Chapter 42: Chained by the Council
Artemis stood in the center of the Olympian throne room, her fists clenched at her sides. The council had been called the moment they learned of her intent, and now she stood before them like a prisoner awaiting judgment.
Zeus sat upon his throne, his expression carved from stone. Athena watched her carefully, fingers steepled beneath her chin. Ares looked vaguely amused, while Hera's gaze held a quiet disapproval. Dionysus barely seemed interested, swirling a goblet of wine in his hand. The only one who radiated clear support was Poseidon, his sea-green eyes locked onto Zeus with barely restrained fury.
"You will not go to Tartarus," Zeus declared, his voice shaking the air with finality.
Artemis lifted her chin. "You cannot forbid me from retrieving what was stolen."
"You are a goddess," Hera interjected smoothly. "We do not risk ourselves for mortals."
Artemis's fingers twitched. "He is not just a mortal."
"A dangerous way of thinking," Athena said, her voice cool and measured. "It leads to weakness. To error."
Artemis shot her a glare. "He is in Tartarus because of us. Because of our war. How many times has Percy Jackson carried our burdens? How many times has he bled for this council?"
"He made his choice," Ares said with a smirk. "Dove in on his own. If he can't handle the consequences, maybe he wasn't as tough as we thought."
A pulse of divine rage rippled through Artemis. "You mock him, yet none of you had the courage to do what he did."
Ares's smirk disappeared.
"You are not going." Zeus's voice rang out, final and unyielding. "Tartarus is no place for a goddess, especially not one of Olympus. You will obey."
Artemis's chest rose and fell with the effort to contain her fury. "I am not a child to be ordered around."
"You are my daughter!" Zeus thundered, his voice shaking the entire throne room. "And you will do as you are told!"
The words struck her like a blow. He had used that word—daughter—not with affection, but as a chain. As if she were nothing more than another piece on his board.
Before Artemis could speak, Poseidon stood. His presence was like the ocean before a storm—calm, but only on the surface. "This is madness." His voice was steady but carried an edge of danger. "We sit here and debate while my son suffers in Tartarus?"
"Your son brought this upon himself," Zeus snapped.
Poseidon's grip on his trident tightened, the marble beneath his feet cracking. "You fear him," he said, voice low and dangerous. "You fear what he is becoming, what he might be. So instead of helping him, you will let him rot in the pit."
Zeus and Poseidon locked eyes, power crackling in the air between them.
"Watch yourself, brother," Zeus warned.
Poseidon took a slow breath, his knuckles white around his trident. "You are condemning the only hero who has ever stood between Olympus and destruction without hesitation. You will regret this."
Silence filled the chamber.
Artemis looked to her uncle, a silent understanding passing between them. Poseidon would act if he could. But even he knew the council would not be swayed today.
Zeus turned his gaze back to Artemis. "This matter is settled. You will remain on Olympus. The Hunt will remain where they are."
The words burned like poison in her veins. She wanted to fight. She wanted to defy. But she knew Zeus. Knew the weight of his commands. If she acted now, she would be shackled, punished, prevented from doing anything.
She turned sharply on her heel, her silver cloak billowing behind her as she strode toward the exit. She would obey—for now.
But she was Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt.
And the hunt for Percy Jackson was far from over.
Thank you for reading, Chapter 42 I bet you did not expect the council to stop Artemis from saving Percy after everything he has done for them.
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