Chapter 2
All rights belong to Riordan
(Percy's Perspective)
When we arrived at the amphitheater everyone was already there and waiting. Will and Nico headed off to sit with the other immortal campers. It had been a while since I had last been here. With the memories of camp rushing back, me and Zoe headed off to the side to wait for Chiron to start.
(Outside View)
"Campers, welcome back to camp. Today we have a few important announcements, so bear with me. First, please welcome back our hero gods, Lord Jason, Lady Piper, Lord Nico, and Lady Annabeth."
The four appeared on stage before waving their hands at the campers and walked off the stage. Next, please welcome back to camp, Lady Artemis and her hunters. Please try to leave them alone as we don't need any more burning cabins."
The hunters and Artemis chuckled softly, exchanging amused glances as they observed the campers' reactions of dislike and fear. Percy joined in the laughter, reminiscing about his camp days when the hunters were feared by the whole camp.
"And finally, after 4 years, please welcome back our favorite son of Poseidon, Percy Jackson, with his daughter, Zoe Jackson," Chiron announced. The amphitheater went silent as Percy mist-traveled onto the stage with Zoe, causing the campers to gasp in astonishment as they appeared out of thin air.
(Artemis's Perspective)
Oh my god, Look at her. I can see she has her father's hair mixed in with mine, but besides that, she was the spitting image of me down to our matching eyes. I was hoping Percy would have brought Zoe with him to camp today so I could finally meet her. I just hope Percy explained to Zoe why I wasn't around.
Percy looked good after the four years, which isn't surprising considering that Posiedon's blood tends to age well. Hopefully I'll get a chance to talk to her today but im not sure how well the hunters will take it.
(Outside View)
Artemis was broken out of her thoughts as she looked around at her hunters, who were looking back and forth between Zoe and her, clearly recognizing the similarities between the two. Add the fact she shared a name with Artemis's old lieutenant and it becomes obvious something is going on.
(Annabeth's Perspective)
Oh my god. Percy has a child. She probably is adopted due to her age, but still. Unless she's a godling but if that's the case why would she be here? And why would Percy be here as well if he's a god now? I need to find a way to talk to her to confirm my theories.
(Zoe's Perspective)
Seeing everyone at camp was so cool! I know dad wasn't excited about coming here due to his past experiences here, but it was fun to see everyones reaction to me. I wonder if my Mom is around here somewhere. Hopefully she comes to see me.
(Outside View)
As Chiron was ending the meeting, Artemis watched in amusement as the immortals campers tried to walk over to Percy, but he grabbed Zoe's hand before mist traveing away. Artemis turned to her hunters, who were looking at her with expressions of confusion and a hint of betrayal on their faces.
When they arrived in their cabin, the hunters all immediately started yelling amongst themselves until Thalia self-electrified herself and yelled "SHUT UP", leading the hunters to quiet down. With an appreciative nod Artemis turned to Thalia who spoke the question lingering in everyone's mind.
"M'lady, why does Zoe look like you?" she asked confusingly. Artemis comtenplated lying, but realized things could go bad for Zoe if she did. "Because she is mine." At that the whole room erupted into yelling into Thalia yelled to be quiet again.
"How is she yours, you're supposed to be maiden goodess?" Thalia asked. "Truthfully, I don't know. during the end of the Giant war celebration, I noticed that Hermes and Apollo were leaving with Percy. Not trusting them to take care of him, I followed them in my chariot as they bounced from bar to bar. Eventually, they left him at a bar to get laid, drunk out his mind. I went down and took him home before some random woman came and defiled him. When I took him home, I was treating him when a bright flash occurred and I was hit with a bout of pain. When I came to, he was still out and Zoe was wrapped in a silver blanket on the bed. Once I was sure he was okay, I took Zoe to Hestia to watch over until she deemed Percy ready to care for Zoe. But I am still a maiden," Artemis finished.
The hunters sat in shock as they listened to her story, before grinning at the prospect of having Artemis's daughter as a hunter in the future. "So you haven't seen her since she was born?" A huntress asked. Artemis shook her head sadly. "Then what are you waiting for m'lady? Go meet her and bring her back to us later to meet," Thalia said grinning before she pushed Artemis towards the door, the hunters cheering her on.
Artemis smiled softly before walking out of the cabin and setting off to find Percy and Zoe
(Outside View)
As soon as Chiron had ended the meeting in the Ampitheatre, I grabbed Zoe and mist traveled to the top of the Big House, where we could see the whole camp. She looked around excitedly when we reformed, as I didn't travel with her too often. "Dad, why are we up here?" she asked turning the me.
"Well, you want to see your mother right?" She nodded enthusiastically. "Well from here we can meet her without interruption. I have a feeling she'll be here shortly." Zoe sat down on the edge, legs swinging over the edge so she could be comfortable and see anyone approaching. I walked over and sat down next to her.
We watched as campers ran in different directions, heading to various activities. Immortal campers walked by us a few times, obviously looking for us, but none bothered to look up except for Nico, who smiled and waved before turning to distract Annabeth in a different direction. I waved back before we turned our attention to the other passersby. Finally, I saw her.
Artemis approached, scanning the area around the Big House, searching for any sign of where we had gone. Before she could walk away, I conjured some water from the beach and floated it in front of her face, surprising her. Then, I shaped the water into an upward-pointing arrow, prompting her to look up. When she spotted us waving, she smiled and waved back before swiftly turning and sprinting toward the back of the house, where the ladder to the roof was located.
(Artemis's Perspective)
I was deep in thought, scanning the area for any trace of Percy or Zoe, but my search turned up empty. Dejectedly, I was about to head back to the cabin when a pile of water materialized in front of me. Startled, I jumped back a bit before the water transformed into an upward arrow. Curious, I followed the arrow's direction and looked up. My expression brightened as I locked eyes with Percy, who was sitting on the roof of the Big House with Zoe, who was eagerly waving at me. I waved back enthusiastically before swiftly sprinting to the back of the house where I knew the ladder to the roof was located.
When I finally scaled the roof, the father-daughter duo stood waiting for me at the spot where they were sitting. As I slowly approached them, nervous thoughts raced through my head. What if she doesn't like me? What if she found a replacement mom? Will she forgive me for not being there?
As I got close and stopped a few feet from them, Percy smiled at me warmly before nodding his head in greeting. "Lady Artemis," he said warmly. His smile and kind greeting helped to ease my nervousness as I looked at Zoe, unsure of what to expect.
She looked at me in surprise and nervousness, emotions rolling off her in waves. I didn't want to rush at her to hug her and potentially scare her, so I got down on my knees and put my hands on my lap, waiting for her to speak first. After a few moments, she did.
"Are you my mom?" she asked softly. I nodded gently. "Yes, I am. You have my eyes." That seemed to be all Zoe needed to hear as she tackled me in a hug. I embraced her tightly as we both softly cried, overwhelmed with happiness to finally be in each other's presence. Percy stayed where he was, smiling and allowing us to have our moment together, which I appreciated.
(Percy's Perspective)
After four years, it was a relief to finally confirm Zoe's maternal parentage, even though I had suspected it based on her eyes alone. I knew that eventually, this would need to be brought to the gods' attention, but for now, I was content to let them have their moment. My mother filled the maternal role for Zoe, but she never tried to get Zoe to call her "mom." She was content with "grandma," even though she was in her very early forties when I brought Zoe home. Zoe needed an actual mother in her life, and I was glad she finally had one.
Unbeknownst to me, a pair of stormy grey eyes were peering over the edge of the roof where the ladder stood, frozen in shock. Eventually, the watcher disappeared. My plan to inform the gods unfortunately came to pass much faster than I initially planned.
(Annabeth's Perspective)
While searching for Percy, I noticed Artemis also scanning the camp. At first, I didn't think much of it, until I witnessed her reaction to a water arrow pointing upward, prompting us both to look up. I gasped as I saw Percy and Zoe seated on the roof, waving at Artemis, who surprisingly waved back before hurrying towards the back of the house, where I knew the ladder to the roof was located.
After discreetly distancing myself from the others and donning my invisibility hat, I dashed after Artemis. Silently, I scaled the ladder and peeked over the edge, only to freeze in shock. Artemis was on her knees, embracing Zoe tightly, while Percy smiled at them from the side. I observed Artemis pull away, wiping tears from Zoe's face before embracing her once more. It suddenly dawned on me.
Artemis had a child, and with Percy no less. I hadn't yet gotten a good look at Zoe, but I knew once I did, it would be glaringly obvious who her mother was. From my vantage point, I could see that Zoe's hair was a blend of her parents', but I couldn't discern her eyes to confirm my suspicions. Yet, at that moment, I felt certain I was right.
Silently going back down, I decided to inform the other immortal demigods of the camp. After finding them, I gathered them in Jason's cabin. "Guys, we need to talk. It's about Percy." The others all leaned forward, curiosity evident in their expressions. Jason nodded before calling Reyna, Leo, Frank, and Hazel via Iris message. When everyone had exchanged greetings, they all turned their attention to me. "Okay, Romans and Leo, Percy returned to camp today." Reyna reacted first, smiling. "I'm so glad to hear that." Hazel and Frank smiled together, relieved that their friend was okay. Leo cheered before having to put himself out after inadvertently bursting into flames, which caused the others to erupt into laughter. "Guys, it's not just that. He has a daughter."
The group as a whole froze. "I'm sorry, he has what now?" Leo asked after unfreezing first. "He has a daughter. A fifteen-year-old daughter named Zoe," I reiterated. At that, everyone looked confused. "He's only what, 22 now? How does he have a fifteen-year-old daughter?" asked Reyna. "I don't know, but I'm starting to suspect she's not a demigod," replied Annabeth. "What do you mean, Annabeth?" asked Hazel.
"Well, I was looking for Percy around camp when I found Artemis wandering the camp by herself. Normally that wasn't weird, but when she was in front of the Big House, an up arrow made of water appeared in her face, causing both of us to look up and see Percy and Zoe sitting on the roof, waving down at her. She sprinted to the back of the house where the ladder to the roof is, and I followed with my invisibility cap."
"When I went up after her, she was hugging Zoe while Percy was off to the side, smiling at the two of them. I watched Artemis pull away and wipe tears off Zoe's face before hugging her again. And Zoe's hair looked like a perfect mix between black and auburn. I tried to see her eyes, but Artemis was blocking her face from my view," Annabeth finished.
"That does make sense," said Jason. Everyone turned to look at him. "When Zoe was on stage, I was looking at Thalia and every hunter was staring at Artemis while she was looking almost fondly at Zoe. So if what Annie said is true, then that makes sense. They probably suspected as well."
"Well, how could Artemis even have a child? She's a maiden, and I'm pretty sure Lord Zeus would have known the minute she broke her oath. Either way, that doesn't explain her age. Percy is still mortal as far as we know, and Artemis is still a goddess. Even if she broke it, the child would only be four years old," stated Hazel.
The group sat there in thought before a thought occurred to Annabeth. "Unless he's not a demigod anymore. Maybe sometime in the last four years, he was made a god and that's why Zoe is 15. She's a godling."
"It is possible," said Reyna. "However, the main issue with our theories is that Zeus would have known if Artemis broke her oath. This means either Zoe is adopted, and adopted the look of her parents by extension, Zeus is aware of it and doesn't care, or Zoe was born in a different way like how Athena's children are." "Well, either way, we should ask Zeus if they made Percy a god while he was gone. It's the best chance we have to figure this out," said Annabeth.
"While I agree that we need to figure this out, what if Artemis did break her oath and Zeus, for some reason, doesn't know? In the off but likely chance he tries to kill Percy or even Zoe and possibly succeeds, do you want to risk a war with Poseidon? Because Rome does not," said Reyna. The Romans nodded their heads in agreement.
Annabeth looked thoughtful before replying, "If Hazel is right about Zeus knowing if Artemis breaks her oath, then theoretically it should be fine because that leaves either Zoe is adopted or she was born like my siblings are." The others did not argue this, but Reyna stood firm. "If you want to ask Lord Zeus what happened, go ahead. But Rome will not support you in this potential war-inducing endeavor." With that, she swiped her hand through the message, followed quickly by Frank and Hazel.
Everyone looked stunned at Reyna's declaration, and by Frank and Hazel's wordless support on the matter. Leo looked concerned before looking surprised at something off-screen and swiping his hand through his iris message.
Piper turned to Nico, who hadn't said a word the entire time. "Nico, you seem quiet. What's up?" Nico shrugged before standing up. "I have no input. I do not know how Zoe was born, but I will confirm she is indeed Percy's and Artemis's." With that, he melted into the shadow of the bed and vanished from the cabin.
The three remaining immortals sat stunned at Nico's confirmation. "So it is true then. Now we just need to figure out how," Annabeth said. "With all due respect, Annie, who cares? If Percy is a god and Zoe is a godling, what business of this is ours? He's our friend, but he has every right to privacy. The fact they met on the roof of the big house says they wanted it to be private, so who are we to question them?" asked Jason. Piper nodded in agreement.
Annabeth stood there, thinking over her options, but she sighed. "Yeah, you're probably right. Maybe I'll go find Thalia and see what she says." Piper and Jason smiled before nodding as they both disappeared from the cabin, Jason in lightning and Piper in doves. Annabeth stood for a minute looking at their spots, before mouthing "I'm sorry" and vanishing from the cabin.
When she arrived on Olympus, she headed straight for the throne room. Pushing the doors open, she was surprised to find that Zeus was already seated. Bowing respectfully, she spoke, "Lord Zeus, what are you doing here?" Zeus looked down at her before replying, "I felt someone approaching the throne room, and as I am always nearby, I saw it fit to be here when you reached it. Now, what are you doing here?" Annabeth gulped before meeting his confused expression. "I do not know for certain, but I suspect Lady Artemis broke her oath and currently has a child at camp with Percy."
At her statement, Zeus froze before launching his master bolt into the air, signaling a meeting.
(Artemis's Perspective)
I had the chance to spend some time with Zoe on the beach alongside Percy, watching as she showcased her water powers apparently inherited from her father. Percy sat next to me as Zoe splashed around on the water's edge. "You know, even with the less-than-normal circumstances, I think we did alright," he said, laughing. I smiled as I watched Zoe in the water. "Yeah, I suppose we did."
Suddenly, the sky thundered for a few seconds, causing me to pale as I realized an emergency meeting had been called. "My father has called a meeting; I will be back soon." Zoe looked over from the water, waving goodbye at me, which I gladly returned. Percy looked over at me in concern. "Whatever it is, it can't be good. Something tells me I'm not going to like this meeting." I didn't say anything, but I shared his feelings on the matter. I stood up and walked away before flashing to Olympus.
When I arrived, the entire council was already there, looking bored. I turned to my father, who was looking at me intently, and I wasn't sure if it was out of anger or confusion, or both. Once I took my seat, my father called the meeting to session.
"Annabeth came to me a few minutes ago, questioning the fact there is a child at Camp Half-Blood who looks suspiciously like a mix of Artemis and Percy Jackson. Daughter, care to explain?" At that, I turned and glared at Annabeth with the hardest glare I could muster at the time, causing her to hide behind her mother's legs, who was looking at me in confusion.
Apollo fell out of his throne, as did Hermes. Poseidon just looked frozen in time at me, while the other gods and goddesses weren't paying any attention, other than Aphrodite, who was looking at me in pure shock and excitement. "What are you insinuating, Father?" I asked, clenching my teeth together in anger.
He wisely seemed unsettled at my gaze but doubled down. "Did you have a child with Percy Jackson, and how was I not made aware that you broke your oath?" he asked, slightly losing patience. "I did not break my oath, no. I swear it on the Styx." Thunder boomed, and when nothing happened, Zeus settled back down into his throne, all anger gone from his eyes.
"So why does Percy's daughter look like you?" He asked. The other gods sat back down in their seats, not listening anymore once they knew Artemis was still a maiden. Aphrodite looked glum. "Because she is mine," I stated. Apollo and Hermes fell out of their thrones again, while Poseidon looked like he couldn't decide whether to be elated that his son had a daughter or upset that he wasn't informed.
My father, to his credit, looked incredibly confused. "If you haven't broken your oath, how do you have a demigod child with Percy?" I turned to look at him. "I don't know." Zeus looked shocked before getting angry again and getting doused with water by Poseidon. "Let her finish, brother," he said before nodding at me. I nodded back before turning back to my father. "I actually don't know. The night we celebrated the end of the giant war, Hermes and Apollo decided to take Percy drinking after Annabeth chose godhood. I followed them as I didn't want them to do anything to the one demigod I considered a friend. So I watched and followed as they bar-hopped all night before they left him to get laid."
At that, Poseidon turned to look at the two gods, who just sat back in their thrones. They looked up only to meet the piercing glare of an angry sea god. "Didn't I explicitly tell you to watch over my son?" They opened their mouths to explain, only to be met with two bursts of ocean water, knocking them out of their thrones again. "Now, my niece, please explain what happened," he said, turning back to me.
I explained how I rescued Percy from the bar, drunk out of his mind, before some woman came and defiled him, and took him home to treat his drunkenness. "I was sitting by his bed with a glass of water, trying to help him sober up, when I accidentally touched his chest due to both of us shifting at the same time. At that moment, we both started to glow before we erupted into a burst of light, like one you'd see when we take our divine forms."
"When the light subsided and the pain that came with it, Zoe was sitting on the bed wrapped in a silver blanket. Once I was sure we both were okay, I took Zoe and brought her to Hestia, who watched over her for 9 months before I dropped her off at Percy's." Zeus sat listening before a light bulb went off in his head. He spun around to the goddess sitting at the fire. "YOU KNEW?!"