Percy woke up to the sound of talking.
"...drag this matter further, especially when I'm supporting you," he could hear a woman say.
"I know sis, but this is the third time. And this time I'm more mortal than the last one. I was still godly, just, you know, not as godly. Now I'm like a demigod," a man replied. Apollo. He sounded very worried. Not as upbeat as he was with Percy.
"You're an Olympian, Apollo. Not some minor god that can be replaced easily. You are still his son, and are easily one of the most powerful gods. Who will father fill your position with? Heracles?" Artemis said, the distaste evident when she said the god's name. "With his role in the Giant War, I doubt he will be on father's list of favourites. There's no one else that he would prefer over you."
Percy opened his eyes slightly. For a brief period all he could see was silver, before the finer details of the room, or tent he supposed, became clearer. His head tilted in the direction of the voices. Artemis' hand was on Apollo's shoulder as they sat on the adjacent bed, facing but not focusing on him.
"I'm just sayin'. Father was mad when he cast me down."
"That he - oh," Artemis turned her attention to Percy, "you're finally awake."
Apollo glanced in his direction and grinned, not as brightly as he normally did. "Hey man, glad to see you're alright. You really saved my ass out there."
Percy gave them a drowsy smile. "It was nothing. You're the one that killed Python."
Apollo puffed out his chest. "Of course, I was. That snake could only die to my hands". Percy could see Artemis rolling her eyes endearingly. "But that thing with the geysers, that was just awesome. I bet your dad's going to be jealous."
Percy grinned tiredly. That was something. He thanked the nymph that taught him to pull water out of the ground.
Artemis continued for Apollo, "You shouldn't sell yourself short, Percy. What you did was impressive." She narrowed her silvery eyes. "What have I told you about this?"
Percy gulped and shifted a bit on his cot. He noticed she was in an older form, 18 or 19 years old compared to the 15 year old form she had on their first meeting. Still breathtaking to him, but even more intimidating if possible. He winced, as his back was still hurt a bit from the numerous hits it had received over the battle.
Artemis' expression changed to one of concern. "Are you alright?" It was a bit odd that she was concerned for him in a non-goddess-like, non-Artemis-like fashion. To be fair Percy didn't know the gods that closely to know for sure. The ones he met on a regular basis were either gods that didn't care at all, or his dad who was… warm enough.
"I'm fine. Just a little beat up."
"Don't worry there, man. My daughter patched you up. You're going to be better in no time" Apollo said, his voice indicating pride at his daughter's prowess. Then he got up abruptly. "Which reminds me, I should go talk to my daughters here. I'm sure they miss their awesome dad."
"Apollo, you will talk with your daughters. You will not flirt with my other hunters."
Apollo winked at her, "Of course I won't."
He began to leave the tent, as Artemis called out behind him, "I won't stop them otherwise!" She sighed after he was out of sight, mumbling something under her breath. Percy could catch the words 'insufferable brothers'. She then turned to look at him.
Percy had a question on his mind. "Where are we, milady?"
Artemis' lips curled upwards from the right by a centimetre. "You're in the infirmary tent that my hunters have set up."
"I meant, where exactly are we? I was fighting Python with Apollo, and next thing I know is I've woken up here."
"We are still here, next to the newly repaired temple of Delphi," she told him. "My brother insists he show you the temple before we leave. Something about you being his new 'champion'". The goddess gave him an inquisitive look.
Percy considered his words before saying, "Before we set on the quest, Apollo promised me that after the quest he would assign me some quests and stuff to keep me busy." Percy frowned. "He didn't mention anything about a 'champion', though."
Artemis nodded her head, "That's just what we call a mortal in our service."
"Wait, service?"
Artemis chuckled lightly, "Well, it depends on how you make a deal with him. I assume you are concerned about being forced into performing acts you do not wish to?" Percy nodded in affirmation. He was listening attentively, as it was very important information.
"It's very simple. All you need to do is negotiate with Apollo on every assignment. Don't swear to be bound to him indefinitely. That's all there is to the actual agreement, which a god can't accuse you of breaking. With your reputation and the threat of your father, Apollo cannot bully you into accepting servitude against your wishes like the gods would usually do if tricking them didn't work. Not that he would, but I hope that clears it up for you."
"Thanks." He was grateful, honestly. Here was Apollo's twin sister, who was telling a mere demigod like him how to avoid slavery at the hand of her own brother.
"Why do you wish to be Apollo's champion, Percy? What persuaded you to work for him?" Artemis asked curiously.
Percy did his best impression of a shrug in his position. "I wanted something to do. After the wars, I just haven't had anything worthwhile to do. Life becomes stale once you're normal, y'know?"
Artemis nodded thoughtfully. She stared straight ahead, ignoring Percy's form. "What you say is true." She brought her legs up onto the cot and leaned back a little, still staring ahead. "A repetitive life, one without purpose or change becomes unimaginative. It is why I often choose to accompany my hunters, or go on a solo hunt. It is unnecessary most of the time, but I cannot stand just existing. Which as a goddess is inevitable." She looked back towards him, an expression of calm and warmth on her face. "Here, I have good company. Something to be excited about every few weeks. A new hunt, a new recruit. Up on Olympus, it would be the same routine with little that is new. Sit on the throne, ask the handmaidens to braid your hair," she smirked, "it's just not for me."
Artemis paused for a while, staring ahead at the silver cloth of the tent again. "The other gods distract themselves too. Few go out hunting like I do, but they have other activities. Usually they find mortal lovers. Sometimes we just look at the changes within our domains. Like Apollo. His domains constantly change. He's always enjoying the constant change in civilisation. New advances to his music, medicine. Poetry," she shook her head.
"Don't yours change, milady?"
Artemis sighed. "Not by that much. My domains are mostly related to nature, while Apollo's are tied to changing civilisation. It is one of the many ways we are complete opposites." Her lips quirked in endearment. "When we received the sun and the moon from our predecessors, it was something to be excited about. Years later, I still have the same chariot while Apollo drives sports cars through the sky. We are quite different for being twins, don't you think?" she asked, looking back at him with those beautiful silvery eyes full of mirth.
Percy could only nod, grinning. "Why don't you upgrade? It can't be hard for a goddess like you to drive a nice car through the sky." The question should have finished there, but then he thought of something. And like an idiot, voiced that thought. "Can you even drive?"
Artemis glared at him, "Are you doubting my abilities?"
"Um, no," he corrected himself hurriedly. In their conversation, Percy let his guard down and forgot he was talking to a powerful goddess. Big mistake.
Artemis carried on with the glare for a few seconds, but a smile made its way through the facade. Not that it was offensive, but hey, they're Olympians. Tread lightly. "You should learn to be careful when speaking to Olympians. It would certainly decrease your chances of finding unwanted adventures." She schooled her features, leaving only a calm expression "To answer your question, I never felt the need to be flashy like my brother. 'Ladies love guys with cool cars'" she mimicked Apollo, making air quotes with her fingers. "Besides, my chariot is iconic. I remember you recognising it at first sight. Although you confused me with a bearded old man," she said accusingly, but Percy could tell she was just joking.
He gave the goddess a sheepish look in response.
"But doesn't this all become old? You've seen pretty much everything by now." Artemis gave Percy an unreadable look. It felt appraising, like she hadn't expected him to understand; but he felt there was more to it.
"Indeed it does, Percy. Eventually, even the distractions become repetitive. There isn't a lot to change in hunting, and I despise modern techniques like guns." she scowled "Our… other activities, they become old as well. The chase for power, the alliances, wars, everything. We gods have seen and done so much that even our distractions are part of a routine" she took a deep breath. "But when you've lived for millennia there's not much new to do. These routinely distractions are the most novelty we can get. Unless… unless you're willing to see drastic change." Her expression had changed from nostalgic to completely unreadable in the space of those sentences. It was hard to say what Artemis was feeling.
They remained there in silence for a while. Another, very important question popped up in Percy's head.
"Aren't you not supposed to be with us? Back then, you…?" he didn't finish the question, opting to look upwards.
"It is fine. No one can hear us in one of my tents. Not even my father." Artemis assured him. She adjusted her leg on the cot for more comfort. "Yes, father would be upset. But, your quest with Apollo is complete." Her eyes acquired a mischievous glint, one Percy was becoming more and more familiar with. "I only arrived to camp once my hunters reported that they found two demigods passed out during their hunt. No assistance was provided, not by me nor my hunters."
Percy grinned.
"I am still a little curious why you have decided to take Apollo's offer. I understand your need for something to do. But weren't you going to college with your girlfriend?"
Percy grimaced. He was surprised that Artemis actually knew about his plans. "Yeah… I would still go to college. But I don't think my life can revolve around it. Studying is hard for a demigod like me when it's so hard to focus. As for Annabeth… we broke up."
The goddess raised an eyebrow at him, apparently interested in the reason. She didn't appear very threatening at that moment, but Percy still felt a chill go down his spine. Goddess of maidens. "We didn't break up because of anything serious like a fight," Percy clarified "Athena offered her to study architecture with herself on Olympus, where she would be staying. I couldn't ask her to refuse, even if she was ready to give it all up. Architecture is something Annabeth loves. It wouldn't be right." He said, rather disheartened. "We were also… not that close after the Giant War. Annabeth's been busy on Olympus, and - I don't know. The feelings started to fade after that. We're still close, but…" Percy deflated. He didn't want to break up after all they went through, but he couldn't see himself dating Annabeth in a few years time when she might finish her stay. His mind was still jumbled up from everything in the past few days.
Artemis nodded sympathetically. "You made the right choice, Perseus. That too at the right time. Delaying your decision might have resulted in Annabeth not reaching her full potential, and you believe your future together was… complicated. I believe that is the correct word?"
Percy hummed in agreement. "Then you should not regret anything."
"I guess. Maybe we'll get together again. Or we might find something better. Who knows what will happen."
"Exactly," Artemis voiced her agreement softly.
After a few minutes, the goddess seemed a bit uncomfortable, looking around and even biting her lip. He couldn't fathom why, after talking to him freely for so long. Perhaps giving love advice wasn't her strong suit?
"As much as I enjoyed this conversation, we should hurry up and report to my father. Can you get up and walk?" Artemis asked, getting up from the cot.
Percy moved a little, trying to see if he was comfortable moving. He winced. "Not really."
Her lips formed a thin line. "I don't know if Atalanta used some nectar or not. I suppose I should bring her over. Thalia would like to speak to you as well." With that she got up.
"As you wish, milady."
The goddess turned back, "One thing, Perseus. You have no need to address me formally. Just call me Artemis."
Percy didn't know what to say, so he just nodded along. She sent him a heartwarming smile, before walking out.
Percy was alone in the tent, with nothing to do but wait. He took that time to assess his situation. Over the last few days, he'd been in the company of two gods. And it felt almost natural to him. Apollo was kind of understandable with his youthfulness, but Artemis really surprised him. Listening to her talk about herself felt so refreshing. She was open; far more than he had expected. There was something about her that made Percy feel that he was talking to a genuine person and not a cold goddess that hated men. Or a goddess in general. Even Poseidon was kind of hard to talk to, and he was his dad.
Hades, I received love advice from a maiden goddess.
And Percy couldn't deny it. He actually enjoyed talking to her. Not many gods could claim that. Apollo would insist, but he was Apollo. Hestia, obviously, was on top. And his dad… well, Artemis was still easier to talk to. And now that he thought about it, she wasn't that bad in their earlier encounters either. She even possessed a sense of humour, not what he'd expected. Mainly directed at Apollo, but it was there.
Percy proceeded to observe the tent. It was like one of the hunters' usual tents. Silver cloth, nice carpets on the floor. There were a total of four cots. It was easy to guess this tent served as an infirmary.
The tent opened up, as two girls entered. One of which barged in.
"Kelp Head, you idiot! What do you think you're doing?" the sweet voice of Thalia called out.
Percy explained everything to the hot-headed daughter of Zeus about the quest, being Apollo's champion, and his breakup with Annabeth to her while Atalanta simply fed him some ambrosia and nectar. He was immediately feeling better. Why didn't he get some earlier?
Thalia didn't necessarily agree with him on everything, but she understood. Their lives were complicated as it is.
"Let's go, Kelp Head. Apollo wants to show you the temple before he heads to Olympus. Artemis doesn't want to delay this more than necessary."
The Temple of Delphi was just as spectacular from the inside as it had appeared from the outside. There were several paintings on the wall, each looking better than the rest. Most of them seemed to make a case for Apollo, demanding his inclusion among the Olympians again. It certainly fed the god's ego.
The light from the torches was incredible. It was so natural, one wouldn't be able to distinguish the inside of the temple from perfectly preserved ruins at 8 AM.
At the altar a wispy green smoke resembling a hologram could be seen, floating on a path that traced a horizontal 8. Or infinity, he guessed.
"This is the spirit of Delphi," Apollo said, "the source of prophecy. And I am its guardian. No being should have access to it but me, or the Oracle that I choose. This little wisp can grasp the future, and with my power as a vessel, translate it for the world. It can be captured, like Python did, but its knowledge cannot be brought out without the vessel."
Percy was in awe, as was Thalia who had tagged along. To think something so little could do all that. They kept following the smoke with their eyes, entranced by its pull which seemed to call out to the demigods.
Apollo grinned, "You see how awesome I am?"
Thalia snorted, breaking out of her trance "It's not you that's amazing here, Apollo. It's the spirit that's amazing."
The mortal god wiped a non-existent tear. "You had so much potential, sister. But I fear my twin has sucked it all out to turn you into one of her little girls after all." He smiled brightly, "But now I have my awesome champion, who also happens to be my cousin. He will defend my honour from now on." He cleared his throat, noticing Artemis tapping her foot at the entrance. "I think we should leave now. Father is getting impatient, I believe."
The throne room of Olympus was covered in a beam of silver light as two figures found themselves standing in the middle of it. Apollo gazed around, looking a little uncomfortable in the otherwise familiar surroundings. His sister nodded encouragingly at him before assuming her godly height and taking her place on her throne. The former god gazed at his own longingly. He wanted to take his place again. Hopefully, I will be there by the end of the meeting.
One by one, all the gods arrived. The meeting commenced.
His father was sceptical, wondering if Artemis had assisted him on his quest. His sister, Chaos bless her, explained how she wasn't directly involved in the process. It was because of her silver tongue that she always managed to weasel her way out of trouble. Lucky brat.
Both he and his sister campaigned to reinstate Apollo. Apollo brought up his victory against Python as a mortal, drawing some criticism from Athena about involving a demigod, nullifying the feat. Apollo retorted that nothing stopped him from taking a companion. He also freed the spirit of Delphi, which was originally why he was punished. "It's my job to channel its power. I can't do that as a mortal." Athena couldn't retort to that line of reasoning.
Artemis, on the other hand, pleaded with her father to bring Apollo back to the council. "He might die, and his domains are important. Besides, who is going to take Apollo's place? Heracles" she said looking towards the Queen, who scowled. "Or are we bringing Hecate, who betrayed us in the Titan War? Or I suppose Triton, the heir of the seas?" She could see Poseidon growing amused at the idea, looking at an unnerved Zeus who was stroking his beard thoughtfully. "My brother is rightfully an Olympian, and he deserves to be back on the council. He has earned his place by completing the trials set before him."
Eventually, everyone agreed. By the orders of Zeus, he was transitioned back into his position as an Olympian, and took his place on the golden throne, which was a testament to his awesomeness. Poseidon sent him a meaningful look, which meant Apollo was up for some questions. But he wasn't worried. Right now the god was revelling in the power that he had missed. The feeling of being back, the rush of power. It was incredible. Enough to push away everything else for the time being.
Hope you guys liked the chapter. As always, leave a review if you did. Or if you didn't. Doesn't matter.