Chapter 5: Meeting the Moon (Or, Apollo's Big/Little Sister)

Percy had faced a lot of scary things in his short life. He'd fought bullies, faced down monsters, and accidentally stolen the sun (which, to be fair, wasn't entirely his fault).

But none of that compared to meeting Artemis.

Apollo had been flying them over the Rocky Mountains when he suddenly grinned and swerved the chariot in an entirely different direction.

"Time for you to meet my little big sister!"

Percy barely managed to not fall off the side. "Your what now?"

Apollo laughed. "Artemis! My twin! Goddess of the Moon, the Hunt, the Wild, and Maidenhood. Y'know, my baby sister."

Percy narrowed his eyes. "You're twins. How is she younger?"

"I was born first." Apollo shrugged. "Technically by, like, five minutes, but it still counts!"

Percy wasn't convinced.

They landed in a beautiful silver-lit clearing, where dozens of girls with bows and quivers milled around an enormous campfire.

Percy immediately got a bad feeling.

The moment Apollo's sandals hit the ground, every single Huntress turned and glared at him.

A few grabbed their bows.

"Apollo," one of them growled. "Why are you here?"

Apollo beamed. "Just visiting my darling baby sister!"

"Ugh," someone muttered.

Percy, meanwhile, tried to hide behind Apollo's legs.

A silver glow appeared in the trees. The air turned cool and crisp, like autumn moonlight.

And then, there she was.

Artemis stepped into view, a bow slung over her shoulder, her silver eyes sharp and piercing.

Percy's tiny mortal instincts screamed at him to run and hide.

Apollo, meanwhile, grinned and threw out his arms. "Sis! Long time no see!"

Artemis tilted her head. "It's been three weeks, you idiot."

"Three weeks too long!"

Artemis sighed. "What do you want, Apollo?"

Apollo gestured grandly toward Percy. "Introducing the one, the only—Percy Jackson! My tiny protégé!"

Percy froze as Artemis' piercing gaze settled on him.

He had never felt smaller in his entire life.

(Survival Mode: Activated)

Percy quickly made a decision.

He nodded. Just… nodded along with whatever Apollo was saying.

Apollo could talk. He would agree. No sudden movements. No dumb jokes. No getting turned into a squirrel.

Artemis raised an eyebrow at him.

Percy swallowed.

She didn't say anything, just looked back at Apollo. "And why, exactly, did you bring a child here?"

"He's my kid!" Apollo grinned. "Not, like, my kid kid. But my student! He's got a bright future in godhood!"

Artemis sighed deeply, rubbing her temples. "I don't have time for your nonsense."

"Aw, come on, Sis!" Apollo threw an arm around Percy. "Look at him! He's adorable!"

Percy just gave a small, terrified smile.

Artemis shook her head. "Keep him out of trouble, Apollo. And keep him away from my Huntresses. If I catch him trying to impress them—"

Percy quickly shook his head.

Apollo laughed. "Relax! He's eight! The only lady he's trying to impress is his mom."

Artemis smirked slightly, then turned back to her Huntresses. "Good. Now get out of my camp."

Apollo sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. We'll leave."

Percy did not protest.

(Back in the Sun Chariot)

As soon as they were back in the sky, Percy let out a breath. "She's terrifying."

Apollo snorted. "Oh, she's not that bad!"

Percy gave him a look.

Apollo thought about it. "...Okay, maybe a little scary."

Percy shook his head. "How do you tease her and not die?"

Apollo grinned. "Because I'm her annoying twin. She has to tolerate me."

Percy shivered. "I'm just gonna… stay out of her way forever."

Apollo laughed. "Smart kid."