Chapter 4

After the slight altercation I had had with the Olympian goddess I had mistaken for a teenage girl, I found myself plopped down on the nearest log laid out, my mood dampened.

Though I had made it out of the interaction alive, I still felt a mix of annoyed, embarrassed, and even angry.

I sighed, glancing over to my left to watch Zoe. She had finally stopped monitoring me, instead overseeing the other hunters.

Despite her current hatred for me, a part of me was grateful for her actions.

While Artemis was seconds away from ending me, my instincts nearly kicked in. What I believed to be my final thoughts at the time were to cut the goddesses arm off to maybe buy some time, though that wouldn't have ended well.

I cursed under my breath.

Why did she have to be here?

Zoe and the hunt on their own was enough of a problem, but how in the hell was I going to bring these two kids back to Hades with an Olympian god here?

My mental complaining was interrupted by the movement heard to my side.

I glanced over to see Nico sitting surprisingly close to me.

He was undoubtedly shaken up, and I didn't blame him.

All of this at once was already a lot to handle, but being taken hostage by the manticore must've really done it for him.

Especially now, with his sister taken away from him, he must've really felt alone.

"Breathe a little." I said bluntly.

The boy seemed surprised as it was my first time talking to him.

"Sorry." He said quietly.

"Don't be.

Trust me, I'll get you out of this soon. Just stay close."

He looked up at me with slightly wide eyes.

"Who are you?" He asked.

I shrugged.

"I'm no one, at least for now. I'm sure you have questions, but I'm not the best one to ask.

Just know I'm here to help you."

He thought for a moment before asking his next question.

"Are you a bad guy?"

Hmm?

"Do I look like one?"

"Yes."

I laughed slightly to myself.

The boy continued.

"You're dressed in all black, and your voice is all scary. I thought you were working with Dr. Thorne." He said with a shiver.

I turned to face the boy fully.

"Like I said, I'm on your side.

But to answer your question, I'm not like the other demigods here."

I said, leaving it at that.

He thought hard about my words, but didn't reply.

I was fine with sitting there for silence yet again, but that wouldn't be possible as someone approached from our front.

I looked upwards, locking eyes with the demigod known as Thalia.

"So what's your deal?" She asked, her hands on her hip.

"Something that has nothing to do with you?" I replied slowly.

"Oh yeah? Well I would've had no problem leaving your gloomy ass alone if you weren't part of the reason my best friend isn't sitting here right now." She said angrily.

"Oh?

You think it's my fault that girl jumped to her death?" I asked with a slight laugh in my voice.

"Don't play dumb." She said, "You could've stopped the manticore if you really wanted.

I shrugged. "But I didn't. I came here for my own reasons, and so far things are going my way." I said, lying technically but I couldn't let her know things were going horribly for my plans.

The girl's eyes flared with anger, and I noticed what seemed like sparks.

Don't tell me…

"You see this!" She said, jamming a mace canister into my face. "You keep on going, talking like that, and this is going to get jammed through your face!"

I tilted my head to the side. "Your gonna pepper spray me to death?"

That seemed to be her last straw as she was seemingly moments away from striking, but was stopped as Nico spoke up.

"He saved me and my sister." Said the kid.

She turned to him, calming down slightly, but still remaining hostile.

"What?"

"You're talking to Mister like he's a bad guy, but he's not.

He protected us."

Thalia shook her head, giving me a pointed look.

"This guys an asshole, kid, mind your business. If he really cared, then we would all be here, not just you and your sister!" She said before stomping away.

I watched her all the way until she left my view, smacking away the hand of ocean eyes as he tried to console her.

"I don't think they like you."

I turned to Nico. "You think?"

I said it sarcastically, but apparently he didn't pick it up.

"Yeah, or else she wouldn't be yelling at you. And the other girl, Artemis, the goddess,I don't think she would've attacked you."

I scoffed.

"And especially her." He pointed at Zoe who was glaring daggers after me and Thalia's little talk.

"She seems to hate you the most."

I shook my head.

If only he knew.

"Is it because you're a monster or something?"

"No"

"So you're a demigod then?"

"No."

"So what are you? Do you even have a name?"

I shook my head. "I told you, I am no one."

"Even nobodies have names."

I scowled, truly annoyed by the kid's barrage of questions.

"P.

Call me P, if you must, but to be honest, I think I'd rather not talk to you in general."

Nico only looked in awe, obviously not shook nor discouraged by my obvious annoyance.

"You know, Mister P, I think I like you."

I was about to get on to the kid for trusting strangers, but couldn't get it out as I noticed I gave off a slight smile, despite myself.

-Line Break-

I had remained completely motionless as I was deep in thought, waiting for Bianca to appear from the goddess's tent. As the moon sunk in the night sky, I was starting to wonder if this was going to take all night.

I scowled mentally as I regretted letting Elaine leave me at a time like this. I could've really used her guidance right about now, as Plutus had remained silent since before the manticore fight, though it was to be expected.

I was shook from thought as the tent entrance finally flapped open, revealing the goddess.

I shifted slightly, my first movements for over a half hour.

Artemis exited gracefully, a white miniature stag at her feet. Following was the son of Poseidon who quickly excused himself to find his way back to Grover. I didn't see Bianca.

Artemis pointed at me.

I tensed.

"Come to me, boy." She said. Her voice was rugged, and though she was better at keeping her tone calm, I could still sense the animosity coming from her. I obliged and stood up, stalking forward before the goddess. She too stepped up, Bianca finally appearing from behind her.

She looked different.

"I've handled all but one of my problems. The last being you.

I was made aware of the Great Stirring. Are you aware of this as well, mysterious man?"

I only nodded. Working with Hades, I was well aware of the uproar the increased monster activity had created.

"And what exactly is your relation with it? I doubt you were working with Thorne, but you obviously share an interest.

The Di Angelo children."

I could feel all eyes on me as I replied.

"My intentions are for me to keep to myself. I have business with the two, yes, however I wasn't aware you or your hunt would be here.

If I were to have my way, I'd be happy to take the two and finish what I started, leaving you, and everyone else present, alone."

Artemis smiled, yet there was no humor in it. It was almost sinister.

"But I'm sure we both know that that won't be happening."

I said nothing.

After all she was right, I already knew this, but hearing it confirmed out loud was like a punch to the gut. It just confirmed that my job here was about to get a whole lot harder.

"Not only can I not simply give away two demigods to a man I have no information or prior knowledge on, but more so especially now as one of those demigods is under my care."

"What?"

Zoe stepped forward from her goddesses side. "It is as she says, boy. As of today, Bianca Di Angelo is a hunter of Artemis.

Meaning, a man such as yourself can say goodbye to any plans you had with the girl."

It took all my will to not take my leave and call this mission quits right there. This couldn't be happening, right?

How in the Hades was I supposed to bring this girl back if she was a damned hunter now?!

"However…" Artemis started, and my ears perked up.

"I may perhaps be able to hear you out for only a moment if you were to let your true reasons for being here known." She squinted her eyes at me.

"I've studied you, man. Yet, I've come up with nothing. Be it you, or the master you serve, someone has cloaked your identity thoroughly."

I said nothing at first, going over what she had said.

First off, Hades had obviously made this cloak with some care if not even a goddess of the hunt could see past it.

But also, she had left me with a choice. Reveal myself and maybe I could leave here with Bianca, or keep my identity a secret for even longer

"So you're saying that if I answer your questions, you'll hand over the children? Both of them?"

She raised her hand. "I shall consider satisfying your needs if they align with my vision. I shall not simply hand them over as you say, however."

I scowled. Even if it wasn't ideal though, it was my best chance.

I shook my head slightly, but gave in. "Fine then, goddess"

"You understand? Good.

My first question for you, boy, is who sent you here?

Your actions have made it clear to me that you personally must have little care for the DI Angelos themselves. Instead, the one who sent you seems to require them.

A god no doubt.

So tell me, which is it?"

I shifted slightly as I held my tongue for a moment. Obviously Artemis's deduction was spot on, impressively, but I wasn't sure if it would be best to confirm it to her.

I wondered how possible it would be to lie to the goddess. I figured I might as well try.

"You think someone like me would be in service to someone else? A god no less?

You're wrong, Artemis. My business is mine alone, not the work of someone higher up."

The way the lie came out, I thought I was clear. Some of the other hunters seemed surprised, wondering if their goddess had been wrong in her assumption, but Artemis herself hadn't yet given up.

"You lie! Their is divine essence all around you, yet you yourself are not a god! Don't attempt to lie to me again.

I shall ask again.

Who do you serve."

I was ready to keep on with my lie, but there was something different about the way Artemis spoke. It wasn't a question anymore.

It wasn't just that she was demanding a truthful answer out of me, it was more like she had placed her dominating godly aura over me to force my tongue.

I had at first thought it was my imagination, but soon after the words left the goddess's mouth I watched a silver glow emanate from around her. It didn't take long for it to slither forward and reach my own body, but focusing mainly around my neck.

I was left defenseless as the silver glow had snaked around my throat.

She was forcing me to speak.

"M-my master …" The words had come out of my mouth without my consent.

I was trying my best to hold my tongue, but it was hard to combat Artemis's will.

I was moments away from folding when another presence made itself apparent.

One to fight off Artemis's own.

A thick black smoke appeared from behind me, engulfing Artemis's silver.

At first glance I wondered if maybe Plutus had stepped in, but I could feel that it was something else.

Something much more powerful. Someone.

I watched as Artemis stepped back in shock as her power was rejected.

I was wondering what this power was that had seemingly saved me, but was frozen in place as it had taken over.

It too had taken control over my speech.

"My master has no name."

I had no control as the words exited my lips.

Artemis glared at me hard, recovering from shock, but she didn't appear to angry at the fact that I hadn't yet answered her question even now.

"My lady.." Started Zoe slowly, seeming confused. "Why did your powers not work?"

Artemis shook her head. "It is as I thought.

Another god has taken him under his care, and it seems that they have protected their identity."

I raised a brow?

"Your patron put a binding on you, boy." Said Plutus in my head, surprising me.

"Possible because he lacks trust, but it will be impossible for the goddess to get any information out of you regarding himself.

However, that is all he has looked out for."

What did he mean by that?

Artemis quickly made it clear.

"However, they left no protection for this man himself." Artemis turned away from Zoe to face me once more.

"No more games boy." She said flatly.

"Talk."

I let out a sigh.

"My master requires that I bring those two siblings back to him. Personally I have no care for them, but I'd rather keep them untouched before I deliver them."

"So that is why you protected them from the manticore?"

I nodded.

"And what exactly is your master's relationship with these two?"

I thought long before responding. Could I tell her that they were his children?

I decided to hold off on that for a little longer.

"I'd rather disclose that to the children themselves." I said lowly.

Artemis scowled.

She removed her knife from its sheath and pointed it at me.

I flinched, half thinking she was going to throw it.

"You continue to be difficult, boy, but I've come to a decision.

First, tell me your name."

I froze.

I was half waiting for Hades's magic to appear and save me from answering, but there was no such luck.

I knew better than to say my own name, but I couldn't leave the goddess waiting for too long if I didn't want to seem suspicious.

With a single thought towards the man within me, I spoke.

"Plutus.

My name is Plutus."

I watched Nico seemingly perk up somewhere to my side, his mouth slightly open.

"Hmm. Very well, Plutus.

I've decided on what to do with you.

You wish for a chance to bring the demigods back to where you come, correct? Then you shall earn it.

After hearing about the news from the manticore, it has been clear that it's time for me to go on a hunt on my lonesome.

However, it is not the time to leave me hunt unattended.

I've chosen to send them to Camp Half-Blood for the time being.

And you shall go with them."

"What!"

"What!"

Me and Zoe had shouted out at the same time, making her shoot me a glare, and making me slightly embarrassed underneath my hood.

Artemis rose her hand.

"Please Zoe. This is a job for me alone. I cannot risk my hunt. Please understand."

Zoe seemed to want to object, but she held her tongue out of respect.

"As for you." She turned back to me with a harsher tone."

"You have no say.

I cannot simply let you out of my sight after your sudden appearance.

You are an anomaly.

Not only my hunt, but Chiron as well shall be my eyes, keeping you in check.

You have no problems with this arrangement, correct, Plutus?"

She spoke knowing damn well I had to room to object.

"You've put me in a bad spot, goddess.

But I have no leverage here.

Though I wouldn't choose to be left with your hunters, and campers such as him," I said, nodding my head towards the son of Poseidon, warranting him to furrow his brow, and gaining me a slight nod of approval from Zoe.

"if it's the fastest way to get me what I came here for, then I won't object."

"Very well then, it is all settled.

I shall have you transported to the camp shortly as the sun rises. It will be by my brother Apollo, no less.

No complaints, are there?" She askee, giving me a look.

As I didn't respond, she kept going. "Then the hunters shall close up camp as we prepare to depart.

I hope you are all aware that-"

The goddess was interrupted as the son of Poseidon boldly stepped up.

"Actually Artemis, I have a slight problem with your plan." He spoke confidently, as if he didn't just interrupt an Olympian, but I found it slightly impressive.

Artemis calmed her glare, opting to hear him out.

"Talk, boy."

The kid seemed surprised, as if he didn't expect to get this far, but he kept on going.

"Well, I just think that it may not be the best idea to let this guy simply come to camp just as he is.

I mean shouldn't he be in chains or something, at least?

I mean we don't know what he's really thinking.

He's dangerous."

There was a collective murmur around the camp, some of the hunters seemingly agreeing, and even Thalia had nodded.

Who did this kid think he was?

I had almost come to terms with our arrangement, and he was trying to make it even worse.

"I understand your caution boy, but as this man has yet to show any physical hostility towards me or my hunt, I can't lawfully hold him accountable."

"With all due respect, Artemis, I just can't agree.

I go to Camp Half-Blood. It's different.

Something about this guy, Plutus, I just can't simply trust him."

Artemis seemed to be thinking of a response, but I saved her the trouble.

I raised my hand in the goddess's and walked forward to stand in front of the demigod.

"I got this, Lady Artemis."

As we were nearly face to face, the kid didn't back down, staring into the abyss that was my hood, where my face should've been.

"You don't trust me, kid?

Why is that?"

"You haven't earned it." He replied, holding his ground.

"That's a good answer, I guess.

But let me ask you another question.

You've seen me fight, but just know that that was only a glimpse. There's a reason I don't want to go to a camp full of demigods like you.

Y'all are all weak and babied children.

You couldn't even handle the manticore, so what exactly are your chances with me?"

The boy tensed, drawing his pen, which I knew to be a sword, from his pocket.

"Let me phrase this better for you.

You're considered as one of the strongest by your peers, correct?

Let's say you are right, and I turn out to be a 'bad guy'.

From what I've seen, I wouldn't have too much trouble at Camp Half-Blood.

So answer this.

When I reveal my monstrous self and go through with whatever evil plan I've schemed up, who's going to stop me?"

There was a long silence after my question left my mouth. I heard a slight scowl from Zoe, but she didn't say anything.

Thalia on the side stepped up slightly, seemingly ready to fight.

I wondered how serious the two thought I was.

Artemis herself had made no move however, possibly sensing that I was merely proving a point.

I appreciated her lack of interference.

After what seemed like an eternity of quiet, the kid responded.

"The one to stop you will be Theseus Harte, the son of Poseidon." He said with an undhaking voice.

As he finished, the waves crashing on the hill seemed to roar louder.

"And I hope that I'm wrong about you, because I don't want it to get to that point."

I said nothing, only scoffing.

He was still soft, not wanting to fight even while his instincts told him I wasn't to be trusted.

However, he didn't back down. That, at lest, was noteworthy.

I left the boy without a response, turning my back on him as I walked away, remaining to myself as I waited for Apollo to ride, thinking about the damned situation I had gotten myself into.

-Line Break-

Apollo had arrived in a ball of flaming glory, much like I had expected.

As soon as the gods feet touched the grass, I started me analysis.

Part of him seemed familiar, but I knew I had never met the man before. I listened as he talked to the group, and was kinda surprised to see he was exactly as I expected.

Loud, charismatic, and powerful.

I decided I hated him.

As soon as he had switched his car into a large shuttle bus, I slithered my way through the crowd, using the light as a distraction. I suppose my hood had saved me from the blinding glow.

As the glare had died down, I had already made my way to the back of the bus, the rest of the group not even noticing.

At least I thought so, until I felt a pair of eyes on me.

I looked up, and Apollo appeared standing over me.

"Your das, aren't you?" He asked in a cheery but sinister tone.

"How did you…"

"Your names Plutus, isn't it? Odd choice." He said.

I was still slightly shocked on how he had appeared in front of me, and wondering what he had even said, but he didn't give me time to reply as he kept going.

"The others didn't notice your little disappearance, but the god of prophecy sees all, you know?

But I won't say anything, they'll figure out eventually."

"Do you need something?" I asked rudely. The god had already proved to be annoying enough.

"No actually, you do.

I mean, unless you want to be left clueless in the times to come." He said mysteriously.

"What?"

He laughed. "Nothing kid, just stay clear of family drama, that's it." He said with a wink.

That's all I got for you, Plutus." He said my name in a mocking manner.

"Or should I say, junior?"

I was thoroughly confused and about to question him, but after blinking once he was already outside again, talking to the group who noticed nothing, not even Artemis.

I remained in thought about what the god had left me with, so focused on trying to decipher it that I hadn't noticed the group fill in to the bus.

I only looked up when I saw Zoe standing in front of me.

She looked confused for a moment, then turned back to her usual angry look, ordering her hunters to fill in two rows ahead of me, giving them space between me and the campers in the front.

She however, chose to sit directly in front of me.

"Somehow you made it onto the bus without me or my lad noticing." She said as she unsheathed her knife and began to clean it with a cloth.

She said it more like a statement, not even asking me how I did it.

"You know, I had a terrible feeling when I first saw you on the battlefield. I almost wanted to kill you more than the manticore, for some reason.

But my opinion has changed slightly."

She looked up from her weapon to glance at me.

"You speak straight to the point and bluntly. Though disrespectful, I prefer it as opposed to the softness of the campers.

You remind me of a person I once knew.

However, you are still a male and are not to be trusted, as the boy has said.

I tell you this because I feel that you shall be around for some time." She said, and I noticed her slyly look at Apollo.

Had he said something to her too?

"So I want you. Stay in your place. If you wish to test someone, let it be the campers, not me."

She left me with that as she stood up and walked off to be with her hunt.

I leaned back in my seat.

I reminded her of someone, huh?

I felt my heart wrench.

I couldn't lose focus.

I tried to ignore it as the bus started. I focused on something else she had brought up.

That son of Poseidon was right, huh?

Theseus Harte.

He wasn't what I had expected, some Hercules-esque warrior, but I had been wrong after my initial impression.

He wasn't a pushover like I had thought, and after he held his ground in our little talk, he was slowly on his way to gaining my respect.

But hopefully, he wouldn't have the time as I planned to be out of here and clear of all of them as quickly as possible.

However, I should've known that even now, things hardly go as planned.

On a new device which is slowing me down, but know I'm not stopping my semi consistency. Yet at least.