ARTEMIS

I was feeling dreadful as the minutes tick by. Augustine hasn't said anything ever since sitting down after coming inside my tent

He was sitting upright and crossing his arms; his lips pressed into a grim line

It's been a few days since Perseus was taken away. I scolded the hunters for their behaviour and made sure to double their works. Honestly, I need to rethink on how to educate those girls properly.

I had been waiting for Perseus to return for weeks now, anxiously thinking of things and words that would get him to forgive the hunters for their doings.

But instead of seeing him, Augustine arrived and was now sitting silently in front of me.

I cleared my throat "Is Perseus alright?"

"My uncle is fairing well, moon goddess" Augustine leaned forward and clasped his hands together; elbows resting on his knees "But I am not here for that. I am here to deliver the outcome of a debate made by the council."

"Debate?" I swallowed past the sudden lump in my throat "What does that have to do with me?"

"Generally, you are involved in the matter that was discussed" Augustine lazily swung his leg to the other "Specifically speaking... your hunters were the one that was discussed"

"My... hunters?"

Augustine nodded "The council has decided to issue a punishment to those... girls."

He said it with so much disgust that I fought the urge to glare at him in contempt for talking about my hunt like that

I can't complain since his reaction is normal. I let the hunters do whatever they want with Perseus, and in turn they took advantage of that and Perseus is now suffering under something I don't even know because of my carelessness

Then his words dawned on me and I snapped my eyes to his direction. He was sitting upright and tapping his foot against the ground, impatiently waiting for my response

"Punishment?" I asked with incredulity

Augustine sighed and I could almost feel him rolling his eyes at me "Yes, bitch goddess. A punishment has been issued. Uncle will be the one delivering the punishment, so I suggest you tell your hunters that you love them while you still can"

I ignored his clear display of disrespect towards me and stood up from my seat "What did my hunters do to make them deserve a punishment?!"

"You don't know?" Augustine asked with mocking curiosity "You don't know that your hunters abused my Uncle's kindness by doing despicable things to him while speaking of him like he is some kind of dirt on the sole of their shoes? You don't know that your hunters had just committed an act of treason against our kingdom?"

"Treason?!" I spluttered "We never did anything to your kingdom!!"

I reared back with the force of malice and anger rolling off of Augustine. He was leaning forward now, his mouth set on a sneer

"Oh, you did" He whispered "We offered you our alliance and your hunt decided to trample with it by doing things to my uncle that would have surely killed him if he was not an immortal. You let your hunters do whatever they want with him. You're the reason as to why everything turned out to be this way. You were aware of what was going on and you did not do anything to put a stop to it. Our kingdom would have overlooked it if you had just done something, but you did not. You abused the power bestowed to you by my Uncle and had ordered him to do everything. We made a deal, bitch. The deal was for my Uncle to look after your hunt as a guardian, not for him to be your fucking slave!!"

I gulped when he slowly stood up and walked towards me, his hands clenched into fists.

"Still..." I tried to protest

"Still what?" He spat "We still should consider your hunters? We still should let the hunters run free unscathed despite their sins? I think not. The council has decided and you cannot do anything about it. Don't even think of going to your fellow Gods for help, they will not be lending you any hand in this situation. We informed them of what has transpired and they are currently disgusted and disappointed with you. You are alone in this one Goddess. I suggest you just back down and accept of what is to happen. You should be grateful that you are not also included in the punishment..."

Feelings of hurt and betrayal sprung inside me. How could Perseus let this happen? What about the little ones?

I felt anger replacing the hurt and betrayal. This man was stepping over too many lines. There's a limitation to what you can say against me and my hunters.

I glared at him with all I've got and clenched my hands "You will not be touching my hunters. You'll have to get through me first"

Augustine was silent for a minute before he laughed humourlessly "I'll have to get through you first? You think you're so tough?"

I gritted my teeth. This man is really testing my patience "You think that because you're related to someone higher means that you are powerful? You only know how to bark, but you can never bite, bastard." I spat "You only know how to string words into sentences. You never fight, only speak to create strategies. What can you possibly do to me?"

"A lot of things, Goddess" Augustine was taking deep breaths, and he turned around, ready to leave "I've overstayed my welcome. I had done my purpose here. Tell your hunters of what is to come. My uncle will be the one to deliver the punishment."

"Tell Perseus that he should rot in hell" I spat, feeling fury swell inside me "I welcomed him in my hunt, and he does this? Tell him that I'll make sure he regret ever crossing with me."

Augustine growled and before I can even react, his hand was wrapped around my neck and my feet dangling in midair. I gasped and clawed at his arm

He smirked at me and tightened his hand around my throat "I've wanted to do this ever since you disrespected Perseus in front of me. I avoid being violent as much as possible, but you're just pushing your luck, Goddess. You speak as if you truly did welcome him in your hunt, when truly... you never even did."

I tried getting him to let go, but he wouldn't budge.

Augustine smirked and pulled me closer until his face was near mine "Do you want to know why I don't fight and just used words to settle a situation? It's because it usually ends up in a massacre if I do" He sneered "Do. Not. Ever. Let. Me. Hear. You. Disrespect. My. Uncle. Again."

I kicked him hard and he loosened his grip on me, enough for me to break free

Augustine rubbed the spot where I kicked him and scoffed. He looked at me through the hood, and when I thought that he was about to be jump at me, he fixed his shirt and turned back "I'm not that low to fight a pathetic Goddess who doesn't even have a chance against me. I have standards, and I don't want to waste my time with you if I can be with Perseus a little longer if I let you off the hook"

He swiftly turned back and begun walking towards the entrance of the tent "Do what I told you and everything will go back to what is was before."

"Like hell..." I growled, glaring at him "He won't touch any of my hunters. I would do everything in my power to protect them from the likes him"

Augustine stopped "You surely don't want to go to that, Moon Goddess. We decided to be lenient and lightened the punishment. A failure of acceptance to your side will result into more problems"

"All bluff" I huffed and crossed my arms "Perseus do not have the power to do much damage to my hunt and me"

Augustine turned his head and scowled at me "Your pride is bigger than your rank, so it seems. Do not underestimate my uncle just because he was subdued when he was with you. He can be terrifying if defied"

I sneered "Go to hell. Tell Perseus that I am not afraid of him and his threats."

"I'm giving you a chance, Goddess" Augustine warned "Accept the punishment and inform your hunters without doing anything to defy us or suffer the consequences"

"Get out" I spat

Augustine turned around one more time to face me. I could feel the disappointment and glee rolling off of him in waves

Augustine's voice was filled with mock and glee. I watched as his mouth tilted upwards as he grins at me with with malice "I would leave the information about the punishment empty for now. I would love to see you mauling and overthinking of what is to come. You just doomed your hunters further, Goddess."

He turned his back and opened the tent entrance and sighed at me with disappointment "Don't say that I didn't warn you"

And with that, he left the tent. I was seething. Who does Perseus think he is. After all I've done for him, this is how he repays me?!

"You fool"

I snapped my head towards the voice and saw my brother leaning against the entrance; arms crossed and his face showing a frown

I narrowed my eyes at him "Get out. I do not need to see a traitor within my sight"

Apollo raised a brow; his blue eyes burning with a little bit of orange "Traitor?" He huffed "You brought this upon yourself, sister. I warned you many times to know your boundaries, but you did not listen."

Apollo gestured his hands towards me "This is all because of you. Do not ever let me hear you accusing me or any of the Gods for that matter."

"My hunt didn't do anything!!" I roared, my silver eyes glowing brightly "I didn't do anything!!"

"Why can't you just for once— lower that pride of yours and admit that you did something wrong?!!" Apollo's eyes burned orange, his usual blue eyes being swallowed by the colour of the sun

"You're pride has gotten bigger, it seems" he spat "You should know yourself that you are at fault. Augustine came here to tell you about the punishment— a punishment that wouldn't have hurt your hunters if you had just accepted!! Because of your foolishness, you doomed them to suffer more!! You did not just doomed the hunt, but all of us. The creator is furious and the high council is debating of pulling their forces back!! All because of your petty pride!!"

I flinched when his burning orange eyes stare at me "You think that because you are a Goddess who specialise in combat, you're good? You think that because Father gives you free reign to come in contact with mortals and give them immortality means that you're the best out of all of us?"

I didn't say anything; feeling small for some reason in front of my younger brother

Apollo growled "Stop those thoughts, because out of all us, you are surely the first to die. You do not think rationally. You think with your bow and knives. You're like the female version of that barbarian God, Ares. You tend to be hotheaded when it comes to things that you do not like. You throw a tantrum if you do not get your way, and you know what I see?"

Apollo narrowed his eyes at me "A spoiled brat who thinks that she should be the priority of others."

"How dare you?" I whispered, shaking with fury "I should the one saying that to you. You always do not listen to meetings. You always use your... crotch to think rather than your head. You always cause troubles and problems. You're the one who is spoiled and useless!! Because of you playing around, several mistakes were produced!!"

Apollo's nostril flared, and his eyes burned brighter as the sun outside released too much heat as the sun rays lay above the tent; the rays going through the tent and brightening the surrounding inside the tent "You dare say that my children are mistakes?" He growled "How dare you say that when you don't even know the happiness of having a child?!"

I flinched when he glared at me with such ferocity that I could feel my skin crawling

"I can't even call you my sister right now. You've changed." Apollo took a deep breath "Despite my actions, I do know what I'm doing. I decide with my mind and heart in sync. I think of the pros and cons before going through with my plans. That was why the day the python came to kill us, I managed to kill it instead of mimicking you who just charged like a crazy lunatic."

I opened my mouth to retort when he raised his hand and sighed. He looked at me, and the orange was slowly receding back "I'm tired. I didn't come here to have a verbal fight with you. Father had send me to tell you that you should reflect on your actions, and that you would not be getting any help from any of the immortals from here on. The camps will be forbidden for you and the hunt. You are alone in this one."

He looked at me straight in the eyes "A storm is coming, Artemis. You best hope to survive it."

A flash of gold, and he was gone.

PERCY

I was waiting with the other primordials, pacing and wringing my hands together as anxiety courses through my being

Kronos opened the doors to the meeting room, and all shushed to hear his report

I waited with baited breath. Oh please Artemis, do not let the situation be more chaotic that it already is

"She refused" He stated "... said that Perseus should rot in hell for doing this to her hunters"

The primordials stood up, roaring with anger

"How dare she?!" Gaea screamed, her eyes that was the colour of her domain blazing with fury

"She's overstepping her boundaries!!"

"A lesson. She needs to be taught a lesson!!"

While all the commotion was going on, I felt my chest throbbed; my heart dropped for reasons I don't know. She couldn't have been that prideful to refuse the punishment...

Damn it, Artemis!! I cannot help you anymore on this one. I tried so hard to save the hunt from further misery, and you decided to be prideful.

I took a shaky breath.

I'm sorry Artemis, I mentally said, thinking of the Moon Goddess who once tried to save me. I cannot offer you anything anymore. I have my role to play as you have yours...

"Quiet" I muttered, feeling conflicted to try and defend the hunt one more time or fulfilling my role as the head of the council

I owe Artemis for trying to save me when I was a mere mortal. I want to dismiss the idea of the punishment, but it will be seen as me deciding without fairness. It will show me favouring the hunt, and I don't want that.

The council became silent, all staring at me with wary eyes. All of them were waiting for my verdict.

I closed my eyes, and send my apologies to Artemis, wishing she could hear me.

A sin is a sin. Judging should be fair, as I am the head of the council. There is no such thing as debt or favour when it comes to treason. They tried to kill me with their pranks, they disrespected me, and spit at my position.

I bit my lips, making my decision.

I'm truly sorry, Artemis.

I sighed and stood up from my seat, masking my expression and settling it with an emotionless one "Contact the Gods and inform them that I demand an emergency meeting with them. They need to be present for the deciding of the additional punishment."

"And the hunt?" Ananke asked, looking at me with understanding shining in her eyes

"Let them be..." I looked down at the table and sighed "... for now"

The primordials were silent, all looking between glee and disappointment for the sudden turn of events.

I looked at Luke and conveyed with my eye for him to gather the Olympians and the campers. Luke nodded grimly, not looking like he was thinking of doing a prank. He was about to leave when he paused and looked at me "...and Artemis?"

I bit my lips and contemplated. I knew without having seen her that Artemis is mad at me. I thought of the possibilities of what might happen if I were to issue an order for her to attend; resignedly looking up "Only if she wishes to..."

Luke gave me a small smile and I forced myself to return it back.

Luke bowed before stepping through the portal.

I looked up and stared at my siblings with tired eyes "Ready yourselves; a meeting will be held at earth a few minutes from now."

All of them nodded before disappearing one by one, each traveling in their own way to earth

Once everyone was gone, I looked down at the table and gritted my teeth. I slammed my fists down on the table, hard enough for cracks to filter through the beginning of the table up until the other end

Silena rushed to me and placed a calm comforting hand on my shoulder "Shh... calm down"

I tried taking deep calming breaths, but I was in too much distress to fully succeed in calming down "I... can't"

Also one of the problems that was the flaws of the ritual. I cannot be in too much stress or pressure. I can deal with light problems, but things that will just cause me to feel problematic... well, as I can't control my emotions, things doesn't end well for the receiving end

Damn after effects.

Why the hell did they even make the ritual if it had too many flaws?!

I felt Kronos hugged me and I instantly clutched his shirt tightly. I felt tears prickling behind my closed eyelids and I took deep breaths to try and stop it

Kronos kept rubbing my back and murmuring for me to take a deep breath.

"Why can't she just... just for once, lower that pride of hers?!" I yelled, feeling upset and scared for the hunt. No matter what was done to me, I had grew fond of them and I had even made some friends there; few they may be, but still friends. I can't bear the guilt gnawing at my insides. "I tried... tried so hard to help her and all she did is do this!! Why can't she just... just..."

I sniffed and sobbed as Kronos sighed above me while muttering 'damn bitch' under his breath. I ignored it and clutched him tightly, trying to steady my breathing

Once I was calm enough, Kronos pulled back and brushed back my fringes and gave me a small smile "Better?"

I nodded while wiping my eyes "I hate this" I mumbled while pouting

Kronos gave a small chuckle "We all do, yios"

"I hate having no control of my emotions. I hate having a breakdown in front of all of you for some petty arguing. I'm supposed to be the leader. The strong one. The one you all rely on. I'm not supposed— allowed to be weak. Weakness will only be a hindrance to me protecting all of you. I need to show all of you that I am capable of protecting you" I felt my lips wobbling and I clenched my eyes shut "Damn it!!"

Beckendorf laid a hand on my shoulder and I looked up to see him smiling at me. He kneeled down so we were eye to eye since I was still sitting down "It's okay to show weakness in front us, Perce. It means that you trust us enough to show this side of you that you will never show to other people. It might be because you don't have control over your emotions right now, but..." He gave a squeeze and smiled at me "... always remember that you do not need to always show that you're strong— that you are someone that needs to be the role model. We watched you grow from a mere curious and hardworking 12 year old to a wonderful 16 year old teenage boy, Percy. Well some of us, I didn't managed to see you go from 15 to 16, but that's beside the point. All of us saw you grow. There is no need for you to berate yourself over something as simple as showing weakness or strength. We came to love you when you were still learning the ropes, what's the difference of you being strong enough to take all of us with a handicap, to you struggling with something?"

I was crying again, and Beckendorf smiled before patting my head softly "My point is— we love you Percy. In no matter form you take or no matter strength you have. You don't need to show us anything. We already know everything. What we cherish is you and not the power you hold. Do you hear me?"

I nodded and Beckendorf smiled before kissing the top of my head and going back to Silena's side who was beaming at him with pride

"Albeit, we died after the Second Titan War" Ethan shrugged "... but you get what Beckendorf meant."

The atmosphere lightened when Bianca and Zoe both smacked him while grumbling about 'insensitive boys'

I bursted into a fit of giggle when I saw Ethan's pain scrunched up in pain. He was pouting and mumbling about 'violent single women'

I was too busy giggling I failed to notice that everyone was looking at me with fond eyes.

-•-•-•-•BREAK•-•-•-•-

"I demand a vote!!" Artemis screamed, her silvery eyes blazing with fury

When Luke had gone to inform her of what was to happen, she stormed in the throne room with wrath clearly written in her eyes

"How dare you decide something that I didn't even approve of?!" Artemis was surveying the room, searching for me

Our eyes met and she growled and pointed to me "You!! You ungrateful bastard!! I helped you when you were in need and you decided to pay me with this?"

The throne room was silent. No one spoke as they waited for my response. I took a deep breath and stood up, my lips set into a grim line "You are overstepping your boundaries, Artemis. I owed you. Past tense. I have done my end of the deal by also doing you a favour countless of times. Do not push your luck."

Artemis sneered "Do not also push your luck, boy. Remember that I have information about you that you do not want revealed."

The primordials and the Elites along with me stiffened. Is she threatening me?

Micheal stepped forward, hand at the hilt of his sword "Are you threatening his highness, Goddess?"

Artemis glared "You think I'm scared of you?"

I raised my hand and indicated Michael to back down when I saw him starting to unsheathe his sword

I tried to force myself to relax, not wanting to show any signs of weakness in front of the council "Stand down, Artemis. You are being immature."

"You won't touch my hunters" Artemis gritted out "If you ever do, I'll make sure to reveal what you revealed to me."

I can see the other immortals leaning in curiosity, glancing at me briefly before looking away when I turned to look their way

I can feel frustration settling inside me, and my hands were starting to twitch, wanting something to punch.

Kronos must have seen the movement, and must have detected my impending explosion because he quickly placed a hand on me and tried calming me by sending comforting waves through the link that we have

"You swore an oath, Goddess" Ethan spat "Break that vow, and I'll make sure that you will regret it greatly"

Artemis huffed a laugh "You cannot touch me. As long as Perseus doesn't give a word, you cannot do anything to me"

"You are so assured that his highness won't let you be harmed" Zoe butted, her voice oozing with so much disappointment and disgust that I felt bad for Artemis "Do not think yourself as someone special. His highness just doesn't like violence."

"If he does not like it, why decide on punishing my hunters whom haven't done anything to him?" Artemis inquired, glaring at me

"Enough!" I barked when Ethan made a move to throw one of his hunting knives at the Goddess

The room was silent as they stared at me.

I walked towards Artemis and grasped her arms. She tried struggling, but I only tightened my hold on her. I leaned down "We need to talk"

Before anyone can say a word I teleported us to somewhere more private.

Artemis ripped her arm away from my grasp once we were settled and glared at me "What do you want?"

"For you to stop this nonsense" I replied, crossing my arms and sighing. I flicked the hood down and stared at her pleadingly "Artemis, what your doing is making things more complicated. I'm tired. I don't want any more conflict."

"Then pull back the punishment" Artemis crossed her arms

I narrowed my eyes at her "You know that I can't do that."

"Why not?" Artemis growled "You're the leader, are you not?"

"I may be the leader, but the vote of the mass holds more power than my position. The judgement was fair." I explained

"I don't care!!" Artemis screamed "You leave my hunt alone or I reveal who you are to the council"

My patience snapped and I found myself glaring at her with such ferocity she took a step back "Stop being such a child!!"

Artemis flinched, but that didn't stop me from scolding her

"You are a Goddess far more older than me, but you act like a mindless toddler!! You should know by now that everything doesn't go your way. I had done you and the hunt the favour of freeing them from the suffering of a painful punishment, but you decided to be a child that throws a tantrum. Do you think that I did not try to save you from all this?!" I growled "I tried everything for the hunt to not suffer. I managed to convince the high council to lighten the punishment by not doing anything physical that might harm them or playing with them mentally. Right when I thought that everything was solved, you decided to be prideful and toss all my hard work out of the window. You say that what you're doing is for the safety of the hunt, when truly it is all because of you not wanting to admit that you did something wrong to a man!!"

Artemis was biting her lips now, looking more remorseful the more I the let words flow out of my mouth

"Apollo tried to warn you. Augustine tried to help you. I tried helping you. Why are you so stubborn as to refuse any help from any of us, claiming that you do not need anything from a man." I took deep breaths "You claim to be independent and refusing any of our help when truly you are just someone who has too much pride that you can't even admit to yourself that you need someone."

"I—" Artemis tried to defend but I held up my hand and glared at her

"I'm not finished" I grunted "I do not ever want you to speak as if I took advantage of your 'hospitality'. You are being ridiculous, Artemis."

"You owe me!!" Artemis butted in

I groaned in frustration. Why can't she just get it?

"I owed you, Artemis. Past tense."

"What did you ever do to make you say that you do not owe me for saving you anymore?"

I huffed a laugh filled with disbelief "So this it...?"

I stared at her with cold eyes "You did me a favour by trying to save me, and now I am entitled to save you from everything? I didn't know that you were that petty, Goddess"

Artemis flinched with how sharp my words were and tried opening her mouth to retort

"You really think I did not do you any favour?" I asked with disbelief before clapping my hands together "Fine! I'll retract the punishment"

Artemis froze "What?"

I crossed my arms "You heard me, I'll retract the punishment"

Artemis smiled with satisfaction and crossed her arms "I'm glad you're starting to see my point"

I held up a hand "But... I take back the life that I have given to one of your hunters. Amy... was that her name? She is not supposed to be alive today. She died when she was fighting the hydra and I revived her. It seems that you have forgotten about that, and since you pushed that I haven't done anything to return what you've done for me, I will do just that. Everything that I did will return back to me. The life I've given to Amy, the abilities that I've bestowed to the hunt— everything."

"Y- You can't do that!!" Artemis spluttered

I raised a challenging brow at her "I've managed to give it to them, of course I can manage to take it back."

I pat the non-existent dust on my jeans; tugging the hood back up "Since we're finish discussing this, we might as well go back"

I made a move to touch her when she jerked back "Wait!"

I sighed and frowned at her "What now?"

"I-I'll take the punishment" Artemis whispered, looking defeated

I felt guilt gnawing at my chest. If someone was to ever ask me why I am going to do what I'm going to do right now, I won't ever know how to answer.

I tugged Artemis close and enclosed my arms around her.

Artemis stiffened and I sighed again "You know that I do not wish to see the hunt be harmed, right?"

Most hunters might have been harsh and cold to me, but the ones I brought in was warm and welcoming. The little girls that I've saved from those disgusting people would always come to me if they ever get upset with their sisters— which happens every time. I felt myself frown remembering them. I should try and visit and make them see that I would never do them harm.

Artemis nodded, slowly melting in my embrace. She hesitantly returned the favour...

"I'll retract the additional, but I can't pull the punishment back" I explained "I'll exclude the little ones from the punishment, they don't have any fault in this."

Artemis sighed with relief "Just... just please go easy on them"

I sighed "I..."

Artemis looked at me with pleading eyes, and I gave in. I really need Ethan to teach me on how to refuse people, he's good at denying others "I will"

Artemis smiled, and she sagged with relief "Thank you"

I went to pull back, but Artemis tightened her arms on my shirt. I looked down at her questioningly. Artemis was gnawing at her lips and she was looking down, like she was ashamed of something "I'm sorry if I was being a... a bitch to you" she winced once she said the word "I just... I've overstepped my boundaries. Augustine was right when he said that I was too prideful and that I needed someone to teach me my place. I'm honestly shock that you haven't blast me to pieces right now. I'm just used to being alone when it comes to the hunt, and you being man— despite me knowing you'll do good. I'm just no good when it comes to dealing with the opposite gender, and I promise that I'll pay you back for what you've done for me and my hunt. If I had disregarded what you've been doing for my hunt up until now, I'll acknowledge every single thing that you will do for the hunt and the council."

I was too busy gaping with shock, that I failed to notice Artemis biting her lips nervously

"I'm a bipolar bitch, I admit that now" Artemis whispered "I am forever glad that you still have the heart to forgive my misgivings. I am sorry for everything. I will learn from you from now on. I'll start reteaching the hunt that they cannot do everything to someone just because they were born a man. I'm truly sorry, and I hope that we can still be friends. I'll do my best to change. I'll talk to Apollo and see if I can do something to change my personality when it comes to men. I'll also apologise to everyone I've offended. I can't believe having you scold me— a million old Goddess finally made me see that I was becoming cruel to people who haven't done anything to me"

Artemis hesitated for a minute before she leaned in and pecked me on the cheek "Thank you for everything"

She blushed and cursed under her breath before she disappeared in a flash of light

I couldn't help myself. My jaw hit the ground as I slowly touch the cheek that Artemis just kissed

"What?"