THANK YOU ALL FOR THE POSITIVE RECEPTION! And a huge thanks to ImHellaUgly, for being my first review! Hope y'all enjoy the chapter!

CHAPTER 2: THE HUNT CONTINUES

The world tilted as Percy's feet slipped from the edge of the skyscraper. For a fleeting second, he felt nothing but the sensation of weightlessness, like he was floating in a dream.

Then, gravity decided it was going to kick in and yanked him down with brutal force.

The wind roared in his ears, drowning out all other sounds as the ground rushed up to meet him. Skyscrapers and ruins blurred together in a dizzying whirl of gray and brown. The sky, once oppressive and heavy, now seemed distant and cold.

His instincts kicked in, the reflexes of a demigod who had survived countless battles and impossible odds. He twisted mid-air, desperately trying to orient himself, his arms flailing as he sought something - anything - to slow his fall. But the building was sheer, the windows shattered and gaping like jagged mouths, offering no purchase.

This is it, a grim voice whispered in his mind. This is how it ends.

But Percy wasn't ready to give up. Not yet.

He reached for Riptide, his trusty sword, the one constant in a world gone mad. With a flick of his wrist, the pen in his pocket transformed into celestial bronze. It was a desperate move, one that might not work, but Percy had no other options. He slashed at the side of the building, trying to dig the blade into the concrete, hoping to slow his fall.

Sparks flew as Riptide scraped against the stone, but the speed of his descent was too great. The sword barely slowed him down, and Percy felt the shock of the impact vibrate through his bones. His arm wrenched painfully, nearly dislocating as the blade caught for a split second before slipping free.

Panic surged in his chest. He was falling too fast, too far. The ground was a dark blur below him, the ruins of Chicago waiting to swallow him whole. He couldn't see any water nearby, nothing to cushion his fall. Just jagged debris and broken glass, waiting to tear him apart.

Percy closed his eyes, bracing himself for the inevitable impact. His thoughts raced, a jumble of memories and regrets. He thought of his mom, of Annabeth, of the friends he'd lost in this brutal war. He thought of the prophecy that had defined his life, the destiny he had failed to fulfill.

I'm sorry, he thought, the words echoing in his mind as the ground loomed closer.

Then, just as the darkness threatened to swallow him, Percy felt something shift deep within him. He screamed, and the earth shook.

He heard muffled shouting. "Is that a dude?"

"..shut up!" Said a girl.

The air around him shimmered, and suddenly, the world seemed to slow. Percy's fall decelerated, the roaring wind quieting to a whisper as an invisible force cushioned his descent. It wasn't enough to stop him completely, but it gave him precious seconds - enough to twist his body and prepare for the impact.

He hit the ground with a bone-jarring thud, the shockwave rippling through his body. Pain exploded in his side as he crashed onto a pile of rubble, but the fall hadn't killed him. The force that had slowed his descent had saved him from certain death.

Percy lay there for a moment, gasping for breath, his vision swimming with spots. His entire body throbbed with pain, and he could feel the warmth of blood trickling down his side. But he was alive. Somehow, he had survived.

The earth was still trembling. Percy reached into the back of his mind, trying desperately to stop it. The ground stilled.

With a groan, he forced himself to sit up, his head spinning from the impact. The world around him was a haze of shadows and flickering lights, the ruins of the city stretching out in all directions. He was in a narrow alleyway, surrounded by crumbling buildings and overgrown vines. The skyscraper he had fallen from loomed above him, its broken windows glinting in the dim light.

"Hello? Are you alive?"

Percy turned to the voice. He saw three people - a boy with a small scar on his bottom lip, a purple shirt, and wavy blonde hair, a small dude with an elfish grin and fiery eyes, and a girl with eyes he just couldn't figure out.

"Pretty sure I'm alive," he muttered sarcastically. "Who are you?"

"Hold on," said the girl. "We're the ones in charge here."

Percy raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Says who?" Blondie frowned. "Dude, I just saved your life."

Percy sighed, leaning back against the rubble. "And I'm grateful, really. But I don't do well with people telling me what to do."

The small kid with the elfish grin chuckled. "I like him already. Can we keep him?"

"Shut up, Leo," the girl snapped, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Percy's gaze shifted between them, his mind racing as he tried to piece together what was happening. These kids didn't look like Kronos' soldiers - too young, too scrappy. But in this world, he couldn't afford to trust anyone blindly.

"So," Percy said slowly, pushing himself to his feet with a grimace. "You gonna tell me who you are, or do I have to guess?"

The girl hesitated, exchanging a glance with Blondie before answering. "My name's Piper. This is Jason, and that's Leo. We're… survivors. Like you."

"Survivors," Percy echoed, his tone skeptical. "Magicians, Norse, Greek or Roman?"

Jason looked uneasy. "I'm a Roman - they're Greeks. But did you say Norse? And what are magicians?" "Magicians are annoying," Percy said simply. "The Norse are worse though. Had to wrestle with a valkyrie once."

Leo looked like he could barely contain his excitement. "Did you say wrestle with a valkyrie?"

"Yup," Percy said, popping the 'p'. "Apparently she believed Ragnarok was propaganda or something. I told her that the world had basically ended, plus there was the corpse of Jörmungandr literally laying around."

Percy paused, realizing how weird his words might sound. The trio exchanged puzzled looks, their confusion clear.

"Corpse of what now?" Piper asked.

"Yeah," Percy said, rolling his shoulder, wincing when it cracked. "Big ol' snake, world-ending type. Kind of hard to miss."

Jason looked like he was trying to wrap his head around it. "So... you're saying the world already ended?"

"More or less." Percy shrugged. "What's left is just pieces. And we're all just trying to survive, right?"

Leo whistled low, clearly impressed despite himself. "Man, you've seen some stuff, huh?"

Percy gave a half-smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You could say that. But enough about me. Why are you guys here?"

Piper crossed her arms. "We're looking for supplies. We were running low on celestial bronze. But we weren't expecting to find… well, whoever you are."

Percy's expression hardened slightly. "If you're looking for trouble, you found it. But if you're just trying to survive… maybe we can help each other."

Jason nodded slowly, still wary but less hostile. "We could use someone like you. But first, we need to know we can trust you."

Percy tilted his head, considering. "You can't. To be fair, I can't trust you much either."

Jason looked slightly hurt. "I saved your life man."

"A lot of people have saved my life just to use me later."

Piper nodded, her expression serious. "We're not looking for trouble, but we couldn't just leave you there. Not after that fall."

Percy studied them for a moment, weighing his options. He could sense the power in Jason, a stormy energy that reminded him of someone he couldn't quite place. Piper had a quiet confidence about him, and Leo - well, Leo seemed like the kind of kid who could talk his way out of anything.

"Alright," Percy said finally, his voice softening. "Thanks for the save. I'm Percy."

Piper's eyes widened slightly at the name, and Percy couldn't tell if it was recognition or something else.

"Percy Jackson?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Percy nodded, feeling a flicker of unease. "Yeah. That's me."

Piper stared at him for a moment longer, then nodded sharply. "Come on, then. We need to get to the bunkers."

As she spoke, something caught Percy's eye - a brief flash of silver in the distance. He turned his head sharply toward a nearby building, his heart skipping a beat. It was unmistakable: the glint of silver armor, a figure shrouded in shadow and moonlight.

Artemis.

For a split second, their eyes met. She was there, watching him, just as she had been since this nightmare began. Percy's breath caught in his throat. The huntress's gaze was cold, calculating, devoid of any warmth or recognition. There was no sign of the fierce loyalty she had once shown him, only the deadly resolve of a hunter stalking her prey.

She had been sent to capture him. And now, she had found him.

Percy's instincts screamed at him to run, but he forced himself to stay calm. If Artemis was here, it meant the situation was even more dangerous than he'd thought. But he couldn't afford to let the others know - couldn't let them see the fear that threatened to consume him.

"Percy?" Jason's voice cut through his thoughts. "Are you coming or what?"

"Yeah," Percy replied, tearing his gaze away from the building. The flash of silver was gone, as if it had never been there. "Yeah, I'm coming."

Piper gave him a wary glance but didn't press further. She motioned for him to follow as she led the way through the maze of ruined streets. Jason and Leo flanked them, their expressions tense and alert. Percy fell into step behind them, his mind racing.

The bunkers. He had no idea where they were headed, but he knew he didn't have much time. Artemis was hunting him, and she wouldn't stop until she had him in her grasp. He needed to figure out a plan - and fast.

As they moved through the shadows, Percy couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. He knew Artemis was still out there, somewhere in the darkness, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

But why hadn't she attacked yet? Was she toying with him, testing his strength before making her move? Or was there something more at play, something he couldn't yet understand?

"Piper," Percy said quietly as they walked. "These bunkers… who else is there?"

Piper glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "Other survivors. Demigods like us."

"Do they know… about me?"

Piper hesitated, then nodded. "They've heard the stories. Some believe them, some don't. But they'll know who you are."

Leo grinned. Percy go the feeling he did that often. "You're like, a legend man."

Percy's chest tightened. He could only imagine what stories had been told about him - how he had defied Kronos, how he had failed to stop the Titan's rise, how he had become a fugitive in this twisted world.

"Do you trust them?" Percy asked.

Piper didn't answer immediately. She seemed to weigh her words carefully before replying. "I trust the ones who've been fighting for the right reasons. But you'll need to be careful. Not everyone is on our side."

Leo grinned. "Welcome to the team."

Piper shot him a look, but Percy just chuckled dryly. "Team, huh? We'll see about that."

Percy nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. He would have to be cautious - keep his guard up until he knew who he could trust. And he would have to keep an eye out for Artemis.

As they rounded a corner, Percy cast one last glance over his shoulder. The building where he had seen her was now hidden from view, swallowed by the darkness.

But he knew she was still there, watching, waiting.

The hunt had begun.

THE IRON HUNT

"Do you even know how to drive?"

They had found a sort of functioning Camaro while wandering Chicago, and decided to use it as their transportation. Jason had insisted on driving, but Percy thought letting him might have been a mistake.

Jason looked offended. "I might not know all the rules and signs, but I know how to get from point A to point B. Which is more important."

"I take it you know what a stop sign means?" Percy muttered sarcastically.

"Drive faster?"

"Very funny," said Leo, "But I think I can see someone following us." "You've been saying that forever," Piper grumbled from the passenger seat, her arms crossed. "There's no-one-"

The car suddenly screeched to a halt, nearly flipping over as Jason slammed the brakes.

Piper shot Jason a withering glare. "I swear to whatever gods are left, Jason…"

"I didn't do anything, I swear!" Jason shot back, his voice panicked as he fought to regain control of the car. "Something must have hit the car."

Percy's heart pounded as he scanned their surroundings, his instincts screaming that something was wrong. They were in the middle of a deserted street, near Long Island, their windows shattered and their walls crumbling. Shadows stretched long in the dim light, creating the perfect cover for anyone - or anything - that might be stalking them.

"What the hell was that?" Leo asked, his voice tinged with fear as he peered out the back window.

"I don't know," Jason replied, his eyes wide as he looked around. "But whatever it was, it wasn't good."

Percy's hand instinctively went to his pen. He had seen enough in this broken world to know that danger was never far away, and his thoughts immediately flashed to Artemis. Could she have found them already? Was this her doing?

A sudden movement in the shadows caught Percy's attention. He turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he tried to make out what it was. But before he could react, something heavy slammed into the car's side, sending it skidding sideways across the street.

"Get out!" Percy shouted, his voice hoarse with urgency.

The doors flew open as they scrambled out of the car, weapons drawn and eyes wide with fear. Percy hit the ground hard, rolling to his feet as he turned to face the direction of the attack. The Camaro now lay on its side, smoke rising from the twisted metal. Percy got a hit of déjà vu.

"What is it?" Piper hissed, her dagger glinting in the faint light as she scanned the street.

Leo's eyes widened. "There's arrows in the freaking wheels!"

Percy strained his senses, trying to detect any movement in the darkness. He could feel the tension in the air, a sense of being hunted.

Then he saw it, or rather, her - Artemis.

"Ok, here's the plan. "Our company is after me. Leo, you fix the car. Jason, Piper, you two stay behind me."

Leo nodded and dutifully got to work, plastering what looked like tape on the punctures.

"Hey, Arty!" A snarl came from the darkness. Artemis emerged. "Do not call me that."

"Stop trying to kill me, and we'll call it even?"

The goddess' response was to pull out a sword.

"Seriously?" Percy said. "You have a sword?"

"Do not mock me, Jackson," she said coldly, advancing with the grace of a predator. "You've eluded me long enough."

Percy's grip tightened around Riptide, his instincts screaming. "You know, I'm really getting tired of being hunted by gods. Can't we just talk this out?"

"Talking isn't going to change your fate," Artemis responded.

"Yeah, well, I'm kind of done with fate too," Percy shot back. He quickly glanced over his shoulder to see Leo frantically trying to patch up the Camaro, while Jason and Piper positioned themselves behind him, weapons ready but faces pale.

"Leo, how's that car coming?" Percy called, trying to buy them all a little more time.

"Working on it!" Leo replied, his voice strained. "But no promises!"

Artemis lunged, her sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Percy barely had time to raise Riptide to block the strike, the force of the impact reverberating up his arm. He grit his teeth - his arm was still aching from the fall. The Curse of Achilles wasn't as good at it had used to be - something about Styx helping his dear old grandpops.

"Gotta say, I didn't expect you to go all out," Percy grunted as he parried another blow, the sparks flying from where their blades met.

"I am the goddess of the hunt, Percy," Artemis retorted, her attacks relentless. "Do you truly believe you can outrun me forever?"

"Not forever," Percy replied, sidestepping a particularly vicious swing. "Just long enough."

As he fought, Percy noticed Jason and Piper edging closer, trying to position themselves for an opening. But Artemis was no ordinary opponent; her movements were fluid and precise, leaving little room for error.

Leo suddenly popped up from behind the car. "It's fixed! But I'm not sure how long it'll last!"

"Good enough!" Percy shouted. "Jason, Piper, get in the car!"

Piper hesitated. "But-"

"Go!" Percy insisted, blocking another strike from Artemis. "I'll catch up!"

Jason shouted, and a burst of lightning hit where Artemis had been seconds prior.

"Get in the car!" Percy shouted, desperate now. "I'll hold her off."

Jason shook his head. "Percy you can't-"

"She's after me only. I have to. Go!" Piper grabbed Jason's arm and pulled him toward the car. Leo was already in the driver's seat, the engine sputtering to life with a wheeze. Percy watched them go.

Percy's heart pounded as he faced Artemis, her expression cold and calculating.

He knew he had to hold nothing back; this wasn't a sparring match, but a fight for survival.

Artemis lunged first, her sword flashing in the dim light. Percy met her blade with Riptide, the clang of metal on metal echoing through the deserted street. But this time, he didn't just block. He pushed back with a surge of power, channeling the raw strength of the ocean into his strike. A shockwave rippled outward, sending debris flying and forcing Artemis to step back.

Her eyes narrowed. "You're stronger than before."

"Maybe I'm just fighting dirty this time." He stamped his foot on the ground, and tremors exploded through the earth.

Artemis seemed almost unaffected. "Do you think that will stop me?"

Percy didn't waste time with a reply. He raised his hand, summoning the water from a nearby broken hydrant. The liquid twisted and coiled around him, forming a swirling barrier of seawater. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the water crashing toward Artemis, a tidal wave in the middle of the city.

Artemis leaped gracefully out of the way, but Percy was ready. He slammed his foot into the ground, and the asphalt cracked beneath him, sending a fissure snaking toward the goddess. The earth buckled and heaved, the sheer force of the movement toppling street lamps and shattering windows.

Artemis was thrown off balance for just a moment, but that was all Percy needed. He called upon the storms, the skies darkening as thunder rumbled overhead. Lightning danced across the clouds, and with a shout, Percy directed a storm straight at Artemis.

Water and lightning converged, sending a mini-hurricane in Artemis' path.

The goddess barely had time to raise her bow, her arrow meeting the lightning in midair and diverting its path.

But Percy wasn't done. He thrust his hands forward, and the wind howled in response, whipping into a frenzy around Artemis. The gusts tore at her clothes and hair, but she stood firm, her eyes glowing with divine fury.

"Is this your best, Jackson?" Artemis's voice was a low growl, her bow drawn and another arrow ready. "You think the power of a mortal can defeat a goddess?"

"No," Percy admitted, his voice rough. "But it can slow you down."

With that, he clenched his fist, and the ground beneath Artemis's feet erupted in a geyser of water. The force of it was immense, a jet stream that shot her high into the air. But Artemis twisted in midair, her movements impossibly fluid, and she landed on a nearby rooftop, unharmed and still as deadly as ever.

Percy's vision blurred for a moment, the strain of wielding so much power taking its toll. He knew he couldn't keep this up for long. But he had to give his friends time to escape, even if it meant pushing himself to the brink.

He owed them, and in a world like this, a favour was a dangerous thing to owe.

Artemis descended from the rooftop with the speed of a hawk, her sword gleaming as she dove toward Percy. He raised Riptide just in time, their blades clashing with a force that sent shockwaves through the street. Sparks flew, and Percy gritted his teeth, the muscles in his arms screaming.

"You've grown reckless," Artemis hissed, her blade pressing against his. "Your power is consuming you."

"Maybe it was meant to," Percy panted, his grip tightening on Riptide. "But I'm not the only one who's changed."

He pulled back suddenly, and before Artemis could react, he slammed his fist into the ground. The street exploded in a burst of energy, chunks of asphalt and concrete hurtling through the air. The force of the blast knocked Artemis back, her form flickering as she barely managed to avoid being buried under the debris.

Percy took advantage of it, gathering every ounce of strength he had left. He raised both hands, and the storm above responded, the clouds churning violently. Rain began to pour down in torrents, the water soaking the earth and turning the street into a churning river.

Artemis emerged from the rubble, her expression furious. She raised her bow, an arrow of pure moonlight forming on the string. Percy could feel the raw power from it, the promise of death in its cold glow.

"Enough games, Jackson," she said. "You cannot escape your fate."

Percy's response was a guttural yell as he summoned the ocean itself. A towering wave rose from the street, its crest foaming with rage. It loomed over Artemis, the sheer size of it casting a shadow over the entire block.

Artemis's arrow flew, but Percy was ready. With a final push, he brought the wave crashing down, the water swallowing the arrow and Artemis in one fell swoop. The force of the impact shook the ground, water flooding the streets and drenching everything in its path.

For a moment, there was silence, the only sound the rush of water as it receded. Percy stood panting, his vision swimming from the exertion. He knew it wasn't over; Artemis was too powerful to be defeated so easily. But he had bought his friends the time they needed.

As the water drained away, Artemis emerged, soaked but unbroken. Her silver eyes were alight with fury, and she raised her sword, ready to charge again.

Percy knew he was out of options. He could barely stand, let alone fight. But he wasn't about to give up.

"Artemis!" He called out, though he knew she probably wouldn't respond.

Artemis didn't speak. Instead, she raised her bow with an almost imperceptible movement, an arrow notched and ready.

"Ok, this is getting ridiculous. How much weapons do you have?" She grinned wickedly. "Enough."

She held her bow with a practiced ease, the arrow's tip glinting dangerously in the dim light. Percy's pulse quickened. He tightened his grip on his sword, ready to draw it needed. His breath came in ragged bursts, but he forced himself to remain calm. He couldn't afford to panic - not now.

"Why are you doing this?" Percy called out, hoping to buy himself a moment. "What do you want from me?"

Artemis remained silent, her focus unwavering. She drew the arrow back with deliberate precision, her expression betraying no emotion. Every fiber of Percy's being was screaming that he needed to move.

His first reaction was to punch her in the face.

He used that time she was dazed to run.

Percy darted to the side as Artemis released the arrow, the projectile slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. Percy barely managed to dodge it, the arrow grazing his shoulder and sending a jolt of pain through him. He winced but kept running, ducking behind a crumbling wall.

"Damn it," Percy muttered through gritted teeth. He needed to find a way to outsmart her, to use the environment to his advantage. He scanned the area, searching for anything that might help him.

As he moved, the shadows seemed to shift and dance around him. She was part of the darkness, her every step a web of danger around him.

Percy's mind raced. He remembered the old city's layout from before the fall - its streets and hidden alleys. If he could just get to one of those, he might be able to throw her off his trail.

He dashed across the street, narrowly avoiding another arrow that lodged itself in the brick wall beside him. His heart pounded in his chest as he sprinted towards a narrow alleyway. Artemis was relentless, her arrows flying with unerring accuracy, but Percy's determination drove him forward.

The alleyway was barely wide enough for him to fit through, but it offered some cover. He ducked into it, trying to catch his breath. The sound of Artemis's footsteps echoed behind him, a relentless reminder of the danger that pursued him.

Percy pressed himself against the wall, listening intently. The alley was a dead end, but it had a small fire escape leading to the rooftops. If he could make it up there, he might be able to gain some advantage.

He climbed the fire escape quickly, the metal groaning under his weight. From the rooftop, he had a better vantage point. He scanned the streets below, hoping to see any sign of Artemis. She was already moving through the alley, her form barely visible in the darkness.

Percy took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. He needed to think fast. He could see the outlines of the remaining buildings, the ruins of the city stretching out in all directions. Artemis was close, and if he didn't act quickly, he'd be cornered.

He spotted a large, crumbling structure a few blocks away - a former office building with a partially intact rooftop. It could serve as a temporary refuge, and maybe he could find a way to regroup and plan his next move.

Percy carefully descended the fire escape, making sure not to make any noise. He moved stealthily towards the building, keeping his senses alert for any sign of Artemis. Every step was fraught with danger, every shadow potentially hiding her.

As he approached the new building, he could hear the distant sounds of Artemis's footsteps. She was still searching, but he had a small window of opportunity. Percy slipped into the building, the darkness enveloping him as he navigated through the debris-filled interior.

He made his way to the rooftop, finding a safe spot where he could catch his breath and prepare for whatever came next. His body ached, and his shoulder throbbed with pain, but he forced himself to focus.

From his vantage point, he could see the city's ruins stretching out before him, the shadows of the hunt still lingering. He had survived this encounter, but the hunt was far from over.

Percy took out a whistle out his tattered pocket, seemingly made of glass, let out a long whistle. Please please please work.

He whistled again, louder this time; attracting Artemis was worth the risk, he needed to do this.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. "It was a smart move to get to a high point," came a voice from the shadows. "But you're not out of reach yet."

Percy spun around, eyes widening as he saw Artemis emerging from the darkness. She stepped into the dim light, her gaze unwavering and her expression a mix of determination and something else he couldn't quite place. The city's ruins loomed around them, casting long shadows over her form.

"What are you doing here?" Percy demanded, trying to keep his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart. "Why are you hunting me?"

Artemis didn't answer immediately. She took a few steps closer, her eyes scanning the area around him as if searching for something beyond his immediate presence. "You're a fool to think you could escape," she said finally, her voice a low, cold whisper. "The hunt doesn't end until I say it does."

"What makes you think you can beat me?" Percy said, but he was just stalling for time. "I beat Ares, I fought Kronos, I sent Hyperion back to Tartarus and I drowned Iapetus in the river Lethe." He hated bragging, but he needed to buy time. This needed to work. Percy was on a roll. "I defended your home when you couldn't. I fought the battles you Olympians ran from." She sighed. "I understand. I am truly sorry, but you know I cannot let you go.

"You don't want to do this," Percy said. "I know you don't. You're being forced."

"I am," Artemis admitted. "But I have no choice. I am bound by my oath, and for as long as Styx is working for the Titan Lord, I am not free from the consequences of breaking the oath."

"My dad broke the oath by siring me, but he's fine."

"It is different now that Styx is with Kronos, and you know that. It is the reason you no longer bear the Curse of Achilles, the reason gods are more affected by the oaths than before."

Percy nodded as if he agreed, trying to keep her talking, needing her to talk long enough for his plan to work. "Alright, so-"

Artemis held up a hand to silence him. "Enough talk; you are trapped. You could jump again, but the son of Jupiter is not there to save you this time. Are you willing to take the risk?" She sighed. "I am sorry, but this is where it ends. Any last words?"

Percy pretended to mull it over. "I just wanted to say… here girl!" She bristled. "How dare you-"

"Wasn't talking to you." Just then, a huge black mastiff crashed into him.

Artemis's eyes widened in shock as the massive hellhound barreled into Percy, its powerful form knocking him off his feet. The beast, a formidable creature with glowing red eyes and a dark, sinewy coat, had appeared out of the shadows, its growls echoing through the abandoned building.

Percy scrambled to his feet, his heart racing as he struggled to regain his balance. "A beast from the depths of Tartarus," growled Artemis.

It snarled menacingly as it circled her, its eyes locked onto Artemis with a feral intensity. Artemis was momentarily caught off guard, her bow lowered as she took in the sudden appearance of the creature.

"What is that?" Artemis demanded, her voice laced with both surprise and anger as she tried to refocus on Percy.

"A little friend of mine," Percy said, gritting his teeth as he drew his sword. "Thought I might need some backup. Mrs O'Leary, she's called."

The dog lunged at Artemis, but she reacted swiftly, raising her bow and firing an arrow with deadly precision. The arrow struck the beast in the side, causing it to howl in pain and retreat momentarily. But it didn't stop. Instead, it roared in rage and renewed its attack with even more ferocity.

Artemis's eyes were fierce as she drew another arrow, her focus unwavering despite the chaos. "You think a monster will save you?"

"I think she might," Percy said. "C'mon girl!" Artemis's focus remained locked on the hellhound, her brows furrowing as she notched another arrow. The beast was relentless, its howl echoing off the crumbling walls as it lunged at her once more. Percy took advantage of the distraction, moving swiftly to keep out of the line of fire.

The hellhound's growls filled the air as it circled Artemis, its large frame moving with surprising agility for such a massive creature. Each time Artemis fired an arrow, the beast roared in pain but kept attacking, driven by its own fury and pain.

"You underestimate me," Artemis said, her voice cold and determined. "This beast is strong, but it will not be enough."

"I don't need it to defeat you, I just needed to buy a bit of time." Ms O'Leary, sensing her master's intentions, slammed into him and disappeared into the shadows, taking Percy with him.

The last thing he said before disappearing was "It's called shadow travelling Arty, you should try it!"

And then, just like that, Percy was gone. Artemis watched the spot where Percy had been, her eyes narrowed in frustration. The echoes of his voice still hung in the air, taunting her with his last words. He was good, she'd give him that, but he couldn't run forever.

"That boy is more trouble than I anticipated," Artemis muttered under her breath. She tightened her grip on her bow, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of him or the hellhound. The creature's last roar still echoed faintly in the distance, but they were gone.

But as she descended into the shadows once more, a small part of her couldn't shake the grudging respect she felt for him. He had fought well, and she knew she would have to be even more cunning to catch him next time.

A small voice in her head reminded her of all this demigod had done for her, for all of them, but she was bound by oath.

Her weapons lowered, and for the first time in a long time, a small, almost imperceptible, genuine smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

The hunt was only just beginning.

And that's the chapter!

Review responses:

ImHellaUgly: Thanks a ton for your feedback! I'm really glad you're into the post-apocalyptic vibe. Adding survivors from other mythologies like the Egyptians or Norse could definitely make the world feel bigger and more chaotic - I might just do that. The Curse of Achilles was explained in this chapter. Thank you so much for being my first review!

Guest: Thank you!

L'Oracle de Delphe: Thank you so much!

Over and out!