Legends Never Die

The Stars Align

"How could you possibly bring her back from the dead?" Artemis asked.

"She's not dead. Thats how."

"She died! She died in my arms. How dare you say otherwise!" Artemis growled.

"Not what I meant, Artemis. I meant she didn't die and go to Hades to be placed in Elysium or the Isles of the Blessed. You put her spirit in the stars. Meaning her mortal body is dead, yes. But her spirit, her soul, you put that into the stars."

"Okay, so what do you need?" she asked, trying to conceal her excitement.

"Well, quite a bit honestly. Something she treasured highly in the world. I already have that. Something that contains her essence, already have that as well. The only thing I'm missing is a lot of energy and a family token, such as moon lace from Calypso herself. I could have gotten by without her essence, an exchange of souls. That was my original plan," Percy mumbled.

Artemis' eyes narrowed. "What was that?"

Percy rounded on her so fast, his entire mood changing. "I was going to sacrifice my soul for hers alright?! It's not like you care! You hate men, and if you happened to have forgotten, I am one of them. I'm an anomaly in this camp! No matter where I turn, I'm still hated. I'll always be hated. You married me out of pity and duty. I don't know whats worse, dying of my fatal flaw, or being forced to live a lie. You don't love me. You can't love me. You're sworn to maidenhood. I'm not so delusional to believe there was an ulterior motive behind keeping me alive."

He turned to leave and Thalia said, "Perseus Jackson! You stop right there, or I'll shock you so hard your brain really will turn to kelp!" Percy stopped, hands clenched as his sides. "I think now would be the best time to come clean, sis."

Percy turned around, eyes darting between Thalia and Percy. "What's she talking about?" Artemis hesitated and Percy shook his head. "Must not have been important."

A hand shot out and grabbed him before he could try to leave again. "Percy, stop! It's not like that. I just...I don't know how to say it."

He stared at her. "Oh come on already!" Thalia sighed. She stepped forward and shoved Artemis hard. She stumbled forward into Percy, their heads coming together. Her lips found his and she gave into her desire to kiss him. At first, he too gave in, then he pulled away abruptly.

"You think my feelings are some kind of joke?! I'm done here. I'll deal with getting your new guardian myself." With that, he stormed out of her tent, clouds storming overhead.

- - -

"With the sacred light of the moon, I offer these tributes in return for the life that was taken." A wild-eyed man stood from his kneeling position to look at the full moon. His gaze however did not dwell on the moon, though you could see the longing in them. They turned to a constellation that seemed to grow brighter in the sky.

A silver dust seemed to fall from the sky over the sword that lay in front of him. It took on a phantom form, turned blue and started to mold itself into the body of a woman. The man's shoulders sagged in relief and fatigue. You could tell he hadn't slept in days. The bags under his eyes were proof of that.

Soon, the body of a woman, who seemed to be around the age of sixteen, was fully formed in front of him. He took off his cloak and wrapped her body in it looking away as she seemed to regain consciousness. "Where am I?"

"Wow, you seem to have lost that horrible Old English that you used to speak with."

The girls eyebrows furrowed. "Who are you? And what to do you want with me?"

"I want only for you to get stronger and take my job. Your mistress now has a guardian. That would be me. I don't think it's a good idea that I stay there. So, I did a lot of research and finally brought you back from the stars."

"You still haven't told me who you are," she said.

"Well, I thought my friend could recognize me."

"Perseus? Perseus Jackson?!" she exclaimed.

"Percy, Zoë. It's Percy, and always was."

"So, it couldn't have been that long since I died! Only a few years!"

"It's been almost six years, Zoë," he replied.