| The Rising Moon: The Awakening of a Demi-Goddess |

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"Explain! Who are you people, and how do you know Celestial?" The words floated into Celestials head as she gingerly started to gain conciousness. 

"No! You all better explain! My sister is currently unconscious and barely breathing. Her eye is scarred and you're all holding her hostage! So you better be asking OUR questions first!"Celestial blinked a few times, trying to make sense of the voice. Oh, Clementine. Definantly Clementine, she thought. The fiery collage girl could get really upset if she tried. And ooh boy, was she trying.

"Sister? How do you guys even know Celestial? Do you even know she's supposed to be dead?" She heard Jason ask. Celestial opened both her eyes and sat up, acting like she had been listening the whole time.

"Hey watch it Grace, or I won't have any secrets left to keep," She snorted, a small grin tugging at her cheeks. She knew how painful it would be to explain, and how she would be turned away from both sides. Caroline's eyes widened.

"So- it's- it's true? You're- you're supposed to be dead?! Celestial, who even are these people?" Caroline asked, shaking Celestial rapidly by the shoulders. Her vision blurred as she pushed Caroline off her and let out a pleading sigh.

I gotta do it anyways... 

"You guys," She said, pointing to her ex-crew on the Argo IV, "Can explain it all to-" She was cut off as pain shot through one of her legs. It felt like a burning sensation, and she winced, her face scrunching up. Gods, how much energy did I use in that last battle? Am I still burnt out from the whole forcefield thing? 

"I'll be outside if you need me. I gotta do some- things," She said blankly. She didn't want anyone, even her own sisters, to see that she was in pain. Before anyone could argue, she stumbled out of the room she was in, her eyes glancing up at the starry night sky. She was in Camp Half Blood.

Oh gods. It had been so long since she had been here. There were other kids around camp, goofing off and playing around; they barely noticed her. She took in a deep breath, letting all of the memories flow through her. Even the painful ones. Hauling herself up a tree, she used it to launch herself up the nearest cabin. Her leg still burned, but she knew from experience that it would fade away. 

She breathed in the fresh night air, listened to the soft wind fluttering in her ears, and the gentle stars gleaming above. 

"Hey," A too familiar voice said behind her. Her eyes sharpened as she swiftly spun around, but her gaze softened once she realize who it was. 

"Hey.. Nico," She said quietly, turning back around. The silence was too thick for her liking. After all, what could she say? She had left him, and that was the truth. He sat beside her, his expression blank. She bit her lip. What would happen now?

"The other are telling your- er- sisters. About everything," Nico commented quietly. She closed her eyes, sucking in a deep breath. It was too late then. They'd all defiantly hate her, no matter what. 

"They deserve to know," her voice cracked, but it was the truth. All noises stopped. The wind stopped swaying the fresh grass. The river nearby became muted. The twinkling stars dimmed. 

"Celestial- how are you even... here? Why did you choose to... hide?" His voice cracked, showing vulnerability. A few tears sprang in her eyes, but she quickly blinked it away.

"Nico... I didn't plan on surviving. You know that. But the gods... they had other ideas. Sometimes... things in life don't go as planned," She whispered, looking away. He spoke up.

"Then why did you-"

"BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO HURT ANYONE!  She said, losing it. The tears started to come, and she dug her fingers into her hair.

"BECAUSE EVERY TIME! Whenever I try to do something, something good, it always fails! I'm not the good guy! I take what I want! I do what I want! I don't do the right thing!" She was yelling now, covering her eyes as she buried her face into her legs. Artemis was wrong. She wasn't a good hero. She wasn't a hero at all!

The silence after that was thick. Then, after a few moments, Nico took her hands. They were cool and soothing, and she quickly made her tears vanish.

"I know you hate me. Everyone does, at this point. Nico, I'm so- so so sorry for-"

"Shut up." The words made her blink in surprise.  Was he angry at her? As he should be, she thought bitterly. He held her hands tight, gazing straight into her eyes. 

"Don't- don't say that. You sacrificed yourself, and didn't even plan to survive. You're afraid of hurting people, but you won't! Could you at least trust me on that?" His voice cracked. Her mind was a whirr of emotions. She swallowed, taking in a deep breath and giving him the softest sad smile.

"I- I don't....." she paused, then closed her eyes.

"Okay."

And then they kissed under the moon light.