Chapter 25 – A New Beginning for Artemis and Her Hunters
The sun was beginning to rise over Olympus, casting its golden rays over the grand halls where the Council of the Gods met. Artemis walked down the marble path that led to the main hall, each step filled with purpose and determination. Today, she would confront the Olympian Council with a truth that would change not only her life, but the lives of her Hunters as well.
Percy stood beside her, dressed simply but with an imposing presence that radiated confidence. He lightly touched Artemis's hand before they reached the doors.
"Are you sure you want to do this alone?" he asked.
"Yes. This is a matter between me and the gods, Percy. But thank you for being here for me."
He nodded, respecting her decision.
Inside the hall, the gods were already assembled, seated on their majestic thrones. Zeus, in the center, looked at Artemis with stern eyes as she stood in the middle of the hall. Beside him, Athena, Apollo, Poseidon, and the other gods watched curiously.
"Artemis, you called this meeting. What is the reason?" Zeus asked, his voice echoing with authority.
Artemis lifted her chin, showing no hesitation.
"I am here to inform you that I am no longer a virgin goddess."
A shocked silence fell over the hall. Even Apollo, known for his witty remarks, remained speechless. Aphrodite let out a small smile, while Athena arched an eyebrow.
"Explain yourself," Zeus demanded, surprise evident in his voice.
"I broke my vow of chastity and virginity. I did so of my own free will, without interference or manipulation from anyone, including Aphrodite." Artemis looked directly at the goddess of love, who raised her hands in a gesture of theatrical innocence.
— Percy Jackson is the man I chose to give up my oath for. He has proven himself worthy of my respect, trust, and love.
Poseidon, sitting next to Zeus, couldn't help but smile slightly proudly, but he remained silent.
"This is an affront to the vows you made before the Council and to Styx himself!" Zeus exclaimed, but before he could continue, Artemis interrupted him.
"I have already spoken with Styx. She broke my oath without consequences, out of respect for what I have done over the millennia and for what Percy has accomplished as a hero."
The gods exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves. Finally, Athena intervened.
"What about your Hunters? Their oath was not just personal. It was the foundation upon which the sisterhood was built."
Artemis nodded.
"That is exactly why I am here. I intend to speak to my Hunters about what has happened and offer them a choice. Now that I am no longer a virgin goddess, their oath to me has lost its validity. I will allow them to decide whether they want to remain in the Hunt or leave the sisterhood.
Aphrodite smiled even wider.
"Finally, Artemis. Perhaps you now understand what I have always said about love and freedom."
Zeus slammed his fist on the arm of his throne, irritated by the lack of order in the discussion.
"Artemis, you are free to do so. However, know that without the oath, the Hunt will be different. Are you prepared to deal with these changes?"
"I am. The Hunt will be renewed. We will still fight monsters, we will still protect the innocent, but without restricting the personal choices of the girls who follow me."
Zeus nodded slowly, clearly still uncomfortable, but unable to argue with Styx's decision.
Back at Camp Half-Blood, Artemis gathered her Hunters under the starlight. They surrounded her, their expressions varying between curiosity and concern. Talia stood between them, her arms crossed as she regarded Artemis intently.
"Sisters," Artemis began, her voice calm but firm. "I come to you with a truth that will change the future of the Hunt."
The Hunters exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves.
"I am no longer a virgin goddess, and my oath of chastity has been broken."
The impact of the statement was immediate. Some of the Hunters gasped, while others frowned, clearly trying to process the information.
"But… what does this mean for us?" a young woman named Evangeline asked.
"It means that the oath you swore to me is no longer binding either. I am no longer a goddess who demands chastity from you. Each of you now has the freedom to decide your own fate."
Talia stepped forward, her brow furrowed.
"So the Hunt is over?"
Artemis looked directly at her.
"No. The Hunt will continue for those who wish to stay." We will fight as we always have, but without the restrictions of the oath. You will be able to relate, love, or even leave to seek other paths.
Artemis's clarity and honesty caused silence to fall over the group again. Finally, Talia spoke, her voice more soft.
"That changes a lot, but I think it's fair. Each of us should be able to choose."
Artemis nodded.
"You have time to think. The one who decides to leave will have my blessing, as will the one who wants to stay."
In the following days, a few Hunters decided to leave. Artemis hugged them one by one, promising that they would always be connected by the experience they shared.
Evangeline was one of those who chose to stay.
"You will always be my leader, Lady Artemis. But I am happy for this new freedom."
Talia, after much thought, also decided to stay.
"I still think the world needs the Hunt, even if it is different now."
Artemis felt grateful for those who remained, but also proud of those who had the courage to follow new paths.
As the sun set on the horizon, Artemis and Percy stood on the hill of Camp Half-Blood, watching the orange glow of the sky.
"How was it?" — Percy asked, taking her hand.
"Difficult, but necessary," Artemis replied. "My sisterhood has changed, but I feel like this is a new beginning for all of us."
Percy smiled.
"You've always been a leader, Artemis. No matter how things change, you'll always be an inspiration."
She looked at him with a fondness that would have seemed impossible not long ago.
"And you, Percy Jackson, are the reason I found the strength to change."
As the moon rose behind them, Artemis felt that for the first time in millennia, her life was truly complete. She had freedom, love, and a new purpose—everything she had never dared to wish for before.
Chapter 26 – The God of Heroes and the Goddess of the Hunt
Olympus was in a state of celebration. The grand marble hall, adorned with golden pillars and shimmering tapestries, pulsated with the energy of a rare and monumental event: the wedding of Percy Jackson and Artemis, a milestone in the history of gods and heroes. Behind the event was an equally important decision: Percy, the Hero of Olympus, had agreed to be elevated to the status of god.
The decision to transform Percy into a god was not made impulsively. During a meeting of the Olympian Council, Zeus, who had previously shown resistance, finally recognized Percy's unparalleled value to the divine and mortal world.
"Percy Jackson, you have proven time and time again that you are beyond the limits of a mortal demigod. Your courage, loyalty, and wisdom are qualities that make you worthy of a place among us," Zeus declared, his deep voice filling the hall.
Percy, standing before the gods, with Artemis at his side, stood firm, but his mind raced with the implications of this choice.
"I accept with honor, but not for personal glory. I do this because I want to continue protecting both the mortal and divine worlds."
Poseidon, clearly proud, smiled at his son.
"You have always been a leader, Percy. Now, you will be more than that."
With the decision made, Percy was taken to the heart of Olympus, where Styx waited. The goddess of the river oath raised her hand, and a brilliant light enveloped Percy, transforming his body and soul. He felt an overwhelming energy course through every fiber of his being. When the glow died down, he was taller, stronger, and radiating power. His green eyes shone like never before.
Artemis, seeing him, smiled with a mixture of pride and affection.
"You are even more incredible now."
"And you are the reason for all of this," Percy replied, taking her hand.
News of the wedding spread quickly throughout the divine and mortal realms. Hera, surprisingly, was the first to offer her blessing.
"This wedding is more than a union. It is a symbol of change and renewal for us all," she declared.
Aphrodite eagerly took on the role of planning the event.
"Artemis, my dear, I know you've never cared about such things, but trust me. Your wedding will be unforgettable."
"As long as it's not too extravagant, Aphrodite," Artemis replied, but there was a glint of excitement in her eyes.
While Aphrodite tended to the details, Hephaestus forged rings for the couple, made of celestial silver and Olympian gold, each encrusted with stones that represented their essences: an emerald for Percy and a crescent moon for Artemis.
The wedding took place under the light of a full moon, a powerful symbol for the goddess of the hunt. The hall was filled with guests: the gods of Olympus, demigods from Camp Half-Blood, and even mortals who had had an impact on Percy and Artemis's journey.
Chiron and Grover were among the first to arrive, thrilled to witness this moment.
"Who would have thought Percy would end up marrying a goddess?" Grover whispered to Chiron, who just smiled with a wise look.
"Percy always had a great destiny."
Talia, now leader of the Hunt, walked Artemis down the aisle, while Poseidon did the same with Percy.
Zeus, standing before the couple, raised his hands in blessing.
"Today we celebrate the union of two of the most honored among us. May this marriage bring balance and strength to Olympus and the mortal world."
Percy and Artemis exchanged vows.
"Artemis, you are my light, my strength, and my purpose. I promise to be by your side through all the challenges that come. — Percy said, his voice firm but full of emotion.
"Percy, you have brought new meaning to my eternity. With you, I have found something I never imagined I wanted: love." — Artemis replied, with a sincerity that moved even Zeus.
They exchanged rings under the proud gaze of their friends and family. When Zeus declared them husband and wife, a celestial glow enveloped the couple, officially marking their union.
After the wedding, Artemis gathered her Hunters in the woods surrounding Camp Half-Blood. They had accepted the changes and thrived under Talia's new leadership.
"The Hunt will continue to protect the innocent and face the dangers that threaten our world. Percy is now part of that mission, as my partner and defender," Artemis declared.
Tália nodded.
"We are ready for whatever comes, Lady Artemis.
Evangeline, one of the younger Hunters, raised her voice.
"With you and Percy guiding us, we know we can face anything."
In the months that followed, Percy embraced his responsibilities as a god with the same determination he had shown as a demigod. He was named the God of Heroes, Strategy, and Protection, reflecting his role as a defender of both worlds.
Artemis and Percy, now united in both love and their missions, continued to lead the Hunt and protect the balance between the realms.
As they watched a new generation of demigods train at Camp Half-Blood, Percy took Artemis's hand.
"I never imagined my life would take me here."
"Neither did I," Artemis replied, with a rare, sincere smile. "But I wouldn't change a thing."
With the moon shining brightly above them, Percy and Artemis faced the future with the certainty that together, they could face anything.
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