Artemis

I couldn't get him out of my head.

The camp was quiet. All my hunters were already fast asleep at this time, minus the sentries, who would switch in approximately two hours.

I quietly disappeared from my tent, hoping that nobody would check on me before daybreak.

I knew he was still alive, courtesy of Apollo, and ignored the unwanted flutter in my stomach at the news, and continued with my duties to my hunt, resuming our hunt for my monster bands that may be roaming the country.

He hadn't been in the best state, that was clear during our last interaction, but I hadn't deemed it important enough to check up on him.

After my opportune meeting and subsequent conversation with Neptune, I found myself considering the idea more and more. Eventually, I decided to bite the bullet, and find him for myself.

We were friends, after all.

The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I gained nothing from dwelling on it.

I made my way through the forest.

And to think that the Romans would build their camp right beside one of my caches.

As I got closer and closer to my destination, I could hear music blasted out through speakers, and I wondered how those listening to it in the city managed to avoid going deaf.

Is that nickelback?

I shook my head in bemusement as I continued my way, the forest thinning as I made my way, until only one remained, the cliff overlooking the city.

It was much as I remembered it, having been here just a month ago. The proud walls of the pomerian line encircling the glittering roman town, its architecture resplendent under the light of the moon.

I heard a scuffle behind me, and I turned to see a figure I had not expected to find so easily tonight. I blinked in surprise at the fact that he had completely escaped my attention.

Have I been that preoccupied?

For what felt like an eternity, we simply stared at each other.

He seemed different from before. More tired. Eyebags now shone under his eyebrows. His hair was dishevelled, and he had his purple cape he always wore folded on the ground before him.

He looks like he did before the quest. I realised with a start. Perseus had mentioned that life in New Rome was difficult, but was it really affecting him to this extent?

'Artemis.'

It sounded whimsical and weak, the way he said my name, akin to the light breeze that buffeted my face as I stood frozen.

I walked right up to him, slapping him hard across the face. His head snapped to the side, a loud crack! Echoing around us.

'I… Deserved that.' Perseus admitted morosely, slowly bringing his head back around to face me.

'You idiot!' I finally said after a moment of staring at him in disbelief.

Perseus slumped down, lying on the floor. 'Sorry.' He said simply.

No witty response, no explanation. It made my blood boil. This is what happened to my Perseus?

I scoffed. 'Sorry? Sorry? Perseus Jackson, you look at me right now, I don't need a sorry from you, I need you to tell me what's wrong, for your sake and everybody around you.' I chided fiercely, poking a finger into his chest.

Perseus winced. 'So… The quest was a success?' He asked sheepishly.

I scoffed. I wasn't even sure why I was so angry about his question, but something about him asking about the quest annoyed me greatly.

'Unbelievable.' I muttered. 'Any other man would be scrambling at the opportunity to explain themselves to a goddess, given a second chance, and yet you ask about a-a quest?' I asked incredulously. 'What is the matter with you?'

Perseus shook his head. 'I'm done.'

'What do you mean you're done?' I snapped back quickly.

'I'm done with all this. This life.' He explained, gesturing to his cloak on the ground beside him.

Oh. Oh.

If I wasn't angry before, I was now.

'That's your master plan? Abandon your people when they need you most?' I questioned in disbelief.

'I have given enough!' Perseus bellowed, our faces inches apart as he closed the distance with inhuman speed.

'I have fought. Never stopped fighting. All of my friends are dead, or hate me. I have tried desperately to protect my people, but it turns out, I need to protect myself from them, and them from themselves as well!' He laughed maniacally. It died down as quickly as it came, as Perseus became sombre once more. 'I don't trust them anymore. Any of them.' He admitted quietly, hunching back over as he sat down.

I sighed. He looked broken and tired.

'Where will you go?' I asked finally. I was surprised at the lack of anger in my voice, but deep down I knew I had never truly been angry with Perseus in the first place.

Why did I care so much?

Suddenly, a loud bang set my on edge, and I turned instinctively to the source of the noise, only to be met with a massive technicolour explosion. It took my mind a moment to register the fact that these were fireworks.

I turned back to Perseus, who was staring at the celebration with a strange expression on his face. It was familiar to me, but I could not quite place it.

'I'm not sure. I think I would find somewhere quiet. Maybe become a park ranger.' I snorted involuntarily.

Perseus turned to me questioningly. 'Bad idea?'

I shrugged. 'You're pretty terrible in the forest.'

Perseus nodded, lost in his own thoughts.

'You can't do this.' I pressed on.

'Why do you care so much?' Perseus asked dubiously.

I crossed my arms stubbornly as I faced him, steadfast in my determination. 'You're my friend. I don't want you to make a mistake.' I responded simply. I didn't have to elaborate. Perseus knew.

I looked back to the sky, Perseus not being forthcoming with an answer. The fireworks were still going, probably using some kind of invention the Hephaestus children had whipped up. The colours ranged from the most mundane simple things to intricate patterns in honour of their godly parents.

I pressed on, Perseus remaining silent. 'The Perseus I knew didn't do it for the validation.'

'I just- I just don't know! I don't know what to do anymore.'

I stared at him long and hard. 'I don't believe you.'

Perseus stood up, staring at me straight in the eyes, and I almost flinched at the intensity behind it.

'I remember that rant you had. Right at the beginning of our quest. You mentioned how you didn't know what to do and had been thrown into this with no prior warning.'

I blinked in surprise. I had forgotten about that myself.

'You thought I forgot that? I may not be the smartest guy ever, but my memory's still pretty okay.' Perseus remarked drily, the smallest of smiles gracing his countenance before quickly being replaced by the same monotone expression and voice he'd had this entire time.

My heart fluttered slightly, and I frowned in confusion at the fact.

'I don't know what I'm doing. And this isn't just a quest. This is for the survival of my people. I'll step aside.'

'I can't let you do that, Perseus.'

'And why's that?'

Only silence greeted his question.

Why was I doing this?

He is my friend. I justified to myself. The admission sounded as pathetic in my head as I imagined it would have out loud.

No, that couldn't be right. I didn't hate mortal men, but equally I had never put any stock in them whatsoever.

Was Perseus that special?

Yes. My conscience told me immediately.

'I'm your friend, Perseus, I care.' I responded truthfully, realising that he had been staring at me expectantly this entire time.

Perseus chuckled. 'No kidding. I'm not sure whether to be impressed or concerned that I of all people would be the first male you'd like.'

I'd love to say that I didn't rise to the bait. And I'd have been partially correct.

'Arrogant arse.' I whispered with a smile.

Perseus smiled, and my heart fluttered thinking I may have raised his spirits. However, I noticed that it didn't seem to be enough, as it was tinged with sadness.

My heart plummeted again.

I felt rather torn on the matter. Why do I care so much? A part of me asked. Why isn't it working? The other asked. Either way, I was going insane, and losing whatever sliver of patience I still had. I was frustrated, and I didn't know what was wrong with me, vaguely aware of what was wrong with Perseus and unable to do anything about either.

And by the gods did it feel debilitating.

Even Apollo had never been so much work.

'If you really care, just let me do this. There are others.' Perseus whispered sadly.

'None are as good as you.' I fired back immediately. I wasn't completely sure if it was true, but if Perseus's words were anything to go by, I probably wasn't too far off.

Percy shook his head. 'Like I said. I'm tired of trying to herd them like sheep.'

'You can't do this!' I exclaimed, surprising both Perseus and myself with the ferocity of the command.

Then it really started to hit me.

Even if I did care so much about Perseus, why was I so intent on him continuing with this burden? Wouldn't it be the same as him going away?

No. I reasoned. Then nobody would be able to see the Perseus that I know.

I couldn't let Perseus leave.

'Really? Okay, let me humour you, why exactly should I not?'

I couldn't think of anything.

Really? Not a single reason? Come on.

'Because I said so!' I rebuked.

The Perseus that I knew was everything and anything I ever could have imagined. Kind, caring, intelligent, although not so much so that he didn't make constant blunders, and when the moonlight hit him at just the right angle, I could have sworn that the man in front of me was replaced by a god, his eyes sparkling, hair whipping in the light breeze.

'Why do you care so much?' Perseus asked exasperatedly. He looked fatigued, tired beyond his years at that moment. But to me, it felt as if I had been given prescription glasses for the first time, gazing upon the world like never before.

I had never seen someone so perfect in my entire life.

My lips moved of their own accord as I answered.

'Maybe I love you.' I whispered quietly.

XIXI

Percy

The world seemed to slow down in that moment, time compressing itself into the past, future, and moment in which the goddess in front of me uttered the words I never would have imagined leaving her lips.

Thoughts of varying levels of bewilderment flashed through my mind, before at long last, I managed to make out one word.

Artemis. Artemis. The Greek, maiden goddess of the moon. Just professed her love for me.

I felt an explosion of emotion in my chest. A week of preparing myself for rejection evaporated instantly at the information.

But doubt slowly started to make its way into my heart.

Why was Artemis doing this? She's practically a maiden goddess all but officially.

But why else would she say this?

Then it hit me.

It became clear in an instant. This was how she would make me stay. Make me continue the fight. Wrapping me around her finger.

It made sense, it was what I would have done in the same situation.

Try as I might, I couldn't reconcile this reality with the Artemis standing in front of me, staring at me nervously, but also expectantly as she feverishly formed a chain out of blades of grass, one interlocking around the other, over and over again.

Eventually, I broke out of my trance, looking back up to Artemis's face.

'No.' I said clearly.

Artemis didn't seem to register what I had said.

'I know tha- What?' She stopped finally.

'No, Artemis.' I said softly, smiling rather sadly at her. 'I'm not stupid, I can see what you're trying to do. I appreciate that you're trying to keep me safe, but I won't tie you down like that.'

Now it was Artemis' turn to look bewildered.

'Perseus.' She sighed exasperatedly. 'That's not how this is meant to go.'

I blinked owlishly. 'And how exactly is this situation meant to go?'

Artemis stomped her foot petulantly, and before it would have come off as comical to me, but now I felt like I had just gotten a kick straight to the stomach.

'I don't know! I've never done this before!'

I sighed tiredly. 'Look, Artemis, I don't know why you're insisting on this, but this is insane, I'm just retiring from my position as praetor, there's no need for this charade to make me stay, or whatever it is you're trying t-'

Firmly but softly, Artemis pressed her lips onto mine, my breath hitching in my throat as I registered what was happening.

My body felt like it was pumping pure ambrosia through my veins. Fireworks kept exploding behind us, but they faded in the background in the face of this moment.

Time slowed down. My heart sped up.

Whatever last reservations I had went straight out the window. Who was I kidding? I was in love with Artemis. The almost-a-maiden-goddess.

I sat back down in front of the willow tree, suspiring defeatedly.

Artemis sat down in front of me, looking me straight in the eyes.

'Is that difficult for you to understand?' She asked teasingly, and I almost missed the slight glint of fear in her eyes, the nervousness in her body language.

I shook my head. Snap out of it Perce. 'This isn't right. You aren't thinking straight.'

Artemis switched up in an instant, getting right up in my face, leaning forward dangerously close to my face.

'No Perseus, make an effort and listen to me for once in your life.' Artemis began fiercely. 'I love you. I have for longer than I'm comfortable with. Now stop being so gods-damned selfless!'

At that moment, a bright white firework went off in the background, illuminating the space around Artemis like a halo. We both stayed there for a moment, neither of us moving. I simply admired the woman I loved.

Her hair seemed to cascade down the side of her face flawlessly, Eyes bright and shining, face unblemished, lips perfectly rosy and very slightly parted.

I noticed absentmindedly that she was getting closer, but I did nothing to move away. I felt like a deer caught in the headlights, unable to do anything but simply watch as Artemis bridged the gap for the second time that night.

This time, my brain just melted immediately. I snaked my arms around Artemis's waist, pulling her towards me. Artemis draped her hands around my neck, deepening the kiss.

At long last, we separated from each other, panting from need for air.

'That was…' I began, unsure where to go from here.

Artemis raised an eyebrow. 'I suppose I should feel flattered that I leave you this flustered.' She teased lightly.

I smiled, although for once it didn't feel forced.

I felt the resolve in my heart increase as I processed this.

'Where do we go from here, Artemis? We're at war. I'm a demigod, you're a goddess.' I explained forlornly.

Artemis snuggled up closer to me as I leaned back against the tree trunk.

'I don't know.' She replied simply. 'Just stay.'

Fireworks continued going off into the distance, and before long I noticed Artemis sleeping while still snuggled up against me. I smiled softly.

That night I slept better than I ever had before.

XIXI

Hal

The cave was very spartan. And damp.

Only a rug gave the small cavity within the ledge any sort of comfort.

I shivered. I hated the damp cold. It always found its way straight into my bones, and there wasn't much I could do about it.

How I wished I could go back to my home in Miami, back to my mom, and her excellent guisado.

My face darkened. Neither of those things were an option anymore.

I looked at the three other figures around me, draped in the same pitch black greek hoplite armour, with a large black cloak obscuring any discerning features of any of us.

Suddenly, an icy cold wind swept into the room, causing us all to shiver as before us the gust materialised into a sharply dressed man with stark white hair, blue eyes and a three piece suit on.

'I will not waste your time.' He began curtly. 'I am Koios. Doubtless you all know me. You have all been handpicked for your aptitude in specific skills that make you perfect for the earth mother's newest plan to destabilise the olympians and their pawns further.'

Seeing as none of us reacted, the titan continued.

'No confusion, I see. Good. Your targets are two instrumental cogs in the olympian war machine.'

I shifted my weight from one leg to the other as I waited.

'You will be taking out the leaders of the roman camp.'

AN:

I feel like I say this every chapter at this point, but wow.

50k words. I surprised myself, to be honest. To the point I didn't even realise the milestone until after the fact.

Woohoo!

But yeah. I had a bunch of problems at home, my parents are arguing a bunch, and frankly my life is far from where I wished it was, so I took a week from myself.

Every time I write while emotionally distraught it ends up being shite anyways.

Well, Shittier than the usual mess I upload.

Exodus12345: That was… Kind of the point. Thanks, I guess? The whole point here is that Percy is flawed, and purposely so. He's grown out of tough with the same people he swore to protect, and now it's coming back to bite him in the ass. That's how I develop his character.

Thanks HellRaiderS and .upg, I hope this chapter is up to scratch.

Slán, Murph