Breath Of The Wilderness

Chapter 5: Awards

Disclaimer - I do not own PJO or HOO. All rights to our dear Uncle Rick.

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AN: Okay, so chapter 3 was rewritten but I did not publish the rewritten version yet and Chapter 4 is in the process of being rewritten as well. I am so sorry for the rewrite confusion I will cause you. Hopefully, it would all be sorted out by the time I update the next chapter.

The only thing different about the last chapter is obviously, the way Annabeth died since it was really OOC on my part and another thing is that the award ceremony didn't happen yet. Percy fell unconscious after using too much of his power and thus, leading them to where this chapter will begin.

I hope you guys enjoys this! Also, quick shout out to my beta TheMeister7 for helping me with this chapter!

- Kathy

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Artemis stared at the boy in front of her, looking so peaceful in his sleep. Her hand subconsciously bushed his fallen hair out of his face. She just stared at him, praying he would wake up soon.

Could goddesses pray? A memory of their conversation back at Westover Hall came to mind. If he could read her thoughts, and if he was awake, she had no doubt he would be saying that, typical Percy. (B/N: So, even though it's not in the story, it was in canon, the goddess pray thingy. The huge time skips were just to get to the Pertemis and because there was very little change for the most part there. Just wanted to clarify).

Ever since he had fallen unconscious after the last battle that ended the war, people had been pretty worried. Apollo had taken him into his hospital on Olympus and Zeus prospered the award ceremony.

His friends never left his side and it was only now did Artemis get some time alone with him without anyone being suspicious. "Wake up soon..."

There was no response.

Artemis just sighed, looking away slightly but turned right back when she felt someone grasp her hand. She stared at Percy, who opened his eyes suddenly, looking around in a panic.

"Where am I? Where's Gaea? What happened to Annabeth?!"

Artemis laid a calming hand on his shoulder as she hugged him tightly. "Don't ever do that again Kelp Head! Do you know how close to death you were? Do you know how worried your parents are?"

"Artemis!" Percy called out in surprise, his voice a bit raspy. Artemis quickly handed him the glass of water sitting on the table next to the bed. He looked thankful as he took it.

"Where's Annabeth?" He asked again as Artemis looked away, trying to figure out how to tell him.

"She... didn't make it..." Artemis held his hand tightly when she felt him tense up. "I'm sorry."

Percy just stared at the wall in front of him numbly as he looked back to Artemis, who wouldn't look him in the eyes.

"Artemis?" Percy asked slightly, afraid of the answer.

"I could have saved her," she muttered under her breath. "I was so close! Maybe if I was faster, quicker, or if I had just thrown myself and taken the blow. I'm a goddess, I could've survived that. She couldn't. I knew how much she meant to you, Percy, I should have done everything in my ability to save her but I didn't!"

Percy just listened quietly as he hugged her once more, feeling her tears straining his surprisingly cleaned clothes but he didn't mind. Even if she could have saved Annabeth, what price would his best friend paid? "It's okay. You did everything you could."