Chapter 4: Prisoner

When Jordan awoke it was late in the day. He was chained to a tree and he was sure that he was going to be tortured. He looked up and found Artemis and several of her hunters walking towards him.

"So we meet again, Jordan," Artemis sneered, "You were too easy to capture. You acted like any other boy would."

"Oh? My job is to save demi-gods who need me. Why wouldn't I have shown up to help?" Jordan asked.

"Who put you up to this 'job' of yours? You would do well to tell us, boy," the leader of the hunters said.

"Lord Zeus did, my lady," Jordan decided being respectful was the best approach. He was chained to a tree in the middle of their camp after all.

"Hah! Zeus is the one who asked us to hunt you down!" Artemis exclaimed triumphantly, "He said that you would do well to answer our questions, truthfully, if I may add."

Jordan sighed resignedly, "Very well, what do you wish to know?"

"What is your real name?"

"Jordan McCormick."

"Who is your godly parent?"

"I don't know." The questions seemed endless. Artemis was becoming frustrated, she needed answers! Eventually she drew back her fist and smote him across the face, drawing the golden ichor of immortals from his lip.

"Who made you immortal, boy!" she yelled.

Jordan decided to answer this question with the truth, "Lord Zeus did, my lady." Artemis looked at him disbelievingly before huffing and leaving him alone with Phoebe. She was to be his guard tonight.

"Boy," Phoebe addressed him, "You should've answered my mistress' questions."

"Why? I'm still a captive."

"Because, now I get to play with you," Phoebe looked menacing, she pulled out her knife and went to work.

As the sun rose over the camp, Jordan was very faint with lack of ichor. While he may not be able to die he could still experience pain. Jordan's torturer had spent all night cutting him with her knife trying to pry answers from him. He had refused, Jordan didn't want to go back to his old life. Artemis walked up to his tree with a look of horror, they had been ordered to capture the boy. Now he dangled in the chains looking as if a wolf had got him over night. Unfortunately for Phoebe though, Artemis knew exactly who the wolf was.

"Phoebe! What did you do to him?" Artemis yelled at her hunter.

"I was trying to get the answers, my lady!" Phoebe tried to defend herself, but even she could not go against her mistress' wishes without consequence.

"We were told to NOT hurt him!" Artemis exclaimed, while this wasn't exactly true, if this was who she thought he was then she knew it would be wise to treat him with some humanity. Jordan moaned in pain which caught everyone's' attention and brought them back to the situation at hand.

"Lora, go get some ambrosia and nectar. It will help him heal," Artemis ordered, "And be quick about it!" Lora arrived extremely fast; she didn't want to see her brother get hurt. But if he was left another night alone with Phoebe he would wish he was dead. Jordan ate the ambrosia and then drank the nectar. He instantly felt a lot better than before; nothing like the food of the gods to help you heal.

"Phoebe, did he answer any of your questions?" Artemis asked trying to see if it had at least worked. Her hopes were quelled when Phoebe responded.

"No, my lady, he never said a single word or cried out in pain. He just took it."

Jordan was finally able to produce conscious thought and he asked, "Any more questions, or am I free to go?"

Artemis thought for a second, pondering her options, "No, we will be taking you to Olympus. Maybe the Olympians will be able to get answers out of you." At this fear flashed through Jordan's features, if he went to Olympus he had no doubt Zeus would double cross him to maintain his own stature and position. Jordan also knew he couldn't give in now. The answers that Artemis are seeking were too painful for him to talk about. His old life had no purpose, no reason to live. Jordan McCormick had everything though, he was immortal, he was able to save demi-gods, and best of all he didn't have to see her every day. It was as perfect as life could be and if he was found out, he would have to go back to that old life. Jordan was left to ponder these thoughts as Artemis and her hunters went to train. But Artemis called over her shoulder.

"Pack your things, boy! We leave at 6 in the morning!" As if Jordan had anything to pack if he even could. He was chained to a tree for fuck's sake! But he mentally prepared himself, for he knew the gods would try to read his mind so they didn't have to torture him. Vain creatures they may be, but not inhumane ones. Jordan knew he would probably be found out tomorrow no matter what he tried, but he fell into an uneasy sleep nonetheless.

Jordan woke up to a loud voice yelling at him. He found his tree was in the middle of the throne room and Artemis was waking him up, or trying to anyways.

"Get up, boy! I'm going to hit you next!" At this Jordan instantly was jolted awake, he definitely did not want to be hit. "Good, that got you up easily."

The Olympians were all in their thrones already as if waiting for him to wake up. Zeus opened the meeting as he said, "Welcome fellow Olympians, we are here to interrogate this man to figure out what he was doing near a child of the big three." Some of the Olympians looked shocked while others did not look surprised.

Athena opened the interrogation by asking, "What is your name?"

This was nothing Jordan had never done before so he answered, "Jordan McCormick."

Next Poseidon spoke up, "Who is your parent?"

You, Jordan thought but he said he didn't know.

"Why were you near the sea child?" Hera demanded.

"I was getting her out of a situation no man, woman, or child should ever be in." Jordan said carefully.

"Stop being so vague, boy!" Oh boy Artemis, you need something new, Jordan thought. Now he felt a presence trying to push into his mind, Jordan effectively slammed the door. Then the effort was doubled, he knew he couldn't hold out forever. Finally his minds' defenses were worn down until one of the Olympians slipped in and began digging through his memories. It was Zeus.

"Jordan, answer their questions truthfully, you have nothing to fear," Zeus spoke into his mind.

"Your will, my lord."

Now it was Jordan's turn to speak, "You all wish to know who I am?" he snapped his fingers and Jordan's hair turned jet black and the Olympians gasped. "I am Perseus Jackson."


A/N: Hey all! I'm sorry this one was a little short, just under 1200 words before the author's note. I didn't want to break my promise! :) The next chapter will be longer though. Please read and review, it would make my day!