| chapter sixteen |

in which artemis gives her daughter some kick-ass powers ( and advice )

WHEN ARTEMIS TOLD EVERYONE WHO SHE WAS, Percy said something real intelligent: "Um. . . Okay."

But even that was nothing compared to Grover. He gasped, then knelt hastily in the snow and started stammering, "Thank you, Lady Artemis! You're so. . . You're so. . . Wow!"

Nia rolled her eyes. The satyrs at Camp Half-Blood were in love with her godly mother, and honestly, it was a bit creepy. "Grover. . ."

"Get up, goat boy!" snapped Thalia. "We have other things to worry about. Annabeth is gone!"

"Whoa," Bianca di Angelo suddenly said. "Hold up. Time out."

Everyone looked at her and her brother. Nia had kind of forgotten that they were even there. Bianca pointed her finger at all of them in turn. "Who. . . Who are you people?"

Artemis's expression softened. "It might be a better question, my dear girl, to ask who are you? Who are your parents?"

Bianca glanced nervously at Nico, who was staring at Artemis in awe. "Our parents are dead. We're orphans. There's a bank trust that pays for our school, but. . ." She faltered, guessing that from their faces, none of them believed her. "What? I'm telling the truth."

"We know you are," Naomi said in an incredibly soothing voice for an eleven-year-old. "It's just—"

"You are a half-blood," Zoë cut Naomi off with her old-fashioned accent. "One of thy parents was mortal. The other was an Olympian."

"An Olympian. . . athlete?" Bianca asked, confused.

"No," said Zoë. "One of the gods."

"Way to cushion the blow, Zoë," Nia muttered.

Zoë looked at the daughter of Artemis with pursed lips. "What is the point of 'cushioning the blow'? It is the truth."

"Cool!" Nico exclaimed.

"No!" Bianca's voice quivered. "This is not cool!"

Nico danced around, obviously excited. "Does Zeus really have lightning bolts that do six hundred damage? Does he get extra movement points for—"

"Nico, shut up!" Bianca put her hands to her face. "This is not your stupid Mythomagic game, okay? There are no gods!"

"Bianca, I know it's hard to believe," Thalia said, the anger in her eyes subsiding a little. "But the gods are still around. Trust me."

"And since they are still around," Nia started, feeling sympathetic for the two half-bloods, "they have kids with mortals. Kids like us. We're called half-bloods or demigods. And. . . Well. . . Our lives are pretty dangerous."

"Dangerous," Bianca repeated, "like the girl who fell."

Nia looked down at her feet and swallowed hard. Even Artemis looked pained. "Do not despair for Annabeth," Artemis said, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "She was a brave maiden. If she can be found, I shall find her."

"Then why won't you let us go look for her?" Percy asked.

"She is gone. Can't you sense it, Son of Poseidon? Some magic is at work. I do not know exactly how or why, but your friend has vanished. I am sorry, my daughter."

Nia didn't say anything. She knew that her mother was right, but that didn't mean she had to be happy about it. Annabeth was her closest friend, and she'd be damned if she didn't go and find her.

"Oo!" Nico raised his hand and Nia smiled a little. The kid reminded her of Naomi. "What about Dr. Thorn? That was awesome how you all shot him with arrows! Is he dead?"

"He was a manticore," said Artemis. "Hopefully he is destroyed for now, but monsters never truly die. They reform over and over again, and they must be hunted whenever they appear."

"Or they'll hunt us," said Thalia.

Bianca shivered. "That explains. . . Nico, you remember last summer, those guys who tried to attack us in the alley in D.C.?"

"And that bus driver," said Nico. "The one with the ram's horns. I told you that was real."

"Right. Monsters — they come to challenge kids like us, try to kill us," Naomi continued. "So, we send in rescue teams to try and find demigods before it's too late."

"That's why Grover has been watching you," said Percy. "To keep you safe, if you turned out to be half-bloods."

Bianca stared. "Grover? You. . . You're a demigod?"

"Well, no. A satyr, actually." He kicked off his shoes and displayed his goat hooves. Bianca looked ready to faint right then and there.

"Grover, put your shoes back on," said Thalia. "You're freaking her out."

"Hey, my hooves are clean!"

"Bianca," Percy said, "we came here to help you. You and Nico need training to survive. Dr. Thorn won't be the last monster you meet. You need to come to camp."

"Camp?" she asked.

"Camp Half-Blood," Percy said. "It's where half-bloods learn to survive and stuff. You can join us, stay there year-round if you like."

"Sweet, let's go!" said Nico.

"Wait," Bianca shook her head. "I don't—"

"There is another option," Zoë said, with a pointed glance at Nia. Nia's head snapped up. She knew exactly what Zoë was talking about.

"No, there isn't!" Thalia said back. The two of them glared at each other.

"We've burdened these children enough," announced Artemis. "Zoë, we will rest here for a few hours. Raise the tents. Treat the wounded. Retrieve our guests' belongings from the school."

"Yes, my lady."

"And my daughter, come — I would like to speak with you. And also with you, Bianca, afterwards."

"Wait, she's your mom?" Bianca asked Nia, still looking dazed.

Nia waved her hand. "Yeah, it's a long story. We'll explain later."

"What about me?" asked Nico.

Artemis considered him. "Perhaps you can show Grover how to play that card game you enjoy. I'm sure Grover would be happy to entertain you for a while. . . as a favor to me?"

"You bet!" Grover practically tripped over himself. "Come on, Nico!"

The two of them walked off towards the woods while the Hunters began unpacking their knapsacks and setting up camp. Zoë led Bianca off and Nia followed her mother, glancing back at Percy, Thalia, and Naomi as she went.

ARTEMIS LEAD NIA INTO THE LAST TENT. Nia still couldn't believe that the Hunters had managed to get everything set up so quickly. 

The inside of the tent was warm and comfortable, silk rugs, pillows, and blankets covering the floor. A golden brazier of fire burned in the center and the walls were covered with animal pelts. A polished oak display stand carved like gazelle horns was Artemis's huge silver bow.

A deer with glittering fur and silver horns was standing in the front, and Nia walked over to pet it. She looked up at her mother, who had suddenly shifted into a grown woman. Artemis looked a lot like she did when she was a young girl — auburn hair, bright silver eyes. 

Nia shifted from foot-to-foot. "So. . . new form?"

Artemis laughed slightly. "I thought that this would be more comfortable for you."

Nia nodded. In a way, it was, but she felt awkward saying so.

"Please, my child, sit," Artemis said, moving to sit next to the deer, who laid her head in Artemis's lap.

Nia sat in front of her. "So, what did you want to talk with me about?" She knew exactly what her mother was going to ask, and her answer was going to be the same as always.

"Well, my first question is—"

"Thank you, Mom," Nia said. "But I still don't want to join the Hunt."

"I assumed that that would still be your answer. But are you sure?"

Nia nodded. "I have thought about it, a lot actually, but I'm sure that I want to stay at Camp Half-Blood. I like it there. And maybe someday I'll change my mind, but, for now, I'm happy at camp."

Artemis raised an eyebrow. "Is this because of that boy?"

"W-what boy?"

"Percy Jackson," Nia's mother smirked slightly as she studied her daughter. "Do you want to stay at camp because of him?"

"No, Mom, no," Nia fidgeted under her mother's gaze. "I just love camp; that's all."

Artemis pursed her lips. She didn't look convinced, but let it go. "Very well, my child. Whatever you desire. For my next point—," she pointed up towards the moonlight— "a gift."

Nia furrowed her brows. "A gift? What do you--"

"You did notice that moonlight gives you enhanced strength, correct?"

Nia nodded. "I know, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"That said, I sense that you're going to need a little extra help in the days to come. And so. . ." Artemis reached her hands towards the moon and moved them around, making the beam of moonlight swirl and spiral. "Reach out to the moonlight. Connect with it."

Nia thought that was totally crazy and hesitated, but eventually she reached her hand out to meet her mothers. Moonlight began to swirl around her hands. Nia stared in shock. "What the. . .?"

"You're doing very well," Artemis smiled. "Now, think of what you want it to be, and manipulate the rays to create it."

Tentatively, Nia thought of something, anything, that she could possibly create with fucking moonlight, but suddenly, it came to her. As if she'd been doing it her whole life, Nia moved her hands around to create a long, silver arrow.

"How. . ." she trailed off. Once it was solid, Nia held it with both hands and inspected the arrow, breathless. "It's beautiful. What is it?" 

Then she felt all the energy go out of her body at once. Nia was completely drained. She couldn't think, couldn't breathe. Nia stumbled, lethargic. She bet that she looked like one of those Raggedy Ann dolls with her body limp and unmoving. Her mother steadied her.

"Lunakinesis," Artemis clarified. "Moonlight manipulation. Those arrows — they will always hit their mark. Other things, though. . . Infusing a weapon with moonlight will increase its damage. You can even heal people with it. Since this is your first time, it has sapped a lot of your energy."

"Great," Nia grumbled, breathing heavily. If making that small little arrow took that much out of her, how the hell was she going to do anything else?

"Do not be discouraged. It takes practice," Artemis said, "but with time and effort, you will be able to explore the extent of this ability."

Nia swallowed hard, the moonlight still swirling around her hands. She felt tears prick her eyes and she quickly blinked them away. "Thank you, Mother."

Artemis smiled at her. "You're welcome, my daughter. Use this gift well."

Nia straightened her back as much as she could and nodded seriously. "I swear I will."

"And finally," Artemis pulled a slip of paper that Nia couldn't even see and handed it to Nia, "here."

"Wait, what is this?" Nia took it and read the printed words ( it took a minute to decipher it because of her dyslexia ): 124 W 132nd St, New York, NY 10027

Artemis took a deep breath. "Your mother's home address."

Nia snapped her head up to look at Artemis. "My mother's what now?"

Artemis sighed. "Nia, I know that you and your mother have a rocky relationship—"

Understatement of the century, Nia thought bitterly.

"—but she does love you and she never stopped," Artemis finished. "You've seen her in your dreams."

Nia paused. "Wait. . . You've been sending me those visions?"

"Yes," Artemis sighed. "I wanted you to see her, and realize what she's going through. She misses you, my child, more than you can ever know."

Nia didn't look at her.

"Last that I checked," Artemis continued on, "your mother is currently living with a successful businesswoman — a Julia Cortez. I believe that she has twins from a previous marriage. They all live in a very beautiful townhouse in Harlem."

Nia's eyes widened. Did her mom want her to go see. . . "Mom, you can't seriously expect me to go—"

"And I am not," said Artemis immediately. "There is no pressure — just think about it."

Nia wanted to rip the paper up and throw the pieces into the fire, but instead, she swallowed her pride and slipped it into a pocket in her hunting bag. "Okay."

Artemis nodded in approval. "Good. Now, let's invite Percy Jackson and Bianca di Angelo inside. We have much more to discuss."

ONCE ZOË HAD GOTTEN BOTH PERCY AND BIANCA DI ANGELO, Artemis spoke. "Join us, Percy Jackson."

Percy sat across from her and Bianca. Nia was sitting to her mother's left. Artemis studied Percy, who looked a little uncomfortable.

"Are you surprised by my age?" she asked.

"Uh. . . A little," Percy admitted.

"My daughter feels the same way," Artemis said with a pointed look at her daughter. Nia blushed furiously and diverted her gaze. 

Artemis continued, "Anyhow, I could appear as a grown woman — as I did with my daughter — or a blazing fire, or anything else I want, but this is what I prefer to look like. This is the average age of my Hunters, and all young maidens for whom I am patron."

"Patron?" asked Percy.

"Patron of young girls before they grow up. Become smitten with boys. Become silly, preoccupied, insecure. Forget themselves."

"Oh."

Nia bit her lip and looked down at her lap. She was the product of the one time her mother fell in love, and Artemis didn't even acknowledge her. Like her and her mother were just. . . nothing. Diana Kamaria ( the first ) was just the one woman who had caught Artemis's eye and had a child with. Nothing more. Not gonna lie, it stung a bit to Nia.

Nia didn't voice her thoughts, though.

Zoë sat down at Artemis's right. She glared at Percy coldly.

"You must forgive my Hunters if they do not welcome you," Artemis said. "It is very rare that we would have boys in this camp. Boys are usually forbidden to have any contact with the Hunters. The last one to see this camp. . ." She looked at Zoë. "Which one was it?"

"That boy in Colorado," Zoë said. "You turned him into a jackalope."

"Ah, yes." Artemis nodded, satisfied. "I enjoy making jackalopes. At any rate, Percy, I've asked you here so that you might tell me more of the manticore. Bianca has reported some of the. . . mmm, disturbing things the monster said. But she may not have understood them. I'd like to hear them from you."

And so Percy told them everything that had happened when he had gone rogue with Naomi. When he was done, Artemis put her hand thoughtfully on her silver bow. "I feared this was the answer."

Zoë sat forward. "The scent, my lady?"

"Yes."

"What scent?" Percy asked.

"Things are stirring that I have not hunted in millennia," Artemis murmured. "Prey so old I have nearly forgotten." She stared at Percy intently. "We came here tonight sensing the manticore, but he was not the one I seek. Tell me again, exactly what Dr. Thorn said."

"Um, 'I hate middle school dances'."

Nia covered her mouth to hide her laugh.

"No, no," Artemis shook her head, smiling slightly as well. "After that."

"He said somebody called the General was going to explain things to me."

Zoë paled. She turned to Artemis and started to say something, but Artemis raised her hand.

"Go on, Percy," the goddess said.

"Well, then Thorn was talking about the Great Stir Pot—"

"Stirring," Bianca corrected him.

"Yeah," Percy waved on. "And he said, 'Soon we shall have the most important monster of all — the one that shall bring about the downfall of Olympus.'"

Artemis was so still she could've been a statue. 

"Mom?" asked Nia. "What is it?"

Percy said, "Maybe he was lying."

Artemis shook her head. "No. He was not. I've been too slow to see the signs. I must hunt this monster."

Zoë looked like she was trying very hard not to be afraid — and Nia was trying to remember why — but she nodded. "We will leave right away, my lady."

"No, Zoë. I must do this alone." 

"But, Artemis—"

"What?" Nia immediately protested. "Mom, no—"

"This task is too dangerous even for the Hunters. Zoë, you know where I must start my search. You cannot go there with me."

Zoë swallowed. "As. . . As you wish, my lady."

Nia blinked. "But Mom—"

"Nia."

Nia stopped. "Yes, Mother." 

Artemis nodded, satisfied. "I will find this creature," she vowed. "And I shall bring it back to Olympus by the winter solstice. It will be all the proof I need to convince the Council of the Gods of how much danger we are in."

"You know what the monster is?" Percy asked her.

Artemis gripped her bow. "Let us pray I am wrong."

"Can goddesses pray?" asked Percy as an afterthought. Nia could tell that the son of Poseidon had never really thought about it before and resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

A flicker of a smile played across Artemis's lips. "Before I go, Percy Jackson, I have a small task for you."

"Does it involve getting turned into a jackalope?"

"Sadly, no. I want you to escort the Hunters and my daughter back to Camp Half-Blood. They can stay there in safety until I return."

"What?" Zoë blurted out. "But, Artemis, we hate that place."

"It hates you too," Nia muttered and Zoë glared at her. 

The Hunter went on. "The last time we stayed there—"

"Yes, I know," Artemis said. "But I'm sure Dionysus will not hold a grudge just because of a little, ah, misunderstanding."

"That's one way to tell it," grumbled Nia.

Artemis glanced at her daughter. "Nia."

"Sorry."

"Anyhow," Artemis said, "it's your right to use Cabin Eight whenever you are in need. Besides, I hear they rebuilt the cabins you burned down."

"Foolish campers," Zoë muttered.

Nia raised her eyebrows and seethed. "So the cabins literally burning down and nearly destroying the camp was our fault—"

"Nia, Zoë," Artemis interrupted the two with raised eyebrows. "I trust that you two and the rest of the Hunters will all be courteous towards each other?"

"Yes, my lady." Zoë narrowed her eyes at Nia.

Nia pursed her lips and gave Zoë the stank-eye. "Of course, Mom."

Artemis seemed satisfied with their responses. "And now there is one last decision to make." She turned to Bianca. "Have you made up your mind, my girl?"

Bianca hesitated. "I'm still thinking about it."

"Wait," Percy said. "Thinking about what?"

"They. . . They've invited me to join the Hunt."

"What? But you can't! You have to come to Camp Half-Blood so Chiron can train you. It's the only way you can learn to survive."

"It is not the only way for a girl," Zoë said.

"Bianca, camp is cool!" Percy said. "It's got a pegasus stable and a sword-fighting arena and. . . I mean, what do you get by joining the Hunters?" 

"To begin with," Zoë said, "immortality."

Percy stared at her, then at Artemis and Nia. "She's kidding, right?"

"Unfortunately, no." Nia pursed her lips and sat back. "Zoë never kids."

"My daughter is correct — Zoë very rarely kids about anything," Artemis said. "My Hunters follow me on my adventures. They are my maidservants, my companions, my sisters-in-arms. Once they swear loyalty to me, they are indeed immortal. . . unless they fall in battle, which is unlikely. Or break their oath."

"What oath?" Percy said.

"To foreswear romantic love forever," Artemis said. "To never grow up, never get married. To be a maiden eternally."

"Like you?"

Artemis nodded.

"Well, except for. . ." Percy trailed off. No one spoke.

Nia cringed, heat rushing to her cheeks. Thanks, Jackson.

After an awkward silence, Percy went on: "So you just go around the country recruiting half-bloods—"

"Not just half-bloods," interrupted Zoë. "Lady Artemis does not discriminate by birth. All who honor the goddess may join. Half-bloods, nymphs, mortals—"

"Which are you, then?"

Anger flashed in Zoë's eyes. Nia winced. "Uh, Percy—"

"That is not thy concern, boy," Zoë cut Nia off, glaring at Percy. "The point is Bianca may join if she wishes. It is her choice."

"Bianca, this is crazy," Percy said. "What about your brother? Nico can't be a Hunter."

"Certainly not," Artemis agreed. "He will go to camp. Unfortunately, that's the best boys can do."

"Hey!" Percy protested.

"You can see him from time to time," Artemis assured Bianca. "But you will be free of responsibility. He will have the camp counselors to take care of him. And you will have a new family. Us."

"A new family," Bianca repeated dreamily. "Free of responsibility."

"Bianca, you can't do this," Percy said. "It's nuts."

She looked at Zoe. "Is it worth it?"

Zoe nodded. "It is."

"What do I have to do?"

"Say this," Zoe told her, "'I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis.'"

"I. . . I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis."

"'I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt.'"

Bianca repeated the lines. "That's it?"

Zoe nodded. "If Lady Artemis accepts thy pledge, then it is binding."

"I accept it," Artemis said.

The flames in the brazier brightened, casting a silver glow over the room. Bianca looked no different, but she took a deep breath and opened her eyes wide. "I feel. . . stronger."

"Welcome, sister," Zoe said.

"Remember your pledge," Artemis said. "It is now your life."

Percy said nothing. Nia understood. They had been through so much — lost Annabeth, even — just for Bianca to join the hunters. She did understand the appeal though. Bianca wanted to have a life outside of her brother, to be seen as her own person. Nia could understand that.

"Do not despair, Percy Jackson," Artemis said. "You will still get to show the di Angelos your camp. And if Nico so chooses, he can stay there."

"Great," Percy said, sounding surly. "How are we supposed to get there?"

Artemis closed her eyes. "Dawn is approaching. Zoë, break camp. You must get to Long Island quickly and safely. I shall summon a ride from my brother."

Nia smirked slightly at the mention of her uncle. Zoe didn't look too happy about Uncle Apollo coming to visit, but she nodded and told Bianca to follow her. As the new Hunter was leaving, Bianca paused. "I'm sorry, Percy. But I want this. I really, really do."

Then she was gone, and Percy and Nia were left alone with her mother. 

"So," Percy said glumly. "We're going to get a ride from your brother, huh?"

Artemis's silver eyes gleamed. "Yes, boy. You see, Bianca di Angelo is not the only one with an annoying brother. It's time for you to meet my irresponsible twin and Nia's annoying uncle, Apollo."

hm. i'm not too sure how to feel about this chapter. incorporating nia into this was a bit painful and i couldn't figure it out for a little, but i eventually did it! yay!

and sorry that this hasn't been updated in a bit. i've been super busy with schoolwork and essays and projects and ugh. ( btw, this chapter goes out to anyone who hates school rn.  )

 i've also been brainstorming for a while about a new marvel universe with my own characters, so that might be coming soon. emphasis on might: i still have a lot of work and outlining to do. so just sit in that might for now.

in other news, fridays are probably going to be my regular updating days for bullseye. it's just easier to interact on wattpad on fridays since i usually don't have a lot of work left to do

and. . . i think that's it for updates. until next time!

talk soon!

—icedcoffeemug