Hello, everyone!

I have very good news for those of you that did not learn. Rick Riordan begins a new book series called Trials of Apollo and yes we will see Percy Jackson world after the Blood of Olympus!

Some of you said that Percy has forgotten about Annabeth or that the ending of the last chapter was something that followed similar Pertemis stories. Well, I may hold some surprises for you. Just to know, I do not forget things and I take into account your reviews!

I know that the whole Percy and the Hunt thing is delayed but I"m to give you a new connection for them. Something out of the ordinary.

Again, thank you all for your support!

* This is the updated chapter, with minor details changed, thanks to Johanna Nightshade. Hope you like it*

*Minor tweaks*

Thalia

I was so glad we were going to leave the camp, and so were all the Hunters except for Anna-she loved her uncle and didn't want to leave him yet. Percy had saved her, helped her forgive her father and he had taught her tame her powers. He was like a brother to her. I was watching them the night before we left and I was moved by Percy's behavior. But there were times while we were here that I saw him wandering around the camp, doing nothing. Even though he tried to be the Hero of Olympus for everyone, he seemed hollow on the inside. He was still grieving for Annabeth but didn't do anything to blow off the tension and sadness. And I feared the moment that he broke.

Before we left, I spoke in private with Artemis and she asked me to keep an eye out for Anna since she wouldn't be around for the time being- something about her brother. She made it clear that should something ever happen to her we were to find Triton, Poseidon and Percy and inform them. Even though we had to hunt down any monsters that were around the camps and the routes the demigods may take to travel between them so that they were safe, the first days were easy enough as we didn't came across of any big group of monsters. That helped as all the new recruits were starting getting experience. We were now at around twenty hunters, the new ones around four with the youngest being Anna at the age of fourteen with the oldest being eighteen, a girl named Electra, daughter of Athena.

We were traveling all across America, following the direct route that connected the two camps and the monsters every day were getting fewer and fewer. After a week and a half we were almost at San Francisco and for the last night we had to camp in a forest outside Sacramento. We had traveled too much for the day since there were no fights to slow us. All the hunters were tired and so I decided that is was best to rest for the night so we had enough energy for any monsters we might come across near camp Jupiter.

As a lieutenant I had to make sure that the watches had been established not only with 4 hunters but with our wolves before I could rest. I had ensured that the most experienced campers would watch the camp since they had better reflexes and learned to act based on their instinct.

In the middle of the night I heard some noises and I assumed that the watches were being shifting. And then I felt a hand grabbing my neck. I was instantly awake and my reflexes kicked in but I couldn't do anything. Around me were 2 empousai ready to bury the talons-fingernails deep into my skin. The only way I could think they used to invade the camp was to appear as frightened girls and when the hunters let their defenses down they would attack them. I had to see the hunters.

"Stand up and come out without trying anything stupid," one of them said and I had to follow their instructions until I found a way to kill them. But I had first to check the condition of the hunters and to see how many enemies there were.

When we got out I could finally breathe as I saw the girls that watched the camp been tied and were around the fire. I also observed that I was the first out of my tent. I hoped that no one would do anything that will cost her life. As I saw around to make a count of the monsters I saw three empousai and some hellhounds in the dark, circling the camp. After the most of the Hunters were out and watched their sisters being captured. I saw an empousai was dragging Anna, who tried to resist.

"Anna, please, just follow what they say. Please"

As I said it she tried one last time and the monster lost its patience. It took what it found first, which was the poker for the fire, and hit Anna over the head. She let out a cry and passed out. I tried to run to her but another monster tackled me and I ended up face first on the dirt. When I got up, all the twenty of us were outside and waited for the monsters to attack us.

But then a figure appeared from the woods and scanned the situation. From the structure I could see it was a boy but I couldn't distinguish any characteristics. Instantly a sword appeared in his hand, one that resembled Riptide, Percy's weapon, but instead, swords blade was Celestial bronze fused with stygian iron. And he did the most natural thing in these situations. He attacked the monsters with such ferocity that he killed them all with ease.

But when he was done, something very strange happened. Lady Artemis appeared from the woods, ran to the man and tackled him from behind. As they fell three projectiles appeared from behind them and stuck into the tree, one had already hit the man on the back and one hit Artemis in her leg. That moment a manticore appeared from the woods, sure of his victory, but couldn't do anything before Artemis fired five arrows directly at him.

Artemis

After the council we had for Perseus, the things on Olympus between Zeus, Hera and Apollo weren't so good. Zeus blamed Hera for starting this whole war with her plan while Apollo was to blame for Octavian's actions. Even though Octavian was alive, after the Romans made peace with the Greeks, he hadn't caused much trouble. In fact he was too quiet, something that bothered me. And for the sake of the Greeks and my Hunters I decided to keep an eye on him. I knew that Apollo deserved a punishment for his acts but he was my brother and I couldn't see him suffer. So I tried to convince my father to see that his actions had a purpose of connecting the two camps for our own good. But in the end of every council, Zeus was seeing the facts more and more clearly.

And after a lot of boring councils, conversations, declaration of punishments, finally we agreed. Hera was to be confined on Olympus for a year, without interfering with anyone's life while Apollo would control not only the Sun car but also the Moon chariot for two years.

And now I could finally go to my Hunters to see their development. But as I flashed in the outskirts of the camp to make sure everything were quite I saw a manticore and I heard some voices from the camp. The only good thing was that the manticore hadn't noticed me yet.

I monitored it while it came close to the camp and saw someone killing the monsters that had surrounded the Hunters camp and had captured them. As he killed the last I saw the manticore ready to attack the man from behind and from my position the only thing I could do was to tackle the man to save him.

As I appeared I tackled the man, summoning my bow and killing the manticore with five arrows, three through its head and two through its torso. But I wasn't fast enough and I realized that one of the spikes had injured me while another had hit the man. My injury wasn't so important so I had to take care of the man who had risked his life for the Hunters. But first I needed to make sure the hunters are alright. So I quickly went to them. No one seemed to be injured except for Anna, something that worried me and I had to look into it but I had more urgent things now. I freed Thalia and while she helped her sisters, I went to the mysterious Man. As I approached him I paid attention to his sword, which seemed like Riptide, but this blade consisted of two metals, the second being stygian iron, so it had to be somebody from the Underworld.

First I had to make space to view the trauma so I used one of my knives and cut open the jacket. The man was already facing down, which made this easier. As I revealed the wound I could see that his injury wasn't so bad, but needed care. I shouted to my hunters that I needed some ambrosia, nectar and bandages. As I pulled out the spine, blood began to flow and I used my hand to stop the bleeding.

Thalia came with the things I needed and in no time the wound was covered and started healing.

"Who is he milady? The sword looks like Riptide"

"I know, let's see." I said while I turned the man around and took his hood off.

"Oh, Gods, better Anna doesn't see him"

"Yes, put Anna in her tent and I will go to her later. Now, let's take him to the medical tent."

After we had done all the things I fixed my leg with some bandages and some nectar over the wound. Then I gathered the hunters. All of them were fine, except for Anna. I told them about Percy and I saw that most of them didn't seem to bother as they knew about him. After that I checked on Anna.

"Milady, I am sorry." She said when she saw me entering. She was lying with her head covered in bandages.

"Do not worry" I said smiling. "You must act with more bravery and self-control. Now rest, there are some things to say."

"Thank you, milady."

Later I passed to see Percy. The moment I entered he started to stir. He was lying in a bed, half naked, with bandages around his torso. I gave him some moments to fully awaken and check his surroundings. Then he saw me.

"Lady Artemis." And he tried to bow, only to be stopped by the pain in his back.

"Rest, Perseus. I am here to only thank you for protecting my hunters with risk of your own life."

"But what happened. I don't remember a lot of things."

"After you killed the monsters a manticore attacked you from behind"

And then he noticed my leg.

"Then I have to thank you for saving my life." He simply said.

I smiled at him and started to leave but I couldn't help it.

"We have a lot to talk about" I told him, trying to be serious, noticing the color of his face vanishes.

Oh, I love torturing men.

But, I was drained and I went to my tent. I had instructed Thalia to enforce the security so I could relax. All these days my mind was full of different things. And now that I could actually rest something bothered me.

But my head was stuck on Percy.

It was such a unique case. Even for a man. After the events with Atlas before the titan war I respected him. He was doing such amazing things and took so many risks for his friend and even though he didn't get in over his head. He didn't even ask for something for himself when he could or something to help him. And now without second thought he jumped into action to protect the hunters and his niece and he didn't even recognize that it was a feat itself.

But enough about him. If he continues these acts of braveness and is stuck again in my thoughts I will turn him into a jackalope. That was my last thought before I drifted to a calm sleep.

Percy

Could it be? Artemis saved me from a manticore? And what did we have to talk about?

If there is something wrong I better start learning about jackalopes. At least I had saved the hunters. But I wanted to see Anna. I started to rise when pains made me lose control of my left hand and I fell off the bed with a noise that I didn't know my bones could make.

"And what were you supposed to do? Get out of bed?"

I heard a voice and I loved teasing Pinecone face.

"Yes mom."

At least the zap I got somehow made me feel my arm again and with a little help I was in my bed soon enough.

"Thank you, Thalia." I said.

"No, we thank you. If it weren't for you, we would be dead."

"It's nothing. I did what I had to do. But how is Anna? I saw her unconscious." I said as I tried again to stand up.

"Oh no, you aren't going anywhere. Anna is good and in her tent. It is better for her not to see you wounded. Apart from that, Artemis orders it."

She knew that I couldn't do anything about the last statement and that was the winning card. She laughed as she saw me quit my attempts and left.

They only thing I could do were to rest and heal.

The next morning, I was feeling better physically and when I saw Anna it improved my mood. She came with Thalia in the morning. She hugged me and even though it hurt I didn't say anything.

"Percy, thank you for protecting us" she whispered in my ear.

"I promised to look after you, didn't I" I whispered too.

"Now how about I get out of this tent?" I said facing Thalia.

"Like that?" she replied and pointed at me.

"Why what do I have?" I said observing myself. Apart from my pants been a little damaged and dirty and having my t-shirt replaced by bandages I wasn't that bad.

"Well, I had some stuff but they are-"

"Some girls found your tent and stuff when they patrolled and moved it in our camps. You should head that way before freely moving around the campers' she said winking.

What was that for? Girls. Anyway with a lot of effort I made to my tent and I put some fresh clothes I had packed. Anna waited for me and went to a pond nearby.

"I have asked Artemis and Thalia to have the camp settled somewhere near water so I could test my abilities." Anna said with pride while she made some water arise from the mass and form a little sphere.

"Let me teach you something then" I said and I took off my shirt and bandages as I sat down. "Now, take the water sphere and bring it on the wound." I instructed her I and heard a gasp when the water healed me.

"Now, we do not need those" and I made the water from the pond to come, take the bandages, wash them, fold them and ordered them to dry as they rest on the grass nearby us.

"I wish I could do that" Anna said as she was watching with her jaw dropped.

"It like the sphere you make, just a little more complicated. In time you will" I said as I put my shirt back.

"Now shall we continue" I said as a made a ball of water and evaporated.

"Show off. Now teach me" she said as I had her full attention.

Late on the afternoon we were done and we both had used a lot of energy. Anna had managed to make some water evaporate after some time but it was too energy consuming.

After we returned she went to eat with the hunt and I went to my tent. I knew it was a girl's thing only and I didn't want to cause any trouble. I was here only to heal from the wound and now that was done I could leave. So I started to pack my things.

After some time, I was finished and I could reach my destination within the day if I was lucky. But then Anna saw me as she was returning to her tent.

"You are leaving so soon?"

"Yeah, I was only here to heal and rest for a bit. I shouldn't be a burden to the Hunters. I don't even know if everyone wants me here, you know, I am a man after all."

"You have earned the respect of all of us here" I said a voice, and when I turned I saw two silver eyes looking at me.

"Thank you Lady Artemis" I said as I bowed. "But I already have stayed too long for a man here. I should be going."

"And where exactly is the place where you headed?"

"Camp Jupiter. There are some things to discuss."

"Before you leave, how about we talk? I want to ask you for something" she said already going to her tent.

I turned to look at Anna, but she lifted her shoulders.

I walked to her tent and heard a voice calling me. As I went in she was already sitting and nodded me to sit across her.

"You said you were going to Camp Jupiter and so do the hunters. But, I have some jobs on Olympus and since the hunters were attacked yesterday, I would be calmer to know that you accompany them."

"I will what?" I said. That was something I didn't expect.

"I want you to accompany the hunters for the rest of the way to camp Jupiter. You know some of them and almost everyone respects you since you saved them from the monsters, except for one or two. One is a daughter of Athena and one of Ares, but I am sure they won't be too much trouble. So will you accept?"

Of course, I thought, the first was upset for Annabeth and the other for humiliating her father. But the rate was good. Two to twenty. I could live with that.

"I promise you milady that we are going to reach the camp safe and sound."

"Thank you Perseus, now I have to let the hunt know. After that I am going to leave. You must then speak to Thalia for any assistance she might want." She finished and got up and left the tent.

I had some time to gather my thoughts and prepare myself for the task ahead.

When I stepped out of the tent I saw Anna running towards me and hugging me.

"I feel safer already knowing that you will accompany us." She said and I smiled to her.

I saw that the hunters had already started to pack the camp and so I left Anna to go help them while I went to find Thalia.

"Artemis said that you may need some help" I told her as I approached her and she turned.

"Actually, no. Thank you, Percy. You have other things to do other than help us pack."

"You know me. I want to help" I said as I went to take care of my stuff.

In five minutes the hunters were ready and anxious to leave.

During the journey Anna was right beside me and she practiced with a ball of water and I told her some tip for her control over it. At some moment we stopped to rest and I found a chance to show Anna a new trick. So I took a water bottle and I made the liquid poor out and make a square cube in my hand. Then I made it ice and I heard a massive gasp and as I turned to see the hunters watching me with their jaws dropped. Okay, I thought. Time for a little show off. So I made the ice again water, made it fly between the hunters, and again brought it right in front of me, I raise its temperature to make it vaporize and then I made it appear in the bottle. The first hunter to speak was Arianna, the daughter of Ares. Bulky build, black hair and eyes that radiated hate and anger. Classic.

"And how could you use this in battle?" She challenged me. I made the water from five bottles to burst free and then guided them so they froze like handcuffs and some as a gag.

"How is that?" I asked and I made the ice liquid again and vaporized it. Most of the girls gaped at me.

"Break is over, get up" Thalia said as she was that Arianna was getting angrier. "Percy, stop showing off."

Around the afternoon we arrived in Camp Jupiter. I greeted the two guards in the tunnel since I knew them from the fifth Cohort.

We arrived in Principia a little after and that was where our first problem arrived.

"So, we greet the former Praetor of Rome"

"Don't you have anything better to do, augur?" I spat the last word.

"Oh but I do. I cleanse Rome from what drags it down" he said with a cruel smile and move towards me and then I sensed a weapon in his hand. A thing from the blessing of Hades?

So I shadow traveled behind him and uncapped Riptide in a matter of seconds.

"Drop it" I commanded as I held the blade in his neck.

Then he signaled and some soldiers appeared and threatened the Hunters. The bad thing that there were already some archers above our head so they couldn't do anything.

"Move away from me now and I will let the hunters live."

Without taking my sword off his neck, I circled around him and now I had the hunters in my back.

"Enough, Romans stand down" we heard a voice and I saw Frank coming with some Romans.

"I said Romans put your weapons down now." He said again, but none of the elite of Octavian was backing down.

"Why do you do this?" I asked him.

"I just want to see you destroyed. You took from me Rome you Graecus scum. Now it is my turn." He snarled and one of his followers came close to us to give him a crossbow but then an eagle flew with a great speed, grabbed the weapon from inside Octavian's hand and transformed to Frank again, now at my side with the crossbow pointing at Octavian.

"Retrieve your man now and they may live." From the corner of my eye I saw more Romans gathering around us. But again we were surrounded. And one wrong move and maybe one of the Hunters was dead.

"NOW" boomed Frank.

"NO" shouted Octavian and threw his dagger at me. I dodged it, caught it in the air and threw it back at him.

He was stunned at looked down at the impaled dagger. In the instant the dagger hit him I regret killing him. But, not only he wanted and nearly managed to destroy Camp Half-Blood but also now he wants to kill the Hunter that I had to protect, with one of them being Anna. I knew I would lose control when I saw him but now I cared more for Anna than sending this so called demigod into the Underworld.

"Kill them all" he managed to say before crumpling to the ground. I saw the archers firing their crossbows and I leaped between them and the hunters.

And I waited to be hit a couple of times before I hit the ground. But the pain never came.

I looked around me as I stood up and I saw Artemis in front of us as she had her bow drawn and destroyed each arrow been fired from the crossbows with her own.

"Praetor, please make sure that something like that will never occur again," she ordered, taking in the archers who were on their knees, terrified. Her eyes were furious.

Frank bowed to the "I will my lady." The Romans took the weapons from Octavian's followers and lead them to their punishment.

As Artemis watched them Anna came to hug me.

"Don't do that again. Please".

"Don't worry. I am going to be fine I guess"

"Yet again Percy you help and save the Hunt with success, putting it before your life. You must be rewarded and I know how. Hunters, go to my temple and await me there." Artemis said.

Well. This is it. Again thank you all for your support and everything. I hope I did surprise you with a way or another. The thing between them is starting to grow, but Percy grieves inside, and I think that we are going to see it in the next chapter.

Please review for anything you do like, don't like, wish to see, want to see etc.

See you.