Warning-contains dark and sensitive topics

Don't read if you're not comfortable with those.

Right now, as she dashed out of the cabin towards her lady, she only had two thoughts.

One, Is Persia okay? Please let her be okay!

And two…I'm so fucked now. Artemis is not gonna let her anywhere near me if she knows of my true feelings.

Thank you, dickheads, for making my job a hundred times harder.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Artemis was extremely worried as she sat by Persia's bedside.

Her lover had blacked out from the mental strain she had gone through.

She was beating herself up for not being there for Persia.

How could she have done this? Leaving Persia alone when she needed her the most. She nearly got raped by the likes of it, for chaos' sake!

Was this any way to treat a girl? Her girl?

She knew it wasn't. Yet, she had done it.

And she was pretty ashamed for her behavior. She knew it was selfish of her to be recruiting when she should have been with Persia. She had heard rumors that her father was spreading lies and deceit towards Persia. She should've been more caring, more alert, always on the lookout for her girlfriend.

She should've protected her.

Nearby, Thalia was sitting by Persia's bedside, concerned and wiping away stray tears that leaked. Understandable behaviour, given that her cousin was nearly raped and was badly beaten by a gang of males.

She made a mental note to give those rapist males a good castrating if they ever entered her sights again.

In her arms, Persia whimpered and stirred slightly. Immediately she tightened her embrace and whispered soothing words into her ear. "Hush, hush love, I'm here, I'm here, don't worry…"

Thalia also joined in, grasping her courin's hand tightly. "Persia, Persia, you're alright, you're good…"

In her arms, Persia weakly struggled and whimpered again, before suddenly tightening her embrace as her body started shaking.

She realized Persia was crying.

"Here, here, Persia, shhh, shh, don't cry…don't cry…."

Persia buried her head into her shoulder as she began choking and sobbing. Tears dampened her parka, but she could care less about the wetness.

Right now, her love was breaking down. And it was her job to console Persia .

"Perce, perce, we're here for you, we're here…" Thalia joined in, gently rubbing the back of Persia's hand as she attempted to comfort Persia. In response, Persia sobbed even harder.

Caressing Persia's soft, silky hair, she peppered kisses onto Persia's cheeks and forehead as she sobbed into her shoulder. She briefly locked eyes with Thalia, but she didn't know what she should do. She rarely ever comforted people, much less comforting her lover.

Luckily for her, as she tightened her embrace and began rocking back and fourth ever so slightly, Persia seemed to calm down little by little. Her sobs turned to sniffles and she began to untangle herself from her embrace.

Pressing another kiss to the top of Persia's head, she let go and held Persia by the shoulder. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she saw her love's red, puffy eyes. "Persia, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you alone, I should've been by your side,…I could have prevented this, I could've been less selfish…"

"Artemis," Persia said, her voice sounding strained, tired and awfully hollow, "It's not your fault. It's mine."

Her jaw fell open at Persia's words. "Persia, how is that your fault-"

"I didn't stand up to myself. I let him walk all over me. I let him take advantage of my unwillingness. I let him find a way to defeat me."

"Persia, don't-" Thalia began, but was silenced as Persia continued to rant.

"I let him bring me down. I let him take advantage of me. I let him do all of that. But most importantly…I brought shame to the hunter's name. I…I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I'm too fucking weak."

She was stunned. "Persia-" her tone was condescending and slightly angry, but she couldn't help it. Her girlfriend was blaming herself, out of all things, for her current predicament, "You're not weak. Listen to me. You're the bravest, strongest girl I've ever met and will ever meet-"

"Artemis, shut up."

She stared at Persia, shocked. "Persia," she began in a softer tone after a moment, but her lover was having none of it. "I said stuff it. I'm weak, I'm pathetic, I'm not worthy of you!" She began, her volume and tone picking up as tears began welling in her eyes.

"Persia please-"

"SHUT UP!"

She was shocked and stunned. Why was she doing this to herself?

She watched Persia turn and stomp away to the showers, vision blurring as tears began welling in her eyes.

She felt sadness, immense sadness…but also anger and hatred. Utter and pure hatred…towards that son of Zeus, Jake, and his lackeys.

They had turned her normally cheerful, loving girlfriend into this cold-hearted girl, who wished nothing to do with her and Thalia.

Putting her head in between her hands, she groaned. A lone tear escaped her eye and fell onto the floor, but she didn't care. Thalia had stopped out, and she could smell the ozone in the air as she stormed past.

"Why is she like this?" She said to no one in particular, but a voice responded. "Milady. Thou, of all beings, know why she is like this. These days with Persia should've taught thee something."

She looked up to see Zoë standing beside her, a light smile grazing her regal features.

She took in a deep breath and sighed.

"I don't. Frankly, I don't. She is normally so calm, so happy, so cheerful and warm towards me and the hunt, even though we treated her poorly…"

"And within thy words lies the answer thou seek." Zoë replied, still smiling. "In thy words, thou hath said, 'we treated her poorly yet she remained cheerful and warm towards us'. She, even after being yelled at and threatened by thee, still served the hunt and did all our chores. She, even after thou hath been forced to separate with her, remained with the hunt at great expense of her pain and suffering. I have witnessed this firsthand, and thee hath too. It is her fatal flaw, after all."

The puzzle pieces in her mind finally fell in place. "Loyalty," she breathed out, "but how? She remains loyal to us-that doesn't mean she can't see out faults. Surely, she is not trying to place the blame on herself because she is too loyal."

"That, milady, is exactly why. Thou must understand that Persia is too loyal for her own good. If I may, she is loyal to a fault, such that she cannot see our faults. She can only see the good, not bad. That, milady, is why she-he, back then, was unable to realize that Annabeth had turned traitor. It was because of their time spend together on the first few quests. Even though she turned during the quest where I, ah, temporarily departed thy side, Persia was unable to realize the change in her behavior, her true intentions. She could only see the good in others she is loyal to. Thou, milady, I, Thalia, all the hunters and her former friends all fall under this category."

"So this time…she wasn't able to understand that we have faults, and instead only sees the fault in herself?"

Zoë nodded. "Precisely, milady. She does this with every death she witnesses, every tragedy that happens under her watch. I have witnessed this firsthand upon Bianca's untimely demise. I have witnessed it yet again when it was my turn. And finally, when she noticed thine pain after being separated, she blamed herself for that. She could've chosen to blame fate, or any higher deity. Sadly, she is too pure and loyal for her own good."

She was silent for a long time. This…this was news to her. She had heard from others that Persia was loyal. Just…not to this extent.

And then something Zoë said suddenly dawned on her.

"Wait. You said that 'every death under her watch'…but that means…oh. Oh hades no. That-"

"Is a massive mental burden on her shoulders. Yes, milady. I know. Don't you worry though, I'll go check up on her."

With that, Zoë gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder before heading off towards the showers.

She made a mental note to prepare the dullest knife to castrate the males who did this to her girlfriend.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Persia stood numbly in the showers, letting the cold water wash over her as she tried to wrap her head around everything.

She had been defeated by someone else because she was…afraid of hurting others? Weak?

She didn't want to harm others. It lead to her defeat.

It caused Artemis to feel sorry about herself.

It caused others to worry about her.

Why couldn't she just be stronger and fight back?

Why did she have to be weak?

She thought back to all the times she had let people down because she was being pathetic.

She couldn't prevent Bianca's death. She caused Nico to lose his sister.

She couldn't help Zoë when she had the chance. She must've caused immeasurable pain in Artemis' heart.

She couldn't prevent Silena from turning traitor and dying to redeem herself. She should've been closer to her, to help console her, to help her avoid her fate.

She couldn't help Charlie because she was too weak to fight out of the ship and safely evacuate.

She couldn't help Silena as she watched her charge towards the drakon as it reared back to spit poison in her face.

She couldn't help Michael Yew as he disappeared off of the tethering cable.

She couldn't help save anybody. She couldn't do anything.

And now she was causing more pain to others.

Was she any good? Was she someone who should let a goddess trust with her existence?

She smiled bitterly at how campers thought she was a hero right up until she was exiled from camp. They proclaimed her a good leader, a fearless warrior, someone who would repeatedly do the impossible.

She never was any of those, it seemed.

In a way, she was death itself. Death followed her everywhere. First, Bianca, Zoë, luke, Silena, Beckendorf, campers, hunters, and anyone who fought under her leadership. Then, her parents as she tried to find solace away from camp. And then there were the monsters who tried to hunt her down, animals who she had to slay because she had to sustain herself, and the occasional mortal who strayed into the paths of monsters while she watched on, helpless, as they got swallowed up in their midst as she desperately ran to save them. Now, she was most likely to bring Artemis and her hunt trouble and more death since she defied the wishes of Apollo…and possibly the river Styx if her lover had sworn on that river.

She felt useless. Completely and utterly useless. Dead weight, a waste of resources, a waste of power…

She fidgeted with her rings. The normally soothing and comforting feel of the water suddenly felt cold, uncomfortable and unrelenting.

Without her realizing, one of her knives was already in it's knife form, its edge glinting in the soft light of the showers. A bitter smile spread across her face as a though flashed in her mind.

Maybe I don't have to be dead weight after all.

I could cut myself off from everyone in one move.

Eliminate everyone's source of burdens and troubles.

Just…one move.

The glinting edge slowly moved over towards her wrist.

A sad smile spread across her face.

In the back of her mind, a voice desperately screamed, "NO!DON'T! YOU MUST LIVE, FOR ARTEMIS, FOR THALIA!"

She ignored it.

The hovering silver edge of her dagger drew closer and closer to the soft, smooth skin on her wrist.

The thought of liberating everyone's burdens. Ending her own mental struggles. It was so alluring, so enticing.

The song of death drew her close, and she pressed the dagger against her wrist. She could feel a cold numbness settle in as the hard and unforgiving blade was turned against it's owner.

She pressed down harder.

An angry, dark shade of read began seeping out from the sides of the edge. A steady trickle of red slid from her wrist, down her hand and onto the wet shower floor, where it promptly got dissolved into the running water and sucked down the drain.

I guess this is it, she thought, bowing her head as she stared at the blade. A pointless, meaningless death.

It's what I deserve for failing anyway.

"Persia, stop." A clear voice rang out amongst the noise of water raining down onto the floor, and she looked up, shocked. In front of her, standing in the ajar cubicle door, stood a very, very angry Zoë Nightshade.

"Why should I?" She found herself saying, and Zoë's angered expression turned shocked, then sad. "Persia…please. You don't know-"

"I know. I know. Artemis will be sad, you'll be sad, Thalia will be sad. But I don't care. I'm a burden to all of you. I bring death and misery wherever I go. It's better if-" Her voice broke "-if I just ended everything. Remove your burden. I'll be happier in the Asphodel fields anyway."

Her hands started to shake, but then soft skin came into contact with the hand holding the knife. "Persia," Zoë's voice, full of pain and sorrow, "Look at me."

Sea green and crimson eyes met obsidian black ones which were full of compassion and warmth. "Listen. You're not a burden. You're the best gift anyone of us could've asked for. With you, we feel like a full family. With you, we feel complete. We're the embers of a fire, and you're the flames that light up the dark. You make us full, you make us feel like one. You're loyal, you're kind, and we honestly cannot ask for a better addition to our ranks…to guide, to lead, to protect."

A tear slid down Zoë's face.

"Persia…I know how you feel. Don't do it. It might feel good, but…it isn't the answer. Please, don't."

She nodded shakily at Zoë's pleading tone. Her usually hard obsidian black eyes were soft and kind, and she focused on them as she removed the blade from her wrist. Blood began seeping through the cut, but the water quickly healed it. In a matter of moments, she was fully healed, leaving behind a faint scar on her otherwise unblemished wrist.

"Persia…" Zoe whispered, moving forwards despite the water still pouring out of the shower head, "Please, please don't scare us like this again."

Soft, strong arms enveloped her wet body as Zoë moved to hug her. "Persia..I know how you feel. Let it out, let it all out on me…"

She was already sniffling when Zoë hugged her tightly. It took one sentence for her mental barriers to break.

Tears began pouring out of her eyes as she tried to hold in her sobs.

"Cmon, persia. Let it out, let it all out…I'm here for you…"

A choked sob escaped her lips.

And then another.

Soon, she was bawling her eyes out and crying her heart out on Zoë's shoulder. The former Hesperide rubbed soothing circles on her back as she tightened her embrace. Zoë didn't seem to mind being soaked in full uniform while standing under the shower as she poured her heart out in cries and sobs.

For once, she didn't have to keep up the appearance of a brave and strong leader, a cheerful and bubbly hunter. For once, she could turn and face the pain, the suffering she had hidden away from everyone.

For once, she didn't have to be Percy Jakscon, Son of Poseidon, Saviour of Olympus, or Persia Hallie, Lieutenant of Artemis, newly instated Guardian of the hunt.

She could be her true self.

Tears continued to pour as she shook, barely aware of how Zoë hugged her tightly and gently rocked her from side to side. She poured all her sorrow, her pain, her suffering out, until her throat was hoarse from all the crying and her eyes were red and puffy.

Lightly pushing Zoë away, the hesperide held her at an arm's length as she wiped away the last few drops of tears and sniffled.

"Feeling better?" Zoë asked, and she nodded, chuckling weakly. "You must think that I'm pathetic, don't you?"

Zoë shook her head, sighing. "No, Persia. You're not pathetic, you big dummy. In fact, you're one of the most competent and brave person I know."

She looked at Zoë, surprised. "But-"

"Yes, it's shocking, but you're not pathetic. At all. Why would you think that anyway?"

"Well…it's because I am bad at…everything. I lead people and they died. I went on a quest and…you died. I couldn't stop Artemis from breaking her oath and now it's gonna cost her…"

Zoë sighed. "Persia, listen. You lead an army into a war. People will die, and there's nothing you could've done to prevent it. On the contrary, you pretty much helped the greek pantheon and the west by saving olympus. As for mine and Bianca's death…it was fate. The prophecy foretold it, and…you cannot defy fate. No matter how hard you try."

"Yeah, but still…"

"Persia. Listen to me." Zoë's voice was uncharacteristically hard, and she looked up in slight shock. Obsidian black stared into sea green and crimson as Zoë began, "Fate is set in stone if the fates will it. You've proved to be a hero, a worthy male back then, and you let me accept my fate in peace knowing that there was at least a worthy male who walked the surface of Mother Earth. While you may have not saved me, you brought me closure and let me be at peace. That's the best I could ask for."

Zoë took a deep breath. "So, to answer your question, you aren't weak. You're strong and brave. The best person I could ever know."

She looked at Zoë, shocked by her words. "But…"

"No buts. You're too humble for your own good, do you know that?" Zoë laughed lightly, and she had to crack a slight smile at her melodious laughter as it cleared away her bad emotions and cleared her mind. "Now come, and we'll go back to milady. She must be worried after your previous…departure form our ranks."

She nodded duly, and allowed Zoë to lead her out of the showers after dressing herself in a simple T-shirt and pants. "By the way, what happened to your old english?" She asked, realizing that she understood Zoë perfectly well during their whole talking session.

"Well…thou art surprised at how I spoke the modern tongue?"

She rolled her eyes.

"I normally just use it to 'mess with' you, or maybe when I get frustrated. But…it's not appropriate. Old english is…more or less my preferred tongue, yes, but sometime I hath-no, should shift into modern english when the scenario requires me to. Like this."

She smiled lightly. "Thanks for being understanding, Zoë."

"No problem. We're family, after all."

"Just…thank you, Zoë. Oh, and I should go find nico if he's at camp. Campers seem to respect him as much as that son of old thunder pants…"

But as they walked towards the beach and moved to sit down under the palm tree, they didn't notice the lone male figure that had trailed them all the way from the bathrooms, his eyes full of regret and guilt.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Jake felt scared as he approached his father's statue.

He had never felt this afraid before.

Why?

He always did what his father asked. His father, sure, wasn't always proud of him, and sometimes held him in contempt if he did a job poorly. Still, at least his father visited him and talked to him.

That was already a lot better than most other campers.

Still, he had never failed before.

His job was to break that pesky hunter's oath. She had put up a good fight, but he didn't see why she didn't kill or maim any one of him or his goons.

The hunters of artemis were supposed to be man-haters, weren't they? Why didn't she immediately attempt to kill them?

Was there more to this girl than he could figure out?

He failed that part, and it was worst enough. But what added salt to injury was that he failed thanks to a goddess' hand.

The goddess that his father had specifically warned him about.

He must think I'm incompetent, he thought.

He was afraid of how others might now see him.

He was afraid of his father's immediate reaction.

But more importantly, he was afraid of losing his father's affection that was hard-earned by enforcing his father's will in camp.

He wasn't sure if his father would rage, smite him or comfort him.

Entering his cabin, the marble statue of his father glared at him. "Well?"

He flinched. Not even the word son.

"Father." He gulped, "I…I have succeeded at besting the girl.:

"Then where is she?" His father thundered, stoney (no pun intended) eyes glaring down at him.

"Err, father, there's where we had…complications."

"Explain."

"We were about do…do the deed, but then…that goddess came."

"YOU LET HER DISRUPT YOUR PLANS?" His father roared out as thunder boomed and crackled.

"Father, it wasn't-"

"WASN'T LIKE THAT? BECAUSE IT SEEMS YOU HAVE FAILED ME, PATHETIC CHILD!"

He flinched. Pathetic?

Did his father really think that lowly of him?

"Father-"

"SHUT UP, YOU INSOLENT CHILD!"

He bowed his head as the entire cabin rumbled and shook from the loud thunder. Lightning crackled inside the cabin, and he was afraid that he would be smited at a moment's notice.

"Useless." His father finally spat, "You had one job."

"I disown you as my child. You no longer are allowed in here. Scram."

He looked up in total shock. "But father-"

"Scram."

He could feel himself weakening, the comforting feel of being in the cabin gone, replaced by fear and awe.

He tried one last time. "Father, please-"

"LEAVE!"

"Please! PLEASE, I'm begging you-"

"You were a tool. Useful once, now defective. Leave before I strike you down. You are no child of mine."

Tears streamed down his face as he tried to reason with his father. "Please father, I can still-"

"Still be of use? Maybe. But you are no longer my child. Leave."

A blast of wind threw him back. Instinctively, he tried to control it, before realizing he couldn't.

His father had stripped all of his powers.

"Can't believe I had you useless sack of shit from a wedlock," was the last thing he heard his father say before the door slammed shut.

He wiped away furious tears as he walked away to the bathrooms to clean himself up and clear his mind, reminiscing about his actions all the way.

When he had come to camp with his gang of demigods, his father had helped him establish his position as the camp's main leader. He had power, influence, and basically acted his fathers will upon the campers. In return, he gained affection and respect from his dad.

Even Chiron had to bow down to him.

That pesky son of Hades was…well, a thorn in his side. He was powerful, honest, and everyone respected him. His father had told him the full truth about the battle on olympus and manhattan, and he was, quite frankly, impressed at the deeds this Percy Jackson guy and Nico di Angelo had done. Still, his father had ordered him to get rid of both. With Percy having never even showing up after the battle, it was easy to remove him from the equation by twisting events to his will.

Hell, he even self-inserted himself into Percy's position.

The only people who stood up to him were those from Nico's group-the veterans. Still while many scoffed at the idea that he was the 'true saviour of Olympus', they had no problem buying that annabeth, the girl who practically grew up in camp, was the one who finally prevailed and that Percy had turned traitor.

After all, it answered a lot of their questions.

The son of hades was a bit more tricky to deal with. All veterans had seen him fight, and he couldn't disprove Nico's skill and achievements. He did, however, manage to twist the story so that nico had turned traitor after losing his sister, and only rejoined their side when the battle of the labyrinth started.

Still, this only framed Nico in a more heroic light.

With that pesky son of hades leading the veterans and even some of the newer campers, his position as camp leader was threatened. Luckily for him, he was suddenly gone one day. Just gone.

He made up a story about Nico having some funky underworld business.

Since then, he had held reign over camp, and respect for him was rising rapidly. His father even appeared to be proud of him for once.

But was he doing this all for nothing?

No.

His actions were to merely appease his father so that he could be proud he had a son like him.

He knew that his father's adoration and love wasn't real. But he wanted it to be.

Maybe if he did everything his father had wanted him to, he'd be in his father's good books.

Lying and cheating his way up the ladder worked like a charm. Having good swordsmanship skills also helped.

But now…

It would all come crashing down. He didn't have anywhere to go, and he would soon be turned against.

He was a demigod with no parent. His godly blood in his was more of a curse than a gift.

He felt guilty as he thought about his actions before. He had done everything to gain power, out of green and selfishness. He hoped to get affection, and he got it.

Now karma had caught up to him.

He never though his father could betray him like that. He wounded his pride, his ego. He was proud to be a son of Zeus, King of gods.

Now he was a nobody.

Seeing a girl he never saw at the campfire before, he decided to boast and get attention one last time.

Even if it would come to bite him on the ass.

"Hey there!" He said in the most cheerful and warm tone he could muster, "Never seen you around before! Who are you? I'm Jake martin, son of Zeus-"

Thunder rumbled, but nothing happened. Still, he gulped, afraid that introducing as his former father's son would get him killed.

However, the girl looked up at him, flaming red orbs burning with anger and annoyance.

"I see…you must be the son that Zeus disowned. And you had that coming."

He was taken aback by her open hostility and anger. "Wa-wait-what-how-"

"Because, Jake, I'm Hestia. Goddess of the hearth…and family."

His eyes widened in shock. "Lady hestia! I'm so sorry-"

"You can save it. Tell that to my daughter instead."

"Your daughter…? Wait…oh no."

"Oh no indeed, Jake martin. However, I do understand you were just being used. I cannot blame you for what you have done, since you did it in the name of family, in pursuit of one, at least. And now…You have gotten what you rightfully deserved."

He bowed his head. "Lady Hestia, is there any way I can make up for my…atonement?"

The goddess nodded. "Certainly, Jake. But, it will be long and hard. You will not be who you are. But if you do need help…even though you hurt my daughter, I am still obliged to help. Even if I don't want to."

The goddess sighed. "Do you know why my daughter didn't defeat herself by maiming you and upholding the reputation of being a man hater?"

He shook his head.

"SHe did it because she, like me, considers all demigods family. She cannot bring herself to hurt those she considers to be loyal towards. An example is during th second titan war. I'm sure you already figured out who she was, judging by your thoughts-"

She can read minds.'

"-and yes, she was Percy Jackson, the famous-rather, infamous son of Poseidon, after you framed her as a traitor as per my brother's orders. During the war, she avoided killing as much as possible. Onboard the Princess andromeda, she didn't kill any demigod that stood in her way. She believed they had a change at redemption still. During the battle of manhattan, when her then girlfriend and best friend, annabeth chase, 'took' a knife for her, she didn't kill the assailant. She knocked them out. Do you see where I'm going with this?"

He nodded shakily.

"My daughter is kind and loyal. Loyal to the point where she cannot see the bad in others except herself. This time, it is no different. She, rather than raging at you, raged at herself."

His eyes widened. "But she has-"

"Every right to rage at you? Indeed, former son of my brother, indeed. Still, she chose not to."

He bowed his head in shame. "Milady, what must I do-"

"You must apologize. You must face your crimes, and you must accept any punishment. Even death. After all, your intentions were pure but your actions weren't."

He nodded. "I understand, milady. I…I understand how father was based on the older stories. I'll try to avoid becoming like him…hopefully this is a step in the correct direction."

Hestia smiled lightly. "Then go. Follow the girl who looks like a Persian Princess, a former hesperide. You'll find my daughter there. Choose your moves wisely, and I wish you good luck."

With that, the goddess returned to tend to the flames.

"Thank you, lady hestia."

She didn't respond.

Turning away, he looked back one last time at the fire pit. The goddess was gone, but in her place, the fire roared.

Just like the determination in his heart to fix everything, to right his wrongs.

He had done many misdeeds. Now, it was time to reveal them and accept his punishment.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Persia sat with Zoë at the beach, silently staring at the waves that lapped gently onto the soft sands.

"Persia, hath thee ever come to terms with the last…war?" Zoë said, breaking the silence.

"Why ask me now?"

"I… hath my suspicions. Thou art the most loyal person I shall ever meet, and I know that deaths weight heavily on one's soul if they fall under one's leadership. Combined with thine loyal trait…'

She widened her eyes. So that's why Zoë knew how to comfort her…

"You knew all along?"

"I had the slightest of suspicions on thy behavior, yes."

She sighed. Well, no point in trying to deflect it. Especially if Zoë already had her suspicions.

"Truthfully, no."

Zoë nodded. "That's what I thought. So…care to explain, did today's events cause thee to doubt thine self and result in your…behavior?"

She nodded.

"But Zoë…how do you know?"

"Because I suffered from it once too."

Her eyes widened as Zoë rolled up her sleeve, revealing dozens, possibly hundreds upon hundreds of thin, white scars that had mostly faded.

"Zoë…" she sucked in a breath, "I-I'm so sorry-"

"Don't be. As a huntress that was in milady's ranks for over three millennia, death and tragedy are commonplace. At first, I was like thee. Suffering from guilt and remorse at being unable to save my family, hunters who joined to avoid terrible fates only to end up with an even worse one. Three times the companions of artemis were nearly all killed. It weighted heavily on my heart."

"I'm…I don't know what to say."

Zoë smiled. "Thou do not need to, Persia. You've led campers into a war and watched as your friends all fell and died all around thee. I have done the same, and every time one of the hunters fall, it weighs on me heavily. With thy personal loyalty and such, I believe it is worse on thine mind. Yet, thou must come to terms with it. Life and death, death and life, it is the cycle of life, the order of nature. It cannot be defied. Instead of wallowing at one's end, celebrate their achievements. Remember them for who they were, honor their memories. Not mourning forever for their loss."

She cast her eyes down to the sands on the beach, counting the individual fragments. "I-I'll try. But there's so many…Micheal, lee, Charlie, Silena, Castor, Luke…Bianca, and…you."

"Yes, there is a lot. But, all of them have done worthy things in life. All of them were heroes in their own way. Do not be afraid to celebrate their life, even if it is just a fireworks explosion in the night sky."

"I'm surprised you know what fireworks are."

Both of them chuckled lightly, but their mood shifted when a bush nearby rustled. Her twin daggers were in her hands as she abruptly stood, and Zoë had her bow materialized and in her hand.

"Show yourself." Zoë's voice rang out loud and clear, and the bush in front of them rustled even more.

A pair of hands emerged, then a head of messy black atop a familiar stocky body.

It was Jake, son of Zeus.

She could hear Zoë gritting her teeth as she drew her bowstring even more taunt. She herself gripped her twin daggers tightly as she waited for the son of Zeus to gloat, laugh, or challenge them again. Anger rose within her at the sight of the terrible demigod, but when she looked into his eyes, she coudln't help but realize something.

He wasn't here to harm or hurt. Within his eyes, sorrow, pain, regret and fear was seen as clear as day, though he had schooled his own features as he stepped forwards.

"Why. Art. Thou. Here." Zoë said through gritted teeth, and she couldn't help but notice that Jake lowered his head as he halted in his tracks.

Tensed silence followed as she waited for a response.

"I…I'm here to apologize, and what I am going to say is true. I swear this on the Styx."

Her eyes widened as she heard the oath. "You're here to…apologize?"

Jake nodded. "I…I'll be short and concise. I lied, I manipulated, I slandered, all to get my father's approval and love. And…I had every intention of breaking your oath to satisfy father's wishes. Looking back, my actions were-"

"Thou can stuff your apology up thy arse." Zoë calmly retorted and prepared to let an arrow loose, but Persia stopped her.

"Zoë. He's telling the truth. Besides…I do believe him, even though I might never forgive him. Look at Luke, look at the demigods and tell me they won't do anything to earn their parent's love. I…Hestia did give me some of her powers, and…I understand how the craving desire to get a family can drive him to do…those. Let him apologize first. Then we'll see what we can do about it."

Zoë nodded. "On one condition though."

"That is?"

"He has to apologize publicly, in front of milady and all campers if he wants to show true remorse. After all, he has seemingly done way more harm than good."

Jake's face paled rapidly, and Persia couldn't help but notice the cruel smirk that played across Zoë's lips.

She sighed lightly as she motioned for Zoë to take the lead. Some things truly never change.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

A/N: Chapter 15!

huzzah?

Regardless, here we are! Persia gets angry at herself, Zoë helps her out and their bond slowly grows through trauma bonding. Oh, and we discover Jake isn't a shit person at the core, and Zoë wants him to apologize. Publicly.

Next chapter's gonna be fun…?

Regardless, we're going into the 'The Lost Hero' Arc soon. Remember how the hunt was issued a mission to search for Hera?

Yep, we're getting back to that.

Anyway, I'll be doing review responses for this chapter. Tbh I felt like this is mid, but…I wrote all of this on one go. If there are any illogical/terrible things, please do tell me so I can improve.

Regardless, Reviews:

Guest: (For some reason FFN isn't showing this review. It's Sus.) Well…No. Nico leads a part of camp, and is still respected amongst campers, but Jake (The son of Zeus) Has more influence. Plus, with Nico having been 'kidnapped' by Hera, Jake simply fills up the power vacuum. As for the discrediting part, the reasoning is above-He was simply Zeus' tool to twist events as he sees fit. Persia not defending herself is also elaborated on above-she did defeat herself, she just didn't do it with all her power and skill since she doesn't want to harm anyone. Plus, if the hunt-which was already seen in a bad light-fought campers and wounded/killed them, how would campers feel? I would believe that Jake could easily twist events into his (and his father's) favor again and just burn down cabin 8 with everyone inside. Sure, there'll be more drama anf 'fun' but I don't really wanna go down that path. You gotta remember that Persia is also the daughter of Hestia, a peaceful goddess, and she will attempt to avoid any form of bodily harm if possible.

And yes, I agree with your final statement. Zeus is the bitchiest bitch out of everyone in this fic. Maybe not the fates though, since they are pretty arrogant and stupid in this fic.

Regardless, thanks for leaving a long review and enjoying what I write!

Ryan Fowler: Man you're really a dedicated reader lol, maybe I should start putting a dedicated supporter's list at the top of every fic to than you guys (Also Sh4d0wz, Devlishslipper, Sparten24 and thatonefanfirl2987. Hell, you and shadow have been here since the beginning, thank you both!)

Anyway, onto yuor actual review- Yep, we all know someone's gonna get hurt, badly. Artemis isn't gonna let Jake off even if he apologized, but especially not his goons since they partook in it for personal gains. (Jake did too, but it was to chase somehting that everyone craves…so maybe I'll let him of a tad bit more lightly).

No one's gonna die though…though you know what artemis does with Males, dull hunting knives and their privates.

Anyway, That's it for reviews! I actually finished everything on Sunday (9th) and am holding back to see if any more of you have your thoughts or opinions you want me to respond to (and I need editing myself, so…yeah). Regardless, don't be afraid to comment or leave reviews.

Also, my upload schedule is most likely gonna change to one update every 2-5 days from now on, but it's still dependent on when I actually finish a chapter and respond to all previous reviews.

Anyway, I'll begin editing this part now. Hopefully I'll see you amazing lot in the next chapter!