A/N: So Sorry! It was my birthday on the 12th... so I've been on a 5 day bender ever since. Now though I'm finally done with the alcohol and party! Ready to continue the story, though this chapter is a bit shorter than the last, Ill try to aim for longer ones after this.

Comment responses:

Bolton101: Wow I'm surprised so many people are wanting that, honestly I'll have to start starting something really slight considering it's a possible endgame ship. Thx for the support.

Goodknight Studios: TRUE, I've realised that's been lacking. I've slightly addressed the response to that at the start of my A/N. Thx for the advice.

(Percy is 14 year old)

I saw Zoe leave the tent and knew something was off. While not understanding what occurred during the conversation between Artemis, Alex, Zoe and Bianca, two things were for sure. One, Bianca was my new sister. Two, Zoe looked visibly unhappy. That's when you know something is wrong.

"Zoe!" I called, striving through our camp to get a better understanding.

"I know what you're going to ask Percy. Artemis is going on an extremely dangerous solo hunt," she muttered out sourly. "But even worse, we are going to camp half-blood."

Camp. Alex seemed to hold it in high standards, but my sisters had always hated it for some reason. The very idea seemed to disgust the hunters that overheard this.

"I need a huge favour brother," Zoe continued.

I straighten. While Zoe doesn't usually like the term brother, she always uses it when something significant occurs.

"Convince Artemis not to go. This hunt does not bode well for her. From what the boy told us, great enemies are at play. Please brother, Artemis views you even more like her child then us," Zoe stated, with no bitterness, just truth. It was true that hunt, or Zoe especially, were more sister than daughter to Artemis.

"I'll try my best."

With that we parted, a sense of determination seeping into me as I went to confront Artemis. After all, Zoe was rarely wrong.

…

The tent was quiet, save for the faint rustle of maps and the soft hum of moonlight filtering through the fabric. Artemis stood at the table, her silver circlet gleaming as she traced lines on a map with a hunter's precision. Her posture was tense, her movements deliberate, but I could see it—the weight she carried.

"Artemis," I said, stepping inside.

Her hand paused mid-motion, but she didn't look up. "Percy. I assume Zoe sent you."

"She's worried," I admitted, walking closer. "We all are. This hunt… it doesn't feel right."

Artemis straightened, her silver eyes meeting mine. "This hunt may hold knowledge that could unravel Olympus itself. If I don't act now, the consequences will be catastrophic."

"Then let us come with you," I said quickly. "You don't have to do this alone."

Her gaze hardened, the goddess in her rising to the surface. "You know why that is impossible. My Hunt must remain intact. If I fall, they must survive."

I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling up. "You always protect them—us—but who protects you? You're not invincible, Artemis."

Her lips thinned as she turned away from me, her fingers brushing the edge of the map. "Do not presume to lecture me on survival, Perseus. I have walked this earth for millennia—longer than your father's throne has stood."

I stepped closer, my voice softening. "I'm not lecturing you. I'm asking you to let me help. You've done so much for me—saved me when no one else would—and now it's my turn to protect you."

She froze at my words, her shoulders stiffening as though bracing for a blow. Slowly, she turned back to me, her silver eyes softer now, filled with something deeper than godly authority: love.

"You think I don't know that?" Her voice cracked slightly—just enough for me to notice. "Every time you leave my side, I fear the sea will claim you. That Poseidon will pull you back into his games or Zeus will strike you down for defying his laws. Every day, I worry that I will lose you."

Her words hit me harder than any monster ever had. "You won't lose me," I said firmly. "I'm yours—your Hunter, your… your son."

Her breath hitched at that last word, and for a moment, she looked almost mortal—vulnerable in a way I'd never seen before. "You are more than my Hunter," she murmured, stepping closer to me. "You are my child in all but blood."

"Then make it real," I said quietly but firmly. "Blood adoption. Bind me to you completely. Let Olympus rage—I don't care what Poseidon or Zeus think."

Her eyes widened slightly at my suggestion, and she shook her head as if trying to dispel the thought. "You don't understand what you're asking for," she said softly. "Poseidon may see it as theft of his son; Zeus will call it blasphemy against his laws."

"I don't care what they think," I replied fiercely. "What matters is us—what we choose."

Artemis studied me for what felt like an eternity before finally nodding, her expression resolute but filled with emotion. She reached for a dagger on her belt—a celestial bronze blade etched with constellations—and held it between us. Her voice was steady as she spoke:

"This ritual is forbidden by Olympus," she said gravely. "It will treat you as one of my very own. You would be more godly than a normal demigod, with both mine and Poseidon's powers within you. Once done, there is no undoing it."

"I want this," I said without hesitation.

She sliced her palm swiftly, ichor spilling like liquid starlight onto the dagger's edge before pressing it against my chest over my heart. A sharp pain bloomed beneath my ribs as fire surged through my veins—a wildfire of moonlight and forest song that moulded with the trace of saltwater from Poseidon's domain within me.

Artemis knelt beside me as I collapsed to the ground under the weight of the transformation, cradling me tightly in her arms like a mother comforting her child after a nightmare. Her voice was soft but fierce as she whispered:

"You are mine now—my son in blood and bond—and no one will take you from me."

I looked up at her through blurred vision and managed a weak smile despite the overwhelming power coursing through me. "I love you too… Mother."

Her forehead pressed against mine briefly before she pulled back with tears glinting in her silver eyes like stars reflected on water at midnight: "Never doubt that I love you more than the moon loves the night sky."

The tent flap rustled suddenly as Zoe entered cautiously alongside Phoebe and Naomi—all three staring wide-eyed at us but saying nothing as Artemis rose gracefully while still supporting me with one arm wrapped protectively around my shoulders.

"You leave for Camp Half-Blood at dawn," Artemis announced firmly before turning back toward Zoe specifically: "Prepare them well—for war follows swiftly behind us."

"Um not to break the mood," I muttered drearily, "But how are we getting there?"

"Ugh," Zoe bemoaned, "Don't get me started."

Ah, I knew how.

…

As dawn crept over the trees, the Hunt moved with practiced efficiency, but there was a different kind of energy in the air—one that centred on Artemis and me. My sisters stole glances of curiosity as they tried to understand the idea of their immortal, untouchable Lady adopting me as her very own.

Bianca muttered to Naomi, "He really is her child now, isn't he?"

Naomi nodded, eyes wide. "I never thought I'd see the day. Artemis with a son. Our baby brother!"

There was a ripple of whispers, a mixture of joy and uncertainty, but also a strange, budding pride.

Zoe walked up to them, rolling her eyes at the scene. "Really sisters? It's not that big of a change, they've always been that close, and we've always loved him like an annoying brother."

"Aw, thanks, sis!" I grinned.

Zoe didn't miss a beat. "Shut up, Perseus."

The Hunters burst out laughing, and even Artemis had to hide a smile from where she watched.

We broke camp quickly, eager to face my newly appointed uncle… something that couldn't be shared with my sisters, many of them loathed to be in this position.

The sky began to lighten as Alex and the others joined us. Artemis muttered, "About time. He's so-oo lazy during the winter."

"You're, um, waiting for sunrise?" Alex asked.

"For my brother. Yes."

A golden chariot blazed into view, scattering a flock of birds. Apollo stood at the reins, sunglasses gleaming, and took in the scene—Artemis, the hunt and other demigods at her side.

The Maserati's golden glow still clung to the grass as Apollo leaned against the hood, arms crossed, watching the Hunters load their gear. His eyes flicked to Artemis, who stood protectively beside me, her hand resting on his shoulder—a gesture too maternal for the norm.

"So," Apollo drawled, sliding his sunglasses down his nose. "Either you've finally embraced your latent mom vibes, or…" His gaze zeroed in on me, seemingly staring through my body. Apollo's grin faltered. "Wait. No way."

Artemis stiffened.

Apollo staggered back, clutching his chest dramatically. "You blood-adopted him?!" His voice cracked. "Sis, do you have a death wish? Poseidon's gonna turn the Atlantic into a personal grudge pool!"

Zoe smirked. "Took you long enough to notice, Sun Lord."

"Oh, I'm not the one who needs to worry here!" He pointed at Percy. "Perce! My favourite demigod – other than my kids of course. How's it feel to trade in 'Daddy Issues' for 'Olympus Wants Me Dead'?"

Percy shrugged. "Kinda worth it for the upgrade."

Apollo snorted, then spun to face Artemis. "And you! First, you break your no-boys rule, now this? Next you'll tell me you're starting a daycare for demigods."

"He is my son," Artemis said, voice sharp enough to freeze the remaining snow. "Not a demigod. Not Poseidon's. Mine."

Apollo blinked. For once, he was speechless. Then, slowly, a grin split his face. "Oh, this is gold. Zeus's face when he finds out? Priceless. Hades might actually laugh for once." He clapped Percy on the back. "Proper welcome to the family, cuz. Just a heads-up—Dad's lightning bolts? They sting."

Then he raised his hands in a stop everything gesture.

"I feel a haiku coming on." I felt a grin emerge on my face as my sisters all groaned.

He cleared his throat and held up one hand dramatically.

"Green grass breaks through snow.

Artemis pleads for my help.

I am so cool."

He grinned at us, waiting for applause.

I obliged. Safe to say I got the stink eye from everyone, even my mother.

"That last line was only four syllables," Artemis said.

Apollo frowned. "Was it?"

"Yes. What about I am so big-headed?"

"No, no, that's six syllables. Hmm." He started muttering to himself.

"Uncle! How about -ouch- I am so awesome!" I yelled while Phoebe kicked me in the shin, already knowing about our ability to annoy people when banded together.

"Perce," he said, wiping a tear from his eye, "you are the light in my life. Five syllables! I am so awesome—perfection! Take notes, sis, your kid's a poet."

Artemis pinched the bridge of her nose. "He's your nephew. You deal with him."

"Gladly!" Apollo slung an arm around my shoulders. "Next lesson: limericks. There once was a goddess from Sparta—"

Zoe threw a snowball at his head. It vaporized mid-air.

"—who really loved archery," he continued, unfazed. "See? Rhymes!"

Thalia fake-gagged. "I'd rather fight Kronos again."

Apollo gasped. "Blasphemy! Percy, back me up."

I grinned. "Sorry, Uncle Rockstar. My loyalty's split between Mom's arrows and your… whatever this is."

"This," he said, gesturing to the sun-chariot-Maserati abomination, "is art. And you, my newly minted moonling, are officially my favourite nephew."

"I'm your only nephew."

"Semantics!"

And with that being done, Apollo was finally introduced to the demigods with us, as well as being forced to turn his car into a bus… something my mother made him do due to a particular argument beforehand ("YOU'RE NOT MAKING MY HUNTERS LIE IN THE BOOT!" – my mother).

Apollo jangled the keys, grinning. "So…who wants to drive?"

Zoe shot him a glare, herding the Hunters into the chariot. "We'd sooner ride a wild hydra."

I turned to Artemis, my chest tightening. She stood rigid, her silver eyes reflecting the dawn—a goddess carved from moonlight and resolve.

"You're leaving," I said, voice low.

She hesitated, then cupped my face. Her touch was colder than the snow, but it burned where her fingers lingered. "This hunt…it's not for you, my son. Not yet."

The word son hung between us, raw and sacred. I swallowed hard. "You've never left me behind before." I gripped her wrist, anchoring her. "Promise you'll come back."

Artemis's breath hitched. For the first time in centuries, the Hunt's mistress looked uncertain. "I am the eternal huntress, Perseus. I do not promise."

"Then lie to me."

The ghost of a smile touched her lips. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead to mine—a gesture so human it ached. "I will return," she whispered. "For you…I will break every rule."

Behind us, Apollo cleared his throat. "Tick-tock, moonbeams. Zeus's wrath waits for no god."

Artemis pulled away, her mask slipping back into place. "Zoe," she called, voice sharp. "Lead them well."

Zoe bowed. "As you would, my lady."

Artemis knelt, pressing her palm to the earth. Frost spiralled from her fingertips, mapping unseen trails. When she rose, her gaze locked onto the horizon—toward something only she could see.

"Winter solstice," she said, not looking back. "Do not disappoint me."

Then she was gone—a silver blur swallowed by the forest.

Apollo whistled. "Dramatic exits. A family trait." He tossed me the keys. "You're driving, Perce. Let's see if you inherited her road rage too."

I caught the keys, staring at the empty tree line where she'd vanished.

Zoe elbowed me. "Eyes forward, brother. She'll return."

"How do you know?"

"Because," she said, smirking, "you're annoyingly hard to kill."

The other hunters laughed, climbing into the chariot to follow Apollo and the bubbly form of Nico, leaving me with the newly acquired demigods. I glanced around at the others—Alexander standing a little closer, his eyes curious but cautious.

Looking from where Artemis once stood, I clenched my jaw, refusing to let the ache in my chest show. She'll come back. She has to.

Thalia leaned against a pine trunk, her storm-gray eyes sharp. "Camp's not what you're expecting," she said, arms crossed. "Don't go in swinging that sword like you own the place."

I forced a smirk. "Who says I won't?"

Alexander stepped between us, his voice calm but firm. "He's got this, Thalia. Give him a shot."

She huffed, but her glare softened a fraction. "Fine. Just don't expect me to clean up your messes, newbie."

I met her gaze, channeling Artemis's steel. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Alexander kept the conversation flowing, his tone light but probing. "So, what's the first thing you'll do at camp? Besides getting lost."

"Find the nearest monster to punch," I said flatly, thinking of ways to release my pent-up anger,

Thalia snorted. "Typical. You're all the same—all brawn, no strategy without your babysitter."

"Says the girl who literally turned into a tree to avoid a fight."

Her eyes flashed. "I died saving my friends. What've you done besides ride your mom's coattails?"

The words stung, but I grinned, sharp and unyielding. "Survived. That's enough for now."

Alexander tensed, sensing the crackle between us. "Hey guys, they're all waiting in there, let's join them."

If they take Artemis away from me—the woman who's been my second mother figure since her death—I won't just be angry. I'll become a force of rage and destruction so fierce that even Olympus will tremble, and no one will stand in my way.

...