Chapter five
~Orion~
Running that's all Ori remembered from her dream, she was running, but she couldn't remember from what. Today she felt more like a girl than a boy, so that's what she was a girl. As she climbed out of bed, she heard her brother Kili's heavy breathing. He was up and probably doing his morning drill. As her bare feet touched the floor she felt his presence and outline of his body doing push-ups gently Ori walked to his side pausing only for a moment then sat on his back adding extra weight for his training, Kili did not complain he merely shifted his body to adjust their combined weight. They stayed like that in silence for several minutes until Ori whispered. ~You won't let them near me right, Kili? I mean if they try something, because of their so-called pledge.~ Kili stopped and carefully laid down on the floor, reaching out behind them, he had somehow managed to flip them over so that his gaze locked onto her face. Her brother didn't need to speak to convey the meaning in his eyes, and she didn't need to see to know the burning determination that lay behind them. Achilles would destroy the world if something terrible happened to one of them. Tears filled up into her eyes, and she latched onto his neck. ~I know, stupid question. Thank you, brother.~ Pulling away Ori went to her trunk and pulled out a soft feeling sundress, quickly slipping it on and sat on the edge of the saltwater fountain. Hearing one of her other siblings moving up and about, she waited patiently for an indication of who it was. Feeling Percy's steady grip on her shoulder as he gently combed her hair with his other hand, she leaned back and relaxed.
^Are you sure you wanna go outside today, the Hunters are going to arrive.^ ~Yes, I might as well get it over with, no point in delaying anything.~ At first, Ori had never thought herself to be different, she was like both her brothers and her sisters, and they had never found anything wrong with it, but that was before a child of Athena had run their mouth and told her that it was wrong to be both genders. Now she was going to meet the Hunters of Artemis for the first time. Oddie had met them once before and said that they were self-righteous hypocrites who didn't listen to reason. A cult that did not see their form of reverse sexism. Ori was scared. She had no idea what they would think. She was a Hermaphrodite, both boy and girl. There was no telling what they would think. Mostly she was afraid of the goddess that lead them. Would she be hunted down like an animal all because of how she was born? It didn't seem right. And yet this was dealing with the gods. Nothing was ever fair when it came to dealing with them.
As her siblings got ready for the day, she stayed put dreading what the day would bring. Kili strode over and picked her up, deciding that it was time to go and to prevent her from hiding or running away it was better if she was within reach. She huffed as her brother carried her bridal style outside.
^Percy^
Percy knew that his family was nervous, between the odds of Odessa most likely gutting a hunter or Ori afraid of being tortured by said hunters, it was very nerve-wracking. Percy watched carefully for any signs of danger while carrying Ori's bow, yes he was a terrible shot but said shot could be a worthy distraction. They sat at their table when Annabeth approached with Luke beside her. Luke smiled and asked. "Mind if we join you?" Thea, who was reading his lips, nodded and shifted over, even though there was plenty of room. Her eyes locked onto his face. "So Annabeth and Thalia have been telling me a lot about you. I think it somewhat surprises your young and flexible, fast and durable. It's almost as if you defy the fates themselves." Annabeth scowled at Thea who was staring at her friend but nodded in agreement with Luke. "Can you teach me the flips you do? It's almost like you're flying." She asked.
Percy smiled Thea, Ori, and Oddie were the most flexible and graceful out of the five they could do all sorts of acrobatic tricks that could be useful in combat. Ori turned in their direction from her position on Kili's lap and eagerly agreed. ~I can teach you.~ Hearing this made both look at her in shock. "Umm sorry but, I could have sworn you were a boy I didn't know that you were..." ~I'm both.~ Ori snapped, cutting off Luke before he dug himself a deeper grave. ~Some days I feel more feminine than others.~ All the Jackson siblings excluding Ori glared at the two outsiders as if daring them to say something about it. Luke nodded before realizing his mistake. "You look lovely Ori." Ori's face tinged a slight shade of pink before it paled and her shoulders tensed up. She cocked her head to the side she indicated towards the big house. Percy glance over then quickly signed to Thea who snarled at the word. ^Hunters^ Odessa readied her weapon and while Ori snatched her bow from him.
"What's wrong?" Annabeth asked while drawing her knife. Percy grabbed her hand and gently made her lower her weapon. ^Rivalrey, we don't get along very well with the hunters of Artemis. Nothing to worry about." Achilles stood up and stretched his arms before adjusting his armor. Then he smirked, Oddessa squealed and stood at his side, Thea leaped to his other hand and gave Percy a quick command. + Don't let them touch Ori. + Wrapping his arm around Ori's waist he smiled at the two newcomers. ^Sorry but it's time to play keep away.^ With that, the siblings split up. Percy and Ori were moving toward the lake and the others slowly advancing on their prey.
Sprinting at full speed Percy and Ori were about halfway to the water before the first arrow flew past them. Grasping her waist firmly, Percy lifted her and flung her forward before spinning around to deflect one of the hunter's arrows. Pheobe probably one of the oldest hunters next to Zoë was charging in her knife at the ready. Percy uncapped his pen, and his sword sprang out just in time to meet her slashing blade. ^Ah eager today are we?^ He asked cheerfully as the hunter leaped back and scowled. "Eager for your head boy." She sneered. Their blades clashed again, and Percy only shook his head.
=Odessa=
It was so much fun playing with hunters. I had the Hermes cabin set up a couple of traps here and there for them to find and I must say I loved the show. Hunters were arrogant and in need of some discipline. I was only a child, but I was more than happy to remind them of manners. My brother was locked in combat with Zoë, Achillies was quick, and his movements were smooth and precise. On the battlefield, he was his namesake, not our Kili. I sat curled up on the porch with a smirk. I was untouchable. Thea and I sat like queens watching a tournament our one knight fighting against an army like it was nothing. Although that could be due to Thea enveloping half their feet into the earth as she occasionally stepped out into the fray, but that boy Luke, he had come with us and has not let Thea out on her own. Always there with his sword at the ready even with her giant hammer resting on her shoulder.
It was odd to see my sister being protected by a stranger, someone who wasn't family. I would have to keep an eye on him. It seemed that Thea didn't mind his company, perhaps she had a crush? She did like older guys. Achillies knocked Zoë back so that she landed only a few feet in front of me. I eyed her before turning my gaze to see Luke following my sister as she returned to my side. Her pigtails swaying back and forth in the soft breeze, her bare feet caked with mud but not a speck of dirt could be found elsewhere. Good, that was good. I heard a snarl and a thud. Glancing down, I now saw Zoë at the end of my brother's triton. The railing behind her and her knife on the ground. My brother wasn't aiming to kill, but the triton end was pointing directly at her side.
I waved him off and cheerfully smiled. =Zoë darling, it's been too long! I'm so glad you decided to come over. What do you think about our security system?= Slowly standing up, I never let her out of my sight. =Although Pheobe did get through. I do have to give credit where it's due. But you do remember, don't you? I have more than two siblings. I'll bet Percy and her are having a fun fight.= Our eyes were locked onto each other as I stood in front of her. My powers were freezing her in place and only then did Achillies allow his triton to lower. Ori flew up from the dirt path a smile on her face.
~Looks like you had fun.~ Achillies extended an arm welcomingly to her. It was something that amazed most even though our precious sibling was blind; they knew exactly where we were at all times and what we wanted. Grasping Achillies hand Ori was lead to my side, where I took her free hand. ~Ah! You must be Zoë Nightshade. It's nice to meet you. My names Orion, I like my predecessor am a child of Poseidon. I am blind and cannot see your face, but I know you feel hate at that name. I am both male and female biologically, so I suppose somehow my very existence disturbs you. I would have you know that I am not interested in whatever happened in the past because it is precisely that. History. Therefore please inform your mistress that I will not allow her to judge myself for the faults of another she knew long ago. That is all.~
Achillies then walked away with Ori while Thea released the hunters' feet from the ground. I, however, kept Zoë bound. =Darling I would also like to remind you. This here is my camp. My home, and in my house you do not get to strut around acting like you are a gift from the gods. All who stay here are a part of my family. My children! It doesn't matter to me be they male, female, or somewhere in between they are mine, and they are safe here. Safe from the likes of those who would beat them, shun them, safe from all the monsters in the world that would do them harm. So I will only say this once if you harm a single one of my children, even the older ones. I will make you suffer.= I unfroze her blood, and while I was a little dizzy for using my power for so long.
Thea glanced at me but not in a worried way. We would never give away each other's weaknesses like that. I saw Chiron galloping up towards us a concerned look on his face. Mr. D opened the door of the big house with a grimace. "Must you children make so much noise?" He reached out and yanked me by my arm up the steps. I willingly follow knowing that once inside, I would be able to have a peaceful sleep. "You are guests here try not to destroy anything or make to much racket. I would hate to inform your lady of how you, unfortunately, became shrubbery." He hissed at the gaggle of girls. Before the door closed, I gave my sister a serene look. 'Ah sweet sleep comes to me' were my last thoughts as the door shut and the god shoved me onto the couch muttering about my stupidity.
+Theadosia+
A dog, that was what Luke reminded her of... a loyal dog that remained by her side. Perhaps it was because he wanted to return the favor for them saving him and his friends lives a couple of days ago. Or maybe even with what he saw, he still thought of them as young children who needed protection. Either way, it amused her greatly. Her Theodosia Echo Jackson the earth's hammer now had her own personal guard. She didn't spare the hunters a glance when they were done convening the message. Nor did she follow her sister into the big house. She would most likely need a nap, and Thea had blacksmith's to visit. Walking down the familiar path her new shadow had decided to join her, she could feel his eyes on her. He was studying her, but what for? Did he possibly think that she was the weak link out of all her siblings?
He placed a hand on her shoulder, and she glanced upward to see a small frown forming on his face. Oh, he was trying to speak to her! A blush of embarrassment and a look of pity was given to him. She was to use to the other campers signing or writing down things to tell her instead of speaking. Or even having a sibling to translate, but she was alone at the moment, and she would not allow anyone to think of her as inferior. Spinning around to walk backward along the trail, she tapped a finger to her ears and gave him a small shrug.
He didn't look startled or embarrassed for not noticing, only tilting his head as if trying to find a way to convey his words to her. She could smell the smoke from the forge and felt the pounding of the hammer on raw metal. So she left Luke to his thoughts and made her way inside, loving the heat that caressed her skin. Mark Thatcher, the new head of Hephteus cabin, smiled in welcome to her. She would not admit that she found his grease-covered face adorable. Climbing up onto her spot, she watched him come over and show off his latest creation.
While Ryan was still one of her favorite children of the forge, she knew that he had left his cabin in good hands. The fifteen-year-old was a creative genius, always making something out of nothing just for her. He presented her with a beautiful Bronze fox animation. She swooned as the creature moved up her arm to curl around her neck. Who wouldn't want a person to make something from their own two hands for them after all? Feeling the vibrations on the table, she noticed that Mark was talking to her in morse code.
.- ... .- - / .- .. .-.. .-.. / -.- - ..- / -. .- - . / .. - ..-.. (What will you name it?) ... . .-. / . -.- . ... / .-.. - - -.- / .-.. .. -.- . / - - .-. .- -.. -..- / - ... .- - / .. ... / ... . .-. / -. .- - . .-.-.- / - - .-. .- -.. .-.-.- (Her eyes look like topaz, that is her name. Topaz) I tap in response. He smiled at me again the crook in his smile almost matched the one on his nose. I noticed Luke watching us closely out of the corner of my eye. - ... .- - / -.- - ..- .-. / -... - -.- ..-. .-. .. . -. -.. .-.-.- (That your boyfriend?) Mark teased, and I swiftly swatted his head. He was rubbing the back of his head when Luke decided to make an introduction. The two talked for a bit as I stroked my new friend calmly. Then Luke sat on the floor by my feet. 'It was odd to see someone sitting at your feet. Like he is submitting in some way.' She thought. Luke was now scribbling in a notebook that Mark had probably given to him. Lifting up the book so that I could see his words I read.
Your name is Thea, You carry around a giant hammer that is twice your body weight. You have four siblings, and you are a child of Poseidon. You are only seven years old, and you and your siblings are extremely powerful. You are deaf. Thea only raised an eyebrow in annoyance, if she had wanted to be told what she already knew she would spend her time in Athena cabin. What I don't know is, why are you here? How come you already know so much about our world? Why you and your siblings act much older than you already are? You and your family seem to outshine others when it comes to well everything. I'd bet if you tried you could even overthrow the gods themselves. Thea snorted and snatched the book from his grasp.
+It is a long story of how we became what we are today. We are incredible, yes, and we will continue to grow stronger, but what I wonder is why you would want the gods to be overpowered. It is simple, the less we pray to them, the less power they have. Their ability is based on the belief, which is why gods have always been jealous of mankind. They need man to survive not the other way around.+ Luke looked at her with awe and quickly responded. Is the power of belief so strong that it affects even a mortal? Thea shrugged. +So long as they are remembered, even death will not overcome them. The bigger the belief, the more power one has over the world.+ Her eyes hardened at her words, but she needed to emphasize the meaning to her words.
Immortals were vain and stupid. She was only seven, and she knew this, she knew of a few people who had managed to become immortal without a gods help. Even if by accident. They thought themselves either cursed or unstoppable. If she ever became immortal, she wondered what she would be like. Would she be petty and cruel? Unaware of the ever-changing world that surrounded her? She hoped not. And if she became immortal whose to say that her siblings would or wouldn't? The very thought of seeing them grow old and die without her scared her. She gently rubbed Topaz's head as the small automation snuggled into her hair.
Luke looked at her for a long moment before writing down one last thought. If somehow all the gods had been dealt with and the world needed new ones to take their place. I think you and your siblings would make excellent rulers. I would follow you to the ends of time. Thea didn't know how to respond to that. Yes her and the others had had the occasional say of what should be done for the camp. Like Oddie's idea for the new cabin for the unclaimed. But to rule an entire planet? It was unthinkable. Gazing into Luke's crystal blue eyes, she knew that he had been hurt by one of the gods, most likely his father. Maybe she should see that he gets some counseling to work out his issue's. For now, she would let it slide.