Hello folks! Now I've only got a couple things to say in regards to story background before I let you all go and enjoy this piece that has been rattling around in my head for some time.

First off, this takes place a couple years after the war with the giants and one year after Queen Tara's death. So, hence, Percy, or Persephone in this case, will obviously be older. I'm thinking maybe around twenty-three or twenty-four years of age. Of course, I'm complete garbage when it comes to guessing age so don't quote me on it just yet.

Also, this is not an AU, or Alternate Universe. At least not exactly. You'll just have to read and find out.

And I think that's it. I'll add in more if I see fit in the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own PJO or Epic. Sadly. Enjoy!

Prologue

My name is Persephone Jackson and I am a demigod daughter of Poseidon. Now I know what you're probably thinking: "You're the daughter of a barnacle encrusted god? Pfft, yeah right." And I don't blame you. I was in that same exact position several years ago. But having lived in this world of gods and monsters for years, I've come to accept that it's all real. All those old Greek and Roman legends are true. And the gods of Olympus are still alive to this day because they are immortal.

Of course so all their enemies are alive, as well as the monsters. You see immortal means immortal and as a result monsters never truly die. They just reform in the pit of Tartarus.

Anyways, being a daughter of one of the big three gods, AND born of a broken oath, trouble finds me, A LOT. I've been the subject of a couple major doomsday prophecies, and while we all survived, there were a lot of casualties.

Which brings me to my point. I knew that as long as I lived in the world of gods and monsters, I would always be the subject of some terrible prophecy. So as the two-time savior of Olympus, I asked the gods for a break, to have a chance to live safely and not have to worry about another prophecy getting in the way.

And to my astonishment and immense relief, they granted my request. But little did I know that this was just the beginning of something new.

Chapter 1: The Mysterious Figure

—Ronin's PoV—

It had been a year since Tara's death and the whole fiasco that followed. Things were pretty much the same from day to day. Ronin was still the General of the Leafmen and tasked with keeping both the new queen of Moonhaven, Marigold, and the borders of the forest safe as well as training new Leafmen and so on. Mandrake may have died but there were still existing colonies of Boggans that threatened the life of the forest.

Which led him to his current situation. A small skirmish had broken out near the border and his patrol happened to be nearby. Now the Boggans were putting up a pretty good fight, and somehow, by pure chance perhaps, the disgusting creatures of decay had managed to separate Ronin from his group. And now he was paying the price. He could hear the cries of his men somewhere off to his left, shouting words he could not hear as he fended off multiple assailants. But as he managed to glance around, he knew that they needed backup. There were just too many.

Finally, he managed to get a glimpse of Finn and a couple of his men. Slashing and hacking through opponents, Ronin fought his way toward his men.

"Ronin! Thought we lost you for a moment there!" Finn called, simultaneously pushing a Boggan back.

"We need to regroup!" he said. "Finn, send someone to get backup!"

"Already did!"

Beside him, another Leafman fell but Ronin couldn't mourn the fallen at the moment.

"It's no use! Backup won't get here in time!" someone called.

"Stand firm! If we die, then we die protecting the life of the forest!"

The fight continued on, both sides taking casualties. Then, just when all hope seemed lost, multiple arrows came out of nowhere and struck a couple Boggans dead. Looking around, Ronin saw a cloaked figure standing above them, a bow raised with an arrow notched. An arrow, he belatedly realized, that was pointing straight at him. Before Ronin could move though, the arrow was loosed and...hit the Boggan right behind him that he hadn't even seen coming.

He didn't have time to observe anything else though because a couple more of the monsters demanded his attention.

After that, Ronin lost sight of the figure. He occasionally caught flashes them among the fighting as well as flashes of something the color of bronze but would eventually lose sight of them a matter of seconds later. Whoever this mysterious person was, they certainly became their saving grace. Within a couple moments it seemed, the Boggan attack force seemed to have lost quite a few of their numbers. And that was not all. In that same span of time, the Boggan forces seemed to realize that it was the cloaked figure was the one causing the most damage, so instead of continuing to lay his Leafmen low, the Boggans all started clamoring for the figure, making it easier to slay them.

In no time flat it seemed, the tables had turned and they were driving the Boggans away.

Once the last Boggan was defeated, Ronin carefully scanned the surrounding area, looking for more Boggans in the off chance they had missed some. But instead of seeing filthy creatures of rot getting ready to pounce, he saw the last of a dark cloak disappear behind a tree root.

Sharing a look with Finn, Ronin raced after the cloaked figure while the other man took charge of the other Leafmen.

—Unknown PoV—

I was running, running through the forest again. Black arrows with blue-green fletching's rattled in the quiver on my back, and the sheathed sword clinked a little at my waist. I could hear the persistent Leafman behind me as he pursued. Why couldn't they just be thankful that I saved their asses and not chase me? Whatever. I did not stop to ask.

As I ran, I couldn't help but admire the guy's determination. Not to mention that out of all the Leafmen who had tried to pursue me, he was certainly giving me a run for my money. Almost literally. Most Leafmen I lost in a couple strides, but this one was relentless, managing to keep up and start gaining on me despite the fact that I was smaller and faster.

But that wouldn't be for much longer.

I could feel it, there was a water source nearby. If I could just reach it...

A hand seized my shoulder from behind.

Whirling around, I was met with the brief sight of blue eyes, silver hair, and fair skin. But that was it.

I did not think. I did not even hesitate. I just reeled back my fist and stuck the guy right in the face.

I think it was more out of shock than the force of the hit that caused the guy to release me. Of course, I did not stick around to see if he was alright.

Now running like a bat fresh out of hell, I followed the sound of the flowing river to its source. Not even caring about how fast the river was flowing or how cold it probably was, I dove right on in.

A/N: How was the first chapter you guys? Good? Bad?

Please feed the monster and review!