**The Son of Artemis**
Prompt: Percy Jackson fanfiction Joe Donavan is a new camper at camp halfblood there are rumors that he is the son of Artemis these rumors are not confirmed until Joe after a swim in the lake comes out of it and suddenly is surrounded by deers, and bears and Artemis’s voice comes down from the skies saying “this is my beloved son who with I am well pleased”
As the golden rays of the summer sun poured through the trees, Joe Donavan stood at the edge of the Camp Half-Blood lake, feeling the weight of expectation settle on his shoulders. A newcomer amidst the established campers, whispers had spread through the demigod community like wildfire. Some claimed he was just a regular kid, while others insisted he was the son of Artemis herself, the fierce huntress and goddess of the moon. Joe had heard the rumors, but he tried to ignore them, focusing instead on making friends and fitting in.
His past felt like a foreign land, and he wished to leave it behind while navigating the complexities of camp life. He had experienced strange occurrences—nightmares filled with moonlit forests, a collection of animal friends appearing near his window back home. Still, he didn’t believe the tales being spun about him. After all, he was just Joe.
With a shrug, Joe peeled off his T-shirt, exposing his lean form as he plunged into the water. It was cool and refreshing, a balm against the heat of the day. He swam, feeling the water glide over him like liquid silk, letting all thoughts of the murmurs behind his back drift away like the leaves on the wind. He swam like a fish, reveling in the freedom of the lake, the soothing embrace erasing any trepidation he harbored.
It was when he finally emerged from the water, droplets glistening in the sun, that everything changed.
As Joe stepped onto the shoreline, a strange sensation washed over him, creeping through his limbs with an urgent intensity. He felt a tug in his core, like an invisible string was pulling him toward the nearby woods. His heart raced; he couldn’t shake the feeling that something monumental was about to happen. But before he could ponder it any further, he noticed a movement out of the corner of his eye.
One deer stepped into view, its magnificent fur radiating a golden hue. Then another, and another, until the air was thick with the presence of majestic creatures. They gathered around him, silent yet watchful, their eyes shimmering with an otherworldly light as if they recognized something within him that he had yet to understand. A few steps behind, a towering black bear emerged, its powerful body commanding respect, while the whispers of the campers erupted into astonished gasps.
The animals formed a circle around him, their serene yet piercing gazes fixated on Joe. Panic surged within him—what did they want? Suddenly, a voice, strong and ethereal, echoed across the landscape. It felt like a heated breeze, a whisper carried by the very trees, filling him with awe and wonder.
“This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.”
The voice belonged to Artemis. Just hearing her name ignited his very being, sending a shiver down his spine. The campers stood frozen, their collective disbelief hanging thick in the air, while Joe’s eyes widened with shock. The connection he felt to the goddess grew, filling the voids in his heart, the lingering confusion that had been shadowing him. He took a step back, overwhelmed yet undeniably curious.
For what seemed like an eternity, the world around him slowed. He felt a shift within himself, a spark igniting deep in his soul. The whispers of nature danced around him, intertwining with the essence of his being. Joe bent down, fingers brushing against the soft earth, and he felt something surge—a bond, a legacy burgeoning from within.
“Joe,” fanfare broke through the silence, and a ripple of commotion echoed from the campers. Some approached, closing the distance with astonishment painted across their faces. “You’re really…?”
“Is it true, Joe? Are you really Artemis’ son?” His fellow campers hardly contained their excitement and disbelief, chattering among themselves. The thick air of suspense almost crackled with the energy of their speculation.
Joe could hardly believe it himself. “I don’t know!” he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of thrill and confusion. He turned to the deer surrounding him, their presence calming. Slowly, uncertainty ebbed away, replaced with logic and clarity. “I suppose it’s possible…”
From that moment, Joe found himself enveloped in a tapestry of attention, becoming the focal point of discussions and speculation. Most campers adeptly skirted around him, cautious yet captivated, as if he held a secret they could all barely comprehend. Joe immersed himself in the frantic world of camp, learning archery, exploring the woods, and joining the evening bonfire festivities, all while the rumors continued to circulate.
Days turned into weeks, and Joe settled into camp life. He trained alongside other demigods, but he never forgot the animals that had come to him that fateful day. They continued to appear at times, forming a silent pact with him. There was comfort in their presence, a reminder that he belonged in this new world. Perhaps his destiny was intertwined with that of the goddess, or perhaps he was just one of many whose lives danced on the edge of the extraordinary.
One night, during the traditional summer solstice celebration, Joe stood beneath the vast expanse of stars, the crisp air filled with laughter and stories. The fire crackled, illuminating the faces of his friends. A sense of belonging enveloped him, a feeling he had missed all his life. He began to realize that whether or not he was indeed the son of Artemis didn’t matter. What mattered was the friendships he had forged and the strength he had discovered within himself.
Suddenly, a flash of light burst across the sky, a radiant beam illuminating camp with a soft glow. The campers gasped, their laughter halting momentarily as silence descended. Joe looked up, heart pounding, and saw Artemis herself, her form surrounded by stars, her expression warm yet enigmatic.
“Celebrate, my child,” she spoke, her voice echoing over the festivities. “For you have found your path. You need not seek my approval; you have already earned it.”
In that moment, Joe understood. Whether he was her son or simply a demigod, he belonged. Empowered and invigorated, he smiled, laughter erupting around him as the fire crackled and the songs soared.
In that moment of triumph, he knew he had finally found his place at Camp Half-Blood, surrounded by friends and the nurturing embrace of the night sky. It felt right. He felt right. The uncertainty that once clung to him faded amidst the harmony of adventure that lay ahead.
