Chapter 29 ~ Vytoni
Vytoni listlessly shot the flies on the wall of her room with rubber bands, watching as one by one, they fell to the ground, usually with a wing or two still squished to the wall. Looking over at the clock, she noticed it was only 10 O'clock at night, which disturbed her greatly. It's pretty early, She pinched the bridge of her nose, blinking a few times before picking up a book. So why am I still so tired?
"Hey," Lysandra called behind the door, "Mind if we come in?" Vytoni opened the door to admit her -and Enryx, and Elektra- in.
"What?" Vyt asked Lys, who was looking around the room in satisfaction of it's bare cleanliness.
"Oh, nothing much," Elektra shrugged, "We were just bored. 'Watcha doing?"
"Killing flies with rubber bands."
"Oh."
Vytoni went back to reading, ignoring the dull chatter around her.
"Knock, knock," Vytoni glanced up to see Nethrys walking into the room. He sat on the edge of her bed, but Vyt skirted up to her end, hugging the pillow as she watched him warily.
"What?"
"You seem to say that a lot lately."
"So what?" Vytoni scowled, realizing he was right, "I mean -What is it to you- Ah, never mind."
"You okay?" Nethrys looked at her, concerned, but she looked down, frowning.
"I'm fine," She could tell he could tell she was lying. Nethrys opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, Enryx interrupted him.
"There's an Iris message for you," He said, looking slightly uncomfortable, "From the Goddess, Artemis."
Vytoni shot up from the bed, going over to the bathroom sink, where sure enough, a rainbow was made, with Artemis' face beaming at her from it.
"Lady Artemis!" She grinned for what seemed like the first time in months.
"Greetings, sister," Artemis smiled warmly back at her, "How are things progressing?" Vytoni told her about their quest, careful to leave out Trudy and Adrian's relationship, Lysandra and Enryx's budding romance, and what happened between her and Nethrys in the Star Lotus hotel.
"How are things with the Hunt? How are the others?" Vytoni asked her. She had left her friends from the Hunt without saying goodbye, because she was in such a hurry.
"They're all doing well. Vanessa has been promoted to lieutenant," Artemis smiled sadly at Vytoni, "I'm sorry I had to replace you."
"Well," Vyt shifted uncomfortably, " It's not your fault."
"If I heard you correctly," Artemis said, "Lysandra is here, too. Yes?"
"I'll go get her." Vytoni turned and called Lysandra, who rushed in, grinning from ear to ear, followed by Enryx, Elektra and Nethrys who stormed in after her.
"Artemis! It's good to see you again!" Lysandra squealed in excitement, recognizing the familiar face.
"Lysandra, it's good to see you too," Artemis looked happy, but her silvery eyes gave away signs of sadness.
"Where are you?" Lysandra asked.
"Ah..." Artemis looked apologetically at her, "I'm afraid I cannot disclose that information."
"Oh..." Lysandra seemed to wilt a little, but she nodded, "I understand."
"Listen, Vytoni," Artemis turned to Vyt, her wide, luminous eyes boring into her dark ones, "When this quest is over... remember there is always a place for you in the Hunt."
"Hey!" Lysandra protested, a guilty look on her face, "What about me?"
"I believe we both know that answer," Artemis looked sadly at her former Huntress, who was looking close to tears, "Good luck." Vytoni waved her hand in front of Artemis' image, making the rainbow disappear. Lysandra went back to the others, so Vytoni splashed some cold water on her face, the tiredness returning.
"No way!" Enryx was staring at Lysandra disbelievingly, "You were a Huntress? As in a Huntress. In the Hunt."
"You don't have to sound so surprised," Lys still looked considerably miserable, and was avoiding Enryx's gaze.
"Why did you leave?" Elektra asked curiously.
"I..." Lysandra faltered, looking down at the floor, "I fell in love." It was barely a whisper, but everyone in the room heard it.
"With whom?"
"Uh, Someone?" Lysandra replied to Enryx, tugging her sleeves down.
"Do we know him?" Elektra asked, as Lysandra turned into a dark shade of red.
"No." She answered quickly, "No, you don't know him."
"Well, I guess we have time for a little story-" Enryx said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Not that little." Lysandra replied, jerking back.
"We still have time."
She looked disappointed, but she sat down, and started, "Well, when I was little- I always had dreamed of being in the Hunt. I mean, who wouldn't? You would be like independant, know how to fight and be tougher than guys. So, I became one. I was horrible at first, but as time came, I grew up to become lieutenant. First, being Artemis, of course. I was always leader of missions, and in one of them I caught a glimpse of a boy and a girl during our travel. I came to later know that those two people were Enryx and Elektra. Then one day... One day, my connection with Artemis was gone.
"I know the consequences of being a Huntress of Artemis; you can't fall - fall in love, otherwise you couldn't be a hunter. And if you do fall in love, while you are a hunter, you lose connection. In fact, if you leave Artemis in an exceptionally bad mood, she turns you into a jackalope. So, I was naturally scared - the hunters were my family. So, I sought help from... Athena. Something I regret doing. She told me that I was in love with someone I never met before, and since I couldn't go back to the hunters, I starting working for Athena. She was strict and she never let me be creative, or do whatever I wanted. And as much as I dislike her, I'm happy I accepted her request- And if it weren't for one of her missions for me, I would have never met Elektra and Enryx, and would have never met the guy I had fallen in love with, En-"
Her story finished as Lysandra covered her mouth, and got up, cheeks red as she ran away. Enryx, his face the same shade Lys' was, ran after her, calling out, "Wait, Lys!"
Elektra jumped up too, hurrying after her brother. Vytoni was also acutely aware that she was alone with Nethrys, who was silent the whole time. She made for the door, too, but was stopped by Nethrys' quiet voice.
"Vyt," Vytoni turned from the doorframe to see Nethrys sitting on her bed, his intense eyes studying her, "When this is all over... You're leaving, aren't you?"
Vyt opened her mouth to answer that she would be, but she couldn't seem to say yes. Instead, she shook her head and backed away. When she was out of sight from everyone, she turned and ran. She came to the shabby courtyard outside the lobby, stopping next to a water fountain that stopped spewing water around a few decades ago.
"Hey," Vytoni felt a tug of irritation, and reluctantly turned to see Scarlett standing behind her.
"Did you follow me?"
"Maybe. Maybe not," Scarlett leaned down and peered at her muddy reflection in the base of the fountain. She squinted at it more closely, then shrugged and stood straight. Of course. She just too perfect for mistakes, even petty ones like something as shallow as beauty.
"So hypothetically, if that's a yes, why did you follow me?"
"No reason," Scarlett shrugged again and Vytoni rolled her eyes, twirling her stylus between her fingers and anxious to get out.
"Seriously, what do you want, blondie?" She sneered, already walking back to the lobby. To her frustration, Scarlett followed her.
"Nothing, but I know you and Nethrys are together and that bothers me," Vytoni froze abruptly, turning to meet Scarlett's defiant stare with an icy glare.
"We're not together and why would that bother you?"
"Come on," Scarlett rolled her eyes tapping her head mockingly, "You're not stupid."
"Yeah, but you are since you clearly aren't getting my back-off-or-die vibe."
"Whatever," Scarlett turned to the vending machine, buying that weird strawberry astronaut food and crunching on it.
'You got nothing to worry about, anyways," Vytoni muttered, "I'm a Huntress. I'm no competition."
"You are clueless!" Scarlett's pale blue eyes flashed with anger as she took a step towards Vyt, who stood still, her hand clenched, "Don't you see the way he looks at you? You just don't get it! Why is he wasted on a girl who can't -doesn't- feel the same thing?"
"I - what?" Vytoni stared at her in shock, fear and anger coloring her featured, "What did you say?"
"You heard me. I'm not the same as you, I'm not a godling!" Scarlett had tears threatening to spill out of her eyes, "I'm not good at fighting! I'm not fierce, or dangerous, or brave or smart! Heck, I can't even save my own life! How can anyone look at me twice, with you around!" Vytoni had a nagging feeling that Scarlett was referring to an anyone in particular. Vyt shook her head, and started... laughing.
"Please," Vytoni crossed her arms, starting to head for the stairwell and her room, where hopefully, Nethrys had left, "I appreciate the comments, but they don't matter." She walked past Scarlett, who was looking desolately at her. Vytoni didn't look back.
Climbing the stairs three at a time, Vytoni found herself tired again. Glancing at the clock on the corridor wall - which read 12: 26 am, She entered her room, which was thankfully empty. She lay on her bed, but as tired as she thought she was, she couldn't fall asleep. Great, Vytoni rolled off the bed and boiled some water, eager of getting some coffee in her system, Tired, but can't sleep? Can't get any better than this. I wonder if the gym is still open. Downing the mug, she left the room again, heading down the stairs, where the gym was thankfully open.
She circled the room, choosing her favorite punching bag. She set her bag on the nearest bench and without bothering to bind her hands, she started hitting it with all her strength. The sound echoed across the almost empty room. Soon, occupants of other rooms started to put junk in this room - a whole squad of football players, probably training for the football season. She heard the door open and bang shut, but continued kicking and punching the punching bag.
She felt a tap at her shoulder and spun around, irritated, ready to smash the unlucky person's face in. Wolfe was standing there with his arms crossed, "You using that punching bag?"
"What do you think I'm doing? Fluffing it?" Vytoni said sarcastically.
"Mind if I use it?"
"Use another one!" Vytoni snapped and resumed beating up the punching bag. Wolfe strapped on a hand wrap and walked over to another punching bag and started to punch it.
"You know, you're not supposed to break it," Vytoni gritted her teeth in aggravation as Wolfe spoke, breaking her concentration. But when she glanced at her punching bag, she grudgingly admitted he had a point: there was cotton and sawdust spilling out of various places, and the chain that held it to the ceiling was looking like a string.
"Whatever," She sat on the bench, drowning half her water bottle. Wolfe continued to attack the punching bag, making the stuffing come out of the weak leather which was holding the stuffing together.
"You box?" Vytoni asked, noticing his boxing stance and technique. Giving the bag once last punch, he sat down next to her on the bench, making her warily inch towards the edge.
"Yeah," He put a towel on his neck, putting his head between his knees, "Ever since I was a kid."
"Good for you," She said flatly, leaning against to wall and closing her eyes.
"How'd you know?" Wolfe poked her circlet, making her flinch and lean even farther.
"Don't," She batted his hand away and shook her head rid of tiredness.
"Don't what?" Wolfe was the one looking annoyed now, but why, Vytoni had no clue, "Why do you always do that?"
"Do what?"
"You're always pushing people away," Vytoni gave him a death glare, which he promptly ignored, "Like, you don't interact, you don't speak unless someone actually says something to you, what is it with you?"
"What is it to you?"
"There you go again!" He gestured at her, "Why do you always think there's a motive? What has anyone done to you that made you like... like this! You go with your head, but not your heart!"
"Oh yeah?" Vytoni started to feel angry, "Well, you're not exactly Mr. Cuddly yourself, so who are you to judge?"
"I'm not judging!" He protested, "I just... You had a rough childhood, don't deny it," He added as Vyt opened her mouth to contradict him, "What happened?"
"Well, it wasn't the worst," Vyt replied, taking the silver circlet off her head and staring at it, "Like yours. But yeah, it wasn't exactly a vacation. I grew up in Olympus, but I was constantly discriminated because of something my parents, Hecate and Morpheus, did - betraying the Olympians during the second Titan war and all. I didn't spend the first part of my life playing with dolls or whatever. I was always training to fight back. I probably got into more fights as a kid than anyone else combined. Anyways, when Lady Artemis came during the Winter Solstice some time ago - well, I couldn't resist. What did I have to lose? So I joined the Hunt, and for the first time, I was at ease, happy. And then Hecate came again," She scowled, wondering why she was saying all this.
"She wanted a favor to oversee Camp Half-Blood, where her children still aren't too welcome. They were still hostile, so I had to go clean up after them. How can I refuse? So I had to leave my sanctuary and go to Half-Blood, where I met the others at the border and here I am," She got up, rolling her shoulders back and turning to her wilted punching bag.
"Well," Wolfe followed her, dodging as she "accidentally" hit the punching bag towards his direction, "You're not alone. Katerina and Lysandra's mom is Hecate, too. They aren't introvert and well... wounded."
"Wounded?" Vytoni spun around to face him angrily, "I am not wounded!"
"... Would be the first thing a wounded person would say."
Vytoni rolled her eyes and continued to hit the punching bag, conducting a series of snaps and kicks. William was regarding her silently, much to her annoyance. Finally, she stopped, facing him again, "What do you want?"
Wolfe opened his mouth to answer, but just then Katerina entered, looking so happy Vyt actually considered shielding her eyes. The football neanderthal turned to look at her, too. William looked oddly protective, going up to Kat and speaking in fast, hushed tones. Katerina spotted Vytoni, who shrugged and gestured at them. Katerina blushed, but didn't deny her relationship with Wolfe and pressed a finger to her lips.
William looked at Vytoni to check if she was looking, which, unfortunately she was and saw them share a rather intimate kiss. Vyt crossed her arms, stating defiantly she wanted to be alone. They nodded and left, whispering to one another. Vytoni thought it was quite lucky that the punching bag wasn't human when she started to hammer it after the happy couple left. First Trudy, then Lys' confession now Katerina? By this rate, everyone's gonna end up with each other.
By the time she decided to glance at the clock on the gym wall, it was already two in the morning. Everyone else had left, so she decided to give sleeping another shot. She got back to her room, taking a shower before sitting back on the covers. Vytoni looked at the clock again. 2:30.
Vytoni sighed and took her stylus out, reverting it to it's full form, a staff. She knew why she couldn't sleep. Where are the monsters? This is weird. We've never gone so far without a fight. She sat up on her bed again, reaching for her bag and taking her sketchbook out. Thumbing through the pages, she found the sleeping charm and turned her staff back into a stylus, dipping it in charmed ink and tracing the pattern across her forearm. She lay down again, feeling much more tired than before. Good.
~END OF CHAPTER 29~