The best love letters are those written in ink, soaked in tears, and sealed in a kiss.


"We're calling Artemis. You in or out?" Vivienne's eyes flickered open, her mind slowly waking up from a restless sleep. The world swam into view, revealing Phoebe's impatient figure looming over her.

"Artemis? Here?" Vivienne's words were slurred, her throat dry. Phoebe rolled her eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh.
"We're sending an IM," she said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"IM?" Vivienne repeated slowly.

"Iris Message, Viv. Keep up. Now come on, get up. Artemis is going to have plenty of questions for you." Phoebe's tone left no room for argument.

Pushing herself upright, Vivienne felt the stiffness of her limbs protest. She stumbled out of the car, her feet finding the cold, hard ground of the abandoned parking lot. The morning air was crisp, a stark contrast to the stuffiness of their car, sending a shiver down her spine.

Reyna and Thalia were already outside, talking in low murmurs. As Vivienne approached, they turned towards her with a warm smile.

"Morning," they greeted in unison. Her reply was a hoarse, "Morning." She rubbed her arms, trying to ward off the chill, and joined their huddle.

"Where exactly are we?" Vivienne frowned, looking around. Her gaze swept over the desolate landscape, and she couldn't see much except from a few abandoned vehicles and a looming, old building opposite them.

"An abandoned car park," Thalia replied. "Don't worry, we won't be here long. It's just they've got a private hut thing which we can use to talk to Artemis."

"Yeah, about that… How are we talking to Artemis?" Vivienne asked, confused. An Iris Message wasn't exactly something they covered in college.

Reyna exchanged a look with Thalia before answering.

"An Iris Message is a way of communication used by demigods and gods," she explained. "Think of it like a magical video call, except instead of an electronic device, we use a rainbow to send a message."
"A rainbow?" Vivienne repeated, intrigued and confused by the concept. "And where are we getting this rainbow from? Nothing but clouds above us here." With a mischievous wink, Reyna reached into her pocket.
"Allow me to introduce you to a little invention of mine." She pulled out a small device, no bigger than a smartphone, with a small crank on one side and a tiny tube pointing upwards. "Meet the Porta-Bow!"

Thalia gasped in surprise.

"I thought those were banned?" Reyna's grin only grinned.

"Banned from commercial sale, yeah. Zeus didn't say anything about me keeping a few for personal use." Vivienne, still trying to keep up, looked between them, confused.
"What's a 'portable'?" she asked.

"It's Porta-Bow," Reyna corrected with a smile. "And it's a device me and Leo created a while back. Long story short, it creates a rainbow so you can send Iris Messages without having to fuss about making the rainbow yourself. At release, it got really popular really fast. Too fast, actually. Iris started struggling with the workload. There were just too many messages being sent." Vivienne listened closely.

"So, what happened then?" she asked.

"Zeus stepped in," Reyna continued. "Banned any further sales, and just like that, they died out. Only a handful remain now. I think I have five or so, Leo has another five, Jason has two, Piper has one, Frank says he only has one, but Hazel thinks it's about four. Anyway, that was both the start and the end of my time spent engineering."

"How does it work?" Vivienne asked.
"It has a stash of drachmas stored inside," Reyna began, pointing to a hatch near the bottom. "You just take one out, pour some water into this reservoir here, wind it up for a minute or so, and boom! You get a rainbow. Then you just toss the drachma through the rainbow, say who you want to talk to, and if Iris isn't too busy she's start the message"

"Cool," Vivienne said, genuinely impressed.

"Yep," Reyna replied, looking satisfied with her invention. "Now, let's head inside the hut. It's probably warmer there, and we can have our chat with Artemis peacefully."

The hut was in fact not warmer, but it had a snow globe of New York City which looked pretty awesome. Reyna, Thalia and Phoebe went straight to work and began setting up the Porta-Bow on a makeshift table. Reyna opened a small hatch at the bottom of the device, revealing a stash of golden drachmas. She selected one and closed the hatch. Then, she poured some water from their bottle into a tiny reservoir at the top of the Porta-Bow. With a turn of the crank, a beautiful, shimmering rainbow sprang to life, its colours vibrant against the dim interior of the hut.

"Watch this," Reyna said, a hint of excitement in her voice. Tossing the drachma into the rainbow, she confidently said, "Show me Lady Artemis." There was a lengthy pause, and at first, Vivienne thought it wasn't going to work. The rainbow flickered slightly, but no image appeared.

"Artemis has a rule with Iris," Atalanta explained, nearly causing Vivienne to jump: she forgot Atalanta had been with them. "She has to be told who's on the other side of the Iris Message first so she can decide whether or not she wants to talk to them." Vivienne nodded, waiting in anticipation for something to happen, and sure enough, after a while, the mist within the rainbow began to swirl and merge into an image.

It was Artemis, seated on a bed inside a modern tent, but she wasn't alone. Beside her was another girl, someone Vivienne didn't recognize.

"Lady Artemis!" Vivienne exclaimed, surprised the 'IM' had actually worked. "Oh, wow, it's actually you!" Artemis, dressed in a white, chiton-like dress, paired with a modern denim jacket, gave her a fleeting smile. Her outfit was accented with gold, and she wore a diadem that sparkled even in the light of the Iris Message.

Thalia, however, was more focused on the unknown girl.
"My Lady, why is she with you?" Thalia asked, her tone tinged with annoyance. Vivienne took a moment to look at the girl next to Artemis, and when she did, her breath was taken away. The girl beside Artemis had curly blonde hair that framed her face like a halo. Her eyes were a striking blue, wide and expressive, like a doe's, and her smile was warm, almost contagious. She wore modern clothes: a modest, crimson gown with a simple, golden belt for style, and a subtle headpiece adorning her hair with jewels.

"Manners," the girl chided gently, before Artemis could respond. "I was just discussing Percy with Artemis." Thalia opened her mouth to respond, but Vivienne interjected first.

"Excuse me," she began timidly. "Sorry, but who are you?" All of a sudden, the girl's gaze shot to Vivienne, looking her up and down carefully.

"Hello, Vivienne Monroe," the girl beamed, her voice like honey. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. You're quite the buzz around Olympus these days" Vivienne was momentarily speechless, struck by the girl's beauty. There was something about her that was both enchanting and comforting. Perhaps it was that smile, or maybe those huge, innocent, doe eyes.

Thalia, noticing Vivienne's dazed expression, rolled her eyes. She reached for a bottle of water and, without warning, splashed it in Vivienne's face.

The daughter of Hephaestus quickly jolted back to reality, spluttering.

"W-What!?" Vivienne gasped, water dripping down her cheeks. Thalia looked at her with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"Vivienne, may I introduce you to Lady Aphrodite, goddess of love." Vivienne wiped the water from her face, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Aphrodite seemed to enjoy this and her smile widened playfully.

"It's quite alright, dear," she soothed, her voice as calming as it was charming. "It happens more often than you'd think. It happened to Perseus a bit back then, until Artemis forced me to lay off him. She's very possessive when it comes to her love."

"As much as it pains me to say this, Aphrodite's right," Phoebe muttered under her breath.

Vivienne took a deep breath to steady herself, her mind racing to process the surreal situation.

"Hello, Lady Aphrodite," she said politely, giving a small curtsy as a gesture of respect she hoped was appropriate. Aphrodite's smile brightened at the gesture, her eyes twinkling with delight.
"Oh, what good manners!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together, her voice warm and approving. She then glanced at Thalia. "You could learn a thing or two from Vivienne, my dear." Thalia seemed momentarily taken aback by Aphrodite's comment but quickly recovered her composure, glaring at the goddess. Aphrodite pursed her lips but didn't say anymore, instead crossing her legs on the bed and fixing up her hair.

"Thalia, what's our status?" Artemis asked, ignoring Aphrodite. Her tone was firm and authoritative, and Vivienne knew straight away she didn't want to waste anymore time catching up.

"We don't have a precise location for him yet," she informed, "but we're following the prophecy and scouring the south. We're planning to head to New Orleans next. He had a strange fondness for it, even taking you on a few dates there."

Aphrodite's laughter, light and melodic, broke the momentary silence.

"Percy spending 500 years in New Orleans?" she asked, shaking her head, her curls bouncing. "Please. He may like it, but not enough to spend half a millennia there, alone. There's far too many people and that's not his type of place at all." Thalia's brow furrowed in frustration.

"Yeah, well maybe he's been moving around. It's been five centuries, after all." The goddess waved a dismissive hand.

"Percy isn't one to hop from place to place either," she countered. Thalia's arms crossed defensively.

"And how would you know? Didn't you just say you were forced to lay off him?" Thalia's tone was sharp, much sharper than Vivienne had anticipated. Aphrodite's smile didn't waver, but there was a slight tightening around her eyes.
"Backing off doesn't mean I stopped understanding him," she said, her voice still kind, but with an underlying firmness. "Don't forget that both Percy and Artemis would come to me for advice on a weekly basis. And New Orleans, while charming, isn't where you're gonna find a brooding, godly Percy." There was a brief silence where Thalia seemed to reluctantly agree with the love goddess.

"What about Florida?" Aphrodite suddenly asked, changing tack. "Have you searched there?"

"Yes, we did," Thalia sighed, a touch of weariness in her voice. "I spent three years with Artemis and the hunt combing through every inch of Florida trying to find him. He wasn't there then, and as you just said, 'moving isn't his style,' so he's definitely not there now."

Aphrodite raised an eyebrow, and even Vivienne had to admit Thalia was talking rather rudely. She didn't understand what Aphrodite had done to deserve this.
"Mind your words with a goddess, young huntress," she advised coolly. "My insights are more valuable than your assumptions." This only caused Thalia's glare to intensify.
"With all due respect, Lady Aphrodite, our 'assumptions' are based on years of searching and understanding Percy's patterns. He spent several decades with us at the hunt, and if I recall correctly, he only spent a few days at your palace, and that too was only for Artemis's benefit. Besides, your 'insights' haven't brought him back."

"And your 'assumptions' have?" she countered, her words sharp. "Because I don't see Percy sauntering back to Olympus."

"Well at least we're actually out here, looking for him, unlike you."

As soon as the words left Thalia's mouth, the entire atmosphere of the hut changed. Aphrodite's smile wavered, replaced by a simmering irritation.

"You're far out of line. Remember, I am a goddess."

"And I am a lieutenant of Artemis," Thalia shot back, unyielding. "We respect the gods, but we're here to find Percy, not argue with someone who barely knew or cared for him."

The air seemed to still, and a heavy silence fell. Aphrodite may still have had a smile, but her eyes held a firm resolve, a glimpse of the power she wielded.

"Be very careful what you say next," she warned softly, her voice a quiet caress that somehow sent shivers down Vivienne's spine. "Because you might be a huntress, but I promise-"

"Enough!" Artemis's command cut through the tension like a blade. "We're here to talk about finding Percy, not bicker like children." Aphrodite's warmth seemed to disappear, not in anger, but in something akin to disappointment.

"Have you forgotten what I did for you and Percy?" she asked Artemis, her voice laden with frustration. "Have you forgotten how you would come to my palace at two in the morning, asking for relationship advice? Have you forgotten all those times I stayed up late, helping you dress up for whatever date you had with Percy? Have you forgotten that, when he left, I sent all my children, from Phobos and Demios to Harmonia and Himeros, out searching for him because I wanted you two to be together? I have always been a friend, even when it cost me. I don't understand how anyone could say I don't care about him after everything I did for both of you." The love goddess then turned sharply to Thalia. "I swore on the Styx not to harm or interfere with the lives of you hunters, thanks to Percy. But keep it up, huntress, and I promise I'll find a way around that oath."

"Aphrodite," Artemis began, her tone more measured. "Despite our previous disagreements, I cannot deny you've helped me invaluably with Perseus, and over the centuries, I suppose I can call you something of a friend, even if you still won't listen to me about finding one man and staying loyal to him. Your insights are valuable, and we appreciate your input. As for you, Thalia, your dedication to the mission is commendable, but Aphrodite is a goddess, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that she will find her way around oaths, so I'm not ordering you to do anything, but I'll most certainly advise you to be careful how you talk." Thalia nodded, though her stance remained defensive.

"Understood, Lady Artemis," the huntress murmured. Aphrodite, for her part, seemed to relax slightly, though her playful demeanour had vanished.

Artemis let out a small sigh, her gaze shifting slightly.

"I apologise for that," she said, her voice softer now. "Some of us," she glanced at Thalia, "still hold onto old grudges." Turning her attention to Vivienne, the moon goddess's expression softened.

"Vivienne, how is the progress with the prophecy?" Vivienne's heart sank, a cocktail of guilt and frustration swirling within her. She had been trying, wrestling with the words of the prophecy for a while now, but it still wasn't coming to her. Supposedly she was the key, but right now, it didn't feel like it.

"I'm trying, Lady Artemis," she admitted, her gaze falling to the ground. "But I'm stuck. It feels like I'm not the right person for this. How am I the key? I didn't even know who Percy Jackson was before that night at the campfire."

Artemis's response was gentle, almost comforting.

"Patience, Vivienne. It'll come to you. These things have a way of revealing themselves when the time is right. Just keep trying. My faith in you is strong. And don't worry, this prophecy definitely is for you. As annoying as my brother may be, Apollo's prophecies are never wrong." Vivienne nodded, though she didn't feel any better in herself. These days, she felt like giving up and going back to the camp. Why bother searching for this one man, even if he was Artemis's love? What was so special about Perseus Jackson?

"What about my hunters?" Artemis asked curiously. "I hope they're treating you well." Vivienne didn't hesitate.

"Really well," she admitted, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "They've been great. I feel like I'm part of the team." At least when they're not keeping secrets, Vivienne thought but didn't say aloud.

"Trust me, Artemis, we do make a good team," Reyna chimed in. "Vivienne's an awesome person, and she's even got a decent sense of humour when she's relaxed. Honestly, she reminds me of Percy in more ways than one, except the younger Percy, the one before godhood." Artemis nodded in approval.

"Good, good," she said. "I doubt my hunters would ever treat you wrong, but I had to make sure." Then, Artemis's eyes narrowed slightly as she noticed something.

"What happened to your forehead?" she asked concerningly. Vivienne instinctively reached up to touch the bandage around her head.

"Oh, um, we encountered a cyclops in a train," she explained. "I got my head during the scuffle."

"Twice, actually," Atalanta added. "It was a bit of a rough encounter." Artemis nodded, though there was a flash of concern in her eyes.

"Be careful, Vivienne," Artemis ordered, her voice returning to that firm, authoritative one. "You're brave for going on this quest, I know you are, but I don't want you getting hurt." Vivienne nodded. She wasn't planning on getting anymore hurt, but it was nice to know the goddess cared, or at least pretended to.

"Okay, Thalia," Artemis began, shifting the focus again. "After you guys check out New Orleans, you need to start going west."
"West?" the huntress frowned. "You mean California?" Artemis shrugged.

"Percy always had a strange liking to the area, and it is where he first rescued me after all. If anything, the sentimental value of California may have attracted him. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if Percy decided to start up his own camp up on Mount Tam. I know we've already checked it out, but it wouldn't hurt to go again, would it?" Thalia slowly nodded.

"Yeah, good idea," she replied.

It was then where Aphrodite, who had been observing quietly, spoke up.

"I want to talk to Vivienne," Aphrodite announced, her tone leaving no room for argument. Artemis paused and gave her a curious look.

"Okay… go ahead then," she said. Aphrodite shook her head.

"Alone," she clarified.

A collective groan echoed through the hut, and Vivienne felt a wave of confusion.
"Why is that bad?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. Artemis let out a small, almost amused sigh.

"Aphrodite, if you've already planned out Vivienne's love life, be warned…" She trailed off with a faint smile.

"No, nothing of the sort," she reassured. "Though now that you mention it, I know the perfect-"
"Aphrodite, I promise you-"
"Fine, fine!" the love goddess sighed. "I just need to tell her something no one else should be around for. Come on, Artemis. You trusted my guidance with Percy. Trust me now with Vivienne." Artemis regarded Aphrodite with a scrutinising gaze, her eyes searching. After a brief pause, she gave a reluctant nod.

"Fine," she agreed, walking out of her tent.

One by one, Thalia, Phoebe, Reyna, and Atalanta exited the hut, leaving Vivienne alone with Aphrodite. The space felt different now; Vivienne was more aware of Aphrodite's beauty, feeling almost uncomfortable in her company.

As for Aphrodite, her gaze was gentle yet penetrating, as if she could see right through Vivienne.

"Feeling overwhelmed?" she asked coyly, to which Vivienne nodded, taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart. Being alone with a goddess, especially one like Aphrodite, was certainly intimidating.

"Calm down, it's perfectly fine. Just don't insult my beauty and you'll be cool," she added in a tone that was somehow warm and cold. Vivienne meekly nodded, not wanting to anger the goddess.

"Now, Vivienne Monroe," Aphrodite began, leaning in slightly. "I'm here to tell you something about Percy and Artemis – what Artemis won't tell." Immediately, Vivienne's eyes lit up with curiosity.

"Is this about why Percy left?" she asked hopefully. Aphrodite chuckled softly.

"No, that story is for Artemis to tell when she's ready. But I want to talk about what Percy and Artemis were like as a couple, and why it's so important to bring him back."

"I know, I know," Vivienne interjected, causing Aphrodite to raise an eyebrow. "Percy and Artemis were close, they loved each other, and we need him back because Artemis misses him, right?"

"Interrupting a goddess now, are we?" she asked before smirking. "Relax, none of us gods are as bad as we used to be… Well except from Zeus and a few others. These days, as long as you're respectful and understand your place, it's generally fine."

Vivienne nodded, and Aphrodite's expression turned more serious. She reached into a small pouch and pulled out a crumpled, very old piece of paper.

"It's more than just missing someone," she said, carefully smoothing out the paper. "Their relationship was unique. It wasn't just about love in the traditional sense. Percy and Artemis were like two hearts beating as one, madly in love, spending every free second they had with each other."

"That's romantic," Vivienne said quietly, and it was. The idea of Percy and Artemis, two powerful beings, being so deeply in love was both fascinating and moving.

Aphrodite nodded, her gaze locking with Vivienne's.

"Indeed. Now, you're searching for Percy, but to truly succeed, I think you need to understand the depth of what he meant to Artemis. Of course Artemis denies this, but I have a good feeling about it. That's why I brought this." She gestured to the crumpled paper. "It's a letter Artemis wrote to Percy, about a month before he left. Let me read it to you."

Vivienne listened intently as Aphrodite began to read the letter:

"My dearest Perseus,

I know I sent you a letter yesterday, but in the quiet moments before dawn, when the world is still asleep, my thoughts drift to you. You, who have become the north star of my existence, guiding me through the darkness with your unwavering light. You, who have shown me that even a goddess can be vulnerable, can feel more deeply than the deepest ocean.

I know you are away, on a quest for Hecate because only you would help her out, and I long for the day when we can be together again. A day where I can have you beside me, playing with my hair the way I like it, but until then, I wait, and rely on Iris to send these letters to you.

Your laughter is something I miss too much. It is like a melody that plays in my heart, and I promise you, it's a song so sweet it could make the flowers bloom in winter.

My Percy, you have shown me a love that transcends the boundaries of our immortal lives, a love that is as vast as the night sky and as tender as a whispered secret under the moonlight.

I long for the day when we can be together without the shadows of duty and destiny looming over us. A day when my heart can be entirely yours. Perseus, I miss you with every fibre of my being. I hope you write back, though knowing you, I will have a message by breakfast. Please say hello to Thalia and Estelle for me, and I hope to rejoice soon with you. Until then, know that you are the last whisper in my thoughts before I succumb to sleep and the first when I awaken.

Forever and always,

Artemis."

The hut was silent as Aphrodite finished reading. Vivienne felt a wave of emotion wash over her. She was deeply moved, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and awe. The Artemis she knew was fierce, strong, and maybe a tiny bit sad, especially when it came to Percy. But this letter revealed a side of Artemis that Vivienne had never imagined – one that was deeply infatuated, tender, and emotional.

"It's... incredible," Vivienne managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't think Artemis could be like that. She's always so strong, so powerful, yet... I mean I've seen her look sad when talking about Percy, but this level of emotion? It's something else." Aphrodite smiled, a knowing look in her eyes.

"It's the beauty of love, isn't it? Even a goddess like Artemis can't escape its grip. The first few letters she wrote I had to proofread and edit, because she had no idea how to express her feelings to a man. She was too used to being the untouchable huntress, the eternal maiden. But as time passed, she learned to put her emotions into words, all on her own."

"I honestly didn't know she could be like that," Vivienne admitted.

"It's a rare sight," Aphrodite nodded. "Only Percy really saw it. When she was with the other gods, she was composed, confident and strong, like you've probably seen. Sometimes, she gets a little emotional when it comes to Percy, but it isn't much. For the most part, Artemis is fierce and misses her man who's been lost for half a millenia… Which brings me to my second point, and this is the one I didn't want Artemis or the hunters to hear." Leaning in closer to the Iris Message, she dropped her tone to a whisper.

"When you find Perseus, you need to fight like crazy to bring him back. Artemis may be hopeful, but Percy has been absent for centuries, and that's a really long time, especially for someone born mortal. He's missed so many important events. If you think you'll walk up to him, ask him to come back, and he'll follow along, you're more than mistaken. It's gonna take more than empty words to convince him. Artemis thinks Thalia's face and a heartfelt plea will be enough, but trust me, I know it's gonna take more, and that's why I'm telling you now." A brief silence engulfed both the tent and the hut as Aphrodite's words sunk in. If she was right, which she probably was, then Vivienne was gonna need a stroke of pure luck to accomplish this.

"Aphrodite!" Artemis's voice called from outside the hut. "Are you done?"

"Yes, Artemis, come in," Aphrodite replied, her tone shifting back to its usual lightness.

The tent flap opened, and Artemis stepped in, her presence immediately filling the space.

"Finally," she muttered. "You didn't corrupt Vivienne or anything while I was gone, did you?" Aphrodite laughed, her tone light and teasing.
"Seriously, how low do you think of me? On second thoughts, don't answer that." Artemis offered a faint, almost reluctant smile, the corners of her lips twitching slightly. She then turned to Vivienne.

"Vivienne, please go outside and tell the hunters to come in. I need to speak with them alone." Vivienne nodded, though she couldn't help but feel a little down. As she stepped outside the hut, the hunters, who had been anxiously waiting, looked relieved to see her again.

"Vivienne, you're back!" Thalia exclaimed.

"What did Aphrodite say?" Phoebe asked curiously, and the others nodded.

"Later," Vivienne replied, still digesting Aphrodite's words herself. "For now, Artemis wants to talk to you all alone."

Unfazed, as if expecting this, they all nodded.

"We'll be quick," Reyna assured her before disappearing into the hut.

Vivienne felt a strong temptation to eavesdrop, frustrated of being kept in the dark, but she decided not to. Sighing, she turned her attention to the abandoned car park around her, walking around aimlessly, her mind replaying Aphrodite's words. 'Fight like crazy to bring him back.' The phrase echoed in her thoughts. Bringing Percy back wasn't going to be a simple task, and she didn't know how she'd accomplish it.

"Are you okay?"

The sudden voice startled her, and she spun around, her eyes landing on a solitary figure near the lot's edge. A man, cloaked in dark robes, stood with an air of enigma. His hair was night-black, and his eyes, deep and unreadable, seemed to hold a myriad of secrets, staring right at her. There was something intriguing about his smile – it was strange, almost wicked.

"Hello?" Vivienne called out, approaching cautiously. Thalia and the hunt were nearby in case something happened, but Vivienne had learned you could never be too cautious.

"Why, hello," he replied, his voice a smooth, deep timbre.

"What's your name?" she asked. The man cocked his head slightly, as if considering how much to reveal.

"I can't say, at least not yet," he finally replied, his tone suggesting it was more a matter of circumstance than choice.

"Oh," Vivienne said, a bit taken aback by his cryptic response. She paused, unsure how to respond to such mystery. An awkward silence hung between them until eventually, he broke it.

"What brings you to an abandoned car park like this?" he asked quietly. Vivienne weighed her response. She wasn't sure how much she should reveal to a stranger, especially one so mysterious.

"Nothing much, just... catching up with a friend," she replied cautiously. "It's quiet here, away from everything." The man nodded, not pestering her to say more.

"Sometimes, it's the quietest places that hold the loudest thoughts," he mused, almost talking to himself. Vivienne couldn't help but agree.

"What about you? Why are you here?" Vivienne asked.

There was a moment of silence, long enough that Vivienne thought the man might not answer. Then, just as she was about to walk away, he spoke, his voice low.

"My grandmother gave me a task, and I'm here to do it."

"Wow, grandmother? That's nice," Vivienne replied, trying to keep the conversation light. "How old is she?" The man's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Ancient," he said simply.

A nervous chuckle escaped Vivienne.

"Oh." She sensed something unusual about him. Vivienne knew he was mortal because he didn't have the kind of aura gods had, like Percy and Artemis, yet, there was something about him, an underlying strangeness, almost sinister, that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

She shifted slightly, feeling a mix of curiosity and caution.

"So, is your task something interesting, or just a regular errand?" she ventured, trying to gauge more about him without revealing her own reasons for being there.

The man looked at her, his dark eyes unreadable.
"It's... unique, let's say. Not something you'd encounter every day." His words were vague and short, adding to the unease that coiled in her stomach. Ever so carefully, she began to back away. He may be mortal, but Vivienne having been chased by a group of mortals, she knew the dangers they still posed. The only difference was this one was alone; last time there had been a group of them.

All of a sudden, the man casually pulled out a pocket watch, glancing at the time. Vivienne watched, her instinct screaming at her to walk away, but her curiosity forcing her to stay. She watched as he put the watch away and let out a heavy sigh. Then, he turned to face her, his next words sending a shiver through her.

"You might want to step aside, Vivienne. Things are about to get messy, and it would be better if you weren't caught in the middle, don't you think?" Her heart skipped a beat.

"How do you know my name?" she stammered, fear and surprise lacing her voice. The man's smile widened, but it wasn't friendly. It was knowing, almost sinister.

"Why, I know much more than just your name. I know Thalia's name, Reyna's name, Atalanta's name, and Phoebe's name," he said calmly. "But you don't need to worry about that. Your friends on the other hand…"

He snapped his fingers, and a pulse seemed to ripple across the car park. As it did, the alarms of the few cars present started blaring, shattering the quiet. From the building opposite the car park, people began running out, yelling angrily and charging towards the hut. They were armed with various weapons, their intentions clear and dangerous.

"Who did you say you were again?" Vivienne asked, taking a step back. The man's smile didn't waver as the chaos unfolded around them. His eyes held a dark glint, as if he was amused by the situation.

"I didn't," he replied. "But I've been called many things in the past. To some, I'm a friend, while to others, I'm a foe. I've been a protector and a renegade, a saviour and a villain, all depending on who you ask."

"What's your name?" Vivienne whispered. The man stretched, and Vivienne couldn't help but notice the ripple of muscles under his dark robes. He looked at her, his gaze piercing.

"My name is Makhai, god of battle and combat, son of Eris," he said, his voice carrying a chilling certainty. "And I've been sent here by the Mother of Night to make sure none of you ever reach Percy Jackson."

Took some time, but here we are! A lot of dialogue here, so please do let me know how it was. Hopefully it wasn't too boring. Very soon, we're gonna be finding out what happened to Percy, and much more about him!

Also, I'm hoping to post a new fic very soon, so here's a small teaser of it:


Turning her back on the Fates, Styx's eyes fell upon the turbulent waters of her river. This wasn't just a stream; it was the essence of her power… the power to punish all Oathbreakers. A power the Fates had restrained, claiming it would disrupt the overworld battles. But now, both the Titanomachy and Gigantomachy were history, and nothing would hold back Styx's vengeance any longer.

"What are you going to do?" one of the Fates asked. Styx turned to them, a dark smile creeping across her face.

"I shall do what I've been long denied," she replied with a chilling calm. "What I should've done in the first place. I'll resurrect the punishment they once feared." The Fates sighed, a gesture of disappointment, or perhaps it was just pity.

"Banishment," they muttered. Styx nodded, her eyes alight with a dark eagerness.

"Yes, my dear sisters. A decade of exile. Immortals have taken liberties, lying on my river, forgetting who I am. Now, they'll remember the price of their deceit. Let's see who dares break an oath of my river after this." The eldest Fate sighed.

"Haven't they already been punished enough?" Styx clicked her tongue in disdain.

"Not nearly. The boy faced his fate, but the gods... they've escaped justice. My leniency ends now. They will face my wrath, and they'll learn the true power of Styx."

The Fates just stared at her, their eyes boring into Styx's soul. She frowned, a flicker of doubt in her eyes.

"You… you know the outcome of this already, don't you?" Their expressions remained stoic.

"We have an idea," the youngest one said slowly. "When the gods find out what you did, a civil war is inevitable. You know that already. In fact, I know you are probably counting on it." Styx didn't bother to deny it. "But in the end, there will be one person left at the top." Styx's gaze faltered.
"And who is it?" she asked. "It's the boy, isn't it?" Their silent nod was all the confirmation she needed.

"Farewell, sister," the youngest one said. "May you find peace in your actions." All three Fates turned around, walking away from her into the thick mist of the Underworld.


Hopefully that sounds interesting! I won't give too much away, but the book is called Oathbreaker, and the pairing is Percy and Artemis.

As always, please do read and review, and hope to update soon!