Chapter 2: Welcome to Camp
~Maine. Near Westover Hall.~
3rd Person POV
Silver tents that popped up around the clearing mere hours ago were gone just as fast. The Hunters of Artemis had broken down their camps thousands of times over in the past six years since the addition of their brother. Speaking of which, the 14-year-old had yet to hit his growth spurt, much to the pleasure of his sisters' teasing.
He stood at about five feet seven inches tall, but he swore that he was an inch taller than he was. His raven black hair was kept short, well out of his eyes and ears, but just as unruly as it always was. His eyes were gems that every jeweler wished to behold. And he could not be found without his lopsided grin. That is unless he was around anyone other than his sisters.
He could tolerate others, but still only initiated conversation with his sisters and mother. He also got a different outfit to that of the Hunt, courtesy of his father. Whereas the Hunt wore silver, Percy had a black cloak with electric blue and silver accents for his father and mother. The hood came with a half-mask that his father had told him was characteristic of shinobi in ancient times. His combat pants had various pouches for his kunai and ambrosia and tapered to fit his physique; a little looser around the thighs and lightly hugging his legs from just below the knee down.
His shoes finally resembled a mix between boots and samurai sandals. They went up to cover his ankle like boots did, but the toes themselves were partially exposed [AN: Think shinobi shoes from Naruto Shippuden or Boruto]. They allowed him to move quickly and silently, especially through the forest. Regardless of that exposition, camp was packed up and they were moving out toward Westover Hall in Maine. They had been tracking the Manticore for nearly a week and they were drawing close to it.
"I bet you I can slay the Manticore before either of you get a shot off!" Percy called over his shoulder as he leapt from tree to tree. "You do remember what happened last time you made that bet, right Little Brother?" Phoebe called back and Zoe just laughed. "I'm taller and faster than you both! You can't keep calling me little!" Percy argued back.
"Focus, you three!" Artemis yelled from ahead of the group and Percy shut up quickly, much to Zoe and Phoebe's amusement. "Everyone hold," Artemis whisper-yelled. Everyone took their post in the trees and drew their bows. They observed the Manticore in the midst of a fight with demigods. "Ugh. Campers," Percy grumbled before beginning his observations and Zoe snickered.
"Wait for the hunting horn to sound," Artemis said as they watched and waited for the time to strike.
Thalia POV
We were sent on a rescue mission for Chiron to retrieve two kids from Westover Hall in Maine and I was not thrilled. For starters, I had to go with Grover (met him there), Annabeth, and Steven. The first two I actually love; their my best friends. The latter is my annoying and arrogant cousin who had no right to be arrogant.
I'll be the first to admit (at least to myself) that I had a lust for power, but I swear this kid had it worse than Zeus himself and he had hardly done anything noteworthy. Sure, he slayed the Minotaur, but I was still a tree when it happened. Long story short: I had seen him fight and sparred with him on occasion and beaten him every time. He was simply not that impressive.
Annabeth also had a crush on him and it was obvious which naturally went to his head immediately. Another reason why I wasn't happy to be there was because the cover we used for the end of the year dance. The music was shit; no Green Day. And to top it all off, the two kids we were sent to retrieve vanished from the bleachers.
I rushed outside after a healthy amount of cursing under my breath and found them being dragged by Dr. Thorn, who is coincidentally a monster. I drew my spear and my shield, Aegis, and charged him as he shifted his form. 'The Manticore. Fucking great,' I thought as I forced him away from the two demigods. I vaguely heard Grover coral them and Steven entered the fray.
He drew his sword Riptide and charged, but foolishly didn't see Thorn launch his spikes. I crouched behind Aegis and my shoulder stung at the impact of them, but Steven got nicked by one and immediately fell to the ground from the poison. 'Fucking moron,' I thought as Annabeth slipped on her Yankee's cap that made her invisible and a hunting horn blared.
'Can this day get any worse?' I mused as the girl scouts in silver appeared.
3rd Person POV
A single silver arrow buried itself in the snow at Thorn's feet and he whipped his head around frantically. "Permission to terminate, Milady?" Zoe asked and Percy snicked from behind his mask. "You can't! Interference is against the Ancient Laws!" Thorn roared and Percy felt his mother roll her eyes. "I am tasked with hunting down any foul beast. You are one of them. Permission granted, Zoe," Artemis said and the arrows flew, only to be met with a volley of Thorn's own spikes.
"I thought you'd be bigger," an uncaring voice hardly above a whisper called from the Manticore's feet and he looked down in shock at the figure that had just appeared there. "Who are you?" the beast said, but the figure said nothing and backflipped away to avoid a strike from Thorn, but in midair he twisted and peppered the beast with arrows in his limbs and tail. Thorn roared in pain.
He pulled his sword from the scabbard on his back; an elegant katana seemed to appear in the boy's right hand, drawing it so fast as he dodged and blocked another volley of spikes. His mouth couldn't be seen, but if the twinkle in his eyes was anything to go by, he was smiling like a mad man.
"Quit playing with your food!" Zoe yelled as she leapt down from a tree and he rolled his eyes, but she was right; he had gotten too caught up in his analysis. The blindside punch knocked him back, not enough to damage him really at all, but enough to give Thorn the time to grab the girl demigod he was after.
The boy screamed for his sister and Percy growled. Suddenly, the blonde materialized on Thorn's shoulders as he backed toward the cliff. Percy dashed forward, manipulating the winds to further increase his speed, but he was still late to the cliff as Thorn leapt over the edge. 'Fuck it,' Percy thought as he leapt after then and increased his terminal velocity to catch up.
Before Thorn could make a clean getaway, Percy managed to grab the first girl, but Thorn and the blonde disappeared into a portal and Percy quickly manipulated the winds so the two of them could grab a branch in the cliffside to make it look believable.
'A little help,' he called to his mother's mind and the rest peered over the ledge.
Thalia POV
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. The hunters showed up, but so did this boy in all black and I swear he appeared out of thin air in front of Thorn. His precision and accuracy with the bow was better than any hunter I had ever seen, and his blade? I hadn't ever seen anything like it, but I watched enough anime to know it was a katana.
Then he, the Manticore, the girl we were sent to rescue, and Annabeth all plummeted over the ledge. I thought they were all gone or dead. Then the whirling of helicopter blades picked up and a military chopper showed up. "Mortals," I heard Lady Artemis huff and the chopper disappeared into a flock of ravens. I only knew what kind of bird they were since I was a child of Zeus and the sky was his domain.
I peered over the ledge with everyone only to have my heart sink. Annabeth wasn't there. Sadness was quickly replaced with rage and while it was completely illogical to direct it at the Hunt and the boy, I did it anyway.
Percy POV
I got up the ledge with help from my sisters and was immediately slapped in the back of the head by Zoe and Phoebe. "That's why you don't play with your enemies while you analyze them and don't just go jumping off of a cliff. You can't fly!" they both shouted at me, knowing I can and I put my head down. I felt my mother's presence walk up and I kept my head down.
"I am disappointed that you acted rashly and it resulted in the Manticore getting away and with a maiden no less," she said and the guilt began stinging me. Just as quickly as it did, it lifted when my mother wrapped her arms around me. "But you did manage to make up for your mistake and save one of them. For that I am proud," she whispered tenderly.
Then I was smacked by her as well, "Don't ever jump off a cliff again and if you do, pray I never find out about it," she finished sternly and I rubbed the back of my neck.
"What the Hades?! Why are you here?!" the girl with short black hair and electric eyes shouted at us. 'Daughter of Zeus,' I mused as she stomped right up to me. "It's YOUR fault that the manticore got away and HE HAS ANNABETH!" she roared at me, but she wasn't exactly wrong so I didn't comment.
"Watch yourself, girl," Zoe spat at her in my defense for which I was grateful, but held up a hand to signal it was fine and shook my head at Zoe. "Yes, I apologize for your friend's capture. But I will warn you once and only once: address my sisters with that attitude again and not even your father will stop me from putting you in your place." I finished with a cold edge to my voice as I removed my hood and mask.
Thalia POV
I gasped. 'Gods, his eyes are absolutely gorgeous. Who the hell is this kid?' I thought as I was trapped in the endless paradise that was his eyes. I seemed to be the only one trapped and I heard some of the hunters snicker at me.
Zoe POV
I watched the Daughter of Zeus practically drooling over my brother and snickered. 'I can't wait to hold this over his head forever,' I mused cheerfully until the other boy stepped up.
"Who the fuck are you?" he said with as much arrogance as Heracles held long ago and I grit my teeth in anger. Percy on the other hand was much more reserved. He just stared at the kid impassively for he knew exactly who he was. I could tell Percy didn't like him, but he was kind anyways; albeit uncaring in nature as always to strangers.
"I'm Steven Walters, Son of Poseidon and the greatest demigod to ever live," the boy continued and I worried for Percy because I could see him tense severely at the mention of his name. "I am Perseus," Percy replied in, again a polite, yet uncaring tone. 'Percy only uses his full name when he really doesn't like someone,' I mused as Percy turned to rejoin his sisters. "What? Running away to the little girl scouts?" the boy continued and Percy faltered.
"HA! I bet you're just too weak. You could never hope to live up to me. Who even are you anyways," the cretin pestered. Percy didn't even turn around and said, "The monkey sits on treetops and thinks himself tall." The boy fumed and drew his sword and my flinch and heart clenching didn't go unnoticed by Percy. Percy then turned back to the boy and finished with, "You are in the presence of a goddess. I will ask you once nicely. Please watch your threats and your tone." The Hunt snickered in approval.
"Do you wanna fight right now you little bitch? Or don't want me to embarrass you in front of all these babes?" the boy spat back and I know Percy saw red because 99% of the Hunt did. Artemis was watching the scenario carefully. The boy's friends begged him to reconsider with a single look, but pride cometh before the fall.
"If you address my sisters like that again, I will kill you," Percy threatened in an even, emotionless tone that gave me chills. He didn't say "annihilate" or "destroy"; somehow the simplicity of the word "kill" held much more power as if killing him would be akin to Percy squashing a bug. The boy in reply, stepped forward with Anaklusmos. Percy looked at me with understanding in his eyes and then back to the boy.
"If I beat you right here and now, I get your sword. And if you beat me, I will parade around the Hunt and the Camp and sing your praises and accomplishments for all to know just how great of a hero you truly are. Deal?" Percy asked and my heart fluttered for the fact he would do that for me.
An evil smirk spread across the boy's face. "Deal."
3rd Person POV
The two products of the Sea paced out several meters from each other and drew their weapons. Steven had Riptide and Percy drew a single one of his hunting knives. "That's all you're going to use?" Steven snickered at his opponent. Percy didn't respond, making Steven go red in the face with his ire.
Without warning, Steven charged and he was met with air. Percy dodged and continued to dodge every single attack Steven threw at him. He spun, ducked, jumped, slid, etc just to avoid the rage induced onslaught that Steven threw at him. Steven began to tire after five short minutes and Percy had enough.
With one more strike from Steven, Percy slipped into his guard and twisted his wrist making him drop the sword before stepping back out under his arm and turning so that he was behind Steven. Percy took the hilt of his knife and bopped Steven on the temple and the boy crumpled.
He picked up the sword in silence and handed it back to Zoe, which upon its return, morphed back into a hair clip. Zoe crushed Percy into a hug immediately and had tears pouring down her cheeks while she whispered thank you.
Thalia POV
I'm not all that surprised that the kid beat Steven quickly and took his sword. Like I said, Steven really wasn't all that impressive. But the new kid, Perseus, certainly had my attention. He was strong, quick, a bit of a smartass, and cute. Really cute. Really cute and really quiet and… mysterious. Too bad he travels with the Hunt.
3rd Person POV
Artemis called the demigods into her tent to discuss matters about the Manticore and to ask Bianca if she'd want to join the Hunt.
"He said something about 'The Great Stirring'," Thalia said and Bianca nodded. Artemis paled slightly, but Percy picked up on it and told himself he would ask later. Artemis excused everyone but Bianca and the three hunters, so Thalia, Steven, Grover, and Nico went back to their spare tent.
"Bianca, how would you like to join the Hunt?" Artemis asked and Bianca gaped a little bit, making me and Phoebe laugh. "W-What do you mean?" she asked and Zoe stepped in. "We are the Hunters of Artemis. We pledge an oath to Lady Artemis that we will turn out backs on the company of men and be eternal maidens. In exchange, we receive immortality, but can die in battle, and we hunt monsters all around the country."
Bianca seemed to ponder for a bit but hesitated. "What about my brother? I can't just leave Nico," she said and Phoebe countered with, "The Hunt is for females only. But there is the Camp he can be sent to and cared for by others there." Bianca liked the idea of not having to take care of Nico, but looked at Percy instead.
"Why are you with the Hunt?" she asked and Percy took a deep breath. "I'm a special case. Lady Artemis found me in the woods when I was six. I was running from my past at the time and she saved me and took me in after a test. Two years later, I found out I was a demigod and they became family," Percy said with a small smile. He hated talking about his past, but he recognized it was for the better that he embraced it; at least people perceived he did
"Who's your parent," she asked and Percy frowned which was the only emotion other than fury she saw from the boy. "I do not discuss that unless I am comfortable with you. If you join the Hunt, you will be another one of my sisters and we can talk to your heart's content" he said, still uncaring. Bianca just looked down and thought about her options.
After a few minutes, she took the oath and became a hunter. Percy welcomed her with a hug as he always did to a new sister and asked her not to tell anyone about his heritage after telling her about Poseidon, even though she didn't have the full truth.
Percy POV
Mother called for Zoe and I to discuss our next move. "I'm going on a solo hunt," she said and Zoe and I protested instantly, only to receive a raised hand for silence. "'The Great Stirring' means that all the monsters of old are reforming. It is dangerous and I must do it alone. It is not that I don't think you two are capable. It is to ease my mind as well," she said with finality.
"Does that mean I'm finally going to Camp?" I asked and she nodded to me causing me to grumble. "Apollo will be here in the morning to drop off the Hunt and the campers off and I will go on my Hunt. I will look for the demigod who was captured as well," she said and ended the meeting.
I walked over to the campers tent to notify them of the changes and found them sitting around their own campfire. Steven was glaring at me, but I pointedly ignored him. "Lady Artemis informed me that she must go on a solo hunt and Lord Apollo will be dropping us off at Camp in the morning. Bianca has joined the hunters as well. I just came to let you all know that Milady will also be looking for your blonde friend," I said.
"W-What? B-Bianca's leaving m-me?" the boy, Nico started to cry and I didn't know how to deal with crying males. "She's joining the Hunt yes… but that makes her my new sister so I'll watch over her for you," I said quickly and quietly, hoping to get the moment over with. He sprung forward and hugged me and I went rigid as a board. Slowly he let up after I patted his back a couple times.
Before I could leave, Thalia spoke out to me. "Wait… what's your story?" she asked and I slowly turned around. "Exactly that. My story," I replied and proceeded to walk away. I heard her grumble "smart ass," under her breath and I smiled a little bit. She was cute. Really cute. Really cute and really fierce. She'd made a great addition to the Hunt… but part of me wished she didn't though I had no idea why.
I woke up the next morning earlier than everyone else to get some alone time with my mother and found her at the cliffside, awaiting Uncle Apollo. Apollo had found out about me shortly after the adoption and was skeptical at first given my lineage, but warmed up to me faster than any of the hunters did other than Pheebs. He was a hopeless flirt though.
"Mother," I said as I approached and she shifted to a 30-year-old form that she rarely ever uses. "Good morning," she said with a smile and I smiled back before looking at the ground. "I'm sorry about yesterday, Mom. I was really stupid and over analyzed and it was my fault," I said and she brought me in to an embrace.
"It's fine. You did your best to make up for it. Just use it as a lesson going forward and I will always be proud of you," she said and kissed my forehead making me smile. "I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, Perseus."
3rd Person POV
The Hunt and the campers gathered at the cliffside and shortly after the sun started to come into view. "Everyone, close your eyes," Artemis said and everyone listened. It was incredibly bright and incredibly hot and after five minutes, they could finally open their eyes. A red Maserati Spyder stood proudly on the cliffside and melted the surrounding snow.
"Little Sis! You never call, you never write. I missed you!" Apollo called cheerfully. "For the millionth time, Apollo. I am OLDER!" Artemis replied and Apollo blatantly ignored it. "Lord Apollo." Percy greeted and got a fist bump from the God who flashed his gigawatt smile in return. "Perce! What's up bud, how was the hunt?" he asked, getting a lot of weird looks from the campers.
"Not so good… I got too analytical again and they got away," Percy said, dejectedly with his head down. Apollo ruffed his hair and said, "That's okay. We both know you're awesome like me. Just can't get lost in there." Percy looked back up and smiled at his Uncle, who threw him a wink.
"Alright everyone on!" Apollo called as the car shifted to a charter bus. "Take care of them, Apollo," Artemis called and gave Percy one last look and nodded.
They all loaded onto the Sun Chariot; Nico was bouncing in his seat in excitement, the rest of the Hunt was business as usual, Thalia looked uncomfortable, Grover was daydreaming, and Steven was still glaring daggers at Percy. "Alright, who wants to drive?" Apollo asked and Steven's hand shot up. Apollo frowned, "Too much kelp in your head." Everyone else snickered at that.
"Thalia, how about you?" he asked and Thalia went sheet white. "N-No. I-I'm okay," she said and Percy recognized what was going on. 'Daughter of the Sky, afraid of heights,' he chuckled internally. "Nonsense. You'll be great!" Apollo said and flashed her to the driver's seat. "Remember: more gas equals more heat so climb up to a good height before letting her open up," he said with his signature smile.
After seven near death experiences due to Thalia's panic from the height, the group arrived at Camp Half-Blood. Apollo had to pry her white knuckles from the wheel and shakily help her off the chariot. Apollo gave one last fist bump to his nephew and told him to be careful, which Percy didn't pay much attention to at the time.
Percy POV
Chiron approached all of us after Uncle departed and scanned over the crowd. "The Hunters of Artemis and without your Lady. Everything okay?" he asked and Zoe stepped forward. "We crossed paths with the campers during the mission in Maine. The demigods were rescued and Bianca joined the Hunt, but the Manticore got away with the blonde. Milady is on a solo hunt and we were instructed to stay here."
Chiron nodded and asked, "I assume you can show yourselves to the cabin and Capture the Flag as always tomorrow night?" Zoe nodded curtly and everyone headed out to the Cabin. I felt Chiron's lingering glance on me, but he didn't address me so I went on with the day. The day which I spent avoiding people while observing because I didn't want to answer any questions.
'Mom, could you claim me at dinner tonight so I can get over the campers' stares?' I asked in my mind, hoping I didn't interrupt her hunt too much. Soon enough, dinner rolled around and I sat alone at my mother's table since I got there before the rest of the Hunt.
"Do you know who's table that is?" one of the Athena campers hissed at me. "Yes," was my reply but I was grinning internally. "Your funeral," she said before quickly gasping. Chiron looked comical, gaping like a fish with eyes the size of dinner plates. Above my head was the silver emblem of my mother with a stag and bow. 'Thanks, Mom. I love you,' I thought and felt a phantom kiss on my forehead.
The rest of the evening I spent talking and laughing with my sisters and getting a lot of weird looks from the campers. Zoe had Riptide in her hair again and her smile seemed so much more genuine than it had lately. I was headed off to the cabin by myself when I noticed a little girl in brown robes poking at the fire alone.
I walked up to join her since I heard about her from my mother. "Good evening, Lady Hestia," I said softly so I wouldn't scare her. She turned to look at me and gave me a warm smile. "Hello, young Perseus," she said back and it was my turn to be surprised. "You know of me?" I asked, a little frightened. "Yes. I felt the increase of power in my domain of home when you joined the Hunt so I watched from the fire," she said and I blushed.
She laughed lightly and it was a very comforting sound. "And you have your father's eyes," she whispered and my face hardened. "That man may have donated his sperm, but he is no father of mine," I said coldly, which made Hestia frown. "There are Ancient Laws, Perseus. I assure you he-" she tried to defend him but I cut her off.
"With all due respect Lady Hestia as I suspect you would have been my birth mother's favorite and I know that you are my mother's favorite, he has done far worse than just abandon my birth mother and I. He will come to find out in due time, that I assure you," I said and took another deep breath.
"Forgive my rudeness, Lady Hestia. One conversation with you and it seems I share my mother's favoritism," I chuckled lightly and she smiled again, warming the fire slightly. "I bid you goodnight. I look forward to the next time we meet, Milady."
Then I went to bed, only to have a terrible dream.
AN: Chapter 2. Reviews please. Until next time!