Hello guys. I hope you enjoy this chapter-some of you may freak out slightly when you realize certain things-I know Naruto will when she does realize, though that isn't quite yet. Also, I do love Zoe and I sorta get a lot of her issues, but I do think she was incredibly unfair a lot of the time and she did come across as having a bit of a superiority complex when it came to being a Hunter. Also, Percy and Luke are the best siblings and if anyone doesn't like Luke Percy is automatically like, 'Well fuck you then' and she's just as protective of him as he is of her-which will cause chaos later.

As they got closer Percy took in the sight of the two girls.

One of them was tall-the epitome of grace with brown eyes, copper colored skin and a silver circlet braided into the top of long dark hair looking around fifteen perhaps-she was glaring at them-at Luke specifically Percy noticed, as if he'd personally wronged her, a cold proud look on her face as she watched them approach.

The second girl had tanned skin, with deep brown eyes and long brown hair that was worn in a long braid-she also had a silver circlet-and for some reason Percy felt like she should know the girl-but for the life of her she couldn't figure out why, she looked to be maybe twelve or so.

They drew to a halt a short distance away, Percy tucking her long dark waves behind her ear, swallowing hard, "Uh, hi. We saw your fire and we wanted to make sure you weren't stranded or anything."

"We sre fine." the taller girl had a accent-though Percy couldn't place what accent it was. "You two are Half-bloods aren't you?"

Percy and Luke exchanged worried looks before Luke nodded, "We are. My name is Luke Jackson and this is my sister Percy."

"Percy Jackson." the taller girls eyes widened in surprise as her gaze focused on Percy. "Persephone Jackson? The daughter of Lord Poseidon. I have heard of you." that made Percy flush a deep shade of pink and Luke let out a loud laugh, shaking his head.

"See Sephie, you're famous-"

"I will maim you." Percy shot back, "Don't you dare tease me." she focused on the girls "Who are you two?"

"I am Zoe Nightshade, this is-"

"Call me Bia." the other girl saia.

"We're-" there was a sound, like a hunting horn and Percy's head snapped to the side in the direction of the sound.

"Calm yourself. That was just our mistress calling for the other members of the Hunt."

"Your mistress?" Percy frowned, "The Hunt?"

"You should wait Persephone Jackson. Our Mistress would like to meet you I'm sure." that made Luke tense, tugging Percy closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulder protectively-which earned him a glare from the girl who was clearly the leader.

"Who is your Mistress?" as he spoke several girls came through the trees, all clad in silvery parka's as they moved towards the fire.

"Lady Artemis." the girl spoke proudly-and Percy's eyes widened.

She'd heard of the Hunters of Artemis, she hadn't expected to meet them though-and her gaze shifted to the girls moving towards them, landing on a young girl-around her own age with long dark hair and silvery eyes that reminded Percy of the starlight.

The girl tilted her head slightly as she moved towards them, Zoe, Bia. Who are these two?"

"Persephone Jackson and her brother." Zoe said quickly, they saw our fire and stopped to see if we needed help."

"I see." Artemis's gaze was on Percy. "That's most fortunate. I have been hoping to speak with you cousin."

"With me?" Percy swallowed hard, her eyes wide as Luke's grip on her shoulders tightened.

"Yes." Artemis nodded, "Preferably alone child."
"I..." Percy hesitated before turning her head to look at Luke, "It's okay. You go back and tell Annabeth what's going on. I'll be back soon."

"Sephie-"

"Luke I can handle it. Lady Artemis is hardly the first Olympian I've met." besides she didn't like the looks some of the hunters were giving him-Zoe in particular looked at Luke as if he was the scum beneath her feet.

"But-"

"Luke if Uncle H and Uncle Z didn't kill me then I don't think Lady Artemis will hurt me."

"No harm will come to your sister while she is with me. I give you my oath." that was Artemis who spoke, and Luke hesitated, a reluctant look on his face before he nodded.

"Fine. Don't take too long okay Sephie?"

"I won't." she let him press a kiss to the top of her head and she watched him sprint off back down the beach towards the boat before she turned to Artemis, ignoring the curious looks she was getting from the gathered hunters. "You wished to talk to me Lady Artemis."

"I do." Artemis nodded, "Walk with me Persphone. Zoe, you're in charge until we've returned."

"Of course my Lady." Zoe gave a small bow before she got to work, and Percy followed Artemis as she moved towards the trees, falling into step with the young looking Goddess, who waited until they were a short distance from the hunters-far enough that no one could eavesdrop to talk.

"Persephone Jackson, stories of your first quest are well known by now-you fought bravely against the traitor and my foolish brother and you stopped our grandfather from rising. You've proven yourself to be a true hero." that made Percy flush at the praise.

"Thank you Lady Artemis." Percy shoved her hands into her pockets to warm them-it wasn't exactly cold but it wasn't warm either, "I just did what I had to-and I couldn't have done it alone. My friends saved my life more than once."

"I'm sure they did-but you fought Ares yourself."

"Pretty sure he'll never forgive me for that." Percy snorted, shaking her head, "He'd probably relish the chance to kill me."

"His hatred of you is well known." Artemis agreed. "But most think you're a great Hero-perhaps with the potential to be the Greatest of our age. It's rare that women are remembered as such but I think you may be."

"I just want to survive." Percy admitted, "I want to get to live my life-sure being remembered would be cool but-"

"There is much I can't tell you." Artemis interrupted, "But I am afraid your fate is more complex than you would like my young cousin. There is a prophecy-"

"I know. But dad said I wouldn't have to worry yet-"

"It will come into effect when you reach sixteen." Artemis told her, a serious look on her face, "It is not a pleasant one. The fate of the world will likely rest on your shoulders. If you choose you can avoid that choice-"

"I can?" Percy frowned, "How?"

"By joining my Hunter. You will become immortal-you shall never age you shall only be able to die in battle. You would be a wonderful addition I have no doubt-"

"That..." Percy hesitated, "Immortal?"

"Yes." Artemis nodded, "Because you won't age you won't be the child of prophecy. You'll be free from that burden."
"What... what are the catches?"

"You would have to swear off all manner of romantic entanglements." Artemis informed her, "And you would travel with us. You'd leave behind your mortal life."

Percy thought about it for a long moment-but... leaving behind her mortal life? She thought about Luke and Annabeth waiting on the boat for her, she thought about her mom, about Tyson and Nico-and Gods but would that mean that Nico's sister would be the child of prophecy? Or even Nico himself?

The thought of that terrified her more than she liked to admit-she wouldn't allow her little brother to be in that position even if she didn't particularly want the fate of the world on her shoulders.

"I appreciate your offer." Percy said slowly, "It's a generous one but... I can't-"

"Are you sure? I understand that you're likely on a quest-if you accept our offer we can aid-"

"I can't." Percy shook her head, "I can't join your hunt Lady Artemis." she gave a small shrug, "I... I'm no coward. I can't leave my friends and family behind-I have too much tying me to the mortal world, my mom and my brothers and my friends-besides staying young forever would probably get old pretty quick when my friends grew up and grew old around me."

"I understand." Artemis nodded, laying a hand on Percy's shoulder, "Your courage does you credit child. Though I fear for your future. The traitor schemes even now-my father is still furious that he hasn't found him-as is your father. They both wish to see justice done but he evades them even now." she tilted her head, "Have you seen him."

"Once since last summer." Percy knew better than to try and lie to a Goddess like Artemis.

"When?"

"Yesterday." Percy knew her expression was bitter. "He's definitely scheming-we're on this Quest because of him. If we fail then Camp falls, and if we don't fail we have to try and avoid him because the thing we're searching for is something he wants."

"He chose to come to you personally for a reason." Artemis pointed out, "Be very careful Persephone. I know not what your feelings regarding him-" she saw the offended look that passed over Percy's face- "I mean nothing offensive child, I wasn't implying that you care for him-but from what you have told me he certainly feels some connection to you. To come to you personally."

"I thought he had feelings for me." Percy said after a moment, "But... his feelings are clearly warped to Hades. And I don't care how he feels for me. After what he did..." she shook her head. "I just..."

"Men can be cruel and foolish." Artemis squeezed her shoulder, "Now if you've made your choice you should return to your quest child."

"Thank you Lady Artemis." together they walked back the way they'd came through thick trees and onto the moonlit beach, where the Hunters were sat around the fire.

Zoe stood quickly when they emerged from the trees, moving towards them. "My Lady-"

"Persephone will be returning to her friends on the boat."

"Did you not offer-"

"I refused." Percy gave a small shrug, "Like I told Lady Artemis, I appreciate the offer but-"

"Why?" Zoe demanded, a proud note in her voice, "Why would you refuse Lady Artemis' offer? Tis an honor-"

"Because I have too many ties to the mortal world-"

"That boy who was with you?" Zoe demanded, "Men cause you nothing but pain-"

"Zoe-"

"It's true my Lady. Your brother will be no different-or is it the traitor? We've all heard the story." Percy's eyes widened at Zoe's words.

There hadn't been any accusation in Artemis' voice when she'd spoken of Alabaster, but there was in Zoe's.

"If by the traitor you mean Alabaster-"

"That's the name." Zoe said quickly, "Are you foolish enough to care for him despite what he has already done-"

"You can't actually be suggesting that I have feelings for Alabaster." Percy's mouth dropped open in shock. "You-you can't-"

"You've seen the treachery men are capable of and yet you refuse my Lady's offer. Clearly you must still care-"

Percy's hand hit Zoe's cheek before she even realized what was happening and Zoe stumbled backwards.

There were shocked gasps from the hunters and Artemis held up a hand to stop them from rushing Percy as Percy advanced on the Hunter. "I have seen it. I felt it when he hit me down in the Caverns that lead to the pit. I felt it when he held a dagger to my throat and gave me this scar when I tried to get away from him-" she gestured to the faint white line-it hadn't been deep but it had left it's mark. "I felt it when he hit my head into the ground over and over again to daze me so that he could throw me in after I refused to join him. I felt it when he held me there after dragging me by the hair-" her voice faltered and she swallowed hard.

"I felt it when he threw me into the entrance to Tartarus, into the pit-I felt it when I had to throw myself forward and cling to the edge of that pit with one hand knowing I was going to fall-knowing I was going to fall and I begged him to pull me up and he just watched." she blinked rapidly, fighting back tears, "The only reason I'm not in Tartarus now is the fact that Annabeth and Grover arrived and saved me. And I felt that betrayal when he came back to camp after and tried to tell everyone that Uncle Hades struck me down-when he hurt my mother and my brother. But I've also seen the good in men-when my big brother patches up a younger kids scraped knee or helps them learn how to wield a sword. When he talked to me for hours because I'd had a nightmare even though he had tests the next day. No. I don't have feelings for Alabaster Torrington and he is a traitorous asshole who deserves to suffer, but not all men are-and even if they were I still wouldn't join you because I have friends and family and responsibilities and I won't stand hear and let you accuse me of-of what? Of being in love with him or something?" Percy snarled the words.

"Then why turn down Lady Artemis' offer? He hurt you-"

"Because my life doesn't end because someone I once might have had feelings for betrayed me-"

"You admit you had feelings-"

"I was a twelve year old with a crush! I'll admit that much." Percy rolled her eyes, "He was nice and older and... he was cool. Of course I had a crush on him. Then he turned out to be a traitor and now I'd probably dance on his freaking grave, but that doesn't mean I give up on men as a species-I have my brothers who are amazing-and Gods but even if they weren't I wouldn't join because of my mom and my best friend and everyone I love and I can't stand the idea of leaving them behind. I'm never going to let my life be shaped by something some asshole of a boy did to me." she saw Zoe reeling backwards a stunned furious look on her face as she added, "Which is clearly what you did." then she whirled around and stormed off, ignoring the shocked gazes on her back as she reached the water and she had it lift her up and carry her to the boat.

Annabeth and Luke were stood on the deck waiting-and they probably would have rushed towards her if it wasn't for the look on her face, as it was they exchanged worried looks as Percy brushed her hair out of her face and stormed to the chairs, dropping down into them as the boat started moving-responding to her wishes to get as far away from the hunters as she could.