Here we go again, my lovely readers!

Chapter Two: Preparing to Reveal

Point of View: Zianthos

  "Zianthos, Lord Apollo wishes to speak with us, come on!" The youngest, at least when he was frozen in time, exclaims excitedly. He's fifteen, like every one of us except for three.

I chuckle. "Alright, Senna. I'm coming."

He drags me out and sits me down on a log next to him. A bright flash of golden light, and Lord Apollo stands before us. We all rise and bow.

"My Lord, how may we help you?" I ask.

Apollo grins. "Nice to see you all again. I believe it is time our world knows about us."

"Become known to the world?" Hycu asks nervously.

"Why?" Ishron asks unsure.

"After all this time." Gen whispers and sits down hard.

"I may be the newest to the group, but surely we all knew this day would come." I say calmly.

Apollo looks at me sadly. "But you were hurt the most out of all of us. She was your true significant other. There is not a one that can fill that gap. Even if there was, it is very rare. Not to mention you have sworn off the company of women for as long as you exist. You take yours more seriously than the rest of us." Zachariah argues.

I sigh. "Yes, but that doesn't mean I can't handle it."

"You very nearly died without realizing it." Deni tells me.

"At least we have not lost our way to finding significant others. Unlike you, we can leave the group and be freed from our oaths. You cannot." Wisthman says.

"Yeah, you've pretty much sold your heart to nothingness." Benjamin agrees.

"You guys, he still cares and feels, just not in that way anymore." Frederick tries to fight for my sake and I smile.

"Admit it, we all aren't going anywhere anyways. Our true halves are either already past, never coming, or haven't been born yet. Face it, we're still going to be here for a very long time. Just not as long as Zianthos." Lau adds.

"Stop being such downers you idiots." Marshall grumbles.

"How about being cheerful for once people." Sirius chimes in.

"But-" I cut off Jarren.

"Enough. We are all still here and are going to reveal ourselves to the world. Think about everything. The demigod children of Apollo alone will have more than a few questions for us. The gods even more. Not to mention the Olympian council because our lord has kept this from them since the beginning. Lady Artemis might even be in trouble for knowing the intents from ancient times or even suspecting it for a while now. The camps will be in an uproar and the female children of Apollo within the Hunt will be wanting an explanation from either us or Lord Apollo or both. We need to come up with a viable reason for staying hidden for so long and how we came to be a part of this lifestyle. Copious questions and so little answers. We must be prepared." I call attention and bring the matter at hand to the forefront of the group's conversation.

The eldest sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "You are right. Indeed. Perhaps it is time we show ourselves. It has been a little while since I have had contact with mortals other than the princes and princesses." Zachariah nods.

I laugh softly. "Yes, they are quite the spirited bunch, aren't they?"

He smiles. "Truly." He agrees.

Apollo looks around at us and claps me on the shoulder. "You are well aware they are all still well and really alive. They search for you even now. They have not given up. Poseidon is in a decreasing state, but I cannot allow you to tell him who you really are. But I can reveal to him that I took you in."

I shake my head and smile wistfully at him as I look at him from the corners of my eyes. "My lord, I feel it best to not tell him about me at all. He will eventually get over me."

Apollo searches my face and nods. "At least give him closure. Let me tell him I sent your spirit someplace where only the best heroes go."

I chuckle. "If you wish to tell him so. Maybe the sea will look a little less black. The mortals will be overjoyed at that."

"Always of others. Never of yourself." Apollo mutters.

"It's just the way I am, my lord. I cannot help it." I bellow with laughter.

"You nurture it into an unbreakable habit." Apollo huffs.

I look up at the sky. "And one day, it will make all the difference." It will be the deciding factor.

"It already has. The wars and your life now." Apollo whispers.

I shake my head. "The past is too far along to think about it. Right now, it's what is healing our world. The rift is almost closed, my lord. Soon, I can finally be free to walk easier and feel again like I once did." I close my eyes and feel a hand on my shoulder. I look over to find Zachariah's hand on my shoulder. We share a sad look and head to my tent to talk.

I sit in the huge cushion chair across from him sitting in another one.

"You know as well as I do that it is too soon for you to come within sight of them all." Zachariah whispers.

I wave it off. "I will not refute Lord Apollo."

"Set everything aside for once! Why can't you call him Apollo like he wants you to?!" He exclaims in a low octave.

"I can't! You know I can't! It's the last thing any of us want for me to break down all the walls I have built! I couldn't stand to be here if it wasn't for all of you, Apollo, and the peace this life is able to bring me. If I were to act undutiful, I might snap." I say in a strained tone.

He sits back in the chair. "I know. But it kills us to see you like this. We never knew how bad it was up until 4,000 years ago."

We both laugh. "4,000 years ago was the day you finally got me to speak to you about my past. Otherwise, I'd just listen. I miss Toshiro, he was a wonderful lieutenant. Why did you guys even want me to be anyways?"

"You were the most dedicated, hardworking, and qualified for the job. Even Toshiro wanted to step down and let you have the position. He found his place amongst the mortals. That's all Apollo wanted for him." Zachariah grins.

"Dead and honored. Our brother was one of our best." I chuckle. "He was more of a troublemaker than I was. How he became heartbroken, I'll never know."

"Yeah...sometimes I miss the old Hunters, but I'm glad they found their place or proudly died in the line of duty." Zach says.

"What should we tell the council? I believe Apollo wants us to go with him to Olympus to break the devastating news." I ask.

He nods slowly. "Yes. It seems the most likely. I don't want to face the gods though. What if Lord Apollo becomes endangered?"

"Then it's our job to protect him. You know that." I tell him, confused at what he is really worried about.

"But you are the main defense. As lieutenant-" Zach starts.

I cut him off. "It'll be fine. I know my job. I have to-"

This time he cuts me off. "He's your responsibility and so are we. We aren't lettered down to the detail to the Huntresses. They want to protect Artemis but it's not their job."

"But it's not our job until today. Artemis has that detail but she never uses it. She doesn't need to because the girls would do it anyway. Besides, it is Apollo's wish that we protect his older sister as well. The Huntresses are just as important as her. All of you are my priority and his kids."

"The kids are more our responsibility. It's not our fault you took that over." He shakes his head.

I smile. "It's best that only I face the danger of being found out, rather than any of you. They would just wonder at where I've been and I can easily make something up. All of you have been gone for far too long and Chiron would become completely suspicious. It's best if I get caught and disappear again. Easier."

"Not for you." He whispers.

"No. It wouldn't be easy for me. The only easy part about it is keeping Apollo safe. And that's our priority." I end the argument and Apollo comes in.

"Zianthos, it's not your job to protect me." Apollo says.

"Of course it is. We've been doing it for years." I tell him.

He sits down next to Zach and looks at us meaningfully. I drop my gaze and so does Zach. "No. You've convinced yourself of this because of what I said before."

"Yes." We both answer.

"I didn't mean that you had to hide to keep me safe. I meant you needed to hide to stay safe." Apollo says.

"But you said-" Zach starts.

"No, what I meant to say was that I wanted you to keep secret so we didn't get hurt or captured or forced into anything, especially by my father. Not to mention who he would send after you. You are much like the Huntresses. I'm sorry I've not amended my words for a long time but I didn't think it would have this effect on you." He sighs.

"My lord, we would do it anyway." I murmur.

"I know. I appreciate it. But I'd rather you looked after Artemis and the Huntresses. But don't go-" Apollo starts.

"We don't go near them either way. We will watch from afar." I smile a little and he grins.

"Good. I'm glad I finally got it drilled into your skulls." Apollo chuckles.

"Are we going to Olympus like Zianthos thinks?" Zach asks, his voice shaking.

Apollo turns serious and grim. "Yes. The others know. Are you ready?"

Zach and I look at each other and Zach points at me. I raise an eyebrow and Apollo looks sad. "Can you handle it?" Apollo asks.

I close my eyes and tilt my head back. "There are some things that will be hard for me, but I'll live."

"You look pale." Zach says.

"I never look pale. It's the lighting. If I was scared, you'd know it." I tell him and look him dead in the eyes.

"You'll want to wear your hoods so no older being recognizes you." Apollo comments.

"Jarren is the only one who wasn't a demigod." I say. "He will be the only one they won't be able to place."

Apollo nods. "Yes. The other gods will sense whose child you are when you are close enough. The blood running through your veins will tip them off, otherwise they wouldn't know."

"Great." Zach mutters.

"Ah, come on, I doubt Zeus will even notice your lineage." I say.