The Underworld's Child

8 | Camp Half-Blood Or The Hunt

Elora's friends have different reactions when meeting the Hunters and Artemis herself. Bianca and Nico were no different. Especially after the showdown between her friends against the manticore.

"Whoa," Bianca di Angelo said. "Hold up. Time out."

Everybody looked at her. She pointed her finger at all of them in turn, like she was trying to connect the dots. "Who... who are you people?"

Artemis's expression softened. "It might be a better question, my dear girl, to ask who are you? Who are your parents?'

Bianca glanced nervously at her brother, who was still staring in awe at Artemis.

"Our parents are dead," Bianca said. "We're orphans. There's a bank trust that pays for our school, but..."

She faltered.

"What?" Bianca demanded. "I'm telling the truth."

"You are a half-blood," Zoe said. "One of thy parents was mortal. The other was an Olympian."

"An Olympian... athlete?"

"No," Zoe said. "One of the gods."

At Zoe's words, Nico cheered claiming it to be cool while Bianca did not take it as well as how Nico did. Nico danced around like he needed to use the restroom. "Does Zeus really have lightning bolts that do six hundred damage? Does he get extra movement points for-"

"Nico, shut up!" Bianca put her hands to her face. "This is not your stupid Mythomagic game, okay? There are no gods!"

At her words, Elora couldn't help feeling sorry for the di Angelo siblings. She could remember what it was like for her when she first learned about the gods and her being a demigod.

"Bianca, I know it's hard to believe. But the gods are still around. Trust me. They're immortal. And whenever they have kids with humans, kids like us, well... Our lives are dangerous," Elora said.

"Like the girl who fell," Bianca said.

Her face dropped. Even Artemis looked pained.

"Do not despair for Annabeth," the goddess said. "She was a brave maiden. If she can be found, I shall find her."

Percy decided to ask another stupid question. Elora loves her best friend. She really does but sometimes, she really wants to smack his head at his questions. Artemis sensed that Annabeth vanished. That some magic was at work.

"Oo!" Nico raised his hand. "What about Dr. Thorn? That was awesome how you shot him with arrows! Is he dead?"

"He was a manticore," Artemis said. "Hopefully he is destroyed for now, but monsters never truly die. They re-form over and over again, and they must be hunted whenever they reappear.

"Or they'll hunt us," Thalia said.

Bianca shivered and the siblings talked about their encounters with bad guys. Guys who tried to attack them in the alley in DC and a bus driver with the ram's horn.

"That's why Grover has been watching you," Elora said. "To keep you safe, if you turned out to be half-bloods."

"Grover?" Bianca stared at him. "You're a demigod?"

"A satyr, actually." He kicked off his shoes and displayed his goat hooves. Bianca looked like she was going to faint right there.

"Grover, put your shoes back on," Thalia said. "You're freaking her out."

"Hey! My hooves are clean!"

"Bianca," Percy said, "we came here to help you. You and Nico need training to survive. Dr. Thorn won't be the last monster you meet. You need to come to camp."

"Camp?" she asked.

"Camp Half-Blood," Percy said. "It's where half-bloods learn to survive and stuff. You can join us, stay there year-round if you like."

"Sweet, let's go!" said Nico.

"Wait," Bianca shook her head. "I don't-"

"There is another option," Zoe said.

Oh, gods, Elora thought.

"No, there isn't!" Thalia said.

Thalia and Zoe glared at each other. Elora still didn't know what they were talking about, but she could tell there was bad history between them. They seriously hated each other.

"We've burdened these children enough," Artemis announced. "Zoe, we will rest here for a few hours. Raise the tents. Treat the wounded. Retrieve our guests; belongings from the school."

"Yes, my lady."

"And, Bianca, come with me. I would like to speak with you."

"What about me?" Nico asked.

"Perhaps you can show Grover how to play that card game you enjoy. I'm sure Grover would be happy to entertain you for a while... as a favor to me?"

"You bet! Come on, Nico!"

They walked off toward the woods, talking about hit points and armor ratings and a bunch of other geeky stuff.

Way to use his love for you, Elora chuckled. The sound she emitted got Artemis's attention on her.

"Don't forget to treat your wounds, Elora," Artemis said. "Phoebe, can you help her?"

Phoebe stepped out of line and said, "Yes, my lady."

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Artemis led a confused Bianca along the cliff. The Hunters began unpacking their knapsacks and making camp.

Zoe gave Thalia one more evil look, then left to oversee things.

"Come, Lora," Phoebe said.

Phoebe walked her lead her to a tent filled with medical supplies from bandages, first aid kits, crutches, and more than she can mention. Elora sat at the bed they have inside while Phoebe walked around the tent grabbing supplies for her wounds.

"How are things?" Elora asked once Phoebe is done searching for the things she need.

"Good all things considered," Phoebe answered. "What about things on your end? You're the one who goes to school and hunts monsters."

"Ouch!" Elora flinched from the antibacterial soaked cotton.

"It's a scratch, Lora," Phoebe deadpanned.

"A poisoned one," Elora retorted.

Phoebe shook her head from left to right before offering her Ambrosia. "Eat up while I bandage your stomach."

Elora heeded her friend and soon her wounds closed up. The one on her arm was healed leaving no evidence of a scratch but the one on her stomach hasn't healed completely. It was still bleeding so Phoebe wrapped it up. And that was that.

Elora and Phoebe split ways after. Phoebe went to her sisters while she went to her friends who were talking.

"Hey, guys!"

"The nerve of those Hunters! They think they're so... Argh!" Thalia stamped her foot in frustration.

"I'm with you," Percy said. "I don't trust-"

"Oh, you're with me?" Thalia turned on him furiously. "What were you thinking in the gym, Percy? You'd take on Dr. Thorn all by yourself? You knew he was a monster!"

Wrong timing, she thought and backed away from the fighting duo.

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