And I'm back. Survived Mardi Gras and have a new chapter for you guys and gals. Four months have passed since Chapter 4, and I still don't own PJO.
Artemis
Artemis finished icing the cake, and took a step back to admire her work. When you can have anything you want at the snap of a finger, she told herself, the process of creation becomes the most important part. Like all things she tried, she took to cake decorating like a natural. The little girl whose birthday cake this was would be pleased. Sighing she let the icing bag fall to her side. It's no use, she thought, my mind is elsewhere.
Almost four months had passed since Percy had left, and still there was no word. The Winter Solstice meeting at Olympus would be tomorrow, and Artemis had planned on returning with Percy then. His stubborn refusal to call her had thrown a kink in those plans however. Shaking her head she lifted the cake from counter and brought it to the front for Evelyn to examine. I'll have to go without him, she thought. Its past time I updated the council, and Poseidon needs to know his son is ok. Still lost in thought, she almost walked into a bustling Evelyn. Only her lightning fast reflexes saved the cake. "Ooh!" Evelyn exclaimed. "Zoe, I'm sorry my dear. I didn't see you there. Thank the gods you have a bit of godly blood in you, we don't have time to make another cake! Come, little Eva is here with her mother and wants to see her cake!"
Artemis rounded the corner and smiled at the little girl bouncing excitedly beside the register. Quirking an eyebrow, Artemis asked her, "You wouldn't know where the birthday girl is would you? I have this beautiful cake, but can't seem to find her."
"It's me!" Eva shrieked. The little girl looked ready to burst with excitement.
Laughing, Artemis kneeled beside her as her mother paid Evelyn for the cake. "Ooh it is? Well here you go then!" 3000 years of experience had made her comfortable around little girls. "Now don't touch it, we don't want to mess up the decorations before your friends see it."
The little girl stared wide eyed at the cake in Artemis's hands. "It's so pretty," she breathed. Launching herself at Artemis's neck, she whispered, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Artemis hugged her back, ignoring the pain that flared up for her lost hunters. I've missed this, she thought. Out loud she whispered to Eva, "You're welcome, now you go and have fun at your birthday party!"
Smiling as the little girl ran from the shop, Artemis returned to the kitchen with Evelyn. "You did well my dear. That cake was beautiful," Evelyn said. "I think we'll call it quits for today, I doubt anyone else will be coming in."
Artemis nodded distractedly. "I'll clean up down here then, you go on upstairs." When Evelyn was gone, Artemis absent mindedly moved around the kitchen, cleaning the equipment they had used that day. She was focused instead on the predicament she found herself in, arguing back and forth with herself on how to handle it; the same argument she'd been having for weeks. I'm going to have to go looking for him, she concluded for what was probably the tenth time. I can't waste any more time. But if I'm too forward it'll scare him away. Dammit Percy why won't you just call me! I don't know what to do!
As if in answer, a soft ringing sounded inside her head. Tension she didn't know she'd been carrying left her. Finally, she thought. Materializing a phone she answered, "Percy?"
His whispered voice came through, "Artemis? Hey how you doing? I've found the gathered monsters. Still up for a fight? We'll need your help."
We'll? she thought. So he's found someone to travel with him. That could be problematic. "Yeah, sure. Whatever it is, I'm sure the two of us can handle it."
"Don't be so sure," he whispered. "There's one of the Gigantes here."
Ooh gods no, she thought, dread filling her. He's going to get himself killed. "Percy, listen to me. Do not attack it alone! Only a god and a demigod working together can kill them. Wait. For. Me."
"I know, I know, that's why I'm calling you," he said. "Geez Artemis, you almost have me convinced you're worried about me."
"Whatever," she snapped, still worried he'd do something stupid. "Make a burnt offering to me and I'll know exactly where you are. I'll be there in a few minutes."
"Got it," he said, and the line went dead. With a thought, Artemis's warm winter clothes disappeared, and her hunter's garb took its place. Checking the twin silver knives at her waste and the bow on her back, Artemis ascended the stairs. Percy's offering came to her then. South Dakota. Badlands.
"Mrs. Evelyn," she called as she entered the apartment. Evelyn's head stuck out from the doorway to the kitchen. Her eyes widened when they fell on Artemis. "Percy called. He's in trouble and he needs someone to watch his back. I won't be back tonight." Turning she rushed back out the door, closing out Evelyn's questions, and flashed away.
She appeared beside a small camp fire at the bottom of a deep ravine. "A half-eaten apple Percy?" she asked. "Really? That's the best you could do?" He looked up from examining his sword's edge, and she almost took an involuntary step back. Gods, she thought. What's happened to him?
He shrugged, "It's what I had on hand." His eyes fell back to the sword. Eyes as hard as flint. "Thanks for coming," he said. There was no emotion in his voice. Footsteps behind her spun her around. Thirty paces from the fire, and unconscious empousa was tied to a large boulder. Another demigod was walking toward the camp. That's the son of Hades, she thought. Nico is his name. Bianca's brother. A twinge of regret went through her at the thought. Well, at least he looks like he's moved past her death.
As he approached, Nico eyed her warily, but bowed respectfully and murmured, "Lady Artemis." He'd grown in the past five years, she noted. The once small boy was gone and now in his place stood a tall thin 19 year old man. His pale olive skin was crisscrossed with scars, and his dark sunken eyes held more than a hint of madness. Black clothes hung loosely on his body. "Mind telling my why you have Lady Artemis on speed dial?" he asked Percy across the fire. He didn't seem surprised in the slightest at the words that came out of his mouth.
"We ran into each other a couple weeks before you found me," Percy said, eyes never lifting. "She asked me to let her know if I found a fight worth anything. So I did."
"So you're the one who got him over his grief," Nico said, looking back toward Artemis. "Thank you My Lady. I'd been missing my friend these past five years."
"Just Artemis, Nico," she said. "No need to be formal." She sat across from the two young men. "I thought I had, but looking at him now, I'm not so sure. What's happened to you Percy?" She looked toward the empousa, noting the open wounds across its frame, "And have you been torturing an empousa?"
"You helped me move past my grief," he said, eyes still refusing to look up. "Well, anger took its place. I'm out for revenge Artemis. That empousa killed a four year old son of Hermes last week, and I needed information." His eyes met hers then. Cold calculated fury burned in those sea green depths.
Artemis cursed herself. Stupid stupid stupid! He'd been in depressed isolation for five years and you thought just one day with you would heal him? You should have known better! she screamed in her head. It's ok, she thought trying to calm herself down. I can help him through this. "Well it sounds like she deserved it," Artemis said out loud. "I'd have probably done the same thing. What did you learn?"
Nico answered. "The Gigas is amassing monsters three miles east of here. Only about fifty so far, Percy and I could have taken them out if it weren't for him. For that we need your help My Lady." He turned to look at her, "It may be decades before the Earth Mother awakens, but her children are rising now. And they're looking for a fight."
"Well," she said with her most wicked grin, "let's kick some ass shall we?" Rising she drew her bow. "Are you done with her?' she asked, nodding toward the empousa. Percy nodded. Artemis drew and released, killing the monster. I would have done the same thing, she thought, but I'd have killed her after. Gods these two are hard, bordering on cruel. That thought scared her. From a son of Hades cruelty was to be expected on occasion, but Percy was not cruel. He was kind and gentle, even to his enemies, or at least he had been. She didn't know what he was anymore, but she was sure of one thing. She did not want to marry the man he was becoming. I have to turn him from this path, she thought, before it's too late. "Let's go," she said, voice suddenly hard. The two men rose and she flashed them just under three miles east.
Percy spoke, "They're just over the ridge," he said pointing toward the top of the ravine. "Conveniently they're camped next to a river," he paused for a moment. "Evidently they don't know the water here is not safe to drink." That sounded dangerously close to a joke, Artemis thought. She turned to him, searching his eyes. They held no mirth. Only his tightly gripped, slow burning anger. "I want the Giant," he finished.
"You can't kill him alone Percy," Artemis hissed. "I have to help."
"Yes," he replied calmly. "You will, but let me knock him around a little first. I have a lot of anger to get out. Help Nico until I call for your aid."
"Fine," she snapped. "But if you get hurt because of this stupidity, you'll have me to deal with." She turned to Nico, "Watch my back."
"Yes, My Lady," he murmured. At least one of them in properly respectful, she thought.
"Move out," she said softly. The three of them sprang forward, silently flowing over the ridge. Artemis studied the field before her. The monsters had camped in a bend in a small river, surrounding them on three sides with water. Bad move, she thought. The Gigas, apparently asleep, was sitting with his back to a large boulder on the left side of the camp. 30 feet tall with burnt orange draconian legs. Hippolytos, Bane of Hermes. Percy made a beeline for him.
"Wait!" came and urgent whisper from Nico. Percy paused midstride, turning around. Nico knelt and placed a palm flat on the ground. The Earth split. Four groups of a dozen undead warriors poured out. "That should be enough," he said. "I don't want to tire myself out before a fight."
"Impressive," Artemis murmured. Turning to Percy she said firmly, "The second you need help you call for me."
Percy nodded, then turned, resuming his run. Artemis drew her knives, "I'm feeling like hand to hand combat tonight," she told Nico. "Follow me." Together, with the silent undead warriors behind them, they plunged into the side of the camp just as the night came alive with Hippolytos's screams of agony. Nico wielded his black Stygian iron blade with skill Artemis noted absently, as she danced from monster to monster wreathed in a cloud of golden dust, but her focus was ever on Percy. Every time the Giant made to rise, a quick slash of Anaklusmos or a blast of water knocked him back down. Then Percy danced back and waited. The idiot man is letting him up, she realized. If he survives this I'm going to kill him myself! World be damned! Ducking under a Laistrygonian giant's club, she yelled to Nico. "Finish up here, I have to go save that fool of a friend of yours!" She rushed toward Percy, slicing monsters with every step. The Giant had gained his feet, and Percy was raising his sword. She ran harder.
"No," Percy screamed when he saw her coming. "Let me do this!" Artemis stopped at the edge of the camp, letting fly a string of ancient Greek curses. She took her frustration out on the Cyclops beside her.
"Puny demigod," Hippolytos roared. "You cannot kill me alone! But I can crush you!" With that he raised his spear high, and brought it down in a great two handed swing. The ground shook with the force of the impact, but when the dust cleared, Percy was standing inches from the blade now imbedded in the cracked Earth.
"You're going to have to do better than that," he taunted, and with that the fight began. Artemis watched silently.
"The monsters are finished, My Lady" Nico said, appearing beside her.
Artemis nodded, still watching. Percy danced around the Giant, slashing at his lower legs, ever avoiding the flailing spear. He's playing with him, Artemis realized. He's trying to draw it out. Finally, after minutes of humiliating his opponent, Percy struck. Positioning the Giant between himself and the water, Percy diverted nearly the entirety of the river toward the Giant. The wave struck Hippolytos in the back, throwing him past Percy and into the ravine wall. "Gods," Artemis breathed. "He's powerful." Nico just nodded his assent, eyes wide. Percy followed the fallen Giant, sword high.
Time for me to join, Artemis thought, shifting the grip on her knives as she began jogging forward. A great earthen hand rose from the ravine wall, pushing Hippolytos to his feet and spinning him around just as a smaller one rose to trip Percy. All thought fled as instinct took over. She broke into a run. Hippolytos spear rose high, before he brought it down with all his strength. Artemis dove, knives crossed before her, and caught the tip of the spear as it fell, pushing as hard as she could. The Giant was stronger, but the tip moved just enough to miss Percy. She screamed in pain as her knives slipped and the spear sliced deep into her left shoulder on its way into the Earth. She fell to her knees. Flipping the blade in her right hand around, she threw with as much strength as she had left. The knife took the Giant in the left eye. Breathing through the pain, she forced out, "Finish him Perseus!"
Percy looked up from where the hands held him to the Earth. When his eyes fell on her, hand to her shoulder trying to stop the ichor from pouring out, the cold anger in his eyes turned to white hot fury. The earthen hands dissolved like sand as river water crashed in around him. On a column of water he shot skyward, sword stretched out before him, and struck Hippolytos in the chest. The blade bit deep. The Giant fell backwards from the force of the attack, disintegrating on his way down, and Percy struck the ground hard. He was up in an instant, rushing toward her, pain filling his eyes. Ohh no, she thought, he looks at me and sees another Annabeth.
"Artemis, are you ok?" Percy asked, skidding to a halt on his knees in front of her. Of course I'm not ok, she screamed in her head. I just took a spear from a gods damned Gigas because of your gods damned pride! Biting back an oath she took a ragged breath. Focus, she told herself. He'll blame himself. I can't send him into another five years of depression. Lie.
"I'll be fine," she grunted through the pain. "I've had worse. Help me up." Percy, stayed on his knees, and Artemis could see the battle that raged behind his eyes. Gods Percy, she thought, don't blame yourself for this. Nico slid to a halt behind Percy. "Both of you, help me up."
Nico reacted first. "Yes, My Lady," he murmured, and was at her side in an instant. "Percy," he snapped. "Get your arrogant ass up and help!" That got through to him. Shaking himself, he rose and helped Nico pull her to her feet. A wave of pain washed over her.
"Nico, can you shadow travel to Boulder with all three of us?" Artemis asked him. "I don't have the energy to do it myself."
"I can My Lady," he responded. "Though I'll have to get some sleep after, and I don't know where we're going."
"Evelyn's Bakery. Pearl Street. Historic Downtown District." Each short sentence came with a gasping breath. "Hurry."
Nico nodded and closed his eyes. He was silent for a few moments before murmuring, "Got it. Hold on." Shadows engulfed them.
They reappeared in the kitchen of Evelyn's Bakery. Artemis's legs gave way, and the only thing that kept her from the floor was Percy's steady arm. Nico seemed almost as weak as she was. "Can't…climb," she gasped. "Carry…" Gods, this wound must be worse than I thought. Without a word, Percy lifted her against his chest, and ran up the stairs. Nico followed a little slower.
Percy kicked open the door, crossed the room, and laid her gently on the couch. "You need Nectar," he said. "Where?" Her eyes when to the door that lead to the hallway. In the bedroom, she thought, but couldn't force the words out. "Bathroom?" he asked. Small shake of the head. "Bedroom?" Small nod. "Closet?" Smaller shake. "Night stand." Smaller nod. The sides of her vision were starting to go black as he tore from the room. He returned holding two large bottles, uncorked one, and forced it between her lips just before consciousness fled. The result was immediate. Strength came back into her limbs, and her sight and mind cleared. She drained the bottle in a matter of seconds.
"Gods," she breathed, finally catching her breath, "that was too close. I don't have time to waste decades reforming."
"What in the world is going on out here," came Evelyn's voice from the hallway. She rounded the corner to see an ichor covered Artemis lying on the couch. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped as she froze in midstride.
"Not now, Mrs. Evelyn," Percy said quickly. "I'll explain later. We still need to get this wound closed up."
Nico cleared his throat. "Will taught me a few things," he said hesitantly. "If you would permit me to take a look Lady Artemis, perhaps I could help."
He just had to use my name, Artemis thought, not looking at Evelyn. "I am not in the habit of letting male demigods see me in any state of undress Nico," she said levelly. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Evelyn walk to her rocking chair and sit down heavily, head held in her hands.
Nico smiled, "You don't have to worry about me, My Lady. I'm gay. Plus Will is the best healer to come out of your brother's cabin in decades. I could help."
What choice do I have? she thought. "Fine," she said. "But you Percy, into the kitchen. Go make Mrs. Evelyn some tea. She looks like she needs it. Get to work Nico." Percy fled the room.
Nico bent to examine the wound carefully before drawing small knife and cutting the clothing away. Silver parka, shirt, and under garments all. He did his best to keep her decent, but it was a large wound. Artemis grimaced and tried not to think about it, but to the boy's credit, he was all business. "Di immortales!" Nico grimaced. "If that blade had bit any deeper you'd have lost the arm."
"Let's keep that from Percy, shall we?" she murmured. Nico's eyes met hers and she saw the understanding in them. He nodded. Neither of them wanted him to go into another bout of depression, and he was already dangerously close to falling over that edge.
Opening the second bottle of Nectar, he focused intently, then poured a small amount into the wound. Artemis hissed in pain. "It's already healing," he said in disbelief.
"We gods tend to heal faster than you mortals," she said. "Keep going, you have to at least stop the bleeding. I'm starting to feel weak again." Nico nodded, and poured some more. Shaking his head in disbelief he watch the wound close further. "More," Artemis grated through clenched teeth. In that fashion, Nico used nearly the entire bottle on her shoulder, till only a jagged scare remained. "That's enough," sighed finally. "The rest can heal naturally. Now cover me with a blanket and drink the rest of that yourself. You look like you need it."
Nico nodded. He stood, retrieved the folded blanket draped over the back of the couch, and stretched it across her before settling to the floor. Taking a small sip of Nectar, he studied her. Artemis closed her eyes. Gods I'm tired, she thought. "It's him, isn't it?" he asked quietly after a moment. "He's the one from the prophecy."
Her eyes shot open, pinning him where he sat. "It would be best," she said slowly, softly, "if Percy did not hear you say that." Despite her intense glare, Nico didn't flinch. He's either as brave or as stupid as Percy is, she thought. I can't decide which it is for either of them.
"As you say My Lady," Nico answered just as softly. "I doubt he'd be able to handle the truth right now anyway. I'm surprised he hasn't figured it out, but he always was blind to what was right in front of him," he finished with a wry grin.
Sighing in relief, Artemis settled back down into the couch. "Thank you Nico," she said. "For everything you've done tonight and to help Percy these last few months."
He grunted a laugh, "Never thought I'd hear that from you." He added quickly, "I mean no offense My Lady. I just did what any friend would."
Artemis grinned slightly. "Nevertheless you have my thanks. Why don't you go see what's taking Percy so long to make tea? I need to speak with Mrs. Evelyn. I've been living here for over a year and she just found out who I really was."
Nico rose and whistled. "This should be interesting," he said, as he walked toward the kitchen.
"Is she ok?" she heard Percy ask the moment Nico walked through the doorway.
"She'll be fine," Nico answered soothingly. "Let's get this tea in there, that old woman looks like she needs it."
Percy appeared in the doorway carrying a tray of tea. His eyes met hers. He's upset with himself, she thought, but the anger is gone. Good. It only took my near death to quench it. I hope it doesn't return. He walked toward Evelyn. "Mrs. Evelyn, here," he said. "Drink this." She took the offered cup. With a thought, Artemis mended her torn clothes and sat up. Whoa, bad idea, she thought as a wave of dizziness hit her. She forced it down and turned toward Evelyn.
"So," she said, "now you know who I am." Evelyn's eyes met hers for an instant before falling to the floor. "Ooh, Mrs. Evelyn don't do that," Artemis said. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want you treating me like I'm special, don't start acting like I'm an Olympian."
"But you are an Olympian, My Lady," Evelyn replied.
"Yes, and exiled one," Artemis said. "A self-imposed exile, but an exile none the less." That shocked Evelyn out of her fear. Her eyes shot up and she gasped. "I still want to be Zoe to you," Artemis finished. Nico grunted at the name but remained silent.
Evelyn was silent for a long while. Finally, she spoke, "I know better than to question your word. I guess we can continue how we have been, though it will be a little strange now that I know the truth." Taking her own words to heart she continued, "Now what in the world happened to you, child?" She only stumbled slightly on the last word. Artemis smiled at her. She turned to Percy and Nico, "Where have you been Percy? And who might you be, my dear?"
"Thank you, Mrs. Evelyn," Artemis said. "This is Nico, son of Hades and Ghost King of the Underworld. He's a friend of Percy's and a very powerful demigod in his own right. Percy's been out tracking a monster army. He found it and called for my help. I was injured in the battle."
"Well," Evelyn said. "I do seem to have a knack for attracting powerful people. Nice to meet you Nico." He nodded to her, before walking across the room and wearily taking a seat in the spare rocking chair. He took another small sip of Nectar.
"It my fault," Percy said, settling to the floor at the far end of the couch. "Artemis, I'm sorry."
She cut him off. "Do not go there," she said. "I took that spear willingly. You do not make my choices for me Perseus. Do not presume that you do," she finished, letting a small amount of anger seep into her voice. He looked away.
Finally after a moment he chuckled. "Sorry, I forgot who I was talking to for a moment," he said. "Still, next time I'll take your advice, and there will be a next time, you can be sure of that. The other Gigantes will be rising." Good, she thought, that actually worked.
"The Gigantes?" Evelyn asked in alarm. "Is that what injured you my dear?" she asked looking toward Artemis.
Artemis nodded. "Hippolytus. Bane of Hermes. Had Gaea not intervened Percy and I would have finished him off easily."
Evelyn was silent for a moment. "So the Giants have returned to wage war on Olympus, and this time the Earth Mother is helping them directly." It was not a question. "I assume tonight was the first battle of the war?" This woman is smarter than she lets on, Artemis thought.
"Exactly," she said aloud. She sighed and leaned back against the couch, closing her eyes. After a moment she said. "Our fathers need to hear of this." Both Percy and Nico grunted, but made no reply. "Would either of you happen to have any Ambrosia on you by any chance," she asked.
Nico answered. "There's some back at our camp, My Lady. I'll be back in a moment." Shadows engulfed him. Evelyn only flinched slightly when he disappeared.
From his place on the floor, Percy spoke. "The Winter Solstice meeting is tomorrow night. We can inform the other Olympians there. You need to rest and recover until then." He hesitated, "If your offer to take me to Olympus still stands I'd like to go with you."
Well that worked out nicely, she thought. "Very well," she said. "Nico will come as well."
With the mention of his name, Nico reappeared with two duffels. He handed her a cloth rapped bundle. "Here you are, My Lady." She opened it and began eating. He dropped the duffels. To Percy he said, "You'll have to retrieve your equipment later, I was to weary to bring it back with me." He returned to the rocking chair and sat down heavily, leaned back, and closed his eyes.
"Wait a minute," Percy said loudly, as if finally realizing something. "You're gay? I'm your best friend! How come you never told me?"
Nico smirked, but his eyes remained closed. "Would have been quite the feat seeing how you disappeared for five years without a word. Yeah, me and Will have been dating for a couple of years now."
Artemis chuckled at the confused expression on Percy's face. "I feel like that's something I should have realized," he muttered.
Nico's smirk deepened, he opened one eye and looked at Artemis. "You never were good at seeing what was right in front of you."
"Well," Evelyn said loudly as Artemis shot Nico a warning look. "That's quite enough excitement for one night for me. I'll be heading to bed now, and from the looks of you children, you should be too. Goodnight dears."
"Goodnight," the three of them said together.
Finishing off the Ambrosia, Artemis stood. "I feel well enough now for a shower now. The two of you will have to sleep out here. There are only the two bedrooms." Turning toward the ichor splattered couch, she waved a hand. The gore disappeared. "I'll see you in the morning. Inform Nico of tomorrows plans, Percy. Goodnight."
By the time she retrieved set of clean clothes and made it to the bathroom, she was too weary for a shower. Stripping off her clothes, she stared into the foggy mirror as the bathwater ran behind her. The jagged red scar showed darkly against her pale skin, running from the tip of her clavicle to just above her bared left breast. Touching the newly formed tender skin, Artemis winced. It would take weeks to heal completely, but she would survive. Too close, she thought. That was too close. Too much depends on the two of us surviving. I can't let that happen again. Sighing, she turned and lowered herself into the steaming water. The soothing heat stilled her trembling muscles. She stayed there for a long time. When the water finally began to cool, she bathed and dressed. Leaving, she could hear Percy and Nico talking quietly in the living room. She closed her bedroom door and was asleep before her head even hit the pillow.
So Artemis almost died saving Percy. Hmm…interesting…very interesting. Well not dead dead, she's an immortal after all. But it would have taken her some time to reform, and like she said, they just don't have that kind of time. And despite how he may have seemed in the last chapter, Percy is still far from well mentally as can be seen very clearly in this chapter. Five years of depression doesn't just go away because of one good day. I plan on making Percy's mental health a recurring…issue shall we say? Anyway, Nico makes an appearance! Yay for new (to this story at least) characters! This chapter is the one I really wanted to get to when I started the story. This is where the story really begins. Percy, Artemis, and Nico are going to Olympus in the next chapter, and then…well you'll see. Leave a review and let me know what you think! Questions, comments, criticisms, suggestions; they're all welcome!