A brown glove reached into a thicket of leaves. Pitiful moans of a defeated beast droned on in the background of rustling leaves. The gloved hand plucked and pulled free a glowing apple, a glowing golden apple.

"I have it," a voice whispered softly. "I finally have everything I need."

Percy watched and listened as he spied upon the gloved-handed man through his dream. Demigod dreams were always something. Sometimes, they helped, and others they confused.

In the dream, the hand bearing the apple turned away from the tree, making Percy realize he was seeing through the eyes of whoever this was. Usually, he was an observer, not the star of the dream. He watched as these eyes disregarded the arrow-filled heads of Ladon the Dragon and turned to lush gardens where three shadows stood in the distance watching.

Yet, the eyes disregarded all of the Gardens of the Hesperides. This person only cared to look at the divine apple in their possession.

Immortality.

"You can begin the final step," a woman announced. Her voice was like silk upon the ears. The host of the dream turned to the new figure. His eyes zeroed in not on her face but on what the goddess held: a black apple. It looked and even felt wrong across the dream. It felt poisonous…. "You need to find your way to the coast now. Then, after the deed is done, you may hunt to your heart's content."

"And this is where we part ways?" the host asked gravelly. "That we are square? No double-crossing or sending some hounds after me?"

The woman smirked, brushing back silver hair, "We will be square once you satisfy the fire's hunger."

"I don't know if I should thank you or fear you for how much you have aided me in my hunt."

The goddess smirked as she dropped the blackened apple into the dreamer's hand. She, in turn, took the golden apple of immortality and bit into it, "Fear me. After all" –she dropped the apple— "it only takes one downfall to be my greatest entertainment."

The discarded golden apple splatted into the ground and slowly dissolved into the earth. From the shimmering golden fruit rose a singular golden arrow that floated ever upwards into the goddess' clutch.

"This will kill anyone. Immortal or mortal." She offered the arrow to the host. "Do not waste it on what will be left of the woman. Save it for who she seeks to protect her. Her brother has been known to care little for the rules."

"Your council has been heard, my lady." The man of the dream bowed.

"Excellent. Now go. Task your pets to work and find your prey before the sunrises once more. Strike at the peak of the moon to ensure you take it all. Else, she may be left with enough to kill you handily. Or worse, considering who it is…."

"Thank you, my lady."

The silver-haired goddess smiled cruelly as she vanished in a flash of light. The host looked down at his gloved hands, wherein a golden arrow and black apple lay.

"Soon…" the man muttered as his hands clenched around the divine gifts. His eyes sought the rising sun as the mountaintop began to be bathed in the light of Apollo. "Soon."

:P LINE BREAK d:

"Percy!" a girl shouted. Her voice rang out across the demigod's bedroom.

Percy forced himself up in his bed, eyes bleary as he blinked away the fog of Morpheus. For a blimp of a moment, he saw a golden apple in his hand before his vision cleared, and he was staring down a short-haired punk girl floating in a ripple of light.

"Morning to you too, Thals," he yawned.

"Yeah, yeah." She waved his greeting off. "It is about time you woke up. I've said your name like eight times now. What is 'soon' that you were mumbling about? Got a date?" she asked.

"No, I don't have a date. Nor am I looking." He paused and calmed himself. There's no need to start off on the wrong side of the bed over something so minor. "I don't know. Weird dream. It is not all there, but I think I was talking to an apple or something."

"Talking to an apple?" she frowned. "That's weird, even for a demigod. Maybe you are hungry? Or scared of a doctor?"

He ignored her, rubbing his palms into his eyes, trying to force the sleep out, "Let me just get my bearings, okay?"

"Yeah, sure. I'd rather you be awake for what I want to talk about, anyways."

Percy nodded, threw his legs to the side of his bed, and discarded his blankets back to his bed as he stood and stretched. He could feel his back pop as he rolled his neck free of cricks.

"My gods," Thalia gasped.

Percy turned to her blushing floating head with a raised eyebrow, "Eternal maiden, miss."

"Shut up," she whined. "I was looking at the scars on you, not your body, idiot."

"Oh." Percy looked at himself. He had more than a few scars than he cared to recall. Years as a demigod racked up its toll when you had to keep fighting. A bar fight or two didn't help either. "They are whatever." He shrugged it off. "I mean, you have some scars too, right?"

Thalia frowned, "Not since I became immortal. My body tends to stitch itself back together flawlessly."

"Well, that doesn't sound too bad, eh?"

"It's something." Thalia shrugged it off.

Percy grabbed a random shirt, skipped the smell test in present company, and slipped it on. He then took to his kitchen, the floating Iris Message following in his wake.

"Let me start my sugar with a side of coffee, and then you can tell me what's up, okay?"

She nodded, "That works for me."

He started his maker and poured two scoops of sugar into the bottom of the cup as he turned to his long-time friend. The two sat in silence as Percy watched her stare off to the side. She nodded, likely to some hunter offscreen.

Her hair had grown out some. Not much, but an inch or so longer than the last time he saw her. The silver tiara she usually wore was still there, but it looked like it had been taken off recently. There was a smudge of dirt in its woven design as well… Did she drop it while putting it on?

He continued to analyze the same face he had seen on his friend for the last handful of years. Her face was slimmer than when she was a camper, but it was still as youthful as that night before her sixteenth birthday. She physically was the same young girl who scaled the mountain of the Titans all those years ago. She didn't change like he had. She didn't scar or grow old.

She had remained young. She remained immortal.

He grabbed his fresh brew and added a few scoops of sugar to it. With a wave of his finger, the drink stirred itself as he brought it to his lips.

Tasted better than yesterday's first sip.

"So…" Percy started, snapping Thalia's gaze away from the void or wherever she drifted. "What's going on that you have to call little old me?"

Thalia opened her mouth and then hesitated.

Perhaps the reality of whatever she wished to share was settling upon her, or maybe she couldn't find the words for it. Percy waited all the same as he watched her eyes read the thoughts in her own head before she took a breath and turned to him.

"I think I want to leave the hunt."

Percy froze mid-sip.

"Leave?" he prodded with a neutral voice, unsure where the conversation should go to avoid a fight.

Thalia nodded as she took a breath, "Yes. I think I want to leave."

"Why?"

She looked him in the eye, a tear forming, "I think I am ready to live."

It was that kind of call….

He stepped forward, closer to the IM, as if he was going to give her a hug, but he stopped short.

"Thals, I want you to know I support whatever decision you make as long as you are fully behind it, but I have to ask. What do you mean?"

Her shoulders fell as she looked to her feet, "I've been thinking about it for a year now, so it isn't something I've rushed. It is just that when I first joined the hunt, I was doing so to buy Olympus time from the Prophecy as much as I was running from it myself. Then, you took care of all that, and well, I was content with where I was after the Titan war. Yet, when the Giant War ended, I lost a lot of people. A lot of hunters died fighting Orion, and I-we… we also lost Annabeth….

"I think at some point in the last few years, I realized that this is going to be the way things are going forward. I'm just going to lose more and more people as I age forever. I mean fuck, I am not even in a sixteen-year-old's body, but I've been alive for almost thirty years now. Yes, I am counting the tree business. I just… I just think I want to do more. I no longer want to feel contained to being a youthful follower anymore."

Percy slowly nodded his head as he chewed on her words. He understood, mostly.

"Have you spoken to Lady Artemis about all this?"

"Yeah, just a little bit ago. We had a small fight and such. I think I pissed her off quite well. She just went cold and stormed off. Saw a flash and assumed she went to Olympus or something. I went back to my tent." She gestured to the background behind her. "Then, I called you. I figured the man who rejected godhood would understand better than my brother, who runs around building shrines to the gods."

"I think I have an idea of what you are going through. I am kind of in a similar situation myself, I think."

"You are?" Hope shined in her blue eyes.

"Yeah. I think I'm at the point where I am ready for more from life but not wanting all from life. If that makes sense?"

"Not even close, but I am sure it is better than leading around a bunch of girls who only put up with you because you are the leader."

"They don't like you?" Percy frowned.

Thalia shrugged, "Most of them that liked me, we made shrouds for. The rest here outrank me in experience, and they think they could have led the Hunters better against that Giant. I'm half tempted to throw this tiara at them and let them fight over it."

Percy nodded, taking a sip, "How about this? Throw that tiara back to Artemis and come to my place. We'll take a trip. Drink some drinks. Hit some clubs. We will be mortals for a few days, and then we can go find some distant town to explore. No gods, no weapons, no powers, and no overbearing hunters. Just me, you, and some fun."

Thalia sat there for a minute, her eyes frizting, betraying her stress. Until she smiled, "Gods, that sounds so much better than finding a deer to eat. I can practically taste the greasiest burger known to man already."

"So, it's a plan?" he smiled. His eyes glanced at the mess behind the IM in his living room, and the smile faltered. He would really need to clean up.

"Yeah. I like this plan." She smiled. "Once Artemis returns, I'll toss the crown and head out to you. You still on the West Coast in your apartment?"

"Haven't left yet."

"It might take me a day or so. I'll have to steal and hotwire a car, probably." She tapped a finger to her chin. "We are in New Mexico, so it shouldn't be the worst drive."

"I'll see you tomorrow then, at the latest?" Percy guessed.

Thalia knocked her head back and forth in thought, "From me to you, probably about a thousand miles or so. If I'm fast, I could make that in over half a day."

"Just get here in one piece, and you can take as long or as short as you like."

"Thanks Perce. I'm glad you got me out of that tree all those years ago."

"Yeah, me too." He smiled back.

"I-I'll see you soon, then?" she brushed away a tear.

"See you soon, pinecone-face." He swiped his hand through the IM before she could react.

He stood there for a moment as he looked down at his coffee. He knocked it back like a shot and placed his empty cup into the sink.

His gaze settled on his apartment. The pizza box was still there amongst other discarded messes, taunting him. He would have to clean the place up for sure. He would also need to do some laundry and get clean blankets for Thalia.

:P LINE BREAK d:

Percy sighed.

He had finally cleaned up his apartment. The trash was disposed of, the laundry was washed, and the dishes were cleaned. It had taken him the better part of the day, but he had already set aside fresh blankets and pillows for Thalia on his couch. He never found that drachma, though….

He wasn't strictly tired by any means, but it was refreshing all the same as he nursed a glass of whiskey on his balcony. The sun had already hidden itself away as the silver plant beside him had begun to shine.

A flash of light pulsed from behind him in his living room.

"Shit," Percy mumbled. He looked at the half glass he had left, sighed, and shot it back in one go. It burned as it dropped into his stomach. It's still easier than actual liquid fire.

"Perseus," a goddess stepped closer to his side.

He kept his eyes locked on the bottom of his glass. From his periphery, he could see the long auburn braid of his guest.

"I wish to speak to you about matters I am afraid I do not understand," she spoke and stepped to the railing. She leaned forward as she glanced down at the street below before looking out to the distant beach. Someone was having a bonfire out there. "Perseus?"

"Percy is fine." He turned away from the goddess as he went to refill his glass. He would need a bit more alcohol in his system before he could deal with a goddess tonight, especially if he was going to be sheltering the girl who had run away from the said goddess.

"I wanted your advice."

"So you mentioned." Percy poured himself another glass and knocked it back. "Ask away."

"Must you drink?" she grimaced as he poured a third glass of whiskey.

"I don't have to. I just choose to."

"Lovely." She sat on the edge of his couch. Her eyes glanced at the pillows and blankets set out to the side. "Expecting guests tonight?"

"Did you talk to Thalia?"

"She contacted you?"

"Did you talk to her after you went back to camp?"

Artemis frowned, "I haven't been back yet. I was going to, but Queen Hera called a meeting. Am I missing something?"

"Just talk to Thalia when you can, and remember she still has people in her corner."

"The drink emboldens your words."

"Love emboldens my words."

"You love my Lieutenant? Should I be worried? Perhaps I should deal with you now."

Percy shrugged as he walked past the goddess and went to his balcony again, "Like a sister but love all the same. Plus, you came to me for advice. I assume your fight with Thalia is bothering you?"

"She mentioned a few remarks that I am afraid I do not understand the angle she was poking at."

"So, why come to me?" he asked as he eyed the distant beach bonfire. "Of all the people in the world, you came to me?"

"You rejected godhood. You denied the ultimate power and eternal life. You did this all while being a respectable male."

"Thalia made similar remarks. Sounded a lot nicer from her, though."

"Yes, I am sure she was nicer. She does not possess the same passions I and many other huntresses hold. However, beyond that, I am not here to instigate. I just wish to know more about you mortals."

Percy shrugged as he sipped his glass, "Go on, then. Ask away."

"Why? Why did you reject immortality?"

"Didn't want it."

"Not good enough," she replied immediately.

"I didn't want to watch everyone I loved die around me."

"Your fatal flaw. Loyalty, was it not?" her brows furrowed.

"That's what Athena said it was." He shrugged and took a drag from his drink. "Even then, I think it is just basic human emotion not to want to live to see everyone you know die."

"Do they not say that time heals all wounds?" she rebutted.

Percy half-shrugged, "Time allows things to fester as well."

"What is so great about mortality, then?"

What was so great about mortality?

Artemis continued, "Your life is short. Just as you finally accomplish something, whether it be accumulating wealth or a false grasp of power, you mortals die. You grow weak and sick. You are powerless to us gods."

"Is power all there is in life?" Percy countered.

"There are other great qualities, yes, like nature and the animals who frolicked there. However, this is about you, humans, and why you would not want to live forever and enjoy said great qualities forever?"

"If you had unlimited uh- I don't know bows, right? If you had unlimited bows but only twenty arrows, what would you value more?"

"The arrows," Artemis responded with a frown. "What does that prove?"

"If I only have twenty sunrises and sunsets. I'll cherish each of them because I know they will not last. But with this whiskey, I have practically unlimited money from sea treasures and, consequently, unlimited alcohol. This is my bow. I can do as I please with my drinks and never worry about wasting a single one. However, I won't miss any sunset." He pointed at his drink and then to the bow saddled to her back as if it explained everything. "Mortality to immortality."

Artemis frowned as she chewed on his words. Her gaze went back and forth between his glass and the distant moon above. It was almost at its peak for the night.

"What of the fact I can enjoy every sunrise and sunset forever? My immortality ensures that."

Percy sighed, "Do you actually stop and appreciate the sun? And not your brother and his aspect of it, but do you stop and appreciate the warmth on your skin? The colors of the sky as they bend and blend with the clouds?"

"I-I don't know. I have, of course. Yet, I feel as if I am missing your significance to these occasions."

"You just don't treasure it." Percy gave up. "You wouldn't know unless you lived as a mortal. When life is temporary, we value those that make our brevity upon this planet enjoyable."

Artemis gave a slight mix between a scoff and a laugh, "Funny you should say that. Thalia had similar remarks about all of this in lesser and unsure words."

"Perhaps you should try mortality? Give it a spin for a century."

Artemis rolled her eyes as she turned to face away from the sun. Her finger ghosted the Moonlace plant that blossomed in her shadow.

"I would rather fade from existence than be a powerless mortal for the rest of my existence."

"Bit harsh."

"My truth all the same." She shrugged. She continued to trace her fingers over the petals of the flower. The lengths of the plant leaned into her touch as the plant seemed to shine brighter than usual. "A rare flower. I assume you brought this back from the island of Calypso?"

"How did you know?" Percy looked at her as he finished off his glass.

"I created and gifted her the only seeds to this plant. I felt pity for her situation. She had done nothing but support her father as a daughter should have, and she was doomed to be forever stuck with a broken heart. I found it cruel."

"So, you gave her flowers instead of fighting for her freedom?"

"I supported my father. I showed my compassion while following his orders. I could have done nothing."

"Did you guys ever free her as I wished?"

"I-I am unsure." She frowned. "Father had claimed the process would take time to undo the enchantments and bindings that had kept many of the Titans and their supporters in their homes. I believe Helios and Selene have been freed, but their bindings were severely less than any others as far as I can recall."

Percy turned back to look at the beach. The bonfire was going strong. It looked even taller than before. Perhaps if Artemis would leave him soon, he could catch the tail end of that party.

"Why did you leave Calypso? The option to stay and break her curse was within your right."

Percy glanced at her as she stroked the plant.

"I had friends and family that needed me. I sought their safety over my love."

Artemis stood and joined him at his balcony view. A glass of nectar was in her hand, as she took a sip from it.

"You would have made a fine huntress."

The bonfire exploded in flames.

Artemis gasped.

Her breath left her. The glass she held fell upon the railing and shattered halfway across the balcony and the other half with the nectar down to the street below.

Percy turned as Artemis stumbled to the side.

Her arm flew out to his slide door as she tried to brace herself. She gasped for air as if she was suffocating. She turned to him, her silver eyes teared up as she blinked them away. Her gaze met his once again, a cry for help on her lips. But he stood transfixed in her agony. Her silver eyes were now a dull grey, almost black.

"H-help me."

She collapsed.

Her hands caught her fall.

Percy broke off his daze and knelt down to her as he rotated her onto her side in case she was having a seizure, but what he saw instead brought his brain to short circuit.

She was bleeding from a shard of glass embedded in her palm.

She was bleeding red.

Like a mortal….