Chapter Text
Singing Woods, Peoria, Illinois - August 1st, 2011
The ground shuddered, and the tension in the air almost seemed to grow taut.
“It seems the heroes have finally done their job,” sighed a voice, tired and wistful.
“Took them long enough,” complained another - a girl this time, “I was starting to run out of bullets.”
Another voice, lighter and kinder laughed quietly.
“Oh come on Cass, as if that would stop you for long.”
The girl named Cass shrugged, before firing another shot. A surprised yelp erupted from a boy as an overly ambitious basilisk shrieked and burst into golden dust. The source of the less than dignified sound, turned to glare at the sharpshooter, who simply grinned in response.
“You’re very welcome, Silvan,” she said, winking conspiratorially.
The boy, Silvan, just grunted back.
The five fighters took a moment to gaze across the forest that had since become their battlefield. A small clearing had been created around where the warriors had fought side by side and back to back. At first glance, one would be forgiven for believing them to be nothing but teenagers, cosplaying in the woods but their wounds and weariness quickly dispelled any such appearance. These were survivors.
“Does that mean the commission is done then? Because personally I cannot wait to have a bath. Or a shower. Honestly I’m not picky right now.”
The question came from another girl, who sat slumped upon a heap of metal, vigorously brushing golden dust off of her skin and out of her hair.
“I agree with Nat, monster dust is awfully itchy,” laughed the quiet voice from before, “The Hind is safe and the enemy defeated. I think it’s about time we head home.”
Nods of agreement went around, as everyone looked at the glowing form of the Ceryneian Hind, basking in the early morning light. They had been defending the sanctified creature since dusk the day before.
Silvan moved over to the creature and lightly patted its flank as the animal moved closer to nuzzle into him, seemingly unbothered by the blood and dust that coated him. Smiling, he turned back to the group before locking eyes with the other man, the one that hadn’t spoken since the battle had ended.
“Well then, Commander, I think we all agree with Aiya that we’re about done here. Should we contact Diana to let her know the contract has been completed? She’s always generous, she might even give us a bonus for getting rid of that camp of Kobaloi.”
Their leader sat quietly atop the only trophy that remained from the overnight battle, the traces of which were slowly disappearing with the morning light. Distracted, he slid off the skull of the Maeonian drakon, the monster from tartarus having risen from the nearby lake around midnight. Glancing between his friends, he sighed and clicked his fingers.
The skull disappeared in a swirling purple fog and golden flames, disappearing in a moment.
Cass sighed, “Shame you had to sacrifice it, that would’ve looked nice on the mantlepiece.”
The leader gave a small chuckle, before strolling over to Silvan and the magical beast. Reaching into his pocket he revealed a silver scroll, which he gave to the younger boy. Silvan took it, opening it and placing a hand on the head of the deer. He began to speak in a gentle voice.
“By the laws of the ancients, the scales of Themis, and the will of Sancus. This contract is complete.”
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then another.
Finally, the sound of a horn rang in the distance, then again but closer. Soon, a maelstrom of leaves covered the clearing blotting out the rising sun. As the leaves settled in the air, the Hunters entered the clearing, headed by a tall, powerful girl. In the twilight of the makeshift grove, she shone with a silvered power as she led the forces of Diana - for their costume seemed distinctly armoured at the moment - to stand before the group’s leader.
Thalia Grace always cut an intimidating figure - her lithe form and ethereal beauty rendering her electric blue glare terrifying, the goth-like eyeliner making it harsher still. As the new lieutenant to the Goddess of the Hunt glanced across the battle worn group her eyes grew slightly upon noticing Silvan, though she quickly flicked her attention back on to the leader who addressed her politely.
“Good morning, Lieutenant. Busy night?”
The serious expression on the Huntress’s face fell away quickly, as she snorted with a brief laughter. A smirk appeared on the girl’s lips as she responded.
“Well, we’ve spent the best part of the night running to different hot spots and conflicts across the western states. The Greek division is running cleanup around the eastern seaboard and my Lady is orchestrating further efforts in the Old World.”
She shot a thankful look at the rest of the group, before continuing. “I’ve got to thank you for overseeing the Midwest, and finding this one along the way,” she said, nodding towards the deer who huffed indignantly, “You’ll receive your payment through the usual means, alongside a little bonus.”
The leader nodded slightly in thanks, and the rest of the group smiled.
Without another word, the Hunters formed ranks once more - having relaxed slightly during the brief conversation - and Thalia lightly touched the silver tiara crowning her head. The leafy canopy flew around once again and the Hunters disappeared into the wild, the sanctified deer disappearing along with them.
The leader turned back to his group, and the five of them shuffled closer together, as he began to weave his magic together again.
Silvan spoke softly, “I’d almost forgotten Zoë was gone.”
Nat and Cass placed a hand on each of his shoulders comfortingly, and Aiya smiled kindly but sadly. “She’d be proud of you, I’m sure.”
A purple fog rose around them, and a second later they had disappeared.
The forest fell silent in their wake.