Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, etc. are the property of JK. Rowling and Rick Riordan. The OC characters and storyline are purely my imagination running wild. My story is for entertainment only and is not part of official storylines. I do not have any association with J.K. Rowling or Rick Riordan even though I wish I had. No copyright infringement is intended.
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The hunt was truly awe-inspiring to watch. The way they fought with such harmony. You truly could not see where one stopped and the other one began. The hunters fought with such discipline and teamwork that it looked like an intricate dance as they dodged and floated through the mob of monsters, spotting the weaknesses as they swiftly and ruthlessly took these advantages.
It was obvious at this moment that the hunt had centuries worth of experience and teamwork to fall back on.
Pan had warned her about the hunters and their goddess Lady Artemis. They were an elite group of demi-gods and/or clear-sighted mortals who were blessed by Lady Artemis herself. The blessing involved unnatural grace and speed as well as a form of immortality. They train and live as a closely knitted unit, they have sworn off the company of men, and they spend their time hunting monsters and threats to Olympus under Lady Artemis's guidance.
The battle was a bit one-sided and short after the arrival of the hunt, yet it did end with the loss of the blond girl even with the hunt's intervention. She was taken hostage by the manticore.
Skye would have enjoyed the show despite the ending if it was not for the fact that she was in a bit of danger of being killed. Death by arrow is not top of her to-do list.
The best option for her right now is to stay put and hope that she will be fine.
Artemis gave out a mental sigh - she wished that things had gone better with her half-sister the last time they ran into each other, she really wished that her sister joined the hunt, but it was not meant to be then. She does admire her sister for the loyalty she has to her friends.
She also wished that her lieutenant had a bit more restraint, a great leader and hunter she is, Zoe could learn some people skills - conveniently forgetting how she herself tends to turn those who annoy her into jackalopes.
"We have burned these children enough," Artemis announced "Zoe, we will rest here for a few hours, please make camp, treat the wounded, and retrieve our guests' belongings from the school."
"Yes, milady it will be done," Zoe stated to her mistress.
"Bianca, please come with me, I would like to speak with you," Artemis said to the demi-goddess.
"Milady, what about me?" Nico asked politely.
Artemis considered the boy - "Perhaps you can show Grover how to play that game of yours as a favor to me?"
Grover just about tripped over himself getting up. "You bet, come on Nico!"
Artemis swore silently to herself if Pan was ever found she was going to have some words with him regarding the infatuation the satyrs have towards her.
Speaking of the satyr, right as the wind shifted, he suddenly stopped and turned to Percy Jackson.
"Um, Perce. I can smell another monster here."
That had gained the attention of Artemis - "What do you mean Grover? What do you smell?"
"I don't know i-it's scent, it is different from what I smelled before." Grover was nervous and it showed in his voice.
"Describe it." She ordered the satyr as she signaled her hunters to be ready.
This took Grover a few minutes to find the suitable description and Skye was growing worried.
"It reeks of fur and forest, with a metallic note to it… there is more I cannot pick up on, but it is mixed with the smell of a human."
"Fur and metallic… no it can't be - we thought he faded eons ago." Artemis was worried if it was what she thought it was then they would have a difficult time killing it.
"What monster is it milady?" Zoe asked curious as she's been with the hunt since the age of heroes.
"The Nemean Lion." She stated simply.
"Zoe, take Bianca to my tent and tell Phoebe to collect their things from the school and satyr continue with the boy, I will go and find our unexpected guest." And with that, she was gone.
Skye could not believe my cursed luck. Maybe it was genetic to always have the worst of luck she mused to herself.
She knew that she could not run but hoped that Lady Artemis would at least spare her.
Not a second later her vision was clouded with light, blinding her. Once she could see again, she knew she was in trouble - she had to fight the urge to run.
Here she stood in front of the goddess of the hunt and wilderness herself. One word comes to mind in this situation.
"… Shit!"
Artemis was by far the most beautiful person, male or female, she had ever seen in her short life. She had the most stunning eyes - they were like pools of silver liquid, shining with the moon's light, her face was equally capturing, fair skin, aristocratic-shaped features, and long auburn hair, tied back. She radiated an aura of power, grace, and authority.
Skye felt herself being overwhelmed by this goddess's presence. This was the first time she truly understood the difference of power within a minor god like Pan and that of an Olympian god, like Artemis.
"I knew it wasn't the Nemean lion. He wouldn't have been caught by a satyr," - at that Skye's cheeks flushed - "But I can see him in you. You must be his daughter if the aura you possess is anything to go by. But there is something else about you, your other part is not fully human either."
Artemis wouldn't have thought that the Nemean lion would be someone to get himself caught by a satyr of all things. No, she knew that he was far more experienced than that, but she also knew that something was out there, the satyr would not lie about something like that.
So after giving out her instructions to her girls, she took a deep breath and spread her aura out within the dark forest, feeling out for every living thing - she could feel all the small animals, like squirrels, and she felt the trees and plants and lastly, she felt the half-blood.
She, for she was a girl, was hidden well and it became quite clear that she had some training, she would have mostly succeeded in staying hidden if it was any other god, but she is the goddess of hunt for a reason.
It took a lot more to stay hidden from Artemis, someone would have to suppress their smell and their aura to make that possible.
Artemis appeared right in front of the half-blood and knew by just looking that she wouldn't need to kill her even if she was not fully human.
It was when their eyes connected that she knew things would change.
She was tall for her age, which she estimated about 13 - she was wearing a black tunic that showed off her well-trained body. She had long wild blond hair and light-tanned skin. She would be a beautiful woman fully grown; but was caught her attention the most was her golden eyes, they were mesmerizing.
Artemis knew what to do with this mesmerizing young half-blood. She did pity the young girl, it would not be an easy existence in life - but if the girl chose right, it would become much easier. Artemis just felt that she needed this girl around her, and she was not sure why.
"There are two ways we can go from here on out and this is entirely up to you." Artemis addressed Skye.
Skye had some idea where this was going and knew that Lady Artemis would only truly believe her if she swore an oath on the river Styx.
"But first, are you willing to answer some questions?"
"Of course, and I Skye Potter swear on the river Styx that everything I am about to say is nothing but the truth," Skye answered just as the sky rumbled accepting her oath.
"Thank you for the oath - so your name is Skye Potter?"
"My full name is Skye Ariel Potter"
"How old are you?"
"Thirteen years old"
"Are you aware of the Greek gods"
"Yes - my mentors informed me of the gods"
"Who are your mentors?"
"Lady Hecate she gave me my grimoire, Lord Thanatos he gave me my scythe and he also gave me his blessing and Lord Pan he trained me the last three years."
That answer shocked Artemis as she looked at Skye with wide eyes. It took Artemis a few moments to shake off her shock and continue her questioning.
"Where are you from and why here?"
"I was born in Britain where I entered the labyrinth at the age of ten after Lord Thanatos directed me, I came here just because this was the nearest exit Lord Pan directed me to.
"Do you know what you are?"
"Yes, I am half monster and half witch, this was confirmed by Lady Hecate, Lord Thanatos, and Lord Pan."
"Did you know your father is the lion?"
"We, that is Lord Pan and I suspect but was not entirely sure."
"What is your story?"
And so, Skye told Artemis her story, Skye could see the huge range of emotions flying through Artemis's eyes as she shared her story - Skye saw anger, pity, hatred, confusion, suspicion, amusement, and acceptance.
"Do not feel any shame for killing your uncle, if you did not, I would have after hearing your story, all you did was defend yourself."
Hearing that from the goddess was the final push to help her accept what she did was self-defense and not outright murder.
"I apologize in advance, but I have to ask you this to know what options to give you - are you a virgin?"
"I am" - Skye did not fault Lady Artemis for asking her that as she had learned from Pan that the wild does not care about such trivial matters.
"My last question is if you would like to join the hunt. Your other option is for me to let you go and tell my hunters not to hunt you unless you act like a monster - we could take you to Camp Half-blood but I do not believe you will survive there."
"I would love and be honored to join the hunt," Skye stated happily.
"Good we can do the pledge back at camp - just one more thing. Are there any abilities I should be aware of?" Artemis asked.
"Ah yes, milady there is - it might be best if I just showed you?" With that, Skye stepped back and shifted into a full lioness with her golden wings.
"Hmm well this is useful but maybe we should find something that will mark you as a member of the hunt, I can make you something that will change size between forms?" Artemis was in shock and awed at what her soon-to-be huntress could do.
Skye gave that a thought for a few minutes "Um… how about a bracelet or a choker that has the hunts symbol upon it, I am not too picky."
Artemis found that quite interesting about her soon-to-be huntress. "Very well" Artemis then held her hand in front of her and a beautiful choker necklace appeared within it.
"Turn around so I may put it on." Skye turned around and let her lady place her new choker on her neck, the feel of it was rather strange yet comforting.
"You should transform again to see if it worked properly," Artemis suggested.
Skye nods and shifts once more - happy that the choker enlarged to fit her bigger form with ease. She turned back to her hybrid form and could not be happier when she saw the crescent moon on her choker, finally a family she could belong to.
"Let us return to camp so you can take your pledge, I believe you will not be the only one to take the pledge tonight."
The walk to the camp was a bit unnerving with everyone staring at her, most of the hunt was confused about who she was, the satyr was fearful, and the campers looked at her with distrust.
Once they entered the tent, Lady Artemis and her Lieutenant, Zoe, talked to the other recruit, at one point they questioned the demi-god who smelled like the sea. He seemed quite put out that Bianca joined the hunt, but his opinion means little in the greater scheme of things.
Finally, it was her turn to pledge the oath "I Skye Potter pledge myself to the goddess Artemis, I turn my back to the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the hunt." As soon as she ends the oath a silver glow enveloped her. Almost instantly she could feel the changes to her body.
"With the oath comes my blessing, you will find that your archery skills have improved as well as your speed, strength, and grace. From now on you are immortal until the day you fall in battle." Artemis told her seeing the question on her face.
Skye nodded and a smile graced her face, she finally had a family, a place to belong. She was now a hunter.