Preparation

It was a rare sight to see snow in Camp Half-Blood, but it certainly was a welcomed one. With a calm dove-grey sky peppered with darker clouds, demigods were littered all across the camp. The snow seemed to glow and sparkle as it was crunched under the feet of content pre-teens and teenagers.

The trees were burnt skeletons with teardrops of snow lying upon their branches. The lava wall froze over, turning into a beautiful glass mural. The air a frozen lace upon the demigods' skin, yet not dampening a single soul's spirit.

The dining pavilion was always full of demigods, the arts and craft classes taking place there instead of their usual outdoor location. Kayaks no longer at the docks, they were trudged up Half-Blood Hill, preparing to slide down the winter hills. The arena was lit up as half-bloods trained, as the Children of Athena took to their books and the Children of Ares took to their weapons.

The only activity that was truly welcomed outdoors was the Archery Range. Girls aging from twelve to fifteen laughed and enjoyed one another's company. Dressed in their traditional silver parkas, the Hunters took to their bows and began shooting them carelessly. Didn't mean they never missed a bullseye.

Two, in particular, was off to the side. One had pure olive colored skin, with a bow aimed at a target, and trying her best to shoot it. The other held a silver tiara and was supposed to be watching the new hunter and help assimilate her into their culture. But as much as she wanted to, Zoe just couldn't bring herself to focus.

First, it was the horrendous dream concerning her mistress being trapped under the sky, where the Titan of Strength should be. That was already conflicting enough, considering the goddess drove away from her brother, and how unstable the Hunt is, and the fact that Zoe hasn't been to Mount Othrys since Heracles' betrayal.

The Hunt has never been at such a low point in millennia, not since the fall of Greece. Time and time again they have faced adversity, yet this figurative mountain was too steep for any Huntress to climb. Even though few took him for granted, no one really valued just how vital Percy was to the Hunt. It was like they didn't realize they were on life support, and Artemis went ahead and pulled the plug.

There wasn't a single night Zoe didn't think about Percy. She constantly wondered whether or not if he was safe. The mortal world wasn't the same as it was back in Ancient Greece, and even as physically adept Percy was, he was still susceptible to being captured and used.

And even though the Hunters were excessively biased against men, to a morbid extreme, the Hunt wasn't naive to how atrocious and cruel the female gender could be. Percy wasn't an ugly boy at all, and the Daughter of Atlas couldn't help but fear he would fall in the hands of the heinous women of the world. Once, a Hunter asked if the reason why they couldn't find him was that he was no longer alive.

Luckily the Hunter had good intentions, otherwise, she would've met the unrelenting force that was Phoebe. Though the idea of Percy being dead didn't stop Artemis and a small portion of the hunt from charging into the Underworld, right into the House of Hades, and demanding to know if Percy was dead. Thankfully he wasn't, and he swore on the Styx to alert the moon goddess if he ever dies.

Though there was something in his dark Onyx eyes, a little twinkle that told Zoe that Hades knew more than he let on. It wasn't enough for her to dwell on, but it was sufficient in taking her attention. And though she didn't realize it, the exact clone of Hades' eyes was staring at her through the new Huntress' eyes, and once again pulled her attention.

"I'm sorry Bianca, did you say something? I'm afraid I didn't hear it."

Bianca stared into Zoe's eyes before turning away and throwing her bow onto her shoulder. "I was asking if I was doing everything correctly, but it's obvious you weren't paying attention."

"I wasn't that I don't care!" Zoe stated, momentarily breaking character, "It's just that my head hasn't been in the right place. Hasn't in a while."

"I'm guessing it's the same for the entire Hunt then. Artemis looked so scary, if I wasn't who I was today, I probably wouldn't have joined."

"If you weren't who you were?"

Bianca looked at her questionably before realizing her mistake, "I meant that I'm not normally scared of things that most would be. I'm pretty sure the other demigods almost peed their pants looking at Milady."

"Yes, but I distinctly remember you screaming your heart out at the sight of the Manticore. Even your younger brother was laughing in awe at how dangerous the situation was."

Bianca began choking on air as Zoe cracked her first smile in months, "That was flat out different! I mean, who was I to believe that my little brother's card game was going to come to life! I'm not scared of, um, normal people things, like the dark or bugs. Demigod people things do not count!"

The Lieutenant held her hands up in mock surrender, her eyes lit with amusement, "Alright, alright. I believe you. Now come, I believe Lauren will want to plan our next win in Capture the Flag."

They walked with matching strides, full of purpose, minds clear of any thoughts, and senses that were calibrated to their surroundings, just like true Hunters should. Though Bianca had a few floating thoughts floating around her head, most of them pertaining to what could take such a grip on Zoe's mind.

"Hey Zoe," the Lieutenant hummed in response, "What's wrong with you anyway?"

Zoe slightly faltered in her steps, and Bianca's newfangled sight caught it before Zoe could fix herself. "I'm sorry?"

"You said your head wasn't in the right place. I told you that I noticed the same thing with the rest of the Hunt. I guess what I'm trying to ask is, what happened to make you act this way? Did a Hunter pass recently?"

"Bianca," Zoe cautioned, "I don't think you need to be burdened with our mistakes. Besides you just joined the Hunt and—"

"Zoe please, how can I adjust to you all and receive you as a family if you can't even let me in on what's the problem?"

Of all things she wanted to do as of right now, telling Bianca about Percy was at the bottom of the demititan's list. But her new sister was right, how inviting would the hunters appear if they left her out, just because it wasn't Bianca's issue.

"Alright, well… I have a brother." Zoe started slowly, attempting to give an altered version of the story.

"You, leader of the Hunt, had a brother?"

"Our patron goddess Artemis is our leader, Bianca."

"Yeah, yeah, you get what I mean. But you had a brother, weren't you born thousands of years ago."

"Before the gods themselves. Yet when I had joined Artemis and her group, my brother was still… underaged."

"So what, he was still a baby?" Bianca questioned.

"Yes, well—" Zoe pulled her hand up to her chin to think while checking her surrounding for eavesdroppers. I can't be too descriptive, the Hunt will not approve of her knowing everything. "Not exactly, he was young. Just enough to have not yet been corrupted."

"So basically, younger than my brother Nico?"

The elder huntress thought about the younger boy. Energetic upon first meeting, yet now he has seemed to have lost his happiness. Zoe saw him once in the dining pavilion and tore her eyes away as quickly as she could. The haunted look on Nico's face could only make her think of how Percy must currently be looking.

"Yes, just about right. Now I couldn't leave him alone, as we were both pretty attached to each other. The other Hunters at first didn't like it, but—"

"Wait. Timeout!" Bianca made her hands into a 'T' shape, "You said you both were attached. You two aren't nothing like Zeus and Hera are you?"

This time Zoe was choking on air. Her face reddening quickly and her hands began to flail around. To a passerby, she would've looked hilarious like she was drowning in air. With an unnaturally high-pitched voice, she said, "No! Whatever makes you think that?"

Bianca shrugged her shoulders but watched with small suspicion, "Thalia told me that the Greeks were weird. I didn't believe her at first, but then she told me about her father."

Zoe took deep breaths to calm herself, "Alright then. Yes, Greek customs are a little unusual in today's modern society…"

"As unusual as a brother sleeping with his sister. And marrying her. And having kids with her."

"...but my brother and I were nothing like that. Anyway, like I was saying, most of the Hunt eventually warmed up to him. He was with us through… all those years. It wasn't until a couple years ago when, how do I put it? It all went to Hades."

"Really?" They were now seated on the side of the cabin, Bianca leaning in in curiosity. "What happened?"

"Zeus never agreed to him being with the Hunt. I don't know how much of the myths you knew, but Zeus always had a problem with men being apart of our Hunt. But it wasn't until late that he attacked my brother. You see, Zeus' bolt was stolen, and took the opportunity to blame it on my brother. I don't know what was said to milady, but she comes down from Olympus demanding him."

"Who? Your brother?"

Zoe nodded her head, "She gave him a chance to speak up for himself, but he had no answer. He didn't steal the bolt, which milady had to know, yet he was still sent to pack his things."

"Why?"

"Maybe to provide us with a false sense of security. As if he was just going to be imprisoned there. We all knew that Zeus was going to kill him."

"So that's it. Milady gave him up after all you all have been through."

"That's correct. After all…," Zoe faltered for a moment, the true reality of the situation making home again. "After all we've been through. Though, he never did go up to Olympus."

"Really?! Did he fight back? Was he kicked out?"

Dark brown eyes sparkled with amusement, "You are so presumptuous, don't you ever get tired of asking questions?"

Bianca shrugged in response, "A few days ago I thought I was a slow kid who had to forever take of her brother for the foreseeable future. Now I learn I'm half-god. Sue me."

Zoe gave a small grin before sobering up. This part was always the hardest. "Well, my brother was always clever. We waited for him to exit the tent, but soon we investigate and realize he ran out the back. We have been trying to track him for over three years now. After all this time, his disappearance has still been affecting us."

The newest Hunter of Artemis gave a sympathetic look and wrapped an arm around Zoe. "I'm sorry about that Zoe, but… can I know his name?"

Zoe looked thoughtful for a moment. She didn't see any harm in it but decided against it. If she couldn't see any harm now, more than likely Zoe would see it later. So as kindly as she could, she said, "For now, let's just call him my brother."

"Aww, okay. Hey Zoe, one last question."

"Which is?"

"If you all finally found this brother of yours, and he decided that he didn't want to return to the Hunt. Would you leave the Hunt to be with him?"

The question was surprisingly deeper than Zoe was prepared for. I joined the Hunt because I was hurt by a male. Would I leave the Hunt for another?

Granted, the reason would be entirely different. Zoe loved Perseus with all her heart, and sometimes she just wished he was the little innocent toddler that was just trying to sneak in a dessert.

"Oh I'm just kidding Zoe," Bianca interrupted, her tone dripping with tease, "I know you don't love him or anything. Well, romantically at least."

She stood up and brushed some snow off her parka. Bianca held her hand out for Zoe and pulled her up as well. As she reached the door, Zoe knew her answer.

"You know what Bianca," Zoe called out, making the young demigod turn around. "I think I would. My brother means a lot to me. If it came down to it, I would choose to leave the Hunt if it meant to live with him."

Bianca kinda just froze, not expecting that answer at all. Her mind immediately thought of her younger brother. "You're serious?"

"Yes, I am. And no, not because I love him romantically." The daughter of Atlas gave a soft smile before making her way past Bianca and entering Cabin 8.

Bianca didn't even notice, her gaze looking over to the dining pavilion, where she knew her brother was. "Maybe, I didn't make the right decision, huh Nico?"

"Bianca! You alright?"

She turned and saw the Daughter of Ares along with a bunch of other huntresses. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just everything seems so surreal, y'know?"

"It's like that at first, but don't think too much about it. Come on, we gotta show these campers why we hold the win streak."

Bianca followed Phoebe inside, laughing alongside the Hunt. She didn't know what to expect, but hopefully, everything will work itself out in the end.

Perseus groaned as he fell to the ground. If only to keep his dignity, he attempted to sit back up. But he sighed in relief when he found a blade at his throat.

"Yield?"

"Yes, I yield," he panted, glad that his last training session was over. "Was there a reason you were trying so hard, Atalanta? This was supposed to be a light spar." He just wanted to lay down in his bed and die.

"Keep your head up, Perseus. You lasted several minutes longer than our last few fights. You should be proud."

Perseus snorted at that and looked up at the beautiful blonde. "Yeah, okay. I lasted an extra two minutes against a woman I've been training with for three years now. Whoop-de-doo."

Out of all the warriors training him, she scared him the most. He didn't know if it was because of the fear and respect of women instilled in him by the Hunt, or if it was because of Atalanta's famous glare.

Yet, as scary as the myths made her, she was also as kind as can be. She helps him with his studies as he still needs an education. It was fun, considering that whatever Perseus learns Atalanta is learning it right with him. But, because of her not being an actual demigod, she didn't suffer ADHD or Dyslexia as he did.

She crouched down and held out her hand with a teasing smile, "Well, maybe if you weren't so short, you can prove a better challenge. Until then, stay well acquainted with the floor."

He grabbed her hand and slowly got back on his feet. "You can't mock me and say words like 'acquainted'. Big words are a no-no. Everyone knows that."

"Do they?" She questioned, sheathing her sword and fixing her animal pelt. She has a small collection of them and wears them everywhere. "I would think that if someone were to taunt me with words I don't know, I would feel more disturbed."

"I guess that makes sense. If you don't know what he or she says, you do feel a little stupid."

"Exactly. It offsets your opponent. You see, we use swords and daggers to attack the opponent's body, but we must use words to hurt the opponent's mind."

"Who cares about hurting someone's mind. Just be a better fighter and you'll win every time," Perseus remarked. They had been walking to the sleeping grounds. Atalanta and Hippolyta have their own quarters, as per request from Perseus.

"Really, is that how you've been beating us lately? All of us have been taking advantage of your weak mind and have been mopping the floor with you."

"Oh so now you want to use modern slang."

Atalanta grinned in response. "Listen, I'm only trying to say that the power of the mind is nothing trivial. Entering a battle with a tough and fixed mind allows you to survive longer than having a weak one."

Perseus studied his feet. "And you said you've been taking advantage of my mind."

"It's not exactly hard, Perseus. Though it's not because you are young, but because of your controversy with your father and mother. Even today, ever since you returned from Maine, your mind has been elsewhere. It leaves you vulnerable."

"Well then I guess I need to find another solution because I'm not forgiving them anytime soon," he said stubbornly.

"You are entitled to your choice, they did wrong you," Atalanta said diplomatically. "It is already strange enough to know you have the blood of the maiden goddess though she never birthed you."

Perseus shrugged and yawned a little. "Long story short, she breastfed me. For whatever magical reason, that changed the ichor in my blood from Poseidon to Artemis. I like to not think about it, hurts my head too much. Speaking of head, can I leave now? I'm really tired."

She faked a gasp and held a hand on her chest, "You would not walk me the rest of the way to my quarters?"

"Come on, we both know you're going to make a stop for some fruit or whatever. Just let me sleep, I'm exhausted."

"I'm only joking. Of course, you can go. Are you staying down here, or are you staying in your villa in Camp Jupiter?"

"Camp Jupiter. Hades was a little miffed that I couldn't get his children as smoothly as I should've been able to. I want to leave him alone for awhile."

Atalanta nodded in understanding, "Alright then. Farewell, Perseus."

"See ya, Atalanta," he shouted as he hopped into a shadow. He shadow-traveled straight into New Rome, weapons and everything. Terminus, God of Boundaries, hated that about him. Perseus made his way to his villa, gifted to him by the Romans.

Honestly, Perseus loved Camp Jupiter and all it had to offer. It was a little more strict, but at the same time, there was a little more freedom. There were actual older demigods here, in contrast to having mostly teens at the Greek counterpart. There was a college, apartments, even places of work. It was like an actual city for demigods, and it definitely appealed to the Son of Artemis.

They also had a huge amount of respect for Pluto, and once Lupa introduced him, they built a villa for him in two days. From scratch.

Speaking of Lupa, she immediately joined the list of some of the scariest people he has ever met. Upon finding him and Reyna in the woods, she proceeded to attack Perseus. Easily the hardest fight he's ever experienced. It was like sparring with his mother if she was a four-legged animal.

Apparently, after hours of needless chasing (really, it was ten minutes), the goddess stopped her assault. He "fit the bill" and Lupa said that he moves, fights, and smells like his mother, Artemis. Or so he thought.

Lupa wasn't asked to find him by Artemis, but rather by Diana, the Roman Goddess of the Moon. It was weird, in a sense, that he had two mothers. Two mothers that are the same person, that are virgins, and that his father was the God of the Seas. The Wolf Goddess said that Neptune, the Roman form of Poseidon, wasn't his father too. This only served to confuse him further.

Thankfully, the Fates seem to keep blessing him. Lupa wasn't going to turn him in, but not for the common reason he was used to hearing. Perseus was sure she didn't know about Artemis' betrayal, but Diana ended Lupa's services some time ago. He didn't know exactly why, but he also didn't want to see his mother so he was fine with it.

That led to Reyna and him traveling to Camp Jupiter, watching the feisty Daughter of Bellona fight her way to joining the First Cohort, and him being acknowledged and honored as Pluto's Ambassador. Currently, she was on her way to becoming a Centurion and he was on his way to find his temporary home and sleep.

Perseus wasted no time as he entered his villa, slipping off his shoes and making a beeline for his bedroom. Sadly, he couldn't even get under the covers before an Iris-Message formed above his head.

"Percy!"

The outburst caused him to slam his toes into one of the legs of his bed frame. He spits out a slew of curses, both Greek and Latin, as he began searching around for the offender. The Children of Mercury here are just as, if not worse, than their Greek counterparts.

"Over here, Dumbo!"

Dumbo looked up and saw Thalia in an Iris Message… on the ceiling. What a weird place to put a message. I guess I am laying down though. He glared at the Daughter of Zeus, "My ears are not that big."

"Whatever, but I do need a better name for you. Something that flows off the tongue. It can't be too complicated but it can't be too simple. Nicknames in Greek are stupid and it'll only make sense at camp, so that's a double no. Give me a second, I'll figure out something…"

"Thalia!" Percy shouted, garnering her attention. "Is there a reason why you're calling. I'm a little tired."

She raised an eyebrow, "Really? It's 10:02 over here, so doesn't that mean it's like six or seven o'clock where you're at?"

"Yeah, so?"

"So, isn't that a little early for you to go to sleep. At camp, you're usually a night owl."

"I'm tired today, alright. Remember, I had to shadow-travel all the way up to Maine from Los Angeles. Had to save Annabeth from the Manticore when they fell off the cliff. Ring a bell?"

"Yeah, yeah, you're a great help."

"Better than you."

Thalia scoffed at that, "Your head is full of Kelp. I mean you helped better than the Hunt did."

Percy winced at that. He wasn't prepared emotionally to help Thalia with the Manticore. It was supposed to be simple, he intercepts Thalia with the children of Hades, take them back to the Underworld, and get his arse kicked in training. But when the Manticore showed up, along with Artemis' hunt, he might have ran and hidden in the shadows.

Permission to kill, my lady?

He's never seen Zoe's eyes so cold in his entire life like she's never smiled a single day of her life. And his mother, oh his mother. Percy spent so much time running that he didn't think about seeing her again. She went back to her twelve years old self and her voice had an edge to it. And edge that froze him in place.

The hunting of all wild beasts is within my sphere of influence. And you, foul creature, are a wild beast.

He was lost in memories that it took a moment to register that Thalia was calling him. "What?"

"I said that we have another quest. A real one. Tomorrow. Annabeth and I are going, and I thought you instead of Grover. You should be an actual member than that creeping stalker look you've been pulling the last couple of years."

"This stalker saved your butt a bunch of times."

"I'd rather a team member. If you wanna help us?"

Percy pursed his lips as he thought about it. He didn't see why not, except for one selfish reason, "You do realize that this means I'm getting less sleep now, right?"

Thalia ignored him and said, "So you're coming?"

"...Fine, I'll come along and help."

She grinned victoriously, "Thanks Kelp Head! Good Night!"

He couldn't respond as Thalia cut through the message. He rubbed his hands over his face in minor frustration. Deciding thinking required too much of him at the moment, he got under the covers and buried his head in the pillow. Only one last coherent thought processed through his head before Morpheus came.

… Kelp Head?

Thalia, Annabeth, and Bianca waited outside Camp Half-Blood near the main road. They shivered as the cold winter air graced them with its presence. "Why can't we wait inside the van?" Annabeth asked.

"We have to wait for Zoe," Thalia responded through chattering teeth.

"Outside. In. The. Cold!"

Thalia almost winced, Annabeth was always crabby when uncomfortable. Technically, Zoe wasn't the reason on why she was waiting, but the others would notice something was up if she kept looking out the window. "It's respectful to wait for her. Besides it's not that cold."

"And when have you cared about being respectful? Just unlock the van, wake it up, and turn on the heat!"

"It's not my fault Zoe is taking so long!" Thalia exclaimed. "If you can't take it, then trudge up the hill again and go back to your cabin!"

Thalia smirked as she was met with silence. She knew Annabeth's pride wouldn't let her back down from a quest because of weather. Thalia turned over to look at Bianca, who was busy drawing pictures in the snow with her foot.

"Hey, Bianca." She looked up. "You alright? You've been quiet ever since we came out here."

Bianca reassured them with a small smile, "I'm fine but I'm with Annabeth. Zoe is taking her sweet time."

Thalia scoffed. "And she's supposed to be the Lieutenant of the Hunt. This is the reason why I didn't join. They make themselves seem so perfect, and then have every excuse when they're not. They're like the gods without the power."

She watched as Bianca look away for a moment before returning to her snow pictures. "I don't know, they haven't been doing so good lately."

This peaked Annabeth's interest. "Really, why? Because Artemis is trapped under the sky? Her being gone has affected you all that much?"

The thought brought a smile to Thalia's face. "The moment Artemis is gone, they can't even walk around without walking into one another."

"We did just fine in beating you in Capture the Flag." Bianca pointed out in an innocent tone.

Thalia felt anger burn inside her. "And how much did you help in the Hunter's win, considering you just learned you were a demigod."

Bianca looked up with a challenging look that made the two demigods shiver again. They could no doubt see the change in the newest hunter because the Bianca they saved from Westover Hall wouldn't look at them like that. Annabeth looked over at Thalia, trying to tell her to apologize.

"If you must know," Bianca started, pausing to look them both in the eyes, "The Hunt has recently lost someone. That's why they haven't been feeling so hot."

An awkward silence filled the air then, and Thalia couldn't shake the feeling of guilt making its way to her heart. She made to apologize but bit her tongue. Instead, Annabeth spoke up, asking, "Who did they lose?"

"I can't tell you that," Bianca said, which slightly annoyed the Daughter of Athena. But before she could be interrogated she asked her own question. "So, who did you guys bring?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" Annabeth asked.

"Counting Zoe, we have four members," Bianca explained. "Zoe told me that you would handle getting a fifth member, but I don't see anyone else coming."

Annabeth knew she was right and cursed herself for not noticing it first. "Well, Thalia said she would pick the last member so…," she trailed off as if she's found the last piece of the puzzle. "That's why we're waiting outside. You're making sure whoever you asked is still coming."

Thalia nodded. "Yeah, last night I asked Percy to see if he'll come with us. I'm making sure the idiot shows up." After she said that, she suddenly jerked her head towards the hill. She looked through the trees, sure that saw or heard something.

Annabeth, not noticing her movement, brought Thalia's attention back to the demigods, "Oh. He actually agreed to come with us this time?"

"Yeah," Thalia revealed. "He was a little tired but he said he'll help."

"Wait, 'he'? You picked a boy to come with us? I don't think Zoe is gonna be happy about that." Bianca looked back up the hill, in search of her Lieutenant, but found nothing.

Thalia rolled her eyes, "Percy is just as skilled as any hunter or anybody at this camp. And he'll be just as helpful, as long as Annabeth doesn't get stuck staring at him again."

Annabeth went as red as Rudolph's nose at that. "I do not stare at him!"

A mischievous grin grew on Thalia's face, "You do and don't try to deny it. You, just like every girl at camp, have moments where you sit around and stare at him. Even though all he does is walk around with a hood on."

Like a toddler, Annabeth stomped her feet. She was about to insult her older sister figure before Bianca audibly sighed. "Great, just what we need. Some pretty boy that's gonna get us killed."

"We'll be fine. You'll see. If anything he'll make sure he's killed first before we die."

Bianca made sure her face showed her disbelief but inside can't help but feel her curiosity peaked. The shadows behind them began to get thicker as Annabeth reared back to Thalia, ready to give her a piece of her mind.

"I'm here. I'm not too late, am I?"

Annabeth spun around to see who dared to interrupt her a second time but flushed a darker shade of red at the sight of Percy Jackson. She quickly hid behind Thalia who was smirking. "Nope, you made it just in time Kelp Head."

"Yeah, well," he pulled out a backpack out of seemingly nowhere. "You're gonna have to explain where that name came from." He quickly looked around and took notice of Bianca and her Hunter's parka. "And you are?"

"Bianca. Bianca di Angelo." She assesses the male in front of her. Though she didn't hold the hatred for males like her new sisters, she always felt a need to stay away from them. But with this one in front of her, she felt quite the opposite.

Percy gave a small smile of respect, "Hi Bianca, I'm Percy Jackson." He turned back to Thalia, with a raised eyebrow. "Why did you ask me to come when you have three members already?"

"The quest called for five this time," Thalia said, prompting Percy to lean back on the tree he popped out from. "You're better than Grover, that's for sure."

"So we're just waiting for the last member then." Percy mused, closing his eyes. "So can you tell me what this quest is because you forgot to tell me. And is there any reason why you're waiting in the snow when you have a van right there."

Thalia smirked and was ready to respond when two arms and a knife wrapped around Percy's neck. His eyes snapped opened and his hands flashed up to his neck. Unfortunately, the arms only tightened.

"What you need to figure out," Zoe whispered in his ear, making his eyes widen in fear, "Is that is there any reason why I shouldn't kill you right now."

A/N: Maybe because you've been trying to find him for three years, but hey, what do I know?

I'm back, and it freaking feels amazing. This chapter was hard to write until I decided to skip the Westover scene. I bet you all thought Percy and Artemis were gonna reunite huh? Nah, not with my magic, they're not. Don't worry, good things come to those who wait.

For those who have been leaving heartwarming reviews, know that I love you and you're awesome. To those pricks, who for some reason all have the same problem with me, I gotta tell you something.

How, in any way, is Percy overpowered? He has literally got his arse kicked in almost every fight. He only beat the weaker pirates of Blackbeard's crew, and barely at that. Poseidon had to give him the strength to kill Blackbeard because Percy was getting whooped on. He really only gained the ability to shadow travel from Hades, and that was that. He is not overpowered in any way, shape, or form. Stop being controlling pricks and get on with your life.

Thanks for the support. We've got 80,000 views, and I honestly can't believe it. Be sure to review. I'm back on the frequent updates but I want to give you all a heads-up. The chapters aren't going to be overly long anymore. It's not realistic. I'm always going to aim for 4,000 but it might be 200 less than that or more.

I'm adding two new stories to this profile. I said the last chapter that I've been working with two writers, and they're the reason why I haven't updated last month. So I'm going to put it up. My focus is always on this story. Don't forget that.

Again thanks for even reading. Share to others, like it, add it to your library.

You won't regret it.