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DAYS IN THE SUN

chapter twenty-five
❛ 𝚒 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗. ❜

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THE SUMMIT OF the mountain appeared to be closer as the fog cleared, storm clouds still swirling over the top as raw power emanated from the rock. There was a path in front of the demigods, leading directly through flowers and a meadow of shadows.

The grass in front of Amara shimmered against the silvery light of the moon, flowers of almost every color glowed brightly against the darkness of the night. Stepping stones led around the enormous tree in the middle of the garden, branches glittered with golden apples that seemed to glow.

"The apples of immortality," Thalia mumbled. "Hera's wedding gift from Zeus."

A scowl twisted onto the brunette's lips at the thought of the goddess, but it quickly disappeared at the sight of the dragon curled around the tree. The creature had more heads than she could count, it's scales glowing a copper color. The shadows near the dragon began to move, earning her attention as eerie singing reached her ears.

Zoë held a hand out to the demigods, taking a step forward as she stood in front. Four young women came into view, each resembling the huntress who stood to meet them. The unknown women had silky midnight black hair, reminding Amara of the Nightshade girl's own beauty against her sister's.

"Sisters," Zoë greeted.

"We do not see any sister," the tallest girl responded, her tone harsh. "We see three half-bloods and a hunter, all of whom shall soon die."

"You got it wrong," Percy stepped forward. "Nobody is going to die."

"Perseus Jackson," another girl spoke, eyeing him up and down. "I do not see why he is a threat."

"Who said I was threat?" He asked.

A Hesperide motioned towards the mountain. "They fear thee," she explained. "They are unhappy that these two has not yet killed thee," she pointed a finger at the Grace sisters.

"Tempting sometimes," Thalia admitted. "But, no thanks."

"Yeah," Amara agreed. "I like him better alive, appreciate the offer though."

A smile curled onto Percy's lips at her words while he managed to keep the blush down, the duo meeting eyes for a moment.

"There are no friends here, daughters of Zeus." The first sister spoke again, her tone still cold. "Only enemies, go back."

"Not without Annabeth," Thalia declared.

"We are here for Artemis," Zoë explained. "We must approach the mountain."

"You know he will kill thee." A Hesperide said. "You are no match for him."

"Artemis must be freed," the huntress insisted. "Let us pass."

"You have no rights here anymore," the second girl shook her head. "We have only to raise our voices and Ladon will wake."

"He will not hurt me," Zoë said.

"No? And what about thy so called friends?"

"Ladon!" The Nightshade girl's voice raised. "Wake!"

Ladon stirred, the Hesperides panicking as the tallest shot a crazy look to the immortal. "Are you mad?"

"You never had any courage, sister," She stated. "That is thy problem."

The dragon's hundred heads whipped around, it's tongue flickered as Zoë began walking towards the creature with her arms raised.

"Zoë, don't." Percy reasoned. "You're not a Hesperide anymore, he'll kill you."

"Ladon is trained to protect the tree," the huntress explained. "Skirt around the edges of the garden, up the mountain. As long as I am a bigger threat, he should ignore thee."

"Should," Amara mumbled, exchanging looks with Percy. "Not exactly reassuring."

"It is the only way," Zoë said. "Even the four of us together cannot fight him."

"Good enough for me," Thalia grabbed the younger demigod's sleeve as she guided her onto the left side of the mountain, Percy making his way through the right. It didn't take them long to reach the end of the valley, Percy joining her side as they turned their attention to the Nightshade girl. Zoë was able to evade all the dragons snaps, but one that barely glazed her side as the immortal quickly joined the demigods.

Thalia and Percy began leading the way, but Amara waited for the huntress. "I saw him get you," she mumbled, sparing her a look. "Does it need treated before we get to the real battle at hand?"

"It is alright," Zoë shrugged her off. "Just a small scratch."

She didn't argue further, but instead stayed by the Nightshade girl's side as they reached ruins. "The ruins of Mount Othrys," Thalia explained, looking aorund with an awestruck look.

"Yes," Zoë looked around as well. "It was not here before, this is bad."

"What's Mount Othrys?" Percy asked.

"The mountain fortress of the Titans," the huntress explained. "In the first war, Olympus and Othrys were rival capitals of the world. Othrys was—" she winced, her hand shooting to her side while the youngest Grace narrowed her eyes.

"You said it was nothing," Amara hissed at the much older girl. "Only a scratch."

"It is nothing," Zoë insisted. "I was saying . . . in the first war, Othrys was blasted to pieces."

"But . . . how is it here?"

Thalia slightly nudged the younger girl, motioning her head towards her spear as an indication for Amara to get her own weapon out. She listened, tearing her necklace free as her sword morphed quickly into her palm.

"It moves in the same way Olympus moves. It always exists on the edges of civilization, but the fact that it is here, on this mountain, is not good."

"Why?"

"This is Atlas's mountain," Zoë said. "Where he holds—" She froze, her voice became ragged with despair. "Where he used to hold up the sky."

The demigods finally reached the summit, only a few feet away was the boulder Amara had seen in her vision. Gray clouds swirled around the rock, Artemis was underneath with her arms above her head. The goddess was bound to the boulder, her legs tied with celestial bronze chains.

"My lady!" Zoë had begun rushing forward, but Artemis stopped her. "Stop! It's a trap. You must leave now."

But the huntress didn't listen, she ran towards her goddess with tears rushing down her cheeks as she helplessly tugged at the chains.

"Ah," a booming voice sounded behind the group. "How touching."

The group of four spun around, the General and Luke stood side by side with dracaenae holding the golden sarcophagus of Kronos. A familiar blonde stood by the son of Hermes's side, gaged, hands cuffed behind her back, and Luke holding the edge of his sword to his throat.

Amara nearly lunged, her teeth gritted as Percy quickly tugged her by her hand. She was pulled backwards while Thalia immediately stepped in front of the younger demigods, her spear raised towards her old friend.

"Luke," the eldest Grace snarled, a glare forming in her electric blue eyes. "Let her go."

"That is the General's decision, Thalia." The older boy's smile was weak, his face pale. "But, it's good to see you again."

Thalia spat at him, the General chuckled at the action while sparing the demigod besides him a look. "So much for old friends, and you Zoë," the Titan's cruel smile seemed to widen. "It's been a long time, how is my little traitor? I'll enjoy killing you."

"Do not respond," Artemis groaned. "Do not challenge him."

"Wait a second," Percy spoke. "You're Atlas?"

"So, even the stupidest of heroes can finally figure something out. Yes, I am Atlas, the General of the Titans and terror of the gods. Congratulations. I will kill you presently, as soon as I deal with this wretched girl."

"You're not going to hurt, Zoë." Percy said. "I won't let you."

"You have no right to interfere, little hero," Atlas sneered at the son of Poseidon. "This is a family matter."

"A family matter?"

"Yes," Zoë said bleakly. "Atlas is my father."

Amara was able to see the resemblance now that it had been pointed, same regal expression and the same cold look whenever the hunter got mad.

"Let Artemis go," the hunter demanded.

"Perhaps you'd like to take the sky for her, then?" The Titan walked closer to the goddess. "Be my guest."

"No, do not offer Zoë!" The huntress cried. "I forbid you."

Atlas smirked, kneeling next to the goddess as he attempted to touch her face. But the moon goddess didn't let him, quickly snapping her jaw as she almost took off his fingers.

"Hoo-hoo," The General chuckled. "You see, daughter? Lady Artemis likes her new job. I think I will have all the Olympians take turns carrying my burden, once Lord Kronos rules again, and this is the center of our palace. It will teach those weaklings some humility."

Electric blue met stormy grey eyes as Annabeth desperately tilted her head towards Luke, but the former wasn't able to understand what the blonde was trying to say. The only thing she was able to understand, was the Chase girl having a newfound streak of grey within her blonde locks.

"I don't understand," Percy said. "Why can't Artemis just let go of the sky?"

Atlas laughed. "How little you understand, young one. This is the point where the sky and the earth first met, where Ouranos and Gaia first brought forth their mighty children, the Titans. The sky still yearns to embrace the earth. Someone must hold it at bay, or else it would crush down upon this place, instantly flattening the mountain and everything within a hundred leagues. Once you have taken the burden, there is no escape."

The Titan smiled. "Unless someone takes it from you." He approached the small group, studying them. "So these are the best heroes of the age, eh? Not much of a challenge."

"Fight us," the Jackson boy challenged. "And let's see."

"Have the gods taught you nothing? An immortal does not fight a mere mortal directly, it is beneath our dignity. I will have Luke crush you instead."

"So, you're another coward." The General's eyes flooded with hatred, taking a second before he was able to tear his gaze away from the son of Poseidon.

"And as for you," Atlas's eyes landed on the daughter's of Zeus instead. "It seems, Luke was wrong about you two."

"I wasn't wrong," Luke seemed barely able to get those simple words out, he looked weak and not able to even hold himself up. Amara's sword fell slightly at the sight, her heart breaking at the boy she used to proudly call an older brother figure. "Thalia, you can still join us. Call the Ophiotaurus, it will come to you, look!"

With a wave of his hand, a pool of water appeared besides the demigod. "Thalia, call the Ophiotaurus," he insisted. "And you will be more powerful than the gods."

"Luke . . ." Thalia's voice was full of pain. "What happened to you?"

"Don't you remember all those times we talked? All those times we cursed the gods? Our fathers have done nothing for us, they have no right to rule the world!"

"Free Annabeth," the eldest Grace shook her head. "Let her go."

"Only if you and Amara join me," the son of Hermes attention was directed to the brunette. "Come on Ara! We can be a family again, it'll be just like the good days fighting for a better world. Please, if you don't agree . . ." His voice faltered as Amara felt her heart seemingly break even more. "It's my last chance, he will use the other way if you don't agree. Please, I'm begging you two."

Amara's hand quickly found Percy's, the latter managing to hide his shock as the youngest Grace gripped it tightly. Seeing and hearing Luke sound the way he did, she's never seen the boy so terrified. She didn't like it, not at all.

"Do not, Thalia," Zoë warned. "We must fight them."

Luke waved his hand again, a sacrificial flame appearing next to the demigods this time

"Thalia," Percy said. "No."

"We will raise Mount Othrys right here," Luke's voice was strained, if he wasn't standing in front of her the brunette wouldn't had believed it was him. "Once more, it will be stronger and greater than Olympus. Look Thalia, we are not weak."

He held a hand out towards the ocean where marching up the side of the mountain was an army, dracaena's, lastrygonian's, monsters, half-bloods, hellhounds, harpies, and other monsters she's never seen before.

"This is only a taste of what is to come," the son of Hermes explained. "Soon we will be ready to storm Camp Half-Blood, after that Olympus itself. All we need, is your help."

Thalia's gaze met Amara's, the former's eyes full of pain before she leveled her spear towards the right hand man of Kronos "You aren't Luke, I don't know you anymore."

"Yes, you do Thalia," the older boy sent Amara a pleading look. "Ara, please, don't make me . . . don't make him destroy you."

Luke's attention returned to Thalia, continuing to try reasoning with the eldest Grace. Percy leaned over, his lips close to Amara's ear as he whispered. "Do you trust me?"

She sent him a look while squeezing his hand, the grip on her sword tightening. "Of course." He nodded, turning away from her for a moment before sending her a nod. "Now," he breathed, and together the duo charged with Thalia and Zoë following.

Thalia immediately charged at Luke, the blond tossing Annabeth to the side as he snarled like an animal who was being hunted and lunged. When his sword and the eldest daughter of Zeus's shield met, lightning erupted between the two as their battle officially started.

Amara ran past Luke, earning his gaze for a moment before Thalia yelled at him to pay attention and swiped at him with her spear. The younger demigod slid besides Annabeth, yanking the gag free from her mouth. "So how was your stay with the enemy?"

The daughter of Athena rolled her eyes, already having a come back in mind. "Nice outfit, did you guys decide to stop at the mall while on a life or death quest?"

Amara rolled her eyes, causing a grin to quickly curl onto the blonde's lips as the former used the latter's dagger to quickly snap the chains in half.

"Thanks," Annabeth's hand went to her wrist, her eyes narrowing at the younger girl's outfit. "Seriously though, what's with the outfit?"

"Long story," Zoë's voice breached the mountainside as she warned the Jackson boy. The duo's attention was turned to Percy, the raven haired boy quickly sent flying back into a wall. "Tell you later?"

The Chase girl nodded, using her dagger to free her legs as she motioned her head towards the son of Poseidon. "Go, before he ends up getting himself killed."

"Aye aye captain."

Annabeth yelled after the demigod, but Amara had taken off too quickly. She rushed towards Atlas, her sword raised as she attempted to slice at the Titan's hand. But the General had parried, his foot rising before she was kicked backwards and sent flying.

She landed besides the goddess, earning Artemis's attention as a bead of sweat rolled down the huntress's face. "Run," she demanded. "You must run!"

Amara was barely able to get back on her feet, a body slamming into hers knocking her back down. The children of the big three was sent tumbling, Atlas stalking towards them as the Grace quickly moved her sword into a defensive position.

"Die, little heroes." Atlas mumbled, his javelin raised to impale the duo.

"No!" Zoë yelled, launching a volley of arrows that made it's target in the chink of the General's armor.

The Titan bellowed, turning his attention away from the demigods and towards his daughter instead. Her attention was moved from Atlas, instead landing on Percy as he spoke to the goddess.

"The sky," he instructed. "Give it to me."

"No, boy," Artemis said. Her forehead was completely beaded with metallic sweat, her attention landing on the electric blue eyed girl as she kneeled besides Percy. "You don't know what you're asking, it will crush you!"

"Annabeth took it!"

"She barely survived, she had the spirit of a true huntress," Artemis explained. "You will not last so long, Amara may since she has the potential to be a good huntress."

"Let me do it," Amara spoke, earning the huntress's attention to land on her. "You just said I had the potential, so let me do it."

The goddess let out a wince, her shoulder hunching as she gave the brunette a look that clearly showed how much she didn't agree with the idea. But the youngest Grace didn't wait for an answer, instead she swung her sword as the chains holding Artemis down broke.

Amara hurried, making her way under the boulder as she prepared for the weight of the sky. When it finally reached her awaiting hands, it was by far the heaviest thing she had ever experienced. She felt ready to let out a scream just at the mere pressure of holding it, even with a goddess by her side.

"Amara," Percy appeared within her vision, his sea green eyes wide with disbelief as he held a pained expression. "Amara!" Thalia's horror filled scream could be heard across the mountain, her own eyes wide as her face held a terrified look.

Electric blue met sea green as the demigods gazes locked, at least until Artemis slipped out from under the stormy clouds and the weight fully dropped onto Amara. The pain alone caused a painful yell to escape from her lips, her eyes wide as her shoulders became hunched. She felt like she was dying. The weight was too much for her handle as her ears began ringing, her eyes slowly dropping.

"No, no," Percy's voice reached her ears as hands quickly made their way on her face. Fingers brushed her hair back, her head gently lifted upwards as she met glances with the Jackson boy once more. "You can't do this alone, Mara. Let me help you, please."

Much like she had done with the goddess, he didn't give her the opportunity to argue as suddenly the sky felt lighter. "Percy," she hissed, sparing him a look. "Stop it, go help the others."

But he shook his head, refusing to leave her side as a deep sigh escaped her lips. "I really wish it didn't come to this," her words earned a quick glance from the raven haired boy. "Sorry, Seaweed Brain."

She felt her arms began to burn more as she summoned a wind spirit, which successfully knocked into the son of Poseidon. Percy was sent flying out from underneath the burden as Amara summoned more, creating a barrier around the boulder to keep anyone else from coming in.

"Amara," Percy's voice came out hoarse, a new gray streak had formed within his raven locks. He struggled to get to his feet, only to turn around to see the girl had put a barrier. "No, Amara!"

He attempted to renter, but was sent flying back once more as his actions caught a certain goddess's attention. "Leave her be," Artemis instructed. "She has made her choice, you must let her stand by it."

A gasp of pain escaped from the brunette, her shoulders quickly becoming more hunched as Percy spared her one last look. Truly, she wanted nothing more than to let him carry the burden with her. She felt like if he was by her side, she could accomplish any task. But this task, she couldn't risk.

Finally, he took off as she resisted a scream that almost escaped. Her knee scraped against the mountain floor, her vision becoming fuzzy as she focused on staying awake. But in her mind it was worth it, she was giving her comrades a chance to fight with the advantage of having a goddess on their side.

Sweat began rolling down her face, her once tight grip on the sky becoming slippery. She could feel her shoulders burning, but she held on with the intention to keep doing so even if it killed her. "Get ready," Artemis's voice reached her ears as she held back a sigh of relief.

She wasn't paying attention to the battle at hand, her eyes directed to the ground as she kept her focus on the sky. At least, until the goddess's voice breached her mind once more. "Now."

With pleasure, Amara loosened her grip on the boulder as Atlas was sent flying her way. When the Titan slammed against her, she let completely go of the sky. Her body was sent tumbling backwards, far away from the burden.

The cries of Atlas reached her ears as she attempted to sit up, but fell back almost immediately as the world around her spun. Arms wrapped themselves around her, pulling the younger girl's body flush against theirs as raven hair appeared within her vision.

Gasps left her lips, an attempt to even out her breathing as she was adjusted against Percy. The boy's arms tightened as she gripped his arms, as if that would make breathing easier. But after a short moment, it did, her breaths finally came out evenly as she fully relaxed against the Jackson boy.

"Hi, Beasty," she breathed, earning a small smile as the boy quickly wrapped her in a hug. She was moved upright, Percy pulling her as close as their bodies permitted while his head quickly became buried within her hair.

"Don't do that, ever again," he begged, his grip tightening more. "Please, Mara."

She nodded, her arms wrapping around his neck as she enjoyed the feeling of being wrapped up in his arms. The way he held her close almost like he was scared if he loosened his grip even slightly, she would disappear from his arms.

She could almost picture Aphrodite's knowing grin, the goddess giving her a look as she realized maybe the Beauty and the Beast prophecy wasn't so bad. Percy let go, but kept an arm wrapped around her as she gave a smile.

He rolled his eyes, resisting the blood that threatened to flush his cheeks. But being as close as she was with him? The mere idea of being able to steal his hoodies, wrap her arms around him, exchange nicknames with one another, and be close with him always, she was all for that idea. And before she realized it, Amara Grace had fallen for Perseus Jackson.

She was brought out of her realization by the sound of Thalia's voice. "He's a traitor," the eldest Grace said with her spear pointed at Luke's throat. "A traitor!"

"We'll bring Luke back," Annabeth pleaded, not standing too far away from the older duo. "To Olympus, he . . . he'll be useful."

"Is that what you want, Thalia?" Luke sneered, Amara managed to make her way to her feet at his words with the help of Percy. "To go back to Olympus in triumph, to please your dad?"

The raven haired girl hesitated, the son of Hermes took that as his chance to make a desperate grab for her spear. "No!" Annabeth shouted, the next moment in slow motion as Thalia kicked Luke.

The blond lost his balance, a terrified expression formed on his face as he fell. "Luke!" Amara yelled, Percy's grip tightening as he had a feeling the girl might throw herself after him if he didn't.

He knew Luke had done horrible things ever since he joined camp, but he also knew the blond had been a big brother figure to Amara. Thalia's hand went to her mouth as tears formed into the corner of her eyes. Together, the old trio made their way to the cliff edge with Percy guiding the youngest.

The son of Hermes expression hadn't changed, fear evident in his face and probably his eyes if they weren't closed. His body looked broken, and Amara knew there was no fixing it. A giant looked up from the bottom, a growl echoing throughout the mountain.

"Kill them!"

Amara was quickly pulled back by Percy, a wave of javelins soaring over the demigods head. "Come on Amara," he gently tugged the girl who's gaze was locked on the son of Hermes. "We need to go."

But she wouldn't budge, so with a saddened look, the raven haired boy quickly pulled her after him. She was like dead weight, but her feet moved nonetheless as she remained quiet. "Artemis!"

The goddess acknowledged the boy's shout, her gaze moving from the hunter laying in her arms to the group of demigods racing her way. "The wound is poisoned," the huntress explained.

"Atlas poisoned her?" Percy asked.

"No," Artemis said. "Not Atlas." She showed the group the wound, earning a frown to twist onto the youngest Grace's lips. "The stars," Zoë murmured. "I cannot see them."

"Nectar and ambrosia," Percy instructed. "Come on! We have to get her some."

But no one moved. Thalia's fingers had curled into a fist, her head turned away from the group as her breathing was off. Tears ran down Annabeth's face, she tried to wipe them away but more kept falling faster. Amara's grip on Percy had tightened, her arms wrapped around his singular one as what just happened raced through her head.

She felt if she let go of the Jackson boy, she would lose what little grip on reality she had left. It seemed he had taken note of that, his eyes occasionally landing on hers whenever she wrapped her arms around his tighter.

"Get away from my daughter!" A voice echoed through the mountain as machine guns suddenly spiraled to life. The group's attention was immediately pulled to the sky, Frederick Chase shooting the monsters.

"Dad?" Annabeth yelled.

"Run!" He ordered, swooping by the half-bloods as he fired on the creatures once more.

"A brave man," Artemis spoke, seemingly momentarily out of her grief. "Come, we must get Zoë away from here."

Raising a hunting horn to her lips, she quickly blew within the noise maker as the sound echoed throughout the valley. Within a short moment, a silver chariot flew from the sky pulled by the same color deer.

"Get in," the goddess ordered.

The blonde helped the eldest Grace, the latter's eyes slightly bloodshot as her breathing started to become even once more. Percy used Amara's arms wrapped around his to guide her on board, leaving her across from the older girl as he left momentarily.

He reappeared within her vision quickly, him and Annabeth carrying Zoë on board as Artemis quickly took control of the reigns. Once they had all been situated, the huntress flew them into the air as they soared over the mountain.

Wordlessly, Percy offered his arm out for the Grace to grab onto. But she refused, instead tucking her arms against herself as the curses of Atlas filled her ears while they flew away.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

It was after nightfall when they finally landed, Thalia and Amara had taken the time to recompose themselves while Annabeth gushed about her father's actions in excitement. When the helicopter landed not far from them, the blonde immediately rushed to his side while the eldest Grace helped Artemis unload Zoë.

"Amara, Percy, Annabeth," she called, kneeling besides the hunter as the three demigods joined the duo's side. But Amara knew all they could do was watch the Nightshade girl die, no ambrosia, nectar, or even regular medicine. Zoë was shivering, her usual silver glow fading slowly.

"Can't you heal her with magic?" Percy quietly asked, breaking the silence. "I mean . . . you're a goddess."

"Life is a fragile thing, Percy." She gave the son of Poseidon a frown. "If the Fates will the string to be cut, there is little I can do. But I can try." She went to set her hand against the wound, but Zoë quickly grabbed her wrist as they met gazes. A mutual understanding seemed to passed between the hunter and huntress as the former let go.

"Have I . . . served thee well?" Zoë whispered.

"With great honor," Artemis said softly. "The finest of my attendants."

The hunter's face relaxed. "Rest, at last."

"I can try to heal the poison, my brave one."

But the Nightshade girl shook her head, and instead looked to Thalia. "I am sorry we argued," she apologized. "We could have been sisters."

"It's my fault," Thalia roughly blinked her eyes. "You were right about Luke, about heroes, men —everything."

"Perhaps not all men," Zoë murmured, a soft smile curling on her lips that she directed at Percy. "Do you still have the sword, Percy?"

The Jackson boy took out Riptide, carefully placing it within her palm as she grasped it. "You spoke the truth, Percy Jackson. You are nothing like . . . like Hercules. I am honored that you carry this sword."

A shudder ran through the hunter's body as her attention landed on the brunette next. "Amara Grace . . ." Zoë called, earning a soft nod in response. "You have grown up to become a fine warrior, a brave, powerful, and caring maiden."

Blinking away the tears, she managed to muster an almost unnoticeable smile to everyone but the hunter beneath her. "The sky is clear," she whispered, Zoe's attention immediately going upwards as a smile curled onto her pale lips.

"Stars," she whispered. "I can see the stars again, my lady."

A singular tear trickled down Artemis's cheek, the goddess attempting to stop more from falling. "Yes, my brave one. They are beautiful tonight."

"Stars," Zoë repeated, her eyes locked on the night sky as those were the last words she would ever say again.

Thalia lowered her head in respect, Annabeth buried her head within her father's shoulder as Percy shot Amara a look. But she held no expression, her eyes no longer shining while her lips curled into a straight line.

Artemis cupped her hand above Zoe's mouth, speaking a prayer in Ancient Greek. When she finished, silvery smoke erupted from Zoë's lips that was caught within the goddess's hand. With that, the hunter's body shimmered before disappearing.

The huntress stood, a blessing slipping from her lips as she released the silver dust to the sky. For a moment, nothing happened until Annabeth's gasps breached the silence. Moving her attention to the sky above, Amara was able to see a young girl holding a bow, making her way across the midnight sky with a carefree smile.

"Let the world honor you, my Huntress." Artemis said. "Live forever in the stars."

A moment of silence echoed over the group, their undivided attention on the sky above.

"I must go to Olympus immediately," the goddess explained. "I will not be able to take you, but I will send help."

Artemis placed a hand on Annabeth's shoulder, giving the blonde a smile. "You are brave beyond measure, my girl. You would make for a wonderful huntress, if you still choose so. You will do what is right."

The huntress's attention turned on Thalia, while Amara's gaze landed on the daughter of Athena who held a guilty look. She wondered how long the Chase girl had been debating to join the hunter's, without thinking about mentioning it to her.

The goddess's hand landing on her shoulder quickly brought the youngest Grace out of her thoughts, the half-siblings meeting eye contact. "You are strong, courageous, kind, and loyal. You would make a worthy hunter someday, you know what to do."

She knew what the goddess was referring to, and if she didn't Artemis made sure she did. The huntress spoke a few words to her in her mind, one that made Amara focus her attention on the ground as she resisted the urge to look at a certain son of Poseidon.

"You did well," the goddess's attention was turned onto Percy next. "For a man."

She released Amara's shoulder from her grip, making her way back to her chariot while Percy seemed to go through many emotions at once. Artemis gave the half-blood's one last look, offering a nod before taking off to the sky and towards Olympus.

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7-25-23

hello hello ! i hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and with that being said we only have one chapter of this part left. but, thank you all again and i'll see you all thursday <3