Hey! Thanks to musiclover1346 for fav/following, and thanks to every single person who reviewed/fav/followed-especially AmberEmber7 for their major review spree :D Can't list you all here, so suffice it to say I LOVE YOU ALL xD I just got back from an all-school retreat, which is why I haven't updated in ages, but now I feel compelled!

ARTEMIS

Artemis sat in front of her mirror braiding her hair, lost in thought. She was waiting for Apollo to bring news of the Seven on their quest; he was the Hunters' only connection to what was going on in the outside world besides the occasional meeting at Olympus. Today was Monday, the day her annoying brother usually came, and she was honestly nervous. Gaea was an enemy that no demigod had ever faced the likes of before, and if Artemis was honest with herself, she was worried for Percy and Annabeth's wellbeing.

Percy was unlike any demigod she'd ever met. Handsome, but she would never admit it to anyone, and talented, too. Throw in his mixed respect for the gods and bravery, and, well…he reminded her of Orion. The thought of her long-dead lover sent a sharp pang through her heart, and so Artemis pushed the thought away and tried to focus on her hair. After a few moments, though, she gave up and listened as intently as she could for the telltale sound of Apollo's chariot in the air.

Barely a minute later, she finished her braid, and as she rose from her gilt-backed chair she heard the faint noise of wings beating in the sky. Heart pounding, Artemis hurried from the tent and moved to stand by the crackling fireplace, watching the distant skyline through the trees. The sound of wings grew louder and louder until Apollo's chariot finally came into view-and she gasped in shock.

The chariot, usually shining like the sun, wasn't glowing at all; instead it dully reflected the moon's glow. The pegasi were subdued, and Apollo himself looked…tired. Artemis couldn't remember the last time she'd seen him like this. It was heartbreaking to see the perpetually upbeat and joyful god so somber.

"Apollo!" she called, rushing to the chariot. "What has happened, my brother?"

"I don't know how to say it, so I'll just say it. Percy and Annabeth are dead," he said lifelessly, and that was when Artemis froze.

She couldn't move, couldn't breathe, she was so shocked. Impossible, her mind protested. Percy and Annabeth are too strong, too brave, too kind, too good to die. But even as she refused to believe it, another part of her whispered that it must be true. Hadn't she just been thinking that Gaea was unlike anything any demigod had ever fought? She was too powerful for the Seven, no matter how powerful they might be. Even the gods had lost to her. How could mere demigods have done what their immortal parents failed at? It was wrong. Artemis knew it was irrational, but she couldn't help feeling as if it was all Gaea's fault, just for existing. Because it had resulted in the death of Percy and Annabeth.

If Annabeth had joined the Hunters…

Artemis closed her eyes. There was no point thinking along those lines. Annabeth loved-no, had loved Percy. It was too late for "what if" questions, too late for the millions of fears and memories and hopes that the demigods' deaths had stirred up in her. She would just have to tell her Hunters, and comfort them as best she could.

"Apollo, did…" Her voice was hoarse. Percy had been so brave. He deserved it.

"Elysium," he confirmed gently. "Hey, Arty, it's going to be okay."

"Thank you for telling me this," Artemis forced out, acting as if he hadn't spoken. It was a clear dismissal; all she wanted was to be alone.

Apollo hesitated, clearly unsure of what to do. Usually she would scold him for calling her Arty, but she didn't care about that anymore. She didn't care about anything. "I'll see you then, sister." He raised his head and softly called to the pegasi, shooting her one last concerned glance before he swiftly rode away. And that was that-he was gone. Just like Percy and Annabeth.

Artemis turned and walked back to her tent, her entire body numb. She couldn't feel anything. Had Gaea even been defeated? She'd forgotten to ask Apollo. But then again, the world would probably be burning if she hadn't been.

But if it was, she'd be able to see the flames dancing, hear their crackling, and smell the sickly sweet scent of fire.

She'd be able to feel something again.

This is such a reflectional fanfiction. Everyone is reflecting. :( Tell me if there's anything I can do to improve my writing, guys, and remember to review. And I'm out! :D

~ravenclawshadowhunter13