A child in Gerenia watched the eastern night sky. He was standing in the garden of his home, his parents inside preparing dinner. He was amazed at the vibrant colors that rose over the mountains of Taygetos. The orange glow contrasted with the white caps of the mountain, as if a beautiful sunset. The child ran for his father yelling excitedly for his dad to see the sunset.

"Dad! Dad!" The child yelled for his father, finding him in the kitchen with his mother. "Come look at the sunset!" The child grabbed his father's arm, dragging him into the garden. His father chuckled lightly, looking back at his wife apologetically, his kid dragging him away from helping his wife with dinner. He couldn't say no to his child's eagerness. "Look! The sunset is beautiful!" The boy pointed excitedly at the sky above Mt Taygetos.

The father smiled lightly as he looked at the eastern sky, "It really is beautiful, perhaps Helios wishes to bless this night." He stood with his son at his side in the garden, enjoying the time with him. His smile faded slightly as he looked above the mountain, his eyebrows furrowing slightly at the sight of the sky. A look of realization crossing his face.

He turned to look at his son. "Look at me," the child turned to his father, "Go inside, to your bed, do not leave your room until your mother gets you." His tone was dead serious, leaving no room for argument. The child nodded vigorously as he looked up at his father, running inside to his room, closing the door behind him.

The man followed his son into the house. Grabbing the attention of his wife. "Honey," he stared into his wife's eyes, her hands dropping from the counter. His hands held his lover's, caressing the top of her hands with his thumbs. "I must go." He gazed at her face, his eyes looking across her face, studying every feature, memorizing it, as if it was the last time he would see it. He pulled his hands away as he grabbed his sword from a hidden compartment in the kitchen floor. He began to walk out of the home, reaching the doorway, he turned around to look at his wife. Her face was washed in worry, not understanding the sudden change in her husband.

"No sun sets in the east." He turned and ran out the door. His footsteps becoming increasingly quieter as he traveled further up the road. His wife looked at the spot where her husband once stood. She thought out the words her husband spoke, her face scrunched in confusion. She walked to the window of their home that overlooked the garden. Her eyes widen at the sight of the orange night sky. She stumbled back from the window, grabbing the counter to steady herself.

Sparta burned.

Perseus ran through the forest as fast as he could, tears filling his eyes. The air rushing past, wiping the tears away before they could fall far. The 15 year old was tired. He had been running for only gods know how long. Apollo's chariot had begun to kiss the night sky, he was sure he had been running for hours. His mother had sent him away and told him to run as quickly as he could, and not to look back.

His mother. She was certainly dead; the Athenians would have made certain of that. Sparta had been thoroughly defeated. The battle of Leuctra would not to be told by the Spartans. The army had been wiped out, and the Athenians were free to march on the home soil of Sparta.

Percy panted heavily, leaning against a tree. The training from the agoge had come into use. He wasn't the most athletic of the boys in his agoge, but adrenaline certainly provided a hand where his endurance failed him. He tried in vain to catch his breath, his body was overworked, overwhelmed, and any other overs he could think of too. He sat down, leaning his back against the tree.

He had no clue where he was. The forest was still dark. The only noises were the occasional scutter of a small creature, or the trees and plants swaying in the wind. He could feel his heartbeat in his chest begin to settle, and the overwhelming urge to sleep began to drown out any of the faint noises. His eyelids drooped low as he lay on the ground. The seductive hold of the void pulling Percy further in. A growl stirred his mind away from the grasp of eternity. Percy looked around quickly, trying to find the source of the noise. The black-haired boy glanced around, his body too tired to move any more. He might have ran too far for his body to handle, He felt like that guy who ran from marathon. What happened to that guy?

Percy shook his head, trying to stay focused as his mind wandered, despite the threat. He looked around again, searching for the noise.

Another growl.

Percy's head shot to the right. His eyes widened in horror as he caught the beast in his eyesight. Its yellow eyes and black fur were a horrible sight. Percy tried to stand, but the fatigue was simply too much, his legs barely moving as he urged them on.

The beast stalked closer, usually its food put up a fight. Its eyes were narrow as it gazed at the boy. It seemed it had an easy meal today.

The boy watched in horror as his own body failed him, the beast stepping closer. He shut his eyes and prayed. To which gods, he didn't care, he would even pray to the false gods if it would save him.

The fog of fatigue once again shrouded him. He opened his eyes, in hope that one of the gods would spare him. His hope was dashed immediately, the beast had closed in and lunged at him. Percy closed his eyes, resigning to his fate. His life was to be cut brutally short. The last thing he felt was a burning sensation across his body, and the endless sleep calling his name, welcoming him in as if he were a childhood friend.

Who was he to decline the calls of the void?

A/N

Any thoughts on the story are greatly appreciated!