The Gathering

Chapter Eighteen

"Did you guys see that shadowy figure too?" James asked warily.

"Yea, I did. Why would they want to separate us, and how did they?!" Ava said.

"We were already going to leave, I wonder why he risked being found just to keep me from going with Adrian and Chris" Lindsay said.

"I wonder who's child that was. It had to be a demigod, I don't think the gods are powerful enough to rise yet" Ava said.

"Guys, guys, don't jump to any conclusions. Let's just finish what we have to do, and then we can figure out what's going on" I said.

"What, so were just going to ignore the fact that someone can now apparently command the dead, that I might add have almost put us into extinction?!" James said angrily.

This wasn't like James at all. "Yes, actually, we are. We don't have time to worry about him. Now you can stay here and be killed most likely, or you can come with us" I snapped back.

I probably shouldn't have said anything, but James had really pissed me off. But he's my friend. But he's being an ass. But I shouldn't be acting this rash.

I finally began walking away. I don't know what was just up with me, but that wasn't the real me. But it's still no excuse.

I turned and saw all of them trailing about 10 feet behind me so I pulled out the map and looked for the next location. "Gateway Arch and the Iris camp it is!"

We walked for a long while, but luckily there wasn't anymore arguments between me and James, partly because of the fact that he was spending so much time with Ava.

"Lindsay, what was the prophecy Tori was talking about?" I questioned as we walked.

"I can't tell you much, as it involves things most people shouldn't even know about yet. But I'll tell you this much: I'm in this for the long haul, and I promise I won't disappoint"

"Lindsay?" I asked once again.

"Yea?" She said, turning her head to respond.

"What if it is a god?" I said, referring to the shadowy figure. I just couldn't get him out of my head. The looming doom that the appearance put over me every time I thought of it. How the cloak seemed to be pure darkness and his armor was like steel fear. It was just so unsettling.

"And you said we shouldn't-" Lindsay began, but was cut short by the sight of the Gateway arch towering over it's surroundings. It was colored with all the colors of the rainbow, so we now knew for sure this was where we could find them.

"Well, let's go and get to know these people of the rainbow" Ava said giddily.
Wow. Lindsay's Aphrodite-ness is rubbing off on us already.

We walked up to the arch and found a service door, colored in all the colors of the rainbow and there was a picture of a rainbow in what looked to be a tiny window. "Well I guess this is it" I said, as I knocked on the door.

The slat that was the window slid open and we saw a pair of pink eyes. "Hello? Who are you?" The voice said. It seemed this was a boy.

James moved to the front of the group. "I'm James and these are two children of Athena, Vande and Ava, and this is Lindsay, a daughter of Aphrodite" He said, motioning to each of us.

"Why are you here?" The voice asked cautiously.

"We would like to speak to your leader about matters that concern all of us... And before you go, here is a peace offering to show we don't mean any harm: A MLP coloring book and some Skittles" James said.

At this, their eyes widened. "OH MY GODS SKITTLES!!! I... I mean sure yea, we already have tons but we're not going to refuse gifts" The boy said.

He opened the door for us now. The first thing I noticed was the colors. Everything was a different color. The couches green. The tv purple. The walls blue. The floor green. The tables red.
The boy was tall and muscular with blonde hair and had crystal blue eyes.

He had a flail-like weapon strapped to his hip, but with only one spike. Odd combination for an Iris kid, but hey were all a little odd in different ways.

"Guys, he brought skittles!" The boy yelled to everyone. As soon as he said it everyone looked up and a deafening sound of approval came from all of the kids.

"Nice to know our gift is appreciated" Ava said with a hearty laugh.

"If you'll follow me" The boy said. "By the way, my names Riley"

We followed him up a spiral staircase that we assumed was on the inside of the incline of the arch.

When we finally got to the top we opened the door to see three girls playing the board game "Candy Land"

"Hello, Riley. Who are these people?" One girl asked.

"This is James and his group of demigods: Two children of Athena, Ava and Vande, and a daughter of Aphrodite, Lindsay. Group, this is Felicity, our leader" Riley said.

"This is Bex and Kat" Felicity said, motioning to each in turn.

"Hello!" They both said.

Now done with their game of Candyland, Felicity was able to turn her full attention to us, while Kat braided Bex's long chocolate hair. Kat's small delicate fingers flew deftly inbetween the tufts of hair that she had bunched up and soon, the braid was complete, so with a giggle, the two of them switched places and Bex braided Kat's lighter caramel hair.

Riley, Kat, and Bex all gave off distinctly posiive auras and I felt happier just being aroudn them. WIth Felicity, though, I just wasnt sure. I guess thats the perks of being the leader of your people, it wears down your best qualities. Wonderful thing to look forward to.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Felicity asked, sounding slightly fake.

"We are on a quest to protect the gods in their rise, and so we are in need of some of the demigods here in your camp" I told, and then explained how we came upon getting the quest.

"An interesting story. For now, Riley and Kat will be your new companions, but i must take some time to think over this. Forgive me. In the meantime though, you may roam whatever parts of the area you please, just let Riley and Kat guide you" Felicity said, rushing right out, past the shocked-yet-excited paor of Riley and Kat and the distraught, hunched figure of Bex, at knowing her friends were most likely leaving her now.