Piper POV

As we moved further north, the temperature dropped rapidly. The biting wind whipped our faces and the icy air burned our lungs. I pulled my thick coat tighter around my shivering frame, trying to block out the cold, but the snow was another thing entirely. It was knee-deep and heavy, making each step they took a struggle. Percy, being the strongest, led the way, trudging through the snow with determination etched on his face. Nico and I followed closely behind, our breaths visible in the frigid air.

It had been two tough and gruelling days since their tense meeting with Eris and Lethe. Ever since, they had pushed themselves relentlessly, taking every mode of transportation they could find to get as far north as possible. Percy had used his godly powers to flash them as far north as possible, but they had reached a point where they had to rely on their own two feet to carry them to their destination. From then on, it had mainly been boats, cars, or long walks. Despite my protests, both Nico and Percy agreed that transport via planes would not be a smart idea.

With each passing hour, the cold seemed to intensify. Our joints ached from the constant movement, and my hands and feet had gone numb hours ago. I had contemplated asking for a break more than once, but I knew that I was in no shape to be asking that. Both Percy and Nico looked more rough than I felt, and of course, Artemis was still in danger. Ah, Artemis, such an interesting goddess. Back when she had first found out about the Greek world, she wouldn't've dared to even imply Artemis could like a man. Then, Percy came along. He became a guardian of the hunt, a task thought impossible to obtain, and even harder to maintain. He left fast, and by fast I meant fast. Percy found Calypso, and they were happy. Later on, he'd find me, Jason, Leo, and everyone else. No one ever thought Artemis would like Percy. In fact, whenever someone brought anything about them up, he'd insist that Aphrodite had been manipulating her and it wasn't her fault. Of course, that didn't stop him from getting angry with her. As Percy put it, "she should've been able to control herself, and for that I am angry. Plus I don't appreciate getting beaten up by her, although I can somewhat see where it was coming from." Percy wasn't a child of Aphrodite, but I was. I knew Mother very rarely went so far as to try and manipulate Artemis, a god, and on top of that, a maiden. Of course, I could be wrong, but perhaps there was a slight chance that Artemis had some sort of affection towards Percy, only she had a really weird way of showing it? Alas, now is the wrong time to be talking about this. Maybe I'd ask Apollo to help me confront her when the war was over. Out of everyone here, Percy deserved a happy ending to his story.

I shifted my gaze to my left and caught a glimpse of Nico. He was wearing a thick ski mask that covered most of his face, making him look like a pale ghostly figure in the dim light. Under the icy northern temperatures, his skin seemed paler than usual, which only added to his already ominous appearance. His puffy coat, which was clearly designed to keep him warm, made him look a lot wider than he actually was, almost as if he had put on some extra weight. I couldn't help but notice how his gloved hands were clenched tightly, as if he was trying to keep them from shaking due to the cold.

To my right, a few steps in front, Percy was trudging through the snow with determination and energy that me and Nico were lacking. Like both of us, he had a ski mask as well. His breaths were coming out in misty puffs, dissipating into the air. The staff he usually wielded with confidence was now being used as a mere hiking stick. Every now and then, I'd steal a glance at him, trying to decipher what was going on inside his head, but it was like looking into a black hole - dark and unfathomable.

As we walked on, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the pit of my stomach. Percy had been off recently, and it was frightening. Normally, he was full of quips and jokes, but the past day or so, he had only been distant and sombre. Ever since the encounter with Eris, he had been acting differently. He was rarely talking to any of us, and seemed to be lost in his thoughts the rest of the time. I glanced at his hunched shoulders. It was as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and I couldn't help but feel scared for him.

Despite my best efforts to get him to open up, Percy remained tight-lipped. My charmspeak, usually so effective, seemed to be useless. It was like he had retreated into himself, shutting us out and letting the secrets build up inside him. Whatever Eris had asked from him had shaken him up so much that he refused to tell us, his closest friends. The thought of what could have distressed the God of Time to his core made a shill run up my spine and my blood run cold.

"Stop," Percy ordered, suddenly pausing. Both me and Nico followed, our bodies tense. Percy's eyes seemed to be darting around the area, before grudgingly he placed a blanket down on the floor.

"Let's take a break," he breathed out. "We'll need our energy for the rescue mission." I wasn't one to complain. My legs practically gave way and I slumped onto his blanket. It was a thick blanket so my bum didn't feel the snow underneath. Nico was the next, falling face first next to me and grumbling.

"Last time I'm ever hiking to Alaska with you Percy," he muttered, before adjusting into a more comfortable position. "Oh come on, not even a smile? What did Eris say?"

"Enough, Nico," Percy glowered. "It's my favour to her, and it's my business."

"Percy," I began gently, shooting Nico a dirty look telling him to shut up. "We're here for you. Don't keep things bottled inside." For a fleeting moment, his expression softened.

"Both of you get some rest," he said emotionlessly. "Very soon, the enemy camp will be in our visuals." I couldn't be asked to pry. Laying my head down on the fluffy blanket and curling up, my eyes were closed in record time, and I let myself fall into a calm, dreamless sleep.

Percy POV

I had ambrosia and I had nectar. Earlier today, while Nico had been driving, I'd caught some shut eye. As far as I was aware, now was the time to plan and prepare for the fight. Gone wouldn't give Artemis up easily, which means we somehow needed to battle our way into their fortress, pick her up, and get back out.

Ah, Artemis, oh where to begin. The only person I was conflicted about. When we first set out to get her back, I was convincing myself that the only reason I was trying to rescue her was because it was partly my fault that she was captured, and yes that was true. However, now that danger is nearly in my sights, I'm starting to think that perhaps I want to rescue her for a different reason… But no, I despise Artemis, right? She hurt me badly.

Ah but you forgave her, a voice nagged in the back of my head. I did forgive her. So why was I willingly rescuing her, and potentially risking my life in the land without the gods for her?

I leaned my head back against a tree with a sigh. Perhaps rest was best for me, but at the moment, I was trying to recall a memory, a warm, yet sombre one.

A memory with Calypso.

"Man, we left Ogygia three years ago!" Nico exclaimed. "How are you still affording all this stuff?" I let out a chuckle at his antics. Leave it to Nico to be wide eyed by a hotel.

"It's not hard to act rich, and it's even easier when you've got the mist as your best friend." I smirked at their reaction before straightening my face.

"Now, room arrangements," I began, causing a loud groan to be emitted from everyone. "No attitude please! Okay, Frank, Hazel and Leo in room four." I handed them their key card from the hotel, ignoring Frank's complaints.

"Put me with anyone but Leo," Frank pleaded. I gave him a wry smile to signal that there is no changing my mind.

"Jason, Piper, Nico in room five." It seemed that Jason wasn't happy with my plan either.

"You just had to put the couples with someone else to get a third wheel, didn't you," Nico said glumly. My eyes twinkled with mirth.

"And that leaves me and Calypso in room six! Any questions?" I assumed that I had made myself clear, but no, of course Leo had to give his two pence.

"Hold up, how come you and Calypso get your own room."

"Wait, Leo's actually right for once," Hazel grinned. "Spill the beans Percy, what are you and Calypso trying to do tonight?"
"N-nothing, I swear!" I promised, my cheeks blushing lightly.

"Come into our rooms then!" Nico said. "There's a spare bed in each room, and we can save money, and I won't end up being a third wheel!"

"I agree with Death Breath!" Leo chimed in. Nico was in such a teasing mood he didn't even bother to retort.

"We're fine as it is," I said firmly.

"Oh Percy, do you really think you can hide from the daughter of Aphrodite?" Piper asked in a sing-song voice.

"Mmm, oh don't worry, you're next door to us," Jason said with a cackle. "Things will be very awkward tomorrow at breakfast if we end up hearing the stuff you and Calypso say tonight. The walls are thin after all.

"Mmm, oh yes Calypso," Piper moaned, trying to imitate me, getting a laugh from everyone. When she saw mine and Calypso's tinted cheeks, she let out a chuckle, before opening her room. She let Jason and Nico enter first, before going in and closing the door, giving me a wink. Grumbling about how annoying she could be, I quickly said goodbye to Hazel, Frank and Leo, before heading into my own room.

"Calypso, do you really love me?" The question seemed to catch her off guard. She had just stepped out of the shower and was still wringing the water out of her hair.

"Wha-What do you mean?" she asked nervously. I sighed, laying back on our bed and motioning for her to lay next to me. She did so, snuggling close and resting her head on my chest. I didn't mind the wetness. Being the son of Poseidon, I didn't even feel it.

"I mean," I began, "we've kissed, we've snuggled, we've shared our moments, but do you feel a spark burning inside when you're with me?" Calypso took her time before answering me. With every passing second, my heart shook more and more.

"I don't know," she finally said. "I feel like when I'm with you, I can be who I am, without needing to act differently. You make me comfortable and safe, but love… that's a complicated word." I nodded. "Percy, without a shadow of a doubt, I care about you more than my flowers in Ogygia, and you know that's saying something." I smiled at the memory of her flowers and the sweet scent of nectar they emitted.

"Are we dating then?" Calypso snorted.

"Percy, if your idea of dates is taking me out monster hunting, then you're a worse romance than Artemis, and we both know how bad she is. But the answer again is I don't know."

"However," she continued, "I have every intent of keeping you safe." I raised my eyebrow. Half the time it was me keeping her safe, although she'd saved me more than once.

"Percy, you may be one of the most skillful fighters I know, but when it comes to love, I can't let you make any rash decisions *cough* Artemis *cough*." When I glared at her, she giggled before playfully hitting my arm.

"She doesn't like me and I don't like her," I finally said. "Artemis only wants me safe so that she won't come face to face with Poseidon's wrath."

"Tell yourself whatever you want, but I'm gonna keep you safe. To answer your question, we are dating, because I do care for you and I want to experience love like a mortal for once in my life. However, remember this Perseus. You and I are not destined by the Fates to be, and I think you know that." I nodded. My love for Calypso couldn't be expressed in words, but somewhere deep down, I knew that she isn't who I would end up with at the end of my godhood.

"When I know you're happy with whoever your love is, I will happily let you go, and maybe I'll be able to find true love as well. Until then, you're mine." She growled the last word possessively, before pouncing onto me. Giggling, she straddled me, before leaning down and giving me a light kiss… which would turn into a very passionate kiss… which would turn into Piper banging on our wall and loudly mimicking what she had said earlier. It was safe to say we stopped extremely quickly after that, both our faces more golden than Apollo's chariot.

Nico POV

"Get up," the cold and emotionless voice called out, cutting through the frigid air. I could feel something prodding at my ribcage.

"Just a minute! I mumbled, curling into a ball. The icy wind was already getting to me, even from under the blanket.

"Nico and Piper, I'm going to count to five," Percy warned. "After that, I'm dumping snow on both of you!" I sighed, grudgingly pushing myself up and trying to glare at the god. His bloodshot, narrow eyes bore into me, and I felt myself shrinking under his gaze. Meanwhile, Piper was still sound asleep on the floor, her breathing slow and steady. Percy sighed, clearly not in the mood for our sluggishness. He sighed before grabbing a handful of snow and shoving it in her face. I winced imagining how cold it must've felt.

"Hey!" she yelled, bolting upright and trying to shake the flakes off her face.

"Get up," Percy replied, ignoring her. "I've scoured the area out." I rubbed my eyes, shaking off whatever sleep remained in me.

"And?" I asked, slightly hopeful that our journey was coming to an end.

"Their base is very close," he said, his voice low and serious. "I can feel her."

Gone POV

The titan stared at me incredulously, his voice laced with concern, "But aren't you even slightly frightened?" I shook my head, my grin growing even wider as I contemplated the upcoming events.

"I am not frightened," I replied confidently. "On the contrary, I am excited for what's to come. They will come for her soon, I know it, and that's when we strike. While they are distracted, we will take advantage of the situation and fight back with all our might."

With a sense of anticipation bubbling inside me, I stood up, raising my sword and striking it forcefully on the ground. Sparks flew up in a shower around me, causing the titan next to me to shift uneasily, but I paid him no attention as my voice boomed across the battlefield, carrying with it an air of determination and strength.

"ARMIES!" I bellowed, my voice carrying far and wide. "TODAY IS THE DAY WHERE THE OLYMPIANS LEARN, THIS WORLD DOESN'T REVOLVE AROUND THEM! AS THEIR STRONGEST GOD IS PREOCCUPIED IN A RESCUE MISSION, WE SHALL STRIKE!" My words echoed across the battlefield, and I could feel the energy and determination of my fellow fighters rising. With a fierce sense of purpose, we readied ourselves for battle, knowing that victory was within our reach.

So how was that? I hope the whole Calypso-Percy thing made sense. Some Pertemis slyly forming (finally)! Catch you guys on the next update.

"TODAY, WE MARCH INTO OLYMPUS WITH OUR WEAPONS HELD HIGH! NOTHING SHORT OF DEATH WILL DRIVE US BACK HERE. WE LEAVE OUR BASE EMPTY HANDED, AND WE RETURN WITH OLYMPUS AS OURS TO COMMAND!"