Chapter 24 #2
“What kind of request? Is the queen sending more monsters to attack us?” My stomach twists at the thought of the battle coming to us again so soon.
“I don’t believe the queen is worried about the academy at the moment. Both sides of this battle have their hands full.” Apollo rests his elbows on the table in front of him.
“Eat while he talks, baby,” Jayden says. “It sounds like we won’t get a meal like this again for a bit.”
“Probably not.” Apollo sighs. “There is something dark stalking the Olympians. He escaped the underworld and is wreaking havoc on Olympus.”
“Artemis and Orion can take down the Titan, right?” I ask. “We heard about Typhon getting out. How can we help?”
“My sister is the best hunter in the world. I’m sure she can catch the bastard and put him back under the mountain. That’s not what I need you nine to help me with. All of you have wielded your parents’ power and are gods touched in some way or another. You may be the tipping point in this war.”
“If we do this and leave our people behind to help in Olympus, will the queen attack the academy?” I ask.
“Not unless you fail. But if that happens, it will be too late anyway.” Apollo rests his chin on his hands.
“What if we brought some help for Artemis and Orion?” Dax asks. “I’m sure my brothers would love an opportunity to hunt a Titan.”
“My brothers and sisters would as well,” Adrian says.
“If we’re asking both Ares and Apollo houses, we can’t leave the Athena students out. Sara will skin us alive and laugh the entire time.” I bring the fork full of mashed potatoes to my lips when Jayden glares at my food.
“Yes, I believe my sister and Orion would appreciate some help.” Apollo nods.
“Okay,” Jayden says. “After the feast, we’ll call everyone together and ask for volunteers.”
“I hate to rush you all, I know this is a somber occasion to respect those who died in battle, but the gods are tearing each other apart up there and I fear more damage will come to earth as they continue to weaken,” Apollo says.
“I’m guessing the ones you really need are the girls, but they won’t go without us. Beth won’t be of any use if she’s not topped up magically and for that she needs fuel. Eat, baby, then we’re going on another adventure into the unknown.” Jayden kisses my temple.
“Great,” I mumble around a piece of meat.
Apollo fidgets, drumming his fingers on the table as we all eat in silence.
My mind races with the possibilities. What are we getting ourselves into by going to Olympus and inserting ourselves into a war among the gods?
How can a bunch of demigods help millennia old gods and goddesses win a civil war in a place we’ve never been to our entire lives?
“What if no one volunteers to help Artemis?” I ask.
“That’s not gonna happen,” Dax says. “My brothers are all itching for glory. Especially Brody after he was mind-controlled on his last mission. Jackson too.”
“Sending two hotheaded Ares guys to help Artemis isn’t going to be much of a difference.” I point at him.
“Think about it, Beth. They are both into Sara and she’s a daughter of Athena. She wants that glory just as much, I’m sure. She’ll go and rein in the idiots.” Raven sits forward. “I don’t think we’ll have any shortage of volunteers.”
I stand to make the announcement, hoping my friends aren’t wrong because Artemis definitely needs help hunting the damn Titan and the students I need to ask have some of the best archers in the academy and we will need them to hunt a hundred-headed Titan.
“Everyone, can I have your attention, please? We have news from Olympus.” I call out over the whispering crowd of students. “It seems we are needed once again to be the champions of the gods and assist in their civil war.”
“Who is needed?” an Aphrodite boy asks.
“The nine of us”—I wave a hand toward my friends—“are needed for a special task, but we need volunteers to help Artemis hunt down an underworld monster that’s wreaking havoc on Olympus.”
Whispers turn to murmured conversations and then grow louder as the students all take in this new development.
“Look, I know most of you didn’t want to fight in the first place and that’s fine.
You guys are welcome to stay behind. I would actually encourage it.
The students I’m asking for specifically are the children of Ares, Athena, and Apollo. ”
“We can hunt with the goddess of the hunt?” Brody asks, his smile wide. “Hell yeah, count me in.”
“You don’t even know what the underworld beast is,” I say, shaking my head.
“Does it matter? I want to prove myself after being mind-controlled. Twice,” Brody growls.
“It most definitely does matter because the beast isn’t just a beast… it’s a Titan.” I raise my brows. “We trapped Typhon in Tartarus months ago, but he has escaped and is terrorizing the Olympians.”
More whispers sound but Brody stands firm in his stance. “Even better reason to volunteer.”
“Same.” Jackson stands next to his brother. “I want to prove myself and save the gods.”
“I’m really trying here to deter anyone who might not be ready for something like this, and you two meatheads aren’t making it easy,” I growl at them.
“The Titans came before the gods, as you all know.” Apollo stands from his seat. “They are fierce and very strong. It took all of the big three brothers working together to defeat them before. This task will not be easy, but it is necessary. For the safety and well-being of our realm.”
“You’re not helping,” I grumble.
I can’t let everyone from the academy risk their lives again like this when helping the gods is my task alone and I can’t be there to protect them. How will we survive if we lose anyone else?