72 C.E.
Artemis cut and slashed, her twin hunting knives blurs of silver as she fell one monster after another. The Moon Goddess moved quickly around the battlefield, a whirlwind of speed and destruction. She glances over to the right. Over there was her friend and life companion: Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon. whereas she was merely like a whirlwind, he really was a whirlwind. There he sat, in the center of his own personal hurricane, blowing away and disintegrating any monster that got too close. Any that did manage to get past the winds, rain, and ice were quickly dispatched by Riptide, Percy's sword and a true arch of destruction, the perfect extension to the man's body.
Artemis, as always, could not help but marvel at the speed and skill of her Guardian. She sent a silent sign of gratitude for recovering such a powerful Guardian, something she must do at least twice a day. The goddess of the Hunt would be at a loss without him. They had practically grown up together after all.
Artemis' actions became thoughtless. After battling so much, one does tend to require less thought during the action. This allowed her mind to drift to the past couple days, and the events which led to her current predicament.
***
For the past couple weeks, Artemis had been allowing a male son of Poseidon to travel with her Hunters. He was an exceptional archer, and could track as well as the best of her Hunters. Artemis found herself drawn to the man, whose name was Orion. She wasn't drawn to him romantically, but more like she was drawn to Perseus, if to a considerably lesser extent.
Percy had been watching the man from the moment Orion entered the Hunter 's camp. It was the role of a Guardian to protect and advise his or her charge, and Percy could tell that Orion was not a man to be trust. Initially however, Percy had no proof of malice towards Artemis or her Hunters. One thing that had made Percy such an effective Guardian was that he ensured that all facts were gathered before actions were made, almost like a child of Athena.
After around a week passed, Percy had noticed a change in Orion's aura. It had taken on a darker feel, and became speckled with red, the color of lust. Orion began to flirt with the Hunters, earning him mostly dislike from the Hunt, and a more watchful eye from Percy. He also decided to was time to alert his mistress of Orion's action.
Artemis listen patiently while Percy explained to her what he had seen and inferred.
"I understand and trust your judgement Percy, but he has done nothing that I have seen to cause me to distrust him in any way." She answers calmly.
Percy looks hesitant, "Milady, it is my responsibility as a Guardian to report to my mistress when I believe that her well-being may be in danger. I have laid down all of the information I know on the situation. I will support your decision."
Artemis laughs softly, "Come now Percy, have I not told you to relax. You don't need to be so formal. We are friends." His throat catches on the word friends, but she continues, "I shall allow Orion to remain with us throughout the winter. But if he does anything to make you doubt his honesty, you have my support in dealing with any situation however you see fit."
Percy nods, "Thank you for taking my suggestions into consideration, Artemis. I shall be going now." He stands up and leaves.
A few days later, Artemis is moving quickly through the woods, towards a cry of pain. Artemis enters a small clearing, completely blocked from view by the tree. When she gets there, the sight that greets the maiden goddess' eyes leaves her speechless.
Lying on the ground, staring up in wide-eyed fear, is one of Artemis's Hunters. She is older, but still a new recruit. Her name was Catania. Catania was on the ground, half naked, crying tears in silence. Her shirt was shredded apart completely, leaving the top of her body bare. The Hunter's pants were destroyed from the knee down, leaving little privacy for the girl.
About ten feet from Catania stood two men. No, Artemis mentally corrects herself, a man and a boy. Percy, cloaked entirely in his Guardian garb, was beating the life out of Orion. Artemis recoiled slightly. She'd seen Percy go into battle wearing his uniform, but this was an entirely different situation.
The Guardians wore a very unique garb. It was a pure black cloak, highlighted by the colors of his or her specific Olympian charge. In Percy's case, the cloak was black with silver highlights. The cloak's hood, when flipped upward, completely clouded the Guardian's face in shadow. Hidden in the folds of the cloak is a set of black and silver armor, nearly indestructible to all but the most damaging of wounds.
Right now though, Percy did not have his hood up. Perhaps he wanted Orion to see the look of anger on the Guardian's face as he mercilessly battered and bruised the boy.
"Percy! What is going on?!" Artemis had finally found her voice.
Percy had Orion in one hand, and simply gestured over to Catania, "Does it look like Catania approved of Orion's advances?"
Artemis' eyes widened when she realized what Percy was saying. the goddess quickly hardened her face into one of anger, and pulled out her bow and an arrow. Percy, knowing what was coming, stepped aside, just in time. Artemis let loose the arrow, which struck the traitorous male right between the eyes.
Orion died in silence, not a single word to say.
Percy walks over to Catania, and quietly drapes her in his cloak, providing the Hunter with some layer dignity.
Artemis' anger fades into shock as the situation completely soaks in. She falls into Percy's arms, sobbing her eyes out.
"I'm sorry Catania." She says miserably, "I'm sorry for not seeing that terrible excuse for a human for what he was. I'm sorry Percy. I should have trusted your judgement. You have never been wrong before."
Percy strokes Artemis' hair gently, "Shhh, it's ok Arty. I forgive you." He continues to say encouraging words to the maiden goddess.
The Hunters had forgiven Artemis for her poor decision-making when it came to Orion, and this further solidified their belief that all males (Percy excluded) were terrible beings. Afterwards, Artemis decided that she needed to blow off some steam, so she began a short solo hunt, remaining within five miles of camp to ease the tension on Percy. While off on her own, Artemis stumbled upon a monster nest. Without hesitating, Artemis attacked the nest.
***
Artemis and Percy were slowly backed towards the center of the monster nest. Percy's hurricane had died out some time ago, though it was okay, as Riptide was more than enough to handle the grunts. They stood back to back, thinking quickly of the best way to escape.
Artemis feels a chill go down her spine, then suddenly, Percy cries out in pain. Artemis whips around. Percy was lying on the ground, three arrows sticking out of his chest. Artemis screams, letting out all of her emotion in one scream. Every monster was instantly disintegrated into nothing but monster dust.
"Lady...Artemis." Percy says, each word painful to say. Artemis kneels down close to Percy sits over top the dying Guardian.
"Yes, Percy?" It hurt Artemis to see Percy in such a state
"It's been...an honor... to fight alongside you...Artemis."
"What? No! You are not dying on me. I need you Percy. I need you to provide support and advice. I'll...I'll be lost without you."
There were a number of options open to Artemis, but she could not think of anything to do to help her Guardian. Percy had always seemed invincible to the Moon Goddess. The mere thought of him dying was almost laughable. Until now. Tears begin to roll freely down Artemis' face. Percy smiles softly and coughs up blood.
"I'll...always be...by your side..." He rasps out, "Even after death."
"Tell Zoë and the others that I always cared for them like sisters." He then takes something out of his pocket and hands it to Artemis, "Would you mind returning that to her. It seems I won't be able to do so in person."
"No Percy, don't die." Artemis begs weakly.
"I do not believe Thanatos is giving me a choice." He says, a spot of humor in his voice as it starts to fade away.
Before Percy dies, and before she convinces herself otherwise, Artemis leans down, and kisses Percy softly, "I love you." She whispers quietly, then picks up the broken body of her closest friend, and carries it back to the Hunters' Camp.
The last of the Guardians was no more.