I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis

This is how it ends, all of a sudden. Years of mortality; years of life; years of Luke. All of it, ended in just two sentences. I can feel myself growing stronger; and I think I'm strong enough to deal with this.

I'm swearing to serve Artemis; it's not a bad choice. When I was six, before I ran away, before I knew what I was, I had a book filled with wonderful stories and wonderful pictures of Greek myths. I always did think Artemis was one of the best; and now, I'll serve her for eternity. I don't think I'll mind it much, but will I like it? I don't know. I never did listen to Zoe's recruiting spiel; I have no idea what to expect. I guess I've got eternity to find out, though.

I turn my back on the company of men,

And Luke, while we're at it. Even if he isn't dead, and even if he turns his back on Kronos, and even if he is forgiven, I am in the Hunt now. The oath of the Hunt says 'I will turn my back on the company of men.' I've just said it. Even if Luke comes back, I will never see him; never speak to him. For the four years before I was a tree, since I was eight and he was ten, I never went more than a day without seeing Luke. For the past few months, I've either been a nonstop ball of energy, or frozen, mourning. I loved Luke for years, or at least I thought I did. But I don't need him. I don't need anybody. He may have broke my heart, but I have eternity to get over it now.

Accept eternal maidenhood,

This part is the easiest to say. I never wanted to give up my virginity anyway; at least not for a long time. The way things stand now, I don't think stretching that out to forever will be all that difficult. And maybe someday, when I, like Zoe, fall in battle, things will be different in the Underworld. Maybe someone will be worth it. And if not, I have eternity to get used to the idea of never being anything but a maiden.

And join the Hunt.

I finish my oath and look up at my Lady. I look at her eyes. Maybe she understands. Maybe she even knows. Even goddesses get lonely, after all, and everyone has heard her history with Orion. Her eyes shimmer, and suddenly, I think she does understand. She looks at me, knowing. Then her eyes shimmer again, and I am alone.

I have eternity to get over my heartbreak and then watch everyone around me die. Annabeth; Grover; Percy. Hell, I was even beginning to appreciate the Stoll brothers. I'll have to stay away from mortals if I want to stay sane. I must be a fool, or maybe a coward, to accept this.

Eternal life. What more does any mortal want? What less does any mortal need?