His Lady of the Moon: Book One Forged By Fate Or FBF

Prologue:

Percy POV:

After my "welcoming" tour and the not-so-pleasant run-in with Clarisse, I needed some time to myself. The camp was still overwhelming—satyrs, centaurs, gods, and monsters. It was all too much. My feet moved independently, and before I knew it, I was near the giant bonfire in the middle of camp.

That's when I saw her—a little girl sitting by the flames, tending to the fire like it was the most important thing in the world. She seemed out of place among all the chaos of the camp. Something about her felt… peaceful.

I wasn't sure why, but I walked over and sat beside her. "Hey," I said, glancing over. "I'm Percy. Who are you?"

She turned to me with wide eyes, like she wasn't expecting anyone to be there. "You can see me?" she asked, her voice small and timid.

I laughed a little. "Why shouldn't I, you a ghost or something? If you are a ghost then don't answer that, with everything else the last thing I need is an 'I see dead people' moment right now" I said chuckling.

She giggled, and I couldn't help but smile. She was kind of adorable, in a way that made me feel secure and safe. "It's been a while since a mortal has been able to see me," she said softly. "And an even longer time for a demigod."

That's when it hit me—mortal. My stomach did a flip. Was she a goddess? Had I just insulted a goddess by calling implying she was dead and joking? Would she see it as joking or disrespectful? I shot to my feet, practically tripping over myself as I tried to bow. "I—I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—"

She frowned, looking genuinely upset that I'd bowed. "No need to fear me, little one. And no bowing please."

I awkwardly sat back down, feeling my face go red. "Sorry," I muttered. "I just… I didn't know."

She smiled again, her expression softening. "It's all right. I'm Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth."

My eyes went wide. "Hestia! You were my favorite goddess when my mom told me stories as a kid. Then Artemis, and finally Poseidon." In my excitement at meeting yet another mythical figure I'd grown up hearing stories about as a kid, I'd forgotten the many warnings about names holding power and blurted my three favorite gods out loud right into the ether, hopefully, no one would notice, unlikely with my luck.

Hestia blinked, and for a second, I swore she blushed. She looked genuinely surprised. "Why is that? For all of them, and not just me." She asked curiously and I felt like I was just starting one of Mr Brunner's pop quizzes, and just like him, Hestia made me not want to disappoint her, so I got serious, and yes that's possible thanks.

"Poseidon represents freedom for me," I said, trying to explain. "That's what I got from the stories, how he stayed out of a lot of the divine drama, rather tending to the sea and being free. I feel like he got the best deal out of his three brothers, and I loved his loyalty to his children, even if they were 'monsters.'" I used air quotes around the word, which made her smile.

"That's… not entirely inaccurate," she said with a small grin.

"And Artemis—she's the most active of the gods. My mother told me the stories about her hunt and how they hunted monsters like the other heroes of the age, protecting the mortals, that are often overlooked by other gods. She's on the ground, protecting the innocent. She's a warrior. She represents the choice: to be a victim or a hero, to wither because of circumstances or to overcome them. She's strength, and she uses that strength selflessly."

Hestia looked stunned, her eyes searching my face like she was trying to figure something out. It was like she couldn't believe what I was saying. "Just who was this woman to so accurately portray the gods to her child?" she murmured, more to herself than to me.

She stared at me, her expression a mixture of awe and something else I couldn't quite place.

"And then," I said, my face heating up a little, "there's the most important of them all." I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling awkward. "It's kind of weird now, given that you're not just a story anymore, but a person. But to me, you represent family, home, and true love. Family is the most important thing in this world. When nothing else is guaranteed, having a home and people who love you… that's true divinity. My mother was my home..."

I trailed off, my throat tightening. My eyes started to sting, and I quickly looked away, not wanting her to see me like that.

Hestia's expression shifted, her eyes narrowing with concern. "Something isn't right, is it?" she asked gently. "How long have you been at camp? I haven't seen you here before."

I shrugged, still avoiding her gaze. "Just today. I only got here a few hours ago."

Her voice softened. "And what brought you here, Percy?"

The memory hit me like a freight train. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "It was the Minotaur," I whispered. "It… it killed my mom."

Hestia gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "The Minotaur attacked a camper today. I heard people talking about it. It was you, wasn't it? I'm so sorry, Percy."

I nodded, feeling the weight of the words all over again. "Yeah. I tried to save her, but she just… she glowed gold and dissolved into light."

Hestia's expression shifted from horror to something more serious. "Glowed gold?" she asked carefully.

I nodded. "Yeah. She was right in front of me, and then she just… disappeared."

Hestia leaned in a little, her eyes locking onto mine. "That usually means she was captured by a god."

I froze. "What?"

"When someone glows gold and vanishes, it often means they were taken by a god."

The air left my lungs. My mom—captured? She wasn't dead? "So… she's alive?"

Hestia nodded slowly. "It's possible. I can't say for certain where she is, but it's something I can look into."

I jumped to my feet, feeling a surge of hope I hadn't felt since this whole thing started. "I have to find her! Please, you have to help me!"

Hestia looked at me with a kind of sadness that I didn't really understand. "I will see what I can find out," she said gently. "I'll ask around, see if anyone knows where your mother might be."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. "Thank you," I said, my voice cracking. "I… I don't know what I'd do without her."

Hestia gave me that warm smile again. "I understand, Percy. Family is everything." She glanced at the fire, like she heard something I couldn't. "I have to go now, but I'll return with news."

As she stood, I blurted out, "Can we talk again? Later, I mean?"

Hestia turned back, her smile deepening. "I'd like that."

And then, just like that, she disappeared into the flames, leaving me sitting by the fire, my heart pounding with hope.

Hestia's POV:

I arrived at my temple, the warmth of the hearth greeting me as it always did. But tonight, something was different. Waiting for me were two familiar figures—Artemis, her arms crossed, looking as fierce as ever, and Poseidon, his face clouded with concern. I didn't need to guess why they were here.

"Why were you and a demigod talking about me?" Artemis asked, her voice sharp. Poseidon's worried look deepened, and I could see the reason in his sea-green eyes. How could I not? After spending time with the boy, it was obvious who his father was. He had Poseidon's eyes, after all.

"The boy saw me," I said calmly.

Poseidon's frown shifted into a proud smile, even though his worry didn't fully disappear. Artemis raised an eyebrow, clearly shocked.

"A boy demigod saw you?" she repeated incredulously. "Why was my name brought up?" Her irritation simmered beneath her words.

"Oh, nothing much," I said with a playful smile, "only that you were his second favorite god or goddess." I giggled, already knowing how my niece would react.

Artemis's scowl deepened, and Poseidon chuckled. "Obviously, I'd be his favorite then, right?" he asked, sounding both amused and expectant.

Artemis turned to him, eyes narrowed. "Why would that be, Uncle?" she asked, suspicion lacing her voice.

Poseidon blinked, realizing the slip he had just made. He straightened, trying to recover. "Because I'm so amazing, dear niece," he said, not missing a beat.

Artemis snorted, unimpressed. "Right."

I couldn't help but laugh softly. "Nope," I said, popping the 'p' with satisfaction. Poseidon's smug expression faltered as he looked at me, confused. "You're his third favorite, dear brother. I'm his favorite." His eyes widened in shock, and I grinned, feeling quite pleased with myself. "Would you like to hear his reasoning? Whoever his mother is, she raised a very well-informed young man. Quite impressive, really."

Poseidon crossed his arms, a mixture of amusement and jealousy flickering in his eyes. "I'd love to hear it," he said, though his tone was more begrudging than anything.

"Whatever," Artemis muttered, though I could tell she was curious. She was rarely a favorite on Olympus, usually, she reserved for a particular 'clientele' when it came to worship by mortals.

I looked between them, enjoying the moment before I continued. "Percy told me that Poseidon represents freedom for him. He admired your loyalty to your children, even the ones considered 'monsters,'" I said, using air quotes like Percy had. "He seems to have a soft spot for the misunderstood and downtrodden" Poseidon's chest puffed out slightly at that, though he didn't say anything.

"As for you, Artemis," I said, turning to her, "he thinks you're a god who most actively makes the world better, apparently his mother told him about your hunt and how it hunted down evil monsters and saved people while giving people who were hurt and mistreated a new place to call home. He respects that you're always on the ground, protecting the innocent. He sees you as a warrior, someone who offers a choice—to be a victim or a hero. He said you represent strength, and you use that strength selflessly to protect the weak and those in need, uplift and allow others to help themselves."

Artemis blinked, her earlier irritation replaced with surprise. She didn't say anything, but I could see the way her expression softened that she was pleased with the boy's words, even if she'd never admit it.

"And then," I continued, feeling my own heart warm at the memory, "he told me why I'm his favorite. To him, I represent family, home, and true love. He said that when nothing else is guaranteed, having a home and people who love you… that's true divinity." Now I know I'm being a little big-headed here, but this is a first and I intend to enjoy it. I could sense the boy's sincerity, he was not sucking up to a goddess, hades he didn't even know I was a goddess when he first met me.

Both of them fell silent for a moment. Even Poseidon seemed to be taken aback. "His mother must've told him some remarkable stories," he said quietly.

"She did," I agreed softly. "She gave him a deep understanding of the gods, one that few mortals ever have. It's clear she raised him well."

Poseidon nodded, still processing everything. Artemis, however, cleared her throat, trying to break the moment. "Well, I'm glad the boy has good taste," she said her neutral face slipping as her lips twitched upwards, and I could see the pride in her eyes.

I smiled at them both. "He's a special one, that's for sure."

Artemis satisfied left, flashing away.

I looked at my little brother and asked a simple question "What about his mother? Do you know anything?"

His expression darkened and only his extreme self-control was keeping the ocean from raging across the globe. He shook his head. "Hades has her, for what reason I do not know, leverage maybe. I didn't think he stole Zeus's Toothpick, but now…. Why else would he take her and try to kill my son?

My eyes widened. My brother did this to that poor boy? I couldn't believe it. This was so unlike him. No matter what others say, Hades has a good soul, and I should know—I'm the sibling he's closest to. In fact, I'm the only one he doesn't either outright hate or feel completely apathetic toward. But even so, if he doesn't have a damn good reason for hurting a child like this, he'll answer to me.

"Still," Poseidon said, a faint smile returning to his lips, "if he's anything like his mother… and me… he'll save her and be more than fine in his upcoming trials."

"You can't possibly be thinking about sending him after the bolt!?" I asked incredulously, Poseidon frowned, his eyes losing the little light in them. He looked haunted and the look sent shivers down her spine. This fight between her two brothers was taking its toll, and from what she seen of Zeus, it wasn't only Poseidon who suffered.

"I have no other choice, my dearest sister. A war between the two of us wouldn't end until there was a victor. If we fight, one of us is going to Tartarus." Poseidon's voice was firm, his eyes hard. "I refuse to submit like last time. I made myself mortal for decades, and became a slave, all to satisfy his rampant paranoia. I will not accept another so-called 'punishment,'" he said, making air quotes around the word. "Especially when I've done nothing to deserve it. If he pushes me, he'll soon learn he isn't the strongest child of Rhea."

I sighed, knowing there was no convincing him. "Just don't get your son killed over petty divine politics. I'll do what I can to protect him. He's earned my respect… and because that's what you do for family. You protect each other."

Hestia POV ~ Back at camp

I found Percy by the bonfire, just as I had hoped. His shoulders were slumped, his face etched with exhaustion, but he still sat close to the flames, waiting. I hadn't expected to find him so determined, night after night. Guilt tugged at me. I should've come sooner.

"I didn't expect to find you here, young hero," I said softly, stepping out of the shadows.

Percy looked up, startled at first, but then relaxed, his expression a mix of relief and surprise. "I come here every night, my lady," he responded, his voice carrying an undertone of hope he couldn't quite hide.

"My apologies for not coming sooner," I said, stepping closer and sitting down beside him. "It's chaos on Olympus. But I've found where your mother is."

His eyes darkened, and he nodded as if he already knew the answer. "The Underworld..." Percy interrupted, his tone resigned. "I've been given a quest."

"I know..." I said, my voice quiet. I wasn't sure what else to say. The burden on his shoulders was heavier than it should've been for someone so young.

"I'd have gone anyway," Percy continued, his jaw set in determination. "If it means saving her."

I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "I have little doubt of that, little one."

He laughed at that, and I blinked, confused. My expression must have shown my surprise because he quickly stopped, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Sorry, it's just... having someone your age call you 'little one' is a little funny," Percy said, a hint of a smile still lingering.

I smiled softly, understanding. I'd forgotten I had taken a form closer to his age. "I suppose that would sound strange." I tilted my head, studying him. "So… how has camp been?"

His expression shifted immediately, and he grimaced. I could see the weight pressing down on him, heavier now than before. "That bad?" I asked cautiously.

"Everyone is afraid," he admitted, his voice low and bitter. "No one wants to be caught dead with enemy number one. Targeted by two of the big three? I'm already dead in most of their eyes."

I frowned deeply, anger flaring inside me. No child should endure so much, and to think it was my brothers—my family—who had caused him this pain. The gods had always been selfish, but this was cruelty. I had stayed out of divine politics for eons, but perhaps it was time I became more involved. After all, I was the eldest. If I didn't protect him, who would?

The idea began to form in my mind, and though I hesitated, it felt right. He needed someone in his corner. "How would you like to be my chosen?" I asked, my voice soft but serious. "To wield my power and be under my protection?"

His eyes widened in shock, but before he could speak, I raised a hand, warning him with a firm gaze. "Be warned, Percy. What you do will reflect on me, and while I will protect you, I will also punish you harshly should you bring me dishonor. This is a responsibility as much as it is an honor. Consider it carefully."

Percy stared at me, his surprise melting into something deeper—something like reverence. He swallowed, and for the first time, I saw real hesitation. The weight of what I was offering was clearly sinking in. "Hestia… it'd be my greatest privilege," he said, his voice unsteady. "Though I don't know if I am worthy."

I studied him for a moment, letting the silence stretch. He needed to understand how significant this was, not just for him, but for me as well. "I have a feeling you are one of the few—perhaps the only one—who is worthy," I said gently. "I can see into the hearts of mortals and gods alike, and never has someone impressed me so thoroughly and so quickly."

Percy looked down, his face thoughtful, as if weighing the choice before him. He knew this wasn't something to accept lightly. But when he looked back at me, there was resolve in his eyes. "Then yes," he said, his voice stronger now. "Yes, my lady."

I sighed, relieved but also oddly touched by his sincerity. "There's one caveat though," I said, leaning in with a small smile. "No more 'my lady.' Call me Hestia, and Hestia alone."

"Deal," he said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

As I smiled back, I reached out with my power, letting it flow through me and into him. I could feel the bond forming, stronger than I had anticipated. My warmth surrounded him, and I could sense his acceptance, his loyalty, and something more—hope.

And thus, my first champion was born.