Forgotten memories

Mom-talk

Compared to Mount Olympus, Manhattan was quiet. Friday before Christmas, but it was early in the morning, and hardly anyone was on Fifth Avenue. Argus, the many-eyed security chief, picked up Annabeth, Grover, Percy and me at the Empire State Building and ferried us back to camp through a light snowstorm. The Long Island Expressway was almost deserted.

As we trudged back up Half-Blood Hill to the pine tree where the Golden Fleece glittered, I half expected to see Thalia there, waiting for us. But she wasn't. She and Christine was long gone with Artemis and the rest of the Hunters, off on their next adventure. Chiron greeted us at the Big House with hot chocolate and toasted cheese sandwiches.

Grover went off with his satyr friends to spread the word about our strange encounter with the magic of Pan. Within an hour, the satyrs were all running around agitated, asking where the nearest espresso bar was. Annabeth, Percy and I sat with Chiron and some of the other senior campers—Beckendorf, Silena Beauregard, and the Stoll brothers. Even Clarisse from the Ares cabin was there, back from her secretive scouting mission. I knew she must've had a difficult quest, because she didn't even try to pulverize Percy. She had a new scar on her chin, and her dirty blond hair had been cut short and ragged, like someone had attacked it with a pair of safety scissors.

"So... a son of Artemis..." Chiron sounded suspicious but convinced. He looked at me with intense interest.

"I got news," Clarisse mumbled uneasily. "Bad news."

"I'll fill you in later," Chiron said with forced cheerfulness. "The important thing is you have prevailed. And you saved Annabeth!"

Annabeth smiled at Percy gratefully, which made him look away. I chuckled at the sight, which made Annabeth blush.

"Luke is alive," Percy said. "Annabeth was right."

Annabeth sat up. "How do you know?"

Percy told us about the talk with his dad. The old sea gods were protecting the cruise ship and how he knew he was alive.

"Well." Annabeth shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "If the final battle does come when Percy is sixteen, at least we have two more years to figure something out."

Chiron's expression was gloomy. Sitting by the fire in his wheelchair, he looked really old. I mean... he was really old, but he usually didn't look it.

"Two years may seem like a long time," he said. "But it is the blink of an eye. I still hope you are not the child of the prophecy, Percy. But if you are, then the second Titan war is almost upon us. Kronos's first strike will be here."

"How do you know?" I asked. "Why would he care about camp?"

"Because the gods use heroes as their tools," Chiron said simply. "Destroy the tools, and the gods will be crippled. Luke's forces will come here. Mortal, demigod, monstrous... We must be prepared. Clarisse's news may give us a clue as to how they will attack, but—"

There was a knock on the door, and Thalia came inn. We all looked shocked at her. She was wearing the outfit of the hunters, but she was wearing the same tiara as Zoe. A lump in my chest formed when I saw her.

"Orion, your mother wants to speak to you. Follow me." She said while looking at me.

I followed her out the door, we walked through the strawberry fields. I saw Nico de' Angelo walk to the big house. Another lump formed in my chest. I waked with Thalia in the outskirts of the camp, we left the protection area and found the camp a little way away.

The hunters looked at me first with disgust, but it quickly turned into looks of interest when they realized who I was. I saw a wolf looking at me with hungry eyes. He will be great meat! I stopped. I looked at the group of wolfs. You can't eat him! He is the mistress's son! I realized I can telepathically understand wolfs. The same way Percy can do it with horses.

Thalia showed me a tent, and I walked inn. There was my mother, in the form of a 20-year-old and Christine. They both looked at me with warm smiles. Christine was sitting facing Artemis, I sat myself next to her.

"My son. Thank you for joining us" she said, then she addressed Christine with a calm yet commanding tone. "Christine, there is a matter we must discuss."

Christine nodded respectfully. "Of course, my Lady. I am at your service."

I sensed the gravity of the situation and remained quiet. I was observing the interchange between the goddess and the Hunter.

Artemis continued, "Orion, has a role to play in the events to come. A role that requires a watchful eye."

Christine's brow furrowed in concern, and she cast a glance at me. "My Lady, what do you mean?"

"Orion carries a destiny intertwined with the intricacies of the gods. There are forces at play, and he is a key player in the unfolding events. It is my wish that you, Christine, take on the responsibility of keeping a vigilant eye on him."

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of my mother's words. I understood that my newfound existence held greater implications than I could fathom.

Christine hesitated for a moment before nodding. "As you command, milady. I shall ensure his safety and be a guardian to him."

Artemis nodded in approval. "Good. Orion, you must comprehend the necessity of Christine's presence. It is for the greater good and the balance that must be maintained." I nodded in agreement.

"You have to dispel your oath for the time being, Christine." My mothers voice held great power.

Christine gulped but she looked at Artemis. "I will do what I must!"

After a while of my mother chanting in Ancient Greek, the silvery glow around Christine vanished. She began to breath more heavily. Like she had lost a lot of power by this.

"You can renounce your oath when your mission is complete." My mother said, then looked at me. "You will also look after Christine. You're the only one I trust to make her adapt to living with males again." I looked at her and nodded.

"Yes, Mother. I will."