CHAPTER X:The Call For A Life Ending Quest.

It was sixth period, and I had Marine Biology with Poseidon. Possibly one of the most responsible Gods. His clothes definitely didn't show it though. He wore olive shorts, a Hawaiian shirt with a fish print on it, and a fisherman's hat and vest. He had a brown beard, and brown hair with some patches of smoky grey. His skin was tan and weathered, he looked like a grizzled fisher who caught a shark or two. His eyes were ocean blue, like aquamarine, which was a trait he shared with all of his children.

Around his classroom were tanks of fish. Sea serpents, jellyfish, damselfish, parrotfish, angelfish, nurse sharks, eels, and so much more. The largest tank, which replaced his desk, was full of seahorses that were every color imaginable.

He loved his underwater kingdom and everything in it. Here's a nice tip, you don't want to get on Poseidon's bad side, don't litter! Seriously, It really pisses him off. He nearly drowned a student because they dropped a plastic bottle on the floor.

As for the lesson, It was something I knew quite a bit about. The effects of pollution. The lesson was to teach young demigods that littering, carbon emissions, oil, pesticides, ship pollution, and radioactive waste would not get you the favor of the gods, especially Poseidon.

What most mortals don't understand is that while most of the Greek Gods live on Olympus the big three aren't in proximity to each other most of the time. Hades lives in the Underworld, Zeus lives in the sky on Olympus, and Poseidon lives in the lost city of Atlantis. Poseidon's not happy with mortals polluting his home, and it's only getting worse.

Class of course dragged on. And then I saw him, Hermès. He walked in with a small scroll and gave it to Poseidon. Poseidon read the scroll in a annoyed tone since his lesson was interrupted.

"Mary! You've been summoned to Zeus' office after school. You are to choose four companions for a quest." Poseidon said, his voice was deep and rough.

My heart froze as quickly as did the rest of my body. Quests didn't end well for demigods anymore. The lucky ones would make it back after killing a monster or two, but if I had to take four companions with me? Chances are there would definitely be some deaths.

After an hour the class ended, and I walked outside to the Archery range. A variety a students were there stringing their bows, checking their arrows, and a few of the lucky kids were using crossbows.

Lady Artemis stood by her brother Apollo. The two had facial features that were strikingly similar. Artemis had piercing silver eyes, chestnut brown hair with bright silver streaks. She wore a tannish vest with a silver stag emblem on the right half of the vest, and darkened brown shorts with bright silver lining. She looked like a mini moon (which is probably why the mortals confuse her with Selene).

Artemis had a natural beauty to her though, one that had two sides to it. She would either be a waterfall in a snowstorm, or a calm undisturbed pinewood forest. Artemis had a seriousness to her look. She was a fierce hunter and she looked the part.

Her brother on the other hand, that was a different story. Sun bleached blonde hair, bright bright peridot green eyes, and designer clothes. He was the main character in his own show (a show that was probably titled 'The best of the archery twins'). Despite being so wildly different, and arguing a lot about it, they were a sweet brother and sister duo.

I grabbed a bow and got to the field. I shot one arrow, bullseye. I shot another one, bullseye again. I drew an arrow back, and out of the corner of my eye I could see Apollo watching. He gave his goofy fun loving smile, and I shot my arrow. It split through the arrow I shot previously, and hit the center.

I could see Apollo clapping out of the corner of my eye. As well as Artemis examining the shots, the arrows appeared in her hands in a glow of silver. She examined them carefully. Once she determined I wasn't using magic she walked down to me.

"Impressive shot. I would say a shot worthy of Apollo, but I think you'd know that wouldn't you? Tell me, who taught you that trick?" Artemis asked.

"Achilles did Lady Artemis. He's quite good with a bow." I answered.

Apollo walked up "C'mon sis! She's practiced a lot." He said, Artemis nodded and walked away.

"Good job Mary. However I always found the celestial bronze to....ineffective…..against prey. Try using obsidian with a bronze vein. Effective against monster and animals alike." He said starting to walk away.

"Thank you Lord Apollo." I said.

"Please kid. It's just Apollo. Save all of the sucking up for my sister." He said laughing.

Oh boy, would he hear from his sister about that comment later. I continued practicing my archery almost forgetting what would come next.