Chapter VI

I cursed as Percy sent my sword flying and I had to jump backwards, drawing my knife.

"Are you sure you want to continue like this?" Percy asked. "You could just yield?"

"Not a chance," I said, grinning. "If you want to claim this win, you'll have to force me to yield."

There was no way I was surrendering to Percy, sure if our counter was right he was about twenty wins ahead of me currently in our power-less duels. But that was all the more reason to fight tooth and nail every time. Percy sighed as he closed in on me. I burst forward, feinting a strike for his abdomen. I dropped the knife mid-strike and instead grabbed Percy's sword hand, twisting Riptide from his grip, before pushing him away.

I smiled triumphantly, this fight was on equal footing again. Though that wasn't true either. With both of disarmed I had the upper hand, not only was I stronger than Percy, I ironically shared the gift of Sinis. Just like the bandit the original Theseus dispatched, I was pretty much an unmovable object when standing on the solid ground if I willed so.

I grabbed his arm with both hands, pulling him to me, throwing him on the ground. He rolled off but I had already followed up, tackling him back down. I jabbed into his side, before pushing him down, an arm on his neck.

"Yield!" I demanded.

Percy tried to push me off, but it was no use, my feet were planted solidly on the ground and the weight of me and my armor were pushing against him as well.

"Fine," He grumbled.

I let go and grabbed his arm, pulling him up.

"You really love fighting dirty don't you?" He asked disgruntled.

"If it gets me victory, yeah, that makes it a hundred-twenty-one to hundred-forty by the way, I'm catching up." I stated satisfied.

"Speaking of fighting dirty, Thalia said something about you having told her about a plan to beat the Hunters today?" He asked. "She said you called it dishonest yet appropriate. Mind sharing it?"

The conch horn sounded, calling us for dinner.

"Tell you while eating?" I offered.

"Sure," He said with a nod.

We sat back down after sacrificing, for which I as always sacrificed to father, though this time I added Artemis as well under my breath, figuring she could use any bit of strength with her current dilemma.

"So, what are you planning on?" He asked again as he took a sip of his drink.

"Mind recounting the rules for flag placement?"

"Uh, sure." He said confused. "It must be well visible, no more than two guards and they can't stand within ten yards, the entire forest is fair game. That should be everything."

"Exactly, no rules about solid ground, are there now?" I pointed out.

"Sure, but I don't really see any usable spot were that would be relevant."

"Three hundred yards north-east of Zeus' fist."

"Huh, three hundred yards north-west..." He repeated as realization set in. "You are talking about those shallow ponds? The area is pretty much a swamp. Who would want to fight there, one wrong step and you are knee-deep in mud."

"Yep, one wrong step on that ground and you are stuck." I said in agreement. "But we have other options there besides moving on land, the whole area is frozen. I scouted it out this morning."

"No matter how fast the hunters are, or how well they can climb, they have to move with great care if they don't want to risk either being one leg deep in icy water, or getting bogged down in mud. As long as we keep on the ice we can move freely, while they are effectively navigating a mine field." I concluded.

"So you want the two of us to just defend the flag?" He asked somewhat dampened in enthusiasm.

"Sure, let Thalia rush them down and grab their flag, if she wants to run around all night. If I am correct we'll be getting most of the fighting anyways. Zoë is not in the mood for a long game, she'll want to end this as fast as she can, which means she will try to get our flag personally if I am right about this." I stated confidently.

"Now that you mention her, Grover said you talked with her and Chiron, something about a nightmare?" He asked curiously.

I bit on my tongue, I had already suspected that he had eavesdropped on us. What had he heard? I needed to have a serious word with that goat about other people's private matters. I wasn't really sure what exactly I wanted to tell him, but luckily was saved from that when Thalia walked over to us.

"So, you didn't want to share specifics yesterday, can you now finally tell me your plan for the defense?" She asked, slightly annoyed.

I just gave a sly grin and repeated what I had told Percy and she slowly shifted from annoyed into a grin of her own.

"I am sure Zoë would say something like thou art such an dishonorable knave, boy!" She said in a comedically bad impression of the lieutenant. "Which means I am absolutely for it, how are we splitting the campers?"

"Well, we don't really need that many on defense, the others would probably be too hindered by the environment anyways, so me and Percy will have to do, perhaps the Stolls as scouts? Just use as much manpower as we can on an overwhelming push, rush the flag while the defenders are busy." I suggested and turned to Percy.

"Yeah, sure."

"I'll be taking offense then." She said decisively. "You have had more experience at defense anyways." She finished, a teasing glint in her blue eyes.

"Fine by me." I said.

"Yeah, no problem." Percy agreed, though something seemed off.

"Cool." She said and walked off to help some of the Aphrodite's kids with their armor.

I glanced towards Percy, he seemed bothered. I knew he didn't like how Thalia usually takes charge without question but he should just accept it by now if you asked me. She was older than us, Hades, in a week she might make the decision that determines the fate of Olympus. She was the daughter of Zeus and overall just as much of a natural leader as Percy is, it's only normal the campers looked to her to lead.

But I felt like there was something more, he wasn't bothered by me taking over organizing the defense from him, was he? It's not like I forced him to do anything, he didn't argue against it. But I had noticed Percy behaving like that before, as if he felt overshadowed. He really needed a bit more healthy self-esteem from time to time. He should see himself for what he is worth.

I was broken out of my thoughts as Chiron's hoofs clopped on the floor, drawing our attention. As Chiron announced the rules I glanced over to Zoë and the Hunters. They looked absolutely miserable, some of them clearly had been crying, not that I could blame them, Artemis was the center of their life, without her there was no hunt. I almost felt bad for how excited I was to try and beat them, almost, they still were a haughty gaggle of girls that seriously needed to learn some humility.

After Chiron had finished with the rules, Thalia led us into the woods with loud cheers among us, much happier than the solemn groups the hunters formed. We split up into three groups, a small decoy led by Silena, the main attack party led by Thalia and the defending group consisting of Percy, me and the Stolls.

Me and Percy were sitting on top of a small cliff overlooking the unassuming snowy surface before us. Except for the lack of trees there was nothing unusual about it that could give away that there was no solid ground beneath, though of course I could feel the water beneath. It was eerily silent, a calm before the storm if you so willed. We could do nothing but wait, either the Stolls would come warn us and we could go to meet them, or our enemy would come into sight without warning.

Suddenly the clanging of metal could be heard in the distance, coming from the south-east. I recognized the Stolls' voices, clearly they were fighting with the hunters. I had hoped they could avoid engagement, but seemingly no such luck. Percy rose impatiently.

"We have to help them." He stated, but I shook my head.

"They are already fighting, by the time we get there they'll be defeated." I argued but he didn't seem to listen.

"You can't know that,"

"We can't give up the advantage we have here, we have to meet them here." I insisted, but saw it was no use.

"Am I the one leading the defense or you?" He asked as he made his way down.

I considered following him for a moment, but decided against it. If he wanted to be a fool then and try to prove himself so be it, I would have to manage alone. There was no way I could leave the flag unguarded anyways.

And so he was off, I quickly lost sight of him among the darkness and the trees, but I didn't hear any more fighting either. Wherever he was, he clearly wasn't fighting the hunters. I sighed as I shook my head and braced for the coming battle, pulling on my helmet. As I did I caught a glimpse of glinting silver, among the trees. It disappeared again, but quickly I spotted it again, clearly visible, the glinting tiara of the Hunts' Lieutenant.

I had been right, but I wasn't happy about it. I really didn't want to fight Zoë, it wasn't going to be a test of who would win realistically speaking, but how long I could last against her. Though especially alone I didn't like my odds, which meant I had to resort to another tactic to level the playing field. She had a couple of millennia of experience on me, surely she would beat me in any proper fight, not that I intended on any such thing,

I dropped down myself, landing on the ice with a crack. Crouching down, I willed the snow and some of the water from the ponds to rise, before clenching my hands, forcing it into the shape of mist and fog, covering the battlefield.

I doubted they could see farther than a foot out in it, luckily I had no such problems myself. Just like seeing in the dark of ocean depths was no struggle for me, fog was just water as well, not hindering my sight in the slightest.

Remaining as still as I could I waited as the Hunters came into sight. I saw only three of them but I suspected more of them around. Next to Zoë one of the older and bigger Hunters was walking, a short-cut ginger haired girl. I had seen her before, talking to Bianca and arm wrestling with her.

Behind them another one followed, a black-haired girl, bow in hand and arrow notched. I didn't recognize her, but she seemed just as experienced as the other two though.

As they entered the fog, I tried to choose who I would strike first. Zoë was out of the question, if she was just half as good as I presumed that could go terribly wrong. The second girl with how burly she was seemed like a bad choice as well, she might be a daughter of Ares and looked like a dangerous opponent in close quarters. Which left the last Huntress, who still had her bow drawn. She seemed like the weakest link in the chain so she was my target.

Moving over to ice as silent as I could, I approached her, but froze as the second Huntress turned in my direction.

"Someone is sneaking around." She stated and Zoë nodded.

"Yes, one of Poseidon's sons I presume, they probably are both around."

The last one in the column shook her head. "No I saw one of them heading away towards the creek."

I frowned, just what was Percy doing. I had carried some hope he would return, but it seems I really had to do this on my own.

"Phoebe, Iphi, go check that. I'll get the flag, let's just end this." Zoë commanded.

This really wasn't developing well, the last thing I needed was time pressure. The second girl, Phoebe I assumed, drew her knives and headed towards me. The other girl nodded at her commander's orders and moved to put her bow away.

Deciding it was now or never I moved forward as fast as I could. Rushing past Phoebe, I smashed into the archer, tackling her down onto a frozen pond. Through the force behind it and a little added help from my powers the ice shattered and we dove down into the icy waters. Strength surged through my body and I moved even faster, dragging her through the water.

The huntress was dazed by the impact and the cold, the muddy water blinding her, still she struggled. I headbutted her, feeling the blunt force as my helmet collided with her forehead. Another quick jab to the temple followed and knocked her out. I hauled her out of the water, but quickly turned back to face my next foe.

That was a good thing as I now barely managed to dodge away from Phoebe's knife. I cursed as it grazed my arm, I didn't have to time to deal with her, I had to stop Zoë. She didn't seem to intend on letting me do so though as she pushed towards me, grappling me.

We struggled for a few moments, but no one managed to gain the upper hand. She was really strong and my boost from the water started fading. She knee-kicked me into my side. I grit my teeth in pain as she sent another one to follow up. My armor could do only so much to shield me from the blunt force as I winced.

Frustrated I roared and the ice all around me shattered, splintering wildly. Shards of ice whirled around us, forcing her eyes shut as tiny cuts started appearing on her face. I kicked into her stomach and managed to shake her off. I retreated back into the fog, away from her, I needed to stop Zoë, no matter what.

Frantically looking around I spotted her, she had grabbed our flag and was running with it, heading in the direction off the creek. I sprinted over the ponds, racing to catch her. I sucked the fog around me in, giving me a short but substantial burst of speed as I bounded over the water and ice to intercept her.

As I reached the last of the ponds I used the water to launch myself forward as I jumped forward. I managed to land in front of her and she stopped, as I readied myself to deny her passing. I summoned my sword and moved towards her. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something flying towards me and instinctively dodged backwards. A silver arrow whizzed past me, burying itself in the tree.

I saw Phoebe now wielding a silver bow. Another arrow came flying towards me and I was forced back further and saw Zoë take off again. A curse in old tongue came from my mouth as I went to give chase. But it was no use, the fighting and use of powers had tired me out and any extra strength from my dive was gone by now. I was far too slow as I moved after her, in a last desperate attempt I stopped, thrusting both hands forward and willed the entire mass of snow in sight to move towards me. It felt like I was playing tug of war with a freight train as the snow started churning around me.

Pain shot through my shoulder, but I didn't have the time to look. I grit my teeth as I did all I could to keep my focus. The snow moved towards me quickly and with satisfaction I watched Zoë struggle and fall.

She got back up and pushed onwards again, but it was no use. The snow pulled her back like a rip current, any progress made was denied again as she stumbled back. I didn't know how long I could keep this up, but I was determined to pull through. Suddenly though I felt something connect with my head and my vision black out as I dropped into the snow face first.

I awoke after what could only be seconds later, my head was ringing and my vision blurry. I saw an annoyed Phoebe standing nearby, knife twirling. I wasn't surprised she had knocked me out, hopefully taking that hit was worth it for the team.

"The... The Campers win!" I heard Chiron announce. He sounded surprised, though very pleased nonetheless.

I gathered some strength as I pushed myself to my feet and slowly walked over to the creek. Percy was standing on our edge of the creek, the silver banner of the Hunters in his hands. Zoë was standing a few feet past him, but still in the water just short of her side.

Instantly enormous cheers erupted from the campers. I moved towards Percy and saw Thalia approaching as well. We had won and I was happy about that, but I really needed to have a word with Percy, what if this had been a real fight and he had just abandoned the plan.

"What in the name of the gods was that, Percy?" She yelled furiously, sparks flying.

"Hades, what is your problem? We won!" He retorted.

"Yeah, we did," I stated. "But that doesn't change a thing about the fact that what you did was a stupid gamble."

"It worked!"

"Yeah, it did, but what if I had been a few seconds slower? What if I hadn't managed to slow Zoë there?" I asked him angrily. "Is it that hard for you to just stick to plan for Tartarus' sake?"

"We would have lost, there were too many after Thalia!" He argued, flaring up himself.

"Oh, so it's my fault? I was at their base, I would have managed just fine!" Said daughter of Zeus now shouted at him.

"I am just saying that-" Percy didn't get to finish as Thalia shoved him and he went flying backwards.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to." Thalia apologized as Percy got up and the water followed, the creek rising around him.

I stepped forward in between the two of them.

"Enough, don't push it further." I told Percy.

It seemed my words of warning fell on deaf ears as the water rolled forward. I focused on it, trying to wrestle control from Percy. But in my weakened state Percy managed to overpower me and the water swept over us. Throwing Thalia back and even I buckled under its force.

I had heard Chiron calling them to stop as well now, but it was to no avail. Neither of them were listening now as Thalia got up again as well and a bolt of lightning smashed into Percy, sending him tumbling again.

Any holding back was gone now as the entire creek rose around him. I feared if he didn't stop right now, the two would kill each other here and now.

"Stop it! Both of you!" I roared and felt the ground rumble as I spoke.

And to my relief Percy actually stopped, though he still didn't seem like he heard a word of what I heard. Instead his eyes were looking into the distance, shocked. As the water around him dropped down I turned around as well. My brain took a moment to realize just what I was looking at. A corpse was moving towards us, frankly that wasn't that weird as of itself, I had seen more terrifying beings than your run-of-the-mill ghoul.

But this was no ghoul, oh no, I had only seen her in passing while up on the attic but there was no mistaking that this was the Oracle, or rather what was left of it. The green smoking pouring out of it made that obvious enough, slowly but surely it moved through the snow before stopping in our midst.

I am the spirit of Delphi, speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python. A raspy voice that could only belong to that walking corpse spoke in my mind, worsening my already bad headache.

It turned to Zoë before the voice was heard again. Approach, Seeker, and ask.

Zoë swallowed, clearly all thoughts of the game were forgotten as she stepped forward. "What must I do to help my goddess?"

The Oracle actually opened her mouth to speak this time, instead of invading our minds with her words, but of course she couldn't leave our minds alone as images flashed before my vision.

Artemis kneeled atop a mountain, broken bronze shackles bound her, though she seemed unable to move anyways, as if stuck beneath something. Below her on the mountainside, ruins could be seen, black stone in the form of tall walls and columns. Other images flashed in front of my eyes, though they moved too fast and too blurry to recognize anything as the Oracle spoke.

Five shall go west to the goddess in chains,

Two shall be lost in the land without rain,

The bane of Olympus shows the trail,

Campers and Hunters combined prevail,

The Titan's curse must one withstand,

And one shall perish by a parent's hand

As the Oracle sat down on a nearby rock, the mist cleared. Yet for a few moments more no one moved a muscle. Zoë would get her will after all it and leave on a quest. Though quite honestly speaking, this quest sounded like a suicide mission, the prophecy promised three deaths, with five questers that were terrible odds of survival. Of course prophecies rarely were straightforward enough to say for sure, but still this seemed foreboding enough as it was.

A few minutes later we were sitting around the ping pong table in the rec room of the Big House. I was munching on a small piece of Ambrosia, but even the good memories couldn't purge my feeling of dread. Snacks and drinks were standing nearby but no one touched them as we all waited impatiently for Percy to return, Chiron had sent him to return the Oracle to it's place, presumably as a well-deserved punishment. He was really starting to annoy me these last days, he needed to get a hold of his emotions.

Finally Thalia returned from upstairs, she had went to get Percy, understandably impatient. Soon after Percy and Grover followed and I made space for him on the left side, consciously moving farther away than I had to. We really were a poor excuse of a council, not even half of the cabins were present. Counting Bianca and Grover, who weren't even counselors we only made ten people.

Bianca looked older, though in a good way, more collected. Her formerly open hair was braided like Zoë. A serious expression was on her face, her dark eyes now shone with confidence instead of the previous looks of confusion and fear. I had to admit I was surprised by her drastic transformation. She looked good, but it was still weird when imagined the scared girl in her place only three days ago.

"This is pointless." Zoë stated frustrated. "There is no time for talk, our goddess needs us. The Hunters must leave immediately."

I had to agree with her, we were wasting time already, the situation was far too dire. But we still had to choose the questers, defying a prophecy this openly would bring no good.

"And go where?" Chiron asked.

I raised my brow, the question seemed nonsensical, the prophecy had been clear and even if it hadn't been, things were clear enough. With the Titans rising and Atlas roaming free there were few spots where she could be, doubly so if you considered the images we had just seen.

"West!" Bianca answered.

Yes," Zoë agreed. "Artemis is being held hostage! We must find her and free her."

"You're missing something, as usual, Campers and Hunters combined prevail. We're supposed to do this together." Thalia argued and again they glared at each other.

As they argued on, I shook my head, why couldn't they just focus on the far more important situation at hand rather than their petty grudges

"I fear the prophecy says you do need our help," Chiron said, stopping their squabbling. "Campers and Hunters must cooperate."

"Or do they?" Mr. D mused, focused on his diet coke, why ever the god insisted on that drink. I doubted he could even gain weight, did he even have a metabolism? "Two shall be lost. One shall perish. That sounds rather nasty, doesn't it? What if you fail because you try to cooperate?"

"Lord Dionysus," I addressed him. "The prophecy states rather clearly that together we prevail, isn't the opposite of what you just suggested implied?"

I met the god's eyes tiredly, I really didn't have the nerves for usual behavior currently.

"You should be careful of what you imply yourself, Theseus Jackson." He said with warning tone.

"Mr. D," Chiron said with a sigh. "With all due respect, not now please."

"Alright, sorry my dear centaur." The god said and went back to mulling over his coke.

"As he said we're supposed to work together," Thalia insisted. "I don't like it either, Zoë, but you know prophecies. You want to fight against one?"

Zoë remained silent, but begrudgingly accepted that Thalia was right.

"We must not delay, today is Sunday. This very Friday, December twenty-first, is the winter solstice." Chiron noted.

"Oh, joy," Dionysus muttered. "Another dull annual meeting."

How exactly a meeting in the middle of a war that decided your very fate could be considered dull was beyond me, but I decided to keep to quiet.

"Artemis must be present at the solstice," Zoë said decisively. "She has been one of the most vocal on the council arguing for action against Kronos' minions. If she is absent, the gods will decide nothing. We will lose another year of war preparations."

Hearing this was seriously worrying, is she implying that the gods haven't been preparing themselves until now. I had expected them to be doing at least something, even if they had been inactive before I thought it had become clear by now that Kronos wasn't going back to being a good little pile of scattered essence without action.

"Are you suggesting that the gods have trouble acting together, young lady?" The god asked, though I was rather sure Zoë was older than him. He was perhaps just short of three millennia at the oldest.

"Yes, Lord Dionysus."

Mr. D nodded. "Just checking. You're right, of course. Carry on."

"I must agree with Zoë," said Chiron. "Artemis's presence at the winter council is critical. We have only a week to find her. And possibly even more important: to locate the monster she was hunting."

I didn't know why Chiron still had doubts about just what the monster was and was so insistent on not naming it. I simply saw no other option, it was what had been planned for quite some time now, the Ophiotaurus was the obvious answer, why couldn't he just accept it.

"Now, we must decide who goes on this quest."

A short moment of silence followed as most of the campers shifted, clearly not wanting to go on this potential one-way trip to my uncle's domain, not that I could blame them.

"Two and three..." Percy muttered next to me, everybody looked at him.

"We're supposed to have five," He explained "Three Hunters, two from Camp Half-Blood. That's more than fair."

"Well, it does make sense." Thalia conceded.

"I would prefer to take all the Hunters." Zoë argued. "We will need the strength of numbers."

"Again you would be defying the prophecy," I stated, shaking my head. "This could end worse than just three out of five dying, we could fail."

Chiron's tail whipped anxiously. "As fatalistic as he is, he's right, it is far too risky. Besides, you will have to move quickly if you want to follow the monster Artemis hunted."

"This monster—the bane of Olympus. I have hunted at Lady Artemis's side for many years, yet I have no idea what this beast might be." Zoë stated, eyes boring into the table.

This surprised me, surely she would know the story, I imagined her father didn't have much to do besides talking for all these millennia he was stuck under the sky. Surely he must have told her about it sometime, unless she was actively hiding it, though I scrapped that idea, why would she do something like that?

"Chiron, you don't have any ideas about the monster?" Percy asked.

I exchanged a look with the centaur and he ever so slightly shook his head.

"I have several ideas, none of them good. And none of them quite make sense. Typhon, for instance, could fit this description. He was truly a bane of Olympus. Or the sea monster Keto. But if either of these were stirring, we would know are ocean monsters the size of skyscrapers. Your father, Poseidon, would already have sounded the alarm. I fear this monster may be more elusive. Perhaps even more powerful." He explained.

Suddenly Percy turned to me. "You had mentioned something, back at Westover Hall, it sounded like you knew what the monster Thorn mentioned was. Could they be the same?"

Everyone's eyes turned to me. I had hoped Percy would forget about that. I looked at Chiron, his expression was unreadable.

"Perhaps, I have a different suspicion than Chiron. I had discussed this with him before, he doesn't think I'm correct, so I kept back so far." I paused. "But alright then, if my thoughts and what I know are correct, we are dealing with the Ophiotaurus."

This left confused expressions on most faces, save for Chiron's and Zoë, who's face was scrunched up, as if remembering something.

"Mind you I could very well be terribly wrong, I'm just going off what I heard myself. It shouldn't have appeared this early, at least from what I estimated. But if I am right, this is worse than Typhon appearing, he has been beat before. It is an ancient being and it's entrails if sacrificed grant enormous power, sufficient to destroy the Olympians."

Worried expression surrounded me and I sighed.

"As I said I could be very wrong and I hope that I am but if I am not..." I trailed off and saw Zoë shaking her head.

"No, I fear thou could be right, I remember it now." She stated, clearly not happy about it.

"No matter what it is, there still are two more lines left." I said, wanting to leave the topic.

"And the Titan's curse must one withstand" Silena quoted.

I nervously glanced at Chiron and Zoë, who themselves looked no less anxious. There were plenty of Titans who suffered unfortunate fates, but getting your liver picked out by a giant eagle would be utterly unfitting. In light of the recent developments and Atlas freedom, there really was only one option. Though I doubted any of us could do it, Heracles had, but he also was perhaps the strongest demigod ever, at least in physical prowess, not to mention adult.

"One shall perish by a parent's hand," I concluded it, trying not to look at Zoë.

Silence followed, for a few seconds no one spoke.

"There will be deaths, that much is certain." Chiron said heavy hearted.

"Oh, goody!" Dionysus said tactless as ever.

He glanced up from his magazine, something called the wine connoisseur, as if that hadn't been intentional.

"Ah, pinot noir is making a comeback. Don't mind me." He said and returned his attention to the magazine.

Percy is right," Silena said. "Two campers should go."

"Oh, I see," Zoë said sarcastically. "And I suppose you wish to volunteer?"

Silena blushed and looked away. "I'm not going anywhere with the Hunters. Don't look at me!"

"A daughter of Aphrodite does not wish to be looked at. What would thy mother say?" Zoë said provoking.

Silena rose up, it seemed she still wanted to pulverize the lieutenant. Though luckily the Stolls intervened, holding her back.

"Stop it," Beckendorf said, clearly annoyed by Zoë. "Let's start with the Hunters. Which three of you will go?"

"I shall go of course, I will take Phoebe as well, she is our best tracker."

"The big girl who likes to hit people on the head?" Travis asked cautiously.

Zoë nodded, confirming that I hadn't been the only one to receive the pleasurable experience of getting whacked in the head by her.

The one who put the arrows in my helmet?" Connor added.

"Yes," Zoë snapped. "Why?"

"Oh, nothing," Travis said. "Just that we have a T-shirt for her from the camp store."

He held up a silver shirt, it was one of those silly Artemis Hunting tour shirts that could be seen in the Camp store, who manufactured them and who bought them for that matter was beyond me.

"It's a collector's item. She was admiring it. You want to give it to her?"

Zoë looked at it for a moment, but seemingly decided it wasn't worth the trouble to argue over and just took it from them.

"As I said I will take Phoebe and I wish Bianca to go as well."

I frowned, the girl might be a Hunter now, but she was utterly new to this world still, Hades, she didn't even know who her godly parent was, she seemed utterly unfit for this.

"Me? But… I'm so new. I wouldn't be any good." Bianca said.

"You will do fine," Zoë insisted. "There is no better way to prove thyself."

If she herself thought so I felt even more justified in my concerns, but I didn't want to argue with Zoë about this. I didn't want to lessen my own already slim chances of Zoë potentially choosing me. I needed to go on this quest, I felt like it was my duty and perhaps even more importantly quite neccassary for my continued survival, if Kronos won death was the only thing waiting for me.

Bianca closed her mouth. She didn't seem like she really wanted to be on this quest, which with the stakes and risks was more than reasonable.

"And for the Campers?" Chiron asked, eyes moving through the room.

"Me!" Grover said, bumping into the table. "Anything to help Artemis."

Zoë's nose wrinkled in understandable distaste, the Satyr hadn't exactly shown the best behavior towards them. "I think not, satyr. You are not even a half-blood."

"But he is a camper," Thalia corrected. "And he's got a satyr's senses and woodland magic. Can you play a tracker's song yet, Grover?"

I wasn't sure if Thalia actually thought him a good choice or just wanted to spite Zoë.

"Absolutely!" Grover confirmed and Zoë looked unsure.

"Very well," Zoë accepted. "And the second camper?"

Me and Thalia rose at the same time. "I'll go." We both said at once.

Zoë looked between us, but made her decision quickly.

"I'll take Thalia if it must be." She decided without much hesitation.

Percy now rose beside me. "Whoa, wait a sec, I want to go too."

I looked at Percy warily, I didn't think this a good idea, just like Thalia going on this quest. I feared if it came down to it they would both choose Annabeth, each cared about her immensely, though in different ways it still could equally cloud their judgment.

"Oh," Grover said, suddenly aware of the problem. "Whoa, yeah, I forgot! Percy has to go. I didn't mean… I'll stay. Percy should go in my place."

"He cannot," Zoë said. "He is a boy. I won't have Hunters traveling with a boy."

I raised my brow, I had a feeling this wasn't the true reason. I doubted Zoë was unreasonable enough to deny his request because of something like that, besides it hadn't bothered her with Grover and she hadn't mentioned it with me either.

"You traveled here with me," Percy argued.

"That was a short-term emergency, and it was ordered by the goddess. I will not go across country and fight many dangers in your company."

"So, what about Grover?" Percy demanded angrily.

"He does not count. He's a satyr. He is not technically a boy." She argued.

From the increasing pettiness of the arguments it became clear this was not about Percy being a boy, but about Percy being Percy. He wouldn't be my choice either if I was honest, Percy simply wasn't in the state of mind for a quest right now, especially not this one.

"I have to go," He said. "I need to be on this quest."

"Why?" Zoë asked tired. "Because of thy friend Annabeth?"

Percy blushed, Zoë had said what I wanted to tell him.

"No! I mean, partly. I just feel like I'm supposed to go!"

He looked around, desperate for someone to support him. I met his eyes and just shook my head, he looked betrayed.

"No," Zoë said. "I insist upon this. I will take the satyr if I must, but not you."

Chiron sighed. "The quest is for Artemis. The Hunters should be allowed to approve their companions."

Percy sat down and looked depressed, some of the others looked at him sympathetically. I felt for him of course, but he was in the wrong and he had to accept that.

"So be it," he said. "Thalia and Grover will accompany Zoë, Bianca, and Phoebe. You shall leave at first light. And may the gods," He glanced at Dionysus. "present company included, we hope, be with you."

The group dissolved, I threw a last look of pity and Percy before leaving as well. I needed to clear my mind after what had just happened. A small swim across the sound seemed just right to do that, the water would do wonders for my ringing head surely.

I didn't see Percy for the rest of the day after that, surely he was sulking in our cabin. I knew the responsible thing would be to go and try to talk it out with him, but I really wasn't in the mood to do so. In an effort to avoid him I went to bed later than normal and thankfully he was already asleep. I followed suit and slipped into bed, a dreamless sleep followed, rather unusual for a demigod, but I won't complain.

When I awoke it was still dark, not that surprising in the midst of December. I followed my routine, trying to find some calm in it, I liked to believe myself a true stoic, unaffected by events outside of my control, always in control.

But quite frankly, I was distressed, despite my best attempts to cover it up. The questers would be leaving in a few hours, three of them might never return. If that included Thalia, the burden of the Prophecy would be mine to carry again.

I needed to get stronger, able to carry that weight on my shoulders, it was quite simply my duty. It was what I would expect of everyone else in this position. Yesterday showed that I still wasn't capable well enough, I had barely managed to compensate for Percy being gone and even then it was close, too close.

With a sigh at these thoughts I entered the dining pavilion. Thalia was already in it, unhappily munching on some fruit loops, which clashed horrifically with her black outfit and solemn mood. Grover was sitting next to her, chewing on... something, you never really knew with satyrs whether it was actual food or a golf club they were eating.

What truly drew my attention though was the Hunters table. Zoë and Bianca were sitting there, seemingly they hadn't wanted to burden their sisters, or for whatever reason were alone. Though not just the other hunters weren't present, Phoebe wasn't either.

I strode over to Thalia, while still looking at the two Hunters.

"Morning, Thals." I greeted her and she returned it. "Aren't you a Huntress short?"

"Yeah, Zoë said Phoebe wasn't well, centaur blood, it sounded pretty serious." Thalia answered and I raised a brow.

"So who are you taking instead? I asked curiously.

"That's what I would like to know as well, but Zoë won't tell."

"I'll go ask her." I decided and Thalia shrugged.

"Do as you want, but don't blame me if you get snapped at."

Despite her warnings, I marched over to their table.

"Greetings Zoë, Bianca" The lieutenant didn't acknowledge me. "Thalia said Phoebe was unwell, something about centaur blood?"

"Yes, what is it to thee?" She snapped.

"You can't leave with four people can you now? Who is your replacement?" I asked.

Zoë remained silent, she was planning on just that wasn't she.

"Zoë, you can't seriously be considering not taking a replacement." I stated. "I can understand if you don't want to risk another Hunter, but at least take a Camper."

"And who would you suggest I take, boy?" She asked irritated. "Thy brother? Or do thee want to go yourself?"

"Yes, that's precisely what I am suggesting, myself that it."

"No." She said, but I wasn't relenting that easily.

"Look, I can understand working with me is against your principles. But please let me try and make my case." I said and glanced at Bianca. "Alone if you don't mind, sorry Bianca."

I had doubt I could actually convince her, but I had to try, for the sake of everyone, her included. She looked at Bianca.

"It's alright, you should at least listen to him."

Zoë sighed and I was extremely thankful to Bianca in that moment, because the ancient huntress rose up.

"Don't waste my time."

I nodded and we walked out of the dining pavilion and a bit onto Half-Blood Hill. After we got a good bit of distance I turned to talk to her.

"Zoë, please, let me come with you." I started, but before I could continue Zoë interrupted.

"You know full and well how dangerous this mission is, why do thee want to go on this quest?"

"I could tell you something about like I feel it's my duty, which is a large part of course. My motives are to a not insignificant portion of egoistical origin." I admitted. "I simply have a very personal stake in this war. Other demigods might survive even if Kronos wins, some are even fighting for him after all, but for me the options quite bluntly are victory or death. I have no delusions about my fate should we lose and your mistress' freedom is incredibly important for this war, far more so than my life."

"I appreciate your honesty, boy. But you still haven't told me why I should take thee?"

"You can't defy the prophecy, you know that as well as I do. You don't want to take another Hunter and who else would you take, even more important who is willing?" I argued.

"I dare say I am able to take Phoebe's place as a fighter,"

"She knocked you out." Zoë remarked dryly.

"She did, but we succeeded, did we not? Victory is worth getting whacked in the head for." I paused.

"I am no trained tracker, but the Ophiotaurus is a sea monster. If I am correct, as you considered yourself," I reminded her. "I might be the only one who could follow it if we found it."

She remained silent and I took that as a good sign, so I went on.

"Zoë, I can't force you to do anything, but we both know what might happen on this quest. I am not asking you to change your opinion about men, just set it aside in this one judgement, please, for the sake of everyone."

Zoë took a deep breath, staring into the dark sky that was starting to light up faintly.

"Fine then, we are leaving in ten minutes, be on Half-Blood Hill by then, don't make me regret this."

I nodded wordlessly and rushed downwards, into my cabin. I had, thank the gods, still not unpacked my backpack. As quickly as I could I strapped on my armor, packed an extra bag of Ambrosia and Nectar, threw on a coat and switched to winter boots.

I grabbed my knife and a few drachma from my nightstand before leaving again. I had noticed Percy was gone, which I thought strange, he never woke before seven voluntarily. But I didn't have time to think about it as I hurried up the hill.

When I arrived at the hill crest, a good seven minutes had passed, satisfied that I was earlier than I needed to be as I watched the others walk up the hill, I granted myself a moment of rest.

"Theseus? What are you doing here? Came to wish us luck, good call, I feel we'll need it." Thalia called to me as she noticed me.

"Not quite," I gave a wry grin. "I am sure we'll need it, but good news, I know who your last companion is."

"Huh, what do you mean we'll and who are you talking about?" She asked confused but realization dawned on her. "You are coming with us? How did you manage to convince her of that?"

"Ah, there will be enough time for talk, I'm sure of that." I but I'm afraid our quest leader is in an understandable hurry, so perhaps we should get in already?" I suggested with a nod to the van.

So we piled in and waited for the other two to arrive, which did not too long after. Zoë seemed unhappy at my presence, but as long as she accepted it, which she did and I was grateful for, her personal feelings towards me were off little importance.

And so off we went, heading into statistically likely death.

AN: Wohoo, that's another 7756 words of story done and just in time for 1000 views. Not much too say, finally changing some things. I am decently convinced that with the ever so slightly changed prophecy and Theseus not being Percy and thus not carrying a certain sword it isn't too OOC for Zoë to accept him after some decent reasoning.

With that, thanks for reading as always, please review!