I'm back everyone! Sorry for the long wait between chapters, this one was just over three months, but life happened as it often does. I've been busier than I expected these past few months and just have not had the time to write. Finally though I finished this chapter.
Really this chapter and the last one should be read as one long, continuous scene. I really shouldn't have split them, but ohh well, it's done. Just some advice, read them together.
As always I don't own PJO. Without further ado, here's the chapter!
Artemis
Artemis watched Percy staring out to sea through the flickering flames of the beach fire. He knows. She still couldn't believe it. He's known almost as long as I have and I couldn't see it. Since he'd revealed that he was aware of what was supposed to be hidden knowledge earlier that day, she'd found herself in somewhat of a dreamlike state. Conscious of what was going on, and interacting normally, but unable to fully believe that reality was…well real. I still can't believe I was so blind, she thought. That we all were. Suddenly she felt a blush rising in her cheeks, and her eyes fell to the flames. And I really can't believe I wore nothing more than this bikini for most of the day!
"What are you smiling about," Percy asked suddenly. Her eyes, quickly focusing once more, shot to him. His face was stoic as ever, but she could see the amusement dancing in those sea green eyes. It's like he can read my mind, she thought.
Wanting to change the subject she asked the first thing that came to her mind. "Why'd you wait so long to tell me you knew?" she asked. "You made me look like a fool." That came out a little more accusatory than she'd have liked, but Percy had tough skin.
He just shrugged and stoked the fire. Much too hot for a fire, but it was now a familiar comfort for both of them. Plus it kept those insufferable mosquitoes away. They wouldn't bite her, but the buzzing was annoying. "Because I wasn't sure," he said after a moment. "I asked my father when we were at Olympus a few weeks ago, but he wouldn't tell me one way or another. Nico avoided the subject, and Thalia looked shocked I'd even suggest it. So I thought I'd take my chances and see what happened." He smirked. "Turns out I was right."
Artemis did not reply. She watched him as he continued to stoke the fire, seemingly as relaxed as ever. Working up her courage she decided to finally ask the question that had been burning inside of her for almost half the day. Taking a deep breath she asked. "And you're okay with this?" she asked. "With having to marry me of all people?"
The stoking stopped, but Percy's eyes never left the flames. All emotion disappeared from his eyes and face. He opened his mouth to reply, then closed it again. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he looked up to meet her eyes. Instead of answering he asked, "Are you?"
Artemis held his eyes for a long moment. One of us is going to have to take the first step, she told herself. I have to do this. Taking a deep breath, she answered slowly, fighting old instincts with every word. "I think," she said, "that maybe I am." Despite the truth of that statement, the words hurt to say.
Percy's eyes searched her own, looking for something in them to confirm or deny her statement. "Good," he sighed after a moment. "I think I am too." A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, "I guess we'll have to find out together."
"I guess we will," Artemis agreed softly, hoping against hope that he was not lying to her.
Silence fell on their small camp as they both peered deep into the flames, lost in private thoughts. Finally, once the fire was no more than a bed of coals, Percy broke the silence. "What's the plan for tomorrow," he asked.
Artemis shook herself and answered. "Late as it is we might as well stay here tonight," she said. Despite Poseidon's blessing, the thought of spending the night by the sea made her uneasy, but Percy would like it. "Apollo's beach house isn't far," she said. "Follow me." Together they rose, kicked sand on the still glowing coals, and began walking down the beach.
"Like I said earlier," began as they walked, "there's little land high enough to camp an army around Lac des Allemands, so it shouldn't be hard to find them. Once we do your father has offered his help."
Percy shook his head. "We won't need my father's help."
Artemis glanced at him as they walked and raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?" she asked.
"Neither of us use magic," Percy said with a shrug. "He won't be able to fend off our attacks."
Artemis shook her head at him. "Normally I'd agree with you," she said, "but Clytius is Gaea's favorite son for a reason. He's formidable, and she will aid him. We should use all the help we can get."
Percy just shrugged and said, "We'll see." Ahead, the beach house had come into view.
The next morning found Artemis knee deep in the marsh grasses and muck of Lac Des Allemands as Percy stood out in the deeper water talking the lake's fish. After trudging through the mud for the better part of two hours looking for signs of the monster army, an annoyed Percy had finally cursed loudly and waded out without a word. Artemis chided herself silently for not thinking to ask the wildlife to aid them in their search herself. Focus, she told herself. You can't go into a fight so distracted. Vestiges of shock from the day before still clouded her mind, and she shook her head sharply to dispel them. Absent mindedness was one thing when lounging on the beach, but soon she'd be fighting one of the most powerful beings on the planet. Her current state of mind could get her and Percy killed. Why couldn't he wait till after this fight to tell me he knew, she thought irritably as she swatted mosquitoes away from her eyes. That would have been the smart thing to do!
Finally, after what seemed like a long drawn out conversation, Percy turned and began wading back toward her. "Well," Artemis asked, a little more irritation than she intended seeping into her voice. If Percy heard it he ignored it.
"We're on the West bank of the lake," he said looking up at the sun. "Fish aren't the smartest of animals, but the impression I get is that there's something happening on the North bank." His eyes fell to hers and he shrugged tiredly. "Let's look there. It's better than trying to circle the whole god-forsaken lake while fighting this damned mud."
Damned mud indeed, Artemis thought tiredly. The sun was only halfway to its zenith and both of them were already worn out. "Very well," she said aloud, "but first we're going to find some high ground and rest. Both of us are too tired to fight right now. We'll continue this afternoon." Without waiting for his reply, Artemis placed a hand on his shoulder and flashed them away. They reappeared a few miles to the South on a small area of high ground. A single, ancient oak tree grew from the center of the small island.
Percy looked around appraisingly, then sat down, his back against an old gnarled root, with a relieved sigh. Leaning his head back and closing his eyes he said, "I never would have guessed how tiring it is to just walk through mud." Artemis sat beside him, and with a groan he raised his head. He complains as much as Apollo, she thought to herself wryly. "How'd you know of this place?" he asked.
Artemis shrugged and responded absently, "I've camped here with my hunters before." Her mind was elsewhere. "Rest Percy," she told him. "You'll need your strength this afternoon if what you learned from the fish is true."
"You've been everywhere," he mumbled sarcastically, but he obeyed. His head fell back onto the old root, and his eyes closed. Moments later he was breathing the deep breaths of sleep.
Artemis sighed. With a wave of her hand the mud and grime vanished from her and Percy's clothing. At least now he can rest comfortably, she though as she stretched out on the soft grass herself. Closing her eyes, she quested with her mind. Uncle, she thought. We will be upon the Gigas in a matter of hours.
Poseidon's deep voice sounded in her mind. I come, then.
No, Artemis sent back. Percy does not wish for aid. Stand ready. I will call upon you should circumstances require.
The sea god's dissatisfaction was evident in the tone of his reply. Very well, he said stiffly. But do not allow harm to come to my son Artemis, he finished letting the silent threat hang between them. With that Poseidon's mind was gone.
Artemis sighed again. You're almost more trouble than you're worth Percy, she thought looking toward his sleeping form. You've place me firmly between you and your father, and that's a place no sane person wants to be. Shaking her head at her own inner monologue, she looked skyward and tried to relax.
Percy
As it turned out, the information he'd been able to glean from the simple minds of the fish had been correct. Crouching in the tall march grasses on the edge of the lake, Percy and Artemis surveyed the camp before them. "This isn't all of them," Artemis hissed beside him. "Where are they gathering?"
Percy risked a quick glance toward her. Her normally silver hunting garb was now a mixture of browns and greens, as was the bow she clutched in her left hand. He looked down at himself and snorted a silent laugh. Guess she didn't like my clothes either. The pants and shirt he wore were nearly identical to the ones Artemis wore. "Didn't like my outfit," he asked?
She turned to look at him and he could see her perfect pale brows were drawn down in confusion. She expected more monsters, he realized. "I didn't want you giving away our position," she said absently. She was right, Percy knew. There should have been more monsters gathered here. They'd gone six months without seeing a single one, expecting to find them gathering all in one place, but the army before them was just over 50 strong. There was only one explanation.
"There's another army in the area," Percy said aloud.
"If this is the average size of a Giant army then I'd say there's more than one," Artemis said. "I was expecting several hundred at least." Shaking her head she continued, "I just hope they're not too close."
Percy nodded his agreement. Together, they could take the small army amassed before them, Giant or no, but if a second Giant showed up with reinforcements things could get messy. "We'd be able to sense them if they were," Percy said. From this short distance even he could feel Clytius's powerful aura pressing down on him like a mountain. The Giant didn't even bother trying to cloak himself. That was either a sign of supreme arrogance, or the baiting of a trap. Percy couldn't decide which, and from the battle in her eyes, neither could Artemis.
"Perhaps," was all she murmured. After a moment, her face hardened. "Either way, we have a job to do." Her shining silver eyes met his, and he caught just the faintest hint of excitement in their depths. He felt the corner of his mouth twitch upward. "You go for Clytius. Keep him busy while I thin out the monsters," she ordered. "Then we'll finish him together." His small grin expanded evilly, and he quickly checked his weapons. Finally some action, he thought. It had been too long.
Percy looked up. "Ready," he said, and together he and Artemis burst from the marsh grasses. Side by side they silently crashed into the unaware monster's flank, clouds of golden dust forming around them as the still afternoon came alive with screams of fury and pain. Percy pushed hard, trying to reach the Giant on the opposite side of the camp, and quickly outpaced Artemis who was more focused on inflicting maximum damage. In a matter of moments he was through. He paused, looking around. Where is he!? Percy though frantically. An arrow from somewhere behind ricochet off his upper arm, but Percy he it. "Damn you Clytius!" Percy bellowed. "Show yourself!"
The late afternoon sun was low on the horizon, and the shadows of the surrounding trees were long. From the shadow of the largest tree stepped a twenty foot tall monstrosity. Garbed in in shadows, and holding an enormous black Stygian Iron blade, the Giant advanced, shining eyes bright with malice.
Despite himself, Percy nearly took an involuntary step back before steeling his nerves. No playing around with this one, Percy thought. He's all business. Percy reached out with his powers, and behind him the lake roared in answer. Without looking back, Percy sent the massive wave of lake water at the silently advancing Giant. Shadows shot from the Giant's body to strike the wave of muddy water. When water and shadow met, Percy felt his power over the surge severed. He stumbled from the force of the mental blow, and shook his head quickly to clear his mind. "Alright," he muttered, as the now directionless water soaked the ground around him. "Let's do this the old fashioned way." Raising Riptide high, he charged.
Artemis
As she fought, Artemis tried to find Percy through the fray. Towering overhead, she could see the shadow wrapped form of Clytius striking and dodging what she assumed was Percy. After Percy's initial outburst, the two danced their deadly dance in silence, both evidently intent on the others demise.
I have to reach him, Artemis thought, and began fighting her way in the Giant's direction. A hellhound lunged, and she pivoted cleanly around its massive head to plant a gleaming silver hunting knife in the base of its skull. A cyclops reached to grab her with its bone crushing grip, and she neatly spun out of its reach, hamstringing the vile creature. None of the monsters posed any real threat to a goddess, but they did take longer than she liked to work through.
Finally she broke through to the other side of the camp, and caught a glimpse of Percy fighting. A thin layer of water swirled at blinding speeds in a disc around his feet, disintegrating any earthen hands that rose from the ground to bind him. Where the water got to close to Clytius it fell away, but more always rose to take its place. Percy was matching the Giant blow for blow. Artemis grinned, He's found a way to neutralize the Earth Mother's influence. Now all I have to do is finish here and together we can take him down. An earth-shattering roar split the air and Artemis's grin fell away.
"Di immortales," she swore and spun. The few monsters left before her scattered, scrambling for the edges of the camp. Those too slow were thrown bodily into the air as the abomination burst through the trees. Seeing the drakon, Artemis relaxed somewhat. One of the lesser cousins, she thought thankfully. The Aethiopian Drakon's bright green eyes met hers and it roared again.
With a thought her bow was in her hand and she released an arrow before the serpent could react. The roar cut off short as her arrow found its way to the back of the drakon's throat, and Artemis was charging. This is a big one, she thought as she closed. Almost fifty feet long. The drakon's head shot out like a striking snake when she was still a dozen feet away, and she smoothly sidestepped the lunge, placed the tip of her knife between two scales on the serpents neck, and pushed with all her might. The knife sank into the Drakon its full length, and the monster jerked its head back, screaming in pain. Artemis followed the wounded creature. Acid flew from the beast's mouth, and with a curse Artemis threw herself to the side. She dodged the main stream, but specks of the fiery liquid fell onto her lower body and pain blossomed. She forced it down mercilessly as she rolled to her feet, bow once again in her hands. "Now you've made me angry," she muttered at the drakon. Two more arrows flew, with the full force of her godly power behind them. Each found an eye, and the drakon exploded into a shower of golden dust violently enough to kill the nearest monsters as well.
Sagging in pain, Artemis spun, eyes searching for Percy. When she found him, her face grew pale.
Percy
The earthen hands had begun rising almost immediately after he and the Giant had crossed swords. The spinning disc of water was a simple, if annoying, fix that forced him to divert much needed concentration from his sword play. Any time Clytius drew too close the water disc would begin failing and he had to fight to keep it in place. Even with the distraction he was still confident enough in his skills and his ability to believe he could defeat the Giant. Then the Earthborn had begun to rise.
Cursing, Percy ducked under a sharp stone he assumed was meant to be a sword, and disintegrated the Gegeines with a blast of water before ducking as the giant Stygian Iron blade nearly took his head. Where the hell is Artemis!? Percy screamed inside his head. He was good, but not this good. No one could stand alone against an army of Earthborn and a Gigas while the Earth Mother herself was trying to pull him into her bosom. His spinning disk failed and Percy danced away knowing Clytius had drawn close. Moments later an earthen hand closed around empty air where he had been standing and sank into the earth. He slashed at Clytius's knees, and tried to slip behind the Giant. An Earthborn rose in his path and Percy halted. The Stygian Iron blade lashed out, and Percy was barely able to turn it aside, the deflected blade cleaving the newly risen Earthborn in two.
Percy retreated, still blasting earthen hands and Earthborn with water, and narrowly avoiding the midnight blade. Then something stuck him from behind, the ground rushed up to meet him, and darkness fell.
Artemis
When Artemis turned, she saw the Celestial Bronze shield strike Percy in the back of the head. The thrower, a centaur, yelped with glee as the point of Clytius's Stygian Iron blade dipped and struck, pinning Percy to the ground. Thank the Fates for the curse, she thought as she drew. Pouring every ounce of power she had left into the arrow, she released. As the arrow flew she sent out a mental plea for help, and fell to her knees, body suddenly weak. Poseidon!
The arrow flew true, striking Clytius in the temple with enough force to lift him from the ground and send him crashing into the tall cypress trees at the edge of the camp. The cursed blade fell beside Percy, thankfully not touching his flesh. With all the power of a hurricane, Poseidon arrived then, the Earth shaking at his fury. The remaining monsters fled. The sea god looked around, eager for something to destroy in his rage. Artemis pushed herself to her feet as his eyes fell on the motionless Giant. Poseidon stalked forward, raised his trident high, and then brought it down with a roar of fury, pinning Clytius through the stomach to the ground. An Earthen hand began to form and Poseidon stomped a foot, the earthquake intensified. "Try it Gaea," Artemis could hear him growl. "I dare you." As Artemis reached Percy the hand fell away. The Earth stopped shaking.
Poseidon turned, rage subsiding, and hurried toward them as Artemis helped Percy to his feet. "What happened?" Poseidon asked worriedly.
Percy opened his mouth to speak then closed it again, hanging his head in exhaustion and leaning heavily on her shoulder. Weak as I am we both might end up in the mud soon, Artemis thought. "Stygian Iron," Artemis answered tiredly for him. "A drakon showed up and I had to fight it off. When I turned back around Clytius had him pinned to the ground with his sword." Her head sank wearily, and Poseidon stepped forward quickly to take Percy from her. She smiled thankfully. "Trying to absorb Percy's soul when he realized he couldn't pierce his flesh I assume. I stopped it in time, if only just," she finished.
Poseidon nodded and looked down at his weary son, then shook his head. "We need another demigod," he said. "Percy is too weak. I'll go to Camp…"
"No!" Percy's stern if quiet voice cut in. He took a number of short breaths to steady himself, then with what looked like an enormous force of will, straitened. Artemis was shocked, weak as he was, he was able to lift his gaze and met his father's eyes. "I'll do it," he said. Percy waited for Poseidon's hesitant nod before bending down and pulling Annabeth's dagger from his ankle sheath. Artemis watched silently as he forced himself to straighten once more, then began walking slowly toward the fallen Giant. After a moment, she followed.
They reached Clytius together, and without ceremony Percy drove the dagger through his left eye. Artemis caught him as he collapsed.
Percy (Three days later)
Percy opened his eyes to early morning sunlight streaming through the window. Disoriented, he looked around worriedly. Where am I, he thought as he tried to rise and fell back into the bed with a gasp. "Whoa," he muttered through clenched teeth. "Big mistake." He felt as if he'd been run over by a train. His whole body hurt. Every muscle was sore with the dull ache of a beating. Ok focus, he told himself. I'm in my bedroom in Mom's apartment. How did I get here? "What in Hades name happened," he asked the empty room.
A clear, pure, if slightly exasperated voice answered from the corner of the room. "For the second time your pride almost saw us killed," Artemis said. "Next time," she said sternly, "we do it my way." Percy rolled his eyes and turned his head in search of her. She was leaning against the wall in the corner, arms crossed and studying him with features sharp as a hawk. Her eyes softened after a moment. "You're lucky to be alive Percy," she told him quietly.
The fight came back to him then and he grunted. The blow that knocked him to the ground, the crushing weight as Clytius tried to push his sword through the curse, the spreading coldness as the damned iron drained away his life force. He'd known a true moment of panic then and tried to prepare for the end even as he fought the darkness with everything left inside of him. "Stygian Iron," he mumbled softly. "Makes sense it would work through the curse I guess." He chuckled then and said more warmly, "Good thing I didn't think to try it before you found me, huh? Then you'd be deprived of my company."
Percy saw Artemis's mouth twitch up at the corner as she shook her head in exasperation, and he let himself feel a moment of satisfaction at easing her tension. Striding forward she sat on the edge of the bed. "You've been out for three days," she said simply. "Your father and I thought you'd rest best here, so when you collapsed we brought you to your mother. She was worried at first, but Apollo assured us you'd recover."
Percy looked around worriedly. "Where is she," he asked.
"Finally resting," Artemis answered. "I was here yesterday evening with Apollo checking on you, and Paul asked me to watch over you during the night so Sally would sleep. She sat with you the first two days, and was exhausted by last night, but refused to leave. When I said I'd stay she finally went to get some sleep." Artemis smirked and added, "I guess she assumed your future wife would look after you as well as your mother."
Percy fought down a blush. Gods, he thought, I hope I'll get used to that one day. The idea of marrying Artemis still made him slightly uncomfortable. He liked her well enough, but he still couldn't shake the feeling that even contemplating the idea was a betrayal of Annabeth's memory. I'll have to, he told himself, I don't have a choice. His allegiance to Olympus demanded no less. Aloud he asked, "She knows then?"
Artemis simply nodded, "Paul told her last night. Though gods only know how he found out. I assumed Nico told him, but the boy denied it."
Percy shrugged, then winced at the dull aching it caused. "I'm really not used to pain," he muttered, ignoring Artemis's amused grin. "He's a smart man," Percy said in a louder voice. "He probably figured it out himself."
"Maybe," Artemis began, but cut off as the door swung open and in ran a bouncing Ava.
"Percy's awake," she screamed back out the door before launching herself onto the bed. Percy grunted in pain as he sat up to catch her, then grunted again when she threw her arms around his neck. A quick squeeze and a moment later she was gone, lifted away by a smiling Artemis. Percy fell back into the bed thankfully.
"Alright Ava," Artemis said in a warm but stern voice. "Your brother awake, but he's still in pain. Sit right here beside me and you can talk to him."
"Ok Artemis," Ava said in a respectful tone, and then turned back toward Percy. "I thought you said you were indestructible!"
Percy chuckled and suppressed a wince. "I've told you sis, I'm invulnerable. I can still get hurt."
Ava stuck out her bottom lip in a pouty expression. "Well that's silly," she declared. "You should be indestructible."
"Gods help us if he were," Artemis muttered behind Ava. "His head is already big enough as it is."
Together Ava and Artemis chuckled at his indignant "Hey!"
Suddenly Ava jumped down from the bed, "I'm going get mom!" she said, and was gone as fast as she'd appeared.
Artemis sighed and rose. "I better go stop her from waking you mother so early," Artemis said. "She needs her rest," her eyes sharpened, "and so do you. Relax Percy, I'll be just outside if you need me," she said as she walked after Ava.
Percy nodded as Artemis closed the door behind her. He closed his eyes, and though he could have sworn he wasn't tired, sleep took him in a matter of moments.
So we really got the full range of emotions in this chapter. Contentment then tension/apprehension on the beach. Annoyance and anger in the search. Anger, fear, and panic during the battle. Confusion and a touch of happiness back at the apartment. Talk about a roller coaster of emotions here. It was kind of confusing to keep everything straight during the writing process, so I hope everything is clear here with the final product. I'm pretty sure it is, but I'm a worrier sometimes.
We finally get a glimpse into Percy's feeling about the whole situation with Artemis, and it's a little worrisome. He's not completely comfortable with it, though he's trying to be, which makes sense really. This is a complex situation involving two complex characters. It's not supposed to be a cut and dry easy cruise to a happy ending. There are going to be many, many bumps along the way.
Also I just want to say how hilarious it is to me that Artemis is acting like a concerned housewife. Ok, housewife isn't the correct term, she's just helping care for a sick friend, but still it was fun to write.
Percy's pride continues to be a problem. That's two Giant's they've faced together and both times his pride has gotten one of them injured. First Artemis and now Percy. He really should have just let his father help. He's also very quick to anger in this chapter, but he's also quicker to laugh and joke as well (really this observation is for both this chapter as well as the previous one). We'll have to see where that leads together.
Stygian Iron is iron that's quenched in the Styx, and is itself cursed by the Styx. Since I decided I didn't want Percy completely invulnerable I decided that Stygian Iron would be the logical choice to sidestep the curse of Achilles, after a fashion at least. Makes sense to me that one curse of the Styx can do strange things to another. It can't hurt him physically, but it's no less deadly because of it. I have no idea if this is cannon or not, but it is for this story.
Unimportant side note, I grew up in south Louisiana and have trudged through marshes similar to the one in the chapter on more than on occasion. As a matter of fact I was doing it this past Saturday, but my trip was only about one hundred yards. It sucks by the way. You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to walk only a few yards when you sink up to your waist or more with every step into mud the consistency of melted ice cream. Fighting that for two hours would be enough to wear anyone out, so that's why Artemis and Percy were so tired so early in their search.
I think that's about it. As always thank you to both my new and loyal readers! (And a shout out to without a doubt my most loyal reader dogbiscuit1967) If you have and questions, comments, criticisms, suggestions, and/or (hopefully) praise, then leave a review and let me know! Knowing people are reading my stories is what makes me love writing them, so please leave a review!