So this is the chapter I've had in mind from the beginning. It's actually the first idea I had for this story, and what I build the rest of the tale around. Brace yourselves. Hope you guys like it!

Percy

"I still think you're over reacting," Percy grumbled as he walked up the hill beside Artemis. He'd been in a foul mood all day, and the uphill hike was not helping it any. "And why'd we have to drive here? I hate traffic." In truth he still hurt everywhere, and sitting in a car for over an hour didn't help his stiff muscles. "Flashing would have been so much easier," he muttered trying to distract himself from what was really bothering him.

If Artemis noticed his disgruntled attitude she ignored it. "It's only been a few days Percy," she responded evenly. "Your body is still too traumatized to handle any godly form of transportation, so we do it this way." Ahead, Percy could make out Peleus wrapped around the base of Thalia's Pine. "Besides," Artemis said with a hint of a smile in her voice, "I wouldn't want to scare the children." She paused before adding, "Too much anyway."

"This is unnecessary," Percy said adamantly, unable to contain his frustration any longer, much more adamantly than he really felt. The past few days had been nearly a constant argument over this new plan of hers, and his patience was wearing thin. "We don't need help. There's no need to put other people in danger!" In truth her plan terrified him. The last person who had helped him fulfill a great prophecy had wound up dead. What if I can't protect them, he thought? Gods I can't be responsible for another friend's death. I wouldn't be able to take it.

Artemis stopped and turned, grabbing his arm to halt him as well. She studied his face with those piercing silver eyes, and Percy couldn't hold her gaze. He looked away; sure his terror was etched plainly across his face. After a moment Artemis released his arm and raised her hand to his face, cupping his cheek, and turning his face back toward her. "Listen to me," she said softly, but firmly. "What happened was not your fault, and your friends' safety is not your responsibility. If anyone chooses to come with us it will be their choice, no one will force them." She paused for a moment and the sternness faded from her features. Her eyes softened and she continued more gently. "Do not take from them the opportunity to fight for their lives Percy, because that's what they'll be doing. If we fail this world as you know it dies. You don't have to be the only hero in the world Percy. Trust me, that is a lonely place to be."

Percy opened his mouth to respond but no words came out. Finally after a moment he was able to croak out, "How..?"

Artemis just smiled fondly. "Sometimes I think you forget I'm a three thousand year old goddess. I can read people. Especially you after all these months." Percy wasn't sure how he felt about that. It still felt like a betrayal of Annabeth's memory to him. He ignored the offending feelings. Her hand fell and they turned back up the hill resuming their climb. "A blind man could see the thought of others fighting your battles terrifies you Percy, but we can't do this alone." They walked in silence for a moment then in a quieter voice she whispered as if to herself, "Before this is done we'll have to send our daughter into the fray as well."

Percy wasn't sure he was supposed to hear that last bit, but her own terror at the thought broke through to him. The sound of Artemis's fear gave him the strength to fight down his panic. Our daughter he though incredulously. Gods that is so strange. He'd only recently gotten used to the idea of traveling with Artemis; the thought of marrying and having a child with her was too outlandish to contemplate. Ignoring the guilt that line of thinking always brought on, he decided to try and break some of the tension. "Daughter," he asked with mock indignation? "What makes you think we're going to have a daughter? I'm thinking it's going to be a boy myeslf. A son would be a much better warrior if you and I are anything to go by." She swatted his arm, much harder than was strictly necessary, and he was chuckling at her genuine indignation as they crested the hill. Below was Camp Half-Blood. Sighing loudly, but still chuckling softly, Percy said, "Ok. Let's get this over with." Together they walked down the hill.

Artemis

Percy sat talking with the older demigods around the ping pong table in the Big House. Veterans of the Second Olympian War all, these were the best soldiers Olympus had to offer. At least he's laughing now, Artemis thought. Those two sons of Hermes would mock him mercilessly if they'd have seen his panic from earlier. She watched Percy through the doorway of Chiron's office, trying to ignore Dionysus's complaints. "…finally got rid of those brats, and you had to bring them back!" his voice finally broke into her thoughts.

Sighing, Artemis turned to Dionysus. "Ohh be quiet. Everyone knows you secretly love your campers Dionysus, drop the act with me."

Dionysus cut off instantly and glared at her. Finally he grumbled, "Yes. Well, that pet of yours might not be so bad, but the others are just a pain."

Rolling her eyes, Artemis turned to Chiron. "These are all you could gather?" The day she and Poseidon had brought Percy to his mother's apartment to heal she'd contacted Chiron and asked him to gather these veterans. The days of her and Percy hunting Giants alone were over. Though it hurt her pride to admit it, this was too big of a job for the two of them to do alone. Before I always had my hunters to help me with jobs like this, she told herself. Just think of these as your new hunters. The thought bothered her more than she was willing to admit.

"All the others have begun personal lives outside of the Greek world," he said. "If you command me I'll contact them, but I did not want to interrupt their happiness unless it was absolutely necessary."

"Happiness," Artemis asked? "What about these, they're not happy?"

"Lady Aphrodite has blessed the veteran who desired it in their hearts," Chiron answered. "Some are now married and have started families of their own, though they are unaware of her interference. Others Lady Athena has blessed and they have gone to college and started careers in the mortal worlds. Many wanted nothing to do with the Greek world after the war and have gone their own way." He paused then looking sorrowful. "The war was a trying time for us all. I do try to keep in touch with as many as possible though." He nodded to the game room. "These are the few who wanted to remain in the Greek world after the war, so I called them first."

Artemis smiled. "Father should really take this job from Dionysus and give it to you Chiron; you're the best mentor these children could hope for."

Dionysus grunted his agreement, and Chiron blushed from the praise. Clearing his throat he continued. "Katie Gardner is one who will probably not be much help on your quest, her talents lie in other areas than combat, but she is a veteran so I called her as you commanded." Artemis smiled again, this centaur was the perfect servant of Olympus, always obedient and courageous. A better servant that many of us deserve, she thought looking at Dionysus. Laughter came from the other room, a response to some unheard joke. Chiron sighed. "The Stoll brothers are both good fighters, but their mischievous nature would make me hesitate to take them on a prolonged quest. Lord Hermes probably wouldn't let them go anyway. He's been using them as his personal messengers these past few years. Clarisse is one of the best warriors I've ever trained. You'll want her My Lady if she's willing. Will is Lord Apollo's son, an excellent healer, and I'm sure he'll follow Nico if you decide to take him. Those two don't like being separated for all Nico tries to hide it."

Artemis nodded. "Nico has already decided to accompany us, and Hestia has given Thalia permission as well." She thought for a moment. "A healer will probably be of some use, so Will will be welcome." She rose and Chiron followed suit, Dionysus did as well, if more slowly. "We'll have to see if the others want to come or not. I promised Percy I'd let them make the decision themselves."

Artemis walked into the game room and conversation cut off the demigods around the table rose in respect. You're trained them well Chiron, she thought. Well...mostly. Of course, Percy was the last one on his feet. He turned and raised an eyebrow. "Finally," he said. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever decide to join us."

Artemis almost laughed. Save for Nico and Thalia, and Dionysus who didn't appear to be paying attention, shock painted the faces of everyone in the room. Smart move Percy, she thought. Get this out of the way early so they'll relax. Percy's satyr friend Grover looked torn between running and hiding under the table. The Oracle standing beside Percy, Rachel was her name, looked about ready to swat him in the back of the head, but was unsure how Artemis would react. The others were too shocked to move. "If you missed me that much," Artemis replied lightheartedly, "all you had to do call out. I could have used an excuse to get away from my complaining half-brother anyway."

Percy snorted a laugh, "Ever since I woke up you've done nothing but hover," he said. "I needed the break."

Artemis rolled her eyes and pulled out the chair at the head of the table. "I don't recall you complaining much when you needed help to even get out of the bed this morning," she said. "Though, to your credit," she continued musingly, "you were able to dress yourself, so that's something at least." One of the Stoll brothers broke into laughter, and Percy blushed a deep crimson. Artemis smiled, and addressed the room. "Relax everyone," she said sitting. "You lot have nothing to fear from me. Speak freely. Any friends of Percy are friends of mine. Please, sit."

Rachel appeared to come to a decision then. Reaching up, she swatted Percy in the back of the head, and then sat with a nod toward Artemis. "Hey," Percy said rubbing the back of his head. "What was that for?"

"For being rude," she said primly, and nodded for him to sit. Ohh I like this Oracle, Brother, she thought. You finally picked a good one. He did so grumbling, and the others followed suit. Chiron rolled his wheelchair up to take the place to Artemis's right, and Dionysus took the seat at the other end of the table summoning a diet Coke. Artemis considered summoning a glass of wine just to annoy him for his earlier comments, but discarded the idea. The others spread out between them.

"I'm sure," Artemis began, "that Percy has at least told you why we're here." She waited for the demigods to nod. "Then I don't see any reason to waste time," she said. "We need help. Nico has already volunteered, and Hestia has given Thalia permission to join, but I'd be willing to take more if any of you would like to join us."

Beside Nico, Will spoke. "If Nico's going then I guess I will too," he said. The tall athletic looking blond shrugged, looking sheepish. "Besides," he said looking between Artemis and Percy, "Dad made it pretty clear that I need to go to take care of you two. His words, not mine," he added quickly when Percy's gaze hardened.

Artemis rolled her eyes, but ignored the comment. Can't help meddling can you Brother, she thought sending her consciousness toward him.

Love you too Sis, Apollo thought back.

It was Thalia who answered. "A healer would be helpful to have," she offered, "and another archer in the group would be useful as well."

Artemis nodded, remembering back to when having a healer nearby when facing a Giant had probably saved her life. "Very well," she said. "Anyone else?"

"I'll go," Clarisse said. "Dad would disown me if I passed up a chance to kill a Giant. Can't say I'd blame him either, I'd do the same thing." She grinned evilly looking at Percy, "Besides, you'll need at least one person who can fight a battle without ending up bedridden."

Percy just raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Give me a few more day to recover then meet me in the arena, we'll put that claim to the test." He turned to the Stoll brothers. "What about you two," he asked?

Travis shrugged. "We've been working for Dad these past few years, and I can ask, but I doubt he'd let us off to go." He nodded toward his brother, "Busy as he is he won't want to lose his two best workers." Across the table Katie snorted in disbelief.

Connor smirked and asked, "What about you Gardner?"

Katie raised both hands shaking her head. "My questing days are done," she said. "I'll help in other ways if I can, but I'm no warrior."

Artemis nodded. She'd expected as much given Chiron's assessment. "Six members then," she said. "This will be a crowded quest."

Thalia grinned. "I think we can make it work," she said. Fates send it's so, Artemis thought. So, so much is riding on this group.

Later that night, Artemis found herself back at Paul and Sally's apartment with her newly recruited demigods. She stood in the doorway to the kitchen watching Percy laughing with his friends in the living room. Ava, excited beyond all reason by the number of new people, bounced from lap to lap. She sensed Sally's presence behind her and turned to greet the woman with a smile. "Thank you once again," Artemis said, "for dinner."

Sally waved Artemis's gratitude off. She's grown more comfortable around me, Artemis thought still smiling. "Please," Sally said. "After all you've done for my son dinner is the least I can do for you, My Lady. Anything in my power is yours. You only need to ask."

"As far as I'm concerned the company is payment enough," Artemis told her. "I grew accustomed to living with Evelyn. I liked it there. Female human companionship is something I've missed these past few months."

Together they turned toward the laughing demigods sitting around the living room. Clarisse was trying to scare Ava with some over the top story about the quest for the Golden Fleece and Polyphemus's carnivorous sheep. "Well, My Lady," Sally said at her side. "You're always welcome here." With that she patted Artemis's arm in a distinctly maternal way, and went to join her children her children.

After a few moments, Paul took Sally's place beside Artemis. She acknowledged his presence with a nod, and together they watched in silence. "It's a relief to see the two of them happy again," Paul said after a moment.

Again, Artemis nodded her agreement. "It will take some time," she said, "but Percy is healing. Hopefully being around family and friends so often will keep him from going back down a dark path." Fates send it so anyway, she thought thinking back to his treatment of Rubi. Things between she and Percy were finally starting to smooth out. "You, Sally, and Ava, along with Poseidon, Thalia and Nico pulled him back from that edge. Now we just have to make sure he stays back."

Beside her Paul grunted and Artemis turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "Forgive me, My Lady," he said, before continuing. She'd given up months ago trying to convince him not to use the honorific. "Percy is without a doubt much better than he was at Christmas, but I think you're selling your own part in that short."

"What do you mean," Artemis asked him curiously. "All I've done is make sure he stays in touch with his family and friends."

"You've done more than that My Lady," Paul said watching her over the rim of his glasses. "He'd never admit it right now, most likely not even to himself, but he's fond of you." Paul looked down, seeming somewhat embarrassed. "I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds, but his mother and I can see it. I'm sure Poseidon could too if the man ever stopped worrying. Whatever you're doing, it's working."

Artemis looked back toward the living room, eyes falling on Percy. He's fond of me is he, she thought? She braced herself for the anger that usually rose with that line of thinking, but strangely none did. All she felt was a slightest feeling of contentment. "I've been a traveling companion to him Paul," she said. "Nothing more."

Beside her Paul shrugged. "I've read the fatal flaw of Poseidon's children is loyalty. Maybe to one whom loyalty means so much, loyal companionship is enough."

Well that makes sense I guess, she thought. Looks like the Fates might have known what they were doing after all. "I've been meaning to ask you," Artemis said after a moment. "How did you know what Percy and I would one day become?"

Paul grimaced. "Poseidon told me," he said. "He wanted to look out for Sally, Ava, and I to make sure Gaea doesn't come at us to get to Percy, so he filled me in and let me know he'd be watching." Paul shook his head ruefully, "I'm thankful for the protection I guess, but having my wife's ex-lover watching me all the time does feel strange."

Artemis cursed quietly. "Stupid," she muttered to herself. "I'm talking about me Paul," she added quickly when he glanced at her, "not you. I should have thought of that before now." Gods, she thought, I'm losing my touch. "How long has this been going on?" she asked.

"He, Athena, and Hestia came to me the same day you and Percy left the first time," he said. "I think they had Hecate set wards around the apartment as well."

Artemis felt her eyebrows rise at that. "Powerful protectors indeed," she said, "and more diligent than I have been. For that I'm sorry Paul."

"No need, My Lady," he said. "You've had bigger things than three mortals to worry about."

Again her eyes found Percy, now talking to his mother with Ava sleeping in his lap. For once he looked content. "I'm not so sure about that," she murmured to herself.

Percy (Two months later, making this mid- September 2015)

Percy ducked beneath Enceladus' spear and grinned as Clarisse hamstrung the Giant from behind. This is so much easier with help, he thought charging in with Riptide held high as the Giant was distracted. This Giant had only taken two months to track down and they'd caught up with him and his army somewhere near the Mississippi/Louisiana boarder. It seemed this Enceladus was more intelligent that is brethren however, as this camp had no major sources of water in the vicinity. The massive spear slammed down where Clarisse had been standing moments before, and Percy struck. Leaping, he drove his sword through the Giant's thigh. Enceladus threw back his head and roared with pain, purple fire streaming from his jaws like a dragon. Percy danced back as Enceladus swung the massive spear erratically downward. Thalia and Nico closed in on Enceladus' other side, and Percy turned his attention to the Earthborn.

"What was that?" Clarisse asked lightly as the battle brought them near each other. Supremely confident as always, Percy thought.

Percy shrugged in answer. "Evidently he can breathe fire," he said. After a moment's pause to cut down a pair of Earthborn and a cyclops he added, "I feel like we should have known that before coming into battle." Behind him the Giant roared in pain again, and Percy could feel the heat of its breath on his back. Cutting down another pair of Earthborn he spun, eyes searching. Two silver arrows protruded from the Giants forehead, and he was falling. Almost as one Percy and Clarisse dashed forward, ignoring the remaining monsters around them. On the Giant's other side he could see Thalia and Nico doing the same. All four were too late. A golden arrow suddenly sprouted from the Giant's temple before he struck the ground, and he exploded into a cloud of golden dust.

They all skidded to a halt where the Giant had been lying moments before, golden dust falling around them. Clarisse swore. "Dammit Will!" she screamed. "Using a bow isn't fair! That's cheating!"

Percy's eyes found Will in a tree on the side of the clearing picking off the few remaining monsters as they fled. When he was done he dropped to the ground smiling. "Cheating?" he asked Clarisse. "I'm just using the skills my father blessed me with, same as you." He laughed at her indignant expression, "What's that now, one for me and zero for each of you? It seems to me like I'm winning this little game!"

"Hey now!" Percy said quickly, interrupting Will's gloating before he got himself punched by Clarisse. "What about me? I've killed two so far. It seems to me like I'm winning." Listening with only half an ear, Percy searched the tree line for Artemis. He'd glimpsed her disappearing into the trees out the corner of his eye as he and the others had dashed for the falling Giant.

Thalia waved her hand dismissively. "You had a head start," she said. "Those two don't count."

That spun him around, and it was his turn to be indignant. "Don't count!?" he sputtered. "That last one nearly killed me! What do you mean they don't count?"

Nico shrugged. "The rest of us weren't even in the game yet," he said calmly. "How can you count those two if none of us were there to try for the kill?"

Percy's eyes narrowed at the younger man. "And to think I called you friend," he said darkly. The others, Nico included, burst out laughing at that, and Percy had to join them. "Ok fine," he said when he caught his breath, "those two won't count, but I'm still going to kick all your asses."

"Ha," Clarisse laughed, "we'll see about that!"

"We will indeed," Nico said. "Why don't we set up camp here while we wait for Lady Artemis to return? I think she was trying to rundown one of those fleeing monsters to question it, but I'm not sure."

Percy nodded. "She is," he said. "I saw her leaving right after she loosed her arrows. She should be back soon."

Thalia grinned and murmured, "He always seems to have an eye on her doesn't he?" Percy tried to ignore the comment as the others laughed.

As it turned out it took Artemis longer to return than he'd expected. The sun was setting, and Percy was nearly ready to go searching for her when she appeared through the trees at the edge of the clearing. Reaching the fire at the center of the ring of tents she sat down beside him and accepted a bowl of stew from Thalia. "So," he asked, "did you learn anything?"

Artemis glanced at him with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She never used to have that, he thought with an inward smile. This lot is a bad influence on her. "As a matter of fact I did," she said. "While you lot were playing kill the Giant I was actually doing something useful." She paused to blow on a spoonful of stew before taking a bite. "I managed to run down a pair of young cyclops who were more than willing to talk after a little persuasion." Nico and Clarisse perked up at that, but Artemis ignored them. "Anyway, evidently there are two more armies in the area, one of them with a pair of Giants. Most likely Otis and Ephialtes, none of the others could ever work together for long; the other one lead by an unknown Giant, which admittedly could be problematic."

"So it's as you thought then, My Lady," Will said. Percy smiled at that. Despite all of her protest, the others, save for Thalia, insisted on continuing to use the honorific. Finally a few weeks ago Artemis had given up on trying to change their minds, but he could still see her stiffen slightly each time it was used. "The Giants have split their forces into smaller groups. Did they know where the armies were located?"

"They did not," Artemis sighed, as much at the title as at the lack of information Percy thought. "But knowing they're close by does narrow the search perimeter significantly, so that's something at least." Looking up from her meal she cocked an eyebrow. "So…which one of you ended up landing the killing blow? I was gone before my arrows even struck."

"I did," Will said proudly. Beside him Clarisse grumbled but said nothing.

Artemis smiled, "Yet more proof of the bow's superiority to other weapons. Well done Will." Her eyes twinkled again, "It looks to me like you're winning this game."

Percy groaned. "Not you too?" he pleaded to a chorus of laughter.

Artemis (Winter Solstice meeting 2015)

Artemis flashed into the Hall of the Gods and looked around. The past few months had gone better than she could have ever hoped. After the first clash with Enceladus, she and her group of demigods had found one more monster army just outside Biloxi. An unusually large on whose leader had turned out to be Polybotes. After a long and bitter fight, after which Will's healing abilities had come in particular handy, Percy finally slew his father's bane, much to the delight of Olympus. Even now the demigods were closing in on Otis and Ephialtes. Within a matter of days the twins would be found, and, as far as they knew, the country would be free of Giants for the time being. Artemis itched to rejoin her friends in their search.

Artemis sighed. No use being upset about it, she told herself. The council needs an update, and you needed to be at this meeting anyway. Still, she couldn't help feeling a little impatient. She counted the gods who had already arrived. Waiting on my brother as always, she thought to herself noting the numerous small groups spread throughout the hall. Beside the Hearth, Poseidon and Athena were talking to Hestia. Strange, she thought as she grew to her godly height and sat in her silvery throne. What are those three up to? She knew they were looking after Percy's family together, but it was still odd to see Poseidon and Athena speaking quietly with their heads together like that. Not even a hint of hostility, she noted.

Apollo flashed in near his throne she noticed absently. Finally, she thought. We can get started. Her eyes rose to him and her breath caught. Though he wore his usual surfer garb, none of his usual playful attitude was present. Somethings wrong, she realized. He searched the room until his eyes met hers and he strode purposefully toward her, a serious look on his face. Artemis rose to greet him. "Where's Percy and the others?" he asked in a hard edged voice when he reached her. Artemis felt a pit form in her stomach. Apollo was rarely serious, but she'd learned that when the God of Prophecy grew like this it was time to pay attention.

"Still in the South," she replied immediately. "They're hunting the last Giant army there. I'll be rejoining them when we're done here."

Before the words were even out of her mouth her brother was shaking his head and muttering. "No. No no no no…That won't work" he whispered, tapping his chin as if thinking. Artemis felt her eyes grow wide. Few things in the world could upset her brother in such a way. By the Fates what has him this nervous, she thought? She hadn't seen him worked up like this in centuries. "No," he said again in a firm, if distracted, voice. "Go back now. I'll cover for you with Father." He looked around the Hall again till his eyes fell on their father and he took a step in that direction.

The pit in her stomach grew. "Apollo wait," she said quickly, grabbing his arm before he could slip away. "What in Hades name is going on?"

He roughly pulled his arm from her grip and kept walking. "Just trust me Sister," he said not turning around. "Go."

"Apollo," Artemis said softly, "you're scaring me." The admission worked as planned and brought him up short. He turned and met her eyes, and for the first time she could see the sheer terror hiding just below the surface. "What is going on?" she asked again urgently, fighting to keep the frantic edge from her voice.

"I don't know!" he forced out through clenched teeth, frustration tinging every word. "If I did I'd stop it, but it's just a feeling right now." He sighed heavily and his shoulders sagged. "A very, very bad feeling. Gaea will make a move tonight. I don't know where and I don't know how, but something will happen and it will be bad. A betting man would say she's going after Percy. I just want to be safe." He sighed again. "That's all Sis, I promise, so please, go to him. I'll make Father understand." Artemis met his eyes and held them for a long moment, then nodded slowly. She felt some of the tension in his arm drain away, and with that he turned again to go. Zeus's voice rang through the Hall then.

"I call this meeting to order," their father said. "Please take your seats." In an instant the assembled gods flashed to their thrones. Artemis cursed under her breath at the inconvenient timing, only she and Apollo remained where they were.

Artemis turned to her father and spoke. "Father," she said quickly. "I must go. Apollo says there's something wrong with this night and I do not wish to leave Percy guarded by only a handful of demigods. Should the Earth Mother herself move against him I would be there." A bit of an exaggeration she hoped, but she'd do anything to ensure Percy's safety. Including misleading my father. "Will you excuse me?"

Zeus looked taken back. "What's this?" he looking sharply at Apollo. "Is the Earth Mother awake? Why didn't…"

"Is my son in danger?" Poseidon demanded in a hard voice, rolling over Zeus' questions.

The other gods began pelting Apollo with questions, not giving him time to answer. Artemis barely heard them. Her eyes were on her brother. Whatever unseen pressure was on him seemed to increase visibly. He stood beside the Hearth stiff as a board. Every muscle in his body so tense he seemed to vibrate. His hands were raised to his ears as if to block out the sound and his eyes were clenched shut. She'd never seem him like this. The burden of prophecy grew heavy at times she knew, but what pressure had the Fates laid on him this time to push him to the edge of hysteria? What is coming for us?

"I don't know!" Apollo bellowed through the maelstrom of questions, his hands clenching fistfuls of his golden hair. Silence fell. No one dared speak, as if the magnitude of what was coming finally sank it. Whatever it is, this could end us, she realized with rising panic. Nothing else explained her brother's reaction.

"Why don't you tell us what you do know, Nephew," Hades finally said in his calm, steady way.

Apollo sagged with a sigh, then walked to his throne and sat down, head in his hands and staring at the floor. "I don't know Uncle," he said softly. "Doom is all I sense. Impending doom as if Moros himself were among us. It will be upon us soon." Suddenly he stiffened again and shot to his feet. "It's here," he said in a female's voice that was not his own. A voice with three layers. The Fates. Ohh gods that's the Fates!

A high-pitched shriek split the silence, and Artemis spun in time to see more flames than she'd ever seen engulf Hestia as she flashed away. The force of the other goddesses' departure struck her square in the chest and threw her out past the ring of thrones. Dazed, she raised her head in time to see Poseidon climbing to his feet, face blistered and bellowing with rage. Armor and weapons materialized as a geyser of water engulfed him, and he too was gone. A flash of light, and a third angry yell, this one feminine, told her a third council member had left in a rush. Beside her Hades was pushing himself to his feet. He looked around for a moment, before bending down and helping her up. "What was that?" Artemis croaked, throat dry, as she examined the cracked and blistered skin on her arms. If the doom was falling here then Percy was safe for now, and she need answers. The others, being farther away from the Hearth when Hestia left, had fared better, if only just. The entirety of the council had been blown from their thrones, and were picking themselves up off the floor.

"You just witnessed the true power of the Eldest Olympian," Hades said quietly. "Power she's kept hidden since before your birth. Power to rival even that of our father. What could make her reveal herself so?" He asked the air sounding troubled. Very troubled.

Power blossomed in the city below, and suddenly Artemis understood. That third flash of light had to be Athena. Hadn't she just noted what a strange trio those three made? Dread filled her as she realized what was happening. In a flash she was at the edge of Olympus looking down on New York, the other gods materializing beside her. Power blossomed again, and a wave of fire blew out the side of an apartment building. Artemis counted streets frantically, hoping against hope she was wrong. She wasn't. Before she knew what she was doing her bow was in her hand, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her from flashing down.

"No Sister," Apollo's weary voice said urgently. "Stay."

"That's Percy's family down there," she shrieked. "Let go of me! I have to help!"

"Do you not trust me Sister?" he asked harshly. He didn't wait for a reply, "Then trust me to tell you what is best! You will be needed here shortly. Stay!" The hardness in his voice made her pause, and she cursed. She knew he wouldn't lead her wrong in this. It was the hardest thing she'd ever done, but she nodded and his hand fell away.

Below, power blossomed for a third time, but this time it did not fade away. Instead it grew, growing stronger with each passing moment, until a burnt orange aura covered most of Manhattan. Power to rival Kronos indeed, Artemis thought in wonder. Then suddenly aura collapsed and a wave of orange energy shot at Olympus. It struck the wards surrounding the peak and they began to crumble. Off to the side she heard her father's urgent voice. "Find Hecate," he said to someone who she assumed was Hermes. The first layer of wards crumbled and the wave kept coming. The second layer fell, slowing the wave of energy significantly. The third and final layer held for a moment before shattering as well, and the wave of energy dissipated. For the first time since its founding, Olympus was fully exposed to the mortal world.

A flash of light behind Artemis announced someone's arrival, but Artemis could not pull her eyes from the burning apartment building below. "What the hell is going on," Hecate's voice demanded from behind. "The whole damned mountain is exposed!"

Behind her Artemis felt Hecate gathering her power. She means reset the wards, Artemis realized. "Wait," Apollo said. "Not yet."

"Are you mad?" Hecate asked him, voice rising. "Any mortal down there needs only look up and they'll see us. I can't wait."

"Then we'll wipe their damn memories!" Apollo yelled back. "I said wait!" Artemis heard Hecate scoff and continue gathering her power. "Dammit woman if you don't wait I'll kill you where you stand!" Hecate's power ceased gathering.

Bad move, Brother, Artemis thought. You just made a formidable enemy for life. But he's doing this Percy, even if I don't know how or why yet I have to help. Finally turning from the carnage below, Artemis raised her bow and drew. Out the corner of her eye she saw Apollo was also a full draw. "If you make a move Hecate," she said coldly. "You'll have us both to deal with."

Zeus swore in ancient Greek. "Ohh for the love of…just do what he says Hecate. The mortals below have already…" He cut off as someone flashed back into the Hall. Hestia's power flared again, somewhere miles to the north; distant this time, but stronger than before. What is she fighting? Artemis wondered in awe.

"Now," Apollo told Hecate. "Reset the wards." He turned to Artemis, "Follow me." They flashed to the Hall, and the majority of the council followed them. Sitting beside the Hearth, cradling a small child in her arms sat a weeping Athena, slowly rocking back and forth. Artemis was at her side in an instant, and Apollo was not much slower.

"I believe she's uninjured," Athena said through her tears. "But check her anyway Apollo."

"Small blow to the head," Apollo murmured. "Nothing serious, but it knocked her unconscious. If it pains her when she wakes I'll heal it, but right now it would just stress her body." He sighed and sat back, "You'll need to be there when she wakes Artemis. She's been through a lot, and a familiar face will help."

"How'd you know," Artemis asked her brother? No one, not even him, should be able to predict the future with this level of accuracy.

"The Fates took over my body just before Hestia left," he shivered. "Nothing like that has ever happened before, and I hope it never does again. But through their eyes I could see the next few minutes clearly enough to make some guesses." He sighed and looked down, "I wish it had been enough."

No. No, don't go there. "Who is this child," Hades' deep steady voice asked from behind?

Artemis turned to meet his gaze as Hestia's power flared again in the north, father this time, but no less powerful. "Her name is Ava," she told the Lord of Death quietly. "She's Percy's sister."

Hades' eyes widened, and he turned to stare at the floor with curious intensity. Directly at the apartment building, Artemis realized. Suddenly his face grew tight with worry. No, no it can't be. Then, for the first time in all her long life, Artemis heard fear tinging her uncle's voice. "Fates preserve us," he whispered.

Ouch…that hurt to write. I hope reading it has as much impact as writing it did. It's safe to assume given Hades' reaction someone is dead, and it's not going to be pretty. I warned you all from the beginning this would be a story of heartache and I meant it. We'll have to see where it goes from here.

We had a few touching moments with Paul and Sally which is nice, all things considered. I absolutely loved writing about the new Giant hunting team. The banter between them is great. Artemis and Percy are definitely getting closer, so that's good too. I guess we'll have to see how that last scene affects all of these things in the next chapter.

Also, how whatever it was that attacked the apartment was able to sneak past three Olympians and numerous wards will be explored as well in the next chapter, so don't think it's an oversight.

For those of you who missed it, Hestia took down the wards around Olympus intentionally so that Athena could retreat with Ava. Normally the wards would prevent a mortal from entering Olympus, so she had to do something. That's also why Apollo was so adamant on Hecate waiting till Ava showed up before resetting the wards. She can't pass through them, but once she already inside they can go up around her.

On a cheerier note to Kate Cambarshky: I can't reply to guest reviews so I'll do it here. Once you get your story done send me a link and I'll be happy to read it!

I think that's it for this chapter. It was one hell of a ride, and not in a good way. Let me know why you think by leaving a review. I love hearing back from my readers! It's why I write.