Everybody woke up around 7am and went for breakfast. Nobody said anything much as they were all thinking. The ones on the quest were thinking about Nico and Zoe. Nico and Hades were thinking about Bianca and Zoe was pretty calm but not too much. Artemis knew that two of her hunters had died on the quest and she knew it wasn't going to be easy for her. She was also thinking about what the demigods and gods had said to her. Percy hadn't gotten much sleep, thinking about Nico's reaction.
The demigods got up first and went to the throne room, they didn't say a word which worried the gods. Chiron assured them that this is a hard book for everybody and the demigods are thinking about that and the events later on.
"I'll read." Artemis said and she picked up the book.
EVERYBODY HATES ME BUT THE HORSE
"For losing capture the flag?" Annabeth asked
Percy nodded.
The least the Oracle could've done…against the trapdoor frame and dust flew.
A few people snickered.
"You just whacked the mummy's head." Chris snickered
Percy grinned sheepishly.
Apollo shook his head.
"Ah, man."… Mummy could weigh so much?
"The mummy is still a dead person." Will pointed out
I assumed she wouldn't talk to me…about Annabeth.
Annabeth smiled sadly.
"What will Chiron do?"… All of them are evil."
"You meant my son?" Hermes asked
Grover nodded.
"The great stirring is mostly of monsters but you never know, it was quite a good hope." Dionysus said
"You mean Pan"… about Grover's life ambition.
"There's nothing to feel selfish about, you already had so much to deal with and apart from that many campers were blaming you for losing the capture the flag especially Thalia." Grover said gently
Thalia winced.
Percy shot Grover a grateful look.
The nature god had gone…They were determined to find him.
"Thank you." Hermes said gratefully to Grover
Grover blushed.
"It's our duty." He smiled
They'd been searching…. It must've been driving him nuts.
"It was, I felt like I should've been searching and I thought I might get a hint at least and then we had an emergency and the trail just went cold." Grover said
"Sorry Grover." Chiron said
"It's alright Chiron, we need as many demigods we could get." Grover said
"I've let the trail go cold," he said…I can just feel it."
"He chose you and that's the reason you were actually able to feel it, though I don't know the whole story as Dionysus didn't tell me but I'm guessing we're going to find out about it in the books." Hermes said
I didn't know what to say…capture-the flag hopes.
Thalia grimaced.
"I didn't want to make you feel so bad Percy." She said
Triton glared at her.
"You still blamed him for trying to help." He said
Percy put a hand on Triton's shoulder.
Before I could respond…"Tell Percy to get his butt downstairs."
"It was just a game Thalia." Piper said
"Why?" I asked…several bottles of red wine.
"They're underage, at least most of them." Hades said
Then Chiron reminded…Nobody drank that either.
A few people snickered.
Mr. D and Chiron…took the other end.
Zoe sighed.
Hades and Nico tried their best to not glare at her.
Thalia and Grover…courtesy of the Hunters.
Ares glared at Artemis.
"Yeah, your hunters sure know the meaning of friendly game and fun." He said sarcastically
Artemis cringed.
They were resting up in the infirmary…The Hunters must leave immediately."
'You are at our camp and we know you don't follow any rules but at our camp you do things the way we do." Clarisse said
The Stolls and the other campers nodded.
Though Thalia, Percy and Grover agreed, they didn't want to hurt Zoe.
"And go where?"… But I couldn't think who.
Hades and Nico smiled softly.
She looked like she'd been…in liquid moonlight.
Artemis smiled from behind the book.
"You heard the prophecy"… "The Hunters do not need thy help."
"You do need it, whether you like it or not." Silena said
Zoe winced.
Percy jumped in.
"Guys this already happened and Zoe did change her opinion." He said
"But that doesn't make it easier to see her insult us like that." Travis said
Percy tilted his head.
"The fates told us to say what we feel too." Connor said
Percy didn't say anything, the brother did have a point.
He went back to his seat and gave a small apologetic look to Zoe who waved it away.
"Your," Thalia grumbled. "Nobody has said thy in, like, three hundred years, Zoë. Get with the times."
A few chuckles.
Zoë hesitated…"Forget it."
Thalia and Zoe grinned at each other.
"I fear the prophecy says you do need our help," Chiron said.
"Wow, even Chiron's a bit annoyed." Nico said
"That's hard to do." Pollux muttered.
"Campers and Hunters…you try to cooperate?"
A few gods glared at Dionysus.
"Mr. D," Chiron sighed, "with all due respect, whose side are you on?"
Everybody snickered.
Dionysus raised his eyebrows. "Sorry, my dear centaur. Just trying to be helpful."
"I don't really think that it counts as helpful." Triton said
"We're supposed to work together"… Thalia had scored a point.
"Yep." Castor said
"Three pointer." Connor whistled
"We must not delay," Chiron warned…"Another dull annual meeting."
The gods laughed.
"There I can agree with Dionysus." Poseidon said
The other gods nodded. Hera tried not to.
Zeus grumbled about his meetings not being dull and boring.
Artemis must be present…Dionysus asked.
"Yes." The demigods and a few gods chorused.
"You know when you go into the technicalities, Zoe isn't young." Percy said
Zoe chucked a pillow at Percy.
"Yes, Lord Dionysus"… Carry on."
Everybody except Zeus and Hera burst out laughing.
"He's one of the Olympians and even he knows that." Hermes sniggered
"So do we." Apollo said
"Yeah, Zeus was very sure that Kronos wasn't rising." Percy said
"I must agree with Zoë," said Chiron…feeling self-conscious.
"I know right, you say something and then everybody stares at you..." Piper said
"Three Hunters…We will need strength of numbers."
"Now she just implied that we're weak." Chris said
"Just ignore it." Clarisse told him.
"Thou aren't weak." Zoe said
"You." Thalia chuckled
Zoe chuckled.
"You." She said
"You'll be retracing the goddess's path"… ' A small group is best."
Artemis nodded.
"He's right." She said
Zoë picked up a Ping-Pong…what this beast might be."
"Well it wasn't really a beast." Percy said
"Nope." Thalia and Grover said
Everybody looked at Dionysus…They make for terrible party conversation."
"I like how he calls them dusty." Nico snickered
"Ah, dear old grandpa." Percy said, sniggering
Poseidon, Hades, Hermes and Apollo laughed.
The demigods were laughing a well.
"Chiron," I said…have sounded the alarm.
Poseidon nodded.
"I would have but I don't think Zeus would care." He said
"Nah, he'd still think you're bluffing or trying to overthrow him." Percy said
Zeus glared at Percy who glared right back.
I fear this monster…you and not we.)
Connor smirked and grinned at Percy.
"It sounds like at least two...out of the desert."
"You can't control prophecy." Apollo said softly
There was a muttering of agreement…they didn't share it.
A few gods exchanged nervous glances too.
"One shall perish by a parent's hand"… both getting close to sixteen.
Triton's eyes widened.
"I was." Thalia clarified
I remembered a conversation…it was Thalia and me.
There was silence.
"You thought that I could kill you?" Poseidon asked, sounding a little hurt
"Well we weren't supposed to be born." Percy said. Poseidon winced at the casual way.
"And I didn't know you very well either." Percy said
Poseidon tilted his head.
He finally settled for giving his son a hug.
"I would never kill you." He said
Percy grinned.
"Nor me." Zeus told Thalia
Thalia smiled.
"I wouldn't either." Hades told Nico
"I know that now dad." Nico smiled.
I wondered if maybe I should've sent Poseidon that seashell pattern tie for Father's Day after all.
Everybody burst out laughing.
"Wow Perce." Beckendorf laughed
Percy grinned.
"Did you actually buy it?" Triton asked
'Yeah, I think I still have it." Percy said
The laughter increased.
"I wouldn't mind to be honest." Poseidon grinned
"I bought dad a skeleton tie once but I didn't give it." Nico said
Everybody roared with laughter.
"I wouldn't mind it." Hades grinned
It took everybody five minutes to calm down.
"There will be deaths," Chiron decided…"Oh, goody!" Dionysus said.
Everybody looked at him.
Everyone looked at him…Don't mind me."
The gods rolled their eyes.
The demigods shook their heads.
"Percy is right"… "What would thy mother say?"
The children of Aphrodite almost got up.
The other demigods except Percy and Thalia glared at Zoe.
"Silena is a great fighter and so is Piper." Leo and Travis said
"I'm proud of them." Aphrodite agreed
Silena and Piper smiled.
Silena started to get out…people tended to listen.
The demigods smiled at Beckendorf who grinned.
Hephaestus grinned at his son.
Zoë stood…Connor added.
Hermes glared at nothing in particular.
"Yes," Zoë snapped. "Why?"… You want to give it to her?"
"You are so up to something." Chris said
I knew the Stolls were up to something…"You will do fine," Zoë insisted
"She was super brave." Percy said
The ones on the quest nodded.
"There is no better way to prove thyself."
"I don't think she needs to." Nico said
"I wanted her to be the next lieutenant." Zoe sighed
"And for campers?" Chiron asked. His eyes met mine, but I couldn't tell what he was thinking.
"I wanted you to go instead of Thalia but I also wanted to train you to the fullest, teach you the mist and some more magic." Chiron said
"Can we do that here?" Percy asked
Chiron smiled and nodded.
"Me!" Grover stood up…"Absolutely!"
"See, you got way better." Percy smiled.
"Very well," Zoë said…. Percy should go in my place."
"That was very kind of you G-man." Percy smiled
"You're my friend." Grover said
Percy gave him a soft smile.
"He cannot," Zoë said. "He is a boy. I won't have Hunters traveling with a boy."
"Don't be so stubborn, if you need his help then you need it." Travis said
"She had bad experiences Travis, please ignore this part." Percy said
Travis tilted his head and nodded.
"No Percy, I shouldn't judge everybody because of one." Zoe said
"But trauma does stuff." Percy said
"It's okay." She said
"You traveled here with me," I reminded her…"Because of thy friend Annabeth?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't know how loyal you were before and you didn't know Artemis as much as we do." Zoe said
Percy nodded.
I felt myself blushing.
Poseidon and Percy had a blush on their cheeks.
I hated that everyone…we hope—be with you."
A few people chuckled at Mr.D.
I didn't show up for dinner…whenever he gets upset.
Grover grinned sheepishly though it was watery due to the curse.
Dionysus' eyes were welling with tears due to the same reason.
"It's okay," I lied…was opening in my chest
Poseidon and Percy felt extremely hollow and upset.
"Grover," Chiron said…Nobody needs a goat."
"That's not true, you are as much as a hero as me, the bravest satyr in the world and I'm proud to be your friend." Percy said
Grover gave him a grateful look.
The gods who didn't get along too well with Percy were starting to see him better but they still didn't like his guts.
He trotted out the door…knelt on his horse legs.
The curse tears of Dionysus and Grover dried up.
"Percy, I don't pretend…She is too sure of herself."
Thalia looked down but didn't deny it.
"Would you have chosen me?"… "Thanks a lot."
"I don't think so, Percy is a different person than Thalia but they are alike when they are together and in a fight or having fun but in battle they are different though they can work as a team." Nico said
He smiled…be a dangerous thing."
"For good or bad." Chiron said
"Chiron, Percy, Thalia and Nico together are a killer team when they fight together." Pollux said
Chiron chuckled.
Percy gave side hugs to both his cousins.
"We're family." He said
"That you are." Pollux grinned
Hades and Poseidon smiled.
Zeus had a small smile too.
"We could handle it."… He'd nailed me.
"That was a quite a point." Jason whistled.
"Perhaps it is for the best," Chiron mused…which we need not go into.
Percy growled.
"He's a jerk." He said
Zoe gave Percy a small smile.
I wanted to ask him about that…the evil Titan Lord himself.
The demigods shuddered at the thought to losing Chiron.
"We can't lose you Chiron." Annabeth said
Chiron smiled.
The demigods and a few gods nodded.
Chiron was touched.
The line would make perfect…his own children.
"No he doesn't." Poseidon said
"Chiron," I said…There's no need to rush."
"What do you mean his time?" Poseidon asked
"His time for a quest and most probably trouble." Chiron said
Poseidon nodded.
He said your time the way…mom deserved an update.
"She did the unexpected." Percy grinned
Finally, I took a deep breath…They were laughing hysterically.
Percy smiled.
"Paul?" Poseidon asked
Percy nodded.
"Yeah, he's a good guy." Poseidon smiled
There was a big stack of textbooks…undercover cop on television.
"He would fit that role." Apollo said, thinking
"When you think of it, then yes." Nico said
I was too stunned to say anything.
"I think anybody would be." Connor snickered
And fortunately, my mom…got up and left.
"Actor dude is equal to Paul." Thalia snickered
Percy grinned sheepishly.
"Mom!" I said…textbooks off the table.
Poseidon and Percy chuckled.
"Aunt Sally is awesome." Tyson grinned
Percy smiled.
Finally she focused on…"Mr. Blowfish?"
The demigods who met him laughed.
"I thought the exact same thing." Poseidon laughed
"I remember." Percy chuckled.
"Blofis…but mostly it boiled down to Annabeth.
Annabeth and Percy blushed.
My mother's eyes teared up…you think you have to."
"Percy your mother is awesome." Pollux said
"Yep." Percy grinned.
"She literally told you 'if you want to go then go because I think you should' I mean despite she knew the dangers. It's lit." Nico said
I stared at her…believe I'm saying this."
"Percy you have the best mother and the best step mother." Jason said
"Yeah but now you guys adopted Amphitrite as your step mother too." Percy grinned
"Yep."
"That's true." Nico piped in
Amphitrite chuckled.
"Mom—"…"Because she'd do the same for you."
"Always." Annabeth smiled
Percy grinned and blushed.
And with that…but I remember the dream.
Poseidon and Percy dropped asleep.
I was back in that barren cave…would collapse on top of her.
Annabeth and Athena were panting, they were out of breath and felt like they were being crushed.
"How is our mortal guest?"… Many times before in my dreams
The children of Kronos who were awake shivered.
But this voice was deeper and lower, like a bass guitar.
"That is scarily accurate." Thalia shuddered.
Its force made the ground vibrate…We must hurry."
There was suddenly a note in Hermes' hand.
'Dear gods and demigods,
We know you feel angry at Luke no matter how much you bury it, we know that you have forgiven him but this is raising old feelings. This is one of the reasons we removed Luke for now so that you can openly express your feelings. You should also express your feelings against each other so it becomes better.
Regards,
The Fates.
P.S. Percy and Poseidon will know about this note too.
Everybody nodded and Artemis continued.
The hypocrite…the golden blood of the gods
The same thing happened to this Artemis. Hermes grabbed the book.
"ARTEMIS!" Apollo yelled in worry.
He immediately rushed to her couch and gestured to Will who went to his father.
They both tended to her wounds but it didn't do much against the curse.
Artemis's eyes flashed with anger…horrible place.
"It's the magic." Silena said worriedly
The goddess looked at Annabeth…but I couldn't move.
A few demigods growled.
"Free my hands," Artemis said…lay there shivering
Athena and Annabeth were in a similar state.
Thalia rushed over to Annabeth and hugged her.
Artemis staggered, trying to support the weight of the black rocks.
Artemis had a painful expression on her face.
Apollo whimpered and a tear slid down his face.
It broke the hearts of the Apollo kids to see their father like that and the hunters' to see Artemis like that.
They rushed over to their side.
Thalia made sure that Annabeth was feeling okay but Annabeth told her to go to Artemis.
Thalia nodded and went over while Grover went to Annabeth.
Hermes continued with the reading.
The man in the shadows chuckled…mercy, you swine."
"That's true." Zoe growled
"On that," the man said…I'm sure."
"At least he didn't kill her." Nico said
The man considered…all mortals will be meaningless."
Rachel growled.
Luke gathered up Annabeth's listless body…their quest is…challenging."
"They did succeed there but we would never give up." Grover said
Thalia and Zoe nodded.
Percy was still asleep because of the curse but he and Poseidon looked disturbed.
The man's laughter echoed in the darkness, shaking the ground until it seemed the whole cavern ceiling would collapse.
Everybody shuddered.
I woke with a start. I was sure I'd heard a loud banging.
Poseidon and Percy woke up.
Percy wanted to go to Annabeth but she assured him that she was okay.
Grover got up and went to his seat.
Apollo gave a hug to Artemis and went to his seat with his kids.
Zoe and Thalia sighed in relief.
I looked around the cabin…with a black pegasus.
Percy shook his head fondly.
Whoa, boss! Its voice spoke in my mind as it clopped away from the sword blade. I don't wanna be a horse-ke-bob!
Everybody snickered or laughed.
"Percy and Blackjack are a pretty awesome team." Nico said
Percy smiled.
Its black wings spread in alarm…Don't call me boss."
Everybody chuckled.
"Hey nobody is below me, they're all equal." Percy said
Everybody smiled or grinned at him.
Poseidon was looking very proud.
Whatever you say, boss…credited me with saving him.
Percy chuckled.
"Blackjack," I said…"Well…no."
"That's a little offending." Chiron said
Percy grinned sheepishly.
"He had a point though." Chiron continued
Exactly…"All right," I said. "I'm coming."
"That's very nice of brother." Tyson smiled
"It is." Poseidon grinned
"It's my duty." Percy shrugged.
You're the best, boss…. It might've been a laugh.
"I'm very sure it was." Percy laughed
Everybody laughed.
I looked back at my comfortable bed…cabin for a long, long time.
"You have great instincts." Ares nodded
"Chapter's done." Hermes said
"I'll read." Clarisse said
Hermes gave her the book and she started.