I know this chapter is long overdue, but here it is! As a reminder, Percy died and is now being sent back into the mortal world by Hermes's personal assistant, Elizabeth.

Disclaimer- I do not own Percy Jackson

Percy POV

The bright glow soon subsided, but I couldn't open my eyes, it was like something prevented them from doing so.

"There is nothing to fear Percy Jackson," a kind voice called out, "you are back home. All you have to do is listen to me."

I instantly felt like I could trust her, but back home? Where was I? Then the memories suddenly came back to me in one huge wave, the twin giants, Annabeth, Charan, Beckendorf, the Hydra, and the warm glow that took me away.

"Yes Percy Jackson," Elizabeth said, "you are no longer in the Underworld. The gods have given you a gift that cannot be returned. Let me open your eyes, and then we shall talk." Soft, delicate fingers touched my eyelids, and I was in an all too familiar room, the Big House, where we discussed our battle strategies. Except no one was around the ping pong table, and I was lying on it, trapped in my body. Unable to move.

I glanced to my left, Elizabeth, the one who had taken me away, smiled kindly down at me. She opened her mouth, but it was no longer her voice. It looked strangely like how Rachel recited prophecies. Except her eyes were like the moon, not a smoking green. Artemis seemed to be speaking through Elizabeth, "Percy, if you wish to regain control over your mortal body and save your friends, repeat after me. I pledge myself to the Goddess Artemis."

"Wait hold up," I protested, although it was weird since I couldn't move my hands, "No offense or anything Artemis, but I really don't want to become a Hunter. And, don't I have to be a girl?"

She stared at me blankly, like Artemis wasn't really here, but was only programmed to say the lines of her vow. I sighed, there was no way out of this, I had to pledge myself to Artemis since it seemed I wouldn't be returning to the Underworld, and I wouldn't be able to save my friends if I didn't. My friends. I was on Earth again. Annabeth. Suddenly, I had a renewed sense of hope. I came back from the dead, and Artemis seemed to be trying to help me. A dozen questions began buzzing around in my head, but I knew now wasn't the time for them.

The battle sounds suddenly filled my ears. I had to do this, it was the only way to get back to Annabeth. "Alright," I began. "I pledge myself to the Goddess Artemis."

Elizabeth smiled, "I turn my back on the company of men."

I almost burst out laughing, but my paralyzed body wouldn't allow it. Well if this was the only way I could get back to Annabeth, I guess I had no choice. "I turn my back on the company of men."

"Accept eternal maidenhood"

"Accept eternal maidenhood," I repeated comically.

"And join the Hunt," Artemis finished.

This better be worth it, I thought. "And join the Hunt," I said.

I didn't feel any different, but there was a strange yellow glow coming off of my body. Elizabeth was back and seemed generally relieved to have the goddess out of her head. "Well, Percy, why don't you get used to moving around again in your human body again. It'll feel a little strange since you were- well you know…"

"Yeah, dead," I finished.

There was a little bit of an awkward silence, but it didn't matter. I didn't want her to be talking while I made a fool of myself trying to get off of the ping pong table. My limbs were still like bean bags, but I managed to drag myself to a sit up position.

"So, what's with this whole becoming the first guy in Artemis's Hunt thing?" I asked through the pain. My stab wound felt even worse than it did in the Underworld. Like a new wound, but not as deadly.

"Um, I'm not completely sure. But I think the gods still need you, like you're still the only one who can end this war." Elizabeth stated.

"Wow, they bring me back just so I can keep saving their butts," I blurted. Instantly I regretted it, Elizabeth looked kind of hurt. "Sorry, I don't want to take anything out on you, it's just that they keep using me to do their own dirty work."

She looked at me sympathetically, "Oh, I get it, I'm Hermes's permanent wing-gal for all eternity, and this," she waved her arms around, "is part of that dirty work you complained about."

Finally able to get to my feet and pull that white death cloth off of my body, which I found kind of nice. Someone cared that much about me to bring me to the Big House and cover me up. Of course, I thought, Annabeth. "Okay, just one question. If I'm a Hunter of Artemis now, then I can't die, right? Only in battle?"

Still a little hurt by my comments, Elizabeth said coldly, completely messing with her sunshine attitude she had a few moments ago, she said, "You are correct. Just beware. People must be allowed to follow their own destiny. Don't forget that, Percy Jackson."

Okay, that was a little creepy. She's certainly not about the bright side now. "Well, thanks for bringing me back!" I screamed at her, running without a weapon in a surely suicidal mission.

"Don't take this gift for granted!" She called back.

My eyes scanned the crowd of mixed demigods and monsters. I knew what I was searching for, but my eyes couldn't seem to focus. It really was rough coming back from the dead. Not something I would recommend ladies and gents.

My legs burned like I just took a dip in the River Styx, and trust me, I know what that feels like. Still in my weird Yankees shirt, hawaiian shorts, and Greek sandals, I scared a few monsters off to the woods. That's right, I had to really look like death to do that. I smiled. Being back at Camp Half Blood gave me a new surge of energy, I needed to save my home.

There were explosions of greek fire everywhere, incinerating monsters on the spot. Demigods running for their life from a back of hellhounds. Quickly ducking to avoid a firing tree trunk, I looked at the attacker. Anger boiled in my chest. Octavian.

I felt a weight in my pocket. Riptide. Being back in the mortal world must've activated it's magic again. I grinned, it felt so good to be back.

I charged towards Octavian, but three dracaena got in my way. Without hesitation, I sliced right through them. Being a Hunter of Artemis must've given me extra delicacy and sensory powers because I was aware of everything that was happening around me.

I heard Grover yell, "Not that tree! You evil little Wild destroyer!" He encouraged me even more, but I needed his help if I was going to defeat Gaea and stop Octavian.

Grover, I thought, still hoping our empathy link worked, even if I died. Sadly, he seemed too distracted, and I guess it died along with me. My eyes drifted to a wave of blond hair moving through the crowd of battle cries, "For Percy!"

My heart skipped several beats, I wanted to to rise up and shout, "It's okay! Here I am!" But that would give away the element of surprise, and I felt like we would need it. But then again, Octavian already spotted me, what could I loose?

With everything I had, I summoned a storm of water, forming a hurricane around me. I had only done this once before, kinda by accident actually, during the Second Titan War. But it was easier now like the storm knew me, and together, the storm and I surged through the battle.

Drowning several more monsters, including some gorgons and more dracaena, I took out Riptide and stabbed one more straight through the heart. Pouring all of my anger from the past couple of days of what Gaea has done to me and my friends, I sailed over to my old enemy, Octavian. He had a look of absolute terror on his face. And I laughed. Not to lie, my greediness for his death scared me, but if one person deserved to die more than Gaea, it was him.

"Percy!" I heard someone shout over the winds. But not just anyone, my heart began to beat a million beats a second. I let my winds die down, and the water dissolved into nothing. I fell to the ground and was looking straight into a pair of stormy grey eyes.

"Percy?" she sobbed with disbelief.

All of the anger gone from looking at Annabeth, I reached my hand and pulled her into a hug, stroking her neck. "Shhh," I soothed, "I'm back now Annabeth. Everything's going to be just fine."

She yanked me back and pulled me in for the best kiss I'd ever had in my life, and that was saying a lot. Annabeth was an excellent kisser. Every time something came close to hurting either one of us, I easily swatted it away with a gush of water.

I pulled away first, which took a lot of effort. I never wanted to leave Annabeth again, it just wasn't worth it.

"Percy?" she repeated like she still couldn't believe I was real. "How did you come back?"

I smiled, "It's a long story, but it involved a really angry grandmother and a glowing Artemis," I must've sounded a little crazy, which I was, but we were used to crazy. "And I'm now a Hunter of Artemis,"

"Um Percy, you do understand that a guy can't become a Hunter right?" Annabeth said.

"That's what I was trying to tell Artemis!" I laughed. "But, anyway, like my outfit? The Underworld has some weird tastes. I think I pull it off pretty well though."

A dark look appeared in her eyes, but she quickly replaced it with a light hearted laugh, "Of course you pull it off Percy." The dark look came back, "It's just difficult imagining you in the Underworld, that's all."

"We'll have plenty time to talk about it later," I promised, "But, for now, we need to make sure there is is a later." I knelt down on the grass, "Will I get the privilege of fighting with you in the Second Giant War My Lady?"

Gratefully she took my hand, "Without a doubt seaweed brain." Her smile lit up the air, making me forget about the war ending and all. But Annabeth drew her dagger and a deadly look replaced her giggly stormy grey eyes. "They will pay for taking you away," Annabeth grunted.

Actually afraid my girlfriend would incinerate the entire army with her look, I reached for her hand and nodded. Together, we ran.