4 || Tʜᴇ ǫᴜᴇsᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ Mᴏᴏɴ

"Aunt. How will we confess our love to him, before we get killed?"

"I don't know, Artemis. We would most probably die, for good, if we go near him, and- "

"Is that so?"

Someone asked. I turned around, and my larynx went quiet, my breathing and Artemis's breathing stopped. There he was standing -in all his glory-, the God slayer himself. "Hello" he said

-OO-

"Is that so?"

I asked. They turned around, and their larynx was quiet, Hestia and Artemis's breathing stopped. They looked up to me, frightened. "Hello" I said.

Ah, so they had a crush on someone. "Who are you talking about?" I asked girlishly. "Nobody," they replied quickly. I raised an eyebrow, but then shrugged.

I heard a soft sight from Artemis. "So, the maiden huntress has a crush on a man. That's going to make the headline." She gulped. She wanted to say something, but before that, I flashed away.

Back at camp, it was night time now. Going to the Hermes cabin, Luke was standing outside. "Shall we go, Lord Perseus?" he bowed. "Do not bow. I do not like it. Lead the way."

I followed him into the woods, filled with darkness. Cold breezes were going from here to there. Utter silence filled the entire land, as the darkness stopped all the animalia from making a sound.

Luke went to the direct middle of the forest, and recited. "Oh, lady Gaia, let me make a call to the Titan, Kronos."

Hmm, so he has taught Titan calling to a son of Hermes. Still, it was better than Iris calling. Now, nobody aside from the Titans could sense the call. As the ground up lifted. The elevated ground opened a display, directly connecting to the essence of Kronos in the red cavern. The body of my favourite uncle. The pit of Tartarus.

A golden hue enveloped the screen, as Kronos's soul showed itself. "Hello Perseus." He waved.

"Hello brother. Still chopped like a pig, I see."

He chuckled, "In proof kid. Heard you rose from that idiotic island. So... Do you have any news for our team?"

"Yes Kronos. Metis, has finally faded. Mnemosyne is supporting us. I shall call upon Oceanus myself. I would say that, some of your children would be allying with us. Mostly Hades and Hestia."

"Hmm. And, did you retrieve your sword?"

I smirked. Shadows surrounded my fist, shaping a stick, and then into a sword. As Shadow unveiled itself, back in my hand, pulsating with energy and power.

"I see. Perseus, we already have a plan formed. We are going to free the General, and trap Artemis under father. We just have to lure her there, and then trap her."

"Leave it on me brother. But we have a problem."

"And, what is that?

"Zoe is going to be participating from the Olympian side. She was Atlas's favourite daughter. If he fights her, he is going to get sentimental, mixing all his emotions, and lose. Not fighting on his full potential. He had almost defeated brother Iapetus."

"So, what can we do?"

"I don't know. But, try to keep them away."

"Okay..."

"We shall trap Artemis on Mount Tam today. I will lure her out there. Which minor gods are siding with us? And them?"

"Hecate, Janus, Hypnos and Thetis are with us. Phobos, Deimos and Iris are with them. Others are going to be neutral."

"Okay. We should be able to defeat them. Last time, the minor gods, and Oceanus did not participate. This time, we are more powerful. Take Menoetius and Lelantos, and protect the neutral minor gods. This should keep them on good terms with us. The gods are definitely going to try to make them help Olympus. And if they say no, they will be sent to Tartarus. I will go talk to uncle Tartarus to help us by just sending respawning Titan allies faster up. Now I shall take my leave. Bye, big brother."

He nodded, and I slashed my sword on the screen as it went away. Now, time for Artemis.

I flashed onto Mount Tamalpais. "Hello Nephew."

"Uncle Perseus. How are you?" came his strained voice. "Well, I came to rescue you, Atlas."

I used the shadows around me, and used them to push the weight of the sky up. I called upon Hecate. "Hecate, hello."

"Hello Lord Perseus. How may I be of service to the strongest Titan. I can do anything for you." Though the last part sounded a bit sultry. I was a bit uncomfortable, but I went through it. "I want you to make this shadow," I pointed towards it. "-look like a person."

She nodded, drawing a potion into her hand, she smashed it under the shadow, and then started incanting something. Within a minute, a girl was there, exchanging the look of the shadow. I drew it down, so that she was touching the ground. With a silent command to the shadow, she started screaming. "Help. Help. Help me."

I hid everyone in the shadows, waiting for Artemis to show up. As a silver light filled the area, Hecate had to close her eyes, while me and Atlas watched. She looked beautiful, but then I shook my head.

"Don't worry, child. I will help you."

With unbearable pain, she took upon the sky. As my shadow came out, it disappeared. She was left shocked. "What trickery is this? If this is you, Apollo, or Hermes. I will kill you!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. But how would she know, it was night, so I had put a barrier of Darkness around this place. So, it was sound proof.

"Do not call upon those tiny Olympians. Try to kill me, Artemis." I called out. She turned her head towards him angrily, but then her expression changed to a scared one.

-OO-

Artemis was trapped under the burden of Atlas. I screamed to Apollo and Hermes, but only one single reply came. "Do not call upon those tiny Olympians. Try to kill me, Artemis." I turned my head angrily towards the direction of the voice, but once I saw its face, I was terrified.

Perseus stood in all his glory, smirking right at me. He looked so hot, but then I wiped the thought by whimpering, "P...P...Perseus?"

"You guessed it."

I was so screwed. He vanished away, leaving black dust around.

-OO-

Perseus just left Mount Tam, flashing back to camp. The cabin councillors walked towards the big house. He heard that a prophecy was spoken after the Capture the flag.

He had to get into this meeting. Luke was walking alone; he was coming out of the Hermes cabin. Good.

I shadow travelled to him, he jumped back as I appeared before him. "Lord Perseus," he bowed. I nodded. "Luke, I have to go to that meeting. I was the one that trapped Artemis," I whispered. "-I need to go on that quest. I will impale you with a spear, not fatal, and I will numb the area for you. It will not damage anything in your body. You say that you send me instead of you. Okay?"

He nodded, taking in a deep breath. A spear appeared out of the shadow, as it impaled him carefully, blood coming out trickily. I rushed him to the infirmary. "Help, Help. Someone help." I yelled.

Will Solace, a son of Apollo came forward, he took out a stretcher from the wall, and laid Luke on it. "Perseus, you go to the meeting on my behalf."

I nodded. "Take care of him, Will."

I walked down to the big house. There, a commotion was created. "We will only take hunters. 5 hunters are perfect."

"'The prophecy said, Hunters and campers combined prevail' Zoe." Replied Thalia.

"Do not forget what your mistress, Artemis says, Zoe, too many hunters spoil the trail."

She shut up after that. "2 campers, 3 hunters." I spoke out of the blue.

Everyone looked towards me, though the hunters were glaring at me. "Why are you here, boy?"

"Luke was injured, so he asked me to come on his behalf. If you want to confirm, you can ask Will Solace."

Chiron nodded, and pointed at me to sit down. "Who will you select, Zoe? And who all volunteer to go?"

"I will take Phoebe, and Atlanta."

"I would like to come." Me and Thalia said at the same time. My old friend glared at me, daring me to say that again. "I will come."

"No, not the boy."

"Zoe, these are the only two who are volunteering, nobody else would come."

"Does no girl want to save Lady Artemis?" she asked desperately.

"No Zoe. Nobody likes you hunters, or your mistress." Replied a daughter of Aphrodite. Zoe gritted her teeth in frustration and anger.

"Fine, you can come boy. But, if you try anything with us..." she left the threat empty, intending to intimidate me, but I did not show an expression, just raising my eyebrows.

"You will leave tomorrow at the break of dawn. Argus will drive- "

"Wait Chiron," I cut him out. "-I have a ride; can we use it? Argus should be kept here for defending the camp, his purpose, why should we leave the camp, even a bit vulnerable. With the oncoming war, we should take every bit of power we have."

"How do you know about the war, Perseus?" he raised an eyebrow. "Luke told me."

He nodded, understanding.

"Okay. Perseus is right. You may go with him. But how do you have a ride?"

"I come from a very rich family. I drove here in my car."

He nodded. "Meeting dismissed. You may all go to sleep."

We started to walk back towards the cabin. I shadow travelled to a part of the forest. I knew Zoe would come here, she came near the lake, just sitting there, hearing the sweet and melodic gurgle of the water.

I shadow travelled her to me, changing myself to my original form. As soon as she appeared, I pinned her on the tree, being careful not to hurt her, her hands held with my right palm, straight above her head.

"Hello Zoe." I huskily said.

"Perseus," she whispered, her breath hitting my face. "How are you here?" she asked.

"The camp borders are very weak."

She gulped. "Perseus, can you unhand me please?"

"Why should I unhand you, best friend?" I came close to her coppery, but beautiful face, brushing my nose against her cheek, breathing her aroma.

"Just know Zoe, your mistress is with me. Should you come, you are going to meet your family, who want to destroy you. Even though you betrayed me, betrayed the Titans, I always loved you. So, I am giving you the benefit of the doubt. But, should you go with the Olympians, I shall tear your sisters apart, torturing them, making you see."

And then I vanished in the shadows, leaving her to fall on the ground, and a sobbing mess.

-OO-

It was daybreak, as the rose, I stood next to my 1967 Chevrolet Impala, a natural beauty, even after so many years. 4 people came out of the woods, 3 hunters, and Thalia.

I could notice the mild shakiness in Zoe's legs, perhaps after what happened last night, it left her shocked, after all, I confessed my love to her.

"Come on Boy."

I heard the voice Atlanta, as she came towards the car, and sat in the back seat. "I will drive the car." Came the voice of Zoe.

"Sorry. My car, my rules."

"I am the eldest boy. Move aside."

I raised my hands, and moved aside. She pulled the handle, but it didn't bulge. "What trickery is this boy?"

"It has a fingerprint sensor, Huntress."

She huffed, and moved towards the opposite side, and sat at Shotgun. I opened the door, and sat inside.

As the roar of the engine filled the car, I took a big breath, relishing the feeling of my favourite car. And pressed the accelerator, the immediate pick up of the car made Dopamine flutter along my whole body.

As we rushed towards the west, the sun rising from behind us, I used my iPod, and connected it to the modern tape of the car, as songs like, Without you by Parachute played.

For a few hours, I drove, finally stopping at a restaurant. Nobody had eaten anything. However much I may hate them, I did not want to hurt them. It was not their fault. Plus, they were just kids.

All of them were sleeping.

Zoe looked so peaceful, so beautiful. It made my heart flutter. But it was time to wake her up.

I used my hand to gently touch her shoulder, making it move slightly. But she just held on to it, and hugged it tightly. "I am so sorry Perseus." She softly said. It made me smile.

But she didn't know I was him. So, if any of the hunters see me like this, I will be dead.

So, I tried to pull my hand, but she held tighter. So, I started shaking her, in a moment, her dark eyes opened, as she saw what she was doing. She recoiled quickly.

Then, she itched her eyes, as her good sleep was disturbed. "Why did you wake me up, boy?"

"I stopped at this restaurant to buy some lunch. We haven't eaten since morning."

"Hmm. I will eat Steak and gravy."

"Okay. What about the others?"

"Same. Though, Thalia would eat shrimp."

"Okay." I said gently.

"Also," I decided to tease her. "-Who is this, 'Perseus'?"

She froze. "How do you know that name?"

"One, it is mine. Second, you were talking in your sleep, something like, 'I am so sorry Perseus."

She straightened her back, and replied. "That is none of your business. Go and bring that food. Actually, I will help you. You boys are incompetent, you won't be able to do this also properly."

We got out of the car, and went towards the restaurant.

Buying the necessary items, we got back, woke the others and ate our lunch.

Using a tracker spell, Phoebe made us go to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

As they went towards the area filled with rockets, I followed 3 Empusa.

Leading towards a door, which told that a private event was going on, while inside, Atlas, and the manticore stood, and some mercenaries, who guarded the throne of the General. I changed back to my original form.

"Atlas." My voice burst, making the manticore and Atlas turn towards me. "Uncle."

"Lord Perseus."

"Hello Manticore, and Nephew."

They bowed. "Don't bow Atlas." He stood up.

"Your daughter, and a few other demi-gods are here. Do not hurt them. I will take them ahead. The battle should proceed at Othrys."

They nodded. I changed back to the demi-gods form, and went running towards them.

"Guys." I puffed, in fake tiredness. "What, boy?"

"The General is here."

"You are lying."

"I am not lying. They have my scent. You all go."

"No, you are a part of this quest. We should go together."

We ran towards the parking area. Using my Impala, I sped up west, heading towards Hoover dam, the next place Artemis went.

Whirling towards Hoover Dam, I decreased the speed as we got further and further away from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.

I could feel the stare of Zoe, as she tried to understand me. The others were sleeping. My tape was closed. In stunning silence, as the night enveloped Ouranos. Before she could ask anything, we reached the dam.

I decreased the speed, until the car finally stopped. I stepped out of the car, she doing the same, and waking the others. "Hey guys, get up."

Their eyes opened, as they got out of the car, and stretched their arms and legs.

"We should check out the dam, and eat something. I want to eat the Dam food."

"I want a dam t-shirt."

"What is this? I don't understand the meaning of this?"

We all laughed at the confused and flustered Zoe. Except for Zoe, all the others were from the modern age. Hence, they understood the dam joke.

"Come on."

We went inside, "Annabeth would have loved to see this." Thalia murmured.

We took the elevator to the Dam's cafeteria, Thalia going to order food for all of us, each telling her what they wanted.

Zoe called me to a corner. What does she want?

"Perseus. I have a question to ask you."

"What is it, Zoe?"

"Who are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean. I know you are not what you show. I want to see the real you."

"Ok. Don't be scared."

I flashed to my true form for a second, and back.

"I knew it."

I smiled. "So, you truly love me?"

She kissed me, full on the lips. I was taken back, but after a moment, she started to pull back, because she thought I didn't actually love her. I went in. Deep.

Kissing her passionately, but gently. Pouring my love into that one kiss.

"I too Love you, Zoe."

I said, when I pulled back, but still keeping our heads touched.

She smiled at me. Her copper skin, glistening with love.

"Zoe. If you support the Olympians, I would be pressured to kill you. Please, just support us, else at least stay neutral."

"Don't worry Percy. I will be supporting the Titans this time."

I smiled. "Come on Zo. We should go. We still have to go to Othrys."

She nodded.

We came out of the corner, to find that the others had finished their food. And, we're waiting for us.

"Come on."

We took the elevator down, and took off to San Francisco.

-OO-

Driving towards San Francisco, we came to a stop, at the junkyard of the gods. All their cursed, and dysfunctional items were thrown here.

I took the car in, driving slowly, as the others looked at all the objects. The windows were open, and somebody touched a thing, I don't know who.

An earthquake struck the cursed land, as we could see the piles of objects falling down, one scratched the car. "Aw, my car." I sobbed.

"Nobody cares about the car, Perseus. Drive fast." Phoebe voiced.

The others all agreed, as I sped up my black Impala. One of the last vintage beauties.

I pressed on the accelerator harder, and changed the car to sports mode, another modification I made. As the motor's Rotation Per Minute (RPM) started to go over 4000, and the car's pick up drastically increased, it let out the roar of a supercar, and raced to the end of the property.

Due to bad luck, Talos appeared behind us, and launched my car into the air. That bastard will pay for this. Though, a miniature version. A duplicate.

With its shadow, I trapped it. Not letting it move, and with the car's shadow, I made it fall towards the ground, and touch down carefully, and slowly.

Thankfully, the car did not sustain damage, aside from a gigantic scratch!

Using Talos's shadow, I started to bend his body. Mangling into different shapes, I started to crush him, as the weight increased from his comfort level, he started bending his body, lower and lower.

I made my hand into a ball formation, as the weight continuously increased. After he was done, I tossed him into the void of Trash.

"That should be it," I spoke in my own mind.

"Where did he go?"

"How do I know?" I answered.

"Nobody asked you, Boy. I was talking to myself." I shrugged.

-OO-

Arriving at the base of Mount Tamalpais, we started to go inside. Going through the fog, we came to the huge, and beautiful garden of the Hesperides.

The four daughters, Nymphs of Sunset and Sunrise appeared ahead of us.

"Sisters,"

"We see no sister." Replied Aegle. "We only see 3 hunters and 2 demi-gods."

I was having too much.

I went ahead of all of them, and stepped in front of the Hesperides. Showing them my true eye colour, making them quake with fear. "Can you let us go?"

"Yes, you may go."

I bowed my heads, and we started the trek to the top of the mountain.

Once reached, the fog cleared, showing the tired and sweaty Artemis. Atlas appeared, standing in front of us.

"Ah. The traitor finally comes."

Thalia stepped up for Zoe. "She is no traitor."

"Step out of this talk, daughter of Zeus. This is a family matter."

"Family matter?"

"Atlas is my father." Replied Zoe.

But she straightened her back, "I wanted to explore the world, and Artemis took me in. So, I supported her, you threw me out. And, I would regret it, if you cared about me."

"I do Zoe. This was the exact reason I would never let you go out. The Olympians were out there. They would recruit you, and I was correct."

I cocooned us with darkness. "Atlas, I suggest that you give her one more chance. And, give her your blessing, as she is my girlfriend."

"Fine Uncle. One chance Zoe. I give you my blessing to be with Perseus."

She looked so happy, and then she jumped up and down, and hugged Atlas. He too looked happy, and hugged her back tightly.

I smiled from the background.

Once done. I asked, "Atlas, keep Artemis here. I will tell the others that we failed, as you were too strong for us. Keep her prisoner here, do not let her go. But, do not touch a hair on her."

He nodded with furiousness. I laughed, as I shadow travelled all of us to the entrance of the camp. I and Zoe limped, while also carrying Thalia, Atlanta and Phoebe.

The campers came towards us, and started to circle us.

"What happened my boy?"

"We had gone, but they were-" I pointed to the people on top of us, "-hit on the head, and had gone unconscious, while we were almost killed when someone flashed us here. We barely escaped. Atlas was too strong for us."

He nodded, as he took the unconscious questors on his back, and trotted them to the infirmary.

We both looked at each other, and smiled.

We heard the sound of the horn for a meeting. We went into the big house. As all the cabin councillors started to settle down, we too sat down.

"This meeting has been called regarding the quest."

Murmurs like, "I knew this quest would fail."

"They are just weaklings. How were they even selected?" Went on, and it got me pissed off.

"If you think we are weaklings, I dare you to fight the Titan Atlas." That got them to shut up.

"Can you tell us what happened out there?"

"We went to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, where I found Atlas. Then we rushed to Hoover Dam, where we ate. Then we went to Mount Tamalpais, where Othrys is rising. Artemis was trapped on the burden of Atlas, and we tried to fight him, but the others went unconscious as they were hit on the head from behind. And, someone flashed us to the camp borders before we could get pummelled from Atlas's spear."

"We are sorry. You should go and rest."

"Chiron, I have a tent, where we all can fit. I say that we can go sleep there as we won't be able to sleep in our rooms, and we need peace of mind."

He nodded.

Once Phoebe, Thalia and Atlanta came back from the infirmary, they all said 'Thank you' to us, and went to their bedrooms in the tent. It was magical, it could accommodate EN number of people.

Me and Zoe went to a single bedroom, and laid on the bed. Staring at the ceiling, I noticed that Zoe's breathing was now even, meaning she was asleep on my chest.

Once she was comfortable, I too slept.

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