Chapter 1

Droplets of rain fell heavily from the ominous clouds that gathered above the skyscrapers of New York. The droplets snaked their way down roofs and windows, forming into vast lakes of water. Thunder rumbled in the distance and the hubbub of the city was drowned out as the citizens took shelter from the growing storm.

A sob escaped and managed to rise above the din of the thunder, its owner sat huddled against a shop door, the windows boarded up and garbage bags lining its pavement. Rain trickled through the boy's shock of black hair causing it to go slick with moisture. The figure couldn't have been more than eighteen, garbed in only a torn orange T-shirt and a pair of shorts so covered in grime and rainwater they may as well have been black. The boy was once more wracked by sobs and his pitiful form shivered from the water soaking him. He turned his head up towards the sky, his once emerald green eyes growing dim, and his eyes bloodshot from crying. He looked up at the storm and whispered "I should've been better..." and with that more sobs broke free and the heavens opened up, pelting New York with rain as if trying to erase its filth.

The boy soon fell into a fitful sleep, he cried out into the empty night, calling out for anyone to help him; nobody did. All through the night the storm raged, winds battered at windows, lightning struck the tips of the skyscrapers; a rare flash of brilliance in the black maelstrom above the city. Yet the boy slumbered despite the fury of the storm, the rain soaking him through and winds nearly causing him to be pulled away. And yet he slept as if the storm was nothing compared to the scars inflicted upon his heart, a permanent ache and reminder so unbearable he could simply let it devour him inside out and yet, he endured.

The cold light of day brought with it the demise of the storm as if it had taken pity upon the poor broken boy that lay in the doorway. The light crawled down the street towards the child, creeping in on him like fingers. The boy jolted awake as the ray of light fell on his face, blinding him and reflecting in the teardrops on his face. He turned himself into a sitting position and stared down between his legs into a clear puddle staring at the image that faced him. His once handsome face so filled with sorrow it immediately elicited pity within the beholder, it seemed as if he had never laughed and had known nothing but pain. He ran his hands through his soaking mop of black hair and stared wearily at himself; it seemed as if he had no more tears to cry.

"Oh how the mighty have fallen young Perseus." A child's voice said, breaking the silence that came after the storm.

The boy immediately looked to his left for the source of the voice, finding a girl that seemed to be eight years old sat on the curb, her long brown hair cascading down her shoulders as she stared out across the street. The boy sat staring at her although his body began to tense.

"There was a time that you would have bowed to me Perseus." She called out in her lilting voice "Although, I suppose that was a very long time ago"

He continued to stare at her, his face devoid of expression. She sighed.

"Do you know why I'm here Perseus?" She carried on. He shook his head at her. "I thought not, you are a man devoid of hope Perseus. As Hephaestus might say, you're broken. I would like to help rebuild you if you will, give you something to aspire to; if you choose to accept of course. I can always leave you to your... gutter" She offers with a subtle hint of a smile as she describes his home.

The boy looked up at her and stared into her eyes as she turned to face him. Where her eyes should have been were instead flickering orbs of orange flame, dancing to and fro to a beat only heard by them.

The boy finally spoke, his voice raw from his sobs "What would you have me do?" Perseus managed to croak out.

"You would be my champion, the other Gods bear children and it is they who decide our fates whilst I must sit and watch. You would do what is best for the Olympian family and be a protector of the Hearth wherever it may be found. Will you accept?" She spoke slowly a flicker of uncertainty darting across her face as she stared at the boy's brooding gaze.

The boy stared deeply into the orbs of flame and she was glad to see a fire rekindle in Perseus' eyes as he stared.

"I agree to your terms Lady Hestia and I am in your debt for giving me this offer when all else have left" he said, nearly breaking into a sob as he spoke the end of his sentence.

Hestia smiled kindly at Perseus "Let us leave this gutter, it is no place for a champion of the Hearth."

As she said this Hestia and the boy were consumed by columns of flame and the alley once more became deserted.