Hey. I'm in a roll, and we're approaching the end, if you couldn't tell. I have plans for a Q&A regarding this story if I do receive enough questions. If not, I will probably just answer them through PMs. I have read your reviews, and I gotta thank you for all of them. For The Dark Saphire, it was kind of intended. Anyway, enjoy!


Numbness.

That was the best word to describe how Artemis was feeling. She couldn't believe what had just happened. As soon as she was alone, she had to lean over a wall in a street of Olympus, the recent events recapping inside of her head.

He confessed his feelings for her.

She said it was mutual.

They kissed.

Now, Artemis felt confused. Her lips were still tingling from the kiss, with a warm sensation running over her entire body. If she had to say she hated anything right now, there would be two things. First, being so vulnerable. Never in her immortal life she felt so helpless emotionally, not even when faced with the death of others. This was different. She could completely understand how Percy said how he couldn't even conceive of anything after what happened. She just wanted more of it. It was intoxicating, like a drug.

The second thing she hated the most right now was not being able to be with Percy now. Because if she wanted anything to come out of this, Artemis would have to talk to the one person Artemis most despised for so many years, for very good reason if she was basing herself off her past beliefs. But now, she had changed. For better or worse, only time will tell.

And as such, she marched forward through Olympus. Cleverly, Artemis morphed her appearance, disguising herself completely. The last thing she needed was for someone to spot her on where she was headed to. The streets were mostly empty, with the occasional nymph or half-blood running around, but apart from that, emptiness. After all, it was a Sunday evening, and only a few restaurants and bars were open. Nevertheless, Artemis pushed forward in her disguise, dressed in pure black, clothes that Thalia would most likely use. Her face was also changed, her eyes now brown, along with her hair. Overall, she could pass without being noticed.

Finally, after a few minutes of walking, she arrived in the brightest street of the city, where all the casinos – with all but one owned by Tyche, but that was a story for another time – stood. But apart from the places for gambling and the other places that brought repulse to the Goddess of the Moon, also lay the main residence of the person she was looking for. Here, it was truly crowded, to no one's surprise.

Artemis made her way through the crowds of people, wanting nothing more but to smite all of them out of the sky. Instead, she settled for the challenge of trying to reach the building she wanted so much to be in, wishing she had flashed directly here earlier. Then again, she needed some time to catch her breath after the kiss. At last, she entered the building, finding a lone receptionist seemingly bored out of her mind.

"Hello, how may I help you?" The receptionist, a tall Asian girl, greeted her with not much enthusiasm.

"I need to speak to Lady Aphrodite," Artemis told the girl, choosing to make use of the title so it wouldn't blow her cover. "It is an urgent matter."

"I'm sorry," The Asian girl said. "But you will need an appointment to speak to Lady Aphrodite. And currently..." The receptionist ran through a small book nearby. "Her schedule is full until next week."

Artemis leaned over the desk, allowing her eyes to shift back to her natural silver tone for a brief second. "I need to speak to Lady Aphrodite." The disguised goddess repeated slowly, not in the mood for this. "Bring me her now."

The girl's face lost all color in a mere second, and she nodded, moving to face a computer nearby, typing furiously on the keyboard. After a few seconds, she turned to Artemis once more.

"She's on her way." The receptionist told her, her face still pale.

"Thank you." Artemis replied with a smirk, choosing to sit in a nearby chair.

Thankfully, she did not have to wait for too long. Only ten minutes later, the Goddess of Love herself walked through the doorway, not looking particularly happy.

"Drew, my dear," Aphrodite said to the receptionist. "May you tell me why I had to be pulled out of a date to meet someone in a Sunday evening?"

"She wants to speak to you." The girl, Drew, pointed towards Artemis with her head. Aphrodite soon followed, her kaleidoscope eyes glaring intensely at the disguised goddess.

"And who exactly are you?" Her fellow Olympian asked threateningly

"Someone familiar." Once more, Artemis let her eyes shift colors for a moment while staring directly at Aphrodite, whose previous expression of anger was replaced with absolute shock.

"I... I see." The Goddess of Love cleared her throat. "Drew, send a message to Hebe, tell her I had an urgent matter to attend."

"Of course, mother." Drew replied, returning to typing on the computer. Aphrodite turned to Artemis, still seeming shocked.

"Let's go to my apartment." She spoke. Artemis simply nodded and got up from the seat, with them walking towards the elevator. Inside of it, they didn't exchange many words. Artemis could feel Aphrodite constantly looking at her, but she refused to meet her gaze, for now. The elevator stopped at the 13th floor, directly in an immaculate living room. The walls were a beautiful white, and the three couches were light pink, facing the biggest television Artemis had ever seen.

"Come, make yourself comfortable." Aphrodite pointed to the couches. "Do you want something to drink?"

"Water." Artemis muttered, and as she sat on the comfortable couch, a glass of water appeared on the small table in front of her. Aphrodite sat on the couch to her side, looking at Artemis with apparent worry.

"Why are you here?" The Goddess of Love asked bluntly, but not with ill intentions. Clearly, curiosity was overcoming her senses.

"I need advice." Artemis drank from the water.

"But why would you need advice from me?" Aphrodite asked. "Unless... I can only think of one thing."

Artemis grimaced. "Yes. I won't sit here and try to dodge things. It's exactly what you are thinking. Come on, gloat away in victory. I know you are longing for this day since you first appeared in Olympus."

Instead of protesting, agreeing, or doing anything in that sense, the other goddess stayed in silence for a moment, although the traces of a smirk were forming on her face. "Artemis, if you truly have come to ask for counsel from me, then I know I don't need to gloat about this."

Artemis raised her eyebrows, surprised by Aphrodite's unusual maturity. "I would have expected you to be squealing in joy, knowing that you won this millennia-old argument."

"Trust me, I'm almost messaging Drew to order fireworks." Aphrodite said with a smile, leaning forward. "But tell me, is it anyone I know?"

Artemis felt her heart beat faster at the question. "Of course."

The realization from the Goddess of Love came quicker than she had expected. "No..." Aphrodite let out an incredulous laugh. "Surely not."

"Yes, yes, exactly who you think it is." Artemis said impatiently.

"Wow." Aphrodite's smile became even wider. "I've been keeping track of Percy since his reappearance, and I felt how heartbroken he was for a while. But soon, something started growing. I never thought it was because of you, even if he was walking alongside you. It didn't seem feasible."

"Well, now you know." Artemis said, facing the turned-off television.

"Now, what are you going to do?"

The disguised deity turned to her fellow goddess. "That's why I'm here." A sigh was heard. "I don't know how to proceed. You know I have my oath. But... I... I want something different in life. I do not wish for my life to continue like this. It has grown almost stale when considering everything that has occurred."

Aphrodite's eyes twinkled. "It is hard to feel other immortals' feelings, but I can tell how much you loved those who fell in the war. Love isn't just about romance, of course. I can only imagine how must grief you must have gone through. And for Apollo to put himself at so much risk, all the time..."

"Rough." Artemis said bluntly, not wishing to bring those memories back to the surface too much. "And of course, there was Orion."

"I've heard of it." Aphrodite said. "I mean, what he did in Puerto Rico. Most already know your past with him. Are you afraid that Percy may turn out to be like him?"

Artemis shook her head, pursing her lips. "No, it's not that. I just... should I jump at this opportunity? I'm just not sure what I should do. I'm afraid of the backlash. Of what will happen if I make this decision."

"Look," The Goddess of Love started, holding Artemis's hand, who didn't pull away. "You cannot stay in an environment you are not happy in. You don't need me to tell you that . What you do need me for is to tell you that you should follow your heart. What does your heart tell you?"

"To do it, and ignore the people who complain about it." Artemis said firmly, facing those eyes that changed colors too fast to keep track of it.

"Then you have your answer." Aphrodite told her in equal assertiveness. "The thing about love, Artemis, is that it brings us to do unwise decisions. But I know you won't do anything stupid. You are too wise for that. Too down to Earth."

"Funny," Artemis let out a chuckle. "Percy said that exact thing to me. That I'm down to Earth, and that's one of the reasons he fell for me."

Aphrodite smiled warmly. "He is a lucky man. I chose to make his love life complicated in the past. It was entertaining, I must admit." She paused, with a clouded look on her face. "But above love triangles and teenage drama, if there's anything I truly appreciate, is how love can heal a person. And you both deserve it."

Artemis stared at the Goddess of Love, shock being the main feeling on her mind. "I... Thank you. I wouldn't have imagined you to be so helpful."

Once more, Aphrodite smiled. "Come on, Arty, I always knew that if you chose a different path, it would be thanks to something that truly made you happy. And I know it. Just by looking at you, I know that this is what you want."

"Stop with the nicknames." Artemis complained, to which Aphrodite rolled her eyes. "But again, thank you. I should probably be on my way. I still must speak to... Styx."

The Goddess of Love pouted. "Good luck with that. Again, whatever happens, follow what your heart is saying. Focus on what is good to you."

"Thank you, Aphrodite." Artemis said sincerely. "I suppose I own you one, as some would say."

"Don't worry, Arty," Once more she made use of that stupid nickname. "Winning the debate already makes up for any favors I could ask from you."

With a last eye-roll, Artemis flashed out of Aphrodite's apartment. One thing was for certain, she felt much more secure than she had been when entering it.

However, there was still much to be done.

Arriving at DOA Recording Studios wasn't much of an issue, after all, it was a very well-known location and the main entrance to the Underworld. The thing that most bothered Artemis, however, was once being in Los Angeles, and yet still she couldn't see Percy. Not that she wasn't allowed to or anything in that sense, it was simply that she wouldn't let herself kick the can down the road. This needed to be sorted out, and it would be tonight.

At the lobby, a few dead spirits wandered, some in a waiting line, most likely the ones waiting for the ferry boat. Although, noticeably, there were spirits just wandering around, or sitting in chairs, like they would stay there for a long time. Artemis wasn't ignorant of what this was. She just didn't wish to linger on that.

"You!" The goddess heard a voice calling behind her. "Got a coin?"

Turning around, she found a tall blond man wearing an expensive olive suit. He had his head turned in her direction, but his eyes were covered by sunglasses. For very good reason too.

"Hello, Charon." Artemis spoke. Although she was still in disguise, nothing would be done if she didn't reveal who she was sooner or later.

Artemis imagined the ferryman would be squinting his empty eyes. "You seem oddly calm for someone who died. And you know me too." His tone was enlaced with suspicion.

"That may be because I am not dead." She once more repeated the trick with her eyes, allowing them to switch back to silver for a moment so realization would come down upon the daemon. Although Charon had traces of recognition on his face, he still did not look all too threatened, compared to Drew.

"What do you seek in the Underworld?" The ferryman questioned, and although he didn't use any terms of respect towards her, he didn't ask it in a rude tone.

"I seek permission from Lord Hades to enter his realm. I have business with the river goddess." Artemis told Charon, who seemed thoughtful.

"Alright, give me a moment." The daimon said, grabbing a cell phone from his pocket and quickly making a call.

"Hello, my lord." Charon greeted. Artemis could hardly imagine Hades on the other side of the line, probably owning something akin to a Blackberry. "No, this isn't about the pay raise, calm down." A pause. "Okay. Artemis wants permission to enter the Underworld. Yes, Artemis. She says she has business with Styx." Another pause. "Alright." Charon brought the phone away from his ear, turning off the call. "You can go in. He just advises you not to cause any trouble."

Artemis nodded knowingly. "Of course. I just need to speak to Styx."

"I can give you a ride, if you want." Charon offered.

"Thank you, I'm fine." She spoke. The daemon didn't seem like he minded and went back to whatever he had been doing previously. Satisfied, Artemis flashed away from the DOA lobby, and into the Underworld itself. The Fields of Asphodels weren't too far away from where Artemis stood, some of the trillions of souls visible even if from the border of the River Styx. The current of water was just as polluted as ever, perhaps even more.

Artemis was unsure of how to call the goddess, but it soon dawned on her that this wouldn't be an issue, since only seconds later, the waters began to separate themselves, and from them, a female figure arose. She wore a dark purple dress and had obsidian-colored hair and eyes, which were glaring at the Olympian with pure hate.

She was the Goddess of Hatred, after all.

"Lady Styx." Artemis greeted respectfully. She would have to play her cards right for the negotiations to be successful.

"Lady Artemis." Styx said in a similar tone, despite what her eyes revealed. "What an interesting visitor."

The Goddess of the Moon flinched. "I've come to discuss an important matter with you."

"Oh, yes?" The Oceanid asked amusingly. "Then tell me, Lady Artemis. I am eager to hear the words of an Olympian goddess."

"I wish to renounce my oath." Artemis spoke quietly, but it was clear that the river deity heard it. "My ancient oath to renounce the company of men."

Styx remained in silence for a few seconds, contemplating the words she just heard. "I am most surprised for you to be here, asking me for permission. It is more than any of your kind have ever done."

"I do not wish for others to face my punishment." Artemis repeated the words she had said to Apollo. "And I know there will be one. I understand that I swore on the most sacred element possible, and the last thing I want is to hurt others because of my actions."

Again, the Oceanid remained quiet for a moment. "You and your brother are undoubtedly different."

"I've heard about your history with Apollo." Artemis commented dryly.

"Yes." Styx's obsidian eyes became thoughtful. "He learned his lesson. Even if took him to almost fall into the void itself."

Artemis absorbed those words, swallowing in anxiety. "And what will be the punishment you will give me?"

"Well, I'm most certainly limited from giving you the same treatment I gave your brother." Styx said casually. "However, I admire your courage, to come here and face the crimes you committed. Or will commit."

"I hardly think what I want to do is a crime." Artemis countered, feeling slightly offended.

"That's where you are mistaken." The river deity stared right at Artemis's eyes. "Just as mortals abide to their little law codes, you, inadvertently or not, agreed for me to be your judge shall you reject to follow my law."

Even if there was still anger in Artemis's throat, she at least understood what was being said to her. It did make sense. "Fine." She conceded. "Then what will be my punishment?"

The hatred in Styx's eyes subsided. Perhaps this is was the only way the Goddess of Hatred could show excitement at the prospect of judging an Olympian.

"Well," She started. "You do remember what the punishment of old was, correct?"

"Yes. Nine years away from Olympus. Preferably as a mortal." Artemis responded without an issue.

"That is only partially correct." Styx said, causing Artemis to become confused. "Initially, a god that broke its oath should fall comatose for a year. Although that is only relevant on paper."

Artemis's heart, which had started to beat faster at the possibility of staying in a coma for a whole year, calmed itself down. "So, shall I face the nine years away?"

"Well..." Styx mused. "You sure brought some hope to my heart, Lady Artemis, that gods are still worth something."

"Okay...?" Artemis wasn't sure how to answer that.

"As such," The Oceanid continued. "For being here to withstand your sentence and not delegating it to others... Along with the amount of time you did keep your word, then... Five years away from the land of the gods seems just."

"Anywhere but the United States?" Artemis asked, unable to hide her surprise.

"I would exclude the Great White North as well." Styx told her. "But yes, that is correct."

Artemis couldn't even believe that. The sentence being cut in half? Just like that?

"Are you being truthful towards me?" The Olympian asked. "The last thing I expected was to be spared of a full punishment."

At that, Styx laughed, a sound that didn't fit the rest of her demeanor. "Lady Artemis, even if I am the goddess of hatred, I am certainly not the goddess of vengeance. I am fair. I believe in justice above all else," she said with intensity. "And I will always deliver justice to those who deserve it, even if the world itself perishes."

It took a longer time than expected for Artemis to fully understand what Styx meant. And being honest, it shattered some of her previous opinions towards the river goddess.

"Then..." Artemis took a deep breath. "I accept my sentence, by the will of the goddess Styx, binder of all oaths."

Just like when it happened when an oath was sworn, thunder shook the entire landscape.

"What happens now?" Artemis asked.

"Your case shall be brought to the Council," Styx explained. "And the Fates shall be present. However, your sentence is already decided. The only thing that remains is for it to be officially declared." She finished with a grin that made Artemis slightly nervous.

"I understand." Artemis answered calmly. "Will you arrange the council meeting?"

"Yes, I will call out to Lord Zeus as soon as possible." Styx truly seemed happy now. There were weird people for everything, Artemis supposed. "I expect it to be resolved by tomorrow's sunset. You may enjoy the day now."

Not wanting to contemplate Styx's terrifying grin much longer, Artemis simply nodded respectfully and chose to flash away into the same alley she had brought Percy earlier. Walking across the sidewalk, she noticed that the sky was still dark, with the waning crescent, her symbol, being the main source of light if you excluded the lights of the city. Only fitting for the moon to be at this stage today, she supposed.

The walk to the house Apollo had let her use had been short, and she found the door to be unlocked. Upon opening it, she found the man that had enchanted her so much drooling in his sleep on the couch. Artemis closed the door softly and walked over to him.

"Percy..." She called, shaking him slightly. Slowly, the demigod's eyes were opened, those magical sea-green eyes making the worries in Artemis's heart melt away.

"Hey, Artemis." Percy answered sleepily. "How..." He yawned. "How did it go?"

"I'm sorry for waking you." Artemis said.

Percy stirred up, stretching his arms. "It's fine, really. I slept not long after you left anyway. So?"

"I talked to Aphrodite first." She began telling. "And she told me to... follow my heart."

"And what did you extract from that?" He questioned.

"Well, I followed that by meeting with Styx." Artemis noticed Percy tensing up. "And I negotiated my sentence."

"I wasn't aware you committed a crime, apart from stealing my heart."

It took a moment for Artemis to comprehend what Percy had just said, just by how mentally exhausted she was. But when she did, she laughed happily.

"You really took me off guard with that one." She said, watching with glee as he too smiled. "Styx gave me an explanation as to why it counts as a crime from her point of view, but I won't tell you right now because it's the middle of the night. Maybe later."

"Fair enough." Percy shrugged, but the tension returned to his shoulders soon after. "So, what was the sentence?"

"Five years as a mortal. Away from the land of the gods."

Percy stared at the ceiling, seemingly in deep thought. "So we can't be in the US?"

Artemis couldn't stop her heart from beating faster at the mention of we . "Canada as well."

The demigod sighed, and turned to look straight into Artemis's eyes. "Do you really want this, Artemis? I'd take you probably accepted it already, but-"

He was subsequentially utterly silenced when Artemis leaned down and gave him a deep kiss. Where the last one was filled with held-out passion liberated from them both, this one was like discovering that a part of you was missing, and finding it felt like the best feeling in the world. It cleared both of their minds, especially Artemis, who felt so emotionally tired. When she finally pulled away, all that was left were the looks of absolute affection and passion from both goddess and demigod at each other.

"Trust me, Percy." Artemis started, looking straight into his eyes. "I do not have any doubts now."

"But..." He seemed worried. "What if this doesn't work out? What if we have a falling out?"

Oh, like she hadn't wondered that. "I know we won't. Because we both do not want to lose each other now. Could that change in a few years? Sure. But I am not worried. I know that you will continue to like me unconditionally." Even if she wanted so much to say love , the goddess restrained herself. One step at a time.

"Since I am just waiting for the conclusion of my trial, we might as well do this now." Artemis held his hand tightly. "Percy Jackson, would you accept being in a relationship with me?"

Percy gave off a nervous chuckle, still appearing like his mind wasn't working to its full extent. She might have something to do with that. "I do. I accept it. You can consider me yours, through and through."

If possible, her heart warmed even more. She leaned forward again, so close that their faces were mere centimeters apart.

"If that's true, then I would be happy for you to consider myself yours as well." She whispered with a smile, and once again, a passionate kiss was shared. Now, all Artemis could do was wait.

With Percy by her side, this wouldn't be too much of an issue.


She definitely won't fall comatose because of this, don't worry.