Abandoned- a pertemis story Ψ ☑️

Trustworthy. Chapter 13

So. Did you notice the change in writing style? I've heard my previous style was way too blocky so I tried to fix it! I hope it's easier to read now.- Internet Head

ΦArtemisΦ
I sat on a rock, opposite of Alexis, sharpening arrows and restringing an old bow I'd found. My new spear leaned against the rock, the silver shaft and celestial bronze tip gleaming in the sun. Alexus sharpened a hunting knife with a wet stone on another rock, using her knee for a flat surface. We sat in silence as the tension between us was still very thick. I finished restringing my bow and stood up, slinging the bow over my shoulder. I grabbed my quiver and turned to leave but Alexus called out to me.
"Art-.. mo-...." it was obvious that she didn't know what to call me.
"Yes?" I turned to face her, shouldering the quiver.
"I-I wanted to talk. About Percy." She said, swallowing and fumbling with her knife.
"O-oh! Yes, of course!" I stayed standing where I was. We looked at each other in silence for a few tenuous seconds before Alexus stood up.
"I think Percy needs time to relax." Her voice shook but it was less strained than before. I was impressed with her ability to hide her body language from me. I wondered if Lupa could have read her better.
"Why is that?" But I immediately knew once I said it.
"Annabeth... just died. He's been throwing himself into all this work, this quest, and it's degrading him. He's trying to distract himself from the pain. Even I can see that." Alexus sighed and slipped her hands into her jeans, her bowstring glimmering like dew on a spiderweb in the sunlight as she shifted her weight.
"Yes." I murmured to myself, fiddling with the strap of my quiver "it will get him killed." I felt completely certain of this.
"A-also... you seem to be pretty close to him. I think it would be beneficial if-." I never got to hear her suggestion because just then someone walked in on us.
"Hey." A Hunter (named Hunter) said "Jackson and Thalia want you. Apparently it's 'of utmost importance' or something." She made air quotes and ducked into a tent. Alexus and I turned to look at one another before jogging off to meet the rest of our group.

Peruses, Thalia, Carmen, and a surprise guest were gathered around a table that held some maps and a compass that seemed to like our guest as whenever he moved the needle corrected to follow him. Alexus and I approached the table as Percy leaned on it with both hands. He sighed loudly before noticing us. I squinted at the guest.
"I know you from somewhere... where was it?" He looked familiar but I couldn't quite place it.
"This is Nico Di'Angelo. He just dropped in." Percy clapped the boy on the shoulder. Nico looked somewhat surprised at this, He cringed away from the contact but made no actual effort to move away.
"I didn't mean to go here. I was shadow traveling from Camp Halfblood and I just appeared here. Where is here?" He explained, looking at our surroundings.
"South Dakota. A little ways away from camp." Thalia said to Nico, leaning over to look at him.
"Ah. That's why I feel so drained." The black haired boy said as he hung his head and rested his eyes. He looked bone tired. Carmen shook his head.
"That's no good. Here." He held up a hand and in a small tongue of flame appeared. It burned away at the air before dissipating, revealing an unopened Hershey's chocolate bar. We all stared at it but Nico's already pale face drained of all color.
"Your dying. Why are you dying?" He asked with an edge of panic to his voice. Everybody present turned to look at the boy.
"Explain." I said in a hard voice. Percy looked like stone, his mouth set in a hard line. He'd already lost Annabeth. Alexus' gaze was like a razor and fire all in one. Carmen shrugged, not cowering under our scrutiny.
"I guess that's how this power works. Life for life. Strength for sustenance." He offered Nico the chocolate bar once more "go ahead, eat it otherwise I just got weaker for nothing." Nico reluctantly grabbed the bar and unwrapped it as we all stared speechlessly. Carmen smiled.
"See? It isn't so bad." He said. Nico didn't look so convinced. I think he had some reservations about eating life force. I shook my head.
"Don't do that again." Percy said steadily, watching the two boys.
"Yes. Don't." I gave him a pointed stare as Alexus nodded her head. Carmen looked around.
"I don't get why it's such a big deal but if it gets you guys off of my back then fine." He sighed. Nico finished the chocolate bar and leaned on the table, fiddling with the skull ring on his finger.
"Life force is a precious thing. Don't just throw it away." He wasn't looking at anybody in particular but we all knew who it was for.
"We've got work to do anyway. We've got to discuss this new, Ah, quest of ours." Carmen sighed and rubbed his wrist.