THIRD PERSON POV
Slowly, slowly, an ice sculpture started forming in the middle of the pavilion where they were listening to Percy's adventures. The sculpture took the shape of a woman, and in from it walked out a gorgeous woman. The woman had long dark black hair, and brown eyes. She was a goddess many didn't imagine to show her presence in front of gods again. Especially after she had betrayed them in the last Giant war.
The woman was Khione, Goddess of Snow, Ice and Cold. Her entire being screamed danger, her cold aura filling dread upon their hearts.
The Olympians made a move to capture her, but before they could do anything Percy stood up and walked towards her.
Piper was about to attack the damned goddess, that had made her life miserable in her first quest. She stopped herself when she saw the smile in Percy's face. His eyes lit up, and was practically radiating happiness. She recognized the look immediately, it was how he would gaze upon her, Annabeth and Artemis. She was important to him.
Percy stood up and moved toward Khione, she looked at him and smirked. Just when he was about to reach her, he summoned a sword and slashed at her neck. Khione at the last second blocked the attack with an ice dagger. Percy sent the sword away and pulled her in a tight hug, one Khione very much returned.
When they parted Khione asked, "You remember what I taught you?"
"Come what sorrow can, it cannot countervail the exchange of joy, that one short minute gives me in her sight." Percy took her hands and looked at her eyes. Khione smiled and gave him a peck on his cheek.
Annabeth, Piper, Athena, Aphrodite and many more looked at Percy incredulous. They blinked their eyes a couple of times to see if what they saw was an illusion.
"You… You just quoted, Romeo and Juliet. You know Shakespeare?" Annabeth asked, she found it spectacularly hot and sexy, that her seaweed brain could quote one of the most romantic acts of all time. Piper, and Artemis too shared the same thought and found it sexy.
Khione smirked at their reaction, "If you think that was impressive watch this."
She turned to Percy and spoke, "Cela fait bien trop longtemps que nous n'avons recontré Mon cher vieil ami." (It's been way too long since we last met, my dear old friend.)
"Oui ça l'a été, mais n'aie pas peur ma chère. Tu m'as manqué ces années de tout mon Coeur." Percy replied in a perfect Canadian French accent, without missing a beat. (Yes it has, but fear not my dear. I have missed you those years with all my heart.)
Annabeth, Athena, Artemis, Piper and those who knew him personally openly gaped at him. Since when could he quote Shakespeare, and speak perfect French?
"You weren't… when did you… How?" Annabeth stuttered, trying to ask him how did he learn all of it.
"When we broke up years ago and I left, the first place I went to was Alaska, where I met the Ice Queen, Princess of North. She offered to train me in my powers over ice. We became close friends, she is my best friend. We spent six months living together, fighting together, learning together. She taught me to speak French, and forced me to read a lot of books." Percy explained smiling, he still hadn't let go of Khione's hand, she was blushing at his words.
Annabeth felt ugly feelings crept up her heart, she hadn't felt since the first time she saw him with Rachel. She was his best friend, not some goddess he met on his travel. She also felt anger course through her. She had tried to get him to read books for a year, but to no avail. And this goddess succeeded at that? Overall, she knew Percy loved her and them with all his heart, so she subdued the jealousy.
Thalia never wanted to hit anyone with a bolt of electricity more in her life. Annabeth maybe the one he had loved before godhood, but she was his best friend. Ever since he comforted her when she got out of the tree, they were best friends. They would train together, fight together and make up later. They had a bond that only best friends do.
Piper, and Artemis stayed silent, they knew Khione was cunning and manipulating. However, Percy was an excellent judge of character. If he found her alright, they shouldn't have any problem either.
Khione turned to Annabeth, and her smiling expression changed into a cold one. "You were the one that broke his heart?" She asked, gritting her teeth, she remembered perfectly how miserable he was. How it took her a lot of time to take him out of his shell.
Annabeth slumped down and made herself smaller. She heard Chaos say that it was the work of some deity, but that didn't make the guilt any lesser. Thankfully Percy came to her rescue, "Leave her alone Elsa, someone had manipulated her emotions to betray me."
Khione nodded at him before hitting him in the back of his head, "How many times do I have to say to not call me Elsa?"
Percy smirked at her, "Don't tell me it doesn't thaw your frozen heart."
Khione blushed a furious gold and pulled him in for a kiss. Percy felt his breath stop, as he kissed her back. When he was alone on his furlough, she was the only woman he thought he could love again. The only one that made his broken heart, skip beats again.
Annabeth, Piper, and Artemis smiled. They may not like Khione much, but seeing Percy happy at finding his other soulmates was something that gave them joy.
Thalia scowled, another one to fill his heart. She would have to make her move soon or he would be lost to her again. Same as when she found out he was entranced with Annabeth, which made her join the hunters. The only two boys she ever held affection for, one becomes enemy, the other finds someone else to love.
Percy and Khione's moment of intimacy was broken by Hera, "I hate to interrupt, but she has to be punished for aiding Gaea, in the second Giant war."
Gods, Demigods, Hunters, and the nature spirits turned to Percy. To see his reaction, and how he would handle this situation; would he stand down and let her face justice alone? Or would he save her from any repercussions?
Percy felt conflicted. On one hand he wanted to overrule the council and declare her free of any punishment deserved; on the other hand he was the God of Justice. If he were to forgive treachery just because he had the power to do so, he was no different than Kronos or Zeus.
He closed his eyes as he made his decision. He had promised himself that he would never abuse his power and rule with an iron fist like Zeus. He was the new symbol of justice, that meant he had to push his need to save someone he loved down. He would have to let Khione answer to her crimes alone.
Percy turned to Khione, a lone tear left his eyes as he spoke, "I cannot interfere in your trials, as you answer for your actions Khione. While I have the power to disregard any punishment aimed at you, and to set you free, I wouldn't. This is something you would have to face yourself."
Khione nodded and smiled. She had known his decision all along. Even as a demigod, when he had the fatal flaw of personal loyalty. A flaw, that makes a person very selfish, to save a loved one before the world. He was the least selfish person she had ever met.
The Olympians prepared to flash to Olympus when Nico spoke, "Stay here, it won't take much time, she won't be punished."
The council turned to Nico, it was the first time he had ever voiced his opinions. Hera didn't like his interjection and hissed, "and why not? You would go against your queen?"
Hades was fuming at his sister, she had never liked him just because he depicted dead/death. He didn't fit into her idea of perfect family, so she and Zeus casted him out of his home. Shadows started moving towards him as he clutched his helm tightly.
Rhea frowned at Hera's reaction, the way she hissed at the boy wasn't like a queen. It was how her husband Kronos would often hiss at his family when they voiced their opinion against him. Before she could reprimand her daughter, Perseus spoke up.
"Mind your tone Goddess. Just because you're a queen doesn't mean that everything happens according to your like. You are no different than your father too, you have the same vanity he had. Thinking that everyone below you was nothing, this is my last warning to both you and your husband. If you don't change your ways, I will declare you both unfit to rule. Work on your vanity before I decide to blast it out of you." Percy pointed his finger at her and spoke calmly. Nico was his little brother, and no one talks to him like that. Not after everything he's been through.
Hera looked away, remembering how she had fallen on her knees for his mercy. She always did whatever she did because she knew Zeus would have her back. Here though, Hera knew there was nothing either her husband or she could do if Percy decided that it was an end for their rule.
Percy saw that Hera was silent and going over her decisions. Satisfied, he turned to Nico for an answer.
Nico thanked Percy for his support and asked Khione, "Why did you decided to turn against the Gods?"
Khione scowled and answered, "Because I wanted respect, the Olympians have always looked down at the minor gods. Zeus had control over my father Boreas and would disregard him, and gave us no respect. Gaea offered me that, even if she was manipulating me, but at least she offered what the Olympians should have."
The Olympians that ruled before bowed their heads. Even Zeus, he had failed as a king, he genuinely thought that it was time for a new ruler to rule Gods.
Nico nodded at her and turned to his fellow Gods, "At the second Titan war's reward ceremony, Percy wished that the Gods that turned against Olympus be forgiven, and respected. Still you didn't do any of those things, just built some cabins and thought your work was done. You didn't release any of the peaceful Titans and carried on, making them even angrier at you. That even after a Styx oath you wouldn't respect them. You cannot punish them for your own fault."
Many of the demigods nodded, supporting the God of Punishment's decision. The gods too accepted his words and promised to do better.
Nico again addressed Khione, "However, you cannot go free without any consequences. You would have to pledge your to either Olympus or an Olympian." He smirked at the end, already knowing what her answer was, and which God she would choose.
Khione nodded happily and turned to Percy, "I pledge my allegiance to the God Perseus, and swear on the Styx to never betray him."
Thunder boomed overhead as the oath was sealed.
Percy and the other reclaimed their places at the pavilion the next quest. Piper was about to sit on his lap again when Eva walked tiredly, plopped herself at her father's lap and fell asleep. Percy cradled his asleep daughter in his arms and shot Piper an apologetic look. Piper kissed his cheek and leaned at his side.
When Percy was about to start a flash of light distracted him, and Tyson appeared out of nowhere. Poseidon smirked at Percy to let him know it was him. Percy nodded at his father and turned to his brother. "Tyson," he called and the Cyclops turned to him.
Tyson immediately ran to hug his brother, not noticing his daughter in his arms. Percy smiled and slowed down time, so that his brother didn't knock them out with his tractor powered hug. "Calm down Ty, I have my daughter with me."
That's when Tyson looked down to his brother's lap and saw a little girl. "You have a daughter. How?"
Percy was about to answer, when Apollo intervened. He cleared his throat and addressed the little kids and Tyson. "See kids when a man loves a woman, they…" He didn't get to continue as Percy shot a torrent of water at him. Drenching him head to toe, hunters and the gods started laughing at how Apollo resembled a wet cat.
Percy turned to Tyson, "Annabeth and I adopted her."
Tyson nodded and said he understood. He sat down next to Poseidon and listened as Percy started his adventure.
The third quest started when Annabeth, Thalia and I were being driven by my mother to Westover Hill at Maine. Grover had found some powerful half-bloods and requested some help when he sensed a powerful monster near. Anyway, my mother talked a lot when she was nervous. She told Thalia and Annabeth any embarrassing stories of my childhood that she could.
He was about to continue the story when two voices cut through the crowd, "Tell me," both demanding. It was Piper and Khione.
Percy turned and looked at Annabeth, "Don't you dare," he gritted his teeth.
Annabeth smiled and pointed him towards the hunters, where Thalia was laughing. She started talking before he could say anything. "When Percy was about two years of age, Aunt Sally took him to the beach where she met Lord Poseidon. Percy was naked and running up and down at the beach when he saw a pelican. Percy ran to hold the bird, Aunt Sally told him not to but still he ran to the bird. When he got near the bird, the pelican pecked at his little baby penis. Percy was crying holding his crotch."
Percy blushed as everyone started laughing at him. Apollo, Hermes, Leo, Travis & Conner were laughing the hardest, almost manically. His girlfriends teased him to no end, even his demigods and hunters were laughing at his misfortune.
When everyone calmed down Annabeth started, "When Percy was little he wanted a pet fish. Now Sally always knew that Percy was a son of Poseidon, so it was natural for him to love sea creatures. So she bought him a pet fish, and kept it in his room. However, what she didn't know was Percy could speak with them. The fish would cry and tell Percy about how a catfish ate his entire family in front of him, and how he barely escaped with his life. Little 5 year old Percy was so traumatized that he would have nightmares about a catfish eating him."
This time it was Poseidon and Amphitrite laughing the loudest at his misfortune. They loved sea creatures, they all loved to talk.
Percy ducked his head down and looked at Annabeth betrayed. She was killing his entire reputation of being a strong and tough King.
Apparently, his reputation hadn't been ruined enough, because Eva shifted in his arms and murmured, "Daddy's stupid," asleep.
That caused another round of laughing among the audience. When they finished laughing he continued.
When we reached Westover High we were intercepted from two teachers, one male and one female. They said that visitors were not allowed, Thalia influenced the mist to make them believe that we were students there. I was using all of my willpower to not laugh outright, because the female teacher's name was Miss Gottschalk.
Leo, Apollo, Hermes and the Stoll twins started cracking up, "A teacher named Gottschalk?" Tears flowed from their eyes as they laughed hard.
Percy looked at Artemis, she rolled her eyes. "Come on you have to admit it was pretty funny."
She looked at him for a minute then said, "Alright it was a little funny."
Percy wooed and carefully threw one arms up at air cheering, and not trying to throw his daughter off. Artemis smiled at his childishness and leaned in for a kiss.
When we went in Grover informed us that he had found two very powerful half-bloods. We didn't know their parentage, but they were strong even as kids. We had to get them to camp, because demigods were leaving to join the enemies side more and more. We were also recruiting as many demigods as we could, and then move them to the already packed Hermes cabin. To fight for parents that never even bothered to claim them.
Percy's voice was harsh and accusing, he had been a God for less than a month. He would fight day & night to make life for his demigods better.
The Gods ducked their heads in shame, what had happened to them. How could they have neglected their own children like that?
At once murderous glances were thrown at Zeus, who looked away.
Grover informed that the half-bloods were brother and sister, aged 10 & 12. The vice principal Dr Thorn was the monster, and he was blocking Grover from reaching the kids. We decided to blend in the crowd. Thalia took Grover's hand and dragged him to dance with her, and said me and Annabeth to dance too.
Annabeth laughed and said, "He asked me who should he ask for dance, and looked around for girls that weren't dancing."
Percy was getting many incredulous looks from his pears and fellow Gods.
"How the fuck did that man get multiple soulmates?" Leo asked to Travis and Conner. They were having their own confused thoughts about that.
Thalia looked at him and smirked, "Seriously Kelp Head?"
Percy looked at her, his cheeks flushed gold. "Oh drop it Thals, you know how awkward I was."
Thalia nodded and looked away, ignoring how it gave her stomach butterflies, when he used his nickname he had specially for her.
Dr. Thorn hadn't left the two kids' side and was watching us closely. We looked away for a second and he was gone along with the Di'Angelo siblings. Annabeth went to find Thalia and Grover, and I followed Thorn. When I reached I saw the siblings but not Thorn. He was behind me and swatted me to a wall. He threw some sort of spike and pinned me to the wall. Thorn threatened the kids to silently follow him. I needed to keep the kids safe but wasn't able to. The spike had poison in it that rendered me almost paralyzed. I still tried to swing my sword, he kept throwing spikes at me. It was like there was an invisible person behind him.
Thorne marched us through the wood to where his ride was coming. Bianca demanded to know where he was taking us, Nico stood up to Thorne for his sister. Thorne took us to a cliff, and took out his phone to summon his ride. Thorne informed me that I had no idea what was going on, that the general would enlighten me. Thorne informed that the great stirring was underway.
Immediately the gods started throwing colorful curses at the general, shocking the demigods. Even Rhea frowned hearing about Atlas, she never liked him. He was too bloodthirsty in her opinion.
"Who is this general?" Some kids asked.
"The general of the Titan Army. Atlas, the Titan of strength, my father." Calypso informed them scowling. She had supported him in the first Titan war, and was imprisoned on her island for it.
Zoe looked at her sister, she had forgotten another daughter of Atlas was here. She decided to talk to her later.
"What is the great stirring?" The demigods asked again. The children of Athena were writing everything down, this was like a big school night for them. Where they learned things that weren't in the books or myths.
"The Great Stirring means the old enemies of gods were rising, monsters so old that even us Gods had forgotten about." Artemis explained to the kids.
The kids frowned, what monsters were so old that even the gods forgot about them?
That's when an invisible force slammed into me, effectively knocking me and Di'Angelo kids to the ground. At that exact moment Thalia charged Thorne with her Aegis, she attacked and jabbed him. I decided to attack too, that's when Thorne changed his appearance. He grew big, his face was the same but his body was of a lion and had a tail with spikes. It was a Manticore. We were outmatched with the manticore, that's when a hunting horn rang through the woods. Thorne immediately grew scared as the hunters fired arrows at him, unfortunately Annabeth was clinging on his back. Thorne leaped off the cliff with Annabeth. I tried to jump after them when a girl about 12 years of age with auburn hair stopped him. I demanded to know who she was to stop me. That's when she introduced herself as Artemis, the goddess of hunt.
Most had shock written over their faces as they alternated their stares from Annabeth to Percy. Both of whom were defending themselves.
"You demanded to know who Artemis was and she let you live?" Apollo asked incredulous.
Artemis rolled her eyes at her brother, "I could see that he was distraught to lose his friend. He didn't mean disrespect to me."
Percy nodded agreeing with her, before he kissed her cheek.
We told the Di Angelos that they were children of an Olympian. Bianca refused to believe us, while Nico was jumping up and down like a 3 year old in sugar rush.
Nico threw a dagger aimed at Percy's head. He caught it and twirled around his fingers looking at Nico with a smirk. Enjoying, seeing the dark god getting teased by his boyfriend.
Thalia, and Grover were laughing too, being there to see it in person. The demigods didn't know whether they should laugh at him or not. So they settled for silent chuckling.
We explained to the siblings about the world of demigods, after a hunter came and said that Bianca's presence was requested by Artemis. Thalia blamed me for Annabeth's capture. Grover healed my shoulder, which had turned green in color. Nico seemed absolutely delighted by my injuries.
Nico ducked his head, when people started snickering at him. He was getting angrier as the story went, the part about Bianca joining hunt was coming.
Thalia winced when she saw the glare Annabeth sent her. Before she could apologize, though, Percy sent a wink at her, saying she was forgiven.
When Grover was finished the hunters' lieutenant Zoe Nightshade came to get me. She said that Artemis wanted to see me. Artemis asked me what the general had said to me.
Artemis' laugh stopped Percy. When people stared at her, she helped up a finger. "I asked him what did the general say. Percy 100% seriously looked me in the eyes and said 'I hate middle school dances.'"
Zoe confirmed the conversation, laughing herself. Everyone else were also laughing their ass off. How did that kid saved the world?
Percy wanted to crawl in a hole. 'Why did I ever agree to do this?' he thought to himself.
"Why would she like to hear about general's dislike for middle school dance?" Annabeth asked, honestly half the time he was so stupid. It was both infuriating and adorable.
Bianca and I informed Artemis that the general spoke of the great stirring. Her expression grew grave before she reined it in. She asked Bianca if she had made a decision. She had asked her to join the hunt.
Nico sneered at the Artemis. Black flames lit up in his eyes, as shadows started swirling around him. "You should know better than to rip a family apart." He accused her and Artemis flinched.
Phoebe, one of the oldest hunters of Artemis wasn't as smart as others. She immediately fought back. "She wasn't ripping Bianca away from her family. She was giving her a new one, you deathless worm."
The direct jab at the underworld had all three Royals of the underworld boiling in anger. Nico moved to make a move but Hades, and Persephone reeled him back. They were used to their family demeaning them because of their dark domain. Now however, they had an ally for them.
"Phoebe, you can't say things like that." Percy sighed tiredly. Honestly, keeping the hunters in line was the most tiring task. The hunters had accepted him as their patron, and knew he would straighten them up.
"Nico is an Olympian God, you can't directly disrespect him. Even if he wasn't a God, he's a veteran of two wars. Without him, neither wars would have been won, and the Gods would've faded. Including your mistress." Percy said, looking at her. Many of the demigods nodded, a warrior must respect another.
"More so, you can't disrespect the House of Hades like that. Lord Hades has been more than generous enough with the hunters." Percy defended Hades, surprising him. Most of the demigods and hunters had confusion written over. Percy saw this and explained. "Ever since the hunt was created, Lord Hades had allowed every hunter to pass on to Elysium, without judgment. You know very well not all of them deserved it."
The older hunters understood what he was saying. They had done horrible acts to males, just because of their gender. If they were to go through judgment, their bad deeds would outweigh their good ones.
Phoebe immediately apologized to Hades for her comment, and then begrudgingly apologized to Nico.
Percy then addressed all hunters, "The hunt was created so that Artemis could help maidens who didn't have any one. Girls that were either abandoned by, or lost their families. They didn't have no one to turn to. Bianca however, had a younger brother to look after too. The hunt isn't the place you turn to get out of your responsibilities. Your mistress has forgotten that over the millennia."
Artemis shrunk down at the accusation aimed at her. She didn't like people pointing out her mistakes, especially if it was her lover doing it. Though she knew he was right.
When Percy saw that the hunters fully understood his words he continued with the story.
Zoe convinced Bianca to join the hunters. Artemis said she would have to hunt down the monster alone. Zoe refused, but Artemis insisted that she would have to go alone. Artemis turned to me and said it was time I met her irresponsible twin.
Apollo mocked being hurt and put a hand on his heart. "That hurts little sister."
Artemis fired an arrow at his feet, "I am not your little sister. I helped our mother deliver you." She hissed at him, but you could see the affection in her eyes.
Apollo tsked at her, "You do not know of what you speak of little sister."
Artemis eyes twitched to hurt her brother but she remained calm.
Artemis said she was waiting for her brother to come. Soon Apollo came in a dashing red convertible Maserati Sypder. He explained how the sun chariot looks like what people believe it would like. Artemis asked him to take us all to the camp, and went away for hunting the ancient monsters alone. Apollo converted his chariot to a bus and ushered us all in. He appointed Thalia to drive the bus, who might I add almost burned New England along with us. She had trouble driving so I gave her some tips. When we reached camp we crashed, thankfully we crashed into the canoe lake.
Thalia was trying to shrink herself from the teasing eyes. She looked at Percy who was smirking at her, enjoying the laughter she was getting.
The hunters immediately went for their cabin, while Grover was tripping on his feet showing them the way. Thalia and I took Nico to see Chiron, who was playing cards with Mr. D. Grover arrived beat up and took Nico to show the orientation film. We told Chiron and Mr. D about what had happened and about how Annabeth was lost. We wanted to send scouts looking for them but Mr. D refused, which caused me to blow a fuse. Dionysus stood up to probably smite me, but at the same moment Nico came announcing that Mr. D was the vine dude. He started gushing with Dionysus about some Mythomagic cards he played.
Nico's face resembled Will's hair, bright golden. He was going to take his revenge on Percy, no way was he going to leave him alone after this humiliation.
A group of little kids, aging from 7-10 turned to look at Nico with wide eyes. They stood up from their seats and went to sit next to him. They took out their own Mythomagic cards and showed them to Nico.
Nico looked just as shocked as everyone, people tended to avoid him as he was a lot darker than everyone. Becoming a god he even got the darkest domains in the gods, but these kids weren't afraid of him. They wanted to play cards with him? Shrugging, he started playing with them, teaching them tricks to play.
Percy and Thalia smiled, seeing him like this, ever since Bianca died. It was like the child inside of him had died as well. Leaving him alone, Percy continued.
I went to my cabin to find a new fountain installed. It was a gift from my father. I decided to place a call to Tyson at the underwater forges. He told me Dad was busy with the preparations of a war. The older sea spirits like Oceanus. Aigaios were rising and causing trouble. I said goodbye to him and dreamt of Luke manipulating Annabeth into taking the weight of the sky for him.
At the end of the sentence, Percy was seething with anger. It might have been at least a decade now, but the anger for Luke's action still burned within him.
His power leaked from him, causing many demigods to choke on their breaths. It took all their will power to not bend on their knees at him.
Annabeth knew if Percy didn't get a hold of his power he would injure some kids, probably drive them into a coma. His presence was overwhelming even for a god much less demigods and nature spirits.
Annabeth took his hands in hers and turned him to face her. She kissed him deeply until his breath run out. His eyes turned from one of anger to one of lust. Percy saw that everyone was looking into their little show of affection, and blushed. Before his friends could tease him he continued with the story.
I told Grover about my nightmare and was surprised when he informed me that Zoe Nightshade also had one about Artemis. Zoe asked permission to look for Artemis, as the goddess was lost. That night after the dinner capture the flag started. Even though Thalia and I decided to be captains she barked her orders at me. I of course didn't follow them, and went for the flag when I saw the chance. The hunters won, and Thalia blew up at me and shot lightning at me. I raised the entire into a massive funnel cloud to rain down at her, when something distracted her.
"You were that powerful even as a God?" A hunter asked him.
Before Percy could answer, Poseidon did, "My children are the most powerful demigods even without training. But Percy is the most powerful of my children, even as a demigod he had enough power to take control of the seas from me." He said smiling, unlike his brother Poseidon, didn't live in a life of fear that their children would dethrone them. It was Zeus' own paranoia that made his children detest him.
Amphitrite nodded too, Percy was powerful at a young age. But when he turned 15 his powers expanded by multitude. That's one of the reasons she hated him at first. She was afraid that Percy would decide to replace Triton as the heir to Poseidon. However, as the years went by Percy made it perfectly clear that he wasn't interested in ruling the seas.
Seeing as the demigods were sitting shit shocked he decided to continue with the story.
We turned to see that the Oracle, the mummy one had walked out of the attic. She looked at me for seconds then turned to Zoe and delivered a prophecy to find Artemis. Grover and I carried the mummy to the attic, when the war council was assembled in the ping pong table. The prophecy was Zoe's so she decided to take hunters with her. But the prophecy had said that hunters and campers should align themselves for the quest. I suggested she take three hunters and two campers. She agreed and decided to take Thalia and Grover with her. I wanted to go too but they denied saying the hunters won't travel with a male, and that the satyr was an exception.
The demigods sneered at the hunters, they never liked them. They acted all high and mighty at all times.
"Idiots," someone from the crowd shouted.
"What did you say?" Zoe asked standing up and summoning her bow.
"I said Idiot, always thinking so high of yourself." A son of Ares stood up drawing his sword, ready to fight.
Zoe aimed her bow at him and fired, but the arrow traveled so slow, it would've taken a century for it to land its mark. Zoe looked around confused until her eyes landed on a Time Lord.
"He is not wrong." Annabeth said, the queen of demigods wasn't going to be silent. "Your mistress was lost, captured by a Titan, probably getting tortured. And you all sat around with your pride intact. How would you have rescued Artemis if Percy wasn't with you? You decided to bench the most powerful demigod in history because the hunters weren't comfortable with a male around."
Zoe looked annoyed by her but when she turned to look at Percy, he was agreeing with her. She felt betrayed, he knew the reason she wasn't comfortable around men.
Percy saw her hurt look and said, "Don't get me wrong Zoe, the hunters and you especially have a reason to stay away from males. But compromise had to be made for the greater good, not only Artemis' but the fate of the world was depending on you. If you had failed to save Artemis, the Olympians would've lost their most important warrior, the only one who could destroy their enemies without violating the ancient laws. The gods would've shut Olympus early if something were to happen to Artemis. The war would've been lost and the reign of Titan's would've started once again."
Zoe looked ashamed at herself and for doubting Percy. He was the most considerate person she had ever met. How could she have doubted him?
The gods, especially Zeus, looked away. That's exactly what they would've done, seal themselves away and let the half-blood deal with Titans.
"They are hypocrite too," Surprisingly Travis Stoll said this.
"What do you mean?" Artemis asked with suppressed anger. She wasn't angry at them, instead she was angry at herself. How could she have allowed her hunters to become like this, like savages? No better than the males she despised.
"They come into our home and wreak havoc. The camp was made for children of gods not their followers. We generously gave them a place to stay after their hunting and they go around abusing it. They do not follow the camp's rule or Chiron's rule, because their goddess would protect them. We aren't allowed to use our powers in the game, but they decide to do whatsoever. They fire deadly arrows at us, injuring us intentionally because their goddess saves them from any repercussions. They even burned down our cabins." Travis said through gritted teeth.
"You pranked us first." Atlanta, a daughter of Apollo Hunter shouted.
"We are the children of God of mischief, and trickery. What do you expect, when you come into our home?" Connor shouted standing with his brother. "And that gives you the right to burn down cabins. The Hermes cabin was the biggest cabin, that hosted the most campers. You hunters of Artemis preach about helping maidens, about standing up for women. But when you burned our cabin, three young girls were half burned to death. They were all younger than the age of 12, where was your righteous justice for maidens. Where was your goddess Artemis, the one who is the image for abused women?"
Travis picked up where his brother left, "She laughed and praised her hunters for dealing with disgusting males. She took her hunters and left, without them facing any repercussions. Even Chiron had not said anything because he isn't a fool to speak against the Olympians." The amount of anger and disgust in their words for the gods, specially Artemis surprised the Olympians.
Artemis stayed silent through the whole ordeal, she refused to look from the ground she was staring at.
Percy took notice of his demigods mood and said, "Don't worry they would have to deal with their choices from now on. If they think that they can abuse the blessing their goddess has bestowed upon them, then my demigods will use the powers they were born with. Anything less of maiming, killing, and sexual assault would be allowed. I will hope that the hunters keep themselves in line from now on. Or otherwise my demigods maybe mortals, but the blood of gods flows through their
People cheered and applauded Percy. They continued complaining about the hunters' wrongful doings, and there were a lot of them.
The hunters felt ashamed, the new ones came at a better time, where Thalia kept them in line. But the older ones had abused Artemis' protection and blessing given to them. Looking at the hate filled faces of the demigods, they realized that the demigods hated the hunters with the same passion, to which they hate men. That made them feel disgusted with themselves.
Artemis had been alive for thousands of years. She had seen empires rise and fall, crumble into dust. She had seen the rise of Rome, along with it she felt her powers grew weaker. As the Romans started worshiping them in different aspects. For the entire Roman rule, the goddess Artemis was weakened, while Diana grew stronger.
But she had never felt this tired before. Just a few days ago, the Creator of the universe had made her face horrible truth about herself. That she only protected maidens, when their abuser was weaker than her. Now this demigods proved that she only cared about her hunters, not innocent maidens. She felt such disgust for herself, that she nearly drowned in her own sorrow.
Artemis stood up suddenly, startling everyone. Percy saw her broken look and was scared immediately. It was a look of utter tiredness, one he felt all those years alone, when he left the Greek world.
Artemis took a deep breath, "Maybe it's time that the hunt be disbanded." She said, and flashed out.
SO I'M THINKING ABOUT STARTING A GUARIDAN OF THE HUNT STORY. CLICHE STORY WITH A TWIST, PERCY ACTUALLY HAS A BACKBONE. BECAUSE LET'S BE HONEST PERCY DIDN'T TAKE GOD'S BULLSHIT EVEN IN THE CANON, SO IT BUGS ME HOW HE LETS HIMSELF BE TORTURED BY THE HUNTERS. THE PAIRING I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP FOR THAT STORY WOULD BE PERCY/ARTEMIS/HUNT. REVIEW YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE STORY AND THIS IDEA