Percy spent the rest of the day trying not to obsess over what Artemis had said. The pull. The connection between us.What did that even mean? Sure, the goddess was graceful and all, but Percy didn't exactly think she screamed "friendly." Not to mention the whole "I hate men" thing she had going on.

By the time dinner rolled around, Percy was fidgety and distracted, poking at her plate of enchiladas as Annabeth filled in the gaps of her latest architectural project.

"You're not listening," Annabeth said, narrowing her eyes at her.

Percy sighed, dropping her fork. "Sorry, it's just... Artemis said something weird earlier."

Annabeth's interest was piqued immediately. "Weird how?"

"She said there's this 'connection' between us and that the Fates are involved." Percy shook her head. "And she mentioned a prophecy or something. You know how much I hate those."

Annabeth frowned, her mind clearly working through the information. "A connection? That's... odd, even for a goddess. Artemis doesn't usually do personal attachments."

"Yeah, I got that vibe." Percy leaned back, crossing her arms. "You think she's messing with me?"

Annabeth gave her a flat look. "When has Artemis ever joked about anything?"

"Fair point." Percy ran a hand through her hair. "Still, why me? It's not like I'm special or anything."

"Uh, you're the daughter of Poseidon, you've saved the world—twice—and you've somehow managed to survive longer than most demigods," Annabeth said.

Before Percy could argue, Chiron's voice carried over the dining pavilion. "Campers, please welcome Lady Artemis."

Heads turned as the goddess approached, her silver cloak billowing behind her like a second moonlit tide. She stopped in front of Percy, her expression unreadable.

"Persephone Jackson," she said.

Percy bristled. "It's Percy."

Artemis's lips quirked into the faintest smile. "Come with me. There is something you need to see."

The woods at Camp Half-Blood were eerily quiet as Artemis led Percy through the winding trails. Silver moonlight filtered through the trees, illuminating their path. Percy tried not to think about how beautiful the goddess looked in the moonlight or how her presence made Percy's heart do weird little flips.

Artemis stopped at a clearing near the creek. The sounds of rushing water filled the air as she turned to Percy.

"You're wondering why I sought you out," Artemis said, her voice steady.

"Kind of hard not to," Percy admitted.

Artemis's gaze softened, a rare break in her usually cold demeanor. "I have spent millennia avoiding connections with mortals. It is not our way to grow close to those who are bound by time."

"Okay," Percy said cautiously, "so why are you breaking that rule now?"

Artemis hesitated, as if choosing her words carefully. "Because I have no choice. The Fates have decreed it."

"The Fates? What, like some cosmic matchmaking service?" Percy joked, trying to lighten the mood.

To her surprise, Artemis didn't scowl. "In a sense," she said, her tone almost amused. "Though I doubt they see it as matchmaking. They have bound our fates together, Percy. Your path and mine are intertwined."

Percy's mind reeled. "Wait, what does that mean? Like, we're... partners or something?"

"It is more than partnership," Artemis said, stepping closer. Her silver eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight. "You feel it too, don't you? The pull between us."

Percy swallowed hard. She couldn't deny it—there was something unexplainable, something magnetic about Artemis that drew her in.

"Yeah," she admitted. "I feel it. But I don't get why."

"Neither do I," Artemis said quietly. "But the Fates have their reasons. And they have tasked us with a great burden."

"What burden?" Percy asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Before Artemis could answer, the ground beneath them began to shake. Percy stumbled, grabbing onto a nearby tree for balance.

"They've found us," Artemis said, drawing her bow in one fluid motion.

"Who?" Percy demanded, unsheathing Riptide.

"Nyx's minions," Artemis said grimly. "She knows."

Before Percy could ask what Nyx wanted or how she was involved, the shadows around them began to shift. Figures emerged from the darkness—hulking creatures with eyes like black pits and claws that glinted like obsidian.

"Stay close to me," Artemis ordered, her voice sharp.

"Not a problem," Percy muttered, her heart pounding as she prepared for battle.

The first shadow lunged, and Percy's instincts kicked in. She dodged to the side, slashing with Riptide. The creature dissolved into mist, but more took its place.

Artemis moved like a whirlwind, her arrows striking true with every shot. Beside her, Percy fought with everything she had, the two of them falling into a rhythm as if they'd been fighting together for years.

When the last shadow finally dissolved, Percy was breathing hard, her hands gripping Riptide tightly.

Artemis lowered her bow, her expression serious. "This is only the beginning."

"What was that?" Percy asked.

"Nyx," Artemis said, her voice heavy. "The primordial goddess of night. She has awakened, and she will stop at nothing to reclaim her power."

Percy stared at her, stunned. "And what does that have to do with me?"

Artemis turned to her, her silver eyes meeting Percy's sea-green ones. "Everything."