Author's Notes: Hello again, fellow writers/readers. I am sorry to announce that, due to time constraints placed upon me by the fact that last weekend was Easter weekend, I was unable to complete a bonus chapter for WIIAM, or another chapter for FE:L. That said, I plan to make it up by posting one next week, as well as a chapter for TGotL. Hopefully that will suffice. Thank you for your understanding, and I hope you had a Happy Easter.

Disclaimer: I don't own PJO or HO.

Efialtis's POV

"You all know your part." I spoke.

It was the day that we faced the hunters in Capture the Flag, and to be honest, I was slightly worried, though I didn't show it. Based on the word around camp, the hunters had never been defeated, even when they were out numbered three to one. But now...

"Yeah, let's win this time!" One guy from the Hermes cabin exclaimed.

"No doubt..." Another muttered.

I nodded to the one who had spoken, then turned my attention to everyone I was supposed to lead.

"All right, my group, follow me!" Just as I finished speaking, a conch horn blew, signalling the beginning of the game. My team separated into groups, taking off to take up their positions on the field. I'd left Leo and Percy in charge of protecting our flag, hoping Leo had a couple of tricks up his sleeve. I led my group on a path just inside the forest, along the treeline beside the lake. It looked peaceful, the waves gently lapping against the shore. Suddenly, shouts rang in the distance, and I knew that Nico's group had met some of the hunters.

"Stay alert," I whispered to my group, crouching down a little as I led the way through the brush, "never know when a hunter will pop up."

Slowly, we made our way closer to the hunters' flag. Finally, I spotted a break in the trees ahead. I raised my hand to stop my party, and turned to them.

"Jacob, Jason, you're with me. The rest of you, head back and see where you can help Nico out. Go." The two stayed while the rest slunk off. I turned to the two still present.

"Jason, I want you to take Jacob, and work your way around the clearing. When I give the signal, head straight for the flag. I'll try and buy you time."

"What's the signal?" He asked.

"You'll know." I answered.

He nodded, and the two left. I crouched down, getting somewhat comfortable as I gazed into the clearing. Two people guarded the flag. One was a girl from the Demeter cabin, the other...

"Thalia. Should've known." I said under my breath. I kept an eye out for Jason, trying to make sure he was in position before I struck. The two girls in the clearing were having a whispered conversation as they kept a lookout for any intruders.

Finally, I spotted a flash of bronze from a thicket on the other side of the clearing, and saw Jason's head peak out before retreating just as quickly. Nodding to myself, I slowly got to my feet. I flicked my wrist, and my sword elongated in my hand. I pointed it towards the Demeter girl, and smirked. Suddenly, a large black orb shot from the sword, straight towards her.

Thalia, however, reacted quickly. Her hand went to her wrist as she stepped in front of the orb. In a bright flash of light, a shield appeared strapped to her arm. With it, she deflected the orb, which flew into a couple of trees and dissipated. I shot out of the bushes, straight towards Thalia.

"Figures it would be you." Thalia mused as she raised the spear in her hand, leveling it at me. I met her head on, swinging my sword sideways to deflect the spearhead away from me. Immediately I hopped away as the grass began to grow quickly around my feet, trying to ensnare me.

"Clever trick," I said to the Demeter girl, who was making hand motions with her arms. She was distracted, however, when Jacob came rushing towards her.

"I've got her." He told me.

So I turned my full attention to Thalia.

"First your brother, now you. How quaint." I spoke.

"Perhaps." She said, then charged me.

I raised my blade and deflected the spear, then had to leap sideways to avoid the shield bash. Leaping forward again, I feigned a swiped to her head, then crouched and spun, swinging at her feet. She anticipated it, however, and leaped over me, landing on the other side and swinging her spear sideways. Raising my left hand, I grunted as I caught it, then swung my sword downwards at her. She raised her shield to parry the blow, then raised the spear point towards the sky. Knowing what followed, I shoved the spear away and leaped back, hardly a second before the lightning struck it. The lightning followed through the spear and shot away, missing everyone in the clearing. Suddenly, the Demeter girl raised her voice.

"They have the flag!" Sure enough, Jason was sprinting towards the trees, flag in one hand, a sword in the other. Before he made it, however, an ear piercing screech rent the air.

"It's Orion!"

Both Thalia and me raised our heads, pinpointing the sound, and raced into the woods. Jason dropped the flag and followed us.

Within moments, another clearing opened up, and I got my first clear look at Orion. He was tall, and his mechanical eyes almost constantly moved, taking in every detail of the clearing. The bow in his hands seemed to gleam in the moonlight. There were bodies everywhere in the clearing. Thankfully, most of them were moving slightly, many were groaning. The girl who had shouted was cowering against a tree. She stood alone.

"What is the matter, hunter?" Orion sneered, notching an arrow and pulling it taut. "Are you afraid of death?" He fired.

Time seemed to slow down as I melted into the shadows, appearing beside the panicked hunter. Raising my sword, I deflected the arrow, causing Orion to start and look at me.

"Who are you?" He asked.

I rose to my full height, setting my body completely in front of the hunter.

"My name is Efialtis D'mark."

Orion grunted. "Move, or I'll eliminate you as well."

I crouched into a fighter's stance. "You can try."

As I finished speaking, there was a flash of moonlight, and Artemis appeared beside me, two hunting knives in her hands.

"Orion." She growled.

"Ah, my dear Artemis," Orion spoke, "how good of you to join us."

"You are not welcome here." Artemis growled again, taking a threatening step forward. I stepped forward as well. Orion looked at both of us.

"You can't take us both," I said.

He looked at me for a long moment, then at Jason and Jacob, who were standing off to one side, ready to fight as well, then back at me.

"You may be right, Efialtis. I will leave, for now. Just remember this, any who get in the way of my vengeance shall die. I will remember your name, Efialtis D'mark." He raised his hand, and swiped it sideways, and he melted away.

I stood there for a few more moments, to make sure he was gone, then turned to Artemis. She was comforting the hunter, who I now fecognized as Lily. Lily was staring at the spot where Orion had disappeared. Then she turned to Artemis.

"Is there nowhere safe from him?" She asked, tears in her eyes.

End Notes: Well...there it is. Hope you liked it. And if you didn't...well, there's no helping that. Either way, R&R! RayTheZoroark Out!

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