Moonlit Shadows

Moonlit Encounter

The full moon cast a silver glow over the snow-covered grounds of Westover Hall, its light illuminating the icy expanse and the imposing façade of the military school. Percy Jackson, the immortal warrior of Selene, moved silently through the shadows, his senses honed by millennia of experience. The manticore was close, he could feel its malevolent presence lurking in the dark.

Percy's silver eyes, a gift from his celestial lover, scanned the area. His breath formed misty clouds in the frigid air, but he felt no cold. The moonlight energized him, filling him with strength and purpose. Selene's voice echoed in his mind, urging him forward. "Find the manticore, Percy. Protect the children."

Nico and Bianca di Angelo, the children of Hades, were somewhere within the school. Percy had learned of their plight from Selene's visions. The manticore, a monstrous creature with a human face, lion's body, and scorpion tail, sought to capture them for its own nefarious purposes. Percy was determined to stop it.

As he approached the main building, Percy sensed another presence—several, in fact. His eyes narrowed as he stepped into a patch of moonlight, revealing his tall, muscular form clad in dark armor that shimmered with a silvery hue. He gripped his celestial bronze sword, Riptide, its blade glowing faintly.

From the shadows emerged a group of young women, all armed and alert, their eyes wary. Leading them was a striking figure with a regal bearing, her auburn hair cascading over her shoulders. Artemis, goddess of the hunt, stood before him, her expression a mix of suspicion and curiosity.

"What are you doing here, male?" Artemis's voice was cold, her silver eyes piercing.

Percy sheathed Riptide and raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "I'm here to kill the manticore. The children are in danger."

Artemis's eyes narrowed. "Why should I believe you?"

Before Percy could respond, another voice broke the tension. "Lady Artemis, I know him." Zoe Nightshade, Artemis's loyal lieutenant, stepped forward. "He is Percy Jackson, the protector of Selene."

Artemis's eyes widened slightly in recognition, then hardened again. "The warrior of the moon. What brings you to my domain?"

Percy met her gaze steadily. "The manticore. It's after the di Angelo siblings. We don't have time for distrust. We need to work together."

Artemis's lip curled in distaste, but she nodded. "Very well. But I will be watching you closely, Percy Jackson."

Percy inclined his head. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

With an uneasy truce established, they moved swiftly through the school grounds, their senses alert for any sign of the manticore. The tension between Percy and the Hunters was palpable, but they maintained a fragile cooperation.

Suddenly, a blood-curdling roar shattered the night. The manticore leaped from the shadows, its eyes glowing with malice. Its massive form landed between Percy and the Hunters, its scorpion tail lashing out with deadly intent.

"Spread out!" Artemis commanded, her voice steady.

Percy sprang into action, his movements a blur as he engaged the manticore. Riptide flashed in the moonlight, clashing against the creature's claws. The Hunters loosed arrows, their aim true, but the manticore was relentless.

In the chaos, Percy caught a glimpse of the di Angelo siblings huddled behind a snowbank, their eyes wide with fear. "Stay down!" he shouted, blocking a swipe from the manticore's claws.

Artemis joined the fray, her silver bow singing as she fired arrow after arrow. Together, they pressed the attack, driving the manticore back. But the beast was cunning, its tail darting towards Nico.

"No!" Percy lunged, intercepting the strike with his sword. Pain seared through his arm, but he held his ground, refusing to let the manticore harm the boy.

Artemis seized the opportunity, her final arrow striking the manticore in the heart. With a roar of agony, the beast collapsed, its form dissolving into shadow.

Breathing heavily, Percy turned to face Artemis. "It's done."

Artemis nodded, lowering her bow. "For now. But this alliance is far from settled, Percy Jackson."

Percy glanced at Nico and Bianca, who were slowly standing, their expressions a mix of relief and awe. "We need to get them to safety."

Artemis's gaze softened slightly as she looked at the children. "Agreed. But know this, Percy. I will be watching you. Your allegiance to Selene is troubling, and I will not tolerate any threat to my Hunters."

Percy met her gaze with unwavering resolve. "I'm here to protect, not to threaten. We have a common enemy, Artemis. We should focus on that."

Artemis studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. For now, we work together. But trust must be earned."

As they escorted the di Angelo siblings to safety, Percy couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was only the beginning. The shadows were stirring, and a new threat loomed on the horizon. He would need all his strength and the power of the moon to face what was coming.

And perhaps, in time, he would find a way to earn the trust of the goddess of the hunt.