Chapter 2:

Artemis's POV: Prayer for one good shot

The aftermath of the Hunt chaos still lingered a thick tension that hung in the air like a malevolent spirit. I carried out my duties, watching over my Hunters and guiding the stars when Percy's desperate plea reached me through divine senses.

I immediately recognized his voice and my heart skipped a beat. He was deep into his quest and the urgency in his prayer was palpable.

"Artemis, I need your help," he cried out, his words laced with desperation. "I'm trying to make this shot count but I know I'm not the best archer. Please-"

But before he could finish, another presence joined him, one that I knew all too well. Apollo.

"What are you doing?" I demanded as I sensed his arrival. "Did you aid him?"

"Of course not," Apollo responded nonchalantly. "I just happened to catch his prayer."

My frown deepened. "Then why does it feel like he's already received help?"

Apollo tilted his head in thought. "Maybe someone else intervened."

Suddenly, we both felt it - an offering from Percy, a sacrifice made on our behalf. My confusion only grew deeper. "Why would he sacrifice to us if it wasn't us who helped him?"

"Perhaps he mistook someone else's help for ours?" Apollo suggested with a shrug.

"But we didn't intervene," I pointed out, frustration creeping into my voice. "Why would he think we did?"

"A valid question," Apollo admitted, scratching his head.

"Why is Percy so inept at archery anyways?" I mused, half to myself and half to Apollo.

Realization dawned on Apollo's face as he looked at me with sudden understanding. "Because I cursed Poseidon's children."

"What?!" My irritation grew. "You cursed Poseidon's bloodline? Why would you do such a thing?"

"Orion!" Apollo growled, his usual warmth and charm disappearing.

"Oh...," I said with worry for Apollo's safety if Poseidon found out. "Does Uncle know about this?"

"Of course not! It doesn't work on gods anyway, so he wouldn't have noticed. That's why I didn't include immortals," Apollo explained quickly. "But it does work on demigods."

"So it doesn't affect the one it was intended for?" I asked, piecing the puzzle together. "But instead, it harms innocent mortal children?"

"A valid point... but still, it's difficult to undo. And I wasn't exactly thinking clearly, I just wanted someone to pay for what happened with Orion's escape..." Apollo mumbled sheepishly.

"He died..." I said, confused.

"Yeah, I had wanted to hand him over to Uncle H and let him try out new methods of torture or maybe throw him into the Abyss of Chaos. But alas, he managed to evade me because someone didn't believe me and put him in the stars," Apollo grumbled.

"You idiot," I snapped, unable to hide my annoyance. "He's in Tartarus now, I moved him there after learning everything about his plans and intentions. So just shut up okay?"

Apollo raised his hands in defeat before yelling "Love you too, little sis!" and flashing away with a grin.

"I'm older than you, you idiot!" I retorted as he disappeared into the night. The weight of his revelation hung heavy in the air and Percy's struggles with archery suddenly made sense. I couldn't shake the feeling that he had alot more misfortune in store for him, which was causing me a great deal of grief.

'Stupid boy'

Mmm "Someone's worried about their 'friend' said that annoying voice I couldn't get to shut up. I was going to ignore the sarcasm dripping from the word friend…

There was nothing more I could do for Percy at that moment. All I could do was wait and see how the threads of fate played out. But one thing was certain: I would not let Orion's shadow or curse define Percy or his destiny, even if they shared a father. I could only hope that whoever had helped him before would step in again if he needed it. And Now I was determined to teach the boy Archery, and maybe I could bless him… That'd counter my brother's curse and at least put him at neutral.

The War ends and a New God?

I had been the first one in, even before my father. My fear drove me forward, not for my home, not for my throne, but for him. Ever since we met, I knew he was the hero of the prophecy. At first, I only cared if he'd stay loyal. I wondered who he was and who he would become, but then the unexpected happened. He became my friend. A goddess and a mortal—a friendship destined to be distant, no matter his power as a demigod. So, as I ran through the streets of Olympus, my mind raced, praying to the Fates that I wasn't too late. That he still lived.

When I entered the throne room and saw the outcome of the Great Prophecy, my heart fluttered. Before I could say anything to him, the other Olympians stormed in after me. Poseidon rushed to his son, concern etched all over his face, while Athena hurried to check on her unconscious daughter, Annabeth.

"Son, what happened?" Poseidon asked his voice tight with worry.

"The kid killed your old man, is what it looks like," Ares chimed in, awe barely masking his usual arrogance.

Hermes paled as he saw his son's lifeless body. "Oh, Luke..." he whispered.

I scowled at Ares. How could he be so tone-deaf?

"No!" Percy's voice cut through the air, strong and clear. His eyes locked onto Hermes as if no one else existed. "Luke won the day. He was the hero. He destroyed Kronos and took back control of his body. He asked me for Annabeth's dagger—the cursed blade. That was my choice, whether to take the glory and do it myself or trust him. I chose to trust him. He was my friend once. He saved us."

I was stunned. Percy denied all glory, all triumph, to comfort a grieving father. He saved Olympus through trust. He trusted his heart when everyone else would have chosen to kill. Could I have done that? Could any of us?

Poseidon hugged his son, and as Percy finally let his tears fall, I saw the boy who had held up the sky for me. A boy who kept losing and yet never once gave up what made him who he was: his heart.

The next few hours passed in a blur until it was time to reward the demigods who had fought for Olympus. Grover was given a seat on the Council of Cloven Elders and named Pan's successor. Annabeth was appointed Olympus's Architect, her eyes lighting up with elation—well deserved, I thought. Thalia received a promise from Zeus to rebuild the Hunters of Artemis, a reward for both her and me. Tyson was made commander of Olympus's armies. Then came Percy.

"Does anyone dispute my son's worthiness?" Poseidon asked. Silence. Not even Zeus disagreed.

Poseidon smiled as Zeus offered Percy immortality. I had expected Percy's eyes to light up like Annabeth's, for him to have anticipated the offer. But instead, he looked thunderstruck… and scared. Just like he had been when Annabeth was offered to join the Hunt two years prior. He glanced at Annabeth before shaking his head. I felt a pang of anger rush through me causing me to frown, luckily it was seen by none, or at least I hope so.

"No." He said it with such finality that it stunned us all.

"No?" Poseidon echoed, as surprised as the rest of us.

"I'm honored and all, but I made a promise," Percy said, his voice gaining strength.

"What promise?" Zeus asked, his tone stern.

"No more Ethan's and Luke's, I want my wish to be for them - I want to use it for their sake. Every demigod who reaches camp should be claimed, with no exceptions. The Big Three must end their oaths and stop having children; it has only caused more problems. And we cannot continue to ignore the minor gods any longer." Percy continued.

He turned to Hades. "And no more family being ignored."

Hades' eyes narrowed. "Are you calling me a minor god, boy?"

"No, Uncle. But Nico deserves a home at Camp, and you deserve a throne on Olympus. So does Lady Hestia."

Zeus flushed, golden creeping up his cheeks. "Is that all?" he asked.

"One last thing," Percy said.

Zeus sighed, glancing at Poseidon. "Is this what it's like dealing with you, brother?"

Poseidon chuckled. "Good."

Zeus sighed again. "Fine, go ahead, young Jackson."

"I want the peaceful Titans freed—Calypso and Leto, for example."

Apollo glanced at me, disbelief in his eyes. I stared at Percy, and when he met my gaze, I smiled and he smiled back.

"Very well," Zeus declared.

"Swear it on the Styx," Percy added.

Hephaestus looked offended. "What, you don't trust us?"

"A wise god once told me to always get it in writing," Percy replied.

Hades burst into laughter. "Guilty," he admitted, still chuckling.

All the gods present swore on the Styx, and thunder boomed overhead.

I didn't get a chance to talk to Percy right after the meeting. When I found him later, his clothes were smoking. I could smell parchment—Athena, I thought. I was annoyed. He had just forfeited godhood for the sake of Olympus and its children, and my sister had scorched him, and all for Annabeth's 'best interest', I realized.

"Are you alright, Percy?" I asked.

He nodded, but sadness lined his features.

"I just wanted to thank you for freeing my mother. Apollo and I are heading to get her immediately. I think even Father appreciates her freedom. Hera, less so."

"I'm glad to hear it," Percy said. "She deserves a better life than the one she got."

Apollo appeared, looking at me with curiosity before a mischievous glint sparked in his eyes. "Hey, Percy, how would you like to join us? We're heading to Greece to fetch our mother, then taking her to her new home in Florida. Shouldn't take more than a couple of hours. I'm sure she'd love to meet you!"

I glared at Apollo. What was he up to? But before I could speak, Percy surprised me.

"That sounds wonderful. I'd be honored." Percy told us, the discomfort from the battle evident on his face, perhaps getting away for a few precious moments could do the man some good.

And just like that, we flashed to Greece. As the familiar scent of juniper and pine hit Percy, I saw him smile—a rare, content smile.