The temple was still, the once overwhelming tension in the air now dissipated, but Percy could feel the weight of the battle still lingering within her. The glow of the Moonstone had faded, its light softening into a mere shimmer beneath her fingertips. It had done its part, but there was something unsettling about the silence that followed. It was too quiet, as if the world was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

Artemis stood by the altar, her gaze turned toward the open sky above them. Her eyes were narrowed, as if sensing something just beyond the edge of their perception. She had always been attuned to the night, to the shifting winds of fate and danger. It was part of what made her so powerful, so precise in everything she did. But even she couldn't hide the wariness in her expression.

"We've bought ourselves some time," Artemis said, breaking the silence. Her voice was steady, but there was a note of concern beneath it. "But Nyx's reach is endless. This victory is temporary."

Percy nodded, wiping the sweat from her brow. The moon's energy was still alive within her, but it was like a distant whisper, retreating as quickly as it had come. It left behind an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. She could feel it deep in her bones—every muscle aching, every inch of her body yearning for rest. But there would be no rest for her tonight. She knew that. Not yet.

"Do you think she'll come for us?" Percy asked, her voice barely a whisper. The thought of Nyx, the primordial goddess of night, was enough to chill her to her core. She had barely begun to understand the forces at play, and already, they were being thrust into a battle they couldn't escape.

"She already has," Artemis replied softly. "The veil may have held her back for now, but Nyx has a way of seeping through cracks. We've disrupted her plans tonight, but that will only make her angrier."

Percy's heart sank at the realization. Nyx wasn't just a god they could defeat in one battle. She was a force of nature—one that couldn't be easily contained, no matter how much power Percy or Artemis wielded. Her influence stretched far beyond the limits of their world, reaching into the very fabric of existence itself.

"We need to find a way to weaken her," Percy said, determination filling her voice. "We can't keep playing defense forever."

Artemis turned toward her, her silver eyes meeting Percy's with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. "I know. And we will. But to do that, we'll need something more than just the power of the Moonstone."

Percy tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Artemis didn't answer immediately. Instead, she walked to the edge of the temple and looked out into the night, her expression distant. Percy followed her, and the two of them stood in silence for a moment, the cool night air brushing against their faces.

"The gods are divided," Artemis said, her voice tinged with bitterness. "The Olympians are too focused on their own agendas. They do not understand the threat Nyx poses. And the other primordial gods... they are even less inclined to help."

Percy's stomach tightened. She had always known that the gods were complex, their relationships strained, but hearing Artemis speak of it with such disdain made her realize just how fractured the divine world had become. If the gods weren't united, how could they possibly stand against a force as ancient as Nyx?

"So we're on our own?" Percy asked, her voice uncertain. It wasn't just the battle against Nyx that worried her; it was the idea of facing it with no allies, no backup.

"For now," Artemis replied. "But we may be able to find allies in unexpected places. There are others who have fought against Nyx before—other gods, creatures, beings of power. We just have to find them. And convince them to help us."

Percy felt a spark of hope ignite within her. "You really think we can find them?"

Artemis turned to face her, her expression softening for the first time in hours. "I know we can. But we must be careful. Trust is a fragile thing among gods. One wrong move, and we could find ourselves isolated even further."

Percy clenched her fists, the weight of their situation heavy on her shoulders. But she wasn't the same girl who had stepped into this world, unsure of her place. She had grown stronger. And though Nyx's power felt infinite, Percy could sense something deeper within her—the strength to face whatever was coming.

"What do we do now?" Percy asked, her voice firm.

"We start by finding the others," Artemis said. "We'll need to travel beyond the mortal realm. To places where gods and mortals rarely tread. And we must move quickly."

Percy nodded, understanding the gravity of their mission. The journey ahead would be dangerous, and they would face unknown enemies and obstacles. But there was one thing she was certain of—she wasn't going to face it alone.

With a flick of her wrist, Artemis summoned her bow, the silver weapon gleaming with the moon's light. "We leave at dawn. Rest while you can. The road ahead will be long."

Percy looked toward the distant horizon, where the first light of dawn was beginning to break through the darkness. She knew the challenges ahead would push her to her limits, but with Artemis by her side, she felt a flicker of hope.

They had won this battle. But the war had only just begun.