Cal ran. He just ran. His lungs were burning and he could feel his binder constricting his chest. His friend, Flint, was dead in the mud 100 yards back, his blood staining the dirt as it had his grey shirt. The empousai that chased him shrieked their displeasure as he ran through the stone archway that signalled the entrance to Camp and it's magical borders. As he crossed, he turned back to look at the vampire women and saw them turn to golddust, a single silver arrow had flown through both empousai's heads.
No longer being chased, he stopped dead in his tracks and bent over, breathing heavily with one hand on his knee and the other clutching his stomach. His navy blue shirt was soaked in sweat and only the black baseball cap on his head was keeping the sweat out of his eyes. As he removed it and ran his free hand through his cropped blond hair he heard a confused voice from further inside the border.
"Jason?! Is that you?"
Out of the woods came of group of teenage girls in silver jackets lead by two girls who looked a couple of years older than Cal, one with a circlet of moonstones resting in her choppy black hair and the other who had flowing brown hair resting lightly on her shoulders. The black haired one held a bow in her hand; she had fired the shot that had killed the vampire women.
As Cal turned to face her, she sighed in disappointment. "You're not Jason.." She said flatly. Cal thought he detected a hint of malice in her voice, as though it was his fault that he looked like someone she knew. Turning on her heel the girl walked back into the Forrest, followed by the rest of the group. Cal stared after them, confused at to what had just happened and felt a firm hand clasp his shoulder.
"Hunters of Artemis. Eternal maidens. They're off limits. If you try to make advances prepare to lose some very important organs." The beefy girl whom the hand belonged to chuckled.
Cal turned to her confused. "What.. No .. I wasn't.. ugh." He pressed a hand to his forehead and gave up trying to explain himself.
"Yeah, sure. They all say that. I'm Clarisse, daughter of Ares." She eyed him up and appeared to judge him as satisfactory. "Well you're not a wet blanket anyway, What's your name?"
"Cal. Cal Sanders. I'm a legacy of Nike but my father couldn't tell me who my mother is." He replied numbly.
"Alright then Cal. Let's go show you the Induction Video..." She said the last part with mock gusto but seeing a friend killed puts a dampener on a person spirits and Cal was in no mood to laugh.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A few days later, Cal was in the arena, taking a crash course on his chosen weapon - the sai. Many of the of the hunters were training as well. They were incredibly talented fighters and when he was allowed to take a break he spent his time watching them, Clarisse had teased him for it at first but after he told her where to shove her comments because he was Aromantic and Asexual she dropped the subject.
"Damn Cal!" Clarisse was sparring with him and was struggling to get a hit in with her sword, she hadn't held back either. "How are you so good at this?!"
Cal shrugged. "I guess being a legacy of Nike has it's perks."
But the daughter of Ares wasn't listening any more. Instead she was staring at the glowing symbol above Cal's head. A crossed torch and key.
"Hail Cal. Son of Hecate."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The next day the hunters were preparing to leave when Cal walked into their camp. Their wolves growled at him and every hunter trained their bows on him as he knelt before Artemis.
"Tell me why I shouldn't turn you into a Jackalope where you stand boy."
Despite her young face, Artemis was incredibly scary and Cal regretted coming to ask his question now. But there was no turning back now. He took a deep breath to calm himself before speaking clearly and confidently.
"Forgive my boldness Lady Artemis. My name is Cal and I came to ask to join your hunt."
A low chatter started as the hunters discussed his controversial request.
"Men are not permitted to join the hunt you -" Thalia spat and was about to call him something rude but was cut off by Artemis's stern voice.
"I'm sure you had already heard of our rules. What makes you so special that we would break them?"
"My Lady, I am Aromantic and Asexual. I can promise without a doubt in my mind that I have no romantic interest in your hunters."
"Men have claimed to not be interested before.."
" I know that there is little I can tell you that will change your minds but would a Styx vow be enough?"
"You. A male. Are willing to swear on the Styx that you will not fall in love with my hunters? Something that is beyond your concious control?"
"Without hesitation."
Artemis nodded. "Very well. You may take our vow." As the hunters started to protest she spoke above them. "Let this be a test. This boy will represent his whole gender. If he fails never again will it ever be considered! So make the vows Cal." Her eyes locked with Cal's and he found he could not look away. The weight of her ultimatum being placed on his shoulders.
With his head held high he spoke clearly. "I swear by the river Styx that I will never fall in love with or make advances towards any of Artemis' followers. I pledge alleigence to the goddess Artemis, accept eternal Bachelorhood and join the hunt."
All at once he found himself wearing a silver leather jacket and trousers, with a bow and quiver slung across his back. Luckily he was still wearing his binder, that could have been a disaster otherwise He smiled, tough times were ahead but he thrived in tough times.