Chapter 5
His feet met the ground gently. Perseus stood, wings curled, transfixed as deity fell to nothing. Half the forest was barren now, smoldering even, but the other half was green as ever. The sun hid, and Annabeth caught him before he realized he was falling.
She was tongue-tied and wide-eyed. Perseus managed a grimace. The others said nothing, or maybe they did. She stared him down, though, breathing hotly. Her eyes wrinkled, and she judged him yet again, searching, always searching. Eventually, she sighed.
"Are you okay?" Um.
Perseus hesitated. "I-I don't kn—"
"Who are you? No secrets this time, hunter." She emerged from the forest unnoticed and unscathed, clad in the beauty of the hunt, reeking of murder and promising danger. Here she was, Artemis, armed with arrow and bow. She looked the same as earlier, but her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were narrowed. Gone was the curiosity that might've saved his life.
Like as not, moments ago he wouldn't care. He'd be reckless. Try to kill her or die trying. But that was stupid. How could he forget? He had a duty to his sister and there was something about the dragon. Perseus clenched his jaw. He eyed her bow. It's so close. No, suicide wasn't the answer here.
He was bowing then. "Lady Artemis," he began. Of course, the others fell to their knees after that, whispering or praying under their breath. Perseus chose the latter, but undeniably, fools will be fools.
"Why did you use the mortals here as bait for your hunt?" The words tumbled out of his mouth like a man tumbles to the grave, and silence followed. Well, silence ought to be familiar by now, but still, Perseus trembled nonetheless. He dared to raise his eyes, and the daughter of Zeus only cocked her head.
There was that curiosity again, some unbothered interest. Perseus supposed immortality did that to a soul. She had angled features, looked human too, but there was an apple's weight in gold between them.
"Bait?" The whispers danced around the survivors, and next to him, Annabeth was deep in thought. None of them would question the Goddess, though. Mortality was the reality.
"Bait? Huh? What does he mean?" Wrong again. Come on, Perseus.
Perseus turned. Ah, of course. It was the unconventional woman from earlier, you know, the one with the lightning and spiky-black hair. Perseus took a closer look at her. Her scary shield was on her back and her spear jumped between her hands. She was older than Annabeth, had her share of scars, and some condition that prevented fear (stupidity) Perseus guessed.
"Thalia, maybe shut up?"
And here was the man from earlier. His sword was sheathed, but he inched in front of Thalia—the fearless woman—but she ignored him with a huff.
Artemis ran her fingers along her bow, scoffing. "Daughter of Zeus or not, watch your pride, child. Zeus will not let me kill you, like as not, but consider if you fancy a life as a tree. Oh. And you ... " She turned to him, clearly brandishing her symbol of power. Silver and some special pine weaved the divine arc. It was a massive thing, and in truth, Perseus doubted he could draw its string back. Yeah, the message was clear. Zeus would not protect him.
Thalia fumed, but her companion saved her life. Thalia's father explained the lightning, Perseus supposed. He kinda saw it too. She had the same sharp nose like Artemis, hard-set eyes, and she was attractive as well, in some non-traditional manner.
"Hunter. Look at me. Stand."
Perseus complied, and the weight on his back almost brought him to knees again. He almost forgot about the wings.
Artemis scoffed. "You answer questions with questions? I thought you wiser." She paused. "Let the survivors rest. Daughter of Zeus, come. Bring your companions." She waved her hands dismissively. "Hunter, follow. You know nothing."
Thalia followed Artemis, and Annabeth fell in-step next to him. He cast a glance backward, one last survey of the chaos. The land was ruined, and the forest reduced to half its size, but there were more survivors than Perseus would have guessed. They had grim faces, familiar faces, not unlike what he saw at Athens. Little Apollos was gone though. Perhaps they would rebuild. Probably not. The man with the crooked eye distracted him, he offered Perseus a smile, taking his place next to Annabeth.
"I'm Luke," he offered. "Son of Hermes." Oh, they were all Demigods.
Perseus nodded stiffly, but Artemis stopped before he could answer.
She sighed. "Has Chiron told you nothing?" Who?
Thalia bristled like a cat. "There's a reason we're this far east. The Persians have already taken Athens. And that's what he said." She jabbed a finger at him.
Artemis tossed him a look. "It's far worse than that. But first, you. Tell me true. Who are you?"
Eyes turned to him. There was nothing more to do. "I am Perseus of Athens, son of Lelantos, the Titan of Air, Hunting, and the Unseen."
Ah, and there was that silence again. Thalia seemed strangely unbothered, but the others were in varying levels of understanding.
"How do you exist?" That was Annabeth. She was a Demigod too, Perseus guessed. It was a fair question, a little rude, but fair. Perseus opened his mouth and closed it again.
"I don't even know who Lelantos is." Thalia shrugged.
Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Lelantos is the son of the Titan Coeus and Titaness Phoebe."
"My mother's brother." Artemis pursed her lips. "You're not lying, but there hasn't been a Demititan born in centuries. Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now."
"Hold on," Annabeth stepped in front of Perseus. "He just saved our lives."
"He shouldn't exist." Artemis frowned. "Do I need more incentive? I thought you would understand, daughter of Athena." Ah, Athena. Nothing was more fitting.
"I trust him," Annabeth insisted nonsensically.
That surprised him. He didn't trust Annabeth. That would be stupid. He didn't know her, but he watched her, the way she breathed, the small curve of her nose, and the little blemish on her cheek, a forgettable inch-small scar.
Artemis raised her eyebrows unconvincingly. Still, she offered some thought to the matter. "I will confer with the Olympians when I debrief them soon. I do not wish to kill you, Perseus, but it matters not to me. You may live or die yet."
She tasted his name and frowned some more. "You are no longer unseen. Until decided otherwise, the daughter of Athena will be your mark, understood? She will be your liege and bear the cost of your potential sin."
Annabeth nodded, as if Artemis was making sense.
The Goddess of the Moon exhaled. "These are dangerous, stressful times. Do not give me another burden. Now, I will answer your earlier question. Listen carefully. I was under direction to hunt down Azi Sruvara, the legendary horned dragon from the Persian Pantheon."
"What the fu—" Thalia.
"Listen. Yes, other pantheons exist. Even we do not know how many. However, each is separate from the other, spread as far as east is from the west. Athena reasons why this is true, but the why is meaningless. We all know it to be true. Now, Xerxes the upstart God King of the Persian Empire has broken the balance in some corruption of Persian deity. The Persian invasion is no mortal struggle. It is far worse."
Artemis turned to each of them. "Creed will clash, and hundreds of thousands will die. I will do what I must—sacrifice what is needed for victory. In fact, your interference ruined my first shot. No matter. There are more dragons, and soon Gods will fall on Greece. Be ready."
The four of them said nothing, and Artemis finally smiled. And what a sight. Artemis was an undeniable threat, a predator by definition, but she was also beautiful, in an otherworldly sense, crafted without imperfection. And isn't that the most unnatural thing ever?
"Chiron is almost here. Send him my regards, then. I will take my leave."
Perseus blinked and she was gone, leaving only a scent of cinnamon and the vanilla of a moon flower, gone to the wind.
Annabeth whirled on him immediately. "Swear it," she ordered.
"Swear what?" He stepped back, and raised his hands gingerly. In the distance, Perseus heard the sounds of a small army, clanking metal, troublesome horses, and the beat of a march. Step. Step. Left, right, and left again.
"You heard Artemis. I'm responsible for you." She pointed at him with the same bronze dagger she'd lent him moments ago. "Swear that I am your liege, on the Styx." Her eyes stormed, and of course the other two said nothing. Thalia smirked at him, and Luke gave him a shrug.
"On the Styx?"
Annabeth narrowed her eyes. "You really don't know anything. Vows on the River Styx can't be broken without the cost of your soul. Immortals, some of them at least, can deal with Styx. You can't, trust me."
Trust me. Huh.
The small army was louder now. Perseus heard a burst of laughter, almost lost in the drone of the march. Annabeth ignored it all. It was just them, now. Okay.
"I swear that Annabeth daughter of Athena will be my liege on the Styx." Thunder boomed, but it wasn't Thalia.
Annabeth gave him a look and sheathed her dagger.
The wind bristled, and Perseus shivered. His wings had torn through his clothes, even breaking through boiled leather with ease. "Thank you," he said eventually. "For saving my life, twice now, I guess."
"You're welcome," Annabeth replied, not unkindly.
Thalia looked between the two of them, smiling. "Relax, Perseus. We won't kill you. At least not right away. You did save our lives too, I think."
Annabeth cut in.
"You lied. Earlier, I mean. About your father. You said he was dead, and—"
Annabeth's words faded. Just over the ridge, came what Perseus assumed was Chiron and his followers. He remembered now. Chiron was the half-horse legendary teacher of heroes, both famous and infamous ones. Perseus wondered if he had ever killed a Demititan.
"You won't lie to me anymore, okay?" Annabeth eyed him like she did, unwavering.
Thalia and Luke stepped ahead to meet the rabble of men, women, and children. There were soldiers at arms, but they were nothing like the uniform phalanxes of elite militaries. The soldiers, men and women, wore divergent branding, each armed with unique weapons. But the children? Kids, younger than Phoebe, weaved between the marchers, dodging shields and pointy things, laughing all the while.
"Hey. Look at me." Annabeth snapped her fingers in his face. "No more lying."
Perseus thought her scar fit her. Remember? The little flaw across her cheek.
"Alright. No more lying."
"Promise me."
"On the Styx? That's a bit much, right?"
"No, just give me your word."
"So you actually do trust me, then?"
Annabeth paused. She glanced away for a moment. Light captured her storm-grey eyes. "No, of course not. Now, hurry. We don't have time."
Left. Right. Left. Right. Perseus made the promise. He didn't hesitate either. But what of an earlier promise?
The march stopped to the call of some leader. Orders were given, and the soldiers broke form. Some made their way to the citizens of Little Apollos, others began unloading supplies. Chiron was unmistakable, of course.
From the waist down, he was a proud, white stallion, raising him above the rest. From the waist up, he was human, Perseus supposed. Middle-aged (immortal?), with wispy brown hair and a scruffy beard. He found Thalia and Luke immediately, and made his way towards them, smiling but somber.
Annabeth moved towards and the others, and Perseus followed. His wings curled into his back, but there was no hiding them. He stuck out with fire-like hair, tatters for clothes, and literal wings.
"Chiron is kind," Annabeth informed him.
Perseus nodded. Chiron had a kind face, the kind with little wrinkles made by a worn smile. As they drew closer, Perseus noticed the quiver on his back and a greatsword sheathed to his side. Thalia and Luke exchanged pleasantries with the Centaur, but Chiron was much more focused on Perseus. His gaze was steady, intense even, merely watching and listening.
"And who are you?" He asked.
Chiron knew, though. Perseus felt that to be true somehow. He answered truthfully, and then for whatever reason, he was telling his story, from Athens, his mother and sister, to Artemis and Azi Sruvara. He even shared his experience at the Garden, and glancing at Annabeth, he told the whole truth and nothing less.
Only the truth would suffice now. He remembered the Hesperides, Ladon, and Coeus. He had a mission, remember? Retrieve the bow of Artemis and find his sister.
Chiron focused on his each word, attentive yet unsurprised. Then, after Perseus was done, Chiron waited a little longer. His eyes were far away now, deep in thought. However, his response was brief.
"Well done, Annabeth. And Perseus, I plan for us to stay here tonight. Join us. What comes will will come."
Perseus opened his mouth to reply, but Chiron was already trotting away, perhaps thinking some more. What comes will come. With that, Perseus soon found himself surrounded by enemies who were no worse than him and a setting sun.
He was given a tent to be shared with Annabeth, Thalia, and Luke. Chiron had placed them near the center of the camp purposefully, but none of the others approached him. Chiron's orders, undoubtedly.
Luke and Thalia busied themselves in the camp, giving a hand here and there, scuffling with the kids, or just sharing conversation with the other soldiers. Even as the stars peeked their greeting, the two were out in the camp.
Perseus caught a few names: Jason, Piper, Charlie, and a few others he forgot. In any regard, they all deferred to Thalia and Luke more so.
Perseus supposed they were leaders of some sort. The two were mostly older than the others, and from what Perseus could tell, they were the most dangerous.
Of course, Annabeth was dangerous too. Frankly, he didn't know what to make of her, not really. Still, Annabeth stayed by Perseus. They ate a meal, said little, and stayed in their little tent. All the while, Perseus watched her carefully.
Annabeth was a little younger than Thalia and Luke, probably, but the kids still looked for her, offering little smiles from the shadows, and Annabeth couldn't help but smile back.
Even the kids were Demigods, Perseus realized. Some of them carried stronger scents than others, but all of them were half God. The thought was a little scary. They called themselves "Half-Bloods." A traveling mass of a few hundred Demigods as young as two or three and only as old as maybe twenty or so—all trained by a mythical teacher.
Perseus had his questions, a dozen or so, but now wasn't the time. He saw glimpses of Chiron, but mostly, the Centaur stayed in his own tent, sized to fit him. Slowly, the camp quieted as fires and conversation fizzled away.
"Don't kill me in my sleep." Great. Annabeth's version of "good night". She had a dagger within reach, obviously, so Perseus would at least have somewhat of a hard time killing her.
Whatever. Perseus turned away from Annabeth. Thalia was snoring already, he realized, and maybe Luke was already asleep, it was hard to tell.
His wings were uncomfortable, but Perseus figured he'd get used to it. He shifted a bit. Everything hurt.
As sleep neared, he considered running away or maybe chasing down Artemis or maybe …