Chapter 3: Wisdom's Fall

Before Artemis could unveil her plans, Percy went back to his camp. He woke everyone up and asked them to pack things up.

"Is something wrong?" Annabeth asked.

"You'll see." Percy said. "Ran into some friends."

After a few minutes of packing and travelling upriver, they arrived at the Hunters' campsite. Percy expected the Hunters would make rude remarks and isolate the rest of the demigods from themselves since, well, they did have a few boys.

But to Percy's surprise, they received a warm welcome. Well, as warm as it could have been since everyone was exhausted. They helped the demigods set up camp and offered food and blankets.

Times like these are when differences are set aside for the betterment of everyone. Right now, their opinions on men don't really matter since their own lives are on the line and both of them need all the help that they could get.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Annabeth scolded. "I could've helped."

"With a bullet wound like that?" Percy asked.

Annabeth glared at Percy some more but didn't reply since she knew he had a point. She would be more of a burden than help.

Thalia jogged towards where they were standing. "You ready? Artemis wants to see you."

"Sure." Percy nodded. As Thalia ran off, Percy turned towards Annabeth. "Stay here and help them. I'll be right with you."

"Yeah, sure." Annabeth said.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Thalia called. "Come on."

It might be just the weariness and exhaustion from constantly being on the run, but Artemis looked better and healthier with each second that passed. Her skin had turned from deathly pale to the complexion of someone who hadn't slept in a few days.

Thalia, Artemis, and Percy sat in Artemis's tent as they eagerly waited to hear Artemis's plan.

"Our powers are limited to how many demigods are left." Artemis explained softly. "Since demigods are . . . decreasing, so are our powers."

Percy frowned. "Surely that can't be all. Even if there are no demigods, there's sure to be some mortals out there who believe in you guys. Greeks, maybe? They're Greeks, they should believe in you. Maybe fanatics? Nymphs, dryads, animals, fanfiction writers, surely some of them must count?"

Artemis chuckled. "If it was that easy, we wouldn't have this problem." Artemis said. "The modern generation of Greeks had regarded us as myths. They see us as an interesting fact to spout to tourists. Spirits have long retreated back to their homes, fending for themselves."

"So . . . what does that mean?"

Artemis sadly stared into nothing. "What beliefs that people had . . . any ounce of confidence they have in believing that the gods will save them has vanished."

"Oh." Percy said, finally realising what she meant.

With all that's been happening and Olympus not being able to do a thing about it, people started to lose hope. They lose faith. They figured that if the gods weren't going to save them, then no one would. But the gods need that faith in order to save their people.

It was a vicious cycle.

"So what do you want us to do?" Thalia asked.

Artemis gave an unwavering look at Percy. "Give them hope."

Percy gulped at Artemis's stare. Even if she's weak, Percy could still feel the divine aura emanating from her. "Um, how?"

"By fighting back." Artemis said. "Let them know, let everyone know, that we are not some kind of abomination on mankind."

There was an unsettling silence that fell onto the atmosphere. Percy had witnessed so many of his comrades fall to mortals. So many of his friends are either missing or dead. He resented mortals so much because of this, even though he was half mortal himself.

"That will take more than just words." Thalia stated.

"Which is why," Artemis took both Percy's and Thalia's hand. "I need both of you to do this."

"Us?" Percy asked. "It's gonna take a lot more than just us."

Artemis bit her lip. "I'm aware of that." Artemis said. "But this is the only way. Give hope to everyone. The nature spirits, demigods, everyone who still has some faith in the gods. Give them something to look up on. Give them hope."

"But," Thalia stammered. "Where do we start? How do we even do it?"

Artemis looked at both of them sadly. "I wish I knew. But it must be done." Artemis said. "It's a dark time for Olympus and other pantheons. It falls unto us to give them hope. With you two working together, I will have no doubt you will succeed."

There was a mixture of feelings in Artemis's voice. Desperation, exhaustion, hopeful. But there was one emotion that she conveyed without failure.

Faith.

She had faith in both of them that they will help everyone be safe. That they will protect everyone.

"I understand." Percy said. "I'll do it."

"Me too." Thalia followed. "But I'm more worried about you. What are you going to do? Are you going to tag along?"

Artemis shook her head. "There's a few matters I have to attend to now that I have recovered some of my powers. You probably won't see me for a while."

"Then who is going to be in charge of the Hunt?" Thalia asked. Artemis looked at her with a glimmer of pride. "Wait, you can't be serious."

"I trust you would do well, sister." Artemis said. "I hereby appoint you as the leader of the Hunt."

A bow and quiver of arrows materialized on Thalia's lap. The bow curved at both edges with a sort of handguard designed at the handle. If things got close, the handguard could be used as a form of knuckle to punch enemies. The bow was silver with soft sparkling lights, sort of like stars.

The silver quiver was empty, but no doubt imbued with magical properties.

"This is . . . it's your bow and quiver." Thalia said. "But- it's just- I can't!" She exclaimed. "I can't accept this."

Artemis looked at her reassuringly. "You have served as my lieutenant well. Now, the Hunt is yours."

"I - I . . ." Thalia looked at Percy for some sort of help.

Percy gave her a nod of encouragement. "I'll be at your side, Thalia." Percy said. "We're going to be doing this together, right?"

Artemis nodded in agreement. "I believe in you. Both of you." Artemis exchanged looks between Thalia and Percy. "And I know you will succeed."

Thalia lowered her head. "Thank you, Milady. I will do my best to meet your expectations."

Artemis beamed with pride. "And I trust you will." Artemis said. "Now, I need some time with Perseus if you may."

"Of course." Thalia said, obviously still shaken up. She got up and left the tent, leaving Percy alone with Artemis.

Artemis's smile wavered. She looks at Percy in seriousness. "Perseus." Artemis said. "I need a favor."

Percy braced himself for what Artemis was about to ask him. "What is it?"

Artemis took a deep breath. "Thalia is not going to like this. And I'm sure that there will be times when she's going to make this decision." Artemis grabbed his hands. "Make my Hunters strong, Percy."

"What do you mean?"

"There's gonna be times when they have to do something that they don't want to do." Artemis said. "Taking people's lives is not an easy thing."

Percy gulped.

"But it is something that, eventually, needs to be done. I don't think Thalia, or any of my Hunters, are strong enough for that." Artemis admitted. "But when the time comes, and it will, I want you to be there for them. Make their hearts strong. Close their hearts to the suffering of their enemies. Do not let them succumb to their guilt."

"Why are you asking this of me?" Percy asked. "I'm not a killer."

"I'm not saying you are." Artemis said. "But I know that if it needs to be, you have the strength to do the right thing, no matter how hard and difficult that decision might be."

Percy knew how dependent Artemis was on him and he knew that Artemis could sense the strength of his resolve of protecting everyone. "Okay." The word escaped Percy's lips softly.

Artemis smiled. "Thank you, Perseus. You have my blessing. I believe you and Thalia will succeed in this quest." Artemis said. "Take care of them for me, will you?"

Artemis took a deep breath. "It will be a while before I will be able to see any of you. But I will do my best to keep an update of any progress. And I will tell you if I've heard anything of your father."

Percy bowed her head slightly. "Thank you, Artemis."

Artemis nodded. "Stay safe, Perseus. And good luck." She said before vanishing in a brilliant silver light.

Just like that, Percy was alone.

As he exited the tent, Thalia was waiting for him.

"Did she say anything?"

"Yeah." Percy said, hoping Thalia would just leave it at that.

Thalia seemed to understand. She gripped the bow that Artemis gave her tightly. "So what now?"

"Well, she's gone off now to do something. So I doubt we'll see her for a while." Percy said. "And I also don't expect any divine help from the other Olympians. And I don't know where to go."

"So, just like old times then?" Thalia grinned.

"Just like old times." Percy grinned as well. "Have you told the Hunters?"

"I haven't said anything, but I have a feeling that they know." Thalia said, gesturing at some of the Hunters who were staring at her in awe. Percy didn't notice it before, but Thalia had a faint silver aura around her.

"I should tell Annabeth about-" Percy said before he was cut off by Thalia.

"Percy, stop." Thalia said.

Percy stopped in surprise. "What's wrong?"

"Stop talking about Annabeth."

Percy frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know what it means, Percy." Thalia glared at him.

"Uh, no I don't." Percy said. "What's gotten into you? What's your problem with Annabeth?"

Thalia flinched at the mention of her name. "Stop it, Percy. I get it."

"Get what?" Percy was getting annoyed. Thalia wasn't making any sense. "What are you talking about?"

Thalia rushed towards Percy. Percy thought she was going to hit him, but instead she gave Percy a crushing hug much to his surprise.

"I miss her too, Percy. I miss her so much." Thalia buried her face into his chest.

Percy felt the world crumble beneath his feet. "What are you saying?"

"Percy," Thalia's voice was unbelievably soft. "Remember a week after the First Crusade incident?" Thalia asked. "You guys were ambushed by Crusaders while fighting off monsters. That's when the Hunters and Camp Half-Blood had to split up."

"Yeah, I almost died there." Percy said.

"Percy," Thalia looked like she struggled to find the words. "You were covering for us. You were holding the line while we retreated."

Percy felt his knees turn weak as the flashback played in his head. The demigods of Camp Half-Blood and the Hunters were in the middle of a rendezvous when monsters came in to attack. If that wasn't bad enough, Crusaders ambushed them from the other side, cornering them.

Thalia made the decision of luring the Crusaders one way while Percy lured the monsters the other way. They decided to split up.

It didn't look like they were going to make it for both sides.. The monsters and Crusaders were getting overwhelming. Percy made the executive decision to stay behind while his friends try to escape.

It was a long shot. Even when together, they were outnumbered. But Percy alone? There was no way in hell he was going to survive.

"The Crusaders were gunning for you." Thalia sobbed. "Shots were fired."

The sound of gunshots echoed in Percy's ears along with the roar of monsters. It was a hopeless situation. He was going to die there.

Somehow he was alive. How?

The memory played vividly in Percy's head.

Flashback

This was it. This was how Percy was going to go out. But if there was any chance for him to give some time for his friends to escape, then he'll take it.

Percy braced for death when he saw the Crusaders and monsters gunning towards him.

That's when he had a cold chill down his spine.

Something bad had just happened. Something dreadful.

He turned around to see Annabeth curled on the ground in pain. Someone had hurt her.

In a fit of rage, he let loose everything. It became a blur after that. The ground shook as trees collapsed left right and center. Monsters disintegrated and the Crusaders retreated, but none of that matters.

When his rational self came back, he found himself on his knees while Annabeth was his arms.

"Percy," Annabeth said weakly. The bullet had gone straight into her heart. Even Percy knew it was fatal, but he refused to believe that.

"No, no, no, no, no," Percy repeated. "Stay with me. Stay with me, Wise Girl. You stay with me."

Annabeth smiled as Percy pleaded his heart off. "I'm sorry." She whispered before coughing up blood.

"No. You're okay. We're gonna be okay." Percy hugged her tightly, as if he was afraid that she was going to disappear. "You're gonna be okay. I'm here, Annabeth. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Percy repeated.

"I love you, Seaweed Brain." Annabeth whispered with her dying breath before her hand went limp.

"Annabeth?" Percy held her body. He put a hand on her cheek. "Hey, Annabeth?" Annabeth didn't answer as her eyes closed. "Hey, Wise Girl?"

Again, no answer.

"No." Percy sobbed. "Please, no. Oh god please no." Tears were streaming down his cheek. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry Annabeth. Please no. I need you. I can't do this without you."

Percy was crying his heart out, calling for Annabeth to come back, hoping that she would somehow wake up and tell Percy that it's going to be fine.

Alas . . .

Flashback ends

Percy didn't realize he had been crying when he came back to his senses. Thalia was no worse than him.

"After the skirmish, we went back to scavenge what little supplies we had." Thalia sobbed. "I saw her body and . . ." Thalia wiped her tears. "We gave her a proper funeral. She deserves that, at least."

Percy's hands were shaking. "So all this time, I was . . ."

"I'm sorry." Thalia said softly.

So the person he'd been talking to for the last two years wasn't actually Annabeth. A figment of his own imagination, conjured by his own twisted brain as a coping mechanism from the loss of the one he loved.

"It's not your fault." Percy said shakily. "It's just . . ." Percy took a deep breath. "I miss her."

"Me too." Thalia said. "Now stop crying, I doubt she'll want to see us like this."

Percy chuckled. "Yeah." He managed.

"So, what's our next step?"