LoSP Side Story Ch.11: The Camp Games- pt. II (Patreon)

This story is set after the Battle of Labyrinth but before Percy’s fifteenth Birthday. This means Percy and Artemis are close yet not quite in the kissing stages. It is set at the tail end of Chapter 42 (Aftermath of the Battle) for a clearer reference.

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Percy’s gaze trailed through the fiery embers and woodsmoke, falling upon the auburn-haired girl across the pavilion whose silvery doe eyes sparkled, a smile hidden behind her hand. A juicy, ripe pomegranate slipped through his fingers into the flames, the faint whiff of jasmine lingering in the air.

“For Artemis,” Percy whispered.

She turned, her eyes meeting his and Percy’s heart lurched, a storm stabbing against his ribs as sweet as Oleander’s flowers. She beamed at him, and the storm eased, like beams of moonlight peeking through dark clouds. 

Percy smiled back and waved before moving away to the Poseidon table, his heart hammering with each step. He slid onto the wooden bench, his porcelain plate clinking against the table.

The idle chatter of the campers drifted through the dining pavilion, drowning under Percy’s thoughts as he picked through his potatoes and peas, his eyes flicking toward the table of silver where Artemis sat, laughing with her huntresses.

“Hey, Percy,” Clarisse slid onto the bench across from him. “Have you thought of a battle plan for tonight?”

“Huh?” Percy tore his eyes away from the hunt’s table. “What?”

“Tonight’s game, fish-brain. The one against the hunters?” Clarisse threw her hands in the air before leaning closer. “You’ve something planned for them, right?”

Over Clarisse’s shoulder, Percy saw Artemis’ eyes narrow at them, her smile vanishing. His heart twisted, plummeting into his gut.

‘Why is she upset?’

Clarisse snapped her fingers in front of his face. “Did you fry your brain or something?”

“No, no,” Percy shook his head. “I was just seeing who all are going to play today.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Clarisse swiped up a slice of pizza from his plate. “You know I am balls at planning shit. I like fighting more. But with Owl-head and Sparky on their team, it leaves the two of us to be in charge of the camp's side. Which is looking fucking weak right now.”

Percy peeked over her shoulder again, but Artemis was not looking their way, steadfastly staring at her plate.

“Do you think Artemis will play?” Percy blurted. “She is sitting with them.”

Clarisse frowned. “I do not think she should. She’s a goddess and it’d be cheating.”

“She is as much of a huntress as they are. Plus, I think it is what Chiron has planned.”

“Wait, why?”

“To see how we handle a goddess when we encounter one.” He shrugged. “While she cannot attack us first, it can certainly make a difference. Most will tremble by just seeing her standing there and retreat.”

“Pussies.” Clarisse snorted. “So, if Artemis is fighting, we would really need a good plan. We don’t even have Annabeth with us. Not to mention, they’re out for blood after last time. I heard you handed their asses to them.”

“Last time, we had Thalia to cause a distraction and the balance to stand our ground. Now they have Artemis, Annabeth, and Thalia.”

“Don’t forget Miss Princess. She also got bells and whistles after Othrys, didn’t she?” 

Percy nodded. “She did. And the other hunters don’t completely suck at melee combat either now.”

“But we still suck at archery compared to them. Wonderful,” Clarisse muttered. “The only way we get the flag before them is by having an army twice our current size. And with our recent losses…”

Clarisse trailed off, bowing her head and Percy grimaced, feeling a sharp knife twist in his ribs, the faces of the fallen flashing past his eyes, the smell of blood and smoke lingering in his nose.

“Do not lose hope,” Percy said. “Nothing is impossible. We’ve faced worse odds before. Remember Princess Andromeda?”

“Theia and Tethys,” Clarisse sneered. “How can I forget?”

“Yet we fought our way out. We defeated them and escaped.”

“This is different, Percy. There you went all out, without caring for anyone coming your way. Here you have to.”

Unease stirred in his stomach. “Honestly it is just a game. One meant for—”

“No, it is a question of our reputation,” Clarisse hissed. “It is a status quo, Percy. Between the hunt and the camp.”

“They’re our allies.”

“Not today, they aren’t. You don’t care for the status quo, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect us. We have to win. Two of our best fighters have already gone to their side. So we better figure out a gods-damned way to win this match.”

“Right,” Percy shifted in his seat. “There’s honestly only two ways we can go. An impenetrable defense or an unstoppable offense.”

Clarisse bit her lip. “They are faster than us and would booby-trap the whole forest on their side. I usually love a good offense but this time I do not see it working. I can feel it in my bones.”

“Then we make our defense as strong as possible. We have to fight it like the battle of Normandy.”

Clarisse frowned. “I think you’re confusing things. We have only one point to attack, not seven.”

“But we do have two points of interest, Clarisse.” Percy dragged a pair of peas onto the table, rolling them in either direction of his plate. “If we divide our forces to defend our flag and to attack the other, we’d have nothing. But if we make one concrete, say our defense, they will fall short. If they can’t steal our flag, we win.”

“If we don’t have an offense, we won’t get their flag either and we’ll lose,” She said. “So, how does that work, genius?” 

“I will be the offense, of course. I will get their flag.”

“You’re saying you’ll take on half of the hunt by yourself?”

“Their arrows won’t touch me.” A faint smile curved on Percy’s lips, Artemis’s molten silver eyes as bright as her arrows shining with fierce pride in front of his eyes. “I have been having arrow-dodging practice with Artemis for a while now. If she has taught me, it means I won’t fail. Even against her hunters.” 

“And they are nowhere near as good at melee as you are. So, once you are close, you just point your sword and they’re out of the game.”

“That’s the plan.”

“It could work. But if Artemis comes in your way—”

“She can’t attack me till I have attacked her. I just need to avoid her long enough to make it to our side. I really don’t want to fight her.”

“Percy, she won’t let you just go. She is the huntress. She never lets her prey escape. So, if she wants to find a way to block you, she will.”

“Then we all will just have to try our best, won't we?”

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A line of bronze shields gleamed in the moonlight, the orange flag of the camp fluttering atop the tallest tree in the clearing. Clarisse marched up and down the ranks of campers, poking errant campers with her spear, and shoving them back into formation.

“CAMPERS!” Her voice rang through the forest. “Tonight is the night. Tonight, we fight for our glory. Tonight, we dine in hell!”

Muted, confused cheers rose as Clarisse hammered her spear against a rock, a faint crimson crackle flitting around its bronze tip. 

“Tonight, we only have one goal. To protect the flag and not let any of the huntresses within fifty feet of it! There’s no room for error. There’s no question of slipping. You fight till your last breath!”

“Or just, don’t lose, you know?” Percy muttered to himself. “Clarisse, I will go stand by the creek. The game’s about to start. Good luck.”

“Get the flag, Percy.” Clarisse nodded. “And don’t interrupt my speech next time.”

“Sure thing.” Percy grinned, striding through the trees, his armor settling over his torso. 

The little waves of the creek broke across the pebbles beneath his feet, and he crouched, his reflection staring back at him, bathed in silver moonlight. Pebbles slipped into the water beneath his weight, leaving tiny ripples.

‘Time to get ready, Percy,’ Alexander said. ‘You might not like it but you'll have to fight Artemis today one way or the other. She’ll be on the defense, letting her hunters take the glory if they get the flag. She will not go on the offense because she cannot attack unless the demigods attack first. Which means, she’ll guard the flag.’

“If I face her, I won’t insult her by accepting defeat,” I murmured. “She’d never like that. But she wouldn’t like losing either.”

‘Better defeat her in a fair fight than lose on purpose. She’ll respect the defeat, but she would never like it if you lose on purpose.’ 

“That’s true.” Percy rose to his feet, Thyella Kavalris appearing in his hand. “A fair fight.”

His fingers tightened against the sword, its tip touching the waters of the creek, as he felt all the huntresses gathered on the other side, feeling the taste of ozone flood his tongue.

‘Thalia is leading the offense. Means I have to be quick. If anyone can tear through the defense Clarisse has put, it will be her. I can’t let her get to the other side. I have to get her first before moving on to offense.’

Percy ran up the creek, gravel crunching beneath his feet, his sword elongating into a trident. A conch horn blew, and he lunged, crashing into Thalia, and sending her sprawling into the water.

She sputtered, her face rising and dipping within the water, her arms flailing while Percy remained under the water, grabbing her wrist and wrenching the Ax out of her fingers. Thalia’s leg slammed against his chest, sending him drifting back. 

He righted himself, willing the water in the creek to wrap around Thalia, keeping her face in the air. The daughter of Zeus coughed, spitting water from her mouth, heaving. Her hair stuck to her face as she struggled against his hold.

“I am sorry Thalia. I’ve to take you out.” Percy pointed his trident at her neck, and she stilled, her arms slumping. 

“I’ll get back to you for this, Jackson.” She growled.

“I’ve no doubt.” Percy climbed out of the creek before helping her out to the shore. “See you later.”

He darted into the hunters’ territory, rolling through a gap between trees, silver arrows flicking past his head. Coeus’ shield sprang onto his arm, and he raised it, silver paint splattering across its surface.

A girl jumped out of the bushes and thrust her trident at his back, but he spun around, batting it away.

“Cheap shot, Niece,” Percy raised his shield and another arrow splattered against it, silver paint dripping down its rim. 

“Stop calling me that!” She swung her trident wildly and Percy slipped into her guard, ramming her with his shoulder. 

In a blink, he moved away, and two silver arrows hit Atlanta, paint splattering across her armor and face. 

“Sorry, but you’re my niece. Also, there are two Atlantas. It is easier this way.” Percy gave her a grin and ducked, another pair of arrows splattering onto the ground. “Coincidentally, the other Atlanta is also here, taking cheap shots at me. ”

A scream of frustration echoed through the night and the other Atlanta leaped off the branches. 

“Is it an Atlanta thing to go for the back? Cause it is actually a good strategy in a real fight. Not in a game.” Atlanta shot an arrow at his face, but Percy tilted his head letting it whiz past his ear. “You couldn’t shoot at my back, what makes you think you can get my face?”

Atlanta growled, throwing her bow down and charging forward, her fists balled. Percy sidestepped, sweeping low and tripping her into a puddle of silver paint.

Before she could get up, Percy touched the tips of his trident to her back. “Out.”

“DAMNIT! FUCK YOU JACKSON.” 

#You do know she’s trying to draw attention, don’t you?#

‘I do. I also know Zoe is coming.’ Percy smirked, and looked up, squinting in the darkness. ‘And that Iphigenia is sitting in the trees?’ 

“Iphi, you coming down or should I figure a way to have you fall?” He spun his sword. “Because I am not climbing that tree and if I make you fall, it isn’t going to be pretty!”

In response, Iphigenia shot a storm of arrows at him, all of them splattering across his shield or the trees behind in a burst of silver.

“Sorry, Iphi,” Percy threw his shield like a frisbee, which hit the tree and bounced back onto his arm. 

He immediately spun, throwing it in another direction just as Zoe jumped out of the trees, her eyes widening. She moved, the shield hitting her shoulder and clattering away into the bushes sending her to the ground. 

A thud rang through the clearing followed by a groan as Iphigenia fell from the tree, onto the bushes below.

“Lieutenant! I wasn’t expecting you!” Percy strode toward Iphigenia, who lay among the bushes, clutching her back. Poking her with the butt of his trident, he grinned. “Prideth cometh before the falleth, Iphigenia.”

“Thy english… isn't as… good as thou… regard it be… Perseus,” Iphigenia groaned, her face contorting in pain. 

“You’re a greater grandma than Zoe, I swear. Speaking of which… Hello, Zoe. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Zoe raised an eyebrow, spinning the riptide as she rose. “Is that why I was greeted with a shield to my face, Perseus?”

“So how many do you have scattered across the woods on this side?” Percy flashed her a grin.

“Why don’t you find out yourself, boy?” A thin smile curved on Zoe’s lips, and she closed the distance between them, her riptide clanging across Percy’s trident in a bronze flash.

Percy pushed the blade away, the trident turning to a sword whose blade glinted as it met the riptide in a shower of sparks. Zoe spun, her sword curving toward Percy’s chest. He blocked the strike on instinct, sending a slight breeze rippling through the clearing.

Zoe’s fist hammered into his abdomen and both of them winced. Percy sprung forward, driving his elbow into her stomach and shoving her back.

“You really thought punching a fully armored person was a good idea?” Percy raised an eyebrow. “Look at what I am wearing!”

“The way I see it is that you were too scared to face us without one.” 

“Ooh, burn,” Atlanta number two said from the ground.

“You’re out, stay out.” Percy unleashed a fury of strikes, the blades tearing through the air, embers of sparks flying as they clashed.

Artemis’ beaming face stared back at him through the embers and his heart clenched.

A burning pain lanced down his arm, a trickle of blood trailing down his torn sleeve, bringing him back to reality. Zoe lunged, but Percy slapped the blade 

#Don’t get distracted, Percy. Even in the spars. And don’t be this lovesick for heaven’s sake.#

Percy spun his blade, its edge screeching against the riptide and he twisted. The sword clattered out of Zoe’s hands, and he pointed his sword at his neck.

“Out.”

“Congratulations,” Zoe backed away. “But your journey ahead shall not be easy. Neither shall your friends, wherever they’re attacking.”

Percy smirked. “We’ll see.”

“Do whatever you wish, Percy. This time we have our Lady by our side. We shall not lose.”

Percy shrugged and walked through the trees, further into the woods, feeling the mist in the air and calling to the ocean within him. Two arrows exploded at his feet, brown gas pouring out, and being ripped apart by the wind that buffeted at his feet, scattering it.

“Fart arrows, Phoebe? Really?”

A dark figure dropped onto the ground, her bow disappearing as she pulled out a spear.

“Percy. We were expecting you.”

Two more huntresses dropped next to her, their bows gleaming in the moonlight. 

“I just defeated the Atlantas, Iphigenia, and Zoe. Not to mention, Thalia.” Percy stepped forward. “And I am on my way to the flag. I can feel it is just a few meters that way, guarded by Artemis and Liza. You’re not going to stop me.”

“How do you know it is Liza?” Phoebe frowned. “Scratch that, how’d you even know it was me?”

“I am learning to identify people. It is like knowing who someone is by just seeing their backs,” Percy said with a shrug. “Thalia is learning to do it too, but it is a lot harder for her. She missed me coming at her today too.”

“Sad,” Phoebe drawled. “Now are we going to fight or just stand?”

“Come at me.” Percy dashed forward, ducking under Phoebe’s spear, sweeping her legs from under her. As Phoebe fell to the ground, he thrust his blade up and caught the xiphos of the second girl, pushing her back. The third came at him from his left, swinging her spear at him, only for it to bounce off his shield.

Percy spun, ripping away the spear from her hands and hammering his shield into Phoebe’s ribs. His sword flashed, a deep sea-green, a tremor rumbling through the forest, sending the other two stumbling to the ground. 

“Dead,” He poked both of them with the tip of his sword. “Now, I gotta go.”

He hurried in the direction, following Artemis’s presence like a beacon in the dark ocean. Soft singing drifted through the wind, and he recognized the voice, feeling the tune thrum through his veins.

A silver flag fluttered atop a tree, Artemis singing beneath it, her legs folded. Her eyes shone as bright as the moon and yet even more beautiful.

She smiled, the last tunes of her song drifting away in the wind. “Hello, Percy.”

“Artemis.” Percy inclined his hand. “You can come out too, Liz.”

A head peeked from behind the tree and Liza sighed, walking out, her bow in her hands.  Artemis’ eyes drifted down his face onto his arm. 

“You’re bleeding, Percy.”

“Your lieutenant got me.” Percy gave her a wry smile, wiping away the blood, and revealing the thin pink line. “It is nothing more than a scratch but still, credit is due where it is worth.”

“It is indeed. Now, I suppose you’re here for the flag.”

“I was here for your beautiful singing, honestly.” Percy smiled. “But yeah. Clarisse will kill me if I don’t get the flag.”

As a hint of gold crept onto her cheeks, he leaped high, snatching the flag from the tree. Tucking his knees, he rolled in the air, landing on his feet. 

Raising his hand, he caught a silver arrow, spinning around and throwing it back at Liza. Paint splattered across her armor.

“Hey, that’s cheating!”

“No, it isn’t.” Percy sprinted past her only to skid to a stop as Artemis stood in front of him, blocking his path

“I cannot allow you to go with the flag, Percy. My hunters fight freely, knowing I guard the flag.”

“They’ll understand when you tell them that I took the flag from you, and you couldn’t fight back because of the Ancient Laws.” Percy slid the pole of the flag into the straps on the back of his armor. “They all know how I love using those restrictions against the gods in a fight.”

“You are on a ticking clock, Percy.” Artemis’ red lips quivered into a smile. “My huntress will be coming with your flag at any moment, and you’ll lose. I just have to block your path till then. And since you are forbidden to teleport… you have no escape.”

Percy darted to her left, but Artemis slid in his way again, her smile broadening. “I do not let what is mine escape, Percy.”

Percy’s heart quickened, his breath hitching. 

“I have escaped from worse odds,” he murmured. “And you cannot attack me.”

“If you run into me, it’d be considered an attack,” Artemis warned. “Then, my bonds will be broken, leaving me free to stop you.”

“And if you can’t do that, you’ll just while my time away till your huntresses get the flag.”

“Yes.”

‘Should I?’ Percy’s sword shimmered into his hands, Artemis’ gaze dropping low. ‘Clarisse might not be able to hold for long.’

Two silver hunting knives shimmered into her hands, her silver parka turning to armor. “Come on, Percy. Give me a good hunt. The first blow has to be yours.”

“This is not a hunt, Artemis. In a hunt, the prey doesn’t fight you. This is a battle.”

Artemis’ eyes shone with amusement. “Then it better be a fight worthy enough to impress me.”

“And defeat you,” Percy added.

“That—” Percy’s sword flashed, ringing against her knives, little trembles running down her arms as a brilliant smile lit up her face. “—too. I should’ve known.”

She stuck fast as a tigress, her knives bouncing against Percy’s shield. He parried the silver blurs and pressed forward, sparks raining down at his feet. Blood thumped in his ears, his fingers tightening against the hilt of his sword.

#Percy, you have to use your powers if you want to win. She’s just stalling.#

Percy felt his gut twist and his sword glowed with an orange haze, tongues of flames lashing out at Artemis. The moon goddess leaped back, dodging the flames, her eyes narrowing at him.

‘I’m sorry.’ Percy pointed his sword, unleashing a column of red flames at her.

Artemis dove out of the way, her silver eyes darkening as she crouched against the ground, the tips of her knives digging into the soil. A moment later, she pounced, her knives screeching against his shield. Percy moved out of the way of a kick, shoving her back with his shield.

“Artemis, I want you to know that this is just a game,” Percy tugged at the sea, pushing the storm in his heart outward. “And I didn’t want to fight you.”

“Finally,” Artemis beamed at him through the buffeting winds and rising dust. “A real fight.”

She tore through the winds, her silver knives hammering against his sword as they fought, Artemis taking advantage of the winds to move out of the way of his strikes quicker, trying to get into his guard. 

Her Auburn hair fluttered in the wind as they fought, whipping across Percy’s face, who took a step back, allowing her knife to slice past his face, his shield ramming into her left arm. With a cry, her knife slipped through her fingers and Percy kicked it away. 

A second later, Artemis slammed into him, her molten silver eyes swirling the other knife bouncing off against his sword. She grabbed his shield, tugging it away and tossing it over her shoulder, dodging his blade.

The twist in his gut tightened, the winds buffeting faster, sending Artemis stumbling. With a heave, Percy pushed her away, sprinting through the trees, pumping all his might into his legs.

Slim arms wrapped around him, knocking him off balance. Thyella Kavalris dropped from his hand, the flag’s pole digging painfully into his spine. 

Artemis’s face hovered over his and he raised his hand, catching hers, the hunting knife gleaming in the moonlight like her face.

Her hips twisted, Artemis’ boots digging into his sides, as he held both her hands, keeping them away from him.

“Come on Percy. Give up.” She struggled to free her arm. “You’ve lost.”

“Till your dagger rests across my neck, I won’t lose. And I won’t give you that chance, Artemis,” Percy said, twisting her wrist and the knife dropped.

With a grunt, Percy rolled around, pinning Artemis under him but she pushed him away, sending him to the ground. Smirking, she jumped at him before rolling away as a column of flames flew at her, roaring over her shoulder.

A deep conch shell blew, and cheers rose, Percy’s heart falling, with his hand, the flames disappearing.

“Well played.” Artemis fell to the ground next to him, giving him a wide smile. “It has been some time since someone fought me like that to a standstill.”

“My team still lost,” Percy said.

Artemis patted his hand. “Losing and winning is a part of the game, Percy. And, if it brings you any comfort, between us, no one won.”

“Till next time then?”

“Till next time.”

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AND… DONE! I hope you all liked the chapter!

Phew, that was over FOUR THOUSAND words. That’s as long as a full-length chapter! Insane, I know. Probably the longest side story so far. Then again, I am not sure.

If you have any ideas that you wish to read in LoSP, do let me know in the comments or on my discord server. If it goes with the story, I will definitely write it! 

A huge thanks to Zohaib and Nanu for betaing this chapter.

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Stay Happy! Stay Safe! Keep Smiling! Keep Reading!

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