A/N: Thanks for all the reviews and kind words, if you have any questions don't feel afraid to ask. :D
Chapter 9
Thalia's POV
The warriors all moved forward and stood around the figure, brandishing their weapons ready for a fight. Echidna let out a hiss of rage, before turning and fleeing into the woods behind her. Quickly all the monster followed suit, till only the warriors and we were left in the clearing.
The soldiers clad in black then turned their attention towards us. My heart was racing at unrivalled speeds. They stopped around 10 or so paces infront of us. They all had relatively minor wounds, but other than that they seemed fresh and ready for a fight. They had aided us against the monsters, but who said they were allies? They could crush us easily. My heart crept into my throat as they all stared us down. Nobody spoke a word.
The front lines of the soldiers suddenly parted and the boy with the sea green plume stepped out along with another boy. The boy with the sea green plume looked well built. He stood a little taller than his other comrades and was surrounded with a gravity of power and respect. The boy next to him was shorter, and instead of boasting a red plume like his comrades, had one that was entirely black.
These two, obviously the leaders of this band of warriors, stepped out and walked towards the remains of what was our hunt.
I finally drew my gaze away from the warriors and to what was left of my sisters. Phoebe was next to me knelt down at my side, she had an ugly gash on her cheek and another on her shoulder that was bleeding heavily. Atalanta stood just behind her limping heavily, bow in hand. She had an arrow through her right leg. The wound was turning an ugly shade of green, like mine, showing the evident spread of poison. Christy had a horrible cut on her side and was standing with one knife out protectively infront of the only surviving young hunter named Sophie, who for the most part had only minor wounds.
To my right Diana was kneeling down over the body of her twin sister, silently crying her eyes out. She wasn't even acknowledging the band of warriors infront of us. She was silently murmuring to herself. The last hunter who wasn't fatally injured was Evie. She was sat on the floor, hugging her legs to her. Her eyes were flickering from the dead hunters, to the warriors infront of us, to the rest of us. Her eyes finally rested on the two figures approaching us.
I turned back to the two boys who were now above me. I couldn't see their faces under their helmets, but they both walked with slumped shoulders, like they were upset. The boy with the black plume stayed standing whilst the boy with the green plume knelt down next to me. In a flash Phoebe had her knife at the side of his neck, on a piece of exposed flesh. A second later she had a sword at her throat, courtesy of the boy with the black plume. This sword was different to others though. It was black, made of Stygian iron, like Nico's. Atalanta drew her bow and aimed at the boy. A few seconds later some boys from the group pulled their spears and swords out and advanced on us, readying their weapons. Nobody moved.
"What do you think you are doing, boy?" Phoebe spat out, pressing the blade a little closer to his jugular. To everyone's amazement he began chuckling. Phoebe faltered, lowering the blade a bit with a confused expression on her face.
A flash of sliver light drew everyone's attention. Artemis appeared, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes widened and she paled when she saw the standoff infront of her. She took a few paces forward until she was next to me. I looked around; we were heavily outnumbered by their forces, I had no idea if they were allies or enemies but at the way they fought alone, we wouldn't survive this if they were enemies.
"If you want your lieutenant to survive that arrow wound, and your friend over there hers. I'd suggest you let myself and my healers aid you." The boy stated towards Artemis. I narrowed my eyes at him. I recognised that voice, but I couldn't quite place it. Phoebe remained defiant with the blade next to him. He gave out a sigh. "I swear by the river Styx we mean you no harm and only wish to help you." He said clearly and quickly. My eyes widened at the fact that he was so willing to swear by the Styx within a second. I gave out a sigh of relief at the fact they were friendly.
Artemis turned to Phoebe and gave her a stern look. "Stand down!" she called out, eyeing the warriors infront of her nervously. Phoebe removed her weapon from his throat, and the sword at hers was hastily removed and sheathed. All the other warriors formed ranks other than 3 who stepped forward.
The boy with the green plume leaned forward and placed his hand just below the wound on my shoulder. "This might sting a bit." He said before quickly ripping the arrow out of my shoulder. I saw Artemis clench her fists in rage. She was clearly restraining herself because the boy had sworn on the Styx to aid us and we were in no position to fight.
A faint orange light began to flow from beneath his palm. I watched in awe as an orange mist crept out from under his hand and slowly covered the wound. I felt a tingling sensation where the wound was and slowly the mist dissipated until there was only a small scratch visible where the wound had been. The boy stood and wobbled a bit, only to be steadied by his friend. That had clearly taken a large portion of his energy, meaning he wasn't a god or immortal. He had to be a demi-god.
"Who are you?" Artemis asked, voicing my thoughts. He turned towards Artemis and paused for a moment. He bent his head down and slowly removed his helmet to reveal a handsome face, messy raven black hair and sea green eyes, now adorned with flecks of fire red. To say I was shocked was an understatement. Artemis's own eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.
"Lady Artemis" he said bowing. I continued to stare in shock at my once missing best friend and cousin, who was now stood before me. "P-P….. Percy?" I choked out in disbelief. He turned towards me, with his signature lopsided smile. Oh gods how I had missed his smile, it was so annoyingly 'Percy'. "Hey Thals…"
I jumped up in a flash, ignoring all heart ache and sadness I'd been feeling and lunged at him. The force of me knocking into him knocked us to the floor, where I promptly landed on top of him. Tears rolled off my face as I buried my head in the crook of his neck and hugged him. He hugged me back with equal ferocity, rubbing soothing circles on my back.
"I'm here… And I promise I won't leave again." He whispered into me. I clenched my fist and pulled myself off him, delivering a thunderous slap to him. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!" I screamed at him. I did not get the reaction I wanted, as he started laughing again. I narrowed my eyes at him, ready to hit him again.
"Thalia… Would you mind?" he said with a smirk gesturing to his lower half. I looked down and blushed, I was straddling his waist in a very un-lady like way. My backside resting on his crotch. I quickly jumped up with a yelp, to which I earned another round of laughter from him.
He promptly stood up and gestured to some of the boys behind him. "Lady Artemis, please may we assist you." He said in a somewhat serious tone. She gave a quick nod and the soldiers behind Percy stepped forward to the most injured hunters, albeit apprehensively.
He turned back towards me. "I'll explain all after we have aided the wounded, and helped with the… dead." I wave of sadness hit me as I looked around the clearing. Littering the ground were bodies of my fallen sisters mixed in with piles upon piles of monster dust.
Percy stepped towards Phoebe a little gingerly. "May I?" he asked gesturing to her wounded shoulder. She gave a heavy sigh but nodded. He placed his hand on Phoebe and healed her wound. Once the orange mist disappeared, he crumpled backwards and was quickly caught by the boy with the black plume.
"You need to be careful, Perce. You'll knock yourself out." He said, slightly chuckling. I cocked my head at the warrior. Stygian Iron sword, Black plume. I only know one person that calls Percy 'Perce'. My eyes widened again. "Death Breath?" I called out towards him. He righted Percy and turned towards me, pulling his helmet off.
He received a similar hug and slap from me before I climbed off and turned to the now healed hunters and Artemis. They grouped up awkwardly, tears still rolling off their cheeks. Percy stepped towards them, away from Nico and I. Sophie and Diana visibly flinched as he approached, and scooted a little further behind Artemis.
He stepped up and bowed again. "Lady Artemis if I may?" He said gesturing further away from the hunters clearly wanting to talk in private. They both stepped away, Artemis asking me to follow.
"Nico is a minor god of the underworld, and with your permission we would like to help preceding the fallen hunter's funeral rights. Your girls have had enough sorrow for today and it would make it a little easier on them." He said a little sadly. A few more tears fell from Artemis's face. "T-Thank you." She whispered out. "There is no need my Lady. Nico will make sure they all reach Elysium."
Percy turned and walked to his soldiers. He whispered a few words to the group. A moment later Nico snapped his fingers and a large stack of stretchers appeared. Each of the soldiers removed their helmets and placed their weapons down on the floor before walking up in twos and picking up a stretcher. I inwardly smiled a little. Percy told them to remove their weapons as to show they are not a threat to the hunters.
The warriors gently and respectively gathered the dead, covering them in silver shrouds that Nico also made appear. They then brought the bodies back and lined them up in front of Lady Artemis, who was still crying. None of the soldiers met any of our eyes as they did, and slowly reformed ranks behind Percy and Nico. Artemis stepped forward and began saying goodbye to all the hunters. I stepped up next to her and was quickly followed by the rest of my sisters.
We said our goodbyes to each of our fallen sisters and then grouped up. All our eyes were raw red, and puffy. We were all crying without tears, as they had all since been used up. Nico snapped his fingers and all the bodies disappeared in a flash of black flames. We looked up at Percy and his group who were standing awkwardly.
"Lady Artemis, if you would, we will teleport back to your camp and proceed from there." Nico said a little warily. She gave a nod, not even turning away from where the bodies had been infront of her. A moment later we were standing in the clearing we had camped in last night. It was a large patch of open space near a river in the Adirondack Park.
"Girls… Set up camp here." Artemis said turning towards us, with slumped shoulders. She waved her hand her tent appeared. She gestured for me to follow along with Percy. He nodded and turned towards his comrades. "Guys set up camp as well, at the other end of the clearing." He said pointing to the other treeline a few hundred feet away. They all nodded and murmured before breaking ranks and walking away. Nico and Percy followed us into Artemis's tent where she sat on the floor. I sat down next to her, Percy and Nico opposite us.
We sat in silence for a few moments before Artemis spoke up. "Thank you for coming to the rescue Perseus. If you hadn't arrived, well... I fear the worst." She said a little sadly. He held up his hand. "If anything, my Lady, I must apologise for not arriving sooner." She gave him a questioning look. I was confused myself. "We have been after Echidna for around a week. Our best tracker had lost the trail and so we were almost wondering around looking for her." He stated
She took a quick glance at me before turning back to Percy. "Thalia, as well as I, are interested. Who are those boys you are travelling with?" she asked with a curious look. "And where in Hades have you been." I blurted out a little angrily. Nico coughed and gave me a glare. "What is it zombie boy?" I asked. "Could you not use my father's name like that." He responded. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Thalia!" Percy called out, breaking the staring contest. He cocked his head at me and gave me a knowing look. "Fine." I grumbled out.
"So…." Percy said
Flashback (Percy POV)
It had been three days since I had left camp. My plan was to just blow off some steam, kill a few monsters and then maybe head to my mom's for a while, till I had regrouped my feelings. She had said she had a surprise for me when I Iris messaged her, though I was unsure what it was.
I was sat under a large oak tree somewhere outside of New York, licking my wounds from an earlier encounter with a temperamental empousia. I looked down at the large claw marks that raked across my chest and let out a small laugh. My needle work was a little less than awful. The wound was so deep that ambrosia and nectar couldn't properly fix it. The stitching went across in an awkward criss-cross fashion, and the skin had been pulled awkwardly.
A cold chill caught me and I let out an audible shiver. I couldn't put my t-shirt back on in risk of re-opening my wound. I needed to start a fire somehow to keep warm. I'd rather not freeze to death. I hoisted myself up and searched around for some kindling and firewood. After picking up some dry leaves I returned to where I had set up my 'makeshift' camp. If you could even call it a camp.
I dropped back down to the floor with a wince and began building a fire. Night time had just enveloped me. I knew that if I didn't start a fire I'd either freeze to death or be attacked by some monster.
I quickly pilled the wood up and reached into my bag looking for the lighter I had procured. I struck the flint a few times trying to start the fire, nothing happened. I cursed loudly, before trying to light it again. Again, nothing happened. A rumble of thunder above drew my gaze. I looked up at the dark storm clouds above me.
My shoulders slumped and I let my head lull forward as the first flicker of lightning touched down. Raindrops began to fall from the sky. I gave out a heavy sigh as my body began to soak through. I was too exhausted from days of constant running and fighting to dry myself. As the rain began to pick up, I wished I was at home with my mom, or back at camp with my friends. It had only been a few days, but I already missed them, and I hadn't seen my mom in a long time. I was eager to see her again.
Suddenly the rain around me stopped and the fire infront of me flickered to life. I instinctively reached for my pocket whilst looking around carefully.
A young girl with luscious flowing brown hair sat down next to me, with a silent grace. Her cheeks were a rosy red colour and she had a very slight upturned nose. Her eyes were a warm, fiery brown colour. My eyes widened in realisation and I quickly bowed my head. "Lady Hestia…" I said quickly "To what do I owe the pleasure."
She cocked her head at me and scrunched her eyebrows together, as if she was confused. "I heard your wish, wanting be home." She said poignantly. She looked at me sadly for a few seconds before speaking up.
"I said you wouldn't be able to avoid this conversation Perseus." She said with a glare. I bolted up straight when she mentioned it and instantly winced in pain as blood began to flow from the now re-opened wound. Hestia's eyes flickered down to my wound for a second before back up to my eyes.
She placed her hand on my un wounded shoulder and began sending small pulses of orange light through my body. I watched in awe as my crude attempt at stitching, un-stitched itself and the muscle and skin began to connect as the wound slowly closed. She continued sending pulses of warm light into me until all that was left was a small white scratch, which promptly disappeared.
I looked up at Hestia with a smile, which she playfully returned. "Thank you, Lady Hestia." The small smile on her face, quickly switched into a frown. Uh oh… what did I say? "Really Perseus?" she blared out giving me a stare. "After saving our family, not once, but twice from utter destruction and earning the respect of well… everyone. Please… just Hestia will do." She stated in a commanding tone, like she would accept nothing else. "Like for like. I'd prefer it if you called me Percy. I don't like Perseus, it's way to formal." Hestia cracked a grin at this and nodded. "Very well… Percy."
A few moments of comfortable silence passed, where I just stared at the crackling fire, whilst rain splashed down 5 or so meters away. "Now Percy, I must ask; What are you doing out here?" she said gesturing to her surroundings. A thought crossed my mind before it was instantly ripped away by Hestia. "And don't you dare try and lie to me." She said forcefully.
I dropped my head and looked down to the floor. "I dunno… I… guess I'm trying to find something to do." I said with a heavy sigh. I felt a gentle had press against my chin and lift my head up. I came face to face with Hestia's warm brown eyes. The normal, enchanting effect having little to no effect on me. She scrunched her face as she peered straight into my eyes. I felt like a layer of my soul was being ripped back and exposed to her as she continued to stare.
A few moments later she slumped her shoulders forward and dropped her gaze. "Hestia?" I asked gently with a quizzical look. I leaned forward and place my hand on her cheek. I felt a warm tear touch my thumb that had silently rolled from her eye.
"Percy... I know how you feel and what has happened. When a God looks through a person's memories, they can also experience the feelings at that point in time if they wish. You have been through more than most in history." She said sadly. "And I know how much you hurt."
I felt tears slowly rise up as past memories of my life came to fruition. I reached out and pulled Hestia into a hug, to which she gladly returned. If she had experienced what I had, then I knew the comfort that she would desire, because I also longed for some kind of comfort.
"Percy, I know how much you loved her. And I know she felt the same way. I'm not going to ask you to forget Annabeth." I winced when she said her name. "Celebrate her life and the happiness she brought to those around her and to you. But she wouldn't want you sat moping around over her. She would want you to be strong. Be strong Percy. Be Strong for Annabeth."
I gave Hestia a small smile and nodded, feeling a tear come loose from my eye. She stood up and looked down at me. "Now Percy, I know you feel your time at Camp Half-Blood has come to an end. You seek a purpose. Now if you are sure, I may have an Idea." She said offering her hand out to me. I weighed the pro's and con's of both sides. I could head back to camp and live out my days for however long it takes for the next Prophecy to come around, or I could take Hestia's mysterious offer and be doing something.
After a few moments, I raised my head and looked up at her shining eyes. A smile crossed my face and I reached out and took her hand. There was a flash of light and I felt my stomach lurch to the side and twist in a knot.
I instantly bent forward as a feeling of nausea fell upon me. As my vision began to clear of the blurriness, I saw that the floor beneath me was of a familiar white stucco marble. I instinctively looked up and came face to face with 14 thrones, 3 of which were occupied.
I instantly dropped to one knee infront of Zeus. He gave a grunt towards me before gesturing for me to stand. "Percy… Where have you been? Chiron found your note and contacted us immediately." My father said with a worried expression across his face. "I'm okay dad… it's just…"
My dad gave me a pained expression and turned to Zeus and Hestia. "I am inclined to agree with your plan sister. Young Perseus here is more than capable of defending himself." I looked around in confusion at them. Hestia flashed down to my side and shrank to her mortal size. "Percy, I have told Lord Zeus of your ailments at Camp and your wish for a purpose of sorts. We have both agreed that with your and Poseidon's consent we will send you to rescue half-bloods like the satyrs from camp half-blood. However, we will be sending you to places where the protectors cannot go as it would be too dangerous for them; Such as horribly abusive families or monster hotspots."
My eye's widened to the size of dinner plates. This sounded extremely dangerous as I would be going up against mortals as well as monsters. But it would be a fresh start for me, something I so desperately needed. "I'll accept on one condition." I said earning some curious gazes from the 3 elder children of Kronos and Rhea.
"Can you keep it quiet from everyone, gods and demi-gods. Until they find out on their own or I'm ready to return to camp?" They all looked at me like I was from another planet, and initiated in mental conversations with each other. Poseidon backed out early and dropped his head to stare out the floor. Eventually Zeus also dropped his gaze from Hestia, showing she had won whatever it is they were talking about.
"it is the least we can do for you Percy." Hestia announced before smiling. "We swear it on the Styx." Thunder boomed outside and Zeus shifted uncomfortably in his throne. "Very well Perseus. We shall begin sending you to half-bloods in the most serious amount of distress and you may guide them to camp." He declared. He gave a curt nod to us before flashing out in a bolt of lightning. Poseidon stepped from his throne and shrunk down to his human size. He placed a hand on my shoulder before pulling me into an embrace. "I am proud of you Percy. Good luck with your new 'job'." He gave me a wink before dissolving into a breeze.
I turned to face Hestia and gave her a bow of respect. "I guess I should be giving you my thanks Hestia." She gave a small smile before gesturing towards the hearth. We both took a seat near the base of the hearth. "Percy I would like to offer you something." Offer me something? I raised my eyebrows and nodded for her to continue.
"Would you like to become my Champion?" she asked a little apprehensively, like she was worried I would reject her. I gave her a big smile "Of course Hestia. Of course I will become your Champion." Her face broke into a wide grin. "Well then my Champion, you have a decision to make. I have the power of the hearth and home, as well as the power of fire. Would you rather the control of fire, or that of the hearth and home."
I looked at Hestia, her left hand was slightly clenched. She looked visibly tense, like I would make a poor… decision. "The hearth and home." I responded simply. She relaxed like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. "I do not know why I had a doubt in my mind about you Percy." She said cracking an even bigger smile. She pressed her index finger on my forehead and instantly felt as if my body had been subject to a pressure wash. I blinked a few times as she pulled away. "Your new abilities are your own to discover. But know I will be watching over you." She said mysteriously before disappearing in a column of flames.
I was left alone next to the crackling hearth of the Olympian Throne Room. After a few moments, I stood up and made my way out of Olympus and down to New York City.
(4 Months Later)
I was stood outside a rundown apartment building near the edge of Boston. Hermes, being only him and now Hephaestus who knew of my new job and what had become of me, had told me of a son of Apollo who was in serious trouble, he had given me an address and told me to head there as soon as possible, leaving out any details.
I opened the door and crept into the stairwell. I tugged on a pendant around my neck, a gift from my patron Hestia and Hephaestus for saving his daughter from one horrid troupe of giants. A set of black Olympic Silver armour adorned with silver trimmings formed around my body, neatly forming under my bag straps. A set of black vambraces on my arms and greaves on my legs. After going on multiple missions and always ending up injured in some way, I decided it was about time to get some armour. Hestia with Lord Hephaestus's help had then soon gifted me this new set of armour, as if reading my mind.
The armour was lightweight, yet as strong as steel. It was made of the same substance the hunters use in their weapons; Olympic Silver. Like Celestial bronze or Imperial Gold, it had the power to kill monsters, but was rather rare in comparison to the other two.
I crept up to the address, room 413, the door smelled of cigarettes and alcohol. There was a stain on the door, that looked like the door was made of really flimsy old wood and was about to crumble any second. "COME HERE YOU LITTLE SHIT!" I heard a voice ring out from the apartment. Without even thinking a raised my foot parallel to the floor and kicked the door with as much force as possible. The door broke off its hinges and fell to the floor.
I stepped inside to see a man clutching a young boy, maybe 13 years old, by the throat. He had the boy pinned up against the wall. The boy was a tell-tale son of Apollo with blonde hair and blue eyes. My eyes shifted to an unconscious form on the floor. A young woman, late twenties at most, with strawberry blonde hair and an acute frame. She had blood pouring out of a horrible wound on her forehead. A bloody hammer rested on the floor next to her.
"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU!?" the man roared out, loosening his grip on the boy. I ripped my gaze back up to the man and the first thought that came across my mind was 'Smelly Gabe'. He was large, with a big beer belly on show. He reeked of alcohol and cigarettes. The floor around the apartment was littered with empty bottles and cans as well as cigarette buds.
"I'M TALKING TO YOU!" He roared out dropping the poor boy to the floor and approaching me. I drew a long hunting knife from on the side of my leg. There was nothing special about this knife other than the fact that it was ridiculously sharp. It was made of mortal steel and was what I used to incapacitate or scare off mortals who tried to attack me.
He seemed momentarily taken back by the knife in my hands. "He's coming with me. I don't want to use force." I announced, gesturing towards the wide-eyed, bruised boy on the floor. "Like fucking hell you will!" he responded, scooping up the bloodied hammer off the floor. I flipped my knife into the 'ice pick' position and readied myself. Without another moment's notice, he charged at me from across the small apartment ready to bludgeon me.
I simply side stepped his first swing and stuck my leg out in order to trip him up. He fell to the floor with a crash but instantly jumped back to his feet. "ONCE I'VE KILLED YOU I'M GONNA KILL THAT DISGUSTING LITTLE BASTARD!" He yelled charging at me again. This time I had lost all amount of patience with him. I caught his arm as he swung and drove my dagger deep into the opposite shoulder. His head snapped down to the now impaled dagger, before snapping up to my cocked fist with wide eyes. His jaw let out an earth shattering crack as I punched him, and he swiftly dropped to the floor unconscious.
I ripped my dagger out of his limp form and sheathed it before turning to the boy. He was now sat protectively infront of his mother, tears streaming off his face. I stepped towards him and he flinched. I winced a little. This was going to be difficult. I squatted down a few feet from him. "Hi, I'm Percy. I'm here to help you." I said softly. Tears continued to stream from his face as he looked down at what I would assume was his mother.
"I-If… y-you're here to… help me… P-Ple-ase h-h-help my m-mom." He choked out between sobs. I gave him a quick nod, I knew it was a long shot. "Okay then... I'll need your help. Go get a glass of water from the kitchen." I said with a little encouragement. I shuffled forward to the fatally injured woman whilst the boy ran and got a glass of water.
"I'm going to try everything I can to save her." I told him placing a hand on his shoulder as he knelt next to me. I used my new power from Hestia to fill him with hope, to which he gave me a determined nod. I turned my attention back to the woman and rolled her onto her back. There was a massive cut on her forehead that kept leaking out blood.
I willed the water out of the glass on the floor and the boy gasped in shock. I coated my hands in a thin layer of water and placed them on either side of her wound. The water flowed from my hands, across her skin and created a small bubble over the wound, whilst orange mist poured from beneath my hands and into the wound. I grimaced as I felt a wave of nausea overcome me. My gut twisted in an unsavoury way, but I kept strong as I slowly felt the wounds on her head begin to close up. After another few moments, I dispersed the water and mist and fell backwards breathing heavily. I watched as the woman winced a little. "MOM!" The boy cried in relief at his mother's movement. Her eyes fluttered open. "A-Apollo?" she questioned gently focusing on the boy above her. Well that confirmed that she knew of the gods, as Apollo had told her his name. "Mom it's me, Ethan" he whispered. Her eyes widened and she pulled him into a hug. A few moments later she pulled out of the hug and sat up looking around widely. Her eyes snapped to the body of the man on the floor and then to me.
She instantly pulled the Ethan behind her protectively. "Who are you!" she asked in a fierce yet scared tone. I rose onto my knees and then stood. "His name is… Percy, right?" he said/asked not to sure of himself. I gave him a nod and small smile. "He kicked in the door and saved me from Stan. He then used magic to heal you. It was so awesome!" Yup, definitely his father's son. She seemed to relax a little at this but hushed him.
"Your son, his uncle sent me to get him." I said, knowing full well she knew what family I was speaking about. "Uncle? I don't have an uncle do I?" He asked his mom. She didn't take her gaze off me. "Yes, your uncle Hermes sent me." I stated. The woman's eyes widened at the name of Hermes. She knew exactly what I was talking about, that just confirms it. I gave her a knowing look.
I offered my had out for her to shake. "Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon." I said simply with a smile. She closed her eyes for a few seconds before reluctantly reaching out and shaking my hand. "Jackie… I assume you'll take him to camp." I nodded to her. "You know he can't stay out here forever." I replied.
She took a deep breath and turned to her son. "I love you Ethan. You were the greatest gift I could receive." She said softly as tears flowed down her face. She pulled him into a hug as he began to cry. "Mom, I don't understand." He croaked out. She rubbed his back soothingly.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up on end. I turned and looked out of the broken door into the poorly lit hallway. I crept towards the door frame and peered around the corner. I saw two dracaenae with spears and shields walking down the corridor. A feral growl drew my attention to the other side. A couple cyclopes were walking from the other side. I internally cursed and spun around to two worried looks.
"We have to get out of here now." I clamoured drawing riptide and cross-current. Both their eyes widened when they saw the swords. "Fire escape, NOW!" I yelled and pushed them both towards it. I climbed over the railing just as I saw the first cyclops enter the room. We quickly and quietly descended to the ground floor and ran out of the alleyway. They followed me until we reached the nearest train station, which was only a few minutes' walk.
When we arrived, Jackie stopped and turned to her son. "Ethan, I can't follow where you're going. But you have to follow Percy. He'll protect you." She pleaded to him. I nodded to her in affirmation and she pulled him into another hug. I slung off my backpack and pulled out $1000 in cash neatly wrapped up. "Take this. Once you have moved on and settled down I'm sure Ethan would like to visit you." She broke from the hug and took the money. "Thank you, Percy. Please… promise me." She begged. "I promise." I said simply. She gave me a small smile, kissed her son on the forehead and waved before disappearing off round a corner.
I turned to Ethan, his eyes puffy red from crying. "Ethan, I want you to know that was the hardest thing your mom has ever done." I said sadly as I put my hand on his shoulder. He gave me a watery smile. "Thanks." He murmured. We walked into the train station together and bought tickets to New York.
The train journey went off without a hitch. And it was early evening when our taxi arrived at the borders at camp. Ethan and I had really bonded over the journey and I had gotten him to open up. I had told him all about the gods and what camp was like. He was flabbergasted when I showed him my two swords, and how they turned from a pen and ring into swords. I hadn't told him his father was Apollo, and was happy enough to let him get claimed.
I stopped at the base of the hill. Ethan gave me a confused look. "Camp is just over there." I said pointing up towards Thalia's tree. He cocked his head at me. "Why does it sound like you aren't coming with me?" he questioned. I gave a pained expression. This normally happened when I parted with a half-blood.
"Ethan, I'm not going back into camp. I've had a… somewhat difficult past. Now I help half-bloods across the country." I recited. This conversation had happened many times, and every time the half-blood left eventually parted with me, swearing to never speak of me and say they were delivered to camp.
He crossed his arms and stared at me with raised eyebrows. "What?" I asked in confusion. "I'm not going if you're not." He said before strutting over to log and sitting down. I raised my eyebrow's before shaking my head and walking over to him. "Ethan, camp is the only safe place for demi-gods." I said sitting down next to him. He turned to look at me with a defiant expression. I sighed "Where are you going to go then?" I asked. He gave a nonchalant shrug "With you."
I furrowed my eyebrows at him. "You promised my mom you'd protect me. I don't want to go to this stupid camp, I want to come with you." He pleaded. I lulled my head forward and sighed. "Ethan, what I do is dangerous. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you." He gained a determined look across his face. "You'll protect me though." He claimed. "But… You can't even fight." I stated. "Then you can teach me." he said a smirk growing on his face knowing I was starting to lose the conversation.
"Ethan, come on." I pleaded. "Nope." He said bluntly. I gave a sigh of defeat and saw victory stretch across his face. "Fine." I muttered. He jumped up and pulled me into a hug.
-Line Break-
"And that's pretty much how our group came together. A couple of months later Nico stumbled across us, and being a 'God of Heroes' it was well within his domain to join us." I concluded. "Any questions." Artemis and Thaila just sat there with shocked expressions. Artemis piped up first. "how is it you look younger than 21?" she questioned.
"Easy, once we had our little band together, we eventually started going on much harder missions. Zeus was so impressed with us that he granted us partial immortality, like your hunters. It was a reward for saving his only other child apart from you and Jason, Thalia." I responded looking at Thalia.
Thalia's eyes widened. "Dad had another child!?" she asked. I simply nodded in return. We sat there for a moment in silence. "I must see to the girls. It's been a tough day." Artemis said. "I must report what has happened to the council. Thalia if you could make sure they all eat. It will be hard, but you must try." At this point she turned to me. "Perseus… Thank you. It would remove a great weight on my shoulders if you and your… ah… group could stay until I return from the meeting and watch over the hunters." I blinked a few times. The guys may not be happy about staying near a group of man haters.
"Of course, Lady Artemis." I said bowing my head slightly. She nodded and disappeared in a flash of light. Thalia, Nico and I exited the tent. Thalia went off to her hunters who were all in their tents, whilst Nico and I went back to our own campsite. We gathered everyone up and sat down around our campfire.
"Guys, Lady Artemis has requested that we stay and protect the hunters whilst she is on Olympus." I announced earning some groans. They all knew about the hunters, luckily not from experience as they can be quite testy. "I know, I know. But they have suffered greatly, you saw how many fell yourselves. I want you all to remain alert, but other than that…" I paused for dramatic effect. "You have the day to do with as you wish!" They all cheered in response. Not once since our group had formed did they receive a day off where they could just kick it and relax. Every day was hard training or missions.
The group all split apart and went off to do various activities or just relax. Nico stayed next to me as we sat at the camp fire. A moment later Hermes appeared in a flash. "Hello Percy." Nico and I both bowed to Hermes before returning to our feet.
"The council have asked for your presence…" Hermes said gesturing to both Nico and I. I looked at Nico and he just shrugged. "Okay." I said with my own shrug.
The world lurched sideways and when I opened my eyes I was stood before the council. All of the council members were staring at us with shock and strangely awe. "Well young Perseus. It appears the jig is up." Zeus thundered out in a somewhat light tone, turning my attention. "Lord Zeus, what is it the council needs?" I asked staring up at him. "It appears I owe you my thanks." He said. I furrowed my eyebrows at him and looked at the faces of the rest of the council. "Artemis has explained that you came to her hunt's rescue. Without you I fear they may have all perished." He said gesturing over to a pale and sad Artemis.
"It was nothing Lord Zeus, just doing my duty." I said simply. He grunted in respect before gesturing over to Hestia where two simple stools sat at the base of her throne. Nico and I walked over and sat beneath our groups patron.
"Artemis." Zeus called out. She raised her head and looked at him sadly. "Yes Father?" she responded blandly. "It is no secret among the council that you suffer a great energy loss when something like this happens to one of your domains. I would like you to stay at Camp Half-Blood for the foreseeable future until you are back to strength." She gave out a small sigh but nodded.
"Brother." Hestia spoke out earning everyone's attention. She gave him a look and an obvious mental debate took course. Everyone watched them closely for about a minute, not a word being spoken. "Very well sister, it seems like a good idea." He said breaking the silence of the room.
"Artemis, I would like young Perseus and his group to accompany you to camp to ensure your safety. This tragedy may have been avoided if your hunters had more rigorous melee training." He announced. My eyes widened in shock, as did everyone else's.
"WHAT!" Artemis screamed out, jumping up from her throne. "I WILL NOT TRAVEL WITH A GROUP OF DISGUSTING MALES!" She yelled jabbing her thumb in our direction. "SILENCE!" Zeus roared effectively shutting her up. She dropped back to her throne with a very upset expression. "Perseus has yet to let us down, he and his group are very effective in close-quarters and will be avid protection for two of my daughters. I could not bear it if you or Thalia were killed" He said in an icy tone, leaving no room for argument.
"But father they're males, they wil…" Artemis started only to be cut off by Hestia who shot up from her throne. "Artemis! I know the train of thought you are about to head down and I implore you to bury it somewhere. My Champion and his brothers-in-arms are nothing like that." She announced shocking the entire room. Hestia for the most part was the most peaceful and quite goddess. She would rarely speak up against someone in a meeting.
Hestia looked down at me and gave me a nod. I stood and walked over to Artemis who was giving me the evil eye. I carefully bowed at the foot of her throne. "Lady Artemis, I swear to the Styx on behalf of myself and my group to be nothing but respectful and courteous towards you and your hunt. They have been trained and they know well. We swear to protect you to the best of our ability, with our lives if necessary." I said loudly, drawing a few gasps. I looked up to see a wide-eyed Artemis staring down at me. I added the last bit on to prove that we were willing to help her and her hunters and this was not some kind of joke.
"There daughter. If it eases your conscience, Percy has just sworn upon his own life for that of his group." Zeus said with a small smile directed towards me. "If that is all then? I bid this meeting adjourned!"
A/N: I'm going to answer some questions I have been getting. If anyone has any questions for me, please feel free to leave a review or msg me!
'Pairing?' - I have no idea who Percy is going to be pared with, which is why I am letting you guys decide. At the end of every chapter are the results for the votes I receive.
'Where is the poll?' – heh, This is my first FF. I have been told I can literally open a poll but have no idea how (and cba to find out). So if you guys want to vote, leave a review or message me or whatever. I read and reply to everything :D.
'Will this be a 'guardian' story?" – Erm.. no and yes. Not traditional is how I would describe it. As you can see so far in the story. It won't be like any guardian story you have read before.
If anyone has any good recommendations, I have no idea what to call Percy's 'Group'. Send a message or review or something if you have any ideas!
Finally ugh. Poll, thanks for all the votes and keep them coming!
Artemis: 22
Thalia: 15
Annabeth: 11
Zoë: 7
Aphrodite: 3
Hestia: 1
Thanks so much guys. See you soon!
