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Point of View: Third Person

The Next Day

Artemis drags Moonlace into the mess tent for breakfast. "Morning!" They all call and Moonlace looks confused. Artemis makes him sit down where he was before, next to Thalia.

"Okay, we are going to renew our efforts at finding Percy Jackson. You know who that is, right?" Thalia informs him.

'Too well.' Moonlace thinks to himself. "Yes, I have been informed on the boy turned immortal. You say you have been hunting him for around 300 years now, correct?"

"Yes, it frustrates me to no end." Artemis huffs.

Moonlace smiles a little. "I'm sure, my lady." 'Good luck finding him.' Moonlace sighs mentally. "Who here actually knew him? I mean like, really well." Thalia is the only one who raises her hand. "Okay, then, where would he go if he never wanted to be found?"

Thalia sighs and thinks about it. "Knowing Kelp Head, he probably got to thinking Alaska then thought better and just keeps moving around. But we don't have any clues as to if he's even still here or alive. So he has to be holed up somewhere."

'Oh, Thalia.' Moonlace looks outside the tent before he can become sentimental. "You say you think there is a possibility of him being captured?"

"Yes, that was the first conclusion we came to when we couldn't find him after the first twenty years of nonstop searching." Artemis sighs.

"Well, he led the war efforts for the gods, am I right?" Everybody nods and he continues. "Okay, so, he was really nice and open and all that fluffy stuff that is shining in daylight. Great. But he's most likely traumatized and downhearted. He started as a kid and came out scarred. Not to mention was tortured by Tartarus like I was. I wasn't a happy camper before that and that didn't help matters, so I'm not a happy camper now. But back to my point, perhaps his view has changed. I'm not saying he's turned traitor or anything, I'm suggesting he's sitting in the dark somewhere hoping and praying someone pulls him out. He doesn't strike me as the type of person to want to be alone." Moonlace shrugs. 'I can't believe I'm lying about myself. I'm a complete loner for the gods' sake. I should never have accepted Artemis's offer to be part of the Hunt. This is so depressing.'

"Moonlace?" Artemis asks.

"Huh?" Moonlace looks at her.

"Were you listening?" She asks, smirking.

"No, my lady. I'm sorry. I was lost in my train of thought. What were you saying?" Moonlace is honest.

"How do you suggest we search for him? Since you seem to have so many ideas." Artemis taps her jaw with her fingers as she holds her chin in her hand.

'Oh, Tartarus.' "There are many different possibilities and all of them could be wrong. I suggest we start by thinking the opposite of Perseus before we start thinking alike. It seems the best path at the moment." Moonlace places his idea on the table.

"It sounds like a good start." Artemis nods slowly.

"He left camp, right? Like, just got up and disappeared?" Moonlace asks, sounding, or trying to at least, unsure.

"Yeah. Right in the middle of the night. Left all of his possessions in his cabin, except Riptide or Anaklusmos." Thalia informs Moonlace.

"Anaklusmos." Moonlace sounds surprised. "The sword? Last I saw that in use was Perseus, I admit, but I never really watched him in battle. The last time I saw that...very long time ago. It has a sad history and it is connected to my favorite constellation in the night sky. I haven't heard that name in use for a good long while."

'Yeah, I sent Riptide up to Zoë. It appeared as her hair clip again and she shined brightly in answer. Now she continues to shine that brightly. Her power making her soul fuel the constellation better.' Moonlace contains his sigh.

"I've been meaning to ask, can you use that sword, Moonlace?" Phoebe implores.

Moonlace looks over his shoulder at the blade. 'Ah, yes. My replacement for Riptide since I gave it back to Zoë. This sword is one of a kind. I took it from the weapon storage at camp. Its name is Nightmare. I know why, at least, I do. I wield it like it is people's nightmares because that is what its name is supposed to mean. People who have used this sword in the past haven't used it properly.'

"Yes, I can use my sword and even if I couldn't wield one all that well, I know where the pointy end goes." Moonlace smiles and they all giggle.

"Can we see?" Thalia asks.

"My sword or my skill?" Moonlace asks.

"Both." Artemis answers.

Moonlace sighs and draws the sword. He sets it on the table. It is two feet longer than Riptide but he wields it all the same. He has mastered it as well. There is another sword the same length as Riptide underneath the cloak and attached at the back of his waist. His hunting knives are in plain sight though.

Artemis picks up the blade and then drops it gasping in horror and her eyes show it. She looks at him frightened and he knows what she has seen. "How do you wield it?" She asks, terrified.

Moonlace looks around at everybody before picking it up easily and sliding it back into its sheath. "That is the one drawback of wielding Nightmare. I wield it like its name wants me to but there is a catch, it brings my worst nightmare to life in my head while I fight. But, I have no nightmares. I fear nothing. Not even death. I decided a very long time ago not to be afraid of anything. So Nightmare shows me horrifying bloodbaths that are endless and pointless, something I hate for to happen. I wouldn't advise touching it unless to defend yourself if it is the only thing near you. It isn't evil, just...sad and alone. It doesn't know how to cope or act around others. Sort of like me. I'm like a vessel for it. I don't have any nightmares, so it becomes the meaning of the word to me. Its name." Moonlace seems resigned near the end.

"Have you ever run into Lycaon?" Artemis asks to change the subject.

"Oh, the mutt." Moonlace laughs softly, but it sounds melodic to them. He pulls one of his hunting knives out, pure silver. "Yes, that dog tried biting me when I was fending off his pack. Nearly got me, too, that stupid mongrel. I got these about a week before my run in with that beast. Got them from a monster who had silver fabric as a belt. I knew what that meant, my condolences my lady." Moonlace bows his head and Artemis nods. "I did kill it, and enjoyed it. I found a dog tag. Evaline, if the name means anything to you." Artemis gasps and covers her mouth. Phoebe comforts her. "I don't waste anything from a kill. Monster or not. I figured it was better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them. Actually..." Moonlace rummages through his different pockets, patting them down. "I thought...ah, here it is." Moonlace pulls out a dog tag and hands it to Artemis. "I resolved to give it to you if I ever got the chance."

Artemis stares at the dog tag as tears run silently down her face. "Thank you." She chokes out.

"Oh, please don't cry. I only-that is I-oh gods. Please stop." Moonlace pleads with her but the tears come flowing more. "Uh," He sounds nervous. "You're welcome." Moonlace looks fidgety. "My lady, please stop crying, I feel as if it is my fault."

Artemis shakes her head. "It isn't."

"Anyway, being alone has its perks but so does traveling in a group. I was surrounded by I don't know how many werewolves. But they weren't trying to kill me. Lycaon wanted to turn me. He didn't know who I was and no one seemed to. Especially since I don't use my real name and they'd never heard of me before." Moonlace smiles weakly. "I didn't kill the mutt, but I did make a dent in his pack. Gave him a nice wound to offend his pride, too. His claws got me, but not his teeth. I was lucky. I was cornered in France on a plateau on a mountain. Least I think it was France. Clear in the skies almost and quite frankly not fun as a son of the sea. I almost got knocked off a cliff."

"Hey, are you good with a sword?" Rose asks.

Moonlace raises an eyebrow. "Yeah, you never said you wouldn't show us." Hannah adds.

"I don't see why I can't, but there isn't really much I could show you. There aren't any dummies or enemies." Moonlace shrugs. "Besides, I only use my sword if I can't use my bow."

"What about your hunting knives?" Artemis asks, absorbed and intrigued. She has this strange feeling in her chest whenever she looks at him or thinks about him.

"I can use them." Moonlace nods. "They aren't my weapon of choice but I can survive on them alone."

Artemis smirks. "Then fight me with the knives. I want to see how good my new Hunter is. Then you can use your sword."

Moonlace stiffens. "I don't fight women unless they are monsters."

Artemis smiles warmly. "I am asking you to."

Moonlace is quiet for a long while as he holds completely still as a statue. "Very well. I will spar with you, but nothing more. I tend to get carried away if pushed far too much." Moonlace rises and leaves the tent.

Everybody follows him and they all stand in the middle of camp where there is the most space. Artemis draws her knives while Moonlace stands there. His eyes are closed and he is breathing deeply. The breathing puzzles Artemis.

He opens his eyes and he draws the knives. He analyzes Artemis and sees something he can exploit, but not sure if it is a weakness or not. Her left leg has just the tiniest bit of too much weight. She's slightly unbalanced.

"You attack first, my lady. I cannot bring myself to do it." Moonlace tells her.

Artemis blinks but nods. She is quick and flits in front of him. He adjusts to the agility and strength of his opponent immediately and their knives clash. It sends sparks flying. They keep parrying each other and Moonlace is trying not to hurt her or go wild at the immortal's presence. He reins in control and works to fight her without his mind sinking deep into instinctual methods, but he does use his instincts to their max level to test them out on a goddess.

"What's wrong?" Artemis asks.

"I am fending off someone who is immortal. I have a bad tendency to want to kill immortal foes. I am too used to being attacked by evil ones. I am learning your presence in battle so as to remind myself you will not actually harm me unless I hurt those dear to you." Moonlace answers as they whirl around.

"Does that mean you're toying with me?" Artemis raises an eyebrow as the speed of both of their attacks increase and it becomes a blur to the huntresses.

"No, but I am holding back. I will never hurt you. Not on purpose. To learn, I am memorizing everything about you. And I am merely in a different fighting pattern." Moonlace says and locks her blades into place.

"Okay, then. Have you learned about me?" Artemis grins mischievously.

Moonlace frowns. "I have. It doesn't take me long."

Then their blades start to become a part of a dance, a deadly dance. At one point, Moonlace goes rolling with Artemis as their blades clang together and when they bash into a tree, he takes the brunt of the force. But it doesn't hinder him. At the end though, Moonlace disarms Artemis of both blades simultaneously and then his blades are crossed over her neck.

He instantly takes them away and sheathes them. He picks up her knives and hands them over to her, she returns them to their sheathes. "That was actually challenging. More challenging than anything I have fought in years. Even Gration."

Moonlace tilts his head. "Gration, his Hunt has begun. He rose a little while ago. One of the only Giants so far. I even saw him."

"Why didn't you attack him?!" Phoebe exclaims.

Moonlace turns to face her. "Dear child, it takes a god and a demigod to kill a Giant. I had nothing in my arsenal to capture him with either. Or trust me, he would have been at the feet of Lady Artemis, the one time I would have shown myself so willingly to the Huntress of any accord."

"Oh, sorry. I forgot." Phoebe mutters.

"It is alright. I understand. But Gration is a threat. Though I wish I could have done something, it would have been foolish to attack him. I would have been exposed and he would have been on my trail. I am already wanted by monsters. Which is very dangerous for the Hunt. I will take responsibility if a Huntress is hurt when monsters attack." Moonlace says.

"Are we dueling with your sword against my knives now or not?" Artemis asks curiously.

"Perhaps it is not the wisest course of action at present moment." Moonlace says. "Do you have anything to cloak yourself and the girls from Gration? He would come after you first."

"Yes, I can do that. Besides, we have a hunt planned for today before we pack up and move." Artemis sighs. "We will have to move more often now if Gration is out and about."

Moonlace looks at the sky. "I will stay and pack up the camp if you would all like to go."

"Really?" Artemis asks.

"I would prefer it if you stayed safe." Moonlace nods. "And away from Gration."

"Thank you." Artemis smiles.

"My pleasure. I will store the tents in my pack until you return. Or I could just set them up next campsite. Your choice. I do not mind. I find I am less and less unoccupied as I adjust to being a part of a larger group. I like to keep busy." Moonlace tells her.

"You know how to compact them, right?" Erica giggles.

"I have seen it done once before. I am a quick study for someone out here in the wild for all these years. I will manage." Moonlace answers.

"Have fun." Atalanta laughs and they all take off.

"Strange, women." Moonlace comments and heads over to his tent to get his pack. He walks around camp and after getting four of the twelve tents packed up and the archery range, he senses something vaguely and hears the snap of a twig.

He turns just in time to roll out of the way of an arrow. He picks it up, blunt. "Maim." He murmurs and scans the trees. He draws his own bow. 'Is it meant for me or the Huntresses? Someone was meant to be captured.'

Moonlace travels the arrow's distance with his eyes, using his abilities to see farther and farther. His eyes widen, Gration is with Oceanus, Atlas, and Prometheus. Moonlace loads an arrow and aims for Prometheus first. He has to roll out of the way when another arrow comes flying for his leg and he fires at Prometheus. Gration knocks him out of the way though.

Moonlace growls. 'Damn it all. Prometheus is no fighter but he is crafty. I am alone now. I'll take however many of them down with me as I can then.' A growl starts to build deep in Moonlace's chest.

He waits for his enemies to come into the clearing and they stop right at the edge. He loads four arrows. Gration raises an eyebrow. "A male with the Hunt?" He asks and Moonlace's growl rips from his throat in a snarl. It makes them all flinch, Gration less so. "So they got a pet then."

"I know who he is." Atlas says. "The monsters speak of him all the time. That is the Free Hunter who roams on his own."

The Giant nods. "Why are you with the Hunt then?" Gration turns back to Moonlace.

"Lady Artemis asked me to join. For what reasons I don't know and I don't understand, but I am honored to be a part of the Hunt. I killed Hyperion when I came across the Hunt and after speaking with Lady Artemis, it was decided that I join her." Moonlace has a growl rumbling in his chest.

"Interesting. But I do believe the master wants you alive in particular. A bonus then." Gration grins. Moonlace stands his ground. 'So that arrow wasn't meant for me. It was meant for the girls.'

"Cat got your tongue?" Oceanus is amused.

"No, just thinking." Moonlace replies and then prays to Artemis in his mind. 'Lady Artemis, please stay away from camp. Do not return.'

"About your doom?" Prometheus asks.

'I hope she listens.' "No." Moonlace answers simply. 'I give myself over to the Hunter and meld with my inner beast. Artemis guide me.'

"You are silent, aren't you?" Atlas is amused.

Moonlace smirks and shows his teeth. "Time to die." He growls and they all take a step back at his change in tone. It sounds guttural and he looks feral, even if he isn't moving yet. He releases the arrows and they thud painfully into different pressure points on each enemy.

Moonlace draws more arrows and when Atlas comes at him, he fires the arrows to stagger Oceanus and blocks the sword with his bow. It snaps in half after blocking the Titan for a little while and the sword stings down his arm. Moonlace is unaffected other than to be irritated. He growls and draws Nightmare. He is swift, even with such a big and heavy sword. He cleaves Atlas in half at the waist and turns on Oceanus, who had charged. He is barreled into by Oceanus as he turns. He gets plowed into a tree by the bigger Titan. He was born a demigod, his height only grew so much as an immortal and he is no Titan.

Nightmare ends up on the ground as they crash through three trees, Moonlace taking the force of them. He is still not bothered and grapples with Oceanus. He manages to get his arms around the Titan's neck after his leg is ripped into by Oceanus's blade in their struggle. He twists, and Oceanus turns to dust.

Moonlace draws one hunting knife and hurls it at Prometheus, sticking up to the hilt in his heart and killing him. His eyes glow green under his hood and they unsettle Gration.

"You let your primal side take over and yet you are still in control. Amazing." Gration breathes the last word. Then he raises his bow and fires arrow after arrow until he clips Moonlace in his other shoulder, the one Atlas didn't touch. Moonlace's leg is in bad shape as well, making him kneel on the ground and he breathes heavily at the exertion of letting himself go into an animalistic state and using tons of his energy. He starts to snap out of it slowly. "But it is dangerous. You drop all means of guard to have a more powerful offense. If you are in control, you should be able to defend yourself. Which means you are only somewhat in control. It is still astounding and quite a feat. Especially for a minor immortal."

Moonlace glares up at Gration.

"Did Artemis make you swear off women so you could join her Hunt?" Gration smirks.

"No, I did that on my own when I started this life as a Hunter. And I am in control, but I only use the defensive part when I feel I am in grave danger." Moonlace answers. "And I have been living this life for over three hundred years. I don't fear anything. Not even the Giant of the Hunt." Moonlace reaches behind him inside of his cloak with his left hand.

Artemis stops running with the girls in the edge of the clearing. She gasps quietly at what she sees. Moonlace is kneeling to Gration. But she sees the piles of immortal dust and the Ichor bleeding out from his leg. She doesn't understand what he's doing until he pulls the blade out of his cloak.

Moonlace draws the blade and lunges at Gration. It takes the Giant by surprise and Moonlace knocks him over. He realizes Gration was aiming to incapacitate him earlier and his right arm is tingling, going numb. He has lost so much blood because of the weapons being wielded by higher immortals and has been hurt severely. His left arm is almost as useless as his right arm, but it's more pain than numb.

Gration struggles against Moonlace and they fight, sword on hunting knives.

Gration manages to kick Moonlace off, sending him through several trees and finally Moonlace hits one that stops his course of flight and it knocks the breath from his lungs. But he drags himself up and sees Nightmare. He picks up the blade in his right hand as he charges straight at Gration.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to charge blindly?" Gration cackles as he swings his knives at Moonlace, but misses and loses track of Moonlace.

"Didn't your mommy ever tell you not to be so ignorant?" Moonlace mocks from his side and Gration howls as Nightmare and Dreamblade go through his side. He pulls out just as Gration swings his knives wildly and it hits Moonlace, piercing his thigh and going straight through it. His right thigh screams in pain but Moonlace ignores its pleas to stop taking his weight. Moonlace uses Gration's own attack against him and pulls his leg out and away, taking the hunting knife with him.

Gration curses Moonlace. "Give it back." He snaps.

The knife is still embedded in Moonlace's thigh, leaving it there to keep from bleeding out and to make sure he keeps his leg. Moonlace steps forward, not limping in either leg. He catapults himself onto Gration's shoulders and crosses his blades over Gration's neck. He screams gutturally as he beheads the Giant viciously. He uses his weight and Gration's imbalance to bring the Giant down to the ground.

But what Moonlace doesn't understand, Gration crumbles to dust.

Dead.

Moonlace's eyes widen and he's too hurt to argue. He groans and drags himself to a tree. He uses it to get up and starts limping badly towards the medical tent. His hand is grabbed onto and he whips around painfully only to stop himself from growling at Artemis.

"Let me help you." Artemis says softly.

Moonlace, unable to stay on his feet, begins to fall backwards from exhaustion and blood loss. Thalia manages to catch him and she and Artemis get him to the med tent. They get him up on a cot and Atalanta sets to work.

"I wonder what all happened. We only saw Gration. What do we do with the Giant's hunting knife?" Atalanta says as she guides it out of his leg expertly.

"I'll deal with it later." Artemis says, wiping the blade off of immortal Ichor and then wrapping it in a cloth. She makes it disappear for now in a flash of silver light and turns back to help Atalanta.

Atalanta stitches together several gashes along Moonlace's body. Luckily, his hood isn't down. Moonlace got the gashes from his animal state when Oceanus flung his blade blindly at him over and over in an attempt to get freed.

Artemis reaches for his hood and Moonlace's hand shoots up all of a sudden to trap her wrist in his grasp. His breathing is ragged and his skin glistens with sweat at the effort it takes to heal. "Don't." He coughs out.

"Hold still." Atalanta says and releases Artemis as she pushes Moonlace's arm down. Moonlace holds still as Atalanta stitches the long gash that runs up his left arm from Atlas. "I'm guessing then that pain doesn't bother you." Atalanta comments.

"I have stitched many of my own wounds from encounters with immortals over my many years. This pain does not bother me. Physical pain is something I have gotten used to, especially after my time in the Pit. This is but an annoying person poking at me without pause. Needles are better than spikes." Moonlace replies, staring up at the ceiling.

A shiver runs up Artemis's spine and Atalanta purses her lips while Thalia leaves to go finish packing up with the others. "Who all attacked?" Artemis asks.

"Gration, Atlas, Prometheus, and Oceanus. The Titans were pitiful foes but I abandoned defense and just went after them. Getting rid of them to save my energy for Gration." Moonlace whispers.

"What?" Artemis asks.

"I let myself go into an instinctual state." Moonlace tells her.

"That's dangerous! You don't care about what happens to you in that kind of state!" Artemis shouts.

"I am in control of my state, but you're right. I didn't care. I killed them to better deal with Gration. When I fought him, I wasn't in that state. I was trying to keep you safe. I figured you would ignore my prayer to stay away, so I knew I had to have enough energy to hold off the Giant. Though, my state consumes energy quickly." Moonlace says calmly.

"You're in control? Then why didn't you defend yourself?" Artemis asks in disbelief.

"I didn't have time and they were pests compared to Gration. He was the real threat." Moonlace answers.

"You're still hurt." Artemis says and it confuses Moonlace the tone she uses.

"Forgive me, my lady. I am sorry if I upset you." Moonlace says very quietly as he closes his eyes.

"I care for all of my Hunt. Don't forget that next time you get it in your head to be stupid and reckless enough to fight on your own!" Artemis storms out of the tent.

"Oh my..." Moonlace breathes deeply.

Atalanta giggles. "She'll get over it. You already apologized. You'll just have to wait until she calms down."

"Alright. I'll take your word for it." Moonlace sighs.