"Zoe, what were Apollo and Hermes sorry about?" Percy asked.
Zoe's eyes widened before she said, "Nothing."
Percy frowned and looked away. Zoe noticed but didn't say anything because she didn't need anyone protecting her. She can protect herself.
Apollo noticed the interaction and frowned and was about to say something about it but a glare from Artemis and a warning look from Hermes told him not to.
He looked at Hermes with betrayal visible in his eyes but Hermes shook his head.
"I don't want anything to happen to you Apollo, you're my best friend. Zoe's father in law is Chaos!" he whisper yelled.
Apollo didn't say anything but looked away. Hermes sighed and saw the curious glance Percy sent him. Zoe saw and kinda felt bad for stepping and possibly breaking their friendship but they were talking about her. Nyx took this as a sign to start reading.
"Next chapter," Nyx started.
Ch.7
Camp Half-Blood
When Thalia was sent back to her cabin by Perseus she immediately went to bed, falling asleep before her head even hit the pillow.
"What?! I sleep hard," Thalia exclaimed getting a few chuckles and reducing some of the tension.
When she awoke the next morning she was bombarded by questions from other campers about the quest, how she held the sky and how she and Artemis managed to trap Atlas back underneath his punishment. She told campers that Artemis was the one who defeated Atlas and she simply held the sky because she knew the prophecy said someone had to withstand the titan's curse. Unfortunately, that brought up the unfortunate question about the last line of the prophecy, where one of the quest members was supposed to die by a parent's hand.
Apollo grumbled something under his breath but no one but Artemis caught it. She glared at him and drew an arrow and it barely missed his face. But, instead of the usual reaction, Apollo got mad and notched his own arrow and he didn't miss because Artemis was too shocked to dodge it and it embedded itself into Artemis' shoulder. She grunted in pain and pulled out the arrow and summoned an ambrosia square and ate it and allowed her wound to close. She glared at Apollo while everyone watched the two with wide eyes. Zoe frowned because she knew that it was her fault Artemis got hurt. Before anything else could happen, Nyx started reading again.
Not knowing what to say she just told the campers she had no idea. She couldn't exactly tell them her Patron saved Zoe, who happened to be his girlfriend; he blasted the fates, and then brought them all to the void for a meeting with Chaos.
"You can't do that, that's crazy," Luke said laughing with Thalia and the others.
Thalia laughed to herself thinking of how crazy that night was.
Luke blushed and some people snickered at his embarrassed face.
Her life had always been crazy, but now things had multiplied a hundredfold. She also began to worry about all the things Chaos had told them, the war with Gaia, the Giants and the other Primordial Gods. She wished she could talk to someone about it. But she was sworn to secrecy so she couldn't mention it to her Luke, her best friend and the person she always confided in.
Percy looked at her sadly and Luke and blushed at his mention.
She also wished she could talk to Zoe. On the quest they had become very close, but unfortunately she was with the hunt, only gods know where. She figured she would talk to Perseus sometime soon. He said he was going to visit soon since they had much to talk about. She just didn't know when that would be.
For days this continued, the constant questions from campers and them following her like sheep. They all wanted to know what it was like to battle a Titan. Thalia didn't understand why they were excited, it sucked. Sure it sounds exciting but trying to fight something as powerful as an Olympian is not something she would do by choice.
"Or worse Kronos, that sucked," Thalia said and people looked at her shocked.
But she put up with the questions knowing the campers were just naïve and curious.
After escaping the campers and their constant questions which had continued for the fifth day straight, Thalia snuck back into her cabin to avoid all the attention. People were pestering Luke too but he seemed to enjoy the spotlight a lot more than her and she was more than fine with that.
"Hermes time to shine, is that so wrong?" Connor said while Luke tried to shrink back into his chair with his face bright red.
When she walked through her cabin door, she jumped about 5 feet back with a very girlish yelp. Perseus was lying on her bed with his feet up on the bedpost.
The throne room erupted in laughter forgetting about the tension while Thalia glared at Percy with her face bright red.
"Gods! Don't do that Perseus. You nearly gave me a stroke." She shrieked.
Perseus began to chuckle, "Sorry Thalia, but I can't exactly stroll into the dining pavilion during breakfast and say we need to talk later."
"Yeah, no one would've noticed you Perce," Apollo said, already forgot his problems.
"Couldn't you just do that mind speech thing you do with me?" Thalia asked exasperated.
"I could, but then I would miss learning how you scream like a 12 year old girl when you get surprised." Perseus replied laughing.
Everyone started laughing again while Thalia something far more intense than a combined death and wolf glare.
In response he received a death glare.
Thalia blushed but kept glaring at Percy.
Perseus put his hands up in surrender, still smiling.
"Anyways, what brings you to the Zeus cabin in the middle of the afternoon?" Thalia asked.
"Well I told you I would visit. We need to talk. Not here though, care to go for a walk?" Perseus replied.
"I thought you just said you can't go walking around?" Hermes asked.
"Just listen," Percy said.
"Umm…where? We can't exactly go strolling around camp." Thalia said with an eyebrow raised.
Perseus rolled his eyes, "Umm... Hello?… Primordial God here. The question is where do you want to go? Anywhere in the world."
Thalia's eyes widened, "Anywhere?"
"Other than here and Olympus, you name it." He replied with a smile.
"How about Paris? I've always wanted to see the Eifel Tower." Thalia said excitedly.
"The city of love and lights," Aphrodite said and sighed contentedly.
"You're right, that is right. Paris is the city of love and lights and -"
"Athena, let's not get too into detail, we're trying to finish the book by the end of the week not the end of the month." Dionysus said.
Athena glared at him. Nyx just now noticed Dionysus in the throne room and narrowed her eyes at him. He flinched and everyone looked at Nyx with question and she just growled and said, "You'll find out later."
"You got it." Perseus said as he snapped his fingers creating a vortex. "Shall we, milady?" He smirked offering her his arm.
Thalia grinned and looped her arm through his, "We shall."
When they stepped out they were at the top of the Eifel Tower.
"Was it fun? It's been a while since I was last there." Aphrodite said.
Thalia nodded.
Thalia's jaw dropped. She hadn't expected to come out actually in the Eifel Tower.
"Is there another Paris? Where did you think I'd take you? I wouldn't trick you Thals," Percy said.
"I don't know I just wasn't expecting to go there." Thalia said.
After walking around for 10 minutes so Thalia could check everything out, they sat in a couple chairs Perseus conjured out of thin air.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Thalia asked him curiously.
"It's about what my father discussed with us. Things have changed in regards to plans for the Titan war. My father has decided the Olympians will have to fight Typhon themselves. Zoe and I will have other things we must do." Perseus said seriously.
"Ok but what does that have to do with me?" Thalia asked.
"First off Thalia, you need to know I had no idea of this before today and neither did my mother. I came straight to you once she figured it out and told me." Perseus said knowing Thalia was going to be both excited and angry.
Thalia was confused and worried, Perseus seemed very nervous about her reaction. "Ok, what is it?"
"You know that after the fall of Greece, the Gods moved to Rome and were worshipped there as well, just most with different names and slightly different personalities." Perseus said seriously.
Zeus' eyes widened and he looked at Percy and he nodded his head. He saw Thalia's glare towards him and he gulped and looked at Hera and nodded she smiled. This was her favorite demigod. But then she paled and realized Thalia was about to figure out.
Thalia nodded, still unsure about where this was going.
"Thalia, you had a brother, right?" Perseus said cautiously.
"Yes, my mother gave him away when I was very young. She said he died sometime afterword." Thalia said sadly.
"That was a lie. Your brother is alive. He is a Roman demi-god. There is a camp across the country where the children of Roman Gods are raised." He told her.
"What?!" A majority of the gods shouted.
Right after that a shadow swirled around in the room. It kept spinning until it solidifies onto a boy. He had sandy blonde hair and blue eyes and kinda looked like a blonde superman.
"Jason!" Thalia shouted and sprinted across the room to him.
He gave her a goofy smile and kissed her cheek, "Hey Thals."
Luke narrowed his eyes at him before Thalia said, "This is my little brother Jason."
Jason pouted and said, "But I'm taller than you."
Thalia just rolled her eyes and shook her head and led him where a new chair got conjured up for him to sit.
When he saw Percy and Zoe he just smiled and said, "Sup Perce? Hey Zoe, how're the kids?"
Percy smiled and Zoe said, "They're good. They miss you."
Jason smiled and nodded his head.
Everyone just watched them in wonder, wondering how they knew each other.
"What! He is alive? Why haven't I seen him? Why did my mother give him away?" Thalia screamed angrily with tears in her eyes.
Jason squeezed her hand and she gave him a small smile.
"Thalia, Jason was born to Jupiter, not Zeus. Two siblings from the same mother but different aspects of a God are forbidden on Olympus. Your father was going to kill him. Hera took pity on him and instead offered to take him to my mother to raise him in Camp Jupiter with Hera's Roman aspect Juno as his patron." Perseus explained carefully to her.
"Thank you, Lady Hera, oops I mean Lady Juno." Thalia said.
Thalia was shaking in anger. She was also happy to know her brother was alive. But she wanted nothing more than to rip Zeus' head off.
Perseus continued before she could say anything, "Roman demi-gods are kept separate from Greek demi-gods due to their constant fighting. The Gods have forbidden any contact between the two.
"Isn't it because of Athena?" Apollo asked.
"They disgraced me! They made me a minor goddess and lost the Athena Parthenos." Athena shouted.
"Minerva isn't supposed to be a war goddess that's Bellona, Reyna's mom." Jason said.
Athena narrowed her eyes and a giant owl appeared over Jason's head and before it could do anything slick, Thalia shot it down and glared at Athena.
"Don't you dare Athena," Thalia growled.
My mother figured out he was your brother after meeting you and told me immediately, so I could tell you. But you cannot tell anyone you know this, yet. I promise you I will reunite you with your brother as soon as I can."
Thalia and Jason looked at Percy with grateful eyes. He smiled at them.
"I can't see him?" Thalia asked with tears falling down her face.
Perseus' heart broke seeing her so upset. He pulled her out of her chair and hugged her tightly. "I am so sorry Thalia. You can't see him yet, if you do the Gods will know and the consequences would be too severe. But after the Titan War, your brother will be a part of the Prophecy of Seven. Greeks and Romans will learn of each other, you will get to see him, I promise."
"And I don't plan on breaking my promises to you either." Percy said causing his daughter to smile at him.
Thalia nodded, her head still buried in Perseus' shoulder, crying. Eventually Thalia regained her composure and returned to her seat. "How is Jason doing in the Roman camp?" She asked wanting to learn about her brother.
"If someone had told me about you earlier, no one would've kept me from you." Jason whispered to her. Thalia nodded and smiled.
Perseus smiled, "Very well, he is my mother's favorite demi-god. He is Praetor of the Camp along with his girlfriend Reyna, a daughter of Bellona, who is a minor Roman Goddess of war. Praetors are the leaders of the camp. No one holds more authority in camp other than my mother. She is like the Chiron of the camp…just less helpful."
"Romans must make their own way." Lupa said.
"Girlfriend eh? Where's she at now?" Thalia said.
Jason blushed and before he could say anything a figure solidified next to him, and it was Reyna.
Thalia raised an eyebrow.
"You have to understand, Romans and Greeks are very different. Romans are far more serious and strict, they are militaristic. My mother helps where she can, but Romans must make their own way through life." Perseus explained to her.
"Yup, that's right." Lupa said agreeing with her son.
"Did you say girlfriend? He is a little young to be dating." Thalia said with a scowl.
Reyna laughed and Thalia blushed.
Perseus laughed, "Yes Thalia, he has a girlfriend, he is 15 years old. You're only a year older than him. You know just as well as everyone else demi-gods lead difficult lives. If they wait too long they may never get a chance to be in love."
"True they die in the worst ways too." Percy said sighing and shaking his head.
Thalia narrowed her eyes but said nothing.
After a moment of silence a question popped into Thalia's head. "Did you say Hera rescued my brother? From what I've heard she despises all illegitimate children of Zeus. Why would she actually save one?"
Hera glared at Zeus and he shrunk under his wife's harsh glare.
"It's funny how things always spin the blame toward someone else when something bad happens and it involves the King of the Gods. Yes, she does hate them usually. But she is not an evil Goddess. She is the Goddess of family and she does not kill children of Zeus to other woman. More often she kills the women. Not exactly ideal but thousands of years of infidelity and being treated like trash can turn a person a little sour. She saved your brother because it was not his fault his father is an ass. Zeus knew full well the law, considering he created it, and still decided to visit your mother in his roman aspect." Perseus explained to her.
"Thank you Perseus." Hera said.
"Hera, what did I tell you?" Percy said in a tone used for warning little children.
Hera chuckled and said, "Thank you Percy."
"That's better." Percy said smiling.
Thalia was shocked to find out Hera was not as bad as people make her out to be. She could also understand where her bitterness came from.
"What about when Hera threw her own son Hephaestus off Olympus?" Thalia asked when she remembered the story.
This time Hera, Hephaestus, Percy and Thalia glared at Zeus who tried to shrink and hide in his throne.
"Another lie. The Olympians know the truth but Zeus did not want to seem cruel so he made sure his wife got the blame in the history books. Your father casted him off Olympus saying he couldn't possibly have such an ugly son." Perseus told her with disgust.
"Bastard," Hera said as she slapped her husband.
Thalia only had one thought in her mind, how much she hated her father.
"Thank you for telling me about my brother Perseus." She told him sincerely.
"Thalia, I told you I will always have your best interests in mind. I wish I could bring you to him, but I can't, but you at least deserved to know. I told you, you're like a daughter to me, and I meant it. I will not hide things from you, you mean too much to me." He replied just as sincerely.
Thalia and Jason smiled at Percy while Zeus glared but bit his tongue.
"Oh and call me Percy, not Perseus. My mother and Zoe call me Percy. Your family now so I want you to do the same."
Thalia grinned happily. Then her face morphed into a confused one. "What does this have to do with you and Zoe?"
Perseus smiled, "The Titans are sending and army with a few Titans to attack the Romans. Apparently the Gods have been spending most of their time getting lucky in their Greek aspect because the Romans have a much smaller force than the Greeks. They are too small to hold off the Titan army. So, Zoe and I will be fighting with the Romans."
"But they'll see you," Hermes said.
"Got that covered," Percy said with a wink.
Thalia's jaw dropped, "But how, you can't exactly fight without people noticing a Primordial God is in the fight."
Perseus just smirked in response, "I spoke to Artemis, when the war starts she agreed to sending a small group of hunters with Zoe to aid the Romans. The rest will aid the Greeks in defending Olympus."
"Ok, you still didn't explain how you will fight." Thalia asked confused.
Perseus' smirk just grew, he glowed a bright light and Thalia looked away, when she turned back her jaw dropped and eyes were the size of dinner plates. In his place was a girl about 15 year's old, Auburn hair and silver eyes with specks of black. "You look like Lady Artemis." She exclaimed.
The girl chuckled, "This is how I explained my plan to Artemis, and I told her I would fight as a huntress. I told her I would just say I'm a daughter of Artemis."
Artemis' eyes widened before they narrowed at Percy and shot an arrow at him. He just laughed and the whole room joined him.
Thalia started laughing, "And how did she take that?"
"Not good," Percy said.
The girl scowled, and then glowed again. In her place was a girl with black hair and green eyes. "She slapped me actually. But I was only kidding about the daughter of Artemis part. I thought it was hilarious. Apparently she didn't agree. But she did like the plan and agreed to give Zoe command of a group of hunters."
"Good, you deserved to get it." Artemis said. Lupa laughed along with the hunters, Artemis, and Thalia.
"Mom! You're laughing at me too?" Percy asked.
"Sorry," she said still chuckling but she didn't look sorry one bit.
Thalia laughed more when he said he was slapped. "It is funny, but probably not the best thing to joke with her about."
"Damn right," Artemis said.
The girl chuckled, "I agree but I will get her to loosen up a little bit one of these days."
"I'd like to see you try." Artemis said.
"Don't be too sure I won't Artemis." Percy said. Thalia nodded her head in agreement causing Artemis' eyes to widen.
The girl glowed again. In her place Perseus was back in his seat smiling.
"So does this change anything for me in terms of the Titan War?" Thalia asked.
"It changes the fact that you will have no help from the Olympians during the war because they will be focused on the fight with Typhon. I'm sure minor gods will help with the defense of Olympus in order to keep Kronos from entering Olympus through any means other than the front door, forcing them to go up the elevator 5 to 10 monsters at a time." Perseus responded.
"Typhon? We're screwed," Dionysus said.
Nyx growled and a shadow descended upon him and when it went away he was beaten, bloody, bruised and barely conscious.
"But there is still much to be done before the war comes to New York Thalia. Chiron sent a couple campers out to look for an ancient and dangerous place call the Labyrinth the day after you left for the quest to save Artemis. They found it, out of the three, only one returned, an Apollo camper named Will Solace. The other two were lost in the maze." Perseus explained.
Apollo smiled, his son was strong enough to go in and come out of the Labyrinth.
"Wait, you mean like the Labyrinth where Theseus killed the Minotaur? Wasn't that in Crete, like thousands of years ago?" Thalia asked confused.
Poseidon smiled at the name of his son.
"Yes, you are correct Thalia. But just like the Gods, the Labyrinth has moved with western civilization. The Labyrinth is currently underneath the United States with different entrances all over the country." Perseus said impressed of Thalia's historical knowledge.
"But how is it still there?" Artemis asked.
"Daedalus," Athena said with sadness, anger, and something else in her voice.
"Ok that makes sense, but why does Chiron care about the Labyrinth enough to send campers to find it?" Thalia questioned.
"Apparently the Titan army has found the Labyrinth and wants to use it to transport its troops quickly. Chiron has yet to discover whether or not there is an entrance in camp. If there is then it would be perfect for Titans to send an army to decimate the demi-gods before they march to New York. Without the demi-gods Olympus would be basically defenseless with no one to stop Kronos from marching in and destroying it." Came Perseus' reply.
"They have to find it quick then," Zeus said.
"So what can we do to stop them?" Asked Thalia.
"I know where the entrance to the Labyrinth is inside Camp Half-Blood. I am going to have you "find" the entrance accidently. Afterword a quest will be given in order to find Daedalus, the creator and mastermind of the Labyrinth. That is who the Titans are looking for. They need to find him so they can get Ariadne's string. The string Theseus used when he was in the maze. With that the army can march through without getting lost. The quest needs to find him first." Perseus explained.
"Yeah, of course Perce, 'accidentally' find the entrance." Hermes said before erupting with laughter.
"Wait, what? Daedalus is dead. He lived thousands of years ago. What do you mean find him?" Thalia exclaimed.
"He is not dead. Yet, he is also not immortal. Daedalus is a son of Athena, probably the smartest child of Athena to ever live.
Annabeth glared at him and he stared back at her.
"You don't think so?" he said but Annabeth remained quiet.
"Exactly," he said with a smile.
He also has a dark past. One that got him disowned and cursed by his own mother. Yet he has found a way to keep himself alive all these years. Your friend Annabeth is the brightest child of Athena since Daedalus.
"There you go," Percy said.
Annabeth's eyes widened before she smiled a full smile at Percy.
She will be the one to lead the quest. I want you and Luke there as well. She is still so young she will need you two to help her navigate the maze and find the workshop of Daedalus where hopefully you can retrieve Ariadne's string before the Titans." Perseus explained carefully.
Thalia sat in her chair looking out over the view of Paris from their seats atop the Eifel Tower thinking about everything she had just learned.
"Do you know when the quest will be given?" Thalia questioned.
"Yes, because during capture the flag tonight you are going to stumble across the entrance to the Labyrinth which is hidden between the two biggest boulders on at Zeus' fist. The quest shall be given the next day." Perseus explained to her.
"Had things all planned out didn't you Perce?" Poseidon said.
Thalia nodded her head but asked, "Perseus, how will we find Daedalus' workshop? We could become lost in the maze like the two campers who did not return from the quest to find the Labyrinth."
"On your quest to save Artemis, Zoe said the two of you met a mortal girl who could see through the mist. She will guide you through the maze. She lives in New York City atop the Hilton hotel in the Penthouse." Came Perseus' reply.
"Rachel," Thalia and Zoe said together.
"How will a mortal help us find Daedalus? It is too dangerous to bring a mortal into a place like the Labyrinth." Said Thalia.
"Do know why it was that Ariadne was able to make her string so Theseus could find his way out of the Labyrinth? It's because she was a clear sighted mortal. Clear sighted mortals can see through the mist but are not affected the same way by the power of the maze as demi-gods are.
"Too bad she lost her mind and married Dionysus; she should've become a hunter." Percy said.
Now it's time I bring you back to camp, people will begin to look for you if you are missing any longer. Just make sure you find the entrance tonight no matter what. You need to have the quest issued and then convince that mortal girl to help you navigate the maze." Perseus said.
Thalia nodded her head. "Close your eyes Thalia." Perseus told her.
She did and a when she opened them a minute later she was back inside the Zeus cabin.
Line Break
The Hunters of Artemis
Zoe had been waiting all day for night to come. Perseus had told her he wanted to talk to her tonight. He had sounded serious so she was slightly worried about what the conversation would be about.
The scowl returned to Apollo's ears as he heard this so called 'romance' which in his eyes was an abusive relationship. He started to think of a plan that could save his friend from this relationship.
She was glad when she found out she and Perseus would not have to fight Typhon, although the prospect of fighting the Titans in order to defend the Roman camp instead was only slightly more appealing. Lady Artemis had given her permission to leave for the night, telling the other huntresses that Zoe was running an errand for her and that she would return very late that night. She was looking forward to seeing Perseus. It had been a few days since he came to speak to her and Artemis and she did not have a chance to be alone with him during his visit.
"Oops, I'm guessing it was my fault," Artemis said.
As Zoe wandered around the hunter's camp, she was startled and jumped backwards when something brushed up against her leg. She looked down to see a midnight black wolf with black and silver eyes apparently smirking her reaction to being startled. When she glared at the wolf, its smirk vanished.
"Wolf's can smirk?" Hermes asked. And when no one answered his question, he pouted.
The wolf made a motion with its head indicating it wanted her to follow it. When they were a hundred yards outside of the view of the hunter's camp, the wolf begun to glow until in its place was the handsome face of the man she loved. She immediately jumped up into his arms with her legs wrapping around his waist and her lips on his.
"Blech!" Artemis said making a vomit face. The huntresses laughed and Zoe rolled her eyes and smiled.
Once they broke their kiss Zoe shifted herself onto his back, her face buried into the crook of his neck. His arms came down and grabbed her legs, holding her up as they began to walk through the forest.
"Percy, what did you want to talk to me about?" Zoe asked sweetly in his ear as he continued to carry her on his back.
"Aww, he's giving her a piggyback ride… So romantic," Aphrodite sniffled.
"That is for me to know and for you to find out when we get there." He whispered back softly.
Perseus snapped his fingers and a vortex opened up in from of them. He walked through with Zoe still on his back, legs wrapped around his waist and arms wrapped around his neck.
When they came out of the vortex they were met by a cold breeze and the smell of the ocean. Zoe looked down and saw they were on top of a glacier.
Artemis' eyes widened before she said, "Don't drop her down there! She'll die."
Percy looked at her with shock before saying, "You should know I would never let anything bad happen to her."
"Where are we?" She asked confused as he walked toward a small hill of snow on top of the glacier.
"We are in the Bering Sea on top of a glacier. Now close your eyes until I tell you it's ok to open them." Perseus replied smiling.
Zoe nodded and closed her eyes.
They walked for a few more minutes, Zoe could tell they went up and then down a hill. When Perseus came to a stop he carefully pried her arms off his neck and lifted her off his back, setting her on her feet next to him.
"Ok love, now you can open your eyes." He whispered to her.
Apollo rolled his eyes when it said love.
When she opened her eyes she gasped. She was looking at the Aurora Borealis from one of the closest points possible.
Many gasps were heard as most of the goddesses were glaring at Zoe with envy in their eyes.
She turned to Perseus to see him smiling sweetly down at her. He grabbed her hand and made a very thick blanket appear underneath them. Perseus pulled Zoe onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her.
"It's so beautiful Percy, but why are we here?" Zoe asked while snuggling into his warm arms.
"Zoe, how long have we been together?" Perseus asked her.
"Umm…. Over 1500 years. Ever since the day you saved from Heracles." Zoe replied slightly confused.
"And how many dates have we been on?" Perseus asked with a smile.
"Umm... none I guess." Zoe replied surprised to realize they had never actually gone on a date.
"First date?!" Aphrodite squeaked but still envious of Zoe.
"Exactly. Now that at least Artemis knows that we're together I figured it was time to take you on a proper date. In case you haven't noticed, I'm kind of in love with you." He told her warmly.
"Kind of, not for long." Apollo whispered to himself as an idea finally formed in his mind. A plan worthy of Athena.
Zoe smiled and sighed, leaning her head into his chest whispering, "I love you too Perseus."
The couple lay together on the blanket for a couple more hours, just watching the beauty of the Northern Lights and enjoying their time together.
Perseus broke the comfortable silence by asking, "Zoe, what are you going to do after the war with Gaia, assuming we are still alive."
"Actually I've been meaning to talk to you about that, I think I'm ready to leave the hunt. I want us to be together without having to hide from others." She told him a little nervous about whether that was what he wanted too.
"Come on Zoe," Percy groaned making people laugh at the couple.
"You do know that you would lose your immortality when you leave the hunt right?" He asked her.
"Yes, but to be able to be with you, even if it's not forever, would be worth it." She told him.
"But what if it was forever?" He asked nervously.
"What do you mean? I would be mortal again as soon as I stepped down from the hunt." She said.
Artemis gasped as she realized what Percy meant. She smiled widely and shook her head.
"Not if you were my wife." He said quietly.
All the goddesses mouths dropped open and eyes bugged out.
Zoe's eyes widened and she detached herself from him so she could turn around to look in his eyes.
"Zoe, if… no. When we defeat Gaia and the other Primordial Gods, will you marry me?" He asked her nervously as he pulled out a box and opened it. The ring inside was silver with a large diamond in the middle and a few smaller diamonds circling it.
"Where is it?" Aphrodite asked Zoe.
Zoe waved a hand over her left hand and she showed everyone her ring. Everyone looked at the ring and some even fainted. Others glared at Zoe even more for getting the only good man left.
Zoe's jaw dropped and her eyes started to tear up. She just stared up into his eyes for a minute before she tackled him in a hug ending up with Perseus on his back and Zoe on top of him. She leaned down and gave him a softest and sweetest kiss they had ever shared.
When they broke apart she smiled a gorgeous smile at him and said, "Of course I will marry you Percy, I love you."
"I love you too." Percy said as they shared a kiss.
Perseus smiled back and pulled her back into his arms.
After he slipped the ring on her finger, they laid back down watching the Northern Lights happier than they had ever been in their lives.
"Aww, that's the sweetest proposal in the world, right next to the Northern Lights." Aphrodite squealed.
"Done, who's next?" Nyx asked.
"I am," Lupa said and she got up to take the book from Nyx.
"But first, it's time to eat," Percy said. Everyone agreed as a kitchen popped out of nowhere.
"Dad, always with tricks up your sleeves." Percy said.
As they walked to the kitchen, Apollo stayed back. He created an energy being and made him handsome. He caught up to Zoe and when he got to her she was walking by herself looking deep in thought. She didn't hear or see the two people that came up to her until they were right in front of her.
"What do you want Apollo?" Zoe said.
"Nothing," he huffed before flashing to the kitchen.
Zoe and the energy being stayed there in an awkward silence and started talking for a few minutes. After that, everyone was heading back to the throne room. But, when Zoe was laughing, Apollo pushed a button and the energy being pushed Zoe up against the wall and kissed her.
And the worst part, Percy just walked in the room. His eyes wide open and mouth on the floor and Apollo had a small smile dancing on his face.
