Ch18
Magnus sighed as he sat behind Percy in Ms. Jackson's car. Next to him were his cousin Annabeth and Thalia, their destination was Maine where apparently Grover needed help extracting some half-bloods.
When they got to Westover Hall they got out of the car and into the snow, "Bye Ms. Jackson thank you for everything," he said with a wave. Annabeth and Thalia also waved at her while Percy said goodbye. This place looks like some sort of haunted castle he thought as he looked up at the building.
"Hey Magnus aren't you cold?" Annabeth asked. Compared to her he was wearing light clothing.
"No not really," he said as they walked inside. It isn't that cold; I mean there is snow and all but I don't feel that cold. To be honest, he always noticed that his body always adapted easily to temperatures, he always assumed that it was a demigod thing.
They walked into the building which to him looked more and more like a creepy castle. The snow covered everything as far as the eyes could see leaving an ominous appearance to the school. This place gives me the creeps hopefully we can find these kids without a problem.
"Excuse me what are you all doing here?" said a woman they recognized as a teacher.
Magnus looked at Percy and the two realized that they didn't think about how to deal with a mortal.
"Yes visitors are not allowed," said a man with a thick accent. His features were hawkish and his eyes sent a shiver down his spine.
Magnus looked at Percy and they both were about to say something when Thalia snapped her fingers and what felt like a gust of wind washed over them. "But we aren't visitors sir, we are students here."
The male teacher narrowed his gaze at them and looked as if he wanted to kick them out on the spot when the female teacher spoke up. "Ah yes I remember you all now, you should be on the dance floor."
"Oh there you guys are I've been waiting for you all," said Grover.
"Mr. Underwood take your friends to the dance floor now," Dr. Thorn hissed in a sinister tone.
"Yes sir right away sir," Grover said as he motioned for them to follow him.
"Hey Thalia where did you learn to do that?" Percy asked when they were out of earshot of the teachers.
"You mean mist manipulations? Hasn't Chiron shown you how to do it yet?" She said while she rolled her eyes.
Magnus noticed Percy appeared a bit dejected. He placed his hand on his friend's shoulder and said softly, "Don't worry I never learned how to do it either."
Percy smiled at him and nodded, "Thanks man," he said with a sigh as Grover filled them in on the situation.
"There are two powerful half bloods here," Grover explained. "However, Dr. Thorn keeps getting in my way, he wont let me near them." He said as he looked at Thalia. Magnus noticed that Percy looked a bit upset that his friend was asking Thalia for advice instead of him.
"Well isn't it obvious, lets dance and blend in and take them when we get the chance," Thalia said as she turned and looked right at him. "You are coming with me Chace," she said in a tone that was not negotiable.
"Wait what?" He said as she pulled his arm and pulled him to the dance floor. He watched as Percy gave him a sympathetic look and proceed to talk with his cousin.
Magnus sighed well it could be worse he thought as Thalia placed his hand on her waist while she wrapped her arm around his. Crap this is the closest I've been with a girl he thought as he gulped and tried not to make a complete fool of himself as Thalia guided him through the motions.
"You are not horrible Chase but try not to act like this isn't your first time with a girl," Thalia said.
"Whatever," he said rolling his eyes. "So how have you been you know since you got back and all?"
Thalia sighed, "It has been interesting me and Annabeth have been catching up. How is your new school?"
"Its alright, I see Percy every once in a while so I am not lonely," he said as they looked at the dance floor looking for any irregularities.
Thalia nodded. "Oh by the way you are friends with Percy right?"
"Yeah we are why?"
Thalia raised an eyebrow. "Well Annabeth has been waiting for him to invite her to hang out or something but he only invites you."
Magnus was surprised by the question, "But he invites her too, I tell her but she is always busy or doing something else."
Thalia sighed, "She wants him to invite her personally too not through you."
Magnus was about to respond to that when he noticed that the demigod children weren't in the room and neither were Percy and Annabeth. "Wait where are Percy and Annabeth," he said as he looked around.
Thalia swore, "Lets go they might be in trouble."
They immediately ran through the crowd and out the building. Thalia opened the door to the outside and that was when they saw Dr. Thorn tower over Percy who was knocked to the ground and looked exhausted.
Magnus was about to call out to him but Thalia ran with her shield and spear. "For Zeus!" She jumped at Dr. Thorn and jabbed the spear into his head. Magnus watched in shock Dr. Thorn's hand turn into a large paw with sharp claws that attempted to slash at her. He is a manticore he thought as he watched the man transform. He looked up and saw a mortal helicopter in the air firing down on them. Crap he has reinforcements.
Thalia's shield blocked the attack and Magnus decided to rush in. He activated his ax and swung it at the manticore with it. Dr. Thorn was pretty nimble and avoided the attack. He swung it again and this time he gripped it not letting it go.
Dr. Thorn laughed, "This all ends here," he said as he gripped the axe tightly slowly bending it in half.
He staggered back trying to get the axe out of his hand. That was when he heard the sound of what appeared to be a hunting horn. "No," Dr. Horn said in anger as he released his grip on the ax causing him to fall down. Dr. Horn then fired some spikes into the bushes but they were soon countered by arrows.
"Great the hunters," Thalia murmured in disgust.
Dr. Thorn roared and glared at them; they looked in shock as they saw Annabeth, her knife plunged into his back. "Fire," one of the girls said, Magnus wanted to object but he noticed that the arrows did not hit his cousin and only hit Dr. Thorn.
"Annabeth!" He and Percy yelled as they ran at the manticore. However, they were stopped by the sound of gunfire from the helicopter. Magnus thought of trying to calm Dr. Thorn but he was distracted by the gunfire.
"Annabeth!" He called as he tried to run to her, but it was too late. They watched as Dr. Thorn cursed at them before turning around and leaping over the cliff. "No!" They both yelled as they both tried to run but were stopped by gunfire and a group of girls. "Annabeth!"
The helicopter blew up in the sky but Magnus did not react, he had to save her. "Let me go damn it!" he yelled.
One of the girls looked at him with anger and appeared to want to strike him but was stopped by the other girl. "Zoe he is distraught he meant no disrespect," he said as she looked at him and Percy. Her eyes were cold and bright as the moon in winter. "I am Artemis Goddess of the hunt. Why don't you two rest over there."
As he rested on a log he cleaned the tears. Annabeth I am sorry, forgive me Uncle Frederick I failed you both he thought as he fought the tears in his eyes and suppressed the urge to sob.
Meanwhile, Percy and Thalia were going at it, "I told you we should stick together. Annabeth would be here if you hadn't rushed on ahead," Thalia snapped as Percy yelled back.
"It wasn't your fault Percy," he said softly forcing the words to come out of his mouth.
"Thanks," Percy muttered as he looked at him, his eyes looked as if they were on the verge of tears, yet he also saw anger in them. "Magnus don't worry we will get her back," he said as he patted his back.
Magnus nodded as he looked at the snow, "Thanks," he muttered as the huntress Zoe came up to him.
"Percy Jackson Lady Artemis will see you now," Zoe said curtly
"I'll be right back," Percy mumbled as he got up and followed Zoe who gave him a bad look which he ignored. Magnus nodded as he sat in the snow in shock at what had happened.
Grover and the boy Nico tried to engage him in conversation but he just ignored them as he felt a numbness in his body. He sat in the snow while Thalia paced around ignoring the hunters.
Annabeth why did you have to do that? A numbness spread throughout him as he sat in the snow looking at his ax and realized that there was a dent in it. Great this day is getting better and better he thought sarcastically as Percy came out of Artemis's tent looking not so happy.
Percy sat down next to him and the two just stared at the snow thinking about his cousin. "Apparently the God Apollo will come to pick us up at dawn," Percy mumbled as he told him about what had happened with the girl Bianca, he only nodded his mind too distraught to really care.
Thalia and Grover eventually joined them and they all tried horribly to make small talk and they all ended up just waiting while they waited for their ride. As dawn approached they noticed a large bright light in the sky approach them.
"Here he comes, he is always lazy in the morning," Artemis said. Magnus closed his eyes as the light got closer and landed.
When he opened his eyes he saw a bright red sports car and a man who looked as if he were a male model. "Wow he is hot," Thalia said.
Apollo looked very attractive and straight out of a fashion magazine. Wow I can see where the Apollo cabin gets their looks.
"Hey sis what do you need this time," he said with a bright smile as he looked at all of them.
Artemis rolled her eyes, "I need to go hunting and my hunters and these campers need to go back to camp can you do it?" She asked in an exasperated tone.
"Great sounds fun," Apollo said as he hit a button on his car key and his sports car turned into a giant bus.
"Remember do not under any circumstance flirt with my hunters," Artemis warned.
"Ok sis," Apollo said with a bright smile on his face. "Ok everyone get on we will head to camp soon."
He remained quiet the entire time on the bus and only thought about his cousin, his body devoid of emotion. Annabeth I'm sorry. He cleaned his face wondering what he would say to his family. When they finally arrived at the snow covered camp he breathed a sigh of relief. "Hey I will be in the cabin," he muttered.
"Alright man I'll be there soon," Percy said giving him a quick hug. He muttered his thanks before heading off to bed
Magnus never really had those weird dreams while in the camp though they did happen. You need to be stronger huh? Said a voice that seemed to come from everywhere. Magnus again saw that stone tower he had seen in his past dreams Come here and you will find the strength to save your dear cousin that is if you want to save her of course. The voice then laughed in a maniacal fashion as Magnus felt the dream twist and turn as he saw the statue looming in the distance.
The dream then shifted and he was on some kind of battlefield. He recognized Artemis and the girl Zoe fighting off various fighters. "My lady I recommend we retreat," Zoe as she fired her arrow at a female warrior dressed in some kind of cloak.
"We just have to hold out some longer," Artemis said with a sigh. "The other gods are busy and we are the last line for now since my brother and the other gods are busy with other problems.
Zoe sighed, "Fine we will hold them off. Besides its not like we will lose against these servers of men," she said with contempt. Zoe and Artemis looked up at what appeared to be a bunch of figures in the sky. Magnus squinted and he swore he could make out the features of various females holding bright spears. "My lady look out!" Zoe cried as the figures in the sky threw the spears at them.
Artemis snapped her fingers and the spears turned into small branches. "Do not worry we shall prevail Zoe," she said with determination. Zoe only nodded as she fired an arrow at the enemy. Magnus slowly felt the dream end as he saw the various figures in the sky fire down at the hunters of Artemis.
Magnus woke up in a cold sweat and looked around. "It must be night already," he muttered as he saw that it was dark outside and Percy was asleep in the bed in front of him. He felt in his pocket and found a piece of paper, "So I do have it with me," he mumbled as he looked at the strange letter he had.
He then heard a loud gasp from Percy, almost as if he were having a nightmare. His friend suddenly sat up looking at him with tears in his eyes. "Percy what happened?" He asked
"Annabeth Luke tricked her into holding something and a cave ceiling fell on her," Percy said in a nervous tone. "We have to help her quickly."
Magnus swore as he hit the side of his bed. Damn him he thought as he stared at him. He felt as if his world had just fallen on him again, "Yeah I know I want to get her back too. Oh I also had a weird dream," he said as he explained the dream he had. Percy looked at him intently the whole time and when he finished he nodded.
"Wow sounds interesting; I wonder what the weapon is and how it can help us," Percy said as he looked at him with his bright eyes.
"Do you think it is all connected?" He asked as he picked up the letter and read it over.
"Maybe but it also might be a trap," Percy said with a sigh. "Either way if it can save Annabeth would you take the risk?"
He raised an eyebrow, "Do you even have to ask?"
The next morning he forced himself to get up and realized that Percy was already out of bed. I should get up but I honestly don't want to he thought, he felt numb on the inside and not even the prospect of food was enough to get him up. So he stayed there in bed thinking about his cousin and how she had sacrificed herself for them and was apparently being held captive while he couldn't do anything to save her.
Luke you bastard he thought as he gripped his sheet, he never understood why his cousin like him so much, the guy was a dick when he knew him and now a full-blown traitor. We will save you Annabeth and I will kick that guy's ass, well Percy might have to do most of the fighting but I'll help he thought as he glared up at the cabin.
Percy later came and visited him checking up on him, "I went to the oracle nothing," he said throwing up his arms in anger. "I don't know what we will do now, Annabeth is being held captive and we are stuck here."
"Yeah don't worry we will think of something," Magnus said as he sat up.
"Dude have you gotten out of bed at all today?" Percy asked looking at him with a concerned look.
"No," he said shaking his head.
Percy sighed, "Well at least come to dinner, I cannot stand those hunters."
"Yeah they seem like assholes," Magnus said as he looked at Percy who looked very irritated at everything.
With Percy's persuasion, he reluctantly got out of bed and showered before going to dinner. For dinner not even the taste of food could brighten his mood and no matter what he ate or drank it all tasted bland to him. The only thing that pissed him off more was the hunters, they kept acting like they were the best and that they were scum because they were men.
That Zoe girl why is she glaring at me? He thought as he noticed the girl in charge of the hunters glare at him as if he had done some horrible deed. Well its probably because I am a guy how sexist, if push comes to shove I may become a true believer in gender equality he thought as he ignored her and pretty much everyone else outside of Percy and Grover for the rest of the evening.
The next few days were like a blur to him as he only thought about Annabeth and the message. With each day he felt the anticipation get worse as he thought about his cousin. Percy had to drag him to the various activities but also knew to leave him alone if he really was not feeling like going. When the day for capture the flag arrived he honestly did not feel like doing it so he just sat and watched from the sidelines while he read the strange letter.
"Can this weapon really help me save her," he mumbled as he reread the letter. He didn't know what to think, he could care less about his father. But if this weapon can help me save Annabeth then it might be worth it he thought as he stared at the paper, an idea came to his head, maybe he could go to Rhode Island and retrieve this weapon. His mind started to form various thoughts when he heard a loud crashing sound.
He looked up and saw Percy get pushed down by Thalia's lighting bolt, "Shit," he said as he quickly jumped from his seat and ran to Percy.
"Bring it on Seaweed brain," Thalia sneered as her spear was coated in lightning.
"Percy are you alright?" He asked as he ran up to him.
"I am fine," Percy said as he glared at Clarisse and shot a stream of water at her.
"Alright both of you stop," Chiron said trying to stand between them. The hunters and the other campers were all watching both of them to see what would happen. Thalia got up and fired another shot of lighting at Percy who fell over.
"Thalia come on guys this isn't the time," he said as Percy got up and willed the entire stream behind him to rise.
"Percy please stop," Chiron begged and that was when they heard a noise. Magnus turned and saw the figure of a skeleton walk towards them. "Impossible she has never left the attic," Chiron muttered as Percy dropped the water.
All eyes were on the skeletal figure as she let out a hissing sound for all to hear. "I am the Oracle of Delphi speaker of prophecy and servant of Apollo. Zoe Nightshade approach." Magnus and Percy watched as the huntress approached the oracle. The oracle's mouth opened and a green mist came out.
"Five shall go west to the Goddess in chains. One shall be lost in the land without rain. The bane Olympus shows the trail. Campers and hunters combined prevail. The titan's curse must one withstand. The son of the north shall learn of his roots and shall make his stand. A choice he will make for Olympus and beyond."
Everyone watched in silence as the oracle finished giving her prophecy before sitting herself down and becoming still as she had always been. Magnus stood in shock as he heard the prophecy, he turned to look at Percy who was also in shock but also noticed that Chiron was giving him a sad look as if he were about to drop dead with a horrible disease while Zoe was eyeing him with anger as if she wanted to gut and castrate him with a knife.
Gunilla sighed as she looked at the skyline from her apartment. "The Hunters of Artemis were with them," she mumbled as she let out a sigh. This is going to get more complicated but I'll just have to be extra careful.
The Hunters of Artemis and Valkyries had a complicated history, to say the least. They fought often in the past during the Olympian-Asgardian Conflicts. It was kind of inevitable in a way, we serve Lord Odin and help the warriors of Asgard prepare for Ragnorak while the Hunters serve Artemis and swear off men, in a way we kind of our opposites despite also being female.
She wasn't alive for the main conflicts between the two groups but had participated in various skirmishes in the past before a treaty was made to respect boundaries and whatnot. "Zoe Nightshade hopefully we don't cross paths again," she shuddered at the memory of their many fights in the past.
We will just have to be more careful in watching them she thought. She had some of her comrades helping her by watching from Asgard but she knew a lot of them did not like the hunters as well. The problem was that this time she only had a dwarf and an elf as comrades and she would have to be extra careful if they fought against Zoe and her hunters.