Pertemis: Chasing Time

Chapter 9: We Need You

Artemis's POV

Was I too harsh on him? I don't know how get him to leave. He can't stay anymore. But what would he do now? Will he choose to die? NO HE CAN'T DIE! Maybe he will come back the next day again? As much I hate him coming back, it was the only way I know he's safe, BUT I WANT HIM TO MOVE ON! I spent the whole day just stoning in my tent. I can't decide if I want him to stay or leave. I can't decide on anything pertaining to Percy.

"THALIA!" I shouted, and soon enough she came rushing in.

"what's wrong milady?" She asked concernedly. She was the only one who knows about me and Percy. She was the only one I could ask, although she's just as clueless as me.

"You think I should have Percy to stay?" I asked her.

"Do you want him to?" She asked back.

"I don't know. I want him to stay, so I at least know he's safe. But how am I supposed to move on with him around? How is he supposed to move on?" I asked back. My tears have already escaped my eyes.

"If you ask me, I don't think he will move on. He knows that he loves you, and you love him too. Being a loyal person, he will most probably stay faithful to you." Thalia answered.

"How can we be sure? He could be enjoying himself with that Reyna girl right now." I replied.

Suddenly I heard shouting outside my tent. Thalia and I shared a look before storming outside.

My hunters were trying to hold back a girl from entering my tent.

"Let me go, I need to talk with Lady Diana." She yelled.

I recognised her. She was Reyna, Percy's girlfriend. Just thought about that made me hurt so much. But I managed to keep my composure.

"What are you doing here Reyna?" I asked her.

She pushed the hunters aside and ran up to me.

"Lady Diana" She said "I come to check on Percy. We need him to return to camp now."

"What are you talking about? Hasn't he come back to your arms." I raised my voice a bit. No Artemis, you're overwhelmed by jealousy. Pull yourself together.

"No he hasn't returned since the day he came to find you" Reyna told me. "Things is getting bad at camp now. The Greeks suddenly disappeared yesterday. Most of campers have started to spread out rumours that the Greeks kidnapped Percy. I need him to go back and calm them now. I'm afraid that there will be a war among demigods."

"So why do you have to come here. He loves you more than me, I have no business with him or with you." I said.

Reyna stepped, shocked. "Is this the words of the one Percy loved?" Reyna trembled. "You think Percy is that kind of person? He loves you Diana. Even when he lost his memory, the only person he remembered was you. Despite the fact that I'm jealous of you, I still have to come here. And now I have to hear those words came out from you. Do you know how much he loves and cares for you? Have I ever deserve that?"

She cried out and dropped on her knees. I looked away in shame. I was wrong. I misunderstood her. I thought a girl like Reyna would be so strong, but now, in front of me. She was so vulnerable. I went up to her and hugged her.

"It hurts you know?" Reyna sobbed on my shoulder. "I offered him everything. A position, power and me. But he still chose you instead. It hurts a lot. I have never felt this much pain in my life, not even when Jason disappeared. I just need someone to care and love."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know about that before. Thank you for waking me."

She pulled away from my embrace and wiped her tears.

"So do you know where he is now?"

"Well...uh...about that" I said shyly causing her to give me a quizzical look. "I sort of told him, I hate him"

"YOU WHAT!?" She flared up.

"It was the only way to get him to move on, or the only way I know how to." I answered sheepishly.

"FIND HIM NOW!" She demanded. I attempted to trace him, but not only I couldn't not able to pinpoint his location, I couldn't sense him anywhere either.

"I can't find him." I told her.

"No this is not good, if we can't find him. A civil war will come up for sure." Reyna said pacing around.

"I think we should call a meeting" I suggested.

"No don't" Reyna screamed. "Don't you remember that Jupiter wanted him to die. His identity is still a secret now. It would be a risk if we reveal it to the other gods."

"Then what should we do?"

"Let's spread out and find him" Reyna said. "Your hunters are really good with tracking. I now will go back to camp Jupiter, trying as much as I can to delay the war from happening."

I nodded at her. "Just settle with that for now."

A month passed

I've raced through the woods, my eyes constantly searching around for any signs of human activity. Where is that i***t? It's been a month already! I am unable to get the hunters to help me anymore. I went to the Underworld but Hades said that Percy is not dead. His soul isn't found in the underworld or the DOA. I will track him down, dead or alive. It was nightfall already. I found myself tiring out. My speed was getting slower as I slowed down to a halt. Even as a god, my body has its limit. I took a seat against a tree. Where are you Percy? I felt myself begin to tear up. It was my fault. If I hadn't been so stubborn, he wouldn't have run off. I could remember the whole scene in my head.

"I HATE YOU PERSEUS"

Those four words were my last words to him before he... went missing. My heart began to clench in pain. I'm sorry Percy. He's probably living his life in agony, or... No! He's not dead! I pat my face to sober myself. I need to pull myself together. I got up and readied myself.

"Going somewhere?" Porphyrion stood out from the shadow, along with a whole bunch of monsters. I materialised my bow and aimed it directly at him.

"What do you want Porphyrion!" I demanded.

"Still as fierce as always, I wonder what Gration sees in you." He shook his head.

"Gration? Shouldn't he still be in Tartarus?" I questioned.

"You think I've been idling for the past month? With the doors of death being opened, they could simply walk out easily. Capturing you would be the first step to bringing down the Gods." He laughed out evilly. I fired an arrow right at his face, but it was blocked with his hand.

"Shoot me as you may, but you know you can't kill me without a demigod's help. Now just come peacefully, wouldn't want to disfigure you before your wedding." He simply laughed at me. He's right, and there was no way I could run away with so many monsters around.

"I would DIE then to go with you!" I tightened my grip on my bow and pulled back my string again.

"Don't you wish to see your Percy again?" He smirked at me. I know he's taunting me, but when he mentioned Percy.

"WHERE IS HE?!" I flared up immediately.

"Come with me if you want to find out so badly." He goaded me. What should I do? This could be the closest lead I have to find Percy.

"Fine!" I dropped my bow, and it turned out to be the worst decision I've ever made. I was immediately knocked out.

Reyna's POV

It's been one month and we hadn't got anything about Percy. Things were getting worse. The missing of the new praetor has spread out into New Rome, INTO THE CITY!Everyone has started rumouring about the Greeks kidnapping Percy.

I suddenly heard shouting outside the principia house. As I arriving outside of the doors, the whole legion was standing there with weapons and armours ready for matching.

"What is this?" I asked.

Octavian stepped out from the crowd with his cocky face. He was the one that started the rumours.

"We come to grant the permission to attack Camp Half Blood" he said.

"Do you even think what are you saying Octavian?" I bellowed at him. "We all want to avoid war, especially in this time when Gaea is rising. You really want to see blood flowing like river before the actual war began?"

He smirked at me and muttered. "It's not about your decision now."

Octavian then turned back to the legion. "Romans. We have fought countless battles. Our camp has risen back to its glorious days right now is because of our new leader, Percy Jackson. But now, the Greeks, the weak creatures have ever walked on this Earth have kidnapped our leader. They want to wipe us out, they want to overwhelm us. But we are Roman, and we fear no enemy. We will fight. We will fight to bring our leader back. What will you say my brothers? Will you go with me to rescue our leader, Percy Jackson?"

A cheer came after him. Octavian turned back to me as his face showed evil. He used the trust and support of people for Percy to go against me. How dare he? That situation was far beyond my control. I knew this would come, but not like what I'm seeing now. Octavian was leading them. It was all his plan all along. I clenched my fists but didn't say anything. It's not like it does matter anymore.

Octavian turned back and stopped the cheering.

"Brothers, time has come for us to show those pathetic Greeks what we are and have become to. Romans, match to Camp Half Blood."