(Percy is 9 years old)

1 week later

The forest was in that hushed, expectant state it often held just before sunrise, the kind of quiet that felt like the world itself was holding its breath. A silver-grey light filtered through the trees, barely enough to pierce the deep shadows that clung to the undergrowth. The air was crisp and carried the scent of damp earth and pine needles, a familiar and comforting aroma. I sat on a low-hanging tree root near the edge of our camp, trying to stretch out the stiffness in my limbs after yet another night spent sleeping on the hard ground.

Naomi was already awake, as usual. She was sitting on a nearby boulder, her dark braids pulled back from her face, her expression intent as she sharpened her hunting knife.

She glanced up, her eyes crinkling in a slight smile. "Morning, Jackson," she said, her voice low and warm. "You look like you've gone ten rounds with a hydra."

I groaned, running a hand through my hair. "Tell me about it. I swear, my back is going to be permanently crooked after sleeping on roots and rocks for this long."

Naomi chuckled softly. "You'll get used to it. Besides, it builds character."

She wasn't wrong. Throughout the week I'd been progressing in my archery and sword skills, and the dedication to my training resonated with the hunters. There were no looks of hostility. There were no whispers. They didn't treat me like other males. To them I was an innocent orphan who needed a home… well at least that's not including Zoe. Understanding her thoughts on me is borderline impossible.

"Did you at least sleep well, disaster boy?" Naomi called, her smirk audible.

"Surprisingly like a rock," I muttered, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. My dreams had still been restless—flashes of my mother's face, the drakon's golden eyes, and the sea, always the sea, churning in the background like a living thing. Sometimes, the waves whispered. Percy…

No matter the training and new experience I learnt during the first day, the memory of that moment has likely been etched into my mind forever.

Before our conversation could continue, Artemis emerged from the trees, her silver cloak blending seamlessly with the shadows. Her presence was always a sight to behold, she was like a motherly figure to the girls. Everyone looked up to her.

"Naomi, prepare the others for our morning hunt," Artemis said in a soft and gentle voice. Naomi quickly nodded and darted away. Artemis then turned to me, gaze still soft yet expression unreadable "Today, you learn to listen," she said, slowly walking away. "Follow."

Stumbling to catch up, the countless hours of bow training made it difficult to even think about a different kind, even with the deep desire I have to learn more.

Turning back, Artemis's gaze softened further, a hint of warmth flickering in her silver eyes. "You push yourself too hard, Percy. Remember, strength comes not just from physical prowess, but also from patience and self-awareness." She also chuckled and added, "Just like a certain sea god I know."

"Are you friends with him?" I blurted out in surprise.

Artemis paused. "I am Zeus' daughter. The rivalry they have is forever growing. So, to answer your question, no. Poseidon sticks to the seas. While we share the sense of tides, I would only call us acquaintances at the most."

"Wait… do you two, like, play with each other to make the tides go up and down or something?"

Artemis's expression froze mid-step, as if I'd just suggested she host a karaoke night with Ares. "No," she said flatly, her voice sharper than one of her arrows. "And if you ever ask me that again, I'll turn you into a very confused starfish."

She strode off before I could respond, leaving me to wonder if starfish even get confused.

…

Artemis led me to a secluded glade, hidden deep within the heart of the forest. A small stream gurgled through the center of the clearing, its water clear and cold. On the far side of the stream stood a single oak tree, its trunk thick and gnarled with age.

"This is where we will train," Artemis said, gesturing toward the oak. "Today, you will learn to see."

I frowned, confused. "See what?"

Artemis turned her gaze on me, her silver eyes unwavering. "Everything. Not just the obvious, but the subtle. The hidden. The unseen."

She reached into a pouch at her side and drew out a small, intricately carved wooden box. She opened it, revealing a handful of smooth, gray stones.

"These are wolf stones used for beginners," she said, holding out the box. "Take one."

I hesitated before reaching into the box and selecting a stone. It was cool and smooth in my hand, its surface etched with faint patterns that seemed to shift and change as I turned it over in the light.

"Close your eyes," Artemis instructed. "Feel the stone. Let it guide you."

I closed my eyes and focused on the stone in my hand. Its coolness seemed to seep into my skin, spreading throughout my body. I could feel the faint vibrations of its surface, the subtle textures that hinted at its origins.

"Now," Artemis said softly. "Tell me what you see."

I took a deep breath and tried to focus, but my mind was blank. All I could see was darkness.

"I don't see anything," I admitted, my voice tinged with frustration.

Artemis sighed. "You are too focused on the surface. You must look deeper."

She stepped closer and placed her hand on my forehead, her touch sending a jolt of energy through my body.

"Let go of your doubts," she said. "Trust your instincts. Open your mind."

I closed my eyes again and tried to do as she instructed. I let go of my fear and frustration, and focused on the wolf stone in my hand.

Slowly, images began to form in my mind. I saw the forest around me, but not as I usually saw it. I saw the intricate network of roots beneath the ground, the flow of sap within the trees, and the countless creatures that scurried through the underbrush.

I saw the subtle shifts in the wind, the way it bent the grass and rustled the leaves. I could feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, even though my eyes were closed.

And then, I saw something else: a faint, shimmering presence hovering near the stream. It was almost imperceptible, like a heat haze on a summer day, but it was there nonetheless.

"What is that?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Artemis stepped back, her expression unreadable. "That, Percy Jackson, is a naiad."

My eyes snapped open, and I stared at the stream in disbelief. I could see nothing there—just water flowing over rocks.

Artemis shook her head. "You are still too attached to your physical senses. You must learn to see beyond them."

She gestured toward the naiad. "She has been watching you since we arrived. She is curious, but also wary. She senses your power—the sea that flows within you."

My mind reeled. How could I have missed something so obvious?

"Poseidon would not be pleased to know you were fraternising with us hunters. As well as hiding from him under my protection. You know he is aware, as is Zeus. I have sensed the shifting of winds and change in the sea"

Artemis's words were a stark reminder of the perilous path I was walking. I was caught between two worlds, two conflicting loyalties.

…

The days blurred into weeks, the forest becoming both classroom and sanctuary. Under Artemis's guidance, I learned to listen to the whispers of leaves and interpret the language of shadows. The hunters no longer stiffened when I passed—Naomi's teasing became a constant soundtrack, Phoebe's less-than-soft shoulder-claps left me grinning, and even Zoe's critiques grew less venomous.

One evening, as the campfire crackled and the hunters prepared for a night hunt, Artemis stood before the gathered group. Her silver cloak caught the firelight, casting her in an ethereal glow.

"Percy Jackson," she began, her voice carrying the weight of centuries, "you came to us as a child of the sea, lost and adrift. Now you walk as one who hears the forest's breath and sees its hidden pulse."

The hunters fell silent, their eyes fixed on their goddess. Naomi grinned from her perch on a log, while Zoe gave me an encouraging nod.

"You are no longer a guest among the Hunt," Artemis continued, her gaze softening as it met mine. "From this night forward, you are family. Let the moon bear witness to your oath: to protect the wild, to honor the hunt, and to stand with your sisters against the darkness."

The hunters erupted in cheers, their voices weaving into the night like a chorus of wolves. Naomi bounded over, slinging an arm around my shoulders. "Took you long enough, Jackson," she teased, though her eyes shone with genuine warmth.

As the celebration unfolded—stories shared, laughter ringing—I caught Artemis watching from the shadows, a rare smile playing on her lips. The moon hung heavy above us, its light threading through the trees like silver lace.

This, I realized, was no longer just a refuge. It was home.

...

A/N Done! Hopefully you like it so far. HUGE time jump next, pushing forward all the way until book 3? Unless people suggest I do book 1 I will probably start Percy's experience in book 3.

Comment response, Pyotr Reznya: Tsym, I'll do my best to upload many times a week!