Artemis POV

Percy's sudden movement jolted the room into action. Like a coiled spring released, he shot up from his seat, his staff gripped tightly in his hand. Instinctively, I followed suit, rising swiftly to my feet. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as we prepared to confront the impending threat. As we hurriedly made our way through the halls of Olympus, doors swung open, revealing perplexed faces of nymphs, satyrs, and various other citizens of this divine realm. Their expressions mirrored our own confusion. How was it possible that Gone, supposedly defeated and crawling on the floor, had returned to haunt us? Together, we'd all eradicated his entire army, so how was he still standing, with an army to back him?

"Hunters, on my six!" Percy commanded. They were too scared about Gone to even answer back. Percy clicked his fingers, changing into what must've been his battle gear. Now, Percy stood before us clad in a robe that mirrored the darkness of the night itself. Its fabric cascaded down to his ankles, a shroud of shadow enveloping his figure. Black boots adorned his feet, grounding him firmly as if connecting him to the very depths of the underworld. Even his gloves, sleek and ebony, seemed to blend seamlessly with the darkness that now cloaked him. It was as if he had become a vessel for Erebus, the primordial embodiment of darkness. The sight of Percy, his features etched with grim determination, sent a shiver down my spine. In his transformed state, he radiated an aura of unstoppable power and relentless resolve. The weight of his purpose hung heavy in the air as we pressed forward, the echo of our footsteps reverberating through the halls. With each step, the tension in the atmosphere grew thicker, as though Olympus itself held its breath, bracing for the impending clash between light and darkness. Gone's maniacal laughter continued to haunt us, an eerie soundtrack accompanying our urgent quest. We knew not the full extent of his twisted plans, nor the depths of his dark power, but we were united in our resolve to protect the sacred realm we called home.

Or die trying…

"Percy, what in the name of Hades is happening?" As we turned the corner, Percy ran into the Revenant, quite literally. His momentum sent him clashing straight into Jason and Frank, sending them to the floor with him.

"Fate decided to tease us," he grumbled with a touch of annoyance. He gratefully accepted Hazel's outstretched hand, allowing her to help him back on his feet. Despite the disarray, there was a glimmer of determination in his eyes, as if he refused to let the overwhelming odds dampen his spirit.

"What are we gonna do?" Leo asked. Normally, Leo was the life of the party, the literal personification of jokes, but now, with the arrival of Gone, he had turned into a boy, scared out of his wit. I didn't blame him. I was feeling the exact same, and judging from the looks of my hunters, they also had fear rooted into them.

"Percy," Jason began, his voice faltering. "We need a plan, a way to confront Gone head on and somehow emerge victorious."

"I know," he replied, a hard look in his eyes. "But first, we need to regroup with everyone else. Has anyone seen or heard from any of the other gods." At this, Piper finally seemed to realise that me and Percy had been running together. I could see the cogs in her brain tick, as she slowly processed what this might've meant. Piper opened her mouth, as if to say something, but closed it promptly, realising that this was not the time nor place for such a conversation. She fixed me with a look that said, "I'll talk to you about this later."

If there even was a later…

Again, Gone's maniacal laughter echoed throughout the chamber, a chilling reminder of the imminent danger we faced. Time seemed to slow as we assessed the situation, searching for any advantage we could seize. Currently it was me, Percy, the hunters and the Revenant. We were nothing of an army, but we were all that was left, well aside from the council members but hopefully they were already waiting for us at the gates of Olympus.

"Okay," Percy began, breathing heavily. The first thing we need to do is get all of our forces together. Let's start making our way towards the gates and pray to whoever's out there that the gods will be waiting for us." Nodding, we all followed Percy down the lonely streets of Olympus. The grandeur and splendour of this divine realm, usually bustling with life and vibrant energy, now stood eerily quiet, echoing our collective unease. As we marched in determined silence, the weight of our mission settled upon us like a heavy fog. Percy led the way, his steps measured and purposeful. Quickly, I casted a glance at my fellow hunters, their expressions a mixture of resolve and apprehension. They had dedicated their lives to the hunt, honing their skills and nurturing their unyielding loyalty. And now, they stood ready to lay it all on the line for the greater good and future of Olympus. Their unwavering dedication to our cause both humbled and inspired me. Mortality… such a frail object, like a string hanging on its final thread.

Ruined only by Death…

Percy leading the way seemed to calm everyone down a bit. It was like saying, "We may be down to our knees, but while we have Perseus, we have hope." Beside him, I walked with measured grace, the hem of my silver-white robes sweeping softly against the cobblestones. My bow, a testament to my unwavering commitment to protect the hunt and the realms we guarded, remained poised in my hands. My senses were heightened, every nerve attuned to the ethereal energy that pulsed through Olympus. As we got closer to the border of my home, the air grew heavy with the scent of smoke and magic, mingling in a swirling symphony that tingled the senses. It was almost like a foreshadowing of the battle that was about to go down.

When we finally reached the road to the gates, it seemed like Percy's prayers had worked. All the other Olympians were waiting for us.

"There he is, my son!" Hestia declared, running forth and holding him tightly. Even now, amongst the battle knocking at their doorsteps, Percy let out a slight smile. "What's the plan, Percy?" As her arms released him, Percy took a step forward, his eyes scanning the faces of the assembled gods and goddesses. His voice, steady and resolute, filled the air, carrying with it a mixture of hope and caution. Taking a deep breath, he began his talk.

"Olympians!" Percy's voice rang out. "Today, we find ourselves on the precipice of uncertainty, facing a threat we thought had been eradicated. Yet, here we stand, united in our determination to protect Olympus and its sacred legacy. We must acknowledge that the road ahead may be treacherous, and the outcome uncertain. Things could go victorious, tumultuous, or even disastrous, but together, as a family, we can at least try to face the challenges that lie before us."
"Preach!" a voice called from somewhere amongst the crowd. Percy let a small smile out, before continuing.

"You may be terrible leaders, but the truth is in the end, I am honoured to call each and every one of you my family. I wish things could've gone better with some of you…" his gaze lingered on me as he said this, "but what's done is done. Now, we can only try to move on. In these deadly times, when the darkness threatens to consume everything we know and love, it is this bond we share that will help us. Let us strive not only to preserve Olympus, but to see it flourish once more." A murmur of agreement swept through the crowd, the unity of purpose shining in their eyes. Percy's words resonated within each immortal heart, stirring a shared determination to protect what they held dear. As I listened to Percy's heartfelt speech, admiration swelled within me. His ability to inspire and unite, even in the face of overwhelming odds, reminded me of the qualities I had come to cherish in him.

"GONE!" Percy roared, marching towards the gates of Olympus. "Show yourself, you pathetic insect!" For a brief moment, I couldn't see anything through the mist in front of us, and I even had the fleeting thought that this was all a prank. Oh how wrong I was. Amidst the mist, a figure began to materialise, also dressed in battle gear.

"It's interesting that you're calling me an insect," he mused in his deep voice, "when it's you who's about to be swatted down to earth.

"In your dreams!" Percy spat. Gone only laughed, a sinister sound that sent shivers through the very fabric of Olympus.

"Oh Percy, you say that, but it's you who I'm playing around with." He then turned to face me.

"YOU see, dear Artemis," Gone began, his eyes gleaming with wicked satisfaction, "your capture was merely a ploy—a strategic move to distract and deceive. While you were held captive, I struck swiftly at Olympus. They beat me, or at least I let them think they beat me. It gave them a false sense of hope. Secretly, my army isn't in my palace. No… it's far deeper underground, in places Zeus is too scared to visit. Now, while you all thought you were safe, I struck, like a viper. Witness, the true power within me."

Percy, ever defiant, stepped forward, his voice laced with defiance.

"You think you can outwit us, Gone? We've faced countless adversaries, and we always emerge victorious. Your twisted machinations will come to naught." Gone chuckled, a chilling sound that reverberated through the air.

"Ah, Percy Jackson, the champion of heroes, lord of time. Your resilience is strong, but it matters not. I have orchestrated these events meticulously, sowing the seeds of chaos and exploiting the weaknesses of the divine. Nothing can stop me now." Percy's gaze never wavered, his determination unwavering.

"You underestimate the strength of Olympus, the power of unity that courses through our veins. We may have been caught off guard, but we will stand together and repel your darkness." Gone's eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance passing across his face.

"You speak of unity, yet in the last few centuries, I haven't seen an ounce of unity in any of you. It is your jealousy in one another, your hubris, that has allowed me to creep closer. And now, the time has come for your reckoning." It was a battle of minds, a contest to prove whose resolve would falter first.

"Enough is enough," Percy hissed. "This time, I'm here, and there's no way you're walking out of here in anything but a bandage wrapped so tightly around you that you'd be a walking talking mummy." A creative insult for sure, I mused.

"Are you sure about that, dear Percy?" Gone asked. "You should really be careful what you ask for, and to me, it seems as if you're asking for a death wish." In the face of Gone's malevolence, Percy stood tall, his words a rallying cry for hope and defiance, and in that moment, I finally knew that no matter the outcome of this verbal battle, we would fight until our last breath, united in our determination to protect the very fabric of Olympus.

"I've never been more sure about anything in my life!" Percy declared firmly, now brandishing his staff in a battle stance.

"Very well," Gone sighed, racing into his pockets. As he retrieved three orbs, a shiver ran down my spine, only this time, it was worse than before. Of course, we'd all seen his green orbs that could take someone's powers away, but these weren't green.

They were black, as black as the night…

"What are those," Piper asked uneasily from beside me. Gone's eyes glinted with a malicious amusement as he held them up for us all to see.

These aren't no ordinary orbs," he replied, a wicked smile playing upon his lips. "No, they have the power to not only strip one of their abilities but also revoke their immortality. An ironic twist, don't you think? Immortals turned vulnerable." The gravity of his words sank in, and a sense of dread settled over me.

Percy's grip on his staff tightened, his knuckles turning white.

"So, you're proposing a duel," he growled, his voice laced with a mixture of determination and caution. Gone nodded, a sinister gleam in his eyes.

"Indeed, Percy Jackson. You and I shall engage in a battle, and only one of us will emerge victorious. A fight to the death if you want to put it that way. And don't worry about the rest of the Olympians. I'm sure my army will definitely be able to keep them… entertained."

"Ohhh Perseus," Gone cackled gleefully. "Tell me what it's like to look at these pulsating black orbs, knowing they'll strip you of your immortality and there isn't a single thing you can do to prevent yourself from being destroyed in front of your loved ones."

Well, stuff's about to got down... Sorry if it sounds rushed, so tired right now but I really wanted to get this out before sleep. Please, please do tell if you're enjoying this! Next chapter is gonna have another... ah... twist to put it one way...