ALL RIGHTS GUYS. THIS IS MY FIRST FANFICTION STORY. PROBABLY GOING TO BE A PERCYXARTEMIS. HOPE YOU LIKE IT. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO UNCLE RICK.

AN1: THIS IS THE EDITED VERSION. READ THE AN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CHAPTER. NOW ONWARDS.

ITALICS: REPRESENT THOUGHTS.

When Percy woke up he was in the healing quarters of Olympus or so he thought. As soon as he opened his eyes he closed them instantly, there was so much white it felt like looking at Apollo's teeth, just with a very high intensity. His ears were ringing and for a moment he just stayed still and tried to get his bearings. There was a sound to his right or maybe it was his left. He couldn't tell.

"Percy? Percy, are you awake? Are you okay?" That sounded like Grover. Was it Grover? The sound of his voice was so far away, so distant. Agonizingly, he opened one of his eyes slowly, the world was bright, his eyes hurt and there was a blob of darkness hovering above him, moving constantly. As soon as he opened both his eyes the blob left and someone yelled. Almost painfully the world came back into focus, and the first thing he realized was that he was on a bed. His body felt stiff and difficult to move, as soon as he moved his neck several bones popped. Wincing slightly, Percy took in his surroundings, there were several other beds on his sides although there was nobody else present or nobody he could see, his vision still felt a little blurred.

Someone came to his other side, "How are you feeling Percy?"

"Like there're needles pricking my brains." Percy groaned out as he moved his head to look at the newcomer. It was Will Solace, a forlorn smile upon his face. He looked ruffled, sleepless and slightly worse for wear, definitely far from his best. Behind him stood Grover, with a genuine smile upon his face. "How long was I out of commission?" Percy asked.

"Not too long. It's only been a couple of hours since the battle ended, the Olympians are repairing the damage to Olympus. They must be done by now. Can you walk?" Grover replied.

"I think so." Percy said, getting off the bed, "Although I feel a little stiff."

Will gave him a glass of nectar, "Nothing a little nectar and ambrosia can't help you with."

Drinking the nectar Percy felt immediately better and took a few experimental steps and chuckled, "Guess you won't have to worry about me falling on my face anymore."

Grover stepped up and engulfed Percy in a hug, "I am glad you're okay Percy."

Percy patted his back, "Me too, man. Me too."

"Great to have to back and walking Perce, now come on, let's go, we have to go meet the gods." Will said.

Nodding, Percy followed will as they moved to the throne room. Olympus was indeed back to its former glory. It was a wonder what the gods could accomplish in such a short time when they wanted to. Barely any mark remained of the former battle, almost like it didn't happen. But the atmosphere of the place betrayed the truth. The air was heavy with the silence that was only broken by the sound of their footsteps. The streets, once so cheerful and full of life were deserted without a sign of life.

The inside of the throne room was another thing altogether. Every demigod and god was already assembled there. The first time Percy was here, there was awe on his face at the sheer power that the collective Olympians emanated. The aura of power was no less today but their grandeur inspired no wonder in him. There were too many deaths that weighed down his heart. Bowing to the Olympians once, Percy took his place beside the campers, many of whom were still injured but stood tall nonetheless. So few were left. So many gone. The look of fierce determination that was present before the battle was gone, replaced with grief and sorrow. Now that it was all over, the cost of their victory set in, too many lives were lost. One of the twins was at the precipice of the group, standing alone, the usual mischievous smile gone. How many must have lost their brothers and sisters today? Was it all worth it?

The Olympians began. The fallen were commemorated, their memories and efforts honored with tears and promise of living a better life. Those who survived were rewarded with a variety of gifts, some trivial, some big.

Finally his name was announced; "PERCY JACKSON!" Poseidon announced. Silence fell to the room. "A great hero must be rewarded. Is there anyone who would deny my son is deserving?" Not a single god protested.

"The council agrees," Zeus said. "Percy Jackson you will have one gift from the gods"

"Any gift?"Percy asked.

Zeus nodded. "I know what you will ask for. The greatest gift, the one we have bestowed upon only the chosen. You will ask for the gift of godhood and a place among the Olympians. But if it is what you want then it shall be given to you."

"No" Percy said without any hesitation.

"What? You would turn down our generous offer." Zeus asked incredulously.

"Yes. I want a gift though, but I want you to swear on river Styx that if it is within your power you would do it no matter what." Percy said.

"Very well" Zeus said "I Zeus the king of Olympians swears on river Styx to grant you your wish as long as it is within our power."

"I want to be left alone. I don't want another god in my life ever again. I am done from the godly world." he said.

Everyone was shocked to hear this. Poseidon looked like he might drown of fear at the thought of his son leaving him.

"But Percy-"Poseidon began.

"No dad I want to be left alone. I want some alone time to get over things which happened during the war. I hold you all to your oath. I want to be free from bonds of Olympus and anything related to it." Percy said.

"Are you sure that it is what you want nephew." Zeus asked.

"I am sure I won't regret it again" Percy said.

"Then it shall be given to you. I Zeus announce that Percy Jackson is free from the service of gods. No one will ask you of anything anymore."

"Thank you" Percy whispered.

The celebrations began. How could he celebrate anything? His mother was gone. They couldn't save the innocent bystanders who were under the influence of Morpheus spell during the battle. The monsters had swept the streets and try as they might, they were unable to help the people in slumber, who got crushed up in the battle. Paul was dead too, but he was simply unable to feel anything deeper for the man. Was he a terrible person? They weren't that close but he supposed he should feel something. All that was drowned in grief for his mother. She was the first person who ever cared for him. Other than her, the only people he was ever close to were Annabeth and Grover. Annabeth was gone too. There was simply too much death to celebrate anything.

Looking around from the corner he was standing in, he could see the same thoughts reflected in the face of many other campers. They hardly talked. Nobody approached him and he was happy to reciprocate. Athena had scarcely thrown him a glance. Did she hold him responsible for her daughter's death? He wouldn't be surprised if she did. She always hated his guts. But what about the other gods? Did they hold him responsible? He contemplated on it for a moment, and then sighed. It didn't matter. He was done with the gods. He would leave New York and live his own life in his own terms. But where would he go and how would he live? He didn't have an answer to that and it was highly unlikely he would get any job with his nonexistent educational qualification. Something to think on for a later date.

He was back in his cabin and so were most of the campers. As soon as they came from Olympus, nearly everyone locked themselves up in their cabins. They've been strong but now they needed to let it out, the grief, and find solace in the company of the rest of their sibling. Percy was alone. He never felt so lost, there was no one here to hold him and tell him it was alright. What he would give to have his mom back or Annabeth. He didn't seek out Grover's company. Grover was the lord of the wild now and he couldn't go to him with his own selfish problems when he was already so busy with his new duties. So he kept to himself in the dark and as tears began to leak from his eyes, sleep claimed him.

Not a single dream haunted him that night which was unusual. After the catastrophic events of the war he expected his nightmares to follow his nights with a vengeance and yet there was nothing. However peaceful his slumber might've been, he woke up early the next day. Not because he wanted to but because the reality that the war was over had not yet sunk in. there were no more monsters trying to kill him while he slept, at least not in the immediate vicinity. His body clock would go back to its original configuration with time. Looking over to the window from under the covers he couldn't see even the outline of the sun. It really was too early.

He got up and stretched his arms, a breath escaped him. It was going to be a long day. Going to bathroom to freshen up, his mind was going over the schedule of the things he needed to do. He still didn't have a long term plan but for now he needed a place to stay away from the gods as well as the memories of the battle which means somewhere very distant from New York. His mind went to an image of a hotel in LA. How easy would it be to just go there and enjoy life? Forget about everything and break loose of all the duties of the world, nothing would matter there, there could be another war going on in the outside world and he would be none the wiser about it. It was so very tempting but then he was overcome with a sense of shame. Living that sort of life would be not living at all. It would be a disgrace to the memory of his mother who scarified so much so that he could live a good life. No, he would not go there.

Coming back into his room, he packed his things, which were not that much to begin with, in a backpack. An extra set of cloths, some cash, his Minotaur horn and some drachmas. He had no intention of using the godly money for his souvenir shopping in Olympus but they were still made of gold and he needed all the money he could. His mother would've left him all she had but he had no intention of going back home to see if his mother had made a will or not. Concluding his packing, he left his cabin.

He decided that he would go to the creek first to take one last look at the place which held so many happy memories for him. Swinging his back pack behind him he walked in silence taking a good look around. Nobody was up yet, for which he was grateful, he didn't wanted to face anyone. Their faces would remind him of his failings and the deaths. He would only meet Chiron before he left. The old centaur deserved to know. If anyone knew what he and the rest of the campers were going through, it was him. Watching so many generations of demigods, training them, admonishing their stupidity and beaming at their achievements, just gave him a different perspective into the happenings in the mind of a demigod. He wondered how the old man kept going. Stopping beside the creek, he gazed at the smooth flow of the water. So yielding and easy to mold and yet so strong and dangerous, creating its own path. Lost in his thoughts just standing there, lost in time, he didn't feel the slow rustle of leaves and the ominous warning in the soft breeze air. Then he heard it.

"Enjoying yourself are you." A voice rung out, almost a whisper that sounded eerily like the titan lord dispatched to the depths of Tartarus just yesterday. Percy kept quiet, eyes fluttering open and looking around without moving his body, for any signs of danger or a certain titan.

This is impossible. He can't be back yet, not so soon and he certainly can't enter the camp without alerting the whole Olympus. It's a bad, bad dream. Percy chanted in his head.

"Oh! You are. But I warned you, that I would take you down with me to the depths of hell even if I am defeated. Vengeance is sweet, even if it does comes at the price of staying in the pit longer that I need to be but no matter that will be remedied soon enough." It was most definitely Kronos laughter that boomed in the air.

"You can't do anything to me, you are powerless, you are weak, I defeated you." Percy said, uncapping Anaklusmos even as he was slightly trembling, not with fear but with dismay. What was the point of so many sacrifices, if he was still not dead or as dead as an immortal can be.

"I am not powerless little demigod, I never was and I never will be. But you know that better than most, don't you?" Kronos said, "I will make you suffer, you'll never get the peace you desire."

"Oh yeah? We'll-" The beginning of that particular sassy remark died in his mouth when he felt the world move in circle and engulfed in darkness.

Percy's POV

I woke up with a jerk and instantly looked around myself for any signs of danger. Nothing. Running my hands all over my body I looked for any injuries. All body parts attached, check. Backpack, check. Riptide, check. Tyson's shield, check. So far so good. Now, where the hell am I? I was no longer at the camp, I could tell much. There was something different in the atmosphere here. No heaviness hung in the air, no tension emanating from the surrounding. I was in the woods just like the ones at the camp, minus the creek. It was still very early in the morning, the rays of sunlight barely reaching the earth through the canopy of trees.

Focus Percy, this could be a trick.

Getting up very carefully, I took stock of my position. I was in an unknown place, Kronos may be lurking somewhere in the surrounding, no monsters yet but that may be down to luck, the only living being in the immediate surrounding was myself unless I count the damn birds whose constant twittering was getting on my nerves. Highly suspicious.

Does he expect the damn birds to push me to madness? Admittedly, it was certainly not his best plan.

What to do? Move your ass, that's what.

Shrugging at the incredulity of the reply I gave myself, I moved through the forest carefully, riptide in hand to fend off any monsters who may think that I would make a tasty meal. As I continued my journey I was slowly getting spooked out, not because I got a feeling of something creepy happening in the background but simply because nothing creepy had happened yet. It was certainly a very peaceful walk, too peaceful for an event where you happened to be kidnapped by the Titan lord. Still keeping a sharp looking, I followed a forest path that I stumbled upon. It's been a couple of hours now and the sun was shining brightly, illuminating the forest. Was he playing with me? Lull me into a false sense of security and then put me down like a cur. Or was he playing a sport where I was the game?

Clearing my head of these thoughts, I instead put my attention towards detecting any signs of an enemy. My walk continued. The forest was slowly thinning and getting less dense. I was approaching its edge.

I came to a clearing soon enough. The sun was now all the way up, it was nearly noon. Just how long was I walking? Looking ahead I could see a small city in distance, some two miles away. But the real shocker was that, its architectural style was all Greek and not the modern democratic Greek, but the old and ancient Greek of millennium long gone. Houses and building were made in Greek style and decorated with arcs and intricate patterns and design. The tallest building was barely four stories high, most of the houses had just one floor. No steel, no glass, no tall building. There were also temples like the old times though I couldn't say to which god they belonged to. People were bustling around the streets as if they were not living in the stone ages. What the heck?

Is there some sort of cosplay competition going on, cause if there was, these people needed to know that they've taken it way, way too far. These guys were even wearing Greek cloths. Stop hyperventilating.

Walking among the street, I was getting strange looks from the passersby as If I was the one who decided to fall back a couple of thousand years, not them. Oh, I had enough of this bullshit. Tapping a fellow who was just a little older than me on the shoulder with the full intention of knowing where I was I asked,"Umm... Hello. I just came in here, can you tell me what place is this?" I spoke politely in Greek because why not, if they were so intent on getting it all right they may speak Greek as well.

He looked at me strangely for a minute then at my cloths, taking in my appearance and then giving me an unimpressed glance. Boy, I was getting tired of this already.

"You do look like you're new here or rather new to Greece judging from your cloths. I suggest you get some new one if you don't want to be identified as Persian since they're the same design. Your Greek is very fluent though." He answered. This was not what I wanted to hear. This guy was totally off his rocker, thinking he was in Greece and whatnot.

Still I prodded for a more specific location, "Where are we exactly?

"Thebes." Yep, this guy was off his rocker. He nodded at me and I reciprocated him as he left and I moved on. Poor guy, he needs serious medical attention and I didn't wanted to be the one to break his illusions. Then a thought occurred to me, maybe that is what it was, a medical facility for unstable people who thought they were in ancient Greece or something. If it was one, it was very impressive. Damn, it was a complete replica of the original city. And they even had processions in honor of gods, I smiled, looking at the group of people that were in middle of one. I walked to the said procession and leaned against the side of a building.

The priest was praising Leto for her greatness and giving birth to two gods -Artemis and Apollo. The people were listening to his each and every word enthralled by the priest. A regal looking couple whom he could only presume were portraying the king and the queen were standing on one side along with a dozen of other guys, most probably from the royal family. The queen's face was tight and lips contorted sharply, most likely holding back a remark from the looks of it. The priest kept going on and on until the queen finally couldn't take it and burst out.

"Oh! She isn't that great. I bet I am more beautiful and courageous than Leto. Beside she had two children I have fourteen children." Was this some sort of play they were having. Those lines were crappy. I mean it's cool if you got fourteen children, the bedroom decision are totally theirs to make, but who the heck shouts it on the street then stand there and grin like a kid expecting a medal. Well, it's their play. Now, if I remember my history lessons, Queen Niobe have sentenced her family to death and Artemis and Apollo must be making their entry. I looked around for the people who will supposedly represent the twins. Did Kronos bring me here to watch a play?

Everyone gasped, stared at the royal family and waited with abated breaths. Thunder grumbled in the distance. Wasn't it sunny just a moment ago? There was a flash of white as the world became still for a moment and then there were the twin gods in all their glory. Real gods, not some woozy people with ridiculous wigs and exuberant makeup. My eyes widened, as much as they're easy to instigate, gods don't just drop from Olympus to pay a visit to mortals and that too without bothering to hide their godly side. The two gods in front of me were without any disguise, their godly beauty and power on full display. Wearing the traditional Greek attire which I had only seen them wear on Olympus, they looked every inch powerful and dangerous. The people were frozen on their places, literally frozen. Their chests swelled up and down in rhythmic breathing but that was the only indication that they were alive. Other than that, even their eyelids didn't blink. I hid behind the building, this was not good. What was going on here?

"You dare insult our mother." Apollo said in a steely voice that I had never heard coming from his mouth. He was always jovial, always laughing, what happened to him.

"You dare insult us." Artemis continued in a frosty voice. No surprises there, thank gods. I'm sure I would've been knocked out cold if Artemis would've suddenly become happy go lucky.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Yeah Percy, take a deep breath and keep calm.

Calm my ass, who was I fooling? I was hyperventilating and my heart rate wasn't about to come down anytime soon. I knew what was coming to them before I heard it. Death on swift wings. This was real. It was all real. They weren't some crackpots, going on playing their roles. That was the only logical option but my mind refused to believe what that insinuates. This was impossible. How could I be in the past? The answer was glaring at me, laughing at me, mocking me. Kronos- the Lord of Time.

WAS IT GOOD OR BAD. PLEASE REVIEW.

AND I AM OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS TOO. TILL NEXT TIME GUYS.

A/N edit: I came back to this story and I was completely wacked at what I had written. It was a wonder that this didn't get flamed or even received a very heavy handed criticism. Not that I condone flaming in any way but the world isn't roses and daises and there are always mean people in plenty. The worst that it came to was a reviewer telling me it was trash and I sort of agree with him or her. This is why I have decided that this needs to undergo very heavy editing.

Its plotline was heading to a direction that was doomed for failure and there were too many cliché concepts involved that I can't bother to even read anymore. Guardian Percy is one of those. I know most of my original readers must have forgotten it by now, the chances of anyone remembering this are slim, so it doesn't matter much that I've decided to change the story quite drastically. I could've deleted it and reposted it anew but I couldn't bring myself to do it so I'll edit chapters and post them here. This new edited chapter had nearly 2000 words added to it and others may get a similar amount of addition. By the time I'll be done editing all the chapters, removing whole plotlines and adding new ones, I'm pretty sure the story would be above 50-60k words. I've changed Percy a little bit in this, he's a little more cynical and war weary but he still has his trademark humor too. Don't worry he'll be back to his best before you know it. I still want to keep the same pairing but I think I'll struggle to keep it original; I need some ideas to get Percy and Artemis together. However if I feel like it won't work, I'll drop the pairing. Sorry Pertemis fans.

I would like to think that my writing have improved in the years since I first wrote this. I am pretty sure there's still lot of grammatical errors or whatnot, but I try my best. Tell me what you think. I'll take it slow and steady to make it better so I don't know when the next update will be coming. I'm pretty much going to diverge the whole direction of the story from a couple of chapters onwards, and it's going to take some time. If you're from the old group give it a try again, there'll be a whole lot of change, and for the better I hope. And thank you for all those reviews, fav and follows even though I was pretty much dead. You guys rock.