Chapter 1: The Call of the Moon

Percy Jackson had always been used to weird dreams. Being a demigod meant that half her REM cycles were basically monster movie previews or cryptic messages from the gods. But this one was different.

In her dream, the moon hung impossibly large in the sky, casting everything in a soft, silver glow. Percy stood on an empty beach, the waves lapping at her feet. A figure waited for her by the shoreline, cloaked in silver and surrounded by a pack of wolves. Though their face was hidden, Percy felt an inexplicable pull toward them, like the tide answering the moon's call.

"Persephone," the figure whispered, their voice cool and melodic.

It sent a shiver down her spine. Nobody called her Persephone unless they wanted a fight—or they were about to give her bad news. Before she could ask what they wanted, the dream dissolved, and Percy woke with a start.

The familiar sounds of Camp Half-Blood greeted her: satyrs laughing by the strawberry fields, the clang of swords from the arena, and the occasional shriek of someone being chased by a harpy. Groaning, Percy rolled out of her bunk and rubbed her eyes.

"Another weird dream?" Annabeth's voice came from across the cabin.

Percy sighed. "You know me. Weird dreams are kind of my thing."

Annabeth, sitting cross-legged on her bed with a book in hand, raised an eyebrow. "Care to share?"

Percy hesitated. "It was... about the moon, I think. And wolves. Someone called my name—my full name."

Annabeth frowned. "That's specific. Did you recognize them?"

"No. But..." Percy trailed off, staring out the window. "It felt... important. Like they were waiting for me."

Before Annabeth could reply, there was a knock on the door. Chiron's voice called out, "Percy? Annabeth? Could you join me at the Big House?"

The two exchanged a glance. "That can't be good," Percy muttered.

The Big House was unusually quiet when they arrived, save for Chiron standing on the porch. His usual calm demeanor seemed strained, and Percy's stomach twisted in response.

"What's going on?" she asked.

Chiron stepped aside, revealing a figure sitting in one of the rocking chairs on the porch. She looked like she belonged in another world entirely—dressed in a silver cloak that shimmered like starlight, her braided hair the color of midnight. A hunting knife rested on her hip, and her piercing silver eyes locked onto Percy the moment she stepped forward.

Artemis.

Percy froze. She'd met Artemis before, during her quest with the Hunters, but something about this moment felt different. The goddess's gaze was intense, as if she were seeing into Percy's very soul.

"Persephone Jackson," Artemis said, her voice soft but commanding.

"It's Percy," she corrected automatically, though her voice came out weaker than she intended.

A small smile tugged at the corner of Artemis's lips. "Very well. Percy."

Annabeth nudged her subtly, and Percy realized she'd been staring. Heat crept up her neck. "So, uh, what brings you here?"

Artemis stood, her movements fluid and graceful. "I've come to speak with you. Alone."

Annabeth opened her mouth to protest, but Chiron placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "It's all right, Annabeth. Let's give them a moment."

With a reluctant glance at Percy, Annabeth followed Chiron inside, leaving her alone with Artemis.

The goddess stepped closer, her presence both overwhelming and strangely calming. "You've felt it, haven't you?" she asked.

Percy blinked. "Felt what?"

"The pull," Artemis said simply. "The connection between us."

Percy's heart skipped a beat. "I—what are you talking about?"

Artemis studied her, as if weighing her words. "You've always been drawn to the sea, haven't you? To its power, its mystery. Now imagine that same pull... but toward the moon."

The dream flashed in Percy's mind—the moonlit beach, the wolves, the voice calling her name. "Are you saying this is some kind of... prophecy thing?"

Artemis shook her head. "It is beyond prophecy. This is something older, more primal. The Fates have woven our paths together for a reason."

Percy felt like the ground had been pulled out from under her. "So what, we're... connected somehow?"

The goddess's expression softened. "Yes. And if my instincts are correct, this connection will be key in what's to come."

Percy opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, the silver glow of Artemis's cloak seemed to brighten, and the goddess stepped back. "We will speak more soon. For now, prepare yourself. The Fates are never gentle with those they choose."

And with that, Artemis disappeared into the woods, leaving Percy with a racing heart and more questions than answers.