A/N: Right, so since I have space, and this huge file of this book, I can update weekly! You'll like that, won't you? And you know what I realized? That in February ... marked the one year anniversary of The Lost Goddess ... gods I should hit my head. Then again people have taken ten years to write books so ... anyways. Enjoy!

Cora: An Uncertain Journey Ahead

I ran out of the Big House, and looked at the leaving mass of campers for Hunter. I felt bad about deciding not to bring him with me. But I had a good reason, a selfish reason, but a good one none-the-less. I finally spotted him; he was running into the woods. I bolted after him.

I followed him in deeper and deeper; I was like a silent shadow. I didn't really pay attention to where he went until he stopped. He had stopped in the clearing I had run into on my first day. Why had he come here?

He sat on the ground with his knees drawn up looked horribly depressed. I took a deep breath and stepped out into the sun.

"Hunter," I called out. He looked over to me, his face hurt, and then turned so his back was facing me. Oh gods, what had I done? "Hunter, please," I begged him.

"I don't want to talk to you," he muttered. "Shouldn't you be planning for your quest or something?" I flinched.

"Hunter, will you please let me explain?" I stepped closer, he turned even further away.

"What's there too explain? You're going on a quest, and leaving me behind," he said.

"Please, don't be mad at me. I have a reason for not bringing you," I told him. He softened slightly.

"What's your reason?" he mumbled. I sighed dejectedly and sat down beside him. He still wouldn't look at me.

"Well, this quest might be dangerous, we have no idea where were going and -" I began, then a thought occurred to me. "Wait, did Chiron even tell you the prophecy since I never got a chance?" After a moment he shook his head. Mentally I did a facepalm. I recited the prophecy to Hunter.

"That does sound dangerous," he muttered.

"Yeah, and none of us have a clue as to what we're up against," I sighed.

"I still don't know why you won't bring me," he said sourly.

"The prophecy talks about someone's life hanging by a choice, Hunter. How do you think I would feel if you got hurt? Or worse, killed," I questioned. He shrugged. "I probably hate myself eternally," I said under my breath. He straightened up and stared at me.

"What?" Maybe I should have learned to hold my tongue . . .

"Never mind," I said quickly.

"You said you'd hate yourself," he had smirk on; I gave a half glare at him.

"I might have," I mumbled. "After all, you're my friend." For a moment we stared at each other, then Hunter gave a laugh and punched me lightly on the shoulder.

I grinned at him and shoved him back; soon enough we were laughing and pushing each other all around the clearing. It ended when Hunter tripped over a root and banged his head with a thump. He lay there for a moment looking dazed. I rushed over and bent down next to him.

"You okay?" I asked him. He looked at me sideways; no longer having a dazed expression. Then Hunter grabbed my arm and pulled me to the ground. I was caught off guard and in a second he had me pinned.

"I got you," he laughed.

"That was a dirty trick," I told him sourly, pushing him off and sitting up.

"You just won't admit I got you," he said. I rolled my eyes at him.

"You did not get me, you tricked me. It doesn't count. And I will never admit anyone got me because they can't, least of all you," I shot back.

Hunter raised his eyebrows sceptically. "Oh, why is that?" He was making fun of me.

"Because if I was actually trying, you'd be screaming." To be honest I had no idea if that was true, or even possible. It probably wasn't.

"Ha ha, you wouldn't do that."

I stood up and started walking around, wondering if I actually would if I had to. "How do you know?" I asked him, scared of the potential answer.

Hunter shrugged and stood up as well. I kept on walking around; I was suddenly full of energy. I had an odd feeling in my gut. After a few minutes Hunter stepped in front and stopped me.

"Maybe we should go, you're starting to make me nervous," he said quietly.

"Sorry," I muttered. "I'm just suddenly a bit hyper. I can't help it."

"A bit?" he asked sceptically.

"Okay, a lot," I admitted. "Guess I have the typical ADHD." He laughed and this time I joined in.

Just then water from the pond shot out and slapped us in the heads. Soaking both of us - well soaking Hunter. I dried up automatically (thanks dad!). I sent a glare at the pond, the Naiad was staying under. Suddenly, the water started to boil and froth around. I heard cries of outrage and shock rise up from the Naiad. I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing to loudly.

I looked away and the pond returned to normal. You know, it was very annoying not to be conscious of using your own powers. At that moment I heard light steps in the woods. A faint clop, clop sound. In a minute a satyr, Grover, trotted into the clearing.

"Hey you two," he greeted us. "What are you doing here? I thought there was a new quest." I quietly sighed; it was a bit annoying to have brother with an empathy link to a satyr.

"Yeah . . . you have that right," I muttered.

I got a look. "Something wrong?" he asked.

"No, everything is fine," I told him quickly.

"Uh huh." was all he said. Okay, lying to someone who could read emotions, did not work.

I cleared my throat. "Well, we'd better get going," I said. I turned away from Grover and started to exit the clearing, Hunter walked beside me. Immediately Grover followed us.

"Cora, I need to talk to you," He said. I glanced at the satyr.

"About what?" I asked.

"About how dangerous the quest will be," he replied.

I shrugged. "I know it will dangerous. We don't even know where we are going," I told him.

"That is true, but it's not the only thing. You don't realize how much of a monster magnet you are."

"Real comforting," I muttered, glaring at the ground.

Grover tried for a reassuring smile. "Don't take it in a bad way. I simply mean you're really powerful. You have the strongest scent I've ever smelt; which is saying something because I managed to find all the Big Three children. It's more than Percy or Thalia – or Nico who stinks of monster friendly places. A powerful scent can be a good and bad thing. I know you'll be able to handle yourself, but monsters will be attracted to you like bees to a flower. Just be cautious," he explained.

I nodded sullenly. "Anyway to hide it?" I said sarcastically.

"Nope, sorry."

I shrugged. "Not your fault," I replied.

By that time we had somehow managed to leave the woods. It was dinner soon, although we still had a while. Grover said goodbye and went off somewhere. I walked to cabin three as I explained the quick conversation to Hunter. I was honestly planning on just relaxing for a few minutes, but as I passed I glanced in the window. Percy and Annabeth were in there, and they're, you know, a couple so I decided to give them their privacy.

I looked away and quickened my pace. Awkward much. I didn't need to walk in on my brother and his girlfriend. Glancing around the commons, I suddenly had another idea to relax.

"Hey, want to play basketball?" I asked Hunter.

"Sure, and I will beat you," he replied. I rolled my eyes.

"Unlikely, I'll beat you instead," I laughed. He gave me a sidelong glance.

We took a court and started a quick game. Eventually it was dinner and we stopped, the score was tied.

We headed down to the pavilion and took our places. The quest was announced to the whole camp at dinner by Chiron. It didn't get the best reception.

The rest of the night pasted normally, even if a few people did glance as me with either fear or pity. I went back to cabin three alone because I didn't really feel like talking to anyone. Back in the cabin I was already half asleep on my bunk when Percy finally walked in.

"You ready for tomorrow?" Percy asked me.

"No," I admitted to him.

"That's normal," he said. "Hunter isn't still mad at you, is he?"

I shot up and stared at him. "What? Why would you ever say that? Did he seem mad? How would you even know? That makes no sense!" I said.

"Sorry." There was a pause. "Well, is he?"

"No."

"So you really not ready for tomorrow?" he asked again.

"Do I have to repeat myself? No I am not," I told him, looking down into my lap.

Percy gave me a reassuring hug. "I was younger than you on my first quest and I lived. You'll be fine. Believe me," he said.

Percy smiled and got ready for bed. It took me a minute before I smiled too. I crawled into my bunk and closed my eyes, I wasn't too sleepy. But I knew tomorrow was going to be a long day, and I was going to need every ounce of strength I could muster.

A/N: Hunter's not coming . . . or is he? Expect the unexpected with me. But then if you're expecting it, it's not unexpected . . . so should you expect the expected? Yet then . . . I am not going through this loop again (one time I went through that loop for an hour). Anyways, let me know what you think whether it's through a fav an alert or a review. I don't care which! See you in a week!