When I left Artemis's tent, the sky was still dark. Snow fell to the ground caking the landscape like vanilla frosting. I swept my gaze about the new world before me, taking note of everyone's position. Especially the hunters'.

The hunters where all bustling about, taking down tents, checking supplies, and going through the basic procedures of breaking down camp. The girl who had just taken the eternal maidenhood oath was following around the Zoë, the older hunter giving her a tour while barking orders to the others. The boy from the tent was standing away from the tents, another boy, a girl with short hair and strange clothing, and a... male succubus? An incubus? Whatever he was, they all seemed to be talking. And by the way they'd periodically glance in my direction, I could tell they where talking about me.

What was that boy's name again? Dan? Darren? No, David? Yeah, David Jackson. Huh, Hestia said that my surname is Jackson too. Maybe their talking about how ironic that is. Or that he shares his last name with a freak. Probably the later, that's what the people from my world would be talking about anyways.

Then the sky started to finally lighten. Artemis came out of the tent and stood beside me. "Finally." She muttered. We started walking towards David and his group as she continued to mumble to herself quite enough that no normal person could hear. I did say normal right? Cause I believe I established that I am not normal, meaning I heard every word of her whispered rant as clear as though she where talking in her normal speaking voice. "About time. He's so-o-o lazy during the winter."

"So you're, um, waiting for sunrise?" David asked.

"For my brother. Yes."

David looked at Artemis skeptically. As if he didn't know if she was being honest with him.

"It's not exactly as you think," Artemis said. David looked surprised while I sat confused. What did he think the sun was?

"Oh, okay." He said, his shoulders relaxing. "So, it's not like he'll be pulling up in a-"

A sudden burst of light on the horizon could be seen and a blast of warmth could be felt.

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

I could be wrong, but if s goddess tells me to do something, unless it's stupid I'm going to do it. So I averted my eyes and saw that everyone else was doing the same. Once the heat became near unbearable, the light died.

I turned back around and my eyes widened. A man looking about my age sitting in the front throne of a strange red contraption. He had sandy hair and, what one would consider outdoorsy good looks. He had striking blue eyes, a playful smile, and wore a pair of uncomfortable looking blue trousers and a sleeveless shirt.

"A red convertible Maserati Spyder... awesome..." David whispered. I looked over at him but didn't say anything. I could be wrong, but that contraption didn't look anything like a spider. More like a horseless carriage.

"Wow." The girl in the strange clothes muttered. "Apollo is hot."

"He's the sun god." David pointed out.

"That's not what I meant."

I had to hide my smirk at the gaping maw of David's. After all, their voices where so low that only they should have heard each other.

"Little sister!" Apollo called. His smile was a blinding white, almost as bright as the sun. But according to these people he was the sun so I shouldn't be surprised.

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

"I'm fine, Apollo." She said with an annoyed sigh. "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 sone tips on archery?"

Artemis started gritting her teeth. Annoyance was just plastered all over her face, but Apollo seemed to either be unaware or not care. "I need a favor." She said. "I have some hunting to do. Alone. I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-blood."

"Sure sis!" He then raised his hands as if telling everyone to quiet down, like he had just heard a rustling in the trees and is trying to quiet down his hunting party. "I feel a haiku coming on."

The hunters all groaned. I frowned, it's just poetry. I've been around Dandelion enough times to hear good and bad poetry. How bad can-

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 us, waiting for an applause. My eye twitched, "what the ploughing Hell was that?"

Some of the Hunters snorted at my remark. I glanced from my peripheral to see that amongst those who chuckled where Tiara and Bianca.

"That last line was only four syllables," Artemis pointed out.

"Was it?" Apollo asked frowning. Not angry, I-will-burn-you-you-insolent-moon-goddess way, but in more of a thinking-five-trillion-times-harder-than-necessary frown.

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

"No, no, that's six syllables. Hmm..."

"Awesome?" I found myself blurting out. Apollo turned to me and smiled brightly. I regretted opening my big mouth that very instant.

"Yes! Awesome! That's five! I am so awesome!"

"Glad to be of some help." I muttered sarcastically getting a few more satisfying chuckles from the hunters, even gaining a half smile from the goddess herself.

I could hear Zoë explaining that he'd been going through a haiku phase ever since he visited Japan.

"And now sis. Transportation for the hunters you say? Good timing. I was just about ready to roll."

"These demigods also need a ride. Their some of Chiron's campers. And so does this one." Artemis said. First pointing at the group of four, including the male succubus, then to me. Apollo first glanced at the four and checked them out. "No problem! Let's see... Thalia, eight? I've heard all about you."

The weirdly dressed girl blushed. "Hi Lord Apollo."

"Zeus's girl yes? Makes you my half sister. Used to be a tree, didn't you? Glad you're back. I hate when pretty girls turn into trees. Man, I remember this one time-- woah! What are you? And what happened to your face?" He turned to me and, well, I guess I looked more interesting than whatever story he was going to tell about a girl turning into a tree I guess.

But then I wish that I didn't stick out like a sore thumb. He wasn't interested in my armor, nor my hair, nor my two swords. Nope. He grabbed my face and stared right at my amber cat shaped eyes and peered at my Ekimma claw scar.

I felt very uncomfortable so I yanked my head out of his grasps and jumped back. I had an Aard ready, just in case he tried that stunt again. Luckily for the both of us, he didn't.

"Are your eyes, like, cat eyes? Why? Are you like a child of Bast? That would be awesome! An Egyptian demigod in Camp Half-blood. Wait! No, I don't think so. Egypt and Greece always had a love/hate relationship. But I'm pretty sure it became full out hate after the Cleopatra incident-"

"No, I'm a Witcher." I replied before he could get more into his fantasies. "And the scar is from a monster."

"Ooo! I've never heard of a Witcher before-"

"And I'm pretty sure Perseus of Vengerberg would be more than happy to tell you what a Witcher is on the way to camp."

"Oh right!" He then turned his attention back to David. "David Jackson?"

"Yeah? I mean... yes sir?"

Apollo seemed to stare at him with narrowed eyes. I could tell that poor David was getting uncomfortable. And I can't explain it, but a part of me wanted to draw the god's attention away form the boy.

The finally, he turned away, glanced at me with curiosity one last time before saying. "Well. We'd better load up huh? Ride only goes one way' west. And if you miss it. You miss it."

Now, I might not know anything about this spider. I mean, it doesn't even look like an eight legged creature but whatever. Anyways, I might not know anything about this spider but I can count. And there seemed to only be two thrones. And there are about twenty of us. 

"Cool car." The little boy said.

"Thanks kid." Apollo replied.

"But how would we all fit in it?" He asked.

"Oh." Apollo seemed to have just realized the problem. "Well, yeah. I hate to change out of the sports-car mode but I suppose..."

He took out a small device and clicked a button which caused the spider to chirp. Like, a bird I guess?

But once he did that, the car started to glow, then it dimmed and it looked different. It became a longer spider. Or did Apollo just call it a car? What's a car? Is it some short term for carriage?

"Right." He said. "Everyone in."

Zoë ordered the hunters to start loading. She picked up her camping pack and Apollo said. "Here sweetheart. Let me get that."

She recoiled. Her eyes flashing murderously. I am pretty sure that no one should be allowed to look at a god like that but... he didn't seem offended.

"Brother." Artemis chided. "You do not help my hunters. You do not look at, talk to, or call the sweetheart."

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

"Hunting." She replied. "It's none of your business."

"I'll find out. I see all. Know all."

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

"No, no! I never mess around."

Artemis rolled her eyes, then looked at us. "I will see you by the winter solstice. Zoë, you are in charge of the Hunters. And you will help Perseus. I know due to your... history, you won't be fond of helping him out. But I can tell he's decent. Help him please. If not for you than for me. Do well. Do as I would."

Zoë straightened. "Yes my lady." She glanced at me, but there wasn't any hatred nor kindness. Just blank, calculating eyes.

I knew Artemis's words about no staring was for Apollo, but I am pretty sure that I would be smart to heed them as well. So I only had a small glance at Zoë in order to know that she was sizing me up before returning my focus to the Goddess. She bent down and touched the ground. I knew this well. She was tracking.

"So much danger. The beast must be found."

Then she sprinted off towards the woods and melted into snow and shadows.

"So." Apollo said. "Who wants to drive?"