︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

DAYS IN THE SUN

chapter twenty
❛ 𝚜𝚘, 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚎, 𝚑𝚞𝚑. ❜

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

THE HUNTERS FILED into the van first, cramming in the back so they could be separated from Apollo and the campers. Bianca followed suit, leaving Nico to sit besides Grover while Percy and Amara stood in the aisle.

"This is so cool!" Nico jumped up and down in his seat, a wide smile visible. "Is this really the sun? But isn't Helios and Selena the sun and moon gods, if so why is it sometimes you and Artemis?"

"Downsizing," Apollo shrugged and Amara immediately tuned the geeky conversation out.

"So," Percy whispered, earning her attention. "Not your type, huh?"

A smirk curled onto her lips as she pushed the boys head away, earning a wide smile in return from her actions. "Shut it, that never happened."

"Whatever you say—"

"Daughter of Zeus!" Apollo cried, tearing the duo's attention away from one another. "Not you little Zeus, older Zeus. Perfect for driving!"

She could feel her eye twitch at the nickname little Zeus, one Percy seemed to find hilarious as laughter constantly slipped through his lips

"Oh, no," Thalia shook her hands quickly. "No, thanks I'm good."

"C'mom," Apollo gave her a sweet smile. "How old are you?"

The raven haired girl hesitated. "I—I don't know."

Which was true, the minute she got a hang of being alive again, Chiron tried figuring out her age but the best he could do, was know she was still older than Amara.

The sun god tapped his finger against his lips. "You're fifteen, almost sixteen."

Thalia froze. "How do you know that?"

"Hey, I'm the god of prophecy. I know stuff. You'll turn sixteen in about a week."

"That's my birthday! December twenty-second."

"Which means you're old enough now to drive with a learners permit!"

The eldest Grace shifted her feet nervously "Uh—"

"I know what you're going to say." Apollo held his hand over his eyes dramatically. "You don't deserve an honor like driving the sun chariot."

"That's not what I was going to say."

Amara's lip became caught between her teeth as she eyed her sister nervously, despite being a daughter of Zeus she was terrified of heights. She loved her sister and all, but didn't exactly trust her with driving the bus back to camp.

"Don't sweat it!" Apollo beamed at the former tree, his eyes twinkling. "Maine to Long Island is a really short trip, and don't worry about what happened to the last kid I trained. You're Zeus' daughter, so he's not going to blast you out of the sky."

Thalia attempted to continue protesting, but the sun god had already hit a button on the dashboard as a sign popped up in the windshield. "Take it away!"

Finally, the raven haired girl sat down as Amara's grip on the seat she stood besides tightened. The action earned her a questionable side eye from Percy, who immediately turned his attention to the driver.

"What's wrong?" He asked, moving himself in front of the younger demigod as he made his way towards the older demigod.

"Nothing," Thalia spoke shakily. "N—nothing is wrong," she pulled back on the wheel causing the bus to lurch upward, sending the Jackson boy crashing into the youngest Grace.

Luckily, she managed to grab onto seats and saved them from tumbling to the back of the bus. "Thanks," Percy muttered, sliding into a seat as Amara moved past him towards Thalia.

"Slower!" Apollo yelled, a nervous smile forming.

"Sorry," Thalia quickly apologized. "I've got it under control!"

"Thalia," Percy called. "You need to loosen up."

"I've got it, Percy," the dark electric eyed girl gritted her teeth as she floored it.

"Loosen up,"

"I'm loose!"

"We need to veer south for Long Island," Apollo instructed distracting the two from their argument momentarily. "Hang a left."

Thalia did as she was told, jerking the wheel to the left which caused Amara to crash backwards into Percy. The boy quickly stabilize her as his arms wrapped around her, "I think," he started. "We should sit down."

She wordlessly nodded, allowing him to guide her into a seat and beside the window.

"Ah," Apollo lightly scratched his head, looking as if he was attempting to stay calm and not panic at the girl. "A little lower, sweetheart, cape cod is freezing over."

The oldest Grace tilted the wheel, her face as white as a chalk stick with sweat rolling down her forehead. "Thalia," the god spoke again. "You need to calm down."

The bus pitched down suddenly, hunters screaming as they were thrown up into the air. Amara wasn't safe from the action as she felt her legs leave the seat, but was immediately pulled back down by Percy as they crashed onto the floor.

"I hate this," she mumbled, accepting his hand up as she looked out the window only to see the vast water they were heading towards. "Oh my gods."

Apollo pushed by the duo, making his way back to Thalia's side after being thrown somewhere to the back. "Take the wheel!" Grover begged, holding onto Nico who held a wide smile.

"No worries," the god waved the satyr off. "She just has to learn to . . . Whoa!"

Amara made her way back into a seat, a small New England town coming into view as the snow began melting off the trees, roofs, and lawns. "Pull up!" She yelled at her sister after becoming aware Thalia would burn the town to the ground if she didn't.

A wild light appeared in the older girls eyes, she quickly yanked on the wheel while the brunette held onto the seat for dear life. "There!" Apollo pointed to a blob in the distance. "Long Island, dead ahead so let's slow down dear. Dead, is only an expression."

But Thalia didn't, she continued flooring it towards the coastline of Long Island. She drove by Camp, the valleys, woods, and beach. "I'm under control," the eldest Grace muttered, though Amara was having a hard time believing it.

"Brake," Apollo instructed.

"I can do this."

"Brake!"

However Amara's panic grew after realizing where her sister was aiming for. "Not the water," she yelled, earning Percy's attention as he also realized where they were headed. "Thalia!"

The raven haired boys hand quickly grabbed onto the younger demigods own, allowing her to create a tight grip as Thalia slammed into the camp's canoe lake with a loud splash. "Well," Apollo spoke with a smile as water started filling the floor of the bus, freaking a certain demigod out more as she formed a deathly grip on Percy. "You were right, my dear. You had everything under control, now let's go see if we boiled anyone important."

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

Percy made his way out with Amara quickly, not taking any chances in case more water managed to get into the bus. As they walked past Thalia, she couldn't help shooting her sister a glare for aiming directly at the lake.

"Whoa," Nico voiced his amazement as he took a look around camp. "Is that a climbing wall?"

The brunette grinned, momentarily forgetting her anger as she ruffled the younger boys hair. "Yep,"

"Why is there lava pouring down it?"

"Little extra challenge."

Percy sent the boy a smile. "Come on, I'll introduce you to Chiron. Zoë, have you met—"

"I know," Zoë said stiffly, shooting Thalia a glare of her own. "Tell him we will be in cabin eight, hunters follow me."

"I'll show you the way," Grover offered.

"We know the way."

"Oh, really, it's not trouble. It's easy to get lost here if you don't—" Amara quickly covered her mouth, preventing her laughter from escaping as she witnessed the satyr fall over a canoe before quickly shooting right back up. "—Like my old daddy. goat used to say!" He continued. "Come on!"

The Nightshade girl rolled her eyes, sparing the youngest Grace a look before commanding her hunters to follow after the satyr.

"Take care, sweethearts!" The sun god called after the immortal hunters, earning various glares to be shot his way. "And Percy," Apollo winked at the demigod with glee. "Watch out for those prophecies, I'll see you soon."

"What do you mean?"

The archer didn't answer, instead he made his way back inside the bus. "Later, Thalia," he gave her a wicked smile as he hung onto the bus railing, causing blood to rush to the older girls face. "And uh, be good!"

"Amara Grace," the gods smile was directed to her as he gave a mock bow. "Until we meet again."

She rolled her eyes, quickly shielding them as Apollo took off in a blast of heat which left the lake steaming. The archer's laughter could be heard as his now transformed red Maserati soared over the woods, disappearing into the sun.

"Who's Chiron?" Nico asked, briefly reminding Amara he was still there after her momentarily forgetting.

"Our activities director," she explained, ruffling his hair as a familiar dark skinned boy appeared in the distance. "You'll see."

"If those hunters don't like him," Nico crossed his arms as he grumbled. "That's good enough for me, let's go."

She ruffled his hair once more, gaze landing the son of Hephaestus who crossed his arms. "Hey, I'll catch up with you guys later."

Her words caused confusion to swirl within Thalia and Percy as they eyed the girl, until they noticed who she was looking at. She gave a soft wave, promising to see Nico later before rushing to Beckendorf's side.

The sixteen year old smiled as the younger girl lunged, tackling him in a hug. "And what's this for?" He lightly asked with a smile, ruffling her hair much like she had just done to Nico.

And then, his eyes caught on Grover leading the hunters to their cabin while Percy, Thalia, and an unknown boy made their way to the Big House. But, he didn't seen a familiar blonde haired girl anywhere.

And he knew Annabeth Chase, the girl wouldn't have left Amara's side after this mission. His eyes quickly scanned the hunters of Artemis once more, each looking more unhappy to be there than ever before.

"Amara," he murmured. The brunette wasn't one for affection, at least not the one she had just pulled. She was getting better at showing her true feelings, but this was too out of character for her.

"Is Annabeth . . ." Amara's grip became deadly tight, and he knew he had put the pieces together correctly. Her head dug into his chest more and by the deep breaths she was taking, the younger girl was close to a breakdown. He said nothing as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and wordlessly walked them to his cabin, where if she needed too she could let it all out.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

Amara had stayed hidden within the Hephaestus cabin for the remainder of the day, holding onto Beckendorf and falling asleep for the night besides the older boy. Her actions reminded him of when Thalia had first died, and she had no one to turn too who wasn't grieving.

The next day, she was up and about again, holding onto a piece of hope that one of her oldest friends was still alive out there somewhere. And then, the perfect distraction had been announced that after dinner that night, a capture the flag game was to be held between the campers and hunters.

The campers team was filled with three Hephaestus boys, Beckendorf, Jake Mason, and a newcomer Amara had been training during the last five months. There was a few from the Ares cabin, with the exception of the Stoll brothers, Silena, Nico, and a few other Aphrodite demigods.

A grin could be seen laced within the brunette's lips as she tightened the straps on Silena's armor. "I'll show them love is worthless," the older girl grumbled. "I'll pulverize them!"

Amara snickered at the daughter of Aphrodite, quickly double checking the girls armor was ready to go.

"I'll take the offense," Thalia instructed, earning the duo's attention to turn to the former and Percy. "You take defense."

"Oh," Percy seemed hesitant to the idea, quickly sparring the youngest Grace a look. "Don't you think with your shield and all, you'd be better defense?"

"I was thinking it would make better offense," Thalia shrugged. "Besides, you've had more practice at defense."

She could see Percy's fingers curling up into a fist, her grin now twisting into a frown as the boy became tense. "Yeah, no problem."

"Cool," The former tree spared her younger sister a look, as if debating something before shaking her head and making her way to the struggling Aphrodite kids.

"Go," Silena finally spoke, reminding Amara what she had been doing in the first place.

"But—"

"No buts," the raven haired girl smiled. "Come on, we both know you want too even if you're too stubborn to admit it."

Letting out a small huff, she finished checking the Beauregard's girl armor. Once making sure it was okay, she made her way to the Jackson boy's side.

"Percy," she spoke, successfully drawing the boy's attention from his thoughts. His eyes snapped to meet hers, before anger slightly clouded them over as his attention returned to the ground.

"I don't know how you handle it," he mumbled, grabbing the flag and they began moving to their destination.

"Handle what?"

"Her as your sister at times, the way she bosses people around and acts like she's better. Reminds me of you when we—"

His eyes widened while Amara stopped in her tracks, her attention directed to the floor as she thought over what just accidentally slipped from his mouth.

"Amara, I didn't mean to—"

She waved the boy off, a small smirk curling onto her lips as she continued walking towards Zeus's fist. "It's fine, Percy. You're not wrong, I was in a bad place when we met. Luckily," she turned around, her smirk now replaced with a grin as she used a wind to drift the flag onto the top of the boulders. "I have good people who've helped me become a better person overall."

The boy smiled, and they began their work right away as they stationed everyone where they belonged. Amara had set Beckendorf, Travis and Conner Stoll on guard duty before Nico came skipping over claiming Percy put him on guard duty as well.

"We'll send out a decoy to the left," Thalia commanded the campers. "Amara," the girl arched a brow at her older sister. "You'll lead it."

"Aye aye," she gave a mock salute to the older girl, who rolled her eyes at her sister's antics.

"Take Jake Mason and Micheal Yew," the eldest Grace continued, causing the trio to each send one another a smirk. "Make a wide arc around the hunters, get as many of their attention as you can."

The children of Hephaestus, Apollo, and Zeus didn't wait to be dismissed before they headed out, disappearing into the left side of the woods.

With the help of Amara using a wind to launch Micheal to the top of a tree, the archer had a birds eye view. The Yew boy kept his bow raised, skimming the forest.

Meanwhile, the Mason boy and the Grace girl kept their weapons in hand. Jake was equipped with an axe, flipping it in his hand as his foot tapped anxiously against the ground. Soon, a familiar daughter of Aphrodite ran by in a nearby clearing followed by five hunters.

"Good on her," Jake commented, watching the Beauregard girl successfully lead the hunters away.

A sharp whistle from above cut the short conversation off, drawing the duos eyes back to the son of Apollo above. Wordlessly, he pointed a finger in the direction of hunters who were trying to make their way to the campers side of the field.

"Looks like I'm up," the son of Hephaestus swung his axe around once more, a wide smile twisting onto his lips. "Time to have some fun."

Jake began racing towards the hunters, letting out wild noises and successfully drawing their attention. "Didn't anyone tell you?" He taunted, hopping in place as he prepared to run. "Joining the hunters was so last century, no one cares anymore."

Murderous looks flashed within the huntresses as the chase began, the Mason boy taking off running at an unbelievable speed.

"He's dead," Amara spoke, earning a nod from Micheal in agreement until the latter eyes landed on a certain raven haired demigod.

"Amara," she glanced at up the son of Apollo, only to see him pointing in the distance. She followed his finger, her gaze landing on Percy Jackson racing across the field. "Oh, you gotta be kidding me."

"Their both dead," The Yew boy stated, referring to both Jake and Percy.

"Hold base," Amara instructed, keeping her eyes trailed on the Jackson boy. "I'm going after Percy."

"You're dead too," Micheal mumbled, and she knew he meant once her sister finds out she abandoned her post.

She shrugged, racing off as she chased after Percy in hopes she could catch up to him before Thalia caught sight of him. But he had too much of a head start, leaping over the creek and boldly heading into enemy territory. The hunters silver flag came into view, only a singular guard standing by who Percy slammed into as he ripped the silver silk from the tree and turned around.

His eyes widened upon seeing the brunette racing his way, not expecting for her to follow him. But he continued running nonetheless, at least until she lunged and slammed into him.

The children of the Big Three went tumbling through the snow, quickly going different ways as Percy sat up. "Amara," he scowled. "What was that for?"

She rolled her eyes, pointing at her ankles which now had a trip wire wrapped around them. His eyes widened as he realized she took the hit for him.

"Percy! Amara?" Thalia yelled, earning the duo's attention. "What are you two doing?"

Before she could yell at them, an arrow exploded at her feet as yellow smoke began swirling around her and the other campers following her lead.

"Percy, go." Amara instructed, earning sea green eyes to land on her once more. "But—"

"Go!"

This time he listened, rushing to his feet and taking  off once more. Arrows were shot past his ears, but luckily using the wind the brunette was able to keep any of them from touching the Jackson boy. Taking a dagger out from her hidden anklet, she slashed the wires and hurried to her feet.

Beckendorf and Nico came into view as they chased after a hunter, one Amara recognized to be Zoë Nightshade. The huntress was racing towards the son of Poseidon, dodging the campers who threw themselves at her with ease. The orange camp half-blood flag held in her palm.

Phoebe joined the youngest daughter of Zeus, giving the latter a wide smile. "You shot those wires," Amara mumbled, causing the daughter of Apollo's smile to widen. "Yep."

Zoë slammed into the son of Poseidon, knocking him to the ground as she made her way across the creek. Phoebe and the rest of the hunters cheered as Chiron appeared, a grim look resting on his features. "The hunters win!" He announced, his tone dry. "For . . . the fifty-sixth time in a row . . ."

"Perseus Jackson!" Thalia snapped, appearing from the woods as she stormed her towards Percy. Amara's eyes narrowed, watching her sisters action's throughly.

"What in the name of the gods," she yelled, stopping a few feet away from the raven haired boy. "Were you thinking!"

"I got the flag, Thalia!" Percy shook the flag towards her face. "I saw a chance, and took it!"

"I was at their base," Thalia threw her arms up, her gaze shifting towards Amara as well. "But the flag was gone. If you two had just done what you were told, we could've won."

Amara's eye twitched as a smirk flickered at the corners of Phoebe's lips, her eyes twinkling with amusement at the girl's growing anger.

"You had too many on you, regardless if we butted in or not." Percy explained.

"Oh, and that's my fault?"

"I never said that."

A growl escaped from Thalia as she shoved Percy backwards, a shock of electricity traveled through his body as he was blown backwards into the creek. Campers mouth dropped in shock, hunters stifled their laughter while Beckendorf made his way to Amara's side.

"Sorry!" The former tree apologized, her face pale with shock. "I didn't mean too—"

A wave suddenly erupted from the creek, swirling into the air as it blasted the eldest Grace. Percy stood up, completely dry while Thalia had been soaked to the bone and was now dripping. "Yeah," The son of Poseidon growled. "I didn't mean too either."

Laughter escaped quickly through Amara's lips, earning the Jackson boy's attention as he watched her hurriedly cover her mouth with her hands. She had to admit, seeing Percy angry was a sight to behold and one she was glad she didn't miss.

"Enough!" Chiron ordered, his gaze flickering between the children of the big three who shook with rage.

But Thalia didn't listen, her spear was pointed outwards towards the raven haired boy as she let out a huff. "You want some," she growled. "Seaweed Brain?"

Unknowingly to the oldest Grace, her using that nickname offended not only him, but her sister. Percy didn't like the way it sounded when she said it, much rather preferring only Amara to be the one who gets to call him that. While said girl, was thinking how wrong it sounded coming from her sister and preferred for Thalia to never say it again.

"Bring it on," Percy raised his sword, a glare forming in his sea green eyes. "Pinecone face!"

"Shouldn't you be attempting to stop this," Beckendorf questioned, earning the brunette's attention. "You know, before they take it too far."

A blast of lightning slammed against Percy's chest, sending the boy towards the ground as his clothes began burning.

A stream of water was blasted Thalia's way once more, knocking the girl backwards and to the ground.

"Amara," Charles warned, his tone strict.

"Right," she mumbled, slipping her necklace back around her neck. "On it."

Thalia got to her feet, quickly recovering from the attack as she willed lightning to her aid once more. Rushing through the crowd of hunters and campers, Amara could hear the yell of Chiron telling her to hurry as she made her way towards the raven haired duo.

Thalia shot a blast of lighting towards Percy once more, only for a wind spirit to quickly direct the bolt towards the sky. The elder girls eyes widened, her younger sister now standing in between the demigods with her hands raised towards the children of Zeus and Poseidon. Wind spirits surrounded the younger Grace's body, forming a wall between the three.

"Get out of the way," the oldest Grace snapped, waving her hand to the side. "Now, Amara!"

But Amara shook her head, refusing to move as Percy slowly rose to his feet behind the younger demigod. Before she knew it, the creek's water began swirling around the Jackson boy as a tornado made entirely out of water was created.

Percy's arms was out, a glare directed towards Thalia as if threatening her to try and shock him with lightning one more time.

"Percy!" Chiron pleaded, his tone hopeless. "Thalia!"

"Hey, Seaweed Brain," the brunette quickly turned around, her gaze locking with Percy's as anger clearly racked throughout his body. "Maybe you should cal—"

The tornado dropped suddenly, water flowing down in waves as Amara's feet became soaked. But the raven haired boy wasn't even look her way, instead, his gaze was locked somewhere over her shoulder.

She spun around as someone, or rather something shrouded in green mist approached the campers and hunters as the wind spirits fled. "This is impossible," Chiron mumbled once he was able to get a better look. "It . . . she has never left the attic, never."

But he had been proven wrong, the Oracle now stood in the middle of the group. It's voice seeping into Amara's mind as she quickly clutched her ears, attempting to rid of the horrid voice that breached her head.

"I am the sprit of Delphi." The Oracle spoke. "Speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python."

The mummy had turned in the direction of Zoë Nightshade, and began speaking again. "Approach, Seeker, and ask."

The huntress swallowed, glancing around at her fellow hunters before asking her question. "What must I do to help my goddess?"

Green mist began pouring from the oracles mouth as a vision was being shown. Amara was able to make out the goddess Artemis, wrapped in chains and imprisoned to rocks. She was on her kneels, but her hands were above her head like she had been holding something. And then, the mummy began speaking.

"Six shall go west to the goddess in chains,
One shall be lost in the land without rain,
The bane of Olympus shows the trail,
Campers and Hunters combined prevail,
The Titans Curse must one withstand,
And one shall perish by a parent's hand."

The mist creating the vision swirled, retreating back into the oracle's mouth as the mummy sat down on a rock, becoming as still as she once was in the attic.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

A council meeting between the cabin leaders had been called, Dionysus and Chiron leading the meeting as they took their places at one end of the table. Zoë and Bianca took the other end, while Amara, Beckendorf, Silena, and the Stoll brothers sat on the left as representatives for their cabins.

Percy, Thalia, and Grover quickly filled the right side, as per request by Chiron. "This is pointless," Zoë snapped, starting the meeting.

"There is no time for talk," the huntress continued with a scowl. "Our goddess needs us, the hunters must leave immediately."

"And go where?" Chiron questioned.

"West!" Bianca answered, giving Amara time to analyze how much the oldest di Angelo had changed within the last few days. Her dark hair had been braided, her freckles that danced across her nose now visible as her dark eyes shined. Her skin glowed faintly the color of moonlight, her arms lightly defined as if she'd been working out.

"You heard the prophecy," the newly made hunter reasoned. "Six shall go west to the goddess in chains, we can get six hunters and go."

"Yes," Zoë agreed with the di Angelo. "Artemis is being held hostage, we must find her and free her!"

"You're missing something, as usual." Thalia grumbled. "Campers and hunters combined prevail, we're supposed to do this together."

"No," Zoë shook her head. "The hunters do not need thy help."

"Your," Thalia corrected, a sigh escaping. "Nobody has said thy in like, three hundred years. Get with the times, Zoë."

"Yerrr," the hunter attempted, her eyebrows furrowed. "We do not need yerrr help."

The raven haired girl rolled her eyes. "Forget it."

"I fear the prophecy says you do need our help." Chiron said. "Campers and Hunters must cooperate."

"Or do they?" Dionysus mused, swirling his Diet Coke. "One shall be lost. One shall perish. That sounds rather nasty, doesn't it? What if you fail because you try to cooperate?"

Amara rolled her eyes at the god of wine's words, earning herself a nudge in the arm from Beckendorf. She had to admit, the older boy was beginning to grow rather mature for his age. She knew he was only getting older, but at one point she thought it would be impossible for him to be serious when he often teased and messed around.

"Dionysus," the centaur let out a sigh. "With all due respect, whose side are you on?"

The god raised his hands up in surrender. "Sorry, my dear centaur. Just trying to be helpful."

"We're supposed to work together." Thalia mumbled stubbornly. "I don't like it either, Zoë, but you know prophecies. You want to fight against one?"

"We must not delay." Chiron warned, earning the crampers and hunters attention. "Today is Sunday, this very Friday, December twenty-first, is the winter solstice."

"Oh, joy." The god of wine muttered. "Another dull annual meeting."

"Artemis must be present at the solstice." Zoë reasoned. "She has been the most vocal on the council arguing for action against Kronos' minions. If she is absent, the gods will decide nothing. We will lose another year of war preparations."

"Are you suggesting that the gods have trouble acting together, young lady?" Dionysus asked, his eyes slightly narrowing.

"Yes, Lord Dionysus."

The god nodded. "Just checking. You're right, of course, carry on."

"I must agree with Zoë." Chiron said. "Artemis' presence at the winter council is critical. We only have a week to find her, and possibly even more important, to locate the monster she was hunting. Now, we must decide who goes on this quest."

"Three and three." Percy explained, earning everyone's attention as they awaited his reasoning for his words. "We're supposed to have six." He explained. "Three hunters, three from camp. Half and half, that's fair."

Thalia and Zoë exchanged looks as a mutual agreement was made. "I would prefer to take all the hunters," the huntress mumbled. "We will need strength of numbers."

"You'll be retracing the goddess' path." Chiron reminded her. "Moving quickly. No doubt Artemis tracked the scent of this rare monster, whatever it is, as she moved west. You will have to do the same, the prophecy was clear and the bane of Olympus will show the trail. What would your mistress say? 'Too many hunters spoil the scent.' A small group is best."

"This monster, the bane of Olympus," Zoë picked up a ping pong racket and began analyzing it. "I have hunted at Lady Artemis' side for many years, yet I have no idea what this beast might be."

Amara's gaze turned to Dionysus, but the god seemed to not care as he continued flipping through his magazine. "Don't look at me, I'm a young god remember?" He mumbled, turning a page. "I don't keep up with ancient monsters and Titans, terrible for party conversation."

The brunette zoned out, not particularly interested in the conversation as her gaze landed on the raven haired boy who seemed to be saying something. Her mind was flashing back to the creek, and during the game. She had effortlessly put herself in front of him, ready to take whatever danger had been aimed his way.

Sure, it was just Phoebe's arrow aimed to trip him and take him down. But the second time was a lightning strike and even as a daughter of Zeus, she wasn't sure what would happen if she were hit by a bolt of lightning. Electric blue met sea green irises as their gazes locked, but was quickly broken as Percy moved his gaze elsewhere.

Preventing the blush from rushing to her cheeks at the interaction, she quickly focused back on the conversation at hand.

"Percy is right," Silena stated, giving the son of Poseidon a smile. "Three campers should go."

"Oh, I see," Zoë rolled her eyes at the girl. "And I suppose you wish to volunteer?"

The Beauregard girl waved her hands, her cheeks flushed red. "I'm not going anywhere with the hunters, so don't look at me."

"A daughter of Aphrodite does not wish to be looked at." Zoë scoffed at the words. "What would thy mother say?"

Silena's eyes narrowed, her chair was pushed away from the table as she started to get up. But Amara had quickly grabbed her arm, tugging her back down while shooting Zoë a warning look of her own.

"Stop it," Beckendorf scowled. "Let's start with the hunters, which three of you will go?"

Zoë stood. "I shall go, of course, and I will take Phoebe. She is our best tracker."

"The big girl," Travis Stoll asked. "Who likes to hit people on the head?"

The hunter nodded.

"The one who put the arrows in my helmet?" Conner added.

"Yes," Zoë snapped. "Why?"

"Oh, nothing." Travis said, a smile curling onto his lips. "Just that we have a t-shirt for her from the camp store."

Conner held up a silver t-shirt that read Artemis the moon goddess, fall hunting tour 2002, along with a list of nation parks underneath. "It's a collector's item," the youngest Stoll grinned. "She was admiring it, could you give it to her?"

The huntress let out a sigh, snatching the shirt from the son of Hermes. "As I was saying, I will take Phoebe and wish for Bianca to go."

"Me? But . . ." Bianca looked stunned, her mouth slightly dropped. "I'm so new, I wouldn't be any good."

"You will do fine," Zoë insisted. "There is no better way to prove thyself."

"And for campers?" Chiron asked.

"Me!" Grover stood to his feet, bumping into the table on his way up. "Anything to help Artemis!"

"I think not, satyr," Zoë's nose scrunched up. "You are not even a half-blood."

"But he is a camper," Amara reasoned, earning the hunters attention. "And he's got satyr senses along with woodland magic, can't you play a tracker's song too, Grover?"

"Absolutely!"

"Very well," Zoë wavered. "And the second camper?"

Thalia got to her feet. "I'll go," she began looking around the table as if daring anyone to challenge her.

"I'll be the third," Percy stood to his feet as well.

"No," Zoë immediately disagreed. "I wish for another, Amara Grace." The brunette raised a brow at the huntress, but the Nightshade girl made no move to explain herself.

"Wait, wait, wait," Percy held up a hand. "I want to go."

"Oh," Grover was the first to speak after a moment of silence, like he had finally realized the problem. "Percy has to go, I didn't mean . . . I'll stay, he should go in my place."

"He cannot," Zoë stated. "He is a boy. I won't have hunters traveling with a boy."

"You traveled here with me." Percy reminded her.

"That was a short-term emergency, and it was ordered by the goddess. I will not go across country and fight many dangers in the company of a boy."

"What about Grover?" Amara asked, a simple question rather than a targeted one.

"He does not count," Zoë explained. "He's a satyr, not technically a boy."

"Hey!" Grover protested.

"I have to go." Percy argued. "I need to be on this quest."

"Why?" Zoë asked. "Because of they friend, Annabeth?"

"No!" He paused. "I mean, partly. I . . . I just feel like I'm supposed to go!"

Thalia and Grover shared a look, while Amara gave Percy a look of pity. She would offer to give him her place, but she knew Zoë wouldn't allow him to go if that happened.

"No," The huntress said flatly. "I insist upon this. I will take a saytr if I must, but not a male hero. I want Amara Grace."

Chiron sighed. "The quest is for Artemis, therefore the hunters should be allowed to approve their companions."

Wordlessly, Percy sat back down. Crossing his arms over his chest, he reminded the brunette of a child in timeout.

"So be it." The centaur said. "Thalia, Amara, and Grover will accompany Zoë, Bianca, and Phoebe. You shall leave at first light. And may the gods—" He glanced at Dionysus. "Present company included, we hope, be with you."

With a hit to the table, the meeting had officially ended and what had been discussed was no longer up for debate.

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7-06-23

hello hello ! i hope you all enjoyed this chapter i'm so sorry for the late update, i was a bit busy today. nonetheless i hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and i'll see you on tuesday <3