A.N

I saw that someone had noticed that I kind of would switch back into past pretense and that's because I have a tendency to write my story from a 3rd person perspective so I get the liberty to not have to worry about my pretenses when it comes to past and present, but since I am trying to better myself as a writer I am writing this story mostly from Persephone's perspective in the present, which has its own challenges since for one I'm not used to it and I'm not a girl. So if there is anything that anyone who reads this has in terms of constructive criticism or advice leave a feel free to leave a review, I will never silence someone's opinion or advice.

And sorry for the small hiatus that the story went through, part of it had to do with horrible writer's block but part of it was some personal stuff I had going on and I just couldn't sit down and type.

Also those who are wondering what happened to the Nemean Lion remember Persephone and Zoë joined the hunt after Hercules completes the eleventh labor so the Nemean Lion is currently reforming.

*100 years later*

"Come on, why are you so angry?" I glare as Zoë asks me, what could be the dumbest question.

"Well, why am I angry? Could it be because I was sleeping peacefully until two people completely doused me in water while screaming about me being in the hunt for 100 years. Do you think that could be the reason Zo?" I, almost growling at this point, say. I was enjoying my dream, before Zoë and Maia woke me up the worst way possible. So to say I'm upset about it would be a bit of an understatement.

"But we should be celebrating. It's been 100 years since you joined." I look towards Maia with an eyebrow raised.

"If that's the case Maia, then why Is Zoë a part of the prank instead of on the receiving end like me? We joined the same day." Rolling my eyes at their blatant attempt to come up with an excuse for just wanting to prank me, hoping I don't just kick their ass anyways, and to further illustrate my point immediately after I say this they both take off out the front of the tent. I simply just shake my head, change my clothes, and step out of the tent. Looking around I easily spot Zoë running through the camp. Within moments, running forwards and quickly catching up, I leap onto her back taking us both to the ground. This was nothing new to us, we do this all the time, so getting to my feet I quickly lean backwards to avoid the right hook she throws. Swinging my left leg forwards I nail her right in the stomach knocking the breath out of her. As I move to pin her down I am caught right on the jaw with a quick jab knocking me back. We both get to our feet, she charges towards me throwing a right hook, quickly dropping down and sweeping my leg towards her legs catching her right below the knee. As she hits the ground on her stomach I am jumping onto her back.

"Yield?" Whispering into her ear and getting off her after she nods.

Holding my hand out to her, I help her off the ground before pushing her right back down laughing as she glares. I continue laughing till a sharp chill runs up my spine, immediately my knee slams against the ground, sensing Artemis start appearing in front of all of us.

"My Lady." Raising my head I smile towards Zoë when she growls. Frustrated that I still won't tell her how I always know when Lady Artemis is showing up. A wave of Artemis's hand has us all standing up from where we were kneeling or bowing. "How was the council meeting?" I come up to stand in front of Artemis. I really want to be there for one of those but I know I can't, not yet.

"It was fine, Persephone. Why is your hair soaking wet?" Artemis is barely concealing a smirk as she looks towards my still wet hair. I just point towards a breathing heavily Zoë and Artemis laughs. "Come, my girls, we have word from the council. Zeus has announced Hercules to become the god of strength." I could feel my stomach lurch forwards at the thought of that vile man actually becoming a god, living forever. "He tried to get Hercules to join the council, even after the council voted no. It took Hera threatening to remove his family jewels during his sleep for him to drop it. I think he will try to bring it up in the future again, but we won't let that happen."

After she says that I can't help but laugh. I can hear what Artemis is saying as it fades out, to hear only my thoughts, the same thoughts that have been plaguing my mind for the past couple days, of my betrayal towards Artemis and the very girls I spend my days and nights with, huddled around a campfire, laughing and singing together. The truth I keep hidden, I know I need to tell them, I shall tell them tonight, and if they kick me out and hate me then I will have to deal with it. Zoë shakes me out of my thoughts, a concerned look on her face.

"What's wrong Persephone? You were just standing there not moving, you had us worried."

"Was everyone looking at me for the entire time? How long was I staring off into space?"

"You laughed and then just went silent. It's been a bit." Looking to my left I see Artemis standing there with one hand on my shoulder, a concerned look on her face as well.

"Oh it's fine I was just thinking. I will explain it tonight around the campfire." When Artemis takes her hand off my shoulder I head off into the woods for a stroll, just a simple walk in the woods to calm my mind. That's all I need, just some fresh air.

Trees, trees, trees, rabbits making babies, and more trees. Gods these trees are making me angry. Just being there without a care in the world, no problems, but I have to come clean with everything tonight. Right there in front of the whole Hunt, possibly getting kicked out or worse exposed to the Gods , yeah that would be the worst thing to happen. Cause I'm sure Nyx would get involved and then the Olympian Gods would be killed, and that would be bad, amusing and entertaining but bad nonetheless but I can't keep lying and hiding.

As I walked through the woods, I entered a clearing with a large crystal clear lake, surrounded by trees on all sides except one. Where a large cliff stood with a beautiful waterfall going down right into the lake. The lake has one small little island almost in the direct center of it, and on that island is a gorgeous tree, with pick flowers and leaves all over it swaying in the freshwater breeze. Walking over to a large stone, looking for the perfect spot to sit to look out over the water. As I sit there I allow my mind to wander thinking about all the people in the hunt that have become almost a second family to me, I think about all the people waiting and depending on me up in the void of time and space. To Nyx and Chaos who, even though they haven't exactly told me the role I play in this, they took me in when I had no place to go. They taught me how to fight and how to live, lessons I use almost everyday. I think about all the hunts I have gone on with the girls and with Lady Artemis, that time by Athens to hunt down a group of men preying on women and little girls as they travel to and from the city. It was a favor to the Goddess Athena, to whom the city is named after. The girls all loved that hunt, they enjoyed the way they ran, I just can't keep myself from smiling when I think of it.

Sitting there looking out at the little island, I see movement. I could just make out what looked like a woman sitting on a tree branch, long ebony hair that hung down like silk, sun kissed tanned skin. I couldn't see her face, it was too far away. Slowly moving towards the water to try and get a closer look, to see who it was, when I felt a hand roughly grab a hold of my shoulder and turn me around. Looking directly into my piercing silver eye was a pair of equally piercing silver eyes. The woman in front of me had black hair, silver eyes, and pale skin. As she reached out towards me I started scrambling backwards to get away, I start falling directly into the lake.

Jerking awake right as I hit the water, realizing that I had fallen asleep, I look into the sky to see when it is. Seeing as the sun is going down, I start making my way back to the camp. As I enter the camp I overhear what sounds like an argument between Zoë and Maia with Artemis. As I get closer all I can make out is Artemis saying " I understand she has been gone for a while but I'm sure she will be back before sundown. She has never been out later than that."

Figuring that I should enter the conversation now, I step from around the tree into their line of sight. "I'm back Zo, you don't have to worry. I just fell asleep by a lake. I was fine. Come on, let's gather around the campfire. I'll tell you a story." Turning around and seeing that all the other girls were already sitting at the campfire waiting on Zoë, Artemis, and myself. As I sat down, thinking what to say and how to say it, all the girls were looking at me waiting. "Ok, well let me start off with this, I swear on the Styx that the story I'm about to tell is the complete truth to my knowledge." Thunder Boomed in the distance completing my oath. "Now, I'm sorry to have to do this but I need you all to swear to let me finish the entire story before you do anything."

Once everyone around swore to not interrupt, I began my story. " Alright one fateful day 1,458 years ago, I was born. The daughter of a Titan and a Titaness, my true power and immortal essence are stored in this necklace. The reason I hide one of my eyes is because they give away my parents' identities, if you know what to look for. The silver eye I get from my mother, Selene, the Titaness of the moon." Pausing my story to push the hair covering my left eye behind my ear and revealing the true color of it. "My father, Kronos, is where I get this golden one. I was born before the Titans took over from Ouranos, so when I was born I was a target of my grandfather. Before both my mother and I could be killed by Ouranos, I alone was saved by the Primordial Goddess Nyx and taken to the void. I then spent the next 1,358 years training with Nyx and Lady Chaos. Lady Chaos said something had gone wrong and that when I showed up she could sense her own energy on my body and that I had a part to play in the future yet to come. So I trained, and when I was done training and was ready Chaos and Nyx sent me down here to find you Artemis. According to Chaos my destiny is to stand by your side for the future and the wars we may face. I never wanted to lie to you guys and I have felt horrible everyday."

Before Artemis could even speak she was cut off by Zoë, " What about me? Was I also a part of some grand plan?"

"Yes, I was also tasked with finding you and bringing you with me to the hunt, but I have never done anything to hurt any of you. You girls have become family to me, and I care about each one of you. I didn't want this." I stay looking at the ground, not able to look at any of the girls.

Looking up towards the group, everyone was just staring at me in bewilderment, and then as Artemis's bow came up, arrow notched, all the shadows around us swirled. Before anyone knew the arrow disappeared into darkness and the moon was covered by shadows. In the middle between Artemis and I a mass of shadows started swirling together forming a figure, one I knew really well. Within an instant as I run towards Artemis my sword comes out and I make it just in time to deflect a dark energy blast directed right towards Artemis's chest.

Placing myself between a group of immortal girls and our Goddess and the really pissed off Primordial Goddess that raised me isn't in my top ten things I want to do twice in my lifetime. "STOP! ALL OF YOU! We are on the same side. Artemis, I know you're angry but please hear us out before you attack. This is not a battle you can win, not against her, and you, if you harm Artemis I will never forgive you. So both of you calm the Hades down now! Artemis you promised me you would listen to everything, so we all are going to sit down and talk this through.

"Fine!"