The Next Day…
6pm…
Apollo's Cabin…
I was lying down on my bed, with my fingers all over my GameBoy Advance, playing Castlevania as I waited for Icarus to finish eating. For some reason, he loves hunting for food, and then bringing it in front of me so I could watch him eat. Personally, I suspected he was doing it to brag. Today, he had fearlessly hunted down his strongest and most powerful opponent yet… A fried chicken that had been stolen from the Ares Cabin at lunch. Truly, Icarus is a vicious hunter.
I sigh as the GBA's screen turns black. Crap, the batteries must be empty, meaning I'll probably have to ask Thalia to charge them. And the last time I did that, she did not take it well at all. I can still hear the cries of nearby dryads as they screamed for Thalia to stop throwing lightning everywhere.
"The Hunters have arrived!" I shoot up from my bed as I hear one of the Cabin Councillors shouting. The Hunters? As in the Hunters of Artemis? That was most certainly a surprise. I mean, I was pretty sure that they would come sooner or later, but not this year at the very least. Worst of all, today was a Friday, meaning Capture the Flag was on. And if I remember correctly, whenever the Hunters were at Camp, Capture the Flag would be Camp vs Hunters, instead of the usual format.
Quest added!
Hunter or Prey?
Surprise! The Hunters are at Camp, and are more than ready to whoop some Halfblood ass, which the demigods at Camp have unfortunately gotten used to. Though, it's possible that a certain Gamer could break such a tradition.
Objective: Compete in today's game of Capture the Flag against the Hunters of Artemis
Rewards: EXP, ?, ?, ?
Great. Now I have to participate. And here I was hoping to pretend to be sick. Of course, I'm not too sure what illness I could fake in the summer, but there had to be at least one!
"Hey big bro!" As if the sun itself decided to grace me with its very presence, Will Solace entered the cabin with his radiant little smile. The seven-year-old was quite popular at camp, though he drew the jealousy of some of the older demigods because the Aphrodite Cabin loved to dote on him. Speaking of that Cabin, they tried the same on me, but the furthest I let them go with me was styling my hair, and nail polish. But I'd be damned if I let them anywhere near my face! It's perfect the way it is. "Chiron wants everyone to go meet the Hunters at Gill's Crater!"
Oh yeah. Gill's Crater.
Remember that giant crater that I created at Halfblood Hill? The one made by my giant Heliosphere? Yeah, the denizens of Camp Halfblood had taken it upon themselves to call it "Gill's Crater". Very original. No wonder they called Thalia, "Thalia's Tree" in the books. Hell, even Dionysus used the term, albeit mockingly. And no matter how much I complained, nobody would stop saying it. They wouldn't even rename it! I mean, at least use alliteration! "Gill's Gorge" sounds way cooler! But noooo, it's not 'deep enough' to be a gorge. For god's sakes, I can make it deeper! But it seems that 'Gill's Crater' was going to stick, unfortunately.
"Fine" I yawn, as I began to get up, "I'll be there in a minute." I glance and see that Will has already left. I'm surprised he didn't leave sooner. I looked to Icarus, who had finished eating his hunt. "Alright bud, I'd rather not have to deal with one of the hunters deciding you look yummy." I stifled a chuckle as Icarus gulped in fear, "Which is why you're going to be a good boy and stay in the cabin. Okay?" The phoenix nodded, though I fear he'll forget. Ah, that's for future Gill to give a shit about.
8 Minutes Later…
Gill's Crater…
As I walk towards the crater, I hear loud shouts and the rumbling of thunder. Ah, Thalia must've meant the Hunters. Getting closer, I understood what was happening. It seems that the entire Camp managed to reach here before I did, and whilst I was making my way here, the Hunters had split the Campers by gender, and had them sit far apart. It seems they were already giving a recruitment pitch to the girls.
And I guess they said something Thalia didn't like.
Well, that's not my problem. If shit gets bad, Luke or Annabeth could step in.
Taking the opportunity, I sneakily walk to the opposite edge of the crater, where I slide down to the centre, where I see a little purple sapling. The wood of the sapling was a deep rich purple, whilst the few leaves it had were an iridescent pink. The campers had learned of it a few months ago, when one of the Hermes kids saw it when they were making their way to the city to get some things for the Camp's Black Market. Though most of the kids were very confused at the saplings' existence, they just chalked it up to more mythology bullshit. Ah, the wonders of gods can be so convenient.
The sapling itself was making good growth. I had overheard some of the Demeter kids talking about it when Chiron asked them to analyse the sapling. The sapling was making good progress on growing, and would theoretically be a full tree within 4 or 5 years, which freaked the shit out of the Demeter kids. I had no doubt that they would've burned down the 'abomination' (their words not mine) were it not for the fact that they felt a bit of instinctual reverence towards it. It might be because it originated from Yggdrasil itself, which was like the greatest tree in all the pantheons.
As I looked at the soon-to-be tree, I hummed a little tune to it. Not a full song, just humming. They do say that music is good for plants. Perhaps it was my imagination, but it seemed the plant was dancing, though it could be the wind.
"Boy, what are thou doing here?" An imposing voice calls out, getting my attention. I turn my head, and see a familiar face. Zoe, the Lieutenant of the Hunt, looked down upon me from the top of the crater, a look of trained disdain clear on her face. It was probably because I was a guy, though I was concerned that there may have been something wrong with my hair. "We told you males to sit at the foot of the hill"
I shrugged apologetically, "Yeah, I came late. So I figured I might as well just chill here. I already missed my beauty sleep, I'd rather not get a headache as well" I could see, despite her being so high up, Zoe's left eye twitch.
"Thou hath beauty sleep?" She questioned, annoyance in her voice. I suspect that she was not very amused by my joke.
"Of course! You think this complexion happens by itself?" Well it does. Honestly, I was jealous of myself. Clear skin with a brilliantly rich tone, without the need of makeup or skincare products. Truly, that was the most mythical thing in the whole camp. "Let me tell ya' Hypnos is one hell of a beautician."
Zoe looked at me with clear confusion, as if she had no clue as to whether I was joking or not. Of course, my brilliant looks were most likely making her think I was telling the truth. "...Thou art far more brazen than when we last met." Aww, she remembers me. Though I don't blame her. I am very unforgettable.
"Yes, when you rescued me," I nod, with a thankful look on my face, "Thanks for that. Anyway, I'm far more 'brazen' as you put it, because I'm pretty sure that if I annoy you too much, I might be able to run to the inside of the Apollo Cabin before you manage to kill me."
There is another eye twitch. "Would thou like to put thy theory to the test?" Her hands made their way to the bow attached to her back. Damn, that's a really nice bow. I mean look at the curvature on that thing, and the grip, goddamn that grip must be awesome to hold onto. Not only did the bow have brilliant quality of life features, it looked sick as fuck. Since it was a pure white colour, it went amazingly with the Hunter's whole moon aesthetic.
But now wasn't the time to marvel at brilliant craftsmanship, "Hey, hey, lieutenant," I calmly said, raising my hands in mock surrender, "Save that pent-up aggression for Capture the Flag like the rest of us." And then a brilliant idea comes up to my head, "Hey, lieutenant, wanna make a bet?"
Zoe's hand edges away from the bow, but she was still ready to grab it, "Explain." Okay, this was… progress.
"Okay, so since we have Capture the Flag later today, let's make a bet on who wins." I grin, "If the Hunters win, you can get whatever you want from me, or request anything from me, and the same goes for me if the Campers win."
"Thou art aware that ye Campers hath never won a single game of Capture the Flag. 'Tis clear I shall win such a gamble" She responds with absolute confidence. Although I can't blame her. She's probably participated in well over a couple thousand rounds of Capture the Flag, and won them all. Why would a disgusting male such as I ever be able to change that?
"Then you agree?"
"...Very well." An odd grin comes onto her face, but it may seem odd because I see a look of disgust and annoyance on her face from the few times I've seen her. "And if the Hunters win thy game, thou shall join the Hunt"
…
…
…
"What."
"Doth thou not listen? Very well, I shall repeat what I said." I had a feeling she was having fun. "Should the Hunters of Lady Artemis defeat the demigods of Camp Halfblood, then you will join the Hunt. Of course, Lady Artemis would turn you into a woman, though I think that'd be a benefit to you."
What.
This is a fucking surprise. Because there is no way Zoe would make such a bet without knowing if it'd be something Artemis would be okay with… or want. Oh fuck. Artemis wants me to join the hunt! Why? Was my first impression that brilliant? No, I doubt it. Perhaps she knew I had the Gamer System? No, that's impossible. No one, in this universe at least, could've known.
Dammit. There's no way I can lose this match then. As much as being a Hunter of Artemis sounds awesome, I like having dick way too much to lose it. Perhaps if I list what I would get if I win, then perhaps she'll back out.
"Fine. But if the Campers win, then-" However Zoe interrupted me.
"Nothing that would break my oath."
…
"Woman, I am 9." I stated, though all I got was a shrug in response. With a sigh, I continued where I left off. "Anyway, if I win, what I want is for you to speak, or at least make the attempt to speak like a modern person. Meaning no more 'thee', or 'thine', or 'thou's." She had a sour look on her face, but seemingly accepted it. "I also want your bow, and one of those collapsible tents you Hunters use that are bigger on the inside."
In an instant her face turned from annoyed to fucking enraged. "Thou ask for too much!" Hmm… I get where she's coming from. Not only were the bows sick as hell, they probably had a lot of sentimental value, since Hunters tended to be recruited at their lowest points which especially goes for Zoe. Which is why I picked it. If anything can make her back out of the bet, then nothing will.
"You're the one who wants me to change my gender and sacrifice my eternity to do some hunting. All I'm asking is to be able to actually understand what you're saying, your weapon, and one of your numerous tents. I feel like I'm the one getting the short end of the stick here!" I argued, before falsely relenting. "But, if you feel like the wager is too much, well you can always just back out." Please back out Zoe. Do the right thing!
"Nay, a Hunter never backs out, lest we sully the name of our lady." And with that, the Lietenant of Artemis walks away, having gotten the final world.
…
Oh, FUUUUUUCK! Goddammit, I'm screwed as fuck. If Artemis finds out, she'll have my head for messing with one of her Hunters. But there's no way I can back out either. I was the one who initiated the bet. If I back out, then I'll look like a coward!
Nope. I have no choice. I'm going to have to win this shit. Let's hope that the Cabin Councillors have made a good plan.
2 Hours Later…
Just Outside of the Forest…
"You want us to WHAT?!" I shout aloud, causing some of the demigods who had gathered around to jump in shock. "Are you serious? No way that would work!"
"As if anything else we do would work" Eva, the head councillor of the Hermes cabin, shrugged. The girl, who would soon leave the Camp for college, was in her final year of Camp, and seemed to pretty much give up any hope of beating the Hunters.
"She's right." Samuel, the head councillor of the Athena Cabin, sighs, "The Hunters outrank us in everything. Even though we're allowed to bring 40 Campers to fight their 28 Hunters, those numbers matter very little when the Hunters have more experience, better gear, and far better group cohesion." With the way this guy said the last part, you'd think he wasn't even part of the Campers.
"Which is why we're going on a full frontal charge like the Spartans" Marc, the head councillor of the Ares Cabin, grins, as if he wasn't about to lead a 'suicide' charge. Just like Eva, he'd also be leaving Camp this year, and like a stereotypical Ares kid, he'd be joining the army. "If we swarm them, then we'll probably be able to beat them all before they beat us! And we have a daughter of Zeus on our side! She could zap 'em up or something!" I look at Thalia, who was off to the side polishing her spear. No, even with her, there's no way the charge would work.
My eyes went to Samuel, who shrugged as if to say "Don't look at me, I had no part in this plan".
As everyone splits up to get ready for the battle, Luke whispers to me, "Yeah, we are so screwed…"
"Oh, you're screwed? Dude, I'm the one who's gonna have to become a girl if we lose." There is a moment of silence, where I slowly realise what I just said, and I turn to Luke, who had a look of horror, before it turns to resignation.
"I… I'm not going to even ask how you got yourself into this mess" Luke sighs, his hands resting on his forehead. "Look, how about we go to Annabeth, and if we're lucky, she can figure out a way to help us win."
"Annabeth? Urgh, why her?" I groan, as Luke begins to walk where Annabeth probably was, "And why do you think Annabeth can make a good idea if Samuel couldn't?" Last time I checked, Samuel's Intelligence stat was higher than Annabeths, though for all I knew her stats could've increased.
"Hey, Annabeth's pretty smart. Just give her a chance." Luke grins, before messing up my hair with his hands, "And Gill, please try to get along with her. Whilst seeing you too argue is funny, I hate that you guys dislike each other so much. I see ya' both as my little siblings, you know."
Aww, that's sweet. I never knew he saw me- WAIT! "Did you just call me your little sibling?" I glared at him, causing Luke to chuckle, "I'll have you know that I'm the older brother in this relationship." Luke gave me a look that showed me that he wasn't taking what I said seriously at all.
"Uh huh, grow a couple feet taller, and then we'll talk." Before I could retort, we had made it to Annabeth, who was not going to participate in the game. "Hey Annabeth, we have a problem."
Annabeth looked up from the book she was reading, "What is it? I don't think you have any homework for- Oh. Gill" Seemingly, she's finally noticed me. Took her long enough. "What did you do now, Sunshine" God's dammit. Screw her, and the shitty nickname.
"Annabeth." Luke calls in a warning tone, "Now, our problem is that for some reason, if we lose Capture the Flag, Gill will be turned into a girl, don't ask me how that'll happen. So we need you to come up with a plan to beat the Hunters."
There is a moment of silence, where Annabeth turns to look at me, before she begins to cackle like the witch she is, "Haha! No way, Sunshine! You made a bet with the Hunters? Which one? None of them would have the authority to make you a Huntress apart from… Zoe!" And quickly she began to cackle once more.
Frankly, I was surprised she managed to deduce the situation so quickly. And a little impressed, though there was no way in Hades I'd ever tell her that. "Yes, yes, laugh all you want. But can you help me?"
Annabeth puts down her book, and gives me a grin that made me think I was dealing with the devil. "It's not a question of 'can I', but rather, 'will I?'."
I sigh. The things I do to keep my dick. "Fine, what is it?"
With the eyes of a predator, she seemingly pierced me with her stare, "The Apollo Cabin medical journals. I want them." Fuck. I should've known. My Cabin's medical journals are some of our greatest treasures. Although I never bothered to read it, I knew it held knowledge of former Apollo Cabin members that became Doctors or Professors within the medical industry. Apparently, it had some stuff in there considered too dangerous for the rest of the world to know.
"I can't do that Annabeth." I said, shaking my head and using her name to emphasise how serious I was.
"Oh come on." Annabeth sighed, rolling her eyes, "The stuff in there can't be that bad. And I'm sure that Jamie would totally let you take it out of the cabin. You're like his favourite." Nah, that's Will. Kid could commit murder and Jamie would just shrug it off.
"I literally can't. There's an enchantment casted by a child of Hecate that prevents the journals being taken out of the Cabin." I remember one of my older half-siblings trying to take them out to impress her girlfriend, but instead, as soon as she left the cabin, the books teleported back to its bookcase, her face was covered in acne, and her hair turned into a disgusting swamp green, though the effects only lasted a week.
"Fine, just copy the notes down on a couple of sheets of paper. They're not for me anyway." I raise an eyebrow, a little concerned as to who she'll give them to. Annabeth notices and explains, "They're for one of my older sisters who plans on becoming a doctor. If I get her those medical journals, then she'll hopefully give me her dad's notes on Indo-Saracenic Architecture. He's a professor."
I'm not going to even bother asking what in the gods' name is 'Indo-Saracenic Architecture'.
I think over the proposal for a few moments, before making a decision. "Fine, but if you want the journal copies, then both you and your sister will have to come to… Gill's Crater next Tuesday at Midnight, where you'll both have to swear on the River Styx to keep it a secret." Well that's most my free time over the next few days gone.
"Deal." Annabeth immediately answers. "Now, let's talk about your problem…"
30 Minutes Later…
?'s POV
"Alright Camp Halfblood! Are you ready?!" Marc shouts, as I and Thalia stand alongside amongst the other demigods who would also be fighting the Hunters, "We may not win! We may be sweeped! But that does not matter! As long as we show them the fury of us Campers, we will come out on top! DO YOU HEAR ME!"
"AYE!"
"THEN CHAAAARGE!" And with that, 39 demigods ran into the forest, weapons drawn and ready to fight. A sword rested in my hand, and a shield that was ready to deflect any arrows that came at me.
After half a minute of running, I suddenly hear a scream, and turning my head, I see 3 campers stuck in midair, tangled in a net. I swore. I should've known that the Hunters would've set up traps. Eva told us that the Hunters often use traps to pick us off one by one, but no matter what we did, the traps were far better than our skills. Marc commands one demigod to stay behind to get the stuck campers out, but I don't think they'll be released in time. Most monsters are unable to get out of those traps, I doubt teens would be able to without needing considerable time.
More and more, demigods begin to succumb to traps, some fall into pits obscured by leaves, whilst others are hanged upside down by their legs from trees with ropes, though we managed to rescue them easily. It was the nets we had to watch out for. They could capture up to 5 demigods at a time, and one of the Hephaestus kids with us estimated that they could take over half an hour to free. Time we didn't have.
We were down to half of our initial forces by the time we made it deep into the forest. And suddenly, from the corner of my eye I see an arrow fly towards me. I instinctually swipe my sword, hitting the arrow and causing it to go off target. As it hits the ground, I notice gas flowing out of the arrow. Damn, that's pretty weird.
"Gill! Step away from the arrow." I hear Marc command. Huh, is that gas green? Suddenly I feel a hand pulling me, "Gill! Kid, I was calling your name. Did the gas get into your head?" Oh shit. I completely forgot to respond.
"Sorry, Marc." I say succinctly.
"Nah it's okay." He says, "We have bigger issues. The Hunters are here." As if by magic, the Hunters came out of the shadows, some of them with bows drawn.
Instead of talking, Marc charges, and everyone follows. The hunters pull out daggers, and block some of our attacks whilst others shoot their bows. Thank the gods we have armour.
"Gilgamesh!" I hear someone say. This time, I do respond, and turn my head to see some kid with a sword in her hands. She had brown hair, and tanned skin clearly from Greece, "You'll regret making your bet." Oh shit. This was Zoe Nightshade. The Lieutenant.
"Sorry, lieutenant, but I'm going to beat your ass," I grin. Yeah, that's something Gill- I mean, I would say. I rush at the lieutenant with a forward stab of my sword, though she blocks it with the flat side of her sword. Ha, predictable. I keep pushing down the sword, not with the intent of piercing her, but to get closer. And as soon as I get close enough, I pull back my sword and do upward slash. Unfortunately, she narrowly dodges the attack.
I once again charge at her, and we began to quickly trade blows. "Heh, sorry Nightshade, but there's no way a kid like you can beat me!"
Mild confusion crawls onto her face, and I realise what I had said, "You're 9." She says, as swings her sword diagonally. Fuck. Why did you come up with this idea Annabeth?!
It seems I was wrong when I called her a kid, because the Lieutenant had a ton of stamina. I didn't have enough. Soon she had the upper hand, and I suddenly fell to the ground. Fuck, that hurt. I guess talent is nothing compared to experience, even though I'm meant to be one of the best swordsmen in the camp.
Dammit. And the horn hasn't been blown yet, meaning no one has captured a flag yet. The Hunters must've had their entire force congregate here, to beat us all at once. What a mistake.
Nightshade stands above me, her silver sword pointed to my throat. "Yield" She commands, with a steely gaze.
I guess I have only one option left, though I have no idea why. "Hey Nightshade," I say, getting her attention, "Just thought that you should know… Heracles has been suffering for the last two thousand years."
And somehow, it worked, as the Lieutenant of Artemis dropped her sword, with a look of shock on her face. I use the opportunity, trip her up, and jump into a standing position, this time with my sword against her neck. With a grin, I say "Yield." Oh how the tables turn.
A look of utter anger is clear on her face and she asks me with an icy tone, "How do you know of my past?" Damn, it must've been personal.
I shrug, a grin still on my face. "I don't know. Ask Gill."
Once again her face is shocked. "You… You're not Gilgamesh."
With the realisation setting in, the Mist hiding my face dissipates, "Nope. Luke Castellan, liar, thief, and swordsman." And as if on cue, the Horn is blown, its noise filling the forest. And since it was only one blow, and not two consecutive blows, the Campers had won. Gill pulled through.
5 Minutes Later…
Gill's POV…
In my hands, I held the banner of the Hunters, and my Cloak of Invisibility sat soundly in my Inventory, though I surprisingly didn't even need to use it. I guess Annabeth was right when she said that the Hunters would trap most of us, but have their entire force fight the stragglers. They didn't even have anyone guard the banner.
I watch as everyone begins to flow in from the forest, the Hunters had scowls at their faces, whilst the Campers were too overjoyed and busy celebrating to notice me. Ah, good for them. I then mentally prepare myself as Zoe marches to me, bruised and battered, with a look of anger on my face. Let's hope she doesn't castrate me.
"Hey, Zoe!" I cheerfully greet, with a smile, and the banner gently blowing in the wind.
"Thou deceived me" She says. "Thou relied upon trickery and illusions, instead of skill." She had a point, and I did go overboard for a casual game, but I was willing to do anything if it meant I remained free from the Hunt.
"All Warfare is Based on Deception." I shrug, "A quote from Sun Tzu's Art of War. The guy had a point." Mind you, I never actually read the book. But the Ares Cabin has posters in their cabin with his quotes. It's like their version of 'Live, Laugh, Love'.
Zoe sighs, "Thou… You are correct. I am simply upset that I have lost" Oh shit. Is she actually going to honour the bet?
"I will have a Hunter put one of our tent rolls in front of thy- your cabin, however, I will give you this now." She begins to take off her bow, with great pain on her face. Now I feel like a dick.
"Nightshade, there's no need to take off the bow." I sighed, making her pause, "I only added it to the bet to try and make you back out." Though that didn't work at all.
However, Zoe still took the bow off and gently put it on my life, "Regardless, a Hunter of Artemis always honours their promises. Although, I will win that bow back one day. This I swear upon the River Styx." I hear a boom of thunder in the distance. Oh, shit.
And without another word, she walks off, and to my suspicion, with tears in her eyes.
Now I really feel like an asshole.
Before I could get up to join the other Campers in the festivities. A small hand pulls me, making me kneel on the grass. I feel a dominating aura, and I hear no other sounds. I look up, and see the familiar child with auburn hair. Her silver eyes pierce my very soul.
"Let us talk, Gilgamesh Ashford" Artemis, Goddess of the Moon, commands.
Fuck.
Author's Notes: Whoop Whoop. Another Chapter done! Hope you guys enjoyed it!
Anyway, here are Gill's stats:
Name: Gilgamesh Ashford
Age: 9
Level: 42
Title: Halfblood Resident
HP: 6390/6390
MP: 6720/6720
Stats
Strength: 206
Agility: 200
Endurance: 171
Charisma: 205
Intelligence: 200
Willpower: 205
Luck: 175
Stat Points: 0