Prince of the Universe, Love of Artemis (On Hiatus)

Chapter 15: Where He Once Called Home

I didn't notice the beady eyes watching us from the bushes.

(Artemis POV)

"Come on, ladies! Hustle! We can make it back to the camp by sunset if you would just pick up the pace a little!" I screamed. I was at the back of the group, while my new co-leader was in the front. Zoe had been a huge help over the past week, filling all of the girls in on what was going on, and helping to keep me under control. This was the third prophecy that my guardian is in, and I'm just a little scared about that. Sue me.

Speaking of Percy, I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that he was A) immortal, and B) 8,019 years old now. And I hadn't aged a day! It's still weird to think that it was 8,000 years, and time had just, stopped. I was literally frozen in time for 8,000 years. Reminds me of that film Thalia dragged me to see once, Captain America: The First Avenger. I'm getting off track. Maybe gods did have ADHD. If only a little.

Percy had started off before us, and since he had been training his stamina, he was most likely at the camp by now. Since Zoe was also one of his officers in this immortal army of his, she seemed to be struggling to slow her pace down enough that she wouldn't lose us. Plus, she had extra time while in the stars to be training.

~~Time skip~~37 minutes~~Camp border~~

A conch horn sounded, signaling our arrival. Some things never change. Percy came to greet us, looking confused and distressed. Chiron came up behind him, followed by the two worst traitors. Annabeth and Jason. For some reason, Annabeth looked giddy, while Jason mirrored my guardian's look of distress.

"Lady Artemis," Chiron said, bending his two front legs in a bow. 

Arty, save me, I heard in my mind. Looking curiously towards Percy, he nodded inconspicuously towards his ex-girlfriend. As previously stated, the girl looked positively giddy. She kept looking towards Percy, blushing, and then looking down, specifically towards her left hand. Percy spoke in my mind again. I think I just figured out part of the prophecy. That 'memory loss throughout the land' part? It refers to the campers. None of them remember betraying me, Piper, Leo, or Cam.

I masked my shock and turned towards the age-old centaur that trained these demigods. "Chiron, nice to see you again. If you'll excuse me and the girls a moment, I'd like to settle in our cabin before eating."

He smiled and nodded at me. If what Percy said was true, then it's a good thing that Piper was in the middle of the group so that she wouldn't be seen by her ex-boyfriend. It was also a good thing that Zoe had her hood up. I made a 'follow me' gesture and the girls and I headed towards our cabin. Percy had headed towards his cabin as well, trying to shake off Annabeth. He seemed to be succeeding, and I made a mental note to go and speak with him once I knew he was alone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Percy POV)

The Hunters finally made it to Camp, and not a moment too soon. I figured out the one part of the prophecy that no one could figure out. The minds of the campers had been erased. No one remembered my new half-siblings, or betraying me and my friends. They assumed the ring on Annabeth's finger was from me, and that Jason and Piper were still together. They thought that Piper, Leo, and I had been kidnapped by some evil monster, and had been searching for us for maybe 6 or 7 months. Annabeth was over the moon at my arrival, and Jason was disappointed that his "girlfriend" wasn't with me.

"Percy! Oh my gods, I can't believe you're back! Where have you been? I've missed you!" My ex-girlfriend tackled me, and I recoiled from the sudden contact from the woman I don't give a dam about. She noticed that I had shrunk away from her touch, and was immediately concerned.