All rights belong to Rick Riordan
Chapter 77
The Huntress
(Percy)
As soon as I touched the child I felt myself lose control of my power. I had not sought to do anything yet at that single finger touch everything went haywire as I felt my energy being drained. For the first time in a long time I found myself blinded by light causing me to look away and not see the heavy impact to my chest that knocked me backwards before I suffered two more further blows to my back leaving me stunned.
At last though the light dimmed away allowing me to see where I was now located, which was nowhere near where I had been before. Though I could faintly see where I had come from via the holes I had created as I was propelled through the walls.
'Did someone catch the number of that bus?' Perseus groaned inside my head and I almost had to agree with his analogy.
'At least we didn't have wings this time and the walls were not that thick.' I told him truthfully plasterboard and timber were a lot softer than marble.
'That brings today's count up to 3 walls, 4 columns and a couch. Can we please try not and break this record ever again.' Perseus asked wishfully.
As I slowly began to extract myself from the couch I had crushed I began to see a few details through the holes I had created. Artemis was still where she had been before the incident. I guess the force of whatever push me away hadn't affected her because she was already practically pinned in position. However the look on her face was that of surprised disbelief as she looked at something that was still hidden behind a piece of intact wall.
Curiously I began to poke my head around the wall in an effort to find out what she was looking at and try and find Diana. However the brief glance I got was more than enough to make me immediately look back and probably turn very red.
Standing there with her back to me was a very beautiful and very naked girl.
'Quick look back I didn't get a good look.' Perseus asked excitedly.
'Not while my Fiance's are there, I am not.' I hissed back not willing to take the chance of Artemis catching me ogling some girl.
'Wait you don't think she is the baby? If yes do you think we made her above the age of consent?' He asked lecherously.
'You have serious issues, but wait a second… she is part immortal so it is entirely possible they are one and the same.' I said after using my senses to detect the girl. They also told me that Diana was located across from Artemis on my side of the corridor and that Atlas had been launched much further back into the main room.
However after a few seconds I heard a figure running down the corridor towards me and I turned to find a very pale Diana looking at me.
'I didn't do anything, at least not intentionally.' I defended out of instinct.
'I don't care now is not the time. I want your coat.' She said quickly and I correctly guessed she wanted it for the girl.
'Yeah sure whatever.' I told her as I pulled the duster off thankful I had forgotten to remove it earlier when we fell asleep and handed it to her.
'Stay here for the moment, or she could react badly.' She cautioned before turning back.
'Who exactly is she?' I asked as she was about to leave.
'Zoe.' She whispered before walking back.
'Wait.'
'WHAT?' Perseus shouted and I had to agree with his surprise.
(Artemis)
'Hello Milady.' Zoe said weakly as she looked back at me.
'Is it really you?' I asked still in disbelief at what I was seeing. The girl merely nodding with a smile.
It was clear Diana was just as speechless as I was, though I noticed movement further along the corridor as a dusty mass of black hair poked round a corner before he wisely turned back around pronto.
'Diana get her something to wear.' I told her pointing down towards where Percy was and hoping she would get the idea.
'Lady Diana?' Zoe asked in surprise turning towards my counterpart.
'Long time no see.' She said with a smile before running off in search of Percy.
'I see some things have changed since I left the stars.' She asked turning back to me.
'More than you could possibly imagine, but how are you back?'
'By playing very loose with the odds and exploiting a loophole in death.' She said with a smile just as Diana came back holding a familiar coat which Zoe looked at disapprovingly.
'This is a males clothes.' She asked skeptically.
'There are also two males still present, so I would have to suggest you wear it for the time being.'
'As you suggest, though I am curious as to why you would be willingly in the company of men.' She asked reluctantly putting her arms in the sleeves and wrapping it about herself. Though due to her being shorter than Percy and myself it ended up brushing on the floor.
'One of them is your father, the other is a very long story. As I said a lot has changed…You can come out now.' I added calling towards my hiding Fiancé.
Zoe immediately noticed the approaching figure with some hostility before calming a fraction as she recognized him.
'Perseus.'
'Hi Zoe though it is Percy.' He replied before correcting.
'It makes no difference.' She replied in annoyance.
'Actually it makes a whole world of difference, Perseus is annoying.' Diana remarked.
'Milady why are you in the company of a Titan even if he is admittedly a decent male?' She asked narrowing her eyes.
'He is my guardian of the hunt amongst other things.' I told her.
'I would guess that was because of the Augurs actions is it not?'
'Partially, How much do you actually know, what is the last thing you saw?' I asked curiously trying to pinpoint how much she actually knew about.
'Up until April and my re-conception, what month is it now?'
'December 22nd the solstice.' Percy answered.
'Zoe listen carefully. I... I mean we are pregnant.' I said pointing at my counterpart to clarify as the formally dead hunter paled.
'My lady you were never good at jokes.' Zoe said seriously.
'It was not a joke.' I deadpanned.
'I will kill whoever dared to defile you.' She proclaimed angrily.
'Please don't.' Percy sighed causing her to look at him murderously.
'Zoe listen before you throttle him, I do actually love him as strange as that sounds and he is not to blame for my pregnancy.'
'Percy go unbury Atlas from whatever wall he is buried beneath.' I instructed and he hastily dodged past the angry demi-Titan in search of the other Titan.
'Milady I fail to see how he can not be responsible for defiling you.' She asked skeptically looking from where he had gone to me.
'Aphrodite drugged the pair of us and putting it politely stuff happened. He is no more to blame than I am. Besides we are getting married.' I told her firmly.
'What do the hunters think about this?' She asked causing me to go wide eyed.
'They… Don't know anything about any part of it.' Diana admitted sadly.
'You need to tell them Milady.' Zoe said surprisingly softly.
'It is not exactly that easy Zoe, I cannot just call them together and tell them I am the biggest hypocrite in history. Besides some of them don't like Percy as it is. Because they refuse to try.' I told her.
'And if you carry on lying to them they will only hate him further. I was not exactly Perse- Percy's biggest fan when we first met, I thought he was another glory seeking impetuous male but he proved me wrong. Or at least my conception of that principle he still managed to accomplish a veritable list of accomplishments that I know of which it seems continue to grow. But the point is if you don't tell them until the last minute they will resent the pair of you, as it is you can still salvage this situation before it is too late.' She explained calmly.
'Did I ever mention how much I missed you?' I told her laughing as I grabbed her in an embrace
'I think you may have said it once or twice while alone.' She said playfully as she returned the gesture.
'I might have done that a few times, so how are you even back?' I asked stepping back just as Percy and Atlas re-entered the corridor.
'So it is true then.' Atlas said nervously looking at her.
'Pleasure to see you to father.' Zoe replied sarcastically.
'Still as rebellious as ever I see. Though I must know how you managed to come back and haunt me.'
'Well as far as I am aware the circumstances of my death were unique. That would be the one you know you played a part in, if you are wondering. As a nymph I should have died and been reincarnated as a flower or animal or well anything. But Lady Artemis placed me in the sky as I was on my way to the Lethe to have my memories removed as per usual policy of reincarnation. Long story short I spent a few years in the sky got annoyed being surrounded by those two even if one of them isn't there. Saw a certain someone regularly visiting a less than reputable establishment often and had an idea how to manipulate the reincarnation cycle with some very good timing and I guess the fates had a sense of humor. Though I have no idea why I am not an infant.' She explained and I couldn't believe what she was saying.
'That was somehow my fault, though it is possible the fates forced it. And yes they have a sense of humor at least when it comes to me.' Percy added.
'So you managed to effectively cheat death or at least its consequences and you still chose him as your father.' Diana said skeptically pointing at Atlas.
'He was an alright father when he wasn't banishing me or trying to wage war against my lady and me or well killing me. Besides this way he can never live it down.' She said smugly causing the Titan to groan in discomfort.
'You forget you are mortal now daughter.' Atlas said raising an interesting point.
'Not for long she's not.' I said sharply.
'You are not taking my daughter away from me again.' He exclaimed in defiance.
'Father a bit late to be protective of me don't you think, maybe you should have thought that before you threw me at a wall. Besides where else could I go, somehow I don't think I would be happy doing floral re-arrangement like my sisters.' Zoe mocked.
'I can send you to the demi-gods camp.' Atlas countered in annoyance.
'No you can't.' I told him seriously.
'Your father promised me for helping with that situation with him a few months back.' He argued pointing at Percy.
'He would need the approval of the council to allow that and we have not discussed it.' I told him.
'He said it would be agreed at the next solstice meeting which is today correct?' He countered however we were forced to stop arguing when Percy started laughing.
'What?' I asked him causing him to stop.
'Err- that well may be our well more my fault. He probably did intend to mention it before he kind of got distracted killing me or at least trying to, then with me breaking his nose and the rest of that clusterfuck meeting. You may have to wait until next time bro.' Percy explained trying not to laugh.
'I am not staying at Orthrys with you or the rest of my stuck up sisters. I have a home and I have been away from it for far too long. If my Lady would have me back.' She told him crossing her arms in defiance while also holding the coat closed before turning to me.
'I was not even aware this was up for debate.' I told him with a smile as he grit is teeth in annoyance.
'I am her father, it is my decision.' He growled angrily.
'Our past history is not exactly going to get you any father of the year awards from me anytime soon.' Zoe countered.
'My I just point something out. What happens when Thanatos and Hades find out about her being back?' Percy asked curiously causing all four of us to turn towards him.
'I won't allow them to do anything.' I told him.
'For once we agree goddess.'
'I- We have names you know?' Diana told him in annoyance and I had to mirror her sentiment.
'Artemis, Diana, Atlas now is not the time for past grievances. Besides we are not exactly deciding for a child, I think she is more than capable of deciding for herself. Zoe?' Percy argued standing between everyone.
'I know where I belong father and it is not wasting away in your palace or with my sisters. I do not share their interest in horticulture, besides they made it pretty clear they don't like me nor am I like Calypso content in my own isolation. I like to help people and from what I can see and heard Lady Artemis is going to need a lot in the time to come. No offense Lady Diana.' Zoe told us before remembering my counterpart was also in the same boat.
'Need help with what, looking after a bunch of adolescent girls?' Atlas argued haughtily.
'I'm pregnant you fool.' I told him causing his eyes to widen.
'Surprise, we also just got engaged.' Percy added nonchalantly.
'Not everything is about you Atlas.' Diana remarked.
'Someone has some explaining to do back with the council.' Atlas said looking at Percy.
'And I will do but that is not the point and nor to be frank is it their concern what I do in my own time or with whom I have a relationship. If they have a problem with us I simply don't care. They can take any complaints up with Perseus and I will be happy to let him deal with them.' Percy said coldly and for a second his eyes flashed golden and his expression changed to that of a sadistic smile unsettling the Titan General.
'Father I am going to the hunt whether you like it or not but even so. I will try and visit when I am able or when Lady Artemis allows.'
'I do not seem to have a choice.' He said in dejection.
'Thank you father though I did mean what I said about visiting. Maybe next time you will get lucky and have a boy and you can do what you want with him.' Zoe remarked light-heartedly causing him to smile slightly.
'I doubt it I think I am doomed to have girls forever.'
'I would let you borrow mine when he has grown up but I think someone may have something to say about that.' Percy remarked narrowly dodging Diana head slap.
'So which one of you is pregnant?' Atlas asked looking from me to Diana and back again.
'Both.' Percy answered for us.
'You really have a lot of explaining to do.'
'We have got to tell the hunters first then I will tell the council. The Olympians are staying quiet for the next week or so, so I would appreciate it if you did as well.' Percy told him.
'Oh I will, I can't wait to see the look on Koios's face when he finds out you are sleeping with his grand-daughter. Finally managed to get related to the rest of the family.'
'Nah he won't do anything, without me it would be five girls to two guys on the council and he needs me to tell Theia to shut up when she goes on one.' Percy joked.
'Can we get out of here already unlike Ares I don't appreciate being covered in mortal blood.' I complained.
'Yeah I have been meaning to ask, what the hell happened here?' Percy asked pointing back towards the main room visible through the hole Atlas had blown in the wall.
'I tried to get her out and they refused to let her go. Next thing I know they started shooting, she got hit and I panicked.'
'Subtle as always father. You could have just used the mist or flashed her away but instead you had to use brute force like always.' Zoe commented looking at her deceased second mother before turning away.
'Hindsights 20/20 but it is too late for that now.' He argued in annoyance.
'Next time try a little foresight and maybe people won't die. Try asking Prometheus how to do it I am sure he could do with the conversation.' Diana told him with a smile.
'He has other things on his mind than conversation. Who knew keeping dead people apart could be so hard?' Percy joked morbidly.
'Says the guy holding the blade that killed both and directly did kill one of them.' I told him seriously.
'When you put it like that it is kind of strange.'
'Just talking about that is giving me a backache and I no longer have a masseuse. Before I go take care of her for me, I don't want to lose her again.' He said looking from me to Percy.
'I am right here you know.' Zoe reminded in annoyance.
'How can I forget? Stay safe.' He said with a smile before disappearing into light.
'You're a lot better with talking than you were when you died. And a lot more sarcastic.' Percy remarked and I had to say I had noticed the change as well.
'Three years of nothing but arguing with an egotist makes you a master of backtalk.'
'I think it is about time we had a bit of fun with Orion. For old times' sake.' Percy said with a grin and I slowly began to realize what he was on about. After all he was more than capable of manipulating the constellations.
'Oh I am sure I can think of something for you to do. First things first I have something much more important to do. Zoe do you still remember the words?' I said cryptically though it seemed to be enough for her to know what I was talking about.
'That's a little hypocritical isn't it?' Diana cut in.
'What is?' I asked her.
'Turn her back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood. That bit is kind of strange considering the circumstances.' She explained and I noticed Percy whistling innocently while rubbing the back of his head.
'How about this then. I Zoe Nightshade pledge myself to the goddess Artemis and her children for eternity and join the hunt.' Zoe declared.
'Good enough.' Diana remarked happily.
'I accept it, welcome back my hunter.' I said with a smile before grabbing her in an embrace noting the faint silver aura that radiated from the demi-Titan with a sense of satisfaction.
'We need to leave, mortals are approaching the building.' Percy warned and I realized there would be plenty of time for celebration later.
'We need to get rid of the evidence of what he did.' Diana warned nodding towards the other room and the unexplainable massacre within.
'Percy do you mind?' I asked and he drew his spear without comment and tossed it into the other room. The blazing weapon instantly beginning a fire, which began to grow voraciously.
'Milady may I ask for a Drachma?' Zoe asked sadly looking at the corpse nearby.
'Of course.' I said as I handed her a Golden drachma and she bent down beside the figure and gently placed it inside her mouth as per the ancient rites.
'Goodbye mother.' She whispered barely audibly closing the woman's eyes before turning around her own eyes shifting from sadness to determination.
'I think It's time I went home.' She announced with a smile and I couldn't agree more.
'Percy make sure it is all gone and then meet us back at my tent in half an hour.' I commanded and he nodded eyes shifting to gold as he let Perseus take over and the flames grew quicker than ever.
'Let's go my huntress.' I told Zoe as I grabbed her hand and flashed us away. Diana following straight after leaving the Titan to live up to his namesake.
(Percy)
Despite a seemingly normal fire burning in the building the fire fighters were helpless to do anything about as the unnaturally extreme temperatures within prevented them from gaining access. Eventually though the building collapsed in on itself as the metal skeleton melted and it lost support. Shortly afterwards the fire began to die as quickly as it began as if someone had flipped a switch.
The strangest thing about the entire situation was the building to either side suffered very little damage despite sharing walls with the building. After the fire was eventually put out surveyors would conclude the only thing wrong with them was a bit of smoke damage, nothing a fresh coat of paint couldn't fix.
'Well that was a good warm up, when do we torch the whore's place?' Perseus asked eagerly as we sat on a roof across the road from the destroyed building legs hanging over the side.
'Oh we are not burning that, we are gonna take our time and knock it down brick by brick. Though I am looking forward to burning her wardrobe I bet she forgets to take that.' I replied with a sense of hope. I wanted her to suffer for her misdeed so she would know never to mess with my family again.
'I am not going in her basement, who knows what creepy stuff we will find in there. Best just to throw some greek fire down there and run away.' He added causing our body to shudder at the thought and I had to agree, I did not want to know what weird fantasies she and Ares concocted down there. I was sickened by the whole pony ride concept as it was.
'Agreed. Now I think we can leave I doubt they will find anything in there to explain what really happened. They will just chalk it up as a gas leak and fire and everyone was killed in the blaze.'
'They won't even find any trace of bodies I made sure of that. Time to get back to the wonderful hunt and a world of suffering. Now she has her best friend back to help with the abusing us.' Perseus complained.
'Look at the bright side then, while she is with Zoe it means we get time to ourselves. And so she is gonna worry less which means she is less stressed, so she won't over react at everything you do wrong.' I explained.
'I bet it doesn't work out like that. She ends up as an older stronger Thalia with less thunderbolts. I still reckon it was her punching us that knocked us through them walls.' He remarked rubbing our chest. Sure enough under our shirt was a bruise that looked a lot like an imprint from a hand.
'Maybe she is a daughter of the Titan of Strength after all. I can't see Phoebe beating her in an arm wrestle. Any way times up you have had your fun now it is time to see how they take this surprise.' I explained causing him to stand up and re-summon our missing weapon before putting it away and relinquishing control of our body allowing me to take us home.
(Artemis)
'It sounds like I missed a lot over the last few months Milady.' Zoe stated adjusting her new uniform as I finished explaining the more important events that had transpired within the last few months. Such as several points on the origin of mine and Percy's relationship, Oceanus and Tethys attack on Camp Half-Blood, Pontus and Percy's deification and the situation in which I changed my bow. Something she was surprisingly happy about, then again she had to deal with me being possessed before though I had enough self-control to only target enemies on those occasions.
'That is not even everything. Thanks to Percy we have a fire breathing Nemean Lioness permanently guarding the campsite. Try not to shoot her this time though I doubt you could kill her if you tried. Besides she is now his sacred animal.' I explained causing her to raise an eyebrow.
'You have one of the most feared monsters just lying around the camp and it can now breathe fire? Since when did Titans have sacred animals?'
'A few hours ago. Perseus can be really persuasive to my father.' I told her with a grin. Sure I may have a strained relationship with my fiancés alternate aspect but I had to admit he got results when it mattered. Diana meanwhile had been forced to return to the chariot due to the early onset of night today.
'So I gather. Not many individuals would willingly attack your father and not only get away with it without consequence but also get additional rewards from him. Most would think he had a death wish. Then again he started dating you milady so it is possible he does.' She added playfully.
'I think I preferred it when you didn't have a sense of humor. It is like you have turned into a sarcastic little sister who has just found out I have a boyfriend.' I complained with a smile.
'You forget milady I am older than you. Though you are under exaggerating the whole boyfriend concept a little. Speak of the devil.' She remarked as a mass of shadows deposited the Titan in the middle of the room. Curiously he was holding his eyes shut.
'Can I look or am I gonna end up a jackalope?' He asked nervously.
'You're fine.' I told him as he relaxed and looked around before turning to the reincarnated hunter.
'You look good as new. That look definitely suits you more than my jacket, speaking of which it is freezing out there.' He stated looking around curiously for the apparel. However as he noticed the discarded coat his eyes gleamed gold.
'I preferred the look before -.' Perseus said with a grin only to be silenced as Percy regained control and looked pale.
'I am going to have to get you a gag.' I told him shaking my head.
'I swear I saw nothing Zoe.' Percy apologized profusely.
'Fortunately I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt considering the circumstances. Though I do not believe Lady Artemis would appreciate you ogling other women.' She told him seriously causing me to laugh.
'He gets so nervous he refused to look at me for more than a few seconds.' I mocked causing him to turn red with embarrassment.
'Artemis!' He complained.
'Don't worry your nervousness is endearing to me. Besides it proves you are not like others what was his name again the one with the dogs?' I told him before turning to Zoe.
'Actaeon Milady though I believe he also wanted to marry you.' Zoe replied after a brief thought.
'I forgot about that, point is he stared at me not wondering why I was annoyed with him. You knew what you were doing was wrong even if it was far too late at that point. Now look at the difference in result, he is dog food and you and I are getting married. So stop worrying about it, besides I got a good look at you.' I said playfully licking my lips seductively.
'Milady!'
'Artemis!'
'I know I know, at least now I know what it feels like to impersonate the whore.' I apologized with a shudder.
'I have no problem with this relationship just please don't make me watch it. I may not have had to swear that part of the oath but that doesn't mean I want to watch you two.' Zoe complained blushing.
'I think that is fair after all, besides we have been having it behind closed doors for months anyway.' Percy told her reassuringly.
'Fine then besides I think it is about time we stopped hiding in my tent and reintroduced you to the hunt.' I told her rising from my chair and heading towards the door.
'This could be fun.' Percy said playfully before grabbing his coat and standing in front of the hunter so she was hidden behind him as I opened the door. Surprisingly it seemed all the hunters were gathered nearby in a circle talking before noticing the two of us emerging from the tent.
'Percy where in hades did you go? We looked everywhere.' Thalia demanded rising to her feet. Followed by the others who all turned to look at two of us.
'I got kidnapped by the fates but it was no major issue.' He remarked playfully despite the small lightning bolts crackling on her hand as she clenched it. Then again he had enough practice countering lightning today.
'Thalia enough. There was one surprise to today I never expected and someone I would like you all to meet, someone some of you may recognize. Perseus stand aside.' I commanded him revealing the hidden figure behind causing Thalia's jaw to drop as she recognized the dead hunter however it was the two older hunters who reacted first as Phoebe and Atlanta launched themselves at former Hesperide and grabbed her in a joint embrace.
'Question who is she?' Suzie asked in confusion which was unsurprising after all of the twelve hunters only three had ever met Zoe. I doubted even the ones who had been at camp while she was still alive remembered her with the possible exception of Morganna but she had memory issues of her own to contend with.
'Someone I saw die.' Thalia said still unmoving except her mouth and eyelids that were constantly opening and closing as if to reassure herself that what she was seeing was right. However it only confused the new hunters more.
'Girls may I reintroduce Zoe Nightshade former Lieutenant of the hunt and daughter of Atlas.' I announced causing all havoc to break loose.
AN. And there you go, admittedly not my favourite chapter but it got the points across well enough.
Difference between old hesperide Zoe and demi-Titan Zoe is she is now crap with flowers but physically stronger than Percy with Stamina to match which i consider a worthwhile trade off all things considered. also yes she has learned to talk properly because i am not writing Thou and the rest of ye olde butchered english.
Admittedly i was a bit brief on how she came back but there is not much to explain she abused the nymph/satire reincarnation policy and got extremely lucky, that and well the fates enjoy playing games.
i will probably smooth her relationship with Atlas out in the future but for the moment she is not letting him off easy and for good reason.
Finally question time who do you want as Lieutenant Zoe or Thalia and what should Percy do to Orion. (remember i am talking about the constellation not as a person).
Hope you all enjoyed it and remember to read and review.