So here it is. Hope you all like it!


Diana's POV:


Jason and Hazel were standing before me, their postures rigid with formality. Hazel's eyes flickered nervously between me and Percy, while Jason, ever the leader, dipped his head in a respectful bow. "Lady Diana," he greeted, his voice steady, though there was an edge of tension behind it. Hazel quickly followed suit, mimicking his formality, and though their respect was clear, my focus was solely on Percy.

He stood a little behind them, his usual casual confidence slightly tempered by the situation. And then there it was—that familiar nervous habit. Percy reached up and rubbed the back of his neck, his fingers brushing through his dark hair. He always did that when he was unsure of something, and the gesture made my heart skip for a brief moment.

Jason and Hazel introduced themselves, their voices filled with awe and tinged with fear, but it was Percy who finally broke the silence. He stepped forward slightly, curiosity evident in his demeanor. "They called you Diana, and I'm guessing that's more than just semantics. Is that why you seem different, my lady?" His question made my heart clench unexpectedly. Despite all the moments I had shared with Artemis during their encounters, I was not her. And he knew it.

"Please," I said, my voice softer than I intended, "just call me Diana, Percy." His name felt strange yet comforting on my lips. I silently berated myself for behaving like some mortal girl meeting her crush for the first time. I'm a goddess. I shouldn't be feeling this way. But all my scolding vanished the moment he smiled.

"Sorry, Diana," he said, genuine warmth in his tone, "just making sure you were in on that deal." He hesitated, choosing his next words carefully. "If you don't mind me asking—just out of curiosity—how does it work? Are you and Artemis the same person, or is it more like a... mood swing? Are you a completely separate person? If so, were you there every time I met Artemis?"

His question was respectful, but I could sense the curiosity behind it. I nodded quickly. "We are two entirely different people. It started when we moved to Rome—just slight differences at first because the Romans viewed us differently from the Greeks. Belief is a powerful thing. Over time, it changed more dramatically. Artemis resisted, but within the first five hundred years of being part of the Roman pantheon, we developed separate consciousnesses. Our thoughts, actions, and feelings became our own."

"So…" Percy spoke slowly, as if carefully weighing his words, "do you share her opinion of me? I don't want to offend or upset you... Would you consider me a friend?"

For a moment, I regained my composure. I straightened, my voice firmer than before. "That depends on you, Percy," I said, meeting his gaze. "Do you consider me a friend?" I paused, the weight of my words sinking in before I added, quieter this time, "I'm not Artemis. I hope you know that."

He looked at me, thoughtful as ever, before he responded with a sincerity that caught me off guard. "In that case, I hope we get to know each other, because I'd love to know you, Diana, just like I know Artemis."

A genuine smile tugged at my lips then, and I could sense the other demigods watching in quiet amazement. They stood respectfully to the side, giving Percy and me our space, but I could feel their awe. Perhaps it was out of reverence for their friend, who was clearly having a moment with someone important, or perhaps they just didn't want to risk upsetting me.

Either way, it didn't matter. For the first time in what felt like centuries, I was simply Diana. The last few centuries had been hard—Artemis was the better-known aspect, the dominant form. I was often locked away, summoned only to drive the moon chariot or offer advice in battle or council. It wasn't Artemis's fault; it was the nature of our shared existence. Still, every time she looked at him, I couldn't help but share her intrigue, her growing longing. Yet, I knew his eyes would always be for her.

It was hard enough for Artemis to watch Percy with that mortal girl, but for me? He didn't even know I existed. I was invisible to the only man I had ever desired, a secret he would never uncover. He would live out his life happily with his lover, and I would endure, knowing he never once saw me.

But now? Now he sees me. He knows me. And that silly girl? She's not here—she's pushed him away. I watched it unfold, torn between fury at the way he was treated and the thrill of opportunity. Many long nights, Artemis and I have whispered about him, our plans, our shared thoughts. It felt like we were on the cusp of a dangerous and thrilling hunt, chasing prey too valuable to lose.

And now, this quarry is within reach. I intend to make sure he doesn't slip away.


Artemis POV:


I was there.

Well, in a sense. I watched everything unfold from within Diana, my Roman counterpart, as she spoke with Percy. It was a strange feeling, being present yet not in control, like watching a play with no power to intervene. But what made it worse was the anxiety gnawing at me, a constant buzzing beneath the surface.

I could feel Diana's emotions as she gazed at Percy—his nervous habit of rubbing the back of his neck, the way he smiled whenever she spoke. He had that effect on people, drawing them in without even realizing it. I should know—I've seen it happen enough times.

Jason and Hazel were standing by, clearly trying to be respectful, though I could sense their unease. They had introduced themselves formally, but Diana barely acknowledged them. Her focus was solely on Percy. It was almost endearing, watching her struggle to maintain composure, and I could feel her frustration as she berated herself internally.

Then Percy asked that question—about how Diana and I worked. How we were separate yet the same. The way he phrased it, polite and curious, made me smile despite myself. He was always so careful not to offend. But as Diana answered, explaining the complicated nature of our existence, I felt it—that sharp, irrational stab of jealousy.

He wasn't speaking to me, not really. It was Diana he was engaging with, Diana he was trying to understand. And for a moment, I found myself grappling with the thought: What if he liked her more? What if the Roman aspect of me was more appealing to him?

Ridiculous. I chastised myself harshly. Diana was me, and yet—there was that knot in my chest, tightening with each word exchanged between them. They were having their moment, and I was merely an observer.

"Do you share her opinion of me?" Percy asked, his voice soft yet sincere. "I don't want to offend you or upset you… Would you consider me a friend?"

Diana hesitated. I could feel her uncertainty, her need to respond carefully. And when she answered, "Depends on you. Do you consider me a friend? I'm not Artemis… I hope you know that," I could practically feel her heart racing. Mine raced with her. Damn it all, why was I reacting like this? Diana's composure faltered—Percy had that effect—and once again, I was reminded of just how much influence he wielded without even knowing it.

Then Percy's response—simple yet honest—"In that case… I hope we get to know each other, because I'd love to know you, Diana, just like I know Artemis." The sincerity in his words hit me hard, and I felt an odd mix of relief and frustration.

He wasn't mine.

Not yet.

That was the bitter truth. As aggravating as it was to admit, Percy and I were just… friends. And even that term felt too loose, too undefined for what I felt. But he wasn't mine to keep—he wasn't even mine, period. I couldn't worry about losing him to Diana or anyone else because I hadn't earned his affection in the first place.

I would have to win him over before I could even think of sharing him with myself. That reality hit me harder than I cared to admit.

I focused back on Diana, who was smiling—smiling like I hadn't seen her do in centuries. Percy had that effect on her too, it seemed. Damn boy.

Jason and Hazel, meanwhile, stood back in awe, like they were witnessing something too important, too private, to interrupt. They probably were. I could sense their respect for Diana's power, but more than that, they respected Percy. His presence among gods and goddesses seemed natural to them, which only made me more aware of his importance.

As they watched, I caught Hazel glancing at Percy with an expression I couldn't quite place. Was it admiration? Or perhaps concern? She, more than anyone, knew the weight of Tartarus, the burden Percy carried from those dark depths. Jason, on the other hand, looked both proud and confused, as though he still didn't fully grasp why Percy had volunteered for this meeting. But neither of them said a word, choosing instead to give their friend the space he needed.

I exhaled, feeling the tension ease slightly in my chest. Diana was doing well. Better than I expected. But still, the jealousy lingered, a quiet whisper at the back of my mind. It wasn't just that she was talking to Percy—it was the way Percy looked at her. He wasn't guarded. He wasn't hesitant. He was open and trusting, like he had been with me so many times before.

But that wasn't me standing before him. Not really.

It was absurd to feel this way. Absurd to even think I had any claim over Percy. He wasn't mine—not yet, at least.

But I would have to fix that, wouldn't I?


Jason's POV:


Watching Diana and Percy interact was... eye-opening.

At first, I thought it was just the usual nervousness of mortals meeting gods, especially when it came to Diana. She was intense, all eyes on Percy. Then I noticed something more. The way she reacted to him—the soft smile, the hesitations in her voice. It wasn't just respect or formality. It became clear she was barely holding herself together.

It hit me, like a bolt from the sky. The Maiden Goddess definitely has a crush on my friend.

I almost laughed at the absurdity of it, but the realization froze me. Diana—Diana, the goddess who had sworn off love and marriage—was acting like a mortal girl trying to figure out how to talk to her crush. And Percy, the lovable fool, had no clue. He was asking her questions, smiling that easygoing smile, completely oblivious to the effect he had on her.

I glanced at Hazel, who was standing beside me, observing the scene with her usual calmness. When our eyes met, she gave me a look that said it all—You're seeing this too, right? I nodded slightly, confirming that, yes, we were both thinking the same thing.

Percy didn't realize it, but he was navigating dangerous waters. And I knew what I had to do.

As a son of Zeus, I was used to watching over my friends. Flying and controlling winds had given me an affinity with birds, but in this situation, I needed to be a different kind of bird—a wingman. Not in the romantic sense, though. Percy didn't need help figuring out that part, at least not yet. No, he needed something else. He needed someone who could talk to him about Tartarus, someone who could help him work through what he'd been through. And Diana—whether she realized it or not—was probably the best person for that.

But they wouldn't have that conversation with me and Hazel standing around.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I needed to do. Interrupting a goddess in the middle of a heart-to-heart was a risky move, but it had to be done. I just had to approach it delicately—and fast, before Diana decided I was better off as a small furry animal.

"My lady…" I began, my voice steady but respectful.

Diana turned her gaze on me, and instantly, I felt the weight of her attention. Her eyes bore into mine, and two things became very clear. One: I was making the right decision. And two: I needed to get this over with quickly if I didn't want to end up as a rabbit.

"I can see that Percy doesn't need our help or support here," I continued, my tone as polite as I could manage. "Is there any way you could point me and Hazel toward your brother? We'd like to see if we can help our friends in convincing him to support us on our quest."

I held my breath, hoping she would understand what I was really asking. It wasn't about finding Apollo or helping the rest of our crew, though those were important too. I just wanted to give Percy some space. Space he desperately needed, and privacy that would allow him to talk about the one thing none of us could really help him with—Tartarus.

I threw in a silent prayer to Diana, hoping she would hear it. "Please help him. He needs someone to talk to about the pit, It was bad down there, and we've tried to help as best we could. But you… you seem to be closer to him than anyone else here. Please, help him. He needs it."

Diana's gaze softened, and I could see the understanding in her eyes. For a brief moment, I thought I saw something else too—gratitude, maybe. She knew what I was doing, and she wasn't going to turn me into a squirrel for it.

"Of course," she replied, her voice calm but layered with meaning. "You and Hazel should find Apollo. He will be expecting you."

I exhaled, relief washing over me. We had our opening. With a quick glance at Hazel, who nodded in silent agreement, we turned to leave.

As we walked away, I couldn't help but glance back at Percy one last time. He needed this. He needed someone to pull him out of that darkness—someone who wasn't afraid of gods or monsters or the horrors he'd seen in the pit. Someone who had enough experience to give him the confidence in his actions and undo the damage done by Annabeth's knee jerk reaction to her fear. Diana was exactly the person for that, even if she didn't fully realize it yet.

And maybe, just maybe, Percy would start to see what I was seeing. Eventually.


Percy's POV:


As Jason and Hazel walked away, I turned back to Diana, but something strange happened. In front of me stood not just one goddess, but two. They looked like twins, yet subtle differences set them apart.

One was Artemis, the goddess I had known for years. Her beautiful auburn hair was braided, cascading down her back like a fiery waterfall. Her silver eyes glowed with an otherworldly power, sharp and piercing, making me feel both awed and intimidated in her presence. She was a huntress, a goddess of wolves and violence, embodying a beauty that was both austere and unattainable. Her cold beauty mirrored the moon—always there, always radiant, yet forever out of reach, never to be mine, no matter how deeply I desired it.

But as I looked closer, I saw something more beneath that icy exterior. There was a timid uncertainty, a gentle vulnerability that belied her fierce reputation. It was the kind of fear of rejection that anyone could relate to, the kind that often lurked beneath the surface of those who seemed untouchable. Her true self felt as distant as the stars on a cloudy night—visible yet obscured. I could sense the walls she had built over millennia, meant to protect herself and those who relied on her.

And then there was Diana. She stood beside Artemis, a reflection of her twin yet distinctly different. Diana was more outwardly honest, wearing her heart on her sleeve. While she exuded a wild beauty—uncontrollable and far less conservative than Artemis—there was also a loneliness and insecurity in her that captivated me. I felt an instinctive desire to show her that she wasn't alone, that I'd never abandon her. She wore her long auburn hair down, flowing freely, framing her face and giving her a more free-spirited appearance. She didn't hide beneath the ice; she was the wild, the untamed huntress on the ground, grounded in reality rather than the moon goddess soaring with the stars.

"Wow! How'd you do that!?" I asked, genuinely impressed.

But as they both swayed slightly, each helping the other to steady herself, I instinctively stepped forward to assist. I stopped short, though, not wanting to disrespect them. Even if we considered each other friends, they were still goddesses. I caught a flicker in their eyes that almost looked like disappointment at my hesitation.

"With great difficulty," Artemis said, her voice strained and her expression serious.

"With your friends leaving, Artemis was able to return," Diana explained, glancing at her sister. "But we couldn't decide who would continue our talk, so…"

"We split. The first time in centuries," Artemis finished, with pride in her voice.

"You two are extraordinary," I said earnestly, and both their faces turned a shade darker, as if blushing at my statement.

"We want to talk to you about some things," Artemis continued, clearing her throat as the mood shifted.

"Of course, what's up?" I asked cautiously, a knot tightening in my stomach. I feared I knew what this talk would entail.

"Where is the blonde?" Artemis asked firmly.

"Oh, uh, Annabeth is back at the ship," I replied, my heart racing. I was really worried now. Surely they would agree with her. Was she ending our friendship? Did they think I had gone too far? Did they think what I did down there was monstrous?!

"Why?" Diana asked softly, her tone coaxing but insistent.

I sighed, the weight of their gaze pressing down on me. "You already know why. I did what I thought was right. I'm sorry, but I won't apologize for protecting her. I know she's probably done with me; she obviously doesn't trust me anymore. All I can do is follow my heart and do what I think is right and needed."

Artemis frowned, but before she could speak, Diana cut in. "Don't presume what we may think or not think, Percy. You've read about the things we've done in the past, and what we're capable of when protecting our own. We don't know what happened down there, but we trust you. Now trust us enough to believe that."

I looked up, astonished, my voice barely a whisper. "Thank you."

Artemis nodded at me, her expression softening, and gave Diana a look that conveyed her approval. There was a warmth in the air, a strengthening of trust between us. I felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from my chest.

"Now, tell us what happened down there," Artemis said firmly, her silver eyes searching mine. "Not one detail left out."

I took a deep breath, feeling slightly cornered, but still, I had to trust my friend right?

"Alright," I began, glancing at both goddesses. "It all started when we fell into Tartarus. I was with Annabeth, and the place is… worse than I can put into words. It's like a living nightmare, where your worst fears come to life. The ground was broken glass, the air was acid and poison. The monsters were everywhere, but they were nothing in comparison to her…."

Diana leaned in, her expression pained as I continued. "Who did you face down there?"

I hesitated, then forced myself to speak, the words feeling like jagged glass in my throat. "I fought Akhlys," I began, my voice hollow. "The goddess of Misery and poison." Just saying her name made my skin crawl, like I could still feel the venomous presence of her shadow lurking over me. "She wanted to drown Annabeth and me in her poison—slowly, painfully. Every drop of that toxic mist burned like acid, and I could feel it eating away at me, inch by inch."

I swallowed hard, my hands trembling as the memories surged back. "At that moment, I was desperate, filled with a fury I didn't even recognize in myself. I couldn't let her win, couldn't let her take us. So I fought back. I used her own poison against her, twisted it around her like a weapon, turning her cruelty on herself. I grabbed her—felt her squirm beneath my grip—and I drowned her in her own venom. Her screams echoed in the air, but I didn't stop. I couldn't."

My breath hitched as I remembered Annabeth's voice, frantic, begging me to stop. "Annabeth pleaded with me, told me to let her go, but… I couldn't. Something inside me snapped. I just kept going. When Akhlys was finally weak enough, I didn't feel relief—just a cold emptiness." I paused, my chest tightening as I relived the moment.

"I hardened the poison—turned it into chains, sharp and unforgiving. I bound her in those chains, watching as they sank into her skin, binding her tightly. Then… I cast her into Chaos itself, banishing her to the void." I finished, fully expecting a reprimand, my hope was there, that she'd agree with Leo, Nico, Jason, and Reyna. All of whom assured me in the rightness of my actions. I've yet to breach the topic with Frank and Hazel as I feel this need to shield them from the darker aspects of being a demigod, at least a little while longer. I remember the conversation with Reyna, right before she left with Nico. She was stern in her assurances. Annoyed I'd even entertain such notions.

"You are a Praetor of Rome, it will not do for a Graeco to slander your name as such. Romans destroy their enemies utterly, so they may never rise again to threaten you. We have survived and thrived because of this. Do not doubt your instincts, they are what won against the Titan King, what saved us against your Father's bane during the attack on New Rome." She finished by saluting me in Latin.

"Te sequimur propter causam. A latere tuo pugnamus propter fidem nostram in te. Ne fidem in te ipso perdas, alioquin omnes peribimus."

With that memory and the hope it brought me I looked up at Artemis and Diana, and the fire in there eyes were not one of anger but awe, Or atleast I hoped so.

"You faded a primordial?!" Diana asked, exasperated.

Please be awe, I prayed, If she wanted to smite me, there was very little I could do. Trust me as I trust you, she had said. I sighed.

"Yes," I said cautiously.

Artemis whistled. "That's spectacular. The only other time in history that was done was with Ouranos. It took Kronus, Hyperion, Iapetus, Crius, and Coeus—five Titans—with the help of the Earth Mother herself. And you, out of your element, on her home turf, in the Pit no less, did it alone. You destroyed one of the most ancient evils our world knows, all to save a girl you fell into literal hell to protect. And you think—no, worry—that I'll what? Hate you? Fear you? Despise you? I knew that blonde was foolish, but really, Percy, you don't have to worry about that with me."

Her smile melted away all the little restraint I had left. I breathed deeply and said, "Thank you. You have no idea what that means to me."

"Now tell us everything else. We want to help you. Let us be there for you," Diana continued. They were finishing each other's sentences; it was oddly endearing and cute… No! Bad Percy! Not even Hestia and your dad together would save you from that blunder.

So I continued with my story, trying not to think about cute redheaded friends who also happened to be the goddesses of maidenhood.

"We were given a 'tour' of the House of Night by Nyx herself. She said she was impressed with my sacrifice to her mother, even if it was her daughter who I slew." They both looked at me, exasperated.

"You met the most ancient of the Primordials, the mother of all terrors, and she helped you?!" Artemis asked incredulously.

I nodded. "Yeah, she was very interested in me for some reason. Another reason Annabeth doesn't trust me—more proof that I have darkness in me," I continued, feeling saddened.

They both scowled at that, strangely it wasn't at what Annabeth had said but rather at Nyx's interest in me, though it deepened when I revealed Annabeth's reaction. They said nothing though, only placing one hand on each of my shoulders. I just realized I was sandwiched between two all-powerful goddesses.

"After that, we met back up with Bob."

Artemis looked at me strangely.

"Oh, yeah, sorry—Bob is Iapetus. During the Second Titan War, I erased his memory and left him with Uncle. He befriended Nico and came to Tartarus to protect me. He became my friend and my guardian. He and another, Damasen the giant, are the reason I'm here. When we reached the Doors of Death, Tartarus took form."

Artemis's eyes went wide.

"No," Diana whispered.

I nodded. "Yes," I said.

"They fought him and held the doors so we could escape." I choked on the next part. "I abandoned them. Zoe's grandfather sacrificed himself to save me. All he asked was that I tell the stars hello."

"Tell Zoe hello… that's what he meant…" Artemis said softly. But Diana was staring at me.

"You did not," she said slowly. "Abandon him, Jackson!"

I looked at her, then down at the ground. But she did something that surprised me. She leaned forward, grasped my face, and tilted it upward.

"You didn't abandon him," she continued. "What would you say if you had saved someone at the cost of your own life, and the one you saved said what you have just said?"

"I'd tell them they were wrong," I said slowly.

"Well, there you have it, Percy. You're wrong to think that way. He saved you. Now honor it by living a good life. Tell the stars hello. Tell his granddaughter hello. Live for them, Percy. Can you do that?" Diana finished.

I nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Diana." I noticed a flicker of something on Artemis's face—something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

Diana looked at me carefully, her expression softening, yet a hint of something more anxious flickering in her eyes. "Is that all?" she asked gently.

I hesitated, my throat tightening, the memories flooding back. Shaking my head slowly, I murmured, "I don't know if it's real or not but..."

Artemis and Diana shared a worried look, their concern visible in the way their eyes locked for just a brief moment before turning back to me. "Talk," they both said in unison.

I swallowed hard, feeling the familiar dread well up inside me. "It's the dreams," I said, the words tumbling out like a confession. "They've been worse lately. Demigod dreams are terrible normally but ever since I got out of Tartarus, sleep's been... different. When I close my eyes, I'm back there. It's like it never ended. Like I never escaped, sometimes I worry that all this" I pointed to the world around me and to both of them sitting beside me. "Is just a dream of a soul on the verge of flickering out of existence."

Artemis's expression tightened, a frown forming as she studied me closely. Diana's eyes softened, and she leaned closer, her hand already on my shoulder squeezed harder as she leaned in. "What happens in these dreams?" Diana asked, her voice low but steady, though I could feel the fear beneath it.

I took a deep breath and began explaining. "I wake up in Tartarus. Akhlys is there. She stands over me, mocking me, telling me I never escaped. Her poison is everywhere, choking me, drowning me. I... I try to reach Annabeth, but she's always just out of reach. The poison won't respond to my will, I can't control it and I die…" Both Goddesses flinch at the bluntness of my statement.

" Then the giants come, and I'm running. It's always the same. Bob is gone nowhere to be seen, it's always the same, the poison, the darkness, the giants laughing... they catch me every time. I feel the first strike and the second but by the third the darkness come again. After that it gets worse Akhlys returns and taunts me, then Tartarus himself appears."

Artemis inhaled sharply, and Diana's grip on my shoulder tightened slightly, her eyes wide with concern.

"I can't fight him," I continued, my voice trembling. "I can't save Annabeth. Tartarus grabs me... crushes me. Every time, it's the same. I feel my bones breaking, the pain so real... like I'm still there."

Artemis's usually composed expression cracked, her silver eyes filled with a mixture of concern and sorrow. Diana's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

I swallowed hard, my throat tight as I began to speak again. "But that isn't what truly bothers me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I can deal with fear, with pain. I've lived my whole life knowing I was going to die. Surviving the Great Prophecy was a miracle in itself. I was raised to be a soldier, and a good soldier is ready to make any sacrifice."

Artemis and Diana both bristled at this, their eyes flashing with disapproval. Before they could speak up to berate me for not valuing my own life, I continued, and what I said next sent chills down their spines.

"What bothers me," I said, my voice hollow, "is that I always end up with her. With Nyx. At the shore of creation and annihilation. I can hear the primordial ocean whispering to me. I can almost understand it. It speaks in a language I almost know. And I feel its desire, its hunger for me… and its gratitude for the sacrifice I accidentally gave it."

I paused, watching their reactions, before continuing with a deep breath. "It wants me to jump in. To swim in it. Nyx tells me every night that it's not yet time—that I must wait to claim 'her.'" I made air quotes, feeling a chill crawl up my spine. "I don't know who she is. But Nyx tells me she's chosen me to 'claim her.' Every time I get to that shore, my memories are scattered—broken. I have to put myself back together, piece by piece. And each time, when I finally remember everything... I wake up. The last thing I see is Nyx smiling at me as I fade away."

Artemis and Diana were staring at me, their expressions shifting from concern to something more serious—something darker, true terror. They exchanged a glance, their faces taut with tension.

"Do not tell anyone else this, do you understand?" Artemis said sharply, her voice suddenly laced with urgency.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Swear it!" Artemis insisted, her silver eyes burning with intensity. "On the Styx, swear that until we tell you it's safe, you will tell no one else. Only Hestia and your father. Anyone else would be disastrous."

"What? Why? What's happening?!" I asked, feeling panic well up inside me. Their reactions were scaring me more than anything I'd faced in Tartarus.

"Swear it, Percy!" Diana added, her voice firm but tinged with desperation. "Swear you won't repeat this to anyone but Hestia and Poseidon. You could be betrayed, imprisoned, and even killed. Thank the Three Sisters Delos is warded from eavesdropping."

Their fear and urgency unsettled me. I couldn't understand what I'd said that could be so dangerous, but I could see how serious they were. "Okay," I said quietly, swallowing my unease. "I swear on the Styx to your terms."

Thunder boomed in the distance, sealing the oath. The two goddesses looked at each other before turning their gaze back to me, their faces pale, filled with both terror and awe.

And then, they revealed the most absurd and terrifying thing I had ever heard in my life.