A/N: I'm glad you guys liked the last chapter, and I hope you like this chapter as well. I decided to compose this chapter sooner than expected as sort of a peace offering. Since I do feel bad in not updating for a long time. So I hope this chapter makes up for some of the lost time. Oh and this will be a slow Pertemis pairing.
- ShakespearePoet101
"There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life."
- John Lennon.
Silence. Dead silence reigned across the Pavilion. So silent that you could hear a pin drop. Percy stared into the angry silver eyes, and wished he could disappear. He had never seen Artemis this angry before. The anger that radiated off of her was like a force in itself. It was pushing him back, daring him to agree with her father's claim. He didn't want to oh how he didn't want to, but he knew if Zeus wanted it he would do it. He could feel eyes on him. Could feel their stares and the impatience that came with it. He realized that they were waiting. Waiting for his approval or dismissal of the request that was asked of him. He thought about the men and women who were trying to survive, and he knew he had to help. So with a grim determination he nodded his head. He squared his shoulders knowing what was about to come. It was a lot worse than he thought it would be. Screams of outage and anger rebounded through the Pavilion. He saw Artemis eyes flash as she started to advance on him. He backed away immediately, and he wasn't scared to admit that he was scared. No scared was to small of a word. Pants wetting, knee shaking, heart attack inducing terror that fit what he was feeling right now.
He knew what Artemis did to men that she found infuriating and it wasn't pretty. He would like to have children one day, and he knew if Artemis got her way he wouldn't. Finally after what seemed like forever to him Artemis stopped in front of him. He couldn't help but marvel at how perfect she smelled. She smelled like a pine forest, slightly spicy but with a hint of rose to level it out. Of course those thoughts ended when Artemis jabbed her finger into his chest. Hard. Percy was sure he was going to have a bruise there by the afternoon. Or maybe in like five minutes. Percy stared into the Goddess angry silver eyes, and wished he wasn't the one under her heated gaze. Another much harder jab brought him out of his musings, and he knew his eyes widened when Artemis leaned in.
"Let me make myself clear Jackson. I am the lead on this rescue mission, and if you even step an inch out of line. I will make you regret everything you have ever done. Got it." Artemis snarled and Percy could only nod his head. He was absolutely petrified at what exactly she could do to him. He glanced at his father and saw that his eyes were widened as well. He could clearly read the message that was in his eyes. "You are so screwed." If this situation wasn't so dire, Percy would have laughed, but since it was his livelihood on the line he decided to stay silent. "Good now let's go. The sooner we get there the better." Artemis said turning around and striding out of the Pavilion. He followed silently, and couldn't help but notice the sympathetic gazes following him.
He knew his father had wanted to argue, but it was his choice in the matter. If he had declined and Zeus made him do it. That would be an entirely different story altogether. Though Percy knew that he would still go. Not for the fact that Zeus would make him go, but rather for the fact that he wanted to be useful, and sitting around camp doing nothing... It wouldn't suit him, and Zeus probably knew that. Which was why Percy thought he asked him to go along with Artemis. That and for the fact that Artemis despite her skill still needed backup now and again, and this was one of those times. Percy followed Artemis towards the array of tents, and stopped just outside the border. He remembered that you had to be invited into the camp, and he didn't want overstep his boundaries. Artemis seeing him stop glanced at him, and Percy swore he thought he saw respect flash in her eyes, but it was gone before he could discern it.
"You can come in Jackson but do not loiter around. We have to be quick and head towards North Fork." Artemis said disappeared into her tent, and Percy stayed behind. Even though he was invited in he didn't move. It would be like trespassing into someone else's home, and Percy didn't want to make an already bad situation worse.
"Why are we heading towards North Fork?" Percy asked as Artemis came back out with her bow. Percy noticed that she also had two bags in her hands.
"We're going to North Fork because that's where the base is. It's there because the place is a rural area, and it offers up many good acres." Artemis said while shoving one of the bags into his chest, and continuing walking towards Thalia's hill. Percy followed behind her, and put the bag on his shoulder. They stepped through the borderline of the camp, and Percy glanced back and saw the familiar strawberry farm. He turned around and saw that Artemis was looking at him with an annoyed expression.
"Sorry." He mumbled sheepishly and continued walking behind her.
"Remember Jackson one step out of line and I end you." Artemis called from behind her shoulder as she took off running. Leaving Percy in the dust and staring bewildered behind. With a sigh Percy took off running after her. Knowing that for once he shouldn't have been so chivalrous.
Three days, it took them three days to get to North Fork. Those three days were awful for Percy. He knew Artemis hated men, but he had never known the extent of her hatred. She wasn't cold, but Percy knew he wasn't wanted, and that stung. Though he knew he couldn't judge her. Knowing that if he was in her shoes, and had been scorned like she had then he would have hated men just as much. Luckily the trip was eventful enough for Percy to forget that Artemis hated him. He had seen Earth at its most beautiful and had heard the birds singing to each other in greeting.
He never wanted to forget the moments he had. Percy remembered a quote from a couple years ago. He had been looking out a window, and at Earth. The quote always stuck with him. "Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there-on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam. The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves. The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand. It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known." (Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space.)
It stuck with him because it was true, and Percy knew it. Everyone in this world even though unconsciously mistreated and took Earth for granted. Even he did, and he knew not many meant to it was just human nature. So Percy did his best to remember Earth, and all its aspects. Because, he didn't know if he would ever see it again if he left for Gallinia again. Luckily after the second say of traveling they got some action. They ran into a couple hellhounds that were patrolling the border of the camp, but with a few quick and on point jabs they were able to kill them pretty easily.
Percy had never been to North Fork before, and this really wasn't the impression he wanted to have on his first visit, but oh well c'est la vie. Though nothing could have prepared him for the wreckage and carnage that awaited them. It wasn't the sight the hit them first. No it was the smell of it. The smell of blood and burned flesh hit his nose, and caused it to wrinkle in disgust. It was like death had solidified itself and was hanging over the place. He had never in all his years smelled something so horrible before. Then they reached the wreckage, and Percy wished he could forget what he saw. Bodies were strewn across the field. Some were ripped apart causing blood to be splattered across the ground. The green of the grass and the redness of the blood clashed.
Holes like an explosion went off were everywhere. Half charred remains of the warriors lay either in or around them. He saw that there was golden dust mixed in, and Percy was glad that some of the monsters were killed. The smell and the destruction of the base would give anyone nightmares. Percy also noticed what looked like tent pieces on the ground, and a campfire that still seemed fresh. The horror that he felt at the realisation of what happened here made him want to throw up. They had been taken by surprise without a warning, and many of them probably died without realizing what was happening. He glanced at Artemis and saw that she looked horrified as well.
"Come on we need to find the survivors." She said walking through the field, and Percy followed. He tried not to think about the dead bodies that he was passing. The only thing that made him feel slightly better was the fact that once they cleared the base out they would get the burial they deserved. Percy followed Artemis closely clutching onto Riptide. They walked through a slightly wooded area, and Percy's ears were straining to pick up any noise that was off. They entered another clearing and the sound of snarling made them stop. In a flash Riptide was in his hand, and he was in a defensive pose. Artemis as well had her bow out and an arrow already notched. Then from the other side of the clearing came three hellhounds and two Empousa. The minute the monsters realized they weren't alone they attacked.
Percy moved out of the way of the first hellhounds attack, and quickly brought Riptide down in an arch. He felt the blade meet the side of the hellhound, and he quickly moved to the side. Which caused the blade to run along its side. Percy ignored the howl of pain that the beast made, and focused on the other hellhound that came at him. He went down onto his knees as the thing jumped at him, and thrust Riptide up when the beast went over him. He was showered in golden dust, and disgust flashed across his body. He stood up, and saw that Artemis had taken care of one of the Empousa and the other hellhound. The last Empousa snarled and Percy stood beside Artemis as she raised her bow. Her eyes were murderous and Percy was glad he wasn't the one she was pointing the arrow at. The Empousa sensing the danger it was in started to flee, but the arrow that appeared in the back of its head stopped it. Percy watched with satisfaction as it blew up. Artemis not wasting any time walked forward and Percy followed.
They went into another clearing and saw that it was barren. Percy looked around and saw a that there was absolutely nothing there. He frowned and glanced at Artemis who looked perplexed as well. Percy turned around when he felt a presence behind him, and was met with a sword against his neck. He looked up and saw a beautiful girl standing in front of him. She had azure blue eyes that flashed gold at intervals. Her golden hair was in a loose ponytail at the base of her neck, and she had armor on. Her eyes were hard and cold, and Percy realized that she was one of the survivors.
"Who are you?" The girl demanded coldness laced into her tone. Artemis who realized who the girl was as well lowered her bow.
"I am Perseus Jackson, but you can call me Percy." Percy said trying to keep his voice calm. The girl raised an eyebrow before glancing at Artemis.
"I am Artemis Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt." Artemis said and Percy saw the girls eyes flash in recognition. The sword vanished from his throat and Percy sighed in relief.
"I am sorry for almost killing your friend my lady, but you have to understand that I need to be cautious." The girl said and Artemis nodded in understanding.
"What is your name?" Artemis asked and the girl smiled slightly.
"My name is Elizabeth, Daughter of Aphrodite." Elizabeth said and Percy had to contain his shock. Most of the Aphrodite kids he had met were obsessed with only their looks and hygiene. Of course Percy knew not all of Aphrodite's kids were like that, but looking at the girl with dirt on her face and in her hair. He couldn't believe that she was the daughter of Aphrodite. Seemingly sensing his shock she smirked. "Yeah a big shocker that I am the daughter of the most vain Olympian." Elizabeth said and Percy tried not to laugh.
"Yes it is a big shock, but where are the others?" Artemis said trying to get to business, but Percy saw the pain that flashed across Elizabeth's face, and a bad feeling entered him.
"There is no one else I am the only survivor. There were two others, but they left on a mission two days ago, and haven't been back." Elizabeth said and Percy saw sympathy in Artemis eyes.
"I'm sorry. Then if there is no one else we should get heading back to Camp. Are there any other monsters?" Percy asked and he saw the girls eyes widen, and Percy frowned slightly at her reaction.
"Look out." She cried and immediately Percy realized that she was looking behind him. He turned swiftly but all he saw was a bat, and a searing pain in his head, and then total and complete darkness. He felt his body hit the ground and could feel nothing as the searing pain grew. He couldn't make out what was what. All he could see was darkness, and nothing else. He could feel nothing, and hear nothing but the distant sounds of metal clashing against metal. Though he faintly heard the sound of a female voice screaming his name, but couldn't figure out who it was as the darkness consumed him, and he felt nothing else.
A/N: I hope you liked the eleventh chapter of Perseus Jackson God of the Fallen. I wanted to put this into the chapter, but couldn't figure out where to put it so I decided to put it here.
"To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action.-Soft you now!
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remember'd!"
― William Shakespeare, Hamlet.
I thought it was a beautiful quote from Shakespeare. So I wanted to put it into the story, but again I don't think you can fit Shakespeare into Percy Jackson. Unless they are talking about it. Again I hope you like the chapter, and I'm sorry for all the misspelled/missing words.
- ShakespearePoet101
