Hey guys, I deeply apologize for not uploading a new chapter as I said I would. I know this is a terrible and generic excuse, but I had exams. I'm planning on moving to the UK for university and I was taking tests for the same. ACT/SAT/IELTS and the likes. Again, while I have finished some tests, others are yet to be written. I hope you like the chapters I'm uploading now. Yes, I am uploading two today, cause you guys are amazing.

Artemis' POV(dreamscape):

I found myself on Olympus as I shut my eyes. It wasn't usual for gods to get dreams as Morpheus was decreed by my father to not influence other gods unless prompted by The Fates. The throne room glowed magnificently, like the days of old when Zeus had brought us to Olympus to be made into gods. The Corinthian pillars shone of polished marble, the thrones hummed with untold power. It was truly worthy of the gods. The daughter of Athena implemented a surprising idea. She modified the thrones to absorb and hold the excess power we receive through prayers. This, in turn, served as a place for temporary recharge/healing.

I could see my father sitting with a smug smile on his face. A look I often saw on Hermes' face after a successful prank. Guess I know now that Hermes didn't get it from his mother. I was thrown out my chain of thought by a blast that had almost torn the doors from their hinges. Expecting my father to yell I looked at the intruders who damaged the doors.

I was taken aback by my father's, rather nonchalant, comment, "Brothers, you guys are paying for that, as well as facing my granddaughter about structural damage." Poseidon quaking with anger demanded, "WHAT DID YOU DO? WHO DID YOU LET LEECH OFF MY DOMAINS!? WHAT THE HADES DID YOU DO? ANSWER ME!" The Lord of Dead seemingly losing all his frustration sighed. "Why do you guys still curse with my name? It was a terrible joke to begin with, and, yes little brother, what have you done? We both felt a significant loss from our domains." The Lord of the Sky kept his face devoid of emotions before giving an amused smile. "While I have no idea what you're talking about, I gather that both of you are weaker now. So, I guess Mother Rhea will love me most then, eh Poseidon? Being the strongest now."

Poseidon slammed his trident on the floor, creating fractures along the marble. "You interfered with my domains. You banished my son for no reason but paranoia. Sally is not in the US any longer, making it harder for me to help them. That spawn of Athena crushed my boy's heart, while your daughter went to finish the job. To shatter it." I flinched at the accusation, but he continued. "You continue to insult me and my household. A transgression that I won't tolerate any longer. Fight your own wars, brother, for Atlantis won't aid you till I see you beg for it at my feet." And with that my uncle left.

Hades, then spoke softly, breaking the silence that seemed to encompass the chamber, saying, "You know, that nephew of ours has done so much for us. We have been more of a family these 10 years than over the past few millennia. Don't sabotage that, little brother." And with that, the Lord of the Dead walked to a pillar before melting into a shadow.

Once again alone, my father sighed. "I wish I knew another way. This is something I must do to not sabotage the future." I finally realized the time period this scene was from. A decade since Percy Jackson was exiled. A year after I screwed up. The year Zeus, for the first time in millennia, looked disappointed in me.

The scene changed, became unfocused before finally leaving me at my Hunt. It was forest which we had been to many years ago. Seeing that my real self was absent, I had a very good idea as to what happened next. My hunters sat around the fire talking, laughing, being a family. This is my home away from home. My refuge from the millennia of disappointments that I felt towards my own family. The mirage shattered when one of the patrols sounded the alarm. A monster attack. My hunters immediately got to their positions. The little ones were enclosed in a protective circle, while the experienced ones held their bows taut, ready to fire. A few seconds of calm followed. One could almost be forgiven to think that it was a false alarm. Almost. Then the monsters came. There were far too many, about 700 monsters. My half-sister, recognizing the threat, held her charm in a desperate attempt to call me. I remember not being able to go immediately due to a council meeting. Phoebe, prompted, "She can't come now. Fight. It will buy time for the others until my lady gets back."

I looked on with both pride and anguish. Proud of the skill and dexterity showcased by my hunters, while in anguish about being unable to help them. Emily moved with such practiced grace, an onlooker would believe it was a dance. The battle raged on for a few more minutes before it took a turn for the worst. Three of the hunters protecting the younger ones were struck with a spear in the shoulder. Not fatal, but will make sure they can't fire with their bows. I looked on with tears as they snapped the shaft and took out a dagger, ready to protect and defend the children. It was when Atalanta was struck too, that I saw something that would never be able to explain. Chloé screamed, before squeezing her silver necklace in her small hands and shouting, "DADDY! HELP US!"

Blinding white light seemed to originate from Chloé's person. My lieutenant who mistook it for my arrival or of another god's, commanded, "EYES CLOSED! NOW!" I remember that day. I remember arriving in full battle regalia, ready to face any number of foes to protect my handmaidens, only to find all of them perfectly fine without as much as a scratch on them. I remembered the honest confusion on the faces of my hunters, Chloé yelling at the top of her lungs words of gratitude to a father who was long gone from this world. I had always been curious as to what happened, and I guess, I got my chance.

The light burst outwards in blinding speeds, encompassing a mile worth of woodlands. It froze every single monster and healed each one of my hunters. The monsters froze into what I could only call the most terrified ice sculptures I had ever seen. I saw myself flash into the clearing before I woke from the bizarre experience.

Thalia's POV:

It was a brisk Sunday morning. Apollo flew above, barely more than a quarter way through his duties. As I looked about the camp, I found one thing out of place. Artemis wasn't awake yet. "Well, that's odd," and with that, I left to wake my elder sister up.

Sauntering until her tent, I thought of different pranks I could play in lieu of waking her up. As I was about to knock, I heard sobbing and sniffling from inside the tent. Unsure of what to do, I did the easie- I mean the responsible thing. I eavesdro- assessed the situation. In a voice I couldn't believe belonged to my patron, I heard, "I fucked up… I'm… I'm so sorry… I

I didn't know what to do… I didn't know he would misunderstand...I was just confused... How… Ho-How could I have known." Not being able to take it any longer, I knocked. "My Lady, may I come in? I have something to discuss." "Come in, Thalia," she said in a voice that somehow masked the pain it held earlier.

"Good morning, Thalia," the moon goddess said in faux cheer. "I know we planned to move today, but this part of the woods is so beautiful this time of year. It would be a shame to ignore it. Do tell the rest that we need not pack up just yet." I nodded, gathering the courage to say the what I had come for. We may share a sisterly bond, and behave amicably, but at the end of the day, she is a goddess, my patron, and gods don't take kindly to insubordination.

"Permission to speak freely, my lady," I asked respectfully. Eyeing my choice of words, her countenance changed. "Yes, lieutenant." Choosing my words carefully, I said, "My Lady, as your lieutenant, I serve a position that helps the Hunt function smoothly. I help the younger ones with training, maintain accord in camp, and lead in your absence. As our leader, you are vital to this, and anything affecting you affects us. So, let me help you. Every few years, you look sullen, devoid of life. It's not the death of hunters either because barely any have died over the past few centuries." I looked into her eyes and in barely a whisper I said, " Please don't tell me it's nothing. I heard you cry before I came in. I am not only your lieutenant but also your sister. Let me help you. I want to. I can't see you like this."

Artemis could be hard to read when she wanted to, but to someone who has been by her side for more than five hundred years, she is an open book. It's her eyes. They speak words her voice has not the courage to convey. The goddess' silver pools moved from confusion, to fear, to anger, to an expression I had seen many times in my long lost cousin. Guilt. Finally breaking what seemed like an eternity of silence she said, "Come back in at the end of the day. I'll tell you everything." and with that, I was dismissed.