A/N: Sup. Sorry I didn't post these last two weekends. The 20th was my birthday (16th to be exact) and last weekend was spent playing Skyward Sword and Skyrim (I must have an "S" fetish). So anyway... I'm planning on going into much more detail about the whole ship experience because I think that would be BA. So yep. Thank you for reading and please review! Love you guys!

Chapter 5: Time to Join Kronos' Army

Zoë was the first to speak, "This is pointless. There is no time for talk," she continued. "Our goddess needs us. The Hunters must leave immediately."
"I agree they must leave immediately. Artemis needs them and we should not hesitate like this," I agreed. "West is where you need to go. Artemis should not be held hostage. They need to free her," I finished.
Zoë looked a bit surprised, "I actually agree with her. We cannot let her be in such conditions,"
"Both of you are missing something, as usual," Thalia said. "Campers and Hunters combined prevail. We're supposed to do this together."
"No!" Zoë protested. "The Hunters do not need thy help."
"Your." Thalia grumbled. "Nobody has said thy in, like, three hundred years, Zoë. Get with the times." I looked down and twiddled my thumbs. Just yesterday I had said thy.
"Zoë hesitated, like she was trying to form the word correctly. "Yerrr. We do not need yerrr help." I broke into a smile.
"I fear the prophecy says you do need our help," Chiron said. "Campers and Hunters must cooperate."
"Or do they?" Mr. D mused, swirling his Diet Coke under his nose like had a fine bouquet. "One shall be lost. One shall perish. That sounds rather nasty, doesn't it? What if you fail because you try to cooperate?"
I smiled a bit, "Mr. D, whose side are you on?" everyone looked at me; they probably forgot I was here.
Mr. D raised his eyebrows. "Sorry, child. I was just trying to be helpful,"
"And amusing?" I asked. He shrugged.
"We're supposed to work together," Thalia was probably almost as stubborn as me, "I don't like it either, Zoë, but do you know prophecies. You want to fight against one?"
Zoë grimaced. "Prophecies do not always happen the way they are intended to happen. Some of the prophecy may come true, while others might take a while, or never happen," I added. Honestly, I was just bored and trying to get Thalia annoyed.
"And what would you know, Newbie?" Thalia glared.
"I know enough that it happens," I did not really want to say right here that I had gotten a prophecy and it did not happen. That would lead to other questions that their answers would not be appreciated. "Is that not correct, Dionysus?"
He studied me for a second then nodded, "That is true, but it is usually because of death, might I add. There was this young lad, he was supposed to be great, and he was supposed to get a permanent home on Olympus. Athena even said so, but then something…uh…happened… He didn't die, but something worse," Dionysus frowned. I knew whom he was talking about.
"Well, on another note, we must not delay," Chiron warned. "Today is Sunday. This very Friday, December twenty-first, is the winter solstice."
Dionysus did not look happy for another meeting with his family. "Artemis must be present at the solstice," Zoë said. "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."
"Are you suggesting that the gods have trouble acting together, young lady?" Dionysus asked. I bit back a laugh. "I'll take that as a yes. You're right, carry on."
"Now, who should go on this quest?" Chiron asked. Everyone glanced around the room unsure.
"Three and two," Percy finally spoke up. They started talking about the quest, which I zoned out of because well I had my own preparations to make. Not only now was I going to get information from Kronos, but also try and help Artemis.
"One shall perish by a parent's hand," Grover said in between taking bites of Cheez Whiz and Ping-Pong balls. "How is that possible? Whose parent would kill them?"
Silence fell on the table. There was no doubt in my mind that my own parent would kill me. Any of the gods—maybe except for Artemis, Apollo, and Athena—would kill me, and I am pretty sure I am none of their children.
"There will be deaths," Chiron concluded. "That much we know."
"Oh, goody!" Dionysus said.
Everyone looked at him. He glanced up innocently from the pages of Wine & Food magazine. "Ah, pinot noir is making a comeback. Do not mind me,"
"Percy is right," Silena said. "Two campers should go. So, which Hunters will go?"
Zoë stood, "I shall go along with Phoebe,"
"Phoebe, huh?" Connor mumbled. He already had a plan brewing in his eyes. They were going to do something, but I do not really want to know.
"And Bianca shall go too," Zoë finished. Bianca looked like she wanted to argue, but she did not. She suddenly looked really scared. "And who shall be the campers joining us?"
Grover volunteered immediately, and was accepted. Then, Thalia offered, and was accepted by the Hunters. Then, Percy started to protest about how he wanted to go to, but the Hunters did not want that. I stayed mostly quiet during this time.
Chiron was staring at me curiously when everything finally quieted down. "I thought that you, Althea, would like to offer to go," Chiron looked at me curiously.
I shrugged, "Not today, and I am not to swell at working with others," I answered looking him in the eye. "Besides it is my third week at camp, I do not want to leave yet,"
He looked suspicious, "Are you going to leave and try and do this by yourself?"
Everyone looked a bit curious to this and shifted in his or her seat. "No, it would be foolish of me to go alone. If something had the power to kidnap Artemis, than what should be able to do that will not be defeated with out a difficult struggle. Whoever did this would easily crush whomever trying to free the goddess,"
"Oh, thanks for the optimism," Thalia grumbled.
"No ordinary monster could have done this, I fear that it is something much, much worse," I spoke. Everyone looked down, already were they fearing the worse. "We shan't lose hope, though. You are strong, and must not delay in your rescue," I sighed. "It pains me to say this, but Artemis looked like she could not hold in much longer. She needs help. We will deliver the help by heading west," I concluded.
Chiron nodded, "Althea is right. You must be careful and leave soon," it seemed something distracted him. "Althea, your eyes…" he trailed off.
I took out my dagger and looked at my eyes through the reflection. They were a stormy gray. They were also rimmed with gold. My eyes were never gray. They were only rimmed in gold when I used magic gifted from the titans. Something was wrong. Not only were the gold unsettling, but the stormy gray. It reminded me of my friend, Calista. She, unfortunately, died under the hands of the god of war. Something about her and the titans were stirring about. I could sense it.
I touched my cheek, "It is nothing, my eyes change color all the time," I tried to get all the attention off of me.
A long and uncomfortable silence followed. Until Chiron announced, "Tomorrow morning is when you will leave," everyone nodded and began to disperse. Percy looked really down, so Chiron went to talk to him. I took that opportunity to hurry to Hermes cabins, so he would not be able to accuse me of anything.
Without delay I made it to my cabin to my sleeping bag. Everyone in the cabin was giving me curious glances, but I ignored them. I tried to sleep, but found it hard to come by. My mind was wondering elsewhere; planning what shall be my move when I reach the king of the titan's army. If he were to recognize me then all would be ruined.
"Perses," the voice spoke, it was almost begging, "do not join his army. He will not treat you like you deserve, and then for sure the gods will punish you even worse," the voice gently warned.
The cold, dark room had no light except for a light that seemed to be radiating off of a person. "But this could be the chance for the titans to rule again," the voice was rough and low. "We would rule again, I go to Mount Othrys to help,"
"But if we fail. You know that they could finally serve you the last justice you could get," finally recognition washed over me; that was the voice of Gaia, but why was she talking to Perses. Why was she talking to him trying to convince him not to fight?
"What? Send me back to Tartarus?" the giant laughed.
"No, worse…"
"What is worse? Death cannot be obtained by an immortal. My dear Gaia, what is that you are imposing?" the glowing in the tunnel seemed to shimmer a bit with amusement.
"You are wrong, Perses. No one is truly immortal…" an dangerous roar shook the whole cave.
I sat up right immediately. The roar was made me so fearful. The anger in his roar shook my very bones and soul. My gaze fell to the window on my right. The sun was just beginning to rise. It was now my time to leave. I grabbed my knapsack I had prepared the day before and slipped out of the cabin.
No one was awake at the time, or at least I hoped. I sprinted to the forest and was about to enter until I was hit in the back with a blunt arrow. I spun around to see Lee in a tree. "Really?" I asked.
He nodded and came down, "Are you going off on your own, like you told Chiron you wouldn't?" he asked.
I nodded, "I have a hunch of who took Artemis, and well I have a debt to pay off to her," I was about to leave when Lee caught my arm, again.
"That arrow you got, it was a gift from her?" he assumed/guessed.
I nodded, "Yes, please do not tell a soul,"
"Where are you going?"
"Do you promise not to tell anyone?" he nodded. I sighed, "I plan to join Kronos' army. I know that he has something to do with Artemis disappearing. It may not be the best plan, but I have try,"
"That's why Thalia called you a traitor," he nodded with a blank look on his face.
"But remember I am just a traitor of a traitor. I will come back once everything is in line again,"
"Promise?" he held out his pinky. I gave him a curious look. "Pinky promise?"
"Oh," I said like I knew what that meant.
He sighed and rolled his eyes, "Here," he grasped my hand, pulled out my pinky, and hooked ours together. "That is a pinky promise, my friend," he chuckled.
"I knew that,"
"Right," he sighed. "Bye,"
"Good-bye," I made my way into the forest till I was not visible anymore by any means. There were noises coming from everywhere, probably monsters of some sort. "Gaia," I spoke quietly.
The trees rustled in response and the ground creaked. Child, are you ready?
"Uh, hopefully,"
The ground chuckled. Well let's go…
I closed my eyes. This was probably my least favorite way to travel. The ground started to basically eat me up. That is the best way to describe it. Rocks started covering me, pulling me deeper into the earth. Cold rocks were all that surrounded me. Then, in a sudden burst I went flying forward. The rocks surrounding me were protecting me from getting crushed by all the others, but that does not mean it is any less painful. Eventually I popped up on land.
I swear that was the happiest moment of my life. I fell to my knees the moment the rocks did not hold me up anymore. "That is the last time I travel you way," I grumbled.
That is what you said last time.
"You know what," I hissed angrily, but I had no time to do anything. There in front of me were to Demigods and dracanaes standing in front of me.
"Can we eatsss her, ssssir?" the dracanae hissed.
"No, we will see if she is useful first. Have you come to join Kronos' army?" the boy asked.
"Nah, I am just a half-blood randomly walking the forests of who-knows-where," I shrugged. I was in pain, and when I am in pain I have an attitude.
"Hmp, sarcasm, cute. Now lets go," I got up and followed them to the ship. I looked hesitantly at the water. The boy raised an eyebrow, "What do you not like the water?" he seemed to be holding back a laugh.
I sent a glare his way, "No, it's just…" I trailed off not knowing how to explain.
He grabbed my arm, "Well lets go, it's time for you to pledge allegiance,"
I scoffed. Honestly, for me to pledge allegiance to anyone is the stupidest thing to do. Within probably five seconds I shall want to quit. Then again, how am I going to fit in on the ship if I do not? I shall come up with a plan in time.
I did not.
So now I stand in front of a golden sarcophagus that I had seen in my dreams with no plan of how not to pledge to him and make him stronger. I am stuck. "Master," the boy said. "We found this girl, and she wants to join us,"
"Yes, I find it more beneficial to join you," I added.
The boy glared at me in response, "Should she pledge now?" I gulped
"Yes," the sharp, rumbling voice responded airily. "But first we need to ask some questions to find out more about her," was it just me, or was this voice trying to help me stall?
"Uh, ok…" the boy seemed taken back by this. "Who is your parent?"
"Do not know,"
"Ok," he still seemed a bit lost at what to do. "Where—"
The voice stopped him, "Let me talk to her alone," the sharp, painful voice commanded. Everyone soon left leaving me alone in this huge, creepy, cold room with a glowing, golden sarcophagus. Perfectly normal day for me. "What is your name?" the voice asked.
"Althea,"
"No last name?" he asked.
"Johnson, sir,"
"Why do you join my army?"
"Why did you start one?" I snapped back immediately. When the voice decided not to speak, I continued. "I was abandoned by both my godly parent and mortal parent, I have been betrayed by everyone I know, and I am tired of not doing anything about it. It is time for myself to take some action against this. The gods are deceiving and do not care for us mortals. They need to be taught how to fear the powers of a mortal," those were the very same reasons I was taught why the gods should not be the rulers of Olympus. It almost felt rehearsed.
"Child," I flinched slightly at the name all immortal beings had labeled me with. "You sound strangely like a man I once knew," the voice told me. It sighed, "That man was my grandson, strangely enough. He had the power to over throw all the gods, but then something happened. Do you know what happened, Althea?" the voice asked suspiciously. The voice already was suspicious of me and I have barely done anything.
"No, I do not know the story. Would you like to explain the story to me?"
The voice sighed, "My grandson was a very promising man. He had great plans, but the gods betrayed him. Then he swore vengeance against them. He had a partner that would help him. She was much like you. Same motives as you, same determination in her voice, and even the same name as you. Unfortunately, the gods changed her. They made her switch sides at the last moment. They made her betray all she knew, and you know what the gods did to thank her?" the voice asked coldly.
"No," I could feel my voice faltering.
"They let her die. Then, they just forgot about her story. They did not let her live on in legends like they do with other heroes because she had a bad side. They feared that she would inspire people to rebel against them, so the story was never told. You remind me of her, but I ask you of one thing,"
"What?"
The voice paused as though it was thinking if it should really ask me it, "Will you betray us?"
I thought for a second, but I was not truly thinking. "No," the whole room seemed to echo in the silence—if that made sense. I paused and actually thought a bit of how I would word my next question. "Could that man—from the story you just told me—come back? Because of the Great Stirring lots of things are coming back, could it be possible for him?"
There was a cold and menacing pause, "I do not know, child. I honestly do not know, but if I find out I will tell you,"
I smiled, "Thank you, sir."
I was about to leave when he asked me another questions, "Can I trust you?"
"Yes,"
"Then I will put you on guard duty," the voice told me. "Now go, I must talk to that boy—as you call him," my face twisted with confusion as the doors opened and more people came in. I left without saying another word to the voice. It was time to start some digging.