Alexander ~

The Nemean Lion kept coming at me, lunging at my neck, trying to rip me apart limb from limb. I did a quick back flip, bounding away from where the lion's claws were right now. If it weren't for the training I received I would be lying in a heap on the floor right now. I raised my bow and took aim at the lion's mouth, just as it made a roar of frustration. I was about to let the arrow loose to kill the beast but suddenly, a dark haired boy jumped out of nowhere and ripped out a sword from its sheathe, blocking the perfect shot I had that would've ended the battle. Ugh, that idiot! I had it!

"Run now!" the boy yelled. "I'll take care of this, get away from the lion. We'll take you to some place where it's safe. Run!"

What was that boy talking about? I've been trained to fight all my life. I've been trained obviously not to protect myself from muggers or gangsters, but to kill monsters. I ignored what the boy said and scrambled up a tree. There I jumped, leaping from one tree to another. The boy was still fighting with the lion, but I could tell he was injured. Who could blame him? I mean if you're fighting against a monster with an invincible coat of fur then you're basically screwed, unless you bear the curse of Achilles, which this boy clearly doesn't. I watched from the tree, trying to look for a moment where I could jump in. The lion swiped its' claw at the boy, who now lay unconscious on the ground. The beast roared, almost like it was laughing; now slowly advancing on the boy. I jumped and landed on the lion's head, and it again, roared but this time in surprise. I quickly drew a sword of my own, and threw it in its mouth. After a few moments of being flung around wildly in the air, I finally landed on the ground with a thud, a cloud of gold dust in the air. I sighed and got up, brushing the dirt off of my black robe. I checked if my hood was still on. Good. I preferred to have it on; it was just me, melting into the shadows. I liked to be unknown by others. Slowly the boy began to gain consciousness and groaned. Suddenly he bolted up right and looked straight at me, my midnight black eyes, pierced into the dark, almost black eyes of the boy.

"How'd you? Wait a minute, your weapons … they're all Stygian iron. It can't be … you're the long lost child of Hades," he breathed out finally.

"That is correct. And you must be Nico, my half-brother. I'm Alexander… Alexander Stone. Come, we have much to discuss. Hold on to my arm now."

He laughed. "I can shadow travel too you know. Remember?" He waved his hand repeatedly up and down in front of my face. "I'm a son of Hades."

I growled. I did not like to be bothered or have my orders defied.

"My apartment has had spells put on. No one can enter except myself. Now hold on to my arm. I will not repeat that again."

He gulped and quickly grabbed onto my hand. Smart. I didn't want to mentally burn anyone alive, and I definitely didn't want to do that to my half-brother. It was a useful ability, but sadly only worked on half bloods. A few seconds later, we stood in the living room of my apartment.

"Sit." I said simply and gestured to one of the couches at the side.

He obeyed, which was extremely smart of him. Soon after he sat, I followed suit, sitting directly across from him in my favorite chair made with purple velvet. Slowly, I pushed my hood back and let it fall, allowing full view of my face.

"You have blonde hair!"

I was surprised. He didn't even mention the scar that ran down the left side of my face.

"Uh … do you have a problem with that?"

"No, it's just that all children of Hades have black hair. Well that's just as far as I know. Apparently I'm proven wrong." he gestured to me. "And, your face, the scar. You know, I'm curious. I've always heard that you would know if you saw the lost child of Hades because of the scar, but what happened?"

Damn, so much for hoping that nobody would notice. I sighed.

"Long story. Maybe I'll tell you next time. But now, you need to bring me to the place for us half bloods. Camp Half-Blood I think? It's time for me to fulfill my destiny. The dreams and the visions have told me so."

So what do you think? Remember to R&R!