Special thanks to The Tangerine Cat and Manram for their immense help with this chapter.

Disclaimer:

We don't own Percy Jackson or Type-Moon content.

Camp Half-Blood:

Getting beaten up never stopped sucking no matter how many times Percy went through it. Sitting next to Luke as Annabeth patched them up, the boy felt aggrieved by EMIYA's ruthless thrashing. 'First day in this new lifestyle, and still I get the same hellish training.' The young demigod lamented, flinching as Annabeth applied some ointments to his aching bruises. He idly noted her rather quick recovery for someone who got whacked in the face, chalking it up to a perk of being a demigod.

Demigod. A word Percy didn't think he'd call others, especially not the kids his pops helped all the time. He knew EMIYA liked to visit them regularly at the camp he said they moved to, helping there as a teacher when Percy spent the weekend or vacation at Eudora's beach house.

Pulling out his locket, Percy gently traced the interwoven flower and sword delicately carved into it as he thought back to his birthday. It would almost be a year since the day he got it, and he never failed to look at his gift during school breaks or when he's alone, spending his time watching the picture inside and letting his thoughts wander. It made him feel relaxed, even though it was hard to focus because of his dyslexia. His school year went smoothly until his pops told him to pack up and come with him to the camp…in the first days of May.

The simple fact his pops was essentially taking him on a trip while school was still ongoing told him something wasn't right. At first he was skeptical about the trip, especially since his godfather didn't look really happy about it, but he followed along. He didn't expect the sudden revelations on the way, no one really does when it comes to being told your absent parent was an actual Greek deity and all the kids he'd seen were also children of gods like him.

It felt different from the first time his father revealed the existence of monsters to him, knowing the reputation the Greek pantheon had. All the lessons his pops taught him made sense now; why he was taught the language, why he understood the lessons better when EMIYA taught him the same stuff in Greek, why he was good at fighting.

Even so, throughout the trip, his arrival at the camp all the way to the training and getting treated, Percy couldn't shake off certain thoughts in his head.

"So, Percy. It's nice to meet you again after so long." Luke's voice snapped him out of his musings, ruffling his hair before slinging his arm on the younger demigod's shoulders. "You got a lot taller. I almost didn't recognize you at first." He added, giving Percy a cheeky grin as Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, but you're still bigger." Percy replied, mirroring the older boy's confident smirk, glad to see the two of them again after so long. "But, where's Thalia? She's always with you guys." He asked, looking around in search of the scary maverick in black.

"She left camp a few days ago on a mission." Annabeth replied, putting back the medical items and washing her hands. "She said she'll come back after the summer solstice." She added, eating a small cube before her injured jaw visibly healed.

"I'm sure she'll be very happy to see you again." Luke said, tickling the younger boy's sides much to his growing embarrassment. "She still remembers the way you called her big sister, by the way." He playfully noted, amused by the morbid sight of Percy's face shifting through shades of red and his eyes locked in shock.

"I-it was o-one time! I-I was six!" Percy shyly protested, stuttering as he checked if anyone heard what Luke said. He didn't think they'd still remember that embarrassing memory, his mortification mounting when he saw the two grinning wickedly at him.

It's been five years since the last time he'd seen Luke and Annabeth, though Thalia was with them back then. Even though he was just six, he remembered the cold rainy day when his pops brought the three of them to the shop. They looked tired, hungry and shivering at the time, before EMIYA took care of them even though they didn't let him at first. His pops' stubbornness won out in the end, and the three gradually opened up to them as they lived with them for a long while before EMIYA took them to the camp.

The time they spent together was the best of his childhood. He should've guessed they'd be here too when his pops told him this was where all demigods lived.

"I missed you." Percy said, pulling the two into a hug. He felt reassured knowing he had them in his life again, especially with all the weird stuff he discovered.

"We missed you too, pipsqueak." Luke replied softly, hugging him back along with Annabeth until they had their fill. The three of them remained silent as they basked in each other's warmth with grins on their faces, heading out of the infirmary not long after to give Percy a more proper tour of the place.

"Soo, you're demigods too, huh?" Percy asked, still trying to come to terms with his own nature.

"Yep. I'm the son of Hermes and Annabeth's the daughter of the goddess Athena." Luke answered, waving off the question rather quickly, almost completely disinterested in the subject.

"What happened to you, Luke?" Percy asked just as the group passed by the cafeteria, gesturing to the scar on the older boy's cheek. He didn't have a wound like that the last time he saw him, but it couldn't have been a monster. Luke knew how to fight well even back then, and the young demigod couldn't imagine a simple monster getting the best of him.

Annabeth frowned, rubbing her forehead as she sighed. "He got reckless during a quest. da- Emiya told him to be careful." She answered, clearing her throat weirdly as she turned away from them.

"You should see the other guy. Emiya got really mad." Luke quipped, scratching his scar and chuckling without a care. "But it was all worth it. I got something cooler than this little thing." He said, the three settling at a free table after getting their meals. The food didn't look or taste as good as the old man's work, but it was a great improvement compared to when they first came to camp.

Ever since the assistant instructor became the camp's favorite chef, the cooks around here had an axe to grind with him, so they've been trying their best to dethrone him. It was hilarious to see them all fired up after coming up with a new plan, only to end up either cleaning up their mess with faces full of fumes or pouting when Emiya helps them out of a pickle they end up in.

"So, if you guys were in Long Island all this time, why didn't you visit?" Percy asked, diving in immediately and devouring his meal as he looked between his two companions.

"It's a secret." The two answered with knowing smiles, wagging their fingers playfully when he pouted at them.

"Come on, you can let me in on it. I won't tell pops." Percy insisted, nudging Luke and wagging his brows knowingly. Surely a bro wouldn't leave his bud out of-

"Nope." Luke remained adamant, laughing as the younger boy lightly punched his shoulder.

"Traitor." Percy said, switching his target. Annabeth looked amused, watching him with a lovely smile only further complimented by the gentle sunlight behind her. Annabeth was about the same age as him, so he could still salvage this. "Please, pretty and cute Annabeth, tell-"

"Nice try, but no." Annabeth interrupted him, snorting when he glared at her. Flattering her might have worked back then, but it wouldn't work now.

"Fine, be that way." Percy said, huffing and deciding to focus on finishing his meal. He knew they're not gonna budge if they set their mind to it, and if he couldn't know this secret, his pops didn't either. Which left him with only one option…

…an insider, one close to Thalia, Annabeth and Luke, but also helpful enough to potentially tell him. The good news was his guy was just outside the cafeteria, and the bad news? He was being shoved by a big, angry she-hulk.

Seeing Percy standing up and walking out, Luke followed his line of sight until he caught sight of Grover along with the Ares kids. His eyes narrowed, and the young man set aside his food as he stood up and headed outside with Annabeth right after him.

"Hey! Let him go!" Percy stepped between the two, shoving Clarisse's hand off of Grover as he glared at her.

"Just the person I was looking for. Had fun messing with me while I was out, did you?" Clarisse scoffed, matching Percy's glare with a ferocious one of her own as she stepped closer. "You don't look so bad. Guess that old coot takes it easy on his midget." She snickered, her brethren sharing in the mirth.

Percy craned his neck, not backing down from the provocation as his glare grew heated. "Careful with the way you talk, people might actually think you and your little clowns there did anything other than getting your asses kicked." He replied, lips quirking up when the Ares kids' smirks disappeared.

"What did you say, punk?" Clarisse frowned, her fists trembling as she gritted her teeth.

"What? Didn't hear me? Pops must've hit you too hard." Percy shrugged, shaking his head as he sighed. "I guess you're only good at pushing people weaker than you, but hey, small fry can't be choosers." He added, smiling still until the girl grabbed his shirt.

"Wanna be clever? Let's see how you handle our little 'initiation' then." Clarisse spoke, giving a knowing smile to her fellow Ares demigods. "Ain't that right, boys?" She asked, and her followers nodded.

A hand grabbed Clarisse's arm, gripping it tightly as Luke stared at the Ares group. "The only thing you're gonna do is move along, Clarisse." He ordered them, a glint in his eyes as the girl's fiery glare turned to him. "Touch him again, and you won't like how it will end." He warned her almost playfully, standing in front of the group with a carefree smile.

"Oh yeah? And you're gonna stop me?" She snorted, only to frown when Luke pushed her back. The pesky head counselor of the Hermes cabin always hounded them, acting all heroic when the assistant instructor wasn't around and being a general pain in their rear whenever they tried anything. She was the daughter of Ares, she couldn't let a son of Hermes push them this easi-

"Well, I am the oldest camper here, aren't I?" Luke said, narrowing his eyes a bit as he stepped up to them before he shifted to scan Clarisse's half-siblings one after the other. "Experienced demigods have to make sure unbloodied juniors don't make fools of themselves." He added, his smile daunting when coupled with his scarred face. The place turned silent as the head counselor stared at the group unblinkingly, his words lingering in the bystanders' minds as Grover, Percy and Annabeth stood beside him ready for any scuffle.

"That's enough." A voice cut through the tension, and most of the campers turned to see the centaur approaching them. Chiron disapproval showed on his stern face as Luke and Clarisse turned to him last, the teacher of heroes sighing as he crossed his arms. "Is there a problem here, head counselors?" He asked calmly, watching the two demigods intently.

"No problem at all, sir." Luke replied cheerfully, hugging his friends close as he grinned at him. "I was just introducing Percy here to the Ares kids as I usually do with unclaimed newbies." He explained, before openly winking at Clarisse and her team.

"Is that so?" Chiron spoke dryly, turning to Clarisse with a questioning look. When he noticed her silence and the way the group avoided his gaze, the old centaur shook his head. "Please refrain from causing any tensions, both of you. You wouldn't want your hassle to annoy the director, would you?" He said, smiling gently as the children nodded their heads silently. No matter how rowdy they may seem, these demigods remained mortal children. He remembered a time when dealing with future heroes wasn't so simple and organized, memories of the past coming to him as he watched the young sprouts of the present grow day by day. "Thank you. You may return to your activities, Clarisse." He said, the Ares group bidding their leave before walking away.

"Hello, Mr. Brunner? Or do I call you Chiron now?" Percy greeted his former teacher, stealing curious glances to his horse half. "You look…good." He said, drawing a chuckle from the centaur as he kept trying to focus on something else.

"Thank you, Percy. You can call me Chiron from now on." Chiron said, smiling at the young boy warmly. "Forgive me for not meeting you sooner, I was busy organizing some activities your godfather suggested." He added, noticing the slightly disheveled clothes and picking up the scent of Ambrosia and ointment from the three. "I see you've already acquainted yourself with his teamwork exercise." The centaur quipped, amused by the sudden somberness around him at the mention of the training session.

"Yeah…you could say that." Percy replied rather dryly, shuddering as he glanced left and right looking for a ghost with white hair waiting to pounce at him. "He's not hiding somewhere, is he?" He asked, hoping there weren't any nasty surprises hiding just out of sight.

"Relax, Percy. Today is not hell day…" Luke reassured the newcomer, his smile faltering for a bit as his playful demeanor shifted to nervousness as he turned to Chiron. "...right? Please tell me it's not."

"Can I ask what's 'hell day'?" Percy said, noticing Grover bleated and stood beside him protectively. "Guys? Kinda feeling like I should be asking what 'hell day' is right about now." He insisted, keenly noting the subtle change as his fellow campers became noticeably more alert to their surroundings.

"It's a day-long exercise where the goal is for the campers to avoid getting captured by Emiya and myself from sunrise to sunset…an exercise I can't disclose the date of, head counselor. Vigilance is your best ally." Chiron helpfully elaborated, nodding in approval as he evaluated the alertness of the trainees. The slow and deliberate ways they shifted their position to cover each other's blindspots while also looking for escape paths at a moment's notice, the hands of some settling on the edges of the tables in case they needed to use them as makeshift covers.

Good. A good synergy and situational awareness were essential when against a hidden threat. No demigod wanted to be tied along with their brethren to the trees the entire day.

"...I can still opt out of this, right?" Percy blurted out, feeling a great appreciation and longing for his dear bed growing with each new piece of information he got. He wanted to go home, away from this madhouse.

"I'm sorry to say you can't." The centaur answered, his kind tone contrasting the jovial look on his face. "Consistent training and diligence will be key to your success. In any case, I hope you consider this place as much your home as the one you have with your godfather." He said, patting the boy's head.

Though he initially wondered how EMIYA would sustain such a demanding session in the long term, Chiron didn't expect the man to not only manage the training effectively but also remain undefeated the entire twelve years he's been working here. The results were admirable, the desire to defeat the mortal lighting a fire in the demigods and pushing them to better themselves even more after each defeat all while instilling in them the importance of teamwork even against a singular foe. His presence allowed Chiron to spend more time coming up with new methods of training, leaving his students' more practical combat training in his good hands.

His lack of experience in teaching young trainees have improved over the years, though his bluntness and cold criticism weren't going anywhere anytime soon.

Who knows? Maybe the camp will put up a better fight against the hunters the next time they visit?

"With that said, take as much time as you need to settle. I trust Emiya informed you of the director and the camp's workings?" Chiron inquired, turning around when the boy nodded. "Very well. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to ask the counselors or myself. Have a nice day." He said, bidding his farewell before leaving the kids.

With the centaur's departure, the demigods returned to their activities. Though some of them remained paranoid, checking their surroundings every few bites, the rest decided to finish their meal and leave.

"Hey, Luke?" Percy suddenly spoke, looking over in the direction the Ares group left at.

"What's up?" Luke asked, letting Annabeth and Grover continue on as he listened to Percy. Noticing the hesitant look in the boy's eyes, the head counselor ruffled his hair. "Need something?"

"Were you not afraid of them?" He asked, frowning as he crossed his arms. He kept thinking back to the moment they stood in front of him and the others, wondering how things could've turned out if the Ares kids rushed them.

"Yeah, I was. Clarisse is very strong when she's raging, and the other Ares kids may not look like it, but they are among the most diligent trainees, so of course I'd be scared." Luke admitted casually, laughing at the shocked look Percy gave him. "Being scared isn't a bad thing, though. If we didn't feel fear, we would have destroyed ourselves long ago." The teen added, crouching down to look the boy in the eye. "Bravery, Percy, is to overcome your fear in tight situations, and to stir more fear in your opponent's heart than you have, because they want to stay alive just as much as you do. Got it?" He explained, smiling warmly as he patted Percy's shoulder. It felt weird, telling the same words he was once told to someone else.

"Yeah, I think I got it." Percy nodded, taking his words to heart before he grinned. "Thanks, Luke."

"Don't sweat it. Let's finish the tour so you can get some rest." Luke beckoned him, and the two hurriedly caught up to the others as they toured the camp's grounds. Time flew by as the group guided Percy through the different landmarks; the big house didn't seem interesting at first, although he felt like he was being watched as they passed by. His father told him to avoid the place because the director was the god Dionysus, and he had a short fuse. Though he didn't spot the deity anywhere, the others seemed pretty rushed to go elsewhere.

The Amphitheater looked cool, though he groaned when he heard his pops sometimes used it for lectures when he could. 'I guess being a demigod doesn't beat studies.' He lamented, shoulders slumping when he realized why Emiya wasn't overly concerned about schoolwork when he brought him here. Thankfully, Annabeth was here, so he had someone to rely on when it comes to studies.

Circling over to the training grounds, the group made a short stop at the forge on Luke's request. Walking inside, Percy gawked at the plethora of weapons and machines around before promptly closing his mouth as the heat hit him. The place felt like an entirely different world, like one of those steampunk shows he watched in the past. The others watched him fidget in place as his attention shifted from one construct to another, snickering when he unknowingly bumped into the young man standing in front of him.

"Sorry…" Percy's apology trailed off as he craned his head to look at the imposing demigod standing in front of him, the older boy's immense stature casting a shadow over the young boy.

"It's alright." The big boy replied before turning to Luke and the others with a smile. "Hello, guys. Training's over for the day?" He greeted them warmly, his friendly smile as radiant as the flames behind him.

"Hi Beckendorf. I wanted to introduce you to the man of the day." Luke said, gesturing to Percy. "Meet the old man's godson, Percy Jackson. He came to camp today, so we're giving him a tour." The son of Hermes added, lips twitching when he noticed the smiths of the forge slowly but surely turn to look at Percy before putting their work on pause.

"Oh, you're Percy?" Beckendorf appeared somewhat surprised, giving the smaller kid a closer look as other Hephaestus demigods approached. He hummed, seemingly scrutinizing Percy alongside his half-siblings.

"Yes?" Percy answered hesitantly, idly wondering why the others also approached. He looked to his friends for an explanation, only to find them smiling cryptically at him. 'Am I being pranked?' He thought, tensing as the smiths kept staring at him.

"We heard a lot about you, Percy." One of them said, face marred with traces of oil and ashes.

"You have a lot to answer for, Sunshine." Another said, grinning mischievously at the confused boy. One of the kids who came with him and his pops was with them, wearing a lot of protective gear as he waved from his small workstation.

"What?" Percy said, frowning when he couldn't recall meeting these people anywhere in the past. "I just got here." He added, wondering if this is a case of mistaken identity. Their stares looked too serious to be a prank, and they did recognize his name somehow.

"Exactly." They replied in unison just as one of them placed a chair besides Percy, the entire group gesturing for him to sit down.

Not wanting to start any tensions, Percy stole another glance to his strangely silent friends. Luke and Annabeth gave him reassuring nods, while Grover seemed to be holding in his laughter. The demigod didn't feel anything off with the smiths, despite their confusing behavior, so he complied.

The moment the chair shackled him, the young Percy realized he's been had.

"What the hell?!" Percy shouted, shaking the chair as he tried to break free only to fail as one of the smiths moved behind him and clicked on a hidden button. The chair morphed as gears turned and pieces moved around as wheels sprouted along with handles like a wheelchair. "Okay, that's cool, but what the hell?" Percy spoke, his attention momentarily captivated by the intricate transformation before he shook his head and focused on the matter at hand.

"You looked at the old man's swords, right?" The smith behind him asked.

"Yeah, sure. He showed me a lot of them when we trained." Percy answered, unsure where this is headed as he looked around for help.

"Don't worry, Percy. They just want you to take a look at our works and compare them to his." Beckendorf explained, sighing at his brethren's antics. Though he shared in their desire to make a weapon rivaling the craftsmanship of the ones EMIYA wielded, there was certainly a better approach than to tie his godson to a chair and have him look at their works. "It's ok if you don't want to, though they'd really appreciate it if you did." He assured the young boy, hoping the awkward welcome wouldn't be taken the wrong way.

"...Sure, if it helps." Percy took a moment to think about their request, agreeing to it when he noticed the expectant looks they gave him. Now he knew how his pops felt whenever he used that same card against him.

"Sweet! Thanks, Percy!" The smiths replied cheerfully as they hurriedly brought Percy deep into the workshops, leaving Beckendorf and Luke behind as they showed the newcomer and his two friends all sorts of different projects.

"He seems like a good kid." Beckendorf broke the silence, watching Percy weighing a longsword before shaking his head.

"See? Didn't I tell you?" Luke said with a cheeky grin, nudging the big demigod playfully. "Also, is the thing we talked about ready?" He asked, whistling when Beckendorf nodded.

The child of Hephaestus walked to his workstation, clicking on a hidden button and retrieving a travel case. Opening the box, Luke briefly examined the item inside before he closed it once more. "You work fast, buddy." He complimented his cousin, slinging the case over his shoulder, the strap resting comfortably against his chest.

"It's still a work in progress." Beckendorf brushed off Luke's words, shrugging as he pointed to the many schematics sprawled all over his desk. There were still a jumble of different ideas he wanted to try, but he didn't want to rush things.

"You don't want to show Percy your other works?" Luke asked, seeing his friend sitting comfortably at a distance while his siblings continued to flood Percy, Annabeth and Grover with their crafts.

"Nah. I'm good." Beckendorf shook his head, lacking such interests. He didn't feel the need for a third party's judgment, trusting his instincts and the image of EMIYA's favored swords he always kept at the forefront of his mind. The swords were almost bewitchingly beautiful, making him question and consider every action he performed when making his own projects. They weren't grandiose to others, and many didn't think much of them, but he could feel it. Something deep inside him spurred by their presence, fueled further with each failure to rise to the mettle needed to match them.

The young smith felt he would recognize his success in his core without the need for others approval. He just needed to reach it, that ethereal state the one who made them achieved.

Watching the fire in Beckendorf's eyes, Luke smiled and calmly sat beside him. The two head counselors remained there for a while, watching and chatting idly as the younger kids went on and on until eventually the list of items ran out. By the end of it, Percy and Grover walked out of the forge tiredly, exhausted by the constant talks and tests they were subjected to while Annabeth appeared satisfied with the discussions.

"My ears hurt…" The young Satyr groaned, shivering as the echoes of the forge went back to full swing.

"I think I lost feeling in my arms…" Percy grunted, feeling aches all across his arms from the constant swinging and tests. It didn't help that some of those weapons looked deceptively light too.

"Quit whining, you two." Annabeth chastised the two, rolling her eyes when the demigod and satyr deadpanned at her. "I was talking with them the entire time, you don't see me looking half dead." She teased them, smirking proudly as the boys' eyes narrowed.

Athena kids…

Sensing their discontent, the girl's smile widened as she led the way back to the cabins where each of them went on their separate ways to rest up. Walking up to the Hermes cabin together with Luke, Percy didn't expect the place to be so filled with campers compared to the other cabins.

"So is my dad supposed to be Hermes too?" He asked casually, remaining indifferent to the prospect as he sat on his bunk. He remembered Eudora's words the year before, a part of him wondering if she knew about this from the beginning.

Luke snorted and shook his head. "Nah, you don't know your godly parents unless they claim you. Our cabin welcomes the children of Hermes, claimed demigods without a cabin and unclaimed demigods until they are claimed." He explained as he flopped on the bed next to Percy.

"And when does that happen?" Percy asked, blinking when he noticed some of the kids looking rather despondent at his question.

"No one knows, it's meant to be a great honor…" Luke answered with a sigh, looking at the roof in silence before he closed his eyes. "Sometimes you wonder if it'll ever happen, and sometimes you wish it didn't." He said, his usual joviality giving way to a somber seriousness as he sat up and patted Percy's head. "My advice is don't think too much about it."

"It's alright." Percy replied, frowning as he held his locket gently. He opened the ornament and gazed at the picture inside, his mother's smile dispelling any concerns he had about the matter. It didn't matter whether he's claimed or not, his pops was still here after all. "We're together and pops is here, that's what matters, right?" He said, grinning and raising his fist to the older boy.

"You bet." Luke answered with a smile, the two fist pumping and laughing together. "Come on, let's play some games just like old times." Luke hopped down and waited for Percy to join him.

Time flew by as the two shared stories while playing games, catching up on lost time between fits of frustration and laughter at each other's blunders. They relished in the mundane leisure after training and walking around the camp for most of the day, with only the unusual sound of thunder rumbling unexpectedly bothering the two a bit.

The two stopped when the campers began heading out for dinner, quickly washing themselves and joining the rest in the cafeteria for the promised meal. Percy spotted his pops alongside Chiron and another man who looked as if he had more alcohol running through his veins than blood given his disheveled state. The three of them seemed to be discussing something, and judging by the deadpanned stares the man was getting from EMIYA and Chiron, Percy had a feeling he wasn't helpful.

Sitting with Luke and the others, the group took in the sweet aroma of the fruit of their hard work before diving in. The campers sighed in relief as they made quick work of their assistant instructor's treats, the carefully crafted delights vanishing at a rate visible to the naked eye. It would've been impressive to behold, if Percy wasn't focused on getting a share before everything was taken. Suddenly the dinner didn't seem so casual anymore, as the young demigods raced for the food as discreetly as possible to avoid annoying the director. Alliances were formed and broken at a moment's notice, struggles and tensions ill fit for the nice dinner taking place.

The speed and ease with which the cafeteria descended into a subtle battlefield was daunting for the child.

"I need an adult…" Percy whispered as he looked to the adults for some form of order, only to find Chiron and EMIYA smirking at them as they enjoyed the show while the director took more interest in his own food than anything else. 'They're enjoying this, aren't they…' He realized, his hope for a calm end to his day fading away. Giving up on the last traces of normalcy, the boy took to the chaos and fought tooth and nail alongside his friends for their share of the bounty.

The struggle was long, and it was hard, but it eventually came to an end when the food ran out. Percy remained silent as he stepped out for some fresh air, watching the stars away from the bustle of the campers. Though it was chaotic, and wholly unpredictable, he hadn't had this much fun with other kids in a long while.

"Someone seems happy." EMIYA said, approaching him with a knowing smirk. "You did good for your first time in the food war." He quipped, looking down at him.

"Could've used a warning or a hint, you know." Percy retorted, snorting as he crossed his arm.

"But then you wouldn't have had as much fun." EMIYA said, his mirth provoking the little kid further.

"Me? Or you, pops?" Percy asked, eyebrow rising as he narrowed his eyes at the man. Both of them knew the guardian willingly left the demigod in the dark to amuse himself with Percy's reactions, probably taking it as payback for all the times Percy splashed him with water unintentionally growing up.

Good times.

EMIYA looked up to the moon, his smirk receding as he crossed his arms. "...how was your first day? Do you like it here?" He asked casually.

Percy looked back to the messy cafeteria, smiling when he saw Luke and the others laughing together. "Yeah. I had a blast. This place…is nice." He answered, looking back at his godfather. "So what happens now? Do I have to stay here all the time?" He asked the questions lingering in his mind throughout the day, wishing to know how things will be going forward. Even if his pops worked here, Percy didn't want to be away from their home forever.

"No, you won't stay here forever. You'll be spending summer here, learning and training all you can…then it'll be up to you whether you want to stay or not. " EMIYA answered, stoic face betraying nothing as he kept his gaze averted.

"oh, ok. If it's just summer then it's fine." Percy sighed in relief, a weight lifted off his shoulders when he realized he wasn't going to live here now. He was satisfied knowing his nature as a demigod wouldn't put a wedge between the two of them.

It didn't matter if his godly parent wouldn't claim him, so long as he could eventually go back to their home.

"Percy…" EMIYA spoke, turning to the demigod. "I might need to leave for a while soon." He said, his words earning him a frown from the child.

"Why?" Percy asked, staring at his pops curiously.

"I took on a mission of sorts, and I'll likely need to do tasks here and there which could take me on some long trips." He explained, a bit too vaguely for Percy's liking.

"Will it take a long time?" The demigod said, fidgeting with the locket in his pocket.

"I…don't know."

"You can't take me with you?"

"I can't."

Percy's smile dimmed for a brief moment, the boy looking down at the ground as he lightly kicked a small rock. He wanted his pops to stay with him a little longer, but the demigod knew his godfather didn't mention such matters lightly. "Promise you'll come back quick?" He asked, looking up to the guardian.

EMIYA sighed, recognizing the stubborn gaze in the child's eyes. He ruffled his hair, giving a small smile. "I promise." He spoke, holding back the shiver running through him. He didn't like making promises, knowing his track record with those kinds of commitment. Still, he couldn't shy away from the kid's earnest request. "Now go, the others are waiting." He said, pointing to the group waving at them.

Percy rushed in, surprising the man with a strong hug before he quickly ran away. With his pops's promise secured, there was no need to worry about anything. With a reinvigorated grin, the boy rejoined his friends before they slowly walked in the direction of the campfire. As the three kids walked forward, the eldest lingered behind as he stole a glance at EMIYA's retreating figure before he hurried after them.

The guardian calmly walked amidst the small path under the moonlight until he arrived back to his cabin. Reaching the door, he hesitated when the overwhelming, unnatural scent of roses, tulips and honeysuckle struck him. He could feel the presence inside his home, and the power they radiated even as they tried to mask it. Taking a deep breath, the guardian gently opened the door and stepped in.

"Welcome home, young man." A gentle voice greeted him as a beautiful woman sat at the kitchen table, her warm brown eyes gazing at him as she pulled back a tuft of her lustrous golden hair. Wearing a dark peplos and donning golden bracelets elaborately encrusted with precious gems, the lady's grace and elegance seemed more pronounced in the night as she stood up.

It wasn't difficult for the guardian to recognize the goddess standing before him. He already saw a picture of her in Hades's palace, after all. "Greetings, lady Persephone." He said, offering a respectful bow before he closed the door. "May I ask what brings you here?" He asked, watching the deity attentively as the queen of the underworld approached him.

"I heard of the pact you made with my husband." She stated, crossing her arms as she narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you certain of the path you've taken?" She asked sternly, scrutinizing his every move and gauging his reaction. At first she believed the matter to be a crude joke, a mortal willingly accepting to take on twelve tasks from the gods in exchange for the return of a single human, but once her own husband confirmed it, the joke became much less amusing.

"Yes, as per the agreement." EMIYA nodded without hesitation, remaining calm despite the small frown on the queen's face.

"I can't tell if you're confident or simply reckless." The lady said, sighing as she shook her head. "If that is your wish, then I shall be the first to judge your resolve, young man." She declared, a ghost of a smile appearing on her face when she caught the brief flash of surprise on EMIYA's face.

"A moment then." The Wrought Iron Hero stated, picking up his phone and dialing a number. The phone rang thrice, before it was answered. "Hello? Yes, it's Emiya. There's a trial you need to confirm. Yes, already. No, I didn't anger anyone. Roger that." He spoke, a visibly irritated woman shouting at the other end of the call before she hung up on him. Almost instantly, someone knocked on the door.

Persephone watched as the man opened the door, amused when he frowned at the withering glare he was receiving from his new guest. "It's the first day, you already have a case?" The lady's blue eyes shone like sapphires in the light, her shoulder length golden hair neatly groomed as she straightened a loose strand. Wearing an expensive suit and heels, she calmly turned to Persephone before she proceeded to place the large folder in her grasp on the table.

"It's been a while, Astraea." Persephone greeted the lady with a warm smile, a playful glint in her eyes as she glanced at the legal documents practically leaking out of the overstuffed folder. "Hard at work as usual, I see." She quipped, wondering how the busy goddess could keep up with the unending load of cases.

"Greetings, Persephone. I hope you've been well." Astraea said, adjusting her glasses as she sat down and gestured for the two to join her. "Per lord Hades's request, I'm the judge assigned to ensure the fairness of all tasks attributed to sir Emiya." She explained as the queen of the underworld sat down and the mortal brought them some refreshments.

"I understand." Persephone nodded, accepting the drink with a friendly smile. Leaning her chin on her palm, the goddess kept her attention on the mortal as he sat down in front of her.

Astraea took a sip of her juice, snapping her fingers as a fresh contract appeared in her grasp. She carefully examined EMIYA's state, making sure he wasn't under any external influence. Once she was certain he was fine, she cleared her throat and steeled her gaze.

"Let us begin the first trial's hearing."

Thank you for reading the chapter! I hope everyone enjoyed it!

Now for an important announcement from The Tangerine Cat:

"Dear Readers,

I regret to inform you that I am unable to continue co-authoring this story. While I was involved in the creation of the first chapter, Roxas hard-carried the second and third chapters. Unfortunately, my summer commitments have increased, leaving me unable to dedicate time to this project.

I wish everything to go well for this story and hope you continue to support Roxas as he takes it forward. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Best,

The Tangerine Cat."

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Have a nice day and stay safe!