"Gabriel," came a sweet voice from the door. Gabriel smiled and got up. He opened the door and found Artemis standing at the door.
"Artemis! What a surprise! What are you doing here? Come in," he said. Artemis smiled and came into Gabriel's little home.
"What are you doing here, Gabe? Shouldn't you be out celebrating?" Gabriel sat down at the table. Artemis sat across from him.
"I'm not much for celebrating, Arty. I did what had to be done. There is always something to do. I have my responsibilities. I am not going to keep the rest from their time of celebrating and feasting, but I would much rather stay here where it's peaceful and quiet." Gabriel stood up suddenly. "Would you like something to eat?" Artemis shook her head. She and her hunters had just eaten. "So what brings you by? I know it's not to ask me to go celebrate."
"I need your help. After you defeated Porphyrion, the armies of the giants were scattered. Many of the most powerful monsters fled to the countrysides. There are simply too many of them." Gabriel nodded and put his food away. He grabbed his sword and shield from their mantels. He followed Artemis outside and they flashed away.
Gabriel found himself standing in a small clearing. Silver tents had been set up and girls ran to and fro doing their chores. Gabriel followed Artemis over to the camp. The girls stopped and smiled.
"Gabriel! You came!" Gabriel smiled at the girls. He felt honored to be the only man welcomed in the camp. Well he had a right to be. He was the one that had given the idea to Artemis and had even provided her with a few hunters. Gabriel smiled and sat down by the campfire in the center. Artemis sat down beside him.
"I wish I could say this meeting was to just say hello, but Artemis tells me that you are hunting some powerful game." The girls' smiles fell and they grew serious. Gabriel turned to Artemis. "So what exactly are we tracking down?"
"Echidna has been spotted near Athens. Unfortunately, it isn't just her. Her chimera son is with her wrecking even more havoc than she is," said Artemis' lieutenant, Zoe Nightshade. Gabriel nodded at her.
"She must be taking advantage of all the celebrations going on. Nobody will be expecting another monster attack." Artemis agreed.
"We have a spare tent for you, if you'd like. We leave tomorrow at daybreak for Athens." Gabriel thanked the hunters and left for the tent. He climbed inside and fell fast asleep on the ground. The next morning he woke up just as Artemis and the hunters got out of their tents. They made quick work of the camp, leaving it just as it had been before they had arrived. Gabriel put his armor on. It was a light metal that offered perfect maneuverability. The armor was silver, standing in stark contrast to the gold of his gear. He wrapped a scarf around his neck. He sheathed his sword at his waist and his shield across his back.
The hunters and the two gods trekked across the Greek countryside before they arrived in Athens. Gabriel and Artemis pulled their scarfs up to hide their faces. They would stand out, but it was better than being recognized as Olympians. They circled around the city before they heard a scream coming from a little farm. The hunters pulled out their bows and notched an arrow. Gabriel and Artemis crept towards the main home of the farm. Gabriel pulled down the cloth that surrounded his face and looked inside a crack in the door. Echidna stood in the corner smiling. Gabriel turned his head slightly to see the rest of the room. He grimaced at what he saw. The Chimera was feasting on the corpse of what he assumed was the farmer. Blood was splattered all over the room. Gabriel growled when he saw a little girl shivering in the corner. Her face was bruised and she cradled her left arm. Must be broken, thought Gabriel. He looked over at Artemis and nodded slowly. Artemis turned and motioned for her hunters to surround the building to make sure the monsters did not escape. Gabriel quietly unsheathed his sword and Artemis pulled out her hunting knives.
Gabriel kicked down the door, causing the girl to scream and the Chimera to turn around. Blood dripped from each of the beast's maws. Echidna hissed as Gabriel and Artemis crept into the room. The entire room was in shambles. The remnants of a table were scattered around. Broken bits of pottery and glass littered the ground. The air was putrid. The gods nearly gaged when they walked in. Gabriel stepped over what he assumed used to be an altar to the gods. The Chimera circled around them, making its way over to its mother, Echidna.
"Get the girl and get out," said Gabriel to Artemis, his eyes never leaving the Chimera. Gabriel removed his shield and put it on the ground by the door. There wasn't much space and he couldn't be held down by the extra weight and size. Without waiting for Artemis's response, Gabriel brought up his sword and charged the monster. Artemis ran and got the girl and hurried her out of the building where some of her hunters could get her some help. Gabriel, meanwhile, was busy fighting. Unlike the giants this beast had three heads, each of them deadly. Gabriel spun to the left. The snake head struck out at him; he ducked.
Gabriel grabbed a rather large fragment of the table. The Chimera's lion head snapped down at him as the goat and snake heads attacked him from both sides. Gabriel blocked the snake head with his sword. With his left hand he stabbed upwards into the lion mouth with the table fragment. The lion head collapsed dead, the wood piercing its brain. The snake head avoided the sword but couldn't land a strike on Gabriel. The goat head, however, succeeded and rammed into his side throwing him across the room. Gabriel yelled in pain as he landed on a glass shard. It had somehow found its way through his armor and into his flesh. Artemis chose that moment to run back in and sliced the Chimera's goat head. Now the Chimera only had one head left and was at a serious disadvantage. Echidna started screaming about her baby, but the Chimera's hissing was too loud to hear anything. The Chimera turned around to allow the snake head to have free reign. Artemis dodged, blocked, and struck at the snake but it was simply too quick. Gabriel struggled to his feet. He grasped his right side, shakenly pulling the glass out. Golden ichor poured out onto the floor. Gabriel closed his eyes in concentration. Slowly his skin knit itself back together. He stalked towards Echidna, Isorropia held in both hands. He crept up closer and closer behind her back. She was too focused on how Artemis was hurting her "baby." He wasted no time and stabbed Echidna in the back. She exploded into dust. The Chimera hissed even louder and collapsed. Artemis used its momentary weakness and slit the snake's neck causing the entire beast to disappear in a shower of dust.
"Well done, Gabe." Gabriel just smiled at her.
"You as well, Arty." Artemis just punched him lightly on the shoulder. They made looked around the room and found two dead bodies. One had already been eaten by the Chimera and the other had been the Chimeras meal until they had killed it. The girl would likely have been the next meal. Seeing that there was no hope for either of the bodies, they walked back outside. The sun was just barely reaching its peak and Gabriel felt very hot under all of his armor. He pulled out a little rag from his pocket and wiped his sword clean. It wouldn't be good if it got stuck in its scabbard from the dry monster blood. The hunters lowered their bows. Artemis and Gabriel walked over to where one of the hunters, Atalanta, a daughter of Apollo, if Gabriel remembered correctly, was nursing the girl from the farm. Artemis knelt down next to the girl. She could sense she was a demigod, and a strong one at that.
"What's your name, child?" The girl looked up at her, tears in her eyes.
"Phoe-Phoebe." The girl's voice was shaky and the hunter handed her a cup of water to drink. Phoebe took the water gratefully.
"My name is Artemis." Phoebe choked on the water in shock. She tried to bow, but Gabriel placed a calm hand on her shoulder. She flinched from his touch but stopped. Gabriel frowned. "Do not worry, Phoebe. That is Gabriel. He is here to help." Phoebe looked like she was going to pass out from being in the presence of two of the Olympians. "Relax. Tell me what happened." Phoebe choked back a sob.
"My mother told me to go get some water from the stream down that way. When I came back my ste-stepfather was beating on my mom. He was drunk again and grabbed a pot and hit her over the head. I tried to get to her but he turned and swung the pot at me, breaking my arm." She held up her arm for Artemis to see she was telling the truth. Atalanta had already set the bone and put a sling on the arm to keep her from using it. Artemis nodded for her to continue. "Then we heard a roar and I used the distraction to go and run to my room. Just when I got there my stepfather opened the door to see what was outside and a giant monster and a lady came in. The monster fl-flung my stepfather against the wall. I could hear his neck snap. Then the lady told the monster to eat. I tried to hide but the lady found me and dragged me out to see the monster eat my mom and stepfather." Phoebe started to cry again. Gabriel conjured a blanket and wrapped the girl in it. Phoebe gave him a rather weak smile. "Thank you both for saving me." Artemis smiled.
"I will always come to the aid of a maiden. Phoebe, would you care to join my hunt? We always have room for more." Phoebe looked around at all the other hunters that were busy making sure no other people or monsters came.
"Y-yes, milady." Artemis's smile grew and even Gabriel smiled.
"Then repeat this vow after me. I pledge myself to the Goddess Artemis…" Percy didn't see the end of the memory but he knew what happened. Suddenly hundreds of more memories flooded into his brain. After a couple of seconds, his mind finally was able to separate the memories from his current life. He slowly opened his eyes. They felt goopy once more, and he reached up with his right hand and rubbed them both. He knew what had happened. He was no longer just Percy Jackson. He was now truly Gabriel. He remembered much more. Not everything, not all of his powers, but a lot. He remembered how he had helped Zeus overthrow Kronos. He remembered his involvement in multiple ancient wars and battles. He remembered his friendships with Zeus, Hestia, and Artemis. He remembered the summers he would spend with the hunt chasing after wild game.
He sat up and looked to the side. Chiron and a twelve-year-old Artemis were talking quietly to one another. Chiron seemed to notice Percy's movements since he turned from Artemis and rolled his wheelchair over to his bed.
"Percy, how do you feel?" Percy smiled at the centaur.
"I feel fine. I feel almost completely whole." Artemis walked over to him. Percy looked up at her and he saw her eyes widen in surprise.
"Your eyes," she said. Her voice was barely a whisper. Percy nodded.
"Chiron, can you make sure nobody will listen in on this conversation?" Chiron nodded and wheeled out of the room. A couple seconds later he returned.
"Everyone is out of the infirmary now, but Lee and Michael are standing guard outside to make sure nobody will bother us." Percy nodded his thanks.
"Will one of you tell me what is going on before I get angry?" demanded Artemis. Percy sat up in his bed. Sadly, he felt as though he had spent more time in this bed than his own in the Hermes cabin.
"We should start at the beginning, I suppose." Artemis narrowed her eyes at Percy.
"Get on with it." Percy nodded and began to tell the goddess about everything that had happened since he had come to camp, especially the memories he was having. When he finished his tale he looked into Artemis's eyes. He was shocked to find a lone tear trickling down her cheek. The tear seemed to be made of moonlight, giving off a lunar glow.
"You're truly him?" Percy nodded and smiled.
"I am, Arty. I swear on the Styx that I am Gabriel, the eldest child of Kronos." Thunder boomed in the distance, and when nothing happened, Artemis smiled brilliantly. Like a bright crescent moon. "When I saw you again during the game, I was thrown back into a different memory. This one of us hunting down the Chimera and saving Phoebe." Artemis wiped the tear and smiled as though remembering a good memory. "I finally have most of my memories back. I know who I am. I don't remember everything, like my powers or my purpose for becoming a demigod, but I am now much more of who I used to be." Artemis laughed, though it came out garbled from her emotions.
"I have missed you dearly. You were my only friend aside from the hunt. You told me when you left Olympus that you would be near, but for centuries I never even heard a whisper of where you were." Percy nodded sadly.
"I had very important things to accomplish. I don't exactly remember everything yet but I know that for a few centuries I wasn't even on earth. I don't know where I was or what I was doing but I know that for certain. Even if you had Iris messages me, I wouldn't have received it." Artemis pulled Percy out of his bed and gave him a tight hug.
"I don't care. You're back and that is what matters." Chiron was shocked. He knew that Gabriel and Artemis had been close but he never expected them to be this close.
Percy hugged her back.
"Now that I know who I am, I can say that I have missed you a great deal. Having nobody to talk to or hunt with for thousands of years can really be lonesome." Artemis pulled back and gave him an evil look.
"Just wait till my hunters see you. I'm sure Zoe and the others will love to see that you're here." Percy paled.
"Actually, we need to hold off on letting people know who I am. I still don't have all of my powers back and there could be spies here in camp. We have already been betrayed once, and I was almost abducted twice. Artemis frowned.
"You make a good point," she said. "But soon I will force you to reveal yourself to them, and even I won't be able to stop them from what they will do to you." Percy paled considerably more but nodded.
"I deserve whatever they give me." Artemis nodded and turned back to Chiron. "I must be going soon. I have already stayed a while and Zeus will be getting more impatient if I do not leave. I cannot believe that you're back. I will find you again soon, Gabe. We have much to catch up on." Percy smiled at her.
"It's Percy, now." Artemis returned the smile and left the room. Chiron bowed as she left and rolled himself back to Percy's side.
"I wasn't sure if it would be wise to let her in on what was going on, but I see that it was a good decision." Percy nodded.
"Artemis has always been my best friend. I'm glad she knows who I am again. And Chiron," said Percy. He smiled at the centaur. "I release you from your oath. I know that it was I that gave you the watch to give back to me." Chiron smiled. He looked as if a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders.
"I'm glad to have you back, my lord." Percy just waved his hand.
"None of that lord crap. I'm just a demigod, remember?" Chiron laughed. He said goodbye and left the room. Percy changed out of the clothes he was in into his clothes from the night before. He put Isorropia on his wrist and Anaklusmos in his pocket. He walked outside and breathed in the fresh air. He walked over to the arena, telling his friends that he was okay and thanked them for their concern. It appeared that Chiron had told them of his incident during the game of capture the flag the night before. He just didn't know how exactly Chiron told them the event transpired. Percy walked into the arena and pulled out Anaklusmos. He finally remembered all of his sword training and decided to test it out for himself.
The next day Percy woke up at the normal time. He got ready like clockwork. Pants, shirt, shoes, brush teeth, put watch on, put pen in pocket. He walked outside and saw all of the hunters talking with Artemis. He caught her eye and smiled. She returned the smile briefly, the hunters not noticing anything. Percy watched as she waved goodbye to the hunters and left the camp, presumably to flash away to where ever it was that she was needed. Percy went to the dining area for his customary breakfast. He preferred a full English breakfast. It was high in protein which would help keep his mind sharp. He also got a glass of milk to help keep his body strong. The hunters marched in and Percy looked over slightly so they didn't notice anything.
He felt bad hiding from his old friends but it needed to be done. He finished his breakfast as fast as he could and got up to leave, not paying any attention to the hunters that were staring at him. Just as he reached the exit of the pavilion he stopped in his tracks. The Oracle was walking towards him. It looked like it had died, gone through Tartarus, and then dragged back up. She had been much prettier the last time he had seen her. He stepped to the side hoping to avoid the creepy thing. The Oracle kept on walking reaching the Artemis table. It reached the table and stared right at Zoe.
"Five shall go west to aid the goddess who's lost,
One will pay the ultimate cost,
The bane of Olympus shows the trail,
Campers and Hunters combined prevail,
The Titan's curse must one withstand,
To save the lost souls from a parent's plan."
The Oracle's voice was raspy. It was nowhere close to the melodious voice of the Oracle that Gabriel had known. Zoe stared at the Oracle defiantly and nodded. She motioned for the hunters to stand and they all marched uniformly towards the Big House. Percy ducked away from them and headed for the arena. If they were going to be talking to Chiron then he would be able to train in peace. The hunters had been hogging the arena to themselves since they kicked him and the other demigods that had been training out yesterday.
Percy was in the middle of his training when Chiron came galloping in, his face pale.
"Percy, something has come up. You're needed in the Big House." Percy frowned.
"What's going on, Chiron?" Chiron just motioned for him to follow. He capped Anaklusmos and did as he was asked. Chiron returned to his wheelchair when they entered the house. Seated around the ping pong table were Thalia, Clarisse, Phoebe, and Zoe. They all looked up. Phoebe and Zoe glared at Percy when he walked in. He avoided looking at them.
"You said you would bring someone perfect for this quest, Chiron!" cried out Zoe. "We cannot go on a quest with some male!" Percy held back his laughter. Some things never changed.
"Percy is the best fighter we have here at camp," said Thalia. "We need him on this quest." Percy just stared at them.
"What's this about?" Zoe glared at him, as did Phoebe.
"Nothing that concerns you, boy." Percy ignored them. He looked right at Chiron.
"Zoe had a prophecy this morning," he said. Percy nodded he remembered the prophecy clearly. "Five must go on this quest. The prophecy also says that campers and hunters must prevail. Since Zoe received the prophecy she gets to choose who to bring. She chose Thalia and Clarisse, but there aren't many girls here that can even hope to match your skill, Percy." Percy didn't say or do anything. It was true but he felt uncomfortable being praised. He always had even as a god. Chiron turned back to Zoe. "Thalia is correct. Percy is the most skilled fighter here. If Artemis is truly lost, then you will need all the help you can get. You cannot risk your lady's life over your hate for men. I promise you that Percy will not do anything to risk getting himself on your bad side. Will you, Percy." Percy gave him a pointed look. Thalia and Clarisse laughed. Zoe looked disgruntled but Phoebe was just confused.
"What's so funny?" Thalia calmed herself down.
"Percy is one of the most quiet people I've ever met. Plus I've never heard him even brag once. Not even when he beat me in a fight." Zoe didn't stop glaring.
"It does not matter. He is still a man, and as such he is vile and evil. If he must come, so be it. But listen to me, demigod," said Zoe staring right at Percy. He kept his head down. "If you so much as look at me the wrong way I will not hesitate in gutting you for all the world to see your entrails. Do you understand?" Percy smiled, though she couldn't see it with his head hung low. He nodded. "Good. We leave tomorrow morning at first light." Zoe and Phoebe left the room. Percy continued to talk with Chiron, Thalia, and Clarisse. They filled him in on what their plans were and what they thought the prophecy meant. Percy didn't tell them that he already knew. He was the god of fate after all.
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Ethan returned to the dark room. He wasn't as afraid as he had been the last time. He hadn't failed his master this time. No, this time he had succeeded and he would make sure that he was on his master's good side. Ethan crept in and bowed low. He couldn't tell where the sarcophagus was, but it didn't really matter.
Nakamura, you have returned. I hope you bring good news. Ethan shivered as the voice penetrated his mind.
"Yes, master. Our spy lured two demigods, one of which you wanted, and a satyr into our trap. We also managed to lure a goddess. The General's plan is in full swing. Our spies in camp have told us that a quest was just given to a hunter in order to rescue the goddess, Artemis. We will attack the camp tomorrow morning. The questers will try to sneak out during the chaos and we will trap them then." His master seemed pleased.
Well done, Nakamura. You have pleased me greatly. You live this time. Bring me the heads of the demigods we have. Except for that of the child of Zeus. I need her alive. Ethan paled. It would not be easy. He could get Luke's head but the others would not go down without a fight, and after his last encounter with them, he was not so sure he would be able to succeed in his task.
"There is one problem, master." The voice grew harsh.
Speak.
"One of the demigods in our grasp is actually a spy for us. They attempted to capture a group of demigods early this week. They managed to defeat four monsters, but she is truly on our side." The anger calmed down. Ethan released a breath he didn't know he was holding. It was never good telling the master there was a problem with his plan.
What is their name, Nakamura?
"Annabeth Chase, master."
Bring her to me. I must have a word with her. Ethan bowed and fled the room. He needed to find the child of Athena. After she spoke with the master, they would be able to launch their attack on Camp Half-Blood. Ethan smiled. He would not fail his master. He would get his revenge on the gods and their children.
A/N: I was hoping to finish the chapter and post it yesterday but I fell asleep before I could finish it. Hope you all enjoyed it. I was planning on making Percy wait on getting all his memories till much later, but the way I have this story going it was important for it to happen now. If you have any questions let me know. Thanks again for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. I am almost at 50 followers and I am incredibly happy about how well my first story is going. Thanks for reading!
