The Hunter
Ok I'm back and This (I hope) is where the story will start on the plot and the antagonists, who in my head are quickly becoming quite evil...
Voice from the shadows: hehehe, if only you knew little author...if only you knew...
Orion strode to the top of a very famous hill. Even if you haven't been there yourself I daresay the right people would still recognize it on sight from a mile away. It was a fairly steep hill, with a crest dominated by towering pine with a history that would make even the faintest hearts beat with the thrill for adventure. Orion himself might not have known the story but deep in his soul, his demigod core traits were telling him this place was important to demigods of the day. From the lowest branch hung a gleaming fleece in the morning light of dawn that looked like tightly interwoven golden yarn. The golden fleece. Orion stood for a moment staring at it as images flashed through his head. A man with thick, curly brown hair, standing in front of a trireme in the middle of being constructed. He was talking to him saying, "Come with us Orion. We could use your bow. Give up your mad dream to convince old Oenopion and come along." Orion shook his head, hard. He walked toward the fleece and reached out to touch it. However the menacing growl that reverberated from the base of the tree stopped him short. He glanced down at his feet and flinched. Coiled around the base of it was a royally purple dragon that glowered at him for disturbing both his rest and his post.
Who are you, demigod?
Orion cast his gaze over the hill, looking for the speaker.
Down here. You know the magnificent beast threatening you?
He turned back to the dragon, obviously the guardian of the tree and the hill. One that could talk no less. However dragons (and their much less chatty ancestors, drakons) are very proud and the best way to get along with them in conversation is to compliment them frequently. "I am sorry, I am not used to conversing with such a magnificent beast. Would you grace me with your name?"
Hrrrrr, the dragon made a highly contented noise deep in his throat. I am known as Peleus. You may also call me the fiery beast of your nightmares. Orion smiled. "May I pass then, Nightmare? I need to talk an old friend." The dragon narrowed his eyes as if trying to look into his soul. Very well, but believe me when I say that there are many dangerous foes in here if you rile them. Now leave me. I need to sun myself. With that Orion lightly brushed the Fleece with the tips of his fingers and walked down the hill while Peleus curled out on the grass, though his tail stayed tightly around it.
Now Orion ascended the creaky wooden steps of the sky-blue farmhouse. Hewalked to the door and ,with a deep breath, knocked firmly and stood back. A faint clopping of hoofs signaled the one he had come to see. The door opened and his old friend and tutor, Chiron, trainer of heroes. He had a curly brown beard that matched his curly brown hair flecked with strands of silver. His expression was, quite plainly, shocked beyond belief. Orion smiled and leaned in to hug his teacher.
"How are you, horsy? Last I remember those flecks of gray weren't there last time."he said kindly.
"Ah, I see you haven't forgotten your nickname for me... And by the way three millennium of teaching would gray anyone's hair. As for how I am, that's a tricky question with no clear answer."He sighed, shifting his horse's "rear" in antsy. "I have never had a time when I've hated prophecies so much. But enough about me, I'm not the one that came back to life. I'm assuming that this isn't a social visit?"
"Um, no unfortunately, not a social visit. I think I need to talk the Oracle. I can feel the spirit nearby." he replied rather sadly.
Chiron cast him a long cold calculating look. "Ok, you may commune with the Oracle."
At that moment Dionysus stumbled onto the porch, glaring with his red eyes at Orion in frustration. "Oh great, you're back! You heroes never stay dead when you're supposed to do you?"
Orion scowled slightly, but replied politely. "Good Morning, Dionysus."
"Hphm, yes it's very cheery and wonderful." He snorted as he popped a coffee with extra cream out of midair.
Chiron shot an annoyed glance at Dionysus, then turned back to Orion. "Just head up the stairs to the attic." He started to trot away into the camp but turned back to add one last thing. "By the way, many things have... changed... about the Oracle in recent years just so your warned."
Orion cast a confused look at the centaur but he had already walked away and started to wake up the camp. Now he turned to the door again and began to ascend the stairs to the top. Finally he reached the trapdoor that would lead him to the Oracle. For a moment more memories filled his head of the orignal Oracles home, which was positioned over a volcanic vent. He pushed his way into the attic, which was as ever cluttered with heroes trophies. At the back of the room by the window as if she was basking in the sunlight, was a dried husk of a corpse covered in bead necklaces. Orion took a deep breath and approached the Oracle. "Tell me, O' speaker of fate, why have I been brought back to this world."
The beads rattled together as the corpse straightened in it's chair and began to speak in a dry, reptilian voice.
The Lost Ones found
The blind one returned
In chaos blood is spilled
Three of blood unknown
He shall face the fire of life's bane
And lose himself in the end
To journey back to roots
Alone and lost once again
The final words echoed hollowly in his head, reminding of their meaning again and again. He patted the Oracle's shoulder lightly, and moved to the window and gazed out on the sleepy camp. There were early morning volleyball matches starting, and a cloud of dust drifted up from the figures fighting in the dueling arena. It was peaceful. Unlike his life for the most part. He would need to get out of here soon, he felt that much. He climbed down into the next level and continued out back onto the porch. There Dionysus was drinking his coffee and spared him a single glance. "So, hero, you get the information you wanted?"
"I guess so."
"Hmph, good. So hopefully that means your leaving?"
"Probably, yeah. Need to keep moving and all."
Dionysus looked rather uncomfortable, as he said, "It would not be, er, improper...um it could be allowed, if you want to stay for a day. You know go incognito"
Taken back, Orion nodded yes and then Dionysus disappeared back into the depths of the Big House. He settled against the railing and studied the camp below him. Twelve gleaming cabins, the descriptions of which I'm sure you've heard before. He caught sight of the archery range and the arnea that were close beside each other and he set out in that direction. He choose the arena firstly, wanting to test the capabilities of his newly acquired weapon. Inside the arena, a pair of campers fought back-to-back and were easily whooping the other campers, one of them constantly using the flat of his ax to knock one kid down again and again. Altogether it looked to be a highly unfair 6-on-2 match. Orion paused before charging down to grab a light round shield from a rack and fix it upon his arm. Completely prepared now, he ran toward the combat at top speed. One of the two demigod warriors at the center swung his ax, hard, toward one of the fighters he was rushing to the aid of, only to have Orion use his sword to slide the ax into the air putting the axeman off balance. The campers that were being forced back yelled in surprise but immediately jumped back in the fight. Orion used his sword delicately, using small motions to put his opponent off balance and unprepared. Then, grasping his sword in two hands, swung it like a bat, knocking the warrior onto the dusty ground in a rather humiliating fashion. At the same time one of his new allies was finishing up on the other with the help of his cabinmate using an aggressive style of fighting enhanced by the two-handed celestial bronze sword he carried. Finally the other warrior was downed and the entire group cheered.
Orion walked up to the opponent he had downed and thrust out a hand to help him up. "Thanks, you did great out there." the warrior replied in a husky deep voice. "I'm Tristan, son of Hephaestus and my friend over here is Brian from Ares." he introduced himself and his partner, who Orion noticed was heavily bandaged around the abdomen.
"Hey you're not bleeding again are Brian?" This came from his defeater, who upon removing their helmet, was revealed to be a girl! She had elfish features that suggested that she was maybe around sixteen or so, and though she also had black hair unlike her sandy haired compatriots, the resemblance was unmistakible.. "I would hate it if you started giving excuses for why you got beat."
"Nah, I'm not bleeding. And you only won because you got reinforcements." he replied sternly, although his eyes implied that this type of vocal sparring was not unusual. "Speaking of which..." He turned to face Orion. "Just wondering, who are you? You look old enough to be a counselor, I don't recognize you."
Uhm, my names... Trinian." Thank the gods he thought of a name soon enough, he didn't think spreading the word he came back from the dead would help him. Tristan nodded, and continued his previous introductions. "These are some associated warriors from the Hermes cabin. The girl brute with the two hander is Kimberly Manning, and behind her are... I'm sorry who are you five again?
A boy with wavy, Justin Bieber-ish hair called out ironically, "I'm Justin."
A girl with braces and hair cropped at the ear said, "I'm Claire."
And behind her were a set of twins, a boy and a girl. "I'm Bri and this James" the girl of the pair called out. The boy stood rock still. Orion pegged him under; strong 'n silent.
Next came a boy named Logan who looked over him so thoroughly Orion had an urge to check his pack to make sure everything he owned was still there. Next to Logan was a girl around she or nine Orion guessed that called out that she was known as Makayla.
"Ok, Trinian, what cabin are you in?" Kimberely Manning said to him next.
"Um, I don't think I am in one yet." At this Brian and Kimberely grinned and their compatriots have a loud whoop. Tristan however grimaced and rubbed his sore back. Everyone seemed to know something Orion clearly didn't. "Um so what's the deal? Why is that important?" he queried, his eyebrows scrunching themselves together.
Kimberely waltzed up beside him and threw her arm around his shoulders and stated in a loud self-satisfied voice. "Well you see dear Trinian because of your lack of knowledge, you have scored membership into the Hermes cabin, and participation in tonight's capture the flag game! We will be fighting alongside the Ares, Apollo and unfortunately those wusses the Aphrodite cabin "
"Yes while I fight along side my mates under Athena, along with the Demeter, Dionysus, and... Poseidon." added Tristan with a smirk.
"Yeah and noooone can figure out why Percy wanted to be one that team." The Hermes kid,Justin called out with an eyeroll and a smirk. This was met by general laughter. Orion however felt a warm flare in his soul at the mention of Poseidon. He pondered its meaning, wondering if something had been revealed about his path just now. Kimberely laughed again at some joke and shook him out of his reverie,just as a conch shell sounded from the white marble dining pavilion. The campers cheered and began to race each other up the hill. Orion felt his face stretch into a grin and he began to lope after them. At the Pavilion though he saw Chiron wave to him to join him and Dionysus at the Head Table. There he felt uncomfortable though, all throughout stares prickled the skin on the back of his neck. As he picked at his "Bar-B-Q" (a strange name by the way) he studied the tables below him. Most tables had someone at them, ranging from the Hermes table where Kimberely and her siblings were roaring with laughter to a couple of tables who only a had a single person each. At one of these was a boy with black wavy hair and sea green eyes. Looking at him, Orion felt a pull, like this boy should mean something to him. Also the boy seemed to be paying close attention to a blonde haired girl at a nearby table. Orion chuckled quietly.
Chiron turned to him then. "So Trinian," Chiron smiled gently at his false name. "I heard that you have been admitted to the Hermes cabin." He nodded. "Well then you should go check in with the leader of the Ares cabin to get an assignment for the Capture the Flag game tonight." Orion grinned in answer, eager for the adrenaline thrill of combat. Then he went back to eating his supper and soon after Chiron stood up and bang his hoof hard upon the hard marble floor. Then with a grumble Dionysus stood up and began his nightly announcements. "All right so I'm sure that you all prepared and anxious for the weekly Capture the Flag. So at this point teams may go to their captains to get their assignments." With that he sat down again and popped open a Diet Coke. Orion quickly turned to Chiron, the question of who to go to, but Chiron didn't even glance up and pointed in the direction of a familiar warrior. Hmm. So the girl did survive the battle. Wonder if she will recognize me? Orion was lost in thought for a moment but shrugged it off. He slipped trough the crowd and Kimberely ran up with Bri and James at the same time as he drew close to the Ares demigod.
"Hey Clarisse where do want me, Bri and James?" Then she caught sight of Orion. "Oh and this is a newbie, Trinian." The girl, Clarisse he had now learned, turned around and quickly glanced over Bri and James before muttering. "Normal positions you two." Then she turned to Orion and Kimberely and she took in Orion's sword and bow, her eyebrows creasing slightly at the longbow, before barking out, "Can you fight?"
Orion relaxed inside, relieved about keeping his true identity a secret, before answering. "I'm skilled in the bow and arrow particularly but am proficient to a medium degree with the sword." At this Kimberely interjected loudly. "Proficient? Clarisse he pretty much single-handily took out Tristan of Hephaestus." After Kimberely's outburst, Clarisse narrowed her eyes before speaking. "Well then, Kimberely I want you and Trinian to go toward the coast. It's the longer route and I'm betting they won't expect it. Kimberely you go after the guards, but act scared and bait them to run. Then Trinian, you run in and grab it. Do whatever you can to get it over the creek." Orion nodded his affirmative hard, enjoying the thought of a devious run and grab techinque. Clarisse ran off to grab her spear and armor from the Ares cabin.
Meanwhile Orion and Kimberely headed toward the starting table, as Kimberely had her armor on still. She grumbled under her breath. "Send me in as bait...make me look weak..."
"Hey, but after I get the flag you can just go ahead and thrash them." Kimberely grinned.
A group of campers were already gathering around the table, two groups who were standing clear of the other, the blue team often shooting glares in the red plumes direction. There was crackling tension in the air and Orion was glad to slip into the ranks of their red-plumed comrades. "What's with the glares?" Orion whispered.
A short boy clutching a bow, growled between his clenched teeth. "The son of Dionysus, Pollux, joined us at last minute. Of his free will. However, they think that Clarisse bribed him with a magic sword. Which she didn't."
"So I guess that means this is going to be a hate battle?"
Several nods came from nearby allies but no one spoke. Finally Clarisse arrived with several of her siblings, all of them large and looking very annoyed. The last of the other team had also arrived, including the black-haired boy from earlier. The blue plume campers gave satisfied smirks at his arrival and Orion felt sure that this boy would be a problem. Chiron arrived then and began to call out the rules, that Orion only vaguely listened to. Soon they were traipsing down to the forest which crouched on the horizon with various flashing eyes that appeared out of the darkness to peer at the group and vanish. "Ok Red Team! Take your positions ASAP, If not sooner." Clarisse bellowed to the force as they journeyed to the southern portion of the woods. The Apollo kids split off from the rest in small groups while the rest of the group split into two groups, one headed by Clarisse and the other headed by one of her brothers. That is everyone except for Orion and Kimberely. They watched as the demigods set off and then with a nod to each other, set off running through the woods. They stopped when the creek could be seen opening up to the ocean and the boundary was right in front of them.
They settled in the shadows waiting for the start that couldn't come quick enough. Orion felt his blood coursing through his body, eager for a fight. Then the long mournful moan of the conch shell sounded and they set off again.
Ok this turned out longer than I meant, but hopefully it's good. By the way I did not get as far as I hoped and I apologize for the delay again.