… well… this is embarrassing….. So please, let me start off with these: Pasensya na po! Gomenasai! Mianhamnida! Bàoqiàn! Sygnó̱mi̱! Sorry! I know it's not enough but please do understand. I just finished my exams last week for the first grading period and after that was the doing of requirements. I am so so soooorrrryyy!
But for what it's worth, I made this long chapter for you guys, which is the hardest chap I made to date! I hope it can make up for it [for the 1 month of not updating :'( ] and I'm already feeling guilty about it…
So I took the advice from 2 of our friends: Percabeth-fan-4-ever, and Olympian Hero. Thank you, my dears!
So let's proceed to the update you've all been waiting for!
Disclaimer: I do not own PJO (^_^)
Chapter 24: Because you live
"Because you live and breathe,
Because you make me believe in myself when nobody else could help."
-Because you live by Jesse McCartney-
Artemis' POV
"Is something wrong, milady?" asked Phoebe, one of my huntresses, as she and Thalia entered my tent. We were in the middle of a forest in a far-off place in search of some monsters Zeus wants us to destroy. But since the night was getting deeper, we decided to stop and rest for the night.
"You seem to be really tired, Lady Artemis." Thalia interjected. "Have you been sleeping alright?"
"Don't mind me, I'm fine. It's just the usual things at Olympus." I told them. "Anyway, is something wrong?"
Thalia and Phoebe looked at one another then nodded before facing me. I gestured for them to sit down and they did. "Milady, it looks as if there will be more Olympian problems." Thalia informed me.
I looked at both of them, "Oh?"
Phoebe nodded. "Lord Hermes is waiting for you outside." She said as she gestured toward the exit of my tent, and as if on cue, Hermes entered. "Artemis," he greeted.
I nodded then turned toward my hunters, "If you please, my ladies, may I speak with Hermes alone?" they nodded, bowed before Hermes then left. When they were out, I turned toward Hermes, "Is anything wrong?" I asked.
He shook is head no. "Zeus wishes to have a council meeting with everyone in 10 minutes."
"Why?" I asked confused as to why Zeus would call an emergency meeting at this time and at this day especially because there's nothing happening at the moment. "Is there a problem?"
He shook his head again and smiled. "Percy has returned from his quest. Zeus wishes that all of us will be there when Percy retells his story."
I couldn't help but smile. It has, after all, been almost 3 days since his departure. He was back, he's alive, and he's safe now.
"Very well." I replied, "I'll get ready now but I must speak with my hunters first."
He nodded. "10 minutes, Artemis." I nodded and then watched him teleport away.
I went outside and found all of my huntresses gathered around a small bonfire, chatting and telling stories. One – Allison – saw me and immediately stood up, informing everyone I was there.
"Good evening, milady." Allison said, "How was your meeting with Lord Hermes?"
I smiled, gestured for her to sit down then I sat down beside Thalia who offered me a cup of hot chocolate, it was after all a cold night. I took the cup, "All is well." I responded after taking a sip. "However, I must be going back to Olympus in a few minutes for father has called a council meeting."
"Looks like it has been rather busy in Olympus since last month," observed Chantal, one of our recruits from last year who I met through Aphrodite in France – long story. "You keep on having council meetings, unlike last year – you only had two, if I remember correctly."
The hunters all nodded in agreement.
"Does it have something to do with our new god?" asked Therese, Chantal's sister.
I nodded my head, "So before I leave, I want everyone to know that I may not be able to join you tomorrow so you will be on your own. And always remember the usual precautions needed." I reminded them.
"Don't worry, Lady Artemis, we'll be fine. We can take this monster down!" Thalia said proudly.
I smiled. "I trust your word on that." I said getting up and placing my cup down, "I'll be off now."
I appeared in my throne at the throne room with 2 minutes to spare. I looked around at each god and saw that everyone was there . . . including Percy. He was wearing a clean white shirt, jeans, and sneakers. He had a few bandages wrapped around him.
Looking at him, he doesn't seem to have changed much. But when I looked at him intently, I saw bruises and scratches all over his arms and face; he also seemed to be really tired and would break down any moment.
He turned to face me then smirked at me as if saying I told you I'll be back. As I was about to return the smile, Zeus started the meeting.
"So, Percy," Zeus said. "Will you tell us all that has happened?"
Percy nodded, lowered his head, took a deep breath then began.
Percy's POV
"Finding her was the easy part . . . defeating her . . ." I shook my head as I took a deep breath, " . . . it was suicidal – nearly impossible."
I slowly raised my head and saw that all of the gods' and goddesses' eyes were on me, all anticipating what I was going to say next – what happened during my encounter. So I took another breath then continued.
"After I left Olympus, I went to the place Zeus told me where I could find her. I was skeptical at first, especially because when I appeared there . . . nothing seemed out of place. All was normal. I was about to leave when something hit me – an arrow – cutting my arm. . ."
.
.
Flashback
Percy whirled around to find the shooter of the arrow, but he saw no one.
He looked down on his bleeding arm. He was poisoned. "Eish!" he breathed through gritted teeth. The pain was hurting him and if he won't do anything about it fast, he might die from it – without even fighting or seeing Lamia.
He reached down for his knapsack and took out a bottle of nectar, removed the lid then poured some over his bleeding arm. The pain subsided but the wound didn't close up and kept bleeding so he then took out some bandages then covered his arm.
"Are you hurt?" someone asked.
Percy looked up and saw a young lady standing a few steps from him. She was wearing a loose fitting cream dress which was reaching the ground; she had long golden brown hair was being blown by the wind. Her face bore the looks of a beautiful queen or princess.
"What happened?" She asked again, "Are you hurt?"
"I – I'm fine." Percy stuttered. "You should – " he stopped after realizing something. "What are you doing here?" he asked, growing suspicious of the lady in front of him. What he didn't understand is that why would a lady be in that area when the nearest town was miles and miles away.
"I'll always come here to commemorate my younger brother." She said as her eyes drifted down to the ground. But she immediately looked up and smiled. "You look like you're badly hurt. Let me take a look at it and see what I can do."
Percy wanted to object but the girl was already kneeling in front of him, studying his arm. "What happened to your brother?" Percy asked to forget about the tugging feeling inside him.
"He'll die here." She simply stated without taking his gaze off his arm. She then started removing the bandages then ran her fingers down the dripping blood causing Percy's tugging feeling alarm more.
"Wha - ? What do you mean 'He'll die here'?" Percy asked, slowly pulling away.
Even without raising her head, Percy knew she was smiling. "He's going to be killed here soon."
"Wh – o… who are you?" Percy asked, growing nervous.
Suddenly, the wind blew a little stronger, when it stopped, something blown from the lady caught Percy's eye – snake skin – under the lady's dress. Then he remembered. He looked down on her and what he saw frightened him. "Oh shoot!" He shouted before quickly pulling away from the lady.
The beautiful face suddenly looked scary. Out came her sharp teeth. "Lamia," Percy breathed out.
"Hello, my little brother." She smiled, "Are you now prepared to die?"
end
.
.
I paused when I noticed that I was clasping my arm, I began to sweat badly and father was handing me a handkerchief. I took the handkerchief then started dabbing my face with trembling hands. It felt like everything was happening again – the pain, the poison, the fright.
"Was she able to bite you then?" asked Athena, her curiosity kicking in.
I shook my head no.
"Please go on with your story, Percy.", asked Demeter.
I nodded then started remembering where I left off and what happened next. Then the memory tore into my mind like a painful sword piercing through my body.
I started taking deep breaths; I started clutching my chest where I was next hit. The pain was gone but I was feeling it again – it felt real. I started sweating again, and taking deeper and faster breaths.
I didn't know when Apollo reached me nor when he stood up from his throne not until he had his hand on my shoulder. He muttered something in Greek then the pain subsided.
"I think that should be enough for now," Apollo said. "The memory is still fresh, and so are his wounds. It would be better if we wait for a few hours – his body can't relieve it yet, he's weak."
Zeus nodded then adjourned the meeting.
Father came up on my side. "Take your time to recover, son. And Apollo, I trust that you take care of him." Apollo nodded then father teleported away. He knew that I wanted to be alone – I needed to be alone.
"Come on, I'll teleport you to your palace. We'll check you up there again while you rest." Apollo said.
I nodded then slowly stood up as Apollo assisted me. I raised my head to see if Artemis was still there – and she was, along with the other goddesses looking at me.
Her gray eyes were looking intently at me, and when she saw me looking at her, she gave me a small smile and a nod. I then noticed her lips moving, I didn't get what she was saying so I spoke soundlessly to her: "Come to my palace later. Please." And before I could read her response, Apollo teleported with me to my palace.
Once there, he gently laid me down on my bed. He started examining me, when he was satisfied he materialized a medicine and started applying it to my skin then gave me a tablet to drink.
"You're really exhausted. You have to rest, don't worry, you'll be fine." Apollo told me as I drank my medicine. "Besides, I wouldn't want my sister's boyfriend to die just yet."
I looked at him shocked. "You are together aren't you?", he asked me teasingly.
I tried to form excuses but he just kept smiling. "I could tell, Percy. And besides, I foresaw it. So dontcha worry, I'll keep it a secret and I'm totally supporting you. Now rest." I wanted to reply or say a simple thank you but I couldn't, the medicine took effect and I drifted off to sleep.
I thought that I would be dreaming a peaceful sleep, or maybe dreamless. But I guess I was unlucky. Of all the nightmares, it had to be about my adventure… right where I left off in the meeting.
.
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Dream (Flashback)
The next thing Percy felt when he pulled away from Lamia was pain – burning pain penetrating his chest. He looked down and saw his shirt torn open, bleeding. Percy looked up and saw that Lamia was smiling at him deviously.
"I see you have not yet eaten the food of the gods, my little brother. This should be easy." Lamia said before she started attacking again.
They battled and battled, until they reached deeper into the forest and Percy was thrown straight into a river. He started regaining energy but not for long when he was forced out of the water but Lamia. And somehow, Percy was on the ground, weaponless, with Lamia's dagger kissing his neck.
"Why do you want to kill me, Lamia?" Percy asked, "Why? Because father favors me more?"
Lamia let out a loud, painful laugh. "Do not tell me you believe all of our father's praises and promises to you. I did before, and now, look at what has become of me. He let me be in depths of Tartarus to rot!"
Percy protested, "He wouldn't – "
"Tell you the truth!" Lamia continued for him as her dagger started to pierce his skin. "Why would he? He needs you now, but what about in the future? He'll just set you aside when you're used up!"
"Liar!"
"And you're little lover. A fine woman, but what will happen to her once I kill you?" Lamia continued, enjoying Percy's shrinking figure. "I have foreseen the future before you two were even together...Poor Artemis . . . you haven't been together for so long, and you're the first man she's ever been with… I know! What if I go to Olympus after I kill you then I'll kill her in front of father?"
"You wouldn't…" Percy said through gritted teeth as his anger and protectiveness rebuilt his composure. "Don't you dare do anything to her nor to Dad!"
"And why wouldn't I?" Lamia challenged.
And that was when it broke – Percy's anger – anger flooded into him at once that he was able to alter the situation. He tackled Lamia down the ground. He immediately got up and took a few steps away from her.
Before Lamia could recover, he redirected the water in the riverbank to shoot up and spread around them. He then suspended the water, forming droplets in the air, and then manipulated them to turn to sharp shards of ice, all pointing towards Lamia.
It was Lamia's turn to be afraid. "Please . . . Little brother, please do not. I – I have the ability to see the future, if you want, I can tell you what will happen to you and Artemis, you can have anything you want."
Percy's anger subsided for a few seconds. "I have everything I want." He said as he closed his fist, sending the frozen water down on the defenseless Lamia, instantly killing her.
end
.
.
I then woke up to the sound of drumming water on my window. I sat up and felt that I was sweating again, but at the same time, my body was stronger. Remembering the reason why I woke, I got up and went to the window.
I looked through the window and saw that it was raining. Strange, I didn't know that it could rain here. But then I remembered that my father could cause rains. I smiled and said a little thank you. He was probably doing this to help me recover.
My reflection on the window glass caught my attention. I saw myself as it was - battle-scarred. But it did not matter to me, as long as I know that the people I love are all alive.
I placed my attention back to the rain, a lot of thoughts passing through me. I was feeling tired, feeling as if death will soon get me. "It's the end of the world in my life," I sighed to no one.
"It will be if you won't lay back down and rest." Said an all too familiar voice.
I turned around and saw her there, standing in her white tunic, smiling at me. I was happy to see her that I found the energy to run up to her and hug her tight. "Artemis,"
She pulled away from the hug and looked at me, "You look better than yesterday." She remarked.
"Yesterday?" I asked.
She nodded. "You've been asleep for almost 24 hours now, Percy. How are you feeling?"
"Better," I responded, "now that you're here." She smiled at me, which I took as a cue to kiss her.
She was the first to pull away. "You should go back to rest, everything's okay." she said as she touched my cheek.
I nodded as I allowed her to guide me to the bed. I lied down and faced her beside me. "There will be a formal party tomorrow here at Olympus to celebrate your victory. That will also be the time for you to become an official immortal – you will be eating the food that makes us immortal." She told me as she lied down beside me.
I smiled, "I can call myself a god then, then?"
She smiled and nodded. "By the way, how did you know that you weren't yet immortal... I thought you didn't know."
"I sort of overheard you and dad talking before. I heard something about the food of the gods which I haven't yet taken since I still have to prove myself." I smiled sheepishly. "So," I began to change the topic, "Since it's a 'formal' party, does that mean I get to see you in a gown or something?"
"Why?" she asked curiously.
"No reason." I said as I kissed her forehead, hugged her and then closed my eyes. "I can't wait."
So that's the end of C24, disappointed much?
You might have noticed that in the flashback, I used the 3rd person POV, so whatya think is better? 1st or 3rd person? tell me!
to: total yanderekid24 - here's the fight scene, hope I didn't disappoint you that much. .
Lvl-Zero - three? wow! I must be missing a hand! hahah, thank you... wait - only children aged 13 below? No fair! I won't be spared! :D
Olympian Hero - Thank you everything! What do you think of the scenes? Are they too much or...?
xXxrouxXx - I'm sorry for the super long wait... been really busy lately... . hope your alerts are OK now.
scyther27 - Thank you3x! :D Hope this chapie didn't disappoint you.. .
ffsah1 - oh dear, is it OK now or not yet? Thanks!
Orlok Tsubodai Bahadur - Thank you! I'm so sorry for the super long wait.. .
sportschic5646 - Thanks! I want to write more but school is currently keeping me occupied... by the way, sorry for the long wait. Whatya think about the chap? and about the revelation, well, please wait and see. :D
ChaosPercy - Thank you! I tried doing as you suggested, but it was a little to hard for me to write about fight stuffs so, sorry... but what do you think? and what did you mean by 'supportED' you mean, you no longer do?
Percy Jackson7 - awe! Thank you! sorry for the long wait!
Umbra8191, Red-Cinnamon Apple, GoddessIncarnet, SeaLover13, princesswhatever9 - Thanks! I'm sorry for taking so long!
Kormk - Thanks! I'm guessing you lost hope that I would continue this now, did you? sorry...
PiperElizabethMcLean - Thanks! I gave the fighting scene a shot, so whatya think? disappointed much? and yeah, before when I was just starting, I didn't place all the reviewers names on my shoutouts but when I got the hang of this, I wanted to show everyone who reviews how much I appreciate them! Like you! You are the people who keeps me going on! and sorry about the spelling last time, I didn't notice it.. :D
Lord Jace - Well, I gave the scene a shot, what do you think? May I ask, is your user name "Jace" your name or from a book that just so happens to be one of my faves? :D
JulianaSpetlana - Thanks! I do do my best here. Yeah, actually, it was explained in this chap (sort of) about Percy thought to be immortal then not, I added that detail when I read my English book saying something about a 'food of the gods that make 'em immortal' stuff. So yeah... And no, I'm not... hahaha... Yes, I've noticed the errors when I uploaded them but I was too lazy to edited them since they were already published and I have this habit of only rereading the story when I finish publishing them. Sorry for the long wait on this, but I've been busy... Thanks again!
Logan Henderson Is Mine - Thanks! I do try to keep things in moderation - not too slow for it'll be boring and not to fast... I tried the fighting thing, whatya think?
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_ & _- thanks, whoever you may be... :D
percabeth-fan-4-ever - I took your advice... is this okay?
Angela Banaag - Thanks! I was planning on placing your suggestion here, but then it will be out of place, so I'll add it on the next chap.. Promise!
Namara Jane Knight - Thanks! Sorry for the long wait... and yup, he does! :D
nicole - sorry for the long wait! Thanks!
thaliagrace21, lightningkid333, Hi i will kill u - Thanks! sorry for the wait!
PercyxArtemis - You're welcome, and thank you! Sorry for keeping you!
I'mAwesome4321 - Thanks! sorry for the long wait!
yelrac - Thanks! I do try my best to stick to the original... :D sorry for the wait!
Annonn - yeah, something like that.. :D
allythebunny - thanks... I hope I didn't get too carried away in her changing... :D
The IronRAVEN xvx - Thanks! Yeah, sorry bout the typos, if you've read my other responses, then you know the reasons... and the phrasing, yeah, sorry bout that... :D Thanks again!
YOU - awe! Really? well, I do dream of becoming one, but I still have a long way to go! :D Thanks!
rockstar55555 - Thanks! any suggestions?
Wisegirl101 - Thanks... about your offer... how can I be sure?
R2-D2isBored - what's about to go down? :D Thanks! I tried the fight scene... whatya think?
*a special thanks to the people who added this story (and me) to their favorites and alerts... I love you all!
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well... that's that for now... I'm really sorry for the long wait... I was supposed to upload this last Monday (Sunday for the people in the West) but then I was too occupied... so sorry... I'll try to update faster next time... promise! But please, understand me.
I'm also sorry for jamming too many names in one response, I had to cut down the length 'cause some might think that it's this long... :D
So... I'm gonna give a little teaser for the next chapt... It has something to do with 'jealousy', 'gowns', and 'exploding eagles'... yah, that was too much hint... what do you think it'll be? Tell me!
Always,
kheilynn, D.N.