"Mom, can we please get ice cream after this?" A little girl sitting beside me asked, tugging at her mom's sleeve. She wore a black bracelet that seemed entirely too big for her. There was an adorable pout on her face. "You promised me!"
"Oh, sure, honey," The mom smiled and ruffled the little girl's hair. A bright look crossed her face. "Maybe we can bring some home for Dada!"
I tuned out the rest of their conversation as I leafed through a Cuyahoga Valley National Park brochure.
The front showcased the park's mascot, Barry the Beaver, holding a gigantic sign urging parkgoers to check out the gift shop. He was standing alongside a sprawl of text that read:
Stretching between Cleveland and Akron in heavily urban northeastern Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park has been called a "Green-Shrouded Miracle," preserving precious green space and offering a retreat to more than two million visitors each year. It is a refuge for native plants and wildlife and provides routes of discovery for visitors. The winding Cuyahoga River gives way to deep forests, rolling hills, and open farmlands.
I'd begun to wonder if Apollo was pranking me.
I'd canvassed the area a couple of times, peeked into the Duat, and even sent out blasts of mana to see if anything would bite, but so far, nothing about the park screamed: magical animals here!
Everything about the park was as normal and unassuming as possible. It was pretty, don't get me wrong, but there was no reference to Greek stuff anywhere.
That's how I found myself begrudgingly riding the train, scanning the brochure again, just in case I missed something.
To tell you the truth, though, I knew I hadn't missed anything. Thanks to my new perk, [Eidetic Memory], I knew every piece of text on this paper. I just thought, well, that the train would give me a new perspective or something.
That's what Apollo told me he brought me on for, anyway. Perspective.
Maybe it was a hint. Or, maybe I was just bored of walking around all day and wanted a few moments to myself before going out again. That wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, right?
"There's gotta be something else," I muttered to myself, leaning back into my chair and fiddling with the watch on my wrist.
"Sorry?" A voice pierced through my thoughts. The mother and daughter looked up at me, and the little girl had a cute look of confusion on her face. The mom had the same bright smile as before, and it was a bit off-putting. The way it was so unwavering kind of gave me serial-killer vibes. "Were you saying something, mister?"
"No," I smiled and waved them off. Wanting to get away from the oddly bubbly mom, I stood up and walked toward the front of the train, "Sorry to bother you."
I spent the rest of the ride looking at the admittedly cool trees and stuff. I got off at the next stop and walked into the gift shop. If I couldn't find any clues, the least I could do is pick up a cool souvenir and move on to the next park on the list.
The scent of pine, freshly brewed coffee, and Pine Sol cleaning oil greeted my nose as I stepped through. It was a weird, heady mix of smells that somehow worked.
The shelves, crafted from rich, reclaimed wood, showcased a vibrant tapestry of treasures. Handcrafted jewelry, delicately carved from stones from the park, sparkled under soft beams of sunlight filtering through the skylights above. Quaint ceramic mugs, adorned with intricate illustrations of wildlife and delicate wildflowers lined the entrance.
An entire wall was dedicated to books, their colorful spines inviting visitors to delve into the park's rich history and remarkable biodiversity. Sturdy hiking gear lined another aisle. Barry the Beaver made another appearance, reminding guests that they could get a discount deal if they bought a whole set.
I coughed up ten bucks to send my mom and Hestia an overpriced postcard. It was one of those holographic ones, and my mom and I had a running joke about how they were stupid, so I scribbled a note on the back telling her and Hestia I loved and missed them.
"Thank you for shopping with us today!" The girl behind the register said kindly. When she took my money, I noticed she was wearing a black bracelet, too. As she turned to place my postcard in a mail shipment, I swear I saw it ripple. "Bye!"
"That's a cool bracelet," I pointed out with a smile. It looked like it was the exact same bracelet the girl on the train had been wearing. Now since I was really considering it, I'd seen some other people in the park wearing it, too. "Do they sell those at the gift shop, too?"
"I don't think so, sorry!" The girl said with a sad smile. I'd spent the last few years learning how to read people, and her emotion was genuine. Something about the way she was talking was tickling my brain, though. "They're custom!"
The Game sprawled to life around the bracelet. The hooks on the bracelet began glowing to me. The rough cloth seemed to breathe with vibrant energy.
[Polymorphic Bracelet]*
This bracelet was created by Hepheausteus and Apollo in order to help Artemis conceal the true form of some of her animals. After a bit of workshopping, they decided that disguising the animals as humans would make a seamless transition.
[Pattern Recognition] blazed to life on the top right of my vision, and a realization settled into my bones as the Game added a few sentences under the original description: *Now since you've discovered this pattern, your [Mana Detection] skill has registered it as a possible source of divine energy.
Aside from the bracelet, it was also the way they'd been talking. The mom and daughter from earlier, and the lady at the gift shop register right now, all used the same manner of speaking; their sentences were either four or ten syllables, nowhere in between, and nowhere above or under. It was like a preset limit.
Now since I knew a certain percentage of people at the park were in fact the animals I needed to investigate, I had to find a way to keep track of the whole park at once.
I said my goodbyes to the lady behind the desk and walked outside of the gift shop, formulating a new plan in my head.
Like I said before, now since I'd found the animals, though, I just had to be aware of any changes. The bracelets masked their presence enough that I knew the only way I could keep track of them was through [Mana Detection].
I found one of the taller trees in the park and settled into it, using the moisture on the bark to fasten myself against the wood. The world around me faded to gray as I activated [Mana Detection], and I soon realized that it wouldn't be that bad at all.
Humans didn't even light up. Any other source of mana would probably be a bad guy, and probably by design, most of the animals were concentrated around the center of the park. The Game lit them up as a golden-ish color, and I watched intently as they roamed around the park, never going too far from the gift shop.
It felt like this weird, out-of-body experience.
I'd gotten used to it by now, but in the midst of my hyperfocus, my mind tended to become a realm of its own. [Gamer's Mind] or, well, [Gamer's Mind MK2] kept my focus unwavering, so my body basically went on autopilot.
Thoughts would intertwine, ideas would blossom, and time would slip away unnoticed. I'd start preemptively running through some calculations in my mind. How hard would I have to jump if this tree fell? Where would any potential threats show up from? How fast could I fire off arrows from here?
It may sound like a lot, but I promise you, it's easier than it seems. Especially given how used to it I am.
It wasn't all perfect, though. The sounds of life around me persisted nonetheless. I was in a state park, after all.
I could hear the laughter of children, and the gleeful cries of joy that reverberated through the park. Kids ran around, trying to look at cool bugs and point out the gigantic trees. Families milled about, boarding the train, going to the gift shop, and doing any of the other thousands of activities at the park.
The murmurs of conversations filtered through the cracks, turning into fragments of dialogue that lingered on the edge of my awareness. Sometimes, amidst the chatter, I'd catch snippets of conversations that tugged at my heart. Words of encouragement, whispered endearments and shared laughter enveloped me in a bittersweet embrace. Children were making memories. Teens were falling deeper in love.
I frowned to myself. Before I could ponder my lack of social life, one of the golden dots I'd been observing broke off from the rest of the group.
I concentrated [Death's Leap] and flung myself across the canopy. I clicked the dial of my watch, and Apollo's bow magically appeared in my hands as I jumped from branch to branch, following the runaway dot.
Eventually, I got close enough to shut off [Mana Detection] and I saw that one of the animals, disguised as a little girl, was being led away by a pretty average-looking dude.
His stats showed that he was a human, which only made things more confusing. His name was Mike Kimbazi, and his bio read that he was an accountant at a Fortune 500 company. Why in the world was he leading one of Artemis' disguised animals away from the rest of them?
Nonetheless, I nocked an arrow on my bow and waited. I was just within earshot of their conversation, and the second he gave me a sign, I was going to bury him in a barrage of arrows.
Mike patted the girl on the shoulder and said, "We're going to get you to your dad, kid. He was really worried!"
I frowned. Her dad?
The girl didn't reply. My danger sense was going crazy, but for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why.
The air, once calm and unassuming, crackled with an electric charge. It prickled against the skin on the back of my neck like a thousand tiny needles. It felt like this one time, in fifth grade, when a buddy of mine promised he knew how to do acupuncture.
Spoiler alert: he didn't. And I had to go to the ER. I never saw much of him after that, honestly.
Anyway.
The atmosphere seemed heavier, as if laden with a foreboding weight, and pressed down on my shoulders. My ears became finely attuned to every sound, each one amplified to an almost unbearable intensity. The gentle rustle of leaves in the wind transformed into a cacophony of whispers, a symphony of warnings that were all screaming at me to do something.
The distant horn of the train morphed into a blaring siren, a jarring note that shattered the silence around me.
The colors around me seemed to intensify. The world itself was heightened in response to some imminent threat. The vivid hues of the surroundings became almost overwhelming, each shade demanding my attention.
My fingers flexed around the string. My muscles coiled, ready to release an arrow. This guy was bad news. He had to be.
But how?
As it turned out, the burden of finding out how wasn't on me.
My vision lit up in a silver glow, and I pressed myself against the wood, trying to flush against it as a body dropped out of the sky like a superhero. It landed on the sidewalk of the park with enough force to crack it, and the impact sent leaves flying through the air in a whirlwind of orange and red.
A figure stood up, and I checked to see who it was:
[ARTEMIS]
[OLYMPIAN]*
[THE DIVINE HUNTRESS]
[MISTRESS OF BEASTS]
[LUNAR ENCHANTRESS]
[FLEETFOOTED]
[DARK SIDE OF THE MOON]**
[LVL]: 232 (N/A)
[HP]: 800,000/800,000
[SP]: INF/INF
[MP]: INF/INF
[FEALTY]: THE HUNT
[STR]: 2000 (+790)
[VIT]: 400
[DEX]: 2126 (+511)
[INT]: 345
[CHA]: 1211 (+455)
[WIS]: N/A
[LUC]: N/A
|| Because of her status as on [OLYMPIAN]*, these stats may be subject to change based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to): her anger, how much of her divine form she is showing, and the time of day. ||
|| The title [DARK SIDE OF THE MOON]** instantly quadruples all stats when activated. ||
I raised an eyebrow. I'd seen Artemis before, at the council meeting, but this was completely different. She was completely different. Gone was the pale, basic-looking goddess that had stood before me and decided my fate.
This Artemis had gleaming silver hair with streaks of red in it.
It started off fully silver on the top, but by the time it reached her shoulders, it was pure red, like a blood moon. I'd seen some pictures of a lunar eclipse, and her hair looked like she went to her barber, pulled up Google Images, and said "I want that."
She had almond-shaped eyes that glowed like pools of liquid silver. Her perfectly sculpted brows arched gracefully above her eyes, framing them with delicate precision, and her eyes were adorned with long, dark lashes that brushed against her cheeks like the delicate wings of a butterfly.
Instead of being transparently white, she had sunkissed skin that had a luminous quality that seemed to glow from within, and there was a small birthmark on her cheek. It looked like a crescent moon, and it was weirdly colored. Kind of like a tattoo, but it just worked with her natural skin.
Oh, also, she was freakishly tall. Like, six feet at least, but I wasn't too sure. If I had to guess, she was up to my forehead, and I was pushing 6'4.
Besides, I was vaguely reminded of my brother, the way she strutted in wearing a faded leather jacket, cuffed jeans, and some beat-up boots. As if her outfit wasn't quirky enough already, she had an old-fashioned camera hanging off her hip.
I guarantee you—she's never taken a picture with that. I'll put my life savings on it.
"Hey there," Artemis said cheerfully. Helen Keller could've looked at her face and told you she was mad. It was the fakest expression I'd ever seen. When she waved the man over, I could see the hint of another tattoo under her jacket sleeve. "Where are you going with her, mister?"
"Oh, just taking her to her dad," Mike replied, smiling genially. For some reason, I believed him. Or, well, believed that he thought that's what he was doing. Artemis seemed to reach the same conclusion if the look on her face was any indication. "Can I help you, miss?"
"Who's her dad? Did he tell you the meet him anywhere?" Artemis demanded. She must've decided it wasn't worth even pretending to be nice at this point. The change in her demeanor was impressively fast. She crossed her arms. "Well?"
"He said to meet him by the gift shop. You're being really weird about this," Mike said, frowning as he placed a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. I winced as Artemis' nostrils flared. "This little girl has been estranged from her father, and you seem to be intent on—"
I didn't bother listening to the rest of the conversation. Not only was it increasingly obvious that Mike was just an unknowing puppet, but I wasn't stupid, and if the guy who was trying to kidnap this girl wasn't either, he'd know something was up by now.
I flipped back through the canopy, blurring through the state park. I was a little ticked off that Artemis crashed my surveillance and essentially blasted any chance of stealth to all hell, but I was hoping it wouldn't make too much of a difference.
[Mana Detection] flared to life as I swung off the last branch of a tree. I saw two golden dots, and nothing else.
Frowning I landed on the porch in front of the gift shop and instantly busted through the door, keeping my eyes peeled for any suspicious activity.
"Yeah, she's about this tall," My eyes instantly flitted to the girl from before, who was talking to a skeevy-looking dude. His unkempt hair, oily and disheveled, fell in greasy strands that clung to his forehead, creating a veil that partially obscured his constantly darting eyes. He wore a jacket and some beat-up khakis. "My wife is going to kill me."
[JASPER SINGLETARY]
[BOLDFACED LIAR]
[FORMER ATHLETE]*
[LVL]: 22 (1,000/4,000)
[HP]: 8,000/8,000
[SP]: 12,000/12,000
[MP]: N/A
[FEALTY]: N/A
[STR]: 20 (+5)
[VIT]: 4
[DEX]: 26 (+5)
[INT]: 15
[CHA]: 13 (+5)
[WIS]: N/A
[LUC]: 1
|| Jasper's life took a turn when his mother fell ill, and he was forced to leave college and join the drug game. Through the years, as the bills mounted, Jasper turned to more profitable illicit activities like human and child trafficking. ||
|| The title [FORMER ATHLETE] grants a variable boost to all physical attributes when running, jumping, or anything else that involves two or more muscle groups. ||
[Gamer's Mind MK2] instantly squashed an impending wave of disgust and anger. This was the guy, alright.
"I can help you with that, sir," I butted in, stepping closer to the man. Calmly, I asked, "What's her name?"
He swallowed. His eyes darted around the store, and I knew he was trying to figure out an escape plan. "Lyla."
"Wrong answer," Before he could blink, I slammed my fist into his stomach. Even though I really felt like I wasn't trying, I heard a symphony of cracks as he doubled over. I grabbed his head and slammed it against the checkout desk, pinning his arms behind his back as he gasped for air. The woman behind the counter yelped and backed away. My fingers dug into Jasper's neck. "How about we have a talk, friend?"
"Excellent. I was hoping I could join, too," Artemis said, leaning against the doorway. Her voice, a velvety tone laced with underlying steel, echoed with a resonance that sent tremors through Jasper's being. Each word that dripped from her lips carried an undeniable weight. It was a voice that commanded obedience, leaving no room for question or dissent. "Would you mind terribly?"
It wasn't a request. Despite the fact that I'd quite literally failed on the first thing Apollo had asked me to do, I nodded and grabbed Jasper by his collar, tossing him toward the goddess. "All yours."
"No, no, he's your catch, after all," Artemis said smoothly, stepping closer to me and giving me an intense look that was somewhere between anger and annoyance. She waved her hand, and Jasper disappeared. "Please, follow me. We'll have more privacy in the supply closet."
I followed her into the janitor's closet, and Jasper was tied up and sitting on a caddy. Specifically, in the water part. His jeans were soaking, and I realized Artemis had a particularly cruel streak. Something told me he wouldn't be walking away from this encounter.
"I have a few questions for you," I said calmly, bending down and making eye contact with the still-shaking kidnapper. I couldn't find it in myself to have any sympathy for him. "Give me what I need to know, and we can be done with this. If you don't, well…let's hope it doesn't come to that. Do you understand me?"
Jasper nodded, whimpering. He kept looking behind me, at Artemis, like she was a monster. I realized he responded better to fear than anything else, and I'd have to be aggressive to get him to talk. "Anything! I'll tell you anything, just—"
"Don't open your mouth again unless I tell you to," I cut him off with a cold glare. I grabbed a handful of his hair and got closer to him, letting my eye drink in every inch of his face so I could tell if he was lying or not. "Why were you after that girl?"
"I don't know, honest! I just thought she was cute—" There was a slight tremor in his voice. A hesitant glance behind me. His left cheek twitched.
The Game pinged. He's lying.
CRACK!
I slammed my fist through the wall next to him. Splinters of wood flew everywhere, and I growled, "That will be you if you lie to me again, and trust me, you're going to be much easier to break. Last chance."
"Okay, okay. Just calm down, man," Jasper placated, holding his hands up. A stream of blood trailed down his left nostril. His face was all bruised from when I slammed him into the table. He sniveled as he said, "It was some guy. He wouldn't give me his name, he just said I'd be able to get some easy pickings here."
"Easy pickings for what?"
"Don't make me say it, man." He begged. I raised my fist, and he quickly said, "Child trafficking. Fine! Is that what you wanted to hear?"
I ignored Artemis' sharp intake of breath from behind me. With my free hand, I reached down and snapped his left collarbone with an elbow. "I don't want to hear you embellish any of this again. When I ask you something, you answer it directly. Why this place in particular?"
"I don't know, okay? I was supposed to get a girl and send her to some place in Vegas man!" Jasper sobbed. He was beginning to hyperventilate. My expression must've been telling, as he whimpered, "Wait! He, um, he said it was called Lotus Casino! He paid me half before, and he said he'd pay me half after! It was big money, dude, life-changing, and I got my mom in the hospital—"
"Shut up, freak," He instantly stopped talking as I stepped back from him, deep in thought. I risked a glance at Artemis, whose expression hadn't changed, and asked, "Do you know the place he's talking about?"
"I do," Artemis replied stoically. She chewed her bottom lip for a moment. "It's famous in our world. It's in Vegas."
Our world.
I turned to Jasper. He flinched as we made eye contact. "And how were you supposed to contact this guy?"
"He gave me this watch," Jasper moaned, and Artemis held out her hand. The watch ripped off his wrist and settled on her waiting fingertips. "Please, please let me go. I promise I won't do this kind of thing again, man. I just need—"
"A lead, then. He's all yours," I nodded and then turned back to Artemis. She stepped up to him and he began to convulse. Being this close to her was causing him to physically seize as if he was having a stroke.
A surge of energy coursed through the very core of my being. She exuded an energy that pulsed through the air, sending sparks of light dancing across the small closet.
Artemis thrust out her hand. Jasper opened his mouth and exploded into ash. No, not ash. His entire being dissolved into a flock of birds—sparrows, and scattered into the store behind us.
Artemis stared at the spot he'd been sitting in a moment ago with a blank expression and then turned to me. She crossed her arms at me and gave me a haughty look. "So, which one are you?"
"Excuse me?"
"Apollo sent you," Artemis raised her hand before I could protest. Her eyes flashed again, and a cold look of anger formed on her face. I got the impression she thought I was wasting her time. Artemis got up to me, real close, and whispered, "You aren't the first, you won't be the last. Now, are you here to help me, or send a message?"
I ignored the way her hot breath hit my cheek and titled my head. I could feel the power emanating off her like a goddamn space heater. "I'm here to do a job."
"Impressive," Artemis said, bringing her fingers up to her chin. A moment later, she said, "I get it now. You're the catalyst. Without your involvement, if there are mortals around, I can't get involved. Against the Ancient Rules and whatnot. But, if you make the first move, it's all fair game. Bravo, brother, bravo. What's your name? Your given codename, I mean, not the real thing. Like I said…not the first, not the last. So, disposable hero, what do I call you?"
"Orion."
Artemis' expression didn't outwardly change, but the air around me grew suffocatingly warm for a moment. I wasn't sure if the codename meant anything to her or not. Obviously, the name did, but if she was aware that Apollo gave me it, maybe there was some sort of message here I was missing.
There was this look of remembrance in her eyes, which was followed by a deep sadness, but it was gone as quickly as it came. Eventually, she just said, "Fine, then. Let's not waste any time."
"Waste any time?" I repeated. I glanced at the watch in her hands. "For what?"
"What do you think, Oreo?" Artemis replied bitingly. I didn't react—the joke was on her, actually, since I actually like Oreos. Being called one was a compliment. She gestured toward the door. "Confronting the guy in charge."
"It won't work," I shook my head. She glanced back at me, surprise written all over her face. "Not like this. If you show up and blast him away, we're losing our only lead. We don't even know if he's the guy in charge here!"
"So, what, I should just let everyone that's already been taken sit there?" Artemis returned, chuckling darkly. The air around her was rippling with power. More power than I'd ever seen a god exude next to mortals, except maybe when my uncle lost his cool at Monica Beach. She was pissed with a capital P. "Look, you were a real help. Five stars. I'll make sure Apollo knows he found a winner with you. If you're not going to help, though, I'll handle it from here."
"How do you even know they're alive?" I asked, cocking my head to the side, and even though I was half-expecting it, Artemis smashed into me with enough force to bring me to the floor. I felt the cold steel of metal on my throat, and Artemis' eyes had transformed into blazing pools of anger. I saw her eyes take on a red tint, and her hair rippled red, but I maintained my composure. "I know you want to help. I do too, and I don't doubt that you're strong enough to waltz in and out of Lotus. Hell, you could probably level the whole state and not even blink. But that won't help you here. You need to think like you're one of them. The guy is clearly involved with the Greeks somehow, but he's using mortals to do his bidding. Doesn't that tell you how clever he is? Even then, think again, and tell me, do you really think the guy in Lotus is the one behind all of it? Do you really think killing him will keep all of your animals safe?"
"I don't recall asking you for your input, boy," Artemis growled, pressing the knife a little bit harder. I could hear the frustration in her tone. When she opened her mouth again, her canines looked more pronounced, and her voice was just a touch deeper. "Don't you dare speak to me out of turn."
"Even if you are right, and the guy at Lotus is the one behind everything, your plan sucks. That Jasper guy, the one you turned into a flock of tiny birds? He was a mortal. Mortals can't go cross country in a night," I wheezed out. "If you show up with that watch, it'll be a red flag, and he'll know. If he pulls the plug, you can kiss the animals that have been taken goodbye. You don't dismantle a conspiracy by taking out the first name you see."
I could smell the spearmint on Artemis' breath from here. Her expression was unreadable, but the glow in her eyes was slowly fading. "Speaking from experience?"
An image of Carcinus' dented hull flashed through my mind, and I stared back at Artemis defiantly. "Something like that."
She thought about it for a second and helped me up to my feet a moment later. Her hair was still changing colors, but the smothering presence around her receded a bit. "I still don't trust you, do you understand?"
"Perfectly, princess," I grumbled, rubbing the spot her knife had been. "Any chance you can keep your knives to yourself, next time?"
Artemis gave me no outward reaction and didn't answer my question. She looked at my lack of reaction toward having a knife pulled on me, and her lips twitched. "Good. Follow me."
You know how, even during the day, if you look in just the right spot of the sky, you can see the moon? Well, being around Artemis meant that the Moon was as bright as the Sun, even in the afternoon.
Not that any of the mortals minded. They continued on with their day, mindlessly milling about. Once in a while, a little kid would point out that the moon looked huge, and their parents would just drag them along.
"We'll need to head back to my camp for now," Artemis said coldly. She still wasn't looking at me, so from my perspective, it seemed like she was talking to herself. It was kind of a funny thought. As if she was reading my mind, though, Artemis turned around to add, "This could be a lengthy process, and I don't want my huntresses to be alone. I'll send them to camp. I heard Percy Jackson upgraded everything."
"He did," I said, a little too suddenly. Artemis gave me a look and I coughed, before adding, "He's a pretty cool guy. Real nice."
"So they tell me," Artemis mumbled. Just then, the moon shined brightly, and a silver chariot appeared from the sky, drawn by the most beautiful deer I had ever seen. It landed right next to us. "I don't want to waste any time. I'll have to drive slower than usual so your mortal skin doesn't rip off and your bones don't disintegrate, so hurry up."
I complied, and just like that, we were hurtling through the sky. Her chariot was decked out with a velvety carpet, so I sat down criss-cross applesauce and leaned my head against the side. She'd added a radio system in here, too, so the drive was anything but boring.
Even if she was playing way too much blink-182.
Artemis didn't say anything for a while, and I was content to just sit in the chariot, letting the wind whip into my face and flatten my hair.
Eventually, I turned to see what she was doing. At first, it looked like she was trying to cast a spell or something. And honestly, I didn't blame myself for thinking so, because as she twisted her hands, swirls of ethereal green mist accompanied her every movement.
Kind of like the Oracle. That thought made me straighten up and pay more attention.
When I looked closer, though, I noticed that she was shuffling some cards. [Mana Detection] showed me that she was literally imbuing her own power in the deck. They weren't playing cards, either, but cards with some weird pictures on them or something.
With a flick of her wrist, Artemis released the cards into the air, and they defied gravity, hovering and gliding with a graceful fluidity. The vibrant illustrations on the cards shimmered and sparkled as if touched by the very magic that animated them. They danced and twirled around her. The cards moved with purpose, responding to the subtle cues and energies within the surrounding space. They weaved intricate patterns in the air, forming a tapestry of symbols and colors that made absolutely no sense to me.
"No," Artemis whispered, flicking her wrist again. The cards shuffled and fanned out at least a dozen times, but the same three cards kept appearing in a row. "Damn it."
My curiosity got the best of me. Praying to Apollo that his psycho sister wouldn't rip my head off, I asked, "What is that?"
Artemis was silent for a bit. Her hair fluttered in the wind. Without turning to face me, she said, "Tarot cards. They're used for divination, spiritual guidance, and self-reflection. My brother blessed these ones to accurately tell the future."
"That's cool," I replied, not knowing what else to say. It was weird seeing Artemis all relaxed after her whole scene earlier. "How do they work?"
"Well, a standard tarot deck typically consists of 78 cards, divided into two main sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, each depicting a distinct archetype or significant life events, such as The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, and The World. These cards represent major themes and transformative experiences on the spiritual and personal journey," Artemis explained patiently. Way more patiently than I expected, to be honest, given her apparent dislike of me. "The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits—usually Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles—and resembles a traditional playing card deck. Each suit contains ten numbered cards and four court cards. These cards represent more day-to-day aspects of life, such as emotions, actions, challenges, and material matters. Depending on how you read them, they can tell you a story."
"So, what, you ask it a question, and it tells you what's going to happen?" I moved a bit closer. Artemis' scent carried in the wind. She smelled like a mix of the woods and, weirdly enough, caramel. "If Apollo blessed them, that is."
Artemis hummed. "Basically. You can use a three-card spread to explore a theme or a specific aspect of your life. And, yeah, since Apollo blessed this deck, it tells the future without fail."
"You don't seem happy," I pointed out, and she stiffened for a second. She really didn't like being called out. "What do you keep getting?"
"I don't see how—" Artemis stopped herself and pinched the bridge of her nose. Slowly, she asked, "Why do you care?"
"You just told me you have a magical deck of future-telling cards," I replied dubiously. How couldn't someone care? "That's hands down one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I think it's pretty clear why I care."
Artemis had a small smile on her face, but she wiped it clean and looked back at me. There was this unreadable flicker in her eyes like she was seeing me for the first time. Really seeing me, that is. "I suppose I could show you. The way to read a three-card spread is by assigning meaning to the cards like so."
The first card flew in front of my face. "Theme."
The second card followed. "Action."
Finally, the third one teleported next to the other two. "Outcome."
Artemis turned and sat down in front of me. We were both facing each other, with the glowing cards floating between us. Her silver eyes bored into mine. "The first card represents the theme or the main energy surrounding the question or area of focus. It offers an overarching perspective or lesson related to the theme. The second card represents the action or the steps you can take to address the theme or situation. It provides guidance on what actions or attitudes will be most beneficial in navigating the circumstances. The third card represents the outcome or the potential result of the actions taken. It indicates the possible resolution, lesson, or insight that may arise from the chosen path."
"I can see how this could be bad," I said, my gaze shifting between the cards, and then back to her. "I'm still a little confused, though. I get that if Apollo truly blessed them, then a version of what you're reading will come true every time, but how do you know your interpretation of it is right?"
"After having these cards for so long, I rarely interpret them incorrectly anymore, but you're right. Sometimes, I'm off. And to tell you how it's bad—I'm trying to foresee how this mission will unfold," Artemis responded softly. She flicked the first card, and it shimmered in response. "This card is the Fool. It signifies a sense of adventure, optimism, and fearlessly embracing new opportunities. It represents the beginning of a fresh chapter in life, where one is willing to take risks and explore uncharted territories."
The wind around us whistled as Artemis rotated the second card. "The second card is the Five of Pentacles. It portrays hardship, struggle, and financial setbacks. I've often found it to indicate a sense of loss, adversity, and disappointment."
I didn't miss the way her tone soured as she got to the last card. She looked at it like she wanted it to burn. "Lastly, we have the Two of Cups. It symbolizes love, partnership, and emotional connection. It represents the mutual bond between two individuals, whether in a romantic relationship or a deep friendship. This card embodies harmony, affection, and a balanced exchange of emotions. It suggests the potential for a loving and supportive connection. The last time I had this card, uh, it's not important."
"So, how do you piece it all together?" I asked curiously.
"That's the challenging part," Artemis muttered, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Without her usual scowl, she actually looked rather beautiful. I noticed that had the bad habit of biting her lip whenever she was deep in thought. "When combined, these cards tell the story of embarking on a new journey or chapter in life that encounters challenges and setbacks. Not entirely original, I suppose, but despite the sense of failure and adversity, the presence of the Two of Cups suggests that love and emotional connection can still play a significant role in the narrative, although I'm unsure how. It hints at the possibility of finding love or experiencing deep connections amidst difficulties and failures. Given what I know about all of these cards, if I had to guess, it's trying to say that even in difficult times, love has the power to heal, uplift, and create new opportunities."
"But how is that a bad thing?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.
"I cannot afford setbacks here, in any regard," Artemis said, her anger evident. The air crackled with static, and she took a deep breath before continuing, For the first time, I noticed the constant sag in her shoulders. This must've been stressing her out more than she'd care to admit. "Not when it comes to this."
Realizing I had touched a nerve, I quickly backtracked. "Could I give it a try?"
"You want... to try?" Artemis seemed taken aback. She gave me a suspicious look as if I'd have some ulterior motive for wanting to know my future.
"Yeah! If you're okay with it," I replied. I was genuinely curious to see what the cards had in store for me. Probably just some doom and gloom. "How does it work?"
The cards shuffled themselves back into the deck, and Artemis slowly extended the deck toward me, maintaining eye contact the whole time. It felt oddly intimate. "Just place your hand here."
I placed my hand on the deck, feeling a faint surge of energy flowing through my fingertips. Before I could even remark on it, the deck of cards suddenly exploded, and three cards hurled toward me.
"Whoa!" Artemis exclaimed, swiftly using her hand to bring all the floating cards back into her grasp. The three cards that had been flying at me froze midair. "That has never happened before." She paused, closely examining the cards, a deep frown forming on her face. "Your future...it appears to be rough."
"No surprises there," I sighed. I should've bet on it. "How rough are we talking?"
"Well…" She pointed at the first card. "This is The Tower. It represents powerful and abrupt change. It signifies the breakdown of old structures, beliefs, or relationships. It suggests a period of crisis or loss that shakes the very foundation of one's life. Next, we have the Three of Swords, symbolizing heartbreak. It signifies emotional pain, heartache, and sorrow. This card represents the anguish and grief experienced in matters of the heart, emphasizing the need for healing and emotional growth. Lastly, The Lovers card represents love, harmony, and profound connections. It symbolizes the union of two souls in a deep romantic or spiritual partnership. My two cents? The presence of The Lovers suggests that love, despite suffering and heartbreak, can still play a significant role in the narrative. It implies the potential for healing, personal growth, and the possibility of finding new love or rekindling existing relationships. Not without extreme pain, though."
"Wonderful," I grumbled, leaning back against the edge of the chariot as Artemis put the cards away. She didn't say anything, choosing instead to take the reins of the chariot once more.
We didn't say anything for the rest of the trip, but I saw her flipping through the cards again. Though I couldn't tell what she was doing, the Two of Cups kept showing up.
An hour or so later, the chariot dropped out of the evening sky and onto a plain. I ignored the flip-flops my stomach did as the wheels churned into the soft ground beneath us.
"Lady Artemis is back!"
Seven large tents, all of silver silk, curved in a crescent around one side of a bonfire. One of the girls blew a silver dog whistle, and a dozen white wolves appeared out of the woods. They began circling the camp like guard dogs.
As I stepped out of the chariot, I noticed falcons watching me from the trees, their eyes flashing in the firelight, and I got the feeling they were on guard duty, too.
They were girls, about a dozen of them. The youngest was maybe ten. The oldest was about fourteen. They wore silvery ski parkas and jeans, and they were all armed with bows. They advanced toward us with determined expressions.
"Welcome back, my lady," One of the older archers stepped forward with her bow drawn. She was tall and graceful with coppery-colored skin. Unlike the other girls, she had a silver circlet braided into the top of her long dark hair, so she looked like some kind of Persian princess. "Who is this…man?"
"Thank you, Zoe," Artemis replied pleasantly. Her tone was warm, and her words were soft. It was a complete 180 from the Artemis I'd been with all day. When she turned to face me, her expression hardened, and her tone frosted over. "This…man…is assisting me with the mortal aspect of this quest. The Ancient Laws prohibit me from directly interfering, so he is helping me in that regard."
Everyone turned to look at me expectantly, and to my surprise, they weren't quite as man-hating and mad as I'd expected them to be, given the stories. More than anything, they just looked confused. Shaking off their indifference, I waved and said, "Hello. Happy to help."
"Zoe, I need to speak with you regarding something important," Artemis said. "Please, let us retire to my tent. Oreo, please wait here, and do not speak to any of my hunters unless they expressly speak to you first."
The way she said Oreo sent shivers down my spine. I wasn't sure if they were good or bad.
"Terrific."
To her credit, Zoe came back to get me about five minutes later. She had dark brown eyes that twinkled in the dying light and a slightly upturned nose. With her silver circlet and her proud expression, she looked so much like royalty that I had to resist the urge to sit up straight. She studied me distastefully like I was a bag of dirty laundry she'd been sent to fetch. "Boy. Lady Artemis wants to speak to you."
"Lead the way, huntress."
Zoe led me to the last tent in the circle, which looked no different from the others, and waved me inside.
The inside of the tent was warm and comfortable. Silk rugs and pillows covered the floor. In the center, a golden brazier of fire seemed to burn without fuel or smoke. Behind the goddess, on a polished oak display stand, was a huge silver bow, carved to resemble gazelle horns.
The walls were hung with animal pelts: black bear, tiger, and several others I didn't recognize. I figured an animal rights activist would've had a heart attack between me and Artemis.
Me, with my questionable training methods involving baby whales, and Artemis with her rare skin collection that seemed to span through every animal in the world.
I thought she had another animal pelt lying next to her, and then I realized it was a live animal—a deer with glittering fur and silver horns, its head resting contentedly in Artemis's lap. "Oreo."
I raised an eyebrow. "Artemis."
Zoe sat down at Artemis's right. She glared at me like I was everything that was wrong with the world. "Lady Artemis to you."
"Meh."
Zoe's eyes blazed with anger, but Artemis calmly raised her hand. "Do not let him get to you, my dear. Oreo, that was your freebie. It is very rare that we would have boys in this camp. Boys are usually forbidden to have any contact with the Hunters, and if you insist on antagonizing them, you will be treated much the same. Do I make myself clear?
"Crystal."
"Good," She patted the deer's head absentmindedly. "Then please, make yourself at home. Away from the hunters. And camp. And me. I will collect you in the morning, and we will leave to be at the hotel by the afternoon. I trust that is enough time to ensure the illusion stays in place?"
"Yeah, probably."
"Good. Zoe, you will lead the hunters to the camp. When you get there, report directly to Chiron. If Chiron isn't found, please search for Percy Jackson. I have it on good authority that he is respectful and will help."
I resisted the urge to laugh.
"My lady, the younger hunters still have pneumonia…"
"It's regrettable, but the best I can do is maybe call my brother," Artemis chewed her bottom lip. "It will be unsafe for you to travel by yourself should I be gone for more than two days. I'll certainly call Apollo, but you must be prepared to leave anyway."
"I understand," Zoe said. Her face was expressionless, but based on the small frown on Artemis' face, I could tell neither of them were happy about it.
Artemis looked back at me. "That's all I need from you. Don't forget yourself."
"You got it," I gave Artemis a salute and Zoe a wave. "Sleep tight."
With that, I left the tent and found myself a nice tree facing the camp and settled down next to it. [Food Generation] came in clutch as I summoned a gigantic bowl of mac and cheese in my hands and ate it slowly.
The night was quiet, besides a few hacking coughs coming from one of the tents with a on it. After eating, I found myself drifting in and out of sleep.
Around three in the morning, I woke up and just couldn't go back to sleep for some reason. Honestly? I was willing to bet that Artemis was to blame. The moonlight was brighter than usual, and I figured it was her way of getting back at me for annoying Zoe.
I tried, in vain, to go back to sleep a few times before opting to stay up and look at the stars. I'd been a city boy for most of my life, and trust me, it's hard to see stars when you're looking through the smog of NYC. Being able to actually look at constellations was a semi-new thing for me.
The darkness above me was adorned with countless twinkling lights, scattered like diamonds flung across a velvety expanse. They shimmered and danced, as if caught in a celestial ballet, illuminating the darkness with their celestial presence.
I traced the outlines of the few constellations MJ had taught me. I could see Grus. Lacerta. MJ's old favorite, Vela, looked particularly bright tonight.
I'd never forget my incredulity when she told me how much she liked them. To me, constellations were just a made-up way to look at the stars and give them meaning. In my head, I figured even a little kid could walk outside and trace through the stars with a pencil and give them some name after.
She didn't think that way, though. To her, constellations were reminders of the stories woven into humanity's collective imagination, tales of heroes and legends passed down through the ages. She loved the grand tapestry they created together.
My eyes burned a bit.
Now since I was effectively alone for the first time in a week or so with no Persephone here to talk to, I couldn't help as my thoughts shifted back to all of my dead friends.
[Gamer's Mind MK2] could've easily dispelled the emotion and let me forget about it, but I didn't let it. I didn't want to. I wanted to feel the grief, the sadness. Somehow, it made me feel better about the situation, like, I don't know, my memories of them would help them never be forgotten.
The weight of their absence hung heavy in my heart, like this constant reminder of the unpredictability of life. Especially in situations like this. A year ago, I was sandwiched between Liz and Gwen as they sang Mariah Carrey on the way to a field trip, and now, I'm all alone in the middle of nowhere.
And, with that, also came this weird sort of self-doubt.
Why was I the one who walked away while others, dear friends and loved ones, were taken away so abruptly? Was it because I was the chosen one? Was it because, as Hades said, this was meant to teach me a lesson? To break me?
I can't tell you how it feels, I really can't.
It just…Zeus…it gnaws at my soul. For a second, white-hot anger flared through my body. Not Zeus. The gods were the reason I was in this whole mess.
I see their faces, their laughter, and their dreams, all cut short before their time. They had so much left to do, so much potential, and it was all snatched away, leaving behind a void that can never be filled.
Gwen had that internship at Oscorp. Liz wanted to be an interior decorator. Flash was going go to try to go pro in basketball. He'd promised me courtside tickets when he was inevitably drafted by the Knicks.
Maybe once this mess is over, I'll go pro in his honor. I could go AWOL for a bit, ship myself down to a hotspot like Phoenix and dominate the league. The Suns need a good point guard, anyway.
More coughs came from the medical tent. They sounded wet and painful, like the kind of cough that just leaves your whole chest aching after.
My thoughts shifted.
Thinking about that night was a mixed bag. It's a weird cocktail of anger, sadness, longing, and hatred. If I let myself sit with it for too long, it inevitably dug up intense feelings of powerful hatred.
Why didn't Aphrodite intervene?
She was there. She'd already been breaking the Ancient Laws to some degree. What the fuck was stopping from her putting up a singular barrier and containing the Hydra until everyone left? And, even after, why did she stop me from—
"It hurts!" I heard a wail from the tent, followed by more coughing. I dropped out of my thoughts entirely and a wave of sympathy washed over me. The voice sounded young, really young. Probably the same age as Malcolm, if I had to hazard a guess.
Against my better judgment, I pushed off the tree and walked toward the tent, keeping my ears perked for any of those wolves or whatever.
As soon as I opened the flap to the tent, though, my instincts screamed at me. I easily sidestepped a knife slash, and my body kicked into overdrive, slapping the knife out of my would-be attacker's hand.
"What are you doing here?" A voice hissed. My eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room and I saw Zoe pick up the knife. She instanty resumed her stance., "Do you have a death wish? Did you not hear what—"
"My ears work fine," I cut her off, keeping my voice low. I didn't want to disturb any of the sleeping girls. The one that probably screamed was looking at me with wide eyes. "I can help."
"Really?" Zoe scoffed. She pointed her knife at me. Her fingers tightened around the hilt. "You're probably coming in here to stare at them, right? Like some sick freak? Is that why Artemis has you here? So she can kill you after?"
"You can insult me all you want, but I'm not going to sit here and let a bunch of little kids suffer through the night!" I whispered back furiously. "I've been sleeping outside, alright? I've been listening to them all night. They sound hurt, and I can help them. Don't make this something it doesn't have to be."
"You can really help?" Zoe asked a moment later. She didn't lower the knife but there was a slight hesitation in her voice. I could tell she cared about them. A lot. Enough to put aside her distrust of me for a moment.
"I can." To be honest, I wasn't 100% sure, but I knew I could, at the very least, help them rest easier. Thanks to my memory perk, I could remember everything I'd ever read, and according to my brain, in seventh grade, I'd learned that pneumonia was just lung inflammation caused by a bacterial or viral infection. The basic rundown of it was that the little air sacs in there got filled with pus.
I was banking on the fact that I'd be able to remove it by gaining control of her blood like I did with Iapetus.
"I'm watching," Zoe demanded. I noticed the bags under her eyes. Had she slept at all tonight? "If you do anything I don't like, I'll gut you."
"Sure," I knelt next to the first girl, who was still staring at me like I had four heads. I remembered what Artemis said about how infrequently men showed up in camp, and I made it a point to be as nice as possible. "Hey, kiddo. I heard you're feeling a little under the weather."
"Y-yeah," She said quietly. The poor thing let out a few more hacking coughs and whispered, "It hurts. Bad."
"I'm going to help," I said resolutely. I looked at Zoe. I needed an entry point into her bloodstream, but if I made any moves, Zoe would probably lose the little trust she had in me and get Artemis. "Can you make a little cut on her arm for me?"
"What?" Zoe's shrill whisper came back a moment later. "Are you crazy?"
"Please, trust me," I said. "Artemis does. Kind of."
Zoe stared at me, but eventually leaned in and whispered something to the girl, who nodded. Zoe pricked her finger with her knife. "Is that enough?"
"That's plenty," I said, touching my finger to the little girl's. I stretched my senses outward, forcing my [Molecular Hydrokinesis] skill to assume control of her bloodstream. I made sure to activate [Serenity Inducement] too, just in case.
"That feels funny," The girl giggled, and I gave her a smile. My finger was glowing against hers.
"What's your name?" I asked as my powers slowly forked into the open wound. I tried to imagine what I'd done against Iapetus, but way more gently. "I'm Orion, but you can call me Oreo. Your lady likes to call me that."
"Carly," She said, wincing. "It's nice to meet you, Oreo."
Slowly but surely, my senses stretched further outward in her blood. Every time I felt my influence waning, I steeled myself and hankered down—I'm the son of Poseidon. I hold the last echoes of Oceanus in my body. Liquid is mine to control.
"It's good to meet you too, little buddy," My voice sounded strained. I patted her arm with my good hand. "Could you relax a little more?"
Her body was fighting my control, which was only natural, but I needed her to fully relax so I could do what I had to do.
After a while, I could feel it. It was indescribable, but I somehow knew exactly what I had to do. I inhaled and then exhaled.
White blood cells surged into her bloodstream like a determined army. I could sense the intensity of their purpose with each pulse of her heart, as if they were marching forward, ready to conquer. The oxygen in her blood sang like a bird, and with each subsequent pulse, I felt more and more in control.
But there, amidst the harmony of cellular movement, I could sense it—the presence of pneumonia. My senses sharpened, and I could almost taste the bitterness of the infection like a dark cloud hovering over her every breath.
The energy within me surged, resonating with the cadence of Carly's heartbeat.
I could feel a current, an invisible river of energy, flowing between us. It was as if my touch awakened dormant forces, breathing life into the battle against pneumonia. The power surged through me, intertwining with the blood that flowed within her veins, amplifying her body's innate healing mechanisms.
With each pulse of energy, I could sense the resistance, the antibodies rising to the occasion, engaging in a fierce struggle against the encroaching infection. The invisible battlefield came alive before my eyes, and I obliterated the infection.
With another exhale, I forced the fluid in her lungs upward.
"This might feel a little weird," I said, my voice strained. "Can you go aaaaah?"
The little girl slowly opened her mouth and I yanked the fluid straight out of her lungs. It exploded against the wall adjacent to us, and Zoe stared at me with a bewildered expression as I took a few deep breaths and leaned against the bed frame.
You've used your powers in a way you've never intentionally used them before! As such, your [Molecular Hydrokinesis] skill has branched off!
[Molecular Hydrokinesis] - [Blood Control]
[ACTIVE/PASSIVE][WIS]-[Blood Control]-[LV: MAX]-[PROG: 0%]
|| Don't want to alarm you…but this was definitely one of Oceanus' favorites. Maybe you're more alike than you think. ||
|| You can control the flow and movement of blood within a person's body. This includes the ability to accelerate or decelerate blood circulation, redirect blood flow to specific areas, or restrict blood flow to certain body parts. ||
"That was harder than I thought," I panted as I tapped Carly's shoulder. "You're all good now. It's out of your system."
"Thanks, Mr. Oreo!"
"That's just Oreo to you, missy," I said, and Carly giggled. Zoe knowingly handed me a bottle of water, and I started swigging it.
Carly looked at me for a few moments, before immediately asking, "Are you Lady Artemis' boyfriend?"
I started choking, and Zoe had to hit my back a few times. I gave her an embarrassed look. "We should go help the others."
Zoe rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile on her face as she said, "Come on, Oreo. Let's go help the others."
AN: Sorry for the delay, I was sick, and then I hurt my hand playing basketball, and then I went on vacation…so…yeah! If you enjoyed this chapter, please build a shrine for Etko, because I can't tell you how much he helped on this one. I'm going to sing his praises every chapter anyway because he helps a ton, but again, I couldn't do it without him. Also, the idea of gods being able to show a percentage of their power to mask or change stats comes straight out of the Prophesied's brain! I'm a lucky guy to have so much help!
Welcome to my version of Titan's Curse. Here's where it starts in earnest, and I hope you're ready for a lot of Percy and Artemis together because that's what this is going to be! There's a lot to unpack in this chapter, and you know I love my symbolism, so…
Also, I wanted to toot my own horn a bit! In this chapter, Percy admits to himself that he holds Oceanus' echoes, and it's funny because, in the original Atlantis arc, he's adamant that he'll never be the host for him. Funny how things work, huh?
Lastly, we just passed 5K followers! When I started writing this story, I had no idea it would grow to be half this popular, and I'm beyond grateful to everyone who has supported the journey. Your reviews, PMs, and support meant the world to me. Here's to the next milestone!
That's all for now.
Onto some reviews:
Tyufvfv: Imagine Percy just pulling out a Shinra Tensei out of nowhere lmao! You're on the right track with some of what you're saying, but I won't tell you what!
Zarathos 11: Thank you for catching the reference! I'd imagine Hades has his own wifi router since he clearly plays video games, but Persephone is just too prideful to ask for one and refuses to use his lol. Most gods probably do, and the person he saved to get Percy to owe him was Peter Parker, way back when. Some of his stats can stagnate if he doesn't work out, but he's still on the grind from Atlantis, so it's unlikely at this stage in the story. The did what is referring to Persephone knowingly bringing Cerberus to Percy just to interrupt his training and spend more time with him. Apollo can produce life to some extent, but in that scene, he's reversing the damage done to the butterfly, so it's an advanced form of healing. The reason it dies when it touches Percy is a) because Percy doesn't have that power and b) it's symbolism for everything Percy touches dying haha. I wanted to make their dynamic better, so I'm glad you thought so, and excellent read on the intentional codename. It is the 15th archetype, and he can have more than one. Hades was referring to Zeus and yeah, it is kind of crazy to see Percy grow up, isn't it? We'll see a lot more of Sephy, and he needs to complete all the tasks in a tier to get the benefit. Yep, this still isn't the power I was referring to. Trust me, you'll know when you see it. They're drawn to him because he's a mortal that respects but doesn't blindly follow them. It doesn't hurt that he's handsome, charismatic, and can hold a conversation, too. Hope you like Artemis!
Kellen23: I…I don't know who any of those people or things are. You might have the wrong story, lol.
Guest: Thanks so much for this. I love it when people tell me this. Rick is hard to mimic because of the intentional way he writes things, and I wasn't sure if I'd be able to scale that kind of approach to a darker, more adult-based story, but I'm glad I can still passably hit the nail on the head. I love nuance and symbolism, so thanks so much for thinking this story does a good job with it!
Kendofencing7: Trust me, he's still going to struggle against Kronos.
The True Overlord: Idk if this is a spoiler or not, but he'll def get the Susanoo eventually! And yes, we will see what happens with Hades and Sephy soonish!
Meryfcuckery: Yeah, it's the nuance of it that flips things around, because again, this is all from PErcy's POV, too! I agree, and I hope this chapter has enough to keep you satisfied, my man! And I hope you like this Artemis and Zoe, too!
Thanks for the reviews, and I'll see you guys soon!
- Maroon