First off, I'm so sorry for taking so long. Life can get so in the way of things. Thank you all for being patient. I'm really trying to post as often as I can, but as I said before, my life can really pull me away. You all are just lovely for everything. Stay lovely! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson nor do I own anything affiliated with it. Percy Jackson and all his friends (as well as his enemies) belong to the brilliant mind of Rick Riordan.

Chapter 10

Hera paced the floor of the Olympus throne room. "They are mocking us."

"Hera," Zeus started. "Perhaps you should show them generosity. I'm sure they'd respect you after it."

Hera turned furiously to her husband. "Break down? After all the trouble I've gone to to get this far? They'd make me a laughing stock for being so weak. Since when are you so soft for your children?"

"I'm just worried we're being too cruel on them."

Hera rolled her eyes. "Honestly, sometimes I wish you were more like the king of the Norse gods. You know, he was never soft like this with his children. He even casted his prized son out to the mortal world without any powers, just to teach him a lesson."

Zeus' eyes widened a bit. "Hera,"

"Oh relax, I'm not suggesting that. I'm merely saying that he doesn't show weakness when it comes to discipline and neither should we. Now, your children are rebelling against their punishment. What are you going to do?"

Zeus sighed, clearly becoming tired of the conversation. "He dropped a ring and it landed in her camp. I don't think that counts as a rebellion."

"He recorded a message in the ring! He made contact!"

"It was a message that could not be replied to! For all he knows she may not have even received it."

Hera let out an angry breath through her nostrils. "Fine. But the security between them must be doubled; they may not pull any more tricks like this again."

"You are overreacting Hera. Whatever vendetta you have against Artemis and Apollo must stop before it causes any more damage. If you know anything about those two then you know that they will always find a way to keep together."

Hera pursed her lips, pausing before finally speaking. "You are right." She sighed. "I can't just tear down the punishment, not without losing a great deal of respect."

"Then what will you do?" Zeus asked with a furrowed brow.

"Let's just call it," a smirk pulled the corners of her lips, "the big finale."

Artemis was in her tent when a god fell through her roof. She jumped as the figure tore through the fabric of her tent and landed just in front of her table. "Hermes! What in Hades do you think you are doing?" She shouted, but quiet enough as to not call the attention of her hunters.

"I know, I'm sorry, but I didn't want to draw attention to myself."

"You always want attention." Her face was stern. "And how does ripping through my tent, an action that does upset me greatly, not bring attention?"

"Well…" He shrugged. "It got your attention." He brought out his cell phone and pressed a button, pointing the device at the hole. After a few seconds the hole stitched itself shut without a trace of his entrance.

Artemis watched before turning back to him. "What do you want Hermes?"

"Zeus has a job for you."

Artemis stifled an eye roll. "Let me guess, there are countries by the North Pole complaining that the moon isn't big enough for them?"

"No, silly." Hermes tried to backtrack calling Artemis silly, but she finally gestured for him to continue. "Sorry. Anyway, apparently there's this creature that has been causing some trouble. Zeus wants you to hunt it and kill it."

Artemis was a bit surprised at the request. "Alright. Where does this creature reside?"

"It sleeps in a cave." He moved to the map on her table, pointing. "Here."

She stared over his shoulder at the map. "A peculiar area for a creature to reside. What exactly is this creature?"

"Zeus didn't give me much information. Just that it's been causing trouble, it sleeps there, and you are to kill it."

"Fine. I'll gather the hunters and we'll be off as soon as we can."

Hermes pressed his teeth together and made a hissing sound. "Zeus said he wanted this task secret. Even from your hunters."

Artemis furrowed her brow. "Why would he want that?"

Hermes shook his head. "He didn't say."

"For the god of messages you certainly don't ask for much detail."

"Hey," he pointed a finger at her, "I deliver what people want me to deliver. And I'm certainly not gonna go questioning Zeus. I mean, look what happened to you." He quickly lowered his finger as well as his gaze. "Please don't kill me."

"If you wish to leave without an arrow sticking from your forehead, I'd suggest leaving very quickly and very quietly. Tell Zeus I will perform this task as he asked, though I question why I must do it alone. Go now."

Hermes gave a nervous nod before leaving her tent through the opening and flying off. Artemis returned to her table, observing the map. She marked the creature's cave to her memory as well as the route she would take. She would tell the hunters tomorrow of her task and leave by noon. She then laid in her bed, twisting her brother's ring on her finger before finally falling in to a peaceful slumber.