Hi guys! Like I mentioned in the previous chapter, I'm sorry if it's not good. I came from camp and it was tiring for me. I promise you this chapter I didn't portray percy as a wuss. But the idea of him getting defeated by the giants was because he heard "Artemis's" scream. I'm sorry if I didn't bring it across well. Hope you guys would like this chapter!
Percy
"Artemis!" I cried out when she fell on me. I shook her motionless body but the only thing responding was her head swinging back and forth. I embraced her tightly as I let my tears flow uncontrollably. Whatever she did to heal me, it worked perfectly, but the cost… I held her close to me. Her weak breath blew against the back of my neck, which at least told me that she was still alive.
"Artemis please wake up, I can't do this without you." I sobbed. I swear, if we ever get out here, I will do whatever she says. She risked her own life to first find me, and second to save my life. And to think I almost abandoned her twice.
"Idiot…" I heard a soft mumble. I immediately moved my ear closer to her mouth.
"Break us out already." She said faintly. I was going to ask her what does she means, but thankfully I saw the shackles around her wrist and ankle. I wasn't shackled! I immediately freed Artemis off her shackles. Ok step one done. I looked at Artemis. I can't expect her to flash us out. I laid her down gingerly.
"I'll be right back." I kissed her forehead and went to break the gates with Riptide. Immediately, the guards started rushing in. There was just a couple of Cyclops and Giants. With Riptide in my hand, and my wounds fully healed and Artemis to protect, I charged forward to face them. I began to slash through the Cyclops and giants fairly easily. I finished off the guards easily and went back to pick up Artemis. I got out of the cell room without any more guards and went for the only exit there was. I went right into a coliseum, where I saw Pasiphae waiting on the other end, with of course a few other giants, Cyclops and a drakon.
"You are one persistent little demigod. I shouldn't have let you lived." She spoke up. I placed Artemis down carefully at the side and drew Riptide as I charged forward, with only one goal in mind- To save Artemis. The monsters, the giants and Cyclops, were all rushing forward to face me. I ignored all of them and continued charging forward. I need to move the centre of the fight away from Artemis. I stopped somewhat in the middle on the coliseum, which was a good enough distance away from Artemis.
"Fool! Now you are surrounded, with nowhere to run." Pasiphae laughed at me from the end of coliseum. The monsters wasted no time and mounted an all-out assault on me. I concentrated hard, and thankfully a miniature hurricane formed around me, granting me strength with the presence of water. I engaged the monsters, slashing through giants and dodging their attack, which was surprisingly easy. The monsters were finished off within no time, leaving only the drakon and Pasiphae. The drakon came forward, spreading its wing wide and roared at me. Without a hesitation, I charged forward and slashed it, or attempted to. The drakon immediately took flight and was circling around me. I did my best to keep track of him, managing to avoid all his attacks. Knowing its attack isn't working, the drakon started to blew acidic venom at me. I kept moving about. The areas which were hit by the venom wrecked at a hole into the ground. At this rate, I'm going to run out of places to stand, or trip over one of those holes whichever comes first. I begin to build up energy within me. The hurricane around grew stronger and stronger, to the extent that the drakon was unable to continuing flying and landed. My huge ass hurricane died out as well, reverting to a small one around me. I charged forward again, and this time, the drakon used its claws to attack. I dodged them without much problem and jumped up, attempting to stab his eyes. I managed to stab his right eye, causing it to roar in pain as he swiped his claws. I immediately pulled out my sword and jumped back. Ok, one more time. Riding the momentum, I dashed forward again. the drakon once again tried to attack me with his claws. I dodged one of them, and I saw the other coming. There was enough time for me to dodge it.
"HELP!" I heard Artemis screamed. My attention immediately turned towards Artemis, who was simply lying there unconscious, and not in any danger. Then who was shouting? Before I could get an answer, I was knocked back and pinned down by the drakon.
"Three times, and all three times you fell for it. You must really love Artemis." Pasiphae laughed at me. She moved over to where Artemis is, and studied her. I tried to break free, but the drakon had both my arms pressed down with his claws.
"Get away from her!" I shouted with anger, despite knowing how stupid and futile it is. She summoned a small knife and trailed it along her face.
"I wonder if you will still like her after I'm done with her." She snickered. In a fit of anger, I released a strong burst of fire, greek fire. The drakon was immediately lit up in flames and staggered backward as the green flames spread all over it. I found myself burning in greek fire, but it doesn't seem to hurt me. I drew out Riptide, and it was instantly coated with a layer of green flames. The drakon let out a loud roar, before crumbling into a pile of dust, with the fire still burning on top of it. I turned my vision to Pasiphae, who had fear written all over her face. Her hands were already trembling as she backed away from Artemis.
"This isn't over!" She hissed and disappeared in mist. I calmed myself, and the greek fire slowly dissolved. Once I fully calmed myself down, my knee buckled as I land on my knees and hands. It was then I realised how exhausted I am. All that hurricane and fire summoning drained every ounce of energy I had with me. I allowed myself to take a short break, before deciding to get up and leave, much to my protesting body. I walked over to Artemis and piggy backed her.
"Artemis, you are god damned heavy for a twelve years old." I complained and slowly inched myself towards the exit of the coliseum. Once out, I found myself in a split road. Great, now how am I supposed to return to camp? Just as I pop the question in my head, I noticed a faint brightness on one of the path. I followed the lighting and reached another cross path. Yet again, I noticed a faint brightness on one of the path and followed it. Within short time, I found an exit and got out.
It was Camp Half-blood! I broke down onto my knees upon knowing that I am safe. I laid Artemis beside me and crashed myself against the grass floor. I tilted my head slightly. Artemis is safe. I let out a breath and smiled, before closing my eyes as well.
Line break
I woke up in a familiar room, in a familiar tub of water. Apollo wasn't around. I began to move my limbs. I was full of energy naturally. I climbed out of the pool and sat down at the stairs Artemis summoned back then. I wonder how she is. I gave myself a minute, to make sure I have the energy to move and not fall flat on my face again. After a minute or so, and that I'm certain I'm alright; I got up and decided to find Artemis. As I got out of my ward, I found myself standing in an alleyway filled with doors. I decided to try my luck and went into the room opposite me. I opened it, only to find a room filled with many beds. Artemis wasn't in there; to be exact there was no one. I went to check subsequence rooms, only to be faced by the same thing. I went through at least a dozen rooms, before finally finding the right room. Unlike other rooms, there was only one bed with Artemis lying on it. Apollo, who was tending to her, turned over and looked at me.
"Glad to see you're alright." He said, but without the usual happiness or cheerfulness in it.
"How's Artemis?" I asked and walked up. She was simply lying there motionless, which isn't a good sign, and her pale face wasn't helping at all.
"She's weak, extremely weak. She's just hanging there by a thread." He said sadly and held her hand tightly.
"But why? All she did was healed my wounds." I asked unbelievingly. That's what she did right?
"She didn't just heal your wounds back there, she used her own her godly essence to make you a god, or tried to." He placed her hand down and turned to face me.
"What do you mean? Why would she use her own essence to heal me?" I continued to ask.
"I presumed she must be shackled when she was captured?" He asked, and I simply nodded.
"When a god is shackled, you know that he or she is unable to use her powers. But one is able to use his godly essence in those shackles." He explained, but I was still unable to make any sense out of it.
"Without being able to use her powers, the only way she could save your live was to turn you into a god." He explained further.
"So I'm a god now?" I asked yet again.
"Not exactly." He replied. "To make someone a god, the god has to use his own essence to override your mortal essence, and it costs a lot of essence. Being not as powerful as we used to, all of us Olympian will do it together, to make it easier on us. And Artemis" he turned to looked at her.
"She tried to do it on her own." He said sadly.
"So what's happening to her now?" I looked at Artemis's pale face with pain and sadness.
"She's still hanging there. But if she is unable to restore her goldy essence… she will fade." He said grimly.
"Why not extract the essence from me and return it to her?" I suggested immediately. The idea of her fading, it just eats me up.
"We can't. Like I said she tried, but she failed. Now you're somewhere in-between a demigod and a god. We don't know what will happen if we extract the essence from you."
"Then why can't you gods transfer your own essence into her?!" I raised my voice.
"It's different. There's a reason why there is a difference in the colour of our powers. It's because of the difference in our essence." He said calmly.
"THEN WHAT CAN WE DO?!" I screamed at him.
"I DON'T KNOW!" He shouted back. "I really don't know." He said sadly and took a seat by her bed.
"I'm not going to accept this." I shook my head in disbelief as I dashed out of the room, out of Apollo's temple. There I stood in the midst of Olympus Street, with zero clues on what to do. If Apollo himself don't have the answer, who would? I approached Hermes first. Surely, given his years of travelling, he definitely would have something or know of something that could help Artemis. I rushed over to his house. I went through the simple maze. Really, why would he want to build a "maze" if all you have to do is walk straight? I knocked on the door, and waited for a while before he answered.
"Hey percy, what brings you here? Need more vitamins?" He greeted me in his usual outfit.
Hi percy, glad to see you in your human form. George commended
Oh can you just shut up for once? Ignore him please percy. Martha chastised.
"No I hadn't needed that ever since the last incident. I'm here to ask you a question. Do you know of anything that can help a god recover his essence?" I got straight to the point. I would love to sit down and chat with him, but there's for next time.
"A god's essence eh? Umm the only thing I know of that may help is the Golden Apple from the garden of the Hesperides." The Golden Apple… if I'm remembered correctly,
"I thought the apple is supposed to make one immortal?" I questioned.
"Yes, that is if it's consumed by a mortal. If a god ate it, he or she not only have most aliments cured, but also be at full power for a few hours. It's like nectar and ambrosia to you guys, but slightly stronger." He explained clearly.
"Thanks Hermes, I'll be going now." I quickly pulled him in for a hug and opened a mist portal to the Garden.
"But-"
"I know it's dangerous, but Artemis needs it, I owe her that much." I cut him off and went through the portal. I appeared right before the tree that housed my target, the Golden Apple, and the hundred-headed dragon Ladon.
Knowing how great my stealth is, and Ladon never sleeps, I drew out Riptide and uncapped it. Sensing danger, the dragon immediately aroused from whatever he was doing before and turned to face me. By size, he's at least uh… let's just say extremely long. Parts of his body are even intertwined around the tree. By head, needless to say right? I tightened my grip on Riptide, and decided to wait for him to make the first move. After standing there staring at the dragon for a few minute, I came to this conclusion- the dragon won't leave the tree at any cost. I went forward, a step at a time. The first few steps, the dragon didn't attack, nor did it move at all. I closed in slowly, lifting Riptide in defence right after each steps. Immediately after my… I lost count so let's not care about that, a bunch of the dragon's head charged at me. I swung my sword and backed off immediately. I managed to cut off a head, so that leaves about ninety-nine more to go. The dragon backed off as well. I used Riptide and made a line on the floor, so the moment I pass through this line I can expect a bunch of dragon head to come at me. I just have to repeat what I did for about ninety-nine times and the Apple is mine, no sweat at all.
"Who are you and what are you doing!" A woman's voice came from my side. I turned over and saw a bunch of woman dressed in ancient greek clothes. They had long black, silky hair that went all the way to their shoulders, and their black volcanic eyes… it resembles so much like…
"You're the Hesperides. " I called out.
"Yes, and we remembered who you are, Perseus Jackson." They replied. Persues… Memories of Artemis flooded my mind. How she would be calling me Perseus, but would call me percy every time she is worried over me, or simply needed my forgiveness.
"Why are you battling Ladon? Do you wish to obtain the Golden Apple?" One of the Hesperides spoke up, knocking me back to reality.
"Yes, but it's not for myself. It's for Artemis." I answered. I did my best to hide my sadness as my mind is once again in reminiscence mode.
"And why is that so?" The same lady asked.
"She used her own godly essence to save my life, and now she's in critical condition. I need the Apple to restore her essence." I answered. They seemed to be appalled by my answer, but who wouldn't. Oh you know Artemis, that goddess that hates man for living and would brutally murder a male just for the fun of it? Yeah she saved my life at her the cost of her own. I looked back at the Hesperides, who were discussing among themselves.
"We have decided to aid you." One of them spoke up.
"It's not because of Lady Artemis, but for what you did to Zoe Nightshade." Another one spoke up.
"Okay." I replied. The Apple is the main and only priority. I was gestured to go near them, which I did.
"Honestly speaking, by you alone, it would be impossible for you to kill Ladon." They went straight to the point.
"Yes, I see that." I held my tongue. They are right about that, and I also wouldn't want to piss the people who are going to help me.
"So you know that Ladon won't attack you if you are not close to the tree." I nodded. "Then why don't you shoot him from afar?" They suggested.
"It works? Won't Ladon attack me?" I asked disbelievingly.
"No, he is trained not to leave the tree even when baited." They assured me, but I'm still not buying it.
"Then why other people don't do that?" I countered.
"Fear, they are afraid the dragon would strike back. Wouldn't you too?" They said as if it was common sense. "Even if they have thought of that, and did it, they still have to chop off its head up close. However, an injured Ladon is still more than enough to defeat most demigods." They explained. One of them then summoned a bow and a quiver filled with arrows.
"We are unable to fight with you, but we can supply you with the equipment to do so. This quiver will never run out of arrows. Good luck Perseus Jackson." They handed me the bow and arrows before returning to where they came from. I looked at the bow in my hand. How am I supposed to do this? I know my own standards. I can't even shoot in the direction I want. I don't know how, but somehow I will screw up and went I let go off the string it will fly off somewhere else or just drop to the floor. Sigh… How I wish Artemis is here. I could use some of her expertise advice and scolding. I went back to the line. With a bow in one hand, I pulled out an arrow and load it on the bow. I looked at Ladon.
Just have to fire straight. There's no way I would miss such a dragon that it's at least 30ft long dragon. I did my best to remember what Chiron taught me about archery. I got into my position and aimed the bow at the dragon. I pulled back the string. Apollo, if you can hear me, I could use some help in my aiming. I released the arrow, and it, thankfully, flew forward. It hit the dragon somewhere in that long body of his. Ladon roared in defiant, and I was prepared to drop the bow and run for my life. As confirmed by the Hesperides, the dragon didn't do anything else. I drew another arrow and fired at him, this time managing to hit his claws.
I can shoot!
Yeah! Archery is fun when you are actually able to hit something. Thanks Apollo. Feeling more confident, I pulled out another arrow and simply fired without much aiming. I continued, and with each arrow fired I felt even more confident and started to fire even faster. I just kept firing those arrows continuously, until my arm was exhausted from all that firing. Ladon had his body filled with arrows. His claws were filled with arrows, along with some of its head being impaled with arrows as well. He was bleeding so much Ichor; I was beginning to feel bad for him. Being fired at but just can't leave the tree. I hung the bow around me and gave myself a minute to rest, before I drew out Riptide and lit it on fire, greek fire. After the battle in the Labyrinth, I figured out how to lit my sword on fire without setting myself on fire as well, not that it hurts but it drains too much keeping myself lit. At least now the odds are slightly tipped to my side. I braced myself, and the moment I stepped pass the line, I rushed forward. Despite being injured so badly and all the arrows weighing him down, Ladon was still quick with his heads. I swung my sword wildly, slashing some of the heads off and igniting parts of his head on fire. The fire begins to spread wildly with all the arrows burning up almost instantly. Ladon immediately roared in pain, and was obviously unable to keep up with my attack with so much greek fire burning on him. I took the opportunity and slashed its heads off. Ninety… Eighty… Seventy. The numbers just keep dropping. Right until,
"Stop!" I heard the Hesperides shout out. I immediately jumped out into the safe zone and turned to face the group of ladies.
"Leave his last head. You have already bested him. He will not stop you from picking the apple." They explained. I looked at the poor dragon. Besides having ninety-nine of his head cut off, he was still burning in greek fire.
"We will settle the fire and his well-being. Go get your Apple to Lady Artemis." They seemed to hear my thoughts and answered them. I went up the tree and plucked an Apple from the tree before opening a mist portal to Apollo's temple.
"Apollo!" I shouted out loud in his temple. Immediately, he flashed before me with an angry look on his face.
"Don't shout so loud in my temple! Jeez you're becoming like my sis, always shouting at me." He commended.
"You forgot shooting." I teased. He looked at me and was about to rage.
"I got the Golden Apple." I brought out my hand and showed him the apple. "I heard from Hermes that it is able to restore a god's essence."
"You went to fight Ladon?" He widened his eyes.
"I thought you knew and blessed me with the ability to shoot straight." I inquired.
"I didn't." He shook his head. "I think it's probably because you have Artemis's essence within you, so you have part of her shooting abilities." He added. Yet again, I can't do anything without her, literally.
"Speaking of her, let's give her the apple already." I said impatiently and ran towards her ward. I have so much I want to say to her.
"How are you intending to feed her the Apple when she's unconscious?" He pulled me back and stopped me in my track.
"Oh right." I looked down sadly, before an idea hits me.
"I know! Just wait for me in the ward. I'll be right back." I said eagerly and opened a mist portal to my mom's place. Upon entering her place, she came out of the kitchen and came to give me a hug.
"Mom, why does it seem that you're always in the kitchen?" I asked and took it a sit at the couch.
"Well I am certainly not as busy as you are. I have a lot of free time besides tending the Hearth so I spent it cooking in the kitchen. Is it fine with you?" She teased and took a seat beside me.
"So why have you come visit me for? I don't think you're here just to ask me why I spend most of my time in the kitchen that's all." She added. I showed her the apple, which she took it and examined it.
"It's the Golden Apple, from the Garden of the Hesperides. I need you to use it and help me make it into a soup or something so I can feed Artemis in her unconscious state." I told her my request.
"You went to battle Ladon?" She asked disbelievingly. What is with everyone asking the same question? I kept quiet and simply nodded my head.
"You know you could have just asked your aunt Hera to get it for you?" She stopped examining the apple and looked at me.
"What do you mean I could have just asked aunt Hera for it?" I asked, but I know that I'm not going to like what she's going to say next.
"The tree is her wedding gift from Gaea when she accepted Zeus. She's also the one who placed Ladon there to guard it." She rolled her eyes at me.
"So… I risked my life battling Ladon, when all I had to do was to ask aunt Hera for it?" I put all the information together, and immediately I felt so stupid.
"Yeah, that's about it." She got up from her seat. "But think of it this way. At least this proved how much you love Artemis, and hopefully she will forgive you for leaving her without a word." She shrugged and went to the kitchen. Yeah hopefully. I think she will be using me as a target board, not to forget her hunters. I should probably get Apollo to prepare for my return.
"I think you will be more than just a target board. She will be at full power for a few hours, just so you know." Hestia commended as she walked into the living room with a bowl of what seemed to be apple soup.
"Why do you have to read my mind all the times?" I whined. I really need to find something to prevent this.
"You're my champion, and my adopted son. But relax; I don't think Artemis will hurt you too badly, maybe just a few days of pure labour, and some "sparring sessions" with her." Empathizing on the sparring sessions.
"Hey I just realised. I haven't been spending time with you lately." I said sheepishly. "I think I'll stay with you for a few days."
"Don't even think about it Percy Jackson. You will just make her even angrier by running away. And if you dare to hide here, I will personally send you to Artemis." She threatened me. What kind of mom will watch his own son walk to his own death?
"A mom who knows what is best for his son." She read my thought again. "Percy, just calm down. As much as Artemis wants to beat you and skin you alive, deep down she's happy that you are safe." She comforted me, which clearly didn't work if you are using words like beating and skinning.
"Pass this to Apollo. He will know what to do." She hands me the bowl of soup. "And don't come back if you are intending to hide from Artemis." She reinforced her message before flashing me off.
I appeared right inside Artemis's ward, where I found Apollo tending to her attentively.
"Apollo" I called out. "I got Hestia to make the Apple into a soup. She says you will know what to do with it." I handed him the bowl of soup. He took the bowl from me and placed it beside the bed and summoned a tube of some sort
"Uh… you might want wait outside for a while." He advised me, but it was more of an order. I went outside and closed the door behind me. She's going to be fine. Just have to wait for Apollo to use that tube and feed it to her. After what seemed like forever, Apollo came out.
"How's she?" I asked impatiently as I found my arm holding him down on his shoulders, as if he would run away.
"I'm sorry, but I did what I could." He said sadly and embraced me in a hug.
"No… it can't." I struggled out of Apollo's embrace, tossing and kicking him just to get free. I don't believe this. I didn't just risk my life for nothing. I still have so much I wished to do with Artemis. She said she would teach me archery.
"Hey hey hey! Chill bro. I'm just messing with you. She's going to be alright." He finally spoke the truth when he couldn't hold me down anymore.
"IT'S NOT FUNNY!" I screamed at him, but he kept laughing hysterically.
"Hey I have to do something to get back at you right? You are the reason why my lil sis is in this state in the first place." He rebutted, after he regained his composure. "You're lucky I only decide to mess with you." He added on. Then I realised, I've been so worried over Artemis that I forgot about Apollo. Although he's not injured or anything, he must have gone through quite a lot when he realised his "lil" sis went missing.
"I'm sorry. I…" I didn't know what to say. He was right. I'm lucky just to get pranked in return.
"No need to say sorry. At least you brought her back." He pulled in for another embrace. "Besides, I think Artemis will be more than enough for you to handle." He smirked and broke off.
"Go have a good rest, you deserve it." He told me "And you will need it." He smiled at me before flashing off. I looked at myself. My clothes were tattered, and I'm totally covered in dirt. I am tired, no doubt about it. I opened a mist portal and went to a place I know would be best to rest. There she was sitting on the couch knitting something. I placed my bow and quiver on the table and went over and took a sit beside her. Her body radiate so much warmth that I feel my body being pulled towards her. With a light tab from her, I found myself crushing onto her thigh. I closed my eyes and drift off to tranquillity as she caresses her fingers along the side of my face.
I woke up the next day and found myself covered in a warm blanket, feeling fully rested. My hands have wrapped themselves around her thigh without my permission. I tilt my head slightly and saw my mom, still knitting her knit.
"Morning mom." I unwrapped myself and lean up to give her a peck on the cheek. As I did, the blanket fell off my body, revealing a clean me and wearing a set of new clothes
"Did you change my clothes, and showered me?" I asked as I used my hands to wrapped around myself. She did not strip me naked and cleaned me up.
"Morning Percy, and to answer your question. It's a yes and a no. I changed your clothes, but I did not give you a shower." She put her knit down and smiled at me.
"Then why am I so clean?" I inspected myself. There isn't a single speck of dust on me. There is no way she can clean me up till this clean without dumping me into a bathtub.
"I used my powers and cleaned you up." She rolled her eyes at me. Ok, I accept that. Being seen naked is still better than being naked and touched.
"I'm your mom, Percy. Even if I were to give you a shower, there's nothing wrong with that." She chastised me and got up.
"Go wash up first, your breath stinks by the way. I will go make breakfast." She said and went to kitchen. I got up as well and went to the bathroom to have my teeth brushed thoroughly- Brush, floss, mouthwash, and brushing again. I can't remember the last time I brushed my teeth. I definitely didn't brush them when I'm in the Lotus Casino. I left the bathroom, after brushing my teeth for the third time, and making sure there wasn't any more stench. I went on to gobble down my food and quickly went to Artemis's ward. I opened the portal to outside of her ward. I knocked on the door before entering, didn't want to give her excuse to start scolding me again. I opened the door and took a quick glance over the room. Artemis was still lying on the bed unconscious, but she's not as pale as she used to be. It was then I took a look at her. She's actually quite fair for a hunter. Just then Apollo walked in too, and before he could say anything,
"Why the Hades isn't she awake yet?" I immediately glared at Apollo. It's been a whole night already and she's still in the bed.
"I don't know I just got here. Doctors also need their sleep ok." He shrugged me off and went to check on her.
"She seems fine-"
"Seems?" I tried to withhold myself from strangling him. Now I know why Artemis is always pissed off with him.
"Her vital stats are all fine. Maybe she's just sleeping." He explained his "seemed", though I don't buy it. "I'm off to do my duties, if anything happens, CALL ME." He said sternly, empathising on the last two words and flashed away. I took a seat beside Artemis. I didn't know what I could do. I simply held her hands and held it close to my face. It's warm, and soft.
"I'm sorry." I said to her. I didn't know what else I could say. "Just wake up, please. The hunters needs you, I need you. Or else who's going to hold me back from doing stupid things." I looked down in shame.
"That's all?"
"Of course not. Who else am I going to-"Then I paused for a stop, and looked up. I see Artemis smiling at me!
"ARTY!" I burst out in joy and lunged at her, hugging her tightly.
"I missed you too perseus." She hugged me back with equal strength. Much to my reluctant, she pulled back after a while.
"What were you intending to say just now? Before you suddenly jumped at me?" She looked at me with glee, and I can't help but feel shy.
"Well… I was going to say who am I supposed to the rest of live with." I smiled sheepishly at her.
"Persues, that is so corny even for me." She rolled her eyes at me, but nonetheless she still leaned in and gave me a quick peck on the lip. "But I still liked it." She beamed at me. Then an idea strikes me.
"Hey…" I leaned in and whispered to her. She agreed naturally and on the count of three,
"APOLLOOOOOOO!" We both shouted at the top of our lungs. Immediately a golden flash appear, with a raging Apollo.
"PERCY JACKSON I TOLD YOU NOT TO-"He looked over and was stunned for a moment, before,
"Lil Sis!" He screamed and ran forward with his arms wailing in the air with some super dramatic way of running. I quickly pulled back from Artemis, giving her the yeah-you're-on-your-own look when she glared at me. Apollo immediately came crashing in, and I mean it literally. He rammed forward, you know like those NFL players and tackled her with a powerful hug. It was so strong that the bed actually moved back a few inches.
"Oh sis you have no idea how much I miss you. It's just different without you around scolding me and shooting me." He cried into her shoulders. While he was doing so, Artemis was still glaring at me, giving me her usual "death" glare.
"It's also not fun anymore when I hit on your hunters." He added.
"You hit on my hunters?!" She screamed at him and pulled him off, only to see a chuckling Apollo.
"Just kidding. They are still at Camp Half-blood, and I did not hit on any of them during your absence." He assured her, but she still looked pissed, and she looked so cute when she's pissed! Especially in her twelve year old form, it's like a kid throwing a tantrum. Of course I didn't say it out loud for her to hear. Apollo then got off the bed and gave me a hug.
"Thanks Percy, for risking your life and getting the Apple for her." Oh no. Why does he have to mention the Apple?
"What Apple?" Artemis questioned, and from her expression she's clearly not happy about it.
"You didn't tell her?" Apollo asked, and I shook my head.
"Uh…I have to get back to my duties already. Bye" He smiled and immediately flashed away, leaving me behind with an angry-looking Artemis.
"What's this about the Apple? You're not referring to the Golden Apple from the Garden of the Hesperides right you?" She crossed her arms and scowled at me.
"Uh, maybe? " I played with my fingers while looking at her closing her eyes, simmering in I presume would be anger.
"PERSUES YOU IDIOT!" She burst out in rage. Although I'm expecting that, but it's still scary up front. What's worse was she was glowing sliver.
"Calm down first, you're glowing." I took a few steps back and raised my hands in fear. The last time she glowed in power or rage, I was turned into a jackalope, and it wasn't fun.
"Why did you risk your life, to get the Apple?" She said as humanly, or godly, calm as possible. "I didn't endanger my own life to save yours for you to risk it again." She added, still breathing heavily.
"You have any idea how I felt when you fainted on me back in the Labyrinth? Or I felt when I saw you on the verge of fading? You can risk your life to save mine, why can't I do the same for you." I poured out all that bottled feeling at her. I looked at her, but she looked away without muttering a word.
"I said it once, but I will say it again." I cupped her face, forcing her to look at me. "I love you Artemis, and I can't live without you. i-" I was cut off when she pressed her lips against mine.
Worth it. All of it was worth it. Just for this simple kiss. I drugged myself in her lovely forest scent. I wanted to deepen the kiss, but the moment I did that she backed off immediately.
"No, you don't deserve it. Not after what you just pulled and how you cheated on me with Aphrodite just hours after we are together." She looked at me seriously.
"Hey I didn't have my memories back then so that doesn't count." I complained, but she just covered her ears.
"Blablabla excuses blablabla" She shuts me off. "Consider yourself lucky I didn't cut off your genitals"
"Then what's our relationship now? You started the kiss." I shoot back. She pondered for a moment, before answering
"Probational Boyfriend." She snapped her fingers.
"Uh what?" I didn't understand at all.
"You are still my boyfriend, but on probation. If by any chance I'm unhappy with you or something, I reserve the rights to breakup with you and castrate you." She explained.
"In short, just don't do anything stupid and you'll be fine." She put it in simpler term upon seeing my lost expression.
"I think I can handle that." I held her hands with my own. "So what do you want to do now? You know that you have full powers for quite a while right?" I asked her. She paused for a moment.
"I don't have much I want to do actually. Right now I just want to go find my hunters." She answered, and I shivered involuntarily. I bet the hunters probably hate me right now.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. I sort of gave them the permission to do what they want to you to get them to help me find you." She said sheepishly and looked away shyly.
"Thanks a lot Arty. Maybe I should also put you on Probations if you keep making such decisions." I retorted disheartenedly.
"Oh come on Perseus." She laced her fingers through me. "Take it as a form of a test, to prove to me that you love me." She swung our intertwined hands lightly. And reluctantly, she flashed us both to Camp Half-blood.
As usual, leave behind constructive feedback, and I will work on that area. Also, you guys could also give me some ideas of what the hunters could do to percy. Till then, bye