CHAPTER LXXV:Happy Birthday Riley Twins!

The time on Athena's LED clock was 14:28, and Seth had shown up with Lady Artemis. Artemis had her fierce look back and was talking with Apollo on the balcony. Penny had walked downstairs, and me and Seth were giving each other our gifts in the living room.

"Here you go sis." Seth said handing me a box wrapped in black paper.

I smiled a bit and opened the present. I saw a mix of things in the box. There was a small Japanese sword like Ben Sato's, a small enchanted Trireme in a bottle, two spell rings, and an Atlantian respirator with an air tank. Tears came to my eyes, I got a mix of things I lost when Seth and me had to leave home for The Underworld. I set the box down and hugged Seth as tight as I could.

"Thank you." I said choking back tears.

"No problem, it was a pain to get that shit back." Seth said through a smile.

I finally managed to settle down after a minute. "I wanted to give you two things, Penny was nice enough to get one for me." I said giving him two boxes.

Seth kept his smile and opened the first, smaller, box which was wrapped in black paper. I was really hoping he'd open that one first. Seth opened the box and pulled out a black compact crossbow with a silver bowstring.

"Woah…is this thing real?" Seth asked examining it.

"Yeah, I turned in the form to Hephaestus two months ago. Same design as your crossbow, black painted wood, and I got Hephaestus to use one of those pure silver Huntress bow strings." I said through a smile.

Seth put the crossbow in his jacket pocket, I felt bad for stealing a huntress bow string but it was worth it to give Seth a new weapon. Seth smiled and moved onto the larger box. He opened it up, after tearing up the white wrapping paper, and pulled out the last gift I got him. I gifted him Sean Parker's raiper, along with an according sheath.

"Is this Sean's raiper?" Seth asked taking the blade out.

"Yeah, it's not my style of weapon. If I wanted a needle with a guard I'd get another dagger." I joked.

"Thank you, I know what you had to go through to get this. Sara told me about your duel with him." Seth said.

"I have a present for both of you as well, I had to practically through it together since I just learned about your birthday yesterday." Penny said handing both of us a small package.

Seth and me both opened our new presents. Besides giving gifts to each other, we never got presents from anyone else. We both opened the small white packages and pulled out a Dead Man's Compass. The compass was encased in blackened steel, with a pointing needle made of celestial bronze suspended in water from the River Styx. There was no markers on the black background, but I knew it wouldn't help. You see Dead Man's Compasses lead you to the nearest graveyard, or ghost infested area, and they helped Kids of Hades increase their power with meditation among the dead.

"Thank you so much Penny." I said.

"Yeah," Seth smiled. "This is a neat gift Owl Eyes."

"You're welcome, I had to get Hades to help me make it." Penny smiled.

The day passed on without incident, and the time on the clock said 19:57. Apollo left after gifting Seth some Sun Blessed crossbow bolts, and me some Phoenix feathers. Athena had gone off to the war room, Hades left to go to The Underworld with Persephone, and Artemis was on the balcony looking over New York. Seth had passed out on the couch, and Penny was cleaning up wrapping paper. I walked outside to talk to Lady Artemis.

"Lady Artemis, you're still here?" I asked.

"Yep, a god will always be here till you go back on your quest. We actually had to bring so many gods here today to make an enchantment perimeter to make sure Khaos couldn't get here." Artemis answered.

"How is your reserve?" I continued with my set of questions.

"After Apollo's Arrow showed up, Khaos retreated. How'd that vision end?" Artemis responded.

"I came home and had another one, the end result was a panic attack." I sighed deeply. "Can I ask you a favor, Lady Artemis?"

"What do you need, Mary?" Artemis asked looking back at me.

"Can you put me to sleep today? I don't feel like having any dreams tonight." I said.

That was the truth. I didn't feel like having a prophetic nightmare, and have a panic attack in the morning. That was the last thing I needed. I knew what I was doing in the morning, and then what I was doing after that. I leaned over the railing next to Artemis who seemed to be considering my favor, and probably asking herself if it was against any of Apollo's guidelines. I don't think it is since Hades, and other gods, have done it but she was being cautious. Apollo and Artemis got genocidal when they got mad.

"Yeah, I can put you to sleep. You might want to get changed into some night wear first." Artemis said.

"Thank you, Lady Artemis." I said.

I walked back inside and up the nice little staircase. I went to the guest bedroom where my Athena regulated pajamas were. I took my clothes off and got dressed in my pajamas as quickly. I set my gear on the guest dresser and walked out of the room. I didn't have to worry about my gifts since Hades took them with him and was setting them up in my room. I walked downstairs to Artemis who was still on the balcony. Today was a great day I got to hang out with a few gods and my twin brother, as well as getting to hang out with Penny.

I looked over the city at the dotted lights and shadows of skyscrapers. The cold air felt nice, but being in the dark felt better. Artemis seemed to be glowing wherever moonlight touched her. I yawned as Artemis put her hand on my back.

"I'm to fast with this sleeping magic, but you won't have nightmares." Artemis said.

I nodded sleepily. "I really appreciate this Lady Artemis."

"Don't mention it Mary, you've been through enough." Artemis said. "Besides, you could use the peace for tomorrow."

I nodded again and fell back as Artemis caught me. Artemis picked me up like I weighed the same as a fawn. Artemis placed her hand on my forehead and I passed out. The last thing I remember of my birthday was peaceful bliss.