*two years earlier*

Nico, Jason, and Percy wandered along the alleyways of the abandoned city. They had heard reports from satyrs about powerful auras being sensed in the area and they were determined to discover the source and of need be, destroy it. They all froze as they heard a whimper of pain. The boys drew their swords and moved slowly towards the noise. It was coming from a half collapsed barn near the outskirts of the town. As they got closer they could hear murmuring and crying. The boys exchanged a concerned glance. Percy peered in a window and abruptly jerked back as arrow came flying at his head. Jason caught him before he could fall on his butt. Again.

"Who just shot at me?!" Percy shouted angrily.

"Go away," a girls weak voice replied. "I don't want to have to hurt you. I'm not in the mood to kill people."

"We don't want to hurt you," Jason interjected calmly.

"Speak for yourself," Percy snarled, then winced when Nico smacked his head.

"Shut up idiot," Nico growled.

"Just leave us alone," the girl sounded desperate. "Please." Her voice caught on the last word.

Unnoticed by the others, Annabeth had followed them. She moved to the window and began speaking gently to the girl.

"Listen, we don't want to hurt you, okay?" She told the girl soothingly. "We just want to help. So can you let us come in without shooting us?"

"No, leave us alone," the girl snapped. "We don't want your -Kynna!"

Everyone heard a stifled groan of pain from inside the barn then a sob of terror and pain. Then a girl appeared at the window. She had long black hair hanging over her shoulder in a braid and clear blue eyes. The girl was wearing a blue tank top with a torn, bloodstained black leather jacket and black leggings. A bow was slung over her shoulder and a quiver at her hip held only two more arrows. Tears glittered in her fierce gaze as she stammered,

"You can't hurt her. Got it?" Annabeth nodded comfortingly as the door swung open. As the girl stepped out into the light, she caught sight of Percy. Instantly, she froze and stared blankly at him. He looked up and his reaction was immediate.

"No! You're not- no!" Looking up at the sky, he yelled, "Is this a joke?! You think it's funny? Well it's not!"

"Percy," the girl whispered. Percy turned his furious gaze upon her.

"Who are you? Is this some trick with the Mist?" She shook her head, the tears spilling down her cheeks.

"No- I'm real," she choked out. She ran to Percy, who caught her and held her tightly in his arms. Ragged sobs escaped her as she clung to him. Percy caught Annabeth's eye as he hesitantly said,

"Rylee?" The girl, who must be Rylee, nodded. Annabeth's eyes widened as realization dawned on her. Beaming, she ran and hugged them both tightly. Jason glanced towards the open door and took a few tentative steps towards it. Upon reaching the door, he glanced inside. Reaching over, he grabbed Nico's arm and hissed,

"We have a problem." Nico stepped over and he too peered in the door. His dark eyes widened before he slowly approached the second girl.

She was lying vulnerable on the ground, eyes delicately closed. A plain soft grey t-shirt and a pair of jean shorts loosely adorned her malnourished figure. She was barefoot, and her feet and ankles were covered in dust. Her black hair was a matted mess, tied in a haphazard bun that was gradually falling out. A streak of dirt ran across her forehead, adding to the look of total exhaustion.

As they approached, her eyes snapped open and her grey gaze landed on them. Immediately, she gripped a knife at her side.

"Who are you?" She breathed warily. Nico held up his hands and instinctively motioned for Jason to stay at the entrance. Taking slow, even steps forward, he approached the girl. Studying her carefully, he saw blood soaking through sloppily wrapped bandages on her left leg. Numerous other wounds were open and unbandaged, and Nico realized the girls must not have enough medical supplies.

"I won't hurt you," he said softly. The girl tried to pull away from him, then gasped and briefly closed her eyes as pain flooded over her. Nico hurriedly rushed towards her to try and help, but the girl screamed and held the knife out before her defensively with a trembling hand. Nico scrambled away as the other girl burst in. Taking in the situation, she ran to the wounded girl and murmured,

"No, Kynna, it's okay. They're gonna help. Look, it's Percy!" The girl (Kynna?) lowered the knife and her gaze rose to look at Rylee.

"Like... Percy?" She asked redundantly. Rylee smiled affectionately.

"Yes. Like, Percy." Rylee gently took the knife out of her friend's hand as she said to the others,

"This is Makynna." Makynna studied each of them carefully. Her eyes met Annabeth's and widened slightly.

"Yours are grey too," she murmured. Annabeth slowly approached her with a gentle smile.

"Yeah, they are. Makynna, we came from somewhere where people like us are safe from the monsters. Do you want to come with us?" Makynna started to nod, then glanced at Rylee.

"Can they help Rylee? The monsters- they- they hurt her back. And her side." Percy knelt beside Rylee, lines appearing in his forehead.

"Rylee, you're hurt?" He questioned. Rylee glanced down and shrugged half-heartedly.

"Not bad," she muttered.

"Yes bad," Makynna scolded.

"We'll take care of her. And you too," Annabeth reassured her. Makynna shook her head.

"No it's ok I'm fine. Looks worse than it is." Percy caught Rylee's eye and she mouthed,

"It's not. It's worse." He helped Rylee to her feet and glanced at Nico and Jason. Jason was already gently lifting Makynna and cradling the petite girl gently in his arms. She gritted her teeth, but a soft groan still escaped her. Jason glanced at Annabeth and said,

"I'll take her. I think Nico's way would be too much for her right now." Annabeth nodded agreement. Percy clung tightly to Rylee obstinately.

"She's staying with me," he said firmly.

"Yes yes we know, Perce," Nico muttered sarcastically.

"Who is she?" Jason asked curiously. Percy gently gazed down at the girl and responded,

"My little sister."