Percy Jackson, Angel of Chaos

Chapter 11: The calm before the storm

Percy's P.O.V

Sighing, I swung my legs off the end of the bed and groaned as I hastily stood up. Getting injured was beginning to get very boring.

The looks of pity I was getting wasn't helping my demeanour. I straightened out and gave everyone an encouraging smile.

"So...How far away will I have to be when you tell your hunters?" I said begrudgingly. At the moment, spending time eating cereal with Demeter seemed more appealing than this, and believe me, NO-ONE likes spending time with Demeter.

Sensing my thoughts, Hades giggled slightly, causing everyone around him to do little more than stare in bewilderment.

"What? Just because I'm the Lord of the Dead, it doesn't mean I don't get a sense of humour too, you know!"

"Getting back to the point, Artemis, the hunters?" I interrupted before the usual arguing broke out.

"I suggest that you give yourself a twenty mile radius between the hunters and I while I tell them. Also wear some armour just to be sure." Artemis said, and everyone looked at me as if to say -you're a dead man.

"Okay, I'm dead. Oh, by the way, is Annabeth alright?" I say and everyone looked at me as if I was mental.

"Why son?" Dad asked, unable to comprehend the fact I care.

"Because, despite the things she's done, I still see her as a friend." I said quietly. Sometimes I wonder if they're right, maybe I am too forgiving, too naïve for my own good. Loyalty is called my fatal flaw for a reason. I know that one day it will kill me, and I will stay dead.

"Annabeth is fine." Athena said stoically.

"Okay, thank you Lady Athena"

Just then a tiny knock came at the door. My father turned and opened the door, revealing a nervous Poppy. I smiled brightly at her and she leapt into my arms, making me chuckle. But I stopped when I noticed the tears on her cheeks. I gently brushed them away and looked in her sad grass green eyes.

"What's wrong Poppy?" I whispered, and she hugged me tighter, and her silent tears turned to sobs. I sat down on the bed and cradled her. Artemis came and sat next to us, and held her little hand. I looked down at her hands and saw that they were grazed and bleeding.

"T-the other c-campers. T-they pushed me and l-laughed." Poppy wept, and my heart broke for the little girl.

"Who was it Poppy?" I asked quietly, barely containing my anger. Who could be so cruel as to hurt a little girl? I placed my hand on the cuts and healed them. I looked to Artemis and saw that she was extremely angry.

"A-Ares boys" Poppy said quietly. Gods I hate Ares spawn. Arrogant, stupid, selfish brats. Well, except Clarisse, she's alright.

"Poppy?" Artemis asked "Would you like to leave camp?"

"Leave? Yes, but I don't want to be alone" Poppy whispered, and Artemis and I shared a look.

"Well, how would you like to join my hunters? We are a group of powerful girls who travel the land, hunting monsters. You would get to see your mother, and we sometimes stop at camp, so you could see your friends too. But the best part? You become immortal." Artemis said, and I could see the excitement in Poppy's eyes.

"Immortal?" she asked, looking like a curious puppy.

"Yes Poppy, immortal. You will never get sick, you will be stronger, faster and brilliant at archery and combat. However, you will die if killed in battle, but otherwise you are granted eternal youth. But there is a catch. You must swear never to fall in love with a boy" Artemis said, and Poppy thought for a while.