Chapter Four (Whispers in the Wild)

If you walk unchallenged to your goal, it's either your goal is the ultimate good or you're being manipulated.

I sat on the shore of the beach; my eyes closed as I focused on maintaining the water bubble which surrounded me.

A month had passed and my training sessions with Pelagios had become increasingly physically demanding. It had taken me two weeks to gain enough control over the seas to have a solid bubble of water around me, during his vicious underwater assaults, rather than the thin sheet of coating which I had barely been able to maintain at first.

After he was comfortable with my abilities under the water, we began training on land. It had become abundantly clear that he knew exactly what he was doing from the first session above water. My first task was to replicate my first training.

To call water to me.

At first, I had only been able to call the seawater to me, but over three days, I had managed to notice and summon the water present in the vapour around me. It was far from a lot, barely more than an indiscernible blob of water, but it was a starting point which Pelagios was confident enough with.

After that began the stranger forms of his teachings.

He began to lacerate me at the start of training, forcing me to heal myself with seawater as I focused on summoning more water from the vapour. Not only was the training extremely questionable, but it also pushed me to limits I had been unused to. My small stint of underwater training had been a gross misrepresentation of my abilities outside of the sea, leaving me almost dependent on the saline-rich liquid.

I didn't let it dissuade me, however.

The improvement was steady throughout that week. While I had grown far more proficient in my ability to draw water from the surrounding vapour, a feat which had been a surprise to me was the drastic improvement in my healing factor within the water. It hadn't occurred to me that even the passive ability of healing could be magnified, and it had brought upon a great curiosity within me.

Despite my intrigue in the more complex healing properties associated with my water-based abilities, Pelagios was firm in his refusal to further my training in it. I simply didn't have the time to spend learning it, but it did open up a discussion on one of his theories on energy within water.

Essentially, each particle of summoned water had a finite source of energy. As a result, summoned water would only be able to heal wounds to a certain extent before I would need to draw more water from the vapour. And that was only considering the fact that the energy laced in the water, and not the energy required from me to draw the water from the vapour.

This is why he surmised that being submerged in pools of water, preferably salt-based water, would be far more efficient as they would not drain my energy to allow me to be healed.

While I had a very basic understanding of it all, there were a lot more connecting theories he offered about why each water basin had its own renewable energy source, but it was far too complex for me, especially given our limited time.

So, instead of furthering with the theoretical, we switched to the practical as Pelagios had me shift from healing with the water of the sea to summoned water. It would take another week before I would be able to draw enough water from the air to heal very small wounds completely, without relying on seawater, after many failed attempts.

The whole situation was enlightening as I realized that there were many theoretical areas that I knew of and could recite, but I didn't have much of a thorough understanding of. A drawback of having the information be planted in my brain.

On the flip side, many things came to me naturally from the implanted information.

Once I was able to fully heal myself with the vapour, even though I was almost always exhausted afterwards, my next task was to simply increase my control over the latent water.

I had then been given a practical lesson on the abilities to heat up and cool the water in the air to create mists, and fogs or to just manipulate temperature. This was just the ability I had felt most comfortable attempting from the list mentally available to me.

At this point, Pelagios refused to let me focus all my energy on one ability, stating that the added handicap was a result of the limited time we had. I felt as though there was something he was keeping from me, but I was too bombarded by the workload set out for me to air my curiosity.

So, I found myself here, with a large bubble of water surrounding me like a dome as I stretched my control outside of the bubble to shift the temperature. When I heated the vapour, the outer layers of my bubble would begin to boil and produce steam and when I cooled the vapour the outer layers would slowly freeze over.

I had become so fascinated by the intricate nature of my control that I almost missed the sound of the conch shell shattering the soft sounds of the waves lapping on the beach.

The hunt was here.

My control over the vapour dropped instantly, though I managed to keep the bubble around me, as my breath caught in my throat. It was finally time to face one of the biggest hurdles which stood against the creation of this group of demigods.

I took some time to calm myself. Slowly I evaporated the water around me back to vapour before quickly darting to the sea. A month had passed now, and I had been blessed to have been trained by both Pelagios and Chiron. The thought was a comforting one as I felt my nerves dissipate into a newfound feeling of confidence.

I paused slightly before the edge of the water, my eyes holding the gaze of Pelagios who peeked out of the water from some distance away. I had wondered what had kept the immortal son of Triton from being present in this session previously and now, I could only surmise that it was to avoid his presence being made known to the Goddess of the Hunt.

He nodded at me before he spoke through my bracelet.

'You have learned a lot in such a short time. Be confident in yourself and your lessons. Never cease your training, take each opportunity to grow. It has been an honour to tutor you, Perseus. Good luck on your journey and know that I am proud of you… uncle.'

I chuckled slightly at his response, a subtle nod my only response as he sunk back into the waves.

The sand rapidly dampened beneath my feet, the water obeying my commands as it raced over my feet. The water darted up my ankles, hugging my body and ridding me of the accumulated sweat before falling back to the sand and retreating, once again, to the ocean.

I assumed there would be presentation points, and I'd rather not let being sweaty be the reason Artemis gave me a failing grade.

After all, many had suffered far worse for far less…

After the quick 'shower', I made my way to the big house where I knew Artemis would be. As I drew nearer to the veranda, I could feel the tension in the air.

"Lady Artemis." I gave a short nod, before turning to Chiron and nodding at him as well. He returned the gesture with a small, flustered smile as he glanced nervously at Artemis. I vaguely noticed that his tail swished anxiously as I opened my mouth to join the conversation I had clearly interrupted.

"Let us not waste time." Artemis quickly said as she stood up. She motioned down the steps of the veranda I had just climbed before quickly walking away.

I turned to Chiron in shock, and he attempted to say something, the worry in his eyes visible. Before he could manage to get the words out, the sharp, impatient voice of Artemis beckoned me to follow her.

I gave my trainer a quick, curious glance and a nod before jogging after the goddess of the hunt. Once I closed the distance between her, I made sure to slow my gait so that I was just behind her. I figured if she were in such a mood to have Chiron so shifty, I should make sure to do my best to show her respect.

Her only response to my gesture was an indignant scoff as she briefly took in my presence behind her. I raised an eyebrow at that response, but I paid it no mind as I instead focused on the path before us. It was clear that she was leading me to the forest. Though I longed to question the location of our destination, I held my tongue. And so, we strode forward with a palpable quiet.

The silence between us rapidly intensified.

The tense, quiet atmosphere seemed to leak into the trees around us and, as the seconds drew on into minutes, the forest eased into an unnatural silence.

I felt my eyes narrow as I began to soak in my surroundings. As I let my gaze drift back to Artemis, I felt a sudden cold draft rush past me. I blinked heavily as the sudden shift in the air current pushed me back slightly. My left hand rose and shielded my face as I caught my bearings, my right slipping into my pocket where Riptide sat in wait.

As I blinked away tears, which formed from the biting winds, I peered behind me.

I automatically slipped into a ready stance, Riptide, still in its pen form, now in my enclosed fist.

Artemis had led me beyond the borders of the camp.

It explained the sudden shift in the winds and, as I took some time to observe the surroundings more, the drop in temperature and the dampness of the earth beneath my feet. It must have been raining recently on the outside of camp. I hummed to myself as I stepped forward, eager to regain my stride behind the powerful goddess.

I paused as I peeked beyond the fingers of my hand, my eyes now adjusted to the winds as they widened in shock.

Where was Artemis?

"I have heard from Chiron of your foolish plans!"

The hissing voice tore through the vibrant winds, the irritation which seeped into the goddess' tone was matched by a heavy wave of power.

"Do you wish to undermine the hunts' efforts? Is it that you have finally slipped into the rightfully egotistical mindset of which you were destined as a male? Do you seek even more glory?"

I took a step back as my head shifted, my eyes darting from tree to tree in search of the goddess.

"You wish to face what lies beyond these borders meant to protect you, yet you fail to even speak when spoken to, boy!"

I snarled into the winds, forcing my own power into them, barely causing them to falter momentarily before they once again howled at me.

"There is more behind my decision than what you make it out to be, my lady!"

A rustle of leaves to my left caused my head to snap in that direction, my eyes hungrily absorbing all information before me as my demigod senses began screaming in my head. Before I could begin to shift my feet, I felt the cold sting of a blade on the back of my neck.

"Watch your tone, boy!"

I froze on the spot. I closed my eyes as I took a soft breath.

"I don't understand the need for the sudden hostility, forgive me for being a bit put off."

I felt an increase in the pointed pressure before a hand collided with my back, forcing me forward. Stumbling for a few moments, I twirled as I regained my footing, only to be met with a wicked silver blade now resting precariously under my Adam's apple.

"There are many unforgivable things in this world, Perseus." Her free hand gripped my jersey, drawing me closer as my skin gave way under the presence of the sharp silver.

"One of those things just so happens to be when another desires what happens to rightfully be mine."

I let my eyes drop, gazing into the furious orbs of silver.

For a moment, my mouth stayed open as the beginning of an insult had begged to slip free from my lips. I quickly sealed them instead as I recollected myself.

It didn't help that I had very little personal space and I felt the slow trickle of blood down the skin of my throat, which stung ever so much. Yet I remembered the many stories and lessons I had been granted by Chiron. It made no sense to aggravate a goddess, especially an Olympian; and even further yet when you desired something from them.

I let myself relax as I continued to hold Artemis' cold gaze.

"There was never any intention to lay claim to your domain, Lady Artemis."

Her grip on my shirt tightened, her eyes narrowing as she peered deeper into my eyes.

After a moment, she huffed before pushing me back.

Prepared this time, I had already called a bit of water from the damp earth to enclose around my feet. Instead of falling or stumbling, I simply slid back a bit before coming to a halt.

"I will only listen to your intentions because of who you are and what you've done, not only for Olympus and myself but also for my lieutenants."

I gave her a curt nod.

"I am no longer bold enough to deny that there are indeed selfish motives behind my decisions," I grunted as the effort of talking tugged on the wound on my neck. It was deeper than I had first thought.

A small muddy blob of water rose from the earth. The liquid quickly separated from the dirt, causing the hardened pieces to fall back to the ground. I then brought the blob to my neck and sighed softly as my cut began to stitch itself together under the gentle ministrations of the water.

A few moments later, I gingerly rubbed where I had been lacerated as I let my gaze settle on Artemis once more. The goddess seemed annoyed, whether it was by my admittance of selfish motives or whether it was because I had taken time to heal myself, I wasn't sure. Her pointed gaze earned an exasperated grunt as I shifted slightly on my feet, quickly and sheepishly pocketing riptide, as I realized the weapon hadn't even had a chance to be used in the altercation.

"Annabeth and I are no longer in a relationship." I let my gaze slip from the goddess' eyes, "If I am being honest, it tore at me. The idea of peace was always appealing during the wars, and it was even more desirable when I was with Annabeth. That became the foundation of our plans to improve the camp after seeing the Romans."

I gave the goddess a soft smile, my eyes never quite meeting her own as I shifted once again, swaying in the, now, gentle breeze.

"Soon I realized that camp life had grown dull, and I sought something else; a longing for adventure began to develop within me. I wanted to get away from all the reminders of our time together… And so that is my selfish desire."

"It might be tragic that you are no longer with the daughter of Athena, even if I must admit I am pleased to hear a very suitable candidate for the hunt has now been made available."

I couldn't tell if she was simply being honest or if that was an intentional dig at my failed relationship.

"That however doesn't justify your desire to create a male version of the hunt and waltz around my domain as though you belong."

"That was never the intention, my lady." I steeled myself, letting my hardened and confident gaze finally fall into line with Artemis'.

"I know that you have never taken kindly to the previous attempts at the creation of such groups," the goddess baulked, "and I am not going to promise to be different, as I don't have much information on them all. But there is a problem at camp, regardless. There are many demigods, both male and female who desire to leave, just as the demigods of the Titan war did, for varying reasons."

"And you wish to gather these demigods in your group?"

I gave a nod before a short silence fell on us.

"Then I have another solution, use your status to convince the other boys to stay at camp, and tell the girls about my hunt. If the boys refuse, then their deaths are far from the worst outcome."

I stared at her sharply for a moment.

"And what if the girls don't want to forsake love and still leave as well?"

She opened her mouth for a moment but closed it as she failed to give an answer.

I felt the smugness creep up within me, but I quickly pushed it down. There was no point antagonizing the goddess, it would only be detrimental to my clear advantage in the conversation.

"You still wish to take these demigods and roam my domain as though you were a separate hunt. That is something I am not particularly fond of."

"That is partially why I wished to talk with you, my lady. I wanted to have your permission and to have heard a bit from you about my decision before cementing it."

She paused, her eyes softening considerably as she, for the first time since leaving camp, allowed her dagger to disappear.

"You wished to seek my counsel for this decision? That's why you requested this meeting?"

The confusion at her question was clearly etched onto my face as I gave her a soft nod.

A soft melodic sound filled the forest.

The sharp contrast from the previous belting of winds left me momentarily bewildered before I realized the soft sounds were the giggles of the goddess.

I was stunned into silence as I stood quietly, mouth agape as I let the goddess' beautiful laughter fill my ears.

"I must apologize then, Perseus. It has been quite a few centuries since these excursions first began. The most previous one, a few years before your emergence in our world, had left a particularly bad taste in my mouth. I believe I was too hasty in my presumption of the situation without hearing clearly from Chiron. Forgive my actions."

I felt my eyes widen for a few seconds as the only sound was now the soft breeze which rustled the leaves, both on the trees and those which had been discarded on the forest floor.

"Of course, my lady, no harm done!" I quickly forced out, my hand subconsciously clutching at my neck.

The goddess gave a short laugh.

"Thalia had mentioned you desiring this meeting during our last hunt. It is quite unheard of for a male to attempt to contact me, much less to seek my assistance!"

Artemis chuckled once again, running her hand through her auburn hair.

I couldn't help but feel put off by her sudden shift in mood.

"You always were an extraordinary demigod, yet you remain an anomaly to my expectations for males."

I sheepishly let my hand slip behind my neck as I let my gaze fall to the floor, a nervous chuckle slipping from my lips.

"Of the many demigods that have attempted this, I suppose I should have a little faith in you."

I snapped to attention, my mouth already opening to thank Artemis.

"Yet there is still much you must be wary of, even with my permission to roam my domain. There is more to this world beyond the walls than the monsters. There is only so much I can offer within the constraints of the Ancient Laws, but the most important advice I can give you is to be decisive and diverse in whom you take with you, even as you limit the numbers to deter larger monster assaults. Until your group is accepted by the council, you are beyond the protection of the gods once you leave these borders."

The goddess paused for a moment, sending a wayward look to the skies.

I took the time to ponder her words. I couldn't decipher why she had said them, but I filed them away in my mind. I would be foolish to forsake any assistance she offered me after all.

After a few more moments, she nodded. Her movement drew my attention back to her face, which donned a small smile as she stared into my eyes.

"I suppose if you only had women along with you, I might have offered my protection, but I have much less faith in the boys you will travel with."

I gave a soft chuckle, both in amusement and amazement at Artemis' joke… At least I assumed it was a joke. Artemis offered her own small chuckle, clearly amused with her own words.

"Thank you, Lady Artemis."

"You have done much for Olympus and have been offered godhood already, Perseus. I know you already speak at ease with my brother; I offer you the same leniency… to a point. You have earned my respect, and you continue to prove you are different from the rest of your kind."

I stared at her blankly for a moment, though before I could reply she spoke again.

"Now let us return to the camp, where eyes are plentiful, but safety for your kind is guaranteed."

I gave a nod, curiosity filling my brain at her cryptic words.

The goddess walked past me towards the camp, slowing her pace slightly until I stepped beside her as we walked, yet again in silence.

Yet this one was far from unnatural and was rather comfortable as Artemis had a small smile which lingered on her face.

After my encounter with Artemis, I had absentmindedly wandered to the shores once again.

I sat on the soft sand, the golden particles losing their esteemed glow as the waves trickled over them and to my feet. I smiled softly as my muscles finally relaxed from the soothing touch of the sea, after such a tense and curious situation.

If there were two things which I had close to the bottom of my expectations for my meeting with the goddess of the hunt; they were fighting her in her domain and practically befriending the goddess.

Much further below those two, was the combination of both.

I knew that my relationship with the virgin goddess was far beyond what could be expected from almost every other male in existence; with her allowing my constant conversations with her lieutenant being proof of the fact.

She had, also, always been far more hesitant to turn me into a deer or worse whenever the opportunity had arisen, even going as far as to support keeping me alive in many council meetings after our first meeting on Mount Othrys.

So, while it was extremely unexpected for her to befriend me, I wasn't overly confused about that. To be honest, I was over the moon at her openness, considering that we would be more akin to allies once my group had finally formed.

Despite the age and experience of the many hunters alongside the goddess, the presence of Artemis went a long way to ensuring their continued safety whenever she was present.

That was a luxury that my group would not be afforded.

It was comforting to know that there was a marginal increase in the chance that Artemis would consider helping my group should dire times befall us.

Shockingly, I was even less caught off guard by the fact that I had fought with the goddess in her domain. I did, after all, have a streak of very rushed and stupid decisions involving extremely powerful entities.

Rather, I was most put off by the goddess' statements.

I had been warned time and time again about the repercussions of leaving the borders.

Each time I had been filled with a grave amount of doubt about my mission as well, except this time.

Artemis hadn't phrased her warning in such a way to deter me from my ambition.

She had given pointed advice to assist my endeavours.

That is what put me off the most about the entire encounter with the goddess.

At this point, I had grown so accustomed to being told that all the odds were against me, that having someone give me a profound vote of confidence threw me off. I had been prepared for her disregard of my idea, her disdain for my position within her domain. I was even willing to offer to take the demigods to the sea instead!

Yet the goddess had simply laughed, apologized, and offered her help! Essentially for free!

It was a lot to take in, especially as I had to mentally mark down her advice to ensure that I would heed her words.

The heavy, weighted crash of a wave battered against the sand. The foamy edge of the ocean raced towards me, kissing my toes before receding into my father's domain.

"If you think any harder than that, I'm pretty sure your head will explode!"

I smiled as I turned to the source of the voice.

Thalia stood a few meters away from me. She smiled teasingly as she let her hands drop from her hips before striding towards me.

"Well, I can't just leave the thinking to everyone else, you know." I muttered slightly, a joke which failed to hit its mark properly.

She huffed, 'gently' driving her steel-toed boots into my side before sitting beside me in the sand.

"Out of the three of us, Nico is by far the most depressed and depressing, please stay light-hearted with me Perce!"

I gave a small wheeze as I clutched my side, earning a hearty laugh from my cousin.

"I'm glad that you're thinking about the future though, you shouldn't be stuck on her forever."

After a few more moments to recollect myself, I gave her a small nod.

I let my eyes shift back to the sea, a small smile on my face as I simply enjoyed the company of Thalia for a few silent minutes.

"As much as I love the bonding, could we do it in a neutral element instead of your own?"

I turned to Thalia with a chuckle, not missing the way she had flinched as a wave slammed against the shore.

"Out of our fathers, do you really think mine is more likely to murder you?"

Her shaky blue eyes darted back to me as she stood up.

"I don't want to find out for sure…"

I gave her an evil grin, letting the water snake up to her feet as she stared at me. With a graceful leap and a not-so-graceful yelp, Thalia darted away from the ocean.

I laughed as I had the water pool beneath me, before pushing me to my feet. Partly to show off and partially to show the daughter of Zeus that the water had obeyed my command and not my father's.

"I was going to suggest the big house, but now we're heading to the arena kelp head!"

I continued laughing as I slipped beside her, throwing my arm over her shoulder despite her numerous attempts to shrug it off.

After the numbing sensation of electricity stinging my arm, I learned my lesson though.

"Why didn't you do that when we were still by the water?"

My goading earned me another spark of lighting, which did little to silence my laughter.

Thalia glared at me, muttering lightly under her breath as we approached the arena.

Things had gone a bit differently once we arrived in the arena.

Instead of a 'friendly' spar between us, we had managed to spar together against Adrian and Marc.

It wasn't intentional by a long shot, but after Thalia and I had begun to take our battle stances for the spar, the dynamic duo had arrived and demanded Thalia wait to fight me until they were done.

While the demigoddess was already not in the best of moods, that wasn't the tipping point.

Marc had failed to inform Adrian of the hunters, who had yet to arrive at camp in his short tenure.

The foolish boy didn't even recognize that Thalia was Zeus' child as he began to belittle her and deem that she wasn't worth fighting a son of Poseidon and the saviour of Olympus, before demeaning her group for only consisting of 'small little girls'.

Needless to say, that brawl started quickly.

Marc tried to diffuse the situation as he took a few hits to defend the son of Athena as he recovered from the initial electrified punch to the stomach, but I was too far too eager to let my cousin blow off her steam on someone other than me.

It quickly turned into a battle in which I was keeping Marc busy, while Thalia pulverized Adrian to her heart's content.

"For a child of Athena, you're awfully stupid!" Thalia growled as she spat at the unconscious Adrian being carted out by the heavily bruised and battered Marc.

"Maybe that was a tad bit too far?" I offered as I swung Riptide a few more times, rolling my shoulder from where I had taken a heavy blow from the pole of Marc's axe.

"Apollo's children litter the camp, he'll be fine."

I chuckled as I sent a worried glance at the son of Athena, who began making some disturbing noises in his state of unconsciousness.

"Besides, if you're so worried about him, you would've intervened and fought on his behalf."

I let my gaze shift back to my cousin as Adrian was dragged out of sight with a new vigour.

"He's new to camp with a massive ego and he'll probably be a part of my team. It was for the best that he got taken down a peg… even if his overall life expectancy may have taken a huge blow."

"That doesn't apply much to demigods…"

"Now look who's being all dark and dreary."

Thalia shot me a look that explicitly demanded I shut up. "It's just the truth. Now what's this about a group?"

"Ah yes, I still haven't told you."

I sighed, capping and pocketing Riptide as I motioned towards the bleachers. Thalia shot me a curious look before letting her spear shrink into its canister and following me.

"It's what I wanted to speak to Artemis about." I started as we sat down.

"I'm going to be making a group…"

"Kind of like the hunt?"

"Honestly getting sick and tired of everyone finishing my sentences." I grumbled before nodding in confirmation.

Thalia gave me a small chuckle as a grim smile formed on her face.

"I've heard a lot of stories about those groups, I'm assuming you know that it's a pretty common thing since you've talked to Artemis by now."

"Artemis, Chiron and my dad yeah."

She paused for a moment at that revelation and raised an eyebrow before shrugging it off and continuing.

"If you talked with Artemis already, and especially since you talked to whom you've said you have, I'm going to save you the lectures."

I stared at her for a few moments.

"Is there something in the water at the hunt?"

She gave me an odd stare.

"I honestly expected to get much worse receptions from both you and Artemis, yet you're the two that have made me feel the most comfortable about this whole thing."

"Do you remember the wars, Percy?"

I recoiled slightly, unprepared for the sudden change in the conversation. I managed a small nod.

"Doubt leads to hesitation and that leads to a lot of death. If it's clear that you're going through with the decision, then it makes no sense to fill you with doubt. That would only make your chances of survival slimmer."

I sat quietly for a few moments.

"That's what Phoebe asked Lady Artemis to consider after the decimation of her group. She wanted to ensure that the other groups would at least have a better chance than her own. It's part of why she became a hunter so that she could also oversee the other groups…"

I was stunned into silence. One which tore at the conversation as Thalia paused in thought.

"When I heard some of the stories of some of the things she saw before she gave up on trying to help those groups… It's a very grim existence beyond the borders, Percy. Especially without the help of a deity."

I gave her a dry chuckle.

"Well, it seems like doubt has entered the chat!"

Her hand quickly darted to mine, squeezing tightly.

"I know you're taking this seriously despite the jokes, but please stop at least for now."

I stared into her pleading eyes before nodding.

"I've already heard a lot, Thalia. There's this whole sense of foreboding that everyone seems to pile onto it. I can't help the part of me that is expecting it all to be an elaborate plan to keep us within the borders. Despite that though, I have been training ever since I made the IM to you last month. I'm taking this very seriously, I promise."

Thalia held my hand firmly, her eyes searching mine for a few moments longer before she nodded.

A soft sigh escaped her lips as she finally released my hands and turned her eyes to the floor.

"I hate that this all came from the breakup. It makes it feel so avoidable."

I chuckled.

"True. I could've ended up staying and overseeing the construction of New Greece and played the leader in whatever political system inevitably emerged."

Thalia gave a small laugh at the idea of that.

"Or I could have found out about this world that had slipped between the cracks, and potentially bring an end to the pointless deaths."

"You won't be able to save them all, Percy."

"I won't need to save them all; I just need to train them to save themselves."

"And what about in the period that they're learning; while you're still learning?"

"I…"

"And then what about after when you're separated, and something happens then?"

I kept my mouth shut as my gaze fell to the floor.

"I've seen a lot of my hunters die, Percy. Being the daughter of Zeus but not even being able to save the lives of those that you are charged with… it makes me feel so powerless."

"I've led wars, Thalia. I know the feeling. I'm not naïve enough to think that no one will die; but what's the point in life if you're constantly thinking about the unavoidable, unwanted facts?"

"I just don't want you to go through this! It's…"

"Different?"

Thalia nodded.

"In war, it stings, and it hurts and you're angry at the enemy. But when you decide to go out and attack monsters, it's always an avoidable situation. If you decided to not go, they'd still be alive. In the wars it was fight or die, there was no choice. It eats away at you to know that your decisions are actively killing people…"

"Just as they are saving countless lives. Those monsters they sacrificed themselves for so you could have taken an uncountable number of lives. If you didn't attack them, they could've killed, tortured, and eaten so many demigods and mortals alike."

"That doesn't make it hurt less!"

I slowly reached out and placed my hand on her shoulder.

"No, no it doesn't."

We sat for a few moments in silence.

"If you're going to go through this, don't push people away to keep all the blame and pain to yourself. Don't keep it all to yourself. If you falter because of unresolved feelings, then you'll only have more to deal with. Make sure you can trust the people you take with you, and that they trust you. It will save you some of the pain in the long run."

I nodded, moving my hand as Thalia finally looked back at me.

She gave me a small smile as she sat up properly.

"Now tell me about what happened between you and Artemis that had her walk back to our cabin with a smile…"

My eyes widened as I opened my mouth to formulate some kind of response.

Thalia gave a soft round of laughter.

"I know one way to get back at your ex is to level up, but jumping straight to the Olympian goddess of Virginity? Wow, untoppable much?!"

I glared at Thalia before jumping off of the bleachers.

"Come let me send you on a trip to visit Adrian!"

Thalia jumped beside me, pushing me back as she drew her spear.

"I think you need the bonding time with that cretin more than me! You Orion wannabe!"

I chuckled nervously at her insult before drawing Riptide.

"Please don't say that too loudly, that's one rumour I absolutely would hate to have going around. I've only just become kind of friends with her, I'd hate to go back to getting turned into a deer on sight."

"Friends! My, aren't you bold!"

I rolled my eyes as I began to bounce off my feet.

"I changed my mind; you're going to meet Luke!"

Thalia chuckled nervously as she deflected my first blow.

"It was just a prank, bro!"

I spun with the momentum she had created and sent a kick that forced her to stumble back.

"Not when it can literally result in death!"

"Now I can tell Nico you don't want to see him?! Aren't you a low life!"

"Is annoying the side effect of your whole depressed spiel?"

"Now you know how all the gods and monsters you fought felt!"

"Seriously, if I were that annoying, I'd kill myself! It all makes so much sense."

Thalia chuckled before charging her spear with electricity.

"Less talking, more sparring!"

I grinned at her before calling some water to Riptide to channel her electricity away from my hands.

I blocked her spear at the shaft, staring her dead in the eyes.

"It's good to have you at camp!"

"I'll be here all week!"

She kicked me, gaining some distance before we slipped into our stances once again, ready to get into the sparring session.

A/N: And another one bites the dust! This one was one of my most conflicting chapters. The first part was so difficult to write but I love the rest that followed. This was also where I took my first hiatus from writing this. What a time that was. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did writing and editing it!

I'd love to see how you all felt, so feel free to leave a review to let me know.

That's all for this week. Thank you all for reading and as always, I hope everything is going great for you whenever you read this, and I'll see you all next week for the next update.
-ZedricSOZ