Zoë gestured us to enter the tent, and we did. The tent was larger than it seemed from the outside and much more decorated than I expected. Various animal pelts and hides decorated the walls, among the lion and bear pelts I was rather sure I recognized species that were long extinct by now. The goddess herself was sitting on the ground on the other side of the tent, Bianca sat next to her, deep in thought as if she was pondering a question.
"Join us." The goddess said and we followed her command.
"Are you surprised by my age? She asked, though I felt it was more directed at Percy who looked like he was coming to grasp with her appearance.
"Uh... a little." Percy admitted and Artemis explained.
"I could appear as a grown woman, or a blazing fire, or anything else I want, but this is what I prefer. This is the average age of my Hunters, and all young maidens of whom I am their patron, before they go astray."
"Go astray?" Percy asked her.
"Grow up. Become smitten with boys. Become silly, preoccupied, insecure. Forget themselves." The goddess further explained.
"Oh" was Percy's reaction to the Artemis explanation, he might have said more but in that moment Zoë entered the tent from behind us and walked next to her mistress before sitting down, though she remained silent she continuously glared at Percy and me, which was quite unnerving to me.
After a few more tales about turning boys into Jackalopes for in my opinion rather minor reasons, though I decided to stay silent, the conversation turned to its original purpose. Percy's recounting of the happenings from his arrival at Westover Hall to now helped me understand what exactly happened quite a bit better than before. When he was done Artemis looked worried her hand now resting on her bow.
"I feared this was the answer." She said and turned to me. "Percy said you didn't come with them to Westover Hall, yet you are clearly an experienced demigod though I feel there's more to you than that, I would like to hear what you have to say."
"Of course," I said. "Perhaps I should start with introducing myself. My name is Astor, and I am the son of Koios-."
"Impossible, he is still imprisoned, don't lie to us boy." Zoë interrupted angrily.
"The boy's not lying Zoë," Artemis told her lieutenant. "though that makes it all the worse, continue please."
"Well son might be the wrong word, though it more or less is the best description I have, we were created with Prometheus' help." I said.
"We?" Artemis inquired and I nodded.
"There are four of us in total, one for each of the four brothers. We were created roughly 14 years ago, to serve our parents as reliable commanders for the minor demigods in this coming war.
I don't feel there's need for more detail here, but I'm ready to explain further if necessary." I continued.
"Over the last few years, I've come to have more and more problems with the titans, but so far obeyed them for the most part." I looked at Bianca. "Taking the di Angelos had been planned for a longer time now, and we had been observing them for a few months now and the Titans were convinced they were quite powerful, though I don't now the details, hence the rather big effort to make sure we could deal with any possible resistance." I explained. "To say the least I didn't agree with them beforehand and this was more or less the last straw, since they wouldn't budge I saw little choice but to go against them."
Artemis nodded and while she remained calm her expression grew more worried throughout my explanation.
"I understand, it is only few days till the winter solstice I will certainly have to discuss this matter with father, hopefully we can convince him to finally act, who knows you might even survive the solstice." She said, though the last part was rather unsettling for me and reminded me of one of my greatest fears right now, Zeus, I didn't see why he would kill me, but the god of thunder was famous for his paranoia.
"Things are stirring that I have not hunted in millennia," Artemis murmured. "Prey so old I have nearly forgotten."
Her eyes focused on Percy, staring at him. "We came here tonight sensing the manticore, but he was not the one I seek. Tell me again, exactly what Dr. Thorn said."
Percy did as he was asked, at his recounting of Thorn's mention of the General, Zoë paled and I had the feeling that there was more to it than just fear of Atlas. She wanted to speak up, but Artemis stopped her.
Percy's mention of the most important monster that will bring the downfall of Olympus was worrying even for me, mostly because I had no real idea what he was talking about. I wondered why I wasn't told, could it be that the titans questioned my loyalty all along.
"Maybe he was lying?" Percy offered hopefully.
Artemis shook her head. "No. He was not. I've been too slow to see the signs. I must hunt this monster."
Zoë looked shaken, but nodded. "We will leave right away, my lady."
"No, Zoë. I must do this alone." Artemis denied her.
"But, Artemis — " Zoë started but was cut off again.
"This task is too dangerous even for the Hunters. You know where I must start my search. You cannot go there with me." Artemis stated and I was sure Zoë would protest again but to my surprise she didn't.
"As. . . as you wish, my lady." Zoë said nodding.
Artemis tarted speaking. "I will find this creature, And I shall bring it back to Olympus by the winter solstice. It will be all the proof I need to convince the Council of the Gods of how much danger we are in."
I sincerely hoped that she was correct, because if the gods lost the war my chances of survival were near zero, Kronos would certainly not take me back after today so I had no better chance than helping them.
"You know what the monster is?" Percy asked, posing the question that I still couldn't answer myself.
"Let us pray that I am wrong." Artemis said as she gripped her bow tighter.
"Can goddesses pray?" Percy questioned, and I could swear that the stern faced goddess almost smiled.
She continued to ask Percy to escort the hunters to camp, which I found rather confusing, the hunters didn't seem like they needed or wanted any kind of escort especially no male one. Nor did they or at least Zoë for that matter seem particularly happy at going to camp either, judging by her protest and the tales of burned cabins. After this Artemis turned to Bianca.
"And now there is one last decision to make. Have you made up your mind, my girl?" She asked.
"I'm still thinking about it." Bianca replied hesitantly.
"Wait," Percy said. "Thinking about what?"
"I think Artemis wants her to join the hunt." I stated.
"Yes, the've invited me to join." Bianca confirmed.
"What? But you can't! You have to come to Camp Half-Blood, so Chiron can train you. It's the only way you can learn to survive." Percy said.
"It's not the only way for a girl," Zoë said to him.
"Bianca, camp is cool! It's got a pegasus stable and a sword-fighting arena and. . . I mean, what do you get by joining the Hunters?" Percy argued.
"To begin with," Zoë said. "immortality." Percy looked shocked as if he couldn't believe what Zoë just said.
"She's kidding right?" He asked Artemis.
"Zoë rarely kids about anything," Artemis said."My Hunters follow me on my adventures. They are my maidservants, my companions, my sisters-in-anns. Once they swear loyalty to me, they are indeed immortal... unless they fall in battle, which is unlikely. Or break their oath."
"There is no other way out of it, is there?" I asked.
"No, the oath is absolute and lifelong." Zoë replied.
"What oath are we even talking about?" Percy asked.
"To foreswear romantic love forever," Artemis said. "To never grow up, never get married. To be a maiden eternally."
"Like you?" Percy asked the goddess, who nodded, and he continued.
"So you just go around the country recruiting half-bloods —"Percy started but was cut of by Zoë.
"Not just half-bloods," Zoë interrupted him. "Lady Artemis does not discriminate by birth. All who honor the goddess may join. Half-bloods, nymphs, mortals — "
"Which are you, then?" Percy asked Zoë, who, to my surprise, bursted out in anger.
"That is not thy concern, boy. The point is Bianca may join if she wishes. It is her choice."
"Bianca, this is crazy," Percy argued. "What about your brother? Nico can't be a Hunter."
"Certainly not," Artemis agreed. "He will go to camp. Unfortunately, that's the best boys can do."
"Hey!" Percy protested.
"You can see him from time to time," Artemis assured Bianca, though judging from what Zoë said the Hunters didn't stop in Camp Half-Blood too often.
"But you will be free of responsibility. He will have the camp counselors to take care of him. And you will have a new family. Us."
"A new family," Bianca repeated. "Free of responsibility."
"Isn't it a bit early for you to make this choice I mean you haven't even been to camp yet?" I said.
"He's right, Bianca you can't do this," Percy agreed. "It's nuts."
But it was to no avail as Bianca looked at Zoë.
"Is it worth it?" She asked, though I felt she had already made her choice.
"It is" Zoë nodded, though I guess she wasn't exactly unbiased on the topic.
"What do I have to do?" Bianca asked.
Zoë went on to say the words of the oath, and Bianca repeated them.
"I accept it." Artemis said, finalizing the oath.
"Welcome, sister." Zoë said happily.
"Remember your pledge," Artemis said turning to Bianca. "It is now your life."
Percy sat glumly besides me and seemed very unhappy. Personally I wouldn't have chosen as Bianca at least not now, but it was her place to make her own mistakes in my mind.
"Do not despair, Percy Jackson," Artemis said as she notices the glum demigod. "You will still get to show the di Angelos your camp. And if Nico so chooses, he can stay there."
"Great." Percy said grumpy, clearly not content. "How are we supposed to get there?"
"Dawn is approaching." Artemis said, her eyes closed. "Zoë, break camp. You must get to Long Island quickly and safely. I shall summon a ride from my brother."
Zoë wasn't a friend of the idea, judging by her grumbling and muttering at the mention of Artemis' brother. Still she nodded and walked outside gesturing Bianca to follow her.
Bianca stopped in front of Percy for a moment to justify herself to him, though it didn't seem to make him feel any better about what happened.
"I presume you are talking about Apollo when you are saying brother?" I asked hopefully, after my encounter with his sister, I was pretty sure that Apollo wouldn't blast me to bits.
"I am, boy. Though I can't understand why you are happy about that, Bianca di Angelo is not the only one with an annoying brother. It's time for you to meet my irresponsible twin, Apollo."
If you read through this despite the lack of original contentI would like to thank you for your persistence and repeat my promise that it will get better, starting next chapter since then there are really possibilites to explore that I want to explore.
I would be most happy if you went the extra mile and reviewed to share your thoughts.