Hestia cleared her throat and began, "Chapter 3: Proposition".
"I think you're the most suitable person to train him." Hestia said throwing Artemis a hopeful look. The goddess of the hearth knew that her man-hating niece would not agree with her proposition but she had to make her accept the deal. If necessary, she will use some of her hidden cards in case Artemis openly refused.
"Oh ho, Aunt Hestia you are one sneaky goddess," Hermes whistled. He could learn a lot from her
"I aim to please Hermes".
The maiden goddess of the hunt jaw dropped. The bad intuition she had felt before had come true.
Apollo took out his iPhone, which was currently emitting a high pitch beep,"Arhh, Arty's horny boy alarm's gone off," he panicked.
"What the hell is that," Hermes yelled.
Apollo shrugged nonchalantly, "Oh the alarm only goes off if Arty starts to detect above Kayne West levels of horniness around her," he explained.
His sister face's now resembled a tomato, she got off her throne and proceeded to bash the shit out of her twin.
"Not the face-AH YOU'VE HIT MY FACE".
Artemis then proceeded to swing her leg back, Apollo saw what was going to happen and started to beg her to stop. Tears and snot were now running now his face, his nose was dislocated and his right eye was starting to bruise. "NOT THE BALLS PLEASE SIS," he held his hands above his balls.
Once again Zeus had to come to Apollo's rescue," ARTEMIS, NO fighting in the council room," he reminded her. Artemis stopped herself from destroying her brother's chance of procreating and sat back down on her throne with a smirk.
Apollo however was a different story, he was almost dead and lying on the floor bleeding his heart out. "Help me," he groaned out.
Hermes sighed heavily; he got off his throne and crouched next to Apollo. "Now this might hurt at the beginning. But remember, you've got to swallow or you'll choke." Then he got out a whole bunch of Ambrosia and shoved it into Apollo's throat forcefully.
Hestia continued reading as the Ambrosia worked its magic.
"What?!" Artemis asked indignantly. "Aunt Hestia, that's a crazy proposal. He is a boy. He may be different like what you told me or what I've seen from his memories but still he is one I despise with passion. I could help you in some other way but not to train him!"
"We all know that you don't despise him Artemis," Aphrodite said while powdering her face.
Piper watched Artemis with an amused smile. Artemis had got a hunting knife out and began sharpening it, really hard.
Artemis eyed Hestia suspiciously. Her aunt remained calm and collected as if whether she agrees or not, she would end up agreeing. She pondered her thoughts. Aunt Hestia sure had been holding onto a lot of secrets.
Ares snorted, "What's next? She isn't really a virgin," he flinched as a sickly sweet smile was sent his way. Hestia's eyes had turned into hellfire but a smile was on her face- that had made it even scarier.
"Ares, please refrain yourself from making such crude comments again".
He started to sweat and managed to stammer out,"Yes Aunt Hestia." Snickers were heard from around the room.
Hestia sighed. "I guess I won't tell you about her mother then."
"Sneaky Aunt Hestia, like a fishermen luring in the fish," Hermes quipped.
Apollo had managed to sit back down on his throne a while ago, "Knowing sis she'll probably relent".
Artemis glared at her brother, it wasn't her fault she was a naturally curious person dammit!
Artemis bit her lower lip. She wanted to know more about his mother. "Is there any other thing you need aside from training him?" She asked.
Hestia ignored her and sighed again but this time louder. She wiped a fake tear. "I see. I thought you would want to agree since he saved you and you seem to trust him. I really don't have a choice then. Maybe I'll ask Hermes, Apollo or even Ares to train him. Sadly if I do, there is a high possibility that they could corrupt the only man you seem to be acceptable—"
Hermes got off his throne and started bowing to Hestia, "I'm not worthy," he said.
That line had grabbed Artemis's attention; she perked her head up and started to worry. What if he gets corrupted by those pigs.
"No!" Artemis interrupted screaming in protest. "Please Aunt Hestia, not those man whores especially Ares.
"Don't hate the player hate the game," Ares said. All three maiden goddess narrowed their eyes at him.
The boy is somewhat tolerable and he is the first one that seems different from his species. I don't want to see him be added in the population of vile, disgusting, unfaithful, deceitful….and cheating pigs." The huntress rattled listing everything she loathed about men.
"Woah, that sounds like a personal problem sis," Apollo put his hands up and sent a smile to his twin.
"It is the truth Apollo," Artemis said irately.
"So you're going to train Percy?" Hestia asked as she smiled at what Artemis had said. She knew that Artemis would agree anytime soon.
"You are quite formidable with your words Aunt Hestia," Athena said.
Hestia paused and smiled," The Pen is Mightier than the Sword," she quoted.
Athena beamed, "Indeed".
"Uhm…No?" Artemis squeaked. Normally, the brave maiden doesn't squeak but when your favourite aunt was torturing you with words and you don't want to get on her bad side, what can you expect?
"Aww, does the little hunter have trouble with big words," Ares mocked in a sing-song voice.
Hephaestus scoffed, "I wouldn't talk Ares, my 7 year old son knows better English then you." There were a lot of laughs around the room
Ares growled at Hephaestus, "I'll watch your back if I were you cripple," he muttered under his breath.
"I just can't fathom the idea of training a boy."
"Well that's a big improvement. Before she couldn't even fathom the idea of looking at a boy," Apollo said.
Artemis's face grew red, "That never happened," she hissed angrily.
"Right of course. Never happened," Apollo nodded sagely.
Hestia looked at her and her smile grew bigger. Her niece was already giving in.
"Bow before me peasant," Hermes said in a deep voice.
"You said he is somewhat tolerable and the first that hadn't shown any trait you hated. I can clearly see that you have trusted him already and besides I can assure you he is not the things you think about men are nor he would do it in the future unless if I let Apollo take him sometime."
"Hey, I doth protest. I am not that bad," Apollo huffed.
"No, you'll just take him to night clubs and bars, then teach him to mingle and flirt with mortal women," Artemis said dryly.
Apollo started to nod, and then beamed in realisation. Percy would be a great chich magnet. "Yeah I will," he said excitingly.
Artemis groaned in frustration. Her Aunt Hestia surely knew how to hit her conscience hard. Her annoying brother would certainly bring him to night clubs and bars. Then he would teach him to mingle and flirt with mortal women.
"You both know me too well," Apollo said with a huff.
Hestia sat there with a satisfied smile on her face, she looked over to Artemis, who groaned in annoyance as she realised what just happened.
"I am going to actually train him now," Artemis said in annoyance,
She choked up in disgust at the idea of losing the only possible boy or man she could ever approve of.
"Only approve of? Are you sure it's not something more." Aphrodite giggled.
"Shut up".
"Fine, Aunt Hestia. I yield." Artemis sighed raising her hand to rub her temples. "I agree to train him. Can you please stop making me feel guilty now? It's just that I have shunned men for a very long time and the idea of yours seems absurd and foreign to me."
Artemis stared at the ground worryingly, that wasn't the only foreign feeling she was feeling right now. She was feeling a little bad for his treatment of Perseus.
The goddess of the hearth chuckled. "I knew you would agree sooner or later. Thank you niece, I don't have favourites but I can say you are now.
Hermes had a wounded expression on his face, "Aunt Hestia, I had thought that I-I was your favourite," he wiped a tear from his eye.
Hestia smiled, "You are one of my favourites Hermes".
Hermes perked right up, an massive grin was on his face.
Anyway, I'm sorry if I've acted a little mean about that but I am really in need of a good and experienced trainer. I can't find anyone until I saw you here. I never knew you are the one Percy rescued."
The moon goddess seemed rather astonished. "So you choose me because I accidentally got here?"
"Sis I'm sorry, you are an accident," Apollo tried to keep a straight face but failed.
For once Artemis didn't hit him, the corners of her mouth twitched upwards, just for a sec though.
Apollo saw it and gaped, "Oh My Us did you just smile," he pointed a shaky hand towards Artemis.
Artemis scowled, "What are earth are you talking about Apollo"?
Hestia nodded and smiled. "Yes and yes. You see niece, there are only other three gods who knew Percy's existence: Hades, Hephaestus and you. A little persuasion and compromise, Hades agreed not to harm the boy
The two brothers just stared at Hades with a questioning gaze. Hades just threw his hands up into the air and shrugged, "What? Hestia asked me too".
and Hephaestus doesn't really mind and I trust my nephew that he wouldn't tell the others.
"I would have treated him like any other demigod in my eyes," Hephaestus said.
You on the other hand, are the only available one to train Percy personally. I'm not a fighter and I can't risk Percy on the hands of other trainers and be discovered. Chiron is a good choice but it would raise suspicions if he would be away from the camp every time he went to train Percy."
Hermes waved it off,"Nah, just say that you're visiting the Party Ponies".
"I don't think that excuse would last very long Hermes," Athena said.
Artemis raised an eyebrow. Maybe she could still change her fate. "How can you make sure that my disappearance wouldn't raise any suspicion?"
Athena hummed and put her finger on her lips, "Maybe use the Echidna attack as an excuse to hunt it down".
"First, I'd like to tell you that the Olympian council knew about the appearance of Echidna but not what happened to you. Zeus then decided that he will send you to hunt down Echidna and her children."
Hermes let out a small chuckle and looked over to Athena, "You've called it".
Artemis bristled in rage and calmed down when Hestia put a comforting hand in her shoulder. "I'm truly sorry about what happened to your hunt Artemis but blaming yourself will not do any good."
There were murmurs of agreement throughout the room.
The moon goddess' eyes watered. It was really a heavy loss. "How could I be so foolish? It's like my efforts to avenge them is useless."
There were sad looks aimed at Artemis, who just waved them off, but one could see that she was hurting.
Hestia hugged Artemis and patted her back. "Don't blame yourself Artemis and remember what you have done is simply caused by rage. I know you love your hunters dearly. I may not approve of having revenge but you will have your right time for it."
"What is she implying by the 'right time'," Apollo asked.
Artemis smiled sadly and pulled away. She steeled her nerves and looked serious again. "So you are suggesting that the boy should accompany me in my mission?"
"What, where does it say that," Apollo exclaimed.
"Perhaps it was through the telepathic communication you've tried so hard to achieve," Zeus said with a small laugh.
Apollo's expression instantly turned sad and he just started to sulk in his throne.
Hestia nodded. "That's the best thing I could think of: to slowly introduce him in the outside world."
"I think it would be a good idea since I will not let my hunters to join my search although he may slow me down. It could be a part of his training. What about my hunters Aunt Hestia?"
Artemis was wondering that too, what has going to happen to her hunters?
Hestia simply smirked while the goddess of the hunt became flustered. "When Percy Iris-messaged me yesterday about his rescue of a pretty girl with auburn hair and silver eyes,
There were snickers around the room as Artemis started to turn a little red.
I recognize who it was and have already done certain precautions."
The goddess of the hunt actually blushed at the 'pretty' comment but shook it off.
"Oh how sweet, you find it nice when he compliments you," Aphrodite put her hands on her just.
"Mum!" Piper eyes motioned to the erupting volcano that was Mt. Artemis.
She rose from the bed angrily. "I knew it! The boy is actually eyeing me lecherously. He was a male after all." She said her voice intensifying.
There were laughs all around the room as they realised the ridiculousness of what Artemis was saying.
Apollo was rolling around his throne laughing his head off, "He said that you were pretty and you label him off as a lecherous male," he gasped out between laughs.
Artemis was just glaring at the floor, "Well I might have overreacted a bit," she said weakly.
Eventually the laughter stopped and Hestia was able to continue.
The goddess of the hearth rolled her eyes. "Last time I checked he is a male, Artemis. He simply knew the difference between beautiful and not. You are overreacting, Percy carried you all the way back here and he hadn't done anything uncivil to you. Tell me, what would you do if he called you ugly instead?" She asked her niece.
The males in the room flinched, they all knew what would happen.
"She'll turn him into an animal and hunt him down," Apollo said.
"I don't know?" Artemis offered but she thought maybe he would turn him into a furry critter and hunt him down.
"See." Apollo pointed at the book.
Artemis rolled her eyes, "Ok Apollo, I get it".
Hestia sighed in exasperation. Her eyes caught a little fire and her previous kind expression was gone. It was replaced by a stern serious visage. "Enough with your assumptions niece, I know it'll be hard for you but you have to trust me and Percy."
"I need you to trust me Harry," Hermes wheezed out.
Ares scoffed," Yeah look where that got him, on the run, starving, with enemies at every turn. The stupid old codger died and left it all to him".
Once again the Olympians were staring at Ares wondrously.
"What? I do read sometimes".
Apollo coughed into his hand, "Bullshit".
Artemis nodded hastily. She sat back on the bed. Who knew her sweet and kind Aunt would be so defensive about the boy. Of course she would, Hestia was the boy's guardian for three years. Hestia saw her reaction and a smirk morphed into her face.
"At least Percy has good choice of women don't you think?" Hestia teased.
"I wouldn't know, she is my sister," Apollo said.
Aphrodite giggled, "Aren't we all".
Some of the gods, and Piper looked a bit green at that.
Artemis' face flushed. She doesn't know how to respond properly at that. "I'm a maiden goddess. I don't know what you are talking about Aunt Hestia." She argued.
Aphrodite pouted, "Pity".
Piper glared at her mum, "Don't antagonise her," she hissed.
To save her niece from further embarrassment, she continued to her proposition. "As I was saying, I got everything covered. When I knew I was certain that it was you whom Percy saved, I immediately visited your hunt and transported your hunters to Camp Half-Blood. I explained to them and then to the council why you are gone. And if you're going to ask if they believe me, let's just say I'm quite convincing when I want to."
"You would be very useful as a tactician Aunt Hestia," Athena said.
Hestia put her book down on her lap and sent a smile to Athena, "Thank you Athena but I'll rather not get involved in wars".
"Thanks Aunt Hestia. I owe you a lot." Artemis looked down mournfully at the death of several of her hunters.
"You owe me nothing, niece. By training Percy, I would be happy enough." Hestia smiled.
Artemis nodded gratefully. "How can you trust me that I wouldn't tell father?" She asked softly.
"Cuz you love her," Apollo offered.
"First, your father is a male and second, I know you." The two shared a laugh.
"Well and that too you know".
The moon goddess smiled knowingly. Her aunt was actually using her wits unlike her tyrannical father, Zeus, that would be yelling something like 'I'm the king of the gods, you will obey me!'
"I am not like that," Zeus yelled indignantly.
Everyone looked at him strangely then miraculously spoke at the same time,"You are," they all deadpanned.
Zeus just crossed his arms and started grumbling.
She liked her for being kind, caring and intelligent. She must have a very good reason if she would ask her help. "Let me guess, is this the reason why you are so confident that I'll said yes to your premise?"
"Of course," Hestia sent a look to Artemis.
Her aunt just winked at her in confirmation. Artemis sighed in defeat. "I had so much to learn."
"Don't worry, I have much to learn from Hestia as well," Hermes said.
Hestia chuckled looking at her niece in amusement. "Since it may seem so unfair to you, I'll help you fill the rank of the hunters. If I sense a girl in any household who are in need of help, I can send you there to help and maybe recruit her in your hunt. I hope it outweighs what you seem to hate?" She asked.
Artemis perked up, "That will really help a lot Aunt Hestia," she said gratefully.
Artemis considered this. Her aunt was the goddess of home. She would really be helpful. "I guess there is no turning back for me now. It would help my hunt so much, thank you."
Zeus spoke up, "Well I also have a Guardian of the Hunt idea," he suggested to Artemis. "It would help prevent attacks of that in the book".
Everyone else in the room glared at Zeus for that ridiculous idea.
Hestia jumped out of the bed. "You should find Percy and inform him that you'll be training him. I'll tell you everything I know about him once you return from your task. You should go back to Olympus if you want and I can assure you that they wouldn't question where you have been. "
Hestia smiled at the other Olympians sweetly. The Big Three started to look at each other in resignment. They really were whipped weren't they?
Artemis nodded. "I will but don't expect me to go easy on him."
'Of course not', Artemis thought, she was going to make his life hard. Not like torture or anything, just hard-hard work. 'Besides hard work builds character', she reasoned.
"I expect nothing less from you, niece" said Hestia. "Just refrain from turning him into an animal or injuring him that much. I want him alive."
"Hopefully, Artemis can restrain herself," Apollo sent a cheeky grin to his sister.
Artemis shrugged. "I can do that, hopefully."
Everyone looked at Artemis with a raised eyebrow, who threw her hands up into the air, "He isn't going to die or get turned into an animal if he behaves," she pinched the bridge of her nose.
Hestia had explained to Artemis that the forest where the boy dwells was protected by invisible wards built by her half-brother Hephaestus. It was a huge place, a kind of place Artemis actually liked to live as well.
An image of the place appeared in the throne room and mutters of approval and amazement could be heard.
Artemis looked at the image wistfully; she really wanted to live there.
The green dense forest was full of sounds: the flowing river and crashing waterfall, the wind among the clusters of trees, and the cries of wild animals. It was really a safe haven,
"Pan would have loved the place, hey Hermes," Apollo said while staring at the image.
Hermes nodded; a tear could be seen travelling from his eye. The wound caused by loss of his son had not yet fully healed.
Hestia and Hephaestus would be alerted if an immortal or godly being dared to enter without permission while every monster would be repulsed by the wards.
"It's a lot better than Camp Half-Blood," Piper remarked.
A few heads turned in her direction at that, "Have you been there?" Hermes asked.
Piper nodded, "Percy invited me to go there once. It was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen".
Artemis felt angry. She glared coldly at Piper, was this daughter of Aphrodite in a relationship with Perseus? A sinking feeling appeared in her stomach, why was she feeling like this? Was sh-she jealous?
It was easy to sustain the place since there was only one occupant. A question popped into her mind: Does he ever get bored or lonely?
"A number of times," Piper said. But her eyes brightened as she said, "Then he met someone special there and everything changed." She looked at Artemis, hoping that she would get the hint. If anything Artemis glared at her even more coldly then before.
Piper groaned in frustration, 'Why is she so thick"!
Artemis stood by the river, remembering a blurry memory that she was brought here before.
"To heal you from the Echidna's poison," Poseidon recalled.
The crystal clear water was slowly flowing downstream. Birds sang happily by the trees as the mistress of the wild wondered around looking for the boy. A smile appeared in her lips as wild animals started to gather around her. She was about to pet the head of a deer when the river water burst skyward forming a light rain as gravity pulled it back.
Apollo cleared his throat and started singing, 'Raindrops are falling on my head'.
She groaned in irritation, the startled animals had ran away,
Apollo started to sing 'Baby Come Back' by Player.
There were snickers throughout the room as Artemis glared at her brother murderously, he was lucky she wasn't allowed to summon weapons.
But nothing would be as irritating as when something came hurtling at her like a wild beast.
"Is it a bird, a plane …" Apollo trailed off.
Her instinct had warned her but she was knocked over anyways. She rolled over and fought hard: knee, head, fist and the strength of her slender arms against it, her, him
"Woah, a boy just crashed into you sis, he's definitely dead," Apollo said mournfully.
—a boy about the same age as her current form, ferocious but seemed rather confused with nothing but a pair of shorts.
Poseidon's eyes widened and then laughed at his son's misfortune, "He must have been swimming in the river".
Apollo sighed in relief, "Luckily he isn't going to die".
She fell right on top of him.
A sly grin appeared on Aphrodite's face, "I bet it was real nice to fall onto his chest," she glanced at Artemis.
Artemis's face turned red and started spluttering before regaining her composure. "It wasn't anything like that," she yelled indignantly. Then added," You-you prostitute".
If anything Aphrodite's grin got even bigger, "Suure," she sang.
With a swift right hook, she landed a clear shot on the left cheek of her assailant. She heard a grunt. "Ow!"
Artemis' eyes widened and realized what he was at the same time and snatched herself away from his bare chest and jumped back a few feet away landing like a tigress near the river. The huntress narrowed her eyes at him until she recognized the sea green eyes looking at her in confusion and amusement.
This was the first time the moon goddess examined the boy she was about to train.
"Woah sis, checking him out already, he's only twelve you know," Apollo said.
"It's not like that," she protested. "I needed to understand his body type so I can train him effectively".
"Whatever you say sis".
He was twelve and at least an inch shorter than her which made her snort.
"I'll laugh if he grows to be taller than you," Apollo said.
"I am a goddess; I can choose to be whatever height I want".
His body wasn't developed that much but it clearly shows some muscles. She frowned as she saw the scars the boy got from his abusive stepfather. He was so young to have such a reminder of a male's cruelty.
There were growls heard throughout the room as they remembered the cruelty of that fat walrus.
It was worse than what her hunters had experienced. Moving upward, she must admit he looked good for such a young age with his windswept jet black hair that matched his eyes.
Laughs broke throughout the room as they realised that Artemis's argument just shattered to pieces.
Apollo glared teasingly at his twin, "It looks like you're not just looking at him to 'train him effectively'," he air-quoted with his fingers.
"Daughter, need I remind you of your oath," Zeus bellowed.
Artemis just stared at the ground and hid her face behind her hands. She wished the ground would just swallow her up right now.
When Artemis realized what she was doing, she face palmed and gave him her best death glare.
"It's isn't his fault that you are checking him out," Athena pointed out.
"Athena!" Artemis cried indignantly at Athena, who just winked. She too was amused by her half-sister's behaviour.
Percy who has putting his shirt on and was taken aback by the girl's murderous gaze. He wasn't expecting like that and to be honest he was imagining the opposite. Something liked being a little nicer and perhaps a thank you for saving her.
"You should be a bit nicer niece, he did save your life" Hestia chided.
Artemis groaned, "Not you too Aunt Hestia".
"Arty? Good morning! You're finally awake." Percy gave her a crooked grin while rubbing her inflamed cheek. Arty is a good puncher. He thought.
"That's not the only thing she's good at," Ares said with a grin. He managed to duck before a knife yanked off his head. He rose his head back up, "What? She could be good with a bow, or a knife," he gestured to the knife currently embedded on his throne.
Artemis couldn't recognize what kind of grin he was showing. It was confusing, just like him. It started to annoy her.
"Wow, getting annoyed by a grin, that's just sad," Apollo shook his head.
"That's not the only thing I am annoyed by," Artemis gritted out.
"Oh and I'm sorry I haven't seen you. I was going back to the tent since Aunt Hestia told me to come back before lunch and I accidentally slept below the riverbed last night. I hurriedly swam back."
Artemis's expression softened a bit, "Well, at least he apologised".
Artemis looked at him in disbelief but was pleased that he apologized. As much as she hated her nickname, she found it endearing when 'Arty' was used, not annoying like when Apollo does it.
"What! That's racist," Apollo said with a huff. He flinched when he was hit on the back of the head.
"Idiot, you're both the same ethnically".
"Bring out your weapon boy." She ordered. Training it was, training it would be.
"Oh, bringing out the orders early Arty?" Apollo said.
"Don't call me that." Was the sharp reply.
Apollo pouted at the unfairness of the world.
Percy looked at her incredulously. "Huh? Arty what are you—"
Before he could finish his question, Arty sprang forward and slashed him with her two hunting knives—left, right, left, coming closer and closer, making Percy back away till he managed to pick out his pen from his pocket and his sword met the two silver weapons.
"You don't need to kill him Artemis," Hestia said, amused.
"What the Hades, Arty!" Percy exclaimed in surprise. "You could've killed me!"
"I needed to test him, to see how good he is," Artemis said after a while.
Apollo and Aphrodite exchanged a knowing look, 'Sure you were'.
Artemis was somewhat impressed by his reflexes, she studied his movements. He was quite dexterous for a male and with that she pressed her attacks harder. "You're still alive boy so bring the best you got. Lady Hestia asked me to train you and I don't want wasting my time. The sooner you learn the better." She said while twisting one of her knife and stabbing him with it in a downward thrust.
Ares nodded in approval, "Good. Don't need to sugar-coat it".
"That's because you try to kill the people you train," Athena pointed out.
He shrugged, "Don't see anything wrong with that, if they survive, good. If they don't survive, then they deserved to die".
"Of course you would look at it from that perspective," Athena muttered.
Percy lurched away from the knife while blocking the other. He was breathing heavily. Never had he fought with someone so fast. He barely parried her slashes and he instantly knew she was holding back.
"Thank you for holding back Artemis," Hestia sent a grateful smile.
"It is of no consequence".
He contained himself and assumed a defensive stance only to find her sheathing her knives. "What is this training you're talking about?"
"Knowing her, she'll probably get him to hold up the sky," Apollo said jokingly. There were laughs from many of the people in the room.
He never knew how right he was, but at the same time totally incorrect.
Artemis grimaced. "Lady Hestia kindly asked me to train you considering you still lack the experience in fighting. I could see you're quite strong but you can't rely merely on strength. Battles are not always fought with pure strength.
"Hercules did quite well," Piper said.
Artemis scoffed, "That pig relied on other people helping him in order to his quests, then stole the credit for himself," she said coldly to Piper.
Piper shivered at the look Artemis gave her, a jealous Artemis was a scary one.
You need to enhance your senses, speed and agility as well."
"So you can be more like me," Hermes said proudly.
Poseidon snorted, "He is my son. Water needs to be fast and fluid, he will eventually learn to emulate it. After all it is in his genes," he said boastfully.
Zeus waved it off, "Jason is much stronger than your son Poseidon".
That had set Poseidon off, and before you knew it an argument erupted over whose son was better. Cries of "Percy is stronger than Jason" or "Jason is stronger than Percy" filled the room.
Hestia rolled her eyes; her brothers can get too proud over their sons. "Enough! We are here to read, not bicker over egos".
Zeus and Poseidon grumbled but hang their heads in defeat.
Hestia continued on.
Percy arched an eyebrow. "You're the one who's going to train me?"
"Do you doubt my skills, boy?" She asked harshly but to Percy she sounded bitter. She really couldn't believe that she would be training the boy who save her and still couldn't accept the fact that he save her.
"No need to get upset at him sis. What was he supposed to do? Leave you there to die"?
Artemis didn't answer him.
"I didn't mean that," He flinched involuntarily. "but—"
"No buts, silly boy," She said firmly.
"No need to start bullying him, sheesh," Apollo said.
"I swear, if you open your mouth again Apollo," Artemis warned. But inwardly she was feeling a little bad, was she a bit too harsh?
Percy narrowed his eyes at Arty. "Hey! Don't call me boy. I have a name Arty, in case you don't remember my name is Percy." He protested.
Aphrodite smiled, "That's adorable," she cooed. When all the others started looking at her she said, "What? He's twelve, it's adorable".
The goddess of the hunt smirked at him. "Fine, I will call you by your name but I want you not to call me Arty anymore."
"Aww, I thought you liked it when he called you Arty," Aphrodite said.
"Shut up, Aphrodite".
Percy scratched his head confused. "Why? I thought your name is Arty."
"Sadly it isn't bro," Hermes shook his head.
Arty shook her head and a devious smile crept on her face. "Call me Artemis."
Percy still confused. "Artemis? That's—" he froze.
Apollo and Hermes started to weep loudly, a tissue box appeared out of nowhere and they started to use it to dab their faces.
"Oh man, he was so young, so young," Apollo wailed.
"He didn't deserve to die like this," Hermes cried and blew his nose.
Artemis marched over to their thrones, stopped and gave them both a slap. The other males in the room winced at the volume that the slap produced.
"AHH, NOT MY FACE AGAIN". Hermes didn't say anything, he was knocked unconscious.
Zeus cringed and sent them away with a wave of his hand. The nymphs in the infirmary will take care of them.
"The goddess of the hunt and moon" Artemis supplied. "Once I've returned from Olympus, I expect that you are already well organized and prepared. I don't allow insubordination and indiscipline under my guidance." She said loud and clear and vanished in a flash of silver light.
"That's going to take a while to process," Piper said.
Still dazed, Percy tried to recount everything that happened.
"Yep".
He got wrestled by a girl after waking up from the river, being attacked by a girl after greeting said girl 'good morning' and being told by a girl that she would train you after beating you in a duel were surely a big surprise to him. But when the said girl he had saved yesterday told him she was the goddess Artemis, he just stared blankly at the spot where Artemis had been before she left.
He was lucky he was still human.
"Exactly, let's look on bright side shall we," Hestia said cheerfully.
Percy then heard a familiar feminine chuckle behind him. "How long have you been there Aunt Hestia? You didn't even tell me she was Artemis!"
"If she did, he would have been scared out of his mind," Poseidon said.
"Not much long Percy," Hestia shrugged walking to his side. "I don't want you to be frightened since you carried a maiden goddess all the way here."
"Hmph, the boy should be glad that I didn't blast him into ashes for touching my daughter," Zeus huffed.
Athena and Artemis looked at each other, what an embarrassing parent to have around.
"Not to mention the man-hating one," Percy added while Hestia chuckled. "Exactly my point, nephew."
Percy huffed and turned around. "But why her? Why did you asked her to train me? I'm not that stupid to see that she practically hate my guts for being a guy."
Artemis shrugged, "Well he is ok, for a man," she quickly added.
Hestia chided him. "Nephew, there is a saying that haters are good motivators."
"What a wonderful inspiration," Poseidon said sarcastically.
"What a wonderful inspiration." Percy replied sarcastically.
Chuckles burst out around the room while Poseidon blushed.
"Like father, like son," Hades said.
Hestia stifled a laugh and gazed seriously at him. "It's a good opportunity, Percy. Besides, it would be easier to hide you from the eyes of my brothers until the time is right to introduce you. No one would expect that Artemis would be gone from time to time since my brother Zeus ordered her to hunt some dangerous monster because of the appearance of Echidna and the Chimera."
Percy looked at her questioningly. "How about her hunt, Aunt Hestia? They surely would accompany their mistress and I think it would be unfavorable for me if I came with them."
Artemis's face fell at the mention of her hunt. Echidna would be hunted down.
Hestia had a faraway look and replied sadly. "Artemis wouldn't bring her hunt this time. Something terrible happened. Do you know why you had found her fighting alone yesterday?"
"You should stop blaming yourself for what happened Artemis," Hestia said gently.
Artemis nodded, she shouldn't be so shook up about this. It had happened in another universe for gods sake.
He shook his head.
"Artemis lost more than half of her hunters yesterday because of Echidna and since I am the goddess of home and family, I had been immediately affected by Artemis's sudden loss. Blinded by rage, she tracked them alone that led her into a trap. I sent you where I last felt Artemis' presence as it vanished from my godly senses. There you found her in the midst of escaping." Hestia explained.
"Well it wasn't really escaping…"Artemis trailed off.
"Since you already know what happened next, let's skip to my point," She continued. "Because of her loss, she wouldn't risk to bring her remaining hunters in her future skirmishes unless they grew in number and stronger again.
"There's no point, to continue to run if one of your legs is cut off," Athena said.
I made a proposal to her that I'll help her fill the ranks of her hunt if she would train you.
"That's not the only thing you proposed," Poseidon looked to Hestia, who winked mirthfully.
"Well I had to sweeten the deal, as you say".
Artemis agreed and she will leave for her new assignment sooner. Now, I want you to accompany her in her hunting mission. She will train you along the way."
Percy look dumbfounded but managed to ask. "You mean I have to leave this place and come along with her to train?"
"I don't blame you if you don't want to leave, I wouldn't either," Artemis muttered.
"He needs to get out in order to become stronger," Athena pointed out.
"Yes," Hestia answered sternly. "I can't keep you forever here Percy. You need to learn more and become stronger. Someday you have to face your father and my brother Zeus. And when you meet them, you need to be ready. You need to learn from a good fighter; something I can't provide better than Artemis."
Poseidon looked to Hestia, "You make it sound like he is going to fight me when he meets us".
"Perhaps I am saying that so that he wouldn't look weak when he finally meets you".
Percy pondered his response thoroughly. The look his aunt was giving only says he shouldn't argue more. The idea of the man-hating goddess as his trainer and would be companion in missions was like fastening his own seatbelt in a car driving its way straight to the highway of his own personal Underworld.
Artemis hummed appraisingly, "Good, he's learning".
He sighed. "When do we leave?"
Hestia smiled approvingly at his reply. "There is no exact date yet because she must return to Olympus for the time being. A few days or a week and she will start her search."
Percy nodded.
Four years from now and something big would happen. He was told that he was the child of the great prophecy, a prophecy that would decide the fate of the world.
Almost everyone in the room sighed, it was such a heavy burden to put on a child.
Ares however, grinned. "That was a fun time, love to see what is going to happen with this version of Prissy".
Athena scoffed, "Insensitive pig".
If he would face his fate, he must be equipped with the knowledge and experience from someone who could provide it. His aunt had already done her part and now he must do his part. Whether it would be unpleasant, he must deal with it, after all his life had never been so good since birth. Life had never been fair to him.
"That is the same for a lot of demigods," Hestia said sadly, others looked sad as they remembered their children.
Poseidon stared at the floor, if the other him knew about him, would he have done something? His heart was telling him yes, but he honestly didn't know.
Hestia flashed away and he set course back to his tent to pack the things he would need in his short—hopefully short perilous stay with the maiden goddess of the hunt.
Hestia looked up, "That's is the end of the chapter, who wants to read next"?
Before anyone can put their hand up, a bright light filled the room…
Omake:
In the beginning Catastrophe Finale created the heavens and the earth of 'Twisted Reality'. Now the world was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of Central Park in New York and the spirit of CF was hovering over the screen of his laptop.
And CF said, "Let there be Artemis," and there was Artemis. CF saw that the Artemis was good but he had yet to create a backstory for her.
And CF said, "Let there be a sob backstory where the Hunters of Artemis are killed by Echidna," and it was so. CF saw that the backstory was good and original, definitely going to attract readers in.
Then CF said, "Let the land be booby-trapped: enchanted so that godly powers cannot be used". And CF saw that the booby-trap was good. And there was evening, where he went out for take-away and a drink, and there was morning- waking up with a hangover.
AN: Surprise, I am back! Sorry for the small delay but I just got pilled with homework this week. You guys want to guess who is coming into the story? Actually give me your suggestions on who you want (Not Percy though).
Thank you to all those people who reviewed, followed and favourited. It motivated me to see all those awesome reviews of my story.
If you guys could do me a favour, check out the oneshot I've got posted up and tell me what you think of it. Cuz the main reason why I was late is that I was working on my next oneshot and it has been taking me forever (Ikr). So tell me what you think of the oneshot.
Also don't forget to review for this and tell me who you want in the story.
-Inspire.
PS: Yeah I realise the Omake isn't the best, it doesn't flow as well as the Bible does.
