Aaaaaaaand it's update time! Yeah it's been about a week but hey! I posted my upload schedule on my profile! Don't hurt me! Anyway…

Replies to reviews:

Omarb10legends: Much appreciated brother. And I intend to keep making each chapter better and better until the finish.

candel06: Thank you. I think you'll like this chapter as well.

Alright, with the lovey-dovey sappy shit outta the way, let's dive in shall we?

Silver Hearts

Chapter Two

"Revealed"

Camp Jupiter

Reyna POV

I sighed.

I used to hate senate meetings. They were so boring and lasted for hours. To me, they're just a waste of our time when we could be doing something else more productive.

Three years later and my feelings still haven't changed.

After the previous auger and traitor, Octavian, decided to commit suicide via exploding from an imperial gold onager payload, the camp seemed to become more laid-back. That doesn't mean we became complacent or lazy. We still trained hard, but us Romans finally found our sense of humor. Parties were held almost weekly, new recruits stumbled over the Little Tiber, usually chased by some nasty monsters, but the camp as a whole really seemed to relax.

And then Lycaon and his pack ruined that peace.

But that also brought the first appearance of him.

Flashback

I was roaming the streets of New Rome, my twin metal guard dogs by my sides, when the war horn sounded. Shouts echoed through the streets and the screech of metal clashing pierced the air. I raced through the city streets, people moving out of the way of their beloved praetor so they didn't hinder my progress. When I finally reached the entrance to Camp Jupiter, I could see the Fifth and Third cohorts assembled, their shields interlocked. They cleared a path to the front of the shield wall and as soon as I stepped through, my jaw dropped.

Across the river, eight of Lycaon's wolves were facing off against a hooded figure draped in a white cloak while another five were lying motionless on the ground. His massive white cloak billowed and flowed with his every move, but never seemed to hinder his movements. In the figure's right hand was a slender double-edged silver sword. A large diamond adorned the hilt while the blade itself seemed to burn with its own light, causing us to squint and slightly avert our gazes even from over a hundred feet away.

Three wolves jumped at the figure and he went into action. His sword flashed and he seemed to effortlessly cut down the beasts, felling the rest within seconds. The remaining wolves whimpered and raced off, their tails between their hind legs. After waiting for a few seconds, as if to ensure they wouldn't return and attack him from behind, the figure sheathed his sword and turned around to face us.

His hood kept his face cast in a deep shadow, hiding his face, but I could see his multicolored eyes. They glowed slightly and kept transitioning from red, to blue, to purple, to gold and then to green. He wore thin plate armor pieces that were darker than the black of night itself, the edges glowing and changing color to match his eyes.

He met my gaze and gave me a brief nod before disappearing in a golden flash.

End of flashback

"Praetor? Praetor Reyna?" a voice broke me from my thoughts. I shook my head and looked around to see the senators looking at me with concern.

I sighed. "I apologize for my mental wanderings, senators. I was just thinking of the strange occurrence at our borders the other day."

The faces of the senators softened and several nodded in agreement. Hazel Levesque, daughter of Pluto and one of the Seven from the Great Prophecy in the war with the Earth Mother, stood and spoke.

"I suggest a meeting with the Olympian Council to discuss this figure. I have already spoken with my father last night and he agrees. This individual cannot remain on the loose. He could pose a dangerous threat to both the gods and our camps."

I nodded. "I agree with you there Hazel. And I assume you wish to take Praetor Zhang as well?" As I spoke, I turned to face Frank, my fellow praetor and friend.

Frank looked at me, and upon seeing the seriousness etched on my face, he sighed. "I suppose I could-"

"Will." Hazel interrupted with a smirk, causing myself and a few senators to chuckle. Frank's face reddened but continued.

"I suppose I will accompany you to Olympus, Senator Levesque." He said with a slight glare at his girlfriend.

I stood, ready to dismiss the senate, when there was a bright silver flash. My eyes widened when the goddess, Diana, appeared, her silver eyes studying me intensely. Her piercing gaze raked over me, as if she was examining a prize. As if coming to her own conclusion, she grabbed my left shoulder and we disappeared in a silver flash, only to reappear in the Olympus throne room.

Every major and minor god and goddess was present and they were yelling at Zeus who was pinching the bridge of his nose. I sympathized with the King of the Gods.

If I had to deal with this constant, pointless bickering from immortals, my moods would also consist of shit, shittier and shittiest.

Once Zeus saw I had arrived, he got to work restoring some semblance of order.

"SILENCE!" Zeus bellowed, lightning flashing and thunder shaking the throne room.

Everyone fell silent and sat in their respective thrones and chairs, looking at him expectantly. Poseidon and Hades looked at their brother, eyebrows raised. What could possibly be so important that he had gathered everyone for a meeting?

"I have called this emergency meeting of every god and goddess, no matter if you're a major god on the council or a minor god monitoring your realms to address a new possible threat. This situation pertains to us all, especially our demigod children." Zeus looked over at me along with several gods. I merely raised an eyebrow and they hurriedly looked away.

Good. At least they show some respect for courage.

Zeus motioned to Artemis and the goddess of the hunt stood from her throne. "Earlier today, my hunt and I were ambushed by a few hundred monsters. How they managed to avoid detection is beyond me, but that is not why we called you all here." Artemis inhaled and then exhaled slowly, settling her nerves. "During the ambush, when all seemed lost and I was about to call upon the Olympians for some support, a hooded figure draped in a white cloak intervened. The individual utterly destroyed the monsters within minutes single-handedly with just two daggers. His techniques are unorthodox and he moves with extreme precision. His fighting style is so fluid that his offensive strikes are simultaneously defensive blocks and vice versa." The goddess pulled out a piece of paper, holding it up for all to see. "When he had finished dealing with the monsters, he proceeded to ensure the perimeter around us was clear before approaching my hunters and I. Our bows that we had trained on him didn't even seem to unnerve him in the slightest. He walked up to me, gave me the dagger I had thrown at a dracanae during the attack and raced off. He disappeared into the trees and left this note that is in my hand wrapped around the handle of my dagger. My hunters already know what it says, but I shall read it for all present."

Clearing her throat, Artemis read the note.

"Hello Hunters of Artemis and Artemis yourself.

Seeing as you are currently facing North-Northwest, Artemis, there is a young girl who is about six years old that you should be aware of. She is hiding in the bushes straight east fifty feet into the treeline. She will obey you and reveal herself if you ask her politely.

The girl's name is Alee. I believe she is a daughter of Athena, just from her stormy gray eyes and blonde hair, but I will leave that judgment up to you, Artemis. She was not in a good place when I found her. Her 'caretakers', if you can even call them that, beat her and were debating whether or not they should rape her before throwing her to the streets. That was the final straw for me. Judge and curse me all you want, I will not allow a child to be tormented like that. I slaughtered and tortured all those involved with her who sought to cast her out and I now bring her here to you. I foresee her doing great things within your ranks.

This will not be our only encounter, huntresses. I have been around for thousands of years, and I too have seen the treachery that men force upon women.

It disheartens me knowing I am male and therefore puts me at an immediate disadvantage in earning your trust, but I assure you all I am not here to harm or deceive you.

I will help you refill your huntress's ranks, Artemis, but I will not tolerate being shot at on sight. If you wish to see me, strike your daggers together three times in a row and I will come to you. Do keep in mind that I will not reveal my secrets until trust is established between your Hunt and myself.

I hope you call upon me soon. I can teach you many things in the art of combat.

-S"

After she finished reading the note, Artemis continued by saying, "And yes. The girl was exactly where he claimed to have put her before leaping into action and aiding us."

Hecate scoffed, causing a few gods to raise an eyebrow at her. "And why would any male ever want to help you, Artemis? You hate men with a burning passion! So why would he help you?"

Artemis glared at the goddess of magic. "I don't know. But I am grateful for his assistance and I will allow him entrance to my camp without castrating him or putting an arrow through his head. He has earned my respect in helping me of his own free will and has also gained my hunter's approval to allow him unspoken entry into our camps. Answer this for me: Why should I punish someone for helping not only me, but innocent children out of the kindness of their heart? Male or female, I don't care. He has my permission and approval. I will trust him enough to help me. Anything more than that, I would need to meet him in person and test his resolve."

I then stomped my foot against the marble floor, the sound piercing the air and the deities before me turned to look at me with raised eyebrows. Zeus noticed that I had something to say and gestured me toward the central hearth. With dozens of pairs of eyes watching my every move, I began to speak.

"I, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Praetor of Camp Jupiter and escorter of the Athena Parthenos statue, am stepping forward in front of the Olympian Council to confirm that what Lady D- Artemis claims to have seen is not false. I too have seen this individual in action, only he was defending four demigods that he had escorted to our camp against thirteen of Lycaon's wolves. Only this time-" I looked directly into the Moon Goddess's eyes. "-he was wielding a double-edged silver sword. The blade had blackish-blue runes and intricate symbols carved into the face and it shone brighter than a full moon when Lady Artemis either summons her true form… or is in an extremely good mood." I took a deep shuddering breath then exhaled. "A large diamond was on the hilt of the sword and the crossguard was curved upward toward the blade in the shape of a three-pronged crescent moon. And yes. He did have the twin daggers sheathed on his back under his cloak. After he defeated eight of the wolves, three at once mind you, the rest fled. The individual waited roughly five seconds before returning his sword to the scabbard on his hip, as if ensuring nothing or no one would stab him in the back once his guard was down. He then turned to me and nodded before disappearing in a golden flash."

When I finished, I immediately went back over to Vesta's throne and sat down in front of it. I could almost see every immortal's mental gears turning, trying to solve the puzzle of this mystery man.

Silence reigned over the throne room, everyone deep in thought. Poseidon was the first to speak.

"If I may…" Zeus nodded to his brother, letting everyone know to let the sea god speak. "I think we should consult our demigods. They seem to know a great deal of events happening before we do. That said, I-"

Poseidon was cut off as Artemis struck her daggers together three times, a loud high-pitched ping resounding throughout the room with each strike. For about five seconds after the final strike, there was nothing. No movement, no sound, nothing. That is until a rainbow hued wall of mist formed in the doorway of the throne room. Weapons flashed into the hands of every god present and were pointed at the wall. When the mist cleared, there was a tall hooded figure standing in its place.

The hooded figure they had just been discussing.

"I believe," the figure said, his rich voice reverberating in the silent throne room. "Introductions are in order."

Slowly raising his arms, he gripped his hood and pulled it back, revealing his face.

Everyone took in his charcoal gray skin, jet black hair, his glowing color changing eyes, the pure silver circlet adorning his head and his slightly pointed ears. Aphrodite audibly whimpered when her gaze raked over his well-defined muscles and the tight-fitting armor plates adorning his figure. Said armor plates were conformed to his body perfectly. There was no slack or over-tightening in the straps and rigging.

The man grinned, his white teeth flashing in the light.

"Greetings Olympians, I am Strider. First and only Champion of the Ardoni, the True Weaponsmaster and Wielder of all four Prime Songs of Power."

And here we have a name at last! Also, that is not his actual name, but those are his true titles. His actual name will obviously be revealed later on, but he is Strider for now.

As always, smash those follow and favorite buttons and drop them dank reviews. I enjoy looking over what your predictions are for events that have yet to take place.

And yes, I will go more in depth on the Ardonian species and what the songs of power are in the next chapter. Until then… stay tuned! Peace.