The daughter of Athena sat right besides her best friend, the forbidden son of the goddess Artemis with an unknown god. She knew that Hector was very able to take care of himself, but there were so many people looking for him that she wanted to stay by his side. She had also analyzed the facts and knew that, by all technicalities, the boy was a god. How he bled red blood instead of golden ichor, or how he grew at a normal rate were things that she just couldn't comprehend.
If the mother had been Artemis and the father had been Perseus, another god, there was no way in Hades that Hector could be a demigod. There had been occasions in which two godly parents had made monsters, literal monsters. However, there had been no cases of two gods producing a demigod, none that had been recorded at least. So the question remained in Annabeth's mind: what exactly was Hector?
He had been sleeping for the majority of the bus ride. It seemed that he truly needed to rest, as if he somehow knew that they would not rest once outside the bus. Annabeth was also aware of this fact as much as she wanted to ignore it. Truth to the fact was that she was now helping a fugitive of Olympus, making her an enemy altogether.
Camp Half-Blood was the last place where they would want to go. After all, one step in Camp Half-Blood and all the Greek Pantheon would know exactly where to find Hector. That meant that they would need to find someplace safe, where neither the Olympians nor the Titan Army had much probability of finding them.
Annabeth also couldn't ask her mother for any kind of aid, as her mother was one of the main gods looking for Hector. One prayer to her and any plan of escaping would become obsolete.
The hours on the bus passed slowly; the journey from North Dakota to the East Coast was incredibly long. When the sun set, the daughter of Athena was already asleep, but the son of Artemis and Perseus was just starting to wake up. Hector stretched his arms and cracked his back, groaning at the pleasant feeling. He looked to his side and noticed that his travel partner was sound asleep.
"Jeez, does she do anything else than sleep?" Hector muttered, standing up from his seat and walking to the bathroom.
In the bathroom, Hector pulled down his pants and sat on the toilet. Once he finished doing his business, instead of getting up and flushing his organic matter, the teenager began to think about his life in great detail.
While thinking, everything came as a big hit to his brain. His mother was Artemis, THE maiden goddess, and his father was the god he had spent days with on his journey to save his mother. Perseus, his father, was a banished god, which in turn made him the son of an illegal. After thinking about it for the first time in his life, Hector could finally comprehend the reason why his parents had left him at such a young age. He could finally comprehend what "did this for your safety" meant, and he was actually thankful for it.
Having to grow up without any of his biological parents had hurt him, but he finally knew that it was not an easy choice. Every day that he spent without his parents had been a day that was gifted to him by their difficult choice. Hector remembered how mad he had been when he first found out about everything, and he didn't regret or deny it. After all, it had been quite a big announcement in his life. He did however admit that he might have overreacted, just a little bit.
What he wanted to do now was to be with his parents. Give them a hug and tell them that he forgave them, tell them that he loved them with all his life, and maybe hope that they could somehow hide him from the wrath of Zeus. Hector knew that both his parents had received unjust punishments for their actions, but the worst punishment would be his death. And not only did he not want to hurt his parents, he also didn't fancy the idea of dying at such a young age.
His thinking was brought to an end by a knocking on the door.
"Occupied" he said startled, zipping up his pants and flushing down the toilet. Quickly, Hector washed his hands and opened the door. "Sorry for taking so much time"
"Don't worry about it" A middle aged man said as he entered the bathroom.
Hector quickly took a seat next to Annabeth, reclining his seat and taking a look at the feature film on the bus. The movie was Shrek, one of the best films in cinema history.
They were at the scene where they were helping Fiona escape from the castle, and somehow Donkey seduces the lady dragon.
"Hey look, you're on the TV" Hector heard someone say from his side. He looked and noticed that Annabeth was awake.
"What? What do you mean I'm on the TV?" he asked confused
The blonde haired girl pointed at the screen, "The ogre, Shrek, that's you"
"No way Jose. I can't pull a Shrek. The amount of sexual energy he radiates is much more than the amount I could ever muster."
Annabeth laughed, "if you say so"
"But hey look, you're also on the movie"
"Who am I then? Fiona?" the daughter of Athena smirked
"No, you're Donkey, 'cause you never shut up" Annabeth hit Hector after his comment, earning a laugh from the boy.
"Don't be so rude"
"Can't help it" Hector laughed until a growl was heard. Immediately Annabeth tensed up and began to take out her Celestial Bronze knife. "Don't take anything out"
"But-"
"There's no threat, that was just my stomach" Hector put his hand on Annabeth's, making her put her deadly knife away completely, "There we go, relax"
"We can't relax when we're on the run from the two most powerful forces on Earth" the daughter of Athena said
Hector's face turned sour at the comment. Taking both of his hands and fiddling with them, the son of Artemis began to weigh the problem he had at hand. There was no way to evade being a fugitive, as it was Olympian law and nothing he could do would change it. However, Hector knew that not everyone had to be affected by this law.
"Annabeth, I gotta tell you something serious" the green-eyed boy said
The daughter of Athena turned her head to him, raising her eyebrow, "What is it?"
"I know you want to help me out, and I'm really grateful for it. But I just can't allow my best friend to risk her life only for me. So, when we arrive at whatever state we're off to, I think we should go our separate ways"
Annabeth shook her head, "No, I will stay by your side. I know you can defend yourself, but you're going to be fighting against the Olympians and the Titan Army. You should at least have one person to help you"
"I can deal very well on my own, or at least until I find my parents"
"But that can be months for now"
Hector smiled, "It won't be, because for the first time in my life, I know who to be looking for"
Annabeth sighed, "I know what you're saying Hector, and I know that you mean well, but I just can't let you be alone when I know that I can help you out. I mean, even if we haven't talked in years you're still my best friend, and I want to help you"
"Won't Chiron get suspicious of your lack of intel on the powerful being in the South Dakotan town?"
The daughter of Athena tilted her head, "Do you not remember what I always used to say? Athena al-"
"Always has a plan," Hector finished, "I remember. So what's your plan?"
"I won't tell you. It has been scientifically proven that plans tend to fail as more people know about them"
"Scientifically proven?"
"Yes" Annabeth humphed
"Fine, whatever you say, but I trust you"
Annabeth smiled, "you better"
"By the way, why did we take a bus instead of your car?" Hector asked the daughter of Athena
"Because being the complete trash of a car that it is, it would've left us stranded in a state like Iowa"
"Damn that's smart. So why not a train then?"
Annabeth looked weirdly at Hector, "Deerie, since when has the train system worked in the US? After the industrial revolution and the railroad expansion, trains became almost obsolete here"
"That's the worst nickname you have ever come up with" was the only reply that the green-eyed boy gave
Annabeth glared at her companion, "You focused on the nickname?"
"Think of another nickname and then we'll talk"
"Fine"
The pair enjoyed the rest of the bus ride watching the movie, on repeat. When they got tired they slept, when they needed to go to the bathroom they went, and when they got hungry they ate from snacks that Annabeth had brought for the journey. The journey continued that way for about a day and a few hours, counting the parts when the bus stopped for a "leg stretch break" as the chauffeur liked to call it. Before they knew it, Annabeth and Hector arrived to their destination.
"Finally we arrived to...Jersey?!" Hector said as he got off the bus
Annabeth left the bus with her backpack on her shoulders, "Oh, I didn't tell you we were coming to Jersey?"
"This is the reason why the bus ride was so empty..."
"Stop overreacting Hector. I'm sure you'll like New Jersey"
The son of Artemis shook his head, "No way Annabeth. I'm a born and raised Newyorker, hating Jersey is in my blood"
"You don't even know where you were born! And I doubt Camp Half-Blood counts as New York" Annabeth grinned
"Just..ok?" Hector said
Annabeth laughed "Yeah yeah, whatever. Now come on, we didn't come all the way to New Jersey just so you can suffer. I mean, that wasn't the whole reason"
"I hate you so much"
"Right back at you" Annabeth said as she walked away from the station onto the beautiful city of Newark. The son of Perseus stayed waiting for his best friend to turn around and beg him to follow, but as Annabeth kept walking, he realized that the only thing that would happen if he didn't move was that he was going to get mugged.
Hector ran behind Annabeth, catching up with the daughter of Athena.
"So, why Newark?" Hector asked as they passed a coffee shop
"Oh we're not staying in Newark. We're staying in a more isolated place. Someplace where nobody will be able to find you "
"Why do I get the feeling that you're going to kill me in my sleep and then throw my body in the river?"
Annabeth hit him on the shoulder, "Stop joking around. We gotta get someplace like that quickly, before any deity notices some abnormal power surge in Newark"
"Won't they feel the power surge in any isolated place?" Hector asked
"Yes, but if it's isolated, it's much easier to put up traps and defend ourselves" Annabeth said as she took a giant map of New Jersey
Hector looked at his best friend and grabbed her shoulder, "Annabeth, you know it's not too late. I can manage for myself"
"Stop it with that or I swear I will kill you" the blonde haired demigod said slowly, looking at her companion straight into his eyes
"Why are you so determined to help me?"
"Because you saved me last year from the Titan army. I just have to repay you back" Annabeth said quickly
"Are you sure there's no other reason?"
Annabeth lowered her eyes, as if she were calculating wether or not to say something. She then quickly looked back up and shook her head, "that's the only reason. Now let's go, we can't afford many more interruptions"
The pair then walked through the city. No single person looked at them weirdly, all of them had their own stories to take care off. Even as they passed what seemed like a drug spot, no member of the group even noticed the two teenagers walking alone towards the New Jersey woods. They weren't the prettiest trees, or the most fertile soil, but it wasn't a bad place to hide.
Hector looked around as the woodland critters began to follow him. From the squirrels on the trees to different types of rabbits and raccoons, it seemed as if Pocahontas was walking through the forest. The son of Artemis then had an idea, an idea for a gift for his friend.
Briefly closing his eyes, the green-eyed boy conjured a small brown bunny. Then, he put the bunny up on Annabeth's head, making her stop dead on her tracks.
"Hector Carib Troy, get whatever this is off my head" Annabeth said in a deadly tone
"If you're going to act that way around him maybe I won't give him to you at all" Hector said as he took the bunny off Annabeth's head and caressing it
"You were going to give it to me?" The blonde-haired demigoddess said after taking a look at the bunny
"Him, not it. It has a penis" Hector said kissing the bunny
"Kissing the bunny after saying he has a penis totally didn't seem like gay bestiality"
"Why are you the way that you are?"
"Just the way I was made. Now give it to me" Annabeth tried to take the bunny
"No way, I won't give it to you now" Hector backed away
The pair of friends began to run around, laughing as they fought over who took care of the small bunny. Happiness was felt throughout the area where they stood, a happiness that would not last long.
As Annabeth was about to catch on to the son of Perseus, an arrow flew from the trees and embedded itself on Hector's right leg, making him lose balance and fall.
"Hector!" Annabeth yelled as she knelt besides her best friend. Quickly checking his wound, the daughter of Athena proceeded to pull the green-eyed boy so his back would be resting on a tree trunk.
"What is it with strangers and shooting arrows at my legs? Thank gods for my quick reflexes that I was able to send the little bunny away, or else he would've been dead."
"Be quiet for a second" Annabeth said as she looked at the arrow imbedded into her friend's leg. At a simple glance, it seemed like just any normal arrow, which meant that she needed to take it out for further investigation.
"Don't do anything" a female voice said from behind Annabeth. The daughter of Athena quickly turned around and came face to face with a blonde haired girl, no older than fifteen, who held a loaded bow. The leaves on the ground began to shuffle, and one by one, about a dozen of other girls came out of hiding. The oldest of the girls stood at around 15 while the youngest about 10. It didn't take a genius to figure out who the girls in front of them were.
"The hunters of Artemis" Annabeth said
"Actually," a final girl with black hair and electric blue eyes stepped forward, "We're now named the Troopers of Athena"
"Thalia" Annabeth breathed out
"Long time no see Annabeth. I would greet you as I normally would, but right now I have a mission to complete"
Annabeth gut twisted, "What is the mission?"
Thalia pointed at Hector, who was looking at everything in confusion, "We need to bring him to Olympus."
"Why? What has he done?"
While the two girls conversed, Hector began to pray to both of his parents for help. He didn't know if it would work, but it was worth a shot. After all, it was either die trying or die anyways.
"Hey mom, hey dad, could you help me out please? I'm about to die in New Jersey. Thank you" Hector said in his mind, receiving no response from either party.
"He is a traitor and must be punished as one" a girl from the side said
"What Nadia said is true. He is a traitor of Olympus and will be tried as one at the courts of Olympus. However, if he denies to come with us, then we have orders to kill him" Thalia said, glaring at the boy
"But he hasn't done anything wrong!" Annabeth defended her friend
"Unfortunately, you are wrong" a blonde woman appeared out of nowhere. The hunters now troopers bowed down at the presence of the woman. "It is such a pity that this boy was able to entice you to the point that you can't discern truth from falsehood, daughter"
"Mother, please don't do this" Annabeth pleaded
"Annabeth move aside" The goddess of wisdom ordered. Annabeth shook her head defiantly, "very well then. Atalanta, Esther, take her"
Two troopers nodded their heads and grabbed Annabeth by her arms. Annabeth tried to resist, but the two troopers overpowered her.
"Let me go!" Annabeth yelled
"Annabeth, be silent. I am only doing this for the great of Olympus. That boy right there, if not eliminated, will create an even greater rift between the Olympians, and we cannot afford that." Athena said
The goddess of wisdom stepped towards the boy resting at the tree trunk. She conjured her trusty spear and her shield, aegis.
Pointing the spear at Hector, the goddess spoke, "Hector Carib Troy, you have been summoned to Olympus. Orders have been given to deliver you with whatever means necessary and at whichever state, so I will not hesitate to end your life if you do not cooperate"
Hector gulped, "Lady Athena, it is an honor being at your presence. It is truly unfortunate that we meet under these circumstances, but I guess that's just what the fates have for us. As for going to Olympus, May I ask why I'm being summoned to such an important place of Western Civilization?"
Athena raised an eyebrow, "It seems Chiron has taught you good manners. You are being summoned to Olympus because of beliefs that you are a spy for the Titan army"
"I can assure you Lady Athena, I am no spy. All my life I've fought valiantly for Olympus. If you doubt my loyalty, then you would be accepting that you do not believe in the demigods who are fighting for you in this war"
"If you are no spy, then you would not have any problems with going to Olympus with me" Athena reasoned
"Normally that would be true. However, due to the nature of my manhunt, I am afraid that there will be an unjust trial against my being and it will end up in my demise" Hector then said
"That will not happen"
"I cannot be sure of that. After all, there is no way that under a just justice system Artemis would've lost her hunt. I mean, there should be a majority of votes in favor and I can count at least six gods who would not vote in favor of Lady Artemis losing her hunt, had they had a choice obviously" Hector said, glaring at the goddess of wisdom
"Are you saying that we are corrupt?" Athena glared at the ex-camper
"I did not say that, but it was implied" Hector grinned
Athena's face turned red in anger, "this is traitorous talk against Olympus and will not go unpunished"
"You can try to take me now" Hector said, "that is, if you can"
Athena stepped forward to grab the teenager, but before she could do anything, two arrows flew right in front of her, barely millimeters away from her nose. Startled, Athena looked towards the place where the arrows had come from.
Standing there were three figures, a woman and two men. Two of them had a bow with a quiver of arrows, while the other man had a sword.
"Athena, don't you dare do anything" the woman said
"Artemis, what are you doing here?" Athena asked coldly
"I have come to save someone in need" Artemis declared before moving her head in two directions, telling the two men where to move.
"You should not be here sister" Athena warned, taking her spear with both hands and pointing it towards Artemis
Artemis stepped forward, "I have lost everything. All my property has been taken away, my hunt now belongs to you, and I have lost the opportunity to create a family. You are not going to take the last thing I can still have"
Artemis scoffed, "you deserved that. If you truly want to fight, then I will let you fight the troopers first. Troopers, attack!"
Nobody moved at the command, which made Athena turn around in confusion. Much to her surprise, all the troopers laid frozen on the ground.
"What happened?!" The goddess of wisdom yelled
"Oh, that would be my work. I just froze them in their own time capsules. Pretty awesome right?" one of the men said, leaning from a tree
"Awesome is my word dude!" The other man said from besides the two teenagers, "but while you were doing that, guess who healed the wound on his dear old nephew"
"I see you brought the whole gang then" Athena sneered
"It was something really important. Now, are you going to flee or do we have to fight?" Artemis asked
Athena scoffed, "You have no chance against me. Only the Six Oldest have more power than me. Other than them, I'm superior to the every Olympian"
"Damn that hubris is toxic. Dude, Athena, you know that both Artemis and Apollo are able to rival your power right? And when you add me to the equation, that equals to some 4:1 odds. So, you should just flee" Perseus said twisting his sword
Athena looked between the three gods that were ready to fight her. She wasn't stupid, quite the opposite, so she knew that she held no chance on defeating the three of them. However, she could do damage in Olympian politics, which would damage them much more than any fight ever could.
Looking straight into Artemis eyes, the goddess of wisdom flashed herself and the troopers out of the forest, leaving the three gods and two teenagers alone.
Wasting no time whatsoever, Artemis ran towards her son and hugged him.
A word has yet to be invented that could closely resemble how much the goddess of the hunt had yearned to do that. Hugging her son closely, crushing his ribs, making him feel safe. She felt the arms of Hector slowly rise up and hug her back.
"Mom"
"Yes Hector, it's me" Artemis said with a river of tears falling from her eyes, "I'm your mother"
"I love you mom" Hector said, receiving another bone-crushing hug from his mother.
A voice cleared behind Hector, and so he turned around. Right in front of him was a god he had seen before, but never in the way he was seeing him right now. For the first time in his life Hector had clear evidence that his parents did indeed love him.
"I know you don't like me very much, but I-" Perseus began to say before being cut off by a hug from his son.
"Dad, I love you" Hector said. Perseus hugged his son back, a few tears falling slowly from his eyes. His hands trembled as he went to hug his son back, but once he could muster the strength to hug him, the god of tides could not let go.
"I love you too my son"
