I was gonna publish this on the Saturday, then I changed it to Friday because I would be busy on the Saturday, now I'm also gonna be busy tomorrow. As such, enjoy the chapter now. Also, it's probably relevant to say this, but this might be the second-to-last chapter. Yeah. However, it's probably not gonna be a permanent end. More on that next week. For now, reviews:
Death Fury: thank you!
Posaitan: I meant in the sense of something happening immediately because of a simple kiss like in the April Fools chapter, however she will feel bad as a mortal, even if she has good company.
TheFiction101: let the future be discussed next week. I promise it will be worth it.
LCon: thanks! And yes, Styx was very based off canon, although without her being angry specifically at Artemis like she was with Apollo during TOA.
"And what's the matter, milady?"
The matter.
How would Artemis tell her lieutenant that she went against the most basic principle of the entire operation?
Not through an Iris Message, of course.
"Again, wait for me at my palace. Preferably just you. Then we will talk."
Through the Mist, Thalia seemed worried and curious.
"I don't think Reyna will want to be left alone here. We're on the brink of a war between us and the rest of Camp. The Aphrodite Cabin was almost lit by Greek Fire; Accidentally, of course."
On the other couch, Percy laughed loudly. Artemis on the other hand was not all too pleased by the news.
"You're all authorized to leave Camp Half-Blood, then. But I only want you-"
"And Reyna?"
"And Reyna," Artemis conceded. "To meet me at my palace at around six. Things will make sense then."
"Alright, milady." Thalia said, still looking concerned. "I do hope there are some answers. I'm feeling very confused right now "
"There will be." The goddess told the huntress, and with a final bow from Thalia, the connection was cut. Artemis followed the call by lying down on the couch in an abrupt manner.
"Are you okay?" Percy, now her... boyfriend? Was this an appropriate term? Anyway, Percy asked her with concern, sitting straight on his couch.
"As far as I can be, just hours away from losing my divinity." Artemis spoke without thinking. She came to her senses when there wasn't an answer from Percy. Turning to look at him, he had a lost look on his face.
"Percy..." She said in a sweeter tone. "That's not what I meant; you know that."
"Alright," Percy said, resting his chin on his fist. "I get it. Adapting won't be easy. Judging from how Apollo described it, it felt like hell for him."
"How does it feel, really?" Artemis found herself asking this simple question. How was it to be mortal?
Percy shifted on the couch. "For starters, you can die."
Artemis rolled her eyes as he flashed a grin in her direction. "Truly ingenious."
"You can't say I'm lying." He said, but his smile faded soon after. "You do value your life, usually. Self-preservation is very important if you're a mortal."
"Something that you are always lacking." Artemis recalled all the near-death experiences he had in the last few weeks. And that was just what she witnessed.
"Whatever. Anyway," Percy continued, although a smirk briefly appeared on his face. "Just know that you will probably feel weak, fragile, exposed, and like the wind itself can knock you out."
She raised an eyebrow at that. "That's an interesting way to describe it. Almost like a self-experience."
"That's how I felt after losing the Curse of Achilles," Percy told her. "I'd imagine it won't be too different. Probably worse."
Artemis nodded. "Fair enough."
"But don't worry milady, I will be looking out for you." Percy said with a smirk. Since the last night, he had been getting more confident in his words, being more playful with her. Artemis had to admit, she didn't have anything against that. She would go as far as to say that she enjoyed it.
"Please," Artemis scoffed with a smile. "The last thing I need is to have a man protecting me. Remember I can still smite you for now."
Percy raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, no need for violence." He looked at the clock on the wall, leading Artemis to do the same.
"Three already." Percy read the time. Styx had sent them a brief message, saying that the "trial", as the river deity had put it, was happening at 3:30 in the afternoon. Percy already had lunch, but Artemis felt no desire to eat whatsoever.
"We should probably be going," Artemis told him. "The last thing we need is to be late."
"Won't you need a lawyer?" Percy said, getting up from the couch. "If it's a trial like she said."
"I hardly believe this will be necessary," Artemis spoke after some thought, also getting on her feet. "If anything, it will be over quickly anyway."
"I do hope so." He answered, approaching her. "Short route today?"
"Of course," Artemis confirmed, confidently grabbing his right hand, and meeting his gaze. "Or do you want to wait for your hellhound?"
"No, I think I'm fine," Percy answered slowly. Artemis, in another stroke of bravery, pulled him closer and kissed him briefly, but just enough to calm both of them.
"We will both be." The goddess said with a smile that was answered in kind. She was glad that Percy was adapting, not freezing after they kissed. At any rate, it would be a long way for the couple to get comfortable in this new reality.
With that curious last thought, Artemis flashed out of the house, the home of the gods being the destination of her mind.
Artemis was not expecting the crowd.
To be fair, it wasn't actually a crowd, but she didn't expect for the entire expanded Olympian Council to be here. The whole gang, from her father to Nemesis, from Hera to Hebe, and even Hades was present. However, they were not all. The three Fates themselves, along with Styx, were also attending the meeting.
The room had been rearranged in an impressive manner, roughly resembling of a courtroom. Artemis was currently seated in the middle of the thrones, where demigods would usually stay after quests, her marble chair decorated with comfortable red pillows not being enough to make her calmer. The Fates and Styx were not in thrones, but they were the size of the minor Olympians. Artemis had desired for Percy to be here, but she could see that it would be a problem, since none of the council, baring Aphrodite and Apollo, knew of her new affair. Instead, the demigod was safely staying in her "palace." It wasn't much of a palace, compared to the other gods, but it wasn't anything modest. Not that she wished for that, but because Annabeth Chase insisted that the place should command the level of respect that Artemis's name demanded. The goddess chose not to argue with that.
She was driven out of her thoughts when Styx cleared her throat. "Olympians," She started. "Moirai." Styx bowed towards the Fates. "We are gathered here today for the confirmation of the sentence of Artemis of Delos, Goddess of the Hunt, Moon, Wilderness, Archery, Maidenhood, and Childbirth."
"May I ask why is this even happening?" Zeus asked impatiently. Why Styx had chosen to maintain secrecy until the very last moment was beyond Artemis. Perhaps she wanted entertainment.
"I'd find it more appropriate if the defendant explained it." Styx answered, and all eyes were turned toward the Moon Goddess. Yes, definitely for entertainment.
Artemis shifted on her seat, clearing her own throat, anticipating potential disaster.
"I, Artemis, have renounced my most ancient and sacred oath. That to sway off the company of all men."
To be honest, Artemis expected an uproar, instead, an unnerving silence followed as every god absorbed the information. She met her father's eyes, who were staring at her, widened with disbelief.
"That is quite true." Styx continued. "Lady Artemis personally came to contact with me, wishing that the penalty be brought onto her, and not anyone else. As you have declared millennia ago, Lord Zeus," The goddess looked at the king. "The standard punishment for any god that breaks an oath swore on my name is nine years away from Olympus."
This time, the room broke into cries from various gods, some protesting the length of the punishment, some denouncing that an Olympian could not be punished at all. It was only when Atropos raised her hand in the air that silence returned to the Throne Room.
"Thank you, Lady Atropos." Styx thanked the Unturnable, who didn't react further, returning to the silence the two other Fates also shared. "Yes, while the punishment would be nine years, considering the time Artemis upheld the oath, along with her courage to face her own deeds," That comment was not unnoticed by Poseidon and Zeus, who both looked like they wanted to throw Styx out of Olympus. "I have been convinced to reduce Artemis's sentence to only five years of mortality, away from the land of the gods."
"This cannot be allowed!" Zeus bellowed. "Artemis cannot simply be taken away from the council!"
"Despite your powers, your authority does not extend on this matter, Lord Zeus," Styx replied coldly. "This is Lady Artemis's decision, and I am the judge."
"Who is it anyway?" The Sky God looked right into Artemis's eyes when asking that. "Who made you reject your ancient ways? Is it a mortal?"
Artemis met several pairs of eyes before being able to answer that. First, it was Apollo's crystalline blue orbs, so much like their father's. Her brother seemed worried, but gave her a comforting nod, one that signified that he would support her, regardless of her decision. Next was Aphrodite's ever-changing irises, with her having the corners of her lips turned upwards, just slightly. Finally, Artemis glanced at Poseidon's sea-green eyes for a split second, a reminder of who made her life turned upside down.
Finally, she turned back to meet her father's gaze, taking a deep breath so she would gain the courage to utter the following words:
"Percy Jackson. It's Percy Jackson."
This time, chaos followed. At least six people screamed "WHAT?" at the same time, including her father and her stepmother, along with others that Artemis couldn't make up, since the outburst of noise made her flinch violently. She heard laughter, screams, offenses, and a minority of gods trying to calm others.
"SILENCE!" Three voices bellowed as one, and immediately all noise died down. The three Fates were glaring intensely at the assembled gods.
"This is no place to cry out like children!" Clotho continued the scolding.
"You shall be civilized, and that is an order!" Lachesis complemented, and no one, even Zeus, tried to argue with that.
But it was the king who was the first to speak again, and directly to Artemis.
"How could you, my daughter?" He asked incredulously. "You have been looking over that boy for no longer than a month, and that was convincing enough for you to break something that was so sacred to you?"
"What you fail to understand, father," Artemis said, forcing herself to stare right back without fear. "Is that in the past month I have achieved more happiness than any moment following the theft of your lightning bolt." Determined, she got up from her chair. "I had been failing to realize that I needed change. Much happened, too much grief, and worry. Never I had felt like I had four thousand years of age than after the dust from the wars had settled. And I chose this for me. And I won't let him be punished, or anyone else. This will fall on me, and me only. It is a done deal, and none of you will overrule it."
Not quite out of breath but still exhausted from the rant, she once more sat down, aware of all eyes in the room staring at her. After a moment, it was Athena who took the lead.
"And what will happen after this exile? You do know you cannot be with him forever if you are taking this sentence as a way to make an escapade."
Artemis pursed her lips. "I am not one of the Fates, Athena. They can confirm that to you. The future is unpredictable, for the most part, and I will not pretend I am an oracle to know what will happen five years from now. When the time comes, this matter will become relevant. And this is a punishment. I chose to break my oath, and I will pay for that, on Styx's terms."
"What about your duties as a goddess?" Hera was the one to make that question. "Will you simply cease to ride the moon chariot every night? Not attend meetings?"
"There won't be a problem regarding the Moon Chariot," Apollo answered their stepmother. "Other forces will do it for her, as it was in the three times I was... unable to ride the sun chariot."
"Thank you, brother," Artemis said. "And yes, I will not attend meetings. Maybe my absence will make this council grow more assertive without the need for one person to make things happen."
Clearly, Zeus was aware that Artemis had just called the council spineless without her, just with other words. "I'd be careful with your words, daughter."
"Is it not true, father?" She asked, looking around the room. "Wasn't the necessity to rescue me from the Titans so great that a quest had to be assembled with a deadline of one week before the Winter Solstice? Please." She scoffed. "And regardless, I am certain that nothing major will happen. My absence won't be of any trouble."
"So," Styx spoke after a while, seemingly very amused. "I believe that Lady Artemis has made her opinion of the matter clear. I would ask if any of you have objections, but even if that was the case, it would be very unimportant." She grinned cruelly. "Now, Lady Atropos, how shall we proceed?"
The elderly goddess extended her hands and above her open palms, a shiny silver thread appeared. Artemis realized with a shiver that this was her thread. Of course, even immortals had them.
"We would have assumed Lord Zeus would be able to take Lady Artemis's immortality away." Atropos said in a monotone voice.
"It is a long and difficult process," Zeus answered, not noticing the not-so-subtle glare Apollo was giving their father. Thankfully. "And I still do not agree with this whole ordeal."
"We assumed as much," Lachesis answered while staring at Artemis. "And that is why we offer to take away your divinity in a swift and quick manner."
Artemis swallowed nervously. "Will there be any consequences if it is done in this way?"
"There won't," Clotho replied assumingly. "If anything, it will be much more stable than in... other cases." The Fate looked towards Zeus, who tried his best to ignore the stare.
"Are you ready, Lady Artemis?" Lachesis asked, in a tone that had a hint of actual concern in it. Artemis took one last look across the throne room, from her father to Apollo, to Aphrodite, Athena, and finally settled with her throne. Her beautiful white seat, not too different from the one she was currently in, but instead decorated with pieces of nature, especially living plants. At night, the throne glowed silver, beautifully reflecting the moon's and stars' light. This was the last time she would look at it for five years. While in the past it didn't seem like much, if she was about to become a mortal, it really did put time into perspective. Five years would feel like it, instead of being mere instants, from an immortal's perspective.
Artemis turned back to stare at the three Fates, who were now gathered before her seat. She noticed how all of them shared the same dull blue color in their eyes. It wasn't as vibrant as Zeus, so she assumed it must have been inherited from Themis.
"I am ready." Artemis said confidently, raising her head. It would do nothing for her if she showed fear now. The Fates nodded, and in unison, began to chant. This wasn't Ancient Greek or even Latin, but the ancient language that Gaia used to communicate with the Titans.
Artemis began feeling lightheaded, but she did manage to notice a glow appearing around her. No, this wasn't right... It was coming from her. It was much like smoke, but that was all that Artemis could use to describe it. Inside of her, she could feel that something was changing. Her mind seemed... More limited? Was this feeling? She couldn't tell. Artemis began feeling weak, leaning heavily into her seat, a groan escaping her mouth against her will. She grasped tightly onto the armchairs, unable to think much. The only thing she held to at this moment were some of the faces that mattered to her. Zoë. Thalia. Apollo. Leto. Percy.
With that effort, Artemis kept herself from passing out, but the whole process didn't last as long as she expected. Only seconds later, she felt like when Percy had pushed her out of the prison under the sky, a one-million-kilogram weight now torn away from her shoulders. She was out of breath, panting heavily after what felt like a marathon. Looking up, all gods were staring at her, with an emphasis on Apollo who seemed ready to jump out of his throne.
"Is it over?" Artemis managed to mutter.
"It is," Lachesis confirmed. "You are, from this day forward, mortal."
"Until the Summer Solstice five years from now," Styx interjected, looking more pleased than ever. "Consider the now cut days as shown of gratitude.."
"However," said Atropos, blatantly ignoring the Goddess of Hatred. "You shall naturally retain skills and abilities from your life as a goddess, much like your brother did."
Artemis numbly nodded. "I understand." She felt incredibly weak. Percy had been right after all. She was afraid that she would fall flat to the ground should she try to get up.
"I believe we are done, then." Styx mused happily. "You have a deadline of one week to decide your destination, following the accord we made yesterday."
Once more the former goddess nodded, her now mortal brain unable to process much information in the state she was currently in. Styx grinned at that and her entire form began to glow. Wisely, Artemis shut her eyelids close, not wanting to find out what would happen shall she face the true form of a deity in the state she was in. Artemis thought she heard more gods flashing away, but she didn't dare to open her eyes for now.
"It's fine to open your eyes." A voice said, seemingly close to her. When she opened her eyelids, she found four Apollo almost examining her, eyes filled with concern.
"Hello." Was all Artemis could muster. Apollo stopped looking over her and turned to stare into her eyes.
"I honestly didn't think you would go through with it." Her brother said solemnly. "How do you feel?"
Artemis managed to get on her feet, the previous weight now all but gone, although there was still a certain stiffness to her movements. "I have felt better. But at least I didn't inherit acne."
"That isn't fair at all. You still look the same." Apollo said playfully. She heard a cough coming from the thrones, making her aware that Zeus, along with Hera, were the only gods still remaining, apart from Apollo and... no, just her brother. Artemis didn't fall into that category anymore.
"I am most shocked that you accepted such a decision, Artemis." Her father said to her, a look of disappointment in his eyes. It didn't faze her in the slightest.
"It is my life. I have always been independent of you, of the council," Despite her mortality, she would never allow herself to cower now. "I want this. My heart wants this. You can't possibly judge me, considering the countless occasions you acted recklessly out of passion." Artemis said, knowing that this would get under her father's skin, and also annoy Hera. But a voice in her mind had to whisper...
Weren't you supposed to be different?
One could say that Artemis herself was doing something reckless out of passion. But the context was always great to have. And what she was doing wasn't nearly as bad as an extramarital affair that led to children that would only endanger themselves. Her lieutenant for one, was supposed to be dead if not for - illegal - intervention from Zeus. But of course, Artemis did not expect her father of all people to listen to reason. Even for a god, Zeus was notoriously stone-headed.
And as she expected, her father simply clenched his jaw, while Hera glared furiously at her.
"Then I won't waste time on a done deal." Zeus jumped from his throne, shrinking to her and Apollo's size. In his hand, a classy leather-made wallet appeared, which his father handed to her.
"What is this?" Artemis asked, but Apollo seemed to have the answer.
"I got a similar one when I was turned into a mortal. Probably an ID and money."
"Only partially true," Zeus spoke as she opened the wallet. "There is, in fact, a mortal identification card, along with a debit and credit card for any potential expenses. I shall contact Hades soon enough so a certain quantity can be deposited every month."
Artemis found herself a bit dumbstruck by this, while Apollo pretended to be scandalized.
"How can you receive a monthly stipend without moving a muscle?" Apollo's acting skills had to be admired, but Artemis did not pay much attention to it. Instead, she was facing her ID, displaying a small picture of her with the name Lydia Papadopoulos. Apollo peeked over her shoulder and let out a laugh.
"Well, at least I wasn't the only one cursed with the surname. But your name is better."
"You can't get much worse than Lester." The newly-christened Lydia joked, earning a smile from her brother. Their father, on the other hand, was as serious as ever.
"Try not to get yourself into much trouble, Artemis." With that, he started glowing, and once more, Artemis closed her eyes for a few seconds. When she opened them, only she and Apollo remained in the room.
"Well..." Apollo started. "What now?"
Artemis sighed, starting to feel the toll of how much having a mortal body sucked.
"I have an appointment at my palace not too long from now. And Percy is also waiting for me there."
Apollo glanced at her curiously. "That seems like a good enough reason to go. Would you like some company to walk alongside you, Lydia?"
The former goddess smiled, even if adapting to a mortal body wasn't being the easiest task in the world.
"I think I would like that a lot, Lester."
Yes, Lydia. I didn't wish for her to be called something like Luna because too overused, and Diana would be a bit confusing. I am certain there are some Romanboos out there who were sad that I pretty much only explored Artemis in this fic, but what I can say to you all is that next week this matter might be resolved. And the surname is just keeping consistent with continuity. Until next week, folks!