Disclaimer: i don't own the pjo

T-T

Artemis spotted a certain male figure appearing in the distance. It wasn't hard to deduce who it was.

Judging from when the male left to the present, the time frame of his travels were already estimated by Artemis. If he had been extremely late, Artemis would have been disappointed in him. But, it seemed that her worries were for naught.

His appearance showing a clear difference in the mood of the hunters as all of the livelihood from before died down to soft murmurs. The joyous laughter and giggling were reduced to apprehensive stares as if some outsider had entered, which in a way he was.

Even from a distance, the male seemed to notice the atmosphere as he moved in the direction of his tent trailing on the outskirts of the camp.

Both parties were aware of the other's thoughts, however either side decided to rectify the situation. Ultimately, it seemed that no one decided to approach nor even acknowledge the guardian's existence. Perhaps due to the previous situation, some other personal reason, or the most likely a mix of both

From Artemis's perspective though, it was quite tiring. She had pieced together the overall story from the information gathered from her hunters and Ares.

Most likely what happened was that her hunters had initiated the first point of conflict. Artemis knew her hunters quite well. It would not surprise her if they even went for fatal shots. She knew very well, what their personalities were and the most probable course of action.

However, it was impossible for her to make a judgement that neglected the other party involved. Although, she did not like to interact with males, sometimes it was necessary to look at the overall picture for her to make the most accurate assessment.

In a flash of silver, Artemis appeared beside the male, evidently starling him. He instantly widened the distance with his sword drawn in the blink of an eye. Not even she saw what exactly happened which did surprise her to an extent.

Artemis did not miss the speck of self-loathing that appeared in his eyes that had vanished as soon as it had caught her silver gems.

Perseus hastily apologized for drawing his sword at her.

From the profile, she had built of him. His reaction was in-line of her initial impression of his personality, although she still did not understand his motives.

There were so many questions Artemis wanted to ask, but she refrained herself from doing so.

"Astute cautiousness is a quality that not even the veteran hunters can perfect, impressive."

Unprepared for the sudden compliment, his pupils widened in surprise, also causing Percy to unconsciously discard his mistake to the depths of his mind.

"Guardian, follow me."

Her tone didn't suggest that anything was particularly wrong, but Percy thought otherwise.

The entire walk was awkwardly silent, neither of them wanted to particularly say anything. Percy was too busy with his internal turmoil while Artemis- was just Artemis.

He was pretty sure- No almost certain that his mistress had found out. Actually, it would be harder for her not to hear about it considering that it involved many of the huntresses.

For an unknown reason, his gaze was magnetized towards the ground, even though there wasn't really anything interesting to look at. He just couldn't bare to look at his mistress right now, instead he was following his mistresses footsteps like a baby chick following its mother.

He mindlessly trailed behind Artemis before she abruptly stopped, almost causing Percy to bump straight into her. Fortunately, Percy had good reflexes and prevented himself from crashing into her.

Artemis silently turned to face him, her cold eyes staring directly into his. An invisible weight fell unto his shoulders, pressing him down to his knees. Her indifference and disinterest made him feel as though a sovereign had descended and was looking down at him, casting judgement on his very being.

He felt as though he was merely just a speck on the palm of her hand. That she had the power to obliterate his existence.

His mind trembled. Not at the fact that his mistress was not an ordinary person.

No ordinary person was be capable enough to make him feel enough pressure to make him kneel. But at the fact that he felt a feeling of helplessness.

That Percy could not do a single thing. He was the guardian.

And yet he felt as powerless as a fish in a pond.

The pressure applied to his shoulders also tried to force his head down, to make him lower his gaze in her presence. However, he did not want to bend.

His mind latched onto that idea like a moth to a flame.

Why didn't he just succumb?

Why was she just watching him?

What was she waiting for?

His mind raced to think of the possible reasons until he came to the most possible conclusion.

This was a test.

His eyes met hers with an unwavering spirit.

Although his mistress did not say anything, the glint in her eyes told him everything. She was looking. Looking for something.

What she was looking for, Percy did not know.

However, he knew if he backed down, he would essentially be giving up.

To give up on this test, it meant forfeiting his life, even though it might not result in that.

It was just not an option for him.

The only way to pass was to pass flawlessly.

Percy felt like the only way to do that was to push through the pressure.

Although, that would be difficult with the pressure steadily increasing.

His body pushed against the force like an ant to a tidal wave. The boundless resistance made it seem hopeless. His attempts akin to drops in the ocean, but Percy knew he had to persevere.

His joints screamed in pain while the bones in his body felt like they were shattering again and again. Despite this, he did not utter a single sound and contained the urge while gritting his teeth as hard as he could.

The taste of iron reminding him that it wasn't enough to persevere.

The weight was getting heavier, and his vision was getting increasingly blurred by the second.

If he had to do it, now would be a much better time than later.

It was all or nothing.

In a last ditch effort, he mustered all of his remaining strength to break through.

Even if his body were to break and his mind were to collapse, nothing would stop him. Not even the mistress if she tried.

He heard the audible sound of his bones cracking as blood pooled in his mouth.

His gaze never left Artemis a single time as she also maintained eye contact, seemingly without a care in the world.

Her impassive eye asking him if he could amount to this much, mocking his efforts.

Percy pressed onwards, swayed by the taunting created from his own skewed mind. He took up the challenge, not caring about his own physical state.

Little by little, Percy rose to his feet.

Blood dripping from his orifices as he stood tall, still with his eyes locked on Artemis. The weight dissipated in a second like a fleeting moment.

Percy blacked out.