AN/: Just a quick AN to say my laptop has decided to go to UK English and won't change back so there might be some different spellings.

Chapter 20

Percy POV

By the time Chloe and I had caught up with the hunt they had made it back to camp and had started to scatter in the direction of their tents. Thalia and Artemis hadn't left for their tents and were standing talking to each other. Artemis saw us and gestured for me and Chloe to join them.

"The girls have gone to prepare themselves; Perseus and Thalia I'd recommend you'd do the same." The girl-goddess said to us. "We'll be heading back into Camp Jupiter in 30 minutes so do whatever you wish until then. But don't be late." She said aiming her last point at me.

"Yes milady," Thalia said with a short bow before walking away. Noticing the goddess's use of my full name I thought it would be best to follow Thalia's example so I gave Artemis a bow which for me was low however I was still taller than auburn haired girl.

As I walked towards my tent on the farthest edge of the camp I found myself dwelling on Artemis's use of my name. Ever since our little archery bet she had been calling me Percy just about constantly. I'm not sure why it bothered me so much, I was called by my full name by just about every god. Maybe that was it- when she called me Percy she felt more like a friend than an ancient super-powerful deity. I still wasn't sure of her reasoning, maybe it was just because of the coming battle she had a lot on her mind and reverted back to calling me Perseus. By the time I'd reached my tent I had just about convinced myself that was the reason and nothing else.

After entering my magical tent I got while I'm travelling with the hunt I rooted through my closet and pulled out my armour and set it on my bed. It was just a standard set of bronze Greek armour that Chiron had given me when I left Camp. I sat down in my chair looking at my armour and resting my chin on my hands. Truth be told I was nervous; this was my first battle since the battle with Gaia and loosing Annabeth. I still felt like my insides were missing and were replaced with a void, but now that we're at war once again I'm trying to keep going. I went over to my bedside table and opened the top draw, inside there were two pictures. One was of me and Annabeth leaning on the railing of the Argo II, the wind blowing her blonde hair all over my face but we were both laughing. It was taken only a couple days before I lost her. The second picture was of my mum and me at the cabin in Montauk. She was still in her work clothes and had tired bags under her eyes and I was only seven but it was one of my favourite trips and memories. I lost track of how long I spent staring at the pictures and reminiscing, but the cool damp feeling of a tear running down my cheek snapped me back to the present.

I quickly strapped my armour on and grabbed riptide before heading out where the rest of the hunt had already gathered. Each hunter was wearing their usual combat boots, silver camo trousers and a silver t-shirt, they now also had lightweight leather armour with a silver vine design spread across them and a deer on the back of the chest piece. They were each holding a hunting bow with a quiver of arrows with silver fletching slung across their backs, they each also had a large hunting knife strapped to their hip. Thalia wasn't dressed like her sisters-in-arms, she was wearing the same bonze armour as me and had her spear extended and was fiddling with her bracelet, keeping aegis concealed for the moment. Chloe and Artemis were the only two members of the hunt not present however it wasn't long before they appeared at the door of the goddess's tent. Chloe was still wearing the standard hunt clothes without the leather armour and Artemis was dressed the same as her followers only with a second knife strapped to her thigh.

"Right girls," Artemis said stepping up to the circle of girls. "Ready? Let's go." She said without even waiting for a reply.

We walked back towards Camp Jupiter and the hunt's mood seemed rather upbeat. Chloe was chatting with Maddy and Eva so I was walking alone a few yards behind the hunt. We'd reached the camp border when Artemis stopped and called Chloe forward.

"Follow the border round until you reach an armless statue, explain to him the situation and he'll let you into New Rome. Stay within the city until we come get you, you'll be safe as long as your within the city limits." Artemis explained to Chloe who nodded in understanding.

"Good luck!" Chloe said turning from facing Artemis so she could see the rest of us.

"See you soon," Thalia said ruffling Chloe's hair, before the blonde walked off down towards New Rome.

"Right come on girls," Artemis said before resuming her way into camp.

As we walked through Camp Jupiter it was eerily quiet, usually there were legionnaires wandering about. There even seemed to be less lars than usual. As we were walking past some of the barracks Thalia slowed down and dropped to the back of the group alongside me.

"How're you feeling?" I asked her.

"Nervous," She said after a brief pause. "I don't have to worry about Jason now he's a god but the hunt can't afford any more losses. And honestly," she said dropping her voice down to a whisper. "I'm not sure if Artemis can take it either. With the hunt being so small she's weaker than she should be, not to mention her personal connection with every hunter she's lost." I said nothing but nodded in agreement, we walked in silence for a moment before Thalia spoke again, this time at a normal volume again. "Kinda excited as well though, nothing like a good fight to blow off some stress."

We found Reyna, Jason and Piper at the edge of camp where the lookout had spotted the army, only this time the lookout wasn't here, she was probably getting ready with the rest of the romans.

"Ah good you're here," Reyna said when she saw us approach, her expression was grim and I couldn't blame her. The army had moved forwards but they were at a halt for the moment once again. She was wearing her golden armour that was polished to perfection, her purple praetor's cape flowing behind her.

"So what's the plan?" Thalia asked.

"Well we now have 6 cohorts, the last being made up of retired legionaries from New Rome. They'll set up down there." Reyna said gesturing down the hill. "You know how you like to attack better than I do so I'll leave it up to you to position the hunt."

"Ok," Thalia said before pausing then asking, "Are we getting any help from the gods?"

Jason shook his head. "I contacted dad but he says the ancient laws prevent them from interfering. And as none of us minor gods can help either. Reyna will be the only one who can fight because she's not a god merely immortal. Without any godly help were probably screwed.

Thalia and 'lily' exchanged looks and Artemis gave Thalia a nod.

"Well, little brother I've got a surprise for you." Thalia said with a knowing grin. Jason just looked at his sister with a confused expression on his face. "We have a secret weapon, may I introduce you to Lady Artemis." Artemis stepped forward and lowered the mist dulling the colour of her eyes, letting her natural silver eyes shine.

The three immortals gasped and payed their respects to the Olympian goddess standing before them.

"Lady Artemis, may I ask why you kept your identity hidden." Piper inquired cautiously. Artemis then explained about how the romans thinking about her as Diana would cause problems. The three of them seem to understand her reasoning. "So will you be able take part in the fight?"

"As long as the hunt are taking part I will be able to join," the Olympian confirmed. Jason let out a sigh of relief at the arrival of the new information.

"Ok so we've got a much better chance now, thanks to you," Jason said to Artemis. "Will you be leading the hunt?"

"No, Thalia will be in charge to not raise questions. I'd like to keep myself hidden for as long as possible." The goddess of the hunt explained.

"Ok, that leads us onto who is leading the romans." Reyna said. "Since Frank became a god he's no longer praetor and we've not elected anyone else. So that leaves only one person qualified to fill the position." She said looking at me. I tried to figure out who she was talking about but I don't know all the romans. I realised that no one was talking and they were instead all looking at me.

"What?" I asked a little creeped out as to why they were all staring at me.

"Oh gods of Olympus, you're an idiot." Artemis exclaimed. "You're going to have to lead the romans alongside Reyna."

At this point Reyna stepped forward with a bundle of purple cloth in her arms. She unfurled the cloth and draped it over my shoulder and fastened it to my armour. I had only worn the praetor's cape for a day so I found it strange feeling the fabric flapping against my legs.

"Welcome back, Praetor Jackson," Reyna said with a smirk stepping back. "You won't have to be praetor permanently, but we need I need a colleague for this."

AN/: As promised another chapter before the end of the month. Hope it was alright and please let me know what you think either good or bad.