Disclaimer: Do not own Percy Jackson series

That night I tossed and turned while Percy slept under me snoring. I had read the pamphlet that Thaila had given from front to back at least twenty times. It talked about that if I joined the Hunters of Artemis, that I would, in exchange gain, immortality, but the catch was that I would have to turn my back on the world of men.

Could I really leave my new found brother, Percy, sweet, mature Nico, and playful Alec for immortality? Not to mention that Annabeth and Clarisse would end up dying wayyy before I would. Yes or No? Yes or No? Why is that always the question?

I decided to just to go talk to Thaila. No harm in just talking about it right?

I walked toward where the Hunters had set up camp. I made sure to walk swiftly and quietly because before bed Percy had told me about the harpies who worked in the kitchen. He said that they ate anyone who was caught after lights out. He was just trying to scare me…I hope.

When I got to where they were camped out, I let out a disappointed breath. There was nothing there. The only way you could had tell that someone used to be camped there was the fire pit. The fire pit was set up but only wisps of smoke were coming out.

I let out a sigh and went turn around to go back to the cabin when I jumped. Standing there behind me was Thaila. Percy had told me that she was Artemis' second-in-command. She led the Hunters when Artemis was away.

"I thought you had left."

Thaila shook her head.

"We tend not to stay where we are not welcome. Did you read the pamphlet?" she said in a smooth, even voice.

I nodded.

"And?"

I sat down on a stump.

"Percy told me that you, him, and Annabeth were friends before you joined the Hunters."

Thaila nodded.

"This is true."

"Then why did you give them up?"

Thaila sighed and sat down beside me.

"I guess that he didn't tell you about the prophecy?"

I shook my head.

"Well, there was this big prophecy that surrounded a 'Child of the Big Three'. Meaning Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. It was said that that child would either save the world or enslave it. As you know, Percy is a child of Poseidon. I am a child of Zeus. Nico is a child of Hades. The problem is, we were never suppose to exist."

"Why?"

"Zeus and Poseidon feared the child of the prophecy. So they, along with Hades who they forced, made a pact to never have children."

"Did it work?"

Thaila laughed.

"You and I are proof that it didn't."

"True. Go on."

"Well, prophecy was said to come true once the child became sixteen. I joined the hunters so it wouldn't be my problem. Looking back on it now, it seems cowardly."

I laughed.

"What?"

"So you, Percy, and Nico are 'forbidden' children."

Thaila laughed.

"You are too. You are how old?"

"15."

"You were born after the pact was made so you're not suppose to exist either. Nico and his sister Bianca are the only ones really aloud to be alive. They were born before the pact was forged."

I screwed my face into confusion.

"When was this pact made?"

"Oh, a little after World War 2." She said nonchalantly.

I snorted.

"Nico looks good for his age."

Thaila laughed.

"So how is that he looks younger than that?"

"Hades put him and Bianca in a hotel where they wouldn't age to keep them safe from Zeus."

"Oh."

Thaila stood up.

"I have to go take care of the Hunters, so I need your answer now. Will you pledge yourself to the Hunters of Artemis?"

I sat there for a moment. This was the question I feared answering. I never had a brother before. Now that I'm here, I had an elder brother to teach me things that he had learned during his life like how to survive in this crazy world. Did I really want to give that all away for a simple thing as immortally?

"Thaila, you want to know what my greatest fear is?"

She nodded.

"Ironically, it's dying. As much as I fear dying though, I'm not going to abandon my brother and friends. I'm not going to make the same mistake you did."

Thaila put her hands on my shoulders.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

She smiled.

"For not putting yourself first. Although, it may have seem to people that I was joined the hunters to save them, I wasn't. I joined to save myself."

She took her hands off my shoulders. She turned to walk toward the forest when I called out to her.

"Thaila!"

She turned around.

"Why did you want recruit me in the first place?"

Thaila smiled.

"For your name of course."

She turned and walked back into the forest. Although it may have seemed like I would never see Thaila and the Hunters again, I knew I would. I turned and walked back toward my cabin.

When I got back, Percy was up waiting for me.

"Did you join?"

I shook my head.

"What made you not join?"

I walked over and sat on Percy's bed.

"I didn't want to make the same mistake Thaila did."

I punched Percy lightly.

"I also didn't want to leave behind my first brother ever. You need someone to annoy you."

Percy laughed.

"You've got it. You are now my official 'Annoyer Person.'"

I laughed.

Percy looked at his watch. (Not the shield.)

"Alright. As my first duty as your older brother I say get to bed. Alec told me about Lunabesita. You need to learn how to use her and you'll have the most awesomeness teacher to teach you how."

I laughed.

"Certainly it's not you." I said playfully.

He smacked me playfully and pointed up to my bunk.

" You. Smartalec. Bed. Night-Night."

I climbed up to my bunk.

I laid down while Percy turned off the lights.

"Night Percy." But he was already snoring away.

I laughed and let my own darkness engulf me.