(I wish I owned Percy Jackson, but I don't)

The sun sets, and the moon shines.

ARTEMIS

It was unusual to have to stay in a hotel, of all places, instead of setting up a camp. But this is where I, Artemis, the goddess of the moon, of wildlife, of hunting, of childbirth, of virginity, and a few other things, currently reside, together with my Hunters.

I particularly hate big cities, because of the pollution, the noise, how humans damage the environment, but I am forced to stay in this place in Manhattan, thanks to a pack of hellhounds, which for mortals appear as pit bulls, thanks to the Mist. And to be modest, they have been causing problems for any unlucky mortal who meets them, as well as having a specific taste for inexperienced demigods, so here I am to solve that problem. Something to this distract us from that damn fox that we simply can't catch.

But why stay in a hotel and not on the Empire State Building, or as is also known, Mount Olympus? Let's just say that the relationship with my Olympian relatives is not… very good, lately. Exclusively on my part, since I believe they don't even noticed any difference. This goes back to the beginning of the titan plot so many years ago. Carrying the sky on my back and losing my lieutenant was particularly unpleasant, as was being torn between my Greek and Roman personifications after that fiasco at Camp Jupiter, being stranded to an island for quite a while because of it, and having to watch my once great "friend" Orion slaughter dozens of my Hunters.

Not that he was truly my friend to begin with.

And as the icing on the cake, my twin brother, Apollo, was banished from Olympus for over a year, being used as a scapegoat by our father, Zeus, for the embarassment that one of his Roman offsprings made in the war against Gaea. Not playing devil's advocate, since Apollo was extremely arrogant and sometimes unbearable to tolerate, but seeing him in such a critical situation touched me. I tried to help him in his trials by sending my Hunters, and I almost saw my brother die multiple times, suffer to the limit, which ended up creating a humanity in him, or something like that. I cried so many times when I saw him on the verge of death, or simply saying that he missed me. Seeing him at Camp Jupiter was nice, but it surely made me hate our father in that moment, letting Apollo almost turn to into a undead, and he would have, if not for me.

Ever since Apollo ascended to the Olympus once again, my divine mind keeps thinking about how the gods proved to be flawed, or even incompetent, but I cannot and do not wish to share such thoughts- the truth, said a little voice inside my head, with my Hunters, or anyone else. Still, it is hard to forgive and accept all that the Olympians have done in the past years, even more so with Apollo acting in such a new way, being so humble and nice to everyone, making me even more confused.

While I am lost in my thoughts, a flash of light appears and from it I hear a voice.

- Hello!

Speak of the devil...

- Hello, Apollo. - my brother, in the form I am most used to seeing him in our lives, blond, with a defined body, shining blue eyes, was standing near the door, with a smile on his face. I tried to pull myself together and forget everything I was thinking.

- It would be polite to knock first.

- Sorry - he walks around the room, looking around. - I am still getting used to the fact that I can teleport again, and you know, little sis, it is better to practice with people who won't try to kill me if you invade their personal space.

I roll my eyes.

- I usually would, but your recent attitude has prevented me from doing that. And I don't even need to say again that I was born first. Anyway, how is Meg? Have you seen her?

- Well, she's doing alright, I have visited her from time to time, after all it is much easier to do things when you can split up your conscience and be in multiple places at the same time. And how are Reyna and Thalia?

- If you wanted to know you could have asked them downstairs, but they are doing well, for your information, although they occasionally clash while we are hunting.

- Sportsmanship, it's always good.

- I suppose so. At least it makes them both have a goal.

Apollo sat down next to me on my hotel bed.

- It's still so strange. Everything.

- I would like to say that I understand your pain to comfort you, but I have never gone through such trials as you have. And I certainly wouldn't want to be turned into a spindly teenager. - I said laughing, trying to cheer him up, and he just gave a small smile.

- I'm not asking for you to put yourself in my place, because I don't think I would wish this even for my worst enemies, except perhaps those who did this to me. But it is still very different from before. Maybe even another life.

- You don't feel like the Apollo, do you? - when I said that, his face took on a sad expression.

- Exactly. You are one of the least arrogant deities on Olympus, and I thank the gods for that - I smiled, raising an eyebrow - but even you have no idea how terrible it is for our ego to recognize all of your undoings. In fact, I don't even think I have an ego anymore at all. And even worse, realizing the mistakes you have made during your millennial life. When I saw Jason Grace die in front of me, I promised him, that after I rose to the Olympus once more, I would remember what it is to be human. And I learned that a promise, even if it is not one on the Styx, should not be broken. Even with my godly responsibilities, I don't want to neglect my demigod children, Meg, and specially, you, sister.

I was left shocked by this. Was this the same idiot that would harass me since we were in the womb?

- You really look very different, even if it was caused by trauma, I'm glad to have you like this instead of the arrogant Apollo. I saw that after I left you alone in Olympus when you woke up, you removed the laurel wreath that I put on you. I'm glad that we both agree that the true meaning of victory isn't tied to that whole Daphne situation. - I hugged him without warning, and he kissed the back of my head in response.

- You're right, a better symbol would be still having all those scars that I had acquired throughout my time as Lester. But thank you, Artemis, you don't know how good it is to have you again. I hope that we can truly bond together in the rest of our immortal lives. And it's surprising to see you being so warm.

- War, war never changes, but it changes people. Everyone has something to learn from so much devastation and loss. I think what I have learned is that we have been blinded by our own divine power and people worshiping us.

- I think that too, and I'm glad I realized it so clearly. Maybe for some of us the way is to suffer so much that you come back to reality. - he shivered - But I hope the Fates will be a little bit more kind to us - he smiled - I'm afraid I have to go. After all, the sun must set for the moon to rise, right? - he looks out the window, where the sky of Manhattan Island is already in a shade of orange, the lights of the streetlamps and buildings already on the horizon to be seen.

- Of course, little brother - I say smiling - it was good to see you again. Don't run away from me once more, alright?

- I promise. And I actually mean it.

Apollo them flashes away in a beam of golden light, leaving me more thoughtful than before. Maybe it is not only in Apollo that a certain humanity has been created, if realizing your mistakes (and in this case those of my family of deities as well) is what makes you "human". But I'm certainly fearful and afraid, of where these thoughts will guide me.