Like Artemis had said we took the South while Apollo went North. The hunters were quicker than I could ever be, at every suspicious noise they were armed and once their suspicions were gone their weapons were gone like it never happened.
Artemis didn't agknowlage my slowness since I was learning and getting faster by the minute. Actually, I was almost just as fast as the hunters.
That night it was more planned out than the second day.
We were all in sync with each other. Eris and the younger girls would collect the needed supplies. Within this time the older girls had put up the tents and Artemis started the fire. I, being the weak link, just helped the younger girls. I did feel bad for not helping more but this was all I could do for now.
After dinner when everyone was going back to their gaurd shifts and everyone else was finishing cleaning up, headed back to their tents. That time ended up being fight training with Artemis or, if she was busy, her head hunter, Aella, with Eris helping when needed.
Today I was working with Aella while Artemis searched out a suspicious movement farther out with a few hunters. Aella pushed me just as hard as Artemis but didn't remind me of stories when the people would die because of bad swordsmanship. Aella just gave reminders on what I needed to do. So pretty soon I could beat Eris on a good day and when it was a bad day I wouldn't lose as bad as I would before.
Every once in awhile I would go against Aella and it would be harder than anything before. To make it worse she would shout the reminders at me in the middle of the fight.
That day when I went against Aella it was her sword that crashed to the ground. I stared at it and she laughed.
"You did it!" I smiled.
"I, I guess I did." She grinned and put the sword away. I followed suit.
"Apollo won't have to be worried about you now. He should worry about himself." Eris said slyly. Before I could respond, I heard a voice behind me.
"He sure will. But try convincing him that."
It was Artemis. I blushed more and she just laughed.
"Its okay, I'm just back for a little bit. Apollo needs help in the North so Aella will be in charge. I have to rest before I travel. We part at daybreak." We all nodded, too shocked to respond, we just watched her go into her tent. I turned to Aella, who shrugged and fiddled with her sword.
What had happened to Artemis?
~~~
We did as told and departed at the sunrise but Artemis was already gone. Aella tried to show this didn't bother her but I could see it did.
Eris was worried to but I didn't tell her my suspicions. Hades had been rumoured to be near here. He could get to us easier if Artemis had gone North. But if he was controlling her... I couldn't think of that. Think of the mission. Think of the upcoming battle. Think of almost anything else.
Koios...
Okay don't think of anything else. Think of Apollo, or the prophecy. Okay not the prophecy. Not about war or the battle. Think about the old times with mom. When I was little and I didn't know anything about my prophecy.
***Flashback*** A Couple Years Before
It was my birthday, my thirteenth to be exact. My mother had gotten me a few books she could afford and my friends had bought their respectful clothes and books. This was the day I would have that first feeling that mirrored the one I had in Olympus.
It was after my presents were all opened and my mom had her arms around me and said,
"Look at this Adrasteia. This is ours, someday you'll have something that's just yours. it will be wonderful and I'm sure you'll make me proud."
I felt proud that day but there was something else mixed in. Maybe the feeling of my destiny coming clear. But that wasn't all...
We had a new neighbor that year, an older woman and after the party she was never seen again... Could it be one of the Gods checking up on me? Would they have checked up on me so early? And which one was it?
***Flashback Over*** Present Day
"Aella?" I asked. She turned, probably happy for a distraction.
"Yes?"
"Who would Aphrodite and Athena pretand to be if they were mortals?"
"Usually old women."
"What about the eyes?"
"Athena would have gray eyes of course. Aphrodite would switch from green to blue." The old woman had blue eyes.
"Would they check up on my prophecy as early as my thirteenth birthday?" She considered this carefully.
"Maybe... Aphrodite might just want to mess with you but she can be sincere. I should know, she's my mom."
"What!" She smiled.
"I'm a demigod. She's my mother and I know both her sides. The mother side who appreciated she has me, and the opposite." I nodded. But before she could respond, all the hunters drew their swords and then I saw the monsters.
They had surrounded us while Aella and I were distracted. I also drew my sword and pointed it at the monster closest to me.
If you've ever been in a battle, even a small one, you know that everyone seperates into fighting groups auctomatically.
I was with Eris and we took each monster down slowly but we made good time and helped other hunters as they fought this monster.
I suspected it was a chimera, that would be down Hades's alley but I couldn't be sure. If it was, all you had to do was get your sword near enough to disinagrate it.
This wouldn't be as hard if the chimeras wern't so big or scary. Or had sharp teeth. So only if they were kittens.
Aella was fighting two at onc so I rused to her aid. Soon the monsters were gone and all that was left were tired hunters. But Aella was wounded. One of our healers rushed to her aid but she waved them away. I went to her side.
"My time has come." I nodded, a single tear slipping down my face.
"Who is second in command?"
"Eris. But she isn't ready. You must take over. Lead them well, now go, you're losing time."
"No! I'm not going to leave you." She shook her head. Soon they had to pull me away. I hung my head and walked slowly. I wasn't ready to lead.
~~~
All went smoothly until we were several miles away. Suddenly we were surrounded by shadowy creatures.
The one in the lead came into the light. He was smirking. I rolled my eyes and put my sword away. I instructed the hunters to do the same.
"Apollo. Where's Artemis?" I realized the smile he gave me was forced.
"The base camp. You have to come with us. Its not long or far. What happened to the lead hunter? Wasn't her name Aella?"
"Dead, fataly wounded by chimeras." He nodded.
"Well we're wasting time. Come." He grabbed my hand and guided me along.
I motioned for the hunters to come. They followed and soon we were at the base camp. I asked what was happening. They turned and their faces were grave.
"Hades is coming now."
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Cliffhanger time!!!!!!!!!!!!! Vote and Comment if you like it!!!