Dealing with Chaos

Mixed feelings

Percy POV:

When I opened my eyes, I found myself staring at the angelic face of Zoë Nightshade. But this time, something was different. Her usually cold and stoic eyes were filled with worry.

Seeing me wake up, she immediately pulled me into a hug. I was so surprised that I wasn't even able to react for a few moments.

Immediately, she pulled back with an embarrassed face. Maybe because of the fact that my chest was bare, wrapped in bandages.

Coughing awkwardly, she spoke, "Good to know you are okay. I will be outside if you need me. Do not, I repeat, do not try to strain your body right now. Understand?" She asked threateningly.

I nodded my head, not wishing to get Zoë mad at me. Satisfied, she walked out of the tent. I slowly got up and walked towards the table in the corner of the tent. Grabbing the pitcher of water, I drank half of it. The water rejuvenated almost all of my energy, the wounds where almost all healed, thank Chaos for that.

The rest half of the water I poured on my body. My body immediately soaked up the water, effectively drying my skin and energizing me.

Finally feeling refreshed, I started to look for my shirt. When I saw it, I wished I hadn't. It couldn't be classified a shirt anymore. My once blue colored shirt was now completely red. Also, it was torn up everywhere from the slashes that Artemis delivered on my body.

Wincing internally at the memory of our spar, I walked out of the tent, holding my bloodied shirt in my hand. Once outside, I nodded to Zoë, who nodded back and walked away, now sure that I was ok.

Moving further, I saw some hunters practicing archery in the archery range. They smirked when they saw me. But it wasn't the usual smug smirk they gave me. It now had a small sliver of respect in it.

In the end, I found Lady Artemis sitting by herself, petting a doe that was lying beside her. When she saw me, she immediately got to her feet. The doe got up along with it's mistress. Gazing at me for a moment, it took off into the other direction, towards the forest.

Artemis walked up to me and I was afraid she was gonna start raining hell upon me again. But to my immense surprise, she spoke, "I am sorry Percy. I realize that I went overboard in the spar. I did not need to inflict so many injuries on you, but I did it out of my anger. So, please forgive me."

This was something I had never expected. The man-hating goddess of the moon apologizing to me, and also calling me Percy! I had always assumed that she was too proud to do so. But here she was, apologizing to me. I guess I judged her too quickly.

"No need for an apology, Lady Artemis. I think of you as a friend. And friends do not apologize to each other." I smiled at her.

She seemed shocked at my reply, but soon, a smile grazed her lips. Chuckling, she spoke, "You really are different Percy. From today, you are my friend. The only male friend of Artemis."

"It's an honor, milady." I spoke with a bow.

"Hey, now. I may not be much accustomed to the modern world, but I do know that friends never bow to each other. So, from today, you can call me Artemis. No need of these formalities. Think of it as an exchange for me calling you Percy."

I smiled and nodded my head. "Okay then. Artemis, can I ask a favor from you? Can we have a daily spar? I really feel that I need to improve my speed. And who better to train me than the fastest Olympian combatant?"

She seemed surprised that I wanted to spar with her even after the result of our last spar, but nodded nonetheless. "Very well, Percy. Be ready tomorrow at 7."