Artemis

I narrowed my eyes in concentration, squinting to see through the trees dotting the forest haphazardly.

That, however, wouldn't be stopping our pursuers.

I overlooked the train of hunters passing by me, my elevated position on top of a boulder giving me a good vantage point over the group, allowing me to warn them of any incoming attacks.

Unfortunately, the preliminary attack we had suffered almost a week before would only be a small amount of the numbers my hunters were to be subjected to defending themselves against in the coming days.

They had been sprinting non-stop for around two states just today, and although I had drilled them mercilessly for just this type of situation, the exertion of the last week, combined with the constant fear of camp being overrun, meant that when some of my youngest hunters begged to at least slow down to a moderate jog, I couldn't find it in me to refuse their pleas.

A massive wolf broke through the foliage nearby, making a beeline for me.

A couple of shouts of alarm went up among the stream of hunters, though they were soon silenced as the wolf was confirmed to be a friendly.

The wolf effortlessly jumped over the heads of the hunters, joining me on the rock as it transformed in midair, turning into a foreign, yet nonetheless welcome face.

'Lady Lupa.' I greeted.

'Lady Artemis. I apologise for my tardiness. The unrest in New Rome grows stronger by the day.' Lady Lupa informed me in lieu of greeting, foregoing any small talk in her typical, blunt Roman fashion.

'Has the situation deteriorated to that extent?' I asked, my curiosity piqued.

'The provisional government is indecisive, and divided, two cardinal sins in a time of war. At least one of the praetors will have been fit for duty by now. I will check in at some point.'

Hopefully Perseus will take control of the situation in time. I thought to myself. He was resourceful, and had the passion for it. He'll figure out a solution.

'And Lycaon?' I asked.

'Still active alongside Orion. Luckily, they seem to have counted with my presence being needed elsewhere.' Lupa sported a cruel smile. 'I won't lose my title to a mere mortal so easily.'

Although having an extra goddess for protection during the trip, I still felt unease maintain it's deathly-tight grasp on my conscience.

We're so close to Camp. I thought hopefully.

The realistic, pragmatic side of me, however, knew that this only meant that Orion must be putting extra care into his final onslaught.

At some point, Lupa left me to patrol the flanks of the caravan, while I maintained my vigil in the rearguard.

The coward will attack from the weakest point. I can feel it in the wind. I thought to myself darkly.

The only answer was the slight rustling of the leaves of the trees around me.

It was faint, like trying to listen to someone through glass.

As if the trees themselves were trying to keep their silence, a wordless protest against those who walked among them.

I felt the sound before I heard it.

Ducking down instinctively I felt the air above me ripple as something travelled swiftly through the space my head had occupied moments before.

Summoning my bow to my hand, my fingers instinctively going to the string, pulling it taught as I straightened myself back up, lining up my sights, whirling around with deadly precision as I looked in the general direction of the shooter, already knowing who it was before our eyes made contact, silver on blue and celestial bronze.

'March haste!' I ordered, many of the hunters already having broken into full sprint, though at my command, the entire rearguard moved as quickly as possible, crossing an unimaginable amount of terrain in mere seconds.

The first couple of werewolves were within arms reach before I could properly register them in my mind, my muscle memory saving me an extra nuisance to deal with as I cut them down without a thought.

More began to appear, appearing from behind trees and from the shadows, and I quickly counted at least well over a hundred werewolves.

There must be more. I thought to myself. No help from Lupa.

That, however, suited me just fine. I would just have to make sure I didn't waste any more time than necessary on the muts, as every moment the rearguard was exposed was a moment a stray werewolf might take advantage of a straggler.

Ceasing my deliberation, I sprinted forward, my bow disappearing as it was replaced by twin hunting knives in my hands as I gripped them tighter than usual, letting out all of my frustrations on the werewolves unlucky enough to have volunteered to face me.

XIXI

Artemis

My knife cleaved cleanly through the head of the last werewolf, blood fountaining out of the cavity in its skull created by my knife, the werewolf reverting to the body of what seemed to be a little boy as it fell to the ground, lifeless.

The forest around me was littered with other bloody carcasses of children, likewise mutilated from their incessant onslaught.

Kidnapping children, converting them into such… Monstrosities. Lamentable. I thought to myself, shaking my head disappointedly.

Despite their young age, though, they had shown a vicious ferociousness in battle, and I could feel myself already tiring very slightly from dealing with the hundreds of them.

Gaia, she is closer to awakening. I can feel it. My influence on the forest, it's so much weaker out here. I thought to myself. Time is running out.

'You would murder all of these innocents?' A gravelly, garbled voice asked.

I turned to face Orion, calmly assessing him.

Truly, he had not changed much since I had last seen him, sneering at me in disgust as I sent him away from my hunt.

Same bronzed skin, angular face, and same scar down the left side of his face he got trying to slay a boar to impress me.

Though he did have a new eye.

I decided it didn't suit him particularly, though it did give him a more brutal look.

I also spied his bow slung on his back, along with a quiver, a mess of pulleys and contraption all piled onto the small frame.

'It was an entirely fair fight. Both I and the things fought to the best of our abilities. The best combatant won. Though I would understand if you struggled with the concept of fairness, wielding that unseemly thing.' I squinted my eyes. 'Is that a scope?'

Orion smiled terribly, his lips splitting his scar equally, the leathery skin seeming more akin to bark than tissue.

'Not all of us can have perfect lives, getting everything our way.' He replied nonchalantly. 'Though that arrangement will be terminated soon enough.'

I shrugged. 'If my life is perfect, the world would be a very different place.' I made a face at him, as if I was disgusted by his mere presence. 'Beginning with your existence on the mortal plane.'

Though I supposed I could have simply blasted the puny thing out of existence, I didn't know the full extent of his powers he may have gained.

Three thousand years is a long time to be plotting and training.

Though I suppose, underneath all the half-hearted excuses I was making for myself, I really just wanted to prove Orion once and for all, that he wasn't my equal on any sort of level. Perseus often commented on my pride, and though he was right to a certain extent about the drawbacks to such of a trait most of the time, I was a deity, and I would be feared, if not respected.

Orion pulled out his bow faster than I expected, loosening an arrow in record time, and I was barely capable of splitting the arrow before it reached me.

I noted absentmindedly that the arrow had been headed straight for my heart.

Just as dramatic as before. Three thousand years clearly haven't done you much good. I mused drily as we began our deadly dance as I rushed forward, bringing my knives to bear against Orion, who deftly parried the blow with the body of his bow, uncaring for the material, before delivering a kick to my stomach during the deadlock, winding me.

He was much, much faster than I remembered him being, matching me pace for pace, his strength not far off.

A ripple of fear passed through me.

'Gods, even the way you fight is careless. Heartless down to every fibre in your body, aren't you?' Orion muttered.

I winced at the sound of metal against metal as the two substances grinded against each other, simultaneously trying to catch my breath, creating a painful rasping feeling through my body.

'I was trying to help you find a better purpose, Orion. I wanted to help. You betrayed my trust. You tried to bed me. Take my Hunt from me.' I bit back.

Pulling away one of my knives, I attempted to hold the deadlock while simultaneously slashing at Orion, though the giant, foreseeing the move, pushing me back effortlessly with his bow before taking a few steps back, creating some space between the two of us.

'You broke my heart.' He whispered. A twisted sneer formed on his face. 'And I was always the better hunter.'

'It was never yours to take.' I responded coldly. In a way, it was an answer to both of his statements.

We assessed each other briefly, before Orion decided to take the initiative this time, lunging forward at breakneck pace, loosening another arrow as he charged at me, before pulling a sword out of the ground, discarding his bow on the floor as he went for a powerful overhead lunge.

I could tell that I wouldn't win in a battle of attrition, and needed to find a way to end the fight before it could truly begin.

I noticed, however, in a split-second, how vulnerable Orion had left himself in his aggressive, yet risky attack.

Deftly blocking the arrow with one knife, I brought my other knife up, intending to meet his blow, before ducking under, bringing both knives to his sides as I walked under his strike, both knives streaking through his sides, leaving two long twin gashes just under his ribcage.

Orion cried out in pain, kneeling down against the ground, his breathing laboured as he brought a hand to his side, only to find it golden when he brought it back into his eyesight.

'You never were designed by Gaia to face me. Though, come to think of it, I doubt Gaia put much thought into you at all, really. You mustn't blame yourself for your performance.' I cooed mockingly, wiping my blades clean with my chiton, smearing golden blood all over it, though my heart was still pounding in my chest, I didn't dare show weakness.

'Gods, you've gotten even crueller with time.' Orion remarked in a strained manner, still in shock from the pain.

'I suppose you will have ample time to mull that over in Tartarus.' I declared swiftly, brandishing a singular knife menacingly.

'You cannot kill me alone, Artemis.' Orion taunted.

'Perhaps. But I don't suppose you will be much help with all your limbs missing.' I countered.

A howl was heard far in the distance, followed by more.

Many, many more.

That's Camp Half-Blood. I thought to myself.

'Ah yes, I suppose Lycaon would have intercepted your little convoy by now.' Orion said, the cruel smile once again splitting his gruesome features.

A clang reverberated throughout the forest as metal met metal, my knife meeting the body of Orion's bow once again as he moved quicker than I would have thought, attempting to take my head off with a surgical swing while I was still distracted.

He was faking the injury. I realised. I hadn't hurt him as much as I thought.

'And your true nature shows itself once again.' Orion whispered almost poetically. 'I will prove once and for all, that you are incapable of leading the hunt.'

With a grunt, I pushed Orion backwards, bringing my other knife around in an underhanded strike, which Orion deftly dodged.

I had waited three thousand years, hoping beyond reason for redemption from an individual who had proven, over and over again, incapable of change.

For an immeasurable amount of time, for I lost track quickly as I got lost in the intricacies of our deadly duel, we simply reverted to our basest forms, our weapons simply becoming the tools for our battle, his of revenge, mine of conscience, as my consciousness simply kept track of parries, and counter parries, putting more weight into the offensive, capitalising on a stumble here, a grunt of exertion there as I pushed him closer and closer to annihilation.

Even though his speed and strength outmatched mine, both were hampered by the serious injury Inflicted on him, and it would only be a matter of time before I finally defeated him.

Orion must know that he had lost the fight, by now, he was simply trying to buy Lycaon and his werewolves as much time as possible to take out Lupa and as many hunters of mine as they could.

And though I knew I should have felt more alarm, more concern towards my companions, the only emotion I felt was anger, towards a figment of my past, come back to haunt me, and take me away from the one person who was single-handedly keeping me going throughout this entire war, this whole ordeal, attempting to take of everybody around me as if I was some sort of caretaker, some sort of charity or greater force to be taken advantage of.

Mustering all of my strength, I pushed back against Orion with all my might, causing him to stumble, losing his balance.

I rushed forward, intent to take the opportunity.

Batting away his bow I stepped forward decisively, my knife plunged straight through his stomach.

Orion gave a sort of lurching sound, his arm coming around weakly to try and bat me away, though both of us knew it was already too late.

With some deliberation I pulled my knife out of him, relishing the squelching sound of the cruel, cold metal as it slid against his broken body, the broken sob escaping Orion finally sealing his fate.

I stepped back, letting the giant collapse on the ground.

'I suppose you did answer my question, in the end.' The giant rasped out.

I didn't deign to answer his remark, or even question what he was talking about.

'You really would murder innocents.'

XIXI

Artemis

I didn't wait for Orion to bleed out. Most likely, he wouldn't. Immortals had a strange way of surviving things they, by all means, shouldn't.

I however, had had about enough of his overly dramatic melancholia, and I was very worried about my hunters by now.

I glanced up at the moon, partially secluded by the trees, and noted it was a lot further west than it had been back at the convoy.

Hopefully Lupa will have kept them safe. I justified to myself.

Though deep down, I knew.

I had been too weak. Even with any sort of training, the amount of power Orion wielded was unlike I had ever seen, equal to that of an Olympian. It reminded me of Porphyrion.

But I had Percy then, at least he finished him. What if I had lost?

I could feel the faint glow of my hunters, even if I still couldn't see them.

We had already been close to Camp Half-Blood when I had been delayed at the back of the rearguard, but I doubted they'd have gotten that far, even though they were imbued with my immortal spirit.

I took a knee, panting heavily as I tried to regain some of my energy, calling to the moon to give me strength.

I could feel some of the twinkles dimming, off into the distance. Some had disappeared, and I could tell clearly that the numbers had diminished.

A small pang of pity and regret welled up inside of me. It held a sort of impatience, as if it knew I should have felt that emotion before.

What choice had I made? There was no going back from here, and I knew it. I understood it completely, and yet I had only hesitated momentarily. I had only thought of my hunters' well being as an afterthought.

I had failed my Hunt.

And yet, I felt a sort of quiet relief, as if this conclusion was one I really should have come to beforehand.

I didn't want to lead the Hunt anymore. I couldn't

If I had trained them more, been there more often these last months… Maybe we would have gotten to Camp sooner. Maybe more would have survived.

Did that make me a cruel god?

I could blame my hunters, for their reliance on me, I could blame Orion, for forcing my hand. It would be all too simple.

Perhaps Orion had been right.

Finally, I stood up, gathering whatever strength I had left, transporting myself a small ways away from the camp border.

The valley where the camp was located seemed like a remote farm at first glance, though once you passed the protective shield erected by the gods when the camp first moved to America, it revealed a pristine camp, with perfect weather, and free of any sort of foreign threat.

However, as I approached Peleus' tree, I felt none of the carefree energy usually present in the place.

The moans of the wounded pierced my ears as I came within earshot, and I had to strain myself not to give too much emotion away, as I stared at the ugly truth in front of me.

Rows of bloody bodies strewn out on the grass, some groaning in pain, others making no sound at all.

Beyond, I could see motionless bodies also laid down, though something told me that they were beyond saving.

The remaining Hunters who hadn't been injured as badly were rushing around, attempting to help out however possible. I spotted Lupa in her human form up ahead, consoling one girl, who was sobbing uncontrollably.

I called upon my power as I began glowing, with all of the living bodies lighting up with my silvery glow, surprised exclamations coming up from many of my hunters, calling me to their attention.

Wounds healed, skin regained colour. Some of the injured hunters even stood up from where they had been laid down.

Lupa approached me, her face livid.

'And where exactly have you been?' She growled, confronting me in front of the entirety of my Hunters present.

'Fighting Orion.' I responded emotionlessly.

Lupa scoffed. 'There are many dead.'

'And little I can do for it. Don't pretend to patronise me, Lupa, it is below me.' I responded haughtily. Even if she was right, a minor goddess had no right to question me.

Lupa seemed to be on the verge of continuing the tangent, but seemed to change her mind, acquiescing the point.

'The werewolves have been dealt with.' She spat. 'I hope the cost was worth it.'

I didn't have the strength to argue the point.

'Then our last primary objective has been fulfilled. I will see Lord Zeus about it at once.'

I went to leave, but I found Lupa's hand on my arm.

'What?' I snapped.

'Thalia.'

XIXI

Artemis

There was so much blood.

I could scarcely believe the red liquid had all belonged to one person.

Thalia lay on an improvised gurney, bottles of ambrosia lying empty around her.

Phoebe, her eyes stained with tears, was feverishly trying to stop any more blood from escaping a gaping wound in her abdomen.

A hush fell down on the assortment of hunters, both veterans and newer additions alike as I approached.

I knelt down beside Thalia, placing a hand above her wound.

My hand pulsed with silver light as I placed as much of my power into healing the wound.

It wouldn't close.

I shut my eyes tight, cursing the fates for their cruelty, for only one marked for death could resist being healed even by my weak powers in that aspect.

'I know, M'Lady.' Thalia rasped.

'Leave us.' I commanded everybody around us, the crowd moving away,

We were left in silence after a few moments, and I found I didn't know what to say to my best friend of the last years.

'I am sorry.' I said eventually.

Thalia didn't react, her eyes glassy as she stared up at the sky.

'I don't really care anymore.' She whispered.

I stayed by her side until she passed away.

Throughout the wait, I kept replaying the conversation between the two of us. If anything, the brevity of it only made me feel further guilt, knowing she was too young to die, knowing there was nothing I could do.

Knowing it was my fault.

I gambled the lives of my Hunt. Now I lose yet another lieutenant. I thought to myself.

Eventually I called to the nearest huntress, who, with the help of another, carried Thalia's body away.

There would be many pyres tonight.

AN:

God, what a depressing fucking chapter.

Anyways, again, I had so much fun writing this, consequences and actual plot is so rewarding after having set it up for so long.

That's about it, next chapter will probably be one of the last before a time skip, just because not much else is going to happen for now.

I am so very close to the end, and then I can finally focus on my studies.

But don't get me wrong, when I finish this, it's going to be done properly. At least, I'll try. Probably not to the best of my abilities, but honestly that's probably for the best. I'd overthink it too much if I did.

Reviews:

Jotakak432: We're almost at the end. I don't plan to really feature the seven at all once they leave to do their own thing, cus that's not the focus of the fic. I'll probably change those typos you mentioned at some point. Probably. Maybe.

Feck it idk I'm a lazy bastard.

Azure Mane: Cheers bud, appreciated. I might fix those lol. Schools a fucking killer.

Maitre Inquisiteur: Very much appreciated, hopefully this chapter is an improvement on that.

And on that note, I'll be off on the next chapter.

Slán, Murph