Chapter.38

The following months were eventful as the camps and Olympus embarked on the slow process of restoration after the war. While the campers continued to mourn the loss of their comrades, they gradually resumed their routines and activities.

Meanwhile, the hunters had resumed their mission, venturing forth to track down any escaped monsters lingering from the New York conflict. Percy found himself shuttling between Rome, the hunt, camp, Olympus, and the Void, lending aid wherever needed and spending time with his friends and loved ones.

In the Olympian throne room, a tense meeting was underway among a small group of gods. "We have no choice; this must be done," Hera asserted with authority. Hestia's incredulous response reverberated through the chamber. "Are you out of your mind?" she retorted. Hera persisted in her stance. "Hestia, I understand your reservations, but she is our best option," she insisted. Hestia remained steadfast. "I couldn't care less. Percy has already demonstrated his willingness to confront Dionysus and Ares. Do you truly wish to provoke him by taking Reyna from him?" she fired back.

Hera's expression betrayed her concern, acknowledging the validity of Hestia's point while also recognizing Reyna's best chance of survival. "Besides, what will you do once he learns she's at camp? Surely you're not foolish enough to believe you could prevent him from seeing her," Hestia continued, pressing her case further.

In a moment of contemplation, Hera considered the implications before responding, "Perhaps we needn't intervene directly. Percy holds his parents' opinions in the highest regard. Maybe we can enlist their support for this plan." Hestia's astonishment was evident as she turned to the other deity in the room, Athena.

"Athena, surely you cannot condone this scheme," Hestia implored. Athena, displaying a mixture of annoyance and resignation, sighed before replying, "I do not endorse it, but I understand the reasoning. However, let me be clear. Should you proceed, and Percy learns of your involvement, there will be no sanctuary from his wrath on Olympus. Proceed with caution, Your Majesty." With that, Athena vanished from the throne room, Hestia swiftly following suit.

Hera sat on her throne for a while longer, considering the best course of action and the implications of her plan. Hestia wasn't wrong in the fact that she couldn't stop Percy from seeing Reyna, but she also knew Reyna was their best chance. Sighing, she looked up at the night sky showing through the skylight. "Forgive me Percy," she said before vanishing from the throne room.

A few days later, Percy made his weekly trip to New Rome. As he appeared inside Reyna's home, he glanced around, puzzled by the silence. "Rey!" he called out, his voice bouncing off the empty walls. When no response came, he decided to investigate.

Walking through the deserted house, he noted the lack of activity, suggesting it hadn't been lived in for days. Concerned, he decided to check if Reyna was with Jason. Leaving her home, he quickly arrived outside Jason's place and knocked on the door. After waiting for a few minutes with no answer, he frowned and decided to search the city for them.

As he walked through the city, Percy couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness at the sight of New Rome's recovery from the war. Despite enduring heavier losses than Camp Half-Blood, the Romans had shown resilience and determination.

Setting his sights on the Senate building, Percy made his way over, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. His gaze fell upon Jason outside, engaged in conversation with another Roman. Drawing closer, Percy noticed the soldier's subtle gesture, nudging Jason and pointing behind him.

Jason turned around, his expression confused, before his eyes widened in recognition as he noticed Percy approaching. As Percy drew nearer, he sensed the waves of nervousness and fear emanating from Jason, signaling that something was amiss.

"Hey, Percy..." Jason stammered out, his voice betraying his unease.

"Hello, Jason. Where is Reyna?" Percy asked, his concern evident in his tone.

Jason gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing visibly before he replied, "She's gone."

Percy felt a chill run down his spine at the words. "What do you mean she's gone?" he demanded, his voice tinged with urgency.

Jason took a deep breath before he replied, "She's gone. She vanished from Rome a few days ago, and none of us know where she is. We've sent our eagles to track her, but they never leave her house. It's like she vanished from her home, and we don't know where or why."

Percy listened intently, a knot of worry forming in his stomach. Without another word, he vanished from Rome.

Taking a seat on his throne in the Void, Percy called upon his parents. Immediately, they materialized from the shadows, taking their places on their thrones beside him.

"Hello my dear," Nyx greeted warmly.

"Mom, Dad, Reyna is missing," Percy said urgently.

Their expressions shifted to one of shock as they looked at each other.

"We don't know Percy, we can't sense her. Whatever has her is shrouding her from us. But we will do our best to locate her," Erebus said reassuringly. Percy nodded as he vanished from the Void, reappearing at Camp Half Blood.

Making his way towards the Big House, Percy was lost in his thoughts when he heard a voice call out to him. Turning his head, he saw Annabeth running towards him before she threw herself at him.

"Whoa. Hello, Annabeth, what's wrong?" he asked, concern etched in his voice. She looked up at him, and Percy could see she was holding back tears.

"Theo's missing. He vanished from his cabin a couple of days ago, and we haven't been able to find him. Could you look for him?" she asked hopefully.

"I can try, but Reyna is missing as well. Have you seen Artemis?" Annabeth looked worried at hearing about Reyna, but she shook her head. "Artemis left camp a few days ago, the same time Theo vanished. Her hunters are here, but she's not."

Percy felt a heavy weight settle in his chest at the news. Artemis wasn't known for leaving her hunters for any reason, especially not for days at a time. Determination sparked within him as he decided he would watch over the girls.

If Camp Half-Blood and Rome were both missing a leader, he wouldn't put it past somebody to try to take the hunters' leader as well. He wouldn't allow that to happen to Zoe.

"I'll look for him, but I make no promises," he assured her. She nodded before hugging him again and walking back the way she came, towards her cabin.

Continuing to the Big House, Percy opened the door and walked down the hall to Chiron's office. Knocking on the door, he waited patiently until it opened.

"Ah, hello Percy. What can I do for you?" Chiron asked, smiling warmly.

"Annabeth told me that Theo vanished from camp and Artemis did as well the same day. Do you know why?" Percy inquired.

Chiron shook his head. "I don't know about Theo, but Artemis was recalled to Olympus by Zeus. Apparently, he thinks the war could have been avoided if the gods were not so connected to the mortal realm, so he recalled all the gods except for Poseidon and Hades to Olympus."

Percy nodded as he listened, his jaw tightening at Zeus's actions. He knew Zeus could be reckless, but he hadn't expected him to do something that foolish. Nevertheless, he had made up his mind, knowing that Zeus held no power over him.

"Very well. I am going to travel with the hunt, as I do not wish for them to be without a protector since Artemis is gone. If you find Theo, send me an iris message immediately," Percy stated firmly.

Chiron nodded in understanding as Percy vanished from the hallway and appeared outside the Artemis cabin.

Knocking on the door, he waited until the door opened to see Zoe standing in the doorway. Her eyes brightened as she pulled him into a hug. "Hi Percy," She said warmly. Percy chuckled as he returned the hug before looking over her head at the other hunters, who were looking at them with smiles on their faces.

"I have news. May I come in?" Zoe nodded as she pulled him into the cabin. Closing the door behind him, she walked over to her bed before she sat down and turned to him.

"As you guys probably know, Theo is missing. Artemis was recalled to Olympus because her father is an idiot. But Reyna is missing as well. Even my parents can't find her."

The hunters looked at Percy in shock, their initial surprise shifting to sympathetic understanding. They knew Percy must be worried sick about Reyna.

"Are you doing okay, Percy?" Zoe asked, her concern evident in her voice.

Percy sighed heavily before responding, "I won't lie, I'm worried out of my mind, but I would be able to tell if Reyna was dead, and she isn't, which means I have hope I'll find her."

Zoe nodded in understanding as Percy continued, his tone resolute, "Regardless, I am taking over for Artemis in her absence. I will be traveling with you, as I do not wish for you guys to potentially suffer more losses than you already have. Plus, with Rome and Camp Half-Blood losing a leader, I refuse to let the same happen to the hunters with Zoe."

The hunters' expressions brightened at Percy's declaration, and Zoe's face lit up with gratitude. They knew that with Percy around, they would be much safer during their hunts. Zoe, in particular, felt a surge of warmth knowing that Percy was willing to protect her and the others so fiercely.

"So what's the plan from here Percy," A hunter named Amelia asked. Percy grinned as he looked over at her. "We're going to hunt down Theo and Reyna. From there we'll figure it out."

The hunters nodded as they voiced their agreements.

Percy smiled as the hunters began gathering their stuff before he walked into Artemis's room. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he looked up at the sky. "I will watch over them, my lady. You have my word," he whispered softly. Standing up, he headed out of the room.

A:N And that's the end of book 1. The sequel is already in the works, so you guys won't have to wait long. Thank you for reading, and I'll see you in Book 2!

-Rift