It had been a long time since the Hunters of Artemis had last been at Camp Half-Blood. The group of immortal huntresses had all spent a good sum of their lifetimes serving their lady, but there was one huntress that had been in service for a very long time. Phoebe.

Phoebe had been part of the Hunt for longer than Zoë Nightshade, the lieutenant had. She had been serving Lady Artemis since before her adventures with Orion. Which made Phoebe a worthy huntress. Many others in the Hunt had expected Phoebe to be angered when Artemis declared a young Zoë Nightshade to be her lieutenant, despite the lack of experience.

But in the contrary, Phoebe wasn't mad. She was impressed. And that was what created a friendship between Phoebe, and the young lieutenant. Phoebe had always known Zoë to be a brave warrior, capable to defend herself, always proving others wrong. So when she was to head of on a quest to save Lady Artemis from Atlas, Phoebe didn't have a hint of doubt in her mind that Zoë would survive.

But of course, the outcome of that quest proves her wrong.

♡

Phoebe raised the bow to eye-level, lowering it to have the knuckle of her index finger grazing her jaw. She straightened her back, keeping her index and middle finger hooked around the string of her bow, pulling further and further back until her left arm was bent completely and the right was straight.

The silver arrow rested against her bow, and Phoebe blinked, taking a breath before firing. She watched as her arrow pierced through the air, the end giving a violent shake once the tip embedded itself into the center of the target. Phoebe grinned, glancing at one of the Apollo kid who got his arrow in the second ring of the target.

Though Phoebe couldn't criticize him for it, Austin was after all more gifted on the musical side of his godly father's range of talents.

The brunette Huntress bent down, sliding a new arrow out of the holster nailed into the ground, when a flash of orange caught her eye.

Phoebe stood upright, steadying herself when she saw none other than Perseus Jackson jog over to where she was. It didn't make sense though. Why was Perseus the one going to Phoebe? Where were Bianca and Zoe? Though it was likely the two other had gone to the other Hunters who were at their camp, she had hoped for Zoe to at least greet her.

The son of Poseidon slowed to a stop in front of Phoebe, seeming a little breathless. Though Phoebe didn't know him well, she knew something was off. He didn't have the same troublemaking glint in his eye, Perseus' expressions seemed rather...Remorseful. Phoebe took a breath, Perseus was bearing bad news.

"Phoebe, hey. Chiron said I would find you here."

The Huntress in question nodded slightly. "Yes, and what might you need me for, demigod? Also, where are Zoë Nightshade and Bianca di Angelo?"

Percy seemed to hesitate, shifting his weight from side to side. "Well...That's a complicated story."

Phoebe narrowed her eyes. She had a suspicion on what might've happened to the two, and it was obvious Perseus had gone on the quest, so the fact that and the daughter of Athena were both alive worried her.

"Where in Zeus' name are Zoë and Bianca? Tell me now."

"They're dead."

Percy's response was quick and simple, it sounded cruel to say it like he did, but for Phoebe, it was honestly better.

"I'm sorry Phoebe. It should've been me, but it wasn't."

Phoebe had always prepared for this day, all Hunters had to die, she would too soon enough. The Huntress had expected herself to be calm when and if Zoë died before her, but she was the opposite.

Bianca was a young soul, unfortunately destinied for an early death. While Phoebe was devastated for Zoë and herself, she could only think about Bianca's younger brother, Nico di Angelo.

There was no doubt that Phoebe disliked men more than anything, but she couldn't help but feel horrible for the young man, Nico didn't seem older than thirteen, and the first big thing he experienced after being shown the real world was the death of his sister and only family. Phoebe couldn't imagine that.

She had voluntarily left her family, he just lost his.

"Uh- Phoebe?" Percy whispered, in response to her silence.

Phoebe blinked once, clenching her fist around the arrow, hearing a satisfying crunch seconds after. Phoebe directed her gaze towards Percy, hurling the broken arrow towards the boy.

"You dastardly fool, you snollygoster- You absolute weasel Perseus Jackson!" Phoebe growled, her voice growing with every word. She couldn't quite cry, or hit Perseus. He wasn't to blame for Zoë and Bianca's deaths, yet Phoebe so despretely wanted someone to blame that she couldn't be bothered to think.

Percy just stood rooted to the spot, his gaze hanging lowly on Phoebe, remorse and guilt riddled in his gaze. Phoebe hated that. She hated to be on the recieving end of pity, hated to be looked down on as weak.

Phoebe clenched her hands, closing her eyes as she let out a shaky breath. When she opened her eyes, Percy was still there.

There seemed to be a thousand emotions running through Phoebe's mind, and she wasn't sure which to focus on.

"I'm sorry Phoebe, about Zoë and Bianca. And I know that I'm the worst person to tell you this."

Phoebe shook her head, not even sure what she was doing herself.

"No. You're the right person. But if you'll excuse me, I'll be departing now." She muttered softly, the only indication that Percy had actually heard her words was his slight nod.

Her breath was shaky. Phoebe picked up her bow and walked back towards the Hunter's tents, picking up speed as she saw her friend Marlee standing by the front, seeming to be waiting for her.