Elves and Demigods

Chapter 31 - Rachel

Rachel's horrible situation started when she heard footsteps outside her cave. 

For some reason, she felt like something was wrong.

"Rachel?" It was Hazel's voice. What could she be doing here?"

Rachel went out her cave and sure enough, the Praetor was standing there, her purple cloak across her shoulders. 

"Hello, Oracle", she said.

Rachel lifted an eyebrow. "Praetor? What are you doing at Camp Half-blood?"

"There was a... situation".

"They will be needing your help", Chiron said, who Rachel hadn't noticed before. "Hazel came here this morning because it was urgent".

"Bad enough for the Praetor to come herself?" Rachel asked.

"Yes. It's kind of serious. But I did come with someone else from Camp Jupiter", Hazel explained. She looked somewhere behind her and called, "Kai?" She turned back and said, "I won't blame you if you feel like we are trying to dump our problems on you, but you're the only person right now who can help us, Rachel". 

Rachel mentally created a list of awful possibilities. 

Kai, who was Rachel guessed was a legionnaire at Camp Jupiter, came into view, pushing a wheel chair. On it was a skinny, blond boy with pale blue eyes and bandages on his hands and stomach. 

"Who is that?" Rachel asked. "I thought you said you came with only one other person".

Kai, Hazel and Chiron gave her a shocked look. 

"I said that because he is our problem", Hazel said. "That's Octavian". 

Rachel widened her eyes at the name. She didn't recognize Octavian, the boy who tried to destroy Camp Half blood not too long ago. The reason she didn't was because he used to have a murderous glint in his eye... Which he didn't have now.

"What happened to him?" Rachel asked. "I mean, other than the fact that he is here even when we all saw him blow himself up".

"It's a long story", Hazel said. "When Octavian reutrned, he was his old, evil self. Due to some circumstances he caused himslef, he lost chis memories, which were important because there are two others back at Camp Jupiter who have amnesia for the same reason. Also, he is responsible for the disappearance of Apollo".

"The Apollo?" 

"Yes. We were hoping you would be able to help, as you're the only Oracle we know of". 

Rachel tapped her chin, overwhelmed by all the information. "I-I'll see what I can do. I guess you can leave him here until I can figure out a way to help him retrieve his memories". 

Hazel nodded. "We're very grateful for your help, Oracle".

"Rachel".

"Rachel", she corrected herself. "It's nearly dark now, so you can start tomorrow".

"Octavian can move in with the Apollo campers", Chiron said. "I'll ask them to keep an eye on him in shifts".

Hazel, Kai and Chiron moved away, Chiron pushing Octavian's wheelchair. Just before she went out of view, Hazel turned around and said, "Be careful". 

"Oracle?! Hurry up, something is wrong!" A voice called. Rachel dashed out of her cave, wondering what could possibly be wrong at 5 am. She rubbed her eyes, lack of sleep burning in them. She had stayed awake the entire night, trying to come up with ways to help Amnesia and attempting to contact Apollo through her power as the Oracle if Delphi. None of it worked. Rachel saw Connor Stoll outside her cave, his usual smirk replaced by a frown.

"What's up?" Rachel asked through a yawn. 

"No time to explain", Connor said. "You have to come right now". 

"Can it wait?"

"Do you think? Have you ever seen me doing something that isn't pranking?" 

"Good point". Rachel followed Connor to the cabins. He led her to cabin seven, it's gold walls shining despite the absence of the sun.

All the Apollo campers, even some from the Ares and Hephaestus cabins, were gathered in a large groups outside cabin. Rachel could see Chiron's tail inside, and the place also shone with dark purple light that didn't really beling there. Without thinking, Rachel rushed pushed through the crowd and ran inside. 

She gasped at the scene. There was a Goddess in the room. 

Artemis, to be exact. 

She wasn't in her usual form, either. The goddess wore a silvery dress and a moon circlet on her head. She had also chosen to be eight feet tall. But, the goddess usually shone silver and this time, she was giving out fumes of purple. Her expression was angrier than what could be possible.

She was staring at the end of the cabin, where Octavian was pinned against the fall, his feet hovering five feet high. He must have been slammed across it by Artemis because he was groaned and thrashing around, but it was obviously nothing against the power of an Olympian. Chiron stood behind, trying to talk to Artemis, but she didn't listen.

A purple ring of light appeard around Octavian's neck. It pressed on him, and he began making choking sounds. 

"Where is my brother?" Artemis hissed, her voice sounding deeper and darker than her actual voice. "What have you done to him? TELL ME MORTAL, WHERE IS APOLLO? IF YOU DON'T, I SHALL GRANT YOU A SLOW DEATH AND MAKE SURE YOU SUFFER IN THE FIELDS OF PUNISHMENT!" She panted angrily. "SEE WHAT WORRY HAS DONE TO ME? SEE HOW THE LOSS OF AN OLYMPIAN AFFECTS THE REST OF US? YOU HAVE BROUGHT UPON THE END OF THE WORLD ALL OVER AGAIN! OLMPUS IS IN CHAOS AND MY BROTHER CAN'T BE FOUND! TELL ME WHERE HE IS YOU DISGISTING, HORRIBLE MORTAL!" 

Octavian wriggled in his binds, the choking not letting him speak.

Artemis didn't seem to understand. She breathed deeply, her eyes glowed dangerously and she glowed a darker shade of purple.

"Lady Artemis!" Rachel screamed, trying to ignore how deadly the goddess looked. "We will find Apollo! As his Oracle, I swear upon the river Styx that we will find him. We will solve this, just like every other time". 

Artemis flicked her hand and Octavian fell to the floor. Sounds of bone crushing and soft wailing followed. Rachel almost felt bad for him; his damaged ribs probably weren't healed yet. 

Artemis's purple light turned so dark it looked black. "THIS CANNOT BE FORGIVEN. OLYMPUS IS FALLING FROM APOLLO'S ABSENCE. IT'S THE FAULT OF THIS INSOLENT FOOL AGAIN. THERE ARE UNKNOWN FORCES WORKNG, THINGS THE OLYMPIANS HAVE NEVER FELT BEFORE. EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OVER SOON".

With that, there was a bright flash and Artemis disappeared.