Chapter 22

Artemis POV

I was fighting my way through a group of dracanae with Phoebe by my side. Truth be told I was tiring but I didn't relent my attack on the serpentine women, my knives flashed as they caught the light while I danced between foes. Phoebe stood behind me firing arrows whenever she saw an opening in the dracanae's defence. She was my eldest hunter and we'd fought together many times, so I had no doubts or worries, I had complete trust that I never needed to watch my back. I rolled under a spear and slashed at my attacker, as the dust fell I saw a tidal wave carving its way through Tartarus's army from behind. The water stopped a good six feet from the front monsters front line when it crackled and hissed as it coursed with electricity. There were a few screams and yells but most of the enemy exploded into fine golden dust. I thrust my knife into the abdomen of the dracaena in front of me and pushed past her as she crumbled.

Once I'd pushed past her I saw my lieutenant and her/our cousin leaning on each other out of exhaustion, they both looked near to passing out but Perseus still had a cocky grin on his face. For I reason I didn't know the sight of his grin made me smile too. I was brought back to reality by a cloud of dust covering my back and down my neck, I turned around and found myself face to face with Phoebe.

"Are you ok Milady?" She panted, wiping sweat from her brow.

"Huh? Yes sorry." I replied to the redhead whose face was the same colour as her hair. "Come on, we need to clean up the rest."

The romans were now in one large huddle around their eagle, their main focus seemed to be trying to keep their injured safe. Without Perseus and Thalia's electric wave combo I would have had doubts about how long they could hold, however they now had way less foes to hold back so they had started to stabilize. My hunters and I were behind the enemy so although we were tired and low on arrows we had a significant advantage. We fought together like we had so many times over the years, each of us dancing and dodging the blades, arrows and claws that came our way. Personally I prefer ambushing my foes from afar using stealth and speed but there was an undeniable thrill to being in the middle of a large fight.

I leapt onto to shoulders of an earthborn who was facing the romans and stabbed one my knives down into its hilt. As the monstrosity crumbled I saw a cyclopes swing its club almost like a golf club mortals use. As the club reached the lowest point of its arc time seemed to slow down and I could do nothing but watch as it connected with Eva's back. My loyal hunter's body was immediately lifted in the air and flung a good twenty feet before being reunited with the ground. As I saw her body lying crumpled in a heap I felt as if I had been the one who received the blow from the club; I tried to scream or call out but I couldn't make a noise. Then as if to compensate for slowing down time seemed to fast forward and I found myself on my knees next to Eva. I held her face in my hands and brushed her black hair off her face.

"Mi-"she started before coughing, bringing up blood.

"Shhh," I sobbed. Eva had been part of the hunt for almost five centuries, in fact I think it was five hundred years next year. She was a great hunter and the best daughter of Aphrodite that had ever joined the hunt. I closed my eyes and cradled her head in my hands, waiting to feel the last of her lifeforce fade. It never came, instead a wave of warmth washed off her.

Percy POV

I had been taking it easy, helping the romans. I didn't want to try and take on too many with how exhausted I was because I would probably make a mistake and even if it didn't kill me the gloating from Thalia would. All of a sudden what I swear was a person flew past me, eventually they came to a stop as they hit the ground and I could tell it was a hunter. Almost immediately Artemis was by the hunters side and I could tell it was bad. I began to run over even though I wasn't sure what help I'd be, I could heal in water but I doubted that I could share that ability. I slowed to almost a stop thinking that a hunter would hardly want to spend their last moments with a man, especially if that man soaked the in water even if I was trying to help.

There is a way you can help. I heard the voice of Hestia in my mind.

It took my a while to respond as I struggled with telepathic communication especially when I cant see who I'm talking to. How? What do I have to do?

First you've got to get to her.

That makes sense, I thought to myself. I had no idea what Hestia was alluding to, but I trusted that she knew what she/I was doing. A hellhound got in my way but I quickly dispersed of it and made my way to the fallen hunter and her mistress. As I got closer I could tell that it was Eva lying on the floor. She was the hunter who had given me the hardest time but I wasn't going to do nothing just because of how she'd treated me.

Right, what do I do? I asked my adoptive mother.

Put one hand on her head and one on her chest. She explained. Then focus on pushing the power you inherited from me out through your hands.

Ok got it. I answered as I got to the two girls, Artemis hadn't seemed to have noticed me. Wait, hold up! You want me to put my hands where?

Her head and chest.

You want me to put my hands on the chest of the hunter who hates me most?

Percy get a grip! If you don't she'll die!

I took a deep breath and prayed that Eva nor her patron killed me for what I was about to do. I placed my right hand on her forehead and my left on the centre of her chest. Eva's eyelids opened a crack and I'm sure she wanted to kill me but I continued anyway. I focused on the warm comforting feeling that I drew power from when using my abilities from Hestia and pushed it out from my hands. A soft orange glow encased my hands as I felt myself drain my remaining energy rapidly however I kept my hands where they were and continued channelling what little energy I had left.

Keep going. Urged Hestia in my mind. So I did; until I could feel my vision darkening. It won't heal her completely but will keep her from dying as long as she gets proper medical attention.

Well that's good. I thought to myself before my vision went completely dark and I passed out.

Artemis POV

I opened my eyes and saw Perseus collapse on the other side of Eva. His head hit the floor with a hollow thud but I had other things on my mind. Mainly why was he here and what did he just do. Whatever he did I could hear Eva's breathing become less shallow and I felt her lifeforce strengthen ever so slightly. I let out a sigh of relief as I could tell she wasn't about to be taken from me by Thanatos. Her condition was still serious but she might stand a chance if I get her to my brother quick enough. He was an idiot but still occasionally had his uses.

I looked up and saw that the fighting hadn't quite finished. I locked eyes with Maddy who saw me kneeling next to her sister-in-arms and Percy. She called out to the other girls who immediately rushed over and without hesitation formed a circle around the three of us who were on the floor. I just knelt there listening to Eva's breath hoping it stayed steady. I have no idea how long I was there letting my hunters protect us.

"-ady! Milday!" I zoned back in to Thalia calling to me. "What happened to them?"

I looked up at my half sister who was leaning on her spear looking thoroughly knackered yet worry was still prevalent on her face. I looked around and the rest of the girls were gathered around us looking equally worried. Behind the girls I could tell the fighting had just about finished and most of the monsters were either fleeing or had been turned into golden ash. The Romans had won, though it wasn't without casualties and I'd do everything within my power to make sure Eva wasn't one of them.

"She was hit by a cyclopes." I answered before turning to look at the son of Poseidon unconscious on the ground. "I have no idea what happened to him." I felt a twinge of worry as I realised I hadn't check on Perseus, I simply assumed he collapsed out of exhaustion as I couldn't see any wounds.

"Will she be okay?" Tia asked fearful for Eva.

"If she's not then my brother will be lucky to still have his manhood." I reply deadly serious with my threat. "APOLLO!"

AN/: Well it's been a while. Sorry for such a long wait between chapters especially during this time where we're all bored out our minds. Again I have been struggling with my health and have having loads of appointments which completely exhaust me. I really don't want to abandon this story to die and all your reviews really help me. Please let me know any thoughts you have, good or bad and I'll try get the next chapter out soon.

Since the last chapter there has been a lot going on in the world. I hope the pandemic hasn't been too hard on any of you and you've all been healthy both physically and mentally.