Perseus Jackson: Titan of The Hunt

CH46: Now That is an Entrance

(Artemis)

The campers eventually returned just as my hunters were eating an overdue lunch. By the time everything had been sorted out after Percy's return and explanation it had been almost 2 o'clock and they had begun complaining. So as it was the campers after some initial confusion at finding the hunters filling the dining pavilion, had joined them in their late meal.

I was currently seated at the head table with Dionysius, Chiron and the gods of heroes. Though they had all elected to leave a free seat on either side of me as if I would take offense if someone sat close to me. Which in all honesty was pretty true most of the time. So as it was there was a free space between me and my useless brother who was no longer sporting a bandage around his head, clearly Apollo had checked he was alright unfortunately.

I was more concerned however with keeping an eye on for Nemea who was busy walking along the hunters table using her current kitten form as a means to beg for scraps of food. Now if the hunters had liked the Lioness's presence when she was fully grown it was nothing compared to the attention they were languishing on the golden fur ball now. It was almost as if they had all become little girls with a new pet as they all practically fought over who got to look after her next, before eventually Jacqueline had scooped the cub and taken her with her and the rest of them all started bickering over who had her next.

I was not so much watching her in case she got into trouble but more so much as if there was a sign Percy's time spell was fading off, the last thing I needed was her suddenly turning back into a three ton Lioness and crushing half the hunt to death.

Speaking of Percy he had still not returned from wherever he had gone. Thalia and Reyna had said he mentioned something about making a big entrance but as of yet there was no sign of him, much to my annoyance as it might have distracted Dionysius from the stupid speech he was giving about how it was lucky that we gods had chosen to rescue the campers and he would rather if they had all been killed so he would not have to be here. Despite the fact he had needed rescuing as well and that the fact the majority of the credit for the victory went to Percy rather than his own greatly inflated role in the proceedings.

I was glad though that there was no mention of Percy however for the simple fact it left them in the dark about his return.

I was just about to protest about Dionysius lying about his role in fighting Oceanus when I got a glimpse of a flash in the sky before something struck the edge of the pavilion in a blaze of light accompanied by a small shockwave of dust and debris which was blasted into the air creating a mushroom cloud. Were it not for the fact I knew my absent boyfriend was making an appearance I might have suspected we were under attack.

As it was everyone jumped to their feet as they looked at the slowly clearing cloud of debris and the crater at its base as the column collapsed upon itself, where a dark form could be seen within. Well except a certain god of wine who fell out of his chair in panic though few noticed it as they were facing the other way.

Slowly the figure within became more visible as someone crouched on one knee with a series of golden wings spread out behind them to either side. I don't know where he had obtained it but he was now for some reason wearing a long black cloak and hood which served to hide his face for the most part well except the two glowing golden orbs of his eyes which shone through the shadow the hood cast.

It was only then did I notice the fact that the dust seemed to be moving in rewind as if back towards its source and it became clear that the destroyed section of the pavilion was slowly being repaired back to perfect condition.

Just as it was almost complete Percy rose to his feet and I watched his eyes fade back to normal or so I guessed as they were no longer visible in the shadows cast by the hood.