Yeah, so I'm getting the sense that me and weddings just don't mix very well. Granted, the first time I went to a wedding, it wasn't really in my control, but as of right now, I'm still shooting 0 for 2.
I think I might have to start marking the will not be in attendance box from now on. Gods, at the rate this is going, I might not even show up to my own wedding. If I live long enough to see the day, that is.
If I keep pissing off gods at the rate I'm going, I'll be dead in four years, with or without the prophecy. Right! Speaking of which…
As Nereus continued down the aisle, shaking hands, patting shoulders, and giving wide smiles with his figurative bombshell of a wife by his side, my literal bombshell of a wife was giving me a piercing look that promised pain later.
After all of the care taken by Apollo to maintain my identity, my constant vigilance in not letting anything slip, and even Aphrodite's goodwill, my cover was absolutely demolished by a throwaway comment by Nereus.
Absolutely great. Maybe I should stop ignoring my [LUK] stat and just spamming points in there. Zeus knows I need it.
"I can explain," I offered. The collar of my dress shirt felt dangerously tight. Much tighter than it had been just a second ago.
Given the fact that Artemis had bent the moonlight in the night sky to make it, I wouldn't be all that surprised if she actually was trying to choke me out.
"You will," Artemis promised. Her tone was cold, and she was sizing me up like a potential threat, which kind of made sense. Nereus called me an honorific that could only belong to two other people—my dad, and Oceanus. As far as I could remember, she wasn't on the best of terms with either of them.
She looked around, remembered where we were, and wiped the distrustful look off her face. Instead, she replaced it with a smile that made her expression more unsettling, somehow. I tried not to flinch as her face got closer to mine, and I could see the venom in her eyes. "Dear."
"Right," I muttered under my breath as we locked arms again. Heat was rolling off her body in waves. The idea of extracted moonlight turning people into vampires didn't seem as far-fetched now. Artemis was one more big reveal away from going full Dracula mode on me. "Dear."
Nereus and his bride eventually made their way to the crafted altar. As I looked around the venue, I considered the absurdity of the situation, and how ironic it was that Artemis and I, disguised as other people, were probably the only ones who knew who Nereus really was.
A hush fell around the room as the officiant raised his hands. The woman playing the gigantic organ toward the back of the room stopped her song, and all of the conversations around us slowly died down. "Dearly beloved, we have come together to witness and celebrate the union of Norris and Amelia in marriage. This journey they embark upon today is one of love, trust, and mutual respect. As they exchange their vows, they do so not only in the presence of each other but also in the presence of their cherished friends and family."
The bride, who I now recognized as Amelia, gave Nereus a bright smile. Her eyes glittered with unshed tears, and she looked so happy, I found myself smiling without really having any reason to, even if romantic relationships between mortals and immortals were something I wasn't sure I'd ever fully understand.
It just doesn't make sense on paper. I mean, how can love truly blossom between beings from such—literally—different worlds?
Mortals, with their fleeting lives and fragile hearts, and immortals, who have seen centuries come and go like mere whispers in time. Like, even just looking at it logically, what could someone who's seen and experienced so much find in common with a mortal?
It seems like an impossible equation, a collision of two realms that shouldn't fit together.
How could an immortal love a mortal, knowing that their time together would be but a fraction of the eternal life the other knew? How could they find solace in a love that would eventually be torn apart by the cruel hands of time itself?
"Norris, do you take Amelia to be your lawfully wedded wife? To share your life with her, to cherish each moment, to laugh together, and to console each other in times of sorrow?"
Nereus gave Amelia a watery smile. His jaw trembled, but he forced out, "I do. Now and forever."
The officiant turned to Amelia, "And Amelia, do you take Norris to be your lawfully wedded husband? To share your life with him, to cherish each moment, to laugh together, and to console each other in times of sorrow?"
Amelia jokingly tapped her chin, much to the amusement of everyone in the audience, but she quickly replied, "I do. Forever and more."
Forever and more. For a second, I was transported back in time to that sticky summer night just a few months ago, when MJ had uttered those very same words to me. Hopefully, their marriage would go better than our relationship did.
"These vows are not to be taken lightly," The officiant said sternly, though he had a small smile on his face as well. I risked a glance at Artemis, who was watching the whole exchange with a laser focus. Her eyes looked glassy.
"They are a solemn promise, a sacred bond, and a commitment to one another. As I understand, the couple has written vows for each other. Please state them now."
Nereus cleared his throat. "As many of you know…I'm very well-traveled. And, as many of my colleagues from work like to jokingly say, I also like to consider myself a very knowledgeable person—"
The guy in front of me cupped his hands around his mouth and hollered, "More like he knows everything!"
"Thanks for that. Anyway, throughout my many years, I'd…created these preconceived notions, all around my pursuit of knowledge. But when I first met Amelia, all those preconceived notions lost their significance. It was an ordinary day, a trip to the grocery store, and the moment that defined our beginning was unexpectedly simple: 'Does this peach look like a butt to you?'" The room erupted in laughter again, and Nereus shook his head good-naturedly before continuing, "Her words broke through the mundane, catching my attention in a way I couldn't have anticipated. In Amelia, I found a connection that defied my expectations. She wasn't someone who fit into the predefined boxes of my past experiences. For the first time, I was face-to-face with someone who didn't just match my thoughts but often surpassed them—albeit, in her own way. In her, I discovered a world where intellect wasn't confined to the conventional, where curiosity led us to unexpected conversations, and eventually, the relationship we have today. Amelia, you are my most formidable love. From the moment I met you, my world has been brighter, and my heart has been fuller. Today, I stand before you and before our loved ones to promise you my unwavering love and devotion. I promise to be your partner in all things and to stand by your side through every joy and challenge. I promise to support your dreams and aspirations and to always be a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on. I vow to cherish every moment we share, to uplift you in times of doubt, and to celebrate your triumphs as if they were my own. With you, I have found my home, my confidant, and my greatest accomplishment, even if it was all Fate's doing. Today, I choose you as my partner for life, and I eagerly anticipate the journey we will take together."
The room erupted in applause. Even Artemis clapped softly.
Amelia wiped at her eyes. As the noise died back down, it was her turn. She looked less nervous than Nereus, but she also presumably wasn't hiding a secret as big as he was. "From the very first glance, I knew there was something extraordinary about you. And no, it wasn't the fact that you somehow accurately guessed the price of the cart in front of me or even the fact that you always knew exactly what to say to cheer me up. Today, in the presence of our loved ones, I make a promise to you. I promise to cherish and honor the unique spirit that is you. I promise to stand by you, not as your other half, but as your equal, your partner in every sense of the word. I vow to support your dreams, your passions, and your growth, even when it takes you to new and uncharted territories. I promise to be your sanctuary in times of turmoil, your source of laughter in moments of joy, and your unwavering rock when the world feels uncertain. With you, I have found a love that fills my heart with light and a future that I am excited to embrace. Today, I choose you to be my partner in this beautiful journey of life."
The officiant's smile had remained unchanged the whole time. He nodded at the end of Amelia's sentence. "These vows you have shared are a testament to the love you share and the commitment you make today. May they forever guide and strengthen your union. And now, as you exchange rings, remember that they are an outward symbol of your inner unity."
Nereus and Amelia exchanged their rings, and the officiant said, "By the power vested in me and in the presence of these witnesses, I now pronounce you as partners in life. You may now seal your vows with a kiss."
Their smiles, those genuine, heartwarming smiles, were infectious. Everyone in the room couldn't have looked happier if they tried. Even Artemis, who had let go of her suspicion against me for long enough to watch the proceedings.
When Nereus eventually kissed his wife, it wasn't just any kiss; it was a kiss that spoke of a lifetime of adventures together, of laughter, tears, and all the moments that had led them to this one. Even though I knew I was going to extort him in a couple of minutes, I was still happy to see him enjoy his big day.
I couldn't help but grin like an idiot.
Love, in its purest form, was a powerful force, and it was on full display right there. It was a kiss that would've made the Aphrodite herself jealous—if I didn't help her get back to Jason, that is.
The room seemed to hold its breath as their lips met, and then erupted in applause and cheers as they pulled away. They were officially married, and it was as if the whole world was celebrating with them.
The officiant smiled and raised his hands. "Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, I present to you, for the first time as a married couple, Norris and Amelia Carlton!"
The room erupted in applause, and Nereus raised his hands. "Thank you all so much for being here today. We've got some catering from Panera, so please, feel free to get started. I'll be available to take pictures with Amelia soon."
The buzz from before was back as everyone stood up, moving toward the food like moths to a flame. If I was here for leisure, I would've been at the front of that line. There was a pot of creamy, boiling mac and cheese that was basically calling my name.
Sigh. Just another downside to being a demigod. Being last in the buffet line. Hopefully, the interrogation wouldn't take too long and Artemis would let me get a plate before we hustled out of here.
Nereus made eye contact with me, and his confidence slowly spluttered out, like a balloon whose air was being ripped out. He nodded at me nervously and I nodded back, standing up with Artemis by my side.
No one seemed to notice us as we shuffled to the left, avoiding everyone as they began moving. Nereus was waiting for us toward the back of the hall.
"My lord," Nereus said, licking his lips. He raised a shaking arm toward the door. Something was bugging me about the whole encounter. "I've got a room for us to converse in."
That was his second time referring to me as such, and I had a decent idea of what was going on, now.
Chances are, he doesn't think I'm Poseidon. My dad's a bit more active in the mortal world than this, so his showing up to a wedding wouldn't be the most shocking thing in the world. Or, if he wasn't invited, the same Ancient Laws that are forcing Artemis to disguise herself would've forced him into some kind of disguise too.
My best guess is that he can somehow sense the echoes of Oceanus inside of me. It makes the most sense, especially given how fearful he seems. Plus, unlike a lot of other deities, Nereus has spent a lot of time with Oceanus.
Even then, he seems a little too scared. Like I caught him in the middle of something he definitely didn't want to be caught in. It's the same kind of jittery fear I'd get when my mom would catch me trying to sneak some candy into my room in the middle of the night.
"Lead the way," I said coldly. As we followed him, I racked my brain, trying to remember my few conversations with Oceanus. I knew I'd have to mimic his mannerisms somewhat if I wanted to keep the illusion up. For good measure, I added, "Worm."
Artemis gave me a shocked look, which quickly dissipated. If this was one of those telltale games, I'd bet everything in my account that I would've seen a notification in the top right of my screen: Artemis will remember that.
Once we were situated inside the room—it looked like the room he got ready for the ceremony in—Nereus promptly dropped to the floor in a heap, his hands outstretched in prayer above his head. "My lord, I'm so sorry for not inviting you. I sincerely hope you've taken no offense in the slightest. Thank you so much for blessing me and my bride by attending. I understand that I have brought great shame upon the old customs."
Slipping into Oceanus' way of speaking was easier than I thought. With my now perfect memory, all of the memories I'd seen in his head a few years ago were crystal clear. It kind of felt like second nature. I forced my expression to sour, and I stretched a scowl across my face.
It wasn't hard to fake the emotion—I was annoyed. How could I not be?
I had questions, but asking those questions would be the equivalent of holding up a gigantic neon sign with I'M NOT WHO YOU THINK I AM blazing front and center.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry. Everyone's always sorry after the fact, aren't they, my dear fellow?" I dropped my voice a few octaves and began walking around the room. I trailed my finger along his desk, and my hand stopped in front of a picture frame of Nereus and his wife. It looked a bit old, and they were both dressed in matching hot dog costumes. I picked up the picture frame. "Marrying a mortal, in front of a bunch of other mortals, no less. You disgust me. If I'd gotten wind of this farce, I would've recalled you back into the ocean and chained you there for a few millennia. Even now, I have half a mind to smite down everyone in this building. Luckily for you, I'm a merciful lord. Wouldn't you say I'm a merciful lord, worm?"
"Yes, my lord," The pressure in the room intensified as I turned back to him. Nereus groveled. "You're a very, very merciful lord, my lord. Thank you for blessing us with your presence."
"Humph. Your standards are pathetic," I held up the picture frame, feigning a look of disgust, which was entirely faked. Nereus' wife could've been on the cover of Vogue. I gestured the picture frame toward Artemis. "My associate has some questions for you. You would do well to answer them."
"My lord, it's just that I usually—"
"I can feel your bride from here," I said, slamming the picture frame back down on the desk hard enough to crack the glass. I turned around and brushed some imaginary dirt off my suit. "I can sense the wine in her glass. Feel the thrum of her heartbeat being carried throughout her bloodstream. It would be trivial to superheat it—I could allow it to melt through her like a vat of molten lava. Or, better yet, would you like to see what would happen if I stopped her heart, even for just a moment? If her brain was starved of oxygen?"
"No…that isn't necessary, my lord," Nereus replied, his voice growing hoarse. He looked at Artemis, almost pleadingly. "Please ask your questions."
Artemis remained impassive. Her professionalism was commendable. In another life, we probably could've been the scariest duo on the planet. "Where may I find the Ophiotaurus?"
Nereus' eyes glowed white. Almost instantly, he replied, "At the Wolf House."
Artemis and I shared a look. The location didn't hold any significance to me, but it was clear Artemis knew a thing or two about it. She opened her mouth again, "Has Hecate turned her back on the Olympians?"
"Not yet, though she seems to be considering it."
Artemis tapped her chin. "Who has turned their back on Olympus?"
"Hephaestus, Ares, Hypnos, and a slew of minor gods," Nereus breathed. He looked around the room, scrambling to find a piece of paper. As he stood up to grab a legal pad, his nervousness made him slip and fall. Eventually, he was able to scribble down a list of names. "They're all on here. Is that all?"
"That will be all—" Artemis started to say, but she was cut off by a scream coming from the hall.
"Amelia!" Nereus roared, and Artemis and I nodded at each other before sprinting back into the cathedral hall, Nereus hot on our trail.
"Please, no," Nereus mumbled as we bolted down the hall. "Not her. Anything but her."
"Ah! There's our lovely groom," I recognized Lamontas' voice. He was holding up a hand, his fingertips glowing with wild red energy. The chandelier in the center of the hall had been blasted onto the floor, and its light bulbs had shattered in every direction, pelting some of the crowd in pieces of superheated glass. And, just like that, the reason for Nereus' nervousness was clear. He thought I was rolling with Lamontas. "I was hoping to see you today. Congratulations on your nuptials!"
He was flanked by a group of giants. They were easily ten feet tall with wild eyes, pointy teeth, and hairy arms tattooed with snakes and hula women and Valentine hearts. Tatters of ruined suits hung on their arms—they must've disguised themselves and blended in amongst the guests.
"I didn't sense them," Artemis whispered in my ear. There was a weird inflection to her voice. It sounded like she was confused, angry, and surprised, all at the same time. I got the sense Artemis wasn't used to being hoodwinked. "How did I not sense them?"
"Please, I don't want any trouble," Nereus begged, his eyes darting back and forth between Lamontas and Amelia, who was whimpering beside the officiant. He licked his lips nervously. "I gave you all the information you wanted!"
"Life isn't all about information, buddy! Can't a guy just visit his old friend?" Lamontas grinned. Arrogance was rolling off him in waves. He approached a trembling waiter and took a glass of champagne off his tray. "I mean, come on dude, are we not friends? Cause, like, I thought we were pretty tight. I mean, we had all those fun times at the hotel. Right? The pickleball games, the late-night ice cream runs, killing innocent people on the casino floor for sport—all of that, and I don't even get an invite to your wedding?"
"I mean," He took a sip out of the glass. "Mm. That's just not cool. My therapist says I need to work more on feeling my emotions instead of bottling them up for later. So, Nereus, I feel very hurt. I feel angry. I feel like I could just…gosh! Show him, Marrow."
The group of giants had been barricading the door, but one of them stepped forward and palmed the organ—the whole piano—and threw it against the wall. It snapped into a dozen different pieces, crashing into the food, and exploding through the wall of the venue.
To make matters worse, the pot of mac and cheese was tipped off the fire, and it rattled against the ground, spilling everywhere.
Is nothing sacred?
"You made me do that. You made me feel strongly enough to ruin that perfectly good piano," Lamontas sighed and took a seat against one of the benches. He unbuttoned his suit and spread his legs a bit. "And, since we're not friends, I have to treat you like I treat the rest of the little shits that work for me. Now, there are two ways this can go," Lamontas said as he finished off the glass and smashed it on the floor. He wiped his mouth, "You come with us, or everyone in here dies. Well, not everyone. We'll take the blushing bride. Gotta make sure you don't do any funny stuff, right?"
"YEAH! SHE WILL BE MY NEXT PLAYMATE!" The giant next to Marrow roared. He ripped the rest of the ruined suit off his body, revealing a heavily scarred, yet muscular chest. There were dozens of tattoos of names written all over his body, all with a line crossed over them. Maria, Nicole, Carmen. He was going through playmates faster than most people went through toothbrushes. "THEN YOU DIE!"
I turned my gaze toward Amelia. Our eyes met, and an abrupt surge of anger coursed through my veins. At that moment, I sensed her fear. The expression on her face mirrored the haunting memory of Liz, etched in my mind, moments before she slipped away in my arms.
"Please, my lord," Nereus whispered behind me. "Please save us."
I didn't have time to answer. The giant from before began barrelling down the aisle, right at Amelia. Just like that, the decision was taken out of my hands.
I figured my cover was blown anyway as I palmed Ilvis. There was no reason for me to hold back anymore.
As I sized up the giant, I realized that [Gamer's Mind MK2] didn't just negate my negative feelings like stress and fear, but it also limited my bloodlust and love for battle. Fighting him wasn't like a game to me anymore, it was like a math problem. I didn't care about breaking through his defense, and seeing how he reacted to my feints and tricks.
I just wanted him dead. Fast.
I tossed Ilvis into the air above the altar. The light from the hall made the golden coin glint in the air, casting columns of gold light everywhere like a disco strobe.
CRACK!
I appeared in front of the giant, my suit jacket flinging open from the sheer force of moving so fast. Riptide groaned as it erupted out of its pen form, blacker than the night sky. Unlike Ilvis, which was still flipping, Riptide had the effect of darkness—it was like a cold, black void in the middle of the room.
My ring burned, emitting a strobe of light like a flashbang.
"I CAN'T SEE!" As his eyes were forced shut, I smashed down on his foot and flung myself above him, dragging Riptide behind me and carving through his throat with deadly efficiency. Maintaining my grip on Riptide, I vaulted backward and kicked Ilvis at the other giants, right as it transformed into its lance form.
[Lunar Lullaby] propelled me downward like a missile, and I split the giant in half like he was made of hot butter. He exploded into golden dust a moment later.
"Well then," Lamontas said casually as Ilvis blasted through one of the giant's arms, pinning him against the wall. I landed back on the ground with a soft thud. "I didn't think you would be here."
I twirled Riptide in my hand as Marrow growled in anger. He instantly stopped when Lamontas raised a fist. "You know who I am?"
"Do I know who you are? Please," Lamontas continued casually from his seat. He even kicked his legs up on the bench in front of him. This guy had some serious nerve. "Those weapons are a dead giveaway. Even if they weren't, between Luke's praises about his greatest student, the dozens of bounties on your head, and the way the monsters cower at your mere presence…child's play. It's a pleasure to meet you…Percy Jackson."
My name rippled throughout the room like a gong. Artemis' expression changed completely, Nereus looked like someone punched him in the gut, and the monsters behind Lamontas actually began to hesitate.
The illusion Apollo placed on me was beginning to wear off. It melted, kind of like ice cream that had been left out on a windowsill for too long. I could feel the magic leaving me.
I grew a few inches taller. My muscles grew tighter. My hair lost whatever hold was on it, and I was forced to brush it out of my gaze.
"Stories would have it seem like you're a force of nature, a god in a mortal's body," Lamontas kept going, sighing, and standing back up. "The hero who vanquished—"
"I appreciate the synopsis, really, I do," I cut him off. It felt oddly nice to hear my voice. Now since the disguise was gone, it had regained its rougher edge. I sounded less like a ponce, and more like a warrior. "But let's call it what it is. If your claim of knowing me—really knowing me, that is—holds any truth to it, you know this isn't a fight you want to take," I looked past him, at the giants. "If any of you step forward, you won't leave this room."
"It's an interesting conundrum," Lamontas agreed, running a hand through his silky hair. Lamontas was enough of a ponce for both of us. He reminded me of a jerkier, smoother, male version of Nancy Bobofit. "If you were anyone else, I'd call your bluff. I'm Lamontas, by the way. Huge fan of your work."
"Good to meet you. Well, Laryngitis," I hid a grin as Lamontas' eye twitched, "Iapetus and Thea called my bluff, and now they're reforming somewhere in the bowels of Tartarus," I reminded him. The cocky look on his face dropped for a second. "And that was with an invulnerable Luke by their side. You have four giants who look like they all share the same brain cell. There's no need for more bloodshed today."
"YOU KILLED BEEFY!" Marrow roared and began running toward me. Lamontas tried to calm him down, but I didn't wait for his words to take effect.
A [Mirror of Aphrodite] belched to life on top of him. Unlike the corrupted versions of the mirror I'd seen before, this one was a bright, gleaming white, and instead of a dragon, a pillar of light exploded downward, slamming the giant into the ground in front of me.
-30,000 HP!
Huh. Looks like mending my relationship with Aphrodite's boosted the hell out of my [Mirror of Aphrodite] skill.
The floor cracked under his weight, and the mortals around me yelped. I glanced back up at Lamontas. I knew I could take him, and all the monsters here without breaking a sweat, but I had to be smart about this.
It was like with Jasper—if I took out Lamontas, I'd never get to the top of the totem pole. He'd just be replaced with someone else. I needed the top dog, not a little lackey.
"Put a leash on your dog," I snarled, slamming my foot down on Marrow's neck. Green liquid squirted out of a cut. I felt a tugging sensation in my gut, and I inhaled sharply. I imagined his blood hardening, turning into little spikes. Marrow howled in pain. "You're ruining this event. Don't the titans give you guys better henchmen to work with?"
"Nah, it's seniority based. These were supposed to be my guys for a while, but you've certainly taken it upon yourself to thin the herd. I mean, they also give a stipend for mercenaries, but I just spent it on this suit, since, well, I thought some giants would be enough for this," Lamontas sighed and gestured down at his clothes. I don't exactly have an eye for this stuff, but his suit did look pretty expensive. He pursed his lips and eventually just shook his head. "Do you know how much tailors in Vegas cost? An arm and a leg. You drive a hard bargain, Jackson. Fine, I'll leave."
"Oh, that's not it, though. You didn't give the couple a wedding gift," I reminded him. "Weren't you raised better than that? Don't answer that, actually. The way you barged in here answers that. The least you could do is give them a gift for crashing."
"My mistake," Lamontas shot back. He looked at me balefully and set his jaw. "Tell me, what should I gift them? Some broken bones? A spear through the heart?"
"Well, the dead giant was a start," I said, taking my foot off Marrow's neck. He went to stand, but I felt the tugging sensation in my gut again, and all of the blood in his body instantly hardened into ice. He stumbled back down and I slammed Riptide through his neck, exploding him in a shower of golden dust. "Sorry, two dead giants. I'm a pretty understanding guy, though. Why don't you just apologize to Nereus and his lovely wife? Maybe throw in a few words of encouragement for their new marriage. Oh, and Leprechaun, was it? Don't force me to make you beg."
Oh, that got to him. His nostrils flared, and he looked like he swallowed a lemon. To his credit, though, Lamontas wasn't stupid. He took a moment to compose himself, and bowed, "My deepest apologies for intruding on your happy day. I wish you both the best, and I hope you continue to support each other until the end…however soon that may be."
"Classy," I commented. Lamontas turned around and began walking toward his buddies. "Now get out before I rethink my decision."
"We'll see each other soon, Jackson," Lamontas said, throwing a lazy hand in the air. His fingertips glowed with magic. My lance disappeared out of the giant's arm and reappeared in front of me. "Toodles."
They left. I shook my head and picked up Ilvis, clicking the hilt, and letting it transform back into a coin. I became aware of the fact that every pair of eyes in the room was on me. "Sorry about that, folks."
"You're not…" Nereus muttered as he stepped, trembling, toward me. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked around the room, and he swallowed. "Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me," I said. "But I would appreciate a little bit of context. How do you know that man?"
"May we retire to the room we were in before?" Naereus asked, nervously looking around the room. I realized, eventually, he was looking anywhere but Amelia. "I don't want to have this conversation in front of everyone."
"By all means. Also, do you think I could get a bowl of mac and cheese?"
"I…I worked with him and a few of his associates a while back," Nereus said once we were back in the staging room from before. Artemis followed us, but she still didn't say anything. Nereus dropped to his knees in front of me, "Please, you have to believe me. They needed some specifics for a machine of some kind. I was offered immunity in the war and a good amount of money in exchange for helping."
I ate a spoonful of mac and cheese. It tasted as good as it looked. "What was the machine?"
"I can't just—"
"Your immunity is useless, dude," I cut him off. I pointed outside the door with my spoon. "Everyone outside is rattled, and that guy would've killed your wife if I wasn't standing here. You claim to know everything, right? What are the titans going to do when they find out you got help from me today? And, on the other hand, what are the gods going to do when they find out you aided the titans? Face it, Nereus, your best hope of survival is me. Give me the information I want, and I'll do my best to help you, you have my word."
Nereus thought about it for a while. I was more than content to let him think as I continued eating. Looking cool in front of a bunch of people is hard work, guys. Especially since I haven't had any food since that stew Zoe gave me earlier.
Artemis stood in the doorway, her expression a little less frosty. When we made eye contact, she nodded her head toward Nereus. The message in her eyes was clear: convince him.
Convince him? How?
Well, not how as in how I should do it: I know about a trillion different ways I could force him to see my way. I'd been trained in Atlantis, after all. Interrogation was one of the first things Delta had taught me.
The problem was, I needed to convince him to give the information up freely. I couldn't coerce it out of him or beat it out of him. If I did that, he'd have no incentive to tell me the truth, and he'd have no reason to believe I was the better option to the titans or gods.
I didn't just need him to tell me what happened, I needed him to trust me. How could I get him to do that? His wedding day had gone completely to shit, and now a teenager was claiming he had all the answers to saving him.
Wait. His wedding day.
I knew what I had to do.
"I dated this girl last year," I said abruptly. Both Nereus and Artemis looked at me, surprised. I licked my lips and continued, "We had a pretty good thing, for a while. I had a lot of, uh, pressure on me at the time, and she helped me get through it. She saw me for who I was, I guess, and not the image of me people had built up in their heads. She made me feel normal."
"Her name?" Nereus rasped out, staring at me despondently from the ground. "What was her name?"
"Mary-Jane," I replied back, ignoring the image of her standing in Elysium that was seared into my mind. "I loved her."
"What happened?"
I crouched in front of Nereus and said, "She died. That guy, Lamontas? Whoever he's working for put out a hit on my friends. We had this dance at school, a few weeks ago. There was this hydra…and it just spawned in the middle of the dance floor. It incinerated almost everyone there, including her."
"I…I'm so sorry for your loss," Nereus stumbled out. Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he began backing away from me. "I didn't…I wasn't a part of that, I swear."
"It's not about that," I placed a hand on his shoulder, forcing him in place. "It's about love. I loved her, and if I knew what was coming, I would've done anything in my power to protect her. Hell, we weren't even together at the time, and I still would've risked my life if it meant she'd be alive today. I didn't, though. Because I was selfish. I was petty. And, Nereus, I regret it every day. The question you need to ask yourself is do you love Amelia enough to put your own life on the line? Or are you willing to live with the regret of not being with her for the rest of time?"
"I do," Nereus said for the second time today. A bit of resolve flooded back into his eyes, and he stood back up, straight. "Lamontas and The Coven of Shadows are focused on resurrecting an ancient deity called the Reality Architect. It's a contract they've gotten from the General, a titan, who has made his base in the garden of Hesperides."
I frowned. I placed the empty bowl of mac and cheese on the dresser. "Near Atlas' prison?"
"The one and the same. Whoever this Reality Architect is, they're very weak at the moment. The titans want to find the Ophiotaurus so they can sacrifice it and bring it back to full power. They have a machine that can harness its power."
"Is the Reality Architect a titan?" I questioned, biting the inside of my cheek. "And who is the General?"
"I can't answer either of those questions. The General is…he's…I just can't," Nereus struggled. Smoke began rising out of his body, and he winced in pain. "I've been sworn to secrecy. As for the Reality Architect, invoking his name would burn my body from the inside out. He can create anything out of nothing, though. That's all I know."
"Alright," I said. I believed him. He had too much to lose if he lied, anyway. I glanced back at Artemis, who was watching me intently. "You need to leave the country for a while. It isn't safe for you here anymore. Bring Amelia with you. You said you had money saved up, right? Use it. Travel the world for a while."
"But when word reaches Olympus about this, I'll be hunted down," Nereus replied miserably. "Any plane I get on will be shot out of the sky. Any boat I get on will instantly be dragged down into the pits of the ocean."
"They won't," I promised. At least, I was pretty sure he'd be fine. No one knew about his, er, involvement with anything yet, and I was certain Artemis would let him go for now. "I'll run interference for you. Just leave with Amelia as soon as you can."
"Thank you," Nereus breathed. He went to leave but randomly stopped walking. "Why did you help me? You could've just as easily dragged me to Olympus as a prisoner."
"It's the right thing to do," I returned easily. I cracked a smile. "Besides, I crashed your wedding. Hopefully, this makes us even."
"More than even," Nereus nodded with a smile and then ran out of the room.
"Percy Jackson," Artemis said, speaking to me for the first time in a while.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, well, face-to-face," I grinned. "So, the Wolf House?"
Artemis' form flickered for a moment. "I know where it is. It isn't too far from here."
"Alright, then. Should we get going?"
"We should."
"Was the story you told Nereus true?" Artemis asked me as her chariot took off again.
I ignored the drop in my stomach as we shot up into the sky. The chilly night blasted by us as the chariot flung itself into the air. The cold wind felt like a bunch of tiny toothpicks pressing into my face. "It was."
The air in front of me blurred like someone was trying to IM me. I waved away the blur, and turned back to Artemis, who was waiting for me to elaborate. "That…friend I told you about. She was my first girlfriend."
"And she knew about," Artemis waved her hand, gesturing all around us. "All of this?"
"She did," I leaned against the edge of the chariot and sighed. "She was okay with it…at first."
"That's a lot for a mortal to handle," Artemis commented. "It must've been…hard."
"It was hard. I just loved her harder," I exhaled slowly. I could still feel her lips on mine. "Not that it made a difference. That hydra killed almost every mortal friend I had."
"How did they know to target them?" Artemis asked me curiously. Her hair was completely silver.
"I'm not sure," I lied. I didn't love the fact that I was lying to a goddess, but I didn't want to even vocalize the idea of Annabeth being a traitor before I had the chance to vet her for myself. The air rippled in front of me again, and I swiped through it again. "But I know the titans did it on purpose. To break me."
The air rippled again, and this time, Artemis said, "Just pick it up, Oreo."
"You know my name's Percy, right?"
"Semantics," She, again, waved her hand. "Just answer the call."
I accepted the IM, and Silena's face swam into view. She was in her cabin, wearing a fuzzy pink bathrobe and curling her hair. There was a bag of chips in front of her and some Taylor Swift playing in the background.
I don't think she was expecting me to pick up. She almost dropped her curling iron. "Percy! Oh my god! It's…it's actually you!"
"Hey, Silena," I said with a tight smile. "How's it going?"
"How's it—how's it going?" Silena screeched so loudly that Artemis winced from the front of the chariot. "You…after everything, that's all you have to say? We've been worried sick!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go AWOL for so long," I said truthfully. The Underworld didn't allow IMs for security reasons, and I had a theory that Apollo's disguise had actually cloaked my scent, too. Hopefully, my emotion was sincere enough. "I didn't want anyone to worry."
"Percy, we always worry about you," Silena sighed. She leaned forward and frowned. "You know we care about you, right? It really hurts when you fall off the face of the Earth for weeks, and we're all left wondering if you're face-up in a ditch somewhere. Especially after…the dance…I just…I needed to know you were okay."
"I'm fine, Lena," I said, stressing the word fine as hard as I could. I knew it wouldn't help her worry less, but that wouldn't stop me from trying. "I'm okay. Just running an errand. I'll be back at camp soon."
"Will you really?" Silena asked me, her tone disbelieving. "Maybe the sun will rise in the west, too."
"I will, I promise," I placated her. "And when I get back, we'll all go out for some dinner, or something. Me, you, Pipes, Thalia, Jason. Malcolm. We'll find some fancy restaurant in Manhattan and just spend the night out in the city."
"I'll hold you to that," Silena said thickly. She wiped at her eyes. "Speaking of Jason…thank you. You didn't have to forgive her, you know?"
"Maybe. But I also didn't have to be as cruel as I was," I amended. We were both quiet for a while before I asked, "And Piper? Is she mad at me…or…"
"I think she's been more concerned than anything. There's been a couple of scary nights where we've been forced to consider that you, well, weren't with us anymore. That sort of thing puts everything else in perspective," Silena replied. She gave me a sweet smile as the IM rippled. She was almost out of time. "You're a hero, starboy. Don't forget that. If I don't see you at camp soon, I'm telling Lady Hestia."
"You wouldn't," I held up a hand and clutched my heart. As I pretended to cough up a storm, Silena giggled. As the IM rippled again, I said, "Seriously, though, Lena, I'll be back at camp soon. I appreciate you guys looking out for me more than you know, but there are just some things I have to do. I promise I won't let this much time go before reaching out again, though. You have my word."
"You better not," Silena said as the IM faded out completely.
I discreetly pulled an energy drink out of my [Inventory] and walked back to the front of the chariot, where Artemis was staring out at the Earth blazing underneath us. If the Wolf House was really as close as she made it seem, I needed a bit more energy back. "Sorry about that."
Artemis waved off my concern with a graceful gesture, her silver eyes reflecting a touch of warmth beneath their usual steely exterior. "You have nothing to apologize for, Percy," she assured me, her voice softening just a fraction. "I asked you to do it, after all. It's nice that you have friends who check up on you like that."
Her words carried a depth of understanding that surprised me. Artemis' cold exterior, even if it was just in that moment, had cracked with a glimpse of empathy. It wasn't something I was expecting.
Don't get me wrong, Artemis is definitely nicer than the myths would have you believe, but she's still so…cold. And, more than any deity I've met, she's quick to anger if you press her buttons right. She's just about the last person I'd expect to comfort me.
I nodded, grateful for her understanding, nonetheless.
"Yeah, they're good people," I admitted, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "We've been through a lot together. They, uh, help keep me in check when I go off the rails."
Artemis regarded me for a moment, her gaze piercing but not unkind. "Friendship," she mused, "can be a source of great strength. It binds mortals together, creating bonds that withstand the tests of time and adversity."
"Immortals, too," I commented, thinking of my mom and Hestia, or even me and Triton. When Artemis' expression didn't change, I added, "Right?"
"It depends," Artemis said after a while. "A lot of immortal beings don't get along, Oreo. Especially on Olympus. Millennia after millennia of being in close proximity can lead to all kinds of things. Relationships, grudges, fights. Immortal beings, even ones that are friendly with each other, tend to maintain distance for that reason alone. I have maybe three immortal beings I'd consider my friends."
"Surely it's not that bad," I tried to reason, but I thought about someone like Persephone, whose parents were quite literally siblings. And how, technically, her uncle became her husband after, well, stalking her for a while.
Artemis' expression told me she knew what was running through my mind. "I see you get what I mean. Just another great reason to vow maidenhood. You'd be surprised how many beings on Olympus lose interest in you once you're off the market."
My hands rested on the railing of the chariot. "Well, what about mortals?"
"While immortals possess the gift of time, they also bear the curse of it. As centuries pass, we develop bonds with mortals, only to witness the inevitable parting when our mortal friends age and wither away. As you'd imagine, this perpetual cycle of loss can be emotionally taxing."
"Is that why all of your maidens are immortal?"
"Partially," Artemis admitted. "They can still die in battle, but yes, they're impervious to dying of natural causes, and they don't age. Well, unless they leave the hunt."
"You let maidens leave the hunt?" I tried not to sound too shocked. "I thought it was one of those things where once you're in, you're in."
"I'm not soulless, Oreo," Artemis chided from beside me. She seemed a lot more relaxed around me now since she knew who I actually was. "A lot of my huntresses join at a young age. As time goes on, they become curious about…things. I don't force them to stay if they wish to be in the company of a man."
"Really?" That time, I didn't even bother hiding the shock in my voice. "I…wow. I didn't expect that."
"Trust me, most don't. I'm aware of the misconception that I'm going around the country and kidnapping little girls, turning them into man-hating monsters that would kill a man for just, well, existing. Yes, my girls have an aversion to men, but that's because most of the time, it's earned," Artemis said plainly. "My maidens come to the hunt to learn how to be independent, and how to be strong. These qualities don't exclude the possibility of seeking companionship with men; they simply empower my followers to make their own choices. That's what's important."
"And you?" I asked curiously. "After seeing what you've seen, would you do the same?"
"Seek the company of a man?" Artemis shrugged. She was glowing in the moonlight. "I've tried in the past, but I have yet to meet a man who's actually appealing to me. Meeting them in person never works. Blind dates usually end with me having to restrain myself from exploding the restaurant. I downloaded Tinder once a while ago at Hebe's suggestion—never again."
"You?" I began laughing so hard my stomach hurt. The thought of a maiden goddess downloading Tinder was so ludicrous I almost couldn't believe it. It was like Zeus downloading an app on how to be faithful. "You downloaded Tinder?"
"I was bored, okay?" Artemis defended herself. Her hair flickered red, and she punched my shoulder. "Stop laughing. I deleted it after an hour."
"Right, right," I said as my chuckles calmed down a little. I wiped some tears out of my eyes. Artemis was glaring at me, so I said, "Okay, I'll stop. Just answer me this: did you at least get any matches?"
"One. This man had a picture of him with a deer, so I matched with him to inquire about the animal," Artemis recalled, a ghost of a smile gracing her lips. "And, in return, he asked me if I was wearing underwear or not."
"Well, were you—" Was as far as I got before Artemis socked me again. This time, it actually hurt. "Jeez, it's an honest question!"
Even though I wasn't sure why, despite the stinging pain in my right shoulder, I began laughing again, and to my surprise, Artemis joined in this time, quiet chuckles shaking her shoulders, too.
"What if they want to come back?" I asked, and Artemis' good mood slowly disappeared. "To the hunt, I mean."
"I don't allow that," Artemis said plainly. "They can leave but they can't come back."
"Why not, though?" I wondered. "Doesn't it make more sense to take them back if your whole goal is to teach them independence and all of that?"
"Oreo," Artemis said, pausing for a while. She was looking for the right words, "It doesn't work that way. Most of my girls still hate men."
"What? But I thought you said…"
"Here," Artemis cut me off, holding her hand out. The moonlight on her palm brightened, and a piece of white cloth formed, wrapping around her fingertips. "Think of this cloth as my huntresses."
"Alright."
"And think of this," Artemis pricked her other fingertips against the edge of the chariot. Golden ichor began beading at the top of her fingertips. "As the culture in the hunt. It started off in small, isolated incidents."
She pressed her bleeding fingers to the white cloth in her hand. It began seeping through and spreading in little blobs, connecting throughout the cloth. The ichor, like a contagion, spread further, creating intricate patterns across the fabric, like veins.
"You see," Artemis explained, her voice flat, "initially, my disdain for men was imprinted on the huntresses I recruited. They arrived, many of them, carrying the scars of past encounters, and I was a sanctuary for their healing. Their anger, fear, and mistrust became woven into the very fabric of our sisterhood."
As she spoke, the cloth transformed and each thread of gold pulsed, as if it was representing the different shades of her huntresses' emotions and experiences.
"Perhaps now, after millennia of introspection, I can see that I was wrong," Artemis commented. Her voice grew cold. "But make no mistake, Oreo. For years and years, more time than you could imagine, I despised men. After seeing the things that gods did on Olympus, and men did on the streets of Greece, I hated them with a burning passion. I killed men for stumbling upon the hunt. I killed them for speaking to my hunters. I would've, could've, and did kill men for reasons that you'd find trivial, to say the least."
The image of Artemis in my head as one of the cooler Olympians cracked a little. Could you imagine just taking a wrong turn in the forest and feeling your skull crack from an arrow launched by an actual goddess?
"I see," I said after a while.
"You don't. Not entirely," Artemis continued, sighing. She waved the now-golden cloth in the air in front of me. "The goal of the hunt now and the goal of the hunt back then are two different methodologies completely. Still, though, that doesn't mean the years have gone by without effect. Hating men is an unfortunate side effect baked into the culture of the hunt. Now, could you imagine a sister leaving the hunt to be with a man and then coming back?"
I gave her an accusatory look. "I thought you weren't kidnapping them to become man-haters?"
"I'm not," Artemis stressed. "But if you spend time around people long enough, you're bound to pick up on their beliefs, too. My girls won't kill men for being men anymore, but that doesn't mean that they like them. If a sister were to leave for a man and come back, she wouldn't be as welcome. I do it for them, more than anything."
"And you're fine with your hunt being a bunch of man-haters?" I asked curiously. "You don't see a problem with that?"
"Not all of them hate men!" Artemis pinched the bridge of her nose. "It's just an aversion. Besides, change is slow, especially when it comes to things like this. I can't just magically change their attitudes toward men. What I can do, though, is guide them. Over the centuries, we've worked to evolve our beliefs and attitudes. While some may still have reservations about men, they've learned to judge individuals based on their character, not their gender. That's progress." Artemis's gaze turned thoughtful as she considered the bigger picture. "But even then, that doesn't magically mean they like, or even tolerate men. It's a process, Oreo, one that takes time. My huntresses are no longer ruthless, but they do carry the weight of their past experiences. I'm done with this discussion."
"Fine by me."
As we soared through the night sky in the celestial chariot, the world below transformed into a glittering tapestry of lights. It was like watching a constellation of stars come to life on Earth.
I leaned out of the chariot, the wind tousling my hair and the thrill of flight coursing through my veins. Even though I wasn't as much of an adrenaline junkie anymore—the constant velocity of teleporting places with [Death Drop] made me grow used to it—it still felt good from time to time.
Below, a small town twinkled like a gem nestled in the darkness. I thought about how each tiny light represented a life, a story, a moment in time. The streets, illuminated by the soft glow of streetlamps, wound their way through the heart of the town like glowing rivers of light.
From above, I could see people going about their business, their daily lives illuminated by the warm, inviting radiance of their homes. The laughter of children playing in backyards, the flickering candles in cozy cafes, and the distant hum of music from a local gathering all blended together in a symphony of noise that felt so…human.
"Are you scared?" Artemis asked me out of nowhere, jolting me out of my thoughts.
I smelled her perfume again as she stepped toward me, "About?"
"These adversaries we're up against," Artemis clarified. We were standing closer than before. I could practically feel the warmth from her shoulder seeping into my arm. "When Nereus told you about what to expect, you didn't so much as flinch."
"Meh. Who they are doesn't matter," I said noncommittally. Artemis raised her eyebrows, "They're going down either way."
"I've met many heroes before who have displayed arrogance," Artemis started off. "You don't seem to be one of them. You're just that confident in your abilities?"
"Yes," I replied shortly as a series of images flashed through my head. Liz's dead body. MJ's smile as I left the nightclub in Elysium. Gwen singing Mariah Carey on our field trip. They would get their revenge. "I am."
"They must've meant a lot to you," Artemis noted from beside me. She tilted her head to the side, and her curtain of silver hair shimmered like diamonds in the moonlight. "It was recent, no? That's what you told me."
"Yeah," I replied, running a hand through my hair. Without Apollo's magic holding it in place, strands of hair kept falling in front of my face. "I'd rather not talk about it, actually. I feel like all I've been doing recently is talk about it."
"I see. I'll respect that," Artemis nodded. She bit her lip and added, "Just know that it does get better. You just have to keep going through the motions, is all."
I glanced at Artemis. "Speaking from experience?"
"Something like that," She exhaled slowly. Her eyes darkened. "I've headed the hunt since it was in Greece, Oreo. We rarely lose maidens in the midst of the hunt itself, but it happens. And, much like you, I bear the burden of each and every one of those deaths."
"Mistakes happen," I spoke up after a while. "You can't save them all."
"Can't I?" Artemis laughed sarcastically. She folded her arms on the edge of the chariot and leaned forward. "I'm a goddess. I'm capable of healing mortals even on the brink of death."
"But…"
"Sometimes someone is marked for death by the fates," Artemis continued. The look of sadness on her face was so intense, it sent a cold current through my entire body. "Maidens forsaken by their parents. Marked for death in instances where I intervene, if only for a while. I can keep them alive a little bit longer, maybe hide them away, but eventually, they die all the same. Both a benefit and drawback of being an Olympian, I suppose."
"Your friend," I realized. It took me a few minutes to decipher the undertones in Artemis' voice. "He was marked by the fates."
"Yes," Artemis replied, her voice growing weak. She looked up at the stars, and for the first time, her hair turned completely red. Her eyes turned red too. "I was a fool to try to shield him from his fate. I was young and selfish, and I thought I was powerful enough to protect him. I wasn't. It wouldn't have mattered anyway. He showed his true colors soon enough."
I stared at her for a bit. "Was he the one that got you to change your mind about the rest of us?"
"I suppose," Artemis muttered venomously. Her voice sounded deeper, darker. "At first, anyway. Even with all of his good qualities, though, all he did was start the process. Maybe if he'd…no, I'm certain all he could've ever done is make me realize that not all men are the worst. I'm still not too sure about the rest of you, so to speak. Just because I think men can be decent doesn't mean I love them either. Trying to find a decent one has shown me just how depraved they are."
"Still, if he could've made you of all people reconsider things, he must've been pretty awesome. Even if he was marked for death, he still played a part in your life," I tried to comfort her.
That wasn't the right thing to say. She wheeled on me, her eyes boring into mine. "I could say the same to you about Mary-Jane. Just because he played a role in my life doesn't mean a thing if he ended up ruining things."
"Maybe," I couldn't help my sharp intake. Artemis was treading close to memories I didn't plan on reliving. I tried to change the subject, "And that's really the only mortal friend you've ever made?"
"Not counting my huntresses, I suppose so. I don't interact much with mortals anymore outside of missions. Aside from, well, those…experiences I told you about."
"Right. Those experiences," I shook my head. Artemis turned to face me, and before I could help it, I stuck my hand out. "We should be friends, then. Trust me, I get along well with most gods and goddesses."
Artemis stared at my hand for a while. I was honestly afraid she'd slap it out of the way, but then, she reached forward and grabbed it with her own. "Friends. I do, by the way."
"What? Get along with me?"
"No," Artemis returned simply. Her hand fit perfectly in mine. "Trust you."
AN: Sorry for the delay. I was on vacation, and then Baldur's Gate 3 came out, and then I was on vacation again...not that you guys care too much, lol. If you're curious, though, I made a Warlock on BG3 and I romanced both Shadowheart and Karlach (cause I'm cool like that) and it was hands down one of my favorite games ever.
Still waiting on RTT2 (come on, Prop!) and going back to school, which, funnily enough, means I'll update more consistently. Your constant reviewing and singing of my praises helps too ;) As always, this chapter was beta'd by Etko, who continues to elevate the quality of this story. Is he the GOAT? Maybe.
Speaking of GOATs, you guys got this story up past 5200 follows- insane. We're closing in on the top 5 of PJO, EVER, and I would love to see it happen, so keep...following, I guess. All jokes aside, you guys are the best. I hope you keep liking what I'm putting out.
Moving forward, on a serious note, a few things:
1) I have a new PJO story. It's called 'The Lord of Time' and the basic premise is that it's a Percy/Calypso story where Percy is stuck on Ogygia a while longer and gets a brand spanking new weapon. It's in first person, just like this one, but it's going to be rated T, closer to canon, and more light-hearted. I took a lot of inspiration from some of my favorite comic book characters like Spiderman and Blue Beetle if that's your cup of tea. If you like this story, you'll love where I'm going with that one. They're all going to be in the same multiverse, too.
2) I recently had a talk with DarknessEnthroned, the awesome author of 'A Cadmean Victory,' my favorite fic EVER. He was kind enough to read this story and give me a few pointers, so going forward, you may notice some small things about my writing style change as I experiment with the advice he's given me. If you haven't read his stuff, I can't recommend it enough. Hopefully, his advice takes me up a peg, and this story is even better for you to read, and for me to write. Funny how that works.
Onto some reviews:
zilla boi: I'm sorry, I know I broke a lot of hearts with the main pairing. I've just always had this good idea for Artemis, and I couldn't live with myself if I didn't write it. You have my word, though, this won't be the kind of Artemis you're used to. I swear.
mohdnaved863: Hey! Thanks for the kind words. 3 days? Dang, man, you were on a mission. To answer your question, to 'all physical stats' refers to his [HP] and [MP]. It's a way for him to grow those without spamming points.
Son-Of-Scorn: Ah, about this, I deleted a few chapters. Things like Author's Notes and chapters that were updates for things like the poll and whatnot. I have this troll, a guest named GL, who comes back every few months and anonymously comments on those chapters and says he's going to report them since I'm a horrible author and deserve to die, and whatnot. Couldn't care less about the guy, but it turns out that having chapters just as ANs is technically against the rules, so I just took them down so there's no reason for this story to actually be taken down lol. For whatever reason, if this story is taken down, you can find it on A03.
Zarathos 11: Hello, my man. I was just too lazy to change it, if we're being honest, so that's just me being me. I think you'll grow to like this Artemis a lot. I've read enough bad Pertemis fics to know what not to do. Hopefully, you like this chapter!
notFalkon: You guys are demons. I don't know how you read this story so fast, haha. All deities used to be able to hide from the Game, like when Amy was Aphrodite, but can no longer, as he's leveled it up. He was also drunk that night. The bond is purposely left vague, but no, it won't mess with his ability to talk to Heket. And no, she won't need it permanently. You'll see.
Tyufvfv: She might, but we won't know until we see her next. Winks. Also, sorry I couldn't make this permanently Perodite, but I always planned for her to betray him, and I don't think this version of Percy could've ever taken her back long-term.
Reader0404: I get this, and I'm going to do better. If you're like me, and you've been imagining this story with actors and actresses, here is my master list of who plays who. I'll do a part 2 if people are interested but here are the main ones I envision (obviously with different hair and body types):
- I might get some flak for this, but I could absolutely see Chase Stokes playing this version of Percy.
- Aphrodite (in the form she's with Jason in) is definitely a younger Blake Lively. Around Percy, she'd look more like Vanessa Hudgens.
- Jason would be K.J. Apa, but a buffer version, of course.
- Artemis is Megan Markle.
- Piper would be Naomi Scott.
- Silena is a young Natalie Portman.
- Poseidon is HANDS DOWN a Brad Pitt type.
- Thalia is Sasha Calle.
- Persephone is Beyonce.
meryfcuckery: Bro, I knew you'd be the most hyped when you found out. You were on it from the start. I really hope you like this version of Artemis, though.
James-cannon: Hah, sorry dude. I promise Artemis is the endgame, but that being said, it won't be all sunshine and rainbows on the way there.
Immaterium: Dude, I felt so nostalgic writing it. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Percy/Aphrodite dynamic in this story is my favorite to write. She just wants to love him, and all she can do is love him, but she betrayed him, and he can't look past it. It's so goddamn juicy. That being said, I did want to give them somewhat of a resolution for a bit. She'll be back, tho.
That's all for now. See you folks soon!
- Maroon