I made a discord server! So if you want to directly interact with me, you can do so by joining the discord server I also have images of the characters in the book there for better visual purposes. Link here: discord . gg / KYGHq67HKF (Remove Spaces Please).

Thanks for the support on the first chapter! Had fun reading the reviews and yall's suggestions.. But, here's the next chapter of Perseus: Storms of Olympus! (released early, yw ;D)

Chapter 2: The Rise of the Hunt

The throne room of Olympus shimmered with veins of molten gold running through the marble columns, an expanse that seemed to pulse with the weight of millennia. Constellations danced across the domed ceiling, mirroring the night sky above, while ethereal flames cast ever-shifting shadows along the polished columns. Every corner whispered of victories, betrayals, and power beyond mortal comprehension.

Percy sat on his throne near the heart of it all. His sea-green eyes swept over the gathered gods, an unshakable steadiness cloaking him like a tide waiting to surge. The white silk of his robes rippled with barely contained power.

Zeus, from the central throne, exuded authority. The King of the Gods raised his hand, his voice resonating like thunder. "Why have you called us here, daughter?"

The council's attention shifted to Artemis, the goddess of the moon and hunt, her silver eyes gleaming with purpose. She stood tall and unyielding in the center of the chamber, her very presence an embodiment of the wild. Her silver hunting garb shimmered with moonlight, and her bow—strung with moonbeams—was slung across her back.

"Father," she began, her voice unwavering. "I propose the formation of an eternal band of maidens. A hunt dedicated to seeking out and vanquishing the enemies of Olympus."

The room stirred. Gods exchanged wary glances, their whispers a tide of skepticism. Apollo leaned forward on his golden throne, curiosity evident in his sun-bright eyes. Ares gripped his sword hilt, his fiery gaze narrowed in consideration.

Hera, ever the calculated queen, arched an eyebrow and spoke with a tone laced with disbelief. Her peacock-feather dress rustled as she shifted on her throne of ivory and gold. "What use is another group of warriors, Artemis? We already have armies. Why scatter our resources?"

Percy's gaze shifted toward Hera, a flicker of amusement playing in his stormy eyes. He remained silent for the moment, watching the exchange unfold. His fingers drummed a quiet rhythm on his throne's armrest, each tap sending tiny ripples through the air.

Artemis, undeterred, met Hera's gaze with a sharpness that could pierce steel. "This is not simply a band of warriors, Queen Hera. It is a refuge—a sanctuary for those who seek to live free from the influence of men." Her tone turned cutting, emphasizing the last word as if it carried the weight of millennia of scorn. "These maidens will be more than soldiers. They will be hunters, trackers, and guardians of the wild places. They will strike where armies cannot reach and defend what others overlook."

Hades leaned forward from his obsidian throne, shadows writhing around its base. His voice was a deep rumble that seemed to echo from the depths of Tartarus itself. "Do you truly understand what you're proposing, niece? Mortals will not take this lightly. They will see it as a threat to the balance we've already struck."

Demeter nodded in agreement, her throne of intertwined wheat and flowers swaying gently. "The mortal world is delicate, Artemis. Your hunters could disrupt more than they protect."

Percy's voice, smooth as a wave rolling ashore, broke through the rising tension. "I see the wisdom in her proposal." All eyes turned to him, and the very air seemed to still. "Olympus does not need more soldiers—it needs precision. A force that can move where armies cannot, one that can strike swiftly and decisively at the heart of threats." "Think of them as an elite unit, operating in the shadows while our armies march in the light."

Athena's storm-gray eyes flashed with interest as she leaned forward on her throne of polished silver, scrolls of ancient wisdom etched into its surface. "Percy speaks the truth. In war, a blade can accomplish what an army cannot." Her owl familiar rustled its wings in the shadows behind her throne. "But Artemis, what guarantees can you offer that these hunters will remain loyal to Olympus? History tells us that power, once granted, is not easily controlled."

Artemis's smile was sharp as a crescent moon. "They will swear oaths, sister. Not mere words whispered to the wind, but binding vows to the Styx itself." She turned in a slow circle, meeting each god's gaze in turn. "Eternal maidenhood. Loyalty to the hunt. Dedication to our cause. The price of admission will be high, but those who pay it will gain immortality and purpose."

A ripple of murmurs coursed through the chamber. Immortality was no small offering, and everyone present knew it. Aphrodite, usually refraining from speaking on such matters, echoed, "And what of their families? Their mortal ties? You cannot expect them to simply vanish into the wilderness without consequence."

"They will make their choice freely," Artemis countered, "As I made mine. As all of us have made our choices." Her hand brushed the silver bow at her back, an unconscious gesture that spoke of certainty. "The wild places of the world grow darker with each passing age. Our enemies multiply in shadows we cannot reach. Give me this hunt, and I will forge it into a weapon worthy of Olympus."

Zeus's electric blue eyes studied his daughter, centuries of calculation visible in their depths. Thunder rumbled overhead, though the sky within the throne room remained clear. When he spoke, his words carried the weight of law. "And who would lead this hunt, daughter? Surely you do not mean to abandon your duties among us to run with mortals?"

"My lieutenant will guide them in my absence." Artemis's voice softened for the first time, though it lost none of its strength. "I have yet to choose her."

Hephaestus cleared his throat, his mechanical throne whirring softly as he adjusted his position. "If we grant this," he said, his scarred fingers absently tinkering with a piece of celestial bronze, "what weapons would they carry? Mortal steel would not suffice against the enemies you speak of."

Artemis's eyes lit up with a predatory gleam. "I would ask for your aid in that, brother. Silver weapons, blessed by the moon itself. Arrows that can pierce the hide of any monster, daggers that can find their mark in the darkest night."

"And you would forge them yourself?" Hephaestus asked, interest kindling in his forge-fire eyes.

"With your blessing and guidance," Artemis replied, inclining her head respectfully. "Each weapon tailored to its wielder, bound to them as surely as their oaths."

Poseidon, who had remained silent until now, stirred in his throne of coral and sea-stone. The scent of ocean spray filled the air as he spoke. "And what of the balance between the realms? These hunters would cross all boundaries, traverse every domain." His sea-green eyes, so similar to Percy's, held wisdom. "The wild places touch all our territories, daughter of Zeus."

"Which is precisely why we need them," Percy interjected. "The threats we face don't respect our boundaries. Why should our defenders be constrained by them?"

Hestia, tending the hearth at the center of the chamber, looked up from her eternal flames. Though she rarely spoke in council, her quiet voice commanded attention. "I sense the truth in Artemis's words. And hope." The fire reflected in her eyes seemed to show visions of what could be. "These maidens would not just be warriors—they would be family to each other. In these dark times, such bonds are precious."

Zeus raised his master bolt, and lightning crackled through the constellations above. "You speak of hope, sister," he rumbled, "but I see risk. To grant mortals such power, such freedom..." His eyes fixed on Artemis. "The last time we elevated mortals to such status, we faced rebellion. The Titans used our own chosen heroes against us."

"This would be different," Artemis insisted, her voice carrying the sharp clarity of a winter's night. "The oath to the Styx would bind them not just to maidenhood, but to eternal loyalty. And unlike heroes of old, they would not serve individual gods, but Olympus itself." She gestured to the eternal flame. "As Hestia says—they would be family. Their strength would come not from divine gifts alone, but from their unity, their dedication to each other and to the hunt."

Apollo, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly sat straighter. His eyes took on the distant look that preceded prophecy. "I see..." he murmured, his voice carrying an echo of futures yet to come. "Silver arrows in darkness... A crown of stars... And—" He blinked, the vision passing. "Sister, your hunt will play a greater role than even you foresee."

The chamber erupted in murmurs again, gods leaning forward on their thrones. Even Ares looked intrigued now, his earlier skepticism tempered by the promise of Apollo's words. Prophecy, even incomplete, carried weight in these halls.

A murmur rippled through the council, but Zeus silenced it with a raised hand. "Enough. We will vote."

The gods cast their votes, voices echoing in the grand hall. Apollo, with his characteristic grin, sided with his sister. Poseidon, always the calm anchor, followed suit. Hestia's warmth balanced the tension as she nodded her approval, while Athena's piercing gaze communicated her calculated agreement.

When the dust settled, the motion passed—but not without tension lingering beneath the surface, a storm waiting for its moment to break. As preparations for the Hunt began, whispers of a story reached Percy. A tale of betrayal and heartbreak, one that began in the fabled Garden of the Hesperides.

Zoë Nightshade, once a trusted guardian of the Golden Apples, had her fate forever changed by Heracles. She had stood guard that fateful night, her celestial beauty illuminated by the soft glow of immortality itself.

When Heracles appeared, clad in the arrogance of a hero, he smirked. "What are you doing here, pretty one?" he called, his voice oozing charm.

Zoë hesitated, her grip tightening on her blade. "I guard the Tree of Immortality. It is my sworn duty."

Heracles' smile deepened, his eyes gleaming with cunning. "Help me claim one of the apples, and I will free you from this prison. You can leave this place—explore the world beyond."

Zoë's heart betrayed her. She had long dreamed of escaping the confines of the garden, of finding purpose beyond its golden boughs. Against her better judgment, she agreed.

But once Heracles achieved his goal, the truth of his nature was revealed. "You have served your purpose," he said coldly, his once-charming grin replaced with indifference.

Shattered, Zoë fled into the wilderness, her once-proud spirit fractured. Alone and forsaken, she wandered beneath a canopy of stars, her tears tracing paths down her cheeks.

It was there, in the shadowed forest, that Percy found her. His arrival was a tempest—a burst of light and power that swept through the trees like a hurricane. Zoë looked up, startled, her eyes widening as the imposing figure of the General of Olympus appeared before her.

Percy was resplendent. His white silk robes and fitted armor gleamed with an otherworldly light, and his storm-filled eyes seemed to pierce straight into her soul.

"Tell me, Hesperide," he began, his voice a deep and soothing rumble, "what is it that you seek?"

Zoë rose shakily to her feet, her voice steady despite her turmoil. "I seek purpose, my lord. A place where I may belong."

Percy regarded her for a long moment, the weight of his gaze both comforting and commanding. Finally, he extended his hand. "If it is purpose you seek, then come. I know where you belong."

Zoë hesitated only a moment before taking his hand. A flicker of hope lit within her as they vanished in a flash of divine light, reappearing at the gates of Artemis' palace.

There, beneath the silver glow of the moon, her journey toward redemption began.

Artemis was having a rare moment of peace. Her hunters, now numbering ten, were steadily growing in ranks as new members arrived almost daily. They came from all walks of life—demigoddesses, nymphs, and even mortals. While mortals lacked the natural prowess of her divine recruits, she never turned away those who sought her protection and purpose.

The silver palace, adorned with intricate murals of the moon and its many phases, shimmered faintly under the light of her celestial orb. The walls whispered of a huntress's legacy, of triumphs over beasts, and the solace found in nature's embrace. Artemis found herself seated under her favorite silver tree in the courtyard, its branches laden with glowing moonfruit. A warm breeze stirred the leaves, carrying the faintest hint of jasmine.

She was pulled from her thoughts by a sudden and overwhelming presence near the grand silver doors of her palace. Rising gracefully, her steps echoed softly as she approached the entrance.

As Artemis opened the elaborately carved doors, she was greeted by a familiar face—Percy. Percy radiated his usual aura: a blend of power, confidence, and an undeniable warmth that only those who knew him well could sense. His sea-green eyes held a glimmer of unshakable loyalty, the very trait that had forged an unbreakable bond between them.

Standing beside him was a girl. She couldn't have been more than sixteen, but her presence carried a heaviness that defied her youth. Her midnight-black hair framed a face etched with sorrow, and her volcanic onyx eyes shimmered with unspoken grief. There was no anger in her gaze, only an aching sadness, the kind that comes from betrayal by someone once trusted. Her trembling hands betrayed the vulnerability she tried to hide, yet her expression held a flicker of hope.

"Artemis," Percy greeted with a calm, almost soothing voice. "I've brought someone who wishes to join your hunt."

Artemis's silver gaze softened. "What is your name, young one?"

The girl stepped forward, her voice steady despite the weight of her words. "My name is Zoë Nightshade, Lady Artemis. I was brought here by General Perseus after I was deceived into giving a hero the golden apple. I have no home left."

The goddess stilled, her expression unreadable as she processed the weight of Zoë's past. Without a word, she gestured for them to step inside. The palace seemed to shimmer as they entered, its walls echoing with the silent strength of its mistress.

Zoë sat at a long silver table, a small meal laid before her—figs, bread, and a goblet of nectar. The room was silent except for the occasional crackle of a hearth fire in the corner. Despite the meal's simplicity, she hesitated, overwhelmed by the warmth and safety the palace exuded.

"Eat," Artemis instructed gently as she approached, taking a seat beside her. "You are among family now."

Zoë looked up, startled. "Family?"

Artemis studied her for a moment before nodding. "The Hunt is not merely a group. It is a sanctuary, a sisterhood. You will find healing here, Zoë, though it will not be immediate."

Zoë blinked, her lips trembling slightly as she bowed her head in gratitude. "Thank you, my lady."

The throne room of Olympus was a space where the weight of eternity could be felt in every breath. Each throne radiated the essence of its owner, from Zeus's crackling lightning to Poseidon's sea-bound tranquility. Percy sat beside his father, his throne a testament to his dual nature—adorned with the symbols of time and tides, embodying both power and balance.

Zeus's voice boomed through the chamber. "Artemis has requested aid for a mission. A force of monsters has been detected near Athens. She requires one Olympian to assist in training her hunters for the upcoming expedition."

Percy smirked. "I wouldn't mind helping Artemis's Girl Scouts learn a thing or two."

The comment earned an irritated glare from Artemis and a few chuckles from the assembly.

"So be it," Zeus declared, his form flashing away in a display of lightning.

Percy leaned back, muttering, "Drama queen," as the council dissolved.

Before the fateful mission, Percy stood at the edge of Olympus, his gaze fixed on the mortal world below. Something felt off—a disturbance in the natural order of balance that made his immortal senses tingle with unease.

"You feel it too?" Artemis's voice carried across the marble terrace.

Percy turned to face her, his expression grave. "The stars are restless. Even my father has noticed changes in the tides."

Artemis approached, her silver eyes reflecting the celestial lights above. "My hunters have reported strange occurrences across Greece. Monsters gathering in unprecedented numbers, ancient beings stirring from their slumber."

Percy's jaw tightened. "Where was the last sighting?"

"Near Athens. My hunters are tracking a particularly large gathering." She paused, studying his face. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to help train them with close-combat? They could use some variety in their combat instruction."

A smirk played across his features. "The mighty Artemis asking for help? The world must truly be ending."

She punched his arm, though a smile tugged at her lips. "Don't let it go to your head, Perseus."

The training grounds echoed with the clash of steel and the twang of bowstrings. Percy moved among the hunters, correcting stances and offering advice. Despite their initial reluctance to train with a male, even the most skeptical hunters had to admit his guidance was invaluable.

"Keep your guard up, Atlanta!" he called out, watching as Zoë disarmed the young daughter of Apollo with a fluid, precise motion.

"You always win, Zoë," Atlanta muttered, frustration evident in her tone.

Zoë smirked but didn't answer, her focus shifting as Artemis approached.

"The scouts have reported the monster camp is less than a league from here," Artemis announced, her voice steady. "We will leave tomorrow evening."

Percy nodded, addressing the hunters. "Remember everything we've taught you. Trust your instincts and each other. You'll do great."

That night, the hunters rested in a small clearing under a canopy of stars. Zoë sat by the campfire, her bow resting across her lap. Beside her, a young hunter named Lila spoke softly.

"Do you ever regret it?" Lila asked, her voice carrying a tremor of uncertainty.

Zoë looked at her, startled. "Regret what?"

"Joining the Hunt. Giving everything up."

Zoë's expression softened. She glanced toward Artemis, who stood at the edge of the clearing, her auburn hair glowing under the moonlight. "No," Zoë replied quietly. "The Hunt gave me purpose when I had none. It gave me... hope."

Lila nodded, reassured by her words.

The hunt moved through the dense forests of Greece, their steps swift and silent. The towering trees cast long shadows beneath the pale moonlight, their branches swaying gently in the cool night breeze. Artemis's sharp gaze scanned the path ahead, her hunters following with determined expressions, their silver bows glinting faintly as they moved like specters among the undergrowth.

"Stop," she commanded suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her hand shot up, halting the group. The hunters froze in perfect unison, their training evident.

Artemis's godly vision pierced through the darkness, revealing a camp of over two hundred monsters sprawled across a clearing ahead. Cyclopes hammered crude weapons at anvils, their guttural voices booming. Dracaenae slithered menacingly between tents, sharpening their blades. Laistrygonian Giants sat around roaring bonfires, gnawing on the bones of their prey. At the camp's center stood a towering figure, his presence unmistakable—a Titan whose aura radiated raw, ancient power.

Her heart sank. This was no ordinary threat. "We need to retreat," Artemis whispered, her tone urgent. "This force is too large for us to face alone."

The hunters nodded, their movements as quiet as shadows as they began to back away. But from behind a snap of a twig was heard.

Monsters surged toward them from all directions, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust. Fifty of them—Cyclopes, Dracaenae, Laistrygonian Giants, and even a Hydra—emerged from the surrounding trees, cutting off all escape routes.

Artemis drew her twin daggers, the celestial blades glowing with an otherworldly silver light. Her voice was calm and commanding, cutting through the mounting tension like a blade. "Hunters, hold your ground. Follow my lead."

The air erupted with the clash of weapons and guttural cries as the hunters engaged their attackers.

Artemis moved like a specter of vengeance, her daggers flashing as she danced through the battlefield. A Cyclops lunged at her, its massive club arcing down with the force to shatter stone. She sidestepped with godly precision, her blades slicing upward to sever the tendons in its arm. The Cyclops roared in agony, staggering back, but Artemis gave it no chance to recover. Her dagger found its mark in its chest, and it crumpled to the ground with a deafening thud.

To her left, Zoë was a blur of motion, her arrows flying with deadly accuracy. She felled a Dracaenae mid-lunge, her shot striking it through the eye. Another charged her, a serrated blade raised high, but Zoë spun gracefully, drawing an arrow and firing point-blank into its throat. Blood sprayed across the forest floor as the creature collapsed.

Atlanta, younger and less experienced, found herself locked in a duel with a snarling Laistrygonian Giant. The massive creature swung its ax with terrifying force, narrowly missing her each time as she dodged and rolled. "Stay calm, Atlanta," she muttered to herself, her breaths ragged.

The giant roared, raising its ax for another swing, but this time, Atlanta acted first. She darted forward, plunging her blade into its side. The creature howled in pain, but instead of retreating, Atlanta ripped her blade free and leapt onto its back, driving her weapon into its neck. The giant staggered and fell, its body crashing to the ground with enough force to shake the earth.

"Nice work!" Zoë called out, sparing a quick glance in Atlanta's direction before returning to her own fight.

The hunters were holding their own, but the tide of the battle shifted when a cold, ancient energy swept over the battlefield. The air grew heavy, and time itself seemed to slow.

From the shadows of the forest emerged Koios, the Titan of Foresight and the Northern Sky. His towering form was clad in armor that shimmered like the night sky, constellations etched into the blackened steel. In his hand, he wielded a massive glaive, its blade humming with dark energy.

"I am Koios," he declared, his voice resonating with ancient power, silencing the chaos around him. "Daughter of Leto, your end is nigh."

Artemis stepped forward, her silver gaze locked on the Titan. "Koios," she said, her voice steady. "You will not harm my hunters."

Koios tilted his head, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Brave words. Let us see if your actions match them."

Without warning, the Titan lunged. His glaive sliced through the air with terrifying speed, its edge glimmering with deadly intent. Artemis reacted instantly, her twin daggers raised in defense. The force of the blow sent her stumbling back, her boots skidding across the earth, but she held firm, her daggers intercepting the glaive just in time. The impact reverberated through her arms, her muscles straining to hold back the weight of the weapon.

Koios's eyes glinted with amusement. "You're fast, but you'll need more than that to defeat me."

Artemis wasted no time, pivoting on her heel and retaliating with a series of strikes aimed at his exposed flank. Her blades flashed like silver streaks of moonlight, but Koios parried them effortlessly, his divine foresight guiding his every move. With a fluid motion, he countered, his glaive sweeping through the air in a powerful arc. Artemis ducked just in time, feeling the wind rush past her as the glaive cut through the space where her head had been moments before.

"You cannot surprise me, moon goddess," Koios taunted, his voice laced with disdain. "I see every move before you make it."

Artemis didn't flinch, her eyes narrowing as she considered her next move. "Then let me give you something you can't predict," she muttered under her breath.

With lightning speed, Artemis feigned a move to the left, drawing Koios's attention. At the last moment, she darted to the right, her dagger catching the exposed skin beneath his armor. The blade sank deep into his arm, golden ichor seeping from the wound. Koios snarled in pain, his face contorting in fury.

"Impressive," he growled, "but it won't be enough."

The Titan swung his glaive in a wide arc, the dark energy imbued in the weapon sending shockwaves through the air. Artemis, anticipating the blow, leapt into the air, twisting in midair to avoid the strike. She landed behind him with perfect grace, rolling to her feet and tossing one of her daggers at his exposed back. The dagger struck true, but Koios, with a swift movement, deflected it with a flick of his glaive, sending the weapon spiraling off into the distance.

Koios spun to face her, his eyes flashing with rage. "You are fast," he admitted, his voice dripping with menace, "but not fast enough."

While Artemis fought Koios, Zoë and Atlanta led the hunters in holding back the relentless tide of monsters.

"Atlanta, on your right!" Zoë shouted, losing an arrow that struck a charging Cyclops in the knee. Atlanta seized the opportunity, driving her blade into its chest.

"Thanks!" Atlanta called back, her voice breathless.

Zoë didn't respond, her focus shifting to the Hydra that had rejoined the battle. Its seven heads snapped wildly, each one a deadly threat. Zoë fired arrow after arrow, each shot aimed at the creature's heart.

"Get its attention!" Zoë commanded, her voice sharp.

Atlanta nodded, darting forward and slashing at one of the Hydra's heads. The creature roared, all seven heads turning toward her. As the Hydra lunged, Zoë fired a single, perfectly timed arrow. The shaft struck true, piercing the beast's heart. The Hydra let out one final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing in a heap of golden dust.

Atlanta's attention now turned to see the godly fight in front of her.

The Titan's glaive slashed in a brutal horizontal arc, its glowing edge aimed at her chest. Artemis somersaulted to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike as it cleaved through the earth, sending chunks of dirt and rock flying in all directions. She gritted her teeth, the weight of the battle beginning to take its toll on her body. She had fought many powerful foes before, but Koios was unlike any adversary she had faced.

Her instincts screamed at her to be quicker, to find an opening. Koios, however, was relentless, every strike coming faster than the last. The sheer force of his attacks made it difficult for Artemis to maintain her footing, the ground trembling beneath her with each swing of his weapon. She parried again, the blades of her daggers ringing with the clash of steel.

Koios's grin widened as he pressed forward, sensing her fatigue. "Your movements are becoming predictable, Artemis," he mocked. "How long can you keep this up?"

Artemis's silver gaze locked onto his, unwavering. Her breathing was heavy, but her spirit remained unbroken. She needed to end this soon. Summoning her remaining strength, she sprinted forward, closing the gap between them in the blink of an eye. Koios raised his glaive to intercept, but Artemis was already there, her dagger aimed straight for his chest.

Koios's grin faltered as Artemis's blade cut through the air with such speed and precision that he barely had time to react. The edge of her dagger scraped against his armor, the force of the strike sending a shock of pain through his chest. He howled, staggering backward, the wound deep but not fatal.

But Artemis was already on the move. Before Koios could recover, she darted forward again, this time feinting to the left and rolling beneath his next sweeping strike. She came up behind him, her blade flashing toward his side. The dagger bit into his ribs, drawing more golden ichor, but Koios's retaliatory strike came a moment too quickly.

The tip of his glaive raked across Artemis's side, the pain shooting through her body like fire. She gasped, stumbling back, but she didn't retreat. Instead, she threw herself at him with her remaining dagger, hoping to end the fight.

Koios, seeing her desperation, anticipated her move. His glaive slammed into her arm, knocking her weapon from her grasp, sending it skittering across the battlefield. The impact sent Artemis to her knees, the force of the blow nearly shattering her arm.

Koios loomed over her, towering above the goddess as she struggled to rise. The tip of his glaive was inches from her throat, gleaming ominously in the moonlight.

"You fought well," Koios sneered, "but it's over."

The Titan raised his glaive for a killing blow, but before he could strike, Zoë's voice rang out.

Without hesitation, Zoë charged at Koios, her arrows finding their mark. The first struck his armored chest with a loud crack, the second buried itself in his shoulder, but the Titan was unyielding. His deep, guttural roar echoed through the air as he swatted away the arrows, his massive frame barely flinching. With a flick of his hand, he sent a gust of wind toward Zoë, knocking her off her feet and sending her crashing to the ground.

Staggering to her knees, Zoë gritted her teeth, her breath labored. Her bow trembled in her hands as she notched another arrow. "I won't give up," she muttered under her breath, eyes narrowing with determination.

Koios loomed over her, his dark eyes gleaming with arrogance. He raised his blade high, the massive weapon gleaming in the moonlight, and brought it down with terrifying speed. Zoë barely managed to roll out of the way, the tip of the blade grazing her side, leaving a deep gash.

She winced but didn't falter. She drew back her bow again, her fingers a blur as she loosed three arrows in quick succession. They pierced through the air with deadly precision, but Koios, with a flick of his wrist, deflected them with the back of his blade. The arrows flew harmlessly into the forest behind him.

With a roar of fury, Koios swung his sword in a wide arc, forcing Zoë to backpedal. The ground beneath her feet cracked and splintered from the force of his strikes. He advanced, relentless, every movement shaking the earth. Zoë's eyes darted, searching for any weakness.

As Koios approached, Zoë took a deep breath and leaped backward, her legs springing with the force of a coiled serpent. She landed lightly on her feet, already drawing a fourth arrow. But before she could release it, Koios thrust his blade forward, aiming directly at her heart.

The sheer force of the attack sent Zoë sprawling backward, her bow knocked from her hands. She landed hard, breath stolen by the impact, her body aching from the blows she'd already taken. Koios loomed above her, his sword raised once more, the tip glowing with ominous energy.

Zoë's vision blurred, her strength fading, but she refused to give in. With a final, desperate effort, she reached for the quiver on her back, pulling the last of her enchanted arrows. The arrow hummed with ancient power, a gift from the gods themselves.

Koios laughed darkly, bringing the blade down in a final, fatal strike. But Zoë wasn't finished.

In a burst of speed, she rolled to the side, the blade of Koios missing her by a hair's breadth. With every last ounce of her strength, she drew the enchanted arrow and released it in one fluid motion. The arrow flew through the air, its shaft glowing bright, Zoë's enchanted arrow pierced the Titan's heart.

Koios froze, a look of shock crossing his face as the arrow sank deep into his chest. His grip on his blade faltered, and he staggered back, his immense form trembling. Zoë, her vision darkening, struggled to remain standing as she watched the mighty Titan begin to crumble.

But then, with a surge of fury, Koios let out a roar that shook the heavens. The arrow, though powerful, wasn't enough to stop him entirely. The energy pulsed from his body, swirling in dark clouds, and his wounds began to heal at an unnatural speed.

Zoë stumbled backward, her legs buckling beneath her as exhaustion finally overcame her. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her entire body on the verge of collapse. Her bow was shattered beyond repair, and her quiver of arrows was nearly empty.

Koios's eyes gleamed with malevolent satisfaction as he advanced toward her. His blade gleamed in the dim light, and he raised it high, the edge glinting with fatal intent.

Zoë's legs gave out completely, and she fell to the ground, struggling to lift her head as the Titan loomed over her, a predator about to strike.

"I should have known better than to underestimate you," Koios hissed, his voice dripping with disdain.

Zoë's vision blurred, the edges of the world fading into blackness. She felt a coldness creep over her body, the end drawing near.

But before the blow could land, something strange happened. A deep rumbling echoed in the distance, a sound not of the earth, but of the very fabric of reality bending. Koios paused, his gaze flickering upward.

For a brief moment, the Titan's expression shifted, uncertainty flashing across his face.

Zoë, barely conscious, strained to look up, but the world was spinning, fading, and then—everything went dark.

Lol.. had to leave you guys on a cliffhanger, that was a longer chapter but it held a lot of plot in it. As always constructive criticism is always appreciated, if you have any questions/suggestions, leave a review down below!