Hey guys. First story, just trying out various writing styles. Hope you enjoy it.
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that."
Not Percy's brightest move, to oppose a goddess, but there were no better options. Nico, while somewhat wise and powerful, lost control of his abilities and shadow-travelled into Thalia's tent.
And although Thalia, after administering minor electrocution, was understanding…Lady Artemis was not.
"Damn my loyalty, damn Artemis, and most of all, damn you Nico," muttered Percy. The ever-loyal (fatal flaw all the way!) cousin he was, the Son of Poseidon stood firmly in between his friend and a goddess.
"Demigod, while your bravery is admirable, I will not stand for this. You shall move immediately or I will make you. I like you, but I have cursed generations of males for less. Now get out of my WAY." These did not sound like the words from the usually rational goddess, but then again divinity is fickle and ever-shifting. Maybe Percy was imagining things, but something… not quite human, and certainly not sane, flickered behind her eyes.
Though, the demigod rationalised, maybe he wasn't seeing things. To exist for 3000 years must take a toll. Considering immortals recover from nearly all types of damage, the mind should be the most vulnerable. If Zeus can snap, surely his daughter can too?
"Lady Artemis, I'm many things, but a coward is not one of them. I will not move until you lay off Nico. It was an accident, for Gods' sake! You will… you will have to get through me."
"Oh, is that so? Very well. I was looking forward to some deer-hunting, but this shall suffice," replied Artemis, moments before a bow materialised in her hands.
Percy dived to his left as an avalanche of arrows flew by him. Deciding to prohibit the use of his powers, as Artemis was doing the same, Percy drew and threw a dagger (replenishable: gift from Hephaestus). While Artemis easily deflected it, Percy rushed her, uncapping RIptide and forcing the fight into close quarters where the odds were more even.
Suddenly wielding dual knives, the goddess met Percy, eventually drawing first blood by way of an arm graze. While this cost her a punch to the cheek, it renewed her aggression and forced him on the defensive.
"Fine by me," thought Percy, allowing him to showcase his incredible agility, honed by practise and augmented by his affinity to water. After a couple of sequences… he found his opening. A clumsy stab, and suddenly Artemis had no knife in her right hand and couldn't keep up.
Right before Percy's blade pierced her stomach, a silver beam flung him twenty yards back. Enraged and a little offended, as Artemis broke the non-verbal ban on powers, he flung himself at her again.
Artemis was fuming. A demigod, a boy no less, had overcome her in armed combat. She was forced to use her godly powers and it only served to minorly repel him. Although slightly consoled by Percy's status as the greatest demigod since… well, ever, Artemis started doubting her abilities. And doubt, in battle, is practically defeat.
Percy, sensing an advantage, went all out. Artemis used powers; why shouldn't I, he mused. Instantaneously, a hurricane and torrential rain was brought forth, and now, Artemis realised, she was outclassed. In terms of close-combat prowess, she was runner up. But godly pride is deadly, and does not mix well with a temporarily unhinged immortal.
The Lady of the Moon, having to use a strangely high portion of her Will, flings Percy to the ground and suspends his hurricane. Artemis knows she does not have the strength to do this much longer (and how powerful must he be that in five seconds she will be forced to release his hurricane?) and so quickly nocks her divine bow. She imbues her arrow with enough force to split a mountain, and releases. The Huntress does not miss, and Percy closes his eyes and prays.
An inch from Percy's heart, the arrow snapped and fell to the ground. After a brief moment of speechlessness, Artemis asked, "How did… how did you stop my arrow?"
Before Percy could respond, an overwhelming pressure was felt by both people, and a booming voice was heard. "Powerful as Percy is, he can't stop divine weapons. Not yet anyway. If I hadn't halted your arrow…" Poseidon trailed off. Then, his tone shifting from ponderous to furious, he exclaimed, "How dare you, little huntress. Perhaps you have gotten arrogant, lording over your Hunt. I am the Second of the Divine Three, and an attempted killing of my son is a direct affront to me."
Poseidon's expression shifted. Gone was the overwhelming rage; now an eerie calm settled on his face. "You could not best my son in fair combat. You had to rely on your Will, and even then you nearly failed. Had Percy been trying to kill you, you would most likely be in Tartarus! You, Artemis, are both dishonourable and pathetic."
Artemis had gotten steadily paler over the course of Poseidon's speech. Only now had the consequences of her action really hit her. If the Sea God decided to enact revenge…
"While I personally see nothing wrong with letting loose on your huntresses…" began Poseidon, "I have a feeling Percy would not approve. So, instead, I'll bring you down to size." His eyes glowed green, locking with Artemis'.
Immediately she felt Poseidon trying to penetrate her mind. Now, usually Artemis's mental defences hold steady. After all, she is one of the stronger Olympians. However, Poseidon was in a league of his own. While each member of the Big Three commanded immense power, Poseidon was unusually, and unbelievably, strong. "No wonder Perseus is so powerful!" she mused, and with that thought her mental gates were forcefully opened.
Pain. Raw, emotional pain. Assaulted by visions of her huntresses dying, Artemis collapsed. Fortunately for her this only lasted 3 minutes, as by then Percy had calmed down his father, who rather reluctantly relieved Artemis of her punishment.
"Now that I'm somewhat satisfied, let's make our way to Olympus. I've called a meeting already. I'm sure the Council will love to hear you explain why you nearly murdered the two-time Hero to save your pride."