Hey! Yeah... it's a bit later than usual but I got it out! Not sure if I rushed it a bit but I feel like I did. Not my best work and there are possibly still some mistakes here and there so feel free to point that out. I swear I'm working on my writing schedule!

And thank you to everyone who submitted a hunter! I can't guarantee that all of them will be in the story but I'll try my best. With that being said, I hope you enjoy this chapter! Quick heads up, there will be a short story titled "The Huntress and the Hero" coming up after this one. It'll show more of Percy and Artemis' childhood!

- Kathy

Percy was full-on sprinting next to Thalia, who seemed to be lightly jogging. He reached up and wiped away the sweat on his forehead. His breath was uneven and he could feel his leg tiring out. Even as a demigod who has been running from monsters since he was twelve, running with the hunters takes it to a completely new level.

They never truly tire out and could go on for miles without any rest. "Can… we… take… a break?" Percy asked in between heavy breaths, earning an eye roll from Thalia.

"We just took a break about thirty minutes ago-"

"Boys are all weak," Cathline grumbled beside Thalia. Percy glanced over with a half-glare, biting his tongue to prevent himself from arguing with the hunter.

"And to continue where I left off," Thalia spoke up with an annoyed look. "We'll arrive just about… now."

They stopped at a clearing, where silver tents were set up. Percy blinked a few times when he saw a silver dome blink into view before disappearing again. He looked up, squinting and trying to make out the invisible barrier he just saw around the hunter's camp. Thalia walked over with an amused look.

"Lady Artemis put a barrier around us. It keeps monsters away and has a small detection spell," Thalia explained. "Though the barrier seems to be fading more and more with each passing hour. Eleanor, the only daughter of Hecate in the hunt is trying her best to keep up the barrier."

Thalia looked up at the sky once more. She looked toward Cathline, the second in command. "Emergency protocol. Set up hunters around the perimeter."

"You got it, Lieutenant," Cathline nodded before running toward the other hunters. Some are preparing their catch, some are already at the archery range, shooting arrows, and others are just hanging around, talking among themselves. Most in a group of two or three. Thalia turned back to Percy, who studied the scene with interest. Many sent glares at him when they caught him staring.

"Come on, I suspect there are some things you need to tell me," Thalia said. Percy nodded and the two of them made their way toward the second biggest tent. Thalia whispered a word under her breath before unzipping the tent flat, inviting him in.

The tent was much bigger on the inside than it was on the outside. There was a bed, a desk, a fireplace, and a small sofa. Thalia walked toward the lantern next to the door and turned it on. She did the same to the one next to her bed and the biggest light on the ceiling.

"So… what happened to Artemis?" Thalia finally asked when the two of them settled down on the chair. Percy sighed before going over what happened with Artemis and him in the forest. His fist was clung tightly as he retold the tale. He doesn't understand why Artemis had jumped in front of him when she had her own life to worry about. He would rather take the blow for her, not the other way around.

"... and Apollo took us to his hospital and he informed us that she's in a coma," Percy concluded. Thalia let out a small gasp, leaning forward.

"How can a goddess be put into a coma?" She asked, a frown presented on her face. Percy shrugged but a look of worries flashed across his face.

"It must have something to do with the prophecy," Percy decided, looking down at his hands. "Speaking of prophecy, do you know what the prophecy is? I heard Apollo and Rachel revealed it to camp and I'm not sure whether or not Artemis had revealed it to the hunters."

Thalia nodded. "Yeah, Artemis revealed the prophecy a few days ago actually."

Percy frowned. "I guess I'm the only person who hasn't heard it yet… I hope it doesn't involve me though."

Thalia raised her eyebrow. "You hadn't heard about it yet?"

Percy shook his head. Thalia just sighed before reciting the prophecy to him.

"Children of lightning lead the way

A soul exchanged in the shadow of day

Pit of internal doom they must travel

A bittersweet truth to finally unravel

The beginning will come to cease

With help from the darkness' niece

Daughter of dove, son of the sky

The time rewind, the final sacrifice"

"At least I'm not really in it," Percy muttered under his breath, earning a punch from Thalia. He glared at her. "What was that for? What did I do wrong this time?"

"You might not be in it, but I am most likely in it," Thalia stated simply. "Like the 'children of lightning' part?"

"Seriously," Percy rolled his eyes. "Stop worrying about it, Zeus has like… hundreds of children. The chance of you being in it is slim."

"But prophecies are mostly for demigods," Thalia pointed out. Percy shrugged. "It's possible that it's talking about others as well. It's possible that there are other gods of lightning. And look at the second great prophecy, the 'foe bears arms to the doors of death' isn't really about demigods either. It's-"

"Okay, I see where you're going," Thalia interrupted before he could continue. Percy glared at her, who just smirked. "But there's no guarantee that the prophecy works like that every time. And if this is your way of trying to comfort me, it's not working."

"I wasn't trying to comfort you," Percy scoffed, crossing his arms. Thalia raised her eyebrow, crossing her arms as well. "Okay, maybe I was trying to comfort you a little bit but I'm supposed to take care of my little sister."

Thalia rolled her eyes. "Stop with the 'little sister' thing, Percy. Everyone knows I'm older. If you need proof, just ask the hunters."

"But they'll say you're older," Percy complained.

"Exactly," Thalia smirked, leaning back against the sofa. "And don't worry about the hunters, they should be fine with you here unless you do something they wouldn't approve of."

Percy groaned. "Let's hope Artemis wakes up soon. I do not want to die just yet. And I don't want 'killed by the hunters' on my gravestone."

The smirk on Thalia's face never left as she stood up. "Want to see your girlfriend, Kelp Head?"

"No…" Percy blushed, shoving Thalia slightly as he started walking out of the tent, causing her to chuckle. He called over his shoulder. "Just shout if you need me!"

"We won't need you!" Thalia called back as Percy disappeared outside her tent.

Percy walked out of Thalia's tent with a small smile on his face. His smile still turned into a frown as he walked through the hunter's camp, feeling the hunters looked up from what they were doing. Some gave him looks of disgust, others gave him looks of interest as if wondering how he survived alone with Thalia. Some simply ignored him and pretended that he wasn't there.

Not expecting anything else, Percy started walking toward the border of the camp. He sat down, leaning back against a tree and letting out a sigh. He looked at the forest surrounding him, tempted to run. But whenever he thought of Artemis, he knew he had to stay, to look after the hunters. A barrier shimmered into view in front of him and his eyes widened when the barrier disappeared the next second.

Suddenly, the ground beneath him seemed to shake and Percy found himself knocked off when he tried to stand up. An earthquake, Percy thought as he started running the second the shaking stopped. Many of the hunter's tents were on the ground and Percy could hear wolves howling in the distance. Panic was rising among the hunters.

"Is everyone alright?" A girl with long blonde hair called out, standing on top of a rock. There were some nods. Eleanor was holding Atlanta's hand tightly, her face in a frown.

"Did you cause the earthquake?" Thalia demanded when she saw Percy. He flinched at the amount of glares sent his way. "Because if this is your idea of a joke, it's not funny."

Percy opened his mouth to plead for his case when Eleanor spoke up softly. "It's the barrier. Since it prevents others from crawling into camp by digging tunnels, it extends underground. When the barrier fell, it must have triggered an earthquake."

Her voice was quiet and she looked nervous, biting down on her lips. Atlanta smiled reassuringly at the younger girl.

"Sarah, Katarina, and Tanya, you three are on guard duty," Thalia commanded. The three mentioned girls nodded before summoning their bow or hunting knives, running toward different places at camp. "Atlanta and Ani, make sure everyone is okay. Alice, work with Eleanor and see if you two can possibly cloak us for a little while. Adriana, packed up camp with the remaining of the hunters. Cathline, you're with me."

The hunters all nodded before scrambling off, doing the task they are assigned. Percy walked toward Cathline and Thalia, wondering what he could do to help. "Percy, since you're here to guard the hunters, you'll be on guard duty with Cathline."

Thalia walked away after that, making sure everything was in place, leaving the two of them alone. Cathline studied Percy. "So… you're the famous Percy Jackson."

"And you're Cathline," Percy commented dryly. To his surprise, she chuckled softly.

"It's nice to know I'm not the only child of Poseidon anymore," she grinned and for the first time, Percy noticed their similar sea-green eyes and raven black hair. "I'm Cathline Chase."

Percy noticeably flinched when he heard Chase, which didn't go unnoticed by the other girl. She looked at him with concern, which once again surprised Percy. He had heard many stories about how the hunters dealt with men and now a hunter in front of him was showing concern, now that's probably something that's unheard of. But he did manage to befriend Artemis, the man-hating goddess, so maybe not everything is impossible.

"Did I say something wrong?" Cathline frowned. Percy quickly shook his head with a small smile before Cathline's eyes widened in realization. "Isn't that her last name?"

Percy was quiet for a while as he gave a barely audible "Yes".

He knew he should stop being surprised but he couldn't help but let out a small gasp when she pulled him into a hug. He hesitated for a moment before hugging her back. He couldn't help but ask, "Why are you hugging me?"

"I may hate males but I don't usually judge people I just met," Cathline rolled her eyes. "Some hunters may do that but I never drop myself that low. Plus, I'd always wanted a brother."

"You seem…" Percy trailed off before clearing his throat awkwardly. "I mean you don't look that nice from the outside. You look like you want to kill me when we first meet."

Cathline just shrugged, starting to walk. Percy jogged quickly, falling in step with his newfound sister. "Well, I do have a reputation as a second in command to keep up, don't I?"

"I guess," Percy frowned before slowing his steps when he realized they're walking toward howls. He paused completely before they reached a round-looking tent. "Um… you go on ahead, I'll just-"

Cathline chuckled, pulling him closer toward the tent. "Come onnnn, it's like larger dogs!"

"But-" Percy tried to protest but Cathline just shushed him, pulling him along toward the tent against his protests. He cut off his protest when the biggest wolf walked toward him, sniffling his hand. He froze on the spot, trying not to show any fear.

"Hey, Arctic," Cathline called out as the wolf wiggled his tail and licked her hand. Percy continued standing on his spot, frozen in fear. It was only after they went out of the tent did Percy realize that the wolves were following them. His fears only increase unlike Cathline, who walked comfortably.

"Why are they following us?" Percy hissed. Cathline just rolled her eyes, which widened a second later when she looked up at the sky. "What?"

"The barrier," Cathline whispered, pointing upward. Percy squint, making out an invisible barrier. "So either Artemis is awake or Alice and Eleanor somehow made that."

"I'll go with Artemis' awake…" Percy trailed off, pointing toward Apollo in the center of the hunter's camp, arrows pointing at him. Apollo's face lit up when he saw Percy. 'Save me,' he mouthed.

"Girls, stand down, let Apollo through," Thalia commanded. The hunters sighed as their bow disappeared. She added under her breath. "The sooner he's gone the sooner I'll be happy."

"Percy!" Apollo grinned, grabbing his shoulder before flashing the two of them to his hospital without a second word. "Oh my gosh, I thought you died."

"You can't kill me that easily," Percy smirked. "Though thank you for getting me away from the hunters' wolves, they are… scary…"

"Don't tell me the great hero of Olympus is scared of my wolves," a strained voice called out. Percy turned around quickly, his eyes lighting up when it landed on Artemis. He rushed forward and hugged her tightly. "Oww-"

"Sorry," Percy smiled sheepishly. "I'm so glad you're alright."

"Though why would you meet my wolves?" Artemis wondered out loud.

"I was kinda assigned to guard your hunters," Percy admitted. "They aren't exactly… friendly but they aren't too hostile either."

Artemis rolled her eyes. "Do you expect them to welcome you with open arms?"

"Well no but I was expecting them to kill me," Percy said, face red with embarrassment.

Artemis chuckled softly. She was wearing a white hospital gown, sitting up on the bed. Her face shows a bit of pain but her eyes held happiness. She reached up and hugged him again and they stayed in that position.

"As much as I hate to break this little reunion, I feel like father would like to know about this little development," Apollo interrupted. The duo pulled away with a small blush on their face. "I'm sure the council won't be that long."

"Just let me change first," Artemis said before getting up and pushing the boys out of the room. "I'll meet you two there!"

The Olympus throne room is once again filled with the fourteen Olympians, most looking bored. Athena was on the edge of her throne, a look of annoyance on her face. Zeus grumbled from his throne when he noticed Artemis. "So earlier today, you told us that your sister is in a coma. And now she's awake? Are you sure she's in a coma? It looks like she was just knocked out."

Apollo gave his father a look of annoyance. "I know what I'm doing and I swear she was in a coma just this morning."

"Well, she's obviously not in a coma now," Dionysus looked up from his magazine. "Can we go now?"

"WAIT!" Athena shouted, gathering everyone's attention. "I have something important that cannot wait."

Zeus sighed, sitting back down on his throne. "Yes, daughter? What is it?"

"I know who we're facing," Athena started, her glance on Artemis before her focus was shifted back to the rest of the council. "The signs all pointed in the same direction. We know for sure Gaea, Kronos, and many other titans are still reforming. But the monsters we're facing can breath out poison and it never really truly dies. The only deity I can think of that controls poison is Achlys."

"Achlys?" Poseidon asked, his hold on his trident tightening. Athena nodded, looking around the throne room. Everyone was silent for a while, processing this new information. "What could she possibly want from us?"

"Maybe powers?" Percy suggested near the entrance of the throne room. Their eyes were turned his way and he shifted his feet uncomfortably.

"It's possible," Hestia spoke up quietly. "But I suspect there is a different reason. Primordials never interfered with our lives, so why would they start now?"

"Why did Gaea attack Olympus?" Hades countered.

"All are good points," Zeus admitted. "But I agree with Hestia, there must be a deeper reason."

"Her monsters had been attacking Atlantis for a few decades now" Poseidon blurted out as heads turned his way. He took a deep breath before explaining. "It started after the first Giant War. It came as a surprise to us and we barely kept up with all the attacks were thrown our way."

"Us?" Aphrodite questioned, winking at Athena, who scowled at her in return.

"Not important right now," Poseidon brushed the comment aside. "I can try to find out the reason for the attacks on Atlantis, it might lead us to the answer."

"For once you said something smart," Athena commented before looking around the council once more. "We'll call a meeting again two weeks from now to discuss what we can learn." She looked toward her father, who looked a bit startled.

"Council dismissed!"

Thirteen flashes were seen, leaving Artemis and Percy in the throne room. Percy stood off to the side, a small smile on his face. "Where to, milady?"

"My hunters' camp," she decided with a small smirk. Percy groaned but grabbed her outstretched hand as the two of them vanished into silver light.

"Mom," Percy complained, gesturing to the little baby bump shown on her mother. "You shouldn't go out right now. It might be dangerous, the sky is already starting to darken, who knows what monsters lurk out there."

Artemis groaned from her place on the sofa, putting down the book she was trying to read. Paul was trying to stifle his laughter on his spot on an armchair. Sally was holding her bag, trying to go through her son, who was blocking the door.

"Seriously, Percy, your mother is a strong woman," Artemis reassures him. She gestured toward Paul. "Even your dad isn't as afraid as you are. And she isn't wrong when she says that no monsters will attack her seeing that she's a mortal."

"But it's better to be safe than sorry," Percy countered, blocking the door once more. Artemis facepalmed, getting up from the sofa and dragging Percy to his room, giving Sally an apologetic smile. Sally just chuckled lightly.

"It's sweet that you'll so overprotect of your unborn sibling, dear," Sally smiled. "But I'm fine, there's nothing to worry about."

Percy crossed his arms. Paul laughed as he got up from the armchair. "How about I go with your mother. Would that make you feel a bit better?"

"I guess," he frowned. Sally smiled, opened the door, and grabbed the keys before closing it behind her and Paul. Artemis giggled from inside his room, earning herself a glare. "It's not funny."

"It is," she protested, barely keeping a smile off her face. "You're cute when you're-"

Artemis stopped herself mid-sentence, blushing and looking away. She slapped herself mentally. Get a grip of yourself, Artemis.

Percy's eyes widened. "Did you just said-"

"I mean it's so funny when you're worried," Artemis coughed awkwardly, trying to cover up her mistakes. She couldn't help it but find herself drawn to Percy more and more. He's so different from other men and she found herself opening herself up around him more and more.

Percy gave her an unconvinced look but didn't push anything, just leaning back against the wall of his room, trying to ignore the awkwardness around the room.

Artemis jogged alongside Percy, a bow in hand and a quiver of arrows over her shoulder. They finally stopped a while later. Percy was breathing hard, trying to regain his breaths. "Why- can't you just … flashed us there?"

"You need your exercise, Kelp Head," Artemis stated simply.

"I have enough exercise," Percy complained, putting his hand on a tree trunk to support himself. "This is more like a race than an exercise. Exercise is supposed to be relaxing."

Artemis walked toward him, their face dangerously close. "And please do tell, what's relaxing to you?"

Percy found himself unable to look away from her mesmerizing silver eyes. Her lips were curled into a small smile and Percy hoped he wasn't blushing. "Maybe spending time with you on the beach."

"You never know if our destination is a beach," Artemis countered. "I just told you it was a surprise, never really telling you the location, did I?"

"I guess you didn't," Percy agreed, trying to prevent himself from leaning in. The words Artemis had said weeks ago still echoed in his mind. I love you.

Before any of them knew it, they were leaning in. Percy reached up and cupped her cheek, their lips only centimeters apart when someone stumbled out of the bushes. They jumped apart instantly, looking anywhere but at each other. Thalia looked confused, glancing at Artemis and back at Percy.

"What are you two doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" Artemis countered, her cheek bright red. "Aren't you supposed to be with the hunters?"

"Did I interrupt something here?" Thalia raised her eyebrow.

"No no you did not!" Percy quickly jumped in, Artemis nodding beside him. "We were just relaxing and watching the birds. Yeah, watching the birds."

"And watching the sky," Artemis added. "They are really beautiful today."

Thalia gave them a weird stare. "Um… okay… I'll leave you two to your… um… bird-cloud watching things then…"

She disappeared back into the forest, leaving the duo in a really awkward atmosphere. "You see, I have something I forgot to do and it's really important because it's for a… test! Yeah, a test. I need to go. Sorry, Artemis, I'll see you next week?"

"Yeah!" Artemis quickly nodded. "Next week, I remembered I have to do too."

Artemis flashed away a second later, followed by Percy who mist traveled out.

In the depths of Tartarus, the Mansion of Night was busier than usual. People were hurriedly rushing around, people wearing armors, holding spears, hrash trainers barking orders at the others.

"Faster!" A woman with midnight-colored eyes shouted at a girl under a black hood that covers her face in a shadow. It extends all the way to her knees. The girl raised her sword as the woman attacked the girl with swing after swing. The girl countered it with determinations, putting more and more forces into each of her strikes.

"Harder!"

The girl twisted and turned, moving her arms skillfully and shifting her weight every once in a while. The woman finally paused, smiling at the girl. "You did good, El."

"Thank you, Lady Nyx," El bowed, her hood never revealing her face. Her voice was soft and careful, as if afraid to reveal something she doesn't want to. The woman, now known as Nyx, chuckled softly. "What did I say about the Lady business?"

"Don't use it," El chuckled nervously as she made her sword disappear with a snap of her fingers. "What am I learning next?"

"You're doing excellent at your weapon training," Nyx praised. "So I think it's time you learn to use your shadow power."

El looked up. "Really? It's finally time?"

"It's time," Nyx agreed, smiling at the girl. A man with a similar physical appearance to Nyx tapped on her shoulder. Nyx turned over. "What do you want, Erebus?"

"Achlys is getting impatient," Erebus stated. "You better be right about this girl. We can not avoid making any mistakes. Gods know what she'll do to us if we-"

"Yes I know," Nyx cut him off, impatience leaking in her voice. "I know what's at stake and El here knows as well. But it's the way to survive."

"I sure hope you're right," Erebus sighed before walking out of the room. El's eyes followed him before her focus shifted back to Nyx. She looks a bit nervous, her hand unknowingly traveling to her wrist, where a bracelet laid.

"Don't worry about it, El," Nyx smiled reassuringly. "Everything is well planned out. But remember, the second something went wrong…"

"I'll go back, don't worry," El said, her voice showing both fear and determination.

"That's a good girl," Nyx grinned before bending the shadow to her will. "Seven tomorrow morning. Don't be late."

Maybe there's something wrong with me but I really like the ending for some reason. Not spoiling anything but just know, the ending is pretty important!

Hope this chapter was okay. Leave a review and tell me what you think! I enjoy hearing your thoughts!

Make sure to check out my discord server, the link is on my bio! There's a poll on my bio that's going to close soon so get your votes in!

Once again, sorry for the late chapter.

Stay safe!

- Kathy