CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
—stupid sun god

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—FORCED to sit next to Percy on the only dry log in the clearing, she watched as Grover dressed his wound. She was in charge of handing him small portions of ambrosia to help the healing process along ( because Grover said that if they gave him the whole pack, he would scarf it down without hesitation ).

Barely chewing the last piece she had handed him before swallowing it, he held his hand out for the next one. Judith withheld the food, waiting until the satyr gave a nod for the next one. Percy wasn't happy with the delay and reached for the bag in her hand. She held it away from her body and shoved him off of her with a groan.

"I'm tempted to just let you have this so you can burn up. Maybe then you'd learn a lesson or something," she claimed.

"I don't even feel close to burning up, I'm ready for the next piece," he said, his voice almost sounding whiny, making Judith even more inclined to let him have the food of the gods.

"It's because we're in below freezing temperatures, Percy," Grover voiced. "Even though we're limiting your intake, you're probably going to feel it later on, you'll regret it."

"You guys don't know what I feel," he said hotly as Grover finally finished bandaging the thorn's damage. His emotions were running high from Annabeth's sudden absence and he was now in slight pain as his friend poked and prodded at his arm.

Judith scowled and threw the bag at his chest as she stood up, no longer interested in being his babysitter. "Fine, eat it all up, see if I care."

Grover squealed, "Judith!" He snatched the zip lock bag out of Percy's hands before he could get the whole pastry out.

She crossed her arms and stared the son of Poseidon down in annoyance; the annoyance practically doubled as Nico walked over, firing questions off non-stop. Judith assumed it was because Artemis had taken Bianca in for a talk so he was unable to bother her relentlessly. She only took enjoyment in the fact that Nico was transfixed on Percy, asking him all the questions.

He did turn to her at one point, though, to ask her who her godly parent was.

"Ares," she answered curtly, not wanting him to go off about it; she'd only end up hurting his feelings by telling him to bugger off.

"Whoa, he's got the Blood Rage and infinite health for three rounds. Sometimes you can get away with four if the other person isn't paying attention," Nico explained and Judith just stared blankly at him. The boy seemed to recognize the expression and moved back to Percy, the son of Poseidon giving Judith a pleading look to make the small kid stop somehow. Still feeling irritated with his earlier actions, she just shook her head.

"Judith Sloane," Zoë said as she stepped out of the tent. The girl in question looked up but didn't make any move to approach her. "Thee's presence is summoned by the Lady Artemis." She said it begrudgingly like she was forcing it out.

"For what?" Judith asked.

"Private matters that don't concern boys," she said, her sneering face directed at the two beyond her, though Judith also felt some of it was pointed at herself. They'd never really gotten along.

"Ugh," Judith grunted.

"Whatever you do, don't kill anyone in there," Percy said quietly, joking but at the same time, very much not. Everyone had been making her temper flare up that day and he wouldn't be surprised if she blew up with one last push.

"Don't tell me what to do," she hissed before following the Hunter in the tent.

Inside was a mix between southern redneck and royalty. She gazed in mild interest at the taxidermy decor, thinking of the Ares cabin and their own plaques of monster heads — some fake, some not. Apart from the walls, everything was coated in silver, probably making the room worth a million bucks.

Artemis gestured for her to take a seat on the floor across from her; Bianca was in a seat not too far away and Judith raised an interested eyebrow at her inclusion. But the girl was just leafing through a pamphlet, not paying attention to the conversation in front of her. Judith slowly shuffled to the seat, feeling hesitant to hear what the goddess had to say.

"You certainly are a daughter of Ares, there is no doubt," Artemis concluded.

Judith raised an eyebrow. "Good way or bad way?" She asked, just knowing she'd get an entirely honest answer. Whether she wanted to hear the honest answer was still up in the air.

"Both." There was a silence as Judith waited for elaboration. "I wasn't lying when I said that your impulsivity would have killed not only you but your friend as well."

"Friend," Judith muttered under her breath. The word was always thrown around so carelessly like it was a title anyone was able to get. "Annabeth would have done the same thing."

"I don't think she would sacrifice herself," Artemis countered. "It would be undeniably foolish of her."

Judith started to stand to her feet at the insinuation that she was foolish, but Zoë placed a hand on her shoulder to keep her sitting. "Why do you guys keep touching me? Use your words," she brushed off the girl's hand. "Did I come in here just so you could insult me, because you already did that outside with everyone listening."

Artemis continued to examine her with her light eyes. "I actually called you in to do the opposite." There was a piece of paper that the goddess handed to her, materializing from nothing. Judith only skimmed the front but got the premise. "Your haste can be tamed."

Judith ground her teeth together. "With you?" Artemis just looked her in the eye, unaffected by her attitude.

"Think about it," she said after a bit and watched Judith fold up the paper and place it in her hoodie pocket carelessly. "You may go."

Judith stood up, eyeing down Zoë with narrowed eyes as if daring her to say something as she left. As soon as she was outside the flaps of the tent, she heard Zoë start to argue with the goddess and Judith just smirked. If she joined the Hunters, it would only be to annoy that girl endlessly.

And maybe to get her hands on a magic bow.

Percy eyed her as she walked back over. "What was that about?" He questioned.

Judith debated on answering truthfully but decided that it wouldn't matter since she didn't plan on joining the hunt anyway. Plus, she didn't owe Percy any answers.

"Nothing," Judith finally said, waving him off. He looked skeptic for only a moment before nodding.

Zoë strode up to the small group and announced the next person to be interviewed. "Percy Jackson." Her face was twisted up even more than when she looked at Judith. "Come with me. Lady Artemis wishes to speak with thee."

Judith rolled her eyes. They were going down the whole list, slowly but surely.

With Percy gone, Nico only had Grover and Judith to talk to and had already been talking with Grover with Percy, so he tried his hand with the daughter of Ares. "Does he have glowing red eyes?!"

"I don't know," Judith droned, trying to force away the urge to tell him to go away. "Never met him."

Nico looked perplexed. "You haven't met your own dad?"

Judith was sorely tempted to remind him that he was an orphan and hadn't met either of his parents, so he shouldn't be talking. "No, we normally don't get to see them."

"Why?"

Wasn't that the question of the century? Judith didn't know what to say so she just shrugged.

"Well, do you want to meet him?" He continued.

Basing her answer on what little she'd seen of Ares during the summer when he spoke to Clarisse, she said, "No."

"Oh," Nico mumbled. "Well, I'd like to meet him."

Judith couldn't help but think Ares would eat the kid alive. But then again, by Nico's fascinated expression, he'd probably be okay with it, just as long as he got to know if the god's eyes glowed red.

Instead of trying to ask her more questions, the boy fished a card game out of his pocket and displayed the cards on the log next to her, his knees planted firmly in the snow beneath him. She was about to tell him he would end up with frostbite if he didn't get up, but never got the chance as he launched into a series of instructions.

By the time Nico had explained the game of Mythomagic about twice ( Judith zoning him out both times ), Percy was fuming out of the main tent. Judith's joints popped as she took a quick stance, seeing her escape from Nico's attention.

But she frowned deeply as Percy stalked closer to her. He guided her away from the other two and whispered to her. "Were you asked to join, too? Is that why she asked you to go in there?"

"Join? The hunt?" Judith asked for clarification and Percy nodded. "Yeah, she did."

Percy's eyes dropped like he was losing grip on everything one by one. He had known the answer before asking her, but just wanted to be wrong for once.

"What? You sad that you don't get to be a part of the 'girls only' club?" She mistook his displeasure for something else entirely.

He scoffed. "No. What did you say? Did you accept?"

Judith's lip curled up in disgruntlement. "Who do you take me for?"

Percy blinked, not quite sure about her answer. "Is that ... is that a ... no?" He guessed hesitantly.

"Yes," she responded, knowing exactly what she was doing.

"Yes?!" His eyes bulged.

"Yep."

"Wait, wait— yes, it's a no? Or yes, it's a yes?"

Judith only rolled her eyes, finding the game old already. She started to walk back to where Grover and Nico were stationed, but Percy's hand spun her back around. She nudged him off. "Would people just stop touching me?"

Percy retracted his hand slowly. "Sorry. It's just that — Bianca. Artemis asked her to join and she said yes. She swore the oath and everything. It's a done, complete deal."

Judith couldn't stop herself from looking over her shoulder at Nico, painfully oblivious to what his sister had just done and what it would mean for him. Brothers weren't scorned like other males, but Bianca would still be forced to leave him behind.

Percy took a step up to her side, also looking at the boy. "I told her, I told her Nico would get left behind. She still did it."

"Immortality's a tempting offer," Judith said, absentmindedly, though she had blown of Artemis' offer like it was nothing. The girl couldn't imagine herself as a Hunter, couldn't see herself staying eternally young.

Percy's head swing to her. "You did turn it down, right?" He trailed off quietly and unsure.

Judith wondered why he was so bent on making sure she hadn't accepted a spot among the Hunters, but found herself unwilling to ask. He was probably just making sure Judith wasn't making the same mistake Bianca was. Genuinely this time, she shook her head. "I don't plan on becoming a Hunter."

Percy's shoulders released some of their tension and he breathed easier. But as they continued to look at Nico, he became stiff again. "She wants me to watch over him while she can't," he whispered.

"That isn't your responsibility," Judith told him.

"Well, it is now, isn't it?" He said scornfully.

Judith didn't say anything. Bianca had passed on her role model status to Percy without so much as a second thought and Judith couldn't help that that was a terrible idea; Percy was constantly getting himself into danger, but Bianca didn't know that. So she decided to take it upon herself to make sure Nico wasn't totally led astray by the son of Poseidon, even if the young boy could annoy her to no end.

They turned quickly at the sound of the Hunters talking outside their campsite. Judith saw all the tents collapsing and condensing to small knapsacks. "Are we leaving?"

Percy looked at her confused until he remembered what the goddess had told him. "Oh, yeah, Apollo is coming to take us to camp."

"Apollo, huh?" Judith glanced to the East. It would be a few minutes, the air was still freezing and dark.

Percy then nudged his head to where they had previously been looking. Bianca was now standing with her brother and his face seemed to be dropping more and more as the conversation continued. Judith didn't have any siblings — true, full blooded siblings, that is — but she had Clarisse and Ellis, and her other brothers, and Maya. They were her family, and although she hated them a lot of the time, she wouldn't give them up for immortality. So to see the girl trade it all away, it made something fester in her.

"Wait, the hunters are coming with us?" Judith them asked as Grover and Thalia were coming up to them. Percy nodded like it was nothing and both Grover and Judith paused.

"The last time the Hunters visited camp, it didn't go so well," Grover said.

"Well, I thought it was a hoot," Judith scowled, thinking of her time on bed rest after a particularly rough game of capture the flag.

"How'd they even show up here?" Percy wondered. "I mean, they just appeared out of nowhere."

"And Bianca joined them," Thalia said, disgusted. "It's all Zoë's fault. That stuck-up, no good —" Judith was encouraging her rant by nodding along. The girls may have had a quarrel earlier but she was all for bashing the Hunter with the daughter of Zeus.

"Who can blame her?" Grover said. "Eternity with Artemis?" He heaved a big sigh.

Thalia rolled her eyes. "You satyrs. You're all in love with Artemis. Don't you get that she'll never love you back?"

"But she's so ... into nature," Grover swooned.

"You're nuts," said Thalia.

"Nuts and berries," Grover said dreamily. Judith was disgusted as Artemis took the form of a young girl ( and she did it to purposefully avoid this exact situation ).

Finally the sky began to lighten. Artemis muttered, "About time. He's so lazy during the winter."

"You're, um, waiting for sunrise?" Percy asked.

"For my brother. Yes."

None of the demigods had witnessed the actual work of Apollo, but according to Lee Fletcher at camp, his father would ride across the sky and race the sun's light as it appeared over the horizon.

"It's not exactly as you think," Artemis said. There was a sudden burst of light on the horizon. A blast of warmth.

"Don't look," Artemis advised. "Not until he parks."

Judith just put her hood over her eyes and cinched up the strings to really prevent light from hitting her retinas. She felt the urge to just take off her hoodie though, since the warmth was becoming so great, but the light died a second later. The girl took this as a cue to place her hood back down, she also took the whole hoodie off and slung it around her waist and tied it securely.

The daughter of Ares only got hotter as she saw the car in front of her. A deep red Maserati that was brighter with the heat. Oh, and the guy who stepped out made her face warm, too. She did imagine the god to be blonde and nice looking but not an older teenager.

Everyone seemed to be fawning over something about Apollo, the car, the muscles, or his face. Everyone, except the hunters and Artemis.

"Wow, Apollo is hot," Thalia gawked.

"He's the sun god," Percy said dumbly. Judith bit her cheek to stop a smile at his obliviousness.

"Little sister!" Apollo called. "What's up? You never call. You never write. I was getting worried!"

Artemis sighed. "I'm fine, Apollo. And I am not your little sister."

"Hey, I was born first."

"We're twins! How many millennia do we have to argue —"

"So what's up?" He interrupted. "Got the girls with you, I see. You all need some tips on archery?"

Artemis grit her teeth. "I need a favor. I have some hunting to do, alone. I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-Blood."

"Sure, sis!" Then he raised his hands in a stop everything gesture. "I feel a haiku coming on."

The Hunters all groaned. Apparently they'd met Apollo and his haikus before. Judith just stared at him strangely; his looks were overwhelming, but the longer she heard him talk and gloat, the more unattractive he became. He cleared his throat and held up one hand dramatically.

"Green grass breaks through snow.

Artemis pleads for my help.

I am so cool."

He grinned at everyone, waiting for applause. Judith snickered as Nico was fooled into clapping his hands together once before realizing no one else was doing it and put his hands in his pockets. However, he still looked rather awestruck to be in the sun god's presence.

"That last line was only four syllables," Artemis deadpanned like it happened a lot.

Apollo frowned. "Was it?"

"Yes. What about 'I am so big-headed?"

"No, no, that's six syllables. Hmm." He started muttering to himself, ticking syllables off on his fingers. It was so strange to see an actual almighty being having to count like a kindergartner.

Zoë Nightshade turned to the demigods. "Lord Apollo has been going through this haiku phase ever since he visited Japan. 'Tis not as bad as the time he visited Limerick. If I'd had to hear one more poem that started with, There once was a goddess from Sparta —"

"I've got it!" Apollo announced. "I am so awesome. That's five syllables!" He bowed, looking very pleased with himself. "And now, sis. Transportation for the Hunters, you say? Good timing. I was just about ready to roll."

"These demigods will also need a ride," Artemis said, pointing to them. "Some of Chiron's campers."

"No problem!" Apollo inspected the kids. "Let's see ... Thalia, right? I've heard all about you."

Thalia blushed. "Hi, Lord Apollo." Judith had never seen the girl so bashful or soft-spoken.

"Zeus's girl, yes? Makes you my half sister. Used to be a tree, didn't you? Glad you're back. I hate it when pretty girls turn into trees. Man, I remember one time —"

"Brother," Artemis said. "You should get going."

"Oh, right." Then he looked at Percy, and his eyes narrowed. "Percy Jackson?"

"Yeah. I mean ... yes, sir." Judith thought the 'sir' was a bit overkill. He didn't say anything to the boy and just stared at him before turning to Judith.

"Daughter of Ares," he said, pondering her name for a moment. "Jude, if I'm not mistaken."

"Judith," she grumbled, her face burning I'm a mix of embarrassment and slight anger.

"Oh, same thing. You don't mind if I call you that, do you?" He asked and she was about to give him a piece of her mind that she truly did care a great deal, but he answered himself. "Good. Well!" he said at last. "We'd better load up, huh? Ride only goes one way — west. And if you miss it, you miss it."

The demigods all eyed the Maserati, sure that only two others could squish in there. "Cool car," Nico said.

"Thanks, kid," Apollo said.

"But how will we all fit?"

"Oh." Apollo seemed to notice the problem for the first time. "Well, yeah. I hate to change out of sports-car mode, but I suppose ..."

He took out his car keys and beeped the security alarm button. For a moment, the car glowed brightly again and Judith was prepared to lose her eyesight. When the glare died a second later, the Maserati had been replaced by one of those Turtle Top shuttle buses for tours around cities.

"Right," he said. "Everybody in."

Zoë ordered the Hunters to start loading first. She picked up her camping pack, and Apollo said, "Here, sweetheart. Let me get that." She recoiled visibly and her eyes flashed murderously.

"Brother," Artemis chided. "You do not help my Hunters. You do not look at, talk to, or flirt with my Hunters. And you do not call them sweetheart."

Apollo spread his hands innocently. "Sorry. I forgot. Hey, sis, where are you off to, anyway?"

"Hunting," Artemis said. "It's none of your business."

"I'll find out. I see all. Know all." He tapped his temple with a cocky smile.

Artemis snorted. "Just drop them off, Apollo. And no messing around!"

"No, no! I never mess around."

Artemis rolled her eyes, then looked at the demigods. "I will see you by winter solstice. Zoë, you are in charge of the Hunters. Do well. Do as I would do."

Zoë straightened. "Yes, my lady."

Artemis knelt and touched the ground as if looking for tracks. When she rose, she looked troubled. "So much danger. The beast must be found."

She sprinted toward the woods and melted into the snow and shadows. Judith's only wish in that moment was to sprint after her and find Annabeth, bring her back so she could rest easy.

Apollo turned and grinned, jangling the car keys on his finger. "So," he said. "Who wants to drive?"

The Hunters finished piling into the van, all crammed into the back so they'd be as far away as possible from Apollo. Bianca sat with them, leaving Nico to sit with his new collection of acquaintances.

Now that there was a moment to just sit and be left alone to their thoughts, the demigods all pondered what move would come next in order to find Annabeth.

NOTES;

TITAN'S CURSE IS UNDERRATED TBH

edited : 07 / 08 / 2020