Chimera, Three Fates, and Hunters

Apparently, the Chimera's name was Mike for the lion, Julia for the goat, and Steve for the snake and he was glad to finally have the met the apprentice to the great god Pan. Being in another country we really didn't have anyone to speak to. There's a reason, for so long, I thought that the Olympians were old, Ancient Greek stories. Because the old Olympus used to be in Greek when the old civilization was centered on the west.

I made Annabeth stand close to me. I couldn't handle losing sight of her after what Mike had told me about the sacrifices. Annabeth was just as tense and worried too but I don't think she liked me right there watching everything she did.

We were now walking through a simple village with cobblestones and the streets filled with markets. The air was fresh and the closest thing to a car was a scooter. Someday, I'd like to see this place again, I'd probably be able to appreciate it more. If it weren't for the fact that I had the weight of the two worlds on my shoulders.

"Comes this way, there's a place where we peaceful monster gather," Mike said, his paws marking the dirt. Luckily, the people didn't seem to notice him. I wondered how they were dealing with me (a sixteen year old boy with burnt shorts) and the rest of us. Tyson probably seemed like a huge kid, Grover appeared as a teenage kid with the most facial hair ever and walked funny, and Annabeth was just a normal girl minus the cut on her arm and a few burnt hairs.

"Peaceful monsters? After you attacked us," Grover stuttered as he strode past a vendor with flowers. He sighed and I guess he was thinking of Juniper. The goat and snake's head glared at Grover. "Sorry, it's just, you almost killed us."

"True," Mike nodded his lion's head. "But, we were protecting ourselves, right siblings?"

"Yess," Steve answered nodding his head. He reminded me of Hermes two snakes on his staff. I wondered if he liked rats too.

"Danger is often a part of our lives as monster. People always assume we're evil." Julia was keeping her eyes on Annabeth and I. "Learn well, young Percy that time is not available for you anymore. You can't deny that your future is approaching faster than you'd like."

I shivered and Annabeth reassuringly grabbed my hand. Her warm palm slightly relaxed me but the Chimera was right. I had a due date approaching faster than I would've liked.

We stepped down into a building where a large sound of music was breaking out. "You'll enjoy our friends," Mike said lightly as he stepped down the stairs leading us. We found ourselves in a large room filled with monsters.

I saw a few dozen of them jumping up and down to music of a three woman band. Tyson seemed very uncomfortable, he can always sense when monsters are around being a Cyclops and all. Grover was just being his usual jittery self and I hoped he didn't grab anything and try to eat it. Sometimes, monsters get very personal about their belongings.

"Percy," Annabeth whispered, "I don't like it here." Her eyes were resting on the band as the crowd danced. Chimera disappeared within and I wondered where I would go from here. I had to find a way to get information on the dangerous monsters that were attacking. A cymbal crashed and the crowd stopped dancing to cheer.

"Thank you," said the main singer, "We'll be right back." Then the band stepped down and to my surprise headed straight towards my friends and I. Up close I was saw they were real pretty and Annabeth was watching my reactions closely. "Percy Jackson," the singer placed her hands on her hips, "I suppose my sisters and I shouldn't be surprise to see you."

Then, they transformed and before me stood the three Fates. "You search for the monsters- well, find the hearth of their creations. We were all came from, once you figure that out, find Niko. He'll help you."

I gave a faint smile and the three fates, ugly, old, and wrinkly disappeared into the crowd reassembling their young, rock band look. Annabeth stared at me in shock, "Well that was interesting."

"What do they mean?" Grover asked, he was staring at the wooden bar as if it was a snack pack. He twitched his hands nervously as I caught my eyes with Chimera. The lion, goat, and snake, headed over to me.

"We find Niko, obviously. I don't know why we shouldn't listen." Chimera stepped in front of us. I watched as Tyson stared at the disco ball that had just been lit up. He was pretty amazed. "Is there a reason you brought us here?"

Chimera nodded all three heads, "We have a few girls resting in some of the safeties for heroes. Apparently, they know you and heard from Artemis that you should be coming here soon." The mention of the goddess meant only one thing when it came to a group of girls. Hunters- which is why Annabeth didn't glare at me and ask what girls Chimera were talking about.

"Come this way," Mike started through the crowd before we even had a time to respond. I led us all forward towards stairs that led upwards. We all went to possibly meet old friends. They might be able to help us.

We entered a large room were about twenty girls were all sitting and resting. I supposed they were tired because they did most of their traveling during the night when they were strongest. I felt them all glare at Grover, Tyson and I because we had a certain Y chromosome which they did not.

Their leader stood up and didn't seem at all angry to see us. At least she hadn't forgotten that males weren't exactly evil. "Percy, Annabeth, Grover, Tyson!" She all wrapped us into a giant hug. Thalia stepped back and smiled. As a Hunter she appeared perfect, flawless, with a silver shine.

"It's been awhile," I noted with a smile. She nodded her head. "How are things with the Hunters?" I waved at hand at all of them and after Thalia's welcoming, only a few of them turned away to look away from me. Oh well, you can't please everyone right?

"We've been helping calm down the monster attacks. Come sit and rest, I guess you need help if you're here right?" A few of the Hunters moved aside leaving a good amount of space on the large couch for the four of us. "I see you guys have changed as well," Thalia gave us a smile, "You're as old as I am, Percy. Almost older." Her smile disappeared when she remembered the price that would come at that.

"Annabeth," Thalia grabbed her hands and I saw Annabeth smile a bit. They were good friends- Thalia and Annabeth. "How are things going? Any news or stories you would like to tell- I should warn you now, I've been in communication with Chiron and he's quite the story teller."

Then, Thalia was staring at me and Annabeth with a wide grin. Annabeth blushed and pulled away from Thalia's hands. Stepping towards me, I saw that there was no hiding it anymore- that Annabeth and I were together. "Well, I suppose you heard right," then Annabeth confidently held my hand.

Thalia sighed and rolled her eyes at the same time.

"I wish I could've had that."

But she was a Hunter now and Thalia knew she couldn't do that.