Chapter 5

Olympus shone with its usual splendor, but for Artemis, everything seemed dull and lifeless. Her heart beat with a mix of anxiety and determination as she made her way to the throne room. She had made a decision, one that would change her existence forever.

"Father," Artemis declared firmly once she and Zeus were alone, "I need my oath to be lifted."

Zeus, who was drinking nectar, choked violently. The golden liquid splattered his tunic as he coughed, his electric blue eyes wide with surprise.

"What are you saying?!" roared Zeus, his voice thundering like thunder. "Who is this... this mortal who has dared to touch my little girl? I will punish him! I will reduce him to ashes!"

Lightning began to crackle around the king of the gods, but Artemis remained unmoved. Her silver eyes shone with fierce intensity as she confronted her father.

"No one will harm him, Father," Artemis growled, her voice laden with a thinly veiled threat. "I have watched him for a long time, and he is radically different from any other hero. He is the only one I have loved and will always love."

Zeus narrowed his eyes, studying his daughter. "And what if this is false? What if he has given you a love potion?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.

Artemis let out a bitter laugh. "A love potion? Father, you know him. He is too loyal, too noble to resort to such low tricks. And if anyone were to try to force me..." Her eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "Well, let's just say not even you could stop me from hunting them to the ends of the world."

Zeus reclined on his throne, watching his daughter with a mix of surprise and... was that pride in his eyes?

"I will fight against the whole council if necessary," Artemis continued, her voice filled with determination. "For him, Father. For Percy."

Upon hearing that name, Zeus's expression changed. A small smile tugged at his lips, catching Artemis off guard.

"Ah, my dear daughter," Zeus said with an almost amused tone. "I know exactly who you're talking about. I have watched you for a long time, you know? You may be a goddess, Artemis, but a father knows when his daughter loves someone. I was testing you."

Artemis blinked, bewildered. "What...?"

Zeus rose from his throne, approaching his daughter. "Percy Jackson is a good man. Brave, loyal, selfless... and crazy enough to fall in love with you." He chuckled. "You have my permission, my daughter. May the gods help that poor boy."

Artemis's hostility instantly faded. With a cry of joy that would have surprised anyone who knew her, she threw herself into her father's arms, kissing his cheek.

"Thank you, Father," she whispered, tears of happiness in her eyes.

Zeus hugged her tightly. "Just remember, if he ever hurts you..."

"I know, I know," Artemis laughed. "Though I think I would take care of him before you could."

The next three months were like a dream for Artemis. She and Percy sneaked away to meet, enjoying stolen moments away from prying eyes. They talked as they used to, but now they were always holding each other, stealing kisses now and then.

One night, as they lay on a hillside gazing at the stars, Artemis couldn't help but think how surreal it all was.

"What are you thinking?" Percy asked, absentmindedly playing with a strand of her silver hair.

Artemis smiled, snuggling closer to him. "How lucky I am," she replied. "And how much I would torture you if you ever thought of leaving me."

Percy chuckled, but there was a touch of nervousness in his voice. "You know? Sometimes I can't tell if you're joking about that."

Artemis sat up, looking at him with an intensity that made Percy swallow hard. "Oh, my dear Percy," she purred, stroking his cheek. "I never joke when it comes to you. You are mine, understand? Forever."

Before Percy could respond, Artemis kissed him with a passion that left him breathless. When they parted, the goddess had a mischievous smile on her lips.

"Now, how about we go to the movies? I still can't believe I've never seen a film before you."

Percy blinked, still stunned by the kiss. "Sure," he murmured. "But no horror movies, okay? Last time you almost turned that guy into a jackalope for laughing at you."

Artemis pouted. "He deserved it. No one mocks a goddess for being scared of a 'plastic monster,' as you called it."

Thus the days passed, between hand-in-hand walks in the mortal world, starry nights, and stolen moments of happiness. Though Artemis still wasn't entirely comfortable with public displays of affection, hugs and kisses were plentiful in private.

But happiness wouldn't last forever. One day, Artemis arrived at camp, her heart full of excitement to share the news of her father's approval with Percy. However, the camp was in total chaos.

Frantically, Artemis searched everywhere for Percy, but to no avail. Panic began to grip her when, two days later, Olympus was closed off.

The last straw came when she learned that Percy was involved in another prophecy, one that also included his hunter, Annabeth Chase. They were literally fighting Giants and Gaea herself, and all Zeus did was wait, offering no help to the demigods.

Bitterness consumed Artemis. She locked herself in her palace, consumed with worry for her hunters and her boyfriend. She growled at anyone who dared approach, her mood growing darker by the day.

The following months were torment. When Hera returned after her capture, bringing news that she had exchanged the leaders of both camps and erased Percy's memories, Artemis felt her world crumble.

"How dare you?!" Artemis roared, grabbing Hera by the collar of her tunic. "Do you have any idea what you've done?!"

The other gods watched in astonishment as Zeus exempted Hera while Artemis, always so composed, lost control.

"It was necessary," Hera replied calmly, though her eyes showed a hint of fear. "To fulfill the prophecy..."

"To Tartarus with your prophecy!" Artemis shouted. "If anything happens to Percy, I swear you won't escape my wrath even in heaven or on earth!"

It took Apollo and Athena's intervention to separate Artemis from Hera. That night, while the other gods discussed strategies, Artemis sneaked off to try to contact her hunters, ordering them to track Percy to the Roman camp.

Unfortunately, her attempt did not go unnoticed. As punishment for disobeying Olympus's closure, Zeus banished her to Delos along with Apollo for the remainder of the war.

Days in Delos were torment. Artemis alternated between fury and despair, harassing any creature that could give her news about Percy. Her relationship with Apollo deteriorated even further when he discovered her relationship with Percy and expressed his disapproval.

"He's a mortal, Artemis!" Apollo exclaimed one day, exasperated. "How can you risk everything for him?"

Artemis looked at him with cold eyes. "You don't understand, brother. Percy is not just a mortal. He is... he is my everything. And if I have to give up immortality to be with him, I will do it without hesitation."

Apollo stared at her, dumbfounded, unable to grasp the depth of his sister's feelings.

One day, as Artemis walked along the beach, a naiad suddenly appeared by her side, startling her.

"Lady Artemis," gasped the naiad, "I bring news of Percy Jackson."

Artemis's heart skipped a beat. "Speak," she commanded, barely containing her anxiety.

The naiad recounted Percy's exploits: his mission in Alaska, the defeat of Alcyoneus, his appointment as praetor at the Roman camp, his victory over Polybotes...

With each word, Artemis's pride and love swelled, but so did her concern. Percy was risking his life time and again, and she couldn't be there to protect him.

"He is currently on a flying ship, on his way here, along with 6 other demigods, including a hunter," concluded the naiad.

Artemis dismissed the creature and, as soon as she was alone, she let out a cry of joy that shook the island's trees.

The following days were a torture of anxious waiting. Every dawn, Artemis stood on the beach, scanning the horizon for any sign of the flying ship. She spent hours sitting in the sand, reminiscing about the moments she had shared with Percy, imagining their reunion.

And finally, it happened. One morning, as the Mediterranean sun sparkled on the waves, Artemis spotted the ship on the horizon. Her heart pounded so hard she feared it might burst from her chest.

The first to disembark from the ship was Percy. Artemis held her breath. He had never looked more handsome to her than at that moment, with his wind-tossed hair and that devilish grin she loved so much aimed directly at her.

The other demigods stayed back, watching Percy with a mix of confusion and fear. Clearly, they expected Artemis to turn him into some creature for daring to smile at the virgin goddess.

Artemis walked slowly towards Percy, secretly relishing the fear she instilled in the other demigods. But Percy remained unfazed. His smile only widened as Artemis approached.

And then, to the absolute shock of everyone present, Artemis threw herself into Percy's arms, kissing him deeply.

It was a kiss laden with eight months of longing, worry, and restrained love. Artemis buried her hands in Percy's hair, pulling him closer as if afraid he might disappear at any moment. Percy held her tightly, lifting her off the ground as he deepened the kiss.

When they finally parted, gasping for air, they turned to face the stunned demigods.

"I hope you won't tell anyone before we give you permission," Artemis said, her voice sweet but with an underlying threat that made everyone audibly gulp.

At that moment, Apollo appeared on the beach, his face a mask of disgust at seeing his sister hand in hand with Percy.

"Guys, talk to Apollo," said Percy, briefly bowing to the sun god. "I'll see you on the ship."

Before anyone could protest, Artemis dragged Percy away, towards a more secluded part of the island.

As soon as they were alone, Artemis pushed Percy against a tree, immobilizing him with her body. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of desire and possessiveness that made Percy shiver.

"Eight months," growled Artemis, her voice low and dangerous. "Eight months without you, Percy Jackson. Do you have any idea what I've been through?"

Percy swallowed. "I... I'm sorry, Artemis. It wasn't my intention..."

Artemis silenced him with a fierce kiss. "No more apologies," she murmured against his lips. "Just promise me you'll never leave me like that again. Promise me you'll always come back to me."

Percy looked into her eyes, seeing the pain and fear hidden behind the goddess's facade of strength. "I promise, Artemis," he said softly. "I'll always come back to you."

They spent the rest of the day together, talking, kissing, catching up on everything that had happened. But before they knew it, night had fallen and it was time for Percy to return to the ship.

Artemis accompanied him to the shore, her hand gripping his as if she didn't want to let him go.

"I hope you won't leave me, Percy," pleaded Artemis, her voice barely a whisper. "You mean so much to me. Please, don't die out there."

Percy kissed her gently, stroking her cheek. "Never, Artemis," he promised. "I'll come back to you before you know it. After all," he added with a mischievous smile, "I have a very jealous goddess waiting for me. I dare not keep her waiting too long."

Artemis chuckled, lightly punching Percy's chest. "You better not keep me waiting, seaweed brain. Or I swear I'll search heaven and earth to find you."

Percy smiled, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. "Artemis," he said softly, "you know I can't promise you nothing will happen to me. This mission... it's dangerous."

Artemis's smile faded, replaced by an intense gaze. "I know," she replied, her voice barely a whisper. "But that doesn't mean I won't do everything in my power to keep you safe."

Suddenly, Artemis pulled a small silver pendant from her pocket. It was a crescent moon intertwined with a wave. "Take this," she said, placing it around Percy's neck. "It's a protective amulet. I can't directly interfere in your mission, but this will keep you connected to me. If you're ever in mortal danger, it will glow and I will know."

Percy touched the pendant, moved by the gesture. "Thank you," he murmured, leaning in to kiss Artemis once more.

As they parted, Artemis stared at him, her silver eyes shining with an almost supernatural intensity. "Remember, Percy Jackson," she said, her voice laden with divine power, "you are mine. Neither Gaea, nor the giants, nor even fate itself can keep you from me. You will come back to me, or I will move heaven and earth to bring you back."

Percy shivered, feeling a chill run down his spine, but he nodded. "I will," he promised. "I'll come back to you, Artemis. Always."

With one last kiss, Percy walked away towards the ship. Artemis watched him depart, her heart torn between pride for the hero he had become and fear for the dangers he would face.

As the Argo II soared into the night sky, Artemis closed her eyes and whispered a prayer to the stars. "Protect him," she pleaded. "Bring him back to me."