☆ word count → 2782
happy new years eve, everyone. cant wait for 2025! :)
Artemis kept assuring the demigods that dawn was approaching, which Daphne found quite hard to believe. It grew colder, darker, and windier than ever. Up on the hill, Westover's windows were shut tight and were completely lightless. Maybe the teachers realized Dr. Thorn's and the Di Angelos' sudden leave.
The hunters broke camp as quickly as they set it up, which left them shivering in the snow. Unlike the hunters, who were unbothered by the weather. Guess they were used to harsh conditions. Kyrene stood next to Artemis, who stared into the east like she was expecting something.
From the corner of her eye, Daphne could see Bianca pull Nico over to the side, probably to tell him that she joined an eternal feminist squad. Judging by his expression, Daphne didn't think he took it too well. As Bianca was waving her hands around, like she usually did when she spoke, trying to explain her decision, Nico's expression went sad.
Thalia and Grover huddled around Percy and Daphne, anxious to hear what happened with their audience with Artemis. When Percy told them, Grover went as pale as a sheet of paper. "The last time the hunters came to camp . . . well, it didn't go so great."
"How'd they even show up here?" Percy wondered aloud, "I mean, they just appeared out of nowhere."
"And Bianca joined them.." Thalia said, disgusted, "It's all Zoë's fault. that stuck up, no good—"
"Who can blame her?" Grover sighed dreamily, "I mean, eternity with Artemis? Count me in."
"You satyrs are all so hopelessly in love with Artemis." Thalia rolled her eyes. "Don't you guys get it? She won't ever love you back."
"But she's so . . . into nature." Grover swooned.
"You're nuts." Thalia retorted.
"Yeah, nuts and berries."
"Ooookay." Daphne eyed Grover warily. "I don't get what's wrong with the hunters. I mean, they seem pretty cool. Their precision is deadly accurate, I don't blame Bianca for joining." She praises. Percy and Thalia stare at her oddly.
Thalia scoffed and shook her head. "You wouldn't get it."
After a while of Artemis' constant reminder of 'Dawn is approaching', the sky finally began to lighten. Artemis murmured, "Finally. He is sooo lazy during the winter."
"You're.. waiting for sunrise?" Percy asked.
"For my brother, yes."
"Oh." Percy nodded slowly. It was weird, he knew of the legends of Apollo — or Helios, take your pick — driving the sun chariot across the sky, but it was difficult to exactly wrap his head around how he could drive the sun.
"It's not as you think," Artemis replied like she had just read Percy's mind. He looked a little shocked, forgetting the whole goddess thing for a moment there.
"Oh, okay. So it's not like he'll be pulling up in a—" there was a sudden burst of light that cut him off. A burst of warmth washed over them.
"Don't look," Kyrene advised, "not until he parks."
Parks..? Daphne questioned as she averted her eyes. Everyone - with the exception of Artemis and Kyrene - followed. The light and warmth intensified like they were sunbathing in scorching heat, it soon grew uncomfortable, then it died down. Daphne looked. And boy, she was in shock. Apollo was hot. Oh, and his car was too, literally. The metal was glowing from its high temperature, and it melted the snow surrounding it in a circle.
He got out of the car, smiling brightly. If she hadn't known any better, Daphne would've thought he was seventeen, going on eighteen. He looked eerily similar to Luke, but just cuter, no scar and was taller. Waaaay taller. He wore jeans, loafers, and a sleeveless white top.
"Woah. Apollo is hot." Thalia muttered.
Daphne grinned, "I know."
Percy shot them a confused look. "Of course, he is the sun god."
"Not what we meant." Both girls deadpanned.
"Little sister! Daughter!" Apollo called. If his teeth were any whiter, if that were possible, they could've been blinded. "What's up? You guys never call. Never write. What, we going no contact?"
"Father." Kyrene grumbled.
Artemis sighed. "I am fine, Apollo. And I am not your little sister."
"Hey! I was born first." He argued.
It was common knowledge that Artemis was born first, which is how she was titled goddess of childbirth... Even though she was a maiden. "We're twins! How many more millennia do we have to argue—"
"So what's up?" He talked over her. "Got the girls with you, I see. Need some more tips on archery? A rematch, perhaps?"
Artemis grit her teeth. "I ask for a favor. I have some hunting to do, alone. I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-Blood."
"Sure, sis!" Then he raised his hands in a drop everything kind of gesture. "I feel a haiku coming on!" The hunters all groaned. Apparently, they all had met Apollo before, and were well accustomed to him. He cleared his throat and held up a hand dramatically.
"Green grass breaks through snow,
Artemis pleads for my help,
I am so cool. "
He grinned at them, awaiting the applause. "That last line was only four syllables. It's supposed to be five." said Kyrene as she rolled her eyes. "It is also inaccurate."
Apollo frowned. "Is it?"
"Yes. What about, I am so self-absorbed?" Artemis suggested.
"No, no. That's six syllables. Hmm." He started to mutter to himself.
Zoë turned to them. "Lord Apollo has been going through this haiku phase ever since he visited Japan. 'Tis not as bad as the time he visited Limerick. If i have to bear hearing 'there once was a goddess from Sparta—"
"I've got it!" Apollo announced, "I am so awesome. There! five syllables." He shot a smug look at Kyrene, who glared back in response. "And now, sis, transportation for the hunters, you say? Good timing, I was just about ready to roll."
Zoë sighed, "...he is also bitter that a child of his would join the hunt."
"These demigods need a ride as well." Artemis pointed to the campers, plus Nico, ignoring Zoë 's comment. "Some of Chiron's campers, as you see."
"No problem! Let's see.." he scanned them, and his eyes landed on Thalia first. "Thalia Grace! I've heard all about you."
Thalia blushed. "Hi.. Lord Apollo."
"Zeus's kid, yes? Makes you my half sister. You used to be a tree, no? Man, I hate it when pretty girls turn into trees, there was this one time—"
"Brother." Artemis chided.
"Oh, right." He gazed shifted to Daphne, and his grin broadened. "Daphne Williams, huh? Your Dionysus' kid. That old drunk. Hey! Funny enough, you're named after the girl who turned into a tree. Man, she was a beau—"
