Hello everyone hope you had an amazing christmas and got what you wanted but enjoy the story

AS ALWAYS I DO NOT OWN PJO OR HoO

Chapter 32: The Heart of the Hunt

The cool night air whispered through the trees of Artemis's camp, the pale moonlight filtering through the canopy above. Percy sat on a rock at the edge of the clearing, Riptide resting beside him, the sword's shimmering edge catching the faint glow of the stars. Despite the tranquility of the forest, there was a restless energy that hummed just beneath the surface—an energy that matched the tension still lingering in his chest.

Artemis was nearby, her back turned to him as she spoke with a few of her Hunters. They were preparing for another patrol, checking their weapons, making final adjustments to their armor. Percy admired how effortlessly she commanded them, her calm authority reassuring, but still, something in her posture told him she was on edge.

He stood up, stretching his arms over his head before walking toward her. Artemis caught his movement from the corner of her eye and met his gaze with a flicker of something soft in her eyes.

"Everything okay?" Percy asked, though he could already guess the answer. There was a certain weight to her movements, a quiet urgency that hadn't been there before.

"Nothing I can't handle," Artemis replied, her voice steady, but there was a slight tightness to her tone. She glanced over her shoulder at the Hunters, then back at him. "It's just… things are changing."

Percy took a step closer, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"

Her gaze darkened, and she lowered her voice. "The gods are starting to make their moves. They'll want to see if we break under the pressure, if we'll surrender our choices for peace."

He frowned. "You're talking about Zeus?"

Artemis gave him a subtle nod. "Zeus and the rest of Olympus. They've made it clear that they won't tolerate this—our relationship, I mean. But I'm not backing down. Not for them."

Percy felt a surge of admiration for her determination, but a gnawing fear twisted in his stomach. He had heard the threats, seen the way the gods had reacted to their connection. He knew Artemis wasn't one to back down, but was he strong enough to stand with her?

"You won't have to do it alone," Percy said firmly, his voice steady. He reached for her hand, pulling it gently into his. "I'm not leaving. Not now, not ever."

For a moment, Artemis just looked at him, her gaze softening as if weighing his words. Slowly, she squeezed his hand in return, her lips curling up into a faint smile. "I know," she whispered.

Just as they were about to continue talking, a rustling sound interrupted them. Thalia emerged from the trees, her silver-blue eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and concern. She glanced at Percy and Artemis, noting the closeness between them.

"Everything okay here?" she asked, her tone light but probing.

Artemis sighed but gave Thalia a nod. "We're fine. Just discussing the situation."

Thalia's eyes flickered to their joined hands before meeting Artemis's gaze. "You know the other Hunters are starting to whisper, right?"

The weight of her words settled over them both. Percy and Artemis had already suspected it, but hearing it from Thalia made it feel all the more real. Whispers about their relationship had already started to spread among the Hunters, and while most of them were still loyal to Artemis, it wouldn't take much for that loyalty to fray.

"They don't understand," Artemis said softly, her voice carrying a mixture of frustration and sadness. "I don't expect them to, not yet. But they'll have to accept it."

Thalia gave them both a searching look, then sighed. "I'm not worried about the Hunters. Most of them will fall in line. It's Olympus I'm worried about. They won't stop until they see you both fail."

Artemis's expression hardened, her eyes cold with determination. "We won't fail. Not now."

Percy swallowed hard. Thalia was right, though. The gods would never stop coming. The entire weight of Olympus was on their shoulders, and every time they took a step forward, it felt like they were walking on the edge of a cliff, waiting for the ground to collapse beneath them.

"We can't keep hiding in the shadows," Percy said, his voice raw with conviction. "At some point, we're going to have to fight back. For real."

Artemis met his gaze, her silver eyes gleaming with a quiet intensity. "I agree. But we need a plan. We need more than just willpower and a sword."

Percy nodded, his mind racing. They couldn't keep doing this forever—sneaking around, hiding their relationship. At some point, they would have to face the wrath of the gods head-on. And when that time came, Percy was determined to be ready. But Artemis was right: they needed a strategy.

Thalia crossed her arms, eyeing the two of them. "You're not alone in this," she said finally. "I'll stand by you. And so will the Hunters, once they understand."

Artemis's gaze softened slightly as she turned to her friend. "I know. Thank you, Thalia."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation settling around them like a storm cloud, thick and oppressive. But in that silence, Percy found something unexpected—strength. They weren't alone. They had each other. And in that moment, it felt like that was enough.

Later that night, after the Hunters had set off on their patrol, Percy found himself standing in the quiet of the forest, just outside the camp. The cool air was a welcome relief from the intensity of the day, and he let himself breathe deeply, trying to steady his racing thoughts.

Artemis approached him a moment later, her footsteps soft but sure. She stood beside him for a long time, just looking up at the stars. Percy knew she was thinking about the same things he was—the uncertain future, the coming storm. The gods would never accept their relationship. But that didn't mean they had to give up.

"I'm not afraid of them," Artemis said suddenly, her voice quiet but firm. "I'm afraid of what will happen if we don't fight. If we let them dictate who we can love, who we can be."

Percy turned to her, a fire burning in his chest. "Then we'll fight. Together. And we won't stop until we win."

Artemis's silver eyes met his, and for a brief moment, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of them. They didn't need anything else—just their bond, their love, and the will to fight for it.

"We'll win," she said, her voice a whisper of steel.

"But how Artemis, Zeus has all the gods on his side because he is king of the gods." Percy questioned