Today was just not Piper's day. First Jason had magically lost all memory of their entire romantic relationship for no apparent reason. She had nearly died when her douche-nozzle partner, Dylan turned out to be a monster (whether or not that was an improvement over the old version she still didn't know). Then, her amnesiac boyfriend FLEW DOWN to catch her like superman before she could end up as a smear of paste at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. And lastly, but certainly not least, one of her classmates revealed himself to be a psychopath and tried to crush Jason's head in before she had used her… gift.

Piper had always felt a stab of guilt whenever she talked people into things she knew they wouldn't normally agree to. At first she thought she had just won people over with a pretty smile and some batting eyelids. They'd start giving her things like free food and movie tickets when she asked… then some watches and jewelry… then a BMW.

However, she felt no remorse at what she did today. Vin was fully prepared to stomp Jason's brains out just because he SUSPECTED Jason was possessed. No hesitation either, Vin had gone straight for the kill. The worst part about it was his eyes: Dark, terrible things that lanced deeper into her soul the longer she stared at them. They hadn't changed throughout the entire confrontation. In fact, his entire presence felt like a violation against the nature, like a shade who refused to admit it no longer belonged in the world of the living. He certainly looked too old to be a student, but Piper knew looks weren't everything. All of those damn delinquent boarding schools had taught her you either had to grow up fast, or look the part.

It was just her luck that she happened to be riding with the man. There wasn't enough room for her on the chariot with Jason, Leo, and Butch and a small part of her was grateful for it. Seeing Jason look at her like she was a stranger hurt more than she ever thought it could. That... and the dream that had plagued her three nights before, the burden it had placed onto her poisoning any moment she shared with Jason and Leo. On the otherhand, she'd endure the feeling if it meant she could put as much distance between her and Vin as possible. He stood like a statue at the front of the chariot next to Annabeth, uncaring for the harsh, clawing wind; his eyes sweeping across the horizon as a bird of prey might survey its hunting ground.

Vin suddenly spoke up, "Girl. I have a question to ask you."

Piper started at the sudden interjection, then curtly responded, "This girl has a name you know."

Vin stood there for a second, processing the statement like a computer would.

"Very well. Piper, I have a question to ask you."

"I… alright what?" Piper said, hoping to answer him quickly and not talk again.

"How do you know my ser—" Vin stopped himself abruptly. "How do you know my name?"

"Your name?" she asked, bewildered. "We've been classmates for the whole semester."

Vin said nothing in response, showing no sign that he had even heard her statement. Again, she felt an acute unease with his reactions. He didn't emote like a normal person. Honestly, she'd compare him more to an animatronic, or an alien trying to ape human reactions without knowing their full context, than an actual person.

Eventually he said, "I do not recall ever seeing you before today. I believe Jason shares my situation, if not a worse version of it."

"Well we weren't ever close." Piper continued. "You were just in the background most of the time. I just remember you starting to attend school around the same time as us, and that we hardly ever spoke.

"My memories differ significantly from the narrative you have just described."

"That'd be the Mist," Annabeth interjected. "It's a kind of veil separating the mortal world from the magic world. I'll explain further when we get to camp. Gotta keep an eye out right now, and It's the type of conversation you should be sitting down for."

Did she imagine it or did Vin's fist just twitch slightly at Annabeth's mention of magic? She knew he was capable of extreme violence at a moment's notice. When Dylan was holding her, she blinked and suddenly Vin was next to her, saving her from the Venti's grip. His rescue of her was the only reason she hadn't insisted that they should leave Vin behind, and even then she was questioning her judgement.

"A wise move," Vin commented, as he pointed to the side of the chariot. "Because we have company."

Vin's transhuman sight had picked up the daemons well in advance of their arrival. He could feel the agonizing seconds tick by as the Warp-spawn closed their distance and he could do nothing about it. How Vin yearned for his Exitus Rifle and Pistol. His desire for their familiar, overwhelming firepower was closer to a biological need than a simple longing. Regardless he could do nothing as the Venti galloped towards their chariot. The daemons seemed to have shed their humanoid forms, now chasing them as equestrian aerial hunters, ready to tear into their souls.

"We will not outrun them." Vin observed casually.

Annabeth urged the pegasi faster, yelling, "We're almost there!"

However, Vin saw the tell-tale sign of the Venti preparing their static discharge, their thundercloud forms morphing into a deep shade of pitch. With no weapons to fire upon their pursuers and no way to outrun them, the Vindicare did the only thing he could and stepped in front of Annabeth to shield the girl. Once again he felt his cells burst as he took the high energy bolt squarely on his chest. The unpleasant stench of his own flesh and hair burning wafted up his nose.

"Vin!" the two girls yelled, absolutely horrified.

"Keep driving!" He ordered. "I did not get hit by lightning just to distract you."

He thought about cursing the useless girl, but quickly dropped the thought. The emperor's vengeance was best spoken with the rapport of sniperfire, not oaths and expletives. His assassins should strive to emulate that sentiment as best as possible. In any case, Annabeth snapped out of her shock, and quickly returned to her reins. Butch and others weren't having that much better luck. Vin could tell it was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed, though he wasn't too concerned. He could probably survive a fall from this height if his motor functions returned before he impacted the ground.

"The Lake! Aim for the Lake!" Annabeth screamed over to Butch.

Then, the inevitable happened, and another blast of lightning struck the side of the chariot, melting the wood into glowing hot slag. Vin was thrown from the vehicle and plummeted towards the Earth. Annabeth to her credit had maneuvered them closer to the body of water, but there's only so much one can do to change the calculus of an accelerating human body hundreds of meters above the air.

"This is going to hurt," thought the Vindicare as he slammed into the water with all the grace of a lobotomized servitor. His transhuman physiology mitigated the worst of the shock and pressure change, but he still felt like he just got run over by a Chimera troop transport. Around him he could see indistinct humanoid shapes that soon revealed themselves to be smiling, female mutants with long black hair and glowing, yellow eyes. Without control over his muscles, he could do nothing to stop them from molesting his body with their vile hands. He could feel their horrible touch all over his body. Any moment they'd pull him limb from limb and devour him. Or if these were Slaanesh worshipers, then a fate even worse and painful than that. Or maybe they would—

Vin suddenly breached the water's surface and breathed a gasp of air. For whatever reason, these mutants seemed to be helping them. He didn't bother to think of what deceitful betrayal they were planning and accepted the aid without comment. Humanity would collect their debt from these degenerates in due time, but he had bigger problems to deal with first.

Around him, he could see the forms of his… associates breach the water as well. They had managed to stay on their chariot for far longer than he had, courtesy of the fact that they could actually stand. As such, they had fallen far closer to the water than he. Still they acted as if they'd been hit with a Plague of Nurgle rather than a brief dip in the water, shivering and huddling on the ground pathetically. He had already stood up and started scanning the forest they had landed in for enemies. Fortunately for them, a mass of teens came pouring out of the woods with blankets and heaters. Most came over to Annabeth and Butch, but one broke off from the group to help Vin.

A olive-skinned, short camper who looked about 15 came up to him, surprise written across his face as he exclaimed "Athena's great big— uh…" he stopped himself as he saw Annabeth crawl out of the water. "Uh… by Her great big immaculate wisdom… what happened to you guys?"

Vin looked down at himself to see his clothes were a mess. To be frank, he had seen whores with more modesty than what his ripped pants and shirt gave him. The lightning and his transhuman feats against Dylan seems to have been a bit more than the cloth could handle.

"Lightning," he answered simply.

"Dang," the youth said sympathetically, "Get on Zeus' bad side?"

Vin grunted, not wishing to continue the conversation with the boy. His hint went unnoticed and the boy started blabbing about something not even his transhuman mind could bother to listen too. At least the blanket he handed Vin covered up his rapidly disintegrating garments. Meanwhile Annabeth was informing the rest of the campers about their failure to retrieve this Percy Jackson. Despite Vin's abysmal social skills, even he could tell there was a sense of disappointment that went beyond pure strategic value from the boy's continued absence. Then, another girl stepped forward—tall, eastern, dark hair in ringlets, plenty of jewelry, and perfect makeup. She appraised each of the damp individuals, her gaze passing over Leo, lingering on Jason with some potential interest, focusing on Vin's scarred, sculpted musculature until she got to his face at which point she lost all desire to look at him, and locking metaphorical horns with Piper.

"Well," the girl said, "I hope they were worth the trouble."

Leo snorted. "Gee, thanks. What are we, your new pets?"

"No kidding," Jason said. "How about some answers before you start judging us—like, what is this place, why are we here, how long do we have to stay?"

Though he loathed to agree with Jason, Vin was of the same mind. The sooner he figured out where he was, the sooner he could get off this Emperor-forsaken rock.

"Jason," Annabeth warned, "All of your questions will be answered, I promise. And Drew"—she frowned at the girl—"all demigods are worth saving. But I'll admit, the trip didn't accomplish what I hoped."

"Hey," Piper said, "we didn't ask to be brought here."

Drew sniffed. "And nobody wants you, hon. Does your hair always look like a dead badger?"

Hon? Likely an abbreviation of honey, and a term of endearment. An insult following a colloquial moniker… Vin deduced a 60% likelihood of Drew engaging in banter. While he didn't give a damn about socializing, apparently strong social bonds results in a higher level of trust between individuals, which can be exploited for information gathering. He knew from serving with the Guard that with banter, social etiquette demands you return with your own light-hearted statement in order to strengthen said trust.

"Does your attention-seeking compensate for a lack of a father, or your unsightly appearance? Vin replied, completing the social ritual.

The assassin was perplexed by the response to his banter. All the men around him gained a sudden interest in examining the floor or the sky, as if life's greatest mystery could be found there. In contrast the women stared as if he'd just declared their planet was due for Exterminatus, mouths held open in shock. Leo made some weird noise that sounded like a cross between grox's wet snort and a strangled windpipe and Piper looked absolutely stunned. Only Jason had no reaction, seemingly too focused on getting some answers. Well, he had everybody's attention, so he'd call the social operation a success.

Vin broke the silence, saying, "Pleasantries establish, let's get some questions answered. Does anybody here know where the nearest Imp—"

Suddenly, there was a quick flash, like the ignition of a burning, red flare. Turning to face its origin, Vin saw a strange holographic image hovering above Leo's head, a flaming hammer. Instantly he was on his guard. More Warp Sorcery? Now? His muscles instinctually tensed in preparation for action. Fortunately for Leo, Piper noticed the action.

"Calm down Vin," Piper warned "Leo isn't about to hurt anyone."

Once again he found himself agreeing with her statements despite the clear lack of logic they possessed. His heart rate fell back to its average single-digit bpm and he unclenched his fists.

"You've been claimed by a God." Annabeth said, a hint of reverence tinting her voice.

Butch muttered something about a curse of cabin 9, which Vin couldn't help but agree that this entire proceeding seemed cursed. Honestly, Butch seemed to be the only person he'd met these past few hours that possessed more than a few brain cells to rub together.

Jason continued. "That's the symbol of Vulcan, isn't it?"

"Jason," Annabeth stated carefully, "how did you know that?"

"I'm… not sure."

"Vulcan?" Leo demanded as he tried to dodge the following symbol. "I don't even LIKE Star Trek. What are you talking about?"

"Vulcan is the Roman name for Hephaestus," Annabeth elaborated. "The god of blacksmiths and fire."

Vin frowned internally at her explanation. Vulkan was the name of a Primarch, one of the 18 gene-crafted sons of the Emperor. Each Space Marine Chapter was directly descended from the gene-line of their Primarch, such were their divinity. So why would a Primarch claim this random, sniveling teenager? Was he to become a space marine aspirant? Almost certainly not. More likely, over centuries this planet had spent separated from the Ecclesiarchy, they had developed their own scripture and holy stories based on the original ideals of the Imperium. He had heard Butch and the others openly discussing heresy on the ride back and how they were all the sons of Gods. While the deviation and their wild interpretations disgusted him, so long as it was based on the teaching of the Lectitio Diviniatus, the biblical rock from which all other holy texts were derived, then he could learn to tolerate it. Annabeth's description of Vulkan certainly matched up with the few epics and poems Vin had heard about the Primarch.

The fiery hammer faded, but Leo kept swatting the air in a pointless display. "The god of what? Who?" Annabeth turned to a guy with a bow.

"Will, would you take Leo, give him a tour? Introduce him to his bunk-mates in Cabin Nine." "Sure, Annabeth."

"What's Cabin Nine?" Leo asked. "And I'm not a Vulcan!"

"Come on, Mr. Spock, I'll explain everything." Will put a hand on his shoulder and steered him off toward the cabins.

Annabeth's focus turned next to Jason, and some faded tattoo that bore on his arm. Vin noted it looked like some sort of regimental marker. The campers seemed unsettled by the reveal of the symbol, so he was assigned to be taken straight to the director, Chiron for some answers. Drew quickly snatched up the opportunity to escort him and made a childish face at Piper as she left the shore. He considered joining Jason in order to finally get some concrete answers, but eventually decided against it. The campers hadn't been too pleased by the mark, whatever it was, so joining Jason may not end up being a pleasant experience.

Their curiosity satiated; the rest of the campers were about to leave when something momentous occurred. A sight, nay a miracle, that he would remember for the rest of his days. Another flash of light flared out, though to compare it to Leo's was to do it injustice. Whereas Leo's was the lighting of a candle, this new light was akin to a hydrogen bomb reach critical mass. Golden light suffused the area, dulling all other colors like a sun cloaking the stars in the sky with its own, overwhelming brilliance. Immediately, Vin felt the approach of something tremendous, of a being who could part the very heavens with his immortal footfalls. The assassin could only liken the moment to his arrival on Holy Terra, the first time Vin had tread the very same ground as the Emperor had millennium before.

The brilliance faded slightly, his eyes readjusting to the light's center. He found the glow crowning his head like an angel's halo. There, the image of an immaculate, burning, time-ravaged skull flanked by angel's wings flashed before him.

"The Imperialis," He whispered, falling to his knees in absolute shock. Unconsciously, Vin formed the sign of the Imperial Aquila with his hands. "The symbol of loyalty unbroken."

Then, a voice that spoke with the clarity of thunder and power of the very universe sounded out, "Son of humanity. Servant of my will. Follow the signs of prophecy. They will show you your prescribed fate. Reveal me not, nor my kingdom, until the anointed hour."

Vin could not speak, such was his rapture. The voice that spoke into his very soul and the golden light, it could only mean one thing. The Master of Mankind, the Lord of Humanity… the God Emperor.

"Remember your past, the infancy before your ascension." the godly voice continued. "The threads must be connected, if humanity is to survive."

Light flared again, the image of a double headed eagle searing itself into his eyes before disappearing. There could be no doubt now… the Emperor had shown him a vision. What words could he even use to describe his feelings, his elation. None, for all fell hollow beneath his approach. No words, no images, no sermons could ever do him justice.

"Love the Emperor," Vin cried in glorious exultation. "For he is the salvation of mankind. Obey his servants for they speak in his will. Tremble before his majesty for we all walk in his immortal shadow. Ave Imperator—"

"Vin!" Piper yelled, knocking the assassin out of his religious experience. "Are you okay?"

Vin looked around, seeing everyone else staring at him. To his intense chagrin, he'd forgone all decorum and discipline the moment the Emperor had revealed himself. The Vindicare quickly picked himself up and returned his face to its regular impassive state.

"Excuse me," he apologized. "I had a vision"

Annabeth and the other concernedly looked at him, obviously trying to work out what'd just happened. Meanwhile, Vin's mind was racing as he took apart and processed the Emperor's words. Prophecy? Fate? Whatever it was, it would reveal itself in time to him so long as he kept to his service. To not speak of the Emperor's light or his Imperium was a strange request, but he could see the logic of it. Deny your enemies the knowledge to fight you, and the battle is already half-won. The most surprising part of his command (not like the entire thing was surprising beyond belief anyways) was his will for Vin to examine his memories before his ascension. Vin knew he could do it. All he needed to do was enter the Marksmen's Trance and uncoil the memories of his long-buried youth. He did not know why the Emperor commanded it so, but he would not falter nor question his purpose.

"I've never seen a symbol like that before," Annabeth slowly spoke, like she might break his mind if she overwhelmed him with questions. "What was that?"

"I cannot say." Vin responded after his own brief pause.

The blonde frowned, clearly not believing him. "You fell to your knees and started praying to it, whatever it may be, and you're telling me you have no idea what just happened. What were you even saying to it?"

"You did not hear it speak?" the assassin asked.

A quick round of everyone exchanging heads proved that, no they had not heard him. The fact that he had been solely chosen elevated his elation even higher though he made no show of it.

Piper said, "No… why, what did it say?"

"I have already told you, I legitimately cannot say."

She pressed further, asking "But who was it that—"

"I will not speak any further about this." Vin growled, a promise of violence for any who questioned any further.

No one spoke up at his challenge. A cold silence descended upon the teens. He had been on tomb world livelier than this, yet Vin said nothing to ease the tension, letting them all marinate in the unspoken threat.

"How about," Annabeth spoke, her tone akin to a schola teacher trying to break up a brewing confrontation, "We go on a tour of the camp. Ok?"

Vin nodded affirmation.

"Lead on," the assassin said. Then he looked down at himself and added, "Unless, if it is possible that I get a fresh change of clothes first?"

Just giving everyone a heads up that this pace of uploading is definitely not going to last much longer. It's always easy for me to write the beginnings of a fic once I've spent enough time mulling it over in my head. Additionally, I wanna give this story time to breath and not burn myself out. I got a whole plotline that I gotta fit in here, so don't worry. There will def be future uploads to look forward to. Most importantly, I haven't written anything in a long time and I can feel myself knocking off the writer's rust. If I'm spending too much time giving Vin's thoughts on certain things or perspectives, then feel to tell me. Also I wanted to experiment with having Piper's perspective in the beginning, so tell me if you thought her pacing felt rushed/slowed or if it should've been longer or whatever.

Big E protects. See ya on the next one.