Hello guys and welcome back to Under the Silver moon I hope you enjoy this chapter I believe I may surprise you with it. Thank you to all the support for this story, when I first started it I did not know how well I would do but thank you for continuing to read it, Anyways AS ALWAYS I DO NOT OWN PJO OR HoO

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO CHAPTER 9

Chapter 9: The Shadow in the Moonlight

The tranquility that had settled over Percy and Artemis in the days since their quiet exchange in the forest seemed almost too perfect. The camp was peaceful, the stars shining brighter than ever, and the bond between them growing stronger with each passing day. But as it so often was with demigods and immortals, peace rarely lasted long.

One evening, as the golden light of the setting sun turned the sky a rich amber, a ripple of unease spread through Camp Half-Blood. There was a tension in the air, a sense of something amiss—though no one could say exactly what. Percy noticed it first, the way the air felt still and thick, as though something was waiting to strike.

It was after dinner when the first sign appeared. A low, unsettling howl echoed from the forest's edge, a sound so unnatural it sent chills through Percy's spine. Artemis, who had been standing near the fire, immediately stiffened, her hand instinctively reaching for her bow, her silver eyes narrowing.

"What was that?" Percy asked, his voice tense, instinctively drawing Riptide from his pocket.

Artemis didn't answer at first. She was already moving, her steps silent and fluid as she scanned the shadows beneath the trees, the moonlight flickering off her pale skin. "Something is wrong," she muttered, almost to herself. "That wasn't a normal monster."

Percy stayed close, his senses heightened, his gaze sweeping the perimeter of the camp. "What do you mean, not normal?"

Before Artemis could respond, the howl came again—closer this time, followed by the unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps crashing through the underbrush. The forest around them seemed to hum with a dangerous energy, a sinister presence drawing closer.

"Get ready," Artemis said, her voice sharp, and Percy felt the familiar tension of battle rise in his chest. He was used to this feeling, the anticipation of a fight, but this was different. There was something off about the howl, something familiar and ancient that made his skin crawl.

They didn't have time to prepare before the creature burst through the tree line.

It was a massive, hulking figure, its body a twisted combination of various creatures—like a chimera, but with a far darker edge. Its fur was matted and black as night, its glowing red eyes burning with malevolent rage. A massive, scaled tail whipped behind it, and its claws glistened like sharpened daggers.

But what sent a cold wave of recognition through Percy wasn't the creature's monstrous appearance—it was the dark aura surrounding it. This wasn't just a monster. It was a shadow, a creature born of pure hatred, sent to destroy.

"A Shadow Beast," Artemis breathed, her voice filled with grim realization. "These things are more dangerous than you can imagine."

"A what?" Percy asked, confusion rising in his chest.

"They were created by the gods as a weapon," Artemis explained, not taking her eyes off the creature. "Born from dark magic—fueled by hatred and rage. They were meant to be an unstoppable force. But they were too dangerous, even for the gods. They were locked away, sealed in the deepest parts of the underworld."

Percy's grip tightened on Riptide as the Shadow Beast growled, low and guttural, its eyes locking with his. "If it's a god-made monster, why is it here now? What broke the seal?"

Artemis's silver eyes flickered to the horizon, then back to the beast. "There's a rogue faction of gods—those who want to use these creatures as weapons again. Someone's set it loose."

The beast took a step forward, its massive feet sinking into the earth with a sickening crunch. A dark fog emanated from it, swirling in the air like smoke from an ancient fire. The beast's roar was like thunder, shaking the trees.

"We need to move," Artemis said, already nocking an arrow. "It's not just its size we have to worry about—it's the curse that comes with it."

Before Percy could ask her to elaborate, the Shadow Beast lunged forward, its claws slashing toward them. Artemis reacted in an instant, releasing her arrow with blinding speed. The arrow struck the beast's chest, but it didn't stop. It merely glanced off the creature's thick, shadowy hide as though it had no effect at all.

Artemis cursed under her breath, drawing another arrow, this one crackling with magical energy. Percy was already in motion, summoning water from the nearby creek to form a barrier between them and the beast.

The water shield glowed with an ethereal light, but it shuddered when the beast struck it with a massive claw. The impact sent a shockwave through the camp, and Percy gritted his teeth, his grip on Riptide tightening.

"That's not going to hold it for long!" Percy shouted.

Artemis nodded grimly, firing another arrow, this one aimed at the creature's head. But once again, the arrow did little more than cause the beast to stagger before it lunged again. Percy raised his sword, meeting the creature's charge head-on.

But just as the monster was about to strike, a figure stepped out of the darkness—the unmistakable figure of Lysandra, a former demigod who had been exiled from the camp years ago for her dangerous obsession with power. Lysandra had once been a friend of Artemis's, but now… now she was something else entirely.

Lysandra's eyes burned with a fierce, unnatural light as she waved her hand, calling on dark magic to fuel the Shadow Beast. "The gods will see you fall, Artemis!" she shouted, her voice cold and taunting. "They've given me the power to do what they cannot. This beast will tear down everything you've ever known!"

Artemis's eyes flashed with recognition, followed by a flare of anger. "Lysandra," she hissed. "You were supposed to be better than this."

Lysandra laughed, the sound sharp and filled with malice. "Better? I've always wanted more. And now, the Shadow Beast will help me bring that 'more' to fruition."

The realization hit Percy like a wave. Lysandra wasn't just controlling the creature. She had unleashed it, had purposefully brought it here to destroy the camp and anyone who stood in her way. She was working with the gods who wanted to destabilize everything Artemis had worked to protect.

"You're working with the wrong gods, Lysandra!" Percy shouted, lunging at the Shadow Beast. "This is chaos! This is madness!"

Lysandra's grin only grew wider. "Is it madness, or is it simply the future? The gods are tired of their own rules, Percy Jackson. Tired of being beholden to heroes and demigods. It's time for something new."

Before Percy could respond, the Shadow Beast lunged toward them again, but this time, Artemis was faster. She called upon the moonlight itself, her bow glowing with divine energy as she let loose a barrage of arrows. The arrows streaked through the night air, each one laced with silver magic, striking the creature's hide and finally causing it to stumble back, screeching in pain.

"Now, Percy!" Artemis commanded.

Percy didn't hesitate. He sprinted forward, water swirling around him, and with a mighty thrust of Riptide, he drove the sword into the creature's side. The water he had summoned surged forward, amplifying the blow, and with a final, agonizing roar, the Shadow Beast collapsed, its dark form dissolving into smoke.

Lysandra screamed in rage, but her anger faltered when Artemis stepped forward, her presence radiating a fierce, unyielding power.

"You've lost," Artemis said coldly, her silver eyes burning with the fury of a thousand battles. "And you'll regret ever turning against me, Lysandra."

But Lysandra was not one to back down. She raised her hand again, dark magic swirling around her fingers, but before she could cast another spell, the ground beneath her feet cracked, and a large force field encased her, trapping her in place.

Percy turned to see the arrival of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, her eyes filled with disappointment and anger.

"Enough, Lysandra," Athena commanded. "This path will lead you only to destruction. And if you continue on it, I will ensure you never leave this camp again."

Lysandra glared at Athena, but there was nothing she could do now. The Shadow Beast was gone, her plans thwarted. Percy and Artemis had stopped her. For now.

As Lysandra was carried away by the magical force, Artemis turned to Percy, her gaze softening slightly, but still heavy with the weight of what had just transpired.

"Are you okay?" Artemis asked, her voice quieter than before.

Percy nodded, though the fight had left him breathless. "I'm good. Thanks for having my back, as always."

Artemis gave a rare, small smile. "We make a good team."

Percy smiled back. "I think so."

But even as they stood there, victorious, the shadow of what had just happened lingered in the air. Lysandra was just the beginning. They both knew it.

And whatever came next, they would face it together.

Thank you, for reading hope you enjoyed this chapter. I bet I surprised you with this it seems like theres another war on the horizen but this time it looks to be Gods Versus Gods.

Anyways review and as always Till Next time.