"Artemis?" Percy asked, extremely confused.
It's not that he didn't want to see her, just that her unexpected presence had caught him off guard, and he had no idea what she was doing here. The goddess was not in her hunter outfit, but rather a more casual one. She had jeans (Percy was more than surprised), and a long T-shirt which had a whimsical moon design on it. Her bow was attached to her back, alongside her quiver, and she seemed visibly uneasy, her normally composed demeanour disrupted by an uncharacteristic nervousness..
"Why what a nice surprise Artemis," Aphrodite grinned slyly. "Do please come in." Artemis wrinkled her nose in distaste, shooting Aphrodite a disapproving glare.
"I'm as close to your house as I'd like to be," she retorted, her words laced with a hint of disdain. Aphrodite frowned.
"But you're not even inside?"
"Precisely," Artemis interjected, before turning to Percy.
Percy's mind raced with a flurry of thoughts, his curiosity piqued by Artemis's strange appearance. He couldn't help but blurt out the first question that popped into his head.
"Did something happen to Thalia?" Percy suddenly blurted, saying the first thing that came to his mind. Artemis furrowed her brows, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected inquiry. However, her surprise quickly transformed into a look of reassurance.
"Oh, nothing of the sort," she swiftly replied. "Thalia is fine. As a matter of fact, she's the reason I'm here." Even though Percy felt a wave of relief wash over him, his confusion hadn't subsided. Thalia would have no reason to bring Artemis here… Unless perhaps this was her way of getting back at him for keeping secrets from her.
"I know the real reason she's here," Aphrodite giggled, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.
"Why?" he asked. Aphrodite's laughter filled the air at his hurried response.
"Why, my dear Percy, it seems your mind is brimming with curiosity," she teased, enjoying the suspense she had created.
"Are you going to tell me or not?" he snapped. Sighing, the goddess opened her mouth to respond, but Artemis was quicker.
"No," she shot a pointed glare at Aphrodite. "I've already told you, I'm not going down that depressing path again, and you'd be wise to remember it." Aphrodite shrugged, her mischievous nature unyielding. "Whatever you say…" she whispered under her breath.
Percy had to admit Artemis had a really unique way of styling her hair. Spending most of his time around Aphrodite, Percy had grown accustomed to fancy, complicated hairstyles with intricate weaving patterns. Seeing Artemis with a simple pony made him appreciate the beauty of simplicity. Of course he'd never tell this to Aphrodite, but Artemis's hair in such a basic fashion made it seem better than his mentor's, and she spent hours into her hairstyles. Or perhaps it was just something about the colour auburn…
"Continue please," Percy asked Artemis. The goddess nodded.
"Well, as you know, us hunters have been… well hunting. See, we've run into a little bit of a tricky situation, and we need your help." Percy thought he couldn't get any more shocked. He'd just been proven wrong.
"The hunt needs my help?" he chuckled in disbelief. "Need I remind you of my gender?" He couldn't help but tease, knowing full well the rumour of her and the hunt having a distaste for males. Artemis rolled her eyes, although Percy could've sworn he saw her almost crack a smile.
"Percy, we don't… okay fine, I don't hate all males," she admitted with some reluctance. "I merely dislike them. What's that phrase mortals use… Ah yes, guilty until proven innocent-"
"Innocent until proven guilty," he corrected her.
"-The point is," Artemis continued, unfazed by the interruption, "I do have respect for you, as does Thalia and even Phoebe. Besides, Thalia asked me really nicely, and I thought, 'Why not?' The task at hand is not particularly difficult, just a bit tricky without someone like you. Plus, it gives Thalia another chance to catch up with you, especially after the last encounter got ruined…" Percy smiled sheepishly as he remembered exactly what had happened. Someone should really talk to Thalia about anger management. It was just one secret!
The entire time he was thinking, Percy couldn't help but feel the weight of Artemis's gaze upon him, her piercing eyes making him squirm uncomfortably in his seat. It was as if her stare could see right through him, and he couldn't shake off the nagging feeling of being under scrutiny. Aphrodite, always the playful one, noticed the tension in the air and decided to lighten the mood.
"Chill out with the death stare, Artemis," she teased, leaning on Percy's shoulder. "You're gonna make Percy shiver in his boots otherwise." Artemis huffed, reducing the intensity in her glare, though she never fully took her eyes off him, almost as if he were an exhibit in a museum.
After a moment of silence, Artemis finally broke it, her voice cutting through the air with determination.
"So what's your answer? Are you going to come and help us?" Her gaze bore into him again, awaiting his response.
"Honestly, I'm not sure," Percy admitted, causing the goddess's frown to deepen.
"Most men would've jumped at the opportunity to stick around with some hunter-"
"Well in case you didn't notice, I'm not like 'most men,'" Percy snapped, perhaps a little too rudely because he saw anger flare in the goddesses eye. He sighed, realising he had allowed his frustration to get the better of him. He knew that Artemis had her reasons for being sceptical and cautious, and his tone probably didn't help. Aphrodite, on the other hand, just seemed to be enjoying the whole situation, chuckling lightly.
"Didn't you say to both of us that Percy isn't like most men yourself?" Aphrodite taunted, tutting her teeth. "It sounds like someone needs an apology." Artemis rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by being called out on her inconsistency. However, even Percy could detect a hint of flustered embarrassment beneath her facade of indifference.
"Percy, you may have all the time in the world, but I don't, and my hunters who are waiting for me definitely do not, so what is your final answer?" Artemis's voice carried a touch of impatience, and Percy couldn't help but feel a pang of pressure. He looked up at Aphrodite, hoping for a shred of guidance.
"Oh, don't look at me," Aphrodite said playfully. "Artemis is asking you. It's your decision to make." Percy thought about it deeply. He really wanted to spend some more time with Thalia, but he had also been looking to get some more sword fighting practise in. Unfortunately, Aphrodite didn't even know which way was up on a sword, so Percy was left to his training dummies for practice and those were… well dummies. Yeah sure, he could brutalise them in every way humanly possible, but in the end what's the fun fighting an immovable straw object?
"Okay, I'll come," Percy decided. "That is assuming you want me to come?"
"No Percy," she said lamely. "I came all the way here to see if you wanted to hunt with us when in reality, I despise you and hate to be around you." Momentarily, Percy was fazed.
"Uh, she's being sarcastic, right?" Percy turned to Aphrodite for reassurance. Snorting, the goddess pushed him into Artemis.
"Have fun you two!" she said cheerily, watching the two stumble to the floor together, before walking into her palace.
Standing up, Artemis brushed the dirt from her shirt, before glaring daggers at Aphrodite's palace. With a sigh of resignation, she turned around, motioning for Percy to follow her. Not in the mood to agitate her, he abided quickly.
"You know, I don't understand why Aphrodite can't keep her nose out of other people's lives," Artemis muttered. Percy couldn't help but agree.
"I wonder the exact same thing," he chimed in, matching her exasperated tone. "She seems to have a knack for meddling and making everything about herself. It's like she thrives on drama and stirring the plot." Artemis shot him a glance, her eyes narrowed with a mix of annoyance and amusement.
"Tell me, Percy, do you ever get sick of her?" The question caught him by surprise.
"Wh-what?" Artemis seemed unamused.
"It's not a difficult question," she sighed. "I'm just asking, does Aphrodite ever make you feel sick inside? You're with her much more often than I am, and I can barely tolerate her." Percy shrugged.
"I mean she's okay. She just loves teasing me about stuff, but I guess I do it too. We have a love-hate type of relationship." Artemis let out a snort of disbelief, her eyebrows furrowing.
"I don't know how you manage it," she muttered. "Don't you ever get annoyed when she brings five guys over to her palace at once though?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.
"Five guys?" he chuckled. "I haven't seen her with one, forget five." Artemis pursed her lips but didn't say anything.
"You know," Percy began gently, "people, even gods are capable of change. Perhaps you ought to give Aphrodite another chance."
"I did, Artemis scowled. "That's the only reason I let her into my camp that time when you came. And as usual, she ruined it as fast as she could." All of a sudden, the goddess froze, turning to face him with a look of seriousness.
"Percy, be wary of Aphrodite. She may seem like your friend, but I've known her for centuries. Aphrodite only has a knack for manipulating emotions and causing chaos wherever she walks. She's like Eris if Eris controlled feelings. You're a good man with a good life ahead of you, and I don't want to see it get ruined because you listened to Aphrodite." He honestly didn't know how to respond to that. Aphrodite had ruined his life before, and he knew that there was truth in what Artemis was saying, but he also believed in giving people a chance, even the most unpredictable of goddesses. Plus, was the maiden goddess really the right person to listen to advice from about this. Surely she'd be biassed, considering the two were polar opposites…
Artemis extended her hand towards Percy, and he took it quickly. There was no need to agitate a goddess anymore. Percy couldn't help but notice that her hands were extremely soft and warm, in a soothing way.
"Brace yourself," she warned, before in a flash of light, the pair disappeared.
When they reappeared, Percy was momentarily dazed, stumbling around while rubbing his eyes. The goddess watched as he rubbed his eyes, his face scrunched up in confusion.
"Still not used to flashing? You'll get there one day, I'm sure." Grumbling, Percy followed Artemis as they ventured further into the new forestry area. Unlike the dense, vibrant forest they had left behind, this landscape had a different charm. The sparse collection of trees stood like lone sentinels, their branches reaching out to the sky in a twisted dance. The grassy plain stretched as far as the eye could see, swaying gently in the breeze. Percy marvelled at the tranquillity of the surroundings. The absence of dense vegetation allowed him to fully appreciate the vastness of the open space. It was as if he had stumbled upon a hidden oasis amidst the wilderness, a serene retreat where nature and solitude coexisted harmoniously.
His attention was drawn to a magnificent river that meandered through the plain, its current shimmering under the sun's warm rays. Its waters flowed with a sense of purpose, as if carrying secrets and stories from distant lands. Somehow, he knew that the river would continue on for another several hundred kilometres, before finally reaching the sea. As they approached the riverbank, Percy couldn't resist the urge to dip his fingers into the water. It was refreshingly cool against his skin, and he couldn't help but let out a contented sigh.
"How are you then, on this fine afternoon, Artemis?" Percy asked in an attempt to make some small talk. The goddess merely raised an eyebrow, continuing walking at her fast pace.
"Is this some elaborate method of trying to win my heart?" she asked. Percy was almost offended.
"Ouch, I'm just trying to be nice and friendly," he muttered. "I thought you knew I wasn't like other men." The two walked in an awkward silence, with Percy wondering what it would take for Artemis to ever trust him. It's not that he needed her trust, just it made him feel bad, as if he'd done something to deserve this. Well, something aside from 'being a male,' as she'd put it.
"I suppose I should apologise," Artemis said quietly. "Kind gestures from men out of genuine compassion is not something I am accustomed to. I've firsthand witnessed the darkness that can lurk within the hearts of men." Percy nodded in understanding, although he was still a little annoyed.
"Besides," Artemis continued, "did you really think I was being serious? Honestly Percy, has no one ever told you to loosen up? Jeez, I know you wouldn't do something like that to me, but have some sense of humour please." He scowled, his face growing slightly flustered. First Aphrodite, now Artemis… Percy really was starting to think he needed to start taking things so literally. In his eyes, he never saw most of the gods as people that would joke around with him. Then again… maybe it was because he never saw that side of them.
"I'm doing okay," Artemis said, finally answering his question. "The day has been a bit tiring, but I did manage to cook a nice lunch for the hunt earlier on. Fresh deer goes surprisingly well with cranberry juice…"
"That sounds very nice…" Percy said wistfully, something Artemis didn't miss.
"Is Aphrodite not feeding you?" she asked. "Why do you always seem so hungry?" The god shrugged.
"She does keep me fed, but I don't know… There's just something more appetising about eating freshly slaughtered deers over a steak that's been in Aphrodite's cupboard for I don't even want to guess how long."
"Well maybe if you can stay alive while helping the hunt out, I'll ask Thalia to warm some up for you." Why, well perhaps even Artemis herself could crack a joke every once in a while, he mused with a small smile. It was sad, but Percy knew that Artemis was one of the most misunderstood goddesses there were. She never hated men, and she never tortured them either. She merely has a different view on them as supposed to everyone else.#
"I suppose it's only common courtesy for me to ask how your day has been?" Percy paused for a moment, thinking on how much he should say.
"It's been… eventful," he admitted after a while.
"Visit anyone?"
"Not in particular." Artemis turned to look at him with a deadpan expression.
"So you didn't happen to pop into the Underworld and visit Hecate?"" she sighed. Percy's face shifted from shocked, to guilty, to curious.
"How did you even know that?" he exclaimed. "I only told Aphrodite that I was going." The goddess smirked.
"I have my ways. Let's just say a few well placed animals here and there can honestly do wonders." Percy was about to prod her more, but just then Artemis's eyes narrowed as she looked at something in the distance.
"What on earth are they doing…" she mumbled under her breath, her tone laced with curiosity and mild annoyance as she broke into a light jog.
It turns out that like Percy, the hunt had been pretty bored. The only difference between the two of them was that the hunt decided to overcome their boredom by having a gladiator styled competition. As they got closer, Percy noticed Thalia and the other hunter, Atlanta, were engaged in a fierce spar session, showcasing their impressive combat skills while the other hunters were crowding around them in a circle, cheering them on. Phoebe watched from inside the circle, most likely acting as a referee. As Percy and Artemis became closer to the hunt, some of them started to recognise them, telling Thalia to stop the fight, but she was too engrossed to give up now.
"Uh oh," he heard a hunter say as Artemis marched straight through the circle, stopping directly in between the two competitors.
"What is this?" the goddess demanded, sternly looking down at Thalia and Atlanta. Artemis's words hung in the air like a heavy fog, casting a palpable sense of tension over the gathering of hunters. Thalia and Atlanta, their shoulders slumped and guilty expressions etched on their faces, avoided making eye contact with their formidable leader. The hunters, usually full of banter and energy, had fallen into an uncomfortable silence, their eyes darting nervously between Artemis and the ground. "I told you to prepare and scout ahead, not start a massive tournament. This is definitely not how I've told you all to behave when I leave for important business. I'll be having a word with the two of you after, but for now we have a guest with us." She motioned to Percy who just stood there awkwardly, swaying back and forth. He'd never actually seen Artemis act stern with one of her hunters, and it was a bit unsettling to watch. It's like when your friend is getting grilled by his dad, and you're just awkwardly watching from the sidelines…
As Artemis motioned for everyone to start walking onwards, Thalia slunk towards the back.
"Hey Percy," she mumbled. "Long time no see, eh?"
"I don't count two weeks as that long of a time," he said wryly, but nevertheless gave her a friendly hug. "How are things around here?" The hunter gave him a shrug, as if trying to say, 'meh.'
"The same old," she said with a sigh. "Hunting animals, fighting monsters, getting into arguments and trying to resolve them with tournaments only to get caught red handed. How about you? I heard you ran into a magic goddess today?" Internally he groaned. Could he seriously not keep anything private anymore? Percy supposed it was a side effect of becoming a god and becoming even more well known than he already was.
"Yeah, I was trying to gain some more practice on illusions," he explained. Thalia smirked.
"And how did that go?"
"Surprisingly well," Percy admitted. "She wasn't angry with me like I thought she'd be, and even gave me part of a potion as a present for becoming a god." She chuckled at that.
"Just make sure you know what that potion does before consuming it. I'd hate to see you as a fish swimming around in Poseidon's oceans." Percy rolled his eyes, although a smile was tugging at the corners of his lips as well.
"Come on now Thalia," he chided. "When have I ever not been careful?"
"I don't know Percy, but I must say, your knack for attracting strange, magical encounters never ceases to amaze me. First, you stumble upon a goddess with an affinity for illusions, and now you're being offered mysterious potions. You're practically a magnet for mystical mischief! Percy chuckled, his sea-green eyes sparkling with amusement.
"I guess the universe just can't resist giving me a taste of the unexpected."
"You've always had a talent for attracting the extraordinary," Thalia said after a pause. "I mean, it's not every day that the son of Poseidon gets entangled in epic quests, battles mythical monsters, and finds himself surrounded by hunters that don't actually despise him." He grinned.
"Yeah, I guess you're right, but you know what they say. 'Adventure is out there, waiting for those brave enough to seek it.'" The hunter laughed, her voice echoing through the forest. "Brave? More like perpetually reckless, with a dash of heroism and a pinch of divine favour. That's the Percy Jackson recipe for success!" Percy feigned offence, placing a hand over his heart in mock hurt.
"Hey now, I'll have you know I can be cautious when the situation calls for it. Well, most of the time, at least." Thalia playfully nudged him, her expression filled with camaraderie.
"Oh, we all know you have your moments of brilliance. Like when you outsmarted the Minotaur or defeated the Titan lord Kronos. But let's not forget those occasions when you mistook a giant tuna for a monstrous sea creature." Percy's cheeks turned slightly pink as he recalled the embarrassing incident.
"Alright, alright, that was one small mishap. But in my defence, it was a really big tuna!"
Soon enough, the once grassy plains gave way to a treacherous marsh, the ground becoming increasingly spongy and damp beneath their feet. Percy's shoes squelched with each step, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for his poor footwear. They were going to need a serious spa treatment after this adventure. The marshland opened up into a fast flowing, ocean mouth that stretched out before them. Percy marvelled at the pristine beauty of the crystal-clear waters, the reflections of the surrounding forest dancing on its surface. It seemed like an inviting oasis, but he knew better than to trust the deceptive tranquillity of nature. Percy could see a dense forest on the other side of the mouth, and assumed that's where the hunt wanted to go. However, when they all began dropping their gear onto the floor, he started to get confused.
"Thalia, what exactly are we doing?" Percy asked, his forehead creasing with a frown. Thalia shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Didn't Artemis fill you in?" He shook his head to the side.
"All she said was that she had run into a small problem and it would be much easier to fix if I tagged along. I wasn't really doing anything, so I agreed." She sorted.
"Leave it to Artemis to oversimplify everything." Percy's frown only deepened as it seemed everything was not how he thought it was.
"Hang on, so what are we actually here for." Thalia opened her mouth, as if about to say something, before abruptly closing it, grinning wickedly.
"You'll see," she chuckled, just as Artemis brought everyone to a halt.
"Hunters," she said, her commanding voice rippling through the group. "We may have Perseus here to help us, but that doesn't mean we can all slack off. I don't want a repeat of what happened last time to occur, got it?" A chorus of vigorous nods and murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd. Artemis's features softened, a glimmer of relief shining in her eyes.
"Good," she affirmed, a small hint of satisfaction lacing her words. "Now let us show Perseus why we are the most formidable warriors of Olympus!" The declaration was met with an eruption of cheers, a surge of adrenaline coursing through the hunters' veins. They dropped their packs to the ground, retrieving an arsenal of lethal weapons that glinted menacingly in the sunlight. Percy's eyes widened as he surveyed the scene before him. Forty fierce and battle-ready hunters, armed to the teeth with bows, arrows, and an assortment of deadly knives. It was a sight that both thrilled and unnerved him.
"Artemis," Percy began, making his way towards her through the crowd. "I must admit, I'm still as confused as a squirrel caught in a rainstorm. What are we actually doing here, and why do you need me?" Artemis pursed her lips, her brow furrowing in an unmistakable sign of consternation. She let out a sigh, as if grappling with what to tell him and how to say it.
"Can you just tell me," Percy prodded. She sighed.
"We're hunting Cetus."
"Cetus?" Percy frowned. "Who's that?" Artemis made a show of facepalming.
"Cetus? Honestly, I thought at least you would know him, being a son of the sea and all." When his dumbfounded expression didn't change, Artemis just sighed. "Jeez, your mythology really is worse than Thalia's. Anyway, Cetus is the monster who was terrorising Aethiopia. Your namesake, Perseus, was actually the one to kill him."
"Ohhh, that Cetus," Percy grinned sheepishly. "So what, are we tracking him down?" The goddess shook her head.
"He's just there, past that marsh," she said, pointing towards the ocean. Percy frowned.
"What do you need my help for then?"
"It's simple," Artemis assured him. "I just need you to hold Cetus in the water as we shoot him down. We've tried attacking him before, but he always managed to run away as we get close to killing him. Poeisond and Zeus have both specifically asked for his removal, so here we are. That sound good to you?" Percy's frown deepens, his brows furrowing like waves crashing upon a rocky shore.
"Umm…"Percy began, his voice tinged with uncertainty. He still wasn't sure what to make of the whole situation. After all, Cetus wasn't exactly famous for his kindness and friendship…
"Brilliant!" Artemis exclaimed, before going to talk to one of her hunters, leaving Percy alone to his musings.
By the time everyone was ready, Percy's heart was pounding with nervousness. It seemed like it was finally his time to live up to the name 'Perseus.'
"Ready Percy?" Artemis asked, taking out two, extremely long hunting daggers that gleamed under the sunlight, their edges honed to perfection. He gave her a small nod.
"I suppose… Now how do we summon it?" Just as he said this, Artemis approached him, locking eyes with him in a moment of uncomfortable suspense. Without warning, she swiftly inflicted a shallow cut on his own arm, causing Percy to yelp in surprise and mild pain. The golden liquid trickled down his arm, releasing a distinct metallic scent into the air.
"Cetus loves the smell of blood," Artemis explained, "and what better blood to use than sea blood, or in this case sea ichor." He shot her a glare, trying to cover his arm with his hand, only to have it slapped away..
"A warning would've been nice," he muttered, but Artemis had already disappeared to the front lines.
"He's coming," the goddess bellowed. "Everyone get ready, especially you Percy!" Percy grumbled under his breath, reluctantly picking up his pace to join the goddess at the forefront. His eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any signs of the impending monster. For a moment, the scene remained deceptively calm, as if Cetus had decided to stand them up and go for a coffee break instead. Percy couldn't help but start to think that he'd cut his arm for no reason, but just then, the sea slowly started to tremble. Then, without warning, the tranquil surface erupted, transforming into a cauldron of churning water. A wall of colossal waves surged forth, obscuring the monstrous form of Cetus within its foamy embrace. Behind Percy, the hunters stood, armed with their bows and arrows, forming a defensive line, unwavering.
All of a sudden, the sea parted, revealing Cetus in all its terrifying glory. The monster's scaly hide glistened under the sunlight, and its massive jaws snapped hungrily. Just the sight of him made Percy briefly wonder how he'd even managed to get himself into this. Without hesitation, the Huntresses let their arrows fly, striking the monster's hide, but their attacks barely scratched the surface. Percy lunged forwards, using his hydrokinetic abilities to control the water around him. With a powerful wave of his hand, he directed a torrent towards Cetus, trying to hold the beast in place. The monster roared in fury, thrashing against the water's grip, but Percy fought to keep it under control. Cetus was much stronger than he'd anticipated, and he found himself struggling. Had it not been for Numicus washing away his mortality, Percy definitely wouldn't've been able to do this. Even now, as he and Cetus battled for control of the waters, Percy was forced to inadvertently move closer and closer to the sea monster. The closer he was, the easier it was to control the seas, and thus the easier it was to hold Cetus at bay.
Mistakes often came down to a small, split second error. Percy would love to say his strength and focus had been unwavering as he fought Cetus, but the truth is it wasn't. Unfortunately, as he subconsciously made his way closer and closer to Cetus, Percy tripped. Yes, the great Percy Jackson tripped on a rock, causing him to tumble down to the ground and groan. Flustered, he made his way up, but it was already too late. His control of the sea had momentarily slipped from his mind, and alas, the fates seemed to revel in their twisted sense of humour, for it was in that moment of vulnerability that Cetus seized the opportunity. With lightning-quick reflexes, the monstrous beast lunged forward, its enormous form propelled by a surge of raw, untamed power. It seemed like Cetus was operating on a 'if i'm going down, you're coming with me,' policy. The god barely had enough time to roll out of the way, but that was when Cetus's second hand of claws came down. This time, he was a second too slow, and a claw sunk deep into his left shoulder, causing him to groan. Gritting his teeth, Percy summoned every ounce of his determination. Ignoring the searing pain that radiated through his body, he uncapped Riptide. It gleamed with a resolute determination, mirroring the fire that burned within Percy's heart. With hazy focus, he aimed his strike at Cetus, plunging the blade into the monster's hand. Cetus roared in agony, the combination of Percy's retaliatory strike and the relentless volleys of arrows from Artemis and her fierce huntresses taking their toll. The monster writhed in pain, temporarily immobilised by the onslaught of attacks. The good news: Cetus wasn't having a good time. The bad news: amidst the pain, Cetus decided it was a good idea to yank his claws out of Percy… (It was definitely not.)
Cetus did try to escape, but the time for that had come and gone ages ago. Finally, as Artemis shot an arrow into his left eye, Cetus's colossal form convulsed and trembled before succumbing to a cataclysmic demise, dissipating into a cloud of monster dust.
Unfortunately, it wasn't time for celebrations yet. The pain in Percy's left shoulder was becoming unbearable as he lay on the floor, gazing upwards. He could hear footsteps form all around, panicked faces here and there, but Percy didn't care. All he wanted to do was curl up in his comfy bed back at Aphrodite's palace, have a nice long sleep, and wake up feeling about as perfect as one can be. Yeah, that wasn't happening anytime soon.
"Hold on," he heard Artemis say, although her voice sounded faint. Percy caught a fleeting glimpse of auburn hair crossing his vision as the goddess knelt down beside him.
Then, darkness intruded upon his consciousness, engulfing his sight in an abyss of pitch-blackness, and Percy surrendered himself to its enveloping embrace.
A bit of a different chapter style, a lot harder to write. Hope y'all enjoyed some Ceteus action, and some more Artemis action!