Artemis POV

I sat in the quiet solitude of my palace, seeking refuge from the heavy emotions that had consumed me. The weight of sorrow hung heavy in the air, a constant reminder of the loss we had suffered. As the morning sun cast its gentle glow upon the opulent surroundings, I found myself lost in a sea of memories, each one a poignant reminder of what once was, and what can now never be.

A soft chime broke the stillness, and I rose from my reverie to answer the door. I thought I'd made it clear that I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, but apparently not. With a sigh, I opened it, only to be taken aback to see Calypso standing before me, her eyes swollen and red, evidence of the tears she had shed. The sight of her pain struck a chord within me, and I welcomed her into my sanctuary.

"Calypso," I murmured, my voice filled with empathy. "Please, come in." Nodding, the titaness quietly entered my palace, taking great care to clear her shoes on the doormat. To be honest, I had no idea what she was doing here, and more importantly, why out of everyone, she wanted to talk to me. I wouldn't even be so surprised if the only reason she was here was to give me a slap on the cheek and walk out.

"Would you like a glass of water?" I asked as she sat down on the sofa. She gave a small nod, and I returned three minutes later with an ice cold bottle of water and a glass to accompany it with. She took it graciously, taking her time in finishing it. As the titaness sipped her water, from up close, I couldn't help but notice the delicate features that adorned her face. Her once radiant complexion now bore the traces of sorrow, with her skin appearing paler than usual. Her eyes, once filled with a spark of life, now held a tinge of weariness and sadness. Tiny lines etched the corners of her eyes, evidence of the countless tears that had been shed. Everything, even her luscious locks, usually flowing and vibrant, now seemed slightly dishevelled, as if she had run her hands through them in moments of despair. Strands of golden hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her face in a soft, ethereal glow. The sunlight that filtered through the windows caught the golden hues, creating a halo-like aura around her. Her posture, though slightly slouched, still maintained a hint of grace. She exuded a quiet strength, despite the visible signs of her emotional turmoil. It was as if she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, yet she bore it with a resilience that spoke volumes about her character. In her eyes, I could see the remnants of the vivacious spirit that Percy had fallen in love with. Despite the heaviness in her gaze, there was a glimmer of determination, a resolve to navigate the uncertain path that lay ahead. It was a testament to her resilience, a reflection of the love she held for Percy and her unwavering commitment to honour his memory. Calypso radiated a bittersweet beauty, a juxtaposition of strength, vulnerability and just flat out pain. It was evident that her heart had been shattered, but her spirit remained unbroken. Only now did I truly understand how Percy had fallen in love with her over me. Then again, Calypso probably hadn't accidentally tried to kill him. The weight of her grief clung to her, yet there was a quiet elegance in the way she carried herself. It was almost as if even now, she was plotting how she'd be getting her revenge back on Gone.

"So what brings you here?" I asked. Calypso took a deep breath, her voice laced with a mixture of sorrow and longing as she began to speak. "I miss him, Artemis," she said, her words carrying the weight of a thousand unshed tears, "and I feel like you're the only other person who can truly relate to what I mean. After all, you too had feelings for him. Every moment feels like an eternity without him. The laughter, the warmth of his touch, the way he saw the beauty in everything... It's all gone now." I nodded in understanding, the ache in my own heart resonating with her words.

"He was a remarkable soul," I replied softly. "His absence is felt by all of us. Percy had a way of lighting up the room, of bringing joy and courage to those around him."

Calypso's gaze lingered on a photograph of Artemis and her that rested on the nearby table. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

"We had so many plans, dreams of a future together," she murmured, her voice trembling. "But now, those dreams have turned into memories, bittersweet reminders of what we had and what we lost." I was unsure about what to do, having never really been in this position before. I reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, offering what little comfort I could.

"I understand your pain," I said, my voice filled with empathy. "But remember, Calypso, love never truly fades away. Percy's spirit will live on in our hearts, his memory etched into the fabric of our existence." Calypso nodded, her tears finally spilling over.

"I know," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "It's just so hard to imagine a life without him. He was my anchor, my light amidst the darkness. Yes, we had finally broken up, but he was still a friend to me, and a very good friend."

"Wait, did you say you two broke up?" Calypso took a deep breath, her eyes searching mine for understanding.

"Artemis, after everything we went through, Percy and I realised that our love had evolved into something different. We both felt a growing affection for someone else, someone who had captured our hearts in ways we couldn't ignore." A mix of surprise and curiosity coursed through me as I listened intently, waiting for her to continue. Calypso's voice trembled with vulnerability as she spoke.

"We had a heartfelt conversation, and we came to a mutual understanding. It was bittersweet, but we knew it was the right decision. Percy admitted that he still held a lingering affection for you, Artemis. Why he did, I have no idea, but the point is he did." My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Percy's name, my mind flooded with memories of our past encounters and the unspoken connection that had always lingered between us. The realisation that he might have felt the same way filled me with a mix of emotions, both longing and regret.

Calypso continued, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and acceptance.

"He wanted to tell you, to explore the possibility of something more, but then Gone appeared, disrupting everything. It's a cruel twist of fate that he never got the chance to express his feelings." Silence hung heavy in the air as I absorbed her words. The weight of missed opportunities and unspoken emotions settled upon me. I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for the paths not taken, the moments lost in the chaos of battle and the cruel hand of destiny.

"Artemis," she began. "I wanted to come to you, to share this truth and offer my understanding. Percy's heart has always held a special place for you, and I know he would have wanted you to know, even if circumstances prevented him from saying it himself." A mix of emotions swirled within me as I processed her words. The realisation that Percy had harboured feelings for me, even in the midst of our tumultuous journeys, touched a tender part of my heart. Yet, it was tinged with the ache of loss, knowing that our timing had always been a cruel dance of near misses and fleeting moments.

In that moment, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for Calypso's honesty and willingness to share her own heartache. Her courage in reaching out to me, despite her own grief, spoke volumes about her character and the depth of her love for Percy, even if it was just a 'friendship' type of love.

Calypso stood up, her gaze filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination.

"Artemis, I must leave now, but before I go, I want you to know that I believe in you. You have the opportunity to learn from my mistakes and grow into an even more extraordinary goddess. Don't let the pain of the past hold you back. Embrace the love that comes your way, and don't be afraid to take chances." Her words resonated within me, a gentle reminder of the complexities of love and the importance of embracing the present. I nodded, gratitude and a newfound sense of purpose filling my heart.

"Thank you, Calypso. Your presence and your wisdom mean more to me than I can express. I will carry your words with me as I navigate the unknown paths that lie ahead… Assuming Olympus can survive whatever darkness is in store for us over the next few days." Calypso offered me a warm smile, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope.

"Remember, Artemis, love is a beautiful but unpredictable journey. Don't be afraid to let it touch your immortal heart. You deserve happiness, just as much as anyone else. Before, I never would've said that, but finally understanding what loss is like, I think I've realised that life is too short for grudges, and we should make the most of whatever we can, no matter what hurdles life throws at us."

With those parting words, Calypso turned and made her way towards the door. I watched her silhouette recede into the distance, a mix of emotions swirling within me. Her presence had brought clarity and a renewed sense of purpose, reminding me that life was a tapestry of love, loss, and growth. As the door closed behind her, I found myself filled with a quiet resolve. The memory of Percy and the unspoken love between us would forever be a part of me, guiding me towards a future where I would embrace the complexities of love and allow my heart to open to the possibilities that awaited.

But first, before all of that, it was time for the final showdown. I didn't care what happened to me. All that mattered was that Gone was finally but in his place for what he did to Perseus Jackson, the one boy who stole my heart, ran away with it, and now can never come back.

As the room fell silent, grief hung heavy in the air. We sat together, sharing our stories, our memories, and our pain. We spoke of the adventures we had shared with Percy, the battles fought side by side, and the moments of solace in each other's arms. In those intimate conversations, we found solace, understanding, and a bond forged through our shared love for the fallen hero.

Time slipped away as we talked, our words carrying the weight of our grief and the healing power of companionship. In the depths of our sorrow, we found strength in each other, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

As we sat there, enveloped in our shared sorrow, I couldn't help but feel a deep admiration for Calypso. Despite her own pain, she had sought solace in our company, reaching out in her moment of need. It was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we could find support and understanding in the embrace of those who shared our grief.

Nico POV

"Nico get up!" Eris hissed. I didn't move. I didn't care. I didn't want to speak to Eris ever again in my life.

"Get up!" she said louder, prodding me in the back. Turning my head, my eyes foxes on Eris with a burning anger that consumed my entire being.

"Don't you dare speak to me," I hissed. "You have no right to be here, especially after what you've done." Eris raised an eyebrow, seemingly unfazed by my hostility.
"Oh, darling, I knew you'd be upset, but I didn't expect this level of animosity. After all, I did what I had to do. Percy's demise was a necessary sacrifice for the greater plan." My fists clenched at my sides, my anger boiling over.
"You think sacrificing Percy was necessary? He was our friend, our ally, and you used him like a pawn in your twisted game. I trusted you, Eris. I trusted you to help us, not to manipulate and destroy." Eris smirked, a sickening satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. "Trust is such a fragile thing, isn't it? But don't you see, Nico? This is the way of the world. Sacrifices must be made for progress. Percy's death will serve a greater purpose, even if you can't comprehend it." I gritted my teeth, my anger fueling my words. "You speak of progress, but all I see is chaos and destruction. You revel in the pain and suffering of others. You thrive on causing turmoil. But mark my words, Eris, your reign of manipulation will come to an end."

Eris chuckled, her laughter grating on my nerves. " Nico, you always were the dramatic one. But tell me, what will you do? Seek revenge? Avenge Percy's death? It won't bring him back, you know." Glaring daggers at her, I slumped back into the bed, this time facing away from her. For a brief moment, I thought she was actually about to leave me alone.

"Besides Nico, you don't even know the full story," Eris sighed.

"What?" I mumbled. "What's even left to tell me? You caused Percy to die, and now I'm here, stuck with you until who knows when."

"True, I did cause Percy to die, but there's something else about his death, something that I didn't tell you. You see, Nico, the one thing I didn't tell you about Percy's death is that… Well, it was constructed by me."

"And everyone knows that Eris has a plan."

Got Eris back in business, next chapter is... unique... see you then!