The Silver Archer 2️⃣ (Percy Jackson)

41. The Silver Archer, Protector of Olympus

Adira

To my left was Mariana, and to my right was Brett. They both looked up at Mom, courageous and strong.

"The eldest three!" Artemis shouted. Corey, Carlos and Asher stood up, letting out a gulp. They stepped forward.

"My children, I am so proud of you. You have grown up. I am so courageous to call you my children." With a flick of her hand, a strong glow was transmitted to my siblings. Their necklace floated midair, as if transforming more power. Brenna whispered over to me: "In the middle of a fight, they broke their necklaces."

I nodded, making a wide O with my mouth.

"Rejoin your siblings."

They kneeled back beside us. "Brettan, Noah, Brenna Lancaster, step up!"

I zoned out for a moment as she talked to them. "Mariana Lancaster."

I zoned out again. I knew my time was coming. My legs felt like Jell-O. I was nervous. Sacred even.

"ADIRALEISE LANCASTER!"

I don't know if she actually yelled it, but in my ears, it sounded like it. I was put in a trance, and stood up, and walked a few steps forward. All eyes were on me. All minor gods and goddesses, demigods, Cyclopes. Everyone. Athena smiled at me, reassuringly. Her gray eyes pierced my own.

My mom's cold eyes, yet beautiful, were staring me down. "Adiraleise, you had great courage during the Battle of Manhattan. When you were in visible pain, you volunteered yourself to fight against the late Phillip Lancaster-" Hermes let out a small sigh- "Your father must have wanted you to have this future. You are one of the greatest fighters Olympus has ever seen. Your prowess during battle was undeniable. Your strength is like nothing I have ever seen before. I am gracious to call you— Adiraleise Emmaline Lancaster, my child. You are a true protector, Adira. To all those who can't protect themselves. To your siblings. To the Half-bloods everywhere. To the entire world. May your arrow shoot straight, and your sword be swift, Protector of Olympus."

She looked at the Olympians. "Adiraleise, myself and the Olympians agreed amongst ourselves that you, forever and always, shall be known as the Silver Archer. Adiraleise Lancaster, your name is now the Silver Archer. Protector of Olympus, keep it to your name, and you shall be true. Let your heart stay pure, and your life stay valuable."

I felt like I was going to faint. Before I could, with a wave of her hand, a gust of wind portrayed it's way towards me, picking up some leaves on the way. The wind circled my forehead, and suddenly, my head felt a little heavier.

Mutters erupted through the crowd, then I felt a slight bonk on my forehead. I slowly took off the thing on my head, to see a duo of two things. A golden circlet and a silver laurel that was placed on my head. I stuttered through my words.

"Mother, I cannot take this offer. I—"

"Please, child. Wear it with ease. Please tell me you accept this role."

I thought for a quick second. "I–I," I stuttered, then took at deep breath. "I swear to protect this world. I accept the role as the Silver Archer."

"Adira– your shoulder–" Brett mumbled. I looked at my brother. There was a mark there, like a tattoo. It was shaped like my two cursive lowercase L's, but with a one upside down, underneath the first one. "Mother, what is this?" I asked her.

"That, my child, is the crest of the Silver Archer. It appears on your circlet too, so every hero knows you by your name."

I looked back at my siblings. I turned back to my mother. "Your siblings would gratefully follow you. If you have them to be. All of them. Even the little Matthew."