Chapter 6
Percy sat on a chair, his eyes fixed on the book before him as he read the chronicles of Hercules. He did not believe anything in the book but the one thing his life had let him to believe, not everything was fictional.
The door opened slightly to his cabin and he reluctantly pulled away from his book and turned towards the person. A wide grin appeared on his face as he bounded from his bed and rushed to hug the older boy that had entered.
The boy chuckled and hugged Percy's relatively tiny frame and said, "So it is true," Percy pulled back, his face contorted into confusion as the boy continued, "you have a heart."
Percy rolled his eyes and lightly punched Malcolm's gut and replied, "So its true that you were beat by your brother who is just 5 years, 7 years younger than you?"
Malcolm let out a soft laugh and easily picked Percy up and propped him on his shoulder and asked, "What were you reading?" He walked to the table and carefully picked the closed book and read the title.
His eyes widened before he laughed. Percy pouted from his spot and attempted to snatch the book away from Malcolm but being seated on his shoulder, he couldn't do anything but move his hands frantically. Malcolm decided to end his torture and put down the book and let Percy down and carried him to his bed.
Percy lay on his bed and asked, "What's the time Malcolm?" Malcolm looked to the clock on the wall and replied, "10:33 pm" Percy groaned but promptly fell asleep.
Malcolm chuckled and retreated to his own bed and drifted off to his own sleep.
Percy awoke the next day and beamed widely as he saw his brother's chest rising and falling in his cot and he rose from his bed, yawning in the process and did his chores.
He woke Malcolm and politely (read: violently) woke Malcolm up and without a word, left. He hadn't even walked two steps before he crashed into a boy. Groaning, he held his head and rose to his feet. The boy glowered at him and Percy realised, too late, that the boy was a son of Ares.
The son of Ares raised his fist and attempted to punch Percy, but the latter dodged and landed a feeble kick to the boy's shin. The crowd gathered, interested in the prospect of witnessing a battle between a smart ass and a warrior, and anyone can guess who was who.
Percy couldn't avoid the elbow from the older boy and fell on his butt from the impact as he felt blood seep from his nose. Taking advantage of Percy's distraction, the son of Ares planted a kick on the son of Athena's face, causing Percy to skid to the back and his camp shirt tore slightly from the back.
The crowd screamed in support and clapped, some taking out their spear's and butting the wooden side to the ground, making thumping sound. A few tried to step forward, but they were held back by their family, everyone silently asking them not to intervene.
The son of Ares looked around at the cheering crowd and grinned wildly and drew a fist and tried to attack Percy. But before he could reach him, a palm stretched out and stopped his attack.
Percy noticed from blurred vision, Malcolm holding the son of war god's fist, his face burning with rage. Malcolm didn't waste any chances and kicked the boy's shin making the boy fall down. Malcolm began punching the perpetrator repeatedly without mercy, his voice close to a growl.
Percy struggled to his feet and stopped Malcolm and silently whispered, "Its okay Malcolm. You have beaten him enough." Malcolm looked at Percy and then to the boy below him who did definitely not look like how he looked before.
Sounds of hooves erupted and Malcolm stood up as he faced the centaur, Chiron. He looked at the mess before him and simply shrugged, "He had it a long time coming."
Percy's eyebrows shot up and he looked at his brother and silently asked him, 'Is what he just said true?' Malcolm seemed to be asking him the same thing. Chiron saw their silent exchange and asked, "Do you really want a punishment?"
Malcolm shook his head rapidly and pulled Percy so that the young son of Athena wouldn't mess their chance to escape punishment. Once they were back inside the cabin, the looked at each other, both breathing heavily, before dissolving into fits of laughter.
Percy stood before a silver tent, his grip on the hairpin in his pocket tightening. He didn't know what to expect from the goddess of the Hunt and the man hating goddess on top of it.
He retraced his steps, metaphorically of course and tried to think of why the goddess would want to see him specifically. Maybe she was pissed that he had beaten her new recruit. He shrugged and gently knocked on the flap.
A muffled sound came through as the flap opened and he faced the lieutenant Zoe. They both stared each other down before Zoe promptly glared at him and asked, "Yes?"
"Lady Artemis asked for me," he replied simply, not interested in dealing with the hunters.
Zoe's nostrils flared but a stern voice commanded, "Zoe, let him in. I did indeed invite him. I need his assistance." Zoe's eyes widened and she apologised to the goddess behind her, "I am so sorry milady."
There was no reply, but Zoe shuffled off and Percy entered sluggishly, trying to only look at the goddess of hunt in front of him, and not to ogle at the interior of the tent. The goddess stared at him, expressionless.
Percy bowed before her when he heard the cough of a certain lieutenant and asked, "Apologies milady but I don't really know why I have been summoned."
Artemis stared at her sister's son with curiosity and remarked, "I see why you are my sister's favourite son." Percy's eyes widened significantly before he rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "Thanks?" During this interaction, Zoe slipped out of the tent.
Artemis let out a soft chuckle, her cold exterior breaking for a short time. Percy gave her his trademark crooked grin before sobering up, followed by Artemis. She exhaled and said, "Thank you for that. I needed it. Now, what I am about to tell you is confidential, but my father has allowed me to tell you after my sister- your mom -convinced his that you were trustworthy."
Percy nodded and sat on the seat before the goddess once she signalled him to. "Percy, my hunters have been punished for a crime that they did not commit."
"What crime?" Percy asked innocently. The immortal goddess sighed and replied, "The murder of a son of Zeus."
Percy froze in his seat and Artemis continued, "I had been hunting solo and a boy ran straight to me. He made some rash comments, and, in my anger, I killed the demigod. I later realised he was a son of my father, my half-brother. I attempted to resolve the matter, but my father was furious. Athena tried to reason with him, but he paid her no heed, so he punished my hunt, in extension me. For the year, my hunt has been disbanded from hunting or hurting any boys. When half the council asked Zeus to have mercy, he allowed my hunt to remain in my cabin. However, they are still prone to danger outside of my cabin and there are several cabins who want to exact revenge against my hunters. So, I ask of your assistance. I have been told you have been training and you have friends. I have faith in my hunters' capabilities, but I still fear for them."
Percy absentmindedly nodded, still trying to digest that a goddess, an Olympian goddess was asking for his help. A goddess who hates males like how humans hate dirt on their shoes. Yes, that's accurate, or approximately accurate.
Percy suddenly grinned a wicked smile and stated, "Milady, I will warn you that I am not a demigod who will sit silently should your hunters decide to attack me or my friends. I will retaliate should they decide our generosity is too much for them." Artemis' eyes flashed dangerously before setting back to bright silver, "I will agree but you may only attack if they provoke you to. If you are the one starting a fight, I will not hesitate to strike you down."
Artemis tensed and said, "Leave. We have an eavesdropper amidst us." A bow materialised in her arms as she notched an arrow and sprinted out of the tent. Percy awkwardly stared at her retreating back, then sighed and left from the tent, dreading his conversation with Logan and Mal.
A figure stood tall as a boy, a son of Apollo dragged a chained goddess before him. The boy shoved the goddess before the figure and spoke, "My lord. I have fulfilled my promise to you."
The figure let out a dark chuckle and replied, "Indeed you have. For that you must be rewarded." The boy looked eager for the award. The figure turned to look at a tree and nodded. The tree shimmered and a woman with skin the colour of pink formed from the trunk, holding her hand out.
The boy looked at the figure for confirmation and the figure nodded. The son of Apollo grasped her hand and gasped as his hand glowed pink before it dissolved. He didn't feel any different till he looked at the goddess and saw all of her injuries, his mind automatically showing him how to heal the wounds.
The figure gave a small grin as he turned back to look at the sky. The dryad bowed before the son of Apollo and exclaimed, "Héctor Rivas, Son of Apollo, you have been hereby accepted in the army of the Deceived, appointed as the Commander of it."
The son of Apollo listened to her intently with wide eyes before he gave a huge grin and then promptly passed out. The dryad left with a bow to the figure.
The figured didn't blink an eye as he stared at the glowing moon and thought, Soon.
A/N: I am exhausted. So many words. So much thought. Thanks for no ideas by the way. I really don't know how to go forward with this story. This story will be Pertemis and before you think that the captured goddess is Artemis, no she is not. All will be disclosed as the story goes on… hopefully. Anyways, review. I need some motivation. Really. No more OCs btw. I'll add the updated OC list soon.
