Artemis moved silently through the dense forest, her Huntresses spread out in a loose formation around her. The night was unusually quiet, an unnatural stillness that set her senses on edge. They had been tracking the monstrous horde for hours, following the trail of destruction they had left in their wake. She could sense something ominous ahead, something that made even her immortal blood run cold.
"Thalia," Artemis called softly, her voice barely a whisper. Her lieutenant appeared at her side, her electric-blue eyes alert and determined.
"Yes, my lady?" Thalia replied, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger.
"Scout ahead. I sense we are close to their camp."
Thalia nodded and disappeared into the shadows, moving with the stealth and grace that only a daughter of Zeus could muster. Artemis watched her go, her heart heavy with worry. But she had trained Talia well, she knew she'd be fine no matter what came after her lieutenant. As Artemis and her Huntresses approached the edge of a clearing, the sound of rough voices and guttural laughter reached their ears. She signaled for her group to halt and took a moment to assess the situation. In the center of the clearing was a makeshift camp, filled with Cyclopes, hellhounds, and other monstrous creatures. And in the middle, bound and battered, was a Boy.
"Form up," Artemis whispered to her Huntresses. "We strike hard and fast. Drive them away and rescue Percy."
The Huntresses nodded, their expressions grim and resolute.
With a silent signal, Artemis led the charge. The Huntresses moved as one, their arrows flying with deadly accuracy. Hellhounds yelped and fell, and Cyclopes roared in pain and confusion. The camp erupted into chaos.
Artemis focused on the largest Cyclops, the one who had been tormenting the prisoner. She leaped gracefully over a fallen tree and slashed at the monster with her twin hunting knives. The Cyclops bellowed in rage, swinging its massive club at her. Artemis dodged effortlessly, her movements a blur as she struck again and again.
"Back, all of you!" came a feminine voice. She emerged from the shadows, her dark eyes gleaming with malice.
Artemis turned to face her, her knives gleaming under the moonlight. "You will not harm anyone again," she said coldly.
The Avatar laughed, a sound devoid of any warmth. "You cannot stop what is coming, Artemis. The Age of the Primordials will rise again."
Artemis's eyes flashed with anger. "Olympus would crush you, But unluckily for you, I found you first."
With a fierce cry, she lunged at the Woman in black. The two engaged in a deadly dance, their weapons clashing with a sound like thunder. The Woman was powerful, but Artemis fought with the strength of a goddess.
Meanwhile, Thalia and the other Huntresses drove the remaining monsters away, their combined efforts creating a whirlwind of deadly precision. As the battle raged on, Thalia finally reached the boy. She fell to her knees beside him, her eyes filling with tears.
"Percy," she whispered, gently touching his face. "We're here. You're going to be okay."
Percy stirred slightly, his swollen eyes cracking open just enough to see her. "Thalia?" he rasped, his voice barely audible. "You came..."
"Of course I did, Seaweed Brain," Thalia choked out, a tear sliding down her cheek. "We all did."
Artemis, seeing her opportunity, delivered a powerful blow to the Woman in Black, forcing her to retreat. The dark figure hissed in frustration and vanished into the shadows, her voice echoing ominously. "This is not the end, Artemis. Your time will come."
With the Avatar gone, the remaining monsters scattered, fleeing into the night. Artemis rushed to the boy's side, That's when she saw it. Her heart ached at the sight of his injuries and of Thalia's tears.
"Percy," Artemis said softly, kneeling beside him. "Stay with us. We're taking you back to our Camp. I'll call for Apollo, he'll heal you I promise"
Percy managed a weak smile, his eyes closing as exhaustion overtook him. "I'll try... for you, Lady Artemis."
Thalia's sobs grew louder, and she clung to Percy's hand, unwilling to let go. Artemis placed a reassuring hand on Thalia's shoulder, feeling a pang of sorrow for her lieutenant's grief.
And for the first time in her life, she shed a tear for a man. A man who was once a boy and had given her and her family everything he had to give and then more.
"We need to move quickly," Artemis said, her voice steady.
She ordered her Huntresses to carry the unconscious Percy on a makeshift gurney. They carried the boy back to camp, and she called to her brother, like always he answered her instantly. When he saw Percy, a cry of rage slipped from his mouth. "Not again he bellowed." He rushed to the Demigod and Placed his hand on his forehead. Then he said the only thing she'd never expected him to say.
"I, I can't heal him….."
Chapter 10: A Maiden's camp:
Artemis didn't know what to say. "What?" was all she could muster." quiet and barely above a whisper.
Thalia sobbed and fell to her knees. Thunder rumbled as her anger was as tangible as the storm she summoned from her grief. "I can prevent his death, heal his wound but…." Apollo paled. "She poisoned him with her darkness. It's the shadow of chaos, the Original state the universe was in before the Primordials were born. The same place Zeus had Chained Hera. It eats your very essence.
The amount within his spirit is in such a diluted state that he won't fade immediately but he will die. His body will wither but at least his soul will remain intact, for now."
"At least" Thalia growled. Apollo looked up at her, his eyes were red, and he wore the face of Lester. When he felt anxious or powerless he would subconsciously slip into that form.
"You Don't Understand Thalia. If you hadn't gotten to him when you did, he wouldn't have died. He would've faded. No afterlife. Just nothingness. He would've ceased to exist. At least now because of you, he has a chance."
Thalia heaved. And Artemis knelt and hugged her friend. "How long does he have?" She found herself asking. "A year, two at most," Apollo responded. "Are you sure we can't do anything? To save him?" She asked.
"I don't know Arty, but I won't stop looking until I've found something." He waved his hands over Percy healing his wounds.
"He'll wake in a couple of hours. He'll be incredibly weak for a while. He won't be able to defend himself for closer to weeks than days."
"I'm leaving, you will take care of him, while I'm gone."
"Where are you going!?" And why can't we bring him to camp? Apollo turned back to her, his form shifting back to his godly aspect. She had never seen him this serious before.
"If he goes back there they'll have him back hunting Titans and Giants within days, and do you think he'll say no?!" Apollo almost yelled it. "He's to stay here. I'll tell Chiron and Will. They'll tell the rest. I'm also grounding them all. No more prophecies no more quests. At least for the time being. Chiron, Dionysius, and I have been discussing it for a while. No more Demigods are dying for Olympus's dereliction of duty!" with that he vanished leaving Artemis truly Stunned.
Chapter 11: Three days later:
Artemis observed the camp with a stern gaze, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Thalia had been neglecting her duties—something that would usually be unacceptable for any member of the Hunt. Loyalty to Artemis was paramount, and distractions, especially those involving men, were not tolerated. Yet, Thalia's unwavering attention to Percy was something Artemis found herself unable to criticize given how often her mind wandered to his broken body fighting for life mere feet from her.
Thalia sat by Percy's side, her fingers lightly brushing his arm, ensuring he was as comfortable as possible. His injuries were severe, and the poison coursing through his veins was something even Apollo had struggled to heal. Thalia's dedication was evident in the dark circles under her eyes and the way she flinched at every sound, ever vigilant for any sign of danger or distress from Percy.
Artemis couldn't deny the strange comfort she felt knowing that Thalia was there. She had always trusted her lieutenant implicitly, and Thalia's feelings for Percy were undeniably platonic. It was a bond forged in shared experiences and mutual respect, not romantic affection. This understanding allowed Artemis to permit Thalia's divided attention, even if it went against her usual expectations.
As the sun set, casting a golden glow over the camp, Artemis found herself drifting closer to where Percy lay. His face was pale, a stark contrast to his dark hair and the bruises marring his skin. He looked so different from the young demigod she first met. The boy who had faced impossible odds with unwavering determination was now a man bearing the weight of countless battles and losses.
Artemis's thoughts wandered to Apollo's words. The poison was insidious, a fragment of chaos itself, threatening to erode Percy's very essence. It was a fate worse than death, and the knowledge that they had narrowly saved him from fading entirely was a small comfort. She found herself watching over him more often than she cared to admit, her presence a silent guardian in the night.
Thalia looked up as Artemis approached, her eyes tired but resolute. "My Lady," she said softly, inclining her head.
"Thalia," Artemis replied, her voice gentler than usual. "How is he?"
Thalia sighed, glancing at Percy. "Stable, for now. Apollo's healing has helped, but he's still so weak. I can't leave him like this."
Artemis nodded, understanding the unspoken plea in Thalia's words. "I know. You've done well, Thalia. Your loyalty to Percy is admirable, but remember your duties to the Hunt."
Thalia's eyes flashed with a hint of defiance, but she quickly tempered it with a deep breath. "I won't abandon him, my Lady. He's done so much for all of us. I owe him this."
Artemis placed a hand on Thalia's shoulder, a rare gesture of affection. "I understand. Just ensure you balance your responsibilities. The Hunt needs you still, but we will take care of Percy, I promise you that."
Thalia nodded, "I will, Artemis. Thank you."
As Artemis turned to leave, she cast one last glance at Percy. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, and for a moment, she allowed herself to hope. Hope that Apollo would find a way to save him, hope that Percy would survive this ordeal and find peace.
Artemis knew that her feelings were more complicated than she cared to admit. She respected Percy, admired his bravery and resilience, and perhaps, she cared for him more than she should. It was a dangerous line to walk, but for now, she would allow herself to walk it if only to ensure his survival.
As the night enveloped the camp, Artemis took her place among her Hunters, her thoughts never straying far from the young man fighting for his life in the tent nearby. The bonds that tied them together were unseen but unbreakable, he held the sky for her, he had befriended her closest companion Zoe, and he was good, not just for a man, but for a Person.
-
Chapter 12: Awakening:
Percy blinked groggily, his eyes adjusting to the soft light filtering through the fabric of the tent. His head throbbed, and every movement sent waves of pain coursing through his body. He tried to sit up, but a hand gently pressed against his chest, urging him to lie back down.
"Take it easy, Percy," came a familiar voice. It was Artemis, her tone gentle yet firm.
"What happened?" Percy managed to croak out, his throat dry and scratchy.
Artemis sighed, her expression somber. "You were poisoned," she explained. "By the Avatar of Nyx. You've been unconscious for four days."
Percy's eyes widened in disbelief. Four days? He had lost track of time completely. Memories of the ambush at the community college flooded back to him, followed by a sense of dread at the thought of what might have happened in his absence.
"The others... Are they okay?" Percy asked, his voice filled with concern.
Artemis nodded reassuringly. "They're fine. Thalia and Apollo have been looking after you."
Thalia stepped forward, her usually stoic expression softened with concern. "Hey, Percy," she said softly. "Good to see you awake."
Percy managed a weak smile in return. "Thanks, Thalia. I owe you one."
Artemis cleared her throat, drawing Percy's attention back to her. "There's something you need to know, Percy," she began, her voice grave. "You were poisoned with a substance known as chaos. It's... it's eating away at your essence."
Percy's heart sank at her words. He knew what she was about to say next, but he needed to hear it, needed to face the truth head-on.
"How long?" he asked quietly, bracing himself for the answer.
Artemis hesitated, her expression pained. "A year, maybe two at most," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Percy closed his eyes, feeling the weight of her words settle over him like a heavy shroud. A year, maybe two. It wasn't enough time. Not nearly enough.
"Who will protect the campers, And wait what about the quest, they could be in danger, they can't be out there without me." He tried to rise but Thalia lightly pushed him back down. "Apollo has grounded all demigods until further notice," she continued. "No one will come to harm because of your inaction, Percy."
Percy nodded, grateful for Apollo's intervention. He knew he couldn't bear the thought of anyone else getting hurt because of him.
Then he slumped, losing all his strength, knowing he didnt need it anymore now that his friends were safe. He allowed himself to grieve. "My Dad, Estelle, Gods, my Mother what will I tell them?" "My Mother has suffered enough heartache because of me. And Estelle oh Estelle, I'll never see you grow up. Percy's voice broke then.
Artemis reached out, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Percy and Thalia were both shocked. Artemis whispered to Percy,
"We won't let you die, I swear to you, I won't rest until you are healed and whole. And should the worse come to pass, I shall protect your Family, I promise you this Perseus."
A single tear fell from Percy's eye as he said "Thank you my lady of the moon"
Artemis felt a blush creeping up her neck.
"You should rest, Percy," Thalia said gently, her hand resting on his arm. "You're still weak, and you need time to recover."
Percy nodded, allowing himself to sink back into the soft embrace of sleep. As his eyelids grew heavy, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the friends who stood by him,
Artemis and Thalia watched over him, for a few more minutes before leaving his tent.
"I noticed you chose your older form." Thalia said grinning "My lady of the moon," She chuckled. Artemis Scowled, and said, "careful sister, or I'll turn you into a Jackalope." Thalia laughed and they returned to their separate roles within the hunt.