Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Artemisias

Chapter Two

They were still pretty shaken after retrieving Percy Jackson and treating his wounds. They didn't know how he, of all people, would end up being badly wounded and captured by a bunch of empousai. Artemis and Thalia wouldn't admit it, but they had begun to worry; much more than hellhounds that keep on spawning out of nowhere. The two had a feeling of dread; that an enemy they hadn't known before existed.

It was the middle of June; the month where students have their Summer Holidays. Percy was supposed to be in Camp Half-Blood the moment school ended, but the fact that he was here, tortured until he was almost lifeless, told them that something was awfully wrong. Maybe Artemis and the others would be able to get an answer once he awoke. For now, they should concentrate on helping him heal.

Artemis was standing by the hearth, gazing at the moon above, deep in thought. Endless possibilities were racing through her mind; foes that might be behind this, reasons why mythological creatures were showing up, how Percy was tied up in this situation and so much more. She could call for a meeting in Olympus, but what if her assumptions were wrong? Gods, this was starting to aggravate her; what could she do?

"My Lady," a voice said from behind her. Artemis glanced above her shoulder and, for a moment, she thought she saw her deceased lieutenant, Zoë Nightshade, until she got a better look; it was Thalia Grace. Artemis sighed, not sure what that indicated, and motioned Thalia to come stand beside her by the hearth.

"I thought I told you to take a rest and not to worry, I shall keep watch for tonight," Artemis said, her attention now on the crimson fire dancing in front of them. She wasn't sure on what to do now; she thought that everything would go back to normal—or as normal as having the mythologies exist—once they defeated Kronos. Sure, they would still face monsters from time to time, but with the way things are heading… Artemis couldn't find any answers to her questions.

"But—" Thalia wasn't able to finish her sentence as Artemis held a hand up, telling her that it was enough. However, Thalia wouldn't back down; she felt the need to assure her half-sister about this crisis; to tell her that she wasn't alone in facing this. "My Lady, I think that, between the two of us, you're the one who needs the most rest." Thalia continued, halting Artemis' upcoming protest, "Trust me on this one, okay?" She gave Artemis a gentle smile, making her sigh in defeat.

"If there is anything I can help you with, inform me; I will be in my tent," Artemis said, gazing at the bright, silver full moon shining with the stars in the azure sky for one last time. She turned around, her back facing Thalia whose eyes are staring deeply at her figure with worry, and made her way to her quarters. She would have to repay Thalia back for her kindness.

When Artemis was gone, Thalia heaved out an audible sigh. She had sensed how stressed Artemis was with the unpredictable circumstances. Thalia knew how heavy the burdens Artemis carried were; she wanted to lift some of them off her shoulders and enlighten her, even for a little bit.

Focusing her gaze on one of the tents, Thalia's eyes narrowed a fraction. In that same green tent, Percy's injuries were being tended by one of the Hunters. She knew that that Hunter didn't like touching Percy, but it was an order given by Artemis and this was the man that helped them stop Kronos, so she had no choice.

Thalia sighed deeply, her dark eyes softening in sorrow. 'Percy, what happened to you? What is going on? Do you know anything that could help us?' she inwardly begged that her dear cousin would have the answers to these endless questions. It would seem that they would have to depend on him once more; Thalia just hoped that there wouldn't be any unwanted sacrifices this time.

Morning came a little earlier the next day; the sun had already just risen, painting the land a slightly deep shade of yellow. There wasn't a lot of heat being radiated from it, but Thalia knew that it would increase after a couple of hours. Thalia inwardly cursed Apollo for being an early riser; knowing him, the God of the Sun would give his 'little sis'—who was, in fact, older than him—and the Hunters a visit. That didn't happen on a daily basis, but Thalia had a feeling he would be making an appearance soon enough.