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AS ALWAYS I DO NOT OWN PJO OR HoO

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Chapter 17: A Witness in the Shadows

The camp was quiet, the only sounds coming from the rustling leaves and the occasional crackle of the campfire. Percy sat on a flat rock by the lake, staring out at the shimmering water. The night air carried a cool breeze, tinged with the earthy smell of the forest. It was peaceful, but the turmoil in his chest was anything but.

It had been hours since his conversation with Artemis—since the kiss that had left him both exhilarated and unnerved. He had never expected something like that to happen, and now he wasn't sure what to do next. She had gone to patrol the camp's perimeter, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Until now.

"Lost in thought again?"

The familiar voice startled him, and Percy spun around, his heart pounding in his chest. Artemis stood there, her silver cloak shimmering in the moonlight, her expression calm but her eyes holding a glimmer of amusement.

"You have a habit of sneaking up on people," Percy said, his voice steady despite his racing heart.

"It's a skill," she replied, stepping closer to the fire. "Besides, you seemed preoccupied. I didn't want to disturb you."

Percy smiled faintly, his nerves easing as she sat beside him. "You're not disturbing me," he said.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the firelight casting flickering shadows across their faces. Then, Artemis turned to him, her gaze steady.

"You've been quiet since earlier," she said softly.

Percy shrugged, staring at the flames. "Just... thinking. About what this means. About us."

Artemis nodded, her expression thoughtful. "It's not an easy thing to define," she admitted. "But perhaps it doesn't need to be. Not yet."

He turned to her, surprised by the vulnerability in her tone. "You really mean that?"

She smiled, the faintest curve of her lips. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

The warmth of her words settled over him, soothing the doubts that had been gnawing at him all night. And before he could stop himself, he leaned in, the pull between them impossible to resist.

This kiss was different from the last—deeper, more certain. Artemis didn't pull away; instead, she leaned into him, her fingers brushing against his. The world seemed to shrink, leaving only the two of them in the firelight.

A sharp gasp broke the moment.

They pulled apart, both turning toward the sound. Standing a few feet away, illuminated by the fire's glow, was Thalia Grace. Her wide-eyed expression quickly shifted into a smirk as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Well, this is interesting," she said, her tone dripping with amusement.

"Thalia!" Percy exclaimed, scrambling to his feet. "I—I can explain."

Thalia raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Oh, please do," she said, her grin widening. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you and Artemis were getting pretty cozy."

Artemis stood as well, her expression calm but her cheeks faintly flushed. "Thalia," she said evenly, "I assume you have a reason for being here."

Thalia shrugged, her grin still firmly in place. "I was out for a walk. Didn't expect to stumble across this." She gestured between the two of them. "But hey, no judgment. It's just... surprising."

"Thalia..." Percy began, but she cut him off with a wave of her hand.

"Relax, seaweed brain," she said, her tone teasing. "I'm not going to tell anyone. I just think it's hilarious that you managed to catch Artemis's attention."

Percy groaned, running a hand through his hair. "You're never going to let me live this down, are you?"

"Not a chance," Thalia replied, her grin turning mischievous.

Artemis, to Percy's surprise, let out a soft laugh. "I see why you and Thalia get along," she said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "She's relentless."

"Yeah," Percy muttered, shooting Thalia a look. "Relentlessly annoying."

Thalia winked. "That's what cousins are for."

Despite the embarrassment of being caught, Percy couldn't help but smile. Thalia's teasing, as relentless as it was, felt like a reminder that life didn't have to be so serious all the time.

"Well," Thalia said, turning toward the woods, "I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. Don't do anything too scandalous."

"Thalia!" Percy called after her, but she was already disappearing into the trees, her laughter echoing behind her.

Artemis shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "She has a way of making an entrance, doesn't she?"

"You have no idea," Percy muttered, sitting back down with a sigh.

Artemis joined him, her hand brushing his as she settled beside him.

Percy let out a deep breath, glancing at Artemis as the firelight danced in her silver eyes. "Well, that was mortifying," he said, though a faint smile tugged at his lips.

Artemis tilted her head, her serene demeanor returning. "Thalia's humor is... an acquired taste. But she means well."

"Yeah, that's one way to put it," Percy replied, shaking his head. "She's going to bring this up every chance she gets."

"Perhaps," Artemis mused, her tone teasing, "but if she cares enough to tease you, it means she approves."

"Approves of what, exactly?" Percy asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Artemis looked at him, her gaze unwavering. "Of whatever this is," she said softly, her words deliberate. "Between us. Whatever it might become."

He held her gaze, the weight of her words settling over him like the warmth of the fire. There was no rush, no pressure to define what they were or where this was going. Just the understanding that, for now, this was enough.

"That's... reassuring," Percy admitted, a smile breaking through his nerves. "I mean, I think you're right. We don't have to figure it all out right away."

"Good," Artemis replied, the corner of her mouth lifting. "Because I have no intention of overthinking this tonight."

They sat together in silence once more, the night wrapping around them like a cocoon. The fire crackled, sending embers into the star-speckled sky, and the tension from earlier began to fade completely.

After a while, Artemis spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. "You should rest, Percy. Tomorrow brings its own challenges."

"You're probably right," he said, stifling a yawn. He hesitated before adding, "Are you going to stay here for a while?"

She nodded. "The camp needs its guardian. And besides, the fire is comforting."

Percy rose to his feet, brushing off his jeans. He hesitated for a moment, then turned back to her. "Goodnight, Artemis," he said, his voice warm.

"Goodnight, Percy," she replied, her expression unreadable but her tone filled with quiet fondness.

As he made his way to his tent, Percy felt the lingering warmth of her presence and the steadying reassurance of her words.

Percy woke the next morning to the soft hum of the forest and the faint smell of dew on the earth. The events of the previous night hovered at the edges of his thoughts like a dream. As he stretched and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, he tried to decide whether Thalia's teasing grin or Artemis's serene gaze would haunt him more.

The camp was already stirring. He could hear the clatter of armor being adjusted, the low murmur of voices exchanging plans, and the occasional bark of laughter. For all its trials, life among demigods always had a sense of camaraderie, even in the face of chaos.

Stepping out of his tent, Percy spotted Grover tending to some nearby plants. The satyr looked up, his face lighting up with a grin.

"Morning, Percy! You look…" Grover paused, tilting his head in mock consideration. "Less grumpy than usual. What's the occasion?"

Percy rolled his eyes but couldn't keep the corners of his mouth from twitching upward. "Good sleep, I guess," he said casually, though his cheeks warmed as he remembered exactly what—or who—had occupied his thoughts the night before.

"Sure, 'good sleep,'" Grover said with an exaggerated wink. "Anyway, breakfast is ready. You should grab some before the others eat everything."

Percy nodded and headed toward the main gathering area, where the demigods were already clustered around tables, eating and chatting. As he loaded up his plate with pancakes and bacon, he felt a nudge at his side.

"Hey, seaweed brain," Thalia said, her smirk firmly in place. "Sleep well after last night's incident?"

Percy groaned, glaring at her. "Do you ever let anything go?"

"Not when it's this entertaining," Thalia replied, plucking a strip of bacon off his plate. "Relax, though. Your secret's safe with me."

"Somehow, that's not comforting," Percy muttered, sitting down at a table. Thalia followed, her grin never wavering.

"I mean it," she said after a moment, her tone softening. "If this thing with Artemis makes you happy, then I'm happy for you. Just… be careful, okay? You're dealing with a goddess. They don't exactly have the best track record with relationships."

Percy met her gaze, surprised by the sincerity there. "I know," he said quietly. "I don't know where this is going, but I'm not rushing into anything. It just feels… right."

Thalia nodded, her smirk replaced with a small smile. "Good. Just don't forget you've got people who care about you, Percy. Me included."

Before he could respond, a hush fell over the camp. Percy turned to see Artemis entering the clearing, her silver cloak billowing softly behind her. She moved with the effortless grace of a hunter, her expression calm but commanding.

"Demigods," she said, her voice carrying effortlessly through the air, "we have work to do."

The casual morning chatter vanished as the camp snapped to attention. Percy set his plate aside and stood, his instincts sharpening. Something in Artemis's tone told him that whatever was coming next would be serious.

"There's been movement near the western woods," she continued. "Signs of something—or someone—unnatural. I'll need a small team to investigate. Percy, Thalia, you're with me."

Thalia shot Percy a look that was equal parts excitement and warning. Percy, for his part, felt a mix of nerves and anticipation rise within him.

Percy nodded at Artemis, his pulse quickening. The camp's energy had shifted; the weight of whatever awaited them pressed heavily against the morning's quiet. Around him, the other campers whispered, curiosity and unease rippling through the crowd.

"Grover," Artemis continued, turning her attention to the satyr, "you'll stay here and oversee the camp's perimeter defenses. Whatever is out there might not come alone."

Grover straightened, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced with a rare seriousness. "Got it," he said, clutching his reed pipes tightly. "I'll make sure the camp's safe."

Artemis glanced at the assembled demigods. "The rest of you, stay vigilant. Train, prepare, and keep each other sharp. We may not have much time before this becomes a larger threat."

As Artemis turned to leave, Percy and Thalia followed without hesitation, their footsteps falling into step with hers. They made their way toward the western edge of the camp, where the trees grew denser and the light dimmed. The sounds of the camp faded, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the occasional distant call of a bird.

"Do we know what we're looking for?" Percy asked, breaking the silence. His voice was low, but it carried clearly in the stillness.

Artemis shook her head, her gaze scanning the forest ahead. "Not yet. The disturbance was subtle—a ripple in the balance of the woods. But whatever caused it is powerful enough to leave a trace. That alone is reason to be cautious."

"Powerful and subtle," Thalia muttered, her hand resting on the hilt of her spear. "That's a fun combination."

As they ventured deeper into the woods, the air grew cooler, carrying an unfamiliar tension. Percy couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. His fingers tightened around the hilt of Riptide, and he glanced at Artemis, who walked with calm determination, her eyes darting to every shadow and movement.

Then they saw it.

A clearing lay ahead, bathed in an unnatural light that shimmered with a faint green hue. The grass and leaves seemed to pulse faintly, as though alive with energy. At the center of the clearing stood a figure cloaked in black, their face obscured by a hood. Around them, the air shimmered like heat waves, distorting their outline.

Artemis held up a hand, signaling for Percy and Thalia to stop. She stepped forward, her bow appearing in her hand with a thought, an arrow already nocked.

"Who are you?" Artemis demanded, her voice cold and commanding. "And what business do you have in my woods?"

The figure didn't move for a moment, then slowly raised their head. Though their face was still hidden, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the clearing.

"I am but a messenger," the figure said, their tone calm but carrying an edge that made Percy's skin crawl. "And I bring a warning, Huntress."

"Warning?" Artemis asked, her bowstring tightening. "From whom?"

The figure chuckled softly, the sound reverberating unnaturally. "From one who has been watching. You have meddled in affairs far greater than you understand. What comes next will not spare you or your chosen mortals."

Percy stepped forward, his anger flaring. "If you've got a warning, spit it out," he said. "And maybe tell us who you're working for while you're at it."

The figure turned their hooded head toward Percy, and for a moment, he felt an icy chill wash over him. The voice shifted, darker now. "You, son of Poseidon, should tread carefully. The ties you are forging will bring both salvation… and destruction."

Percy opened his mouth to respond, but Artemis's voice cut through the tension.

"You've delivered your warning," she said, her voice sharp. "Now leave, or face the consequences."

The figure's form began to shimmer, their outline blurring until it dissolved into the air like smoke. But their voice lingered, a final whisper that sent a shiver down Percy's spine.

"Beware the shadow that hunts the light."

Silence fell over the clearing. Percy turned to Artemis, his heart pounding. "What was that? And what did they mean?"

Artemis's expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—concern, or perhaps anger. "I don't know," she admitted, lowering her bow. "But whoever they serve, they know far too much."

Thalia scanned the woods, her spear crackling faintly with electricity. "So, what now?"

Artemis straightened, her voice firm. "Now, we prepare. Whatever is coming, it's only just begun."

Percy exchanged a look with Thalia. The weight of the figure's words hung heavy in the air, and though they had no answers yet, one thing was clear: they were running out of time.

Well that ends this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it,

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As always till next time