Fourth chapter! Had a bit of writers block, but I'm back!

FYI, Percy still doesn't have a decided pairing. Drew/Percy has one vote, Bianca/Percy has two, Thalia/Percy has three, and Percy/Sadia has one.

Enjoy!

CHAPTER 4: JUST CAN'T CATCH A BREAK

Percy barely had time to process what had just happened. The helicopter was a smoking wreck, the courtyard was littered with debris, and Dr. Thorn was knocked out cold on the ground. But, of course, things couldn't end there.

"Permission to kill, Milady?" the archer's voice rang out, clear and calm, as if she hadn't just turned a deadly attack helicopter into a smoking pile of rubble.

Percy gulped. This was not the kind of thank you he had been expecting.

The moonlight made it easy to see her; her silver circlet glinting, her bow still trained on him. Percy could almost feel the deadly point of the arrow aimed straight at his heart.

She let it fly.

Percy barely had time to raise his hand protectively. Instinct kicked in, and he willed his scales to cover his arm. The arrow struck the scaly barrier.

He realised his scales had blocked the arrow.

I will never complain about these scales again, he vowed silently.

"Uh, can we maybe talk this out?" Percy called up, raising his hands in what he hoped was a peaceful gesture. His voice was shaky, more so than he wanted to admit. He had just barely survived a fight with a manticore and a helicopter. He wasn't sure how he felt about adding hunters to the mix.

The figure on the roof hesitated for a moment, then slowly lowered her bow. Percy let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He'd count that as a win.

"Hey, uh, whoever you are," Percy called out, raising his hands slowly, trying not to make any sudden moves. "I think we got off on the wrong foot here. Maybe we can talk this out?"

The figure didn't lower their bow. "Silence, beast. I have my orders."

Percy's brain went into overdrive, scrambling for something, anything, that might keep him from getting skewered by an arrow in the next few seconds. He was all too familiar with being hunted, but this felt particularly unfair. Helicopters and arrows? That's just overkill.

"Orders? What orders?" Percy asked, stalling for time. "Because I didn't get the memo. Maybe you can fill me in?"

The figure remained silent, eyes narrowing as they took aim. Percy was about to bolt when a familiar voice rang out from behind him.

"Wait!" Drew's voice cut through the tension, startling both Percy and the archer. Drew sprinted into the courtyard, panting heavily, with Bianca and Nico in tow. "Don't shoot! He's with us!"

The figure hesitated, their arrow still trained on Percy. "Who are you to interfere, mortal?"

Drew paused to catch her breath, then straightened up, trying to muster some of her usual bravado. "Drew Tanaka, daughter of Aphrodite, and I don't care who you are. You don't get to shoot Percy unless he deserves it - and he hasn't yet."

Percy shot Drew a grateful look, though he wasn't sure how much longer her intervention would hold. He noticed Nico and Bianca looking at the scene with wide-eyed confusion, which was fair considering the state of the courtyard and the unconscious teacher-turned-manticore.

The archer's bow finally lowered, though their expression remained unreadable. "You're lucky," they said, their tone cold. "But next time, demigod, there will be no warning."

Percy let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Great, something to look forward to," he muttered under his breath.

Before Percy could say anything else, the figure gracefully leaped from the rooftop, landing silently on the ground a few feet away. Up close, Percy could see the silver gleam of the bow and the distinctive silver arrows strapped to the figure's back. But what really caught his attention was the glowing silver circlet on the figure's head.

The archer stepped forward, and Percy realized with a start that this wasn't just any archer - this was one of Artemis's Hunters. And if one Hunter was here, then…

Percy backed away slowly. "Where's the rest of you?"

The archer smirked, though her eyes remained as cold as ever. "Closer than you think."

As if on cue, more figures appeared from the shadows, each one clad in silver. Percy counted at least half a dozen of them, all with bows in hand and arrows at the ready.

"This isn't good," Percy muttered, glancing around at the surrounding Hunters. "So, uh, what's the plan here, guys? A friendly chat over some hot cocoa?"

The lead Hunter didn't seem amused. "Our mission is clear. You, Perseus Jackson, are to be taken to Lady Artemis immediately."

"Taken?" Percy repeated, his unease growing. "You mean like, willingly, right?"

The Hunter's silence spoke volumes.

"Of course not," Percy sighed. "Why would it ever be easy?"

The Hunters began to close in, their bows drawn, making it clear that resistance was futile. Percy felt his heart rate spike, his mind racing for a way out. But with the odds stacked against him, escape seemed impossible.

Then a commanding voice rang out from above.

"Hold, Zoë."

The Hunters froze, their bows lowering slightly as they turned to the source of the voice. Percy looked up, his eyes widening as he recognized the figure standing on the edge of the courtyard's rooftop.

With a bow of pure moonlight in hand, stood Artemis herself, her silver eyes glowing with a fierce intensity.

Percy swallowed hard.

LINE BREAK

Percy found himself in a tent,

The inside of the tent felt warm and comfortable. Silk rugs and pillows covered the floor. In the centre, a golden brazier of fire seemed to burn without fuel or smoke. Behind the goddess, on a polished oak display stand, was her huge silver bow, carved to resemble gazelle horns. The walls were hung with animal pelts - black bear, tiger and several others Percy didn't recognise.

He figured an animal-rights activist would've had a heart attack looking at all those rare skins, but since Artemis was the goddess of the hunt, Percy didn't think anyone would be protesting.

"Why am I here?" Percy asked.

Artemis ignored the question. "Percy Jackson."

"Yes, that's me," he muttered sarcastically.

The lead hunter, Zoë, looked like she wanted to attack him, but restrained herself.

Artemis looked at Percy. "You should be dead."

"Gee, thanks."

"That is not what I meant, mortal. You should not have survived the spikes from the manticore. One or two could kill anyone, bar a god. You got hit with four."

"Maybe I'm just lucky?"

Artemis turned to face Percy, her expression grave. "Luck had nothing to do with it, Percy Jackson. Your survival defies the natural order."

Percy frowned, unsure of what to make of Artemis' statement. "What do you mean?"

Artemis narrowed her silver eyes, studying Percy as if he were a puzzle she couldn't quite solve. "I mean," she said slowly, "there's something different about you. Something that shouldn't be possible."

Percy shifted uncomfortably. "Different how? I'm just me."

Zoë, standing at Artemis' side, scoffed. "You are no ordinary demigod. The manticore's poison alone should have left you paralyzed, and the spikes? You should have been torn apart."

Percy instinctively glanced at his arm where the wounds had been. The scales were gone, but he felt an odd tingling sensation, a reminder of how he'd unconsciously called on them to block the arrow.

"I don't know what happened," Percy admitted. "I just reacted. I didn't want to die."

Artemis turned her gaze toward the brazier, her eyes distant as the flames reflected in them. "Mortals fear death, but none can escape it forever." She turned back to him, her voice softer but still filled with authority. "Something intervened."

"Like what?" Percy asked, more on edge now. He wasn't in the mood for cryptic answers.

Artemis didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stepped closer, her presence commanding but strangely calm. "I sensed the power when Zoë first attacked you. There's something ancient stirring within you, Percy Jackson. Something even older than Olympus."

Percy blinked, completely thrown off. "Older than Olympus? What does that even mean? I'm just trying to survive like everyone else. I don't-"

"You are wrong," Artemis interrupted, her tone sharp. "What you carry is no simple demigod gift. You are... marked."

The word sent a shiver down Percy's spine. "Marked? By who?"

Zoë, who had been standing silently this whole time, finally spoke up. "He bears the scent of the sea, yes, but there is something more, Lady Artemis. Something... hidden."

Percy's head was spinning. "Look, I don't know what any of this means, but if you're going to tell me I'm some kind of chosen one or cursed demigod or whatever, can we skip to the part where I get some answers?"

Artemis sighed, clearly annoyed by Percy's flippant tone. "You mortals always seek quick answers. Sometimes, the truth is not ready to be revealed."

Percy threw up his hands in frustration. "Of course. Cryptic goddess wisdom. Great. So, what now? Am I supposed to just wait around for some prophecy or sign to tell me what's going on?"

Artemis' lips tightened into a thin line. "There may be no prophecy, Percy Jackson. Whatever you are, it does not fall under the fate of the Olympians."

A heavy silence hung in the air. Percy could feel the weight of her words settling over him. Not even tied to the Olympians? Then what was he? And why was he suddenly the center of this mysterious... thing?

Artemis straightened. "You must come with us."

"Come with you?" Percy raised an eyebrow. "To where?"

"To Camp Half-Blood," Artemis said simply. "Where we can keep an eye on you until we understand more about what you are."

Camp Half-Blood. Where his mother had gone.

Percy crossed his arms. "And if I say no?"

Zoë bristled. "You do not have a choice, boy."

Artemis silenced her with a gesture. "This is not a prison, Percy Jackson. But know this - whatever you are running from, it will find you. And when it does, you will need us more than we need you."

Percy's instincts told him to reject the offer. But deep down, he knew Artemis was right. Something was happening to him, something he couldn't explain. If staying with them gave him a chance to figure it out, maybe it wasn't such a bad idea.

He sighed. "Fine. I'll come with you. But I'm not taking orders."

Artemis' lips quirked in the slightest of smiles. "We shall see. Zoë, leave me alone with our guest. Rally the hunters and the half-bloods."

Zoë nodded and set off.

Immediately, Artemis had a knife out. "You are going to answer every single one of my questions. Truthfully. Understand?"

Percy narrowed his eyes. He could feel his scales just below the surface of his skin. "Understood."

"Are you hosting an Egyptian god?"

He fought the urge to laugh. Him? A magician? "An Egyptian god? Me? No way. I think you'd notice if I was carrying one around."

Artemis' expression didn't waver. She remained cold, calculating. "You misunderstand the severity of your situation. I don't ask questions I don't already suspect the answers to, Percy Jackson."

Her silver eyes bore into him, sharp enough to pierce through any pretense. Percy tensed, resisting the urge to let his scales rise. He had no idea why she thought he was involved with magicians, but clearly, something about him had triggered her suspicion.

And to be fair, she wasn't that far off the mark.

"I'm telling you the truth," Percy said. "No Egyptian god's hitching a ride with me. I wouldn't even know where to start with that."

Artemis continued to study him, her knife glinting under the soft glow of the brazier. "Then explain your survival, Percy. Four spikes. You should have perished."

Percy's mind raced. He didn't have a good answer. Things had been stranger recently - his scales appearing when he was in danger, blocking arrows, and the unsettling feeling of something... different lurking beneath the surface.

"I don't know," Percy finally admitted, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "I don't know why I survived, okay? I barely even knew I had those scales until you started shooting at me!"

Artemis frowned. "Scales... another mystery."

He probably shouldn't have said that.

"Yeah, no kidding," Percy muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I don't get it either. I just reacted. Like it's part of me, but I didn't even know it was there."

Artemis remained silent for a moment, as if weighing his words. Then she lowered the knife. "There are forces at work here that even I cannot fully comprehend. But one thing is certain: whatever you are, Percy Jackson, it is far more dangerous than you realize."

Percy swallowed, his unease growing. Dangerous? Sure, he'd been in deadly situations before, but something about Artemis' tone - her certainty - made it feel different this time. Like there was something bigger at play, something that went beyond gods and monsters.

"Great," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Dangerous and clueless. That's a fun combo."

Artemis ignored his sarcasm, her eyes flickering with the intensity of a predator honing in on its prey. "If you are not hosting an Egyptian god, then there is something else within you. Something old, as I said. Perhaps a power long forgotten... or something that was never meant to awaken."

Percy's mouth went dry. "What are you saying? That I'm some kind of ancient... whatever?"

"Perhaps," Artemis said, her voice cold as the night. "Or perhaps you are a something far worse. Either way, you must be watched."

Percy couldn't help but scoff. "So, what? I'm a ticking time bomb, and you're waiting to see if I go off?"

"If necessary," Artemis replied, her tone unflinching. "I will end you before that happens."

The weight of her words hit Percy like a physical blow. He took a step back, his heart racing. "Wow, okay. That's comforting."

Artemis didn't respond, her gaze steady and unyielding. She wasn't bluffing. If she thought he was too dangerous, she wouldn't hesitate to eliminate him.

Percy felt a surge of defiance rise within him. "Look, I'm not trying to hurt anyone. I'm just trying to survive."

"Survival is not enough, Percy Jackson," Artemis said. "You must learn control. Otherwise, others will suffer for your ignorance."

Her words stung, but Percy knew she was right. He didn't understand what was happening to him, and that scared him more than anything else. If he couldn't figure it out, who knew what kind of damage he could do?

"Fine," Percy said, his voice low. "I'll figure it out. But I'm not just some... experiment for you to poke and prod."

Artemis gave him a cold smile. "I don't experiment, Percy. I hunt."

Percy shivered despite himself. "Right. That's so much better."

As Percy followed Artemis out of the tent, a nagging thought gnawed at him. Whatever was inside him, whatever power or curse had kept him alive - it felt more like a ticking time bomb than a blessing.

And he had a feeling it was only a matter of time before it went off.

LINE BREAK

It turns out the hunters really didn't like dudes. Who would have thought?

As Percy stepped out of the tent, the cold night air hit him, sharp against his skin. The moon hung high, casting the clearing in a silvery light. Around him, the Hunters of Artemis moved with practiced ease, setting up camp with a precision that made Percy feel even more out of place.

It didn't take long for him to notice the glares. The Hunters kept their distance, whispering among themselves, and more than a few shot him looks that ranged from annoyance to outright hostility. Zoë in particular seemed to be struggling to keep from drawing her bow every time she glanced his way.

Percy couldn't help but mutter under his breath. "Guess hospitality's not their strong suit."

He didn't have to look to know that Artemis had heard him. Her silver eyes flickered in the corner of his vision, but she remained silent as she led him toward the edge of the camp.

As they passed a group of Hunters, one of them, a girl no older than thirteen with a bow slung across her back, sneered. "Males have no place here."

Percy raised an eyebrow, biting back a sarcastic retort. He wasn't in the mood to start a fight. Still, the constant judgment grated on him. He hadn't asked to be here.

Artemis stopped at the edge of the clearing and turned to face him. "They are wary of you."

"No kidding," Percy muttered. "I didn't think 'wary' meant 'glaring like they want to skewer me.'"

Artemis didn't seem amused. "The Hunters have vowed to reject the company of men. Your presence here is a violation of their oath, but I have deemed it necessary. They will not harm you... unless you give them reason."

"Great," Percy said, trying and failing to sound enthusiastic. "So I'll just try not to be annoying."

Artemis gave him a sharp look. "Do not mistake their reluctance for weakness. My Hunters are formidable, Percy Jackson. Respect them, and they will tolerate your presence. Test their patience, and you will learn quickly why they are feared."

Percy held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I get it. Stay out of their way, don't provoke them, and hope I don't get an arrow in the back while I'm sleeping."

Artemis just walked away.

Drew walked up to him, raising an eyebrow. "You know, Percy, if you wanted to get shot at by a helicopter, all you had to do was ask."

Percy groaned. "Drew, I swear, if you start making jokes about this-"

"Too late," Drew interrupted with a smirk. "This is too good to pass up."

Percy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Drew, I'm surrounded by hunters who already don't like me. Do you really need to make it worse?"

Drew leaned against a tree, her arms crossed and her smile as sly as ever. "Oh, please. You're Percy Jackson. You thrive on chaos. I'm just here to keep things entertaining."

"Entertaining for you," Percy muttered. "I'm pretty sure I just saved your life, and I'd rather not end up as target practice."

Drew tilted her head, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Relax. I'm sure they'll warm up to you eventually. Or, you know, shoot you in the leg. Either way, you'll be the center of attention."

Percy rolled his eyes. "Great, just what I wanted."

She shrugged. "Hey, you've always been good at making an impression."

Before Percy could respond, Zoë appeared again, her face set in a scowl. She glanced between him and Drew with barely concealed disdain. "You will refrain from disturbing the camp with your meaningless chatter."

Drew didn't miss a beat, flashing Zoë a smile. "Oh, I wouldn't call it meaningless. We're just discussing Percy's knack for getting himself into... let's say, interesting situations."

Zoë's eyes narrowed. "If you value your place here, you will remain silent."

Percy shot Drew a look that said see what I'm dealing with?, but Drew just winked at him. "Fine, fine. I'll behave," she said, though her expression suggested otherwise.

As Zoë stalked off, Percy exhaled. "You're really not helping."

Drew just grinned. "What are friends for?"

"How are Bianca and Nico?"

"Bianca's talking with one of the hunters, and Nico and some weird kid are with her."

"Who?"
"Dunno," Drew shrugged. "Think his name is… Grover?"

Percy frowned. "Grover? Who's that?"

Drew gave him an incredulous look. "You really don't know? Satyr? Protector? Kind of a big deal?"

He shook his head. "Nope. First time I've heard of him."

Drew stared at him for a second before shrugging. "Well, I guess you're in for a surprise then. He's like, one of the oldest half-blood protectors out there. Been doing this longer than anyone."

Percy still felt uneasy. "Why would a satyr be here? Aren't they supposed to stay at Camp Half-Blood?"

Drew crossed her arms, thinking. "I don't know the details, but he seemed close to Bianca and Nico. Maybe he's watching out for them?"

"Guess I'll find out," Percy muttered. "Thanks, Drew."

She winked. "Don't mention it. Just try not to get into any more 'interesting situations,' alright?"

"One helicopter incident," he muttered.

Drew laughed. "Don't get maimed by any hunters!"

Percy gave a mock salute before heading in the direction Drew had pointed.

He walked through the camp. The chill in the air felt sharper now, a reminder of how out of place he truly was. The Hunters' camp was a well-oiled machine, each member moving with practiced efficiency. They worked in silence, their eyes occasionally darting toward Percy with a mix of curiosity and wariness.

And if the camp was a well-oiled machine, Percy was sure he was a wrench in the work.

As he approached the spot where Drew had said Bianca and Nico were, Percy noticed a tall, lanky figure talking animatedly with Bianca. The figure had a pair of horns peeking out from underneath a tattered hat. Percy guessed this must be Grover, the satyr Drew had mentioned.

Bianca and Nico stood beside him, their expressions ones of relief. Bianca caught sight of Percy first, her face brightening as she waved him over. "Percy! Over here!"

Grover looked up from his conversation. He gave a friendly nod. "So you're Percy Jackson," he said. "I've heard a lot about you."

Percy offered a hesitant smile. "Yeah, that's me. And you're Grover, right?"

"That's me," Grover replied, extending a hand. "Pleasure to meet you."

Percy shook Grover's hand, noting the firm grip and the sense of calm that seemed to radiate from him. "Yeah."

Grover studied him. "Are you… a demigod?"

"Yeah. But I, um, don't know who my godly parent is."

Hey, a little white lie wouldn't hurt anyone.

Grover nodded sympathetically. "Godly parents aren't exactly the most present.

Bianca spoke up. "We've all had our share of annoying parents."

Percy turned to her and pointed an accusing finger at her. "You didn't tell me you were a demigod!"

Bianca raised an eyebrow, looking mildly amused. "I didn't think it was that big of a secret. I assumed you'd figure it out eventually."

Percy frowned. "Well, it would've been nice to know sooner. Especially considering the whole 'teacher's actually a monster trying to kill you' situation."

Bianca shrugged, unfazed. "It's not exactly a secret. It's just that, in our world, it's often better to keep certain things under wraps until necessary."

Grover nodded in agreement. "Bianca's right. It's a good rule of thumb to keep your cards close to your chest. It helps in avoiding unnecessary attention."

Percy sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess I should've expected that. It's just... a lot to take in right now."

Nico, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "It's not just about secrecy. It's about safety. Knowing who's who can sometimes put you at risk if the wrong people find out."

Percy nodded, appreciating the perspective. "Fair point. I suppose it's something I'll have to get used to."

Then he realised something. "Wait, so that's why you were so obsessed with those Mythomagic cards!"

Nico grinned sheepishly. He scratched the back of his head, looking a bit embarrassed. "Yeah, you caught me. Mythomagic is pretty much the only way we get to know about other demigods and creatures in the world without putting ourselves in danger."

Bianca chuckled softly. "It's a clever way to stay informed without attracting too much attention. And, to be honest, the game is actually pretty fun once you get into it."

Their conversation was interrupted by a hunter calling them over. "Lady Artemis wishes to speak with thee."

The group exchanged glances, and Percy could sense a change in the mood. "Guess I'm about to get another lesson in how this place works," he said with a wry smile.

"It's best to listen to Artemis," Grover said. "She has a way of making her expectations clear."

He gave Percy a reassuring pat on the back. "Just follow their lead and try not to say anything that might get you into trouble."

Percy took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. "Alright, let's see what she wants."

He just couldn't catch a break today, could he?

Chapter over!

Review responses:

Umbra Lycan: Percy will be able to do that (and more) later in the story, maybe in the quest...

Guest: Maybe!

Anaklusmos404: Yeah, I wanted to put my own spin on this scene. The hunters are just like that, you know? Percy will fight in the Titanomachy, and the war against Apophis, but I'm not sure about the Gigantomachy. Maybe if this story gets enough traction? Percy's sweat being used as a water source is planned, how'd you know? Yeah, I took inspiration from the whole 'my sweat created the rivers of the earth' thing. Thanks for the review!

fugy: An enemy of Greece? Maybe in the throne room post-quest...

The ultimate deity: Honestly, Drew deserves more love. Thank you!

Robotdocter: Percy/Drew, leaning towards it, so maybe! Even if she's not the main pairing, she'll be a big part of this fic.

That's all! Review, I'll respond.

(And don't forget to vote for a pairing in the reviews.)