DISCLAIMER: All rights belong to Rick Riordan, as well as the characters (except for a few characters that I might create myself).
This is just a fanfiction. If you haven´t at least read Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus, you probably won´t understand half of the story.
The story will be written focusing on different characters every so often (Heroes of Olympus style).
English is not my native language and I would like if you pointed out any mistakes in the reviews.
I appreciate any reviews and ideas.
It is my pleasure to announce that The Fifteenth Olympian and the True Love has reached a thousand views already. Thanks to mall who read, favourited and reviewed.
Now, on with the story.
Chapter Nine
PERCY
"How could this have happened?" thought Percy "A maiden goddess?! The Fates must be laughing their arses off right now!"
He was so distracted with his thoughts that he even failed to notice Artemis and bumped into her. Apparently, she failed to notice him as well because she growled something like:
-Watch where you're going, you reckless… - she stopped when she saw it was Percy who was standing in front of her. She blushed.
-Sorry, Percy, I didn't know it was you.
-No, Artemis, I'm the one who's sorry. I should've been paying attention to where I was going.
A couple of minutes passed without anyone of them saying. Artemis was the first to break the ice:
-So… How was your palace?
-It was amazing! – Percy´s eyes lit up when he started to describe what his palace looked like – I would love to take you there.
-Maybe I'll accept your offer, one of these days.
They stared at each other a couple more seconds. Percy said:
-Artemis, I… - he stopped himself
-Yes? – inquired the goddess.
"No, no, no… You can't tell her!" Percy scolded himself. He quickly composed himself.
-I got to go do some…stuff. So, I need to go back to my tent.
-Yeah, sure. See you at archery practice?
-Sure!
Percy was laying on his bed, thinking about his situation. Of all the women in the world, mortal and immortal, he had to fall in love with the man-hating Moon Goddess.
After thinking for a while, he made up his mind.
Soon, it was dinner time. After that, archery practice with Artemis.
It was awkward. Every time their skins touched, Percy felt the blood rush to his face. Sometimes, he saw the same happening to her, although he couldn't understand why. After a couple of hours missing the target, Percy let out an idea:
-Hey, Artemis… Why don't we do something different and do a couple hours of sword practice instead?
Artemis seemed to think about it for a while. Finally, she gave in:
-Yeah, why not?
Artemis let out her twin Olympian silver hunting knives. She gave them a twist and, in the dim moonlight that shinned in the clearing they were in, they shinned threateningly. Without further delay, Percy uncapped Riptide, the three-feet-long celestial bronze sword growing to full length. At the same time, he unsheathed Eternity. In the moonlight, the sword's glow was a darker shade of silver than Artemis's knives.
They stared at each other for a while; a couple of passing hunters stopped to look at the fight, although there was yet anything to happen. Without warning, Artemis leaped towards Percy, who side stepped easily.
Artemis seemed a little surprised, bur the quickly recomposed herself. This time, Percy was the one to attack. Artemis diverted his sword with the hilt of her knives. But she failed to notice the ball of water behind her, only sensing it when it her in the back.
-Not fair! You used your powers!
-I never said you couldn't use them.
The Goddess of the Hunt had an evil grin spread all over her face.
-You're gonna regret this!
They were back at each other's throats. Stabbing, slashing, dodging, parring… None was making the other feel uneasy. At this point in time, almost all the Hunters were staring at the fight, with their mouths open.
Percy laughed, feeling the adrenaline rush through his veins. When he became a God, he had gained better reflexes and he had also become stronger. Over the last couple of weeks, his control over his powers had also increased greatly. As such, he could go on like this all night.
Artemis changed her strategy: this was no longer a sword fight; it was an all-out fight to see which one was more skilled. So, Artemis sheathed her hunting knives and grabbed her bow; she started to fire a volley of arrows. Percy just created a wall of rock to stop them. But, in doing so, he lost sight of Artemis and she quickly disappeared in the bushes. From time to time, an arrow lunged at him, but he blocked.
Percy smiled. This was what he was waiting for. Expanding his senses, Percy closed his eyes, knowing Artemis would take the bait. He sensed the disturbances in the air moisture. So, he sensed her coming at him from behind, sneakily.
Artemis leaped at him, not making a sound. Concentrating a little, Percy put her in a time-lock and turned around. Artemis was sure she would win with this surprise attack but horror quickly grew on her face when she realised she could only move her head.
-What have you done, Perseus?! – she growled at him.
-You're forgetting my titles, Artemis.
Realization struck Artemis and she mumbled:
-The Lord of Time.
Percy just smiled and put the tip of his sword to the Moon Goddess's throat. Instantly a huge number of bows was pointing at him but Percy ignored them.
-Do you yield? – he asked.
Artemis let out a sharp breath.
-I do.
Immediately the time lock was broken and she could move again. Percy stood there, smiling. Artemis turned to her Hunters, who were staring, amazed, and ordered:
-Time to hit the sheets, everyone. Goodnight.
They all returned to their tents, although unhappily.
Percy cracked his neck.
-That was a good fight. – he proclaimed.
-Yes it was. I haven't felt that excited in a long time.
Artemis suddenly grabbed his shoulder and flashed them somewhere.
They appeared on a beach. The moon was high in the sky and the water was calm. She sat on the sand, letting the water soak her feet. After a while, Percy sat by her side.
-Can you feel it? – she asked.
-What?
-The Tides. The Moon fuels the Tides. Our domains are closest at this moment. I always liked to look at the moon to calm myself. I thought the tides might do the same to you.
As a matter of fact, Percy did feel the push and pull of the tides, and it was calming him.
-Thanks. – he simply said.
-You're welcome.
They just sat there, in silence, letting their respective domains calm their thoughts. After what seemed an eternity, Percy spoke:
-Artemis, I need to tell you something.
-What is it?
Percy took a deep breath. "Now or never." he thought.
-I'm leaving The Hunt.
ARTEMIS
-What?! Why? – before Percy could answer, Artemis continued – Was it the Hunters? Did they prank you? I'll punish them, but…
-It's not that, Artemis.
Then what is it? You said you would be sticking around a little longer!
-It's just that I would cause you a lot of trouble if I stayed. And that is the last thing I want to do to you.
At this point, Artemis had tears running down her cheeks.
-Why would you think that?
Percy had teary eyes.
-Because… - he stated – I've fallen in love with you Artemis…
Artemis didn't react. On the outside, at least. Inside her own head, she was leaping with happiness. "He loves me! He loves me!" Her heart was beating faster than Apollo's sun chariot.
Seeing no reaction, Percy continued:
-I can't… I can't put you through the pain of having to face me every day. I won't be seeing you suffer like that. Not if I can help it.
Tears were now running down his cheeks, just like Artemis.
"Even when it pains him this much, he still thinks about me first. Such selflessness." thought the Moon Goddess to herself "That is why I love him"
While she was deep in thought, Percy stood to leave.
-Goodbye, Artemis. – he said, sadly.
Before he could go anywhere, Artemis grabbed his arm and looked into his mesmerizing sea-green eyes. The pain he saw in them was too much for her to bear.
-Please, Percy! Don't leave alone! – she pleaded, crying.
Seeing her like this only made Percy's eyes grow more painful.
-Why should I stay? You would be better with me gone.
-Because… - she couldn't bring herself to say it.
-I thought so. – Percy once more turned to leave.
Desperate, Artemis did something she never thought she would do. Jumping of the ground, she gave Percy a long kiss in the lips. Shocked, he did nothing. When they pated for air, Artemis only said:
-Because I love you too.
