Chapter 13: Outcast and Prisoner:
It had taken another whole day before Percy could stand, and two more before he could help with chores around the camp. He had taken anything they could throw at him. Others may have been too proud to cook and clean but Percy understands the privilege Lady Artemis has given him. Other than Apollo and that Monster Orion, Percy was the only man to be allowed entry and refuge with the Hunters of Artemis. He was grateful, so he swallowed his pride and did not rise to the bait set for him. Each insult, each annoyed or disgusted look, the suspicions had been the hardest to stomach. It grated him that any demigod or mortal could think him a traitor or enemy to Olympus, or worse, that he could be dangerous to the Huntresses and their patron. It was a tough two weeks, yet he never complained to Thalia or the Olympian, his pride would not let him, and he was the unwanted guest. They had all the right in the world to dislike him. This went on for weeks. Artemis avoided him. Her mask having fallen for him she replaced her care with dispassioned annoyance at his presence. She was scared at the connotations her feelings created. She would have just sent him back to camp half-blood but for the love she bore her annoying brother. She was caught between the only two men in the world she cared for deeply enough to wither her natural aversions towards males. She kept the Son of Poseidon in her camp. She respected the boy, but so many millennials spent hating men would not be undone so easily, if ever. She of course knew of her charges actions against the hero, but she would not side with him against her own and she didn't trust herself to try and attempt to explain how Percy is different. She's worried her girls would see straight threw her words. She didnt want to fail her Huntresses. "I will protect him for my brother, but he doesn't need to be comfortable while he imposes himself upon my hunt.." She tried to convince herself of the sincerity of her own words. Phoebe had been the worst offender, she pranked Percy often and the pranks were cruel. This went on for weeks, the Hunter's scorn and the Goddess's impassive disdain, until one fateful day one of the Hunt's scouts had returned.
Chapter 14: Revelations:
A Huntress named Hannah returned from scouting. The moment she saw Percy, she instantly recognized him. Three years prior, he had saved her from a rough family life and half a dozen monsters. He had never given her his name. Percy had taken her on a two-week odyssey across the Midwest, trying to protect her. They had begun to learn more about each other when Percy realized Camp Half-Blood wouldn't be what was best for her.
Hannah ran to Percy and gave him a bear hug, much to the shock of the other Hunters. Phoebe, incredulous and slightly offended, stepped forward.
"Hannah, why are you hugging a man?" Phoebe demanded, her tone sharp and accusing.
Hannah pulled away from Percy, turning to face her sisters with a fierce expression. "Do you know who this is? Three years ago, he saved me from a rough family life and half a dozen monsters. He protected me for two weeks, traveling across the Midwest to keep me safe. When he realized Camp Half-Blood wasn't the best place for me, he stopped our journey, took me to the edge of the woods, and lit a fire. He told me he would remain to ensure my safety but would do so out of sight, as the people who would come wouldn't take kindly to his kind."
The Hunters listened in stunned silence as Hannah continued, her voice growing more impassioned. "He told me to pray to Artemis for protection and left my side for the first time in two weeks. I did as he said, and you all found me. Once he knew I was safe, he continued on his way."
Phoebe's expression softened slightly, but her skepticism remained. "Why didn't you tell us this before?"
Hannah glanced at Percy, then back at her sisters. "Because I never knew his name. He never gave it to me. I only recognized him now."
The Hunters murmured among themselves, their previous disdain for Percy wavering. Artemis, who had been silently observing the exchange, stepped forward.
"Is what she said true?" Artemis asked, her voice soft but demanding.
Percy nodded. "Yes, it's true my Lady."
"Why did you do it?" Artemis questioned, her eyes piercing.
Percy sighed, looking at the ground before meeting her gaze. "Because she needed help that I and Chiron could never give her, as I learned more about her and what kind of life she was forced to live I knew what she needed. He looked up sharply, "I didnt take that choice from her if thats what you're thinking, I offered to take her to camp, but I also asked if she would prefer a place devoid of men instead."
Hannah smiled, "If I remember the question correctly you asked me if I'd prefer an all female boarding school or a co-ed one." she giggled "I told him that'd I prefer an all female school, and that was that, he immediately left the path we'd been walking for two weeks and found the first real forest we could find. The rest you all know well."
Artemis studied him for a long moment, her feelings a tumultuous mix. This man continued to defy her expectations, and it unsettled her more than she cared to admit.
Chapter 15: Acceptance:
The atmosphere around the camp began to shift subtly after Hannah's revelation. While the Hunters were still wary of Percy, the outright hostility had faded. Artemis observed this change from a distance, noting how her charges seemed to grudgingly leave Percy in peace. The first signs of acceptance came in small, almost imperceptible ways: they stopped shooting him suspicious glares and ceased their whispered criticisms when he walked by.
Days turned into weeks, and the Hunters' interactions with Percy evolved. It started with casual avoidance, but soon curiosity overcame their reluctance. They began to ask him questions, cautiously at first, but then more openly. Percy's answers were always thoughtful and sincere, reflecting his experiences and the wisdom he had gathered over his many quests. The Hunters found themselves unexpectedly impressed by his humility and the depth of his knowledge.
One afternoon, Phoebe approached Percy while he was helping set up camp. "You've been very critical of the Olympians in the past, why?" she asked, her voice tinged with genuine curiosity.
Percy paused, considering his response. "I think the gods are like us, in a way. They have their strengths and their flaws. They make mistakes, but they also have the power to do incredible good. It's a mixed bag. I see what Gods like your lady can accomplish and it makes me wish the others could follow suit, I know her domain gives her more freedom than most, but still, I wish they'd learn more from their mistakes. It scares me to think what will happen to all my demigod brothers and sisters and Olympus once I'm gone."
Phoebe nodded thoughtfully. She had expected a more simplistic view, but Percy's nuanced perspective made her reconsider her own biases and it didn't hurt that he had complimented her mistress.
Gradually, the Hunters began to include Percy in their activities. It started with small tasks and minor responsibilities, but soon enough, he found himself participating in more significant ways. One morning, Phoebe approached him with a serious expression.
"Percy, we've been training hard for the past few days. Would you like to join us? We could use someone with your experience."
Percy blinked in surprise but quickly smiled. "I'd be honored. But fair warning, I'm dreadful at archery."
The Huntresses exchanged curious glances, and Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "How bad are we talking?"
Percy grinned, a playful glint in his eye. "I'm pretty sure I hold the camp record for the most missed shots in a single session. My aim is so bad, I think my arrows may have been sprayed with target repellent or something."
The Hunters laughed, the tension melting away as Percy's self-deprecating humor broke down the last of their reservations. Phoebe smirked and shook her head. "Well, we can't have that. We'll teach you not to suck, Son of Poseidon."
"Please call me Percy." he had said. The Huntresses had smiled at that.
Training with the Hunters was both humbling and exhilarating for Percy. They were fierce and skilled warriors, their techniques honed to perfection under Artemis's guidance. Percy admired their dedication and discipline, striving to match their prowess. While his archery remained mediocre at best, his swordsmanship and battle instincts impressed even the most skeptical Huntresses.
The turning point came during a particularly grueling training session. Percy had been paired with Phoebe, and despite his best efforts, she bested him in every round of Archery but he had her number when it came to the blade. Breathless and sweating, Percy finally raised his hands in mock surrender. "Call it a draw?" he had asked.
Phoebe chuckled, wiping sweat from her brow. "You're not doing too bad for a mortal. But don't think we're going to go so easy on you next time."
Percy's grin widened. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
As the days passed, Percy's place in the camp solidified. The Hunters no longer saw him as an intruder but as an ally who could be trusted and relied upon. Artemis, too, found herself reassessing her initial judgment. Though she maintained a professional distance, she couldn't deny Percy's positive influence on her Huntresses.
One evening, as the campfire crackled and the Hunters shared stories of past exploits, Percy sat among them, feeling a sense of belonging he hadn't experienced in a long time. Thalia, sitting beside him, nudged him with a smile.
"Seems my sisters have learned to tolerate the company of a man," she laughed. "You've finally won them over, Seaweed Brain."
Percy chuckled, looking around at the faces illuminated by the firelight. "Maybe. But I think I've learned just as much from them. I can even hit the target I'm aiming at now, most of the time, he said chuckling."
Artemis watched from the edge of the camp, a contemplative look in her eyes, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions raging within her head, she knew she couldn't keep avoiding him, she just wondered what she'd say to him when they finally spoke again.
Chapter 16: Mutual Friend:
The camp was quiet as the stars twinkled in the clear night sky. Artemis walked through the shadows, her keen eyes catching a familiar figure sitting at the edge of the camp. Percy was there again, as he had been every night since he arrived, staring up at the heavens. His sword, Anaklusmos, lay across his lap, and he carefully tended to its edge with a whetstone, the metallic sound blending with the soft murmurs of the night.
Curiosity piqued, Artemis approached him silently, her presence almost ethereal in the moonlight. She had noticed this ritual of his—a nightly vigil spent caring for his weapon and gazing at the stars. Tonight, she decided to confront him about it.
"Percy," she called softly, her voice breaking the stillness.
Percy jolted slightly, then looked up to see Artemis standing there. He quickly averted his gaze, his face pale and tense. "Lady Artemis," he acknowledged with a nod, trying to mask his surprise.
Artemis took a seat beside him, her silver eyes reflecting the starlight. "I've noticed you spend considerable time out here each night. What are you searching for in the stars?"
Percy sighed deeply, his fingers pausing in their work on Anaklusmos. "It's not so much searching as remembering," he said quietly, still avoiding her gaze.
Artemis raised an eyebrow. "Remembering what?"
He hesitated, then finally met her eyes. "Seeing you on Olympus reminded me of someone," he began, his voice tinged with sorrow. "It reminded me of Zoe."
The name hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken emotions. Artemis's eyes widened in surprise. "Zoe Nightshade?"
Percy nodded, his expression pained. "I hadn't thought of her in years, and when I did... I felt this overwhelming sadness and shame. That's why I left so quickly. Since then, every night, I spend an hour caring for her blade and thinking of her while looking at her constellation."
Artemis was stunned. She had not expected this. Zoe had been a cherished lieutenant, a steadfast companion for millennia. Her loss still resonated deeply within Artemis's immortal heart. For Percy to hold such a vigil spoke volumes of his character and the bonds he had forged with her oldest friend Zoe.
After a moment of silence, Artemis finally found her voice. "It's your sword, Percy."
Percy looked confused. "What?"
"Anaklusmos," she clarified, her voice soft but firm. "She gave it to you. The sword is yours. That's what she would have wanted."
A single tear traced its way down Percy's cheek, and for a moment, Artemis saw not the powerful demigod, but the young boy who had once braved countless dangers. "So many are gone," he whispered, his voice breaking. "They were the true heroes. Beckendorf, Silena, Jason, and... and Zoe."
Artemis felt a pang of empathy. She reached out and placed a comforting hand on Percy's shoulder. "They were all heroes, Percy. And so are you. Zoe trusted you with her blade because she saw the hero in you, just as the rest of us do."
Percy bowed his head, overcome with emotion. "It just feels like... like I could have done more. Saved more of them."
"You did everything you could," Artemis said firmly. Her face was stern. "You are too hard on you're self. Your selflessness does you credit hero, but I will not hear you disparage yourself, it isn't what any of your fallen friends would've wanted." "Zoe had a hard life, but a good one, and I'm glad she befriended you Perseus."
Percy's face darkened, a flicker of anger crossing his features. "I wished I had been with Jason when he and Piper met Hercules," he muttered. "But it was probably for the best that I wasn't. I don't think I could've held my temper."
Artemis felt a surge of understanding. Hercules had been a sore subject for many who knew the true stories behind his legend, especially for Zoe and her companions. "Hercules had his flaws," she said quietly. "More than most realize."
They sat in silence for a while, the stars above them a silent witness to their shared grief and respect for the fallen. Eventually, Percy looked up, his eyes reflecting a new resolve. "Thank you, Lady Artemis."
Artemis nodded, standing up and leaving, as she did she turned and said "Be well Percy and please get some rest. "Apollo would never forgive me if something happened to you." and fates forgive me, she thought, neither would I.
Percy stood, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. As they walked back to the camp together, he felt a sense of peace settle over him, knowing that Zoe's legacy lived on not just in the stars, but in the very sword he carried and the memories those who loved her still cherished.
Chapter 17 - PoV Artemis:
She had been watching him. Never in her many millennia had she been so fascinated with a god, let alone a mortal. Perseus was an enigma. Just when she thought he couldn't earn any more of her respect, he proved her wrong. She had tried to distance herself from him, convincing herself that her lapse in coldness was for her siblings' sake. She comforted the Sea God's spawn to make her little sister and lieutenant happy. But those few weeks of isolation for Percy proved her wrong yet again. She couldn't understand it; it almost drove her to madness.
She had watched him then as she did now. She expected annoyance, even anger. She believed his pride would be too great to perform the tasks she had provided. She didn't want to admit it, but it was a test of sorts. Yes, the chores she gave him were the same as her Huntresses', but she had lessened their duties due to his presence in their camp. She didn't want to chase him off—her brother would have been furious if she had—but she did want to punish him for being in her camp and making her and her companions uncomfortable. It annoyed her how much she thought about him, so she decided to take it out on him, and yet…
And yet, he never once complained, even when her Huntresses pranked him. They set traps for him; one moment he'd be walking to the river to do laundry, and the next he was hanging upside down from a tree. She expected him to rage, expecting to have to separate him from her girls—that's what she and her companions would have done at such an indignity. Instead, he laughed. Laughed! Full of mirth, he chuckled and drew his sword. The Huntresses backed away to a suitable distance for ranged combat. She almost intervened, angry that he'd draw a sword in her camp, but he simply cut the rope holding him up, landing softly on his feet before stowing his sword back into its pen form. He grinned at the Huntresses, telling them, "I'd rather not have holes in me or my clothes. Please lower your bows." They did after a couple of seconds. His grin became a smile as he said, "Guess I'll have to look out for traps in camp, huh? Unless you'd like to show me where to walk safely? No? Alright then." He was still laughing as he walked away towards the river.
Her Huntresses were even worse after this. Embarrassed by his response, they couldn't figure out why, but his calmness and maturity irked them. They got more creative with their pranks, which became crueler and crueler. Every time, he was patient, calmly entertaining their behavior like a parent trying to explain the intricacies of right and wrong. It all fell on deaf ears, of course. She had to remind herself that he had grown, that mortals change much quicker than immortals. Despite only a few years having passed—a blink of an eye for an immortal—Percy had aged. He was almost of an age with her father and Uncles, abstractly of course. He must be in his mid-twenties, but for mortals, experience is as important as time when it comes to growing up.
Then it all changed. Dear Hannah had only been with the Hunt for a short time but had already grown to be loved by all the women of silver. Artemis's heart dropped when she saw the look on Hannah's face upon seeing Percy. When she ran to him, wrapping her arms around him in a bear hug, all Artemis could think was love. She thought she had lost another Huntress, but then Hannah spoke after Phoebe's rebuke.
"Do you know who this is? Three years ago, he saved me from a rough family life and half a dozen monsters. He protected me for two weeks, traveling across the Midwest to keep me safe. When he realized Camp Half-Blood wasn't the best place for me, he stopped our journey, took me to the edge of the woods, and lit a fire. He told me he would remain to ensure my safety but would do so out of sight, as the people who would come wouldn't take kindly to his kind."
Artemis saw it then—love indeed, but one far more conducive to the maiden goddess's lifestyle. The flicker of annoyance at Percy's presumption that he'd be unsafe with her Huntresses was outweighed by his explanation.
"I didn't take that choice from her if that's what you're thinking. I offered to take her to camp, but I also asked if she would prefer a place devoid of men instead," he had said. Evidently choice was important to this demigod; it made sense—the sea did not like to be restrained.
She even chuckled with Hannah at how he described both Camp Half-Blood and the Hunt. "If I remember the question correctly, you asked me if I'd prefer an all-female boarding school or a co-ed one," Hannah explained, recounting his descriptions of both. So simple, yet it spoke to a deeper understanding of her Hunt than she had expected from anyone outside her closest confidants, especially a man. She was so confused, she barely uttered a word to him. Instead, she returned to her natural state, stalking around her camp, watching the demigod's interactions with her Huntresses.
It started slowly, but she saw them accept him. For the first time in millennia, her maidens had accepted the company of a man. They offered him a chance to train with them, and he made fun of his dreadful abilities with the bow before graciously accepting. This was the last wall falling, and he was finally accepted. She had heard her sister congratulate him after he had been truly accepted.
"Seems my sisters have learned to tolerate the company of a man," she laughed. "You've finally won them over, Seaweed Brain."
Percy chuckled, looking around at the faces illuminated by the firelight. "Maybe. But I think I've learned just as much from them. I can even hit the target I'm aiming at with my bow now."
Artemis had smiled at that. Her anger at her conflicting emotions was slowly being forgotten, replaced by a warm feeling in her heart as she realized she had come to accept this man as well.
She had been walking the camp that night. She had seen the son of the sea every night out here, sharpening her oldest friend's sword and staring at the sky, a hint of sorrow glazing his sea-green eyes. She had finally decided to talk to him instead of watching from a distance. She approached him.
"Percy," she called softly, her voice breaking the stillness.
Percy jolted slightly, then looked up to see Artemis standing there. He quickly averted his gaze, his face pale and tense. "Lady Artemis," he acknowledged with a nod, trying to mask his surprise.
Why was he so tense? Was he scared of me? Or is that guilt I see in his eyes?
"I've noticed you spend a considerable amount of time out here each night. What are you searching for in the stars?"
Percy sighed deeply, his fingers pausing in their work on Anaklusmos. "It's not so much searching as remembering," he said quietly, still avoiding her gaze.
She raised an auburn brow. "Remembering what?" she asked him.
He hesitated, then finally met her eyes. They held a sadness that only a mortal who has lost too much and lived too long could hold. "Seeing you on Olympus reminded me of someone," he began, his voice tinged with sorrow. "It reminded me of Zoe."
The name hung in the air between them, heavy with their shared grief. Artemis's eyes widened in surprise. "Zoe Nightshade?" she asked softly.
Percy nodded, his expression pained. "I hadn't thought of her in years, and when I did... I felt this overwhelming sadness and shame. That's why I left so quickly. Since then, every night, I spend an hour caring for her blade and thinking of her while looking at her constellation."
Artemis sat in stunned silence. She had not expected this. Zoe had been a cherished lieutenant, a steadfast companion for millennia. Her loss still burdened her heart deeply. For Percy to hold such a vigil spoke to his character far more than any of his many deeds, and to the bonds he had forged with her oldest friend Zoe. After a moment of silence, Artemis finally found her voice.
"It's your sword, Percy."
Percy looked confused. "What?"
"Anaklusmos," she clarified, her voice soft but firm. "She gave it to you. The sword is yours. That's what she would have wanted."
A single tear traced its way down Percy's cheek, and for a moment, Artemis saw not the powerful demigod, nor the weary man, but the young boy he had once been. The boy who had braved countless dangers for the ones he cherished. "So many are gone," he whispered, his voice breaking. "They were the true heroes. Beckendorf, Silena, Jason, and... and Zoe."
Artemis felt a pang of empathy. She reached out and placed a comforting hand on Percy's shoulder. Why must I feel so deeply for his sadness? she thought to herself. "They were all heroes, Percy. And so are you. Zoe trusted you with her blade because she saw the hero in you, just as the rest of us do."
Percy lowered his head, looking at his feet. "It just feels like... like I could have done more. Saved more of them."
"You did everything you could," Artemis said firmly. Her face was stern. Why must he carry these weights?! Why must he be so perfect? She thought of her many failings when she had the power and the capabilities to do more. She understood him then. Regret was a feeling all who had lived long enough had felt all too keenly. "You are too hard on yourself. Your selflessness does you credit, hero, but I will not hear you disparage yourself. It isn't what any of your fallen friends would've wanted. Zoe had a hard life, but a good one, and I'm glad she befriended you, Perseus."
Percy's face darkened, a flicker of anger crossing his features. "I wished I had been with Jason when he and Piper met Hercules," he muttered. "But it was probably for the best that I wasn't. I don't think I could've held my temper."
Artemis felt a surge of shared anger with Percy. Hercules had been a sore subject for many who knew the true stories behind his legend, especially for Zoe and her companions. "Hercules had his flaws," she said quietly. "More than most realize."
They sat in silence for a while, the stars above them a silent witness to their shared grief and respect for the fallen. Eventually, Percy looked up, his eyes reflecting a new resolve. "Thank you, Lady Artemis."
Artemis nodded, standing up and leaving. As she did, she turned and said, "Be well, Percy, and please get some rest. Apollo would never forgive me if something happened to you." And fates forgive me, she thought, neither would I.
That had been four nights ago. Percy still kept his nightly vigil, though she hadn't the strength to join him again. During the days, he continued his chores and training with her Hunters. He had settled into a routine, and she and her girls had truly begun to accept him. But when the sky rumbled with thunder and she had received the summons back to Olympus. She feared his time with them was over for she would not be going alone.
Chapter 18: Olympus Calling
The air of the Council chambers shimmered with power as the gods materialized, the smells of sulfur, ozone, and the sea mingling together. The scent that caught Percy's attention was one he couldn't quite place. It was juniper and pine, the smell of freshly fallen rain in some distant forest of a long-forgotten age. He smiled to himself, content for the first time in years.
"What are you smiling at?" Artemis scowled at him. She was angrier than usual lately. Ever since the sky rumbled and they were called back to Olympus, her silver eyes shone with fire.
"I don't know," Percy found himself saying. "For some reason, I feel happy, and content." He closed his eyes and smiled again. "There is a scent, it's… I can't explain it. Pine and juniper, a hint of wildflowers, and the cool, crisp air of a morning in the mountains."
Artemis's POV:
Artemis's scowl softened as she breathed in. Sulfur mingled with the damp, earthy scent of freshly turned soil—a whisper of decay and the faintest hint of ancient stone. That's Uncle Hades. The fresh, briny aroma of the sea, layered with the crisp scent of salt and the gentle undertones of seaweed—that's Uncle Poseidon. The sharp, electric tang of ozone, reminiscent of the air just before a thunderstorm, a blend of rain-soaked earth and the metallic taste of lightning—definitely my father. She frowned with slight annoyance. Surely it was not Aphrodite.
It'd make sense though; each god looked like and carried the aroma of their domain, usually in an idealized state. Aphrodite, being the goddess of love, morphs into whatever the person most desires. Poseidon had forbidden her from messing with Percy. But why should I care anyway? Why did she feel so annoyed at the thought of Percy enjoying Aphrodite's scent? Artemis didn't want her to ruin her only male friend. Yes, that's why she was annoyed.
She wondered if Annabeth was outdoorsy. She didn't think so. She'd expect her to smell of parchment, like a newly opened old book, or a library, like her mother. Thinking of the daughter of Athena annoyed her as well. Why? She hurt Percy, a small voice said in the back of her head. Percy, she thought, and she smiled as well. Percy smelled of the sea like his father, but different. She couldn't quite explain the difference. Poseidon smelled like a brewing storm; Percy was more like the calmer side of the ocean—not the terror of the deep sea but rather the comfort of the beach, the shoreline. His scent was sea salt mingled with earthy tones, like how it smelled when waves came crashing against rocky cliffs, tempered by a citrusy smell like a paradise beach full of fruit trees and life. There was a youthful vitality in his aroma, a blend of fresh coastal winds. She didn't understand, but she could almost feel the cool breeze that comes off the ocean on a hot day whenever he came close to her. It always made her shiver, though she would never admit it. She had grown accustomed to the scent since he joined her Hunt. Yes, a friend indeed, said that little voice in her head. Her smile quickly turned back into a scowl.
Percy's POV:
She had stopped scowling for a second and breathed in deeply. At first, she seemed to concentrate, her face serene. He always loved when she concentrated on something, whether she was hunting or shooting arrows. He'd never say that out loud as he valued his life. Her face shifted to one of annoyance, and Percy was worried she could read his thoughts. But just as soon as it had come, it had shifted into a… a smile. It confused him greatly. What was she thinking about? But again, her face changed, becoming a scowl once again as she opened her eyes. She looked right at him, and he could almost see a golden blush creep up her neck.
"Come," she said. "It's never wise to keep my father waiting."
I followed her until she started towards her throne. We parted then, and I didn't like how much it bothered me. We had only spent a few weeks together, but already she meant a lot to me. Damn my fatal flaw! I thought to myself.
I walked to Zeus and bowed before turning to my father and falling to one knee. "What do I owe the pleasure?" I asked.
My father smiled down at me. "Apollo has told us of what has happened." He looked more concerned now than I had ever seen him before. "War isn't coming. It is already here," he said grimly.
"So I failed," I said.
"No," Zeus declared. Confusion was evident on my face, causing the King of the Gods to smile. "You have done more for Olympus than any mortal or god before you, and likely after you. I am sorry, Jackson." They know, I thought. Of course, they do, you little fool.
"I know I don't have much longer. I also know that if Apollo doesn't find a cure, I'll fade within two years. So the solution is simple, isn't it?" I asked. All the gods but one had confused looks on their faces. The grey eyes met mine.
"No," Athena said, almost a whisper. "You have done much for my family, Perseus, and for that, I thank you. But you saved my daughter, more than once, You saved her from the pit when you chose to fall with her instead of saving yourself. You allowed her to leave you so she could have the life she always desired and deserved. I'll never cast my vote for that."
"What?" Mr. D asked. "What is the foolish boy trying to do now?"
"Yeah," Apollo said, exasperated. "I can't heal you if you go off and get yourself killed!"
"Son, he'll find a cure. Just hold on, we have a plan." Poseidon looked to his little brother imploringly.
"He's right, nephew. We have a reward for you."
Hades was staring at Percy, studying his nephew intently. Artemis was staring too, but Percy couldn't decipher the thought behind those beautiful silver eyes.
"You intend to return to the pit." Hades said it not as a question but a fact.
All the gods turned their heads from Hades back to Percy. In their eyes was the final comprehension of his fatal flaw. Of his loyalty to them.
He took a deep breath and spoke. "Yes."
Then it happened, Chaos incarnate.
"Fool," bellowed Ares. Despite their many differences, Percy's continued loyalty to Olympus and the warrior life he had lived had earned him the respect of the war god. It didn't hurt that he was friends with many of his favorite children.
"Why?" Such a simple question, from such a small voice. The little girl tending her hearth was staring at Percy, pain upon her fair features.
"Perseus," Dionysus had said. The fact he got his name right was not lost on Percy.
"Son. I won't allow it," Poseidon said. His voice was quiet, devoid of its typical power and rumble. The sea's power was quenched by grief.
"Jackson," Zeus spoke, devoid of its usual dramatic flair. "We couldn't ask this of you. We wouldn't."
"It's the only thing that makes sense. I'll go to Nyx's very palace, and there I'll defeat her. I'll cast her and her brother into Chaos like Apollo did to Python." With Gaia and Ouranos asleep and Pontus loyal to Olympus, there will finally be no true rival to the Olympians. The mortal world will be safe, the divine world as well. My family, my friends, they'll all be safe. I only ask for one thing."
"Name it," Zeus spoke.
"No!" stormed Poseidon.
"It's the only thing that makes sense. Either this or all your children will have to fight in another war. The mortals, Huntresses, demigods, and maybe even gods will die."
"But…" Poseidon whispered "I've already made up my mind. I just want your oaths," I said.
"You'll have them," spoke half a dozen Olympians.
"I want you to protect your children. Because I won't be able to anymore." Percy declared.
"We swear on the Styx," they spoke in unison, and thunder rumbled.
Percy had expected his father to be upset, Apollo, Hestia, and maybe Mr. D, but he'd never imagined that the angriest divine was the silver goddess herself. She was quicker even than her brother.
"You foolish boy, those who care about you, do they mean nothing to you?"
"They're why I'm doing it," I said sheepishly.
Artemis's POV:
She looked around at her fellow gods. "No, I see now what Apollo was trying to tell me, but I was too blind and callous to see. They know how to play you, can't you see?" She almost screamed it.
"I….." Percy stuttered.
"We didn't play him, sister," Athena whispered.
"Didn't you?" Artemis asked, venom dripping off every syllable.
"Why do you care?" Aphrodite asked.
"Because I do!" Artemis responded, getting angrier and angrier.
"But why?" Aphrodite asked, sitting on the edge of her throne as if the most important thing in her universe was about to be confessed.
She looked around, at all the gods, all staring in disbelief at what they were hearing. Poseidon had hope and endearment in his eyes. Whatever comes from this, he will never forget her and her Twins care for his son.
She blushed, and Aphrodite gasped. "No!? Really?" she asked, dumbfounded.
Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of gold, and she averted her gaze, unable to meet Percy's eyes. "Please don't go," she spoke directly into his mind. Percy was at a loss for words, his face heating up as he locked eyes with her, "I have to, you know that." She did. Fates help her, but she knew. The sea can't be restrained, just like the moon. And he wouldn't stand by and watch any more friends fall when he had the power to help. He couldn't stop. Now she understood why. It was his fatal flaw, a compulsion to save others even if it meant losing everything, even if it left the ones he loved most broken and alone.
"Don't leave without saying your farewells to my Huntresses," she said coldly, before flashing away.
Percy's POV For the second time in his life, Percy had to watch a woman he loved leave him, heartbroken at his choices. His heart ached; he felt like he had betrayed Artemis. She defied her very nature for his sake, his safety. He did love her. He'd never admitted it, nor would he have even realized it had Aphrodite not pointed out Artemis's feelings to all the gods assembled. He felt shame for causing her to suffer such embarrassment on his account. For her family and peers to see her walls of ice finally melt.
"Can someone teleport me to say my goodbyes?"
"I will, son," Poseidon said sadly. "We'll go to your mother's first." And with that, Mount Olympus faded away, being replaced by the door of his mother's apartment. Where he'd be forced to break yet another heart.
Chapter 19 - Goodbyes:
Percy's POV:
He knocked on the door, his heart pounding. He'd rather face a thousand hellhounds than have this conversation. His mother opened the door, her smile flickering with worry etched across her face. "Percy, Poseidon, what are you doing here?" Her eyes lingered on her son. "I heard you were on another quest. You look... tired, Percy. Are you alright?"
"Sally," my father spoke, "there is much to discuss. I think we should sit, if you are okay with that."
She looked very concerned now. "Of course," she said, leading us into the kitchen. "Paul, could you go and grab Estelle, please? Percy is here." She said, fake excitement in her voice. Paul left to gather Percy's little sister. Once everyone was gathered, I spoke. I explained where I had been these last few weeks, what happened to me, my new condition, the brewing war, how Nyx is planning to return the world to the state it was in before Nature, the Gods, and Mortals existed, and how that would spell the end for all life on earth. My mother handled it well, but her face could only hide her grief so much. "How long do you have, Percy?" she asked. Poseidon answered.
"Apollo is searching for a cure. Zeus even released Asclepius from his prison. I won't give up hope." He looked pointedly at Percy.
"What does he mean, Percy?" Sally asked. "What are you planning?" she asked sharply.
I sighed. "I can end this war before it gets out of hand. I've been thinking about this ever since I learned of Nyx's plan and my illness. If I can get back to her palace, I can ambush her. She's expended all her power to have an avatar in the mortal realm; she should be weaker."
"That's not guaranteed," my father stated bluntly.
"No, but the Gods are restricted in what they can do. They can't make the first move. Demigods can, and no other demigod would stand a chance. I've been down there." I shivered. "I know I can do it. Uncle Hades has sworn he'd send the Furies to extract me whenever I wish to leave."
"He doesn't want you to go either. Almost the entire council is united against this, son. We see your point, but we have learned from our mistakes. We won't fail our children again. Apollo was right; it's our responsibility."
"But you can't act quickly enough, even if you want to," I said, resigned to another argument. "I can feel it. Don't forget that I've been on the edge of Chaos. I know how it feels to fade. There isn't a cure. I know it to be true."
Poseidon's eyes blazed. Percy pitied any sailors out on the sea tonight. "I won't believe it!" he said in a huff.
Sally's eyes were red, but she laid a hand on Poseidon's arm. "Percy, do you remember what I told you all those years ago when Annabeth was kidnapped?"
Percy smiled. "You told me that you knew I had to go, that you knew it was my destiny. But to please be careful. You made me promise that I'd come back. And I told you I would try."
Sally tried to smile. She looked at Poseidon, the man she used to love with all her heart. "I knew from the day he was born that he would live a hard life. I prayed every day that he'd have a happily ever after. That's why I named him Perseus. But I accepted long ago who he was. I tried most of my life to protect him, to shield him from your world. I failed." She smiled sadly, her eyes glistening.
"We can't ask him to go against his nature, no more than I could ask it of you, or you of me." She said to Poseidon, she looked at me, her eyes alight with purpose. "But I won't accept anything but your oath that you will return to me, to all of us. I don't believe you when you say there is no hope. There is always hope, as long as you choose to see it."
"I... okay, I swear it," I said.
"No," she said sternly, "swear it on the Styx."
"I swear on the Styx I will come back to you... all of you," I said, looking at my father, and mother. Paul, and Estelle had just entered the room Estelle ran to me jumping on me, and hugging me as hard as her little arms could manage.
And then the thunder rumbled, sealing my words into law.
Artemis's POV:
The flickering light of the campfire danced across the faces of the Huntresses as they sat in a semicircle, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. Young Hannah, Thalia Grace, Phoebe, and Cassandra sat closest to Artemis, their eyes fixed on her with an intensity that demanded answers from their Mistress.
Artemis took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she had to say. The events of the council meeting on Olympus still swirled in her mind, a chaotic blend of emotions doubts.
"You all know the severity of the situation," she began, her voice edged with a mixture of frustration and sorrow. "Nyx's return is upon us, and her plans to throw the world into chaos are already in motion."
Thalia's fists tightened, her knuckles white. "When we found Percy he was surrounded by monsters and they were led by a lady in black. He told us who she was and of her plans. But we didn't realize how close the war was."
Artemis nodded, her eyes hardening. "War isn't just coming. It's already here. Tarturaus has begun to stir, Ouranos and Gaia wake. Pontus has told us himself, he alone of the Primordials stand with Olympus, with Civilization and Nature. We won't be fighting Just Titans and Giants this time but reality itself. Darkness, Terror and Earth shall come for us, and all their children with them."
A murmur of disbelief and fear rippled through the Huntresses. Young Hannah, her face pale, looked up at Artemis with wide eyes. "But Lady Artemis, how could we possibly survive this?" Artemis's heart ached at the mix of anger and worry in Hannah's voice. She nodded slowly, her frustration evident. "Percy Jackson," she whispered. "He is driven by his need to protect, to save others, even at great cost to himself. It's his fatal flaw—his loyalty. But this time, his loyalty has led him to a decision that puts not just his life but his entire existence at risk."
Phoebe, her voice laced with anger, spoke up. "What has he done?"
"It's what he intends to do," Artemis whispered, her face pale.
None of her Huntresses had seen their Mistress this shaken before. They didn't know how to react. Thalia was the first to ask the question that hung in the air like an omen of destruction.
"What does he intend to do, my lady?" she asked.
"He means to strike the Primordials in their lair. To destroy them once and for all before they can manage to wake their kin. He means to go back to Tartarus, and this time alone. He means to banish Nyx and Tartarus to Chaos. He believes he's already fated to fade. So he sees himself as expendable. Tartarus couldn't hold his soul, because soon he won't have one. He'll cease." Artemis's voice trailed off as she thought of that poor foolish boy.
"No," Thalia whispered, "I didn't know. How can he be fading? We got there in time!" she almost screamed.
"Nyx's poison was delayed. Apollo meant what he said. That we saved him from fading right away. But when he said two years, he didn't mean two years to live, he meant two years to exist. He's been searching for a cure ever since. Father has released Asclepius. They even asked him if his death cure could save Percy, but he said no. They have been working day and night to develop a cure. But Percy doesn't care," Artemis said bitterly. "He intends to be the Hero. He won't have anyone die if there is something he can do to save them."
"What can we do?" the question came from almost all her girls, determination in each syllable.
Artemis looked around at the faces of her Huntresses, feeling a surge of pride and a pang of frustration. "Percy believes he must confront Nyx directly, to prevent more destruction and to protect those he cares about. He thinks sacrificing himself is the only way to end this. He made us Olympians swear to defend all Demigods, as he won't be there to do it anymore. I intend to do just that. And pray to the fates that he comes back to me."
Cassandra, daughter of Apollo, who had been silent until now, raised her head. Her golden eyes shone with a mix of wonder and fear. "Lady Artemis, you care for Percy, don't you?"
The question hung in the air, and Artemis felt a pang of vulnerability. She looked down for a moment, gathering her thoughts. When she raised her head, her expression was resolute but tinged with frustration. "Percy is a friend, and he has proven himself time and again. I care for all my friends, and I will do everything in my power to ensure his safety. But his decision to face Nyx alone wounds me deeply, and I don't know why," she said.
Thalia, ever perceptive, gave Artemis a knowing look. "You're angry because you care about him more than you want to admit."
Artemis nodded her head. "My heart aches at the thought of losing him." She looked to her Huntresses sadly. "I'm sorry; all of you must feel like I've failed you," she whispered.
"Never!" came a chorus of voices. "He's earned not just our respect, my lady, but also our love. We feel for him as we feel for any of our sisters. We'd do anything to protect him."
She smiled at her Huntresses, grateful to have them in her eternal life.
The Huntresses were silent, absorbing Artemis's words. The fire crackled a stark contrast to the tension in the air.
Cassandra's eyes met Artemis's, a silent understanding passing between them. "We won't fail him, my lady, and we too will pray for his safe return," she said firmly.
"No, we won't," Artemis agreed. "We are the Huntresses of Artemis. We do not back down from a challenge, nor will we shrink away from our new responsibilities in protecting all my kin's many… many children."
The girls nodded in agreement, their expressions firming with resolve.
"Prepare yourselves," Artemis said. "We will train harder, hunt more fiercely, and stand ready for whatever comes. Percy may face the darkness in the pit, but he will not face it alone, I swear it on the Styx," and the thunder rumbled.
As the fire crackled and the night deepened, the Huntresses dispersed to their tents, their minds buzzing with the weight of what they had learned. Artemis remained by the fire, staring into the flames, her thoughts drifting back to the council meeting and the unexpected emotions that had surfaced there.
She had always prided herself on her independence, her strength. Yet, Percy had managed to slip past her defenses, to find a place in her heart she hadn't realized was vulnerable. The thought both unsettled and comforted her.
"Please don't go," she had pleaded with him in the council chamber. And now, she found herself whispering those same words to the night sky, hoping that somehow, the Fates would hear her and show mercy.
But as the goddess of the hunt, she knew better than to rely on hope alone. She would fight, and she would protect those she cared for, no matter the cost.
Artemis stayed out by the fire long after its flames had turned to cinders. She sat and stared up at her oldest friend, who now danced in the stars. "You would know what to do; you always seemed to," she said, a tear falling from her silver eye. "I miss you, old friend."