Percy Jackson the Champion of the Hearth (Pertemis)

Chapter 9

After gathering what little information they could from the Maidens of Athena, the former Hunters of Artemis, the group felt renewed determination. They decided to head back to Camp Half-Blood and search through the cabins, hoping to find a clue in the places Percy had once called home.

The sun began to set as they arrived, casting a golden glow over the camp. Thalia, leading the way, felt a familiar pull toward Poseidon's cabin. "We should check there first," she suggested, her tone firm. "If anything can help us, it'll be here."

Once inside, they began searching through the remnants of Percy's life. Old weapons, notes, and faded photos lay scattered, but nothing pointed to his current whereabouts. Annabeth rifled through a drawer filled with old maps.

"These are all from his adventures," she said, her brow furrowing. "But nothing recent."

"What about his journals?" Frank asked, glancing around. "He must have written something down."

As they dug deeper, they found a small journal between two books. The pages were filled with Percy's handwriting, recounting his past quests, but they soon discovered something troubling: the entries stopped abruptly.

"This isn't like him," Nico remarked, unease creeping into his voice. "He always wrote about what he was going through."

Feeling frustrated, they decided to gather outside and regroup. "We need to think bigger," Thalia said, her voice carrying the weight of their search. "If the clues aren't here, maybe we need to follow the trail of his adventures—maybe the Underworld is the key."

"But we've already been there," Hazel replied, exasperation evident in her tone. "We didn't find anything."

"We might not have looked in the right places," Nico suggested, his dark eyes intense. "We need to retrace every step he took. Each adventure has its own significance."

With that, the group made a plan. They would follow the timeline of Percy's past quests, searching each location for any hint of his whereabouts.

Their Journey: The Quest to the Underworld

Their first stop was the Underworld, where they had previously faced Hades. They navigated the labyrinthine paths, meeting familiar faces along the way. Charon, the ferryman, was surprisingly helpful, directing them to places he had seen Percy visiting in recent months.

However, after scouring the Underworld for days, they left empty-handed once more.

"This is getting us nowhere," Leo said, frustration spilling over. "We've checked all the usual spots."

They traveled next to the sites of Percy's previous quests, retracing his steps through the various realms, battling monsters, and seeking out old allies. Each place seemed to hold memories but offered no current leads.

"It's like he just vanished," Frank muttered as they stood at the entrance of one of Percy's old haunts.

New Rome

Eventually, their journey led them to New Rome, a place where Percy had spent significant time. The city felt alive with energy, a blend of the ancient and the modern. They hoped that perhaps someone here would know something.

As they wandered through the bustling streets, they stumbled upon a gathering of scholars—Maidens of Athena—dedicated to preserving knowledge and lore. Among them was a wise woman named Callista, who had spent years collecting stories of heroes and gods.

"You seek Percy Jackson?" she asked, her voice calm yet penetrating.

"Yes," Annabeth replied, stepping forward. "We need your help. Percy and Artemis have disappeared."

Callista considered their question, her brow furrowing. "His absence has been felt across realms. You must search the stories of his past to uncover where he might have gone."

"What do you mean?" Nico asked.

"Every hero's journey is intertwined with the knowledge they've gathered," Callista explained. "Look for places he valued—where he learned about loyalty and sacrifice. Those may hold the answers you seek."

With this new lead, the group set out for Camp Jupiter, energized by the possibility of finally discovering something substantial about their friend. As they made their way through the streets of New Rome, hope flickered anew, and they were ready to face whatever awaited them in their quest to find Percy and Artemis.

Juneau

As Thalia, Nico, and Leo arrived in Juneau, the vibrant harbor welcomed them. The salty air and the sound of waves crashing against the dock felt familiar and invigorating.

"Where would Percy be if he's working?" Nico mused, scanning the bustling waterfront.

"The harbor," Thalia suggested, her eyes lighting up. "He loves the ocean. Let's check there."

They made their way down to the docks, the energy of the place buzzing with life. Boats bobbed in the water, and fishermen shouted greetings as they worked. As they rounded a corner, they spotted a figure at the end of the pier—Percy, leaning against a railing, gazing out at the water.

"Percy!" Thalia called out, rushing toward him.

He turned, surprise etched across his face. "Thalia! Nico! Leo!" His expression quickly shifted to one of relief. "What are you all doing here?"

The Reunion

After quick hugs and excited chatter, they explained their quest. Percy was in Juneau working as a tour guide, sharing his love for marine life with visitors. He had taken the opportunity to embrace his passion while living a quieter life.

"And Artemis?" Leo asked, his brow furrowing. "Where's she?"

Percy's expression turned serious. "She's been busy with a project. She's not in Alaska right now; she traveled to help with wildlife conservation efforts in Africa. I was hoping to join her, but things have been... complicated."

The Next Step

Thalia's eyes widened. "We need to find her!"

Percy nodded, determination creeping into his voice. "I know where she might be. She mentioned working with a group near the coast in Kenya."

Realizing they couldn't waste any time, the group quickly devised a plan. "Let's find Frank and Hazel in Fairbanks first," Nico said. "They need to know what's going on."

Percy led the way, his familiarity with the area guiding them as they made their way back to Fairbanks.

Fairbanks

Meanwhile, Frank and Hazel roamed the streets of Fairbanks, searching for any sign of Percy or Artemis. They visited local parks and community centers, asking anyone who might know about the couple.

"This isn't going anywhere," Hazel sighed, her frustration evident. "We need to find them."

Just then, they noticed a commotion at a nearby wildlife sanctuary. Curious, they made their way over. Inside, they found a group of volunteers, and among them was Frank, animatedly discussing conservation efforts.

"Frank!" Hazel shouted, waving.

He turned, surprise lighting up his face. "Hazel! Nico! What are you doing here?"

After quick explanations, they filled Frank in on their search for Percy and Artemis.

"They're in Juneau!" Frank exclaimed. "We need to catch up with them."

The Reunion of Five

With everyone now reunited in Juneau, Percy detailed Artemis's work in Africa and how he was trying to join her.

"We can't lose any more time," Hazel said, her voice steady. "Let's make a plan to get to her."

"I can help arrange transportation," Percy offered. "The sooner we get there, the better."

United in their goal, the group felt a renewed sense of purpose. They would find Artemis and bring their friends back together, ready to face whatever adventures awaited them next.