Okay, first off, I'm gonna say this because many of you are saying the Trials are too harsh: I know that they are. That's the point. But back on the story: This first part is Amara and Bianca looking for Thaluke (my shipping name for Thalia and Luke!).

Amara was confused. She figured Thalia would be happy to find out that the Luke they'd been looking for was right here in front of them, but obviously she was wrong. Thalia had started to cry and had ran off. Luke had ran after her, so now she and Bianca were alone.

"So," Bianca said suddenly. "Are you a demigod?"

"Yeah,"Amara replied. "I'm a daughter of Demeter." To prove her point, she grew a purple rose up from the ground.

Bianca grinned. "I'm a daughter of Ares due to rebirth, but I'm still a daughter of Hades." The rose wilted, and Amara scowled.

*silence*

"Should we go look for them, then?"

"Yeah."

They walked a little ways when all of a sudden Bianca sucked in a breath. Her eyes glazed over. "They're near," she whispered, and Amara got the feeling she wasn't talking about Thalia and Luke.

-Back to Thaluke, Thalia's POV-

"I do accept, though," Luke said, taking my hand. "And we'll pass; we have too."

"No duh." I laughed. "I really don't feel like being a fox."

"Okay, so where's my bow and arrow?"

"Right here." Lady Artemis ran up to us, followed by the rest of my Sisters. Phoebe and Alexis were in the front, smiling shyly at Luke, who quickly let go of my hand.

"Hello, Sister," I said to her.

"The same to you," Artemis said with a nod. The she turned back to Luke. "Luke Castellan."

"Uh... yes, Lady."

Uh? I thought with a small smile. Artemis laughed too.

"Here is your bow." She held out a silver bow strung with what I recognized as unicorn hair. I gasped when I saw it.

"Lady Artemis! That's your bow!" A couple of Hunters (like Phoebe and Alixes, etc.) said it at the exact same time.

She smiled. "Only the best for those competing for the hand of one of my girls." All of a sudden she turned her nose to the right. "Kindly Ones," she snarled. "Girls! This way!" They ran off.

I frowned. "Nice goodbye," I muttered.

"So," Luke said, turning to face me. "One week in the wild."

"Pretty much."

"Can we at least stop by Safeway first?"

"You got money?"

He paused.

"Can we at least hold up Safeway first?"

I laughed. "No. Once Lady gives you the bow, the week begins."

Luke quickly set his watch. "Only 7 days left to go!" He announced.

-Back to Bianca &Amara-

"Who's near?" Amara asked nevously, taking out her dagger.

"My father's minions," Bianca spat. "And they aren't very merciful."

Sure enough, three leather-winged creatures landed in front of them.

"Time to die, Honeys," the one in front cackled.