Ch. 10

(4 Months Later)

Percy stayed on the defensive, allowing his opponent to continue attacking while he used his sword to fend off the strikes with relative ease. He tried to make it look like he was trying hard but he knew he wasn't all that good at acting.

"Damn it Percy, will you try?" Zoe yelled as she swung her blade at his legs.

Percy jumped over her blade and back-stepped before Zoe could strike again.

"I am trying Zoe. What would you have me do?" Percy asked in an annoyed tone.

Zoe growled as she lunged forward with a jab aimed at his abdomen. Percy side-stepped and made a half-hearted swipe towards her legs.

Zoe swatted the blade aside, "I don't need you to baby me Perseus. Just fight me." She hissed at him.

Percy narrowed his eyes as Zoe lunged forward again. This time Percy stepped into the strike, swatting away her blade as he closed in, using his free hand to shove her off-balance he kicked her legs out from underneath her. Before she could slam into the ground, he put a hand to the back of her head to cushion it from the fall.

"You said you wanted to learn how to wield a sword. I will teach you but you need to be willing to learn the way I know how to teach you." Percy said as he offered her his hand.

Zoe grudgingly took his hand, "I don't need to be babied." She grumbled.

Percy shook his head but smiled a bit, "I'm not babying you I promise. You don't notice but every time we spar I pick up the intensity a notch. This is exactly how I was when I learned and I complained exactly how you're complaining. Luckily for you, I'm a lot nicer than Achilles; question him and he spends an hour smacking you around the arena with the flat of his blade."

Zoe nodded slowly, "I'm sorry, I just don't like feeling weak. I shouldn't have snapped at you."

"You're anything but weak Zoe and you know it. I'd be in for the fight of my life if you were using hunting knives. You just need to be patient, it's a new weapon for you and you're just barely learning to use it." Percy said.

Zoe smirked, "You are right; I would wipe the floor with you if I had my hunting knives."

Percy raised an eyebrow, "I thought I remembered our last spar ending slightly differently."

Zoe scowled, "Everyone gets lucky once in a while."

Percy chuckled, "Whatever helps you sleep at night Zoe."

Before Zoe could retort, the sound of a hunting horn in the distance caused Zoe to freeze. Percy looked at his friend's face and smiled, "Go. We can finish this later."

Zoe smiled at him before sprinting out of the arena towards the borders of camp.

Percy shook his head smiling before a shadow engulfed him, taking him out of the arena.

Zoe ran straight to the borders of camp where she saw a group of teenage girls in silver parkas and combat boots being lead into camp by a familiar silver eyed twelve-year-old girl.

When Artemis saw Zoe approaching, a huge grin stretched across the goddess' face before she quickly engulfed her former lieutenant in a tight embrace.

"I've missed you my old friend." Artemis said as she let Zoe go.

"It's been a long time my lady." Zoe said with a smile, "What brings you to camp?"

Artemis' expression darkened, "There are troubling things occurring with the Titans and their army. But they will be discussed later. First I would like to hear how things have been for you since you were forced to come here." She said before turning to Thalia, "Please bring the girls into my cabin to settle in, we will be here for a few days."

Thalia nodded, "Of course my lady."

Artemis put a hand on Zoe's shoulder and teleported them into the woods near Zeus' fist. Artemis sat down on a rock and gestured for Zoe to join her.

"How have things been at camp?" Artemis asked a little sadly.

Zoe sighed, "I miss the hunt." She said before her expression brightened a little, "But it has been alright my lady. At first it was miserable but things have slowly gotten better."

Artemis raised an eyebrow.

Zoe shrugged, "When the campers found out who my father was, they were ready to throw me out of camp. That arrogant brat of Poseidon was leading them until Percy put an arrow into his shoulder in the middle of breakfast. After that, a number of campers backed Percy up and since then no one has said a word about who my father is." She explained.

"How dare that insolent boy question your loyalty?" Artemis growled as she stood up in a rage.

Zoe chuckled at her mistress' reaction, "He rarely leaves his cabin anymore milady. He is hardly worth the trouble of turning him into a jackelope."

Artemis looked at Zoe confused.

Zoe's smile turned mischievous, "Later that day, he had the brilliant idea of challenging Percy to a fight in front of camp. It was a fight without any powers, just weapons. He planned on humiliating Percy in front of camp."

Artemis' anger vanished and she laughed, "I assume Perseus put him in his place?"

Zoe's smile widened, "Percy fought him without a weapon and humiliated him in front of the entire camp. Since that day, he rarely comes out of his cabin for anything but meals."

Artemis chuckled at the image of Percy defeating that son of Poseidon without a weapon. She looked at her closest friend to see an amused smile on her face.

"So you and Perseus have become friends?" Artemis asked curiously.

Zoe nodded, "There are a few campers who I can tolerate but I would say Percy is the only real friend I have here. He has done a lot to make my transition out of the hunt as easy as possible."

Artemis looked at Zoe confused, "What do you mean?"

Zoe smiled, "For the first few days, I refused to come out of your cabin. But on the third day, Percy convinced me to leave camp with him. He surprised me by bringing me to the Underworld and even convinced his father to allow me to spend the day in Elysium with Phoebe and the rest of our fallen sisters. He has brought me there to see them a few times since then as well."

"But that is against the ancient laws." Artemis said shocked.

Zoe's expression darkened, "And why would he care about that? What will your father do? Kill him? Then who would be there to die so we can all live?" She said bitterly.

Artemis' eyes widened, "What are you talking about Zoe?"

"I know the prophecy milady, Percy told me; "a single choice shall end his days" doesn't have a lot of meanings." Zoe said a little sadly.

Artemis was frozen for a minute, "Percy told you the prophecy?"

Zoe nodded, "Yes. I am his friend and he needed someone to talk to about it with. Everyone acts like he should be honored to be the prophecy child but that is crap. No one who knew what the prophecy actually said would willingly take that responsibility, except Percy. He is willing to give his life to save all these arrogant campers and even the gods, most of whom could care less about him." She spat angrily.

"Zoe, it's no one's fault that Percy was destined to be the prophecy child." Artemis said shocked at her anger.

"I know that my lady but it doesn't mean I have to like it." Zoe said bitterly.

Artemis stared at Zoe a little shocked, "I see camp has changed you. I never thought I would see the day you would be so upset at the prospect of a male dying."

"Percy isn't like the men we hate. Most of the boys here try to flirt or hit on me but Percy treats me with respect. He has never flirted with or hit on me once and he has my back when I need it but doesn't think he needs to protect me either. He is the only person I actually enjoy being around here at camp." Zoe explained seriously.

Artemis smiled at Zoe's words, "I am glad you have someone you can trust in camp Zoe. I hoped you would stick close to Perseus; he has had a tough life and needs someone he can trust."

Zoe smiled as she remembered when Percy said she was the only person he fully trusted in camp.

"So what has brought you to camp my lady?" Zoe asked trying to change the subject.

Artemis sighed, "Apparently the Titan Army has discovered entrances to the Labyrinth and father believes they may use it to attack camp. We are here to discuss with Chiron and the cabin leaders what to do next about a possible attack on camp."

"Is there an entrance inside the camp?" Zoe asked.

"We don't know; we were hoping to find out while we are here." Artemis replied.

Zoe nodded, "How long will you be here?"

Artemis smiled, "At least a few days. Enough time to extend the hunters winning streak in capture the flag."

Zoe smirked at the goddess' confidence, "Don't be so sure milady. There isn't a single hunter who can defeat Percy in combat; not even if they teamed up against him. Of course I will be on the camper's side for once as well."

"Well perhaps I will need to join my hunters in the game as well. I can't let our unbeaten streak end because the campers managed to steal my lieutenant from me." Artemis said with a sly smile.

"I think I would very much like to see you and Percy fight my lady. He may be the first to provide a challenge for you." Zoe said smiling deviously.

Artemis' eyes widened, "You think Percy can defeat me?"

Zoe shook her head, "No, but I think you will be a surprised as how skilled he is in combat. I would never admit it to him but if he wanted to he could wipe the floor with me regardless of weapons used."

Artemis grinned, "I will make sure to find Percy during the game then."

Zoe nodded but looked at Artemis whose expression turned serious again.

"Do you think Percy's sister would consider joining the hunt? I have wanted to ask her since we saw her in Maine." Artemis asked seriously.

Zoe looked uncomfortable before answering, "I think she might but I would ask that you not ask her yet." She said a little warily.

"And why is that? Perseus said he would be happy if she joined." Artemis asked shocked at Zoe's answer.

Zoe sighed, "I think she would make a great hunter but I would ask that you not ask until after the conflict with the Titans. Percy does not have a lot of people close to him but his brother and sister mean everything to him. If he is going to die in the next year and a half then I don't want him to lose someone who means so much to him. He would never ask you not to or tell his sister not to join but I know he would be saddened if he lost her to the hunt."

Artemis was silent as she thought about Zoe's words. After a minute she slowly nodded, "I will wait to ask her. Perseus has done a lot for me and I would not feel right to steal happiness from the one good man I've met in the last millennium."

Zoe bowed her head, "Thank you my lady."

Artemis smiled, "Let's get back to camp; your sisters have missed you."

Line Break

Zoe sat in the Artemis chair around the ping-pong table while Thalia sat in the Zeus chair as the rest of the cabin counselors filed into the makeshift war room in the big house. Once everyone was seated Chiron raised his hand to silence the counselors.

"This war council meeting has been called to discuss the possibilty of an attack on camp through the Labyrinth. We have sent a small quest to try to locate an entrance in the city. Until we discover what to do next, Lady Artemis and the hunters will be staying at camp to help with defenses in the event of a surprise attack." Chiron explained.

Before anyone could speak, Artemis spoke up, "Excuse me Chiron, but where is Perseus?"

"Perseus isn't a cabin leader here at camp so he was not invited to the meeting." Chiron said a little warily.

Artemis' eyes narrowed but before she could speak, a loud voice interrupted her.

"We don't need that freak! He is nothing but dangerous." Theseus yelled before his eyes widened when he realized he had just cut off a man-hating goddess.

Artemis' eyes flashed with anger before she snapped her fingers. In a flash of silver light, the wide-eyed son of Poseidon transformed into a small bunny like animal with antlers atop its head.

The room was silent with the exception of Zoe and Thalia who both burst into hysterical laughter.

Chiron looked nervously at Artemis, "Lady Artemis, I would rather not have to explain to Lord Poseidon that his son has become a small animal."

Artemis waved her hand dismissively, "Relax Chiron, I will turn him back once the meeting is over. His contribution will be much better in this form. Now can someone please summon Perseus; I would prefer to have the one male demigod I like take part in this meeting."

Chiron nodded, "Can someone go find Perseus so we can continue?"

Thalia stood up, "I'll get him, I've been looking forward to seeing my cousin again anyway."

Five minutes later Thalia and Percy walked into the war room laughing with each other before Percy's eyes landed on the jackelope seated in the Poseidon chair. His eyes snapped to Artemis before his grinned, "Nice work Lady Artemis, I can't help but compliment the improvements you made."

Artemis chuckled quietly before regaining her composure. She snapped her fingers conjuring up a chair for Percy to sit in.

Percy bowed his head to the goddess, "Thank you Lady Artemis."

Artemis nodded and turned back to Chiron who explained the purpose of the meeting again. Percy raised his hand about halfway through his speech stopping Chiron.

"Yea, I already know where the Labyrinth entrance is." Percy said casually.

Everyone looked at Percy in shock before Zoe spoke up, "What do you mean you know where it is? Why didn't you mention it?"

Percy shrugged, "Because no one asked. I'm a son of Hades; we have a knack for finding tunnels and underground passages. I found the entrance like a week into being here but figured it would be better if the campers didn't know about it. I assumed Chiron and the gods already knew where it was."

Artemis shook her head, "Now do you see why you need the most powerful demigod in camp included in your war councils? You have sent a quest out to the city for nothing."

Chiron's eyes widened, "I must Iris Message Clarisse at once. Continue the meeting, I will be back shortly."

Artemis turned back to the counselors shaking her head, "Where is the entrance Perseus?"

"Between some rocks near Zeus' fist. It's a tight squeeze but the delta symbol is clearly visible around five feet in." Percy replied.

Artemis nodded, "I will need you to take me there as soon as this meeting is over."

Percy nodded, "Of course Lady Artemis,"

"Thalia, please bring our little friend Theseus to my cabin. Tell the girls they can play with him but not to kill him… yet."

Thalia grinned evilly as she grabbed the jackelope by the scruff of his neck and jogged out of the war room.

"The rest of you can leave but someone please wait back for Chiron." Artemis said before waving Percy to follow her.

Once outside, Artemis put a hand on Percy's shoulder as they vanished in a silver light. They reappeared in front of Zeus' fist. Percy walked over to the rocks and slid between two rocks with Artemis right behind him. Percy pointed ahead where the delta symbol glowed softly in the moonlight.

Percy followed Artemis out of the rocks where she stopped, "Thank you Perseus; I will inform Olympus of this shortly."

Percy nodded and made to walk back towards camp but Artemis put a hand on his chest to stop him.

"I need to speak with you for a minute." Artemis said seriously.

Percy gulped a bit but nodded.

"What are your thoughts about Zoe?" Artemis asked stoically.

Percy looked at her confused, "Um, she is my friend. Is that not okay with you?"

Artemis shook her head, "That is the extent of your feelings?"

Percy's eyes widened before he chuckled, "You have nothing to worry about Lady Artemis. Zoe is probably my best friend in camp but I'm not exactly looking for someone to date."

Artemis raised an eyebrow, "And why is that?"

Percy's expression turned serious, "I think you are well aware why Lady Artemis. It wouldn't make much sense to get too close to someone only to die on them in a little over a year. Besides, Zoe is bit out of my league."

Artemis' expression softened, "Perseus, prophecies are never certain. You managed to save Zoe from hers. Do not lose hope."

"I haven't lost hope but I also think realistically. No matter what I do, whatever is supposed to happen, will happen. If I do die, then so be it. At least I will know that I died for something worthwhile." Percy explained seriously.

The goddess nodded with an impressed look on her face, "You are a very brave hero Perseus. Not many would face their fate as fearlessly as you are."

Percy just shrugged in response.

Artemis looked at him curiously, "What did you mean when you said Zoe was out of your league?"

Percy's eyes widened at the question before he frowned a bit, "Please don't take this the wrong way Lady Artemis but Zoe is quite beautiful while my stepfather made sure I would never win any beauty contests in my short life."

Artemis frowned at his response, "Your scars only show the struggles you have overcome in your life. Do not think they take anything away from you. I only asked you about Zoe because I was surprised by how fondly she spoke of you but I am happy that you two have grown close. If she is forced to stay out of my hunt, it is reassuring to know she has someone like you to watch her back."

"You have nothing to worry about anyway; with the exception of me, Zoe has it made it quite clear to camp she still carries a strong dislike of men." Percy explained.

Artemis nodded approvingly, "It is good to know she still has the same taste towards men and the ability to recognize one of the rare good ones."

Percy smiled at her words, "That is very kind of you Lady Artemis."

Artemis smiled before it turned into a smirk, "You should prepare yourself for the fight of your life tomorrow night. Zoe took it upon herself to inform me you may be the first worthy mortal adversary for me. I will be playing with my hunters in capture the flag."

Percy paled at her words before he scowled, "I'm going to kill her when I see her."

Artemis' smirk grew, "I would recommend you save your energy. I have no plans to go easy on you." She said as she grabbed Percy's shoulder and teleported them back to the cabin area in camp."

Line Break

Percy sat in a branch overlooking the clearing where his team's flag sat out in the open. His body was tense with anticipation for the coming fight. He wasn't worried but he did know that he was in for the fight of his life. His entire team was gone; all sent after the hunter's flag while he was sure he knew the only hunter that would be coming to get theirs was going to be none other than the goddess herself. His plan was simple; he didn't need to win but he did need to keep her occupied long enough for his friends to begin fighting their way through the hunter's defenses while Zoe or Annabeth snuck past them and captured their flag.

Percy was brought out of his thoughts by Artemis casually strolling into the clearing where she stopped in the middle.

"Come on out Perseus; I know you're here." Artemis called with mischievous smile playing on her lips.

Percy sighed loudly and jumped down from the branch and stood between the goddess and his team's flag.

Artemis grinned, "I hope you won't be a disappointment for me; Zoe spoke very highly of your skills."

A small smile crept on to Percy's face, "Well there's only one way to find out." He said as he held out his hand. His Stygian Iron blade shot out of the earth before his held out his other hand where an identical blade shot up into his outstretched hand.

Artemis smiled and nodded and two silver hunting knives appeared in her hands.

Without another word the goddess lunged towards Percy bringing down her hunting knives in a downward arc. Percy raised his blade and blocked before slashing at the goddess with his other sword.

Artemis jumped back but quickly lunged at him again, this time feinting the strike with her knives and quickly crouching and kicking Percy's legs out from under him. Percy landed on his back and rolled to the side just in time to avoid being stabbed in the chest. Percy jumped to his feet only to be kicked hard in the chest.

Percy stumbled back and had to spin to his left to avoid being cut open by a blur of silver hunting knives. He received a glancing blow, opening up a shallow cut on his shoulder. Percy winced from the blade before focusing on the charging goddess again. Artemis sent a hard kick towards Percy's stomach and was shocked when Percy swatted away her foot with the hilts of his swords, causing the goddess to stumble and wince from the power of the strike.

This time Percy attacked, bringing both swords down in a downward arc towards her head. Artemis raised her knives to block, giving Percy the chance to kick the goddess in her leg, knocking her down to a knee. Percy swung again only to be blocked but sent a hard kick to Artemis' exposed ribcage, knocking her off a knee and onto the ground.

Artemis was on her feet again before Percy could attack, her eyes looking at the demigod in front of her with new respect. Percy stepped back a few feet and let the sword drop out of his left hand before a hunting knife appeared in it a second later. Artemis raised an eyebrow but had no time to ask why when Percy charged her again. Percy made a wild slash to her left side only to have Artemis block the strike and then lock his blade between her two knives. Artemis smirked as she twisted the blade and knocked it out of his hand. Percy returned the smirk as slashed a gash in the goddess' ribcage with his hunting knife. Ichor began to slowly leak from the wound as Percy stepped back and his other sword shot out of the earth and into his waiting hand.

Artemis grabbed her wounded side as she stared at Percy in shock, realizing he lost his sword on purpose as it opened her other side up for his other blade to strike.

Artemis' eyes narrowed as she sprinted forward, sending a flurry of strikes at Percy who struggled to keep up with her speed. Artemis feinted a strike to his legs before driving a hunting knife through Percy's exposed shoulder. Percy grunted in pain as he jumped back, blood flowing freely from his shoulder now. Artemis pressed her attack, trying to get inside the reach of his sword but Percy met every strike she sent with either his sword or knife. As Artemis' frustration grew, her strikes became more wild and unpredictable. Percy raised his sword to block a strike at his wounded shoulder and received a hard kick to his stomach for his troubles.

Percy hunched over as Artemis made to attack again but Percy lunged forward, tackling Artemis to the ground before quickly rolling off and climbing back to his feet. Artemis jumped back to her feet but barely had enough time to raise her blade to block his sword. Percy's hunting knife slid across her exposed thigh, drawing a deeper gash than her last cut.

Artemis growled as she lunged forward using her godly speed, dropping into a crouch as she swept Percy's feet out from under him and knocked him on his back again. In a blur of silver Artemis pinned Percy to the ground and held a hunting knife to his throat.

"You lose." She said with a triumphant smirk on her face.

"The battle yes but the war no." Came the amused voice of Zoe from a few feet behind Artemis.

Artemis' eyes widened before she got off Percy and turned to see Zoe standing beside all the campers and hunters with the hunter's flag in her hand and a smug smile on her face.

Artemis stared at Zoe in shock before a small smile crept onto her face, "I take it you captured the flag?."

Zoe nodded as she looked behind the goddess to see Percy panting heavily and clutching his bleeding shoulder, clearly exhausted.

Artemis turned back to Percy and offered him her hand. Percy took it gratefully as she pulled him to his feet. Artemis placed a hand on Percy's shoulder and sent a few pulses of silver light into his wound before it closed up.

"Very impressive Perseus; you are a very skilled fighter." Artemis said in a respectful tone.

Percy bowed his head a bit, "As are you Lady Artemis; that was the toughest fight of my life."

Artemis grinned at his statement before Chiron cantered over to the crowd of demigods and hunters.

"We need another war council Lady Artemis; Clarisse has returned and brought news of the Titan Army's plans." Chiron said seriously.

Artemis nodded, "Give me twenty minutes and I shall join you in the big house. I assume Perseus will be included in the meeting this time?" She said with an eyebrow raised.

Chiron nodded, "Of course Lady Artemis."

Artemis nodded as the demigods began to disperse. After sending most of her hunters back to their cabin, she walked with Percy and Zoe towards the big house.

As they walked, Artemis began to speak, "There will most likely be a quest issued to deal with the problem of the Titans using the Labyrinth. I would ask that both of you make sure you are on it. Should the Titan's get into camp through the maze, it will be very difficult to defend the camp."

Percy and Zoe glanced at each other briefly before nodding to Artemis.

When the trio arrived in the war room, they discovered Annabeth had already been sent to the oracle. Theseus was slumped in his chair looking nervously towards Artemis who had a mischievous smirk plastered on her face. Chiron explained how Clarisse found a demigod near one of the entrances to the Labyrinth who had been lost for a while down there. Despite his current mental state, they were able to decipher the Titan Army's plans to find Ariadne's string before mounting an attack on Camp Half Blood.

Five minutes later Annabeth came down the stairs with a pale face and showed no signs of knowing everyone was looking at her until Thalia snapped her fingers in front of her friend's face.

"What was the prophecy my dear?" Chiron asked.

Annabeth nodded numbly before speaking;

"Four shall delve in the darkness of the endless maze
Two children of the sea guide the way
You shall rise or fall by the ghost kings hand
the child of Athena's final stand
Destroy with a hero's final breath
And lose a love to worse than death"

"Well this one sounds like a blast." Percy said sarcastically from his seat.

Zoe rolled her eyes but was extremely troubled by the words of the prophecy.

"Well I think the prophecy is pretty clear about who is going." Chiron announced to the room.

"Great so our success depends on Jackson; this won't end well." Theseus spat from his seat.

Percy raised an eyebrow, "Who said you were coming on this quest?"

Theseus' eyes narrowed, "The sea obviously refers to me you idiot."

Percy's eyes shifted to the pitcher of water at the end of the table. He raised his hand as the water floated out of the pitcher before it hardened into a shard of ice which floated over to Theseus, the shap jagged end inches from his neck.

"Do not presume to think you know anything brother" Percy spat saying the word brother with disgust.