Origin of a Hero - [A Percy Jackson Fanfic]

"Don't let him escape! "the order was loud and clear, echoing throughout the forest.

"Yes, my lady! "was the reply received.

The group moved as one through the forest undergrowth, hunting down a creature that had been elusive for the past week. Footprints in the dirt, twisted bushes, broken branches on trees, scratches and scrapes on bark... All of it was a trail left by the elusive beast. A trail that was as visible as sunlight to those who pursued it with a fervor and a thirst for vengeance and justice.

After all, no monster can escape the Hunters of Artemis.

An arrow flew through the forest, making a whistling sound until it embedded itself in its target's shoulder. The creature grunted and stumbled in pain, but it didn't stop. It roughly pulled the arrow out and continued running, trying to escape certain death. If it hadn't been so intent on fleeing, it would have realized it was heading into a trap.

When he reached a small clearing, he immediately found himself surrounded by more than a dozen of his pursuers, all of them with arrows ready to release at their mistress' command.

"Damn it… Damn it!" the monster exclaimed angrily. It raised its tail, ready to attack, but it knew it couldn't kill them all. "Why won't you leave me alone?! I haven't done anything to you!"

"You killed Jenny!" one of the hunters exclaimed, hatred burning in her words.

" Don't think you'll be forgiven for that!

"You will be sent to Tartarus for your crimes!

"You know nothing!" the monster shouted. "Your prejudice and hatred of our species clouds your judgment and prevents you from seeing the truth!"

"No truth can escape the eyes of a goddess," said a new voice. One filled with power and authority.

The monster turned and glared at the goddess of the hunt, who was staring straight at her with silver-yellow eyes. Eyes that looked at her as if she were nothing more than a disgusting stain under her boots.

"Ah, until the goddess deigns to enlighten us with her presence," said the monster, mockery dripping from his voice. "Tell me, O great goddess of Olympus, your huntresses follow your preaching, do they not? Do you teach them to attack a beast that has done no wrong?"

"No harm? Don't you dare lie to me, you repulsive beast" came the cold voice of the goddess of the hunt, taking a step forward to face the monster". You have murdered one of my hunters. As far as I'm concerned, you brought this on yourself.

" Your hunter was the one who attacked first! I acted in self-defense! "the monster refuted". What right did she have to try to kill me when I haven't done anything wrong since I reformed again?!

"You are a monster! "Phoebe screamed, as if it were her justification for everything". Your very kind is destined to do evil!

"And that is why we must eliminate you"the goddess declared.

" Why?! "the beast screamed". Just because I'm different? Why am I not of the same species as you? Is that the arrogance of the Olympians?!

"Silence! "Artemis snapped furiously. She raised her hand and gave the order for her hunters to open fire.

The arrows flew and the monster was quickly bombarded by more than a dozen arrows that embedded themselves throughout its body.

Before dying, the monster looked into the eyes of the goddess of the hunt, rage burning in his heterochromatic eyes.

"Is this... the justice of the gods?" he said, his voice choked. "They are no better... than the Titans."

With that said, he burst into a cloud of golden dust.

Artemis stared at the remains of what was once the dreaded Manticore, in a deep meditative state as she heard his words. The huntresses went and collected the arrows with which they had killed the monster responsible for the death of one of their sisters.

"My lady," Zoë called, bringing her out of her thoughts. "Are you okay?" She looked lost for a few moments.

"I'm fine, Zoë," the goddess dismissed. "I was just considering something."

"Me too, my lady," her lieutenant nodded. "We finally bring justice to our sister's memory."

"Justice?" Artemis thought. "Or revenge? The line between the two is blurry. Hard to see. And often it's not there."

"Yes, we did... But we're not done yet.

Zoë gave her mistress a curious look.

"What do you mean, my lady?

"We have a promise to keep," Artemis reminded him. "Even though I don't feel comfortable with who I made it to, I plan to keep it if it means saving an innocent young maiden."

"My lady, are you referring to...?

Artemis nodded at her lieutenant's question about finishing.

"That boy... What he said during our meeting, I can't get it out of my head"Artemis said, remembering the talk she had with that demigod who stood up to her, something no demigod has done before". If he keeps his promise, I plan to keep mine. Also... he was carrying that knife. If the person who gave it to him is who I think it is, then that demigod is trustworthy. She remembered the talk she had with Percy, mainly when she showed him the knife she was carrying.

Percy was about to leave the tent, until he was stopped by the goddess's voice.

" Wait, boy.

Percy turned around, feeling a little confused and impatient. What else did the goddess of the hunt want with him? She had already drugged him and taken advantage of that.

...Okay, that sounded a little bad.

But it was true! She drugged him. She interrogated him. She threatened him. What more does she want from him for the love of potatoes?

" If your destiny is to face an army of monsters to save your friends, then you must be well"armed to accomplish that task.

In a flash of light, a pair of silver hunting knives appeared in his hand. Percy identified it as the knife the lieutenant of the hunters had used to gut the rabbit. And if it had the same blade, it was a truly lethal weapon.

" I appreciate the offer, but I already have my own weapon " he politely declined " and I feel comfortable with it.

He pulled out his hellhound's tooth knife and showed it to the goddess, causing her to widen her eyes in complete surprise.

" That... That knife! " he exclaimed, recognition in his voice. He stood up and faced Percy. " Where did you get it?!

Percy looked at the goddess strangely. Nevertheless, he answered.

"Someone gave it to me three years ago. He said I earned it when I killed three hellhounds with a grand piano.

" " Do you know where he is?! What did his face look like? Do you know his name?! " Artemis asked, getting even closer to Percy and causing him to feel uncomfortable at her closeness.

" No. No. And... no. I don't know " she answered hastily ". I haven't seen him in two years. I never knew what his face looked like because he always wore a hoodie. And he never told me his name.

Artemis frowned. Frustration was evident on her face as she clicked her tongue in annoyance.

" " Can you at least tell me something more about him? A peculiarity of his?

Percy thought for a few seconds, bringing a hand to his chin. He opened his eyes and snapped his fingers when he remembered something.

" " Ah, yes! He had a strange prosthesis on his right arm. At first, I thought it was made of gold, or something. But when I saw Thalia's shield and Luke's sword, I could tell it was made of Celestial Bronze, as it had a slight glow in the dark.

" So it really was him... " Artemis muttered to herself, although Percy could hear her.

" " Do you know him? " Percy asked, wanting to know about that boy who helped so much a few years ago.

" You could say so, " the goddess said, frowning. " That boy managed to escape from me a couple of times in the past.

" " Why were you chasing him?

Artemis bit her lower lip in annoyance.

" That... boy snuck into Olympus during the Summer and Winter Solstice meetings, " she said, surprising Percy. " At first I thought he was a minor god, but when I saw him bleeding I knew he was a demigod. His blood... was red.

" He... He didn't do anything wrong, right?

The goddess shook her head.

" No. In fact, he did Olympus a great favor, but then he disappeared and we never heard from him again. " She looked at Percy carefully. " You're the last person who knew anything about him. And you have the weapon he held. If he gave it to you willingly, then I'll trust your judgment.

"I don't like him," Zoë said, frowning. "He's disrespectful, childish, greedy, sarcastic..."

"It's like you know him well," Artemis said, with the faintest of smiles, causing Zoë to look away in indignation. "That boy would give his life for the welfare of those he loves. A quality you possess very few of, and even less so among demigods."

"I still don't like him," she crossed her arms stubbornly.

"You don't have to. In fact, I'd be worried if you did.

" Artemis! "he said, in a reproachful tone". You are not implying that I might see that... boy... in a different light?

This time Artemis let out a small laugh. Something very rare, but only reserved for her hunters.

"Of course not, but I don't rule out the possibility, no matter how nonexistent it may seem. After all, it has happened before that some female hunters have abandoned the hunt to join the Amazons. And you know very well what they do with men. The last one was... five years ago, if my memory serves me right.

"My oath is everything," Zoë said, ending the discussion. "And I have no right to break it."

"That's comforting," Artemis said, giving him a small smile. She then turned to her hunters with the authoritative expression she was well known for. "Hunters! Rest for fifteen minutes! Tend to your wounds, and prepare to continue advancing!"

"My lady, where are we going?" Phoebe asked, approaching the goddess.

"We're going to Camp Half-Blood," she said, much to the annoyance of many of them. It was no secret that they disliked that camp. "It's been a while since we went there. I think it's time to add another win to our streak."

The hunters smiled a little mischievously at that. In the Capture the Flag game there was always one boy who thought he could outdo them simply because he was a man. Those types of boys were their favorites to use as targets for target practice.

With that in mind, Artemis' hunters set out to Camp Half-Blood.

The campers at Camp Half-Blood had many traditions and many of them were different and unique depending on which cabin they were in. Such as the initiation ceremony for the children of Ares. The monthly pranks for the children of Hermes. The informational talks for the children of Athena. The rite of passage for the children of Aphrodite. The initial creation of the children of Hephaestus. Each and every cabin, with the exception of Artemis and Hera who did not have children, had their own traditions.

But there was one tradition that was shared by the entire camp, the burning of the shroud.

The demigod or demigoddess who died in battle was wrapped in a shroud with the symbol of his or her hut imprinted on it, and then burned on a pile of wood in the amphitheater in full view of everyone.

But this time it was very different because, for the first time at Camp Half-Blood, the body and shroud of someone who was not a demigod were being cremated. It was the first time that this rite had been used for a mortal.

While the Hunters of Artemis celebrated the death of a fierce monster as a sign of revenge and justice, at Camp Half-Blood they mourned the death of a young and innocent girl.

The flames ate away at the white shroud that wrapped the body of a little girl of only eleven years of age. A young girl who was overwhelmed by the cruel world she lived in. A girl who decided to take her own life in an attempt to stop suffering. And she had succeeded. Now, those people she left behind could only wish for her soul to find peace.

Annabeth covered her face with her hands as she cried for the loss of the person she had come to consider her first real friend. Her shoulders shook and sobs could be heard coming from her.

"How did she...? Why? Why did she do something like that?" he asked, his voice choked.

"I guess Percy's death affected her more than we could have imagined," Grover said, his eyes red and irritated from crying.

"But... Doing that... Getting to that point...

"People handle the loss of those they love differently," Chiron said, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "And sometimes, a single decision made in a moment of desperation can end up being the last."

"But she wasn't alone. She had us... We could have kept going.

"Maybe she didn't want to do it without Percy, Luke said. Percy was everything to her. When she lost him, I guess she thought she had nothing left to go on about.

"But...

"Too many "buts," Annabeth" Thalia snapped."Sammy is gone. He's gone. And nothing we do can change that.

While speaking, he never took his eyes off the flames, even though it irritated his eyes and the skin on his face.

In the last few days, Thalia had changed her appearance slightly. The most notable thing was her hair, previously cut in spikes without any specific order, was neater and more elegant, allowing the skull-shaped earrings in her ears to be seen. She had dyed the tips of her hair blue and had begun to wear fingerless black horn gloves that she did not take off even to eat or train.

" How can you say that?! "Annabeth demanded through tears, shocked by her friend's words. " Doesn't it hurt you that Sammy is gone too?!

Thalia turned to look at her and Annabeth was shocked. Thalia had an apathetic, almost dead look on her face, but the scowl she had on was enough to scare even her close friend.

"I care more than you think," Thalia said, her voice hard. "I was the one who found her hanging from the ceiling. And I will never in my entire fucking life be able to forget that. But wallowing in my grief won't solve anything. Percy and Sammy are dead, and they're not coming back. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you can move on."

With that said, she turned and left the amphitheater without giving Sammy's body a last glance.

Annabeth was still crying. She could say with certainty that this was the worst week of her life. Two of her friends that she loved so much were dead. Who's next? Luke? Thalia? Grover? Will her life ever stop being a tragedy?

Luke watched his friend's back walk away, stunned by the words she had spoken.

"I know Thalia has always been a very direct person, but even for her, that was too hard, "Luke said.

"Maybe that's her way of dealing with reality," Chiron said. "I just hope her feelings don't overwhelm her. A child of the Big Three with unstable emotions is dangerous."

Luke looked down. Thalia had been acting differently these past few days. She was starting to become distant, even with him and Annabeth. She barely spoke, and all she did was lock herself in her cabin or go practice spear handling. He just hoped that in time she would go back to being the same brave, defiant, prankster he knew, but he had little hope for that.

For a group heavily trained by the goddess of the hunt herself, it was no problem to quickly reach Camp Half-Blood. The huntresses moved with speed, stealth, and an elegance that only they possessed.

In just two days, he had traveled a large part of the country towards the camp, which struck the hunters as odd. Normally, they only went to Camp Half-Blood if they were close to it and needed a few days of rest. It was extremely rare to go to the camp explicitly, but they did not question their mistress' orders.

As they approached the camp, a curious sight caught the attention of the young teenage girls who had spent the most years hunting.

At the top of the hill that covered the camp, a huge pine tree, more than 35 meters tall, towered imposingly over the hill. It easily stood out from all the other trees not only because of its size, but also because of how leafy it was. The color of its leaves was so green that they seemed to shine under the sunlight and the trunk was strong and had a strong color. It was undoubtedly a beautiful tree.

"My lady," said a huntress, drawing her employer's attention. "Was that tree always there? Because I would remember seeing such a majestic tree."

"No. This is the first time I've seen it," Artemis said, her eyebrow slightly arched in intrigue. She would ask Chiron later, since he was the one who knew more about the camp than the director himself. Sometimes she wondered what Dionysus's role was at the camp.

As they reached the top of the hill where the tree was, they all got a better look at it. Artemis could feel a power radiating from that tree and immediately knew that it was special. As she walked past the tree, she could feel as if she had passed through a membrane that was pushing her back and it was then that she knew what it was, a barrier.

"What was that?" Phoebe yelled, feeling dazed. "For a second, it felt like I was walking through waist"deep water."

"A barrier," Artemis said, looking at the tree with searching eyes. "It seems the entire camp is surrounded by a powerful barrier that repels what it considers a threat."

"A threat?" Zoë asked. "To whom exactly?"

"For the campers. Maybe Chiron can explain their origin, because I doubt that lazy Dionysus even knows how many campers there are at camp.

And there it was. A small display of humor from the goddess of the hunt that only her hunters knew about.

"It's noon," the goddess said, recognizing the time by the position of the sun. "Everyone will be in the dining pavilion for lunch. Come on, hunters."

On their way through the camp, the hunters came across several campers. Some looked at them in surprise and curiosity, others in fear and others in annoyance, the latter being mainly from the daughters of Aphrodite.

The huntresses ignored the stares as they followed their mistress to the dining pavilion where a large number of campers were having lunch and chatting. It was hard to believe that all of them were children of ancient and powerful gods when they just looked like simple teenagers hanging out.

Almost immediately the chatter stopped as everyone watched the hunters enter the pavilion with confidence and pride as if they owned the place. Artemis was the one who stepped forward to stand in front of everyone. Her very presence seemed to surprise all the campers who stared at them with their mouths agape. The goddess almost never showed up at camp.

"Lady Artemis," Chiron said, stepping forward, "Welcome to Camp Half-Blood. To what do we owe the honor of your presence?"

"Chiron," the goddess said, with a nod of acknowledgment. "I have come here because I have unfinished business. And I wish to speak with you."

"A... matter? "he asked, confused.

"That's right. I also noticed something curious on my way here. Perhaps you can clarify the doubts I have.

"I see. It would be an honor to help you in some way.

"Let's walk"The goddess turned and walked into the forest". Tell me about any significant events that have occurred in the last few days.

When everyone heard his words, the campers shifted a little uncomfortably in their seats. Remembering what had happened just a few days ago.

Chiron nodded grimly and walked to stand beside the goddess, who turned and looked at her hunters.

" Alright, girls! Get some rest! Zoë, you're in charge. Keep an eye on your sisters. When you're done eating, you can go to cabin eight to settle in. We'll stay until the Capture the Flag game.

With that said, many campers smiled defiantly at the hunters. They were eager to break that winning streak they had.

With that said, the goddess of the hunt and the centaur hero trainer left the dining pavilion, aware of the defiant and mocking glances the campers and huntresses were giving each other.

The atmosphere became a little tense between the campers when the huntresses sat down at Artemis' table and proceeded to eat and chat animatedly, ignoring the campers. It was as if they were in their own world.

Zoë, being the designated leader, sat at the head of the table. That way, she could see the entire pavilion. She looked around the place curiously, ignoring the pointed glances of the campers until her eyes landed on a lone figure sitting at a table. Zeus' table.

"So... They did it," he said quietly, watching Thalia eat apathetically.

She looked around at the other tables and recognized the little blonde girl, daughter of Athena, sitting at the table with her brothers and sisters. At Hermes' table, she also recognized the boy who had gotten into an argument with Phoebe.

"Huh? Who did it? "Phoebe asked, listening to her lieutenant.

He turned his gaze to where Zoë was looking and recognized the daughter of Zeus.

"Oh, it's her," he said, with appreciation. "So she chose this sad pigsty instead of joining us."

That comment earned him several glares from almost all of the campers, but Phoebe didn't seem to care in the slightest.

"What the hell does that mean?" John asked, standing up and glaring at the huntress, wanting to beat the shit out of her. He might not like the daughter of Zeus, but he genuinely loved Camp Half-Blood.

"What? Does it bother you that I'm telling the truth, boy? "he said, with mockery in his voice. "Face it, their camp is a pigsty. As soon as I set foot in this place I was overwhelmed by the smell of manure.

"How curious. And I thought that you guys brought the smell of manure" Ryan said, causing the hunters to look at him annoyed.

"Hey, Ryan, don't say that," James said, in a scolding tone. Then he looked at the hunters mockingly. "Be a little understanding with them. They probably don't even have time to clean themselves properly, living in the woods like the savages they are."

"You cheeky boy!" Phoebe snapped, abruptly standing up. "How dare you?!"

" You started it!

The sound of a chair being dragged against the floor loudly caught his attention.

"They are so noisy. I can't even eat in peace," Thalia snapped angrily before turning around and leaving the pavilion.

Phoebe gave his retreating back a sidelong glance and clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"Then go to your little boyfriend and wag your tail obediently for him," she said caustically.

Thalia stopped abruptly when she heard the hunter's words.

"Phoebe! That's enough! "Zoë scolded." Stop instigating the campers!

"Don't tell me you're taking his side? "She turned to her friend, disbelief written on her face. "That girl refused our lady's generous offer to join the huntresses! And why?! To be a stupid, obedient girl towards a boy who won't hesitate to cast her aside at the first sign of trouble! If there's anything just as despicable as boys, it's girls who fall prey to their love for them and forget about themselves!

Zoë bit her lip. She supported Phoebe in her hatred of men, but she didn't know the whole story behind that boy. And if his lack of presence in this place was any indication of anything, along with the gloomy attitude of the daughter of Zeus... That meant that it had come true just as he had said.

"Hey, you.

A gloved hand settled on Phoebe's shoulder and gave it a squeeze... hard.

Phoebe winced and turned to find herself face to face with the daughter of Zeus, who was glaring at her with barely contained fury.

"How did he get here so fast?" Phoebe thought, surprised. "He was more than twenty meters away a second ago!"

Phoebe wasn't the only one surprised. All the campers looked at her with wide eyes in surprise.

"What was that?" Luke thought, looking at the scene unfolding in the pavilion. "In a second, Thalia was on the other side of the pavilion and then she just... disappeared."

"What do you want, girl? "Phoebe asked, snapping out of her stupor by abruptly pulling Thalia's arm away. "Does it hurt you too to hear the truth? If so... then that boy really did leave you. I'm not surprised. Sooner or later he would.

"Tell me, hunter, what was your name? I've forgotten it"Thalia asked, her voice cold.

" Why are you interested?

"Simple" Thalia cracked her knuckles, and every time she did, electricity sparked in her hands"The least I can do is remember the name of the hunter I crippled for life.

Phoebe frowned deeply and faced the young demigoddess, not feeling intimidated in the slightest.

"You cheeky brat. I'll teach you some respect.

"So that's what happened, "Artemis said in a contemplative state.

As they walked through the forest, Chiron had told him what had happened over the past few days. The arrival at the camp of a group of demigods who were being pursued by an army of monsters. How one of them had stayed behind to face the monsters so that the others could safely reach the camp. How he died and then his body became the tree that adorned the top of the hill that provided a powerful barrier that repelled the monsters.

And if that wasn't enough, he also learned how the mortal girl who had accompanied the group that had arrived, the same girl for whom he had come to the camp in the first place, had committed suicide three days after the death of that demigod.

"That was two days ago. The same day we killed the Manticore," Artemis thought.

"Yes. A tragic fate for one so young," Chiron said grimly. "In a way, that boy still lives inside the tree, but… the girl… I can only pray that her soul finds peace in the underworld."

Artemis nodded absentmindedly. In her mind and heart, she was once again feeling the same frustration that she had expressed when she spoke to Percy. Now, not only was she once again feeling the same frustration of not having saved an innocent maiden, but she had also been unable to keep the promise she had made to a dead person. It didn't matter if she had made it to a boy, he had sacrificed himself to save his friends, three of whom were young maidens. In her eyes, that deserved recognition. And it was frustrating for her not to keep her promise to one of the few men who had earned her respect.

"But, in all this tragedy, we can still see the positive side of things," said Chiron". The camp has a barrier that will keep future generations of demigods safe. That demigod's noble sacrifice will never be forgotten. I will make sure of that. The least we can do is to make sure his memory lives on.

As they walked towards the pavilion, Artemis glanced at the tree. It was easily visible throughout the camp. And even from this distance, she could feel the power it emanated from. The feeling of comfort and security it provided.

He looked away, unable to look at the tree any longer because of the shame he felt.

"Make sure you do, Chiron," Artemis said. "That Percy boy deserves to be remembered as a hero."

Chiron stopped and looked at the goddess with intrigue and a bit of surprise.

"My lady... I never said the demigod's name," he said, causing Artemis to tense up and curse her carelessness. "You... Did you know him?"

Artemis didn't say anything, she simply bit her lip.

"He said he came to camp because he had some unfinished business," Chiron continued. "That business... Did it have anything to do with him?"

Before Artemis could say anything, a body crashed into the tree beside her with a loud thunderous sound. The body fell crashing to the ground with a loud groan of pain.

" But what...?

"It's... Phoebe!" Artemis exclaimed, alarmed to see her hunter in such a sorry state.

There was a bruise on his right cheekbone, causing his eye to partially close. His nose was crooked and bleeding. His lip was split and blood was dripping from it. He was breathing erratically as he held his side.

" What's wrong? Weren't you going to teach me respect?

Thalia walked calmly towards the fallen hunter. A menacing expression graced her face where a bruise was visible on her cheek. She cracked her knuckles again, clad in a fingerless black horn glove that was stained with blood, presumably from Phoebe.

"You… you're doing all this… for a boy?!" Phoebe spat out blood that had collected in her mouth. "You're… really stupid!"

"You don't know when to shut that filthy mouth of yours, do you?" Thalia said, with distaste. "Maybe if I knock out all your teeth you'll be able to do it."

Phoebe gave him a look full of fury, but there was a hint of fear in her eyes.

"Enough! "exclaimed Artemis, placing herself between the demigoddess daughter of Zeus and her huntress.

"Step aside, loli goddess"Thalia gave her an annoyed look". This is between me and your hunter.

"I won't let you hurt my hunters," he said, in a threatening tone.

Thalia frowned in annoyance as she looked at the goddess.

"So the huntresses aren't capable of fighting their own battles. They have to hide under their mistress' skirt when things get tough. Apparently, Artemis's fierce huntresses are just a bunch of cowards...

"How dare you?! "Phoebe exclaimed.

He tried to stand up, but it only caused a sharp stab of pain in his side.

"Phoebe, that's enough, "Artemis said."You need a doctor. You're seriously injured.

" But, my lady, I...!

"That's an order," she said in a harsh voice, then turned and looked at the other hunters who were approaching, worried about her sister. Several campers were also coming, interested in the scene. "Stop this, Thalia Grace. There is no need for violence."

Thalia gritted her teeth in annoyance, but did nothing. She knew she couldn't face a goddess, let alone an Olympian.

"At least... Not yet" a part of her thought.

Seeing the resignation in Thalia, Artemis looked at one of her hunters.

"Atlanta. Take Phoebe to the infirmary and see that she recovers properly.

"As you command, my lady.

The huntress grabbed Phoebe and placed her arm around her shoulder. She carried Phoebe to the infirmary in the Big House, giving Thalia a wary glance as she passed by.

"This isn't over," Phoebe told him as she walked past him.

"You are stubborn," Thalia said, annoyed. "Do you want me to break your legs this time?"

"Thalia, that's enough. That's enough"Annabeth said, quickly moving to stand between her and the hunters.

For a moment, she felt scared as she watched her friend use the hunter as a punching bag. Thalia had never been this brutal before, not even to monsters. And the look in her eyes as she did so... That cold, indifferent look... It truly terrified her.

"You need to learn to calm down," Luke said this time, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'm also upset by what she said, but there was no need to take it that far."

Thalia turned and gave Luke a menacing look, causing him to flinch. For a second, he actually considered that Thalia would direct all of her fury at him. But he was relieved when Thalia let out a long sigh and relaxed her shoulders.

"You're right," she said. "I'm sorry to worry you."

Annabeth and Luke smiled, happy that their friend had come to their senses.

"Aren't you apologizing to my hunter? "Artemis questioned.

Thalia crossed her arms, a slight pouting expression on her face.

"She deserved it for being a bitch," he said stubbornly. "Besides, she started it."

"It is true, my lady," Zoë said, coming to stand beside the goddess. "It was Phoebe's tongue that started this conflict."

Artemis let out a slight sigh of exhaustion.

"You still need to control your temper. As for you, child…" he said, then his gaze landed on Thalia, who frowned at being called 'child'". You need to learn to control your emotions. As a demigod daughter of one of the Big Three, your powers are strongly linked to your emotions. Feelings that are too intense are dangerous for someone like you. If you don't control them, they will be your downfall.

With that warning, Artemis turned and walked away, leaving Thalia thinking deeply about her words and she wasn't the only one, Luke was also left thinking about her words. Remembering what had happened a few days ago. Thalia's strange attitude and the warning words Chiron had told him.

Atlanta took Phoebe to the infirmary, where they found several kids with their arms and legs bandaged while they were complaining about the pain and only one person running around, carrying medicine and changing veins. It was strange that only one person was in charge of the whole place.

"Hey, kid," Atlanta called out sharply, drawing Victor's attention.

"Yes, do you need anything? "he asked, not looking impressed that two hunters were in the camp infirmary.

"My sister is hurt. Heal her" he ordered.

" Hey! Can't you see there's someone else who needs help too?! " snapped a camper lying in bed, his head bandaged and his left arm in a crook.

"Do you think I care?

"You little bitch...

"Fine. That's enough," Victor said, his voice hard. Then he turned to both hunters. "There's a free bed over there in the corner. Put it there. I'll be there in a second."

"Just give me some nectar and ambrosia. I don't want to spend more time than necessary in this place.

Victor looked Phoebe up and down, assessing her physically and causing her to misinterpret his actions.

"I doubt that ambrosia and nectar can cure the several broken ribs that are about to puncture both lungs, along with a fractured femur, nose, and dislocated shoulder... All of that without causing spontaneous combustion.

Atlanta and Phoebe were shocked by his words, especially Phoebe, as he told all of her ailments with just one look.

" How is it that...?

"I've been the camp doctor for over three years, and a son of the god of medicine," Victor said. "I can tell what's wrong with you with just one look. Now, take her to bed. I'll see to her in a minute."

With that said, he went to attend to the other patients.

"Arrogant boy," Atlanta muttered in disgust, but obeyed anyway.

As gently as possible, he propped Phoebe up onto the bed, causing her to wince at the sharp pain in her ribs.

"That damn bitch!" Phoebe thought, her fists clenched. "She'll pay for this."

"Okay, Atlanta. You can go," Phoebe said, as her sister-in-arms placed a pillow behind her back so she could lean against the wall.

" What? I won't leave you here with these savages!

"I can take care of myself," she gave him a hard look.

Atlanta just sighed, knowing how stubborn her hunter sister and friend was.

"Just... Call me if you need anything.

"I will do that.

Atlanta left the infirmary, but not before casting a worried look at Phoebe and a warning one at Victor, who approached with a tray containing bandages, ointments, a box of ambrosia, and some nectar.

"Be very careful with those hands or you'll lose them, boy" said Phoebe, looking at him with a strong frown". I know what filthy perverts the sons of Apollo are.

Victor didn't flinch at her gaze. So much time dealing with different types of patients, mainly Ares' children, had taught him the most important thing when it came to being a doctor, patience.

"I'm not very comfortable treating a patient who hates me for the simple fact that I have a penis either," Victor said, assessing his wounds. "But a doctor is not prejudiced when it comes to treating an injured or sick person."

"I don't need to know you to know that you're just a cruel, arrogant boy who cares nothing but himself. I've seen too much of them in my life. And unfortunately, I'll continue to do so... "she finished, her eyes glazed over.

Victor simply laughed, amused at the huntress's words, much to her dismay.

"What's so funny?! "she asked, annoyed.

"If I were a person who didn't care about others... Then why am I the camp doctor?

"You are the son of the god of medicine. You most likely have that position only because of your father.

"Maybe..."Victor smiled, a little sadly". At first, I hated that I was only recognized for being the son of a god, not for who I really am. But instead of wallowing in my misery and self"pity, I decided to use this gift I have to heal others. Now, I'm happy to be able to help people feel a little better.

Phoebe studied the boy in front of her, and could only see sincerity in his eyes, along with a slight smile as she placed a nectar-based ointment on his cheek, then placed a gauze on it.

"It's the first time I've seen a son of Apollo with brown hair, brown eyes, and he's nearsighted" she commented, only to not remain silent because she was bothered by the awkward silence she felt". Normally they're blonde, blue"eyed, and they think the sun comes out of their asses because of their arrogance.

Victor laughed amused.

"You forgot to add astigmatism, but... Yes, I'm the only one in cabin seven with those characteristics. I inherited them from my mother, and I'm very proud of them. They make me feel special. Different. Don't you find curious and interesting that which is different and unique?

Against her will, Phoebe smiled slightly.

"Yes... I do.

"By the way, this is going to hurt"Victor warned.

" Huh? What do you...?

Crack!

It was the sound produced when he placed his shoulder in the right place.

" AAAGGHH! BITCH! I'LL KILL THAT DAMN BITCH!

Being in camp when the hunters were there was akin to being in a closed room with a dog and a cat, conflict was inevitable.

What had happened in the dining hall was only the beginning and, in a way, was the spark that started the fire.

The fight between Thalia and Phoebe was not the only one. Throughout the day, the infirmary began to fill up with patients, both campers and hunters.

Victor welcomed them all, but even the kind doctor had his limits. That fact was proven when a pair of his brothers arrived at the infirmary accompanied by a pair of huntresses. Both sides had arrows embedded in various body parts such as the shoulder, thighs, arm, and even one in the butt by John, who challenged Zoë to an archery contest. Many still wondered how he was stupid enough to stand up to the lieutenant of Artemis' huntresses.

It was an amusing sight for many to find John with his bottom in the air as Victor placed gauze on his buttock. And it didn't help matters that James saw this and took the opportunity to spank him right on his wound.

John's screams, curses, and promises of revenge can still be heard every time they passed by the infirmary.

"Is it a requirement that all campers be idiots? "Thalia asked, while drying her face with a towel.

She had taken a slight break from her training session. Normally, she would train for a couple of hours in spear handling. She liked the weapon, and it was a good way to release stress and keep her mind occupied.

But now he had something else on his mind. More specifically, what had happened in the dining hall.

That… feeling of power that ran through her body. For a second, every fiber of her being was hot and vibrant. And before she knew it, she was already behind Phoebe, who had been more than twenty meters away. In a single second, she covered that entire distance without feeling tired. She hadn't thought about it at the time because all she was thinking about was knocking that hunter's teeth out, but now she was able to think calmly.

It wasn't the first time it had happened. She had done it a few months ago when they went to that factory infested with cyclops. Back then, she had also felt the same powerful, tingling sensation when that monster hit Percy and sent him flying into a container. And, just like what had happened in the pavilion, her body seemed to act on its own when it moved in a way so fast that she didn't think possible.

¨I... I need to master that power¨ Thalia thought, determinedly ¨If I could do that, I would be much faster. Fast enough to avoid a fatal blow¨

Briefly, Percy's memory of being roughly beaten by the Cyclops flashed through her mind. She shook her head to clear the memory away.

The problem was that he didn't know how to do it. He had been trying to replicate it, creating lightning in his body and trying to harness that power somehow, but it was incredibly difficult because the lightning was escaping from his body with the intention of being free as an offensive attack, as it always had. In addition, generating so much electricity was incredibly tiring and stressful. Two hours into training, his body felt sore and tired.

"I see you're training hard"a voice brought her out of her thoughts.

Turning, Thalia watched as the goddess of the hunt approached her with the elegance and confidence that only a goddess could have.

"Are you here to seek revenge for your hunter, loli goddess? "Thalia asked, frowning at her.

"Zoë has already told me what happened, "Artemis said". What happened earlier with Phoebe was because of her own tongue. I didn't come here to fight.

"So what have you come for? "he asked abruptly". I doubt a goddess like you would want to just talk to me.

"In fact, that's exactly why I came.

Thalia looked on in surprise as Artemis sat down beside her.

"And what do you want to talk about? Quantum physics? About how shitty Justin Bieber's music is? About how shitty the ending of Bleach was?

"No. Nothing of the sort" said the goddess, imperturbably.

" So what about how cool Iron Man is? Seriously... That guy was able to build a suit of armor in a cave! In... A... Fucking... Cave! Does it get any cooler than that?!

"No... Not about that either.

"I didn't even understand half of what he said," thought the goddess. "What's wrong with young people these days?"

"So what? "Thalia asked with a serious expression, deciding to stop playing games". Are you going to try to recruit me back into your ranks? I've already told you. I will not sacrifice my freedom to be bound by an oath I don't believe in.

Thalia expected Artemis to deny her words and try to impose her will on her. To scream for not accepting the "generous" offer to join the hunters. Hell, she even expected to get into a fistfight with the goddess. Where blood would be spilled and clothes torn, but what she didn't expect was a slight, understanding smile from her.

"Perhaps in the past, I would have insisted that you do so. That you leave the boys behind, who are nothing but a burden and a lost cause, and think for yourself. But now... I can see that you follow your own ideals. Your own principles. And even if we don't think alike, I can come to respect a woman who is determined and strong-willed.

Artemis stared at Thalia, not looking away as she spoke. The demi"goddess was struck by her words. In some ways, she was so different from the Artemis she had met a few weeks ago. She wondered to herself what had happened to give the goddess a new perspective, but decided to ask instead,

"Are you... a lesbian?

That question took Artemis by surprise.

"W-What?! Why...? Why do you think that?! "she stammered.

Thalia simply shrugged.

"You were looking at me so intensely that I thought you were going to kiss me.

" We are sisters!

" Aren't Zeus and Hera too? That didn't stop them from having sex with each other.

"Well... you have a point.

A somewhat awkward silence settled between them. It was Thalia who decided to break it.

"So? What did you want to talk about? "she finally asked, wanting to end this conversation. It wasn't because she repudiated the goddess, but she felt... uncomfortable talking to a... well... a goddess over two millennia old.

"I just wanted to give you some advice on your... training. Although I can't quite figure out what you plan to achieve.

Thalia considered not telling him shit, but she thought that some advice from another daughter of Zeus might help her achieve what she wanted. With a sigh, she decided to tell him what she wanted to do.

"I see"Artemis nodded in understanding when Thalia finished telling what she wanted". What you want to achieve is something that no other demigod descended from Zeus has attempted. Normally, they only focus on offensive power by expelling lightning from their body or the ability to control the wind and bend it to their will.

" Any advice?

Artemis seemed lost in her thoughts for a few seconds. She even brought a hand to her chin in a gesture that was extremely familiar to Thalia. Percy usually did the same when he thought. He even had the same frown as the goddess.

"Lightning is an unpredictable element, almost unstoppable, and a double-edged sword if you don't know how to control it. Even our father had trouble controlling it properly when he was a young god.

A thunder sounded in the distance, despite it being a clear and sunny day.

"I guess he doesn't like to admit that he was once a rookie too," Thalia said, sharing a small smile with Artemis.

"Yes, I suppose not. In any case, the best advice I can give you is that instead of releasing the lightning you generate in your body, you should hold it in your body and not let it go. Use the lightning to empower your own body.

"Easier said than done," Thalia said, remembering when she had summoned that powerful bolt to kill the wendigo months ago. The sheer power of the bolt caused her arm to bleed and go numb for a whole week.

"The path to controlling your powers and yourself is never easy. But if you show the same conviction when you rejected my offer to join the hunters, then you will achieve it in no time.

Thalia groaned in annoyance.

"Are you still upset about that?

"A little," Artemis admitted, with a slight laugh.

Thalia nodded in thanks for the advice and looked at Artemis in a contemplative manner.

"Thanks, I guess... But there's one thing I still have in doubt.

" Which is it?

"What is the reason for your change of heart? "Thalia asked, a little curious". To tell the truth, I thought you would disown me like the other hunters because I refused your offer. It's strange that you're here helping me get stronger.

"Like I said, I would have done it in the past. I would have been upset that you turned down my offer for a... boy.

"I didn't do it for Percy! "she exclaimed, blushing slightly.

"When did I mention your name? "Artemis asked, with a slightly mocking expression.

Thalia just grumbled and said nothing.

Artemis continued speaking.

"But after seeing what that boy... What Percy was capable of doing to save you all, facing danger knowing he was going to die... I couldn't help but change my perspective on him a little. Although I still distrust men, but I recognize that there are a few who deserve my recognition.

Thalia was taken aback by the goddess's words, but then smiled slightly. Percy had earned the respect of two Olympian gods. He was truly someone exceptional. But her eyes widened as she thought carefully about the words the goddess had told her.

He clenched his fists. With a scowl and a dangerously low voice, he said,

"Hey, tell me something...

Artemis looked at Thalia, curious.

"...How do you know that Percy knew he was going to die?

The goddess's eyes widened in surprise. Cursing her carelessness not for the first, but for the second time. Her carelessness was regarding the same person! And a boy, which made it worse for her!

Looking at the piercing glare she was receiving from Thalia, she knew she had to choose her words very carefully. Thalia was someone who let her emotions control her. And the topic of Percy was still difficult for her to handle.

"I... I spoke to him the day we met you in that forest. You'll recall that I asked to speak to him in private"Thalia's steady gaze was all the confirmation she needed". On that occasion, I tricked him into taking a drink that would make him answer truthfully to any question I asked him.

" Why did you do that?! "Thalia burst out, looking at the goddess, completely outraged by the treatment she gave to her deceased and dear friend.

Artemis stared back at him.

"I did it to make sure he was a trustworthy boy. I've seen women manipulated by men who pretend to be nice in order to use them and then discard them without regret or remorse. That's how men are. Selfish, manipulative, greedy...

"Percy is none of those things!... Or at least... he wasn't..."Thalia defended". He may have been disrespectful, childish, a glutton for potato chips, and sarcastic... But he would never hurt someone with malice!

"Wow. That's exactly what Zoë said," Artemis thought, with some amusement.

"The only time I saw him with hatred and disgust was when he was fighting against the monsters, and... when we met the men held prisoner by the Amazons. Although I never got to ask him why.

That surprised and intrigued Artemis a little. She had a certain respect for the Amazons. What they had accomplished in creating this great company was not easy. She found it curious as to why Percy would feel disgust for men who work as prisoners.

"Yes, that Percy boy was… unique, in a way," Artemis said. "When we talked, he showed me that all he cared about was keeping safe those he considered his only remaining family, you. The fact that his willpower has shaped the barrier that covers the entire camp is proof of that."

"Why didn't you stop him? "Thalia asked, feeling dejected". If he told you he would die to save us... Why didn't you stop him? Or try to persuade him somehow not to do it.

"I don't know if you've been told this or not, but... Percy was given a prophecy that he would sacrifice himself to save his friends. That's what he told me while under the influence of the truth serum.

Thalia nodded, saddened by that reminder.

"Yes, Percy left us a recording where he explained everything. That and his last words to each of us.

"Prophecies tend to come true sooner or later, one way or another. Percy was destined to die. And he, even knowing that, kept going. You're one of the few who really got to know him. Do you really think he would have been persuaded to avoid sacrificing himself for the salvation of those he loves? I don't think so. Or at least, he didn't give me that impression.

Thalia thought about what the goddess had told her. Could she have persuaded Percy? Stopped him from sacrificing himself? Time and time again he put himself in danger to protect them. For them to be safe. Artemis was right. She couldn't have stopped that.

"You're right about one thing. I couldn't have stopped him from doing what he did," Thalia agreed, with great regret. "But there's one thing you're wrong about."

"And that's it? "Artemis asked, with an arched eyebrow.

"I never really got to know him," he said, with a bitter smile. "Hell, I never even got to know his damn last name."

When Thalia told her that, Artemis remembered the talk she had with Percy a few weeks ago.

" My name is Percy.

"Just "Percy"? "Artemis raised an eyebrow slightly.

" It's short for Perseus, but it's too formal for my taste. I prefer to be called Percy.

" I see. And your last name?

Percy narrowed his eyes coldly.

" I'm just Percy. I don't have a last name.

" But you're a demigod, right? That means one of your parents is a mortal. And demigods usually take the surname of their mortal parent.

Percy's eyes became glassy, ​​as if he was remembering something that happened a long time ago.

"I once had it, but I don't deserve it anymore. I don't deserve to bear that surname. Now, I'm just Percy" he said in a somber tone.

"I see…" Artemis said appreciatively. "Even in death, his life remains a mystery."

Thalia nodded absentmindedly.

" Did he tell you anything else? One last thing? Knowing how reserved he was, I wouldn't have told you he would die without a reason. He may have acted like an idiot, I often thought he was, but he never did anything without a reason.

Artemis tensed at that, which went unnoticed by Thalia. She knew very well why he told her he would die, he did it so that she would give the mortal girl, Sammy, another chance to be part of the hunt. That way, she would be safe. She would find a place in the world and have a family again even though Percy was no longer there for her.

" Please, promise me " he remembered her plea. Even going so far as to kneel before her ". Promise me that you will go to the camp to help Sammy! She will need someone to be there by her side. And joining the hunt is the perfect opportunity for her, as she will not feel excluded in any way due to the fact that there are also mortals among the hunters.

" Please... Promise me!

¨If he told her that Percy told me about her destiny to give the mortal girl another chance to join the hunt... It will tear her apart¨ Artemis thought regretfully ¨She will live with the thought that little Sammy girl could have had a different fate if she had held on a couple more days. If they had taken care of her a little longer... If I had been there for her... They will live drowned in guilt if they know that. They don't deserve it after what happened with Percy¨

"No" Artemis lied, feeling a lump in her throat and a weight on her heart"The only reason she told me all that was because she was under the effects of the truth serum.

"They don't deserve to suffer anymore. If there is someone who has to live with that guilt... it's me."

"I see... "Thalia said". Thanks. For the advice and... for the talk. I think I needed it. More than I thought.

"No. Thank you," Artemis said, earning a confused look from Thalia. "For telling me what kind of boy Percy was. He's one of the few men I've ever met who isn't a lost cause. Knowing that there were those who cared so much about him and held him in such high regard… It makes me think that I wish I could have gotten to know him more closely."

"And I'm sorry. I hope that with this, the burden on your shoulders isn't so heavy."

Thalia studied the goddess for a few seconds until she raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Aren't you a virgin goddess? "he asked. "Shouldn't you... You know... Not be attracted to boys?

" Why are you twisting my words like that?! "Artemis spluttered, feeling annoyed with the young demigoddess. Although there was a slight blush on her face.

Thalia smiled cheekily at him, not caring that she was talking to an Olympian goddess.

"It's just that it's quite easy and fun to tease you. I think it's a trait you share with your hunters.

Artemis grumbled at that.

"You're just like my idiot brother. If you were a boy, I wouldn't hesitate to turn you into a jackalope.

Thalia laughed in amusement, the first laugh she had let out since arriving at camp.

"Who would have thought that the loli goddess, cold as a penguin's ass as he said, was so funny?!

" What?! Who said that about the penguin?! " Artemis exclaimed, feeling anger beginning to boil within her.

" It was Percy! Didn't you hear him?!

" That bastard! " Artemis growled. " I take back everything nice I said about him!

Thalia laughed even harder at that.

For those watching from afar, it was a strange sight to see the cold goddess of the hunt standing next to the demigoddess who had sent one of her hunters to the infirmary in a brutal manner. But what seemed even stranger was seeing and hearing Thalia laugh out loud. Especially Luke and Annabeth. The last time she had done so was weeks ago.

Hearing their friend laugh comforted them. And they smiled at it.

Maybe there was still a future for them.

Special No. 5

A problematic camper

Night had fallen at Camp Half-Blood by the time Chiron decided to take one last walk before bed.

Normally it was the harpies who lurked around at night looking for a straggler camper, but Chiron liked to go out for a stroll in his equine form during the evenings before he fell asleep. The cold night wind hitting his body was actually soothing.

As he walked, his thoughts wandered to the events of the past few hours. A serious expression graced his features. The new barrier was a blessing for all the campers, there was no doubt about that. But what had him worried was the addition of the three new campers and the young mortal. Especially the daughter of Zeus.

The children of the Big Three were always a dangerous variant wherever they went. Be it in the mortal world or in the camp itself. He just hoped he was ready to face those problems.

The loud sound of thunder brought him out of his thoughts. He looked up just in time to see something that left him stunned.

A statue about six meters tall flew through the sky. Heading towards the large bonfire that was located in the middle of the cabins arranged in a "U" shape, frightening a little girl who was fanning the flames with a stick and causing her to run away before the statue crashed into the bonfire.

Chiron looked up from where the statue had been thrown and was shocked to see the entrance to Cabin One smashed to pieces.

"Fucking statue," Thalia growled, electricity shooting from her outstretched fist. "I'm not sleeping with that piece of shit staring at me every day."

With that said, she walked into her bathroom and slammed the door shut.

Chiron stared at the bonfire, where the flames were beginning to eat away at the statue of Zeus. He heard thunder in the distance and knew that the lord of the skies was not at all happy.

"Yeah... She'll be a troublesome camper to deal with, he said, his voice tired.

Special No. 6

The Apologies of a Goddess

The hunters walked around the camp with a haughty and cocky air. The reason? They had won the game of Capture the Flag. This marked their fortieth victory in a row.

For the idiots who can't read it, or don't understand the meaning, it's victory number forty.

So as the hunters left camp, they were on the receiving end of looks filled with annoyance and bitterness, mainly from those who had some sort of injury caused by them.

The hunters were happy to leave camp, so they didn't linger any longer than necessary before leaving. There were only occasional farewells between hunters and campers who were related or, rarely, got along.

"That'll teach them not to forget who's in charge,"Phoebe said haughtily, being supported by the other hunters with a nod". They better train for the next time we come back! Maybe that'll give us some challenge so we don't lose in such a pathetic way! "she shouted to the campers, causing the hunters to laugh in amusement.

"Shut up and get the hell out of here! "John's annoyed voice was heard.

"And make sure you bathe! "James shouted."You stink of pegasus dung!

" You shameless brat!

"Leave them alone, Phoebe"Zoe intervened". They're obviously immature and sore losers.

Phoebe seemed to calm down a bit at that, but she couldn't help but let out one last comment.

"Yes, that's what they are... losers!

Zoe just shook her head at her friend's attitude. Apparently, the campers weren't the only ones who were immature.

As the huntresses left the camp's boundaries, chatting animatedly and hurling insults at the campers, their lady and leader had remained at the edge. Looking at the new tree that adorned the hill.

There was something he hadn't noticed when he arrived, and that was the makeshift marble tombstone next to the tree.

With great regret, he knelt in front of the tombstone to look at the engraving on it. There was only one word.

¨Sammy¨

A word... a name that Artemis would not forget and would remember as that innocent girl who had suffered so much in her short life, but despite it all she smiled. A happy and loving smile that showed the purity that only a child could have.

A smile she couldn't save.

She ran her fingers along the engraving on the tombstone so she wouldn't forget the name on it. She had an obligation to remember the name of the girl she couldn't... No... the one she chose not to save. She stood up and stood beside the huge tree that protected the camp. A tree that represented hope for all the demigods, but for the goddess it was only a sad and bitter reminder of the promise broken by her own hand.

With some hesitation, he placed his hand on the bark of the tree.

"I'm sorry..." she whispered in a distressed, trembling voice. "I'm so sorry..."

Zoë, not seeing her mistress anywhere, began to look for her with her eyes. She turned around and found her standing beside the so-called "Percy Tree" with one hand on the bark and her head bowed.

"My lady, is something wrong?" he asked.

Artemis pulled her hand out of the tree and squeezed it tightly until her knuckles turned white.

"No, Zoë. It's nothing. She looked up and had the same hard, stony expression she was known for. Walking.

"As you command, my lady.

With that said, they both left the camp without looking back.

...

..

.

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