The morning after, Artemis and her hunters left the forest, their swift feet carrying them away, moving through the trees like shadows. They headed toward Washington D.C., ready for another journey. The sun rose higher, casting a soft golden glow as the sound of their footsteps faded into the distance.
As they walked, Zoe, ever watchful, caught up with Artemis and spoke in a low voice, her concern evident. "Milady, is it wise to leave Alexander here? He's a demigod. He should be brought to the Half-Blood camp. It's dangerous for him to be alone, especially with the monsters always on his tail. He deserves the protection the camp offers."
Artemis glanced at Zoe, her face thoughtful but calm. "Zoe, the boy has already shown he can survive on his own. He's strong, and his path is his own to choose. The camp is not the only place where a demigod can find their way. Let him be for now."
Zoe frowned slightly but nodded. "I understand, but I still believe the camp is where he belongs. At least there he would have protection from the monsters."
"Perhaps," Artemis said with a small smile, "but not all battles are fought with others beside you. Some must be fought alone. We've all walked our own paths, haven't we?"
Zoe was silent for a moment before she nodded in agreement. "I suppose you're right, Artemis. I just hope he knows what he's doing."
With that, the hunters continued on their journey, leaving the forest behind and Alexander to his solitude.
8 Days Later
Zoe Pov:
Zoe, Thalia Grace, Percy Jackson, and Grover Underwood wandered deeper into the forest of Siena. Their footsteps were light but purposeful as they searched for a way to find Alexander Ignis, the boy who might be the key to rescuing Artemis. The thick canopy above filtered the sunlight into faint beams, casting long shadows on the forest floor.
Zoe's mind raced as the prophecy echoed in her head: The son of fire shall protect the huntress from her fate. It was a prophecy that had been revealed to her before their journey, one that now weighed heavily on her shoulders. The moment the words had been spoken, her thoughts immediately turned to Alexander, the boy who had been marked as the "son of fire" by the monsters who had hunted him. She remembered his striking appearance—his long, black hair styled in a Viking braid and his fire-colored eyes that seemed to burn with an intensity all their own. It had been him.
"Zoe, you alright?" Percy asked, breaking her from her thoughts. He had noticed her distant look as she gazed ahead, her mind lost in the memory of the prophecy.
Zoe nodded, her eyes narrowing as she scanned their surroundings. "We're getting closer. Alexander is here somewhere. We just need to find him."
"Do you think he'll help us?" Thalia asked, her voice tinged with skepticism. "I mean he is a demigod, right? And he's not even part of Camp Half-Blood."
Zoe sighed, stepping over a thick root. "It doesn't matter if he's part of the camp. What matters is what the prophecy says. He has something we need—something we can't do without." Her voice grew serious as she turned to face the group. "We have no time to waste. Artemis is counting on us."
The group continued to trek through the forest, their journey silent but full of urgency. Every crackling of leaves, every rustle in the underbrush made them more alert. They could feel the presence of something in the air, something ancient, something powerful. The forest was alive in a way that made the hairs on the back of their necks stand on end.
As they walked deeper into the woods, Grover shifted uneasily. "You think we're being watched?"
"Always," Zoe replied. "But we can't stop now. Alexander's the only one who might have the strength to help us."
Suddenly, the air shifted. There was a faint crackling sound, like fire smoldering in the distance. Zoe paused, her senses heightened. It was the unmistakable feeling of fire—of something burning. The faintest hint of smoke filled the air.
"Do you feel that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Thalia raised an eyebrow. "It's faint, but yeah... I do. It's almost like... the air's warmer here."
Zoe's heart quickened as a realization dawned on her. The forest was leading them toward him. She wasn't sure how or why, but she felt certain now: they were close to Alexander.
"Stay sharp," Zoe ordered, her voice steady despite the rush of anticipation building within her. "We're getting closer. He's nearby."
As the group pressed forward, they remained alert to their surroundings, knowing that the forest was as dangerous as it was unpredictable. The prophecy had brought them here, and soon they would find Alexander Ignis. They just had to trust that fate had led them to the right place at the right time.
Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath their feet as a loud roar echoed through the forest. The trees shook, and before they could react, a massive form emerged from the dense woods. A Hydra, towering over them with its many heads writhing and snapping, burst through the underbrush. Each of its heads hissed, and its scales shimmered like polished stone. The air around it seemed to crackle with dark energy.
But what caught Zoe's attention the most was the figure riding on its back. There, perched on the Hydra's thick, scaly neck, was none other than Alexander Ignis. His long, grey hair whipped in the wind, his fire-colored eyes blazing with fury. He gripped a burning spear in his hand, pointing it at the Hydra's multiple heads as if he were trying to force the monster back into submission.
"Why did you come back, you annoying monster?" Alexander screamed, his voice laced with frustration and anger. He had a burning spear in his hand.
The monster thrashed beneath him, its many heads snapping and biting, trying to shake him off, but Alexander clung on, his expression fierce and determined. The fire from his weapon sparked wildly, attempting to burn the Hydra back into the ground.
Zoe froze, her eyes narrowing as she watched Alexander's struggle. The prophecy had spoken of the "son of fire," and here he was—fighting a creature straight out of their worst nightmares.
"Alexander!" Zoe shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Get down! We need your help!"
At the sound of her voice, Alexander glanced down, his intense gaze locking onto the group. His expression softened for a moment before he scowled, clearly irritated by the situation.
"Can't a guy get a moment of peace around here?" he muttered, glaring at the Hydra as it reared back, readying itself for another attack.
Without another word, he gave one final push with his spear, and a wave of fiery energy blasted out from it, forcing the Hydra back. It screeched in agony, but Alexander didn't let up. With a swift leap, he jumped from the Hydra's back and landed gracefully on the ground in front of the group, his feet landing lightly on the earth as if he hadn't just been fighting for his life.
"I assume you're here for a reason, not just to watch me fight monsters, right?" he said, dusting off his clothes, his tone still filled with annoyance but tinged with a hint of amusement.
Zoe looked at him, her eyes scanning him with both curiosity and urgency. "We need your help, Alexander. Artemis is in danger. We've been sent to find you."
Hearing of Artemis' fate—that she had been imprisoned—Alexander's eyes widened, a look of realization washing over his face. He muttered to himself, his voice barely audible but filled with shock. "My dream…"
Without another word, he turned sharply, his movements quick and purposeful. He sprinted off into the direction of his camp, leaving the group behind, who exchanged confused glances. Within minutes, he returned, panting slightly but carrying a bundle wrapped in cloth.
The others watched as he carefully set the bundle on the ground, unwrapping it with precision. When the cloth fell away, it revealed a painting—a striking image that seemed to pulse with life. The scene depicted Artemis in all her beauty, her features illuminated by a soft, ethereal glow. However, the chains wrapped around her arms and legs were unmistakably real, contrasting against her otherwise graceful form. She was lifting something heavy, something that seemed to symbolize both strength and restraint, but her expression was a mixture of determination and pain.
Zoe, stepping forward, studied the painting with a furrowed brow. "Where did you get this?" she asked, her voice low with intrigue.
Alexander didn't immediately answer, his gaze locked on his painting as if lost in thought. After a moment, he spoke again, quieter this time. "I don't know how to explain it. But ever since I began dreaming of her—Artemis—I saw this... this image. The chains, the burden she carries. I knew it meant something, but I never understood why."
Thalia and Percy exchanged looks, sensing the gravity of the situation. "So, you've had these dreams about Artemis?" Percy asked, his tone filled with curiosity and concern. "What's the connection?"
Alexander met his gaze, his fire-colored eyes flickering with the weight of his words. "I never thought it was real. I thought it was just a dream—a warning, maybe. But now... now I see it was a vision of her fate. I've been drawn to this forest for a reason, and it's all connected."
He gently ran his fingers over the painted chains, his voice growing more resolute. "Artemis needs us. We can't wait any longer."
Zoe nodded, her gaze hardening with determination. "We'll find her. But we'll need all the help we can get. Are you ready?"
Alexander looked up, his expression serious as the weight of their mission settled over him. "I'm ready. I've seen what she's enduring, and I won't let her stay trapped. We'll get to her before it's too late."
With that, the group gathered around him, each of them feeling the gravity of their task. They were no longer just on a quest to find Artemis—they were determined to rescue her, no matter the cost.