I got tlt from the library but then I had to return it before I could write a chap, so I'm changing the plot. You'll never know what it was before... >:)

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"Where did he go?"

"I-I'm sorry sir, h-he, he just disappeared, I can't f-f-find him!"

"Look again."

"Y-yes my lord."

The figure in the shadows leaned back on his throne, surrounded by death. He opened his hand, revealing a small flame. The fire accentuated the angles of his face.

He tossed the fire to the ground, lighting up the space around him. The light of the flames finally showed his black eyes.

He knew, for he had watched, all was not lost yet. He could still reign again. But first, something must be done about Perseus.

• • •

Perseus. The gods-forsaken man that she just had to fall hopelessly in love with. Zoe had tried her best not to become attached, but she couldn't help herself. He was just so... nice.

And evidently, once he disappeared, Zoe was devastated. But she stayed strong for her sisters. But her sisters didn't care. They never cared. And when Heracles came, they weren't there. Just like they weren't there when Perseus left.

So Zoe ran away. She ran away. She had thought that maybe Heracles could fill the void inside her, left by Perseus. She thought wrong.

Running away had seemed like the only option. That was one thing that never changed. If Zoe hadn't run away, she would never have joined the hunt.

Running away had its consequences. Not only did Zoe lose her immortality, she also lost a majority of her powers. Yet, she didn't regret it for a moment. To be free was what she had always dreamed of. Now that it was finally here, she hadn't been able to get enough.

Zoe knew that holding feelings for a long-gone immortal was something that went against the hunt's ideals. But she never told anyone. Conceal don't feel, to quote the mortal movie of ice and snow.

Of course, Lady Artemis had her speculations, but Zoe was older and better versed in what little powers she had left.

So when Zoe heard that one Perseus Jackson had arrived at camp, she was immediately on edge. Perseus wasn't a common name, but, as Zoe had learned with Perseus the Slayer of Medusa, getting her hopes up would end only with a broken heart.

Of course, that didn't mean that she wasn't secretly curious. The second Perseus, the Slayer of Medusa, was a great hero. The first Perseus, Zoe's love, was a hero– or as much of a hero that an immortal could be. The name carried a legacy that this new Perseus would be pushed to uphold.

And if he failed, he may ruin it all.

• • •

Zoe had been in her tent, along with her sisters-in-arms, when she heard the news. Artemis had announced it casually during dinner, only stating that there was a new demigod at Camp Half Blood (the infernal name–) that Zeus wanted to keep a close eye on. The Hunters' mission was to watch him.

When asked about the demigod, all Artemis gave was his name: "Perseus Jackson."

Zoe, who had previously been staring into the depths of the forest, whipped her head over towards the Goddess of The Hunt.

Artemis didn't seem to notice, only continuing to eat while her hunters erupted into shouts, many complaining.

Zoe decided that, as she was the lieutenant, it was her job to also be peacekeeper. "Enough. Sisters, I don't like it either, but these orders come from Zeus himself. I wish I could ignore that... monster, but I do not intend to die anytime soon. Nor, I suppose, do you."

The hunters went silent, all of them most likely pondering over Zoe's words. Or they were eyeing Artemis's food.

Artemis allowed for a small smile in Zoe's direction, before turning back to her food, seeming to be deep in thought.

Zoe had noticed that Artemis had been off ever since she returned from Olympus. Usually on tasks like these, Artemis would join in on the whining, never afraid to speak her mind. Now, it seemed, she was almost afraid about what she would say.

Soon the hunters began to notice, and gradually fell silent, watching their patron and friend.

Artemis, who finally registered the silence and the owl-like stares, stood up. "We will leave in three hours. I expect camp to be packed up by then. Zoe, I would like to speak with you."

Immediately after Artemis's short announcement, the hunters, sans Zoe, ran to hurriedly pack up. Zoe stayed seated.

"Zoe, Apollo will be joining us at Camp Half Blood–"

Zoe cut her off before she could continue. "What? Apollo? Apollo? The very same Apollo that flirts with every single one of us?"

"You didn't let me finish, Zoe. Now, Apollo will be joining us at Camp Half Blood, but not for very long. He is only curious about Perseus."

Hearing the name "Perseus" didn't hurt any less than it did when the Slayer of Medusa carried the name, maybe even more so coming from the man-hating goddess's lips.

"Do we have a choice in that matter?"

Artemis sighed. "No. My brother will not be swayed, even by Zeus himself, but he never really listened to our father anyways."

"Do you wish for me to let the others know?" Zoe asked, dreading the answer.

"No." The answer surprised her. "We need to observe. Apollo will not join us until later. If the girls knew that he was coming, they may not perform as well."

"Of course my lady. They won't know."

"Good, now go pack."

"Yes my lady."

Zoe looked back as she was walking away. Artemis had put her head in her hands, staring at her empty plate. She seemed to have many things on her mind. And Zoe could only guess what they were.

-=-=-=-
First off, Happy New Year! Good riddance 2020 is over.

Jfc the chapter titles are getting worse–

On a different note, I have gotten ao3 and I am posting this fanfic there as well. (and due to ao3, I've been having fun with HTML)

Before you leave, here's a meme:

...and one more

(Oh yeah, should I do a pen name? Comment your opinions)

Kay, peace ✌︎︎

Published: Jan. 9, 2021