Forgotten prophecy

Chapter 81

After Dante's introduction the two groups of leaders slipped into an awkward silence, the Hunters of Orion staring expectantly at the others while the Hunters of Artemis and campers exchanged wary glances to one another. It was, unsurprisingly, Chiron who spoke up to break the silence extending between them. He took a hesitant step forward and raised his hands, palms outward, in a gesture of peace. "Hello. Welcome to Camp Jupiter, my name is Chiron. I am the head counsellor for the Greek demigod camp."

"We've heard of you." Leonard said curtly. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, scowling at the centaur.

"Now, now, Leonard." Dante said chidingly, a cruel little smile playing at his lips. "Let's not start things off being rude, plenty of time for that later."

"Watch it." Thalia snarled, a hand going to her sword. She already could barely stand the sight of the Hunters of Orion. Their red garb was easily reminiscent of the armor that the Giant wore, the reminder infuriating in the extreme. The Hunters of Artemis moved ever closer, bows at the ready and long knives drawn as they sensed a conflict looming closer.

An arrow arced up from the woods and buried itself directly in front of the line of Artemis's Hunters, halting their advance. "Now, I would recommend calming yourselves." Dante said smoothly, nodding to the main force of the silver Hunters. "Otherwise something rather unfortunate might happen."

It was almost as soon as the words had left Dante's lips that a silver arrow came streaking out from Artemis's Hunters. The shot had been aimed directly for Dante's throat, though it never reached its intended target. Zain stepped forward before the arrow had even been shot and intercepted the arrow, the barbed head lodging itself in his throat rather than Dante's. He staggered back one step and shook his head. Dante glanced curiously to his comrade, one eyebrow arched curiously. A small cheer went up from the silver Hunters at the sight of blood pouring down one of the red Hunters' throat. But their cheer was short lived. Zain reached up and grabbed the arrow's silver shaft and slowly pulled it out of his throat, the fabric of his lower mask going with the arrow. A collective gasp of shock went up from both the Hunters and the leaders of the two camps.

"What in Hades..." Thalia said in a low voice. It was clear to what she spoke about. Though the upper side of Zain's face was unmarred and untouched, everything beneath the bridge of his nose was an atrocity. Chunks of flesh were missing from his jaw and, beneath the blood which had slowed to a near stop, several long scars ran up and down the length of his throat.

Zain inspected the arrow he had pulled from his throat, bits of flesh still clinging to the arrow, and then tossed it aside without another thought. His expression remained bored and neutral throughout the entire ordeal, never once showing pain or anything of the like. Dante waited for the arrow to hit the ground before turning his attention back to Chiron and the others. Behind him the Hunters of Orion had drawn their various weapons and were looking expectantly towards the Hunters of Artemis, almost as though waiting for an order to attack. "Now, that wasn't very nice." Dante said coldly, glaring at Artemis.

The goddess raised her chin and stared down the bridge of her nose at the red Hunter. "It was deserved." She said with equal ice in her voice. "I hope that you learned-."

"Moving on." Dante said, cutting off the goddess mid-sentence. There was a collection of gasps and furious muttering from the Hunters of Artemis and they began to move forward again. "If you really want to do this, fine." Dante said softly, his hands fluttering down to the chakrams at his side.

For a moment it looked as though bloodshed was unavoidable. The Hunters of Artemis had their bows drawn and aimed directly at the Hunters of Orion. The red Hunters had their weapons in hand and were looking hungrily at the silver Hunters, almost begging them to start the confrontation. Just when the proverbial fire was about to begin, a piercing whistle rang out from the trees that the red Hunters had appeared from. For the first time since the meeting had begun the male Hunters tore their gaze away from the females. With looks of loathing and disgust, they slowly lowered their weapons and returned them to their various holsters.