Jason POV
The explosion shook the part near the gates and there were small craters here and there. The smell of burning wood and tiles could be smelt all the way from the gate. The air was filled with dust that hadn't settled down yet. All sound was ripped from existence as everyone stood silently, trying to process the scene.
We all knew this would happen sooner or later, but it was still a shock. The expectation of their arrival was far too simple compared to what had really happened.
I stood, tensed, waiting for the opposing army to charge.
Before any movement could be made from either side, a blinding series of light materialised into a glorious army of god's. They all appeared brandishing their weapons and looking at the enemy.
Most eyes were fixated on the hooded figure dressed in chaos black, Gone. He was intimidating to say the least. He exerted a dark presence, one that had a wicked sense of humour. He was hidden inside his clothes, not revealing anything except for his mouth. His face turned into a frown.
"No sudden attack? No words?" Gone chuckled. For some reason he paced up and down, looking at the ground. "I guess without your so-called 'leader', you're even more useless than before, eh?" His mirthless laugh echoed through the long pathway.
"And we're the useless army that beat you and your legion. So assuming we're useless, you're even lower then." Calypso retorted, earning a smile from Hazel. Gone however, simply looked forwards, as if he was studying her.
"I can't see what he sees in you," Gone stared at the titaness. "He could've had anyone, but he chose the worthless prisoner who was stuck on an island for millennia. Calypso's smile faded away fast as she glared daggers. Leo had to hold her back just so that she didn't charge Gone.
"Don't let him get to you," Leo hissed into her air. She stopped resisting, but still glared at Gone.
"Got nothing to say, Zeusie?" Gone mocked the king of the gods, making the king go ballistic.
"I'll have you know-," He started, before Gone interrupted him.
"I haven't finished," Gone faked hurt as Zeus raised his lightning bolt. "Oh I wouldn't do that if I were you," Gone's tone was deathly.
Jason didn't know how he changed from playful, to scary that fast. The transformation took less than a second, almost as if he had two different personalities.
Hera held her furious husband back, calming him down.
"That's better," Gone was smiling ear to ear. Everyone glared at the man, about to attack.
"By the way, don't think Percy's coming back. Or any of the ones you send to retrieve the moon goddess." I growled, hoping Piper was safe. "They're all probably dead by now and even if they weren't, their efforts to find the goddess are futile." Calypso snorted as Gone narrowed his eyes at her. "You think they're dead? I guess you're not up to date with the latest happenings." Calypso was smiling as Gone wrinkled his nose.
"How would you know?" Gone asked, showing complete disbelief.
"Oh we were informed about an hour ago," Leo bluffed, trying to buy time. I had to hide my smirk. None of us had actually received an Iris message, but Leo was a damn good liar when he wanted to be. The boy could've passed for a son of Hermes easily.
"Percy sent an Iris message informing us about the team's success." Frank chimed in, making Gone smile.
He clapped his hands, "Wow, an Iris message from Alaska, the land beyond the gods." Frank winced at his mistake.
"Oh no, he passed the borders of Alaska before IM'ing us." Hazel saved Frank. Gone frowned, not buying it.
"Lies, he should've been here by now if that was the case." I groaned inside, trying to come up with possible responses.
As much as I hated to admit it, Gone was smart, I had to give credit where credit was due. I knew we had to think fast, before he attacked.
"A legion of gods is against you, give up now! Athena roared, making the monsters at the back hiss.
"And we all know what happened the last time you puny gods fought me, don't you remember?" Ares glowered, pointing his hands at Gone.
"I wasn't prepared for a war back then. You'll see my true power now!" Gone scoffed, faking a yawn.
"All you'll be doing is laying on the ground a few seconds into the battle." Ares turned red. "Watch your tongue punk." Ares warned the man at the head of the opposing army. "You won't succeed this time. You'll be forced to surrender in the matter of minutes." Dionysus spoke up, receiving a frown from Gone.
"Ah, Dionysus. I suggest you keep your campers out of this. You don't want to see all of them die alongside you, now do you?" All the gods stepped up and formed ranks, preparing for battle.
"Soldiers!" I commanded, my friends all snapping to attention. "Ranks!" We all formed a line in front of the gods, the same way Percy would've done.. Before we could prepare ourselves, Gone stepped in.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Gone taunted, smirking wickedly. "You didn't even let me give you options, you chose to fight," He falsely complained. "Hear me out, I'll give you a few options." He continued becoming more serious. "And depending on your choice, this can go either well and smoothly," His grin turned evil. "Or," his voice deepened, coming out as cold as possible. That single word sent shivers down my spine. Coldness radiated all the way from Gone to us causing even his own monsters to back away from him a little. "This will go very wrong and anything and everything standing in my way will…" His voice turned menacing, making some of the gods flinch.
"PERISH!" The paralysing threat echoed through the air. Gone's voice was loud and demanding.
Some of us gulped, fear creeping up our throats, yet still, we stood steadfast, not backing down.
"So, what will it be?" His tone was nightmarish, yet, held mirth.
"Can we somehow trick him?" Hazel whispered. I barely gave it any thought.
"I don't think so, we'll have to fight head on." I replied looking intensely at the enormous army that looked endless. "We're outnumbered, really badly at that." Frank grunted, which made me internally facepalm.
"You think? Anyway, we'll have to use a lot of our powers at the start to get rid of as many monsters as possible." I muttered to the Revenant. The same way Percy would've.
"I guess you're too shocked to answer." Gone grinned, looking at us. "Does that mean you surrender? I hope so, because we'll have so much fun together." Gone giggled, like a little boy excited for his Christmas present. Calypso stared at him confused, probably just realising his lightning quick change in moods.
"We're ready when you are," Calypso mumbled to me. I looked back at the gods and most gave me a curt nod. I turned back to the enemy, determined to hold them back as much as possible. I wasn't going to let Percy and the others down. This was my home I was defending. I had so much to fight for. My friends, family, home, legion, the list went on and on. If I failed, all of my close ones would be affected. Hell even the future generation. Of course the pressure wasn't just on me, the whole of the Revenant and the army of god's as well. They all must have felt it as all of them are a part of this, each one a key to success. Together, hopefully we would beat this monstrous human, once and for all.
The pressure was on as this was most likely the last battle in the war, the deciding factor of the fate of the world. Even though we were prepared. Gone and his army was most likely equally ready for this upcoming fight.
I took a deep breath, hoping Percy and the others would join to help soon. That was it, no more delays remained.
"Olympus, Charge!" Zeus bellowed, as the sky erupted into a thousand different colours.
Piper POV
I looked at the frail goddess on the ground next to us. She looked as if she hadn't eaten in days. Her eyes were barely open, and she'd definitely had better days. Immediately, Percy ran over to the goddess, checking her pulse. "This is bad," he muttered. "Her heart rate is really low." His voice was laced with concern. I watched as he continued checking her vitals, performing with care and caution.
"Piper, ambrosia. Nico, water." His eyes were still fixated on the goddess in front of him. I rummaged through my bag and pulled out a zip lock containing squares of the godly food. I handed it over to Percy, eyeing the goddess worriedly. Nico passed Percy a bottle of water.
"Eat, you'll need your energy to get out." Artemis groaned trying to get up. It was no use as her hands gave way and she fell back. I moved closer to Artemis and helped her lean on the wall. She thanked me and held out her hand to take the ambrosia.
"Not with those hands," Nico said, as he eyed her bloody fingers and cuts on her hands. "Nico's right," Percy motioned for Artemis to open her mouth instead. She did so hesitantly and ate the ambrosia. Her eyes slowly lit up, probably enjoying the taste of the food of the gods. Percy grabbed some water and poured it into her mouth. She coughed slightly but none of the water was spilled. Percy took out another piece of ambrosia and she gingerly ate it.
Artemis, bathed in a soft, ethereal glow, appeared like a celestial being amidst the shadows of the fortress. The wounds that had marred her once-flawless skin began to heal, as if time itself rewound in reverence to her divine essence. Bloodstains faded, and bruises gradually dissipated, leaving behind only traces of their existence. It was a mesmerising sight, witnessing the restorative powers of ambrosia in action and how much faster they worked on gods and goddesses. Artemis's trembling hands, once ravaged by the brutality of her captivity, now regained their strength and grace. The subtle radiance emanating from her began to intensify, infusing the air with an otherworldly energy that seemed to defy the oppressive darkness surrounding us. I couldn't help but be captivated by the sheer beauty and resilience displayed by the goddess before us. Her eyes, vibrant and full of ancient wisdom, shimmered with a renewed fire, an unwavering determination to reclaim her freedom and fight alongside us. As Artemis's wounds closed and her vitality returned, a renewed sense of hope bloomed within me and Percy by the looks of it. She had endured unimaginable suffering, yet her spirit remained unbroken. In her presence, I felt a surge of determination, a belief that no matter the odds, perhaps we might actually win this war.
By the end of the process, she wasn't completely healed by any means, but most of the dirt and grime, along with the blood had dissipated. I could feel her aura becoming stronger, but we'd need to leave Alaska and she'd need some sleep before she would be back to normal.
"Thank you," Artemis managed to get out as she gulped down some water.
"How do you feel?" I asked the recovering goddess. She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before responding.
"I'm alright, thanks to all of you. I really, really appreciate you coming out to Alaska and rescuing me." She sounded as sincere as she'd ever been. Nico and I nodded while Percy had an expression as if he was lost. It appears that I wasn't the only one who noticed it.
"Look," Artemis' voice was frail. "I've been wanting to say this for so long," Percy looked at her, raising his eyebrows. "I-I'm really sorry for what I did before." Her voice quivered. "I don't know what I was thinking or doing." Before we could say anything, Artemis started breaking down, crying into her lap. "I can't live with all this regret and guilt anymore." She admitted, sobbing into her sleeves.
"Hey," Percy started, his voice gentler than I've ever heard. "It's alright, let's just focus on getting you out of here." His voice came out soft and calm. Artemis steadied her breathing, trying to calm herself down. She took a shaky breath and started talking again.
"I-I hope you'll forgive me one day." She looked at the floor, a sad look on her face. I looked at her. I had never seen a goddess cry before so this was definitely a first.
Vividly, I remembered Percy saying that Artemis had cried when he left. The broken goddess looked up at us, tears rolling down her cheeks, down to her chin.
"All I want to ask Artemis, is why did you do it?" He asked, staring straight into the eye of the goddess. I watched as she quickly looked away from Percy and redirected her eyes to anywhere else. "It should have been me who was captured and locked away." Percy grumbled, looking frustrated and annoyed. Me and Nico just stood at the back, not wanting to interfere with their reunion.
Percy couldn't bear anyone being harmed because of him. I looked at his troubled face and sighed. Even though it wasn't his fault, he must have felt sad and guilty. He paced around the room.
"Why Artemis, why?" Artemis finally looked up at the god of time, gazing at him sadly.
"Remember what you said?" Her voice was steady and her breathing calm. Percy moved his attention to the voice of the goddess. "You said I hadn't done anything for you and it was true, up till now." All of a sudden, Percy stopped in his tracks. He turned to face the goddess, and for the first time ever, I saw a tear roll down his cheek. Two first's today, I thought wryly.
"Ar-Artemis, oh gods, I never wanted you to get hurt-" Percy's voice sounded desperate and distraught. "Oh no, no, please, it was never my goal to hurt you. Whatever Gone uses for punishment, I can take it over and over, but I can't bear for one second, someone else taking it because of my mistake. Please, promise me you'll never do that again." I sighed. Even now, after everything she'd done, Percy's loyalty as her guardian was unwavering.
"I will," Artemis finally said quietly. "But in return, please promise me another chance at knowing the good side of you, the side of you the Revenant sees but you never show me. I've made enough mistakes, let me try to make them right now." With a pause, she added, "After all, you've still got a hunt to come back to when the war's over, and I swear on the Styx they will not harm you, or else they'll feel my true anger, something even you haven't seen." Percy's gaze flickered across her.
"Deal," he agreed, helping the goddess up. The two looked at each other in a tense, awkward moment, before Artemis hugged Percy. Yes, the maiden goddess hugged Percy, something I never thought I'd see in my life. He was surprised at first, but eventually did return the hug. When the two broke off, Artemis was blushing… hard, while Percy still had his stoic and unreadable expression.
"Piper, lead the way out," Percy told me. He let Artemis hold his hand for support, and the two of them followed me and Nico as we struggled to remember how to get out of this maze of corridors. Leading the way out of the labyrinthine fortress became my sole focus as I glanced back at the group, determination etched across my face. With each step, my mind raced to recall the twists and turns we had taken, the obstacles we had overcome. The layout of the fortress seemed to shift and morph, playing tricks on my memory, but I couldn't allow doubt to cloud my judgement. We had come this far, and we would not falter now.
Nico walked beside me, his presence a source of quiet strength amidst the chaos that surrounded us. His deep, calculating gaze scanned our surroundings, his mind working tirelessly to decipher the maze's secrets. Together, we formed an unspoken alliance, united by our shared mission to guide everyone out of this wretched place. Artemis leaned on Percy, her steps graceful yet burdened. Her presence filled the air with a sense of regality and determination, reminding us that we needed to get back to Olympus ASAP. We couldn't afford to lose focus or succumb to fatigue. Artemis's freedom, and everyone else's now that I thought about it, relied on our ability to navigate the fortress's treacherous depths. As we made our way through the dimly lit corridors, the sound of distant alarms and echoing footsteps reverberated in the air, fueling our sense of urgency. Gone's forces were surely closing in, their determination to recapture Artemis intensifying with each passing moment. I couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins, propelling me forward. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on my shoulders, but I refused to let it break me. My determination grew with each step, my resolve unyielding. Failure was not an option.
We reached a junction, faced with multiple paths branching off in different directions. For a moment, panic threatened to consume me as doubt crept into my mind. Which way should we go? How could we ensure our escape without falling into another trap? Nico's voice cut through the uncertainty, his tone steady and assured.
"Left," he declared, pointing down a dimly lit corridor. I trusted his instincts, his knowledge of the shadows and secrets that lurked within the fortress were far better than mine. Without hesitation, I led the group down the indicated path, our footsteps echoing in unison. The tension in the air thickened as we navigated the labyrinthine passages. Each turn, each corridor, brought us closer to freedom, yet danger loomed ever closer. We passed through chambers filled with ancient relics, ornate tapestries depicting forgotten battles, and eerie statues that seemed to watch our every move.
As we finally emerged into the vast courtyard we'd entered from, I couldn't help but breathe a massive sigh of relief. Honestly, there had been at least five times where I thought we were lost, but luckily, Nico pulled through. The sight of the open, moonlit sky filled all of us with relief. Night already? I couldn't believe it. When we entered, it was late afternoon and now all the stars were visible in the sky. Percy's grip tightened around Artemis's hand as we halted in the courtyard, our hearts pounding in unison. The night air carried a sense of both anticipation and trepidation, as if the very atmosphere held its breath, awaiting our next move.
"Let's get the Hades out of here," Percy muttered, pointing towards the entrance of the courtyard. Once out of this cursed place, we could finally get back to Olympus and aid in the final battle, assuming it hadn't started yet of course. As we walked towards the exit, a flicker of movement caught my attention. My eyes narrowed, focusing on a figure standing at the entrance of the courtyard. The moonlight cast an eerie glow around them, shrouding their features in shadows. Curiosity mingled with caution as I quickened my pace, my senses on high alert. Something about this figure seemed off, sending a shiver down my spine. As we drew closer, the figure turned towards us, revealing a sadistic smirk that sent chills cascading down my spine.
"Hello Percy," the figure spoke, their voice laced with a mix of amusement and mischief. "It's nice to see you rescued your pretty little moon goddess, but I hope you didn't forget about our deal." Percy's expression hardened, his gaze meeting the figure's with a mix of wariness and… fear? For a moment, he seemed unable to form any words, paralysed to the spot.
"Percy, who is this?" Artemis asked uneasily, tugging at his arm. As I, ever so slowly, looked up into the figure's face, it suddenly hit me why Percy was so scared. I gulped, my body shaking with fear.
Sooo, how was the plot twist at the end? Hope this chapter does start to clear things up between Percy and Artemis. The war is soon going to be over, and as usual, I have a bunch more plot twists ready!
"Hello Eris," Nico said quietly, his eyes emotionless black holes as he gazed at the goddess of strife.