Apologies for taking so long to get this out. I've been reading the Percy Jackson series and trying to get my motivation back by rereading the Dark-Hunters series.

I originally planned on having two canon Dark-Hunters characters appear but I pulled that idea for now.

Hopefully I'll be able to do small chapters like this and keep a decent pace. Enjoy!

PS: I wrote the above text a few months ago, so it's not entirely accurate for this point in time. I finished PJO(LOVED IT) and I'm currently trying to read through the Mark of Athena. Motivation is still an issue, but finally able to get this out for y'all. I'm almost finished with Chapter 4, so look forward to that within the next two weeks(hopefully!)

P.S.S: Sorry if the formatting(particularly spacing) is off. I realize I'm an idiot and could've edited the text on here without having to struggle like I was before. I'll try to catch these and edit them, but do let me know if I miss any!

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It was nearing 7 in the evening as Percy and Grover were helping to pick up the bar. Activity had seemingly declined in the last few hours, like the calm before the storm. Areius had left last night and hadn't returned, however when they woke up they found their luggage waiting for them outside their rooms.

Annabeth came in from the kitchen just as a blacked out SUV slowly drove passed and parked out front. The three of them exchanged worried looks before stopping what they were doing. Grover started towards the window as a man walked in.

Standing an inch shorter than Areius, the man was dressed like a biker- he had a black leather leather jacket over a dark blue shirt, black leather pants and boots. No older than 32, the stranger had his black hair cut and trimmed short in an militaristic manner. His cheeks were dark with a day's worth of growth.

Annabeth quickly noted the man's mannerisms as he scanned the room and kept his back to them. There was a strange air and power about the man, as if he wasn't quite human. The three became even more suspicious as time passed and he never removed his sunglasses, instead seemed to be irritated by the lights. He took a seat next to the stage and pulled his phone from his jacket, Grover turned in time to catch a glimpse of the sheathed blade underneath and started to panic a little.

"Calm down before you start shitting pellets everywhere, I won't hurt you kids." Percy wasn't so sure about that, the man didn't exactly radiate friendliness. Strangely, he reminded Percy of the war god Ares. "Why should we believe you?" "Believe me or don't. At the end of the day it doesn't affect my work."

The way he said that sent chills through Annabeth, there was something unnatural about the man and she could sense it. "And what exactly is your work?" "Death to those who lurk in the dark, and personal security for the world." As he spoke, another vehicle pulled up and turned off.

Iulian said something in Greek that caused Percy's eyes to widen in shock at what he said. "That should make up our merry little band, all that's missing is this crusade's captain." The door opened and in stepped a beautiful woman dressed in a leather jacket with a white t-shirt tucked into a pair of dark blue-jeans.

Standing at five foot ten inches, she had shoulder length copper red hair and a pair of dark brown almost black eyes set in a round, yet soft face. The lady did appear to be a day over thirty-two. The bottom right of her jacket bulged a slight bit as she came to a stop and crossed her arms over her chest.

"While my Greek isn't that good, I take a great deal of offense to that Iulian." When the lady spoke, she had a thick yet sweet, southern accent. She flashed a warm, kind smile to the demigods before shrugging her jacket off. Percy and Annabeth's eyes widened at something they'd never expected.

Joy turned and looked down then chuckled "Can't a girl carry a gun for protection?" They both shook their heads no before Percy spoke up. "I just never expected you to show it off openly." "Only way I can keep people from trying anything, can't really use my powers on humans and others." She winked playfully then looked at Iulian "Areius texted me as I was driving, said he had something he needed to do and would be here as soon as he could."

"Surely that's not the reason you were late, Joy?" "No, I couldn't get Ted to get off his game and phone for even a minute. Damn near had to cut the power to his room to get his attention." Iulian let out a chuckle and shook his head while Annabeth, Percy and Grover exchanged confused looks. Grover was about to ask when Iulian spoke, "Ted is her Squire, he's twenty one and she coddles him." Joy tsked him "You only say that because I don't treat him as a-" Annabeth held her hand up to interject "Sorry, but what exactly do you mean by Squire?"

"I can't help but imagine men in little hats and colorful tunics dancing." Iulian let out a tight lipped laugh at Percy's words as he shook his head. "While there are many types of Squires, they each have an important role in our world." "And what world is that exactly?" Annabeth asked with a bit of trepidation in her voice.

Joy and Iulian exchanged glances with each other as if they were conversing via telepathy. It felt like an eternity passed as a deadly seriousness came over the room. Joy let out a sigh before glancing at the trio "Did Areius tell you who was going to be protecting you kids?" The three of them nodded, and when they realized what was going on, the look of realization was immediate. "You two-" "Are some of Artemis' little soldiers? Yes, and to answer your question no it's not a girl's majority club." Annabeth looked between Iulian and Joy, hoping they were joking.

"So then, there's also a lot of men who serve Artemis?" Joy nodded "Majority are men but there's still a few women, both still serving and who've got their souls back." "Wait, souls back? Do you sell your souls to her?" Iulian and Joy spent the next few minutes explaining what they could about Dark-Hunters including how they were "recruited".

. . .

Percy weighed the thought, it sounded somewhat believable. Granted in their own world demigods were a thing and he'd even fought mythical creatures and went toe to toe with gods before. 'If they are soulless that explains the unnatural feeling' Annabeth thought to herself.

"So can we see your marks?" Joy and Iulian both laughed at Grover's question until they were holding their sides. "That's not going to happen, they aren't in the best of places." "That's fine, but there's an elephant in the room that needs to be addressed."

Iulian arched a brow at Annabeth, "And that would be what exactly?" "If two Dark-Hunters can't be around each other without draining their powers, then how come you two are?" "Compared to the other Hunters we are in a league of our own. Our powers aren't affected by the drain so we can spend extended time around each other."

The three of them exchanged wide-eyed looks. "If the daimons want to send their strongest, it's only fair we give them ours. Besides, it's about time I get a half decent fight, it feels like it's been centuries since the last one."

Joy and Annabeth laughed at Iulian's sad, bored tone. "So what exactly are you able to do?" Annabeth asked as she motioned to Joy. "Well, ever since I was human I have been able to use magic. Otherwise I have the same heightened senses and physical abilities that the other Hunters have."

Annabeth turned to Iulian, fires of curiosity blazing in her eyes. "Then if she can use magic, what is your power?" Iulian scratched his chin before he spoke. "I can hear your thoughts and feel your emotions, conjure things and manipulate objects with telekinesis." "Please don't read our thoughts anymore.." Iulian glared at Annabeth. "It's not something I can control. I'd much rather not hear what goes on in your heads or anyone else's for that matter but we can't always get what we want."

For minutes, Iulian was assaulted with questions from Percy, Grover and Annabeth about his abilities. What were the limits of objects he could summon, manipulate with telekinesis, so on and so forth. He was beginning to get tired of it when the familiar sensation washed through the room. Areius came down the steps and into the bar smiling. "Well, it looks like everyone still has their heads, congrats."

Iulian turned and glared at the demigod through his sunglasses. "Where'd you run off to?" "Arranging the final part of the plan, can't really send them back home without someone who can open dimensional portals now can we?" Areius motioned the rag-tag group outside "Alright immortals and demigods, load up. Annabeth you're riding with Joy. Grover and Percy are with me and Iulian in the SUV."