I leaned forward and looked at Amber's holographic map, watching the moving shapes glide across the surface as Luke wrote down some coordinates in his notebook; sporting an expression as serious as mine. We aren't the best in planning, but with Amber out of commission under Lee's orders, we did not dare wake her up. But ever since the last attack by End, we could not let that happen again - having attacks on the camp should be avoided as much as possible because there are younger kids here, who have so much more to look forward to in life; they shouldn't have a colossal old asshole try and take away their life right before their very eyes.

So after the attack, I've gathered the Gods and immortal campers, along with my army, to talk about plans. We can't be defenseless and pretend that the attack was a one time thing and not have our asses protected - if that happens, the damage would all be my fault, and I can't have that on my mind every night I close my eyes. However, the longer I stared at the digital ball in front of me, the more I can feel the start of a pounding headache forming in the back of my mind; making me close my eyes in annoyance as my finger rubbed against the skin between my eyes.

"God, I feel like absolute shit."

Both of our heads sprung up in shock at the sound of a familiar voice, looking over at the doorway where Amber leaned against with a weak but amused smile on her face at the sight of us mulling over war maps. I wasn't expecting Amber to be up and moving this soon, and although it is a relieving sight to me, I am also worried that she may be pushing herself for the sake of others. "What are you doing out here, Amber? You should be on bed rest."

She rolled her eyes dismissively at my grumble as she blew hair away from her eyes, walking into the room while sending both of us a mischievous smile. "Well, I got worried when Beckendorf told me that you two were teaming up to take over my place. Plus, between us two siblings, I am clearly the strategist and you are the impulsive one." She joked as Luke looked up with a soft shrug of his shoulders, making me give him a look as he agreed with her. "Well, she does have a point."

The hard kick I sent him underneath the table and the whimper that came from him was definitely well deserved in my eyes.

"Hey, don't hurt him. He's speaking the truth." Amber said and patted my chest softly, walking towards the table and leaning into me; her hand still caressing the wound on her shoulder gingerly. "So, what's the plan so far?" She asked as Luke shrugged ever so slightly, facing the map again; the light shining over the scar on his face giving him those badass movie vibes, the ones that the heroes get whenever they are planning to do the ultimate impulsive decision. "End has the central of the US and we've got the East and West. The only problem? He is stronger in numbers and his forces are definitely stronger because they are all basically monsters. Another point - he has rallied all of his troops into the main base, so I'm assuming he wants us to come to him."

Amber nodded her head slowly in thought while I hummed a little. "I suggest just attacking him when he least expects it, or we can pull a Kronos war and I charge into the base." I suggested right before I gasps out of breath when Amber used her good arm to elbow me in the ribs, making me whine with a pout as I rubbed against the spot with a pout; ignoring the amused look on Luke's face. "That is what he wants us to do, dumbass."

"Wait, what about Artemis' huntresses?" Luke suddenly said as we both looked over at him curiously. "What about them?" Amber asked as Luke shrugs his shoulders a little, putting his pen down with a thoughtful look. "Well, because they are here, why don't we send a small number of them with one of us to go and check out the border? So then, we don't have to abandon the campers to take care of the angry Spartans and we can even go and check the base ourselves." He suggested while both of us stared at him in awe. "Luke...you are a genius."

"Well, I have my moments." He admitted with a grin while Amber look up at me with a soft smile, shaking her head a little. "Do you mind going to talk to Artemis about it? I would offer, but I feel like if I went and Lee finds out, he'll strap me to my bed." She said as I nodded immediately, giving my baby sister a look. "I am about to strap you to your bed myself. But of course, I'll go talk to them." I said as Amber gave me a soft pout.

"You are no fun anymore."

"Yes, I know - now go, I need to go prepare myself for not getting mauled by a group of skilled women."

--

Standing outside of Artemis' Huntress Cabin, I adjusted my hood before walking up the front porch steps, taking a deep breath before I rapped my knuckles against the wood swiftly. Immediately the door flew open and an arrow was pointed at my chest, making me put my hands up in surrender as I look up to be met with the chilling blue eyes of Thalia. "What is your purpose here?"

"Well, I am here to talk to the Goddess of the Moon. I need some of her assistance." I said with an awkward smile, not really knowing what to say to my good old friend that went through thick and thin with me while her eyes narrowed; a sign she was not very warmed up to the idea of me coming in demanding for their Queen. "And what does this assistance is it that you need from us?"

"Thalia, that's enough." A strong voice came from behind her, making us both look back and I caught the sight of Artemis, wearing a flowing tunic of silver came around the corner; and I was not going to lie, she was hot. The Goddess of the Hunt was super hot. Snapping out of my thoughts, I looked down at Thalia again as she slowly lowered her bow, along with the other girls inside the cabin as the Goddess came forward, a skeptical but curious look on her face while I was trying not to openly check her out when a group of very skilled archers were basically watching us like a hawk. "What is it that you seek from us, Commander Omega?"

"Assistance, M'Lady." I said politely as I gave her a tight lipped smile, raising my hand to shower her a projection of the monster base; the dimly blue light admitting from the holographic shining her features in a very distracting hue; she looks really good under this lighting. "My team and I have uncovered the certain location of the base, and we need to go and check on just how powerful they were. However, we can't leave the camp vulnerable; ever since the last attack, I am not risking anyone getting hurt by an arrow like Amber was. It almost killed her, and I do not want to know what will happen if it were to hit the demigods."

She looks up at me with a thoughtful look as our eyes met, making us stare at each other for a moment before we both looked away awkwardly; making me clear my throat awkwardly as a light blush coated her cheeks. "Of course we will help, commander. How many of my huntresses do you need?" She asks with an awkward smile while I bite my lip, shrugging my shoulders a little. "I need 5 of your huntresses, the smaller the group, the better." I admitted as she nodded, bowing softly to me. "Of course, I will get ready and pick 5 of my best huntresses to accompany me."

"Thank you, M'Lady. We shall meet at the Big House as soon as possibly." I said and bowed before I walked away swiftly, rubbing the back of my neck as I felt a light blush appear on my cheeks when I glanced back and caught her eye again as she watches me walk away. Quickly turning my face away from her, I can't help but question what was wrong with me as I walked back to my cabin to pack up as well. Why was I staring at her? Out of all the people in the universe, why did I suddenly find her out of anyone besides her hot? Zeus will actually have my head this time.

Closing my eyes, I shook my head as I entered my cabin and walked into my room as I started to pack some things I needed, trying to shake the image of the Goddess out of my head; warning myself how dangerous these thoughts are and how they can lead to bad things. But damn - it was definitely really hard.

-One hour later-

6 Huntresses, including Artemis, came walking towards me at the Big House as I waved Amber and Luke off, turning to face them after making sure they walked away. I tsked and waved my hand, making their cloaks turned into Chaos cloaks immediately; their bodies blending into the background almost immediately. "These will lighten your step, make you blend into the shadows seamlessly." I said before I waved my hand, a portal appearing before us as I gestured for them to enter before following behind them; immediately finding ourselves 20 miles away from End's base. "20 miles is a hike, don't you think so?"

Looking back at the complaining huntress, I shrugged a little and gestured to their feet, making them look own curiously. "Well, tell me what do you see?" I asked as they gasped while Artemis looked up, her eyes blinking in shock as I can't help but find her looking adorable. "Centaur shoes." She breathes out as I nodded with a soft smile, gesturing for them to follow. "You didn't think that I will let you guys walk so far without sharing some of our technology, did you?"

As we weaved our way in and out of the shadow, the centaur shoes made everything seem like we were walking of clouds; it literally felt like we can walk anywhere without the need of flying on the chariot. No matter where we went, Omega was always a few steps in front of us, checking to make sure that it was save before gesturing for us to follow once the coast was clear. With that, it did give me some time to watch the young male before us with a curious look on my face - after being alive for so long, I have never been so drawn to such a man before; a man whose face no one has ever seen before.

I was not going to lie, I am going to kill Aphrodite later - is this her form of getting back at me for telling her that I do not believe of falling in love? I am the Goddess of the Hunt, the Virgin Huntress who does not fall for any man, they usually fear at the very sound of my name - but whoever this mysterious Omega was, it was starting to make me double think just how much will power should I put up against him if he ever tries to hit on me.

As we got closer to the base, the sky before us turned from black to red and silver, the sound of yelling, ugly cheering and gods know what else is happening in there. Omega stops in his tracks and turned back to face us, and underneath the shadows of his hood and whatever part of his face could be viewed, it gave him a alluring and dangerous vibe that made me bite my lip every so slightly. "I think this is as close as we can get for now." He mumbles softly as we walked closer, my huntresses and I drawing our bows and arrows as he unsheathed his swords, all of us looking at the sight before us.

From our hiding spot on top of a hill, we peeked down at the base that could give Hades a run for his money. Spikes with decaying body parts - both humans and monsters; some victims just skeletons frozen in a state of pain as they lined the perimeter of the base like gruesome decorations. Blood was splattered everywhere, painting the floor and walls in a shiny red sheen and the very smell of it reeked the air for miles; even from there we stand it felt like we were in the middle of the blood bath and all. One of my Huntresses gag slightly as I myself let out a soft breath of shock, not daring to imagine what happened to the poor victims whose blood bathe the floor and whose bodies were now trophies of war. The base itself was shaped in a circle, made from Red stones that glowed with power while the monsters and whatever else was in the base went on with their day.

Judging from how grand everything was, it was now no surprise to me to where the lights and sounds were coming from now.

"We shall not get any closer." Omega declared as he surveyed the fortress below, but I felt an immediate pull to the base and felt like I was under the control of someone else; my surroundings becoming just a soft hum in my ears. "It's calling to me". I said in as soft voice as my thoughts scattered before me; leaving me helpless to the invisible force as my tunnel vision fixated itself on the grand doors leading into the base. "Artemis." Omega called out to me, his voice soft and faded as my feet started to walk me towards the door. Everything around me was still fuzzing, and before I can take any more steps, the sound of someone screaming in my head snapped me awake once someone grabbed my arm; pulling me back into a warm and solid chest.

Blinking my eyes rapidly, I felt everything around me come back into focus; my eyes glancing over at my Huntresses to see them holding onto my cape like they were trying to stop me moments before; their eyes wide with shock and fear. "Are you out of your mind?!" Omega hissed out in anger as I turned my vision to him, blinking my eyes a little as I met his alluring sea-green eyes underneath the hood that seems to constantly cast a shadow over his face; making me blink slowly as I tried to get my scrambled mind back into order. "W-What happened?"

Instead of answering my question, Omega let out a slightly irritated puff of air and waved his hand again, his arm still keeping me pressed against his body as I stood there gladly. "I think that is how far we will venture today, ladies." He said in a firm tone as he led us all through the portal, making sure we were all in before closing it behind us as he handed me off to my Huntresses carefully; all who held onto my tightly while I did the same to them as he watches with a serious but concern look shining in his eyes

"Make sure she is alright." Was the last thing he said before he turned and walk away, leaving me to watch him with slightly dazed eyes as my Huntresses rushed me back into the cabin, where I was immediately bombard by my concerned Huntresses; not giving me a free moment to really sit and mull over what had just happened.

»»»»»»»»»»»

Percy POV

After the very dangerous escape, I decided to clear my mind and take a stroll around the camp to clear my head a little. With the help of Beckhendrof, the Hepheatus cabin has managed to get the defenses up while Jason helped train and set up the guards on duty all day around. The others went around helping both demigods and immortals improve their weapons and ensuring the camp's safety was at 100%. This does ease my mind, but at the same time, does not; which really annoyed the shit out of me because all I wanted was to have a nice day where danger isn't on my ass at every chance it gets.

Without knowing it, my feet brought me into the dept of the forest, and soon I came face to face with Zeus' Fist; my hand tracing over the spot where the Labyrinth's entrance use to lie, the memories of all the troubles and challenges I faced came crashing into me as I let out a sigh, letting my hand trail off the rough stone and back at my side again.

"That used to be the entrance to the Labyrinth."

A familiar female voice spoke up behind me as I turned around, only to come face to face with Piper, who sports a soft smile on her face. "Hey." She greeted while I nodded in greeting, watching her as she walked closer and stared at the stone wall as well; neither of us making a sound. "Percy and Annabeth were in there the last time it was opened." She said after a moment of silence, continuing her story when she realises that I wasn't stopping her. "They went on adventures that will definitely end in the history books. Sometimes, I wonder just how powerful Percy had to be to go on all these challenges and still had the heard to goof around and smile."

I didn't answer that as we fell into a comfortable silence, but that was soon broken by her as she turned to face me with a look on her face. "How long do you think it has been since it was opened?"

"Too long to count." I finally answered with a soft sigh as she nodded, turning to face the entrance again as we both stared at it; we must have looked like weirdos. "I wish it was peaceful, that there wouldn't be any monsters to fight. I sometimes wish I was a full blooded mortal, and not a demigod." she grumbles softly while I gave her a glance, my eyebrow raised in question. "So I wouldn't have to lose Jason over some crazy guy who gave me a love potion to drink, then maybe I would have fought for his freedom from the gods." She went on as I perked up at the sound of a love potion. "Aren't you a daughter of Aphrodite? Shouldn't being able to tell what a love potion was your specialty?"

"I am, but I was never good with these things." She said with a soft shrug and tucked some of her hair choppy hair behind her ear with a soft sigh, one full of regret and sorrow; one that I myself have grown accustomed too. "I should return to now camp; Lucy might be wondering where I've gone." She said and gave me a small smile, one that I actually returned as I watch her turn and disappear into the shadows, returning to camp again.

I stood there for a moment, enjoying the silence of the forest, before I opened my mouth without turning to face the pair of eyes burning holes into the back of my head. "Alright, Jason. You can stop stalking me now." I said and the sound huffing filled the air before a huge shadow landed in front of me, making me look down at the man in amusement. "I wasn't stalking. I was on patrol duty...and decided to follow Piper when I noticed she was going into the forest alone." He said and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, trying to justify why he was following the girl who had his heart after all this while as a snort left me before I can stop it. "You are still into her." I said with a smirk as he looked up, a light blush starting to dust over his usually pale cheeks. "W-what?"

"You are still into her, Grace." I said with a mischievous smirk as he shook his head vigorously, making my smirk deepen in glee at how flustered he looks at the idea of being caught. "N-no I am not!" He exclaimed in a slightly shrill voice as a wicked idea popped into my head. "Wait till I tell Amber." Was all I said before I went running for the cabin, laughing as a furious Jason was hot on my heels.

Even though the thought of a devastating war was looming over us, there is no bad time to have some fun when we deserve it.