All rights belong to Rick Riordan. I merely let my imagination fly on the plot.
Chapter 1: Gannika Girl
The beach of Vouliagmeni vanished from sight. The ship sailed south. Winds picked up, and the crewmen hustled above deck. Down in the brig where I was, people talked amongst themselves.
This was supposed to be a ferry vessel; but below the floorboards, the clinks of wine bottles could be heard faintly. Illegal wine. If anyone was caught smuggling it in Crete, not only would the captain die, but the passengers would be punished as well.
A man and a woman in front of me were huddled together, keeping their heads low. With the looks on their faces, they were probably on the run. There was a mother and her son. The boy kept bothering her, keeping her from sleeping. Typical. I pitied her.
There were other passengers too, but the ones that struck me as strange were the two in the farthest corner. I didn't get a good look at their faces, although they were not human. I couldn't attack them, but I kept an eye on them. Their voices were drowned by the others, and they kept talking in low tones.
The sun moved overhead. I remember Uncle Helios being sick the last time I was on Olympus. He must've been feeling better now because the heat was making me sweat. The heat and the sea made me sick, so I decided to take a nap.
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I was standing at the foothills of Mount Olympus. Apollo was standing in front of me. He was busy staring at the top of the mountain.
We were both in our teens. I remembered this memory, quite vividly.
Her hands were on my shoulder. I looked up at her. Even though her face was clouded, I knew was smiling down at me. She pulled me into a small hug.
"So this is it?" Apollo looked back at us, with a small frown. "I thought it'd be bigger."
"Bigger on the inside probably," I said. "Have you ever been there, Mother?"
"Long ago, when the Titan war had ended" she replied. She pointed to a mountain far away, surrounded by cloud and mist. I could make out the outlines of the Mountain of Despair. "We were invited to the celebrations on Olympus. It was a beautiful day."
"Mother, what's wrong?" Apollo asked suddenly.
I faced her. When I reached out with my senses, I felt misery and loneliness radiating from her. My mother was trying hard to hold back tears.
"Nothing dear," she said. "It's just-"
She didn't complete her sentence. She just stood there, tears in her eyes.
"Come here you two," she held her hands out. Both of us obeyed, facing her.
She bend down on her knees so she was the same height as both of us. I could see her face more clearly now. She had brown eyes like mine and auburn hair.
She held our hands tightly in hers.
"It's time to say goodbye my children," she said quietly, looking us in the eye. "This is where I leave you."
"Mother," I started. "We're coming back to you after we're done. You don't have to-"
"You don't understand Artemis," she shook her head. "This is the last time you'll ever see me."
"But-" Apollo started. Panic rose in my chest.
"Shh!" she quietened him. "We don't have much time. I want both of you to promise me something. No matter what happens, you'll always have each other's backs."
"Mother why are you-"
"Promise me," she insisted. "Swear it on the River Styx."
A moment of silence passed.
"I swear it by the River Styx" Apollo declared.
"So do I," I followed. Thunder rumbled above us indicating that our oaths had been accepted. "Now tell us what this is about."
Mother hugged us both and held us tight. Then she let go.
"Go," she said, stepping away. "Take your place in the world, my children. Seek out love and kindness in your kin, but don't give way to their hatred. And remember, I love you both, and I will be with you. Always."
Before either of us could do anything, a golden light engulfed her. She smiled at us one last time and then she was gone.
It was the last time we saw her. Ever.
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Sitting down all the time was a difficult task as a half-blood. I was fidgeting more than I usually would, and people were staring at me. Not wanting to draw attention to myself, I got up and went above deck.
It was deserted, except for a few asleep men. The dark sea was the only thing visible, along with the stars in the sky. I walked to the bow of the ship and stood there for a few moments, uncovering my face and feeling the air. Then I heard low voices below me.
Through a small hole near my feet, I recognized the two men that had been sitting on the far side, the ones that I was suspicious of. Turns out I was right. They were not human after all.
They were Cyclopes.
Hello there! If you've made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read this. This chapter is shorter than I wanted it to be, but I think it's best if I take my time to write. Also, this is my first fanfiction, so any reviews or comments are appreciated. I'm working on the next part, and I'll post it as soon as I'm happy with it. Till then, peace!
Gannika Girl by Michael Giacchino.