A/N: I know i said no authors notes until chapter 7 since i finished them but uh yea considering how much reworking i already put into chapters 5 and 6 after starting to publish. Its effectively rewriting them entirely. I dont think ill manage to update once a day for all that long but ill try to maintain it for as long as possible or at the very least every other day for now.
3rd person pov:
The campfire was nothing more than a smoldering heap of ash, casting faint embers into the cold, dark air. The stars, high and unyielding, looked down over the campers, their faces a mixture of determination and concern. The moonlight reflected off the still pond, the calm surface offering little comfort to those who had gathered by its edge. Some were still whispering about the strange sounds they had heard—sounds that felt far too close to being a warning.
"I can't believe he's just gone," Clarisse said angrily, staring at the beach as if it would offer some explanation. Her fingers twisted around a strand of her hair, the only sign of her distress. "He wouldn't just leave us... He knows how important this is. He—he has to be out there somewhere."
A shadow stepped forward, clearing its throat, and the campers turned. It was Nico. "He's out there," Nico said firmly. His voice had a strange tremor, but his eyes were filled with conviction. "I can feel it. He's alive. We need to find him before it's too late. Before he won't come back to us"
The other campers nodded, a wave of determination spreading through them like wildfire.
"What do we do first?" one of them asked.
"We search the woods," Clarisse said, her voice sharper than it had been all day. "Prissy couldn't have gotten far after he exploded in rage after the game. But we can't afford to waste any more time. We'll cover more ground if we split up."
Katie Gardener and Will Solace went to search the training grounds and everything around the cabins.
The Stoll twins took the northern part of the forest.
Leaving Nico and Clarisse to explore the rest of the forest before they left Nico turned to the campfire noticing Lady Hestia sitting there alone. He excused himself before slowly approaching the goddess Nico noticed small drops of fire on her cheeks. "It's my fault Nico" "No it isn't Lady Hestia. You weren't the one to break his heart or call him useless" "I thought I told you to stop with Lady Hestia and bows before me" she tried to joke before becoming serious again. "While I only wish the best for Perseus I can't help you on this quest but take the daughter of wisdom with you. While I don't like what she did to him I can't rid myself of the feeling that she will be essential to finding him." Nico turned around to Clarisse to see Grover and Annabeth standing next to her. Whilst Clarisse scolded Annabeth she also caught Grover up to the latest info. "thank you La— Hestia for your encouragement" "May the gods be with you Nico Di Angelo"
Nico walked over to Clarisse Annabeth and Grover greeting the satyr and shooting death glares at Annabeth
The deeper they went into the wilderness, the darker it became. The tall trees seemed to loom over them like silent guardians, watching with eyes unseen. Strange noises echoed from the underbrush, and the occasional rustling sound sent the group jumping at shadows. But there was no time for fear.
"Do you think he's okay?" Grover asked as he walked beside Annabeth. Annabeth twisted uncomfortably but didn't respond. Nico noticed this and abruptly stopped turning around to face Annabeth. "You know more don't you?" Trying to escape this situation Annabeth looked around scanning the forest for information. Noticing a clearing in the dense forest "You caused most of this Annabeth Chase. What are you hiding from us" Nico glared at her. "I— I think I met Percy earlier today but he left before we got a chance to talk. He was with Lady Artemis and Thalia when I asked them to teach me archery. Lady Artemis and him were sparring when I got there" Nico, feeling like she was not telling them the entire truth "So? Where did he go" "I don't know he stormed off into the woods with Lady Artemis following he- him" Nico didn't push further right now and instead following her gaze towards the clearing.
Being the son of hades had its perks as he was able to make out 2 silver figures standing very closely next to each other seemingly hugging one another. "Let's go" he gestured towards the clearing leading the way. The others followed after giving Annabeth glares that showed disappointment for holding back that Percy ran off into the woods they wouldn't have had to split up as much with that information.
They stumbled onto the clearing alerting the 2 huntresses which quickly let go of one another and turned to look at the group. The huntress on the left had black hair with a faint of purple visible in there. It was too dark to see her face and eyes but Nico managed to spot a mask covering the lower half of her face. The other huntress however had auburn hair and was staring at them out of silver eyes. Her eyes jumped between the demigods, barely noticeable they narrowed when her gaze fell upon Annabeth. Nico bowing deeply "Lady Artemis we didn't mean to interrupt you and" looking at the other huntress confused "your fellow-" Nico was interrupted by Annabeth who wasn't able to stand under the glare shot her way by both the goddess and the other huntress. She fell on her knees and hissed "Percy" "- huntress" Nico finished his sentence. Artemis turned to her huntress "Kae it's up to you" the other huntress made a quick movement with her hand to which Annabeth passed out in front of them. Looking at the rest of the group she said "Leave and take her with you." The campers looked at her in shock before turning around. Clarisse looked down at Annabeth glaring back at the huntress "And why would we do that after you did whatever you did" she spat. Amused Kaelisia mockingly responded "I don't owe you anything. You should be glad that i let you–" "Enough" Artemis interrupted her huntress. Turning towards the group of campers and directly addressed Clarisse "Why are you out of the cabins at night time anyways?" "We're –" Grover started but got interrupted quickly "I asked her Satyr not you" "We're looking for a friend" The huntress besides the goddess slightly tilted her head seemingly curious. "A friend you say" she responded while the goddess of the moon didn't respond. "His name is Percy Jackson" Nico chipped in. "I know" the huntress said simply before turning away from the group of campers back towards the small pond of water "The Satyr and the daughter of Ares should leave and take that with you" she gestured vaguely towards where Annabeth was still unconscious without turning back around.
After Nico reassured that it was okay, they finally left. Leaving Nico awkwardly standing there being examined by the Artemis whilst the Huntress stared into the water.
A gust of wind blew through the clearing, rustling the trees as the campers disappeared into the forest. Nico shifted uncomfortably under the weight of Artemis examining him. Before Nico could speak, the wind howled louder, carrying with it the sharp scent of ozone. A crackling noise echoed through the trees, and then—CRASH—a bolt of lightning split the sky, striking a tree nearby. The impact sent a few leaves fluttering to the ground, and in the next instant, a figure appeared in the clearing.
Thalia Grace landed on her feet, slightly off-balance but unharmed. She straightened, brushing stray leaves from her jacket, then crossed her arms. Her electric blue eyes scanned the scene, Then her gaze fell on Nico alive and seemingly fine. The daughter of Zeus took a step forward, her presence crackling with barely contained energy. "Okay," she started, voice sharp, "what the–" "Language Thals" Kaelisia interrupted "is going on here?" Nico's eyes jumped between Artemis and the back of the huntress filled with expectation. He was curious too as to what was going on here. "I didn't want the others to find out. Not yet at least" the huntress spoke without turning around" "Find out what?" Nico asked. "Careful Nico" Thalia warned "if you spoke like this to any other hunter with our Lady listening. You'd find yourself visiting your fathers court sooner than later. Probably even without her listening. Although without Mylady listening you're probably more likely to end up similarly to Percy instead of dead" Kaelisia chuckled at that "We wouldn't want that Death Boy" "Wait what is going on here? I've never seen you" pointing at Kaelisia "yet you talk like we met a million times and you two" looking at Thalia now "talk like you've known each other for years" "Thals you wanna introduce me? Skip the titles though we don't have time for that" The lieutenant of the hunt rolled her eyes. "Nico meet Kaelisia Saphira, the daughter of the void. Or formerly known as Percy Jackson, Son of Poseidon and Sally Jackson"
"But when and why" he was confused. Everyone could tell the Son of Hades was nothing but confusion. "I trust you 2 to not do anything stupid with him" the goddess of the hunt looked around. Both Thalia and Kaelisia said in sync "of course my lady" and the goddess of the hunt vanished.
Turning back to Nico Kaelisia sighed "remember after the game yesterday? Or the day before yesterday I don't know really" Nico just nodded "I take it you saw Lady Chaos outside as well. Well turns out next time you see her say hi to my mom" Thalia groaned "You're so bad at this void girl" Kae pouted and was about to answer "She was sent here as a boy hiding her presence altering the memories of Poseidon and Sally Jackson. Last night when we went to the crescent shaped Bay where you left us we figured out that Percy Jackson had always been a mystery among the gods. During his horrible childhood rivaling the experiences of hunters his prayers were often heard by Artemis even though it was a boy praying. Long story short Artemis, I assume with the help of Lady Chaos tore away the disguise spell she had put on her daughter and this is the result" Thalia explained. "And Annabeth?" Nico exhaled. "We met her earlier when Thalia and Artemis were meant to teach me how to shoot a bow, which if I might say so myself was a complete waste of time I should've taught them. Artemis tried teaching her how to shoot a bow after she asked Chiron to be taught by the best which was me or Artemis and since I refused" shrugging she continued "When Annabeth shot she somehow managed to shoot at Artemis standing behind her so I simply shot her arrow before it could hit Lady Artemis." Thalia chuckled at the memory. "Something snapped in me and I told Annabeth to learn to shoot straight so she didn't impale my mistress. Artemis then told me to treat other maidens with respect and all that stuff. Eventually we ended up sparring with knives which btw she knows how to wield much better than I do. Even though I'm faster than she is by like a lot I had no chance. So eventually I drew riptide which obviously Annabeth recognised. and before long we ended the sparring with a draw and I just left before Annabeth figured out" "Annabeth figured it out after. I think that she thinks Artemis did this to you against your will" Thalia let out. "Well she can stay away from me. I don't want that bitch in my life again" Kae spat out. "You know kelp for brains you still have Thalia and me" Nico tried comforting the girl that used to be his best friend "You need new nicknames" she sobbed in response.
The 3 friends sat in silence enjoying the moonlight shining at the clearing. "What do you want to do with this" Nico's voice sliced through the silence, holding something small. Looking at the fully assembled ring she had prepared for Annabeth. Kaelisia didn't know. "I'm not sure. I don't think I'll be able to love again. Even without the Hunters vow. You should have it Nico. Thalia and I don't have a use for it anyways. Maybe give it to your father so he has a gift for his wife or something" the boy twitched. Thinking about his father and his family. Suddenly he turned around "you have to tell them" both Kaelisia and Thalia looked at him confused. "The Olympians. I know Hestia is worried dead for you and I'm willing to bet Poseidon is as well. Perhaps even Apollo, Hermes or others" "I know. I just don't know when or how".
The trio fell back into silence and enjoyed the moonlight Artemis was gifting them this night.