°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ENDGAME} act iii. . .
. . .true love, that doesn't exist
CHAPTER SEVEN°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
— 'councils decision'
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･Rayn°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
The Council meeting was held in the rec room.
Mr. D supplied the snacks which were Cheez Wiz, crackers and red wine until Chiron reminded him we were underage.
Zoë started the meeting off on a positive note. "This is pointless."
"Cheez Wiz!" Grover gasped. He scooped up crackers and sprayed them with the topping.
"There is no time for talk," Zoë continued. "Our goddess needs us. The Hunters must leave immediately."
"And go where?" Chiron asked.
"West!" Bianca said. She fit right in with the Hunters now, "you heard the prophecy. Five shall go west to the goddess in chains. We can get five Hunters and go."
"Yes," Zoë agreed. "Artemis is being held hostage! We must go find her and free her."
"You're forgetting something as usual," Thalia said. "Campers and Hunters combined prevail. We're supposed to do this together."
"No!" Zoë said. "The Hunters do not need thy help."
"Your," Thalia grumbled. "Nobody has said thy in like, three hundred years. Get with the times Zoë."
Zoë hesitated, like she was trying to form the word correctly. "Yerrr. We do not need yerrr help."
Thalia rolled her eyes. "Forget it."
"I fear the prophecy says you do need our help," Chiron said. "Campers and Hunters must cooperate."
"Or do they?" Mr. D mused. "The prophecy sounds rather nasty, doesn't it? What if you fail because you try to cooperate?"
"Whose side are you on?" Chiron sighed.
"Sorry my dear centaur, just trying to be helpful."
"We're supposed to work together." Thalia said stubbornly. " I don't like it either Zoë, but you know prophecies. You want to fight against one?"
"We must not delay," Chiron warned. "Today is Sunday. This very Friday, is the Winter Solstice."
"Artemis must be present at the solstice," Zoë said. "She has been one of the most vocal on the council arguing for action against Kronos's minions. If she is absent we will lose another year of war preparations."
"Are you suggesting that the gods have trouble acting together young lady?" Dionysus asked.
"Yes."
Mr. D nodded. "Just checking. You're right of course. Carry on."
"I must agree with Zoë," said Chiron. "Artemis's presence at the solstice is necessary. We must decide on this quest now."
"Three and two," Percy said.
Everybody turned to him.
"We're supposed to have five," he said. "Three Hunters, two campers. That's more fair."
Thalia and Zoë exchanged looks.
"Well," I said. "It does make sense."
"You'll be retracing the goddess's path," Chiron reminded. "Whatever she has done you must do the same. Tracking the scent of this rare monster."
Zoë studied a ping-pong paddle like she was about to whack someone with it. "I've been at Lady Artemis's side many years, yet I have no idea what this beast might be."
Everybody turned to Dionysus, I guess it was because he was the only god present.
"Well don't look at me. I'm a young god remember? I don't keep track of all those ancient monsters and dusty titans."
"Chiron," I said. "You don't have any ideas about this monster?"
Chiron pursed his lips. "I have several ideas, none of them good. And none of them quite make sense."
"That's some serious danger you're facing," Connor Stoll said. "It sounds like at least two of the five are going to die."
"One shall be lost in the land without rain," Beckendorf said. "I'd stay away from deserts if I were you."
There was mutters of agreement.
"And the titans curse must two withstand, " Silena said. "What could that mean?"
I saw Chiron and Zoë exchange a nervous look, but they didn't share whatever they were thinking.
"One shall perish by a parent's hand," Grover said in between bites of his crackers. "How is that possible? Whose parent would kill them?"
There was a heavy silence around the table. I saw Thalia and Percy exchange looks.
I wondered if my mother would turn against me. What would the reason be?
"There will be deaths," Chiron decided. "That much we know."
"Oh goody!" Dionysus said.
Everyone looked at him. He glanced up innocently from his wine magazine. "Ah, pinot noir is making a comeback. Don't mind me."
"Percy is right," Silena said. "Two campers should go."
"Oh I see," Zoe said sarcastically. "And I suppose you wish to volunteer?"
Silena blushed. "I'm not going anywhere with the Hunters, don't look at me!"
"A daughter of Aphrodite does not wish to be looked at," Zoe scoffed. "What would thy mother say?"
Silena started to get up from her chair but was pulled back down by the Stoll brothers.
"Stop it," Beckendorf said. "Let's start with the Hunters, which three will go?"
Zoe stood. "I shall go. I will take Phoebe she is our best tracker."
"Is she the one that put arrows in my helmet?" Connor asked.
"Yes," Zoe snapped. "Why?"
"Oh nothing," Travis said. "Just that we have a present for her." He held up a big T-shirt that looked weird. "Can you give it to her?"
I knew the Stolls were up to something. They always were. But Zoe wouldn't have known that. She took the T-shirt and sighed. "As I was saying, I will take Phoebe. And I wish Bianca to go."
Bianca looked stunned. "Me? But... I'm so new. I wouldn't be any good."
"You'll be fine," Zoe insisted. "There is no better way to prove thyself."
I felt bad for Bianca. I knew how I felt before my first quest.
"And for campers?" Chiron asked.
"Me!" Grover sat up quickly. "Anything to help Artemis!"
Zoe thought about it for a moment. "You have woodland magic?"
"Absolutely! I can play a trackers song!"
"Very well." Zoe said. "And the second camper?"
"Ill go," Thalia stood and looked around, daring anyone to question her.
I was pretty happy not going on a quest. I could just sit back and relax, hopefully, while the others found Artemis.
Percy stood up. "Whoa, wait a sec, I want to go too."
Chiron looked at Percy with sad eyes.
"Oh," Grover said. "I forgot... Percy had to go! I didn't mean... I'll stay! Percy should go in my place."
"No," Zoe said. "He is a boy. I won't have Hunters travelling with a boy."
"You travelled here with me," he reminded her.
"That was an emergency, and it was ordered by the goddess. I will not go across country and goth many dangers in the company of a boy."
"I have to go!" Percy demanded.
"No, I insist upon this," Zoe said flatly. "I will take a satyr if I must. But not a male hero."
Chiron sighed. "The quest is for Artemis. The Hunters should be allowed to approve their companions."
Percy sat down. I looked at him but his head was hung low. I took his hand to try comfort his but he just gave me a sad smile as Chiron concluded the council.
"So be it," Chiron said. "Thalia and Grover will accompany Zoe, Bianca and Phoebe. You shall leave at first light. And may the gods"— he glanced at Dionysus— "present company included, we hope— be with you."
Everyone started to leave but Percy didn't move.
"If it makes you feel better," I said. "I'll be here with you."
"Yeah," he smiled. "That does make me feel better."
This was a short one too
I was in a mood for writing so like here's 3 chapters idk if I'll make anymore tonight I'm about to watch a movie
TYSM FOR READING<3
©️gracexeo , 2024