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While not widely known, the Divine Western Hemisphere is not arbitrarily run by 12 gods who act solely on their whims, and the minor gods do actually exert some influence over Council proceedings. Each Olympian have a panel of minor god advisors who pledged themselves, concerning advisory and policy matters, eons ago to the Olympian. While the Olympian can unilaterally make decisions, it is considered bad form (and extremely stupid) to not listen to the advice of the minor gods, who heavily outnumber major gods and are often more knowledgeable than the Olympian with regards to the extremely intricate details. For instance, Hades might know his domain better than anyone else, but Thanatos, on top of his duties to Death, is responsible for drawing up the Underworld's GDP projections and combatting chthonic financial crime.

Only in recent years have Councils been an Olympian-only affair. Usually there are committees, a Speaker of the House and all the other features one would expect from a governing pantheon who modelled (or modelled by) the Greeks, the bringers of democracy. The wars with Kronos and Gaea, wherein many minor gods switched sides, forced the Olympians to temporarily lay-off their advisors, as an advisor who might stab you in the back is not conducive to a functioning team. However, the major gods, in an extreme act of generosity that was not at all motivated by their growing panic at having no one to whom to delegate tasks, had rehired their advisors.

Percy, knowing none of this, was completely shocked once he walked into the throne room. As opposed to 13 gigantic thrones, here was a chamber not dissimilar to the Senate in Washington. Artemis was equally shocked, but for a different reason. Usually disciplinary matters were handled by the Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Apollo (who was strikingly wise when the situation called for it) and made up of two changing minor gods. Artemis did not expect to see every major, and every minor, god waiting to try her. Not since Hades kidnapped Persephone had a full house assembled to hear a case.

" Figures," thought Artemis. "Apollo unleashes COVID-19 and literally no one cares. I attack one, admittedly acclaimed, hero and the full f##king house is called."

Zeus, assuming his role of Chief Arbiter (and not dictator, as some believe) called the session to order. "We are here today, and assembled in such great number, because Artemis..." and here he paused for dramatic effect, "tried to murder the greatest hero Olympus has ever seen. Don't worry, Leo Valdez is fine… That was a joke! Lighten up!" said Zeus to a silent hall. "Fine, killjoys. Anyway, Artemis nearly murdered Perseus Jackson, and was saved only when his father intervened to stop her godly arrow. For those of you who are not aware, the use of divine weaponry is strictly forbidden save for god-on-god battles. While we have been… admittedly lax enforcing this, it is not tolerated. Less so when one attempts to kill the saviour of the world. Artemis, do you have any credible defence?"

Artemis immediately relaxed. She knew her justifications were airtight…

"The male disrespected me by disobeying an explicit order and prevented me from enacting my will. He is but a demigod and is not supposed to exhibit freewill when it goes what I want. Furthermore, he's male."

… but perhaps not.

Ninety eight percent of the audience (Artemis and her hunters who were acting as her witnesses being the other two percent) cringed. "Any defence," amended Zeus, "that is not rooted in entitlement and sexism?" A silence ensured. Artemis tried to valiantly defend/counterattack. "You must be joking. Every god here has tormented humanity for thousands of years. Yet now I have to conform to human ethics?" asked Artemis.

A bead of sweat broke on Zeus' face. Thankfully from him, a man of undeniable culture and class leaped to his aid. "Shut your face, you idiot maiden," Ares boisterously exclaimed.

"Er, thank you son. Anyway Artemis, you tried to kill the grandest hero we have ever seen. That is unacceptable. He beat you in a fight; get over it. He could probably best most of the Council unaided. That you are so prideful to not realise this is astounding even to me. I shall not even go through the usual motions, as I am sure everyone here will find against you. So, anyone here finding," and here Zeus spoke with an edge to his tone, "for the accused?" No one raised their hand.

"Brilliant," said Zeus. "Now let us discuss your punishment." Athena made a complicated gesture, and Artemis and Percy were stripped of their hearing and vision. Twenty minutes later, a verdict was reached. The Lord of the Seas approached the Lady of the Moon, and punched her straight in the face. "Now that that's over with, we can get to the good stuff," said Poseidon to a nearly unconscious and quite injured Artemis. "Your hunt has run unopposed and unchecked for too long. I am quite frankly shocked you have not calmed down your genocidal tendencies towards half the planet, but perhaps I was too optimistic. Regardless, enough is enough. We have decided on an… Arbiter."

The Mistress of the Hunt stiffened. "Surely, surely not…" Poseidon smirked. "An Arbiter has been appointed to oversee, and when necessary direct, your hunt. You are hereby mandated to give him full operational control over your hunt, and he shall be immune from any harm that may befall him as a result of you or your companions' actions. He may attack you as he wishes, but unless explicit permission is given, he shall and cannot be made to suffer your retribution. You will obey him. Artemis, I take immense pleasure in informing you that you are, for all intents and purposes, his bitch."

Artemis was shellshocked. Never had she felt so powerless and aggrieved. Who would this man be? Who would they choose to direct her life?

Percy, who until this point was half-asleep and fully disinterested, came to. "Hold on a moment. I don't want her abused! How can we be sure whoever is appointed as Arbiter won't take advantage of her?" Zeus nodded. "Excellent question, Perseus. That is why you shall be the Arbiter." Percy stared at him for one, two, three… "Do you WANT me dead? She's the eternal virgin! She is the scourge of all men! I'm dead in a week, three tops," he cried frantically.

The whole assembly of immortals were not impressed. "Perhaps, son, had you, uh, listened, you would know Artemis has to obey you, you have control over her hunt, and we shall bless you so that she is unable to harm you," Poseidon said. "Oh," Percy eloquently replied. "So she's… basically my bitch?"

"Exactly how I phrased it! I am confident you shall not abuse this authority too much, and that you will enact meaningful change from within her hunt. Who knows, maybe you can even make a friend or two? So, son, are you accepting of her punishment?"

Percy stopped and thought for a while. "My life has been pretty dull for a while, I must admit. And what better way to spice it up than an endeavour that will probably get me sent to the Underworld quicker than Apollo flees child support payments?" He looked Artemis dead in the eye, and very slowly, cognisant of Artemis' dwindling hopes, said

"Yes."