I went back and walked to the edge where Thorn jumped off with Annabeth still on his back. I clenched my fists, it still makes me angry that he got the best of me. Behind me I heard talking, I looked back and saw Bianca Di Angelo, and Artemis. "Goddess of the hunt, and I also take in girls like you, to become my hunters, I wanted to talk to you about joining. But-"

She stopped when she saw me. "I see you calmed down. Why not rest a little while longer? That was quiet a lot of blood you coughed out." Artemis asked me. I shook my head, "I've got enough rest. All I want, is to find Annabeth." I told her, Artemis sighed, "Anything you say won't change my mind. I've told you this multiple times already." Artemis said.

"Yeah, but anything you say doesn't apply to me, I can go anywhere and do whatever I want. If I want to go, then I'm going, with or without your permission. This is something I have to do." I said. Artemis looked at me with an entirely new interests. "Fine, don't say I didn't warned you." She told me. I smiled widely, "I could say the same to you. Your stubbornness will be your downfall if you don't accept help when you most need it. You probably know this is a trap." I said.

Artemis shrugged, "It came to mind, but a simple trap won't be enough to hold a goddess down."

I chuckled, "Well, then I guess you won't need my help when that time comes? Anyway, what were you two talking about?" I asked.

Bianca looked up at me, "Oh nothing...Just something about joining the hunters..." She told me shyly. I smiled, "Hey, you don't need to be shy or nervous around me. I'm not going to hurt you." I told her.

She smiled sheepishly, "Well I saw what you did back there, those fire balls you threw at Dr. Thorn, and then when you teleported to edge of the cliff when you were twenty feet away from it, and then when you jumped off and came right back, and also when you stopped time." She said.

I rubbed my neck, "Thanks, but as you can see, it wasn't enough to save my friend."

"That may be true, but it was still impressive. You know this better than anyone, you tried, and that's all that matters." Artemis told me.

That sounds familiar…Does she know about me going back and forth to Calypso's island? No she couldn't know…But she's right.

Bianca asked, "What's Camp half-blood like?"

I scratched my head, "Well, let's see…It's a fun and safe place for half-bloods like us. Plus you can train and learn new things without having to worry about getting killed. There's a lot more I know about, but Percy is the one to ask, when it comes to talking about Camp Half-blood." I explained to Bianca, she was in deep thought, "Would it be wrong to leave Nico in their hands? Don't get me wrong, I love Nico, but I never been around other girls without Nico interrupting me." She said.

Artemis smiled kindly, "And you wish to have Nico sent to camp while you…?"

"I'm still thinking about it." Bianca said.

Artemis, nodded, "Take your time."

We headed back and found seven large tents. "Whoa…How did they get these up so fast?" I asked, Artemis answered with, "For centuries they have been taking down and putting up these tents, so it would only make sense that they would get used to it and just do it faster than normal people."

Well that helped a whole lot…

We entered the last tent, which looked no different from the others. The inside of the tent was warm and comfortable. Silk rugs and pillows covered the floor. In the center, a golden brazier of fire seemed to burn without fuel or smoke. Behind the goddess table, on a polished oak display stand, was her huge silver bow, carved to resemble gazelle horns. The walls were hung with animal pelts: black bear, tiger, and several others I didn't recognize.

She sat down across from us. Zoe, was the only one in here until we arrived, Zoe looked at me with distaste, "I wouldn't disrespect someone like Artemis, but I'll apologize for letting my…Anger, get the best of me." I told Zoe, she didn't say anything.

Artemis, nodded. "It's okay, you were just upset about your mistakes."

"Hey, you're pushing it Artemis." I said.

"Lady. Artemis." Zoe said coldly to me, I eyed her, "Listen to me, I won't hurt you, but I don't like it when people think they can control me, whether they be a god, half-blood or a hunter of Artemis. I'm the god of mortals, I can do anything, so I wouldn't disrespect someone like me." I told Zoe sternly.

Again Zoe had nothing to say to me. She's a feisty one. I looked at Artemis, she had an angry look on her face, "It's true that not even a god or goddess can hurt you, but remember we are immortal and you're not. And don't talk to my hunters like that." She told me.

I laughed, "Please, I respect all the gods' wishes, but when it comes to mortals and your hunters, I'm not going to let them talk down to me."

Artemis ignored that and turned to Zoe, "Go fetch Percy Jackson, I need to speak with him."

Zoe nodded and walked out of the tent, and gave me a cold stare before leaving. When she was gone I said. "Why does she hate me? Or does she just hate guys?"

"Maybe a little of both, but you must forgive my Hunters if they do not welcome you," Artemis said. "It is very rare that we would have boys in this camp. Boys are usually forbidden to have any contact with the Hunters."

Soon after she told me this, Zoe returned with Percy. "Join us, Percy Jackson," Artemis said. Percy sat next to us. Artemis studied Percy, he looked uncomfortable.

"Are you surprised by my age?" she asked.

"Uh… a little." He said.

"I could appear as a grown woman, or a blazing fire, or anything else I want, but this is what I prefer. This is the average age of my Hunters, and all young maidens for whom I am patron, before they go astray."

Percy looked at me like he expected me to be able to do the same thing, "I'm still mortal Percy." I told him, he smiled sheepishly, "I know that, anyway…" He said and turned back to Artemis, "What do you mean go astray?"

"Grow up. Become smitten with boys. Become silly, preoccupied, and insecure. Forget themselves."

I smiled, "Girls actually do that?" I chuckled.

Zoe sat down at Artemis's right. Artemis said, "Yes, and you don't know this, how?"

"I've been dead for sixty years, and for the first ten years I was in the underworld training, so I know nothing about the mortals." I told Artemis, "I see…" She said.

Moving on.

"Anyway, Percy, I've asked you here so that you might tell me more of the manticore. Bianca has reported some of the… mmm, disturbing things the monster said. But she may not have understood them. I'd like to hear them from you."

Why didn't she just ask me? Who cares, Percy was closer to them then I was. Percy told Artemis everything. Artemis put her hand thoughtfully on her silver bow. "I feared this was the answer."

Zoe sat forward. "The scent, my lady?"

"Yes."

"What scent?" I asked.

"Things are stirring that I have not hunted in millennia," Artemis murmured. "Prey so old I have nearly forgotten."

She stared at Percy intently. "We came here tonight sensing the manticore, but he was not the one I seek. Tell me again, exactly what Dr. Thorn said."

"Um, 'I hate middle school dances.'"

"No, no. After that."

"He said somebody called the General was going to explain things to me."

Zoe's face paled. She turned to Artemis and started to say something, but Artemis raised her hand.

"Go on, Percy," the goddess said.

"Well, then Thorn was talking about the Great Stir Pot—"

"Stirring," Bianca corrected.

"Yeah. And he said, 'Soon we shall have the most important monster of all—the one that shall bring about the downfall of Olympus.'" Percy told us.

I froze, it better not be that giant beast I'm supposed to fight that he's talking about. Artemis was just as shocked as I was, she was completely still, like a statue.

"Maybe he was lying," Percy said.

Artemis shook her head. "No. He was not. I've been too slow to see the signs. I must hunt this monster."

Zoe looked like she was trying very hard not to be afraid, but she nodded. "We will leave right away, my lady."

"No, Zoe. I must do this alone."

"But, Artemis—"

"She isn't doing this alone, I'm going with her, it's my fault Annabeth is gone. I have a feeling we're going to bump into people we know..." I said.

Artemis sighed, "This task is too dangerous even for the Hunters. You know where I must start my search. You cannot go there with me. I have no choice but to let Wyatt go with me...He'll be a good decoy." Artemis said.

"I am not a decoy, well...I can be a very good decoy...But I sometimes take it too far, I'll distract them for a while...But then I end up killing them." I said to her.

1,600 words mark, just in case you want to take a break or you lose track :P

"As… as you wish, my lady." Zoe smirked at me.

"I will find this creature," Artemis vowed. "And I shall bring it back to Olympus by winter solstice. It will be all the proof I need to convince the Council of the Gods of how much danger we are in."

"Whatever floats your boat. Just as long as we get Annabeth back. And do you know what this beast is?" I asked. Artemis gripped her bow. "Let us pray I am wrong."

"Can goddess's pray?" Percy asked, that's a reasonable question, "Yeah, I've never thought about that, can they?"

A flicker of a smile played across Artemis's lips. "Before I go, Percy Jackson, I have a small task for you."

I want you to escort the Hunters back to Camp Half-Blood. They can stay there in safety until I return."

"What?" Zoe' blurted out. "But, Artemis, we hate that place. The last time we stayed there—"

"Yes, I know," Artemis said. "But I'm sure Dionysus will not hold a grudge just because of a little, ah, misunderstanding. It's your right to use Cabin Eight whenever you are in need. Besides, I hear they rebuilt the cabins you burned down."

"Haha, nice." I laughed.

Zoe muttered something about foolish campers.

"And now there is one last decision to make." Artemis turned to Bianca. "Have you made up your mind, my girl?"

Bianca hesitated. "I'm still thinking about it."

"Wait," Percy said. "Thinking about what?"

"They… they've invited me to join the Hunt." Bianca said.

"What? But you can't! You have to come to Camp Half-Blood so Chiron can train you. It's the only way you can learn to survive." Blurted out.

"No Percy, you know this isn't your decision to make, it's Bianca's decision." I told Percy.

Percy didn't like this, "Bianca, camp is cool! It's got a Pegasus stable and a sword-fighting arena and… I mean, what do you get by joining the Hunters?"

"To begin with," Zoe said, "immortality."

"Immortality? By joining the hunters? I was wondering what Artemis meant by 'for centuries my hunters were doing this and that' not exactly what she said, but you get it." I said and then I went into deep thought, 'I'm the strongest dami-god to ever be born into this world. I can't die by getting hurt, but I can die by getting old. Or getting hit behind the ear...Which is kind of impossible to do. Anyway, if I could convince Artemis to let me join...I'll be a true god...With my powers and the immortality of being Artemis's hunter...I'll have a chance against that thing...Yeah, this will make everything better, I won't have to worry about dying. Even though I can't get hurt physically.'

I brought myself back to reality, Artemis told Percy. "To foreswear romantic love forever," Artemis said. "To never grow up, never get married. To be a maiden eternally."

"Like you?" Percy asked.

Artemis Nodded.

Percy said. "So you just go around the country recruiting half-bloods—"

"Not just half-bloods," Zoe interrupted. "Lady Artemis does not discriminate by birth. All who honor the goddess may join. Half-bloods, nymphs, mortals—"

"Which are you, then?" Percy asked.

Anger flashed in Zoe's eyes. "That is not thy concern, boy. The point is Bianca may join if she wishes. It is her choice."

"Bianca, this is crazy," He said. "What about your brother? Nico can't be a Hunter."

"Certainly not," Artemis agreed. "He will go to camp. Unfortunately, that's the best boys can do."

"That's all boys can do...I've achieved powers greater than the gods, us boys can do a lot more than you think." I told Artemis, "I've even shut one of them up, and I didn't even know how to properly work my powers back then."

Artemis smiled, "Yes, I've heard about your fight with Ares...I'm glad you shut him up for us." She said, "But you're not a boy nor a man, are you?"

I tilted my head, "I..." I trailed off, what exactly am I? The God of mortals was a name given to me because I'm just like a god, but I'm not a god, so...What am I? Artemis got up, "Do not worry, with time you'll find out." She told me.

Zoe was looking at me, but not with hate but concern. This has happened to me once before, at the river Styx, I couldn't figure out who I was, that is until I remembered what Achilles told me. 'When you're about to lose yourself, remember who you are, what you do, who did it with you.'

"Yeah...Maybe…" I said.

Everyone was silent, I guess me not knowing exactly what I am, hit everyone hard...Why? This isn't their problem. It's mine.

Bianca broke the silence, "What do I have to do?" She asked anxiously.

Zoe said, "Say this, 'I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis.'"

"I… I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis." Bianca repeated.

"'I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt.'"

That's all? I wonder what would happen if I said those lines. Heh that would be cool and funny, but I wouldn't want to be a maiden...Just saying.

Bianca repeated the lines. "That's it?"

Zoe nodded. "If Lady Artemis accepts thy pledge, then it is binding."

There goes that theory...

"I accept it," Artemis said.

The flames in the brazier brightened, casting a silver glow over the room. Bianca looked no different, but she took a deep breath and opened her eyes wide. "I feel… stronger."

"Welcome, sister," Zoe said.

"Remember your pledge," Artemis said. "It is now your life."

Well, that didn't take long...I was hoping for something exciting. I looked at Percy, he was quiet, "What's the matter?" I asked, he shrugged, "I just feel like a failure. I mean we've come all this way, only to lose Bianca to the hunters..." He said.

"Do not despair, Percy Jackson," Artemis said. "You will still get to show the di Angelo's your camp. And if Nico so chooses, he can stay there."

"Great." Percy said, but it sounded like he still didn't like what just happened. "How are we supposed to get there?"

"I could shadow travel them to the camp, it would save us time. And this way you'll know they got there safe, because I'm the one taking them." I offered. Artemis thought about this, "As much as I would like that to happen, but you need your energy, dawn is approaching. Zoe, break camp. You must get to Long Island quickly and safely. I shall summon a ride from my brother."

Artemis assured us that dawn was coming, but you could've fooled me. It was colder and darker and snowier than ever. I wonder if the teachers noticed that the Di Angelo's and Dr. Thorn were missing yet.

The Hunters broke camp as quickly as they'd set it up, Artemis stared into the east like she was expecting something. Bianca sat off to one side, talking with Nico. I could tell from his gloomy face that she was explaining her decision to join the Hunt. Bianca just wants to be free of responsibility, we all do...But not all of us can have that.

I went to Percy, Thalia and Grover, they huddled up together to see what Artemis wanted with Percy.

When I got close I heard Thalia say, "And Bianca joined them," Thalia said, disgusted. "It's all Zoe's fault. That stuck-up, no good—"

"Who can blame her?" Grover said. "Eternity with Artemis?" He heaved a big sigh.

Thalia rolled her eyes. "You satyrs. You're all in love with Artemis. Don't you get that she'll never love you back?"

"But she's so… into nature," Grover swooned.

"You're nuts," said Thalia.

"Nuts and berries," Grover said dreamily. "Yeah."

"She's into nature? She hunts animals, she's not into saving the wild." I said to Grover, he frowned, "So? She's still awesome!" He cried.

I smiled, "Yeah, I know."

2,900 words mark let me know if this helps or not.

I looked to the sky and saw that the sky finally began to lighten. Artemis muttered, "About time. He's so-o-o lazy during the winter."

"You're, um, waiting for sunrise?" Percy asked.

"For my brother. Yes." Artemis told him.

"It's not exactly as you think," Artemis said to Percy. "Oh, okay." Percy said and seemed to relax. "So, it's not like he'll be pulling up in a—"

A second later, there was a sudden burst of light on the horizon. A blast of warmth.

"Don't look," Artemis advised. "Not until he parks."

Like everyone else, my eyes burn when I stare into the sun. I averted my eyes, and saw that the other kids were doing the same. The light and warmth intensified until my winter coat felt like it was melting off of me. Then suddenly the light died. The power of Apollo, the sun god. The snow had melted around the Maserati in a perfect circle, which explained why I was now standing on green grass and my shoes were wet.

Apollo got out, smiling. He looked about seventeen or eighteen, He looked like Luke, but the scar running of the side of Luke's face was missing. Plus he was taller. Apollo wore jeans and loafers and a sleeveless T-shirt.

"Wow," Thalia muttered. "Apollo is hot."

"He's the sun god," Percy said.

"That's not what I meant."

"Little sister!" Apollo called. If his teeth were any whiter he could've blinded us without the sun car. "What's up? You never call. You never write. I was getting worried!"

Artemis sighed. "I'm fine, Apollo. And I am not your little sister."

"Hey, I was born first."

"We're twins! How many millennia do we have to argue—"

"So what's up?" he interrupted. "Got the girls with you, I see. You all need some tips on archery?"

Artemis grit her teeth. "I need a favor. I have some hunting to do. I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-Blood."

I want to ask Apollo about his powers. I want to know how they work and what they can and can't do.

"Sure, sis!" Then he raised his hands in a stop everything gesture. "I feel a haiku coming on."

The Hunters all groaned. Apparently they'd met Apollo before.

He cleared his throat and held up one hand dramatically.

"Green grass breaks through snow.

Artemis pleads for my help.

I am so cool."

He grinned at us, waiting for applause.

"That last line was only four syllables," Artemis said.

Apollo frowned. "Was it?"

"Yes. What about I am so big-headed?"

"No, no, that's six syllables. Hmm." He started muttering to himself.

Zoe Nightshade turned to us. "Lord Apollo has been going through this haiku phase ever since he visited Japan. 'Tis not as bad as the time he visited Limerick. If I'd had to hear one more poem that started with, there once was a goddess from Sparta—"

I was trying really hard to not burst out laughing, because I think Apollo really likes poems. "I've got it!" Apollo announced. "I am so awesome. That's five syllables!" He bowed, looking very pleased with himself. Apollo noticed me trying to contain my laughter. He smiled like he found that amusing. Strange.

"And now, sis. Transportation for the Hunters, you say? Good timing. I was just about ready to roll."

"These demigods will also need a ride," Artemis said, pointing to us. "Some of Chiron's campers. Except for Wyatt, he'll be coming with me."

Apollo raised his eye brow, "Wyatt? Wyatt Knight, I'm guessing." He said and walked toward me. He studied me, "So this is the one that beat Ares at his own game?" He said and burst out laughing, "Thank the gods you did that, getting beat by a kid with powers greater than his own made him realize he should use his head once and awhile."

I smiled sheepishly, "I didn't really want to fight him, I just wanted to bait him, but that backfired and he baited me, but he learned not to mess with a child of the big three."

Apollo laughed, "I like this kid! So about your powers…I'm assuming you got mine as well?"

I nodded, "But I don't exactly know how to use them, or most of my powers for that matter. I'm still learning." I told him. Apollo looked me over, "You wanna know how to learn one of the easiest power I have?" He asked, I perked up. "Yeah!"

He showed off his white teeth, "Alright, you know I'm also the god of medicine, so I'll show you how to heal people and yourself."

My eyes widened, "Really? That would be really useful, but we have to hurry, Artemis is getting impatient." I said and looked at Artemis, I swear I could feel her gaze burning right through my back.

Apollo waved his hand, "It's okay, we got time. Alright first!" He said with pride, "Take your hand and put it to your chest, and then in your head, think about your injury and imagine it closing, and disappearing. The most important thing you should know about this is that, you cannot heal yourself instantly, this takes time, so when in battle, don't expect it to happen right away." Apollo explained to me.

I looked at my hand, "Does it also help return energy I've lost while healing people or myself?" I asked. I looked to the ground, "I can't get hurt, but I can run out of energy, so I need to know if it can or can't do that."

Apollo scratched his head, "I wouldn't know, I can't run out of energy."

The first god to actually help Wyatt with his powers, you think Artemis will give him tips on some of her powers?

Thanks for reading! I hope you all have an awesome day!

Rilurz~