It was a normal day at the hunter's camp; Diane was losing in a archery competition to Thalia, although most thought she was letting her win, Phoebe and Artemis were planning their next hunt, Zoë was playing with Pistó, fetch the arrow was his favorite, she would shoot the arrow and he would catch it about 15 yards away. But all that shattered when Hermes delivered a summons for Artemis, and they were issued a hunt, the first issued hunt in 60 years, since the end of the war.

It was saddening to hear of all the demi-god and mortal children that were disappearing and those that are being mauled to death. It was only after hearing that Lupa and her pack had been unsuccessful when they tried to stop the attacks, only able to find the identity of the attackers before most of her pack was severely injured only surviving because Lupa intervened and saved them.

Lycaon and his pack of werewolves were killing children and taking them, most likely to change them and grow larger numbers. It was getting so bad that the council of cloven had every satyr, faun and nature spirit out looking for demigods along with campers and any wolf from Lupa's pack that is able to. But more severe was the fact that no one knew where they were, Lupa couldn't track them, the wind gods couldn't spot them and there were no prophecies about them. It was as if they were guarded from the eyes of the gods.

Artemis and her hunt were packed and trying to track a single wolf they found trying to kill a daughter of Trivia, only to wound him and send the girl with a wood nymph for protection to wait for a faun to pick her up. It was easy to track a wolf that was injured but this kept a near impossible pace. They eventually corned the wolf in the cascades only to encounter a sizable pack.

Claws and maws were everywhere when the wolves attacked but the silver arrows from the hunters and Pistó's speed to catch them made so no hunter was killed, a few scratches but those were healed. A few escaped before being killed by the hunters, but they were going to be used to track. These 3 wolves would lead them to Lycaon and hopefully end the attacks.

The tracks led the hunters north, and they made it to Alberta before they had to rest from running 2 and a half days straight. Many of the girls were exhausted but not many of them were injured.

"Where are they hiding all the way up here? They couldn't be able to hunt in the states if their dens are up this far." Phoebe's breath was still slightly labored as they all sat around a fire, bundled in their silver parkas.

"It is surprising, no breed of wolves is known for travelling more than a few miles out of their hunting ground unless forced to. And hunting grounds are a perimeter around their dens." Diane was always the smartest of the hunters, at least with facts and tactics.

"It is possible that these wolves are just leading us on a wild goose chase," Thalia in her ever optimistic way, said. "We don't even know if they are running back to mommy."

"We have to track them down, there isn't much of a choice, we just have to hope that they are leading us to Lycaon." Artemis was a little disheartened, her hunt was never known for being pessimistic, "Everyone get some rest we will need it. We will set out early to keep on the tracks." The hunters mumbled their good nights and trudged to their tents.

All that was left at the fire were Pistó, Artemis and Zoë who had been fairly quite for the last few hours. "Milady, I have a bad feeling about this," Pistó raised his head from Artemis' lap and looked at Zoë when Artemis turned her head to her lieutenant, "There isn't much land left for them to go that is within the god's domains. What if they are planning an ambush that we aren't ready for?"

Artemis shifted her gaze back to the flames, her silver eyes reflecting them like mirrors. "Zoë we will have to be ready, this is something we have to do. Get some rest, we will be running again soon." Zoë hesitated before leaving, aware that Artemis was just as worried as her.

When Artemis was sure that Zoë couldn't hear she lifted her head to the sky, "What are we going to do Percy? They are leading us to the land beyond the gods and I don't what will happen there, I won't have any power."

There was a subtle breeze that was surprisingly warm, "My love, I will always protect you." It was his voice, Artemis spun around hoping to see him but all she saw was snow falling and Pistó looking at her.

Artemis sighed before going to her tent, She climbed in bed only to have Pistó curl into her, warming her against the chill from outside.

The forest was quiet tonight, Artemis was unnerved, the forest always had the sounds she loved, the birds, the wind, the creek, all the wildlife, but now all of it sounded dead. She was standing in her clearing when her eyes spotted Percy; he was looking at her with slight concern.

"What troubles you my moon flower?" He asked using a nickname they had picked up when Theo had brought it from his moonlace box at his mothers old apartment to his memorial sight in New Olympus.

"Why is the forest so quiet? There is no life." Artemis walked slowly to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she around his neck.

"You are troubled, this forest is reflective of you now just as much as it is me. You are worried just as Zoë is about this hunt as I am about you." Percy looked into her eyes; Artemis could see the worry present on his face.

Artemis raised a hand up to his cheek, "Percy you don't have to worry about me. I am more than capable of taking care of myself. And Pistó hasn't allowed me to be hurt yet." Percy took his hand up to hers before kissing her palm.

"But you will lose all your powers in Alaska, it is beyond your influence. I am sure Pistó will protect you and your hunt but I fear that it won't be enough. I have a very bad feeling about this." Percy replaced his hand on her waist and pulled her flush against him, "Promise me that you will be careful and do not even think about hunting alone."

"I am not stupid Percy, I know more about hunting than anyone."

"I know my love but I can't shake the feeling that there is something wrong about this." Percy looked down at her, "But I will make sure you are safe my love" Percy leaned down kissed her; it was soft but carried much passion.

"I love you." Artemis voice was soft, but Percy would be able to hear those words from planets away.

"And I you, but I need you to rest. Please rest, you have much to do tomorrow. And I need you to be at your best." Percy kissed her forehead once more, fading her into a restful sleep.

Zoë awoke in a forest after falling asleep, the air was warm and the moon was high and bright. She looked around seeing she was in a clearing with a fire not to far away, she turned to look around her the trees were fairly think not allowing her to see far into them. Before she could walk towards them she heard someone clear their throat behind her, whirling around Zoë assumed a fighting position. There was a man on the other side of the fire but Zoë was positive he wasn't there before. He chuckled at her reaction, which only angered her.

"Who are you?" Zoë demanded.

"So this is how you treat your old friend?"

But then Zoë looked at the man closer she saw sea green eyes and raven hair, "Percy?"

All he did was smile his crooked grin. "Sit Zoë I need to talk to you." Percy gestured to the other side of the fire.

Zoë sat down but there was something that was familiar in his voice, she had heard it somewhere.

"Zoë, I think you are right. I feel like something is going to happen tomorrow, there are some things I can't do in my current situation so I need you to make sure of something. Make sure nothing happens to the hunters, Artemis would do anything for anyone of you and I won't be able to protect her then." Percy took in a breath, "I need you to make sure that you watch the hunters so Artemis doesn't endanger herself by trying anything stupid."

Zoë listened carefully to what he said, it isn't everyday that dead friend comes to you in your dream, especially the dead friend that is dating your sister.

"Now did you have anything you wanted to say before I let you go back to your dreamless sleep?" Percy asked but he knew she wanted to know a few things.

Zoë was still getting over her daze but she snapped out f it at that question, "Why didn't you come back if you loved milady? You are only hurting her by you not being there."

Percy looked down, ashamed that she was right, "Zoë you must realize that I can't do everything, I need to allow people to learn and grow on their own. But I tried to ease the pain of my death, why do you think I brought everyone back?"

Zoë gasped, "You did all that, but what about the man that came to all of us? You don't have enough power, you are just a demigod."

Percy chuckled again, "Zoë I am so much more than a demigod, but it was I that was able to bring you all back. I knew you all had reasons to live, but I brought you back for my own selfish reasons."

Zoë sat there trying to take this all in, "So you did all of this... But how?"

"Oh Zoë it is actually so simple, I willed it to and then I did it." Percy gave her a very cheeky grin, to which Zoë only scowled.

"You still are a stupid boy, it doesn't matter if Artemis loves you." Zoë huffed.

"Artemis loves me and I her, there isn't much to change that. I am sorry if this insults your ideas of men Zoë but I would never hurt her. In fact that is why I have been protecting you all the best I can for these last few decades. But when I come back fully I will simply become like the father of the hunters, if Artemis will accept my proposal—" Percy cut himself off, "Please don't tell Artemis I said that, I wanted it to be a surprise."

Zoë just smirked, "Well if you do join the hunt then you are getting an arrow in the ass. But I don't need to ruin a surprise that will make milady happy." But then Zoë caught something he said, "What do you mean you are protecting us?"

"Well... I have been watching over all of you and protecting you from all I can, I give warm feelings to you all when you are down, I have fought off a monster or two, but most importantly I have watched to make sure you are all safe, especially my love."

"How, no one can sneak up on us, Bianca would detect your ghost and Artemis would notice any spike in power." Zoë was confused by how he could manage that.

"Zoë, I can't explain everything right now but I need you to rest because you have a job to do." Percy stood up to leave but Zoë stopped him.

She jumped up and hugged him, an embrace that was only beaten by Artemis' spine-breaking holds. "I wanted to thank you. Not only did you earn my respect in my first life but now you gave me a second and milady love. Thank you Percy."

Percy smiled at her, "Zoë you will always be my friend. Now you must go." Percy leaned down and kissed her forehead, "Now sleep."

The morning was quick all of the hunters were surprisingly rested after only one night of sleep and 2 and a half days running. The hunters began to pack the camp when Artemis sent Athena an IM to get a status update and to tell her where the hunt would be going. It was possible that they would be going into Alaska so it would be dangerous, even for a goddess.

The packing went quickly, but the tracking took a little longer, a fresh foot on snow fell onto the tracks and not even Phoebe could find the trail. Pistó was the one to find the trail and it was surly heading northeast straight into Alaska.

It took 10 hours for them to reach the border, the snow slowing even the hunters pace. Just before the border the hunters rested, having a small breather before travelling into the land beyond the gods.

"Milady, what is going to happen when we get into Alaska?" Diane asked, she was still one of the youngest hunters and she wasn't used to intense hunts like this.

"I don't know Diane, no god that I know has been to Alaska." Artemis' voice gave a little peak at her worry but only to those that knew her best. "But we should continue the hunt, the quicker we finish the sooner we are able to go back."

The girls all packed and with their wolves and Pistó guiding them they followed the trail left by the retreating werewolves. It only took an hour to reach the border and Artemis felt it immediately, her power began draining, it wasn't just the fact that she didn't have any powers here but also that her strength was draining, straining at the running they were doing. She managed to keep up with her hunters and gave no signs of her faintness.

Pistó could sense her faltering strength but felt it would be best if they continued and tried to get out of Alaska as fast as possible. The tracks began getting sparse and the wind was getting worse, snow was burning on the skin of the hunters, even the wolves were having trouble.

When the tracks literally disappeared Pistó and the wolves had to stop and began to search around, creating a circle around the hunters. Pistó sensed something out of the ordinary and snarled into the snow, Zoë raised her bow leading to the rest of the hunters joining her. Artemis went up to Pistó with her bow out, stopping next to him to call out,

"Come out, we know where you are!" The strangest thing happened after that, the snow began to laugh at her, swirling around and burning all of their skins.

"Oh silly Artemis, You don't even know who we are." The soft voice came from the snow, still spiraling around the hunt.

"Khione." Artemis' words were dripping with venom. "So the snow bitch lives after all."

A figure began to appear in the snow, "Artemis, you and your stupid little hunters have already enraged me. I am going to enjoy when I watch every one of your precious hunters die and you are in chains for the puppy king."

A growl came behind her, Lycaon stepped out behind her his wolves circled around the hunt "We are no puppies ice princess, but Artemis will become my lover, she will enjoy it with me after a little while. Won't you—" but he didn't get to finish that sentence, Pistó launched himself at the werewolf king, ripping at his throat.

Khione gaped at the wolf, his teeth tearing the flesh from her ally's neck, backing away from him, "How? He said we were invulnerable."

Only then did Artemis notice the white aura around the wolves and Khione, it was difficult in the snow but she could barely make it out. The wolf's only response was to growl at her but retreated to Artemis' side.

Artemis narrowed her eyes at Khione placing her hand on Pistó's head, "Who is 'he', you have a new master already?"

Khione looked startled around her, as if hearing a voice in her head, "No, no, I won't tell. I can still beat them, the wolves are still going to kill and I will fight her myself." The hunters all loaded their bows, aiming at the continuously growing pack of werewolves, their wolves creating a circle around them, growling deeply. "Yes master." Khione's attention was drawn back to Artemis, "I will kill you and your pet now."

At that the horde of werewolves started to move towards them, and the snow speeding up. "Hunters, fire."

The hunters released their arrows; a continuous stream of silver arrows began to rain into the pack, bursting them into golden powder. The hunt wolves began their own fight; slashing and biting at any werewolf got to close. But for every one that is stricken down, more simply took its place. They continued to fight though, raining arrows upon the pack of werewolves.

While the pack advanced on the hunt, Khione attacked Artemis sending ice shards at her only to have them miss Artemis as she ran faster than possible and bringing out her hunting knives. Pistó slashed easily through the wolves that attempted to assist Khione, raining gold powder into the wind.

The hunters were having a lot of trouble though; hordes of werewolves still managed to get by their wolves and attacked them. Zoë pulled her hunting knives before they could strike though, slashing through a wolf that was about to hit Diane, who was busy shooting into the pack as quickly as possible. Thalia joined her then, drawing Aegis and her spear striking and slamming into all the wolves near her.

It was when Artemis felt her strength dwindling that the chances started to fall; the wolves began to get the upper hand, closing in the hunters. Artemis was slowing down and the cold was catching her again, Khione got an evil smirk on her face, "It seems you will die now Artemis. My master knows how to make you fade."

The hunt was still having a terrible fight on their hands that is until Pistó ran into the pack, any werewolf that he touched burst into dust. Zoë and Thalia jumped into the fray with him, Zoë with two hunting knives twirling into their ranks, Thalia with a vicious lighting strike and her spear at the ready. The hunt began to fire upon the werewolves with renewed vigor, finally to finish this fight.

Pistó continued to decimate the hordes of wolves until the worst sound he ever heard, Artemis gave a small shriek when she was sent to the ground.

Khione began to step towards the fallen figure of Artemis, being held down by a growing layer of ice. "I will finally get rid of the wood bitch now," As she stepped forward a blade of ice began to form in her hand, a deadly glint to it. "Any last words Artemis?" Khione's voice was sickly sweet.

Artemis couldn't respond, the drain on her causing her to fade from consciousness, but she was able to keep a hold it off. "Shame, we were going to use you to bring all the gods up here. But they know where you are so they will come anyway."

"nooo..." Artemis groaned, not able to do much else.

"Sad." As Khione raised her ice sword over Artemis, "Now you will be of no concern of mine." Khione brought her blade down on Artemis only to have it intercepted by a very familiar bronze blade.

Khione's eyes grew large at the sight of that blade, clearly remembering it slicing through her torso in the last war, she looked up at the wielder, "No it isn't possible, you died, I know you did."

Staring down at her were a pair of eyes, a pair of sea green burning with so much power and rage that Khione froze. Percy Jackson was holing her blade off, he as back.

"And I know that you will die for trying to harm my love." His voice was so calm and cool that Khione stepped back in fear. "Too late, and don't worry, I will make you fade. I do hope my son didn't promise you too much." Khione's eyes widened further, only for Percy's blade to pierce her abdomen and driven up out the side of her neck.

Artemis was lying in the snow, shaking from the chill. She saw a man standing above her holding off the ice blade that was coming down on her, and then she heard the greatest voice she had ever heard. Percy was back; her Percy was back for her. She heard him say he would kill her for trying to hurt her, but then her heart fell when she heard what he said he had a son.

It didn't make sense, he didn't say that he had any children and he said he had only ever loved her.

Percy kneeled down to Artemis waving his hand ridding her of her chill and all of the ice, "I'm sorry my love, there is a dangerous force that is trying to influence earth, and her actions. Come I need to get your strength back and quickly."