~ Another World-Threatening Prophecy? ~

LYKOS

Lykos awakes with a start, feeling the presence of a powerful immortal suddenly manifest nearby. It's a familiar presence, bringing with it the feeling of being free in the wilderness; the scent of pine, the thriving wildlife, the thrill of a hunt. This must be Artemis having finally arrived. He may have only been the Guardian for a year, but Lykos has come to know her aura very well, along with recognizing the scents and presences of all the girls of the Hunt. It's his job to know them, for if somehow they ever became lost, gods forbid, he would be able to find them.

Lifting his head, he looks up to the large window of the cabin. It's already late in the evening, and he can see the moon rising into the sky despite the sunset hours. Artemis must be in a hurry, and with good reason. She cares deeply for her Hunters, and he can imagine that she has been anxiously waiting for the chance to get off Olympus and come straight here to see Saphira.

She's asleep, with Chloe and Thalia in the bunks in the next room. Lykos remained here in the living room, curled up in front of the fireplace where he had fallen asleep himself. After breakfast with Percy and Annabeth, both Thalia and Chloe had insisted that Saphira get more rest, and after some extra helpful coaxing from their two new friends, Saphira relented and allowed them to take her back here.

Remembering that it was said that a meeting would be held over the events of three nights ago, once Artemis arrived, Lykos figures he should wake up the girls so they can get ready. With a great yawn and arching stretch, he rises from the rug and pads his way to the bunkroom. Carefully, he pushes the door open with his head, it having been left cracked ajar, and steps inside. Thalia is sleeping with her body half-hanging off her bunk, snoring in a very un-feminine manner. Chloe lays buried beneath her sheets. Saphira dozes peacefully in the corner, curled up on her side with her arms and legs wrapped around a spare pillow. She's changed into a chiton for sleep, with her bandaged wounds on display.

He almost lost her.

She was mere minutes away from bleeding out when he was finally able to get to her… at least, that's what it had looked like with her blood seeping from her wrist, leg, abdomen, and back. Seeing her like that had terrified him. He thought… he thought history was repeating itself, that he was once again, losing someone he cared about more than any other. But that's not all. That's not all that scared him. What scared him just as much, was the rage that had joined that fear.

He can still hear the empousa's screams, her screams choked and gurgling as she was practically drowning in her own foul blood, blood spilt by his fangs. Lykos barely remembers exactly what had happened in that fight. All he knows is that he went absolutely feral. There was no thought, no thinking whatsoever. A blur of savage fury, that just wanted to kill.

A monster.

It's bothered him ever since, in his few waking moments these past three days. Not because he killed the empousa, but because of what that rage reminds him of; a time where he had just about completely and utterly lost himself. A time, when he almost became like the monster who created him. It's been years since he had felt that kind of raw, animal-like savagery, something he had completely forgotten about ever since he and Saphira became friends and thus, never thought he would feel in such a way ever again.

Lykos shakes his head, shoving those thoughts as far back into his mind as he can. There's more important things to focus on right now. With a sigh, he leans forward and gently nuzzles Saphira's sleeping form with his head. Normally, she would have awoken instantly, but she really must be exhausted this time because all she does in response is groan quietly. Again, he nudges her with his muzzle, a little harder this time and her eyes flutter open.

"Lykos?" she murmurs, clearly still half-asleep as she groggily lifts her head. "What… what is it?"

She yawns with the question. Lykos replies with a quiet huff and gestures with his head to the window, to the rising moon. Saphira frowns in confusion at first, but realization gradually seeps into her eyes as she seems to process what he means. It's something he only recently started doing to signify to her that he is talking about the goddess when he gestures to the moon, and sure enough, it seems to click for her.

"Artemis is here?" she asks and he nods. Saphira's eyes widen a bit and she throws off the sheets to climb out of bed. "We have to get dressed."

Lykos backs up to give her room as she hurriedly rushes over to Chloe and Thalia. The Hesperide shakes Chloe first in a not-so-gentle manner, drawing a startled grunt of complaint.

"Saph, come on!" Chloe whines, pushing at her.

"We need to change. Artemis is here," Saphira hisses at her. "Thalia!"

"I'm up, I'm up," the sky daughter grumbles as she and Chloe rise up. "Lykos, mind stepping out of the room?"

Lykos nods and turns to trot back out into the living room. He can hear someone approaching the cabin and recognizes the goddess' scent, so he moves to sit by the front door, hearing the footsteps drawing closer. A moment later, the knob turns and the door opens to reveal Artemis standing there. It's clear she's been worried; her form has changed to resemble an older girl, the one she becomes during difficult times. Her silver eyes are wide and tired, and tiny but still noticeable creases line her forehead. Upon seeing him though, her form shimmers to a slightly younger version as she releases a heavy sigh of relief.

"Lykos!" she cries, leaning down, placing both hands on either side of his face, and digging her fingertips into his fur. She gives him a brisk inspection, feeling the healing wounds that now decorate him. "Olympus, what happened to you? Where is Saphira?"

"Milady!"

Saphira's joyful cry reaches them before he can reply and out of nowhere, she comes crashing into Artemis with a fierce hug which the goddess returns as tears stream from her eyes.

"Saphira! Oh, thank goodness you're okay!" Artemis exclaims, pulling Saphira's face into her chest.

"Lykos saw to that," Saphira sniffles, her voice muffled slightly. "Please forgive me, milady. I failed my mission."

"What makes you think I would ever place the success of a mission over your life?" Artemis scolds her.

"But I-"

"No buts. You and Lykos are alive and that is all that matters to me. Your safety will always come first before the mission, understood?"

Saphira sniffles again, but she nods. "Understood, milady."

"Good." The goddess loosens her embrace around the Hesperide enough to look her in the eyes. "Now, where is my lieutenant and my healer?"

"Right here!" comes the gruntled voice of Thalia as she and Chloe come out of the bunkroom. All three Hunters are dressed in their normal outfits. Only Saphira has her cloak in place of the typical jackets.

"Is everyone doing alright? Do you feel any soreness, Saphira?" Artemis inquires. "Or you, Lykos?"

"Only a little, but I'll manage," Saphira replies while Lykos nods his head. Artemis regards him with a look of gratitude.

"Remind me to reward you for saving her life," she says to him. When he's about to shake his head in protest, she raises her hand to silence. "Do not argue with me about it. You deserve it. I could not ask for a more loyal and faithful Guardian. I believe both hindquarters of a bison would suffice."

While he wants to disagree with her, Lykos knows there's no point. Artemis is a fair and just goddess and in the end, she would just simply order him to comply. Besides, he will silently admit that the mention of such a reward does have his mouth watering. Curse his ravenous wolf appetite.

"Good. Now, if we are all ready, the meeting is about to commence in the Big House," Artemis declares and turns to begin leading them all out of the cabin.

"Who else is gonna be there?" Chloe asks.

"Chiron and Dionysus, the satyr council, the camp's counselors, and of course, us."

Lykos flattens his ears at the list. So many people in a single place… he's going to hate it, or at least, be very unhappy being among them. He's never liked crowds. When he was human, his family lived in a village on the city outskirts. All his immortal life, he spent running away from the company of the Pack, staying away from major cities and anywhere that crowds might be. He likes his space to be invaded only by a few, and that few right now consists of Saphira and the Hunters. Not to mention that many who will be in this meeting either hate him or are afraid of him.

"What exactly are they discussing?" Thalia questions.

"The child who was taken," Artemis replies. "The satyr who accompanied you, Saphira and Lykos, revealed many, rather alarming details about her. Her power is not something we can simply pass off without debate."

"They're not planning on abandoning her, are they?" Saphira asks with worry in her tone.

"Perhaps, but fear not, my beautiful huntress. I will not allow such a young girl to be left to the Fates. If this camp will not act, then by Zeus, the Hunt will," the moon maiden firmly declares.

Saphira seems to be only slightly assured by this. Lykos is, just a little bit. Despite their rough history, he's come to trust Artemis. He believes in her resolve and if she says they will not simply stand by, then he has faith in that.

They reach the Big House, where it seems all the other attendants have already gathered inside. Artemis opens the door and guides them all through the main hallway with Thalia closing the door behind them. The hallway leads into a living room that is much larger than the size of the house from the outside would suggest. Numerous couches and chairs form a ring around a small table in the center of the room. Most are already occupied. Elderly satyrs -a few younger ones, including Terry- occupy the east side of the room's seating. Chiron stands near the entry way over Dionysus, who is seated in a large, plushy chair. On the west side, sit several demigods, including their new friends, Percy and Annabeth who sit together on a single chair with the blonde's legs draped over his. Lykos recognizes a few others; Clarisse, Kieran, Will. The last is a girl with an eagle's feather in her hair, looking to be of Native American heritage.

All heads turn towards them as they enter the room, and at first some of the older satyrs regard the Hunters with resentment in their eyes. That resentment quickly gives way to fear the moment they all look at Lykos, who returns the attention with an icy glare.

"Ah, there they are. Please, Lady Artemis. You and your Hunters may take that empty couch over there," Chiron greets them, pointing towards the north side of the room at a couch that is right beside Percy and Annabeth.

"Thank you, Chiron," Artemis replies.

"About time you got here. Now we can get this over with," Dionysus says before taking a sip of his Diet Coke. The goddess only glares at him, purposely bumping his arm with her's as she walks by. The wine god is unfazed, only squinting at her followers. "Oh, it's my little, er, sister, I guess. How are you doing, Tanya?"

"Thalia," the lieutenant corrects him with a roll of her eyes.

"Whatever."

"Can I ask why that thing is permitted to be inside this camp, let alone this house?" one of the satyrs demands while pointing at Lykos. Lykos has half a mind to bite that hand off as he lays down at the Hunters' feet, all three of whom plus Artemis are now seated on the last couch.

"Do not refer to him in that manner again, satyr," Artemis growls before Saphira can even open her mouth in his defense. "Or I will personally see to it that you are neutered for such disrespect. Am I understood?"

The satyr gulps and nods, not daring to defy an Olympian.

"I told you not to be an asshole, Bacillus," Clarisse snickers. "Should have listened."

Bacillus' face reddens. "You-"

"Enough," Chiron interrupts with a stamp of his hoof. "We have an important matter to discuss and time is of the essence. The young girl who was captured by empousai right outside our camp borders. The only ones who know what happened exactly are Saphira and Lykos. Mr. Oakleaf told us what he could but he was unconscious for much of the final… event, that occurred. Saphira, if you can please tell us everything you remember prior to waking up this morning."

Saphira looks up at Artemis, who nods, granting her the go-ahead. Saphira takes a deep breath and begins recounting the events of three days ago. She started from the moment they picked up Asteria's trail, describing how they tracked and rescued her from the dracaena. Brows are raised when she describes what Asteria looked like. When she gets to the part about the hellhounds and what Asteria did in that alley, several murmurs begin to go around the room. She then tells them about the crash and the fight that ensued, how she and Argus attempted to get Terry and Asteria to safety after leaving Lykos to take on the cyclopes. Lykos watches as a tear escapes her eye as she describes this part, and he knows just how much she hated having to leave him. He had to make her go. If she didn't she could have been killed by the cyclopes…

But she was also almost killed by the empousai.

Saphira finally finishes telling them the tale of their mission, looking rather dejected. She's too harsh on herself. She probably believes the entire thing was her fault. Lykos really wishes she could understand him in this form, so that he could tell her she is not to blame.

"The last thing I remember is Lykos saving me, right before I passed out," Saphira says. "I do not know much after that, other than Lykos taking me to safety."

"Well, I can fill in those gaps," Will suddenly speaks up. "I was on duty at the time, and I heard your wolf howling at the Big House. I and several others went to investigate, including Chiron. We found you bleeding out and Lykos wasn't looking much better. He did manage to show us where Argus and Terry were before he collapsed, and we got all of you into the sickbay. While I and my siblings treated the four of you, Clarisse led a party out to try to hunt down the empousa that escaped, but with no luck."

"Sorry, Saph. We went about a mile out, but that evil bitch was long gone," Clarisse says. "Sorry to say, but we also just don't have the skills for tracking like you Hunters do."

"You tried and that's what matters," Thalia says.

"I'm sorry, but did you say the empousai were named Kelli and Tammi?" Percy chimes in with curiosity. Saphira nods her head and he groans, leaning back into her seat. "I met them a few times before. They're not very nice."

"The fact that you were able to take on an empousa while already injured, and survive, is incredible," Annabeth muses thoughtfully. "But there is one thing I don't understand. Why did they take Asteria? Empousai don't target females and they certainly don't take prisoners."

"I don't know why they took her," Saphira admits. "I almost got Kelli to spill why they wanted her, but Tammi stopped her, saying they cannot risk anything by the orders of… Aspa?"

That name has Lykos sitting upright in an instant. He knows that name very well, and it brings back a lot of unwanted memories. Images of his own torture, both physical and psychological, tear through his mind. With a growl, he shakes his head, trying to rid himself of these memories to little avail.

"Lykos? Are you okay?" Saphira asks, leaning forward to touch his shoulder in concern.

Lykos looks at her. He wants to tell her. He needs to tell her. That name, speaks of a ruthless creature, a tormentor who he had the displeasure of knowing while he was… down in that place. A name he never wanted to hear ever again. Alas, in this form, he cannot explain it to her, no matter how good their understanding with each other is. Curse it all. Why can't he figure out how to transform back so that he can speak?

"Aspa… that's not a name I recognize from any stories," Annabeth says.

"Neither do I," Chiron says.

Of course they wouldn't know the name. Only those locked away in that unholy realm ever knew that name.

"So, now that we have all the details, are we sending a rescue party or what?" Kieran asks. Even in the face of such dire news, he still somehow manages to look and sound completely disinterested in everything.

"I say we let those demons have her," Bacillus declares.

"Bacillus, what the hell is the matter with you?" Percy snaps at him.

"Keeping this camp safe is the matter. Were you not listening, sea spawn? The child is dangerous. She destroyed a hellhound by screaming at it and from the way Oakleaf and this Hunter described her power, she is no child of the gods. She has to be a titan's spawn."

Lykos doesn't miss how Saphira winces at the way he says that.

"You don't know that. Even if she is somehow a titan's kid, that doesn't change anything. She has to be saved!" Percy retorts.

"You would risk the safety of everyone here for a child of the enemy?" Bacillus scoffs. "How you were the hero of Olympus is beyond me. You are so-"

"Do not finish that sentence, satyr."

Bacillus falls silent at the sound of Saphira's cold-hearted growl. Her shoulders are rigid and her fists are clenched. Her glare is one even Hades would be impressed by; her volcanic-obsidian orbs burn with fury as she stares the satyr dead in the eyes.

"Do you think that heritage has to do with anything?" she goes on with a steely voice. "Do you think that being descended from a titan means we are evil? Malicious?"

Never before has Lykos heard her speak in such a manner, and for this moment, he can truly see the heritage of Atlas. He never considered Saphira particularly intimidating, but right now, she looks ready to lunge across the room and treat the satyr like she would any of her prey.

"My sister… The person I treasured most in this world, was the daughter of Atlas. Zoe Nightshade, who gave her life to defend an Olympian, in defiance of her father, was the single greatest person I ever met. If you ever dare to insult her or any who are not deserving of such harsh judgment, then hear these words. I will show to you what a vengeful descendant of a titan looks like."

By now, she is trembling with her barely contained rage. Artemis places a hand on her shoulder and this seems to get her reel herself in. Chloe slips her arm around Saphira, rubbing her back comfortingly. Everyone in the room stares at her. Some, namely Clarisse and Kieran, look at her with admiration. The native girl looks at her with a healthy amount of fear. The satyrs look utterly terrified, and Percy and Annabeth seem only surprised.

"Know that I will not restrain her if she chooses to make good on her promise," Artemis says. "Keep that in mind, Bacillus."

Bacillus meekly nods his head.

"So, uh," the native girl pipes up for the first time. "Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any idea where Asteria might actually come from?"

"Piper," Annabeth warns her gently.

"I don't mean any rudeness, but you know I haven't exactly been a part of your guys' world for very long. I just want to know more about these things," Piper says quickly.

"Her description definitely doesn't match… well, anything I've ever heard of," Thalia says. "White hair, starry eyes, blasting literal galaxies out of her body. Gotta say, all that is a first for me."

"Not to mention her power," Annabeth adds. "For someone so young to uh, explode, the way she did. Hell, not even Percy had that kind of raw power when we were kids, and she's younger than he was when he finally found out he was a son of Poseidon."

"Yeah. It's not much of a confidence booster to know that I'm outclassed by a nine year-old," Percy says. This earns him an elbow in the ribs from Annabeth. "Ow!"

Lykos senses an air of tension in the room. The source draws his gaze to Artemis and Dionysus. Both gods in the room have gone silent. It's not very unusual for Artemis to be in thought, but the wine god? Lykos had only met him recently, but his behavior thus far has been anything but thoughtful. The gods clearly know something, or at least, suspect it. Their changed demeanor hasn't gone unnoticed by others.

"Milady, you look as if that sparked some recognition. Do you know something?" Saphira asks.

Artemis and Dionysus exchange a look before the goddess sighs. "I am not sure. The child's description sounds familiar, but those words do not bring my mind to any story of any child. They tell of something much more… ancient."

"How ancient are we talking?" Piper asks.

"More ancient than the titans," Dionysus says. "We gods may act like we are the center of the universe and all, because we are, but we weren't always."

Artemis nods. "Even as old as we gods are, in the scale of the time of this universe's existence, we are very, very young. There were- are beings that date back to long before even the birth of Kronos."

"The Protogenoi," Percy says bluntly.

Both gods look at him.

"What do you know of them?" Artemis inquires.

This time Annabeth speaks. Her voice is shaky and quiet. The couple's eyes seem lost in another time, in another place… and it doesn't look like it is a fond memory.

"We met them- more of them, when we were trapped in Tartarus," Wisdom's daughter says. "I have to say that the ones down there made Gaea look like nothing more than the clod of dirt that she is."

"Nyx and her kids," Percy says with a grim expression. "And another…"

"Tartarus," Annabeth finishes.

Piper's eyes are wide. "You mean as in, the actual entity of Tartarus? Like, the actual primordial being?"

"Yes," both Annabeth and Percy reply in unison.

Lykos feels a chill run up his spine. He knows exactly what they have been through. He can see it in their eyes, the trauma of the ordeal they had endured. The Pit is not a place any mortal should ever have to be in.

"You never told us that!" Piper cries. She jumps up from her seat and throws her arms around the two of them. "Gods, I can only imagine how awful that was!"

"It definitely would not have been our first choice for a vacation spot," Percy says as he and Annabeth are embraced.

"You never told me that either, Annie," Thalia murmurs.

"Never had a chance to, Thals. Today is the first time I've gotten to see you since the battle in Manhattan," Annabeth softly replies.

"IM me? Now I feel bad that my little sister has been through so much shit and I wasn't there for her. Hell, I could have also IM'd you now that I think about it"

"I'm sorry, Thals."

"Don't apologize, Annie. I just-"

"None of you should be apologizing for anything." Chloe interrupts, placing a hand on Thalia's wrist. "Do not forget we were also fighting our own war after Gaea. As our lieutenant, you had a lot on your plate just worrying about the Hunt. It's nobody's fault."

Thalia sighs and nods in surrender. "Right. Anyways, back on track for the little girl."

"Yes. As we were saying, this child could very well be somehow connected to the oldest ages of this universe," Artemis says.

"Are you saying this kid is the offspring of one of these uh, what did you call them?" Clarisse asks.

"Protogenoi," Annabeth answers. "The primordial; the first masters of this universe."

"How is that even possible?" Terry asks, speaking for the first time. "Can the primordial even have demi-children?"

Dionysus shrugs. "No idea. This age is an age for a lot of firsts. Honestly I have no idea if a mortal can even bear the strain of having such a child. One little accident and they could explode from within."

"Even if they can, which of the primordials would be a healthy suspect for Asteria's siring?" Saphira asks. "I don't think her appearance and her powers line up with descending from any of the ones who have been active in the past year."

"There is one, but it is by far, the longest shot," Artemis says. She pauses before continuing; "but her appearance and her powers match with this particular Protogenos, or at least with the stories."

All heads turn to her.

"Who?" Piper questions. Artemis takes a breath before she replies.

"Chaos."

"That conclusion is really reaching for the stars there, Moonshine," Dionysus warns her. "No pun intended."

"I know it is, Dionysus, but I see no other potential candidates for Asteria's parentage."

"Wait, hold on. Isn't Chaos just like, a void?" Percy asks. The goddess shakes her head.

"No, Perseus. Chaos is the void. The creator of all that exists today, the original, first sentient being. Without Chaos, nobody in this room and nothing in this world would exist."

"I don't suppose that this Chaos is friendly to us, is he? Or she?" Piper squeaks.

Artemis shrugs. "Chaos is the most powerful entity of the universe. He or she has never shown his or herself to us. We have no way of knowing which side they would take, if they would take one at all."

Saphira perks up. "Milady, would you happen to know of a symbol that represents Chaos?"

"It has been thousands of years since I had seen one in a story I read in my youth, but yes. Why do you ask?" the goddess inquires with a frown.

"Asteria was wearing a pendant around her neck. One side had her name inscribed into it, but the other had this strange symbol, one I did not recognize," Saphira replies. "It looked like a sort of…"

"Like this?"

A new voice, female, catches the attention of all towards the entrance of the living room from the hallway. Standing there is a teenage girl about Percy's age; fair-skinned with freckles and unruly red locks. She wears a T-shirt and shorts that look like they have been used frequently in painting. She's quite pretty, but her haggard, exhausted eyes ruin the image. She's holding up a sketchbook with a drawing on it, and Lykos recognizes it to be the same symbol that they had seen on Asteria's pendant.

"How did you…" Saphira trails off.

"Because, I've been seeing it in my dreams for the past month," the girl replies. "This symbol among others… and I've been seeing you and your wolf as well."

She saggers down into a chair, sinking into the cushions. Her words startle Lykos. She's been dreaming about them? They've never met her before.

"You look like you haven't slept in weeks, Rachel," Annabeth notes with some concern.

"Hard to sleep when every non-waking moment is spent seeing the world fall apart and losing everyone you know," Rachel glumly replies.

"What do you mean? And how have you been dreaming about me and Lykos?" Saphira demands. "We have never met before now."

Rachel meets her gaze without flinching. "I just do. I have no idea why, and I had no idea who either of you were until ten seconds ago when I walked into this room."

"Has the oracle's spirit told you anything?" Percy asks.

"No. There's been no words uttered, only dreams and visions, images that flash into my head one second and are gone the next. I just know that those two," Rachel points at Lykos and Saphira; "are important somehow. The little girl too."

"You've seen her?" Saphira asks.

Rachel nods her head. "Yes. I can't explain how, but I know she's a major part in all of this, whatever it is. Don't bother explaining, I know that she's been taken, and I also know that we need her back here ASAP."

She continues staring at Lykos and Saphira. "And you two, are the ones who have to go after her."

Before either Lykos or Saphira can protest at all, Artemis straightens her posture, looking concerned and even slightly angry. "Hold on, oracle. You cannot say that you are experiencing problems with your gifts, but then say that you know that you must send my Hunter and my Guardian on such a quest."

"Look, I don't know what exactly is going on with the Spirit of Delphi right now. I would assume it has something to do with Apollo being in the situation he is in, but I can tell you that I feel in every fiber of my being that this is right," Rachel retorts.

"Wait, wait, wait. Slow down and rewind a little. Rachel, that symbol you drew. Do you know what it is?" Clarisse says.

Artemis clenches her fist. "I do. It's the same symbol I saw in those stories; the symbol of Chaos."

"Does that mean that Asteria really is the daughter of…" Percy trails off.

"I believe it does," Saphira says. "And I also believe the oracle is right. I should be the one to go after Asteria and bring her back."

Lykos, Chloe, Thalia, and Artemis all turn on her in an instant.

"Saphira, hold on," Chloe says.

"You need to slow your roll," Thalia adds.

"Absolutely not," Artemis declares.

Lykos would have protested her as well for the fact that she didn't mention he would go with her. She made it sound like she'll go alone, over his dead body.

"This was my mission, my duty. I failed to bring her back here and that makes it my responsibility to set this right. I… I promised her she would be safe," Saphira retorts, looking at them pleadingly. "I have to do this."

"Saphira, no. I will not risk losing you like-" Artemis cuts herself off. Saphira's lips part as if to reply, but she closes them again. She and the goddess hold each other's gaze for what seems like a long time. Lykos knows what she was going to say and from Saphira's expression, she knows as well.

Like Zoe.

"Y-you won't. I swear to you, I will not fail a second time," Saphira stammers.

Artemis shakes her head. "Saphira, I do not care if you fail your mission. I care if you come back alive."

"I will!"

Chloe clears her throat. "If it would help put your mind at ease, milady, I'll go with her and look after her."

Saphira looks at her friend. "Chloe I can't ask you to-"

"I know you didn't. I'm saying I will."

The moon goddess sighs and rubs her temples. She looks at the two of them with stress evident in her eyes. She is like an older sister or perhaps even a mother to many of the girls in the Hunt. She probably feels like she's sending her own children off on a death quest if she says yes. She turns her gaze to Lykos and he straightens his posture, ready for what he knows she's about to say.

"I know I don't need to tell you, but you look after them, you hear?" she says. Her voice is stern but calm, and he nods his head once in response. Of course she doesn't need to tell him. He would die for them on a moment's notice.

Thalia pipes up. "I will go with them too."

Artemis shakes her head. "You cannot. I wish for you to do so, but I will need you to remain with the Hunt. I will not be able to return for some time. Father has a great deal of… business to take care of, and it involves all the gods. I need you to take full command until I can return."

"Understood," Thalia sighs. She doesn't seem happy about it, but Artemis is right. The Hunt will need her.

"That is three for the quest. By our camp rules, that is the maximum allowed, but that's only because too many demigods will attract monsters," Chiron states. "Since there are none so far- yes, child?"

He pauses when he sees Chloe's hand go up.

"I am a demigod," she says.

The centaur blinks and shrugs. "My mistake. There is one demigod. Would anybody else like to join Saphira on her quest?"

Clarisse sighs and grumbles. "I really want to, Saph. I like you and I want to help you out, but I promised my family I would try to not drop out of college this year." She looks at Kieran. "Would you-"

"I really would rather not. I already had to take a trip into those gods-forsaken mountains with you to go fight some wolves, sis. I ain't doing this too. You get one favor every couple of years," Kieran says with a haughty tone.

"I swear, Kieran, if I had the option to choose anyone else as my second-in-command…" Clarisse growls.

"But you don't."

"I wish I could go as well," Will says, "but I am needed here. Most of my siblings are away from camp. My patients cannot and will not be treating themselves. I'm sorry, Saphira."

"Don't worry about it, Will," Saphira replies with a kind smile. "We have our healer," she says, nudging Chloe.

The son of Apollo nods, looking quite relieved that they won't be going without a medic… but they still have two spots open on the quest. Lykos notices Terry looking as if he wants to speak up and say something, but the young satyr is cowering beside Bacillus, probably too afraid of his elder's authority. Which leaves…

"Percy, Annabeth," Chiron says softly. "I know that look you two are giving each other. I admire your sense of duty, but I have to ask that you refrain. You two have already done so much for us all these past few years. It would be unfair of anyone to ask you to go on this quest."

Lykos studies the couple's faces. They are solemn, not looking the slightest bit happy. He doesn't really know much about either of them. He never really took part in the last two wars, so he never even came close to encountering them and he heard next to nothing about them, not even from Lycaon when he was hunting the Seven. All he knows is from what was said about them by Thalia and Artemis, and recently, from Saphira too. Yet, looking at them right now, he can see something else beneath that solemn exterior of unhappiness and frustration. He can see determination, resolve, and an unbreakable will shared by both of them.

"Thank you, Chiron, but the last two major prophecies involved us and even though Rachel didn't get an actual prophecy this time, I don't think we'll have the luxury of being excluded from this one either," Annabeth sighs.

The centaur looks at them mournfully. "You don't know that for certain, plus you two already made plans for your lives. You have college in New Rome and…"

"We know, Chiron. We know," Percy mutters. "But I think that it's pretty clear that the world is not yet ready to let us live in peace. Besides, would it really be the life of Percy and Annabeth if something potentially world-threatening wasn't taking place?"

Saphira stares at them with sympathy. "You don't have to do this. The three of us can manage. We'll be okay."

"I'm torn between being grateful that you would go with her and wanting you to go and finally start living your lives," Thalia admits regrettably. "For one, it would give me peace of mind that two of my closest friends and greatest demigods of the century would be accompanying these three, but I can tell by looking at you that you guys really don't want to endure this."

"Don't worry about it," Percy says with some inkling of a grin returning to his face. "Look, I think we have to face facts that as demigods, our lives aren't ever going to be perfect. So, we do what we do best. We make do with what we got and we improvise. We make the best we can out of the situation."

"Once again, you remind me why you have my respect, Perseus," Artemis murmurs. "I cannot thank you enough for this."

The sea child chuckles. "You don't have to, Lady Artemis."

"If you two are going, then so am I," Piper suddenly declares. "You guys are my best friends and I refuse to let you do this on your own."

"Ms. Mclean, you cannot. They already have a full party," Chiron reminds her.

"Okay but since when has that rule been followed? From what I hear, it's been years since that was enforced," Piper challenges him.

Chiron sighs. "Please do not argue with me on this. They already have a large group."

"No offense, Piper, but I don't think you're built to be doing a whole lot of running," Thalia adds. "Unless you think you can keep up with them…"

Piper looks crestfallen. "Running? As in, on foot?"

Saphira clears her throat. "Well… Lykos can only carry me, maybe Chloe as well. But I won't have him do so for a quest like this, and we'll have to travel quickly."

"I… I see," Piper says as she sinks down into her chair. "I would slow you down. Ugh, being an Aphrodite kid sucks… no offense, Mom, if you're listening."

"Maybe after another year of training, Pipes," Annabeth says, though this seems to do little in comforting the daughter of the love goddess.

"It is settled then. Saphira, Lykos, Chloe, Percy, and Annabeth will undertake the quest to rescue Asteria and bring her safely back to camp. When do you plan to depart?" Chiron says.

"Immedi-" Saphira begins to say, but she's gently elbowed by Chloe who shakes her head. Saphira doesn't look happy, but something passes silently between them that she seems to understand. With a sigh, she continues. "Tomorrow at first light."

Percy and Annabeth nod.

"That gives us time to pack some things," says the daughter of Athena.

"Does anyone else have anything to say about this matter?" Chiron asks. Silence is his answer. Only Bacillus and Terry look like they want to speak up; the former seeming as if he wants to protest and the latter looking very nervous about something. In the end, neither of them say a word so Chiron stamps his hoof and continues. "Very well. This meeting is adjourned."

With that, the room begins to clear out. Chiron leads the satyrs out into the hallway while Dionysus stretches out lazily in his chair, seeming to not be in the mood for moving yet. Clarisse and Kieran pack it out too, with the former giving Saphira an apologetic look. Lykos looks on as they and Will head out with Terry. The satyr casts them a glance too, looking ever so anxious. What could possibly be the deal with him, Lykos wonders. In the end, the ones left in the living room are Lykos, Saphira, Chloe, Thalia, Piper, Percy, Annabeth, Rachel, and Artemis, excluding Dionysus who has already dozed off in his chair.

"You two do not have to come with us," Saphira says to the couple beside them. "I can tell you don't want to, and I do not blame you after what you've been through."

"I'm grateful that you'd go with her, but she's right. You guys already have so much planned. It wouldn't be fair for you to go," Thalia adds.

Rachel pipes up. "While I also feel a whole lot better knowing that the twice-over saviors of the world would be going on this quest, I did not see you two at all in my visions… aside from the parts where I have nightmares about everybody we know dying. This might not have anything to do with you guys in particular."

Percy and Annabeth exchange a glance, seeming to have a silent conversation between themselves. Sea green clashes with stormy gray as they have their unspoken conversation for a few moments before they return their attention to them.

"Thanks, guys. Really, but we've made up our minds. We are going," Percy murmurs.

"Even if you didn't see us, Rachel, that doesn't mean this won't affect us too. I mean, come on! If we're right and Asteria is in fact the daughter of Chaos -gods, that's insane- then whatever is coming next is gonna be huge," Annabeth chimes in. "I have a feeling it will include all of us no matter what."

"Do you really think this could be that big a deal?" Piper asks, sounding a little nervous about the idea.

"I hope it turns out to be something we can easily handle, but the past six and a half years have taught us otherwise." Wisdom's daughter heaves a heavy sigh. "I'd rather be safe than sorry. A child of a primordial is a huge deal in and of itself. We know that demigod blood has the power to awaken the likes of Gaea… I don't want to find out the hard way as to what a demi-primordial's blood could be used for."

"You think that's what they want her for?" Chloe asks, then turns to Artemis. "Milady, could they use Asteria for such a purpose?"

The moon goddess looks thoughtful for a moment. "It's possible, but I cannot say for certain. In all of the history of western civilization, we have never dealt with or even heard of a mortal child of a primordial as a possibility, much less a child of Chaos… now that I think about it, this child may not even be a mortal spawn."

"What does that mean?" Piper asks.

"Chaos is the creator of all. Everything you see around us, was brought into being by his hand. It may even be possible that he simply willed a child into existence."

"If that's true, why would he leave her on Earth by herself? Better yet, why create her at all?"

"I am not someone who can pretend to know the plans of the creator. All we can do now is hope that we can find the girl and bring her back here," Artemis replies. "Speaking of which, if you all are to leave tomorrow at first light, then I suggest you all get some rest."

Nobody seems to have the energy to really protest with her on that. Lykos and all the teens rise up out of their seats and begin to file out of the room. Traversing back down the hallway, they leave the Big House and step out into the chilly night air. Only Rachel leaves to head for another somewhere inside the house. Piper, Annabeth, and Percy head off together towards the cabin wing, followed by the members of the Hunt. Lykos walks at Saphira's side as she's helped along by Chloe, with Thalia and Artemis leading the way.

They reach their cabin, where the girls head into their room to change back into their sleeping chitons. Only Artemis remains in the living room with Lykos as he takes his place on the rug before the still-lit fireplace. The goddess kneels down to him and gently takes his chin in her hand to make him look her in her eyes; silver meeting icy yellow.

"I wish to thank you properly for protecting Saphira," she begins with a hushed voice, as if not wanting the girls to hear her speak. "You have consistently put yourself at risk, placing her life over yours without hesitation. I could not dare wish for a better Guardian. Thank you, Lykos."

Lykos pins his ears back and lets a soft whine escape him. What a long way they've come. Just over a year ago, he never would have imagined himself being friends with the goddess. This doesn't mean he's forgotten what she did to him, to his family, to his people all those millenia ago, but he finds that it no longer matters to him. She has expressed many times her regret for doing what she did. She's given him a place to belong and the right to be with the one he cares for the most. In his mind, she has more than earned his forgiveness.

"When you come back, remind me about those bison quarters, alright?" Artemis says with a faint tone of humor in her eyes. Lykos nods, then leans up to allow her scratch his scalp as she stands up. "I will see you before you depart tomorrow. Goodnight, my brave Guardian."

Lykos rumbles quietly in response and lays his head back down, curling up while she leaves to join the girls in the bunkroom. Tomorrow, they leave to hunt for Asteria. How will they find her, he has no idea. If only he had been faster, killed the cyclops quicker. He could have intercepted the fight sooner, helped them kill the empousa and stop them from taking Asteria. He heaves a sigh of self-disappointment before he sweeps his tail to rest along his side. His eyes slowly fall closed, feeling himself slip away into the realm of Morpheus.