Searching For Serenity

Chapter 6

Artemis

In the shelter
I woke in the once frigid shelter now turned comfy to the sound of footsteps echoing off the hard stone. Turning over I saw Percy looking at me while smothering the fire with his boot.
"It seems the storm has finally let up for good, we should probably get back to camp before it starts again," he said while rubbing his stomach, obviously wishing to get some food.
Me and you both, I thought
"Well then let's get to it." Hopping to my feet to follow an already crawling Percy.
When I reached the end I was met by Percy's hand offering to help me up. I took it and started to brush the compacted snow off the front of my uniform. He was looking around like he was trying to decide which way to start walking.
"Don't worry about it, just follow me. I can always tell exactly where my camp is," I said while stepping past him. "Can't you have you wasting too much time."
I looked back at him to see him put on his mock offended face, "Well how am I supposed to know where your camp is."
"You're not supposed to, thats the point," I said turning back after shooting him a smile.

We kept walking for three hours without break. We were making good time, only a couple miles out by now. We had crossed the border into Canada long ago and my strength has returned. I could have flashed us straight there, but I was enjoying the hike through snow covered forest.
"So you never told me what happened after I got knocked out," I said, indirectly asking a question.
"Neither of you had seen me, but I was right behind you. After you were knocked out and at my feet, I tested out some of my new power on the fella," he said, "I froze him in the ice and showed him it was me before I sent a spike of ice his way to send him back to timeout." He finished with a light laugh.
I let out a small laugh and we continued walking in silence for a couple minutes.
"Thank you by the way. I should have thanked you sooner for helping me. Without you, I'd probably be reforming or chained up in Alaska, powerless," I said sincerely.
"It's really no problem...wasn't too busy," he replied jokingly, "But I know you would do the same."
I nodded, "You seem so sure about that boy," turning back to face him with a grin plastered on my face.
Is he rubbing off on me or am I really just opening myself up this much, I questioned myself. Maybe we're more alike than I would've guessed. I guess I have always been a little...mischievous.

Soon we were nearing the edge of camp.
"We're almost there," I announced.
"I know, I'm starting to regret not bringing my rubber suit."
I looked back at him confused, "Why would you bring a rubber suit?"
He gave a nervous laugh, "Because when Thalia sees me I'm gonna have twenty thousand volts running arcing through my body."
"So where does the rubber suit come in?" I asked, still confused.
"Oh never mind," he replied, "I doubt we have time for a science lesson."
Nodding, I turned back ahead, seeing the tips of my hunters's tents over the crest of the hill that lay in front of us. When we got to the top yells began ringing out through the camp.
Me and Percy stood next to each other taking in the view and the smell of meat cooking over a smoky fire. The hunters began running up to us, a couple unslinging their already strung bows. A few of my newer hunters set arrows on their strings and drew them back.
"Step away from my milady, boy," Iana, one of the newer ones said while sighting in on Percy.
Maybe I should use this as a lesson.
Percy looked at me, a look of confusion on his face as to why I wasn't saying anything, which turned to worry as I started to step out of the line of fire.
"You should learn to move quicker than that," Iana said smugly.
"Wait hold-," he said diving to the side to avoid the oncoming arrow.
He jumped to his feet, the near legendary Riptide in hand, slashing the next arrow out of the air. Another newer hunter joined in, adding her arrows to the mix. Iana and Keegan loosing arrows faster and more accurate than any mortal could hope to accomplish. Still Percy almost effortlessly dodged the arrows, and occasionally redirected them passed himself off the side of his sword.
Well doesn't look like he's too rusty after being out of the game for so long, I thought, mildly impressed.
He shoot a glance at me to see me staring at him, telling him to take up the challenge.
He smirked and began advancing, pulling his second sword out of it's sheath. He was now cutting down every arrow in it's path. As he neared Keegan began to draw her hunting knife while Iana continued shooting.
Keegan charged him hoping to get inside his guard with a wild swing, only for him to duck it at the last second, simultaneously swinging his sword backwards smashing the hilt of it into the back of her wrist. The knife dropped from her now temporarily paralyzed hand, which she started to reach for as Percy spun on his heel and sent a kick at her chest that made even myself wince. As she went flying back, he turned to Iana, and cut down another of her arrows, not breaking his stride. He lunged forward at my hunter, who already had another arrow notched. He flicked his sword, the tip catching her taught bowstring, severing the 60lb line, sending it recoiling and one of the braids lashing her across the face before he smashed the pommel of his sword against the side of her head, leaving her unconscious.
He turned to see the rest of my now enraged hunters start pulling their bows off their backs.
"Wait," I commanded striding towards the group and my know injured hunters. "He is not an enemy and he is my guest...and target. Percy take off your hood."
He did as I said and shot a welcoming smile at some of the campers who recognized him. He bent down towards his previous attacker and picked up a handful of snow, which turned into water and began to reach down towards the lash on her face, only to meet the protests of a few hunters.
He glanced up at me reassuringly, to which I nodded. "Let him."
He looked back down and put his hand on the now bloodied hunter's face and closed his eyes in concentration. To everyone's surprise, including myself, the cut on her face almost immediately sealed, leaving no trace of injury.
So that explains it, now he's the most badass healer. Is there anything he can't do?
"Thank you Percy. Girls, get these two to the infirmary ten-"
"PERSEUS JACKSON! You are DEAD!" I spun to see a sparking Thalia Grace thundering out of the crowd with her spear and shield at the ready.
Percy looked to me for help, with a look of genuine worry. "You're on your own," I said turning my back to them, heading towards the large dining tent.
"Come on girls, let's let them make up for lost time."