PERCY: I prevented a murder today.
                    SARAH: Really? How'd you do that?
                    PERCY: self control.

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☠️.ೃ࿐ CHAPTER THREE .ೃ࿐ 💎
( volume one ) the weight of living
iii ⚰️ Lady Artemis Loves Her Jackalopes
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                SARAH STARES AT GROVER, SHE KNOWS HE'S A BAD LIAR AND AN EVEN WORSE PRANKSTER SO SHE SEARCHES HIS FACE FOR ANY SIGN OF DECIET BUT SHE FINDS NOTHING. Sarah shakes her head slowly because it just can't be true but there's no way that Grover could hold this act for so long without cracking. Luke would never do such a thing, yes by all means Sarah was sure he could do it but he just ⸺ Grover inches closer, to offer a comforting hand but Sarah shakes her head again, this time quicker. A distressed sob bubbles from her throat, he wouldn't steal the Masterbolt or the Helm of Darkness unless, of course, Kronos really was behind it all.

                But if Luke had been manipulated, surely Grover wouldn't be acting as though he had died. Grover said he wasn't dead so what did the Gods do to Luke? If Grover was being serious about Luke being the Lightning Thief the Gods would've surely done something to punish him even if he had been manipulated. Hot molten lava washes over Sarah and a brief thought of tearing Olympus brick from brick if they'd hurt Luke in anyway overcomes her but she pushes it down. Her anger is a red velvet throw blanket, it's surprisingly soft, but she shoves it into the tiniest box she can imagine. Still no matter how hard she tries the anger won't go away, the blanket spills over the edges of the box as she desperately tries to put it away.

                Her breathing grows ragged, all eyes are on her ⸺ the courtroom is crowded, they are jeering at her and her best friend is dead, her best friend has blamed her for his death and everyone thinks she is a witch! Sarah shakes her head, no one is jeering, she's outside in the cold but all eyes are on her. She's vaguely aware of Grover telling Nico to go sit with Percy, she hears the words but their mouths aren't moving in time with them. Nico looks hesitant but also relieved to be able to leave, he casts a confused glance at Sarah before turning on his heel and bounding back towards the fire.

                "Sarah," Grover starts in a cautious tone, "It was Luke . . . He stole the bolt and the helm, he was working with The Crooked One the entire time."

                Grover shudders at the mention of Kronos, however it is not the mention of Kronos that startles Sarah but the implication that Luke had willingly worked with him.

                "No," She snaps, shaking her head "No, Luke would never! He wouldn't ⸺ Kronos must've made him or ⸺ or ⸺"

                She falters because Luke would, not without coercion, but he would still do it. Luke had a deep resentment for the Gods' and their absence in the lives of their children. Sarah had been well versed in Kronos' manipulation and speeches, she'd managed not to fall victim to it but Luke would not have had the same resolve. He had lost so much more because of the Gods, his wounds were fresher than Sarah's had been and Kronos would know just how to dig himself into those wounds. He would know just how to make himself a nest in Luke's anger and help it fester. And Luke would only ever see how he could make the Gods' pay for their wrong-doings not how it would effect the camp and make the ones he cared about pay.

                Grover nods solemnly "Yes, it seems that The Crooked One got into his head but he still made his decision . . . But, it must've been going on for years."

                He's right, of course, he's right. Who was she to think that she was the only Demigod that Kronos tried to contact? When he had stopped invading her dreams all those years ago, was that when he turned his attention to Luke? Sarah feels sick as she thinks about it, Grover doesn't look much better.

                "All the times I thought he was just upset about his quest . . . I should've said something, I should've talked to him more. We were friends, we used to be friends ⸺ how could I not know something was wrong, Sarah?"

                The distress in Grover's voice makes Sarah's stomach twist and turn itself into several knots, like a necklace forgotten at the bottom of a jewellery box. Grover runs a hand through his hair, tears are welling in his dark brown eyes.

                "But, you did know something was wrong, Grove, you just didn't know it was about The Crooked One, there's no way you could've," Sarah sympathizes, wiping her tears away.

                But, Sarah should've, at least she could've if she had just looked longer. She could've seen the signs, the fresh anger, the reckless behaviour, the unrest in his eyes, she had been through it before and she should've know what it looks like. But, he was far too kind to Percy and Cher, he genuinely trained them, he didn't want Sarah to go on the quest for the Masterbolt, which indicates guilt. Guilt or perhaps he believes ⸺ he was told by Kronos that all the Demigods would benefit by overthrowing the Gods. Luke would be too blinded by his need to make the Gods pay to realize that the Demigods would suffer too, he's too blinded to see that he's just a pawn. Or worse, he knows he's a pawn but he believes that he's making a better life for his fellow Demigods.

                Sarah refuses to believe that Luke would do this without believing that he was making a better world for the likes of his half-siblings and Annabeth. No matter how angry Luke was with the life of a Demigod, he had always loved the other kids, he always made sure they were safe and happy. And that was something that was still present the last time Sarah saw him. He had good intentions, he was still good. He just had to be.

                "When he came back from his quest, he had changed. I just thought it was because he thought he failed . . . I tried to talk to him but I saw the looks he would give others who would ask and I thought better. I should've told him that he didn't fail, I should've told him that he did good, that he still accomplished something that Heracles didn't even if he couldn't get the golden apple. I should've done something."

                Grover sniffles, Sarah remembers the first week they had gotten to Camp Half-Blood, they refused to leave each other's side especially at night. They would all sneak out of their respective cabins once the counsellors called lights out and meet up by the dying fire. The three of them would take turns on watch as if they were still on the run ⸺ Grover first, Luke second, Sarah third and they just let Annabeth sleep, hoping she would make it through the night without any nightmares. Mr. D had been livid about this, finding them with sleeping bags at the dinner pavilion, he'd threatened them with the most absurd punishments but he never went through with this.

                ( This is because while Mr. D is a terrible person who treats the Demigods terribly he does have his moments where he's nice even if he'd never admit it. He could've easily placed a Harpy to watch over the supply cabinet to stop them from getting the sleeping bags but he didn't because he had a heart at times. )

                It was the four of them grieving over the loss of a dear friend, it was the four of them that understood each other in ways that no one else could. And maybe they should've known that something was wrong with Luke, something beyond what he had already gone through, maybe they could've done something more but would he have accepted there help or would he have just pushed them further away?

                "Maybe ⸺ maybe you're right. Everyone who noticed something was up with him, they could've done more. I could've called out his behaviour when I was at camp last but I didn't. . . I don't know why, I just didn't. But, Luke, who's to say he would've trusted us, who knows how deep he was in at that point. Who knows what the Titan told him to make him comply."

                The tortured faces of her loved ones still haunt her even after years of radio silence from Kronos. Even now the face of Luke in pain, screaming for Sarah to help him flickers in her mind and she just knows that if Luke had been faced with those same images he would not have held up the way she had.

                "He wants to overthrow the Gods," Grover says weakly.

                No, Sarah thinks, it has to be bigger than that. Grover's either simplifying things or like Sarah, he doesn't truly understand Luke's motives because Luke wouldn't do something like this without getting something in return.

                Sarah wants to argue but she doesn't know the full story either perhaps Luke had truly changed for the worse, perhaps there was no other motivation for Luke but overthrowing the Gods but Sarah couldn't accept that until she hears it from Luke herself.

                "What happened to him ⸺ what did the Gods do . . . What did they do to punish him?"

                "He got away, Sarah . . . He's trying to resurrect The Crooked One. He's somewhere on cruise ship trying to figure out a way to bring the Titan back since his plan of using the Golden Fleece has failed."

                "The Golden Fleece but isn't that what ⸺ that's what brought Thalia back," Sarah asks, she looks away from Grover the look in his eyes makes her skin crawl. The pity, the guilt, the betrayal, it's loud and clear in his brown eyes and it makes her feel suffocated on her own emotions.

                Her eyes flicker onto Nico, he's warming up his hands by the fire.

                "Luke and his crew they poisoned Thalia's tree . . . Percy, he said that Luke seemed to know that the Golden Fleece would bring back Thalia. They followed those that went on the quest to find the Golden Fleece and save me from the Cyclops ⸺"

                "Wait," Sarah gasps as she snaps her head back to look at him, "What Cyclops?"

                "Oh," Grover chuckles nervously, "I was kidnapped by a Cyclops last summer."

                Sarah feels lightheaded, she holds her hands up "What in the fuck do you mean you were kidnapped by a Cyclops ⸺ no, by the Gods, what the in the fuck have I missed it's hardly been two years?!"

                 "Well, er, a lot. But, Percy knows more because he was there ⸺ ( "Styx, of course, he fuckin' was!" ) ⸺ so I'll let him tell you. Come on," Grover says awkwardly, as he gestures at Percy, who is sitting on a log next to the fire, looking absolutely crushed and also pained. His shoulder is stained with blood both red and green.

                Grover and Sarah make their way over to Percy, in his hands is Annabeth's trusted cap, and he's staring dejectedly at the cliff. From the corner of her eye, she sees Zoe hand Nico his bag from the school, like Artemis had asked of her, she had gathered all the bags of everyone at the school.

                "Everything all right," Percy asks distractedly as he tears his eyes away from the cliff with great difficulty.

                Immediately Sarah's chest filled with an overwhelmingly guilt and she knows she can't push him for further answers of Luke and what he's done while he's in this state. As much as she wants to, it wouldn't be right.

                "Everything's okay," Sarah says lightly, eyeing her cousin wearily. She's not sure what she should do, it'd be awkward to give him any form of comfort because that would mean getting attached and there was still the Great Prophecy she had to worry about. Not to mention, she's sure that Percy will think she's been body-snatched if she's too nice to him.

                "I told her about Luke," Grover says slowly, in a gentle tone.

                The mention of his name causes her to tear up, she silently curses herself as she blinks them back.

                "Oh," Percy mumbles, he looks down at Annabeth's cap and there's nothing that Sarah could do to stop the tears from coming.

                Memories of Thalia's stand at Half-Blood Hill surface in her mind, the heartbreak of losing the first almost family she had in decades. In such a short amount of time, Thalia had become like an annoying little sister to her, and the pain of feeling and watching her die in her arms had been excruciating. She didn't want to imagine how Percy was feeling about Annabeth.

                Grover starts to take a look at Percy's shoulder, Nico comes over with his bag and starts rummaging through it. Sarah tries not to think about everything she's learned, if she thinks about it any longer she fears that she might snap.

                'It's green!' Nico whispers with delight as he looks from Percy's shoulder to Sarah, a Mythomagic figurine of who Sarah thinks is Poseidon, ironically enough, in his hand. He places the figurine on the snowy ground, taking little peeks as Grover works on healing Percy's injury.

                "Hold still," Grover instructs Percy, "Here, eat some ambrosia while I clean that out."

                Nico counts out his collection, probably to make sure that Zoe hadn't missed any of them. Sarah completely understands especially if he was in possession of any rare ones.

                "Big collection," Percy says.

                Nico grins and tells him "I've got almost all of them, plus their holographic cards! Well, except for a few really rare ones."

                "You've been playing this game a long time?"

                "Just this year. Before that. . ." He trails off, knitting his eyebrows together as he thinks hard.

                "What?"

                "I forgot. That's weird."

                Interesting, Sarah thinks, as she wonders just how old these kids really are and how they've managed to stay this young.

                Nico looks unsettled, but it doesn't last long.

                "Hey, can I see that sword you were using," Nico asks Percy excitedly and Percy indulges the request, explaining how it turns from a pen into a sword just by uncapping it.

                This is how the game of twenty questions begins.

                "Cool! Does it ever run out of ink?"

                "Um, well, I don't actually write with it."

                "Are you really the son of Poseidon?"

                "Well, yeah."

                "Can you surf really well, then?"

                Percy looks to Sarah and Grover for help, Grover was trying his hardest not to laugh, Sarah was openly laughing.

                "Jeez, Nico," Percy says, trying not to sound exasperated as he looked, "I've never really tried."

                "Really," Sarah asks, laughing, "That's a daaa ⸺ dang shame!"

                Percy shoots her a dirty look over Nico's head.

                He went on asking questions. Did Percy fight a lot with Thalia, since she's a daughter of Zeus? ( Percy didn't answer that one but Sarah had a feeling the answer was probably yes. ) If Annabeth's mother was Athena, the Goddess of wisdom, then why didn't Annabeth know better than to fall off a cliff? ( Percy looked like he was trying not to strangle Nico for asking that one. ) Was Annabeth his girlfriend? ( Percy turned beat red at this and Sarah swore that she heard the waves becoming more violent as they crashed against the cliffside. )

                Sarah decides to cut in on the questions, she's just loving the reactions it gets out of her cousin but mostly it was to stop herself from thinking about Luke and Kronos.

                "Wait are you guys dating? Is that why it sounded like you were willing to throw yourself off a cliff after her?"

                "Don't act like me jumping from great heights for people is a special feat," Percy says dryly, "I jumped off the Gateway Arch with you and you're nothing special to me."

                There's a teasing edge to his voice but even if he had meant it, Sarah still would have laughed as hard as she does anyway.

                "Touché, cousin, you're just lucky that somehow you knew I would be protected by your affinity with water or else you would've been one traumatized, lad."

                "I didn't know, I just took a wild guess, either way we'd both be dead if I didn't jump."

                Sarah's mouth falls open in shock "You didn't know . . . You didn't know if I would survive if we jumped?"

                "I didn't know if either of us would live."

                Sarah blinks at him, repeatedly "What?"

                "You definitely heard me."

                Nico raises his hand, Sarah goes to say something to Percy, her eyes darkened dramatically, the wind growing hot around her. Grover exclaims:

                "Nico, bud, you have a question?"

                To avoid Sarah attempting to murder Percy.

                Nico nods eagerly "I do! Sarah are you also a daughter of Zeus? You called Percy your cousin?"

                Sarah shoots Percy a venomous look before turning to Nico and softening. She shakes her head and replies "No, I'm actually a child of Hades."

                Nico's eyes widen in awe "That's so cool! He's one super rarest ones! I've heard he's got 4000 attack power, I don't have his figurine yet."

                "I think I have him, you can have mine to help complete your collection or we can see if Amazon sells them," Sarah offers.

                Nico goes to ask something but he's cut off my Zoe who approaches the group.

                "Percy Jackson," Zoe says, ever so formal, as she looks down at him with an upturned nose.

                Percy, immediately straightens himself up and politely says "Yes, ma'am."

                Zoe scowls anyway "Come with me, Lady Artemis wishes to speak with thee."

                She fixes Sarah with a pointed look, looking her up and down "Lady Artemis wishes to speak with thee as well, if you are feeling . . . alright, she says."

                Sarah nods, trying to hid her amusement as Zoe's attempts to sound more modern. Sarah and the other girls have been trying to get Zoe to keep up with modern slang with them but Zoe is the one that struggles the most with it, she only tries when she's in a particularly good mood or she's trying to apologize in the way that only Zoe Nightshade apologizes.

                Zoe leads Percy and Sarah to Artemis' tent. It had been a few months since Sarah had been inside the tent but the layout hadn't changed yet ⸺ it was warm and comfortable, silk rugs and pillows covered the floor. In the centre, a golden brazier of fire burns magically as per Artemis' will. On the polished oak display stand, was her signature huge silver bow, carved to resemble gazelle horns, Sarah had always adored the weapon. The walls of the tent are covered with animal pelts ⸺ black bear, tiger and among others. Sarah misses the way the tent had looked in the 70s but it was still better than how it had looked in the 90s, not that Sarah would ever say this aloud.

                In Artemis' lap was her treasured deer, its' head resting contentedly on her thighs, the silver of its' fur shines in the firelight as Artemis strokes it's head with one hand. With her other, she gestures for them to take a seat.

                "Join us, Percy Jackson. And Sarah, have a seat, are you feeling alright, dear child," Artemis says gently.

                Sarah nods her head "Much better, my nose is definitely broken but I think it's partially healed and my head feels almost as good as new, nothing that some Advil or something couldn't fix."

                Artemis smiles softly, nodding her head at Sarah's words before turning to Percy Jackson who is staring at the Goddess with a dumbfounded expression.

                Once Sarah and Percy have taken a seat across from Artemis and Zoe who has sat on Artemis' right, Artemis gives Percy a mildly amused look while he continues to stare at her, completely dumbfounded.

                "Are you surprised by my age," Artemis asks Percy.

                "Uh . . . A little," He answers hesitantly, at this Sarah barely stifles back a giggle.

                "I could appear as a grown woman, or a blazing fire, or anything else I want, but this is what I prefer. This is the average age of my Hunters, and all young maidens for whom I am patron, before they go astray," Artemis explains patiently.

                "Go astray," Percy echoes, dark eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

                "Grow up. Become smitten with boys. Become silly, preoccupied, insecure. Forget themselves," Artemis replies, giving him the simple version things.

                It was not always those reasons that a Hunter would leave the Hunt, many others had left for other reasons and as long as they respected their oath and Artemis, they were always free to go. But there were so many reasons that it was always best to just give the most well know ones.

                "Oh."

                Zoe glares at Percy as if all the stuff Artemis had just said was his fault, as though young Perseus Jackson had been the one to invent the concept of being a guy.

                "You must forgive my Hunters if they do not welcome you," Artemis tells Percy, "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 . . ."

                Artemis turns to look at Zoe and Sarah as she asks: "Which one was it?"

                "That boy in Colorado," Zoë replies.

                "You turned him into a jackalope," Sarah adds, grinning as she sees a mortified expression creep up on Percy's face.

                "Ah, yes," Artemis says with a satisfied nod, "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 tells her. Tells her how the Manticore was working on behalf of Luke, at least that's what Percy suspected. At this Sarah feels this weight settle on her shoulders, it's all coming down, the reality of it. No, Sarah thinks, not now. You will not cry over a boy in front of Lady Artemis.

                Even though Percy could not confirm that it was Luke the Manitcore truly was working for, there's something about the way that Percy tells it that makes everything sink in. Sarah's chest feels heavy and he recounts everything so factually in his own quirky way, there's not a hint of sympathy or pity in his voice like when Grover had told her.

                Although he doesn't go over everything that Grover had mentioned to her, he doesn't go as far back as the end of the quest for the Masterbolt. He simply tells Artemis about what happened with the Manticore and why he thinks that Luke may be behind it and it's all too real for Sarah.

                When Percy finishes the story, Sarah struggles to hold it all together and the way that Zoe's eyes are on her, feeling like molten lava, she doubts that she's doing a good job at hiding her emotions.

                Artemis puts her hand thoughtfully on her silver bow and says "I feared this was the answer."

                Zoe sits forward "The scent, my lady?"

                "Yes," Artemis says distractedly.

                "What scent," Percy asks.

                "Things are stirring that I have not hunted in millennia," Artemis murmurs in response, "Prey so old I have nearly forgotten."

                Artemis fixes Percy with an intense stare "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," Percy quotes hesitantly, a faint french accent on his tongue.

                "No, no," Artemis says, trying very hard not to sound exasperated, "After that?"

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

                Sarah gasps because he can't mean Atlas. Surely Not! From the corner of her eye, Sarah sees Zoe's face pale and turn to Artemis to say something, but Artemis raises her hand.

                "Go on, Percy," Artemis encourages.

                "Well, then Thorn was talking about this Great Stir Pot ⸺"

                "Stirring," Bianca corrects.

                Sarah nearly jumps out of her skin forgetting that the young girl was in the tent as well.

                "Yeah," Percy continues, "And then he said, 'Soon we shall have the most important monster of all ⸺ the one that shall bring about the downfall of Olympus' but . . . Maybe he was lying?"

                Artemis sighs with a shake of her head "No. He was not. I've been too slow to see the signs. I must hunt this monster."

                Zoe looks like she's trying very hard not to be afraid, as she nods and says "We will leave right away, my lady."

                "No, Zoe. I must do this alone."

                'But, Artemis ⸺"

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

                Zoe does not look pleased but she nods her head anyway "As. . . As you wish, my lady."

                "I will find this creature," Artemis vows, "And I shall bring it back to Olympus by 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 asks.

                Artemis grips her bow as she solemnly says "Let us pray I am wrong."

                "Can goddesses pray," Percy says, clearly he probably hadn't meant to say that out loud.

                Sarah hold back a smile, shaking her head at Percy.

                A flicker of a smile plays 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," Artemis says, once again the briefest flicker of a grin dances across her lips.

                Sarah is surprised because Artemis loves her jackalopes, she doesn't admit she's relieved that Artemis isn't going to do anything to Percy, Sarah doesn't even let it show.

                "I want you to escort the Hunters back to Camp Half-Blood. They can stay there in safety until I return."

                "What," Zoë blurts outs, "But, Artemis, we hate that place. The last time we stayed there ⸺"

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

                At this Sarah cannot help the giggle that bubbles out of her throat "Clearly you don't know Mr. D very well . . . My lady."

                At this, Artemis gives Sarah an exasperated half-smile "It's your right to use Cabin Eight whenever you are in need. Besides, I hear they rebuilt the cabins you burned down."

                Zoë mutters something about foolish campers, Sarah, on the other hand, didn't mind going to camp. In fact she was the only one that genuinely and openly liked Camp Half-Blood. But the Campers don't really like the Hunters just as the Hunters don't like the Campers. When Sarah visits camp with the rest of the Hunters the Campers aren't very welcoming to her compared to when she's at camp by herself.

                "And now there is one last decision to make," Artemis turns to Bianca, 'Have you made up your mind, my girl?'

                Bianca hesitates and mumbles "I'm still thinking about it."

                Oh, Sarah thinks, Artemis has asked Bianca if she'd like to join the Hunt. Normally, Sarah would be thrilled to have a new addition but normally the new additions don't have any family. The thought of separating Bianca and Nico so quickly made Sarah more upset than it should've.

                "Wait, thinking about what?" Percy asks.

                "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!" Percy exclaims absolutely flabbergasted, he looks distraught over Bianca not going to camp.

                "It is not the only way for a girl," Zoë cuts in blankly, giving Percy a dirty look.

                "Bianca, camp is cool! 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 says nonchalantly, "Immortality."

                Percy stares at her with a dropped jaw then turns to, Artemis and asks "She's kidding, right?"

                "Zoë rarely kids about anything," Artemis says seriously, "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 questions.

                Sarah stares at Percy because how is he so surprised by the immortality thing when they went on a quest together and she told him about the witch trials. She gets not knowing about the oath but how is completely confused by the immortality? She was standing right there.

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

                "Like you?"

                The Goddess nods, Percy looks absolutely flabbergasted as he stews in his thoughts for a moment.

                There's a beat then he asks "So you just go around the country recruiting Half-Bloods ⸺"

                "Not just half-bloods," Zoë interrupts, "Lady Artemis does not discriminate by birth. All who honour the Goddess may join. Half-Bloods, Nymphs, Mortals ⸺"

                "Which are you, then?"

                Sarah sighs loudly, pinching the bridge of her nose, Zoe was going to kill her cousin, and honestly Sarah can't really blame Zoe for that one.

                Anger flashes in Zoë's eyes "That is not thy concern, boy. The point is Bianca may join if she wishes. It is her choice."

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

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

                "Hey!" Percy protests.

                "What," Sarah scoffs, "It's not an insult, it's a fact. The best thing the Gods can offer Demigod males is Camp Half-blood."

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

                Sarah sees the way Bianca's eyes light up at the prospect of no responsibility and her heart aches for the young girl. Still, Sarah doesn't want Bianca to join the Hunters, it's a weird feeling to have and she's never felt this way before. Of course, like Zoe had said, it was Bianca's choice and she would respect it no matter what.

                "Bianca you can't do this! It's nuts!" Percy exclaims, ignoring the heated glare he receives from Zoe.

                Bianca looks to Sarah, having got opinions from everyone else, she looks to Sarah for the final one.

                "Is it worth it," Bianca asks in a tiny voice.

                Sarah hesitates then slowly nods her head "I enjoy my life as a Hunter but I also enjoy the times I spend at the camp . . . Each place has its' pros and its' cons. It's all about what you want, Bianca, you can finally make a decision for yourself and yourself only. This is up to you."

                Still, Bianca looks troubled.

                "If you chose to be hunter you will be free of being your brother's only caretaker but you can get this at camp too, there are others who will look after both you and Nico and take care of you. But, in all honesty, it's a win-win situation no matter what you choose, Bianca, both of them offer you more freedom and protection, so whatever one feels like the best decision for you, you take that one."

                There's a part of her that hopes that Bianca doesn't take the oath but if it's what Bianca truly wants then who is Sarah to stop her from choosing it.

                                Bianca smiles softly but nervously, seemingly have made up her mind as to what she wants to do "I . . . I appreciate the offer Lady Artemis but ⸺ but, it's all so much, it sounds lovely but it's all so new. I don't think that I am ready for such an honour . . . I don't think I can leave Nico just yet."

                Zoe frowns but Sarah nudges her and then gives Bianca a small smile. Artemis looks passive but Sarah is sure she sees a flash of disappointment in her silver eyes.

                "I understand, Bianca Di Angelo . . . I don't often do this but I shall extend my offer until after the Winter Solstice, I believe that you would make a fine addition to my Hunters but if you do not believe that yourself, perhaps my Hunters can help you believe so while they stay at camp. Once I return, you can make your choice then, I do hope you consider, Bianca."

                Sarah smiles wider, it is rare for Artemis to hold out on an offer to join the Hunter. Sarah had personally never witnessed the Goddess do so but she heard from Zoe that it has happened before. It was one of the highest honours to have Artemis wait for you.

                "Of course, Lady Artemis, I will take it in consideration . . . Thank you for considering me," Bianca says softly, blushing and uncertain. Her behaviour while extremely polite is awkward for Sarah to witness, it is rare to encounter Demigods so unused to the Gods.

                Sarah is relieved that she is much more well versed in this than Percy is, even if it is a little too polite for a kid her age.

                Percy, on the other hand, looks sour but he doesn't say anything. However, it's obvious he's a bit miffed about possibly losing Bianca to the Hunt after working so hard to save her and Nico from the clutches of the Manticore.

                "Do not despair, Percy Jackson," Artemis tells him, "You will still get to show the di Angelos your camp. And if Nico so chooses, he can stay there. And if Bianca choose not to join the Hunt than it will not be for nought."

                "Great," Percy says trying hard not to sound as displeased as he looked, " So, uh, how are we supposed to get there?"

                Sarah might be nice, and tell him that she doesn't think Bianca will end up joining, when they get to camp. He deserves a little good news after what happened tonight. But, that might be a little too nice for either of their comfort.

                Artemis closes her eyes then nods to herself as she says "Dawn is approaching, Zoë, break camp. You must get to Long Island quickly and safely. I shall summon a ride from my brother."

                Zoë does not look very happy about this idea, and Sarah can't blame her. But she nods and tells Sarah and Bianca to follow her.

                As she leaves, Bianca pauses in front of Percy, 'I'm sorry, Percy. But I think the Hunt sounds nice, I think I might like to join . . . I just need to make sure this camp is good enough for Nico first"

                "Hey," Sarah says softly, "Don't apologize for wanting to do something for yourself, Bianca, besides if Percy's so disappointed by this, well, someone should remind him that it's not too late for him to be turned into a jackalope."

                Sarah follows Bianca out the tent, giving Percy a teasing grin, in response Percy sticks his tongue out at her. She laughs and punches him playfully on the arm before exiting the tent to help Zoe and Bianca take down the camp. Leaving Percy alone with Artemis, a tiny part of Sarah hoping that Artemis doesn't turn him into a jackalope for whatever reasons despite the teasing remark she had just made.

                Lady Artemis does not get offended easily so he will be fine, Sarah reassures herself while trying not look worried out of her mind for her cousin.

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( nulla ) The Sword Of Damocles Is Swinging
───────── ❝ the author's commentary ❞
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you better believe that Sarah and Percy remind Artemis of herself and Apollo and that thought alone makes me SO SO SO soft. Sarah and the Jackson Twins >>>>> ( everyone except the Di Angelo siblings of course but honestly they're tied so it's okay ) also Sarah is definitely in denial of Luke being a traitor and it's slowly sinking in for her but it's not gonna truly sink in until she gets to camp and buddy are y'all in for a roller coaster of emotions i'm talking sarah going through the five stages of grief TWICE it's so devastating but SO much FUN to write!! Anyway thanks for reading the chapter!! I hope you enjoyed it, please let me know what you thought of it in the comments!!!

WORD COUNT ⸺ 5, 918 words