Well, sorry, but I was enjoying reading myself and got absorbed a little bit...okay, I lied..more than a little bit. I was way past fangirl level. I love crtain ones so much that I reread a few trying to find the one I was looking for, still haven't found it, which I'm severely ticked off about. But enough about me, you want Percy, am I right? *giggle* Here you go my lovely readers...

Chapter Twenty-One: Threatening the Ares' cabin like a boss...

Point of view: Perseus Jackson

As I walk to the Ares' cabin, I look up at the moon and smile at it. Then I find the Huntress and smile at her. When I look back down, I find myself at the door of the Ares' cabin. I knock on the door loudly and after about five more minutes of a steady rap on the wooden object, Clarisse answers.
She looks taken aback and smiles. I stop her before she can assume much else and say seriously, "I need to see the boys of your cabin. Immediately. Wake them or I'll do it, painfully." I tell her and she nods, her face grim.

It takes her only five minutes of screaming at them to get them to come out. She slams the door behind them after she pushes the last one out.

"Follow me. I wish to speak with you about matter I take very offensively." And they all visibly gulp.
I take them to the fringes of the forest. once I feel we are far enough away, I spin on them and a couple fall on their behinds like idiots in surprise.

"I want the truth and only the truth. Swear on the Styx that you will answer all my questions truthfully until I say the word 'Bye.'" I growl at them.

I get all of them to swear quickly at my tone.

"Did any of you touch Dahlia, daughter of Demeter in any way?" Is my first question.

All but two raise their hands. I snarl. "Any other girls?" All but the same two raise their hands again.

"You two need to stand behind me then." I tell the innocent two. They do as I say.

"Now, what did you do to Dahlia?" I ask murderously. They flinch back at my tone.

The eldest one speaks up. "All we ever did was hit and kick her a few times. And maybe touch her once or twice." He quivers in fear.

A feral snarl rips from my throat. "In what ways did you touch her?" I ask viciously.

"We didn't take off anything. We were just teasing. All we did was..." He whispers the rest, but I catch it.

"That. Is. Not. Teasing. Who else?! Who else did you 'tease?!'" I scream at them. "I want names! NOW!!!!!!" I shriek even louder.

They found a piece of paper and pen and wrote down every last name. "Is it valid?" I ask in barely controlled anger. No one answers. "Is this list valid and complete?!" I yell and they all nod.

I shove the list into my pocket and glare at them. They shrink back and I radiate rage.

"Now, swear on the Styx that you will never touch a girl like that again unless they give you permission. Swear!" I yell, accidentally switching to Ancient Greek.

They all swear. "I will give you your punishments in the next training session I hold. You are to be at the arena at the crack of dawn to receive it. No breakfast. You train harder than any one else. Now get out of my sight. I want to speak with you two." I say pointedly at the two innocent ones, turning on them.

They look at me nervously. The others sprint back to their cabin like their lives depend on it, which it did. I was itching to snap their necks.

"Since you both are innocent in the actual doing of things. But I must ask a question and you are still obligated to answer me truthfully. Did either of you know about it before it happened? Any of it? Did you try to stop it in any way? Does Clarisse know, other than what she has seen? Has she done anything?" I ask, glaring at them.

The older one looks to be about fourteen, he speaks first. "You said question, but I can answer some of them. I don't know about Clarisse. I didn't know about anything except the one instance before it happened. On that one I tried to tell Chiron, but he wasn't in the camp and neither was Mr. D. By the time I found the girl, she was crying on the beach and I had to help her back to her cabin. On many occasions, I would try to tell Chiron, but I was either too late or my brothers just got kitchen duty, the ones I knew about anyway. They still scorn me for it."

"Your name, young one." I look at him proudly, with a small smile.

"Jack." He answers, smiling back in response to mine.

"Typical name for an Ares kid." I grin.

He holds up his hands. "Can't blame me. At least I don't have a Greek name, that would be frustrating. I'm sure you know." He wiggles his eyebrows in that creepy knowing way some eople are able to do.

"Yes, I do. And you, boy. What about you?" I turn to the eleven year old.

"My name is Owen. I didn't know anything until after it happened. I approached Clarisse about it, but she said something around the lines of, 'I am unable to stop them, unfortunately. The only reason being that if I even tried, they would chalenge me for the leadership and that would be a bad idea. It would only get worse. I have intervened several times by making up fake plans about helping the girls out with a weapon. I am unable to stop them because of father. He would frown upon it. Curse it all to Hades, if I had it my way, the idiots would be kicked out of camp for harming any of them and tarnishing the name of Ares. If I bring attention to it, then father would either disown me or do something worse. And you would be vulnerable and bullied more than you are now. I have attempted to tell Chiron, but he knows how Ares is. He can't do much other than make them do more chores to distract from their...habits. I wil renew my efforts. I will gather up most girls and hold classes with Piper. Spread the news to all the girls you see. They will appreciate it. Hurry along before our brothers overhear us.' Clarisse is always away or was always away looking for you and Annabeth. Or she was sent by Chiron to bring back protectors and demigods. She is almost never here. And the eldest is in charge. Which means Isaiah. The big guy you made pee his pants. Clarisse tries her hardest, but is unable to do much when she isn't here 24/7. The ones she sees, she immediately tries to tell them she has a lesson with the girl or says that they had some things to discuss with Chiron, but those are getting old and they suspect. They will soon call upon Ares and Clarisse knows this. She cannot defend them forever." Owen finishes.

I growl. "What about the other heads of the cabins?"

Jack speaks, "Derek joins in when he is bored with terrorizing the other cabins. Malcolm is so upset he joins Clarisse on her searches and goes out of camp to look for demigods at schools. Travis and Connor are trying to keep the Hermes cabin up and running. They have been...well, they have been spread out across the country searching for anything on you and the girl, systematically destroying the remaining monsters, and finding demigods. The other cabins heads are either girls who are being bullied or are too busy trying to maintain peace between all of them and Ares cabin. Clarisse and the two of us are the only ones not treated badly. Except by our brothers. Jason is always stopping fights between Travis and Isaiah. Piper is trying to help the emotionally and mentally scarred girls. Honestly, if you give me the list, I can find the girls that were left worse for wear in most places. More than half the time, they are left in the woods. Shivering and frightened. Jason goes in every day to make sure there aren't any out there. I help, but I try to keep an eye on my brothers with Owen here."

"Holy Hera! Sorry, mom. When was their next target going to happen?" I ask incredulously.

"What time is it?" Owen asks.

"Midnight." i answer immediately. Ah, Guardian powers, sweet.

"Since they can't harm any others-" I cut Jack off.

"I said they couldn't touch them in that way, not that they couldn't hit them. I was understandably enraged at the moment." I say.

"They are too stupid to figure it out at the moment. It will take 'em a couple weeks before they start to think it over." Jack says.

I pull out the list and hand it to him. "Which ones are the worst? I'll start with them." I ask.

He looks at Owen and Owen hands him a pen. They discuss which ones haven't been acting too happy recently and after arguing over each name and circling the ones they agreed on, Jack handed the list back to me.

I peered at the list. The idiots wrote it in English. Thank Zeus I can read names better than most words. I count the names, there are about twelve girls. Seven are circled and three have question marks beside them. That left two that were okay. I will save them for last then.

"Which cabins?" I ask.

Jack shudders and Owen has to speak. "Ares, Hecate, Demeter, Athena, Hermes, Hephaestus, and Hypnos. One in Demeter, two in Athena, one in Hecate, three in Hephaestus, one in Ares, two in Hermes, and two in Hypnos."

"There are apparently no others because of their oath. But I can't come to believe that that is all of them. Unless they terrorized them in a different way, or had someone else do it. But maybe not. You just wanted names. And asked if it was valid. They might not know some of the other names. I've seen all of their faces. They all meet with Piper every, well today actually. It's Thursday. They meet today, Tuesdays, and Sundays. I could've sworn there are at least four Aphrodite girls that have felt our brothers's little...games." Jack explains. "They tried it with Piper and ended up in the infirmary with dagger slashes and scorch marks. Jason wasn't too happy."

"I wouldn't imagine that he would be. How long have you two been here?" I ask.

"Jack got here two years ago and I arrived around five months ago. Clarisse explained everything to me and said only to follow Jack's orders when she wasn't around and steer clear of our other brothers every chance I got." Owen answers for him and Jack.

"Ah, so you weren't here when I was. How has the camp fared in my wonderful absence?" I ask sarcastically.

"Honestly, everyone was depressed until you showed your face. Apparently, no one teaches swords but Clarisse since you left. She yells at anyone who doesn't do what you can, including herself. What was with the toilet water thing?" Jack asks curiously.

I burst out with laughter and almost roll on the ground. My laugh is booming and carries across the camp. "I advise...not asking...your sister...on that one." I managed to get out in between my snickering. "First time I was able to get up after having things explained to me, she tried to bully me in the bathroom. At the time I didn't know I was a son of the sea and she ended up getting wet with her cronies. More like soaked, but she and I became best friends after awhile. Now we aren't. Long story short. She doesn't like my bathroom references."

They look at me with disbelief and start giggling like little school girls. I grin and they look at me suspiciously. "Who knew I could get along with more than a couple Ares offspring. Your dad wasn't a big fan of mine, I've got his blessing now. I don't understand to this day, but whenever he sees me on rare occasion, he demands I fight him in a duel for his amusement because no one matches his 'completely awesome skill on the battlefield' and he is super bored with the bickering and just wants wore or something close to a fight." I use air quotes and thunder booms, but it sound irritated. "Yeah, yeah. I know, I'll fight you later crabby. Anyways, want to help me make my rounds?" I jerk my thumb back at the cabins over my shoulder.

"Definitely." Jack nods.

"You should know, most of them are newer campers like Jack and I. Our brothers were bored with the older campers and enjoy 'fresh meat.'" Owen tells me in a quiet voice. I growl again and he flinches back.

"They won't survive my training by the end of the day. I can promise you that. I'll make sure it puts them in the infirmary for a very long time. And after they wake up, I'll make the next regiment harder." I start to glow with a silvery-white light.

"Calm down, Percy!" Jack yells in a whispered tone.

I diminish the glow and they look at me nervously. "Hmm..." I start thinking over a few details on how to approach the girls. My foot starts tapping.

"Can I ask you a question?" Owen asks me innocently.

"Of course, young one." I nod at him.

"How are you so good at all these weapons?" Is his question.

"I've been wondering about that myself. Clarisse said she saw little pieces of it in the meeting you held, but she wouldn't tell us more than that." Jack adds.

"Ah, I was down in Tartarus. Here I would train in secret with some other weapons other than my sword. But down there, they wanted me for my skills and improved them greatly. They trained me mercilessly. Then they tortured me to where my new stamina could endure it. So I could never escape. I was always exhausted and I could do nothing with the hordes of monsters they surrounded me with or held me with the power-draining Celestial bronze chains." I tell them, letting it sink in.

"Wait, so they trained you? Why?" Jack asks.

"They wanted me to lead their armies to victory when they were able to rise again. So they made me fit enough to endure anything except the new games they invented for me. Once I got used to those...they'd get creative. I can withstand any pain at this point. I'm a master in anything battle related. Like I told all of you, it is a wonder how they kept me alive under the pressure my body and soul went through." I sigh.

"How does it feel..to go through that?" Owen asks.

"Oh, I can't really tell you that anymore. I lost all ties once I became an official Guardian. But, what I used to feel...I guess you could say I was more than a little suicidal and depressed. At the wishes of others I remained in this world." I smile at them. "Do not worry children, I am absolutely fine."

"Why do you refer to us as children?" Jack asks.

"I'm older than you think, remember?" I prompt him.

"That's right. Sorry." Jack facepalms and I chuckle.

"Indeed." I say.

"Why do you speak like that? Aren't you, like, I don't know, from this era?" Owen asks curiously.

"When you spend what feels like an eternity with ancient beings and the Hunters that have more than a few girls who are a lot older than they look, it rubs off on you. Artemis loves old English. Being bonded to her only reinforces the way I use it. I still speak like my teenager self from my age if I'm really excited. I suppose you could say I've deteriorated to using the language that was used at the age I am currently at." I snort. "Other than that I stil have that same mindset. Immortalized at a tenager age doesn't help my brain one bit." I shake my head.

"All they ever talk about when they refer to you was how stupidly brave you could be. You sound pretty wise to me." Jack says.

This time I practically chortle with laughter. "Me wise, eh? Athena's blessing and older people definitely have rubbed off on me then. Hestia's blessing is peaceful, but does almost nothing to quell my anger and Ares's blessing reinforces it. Hera's...well. Hera's is in between. Family is confusing and marriage can be hectic and Aphrodite's blessing doesn't help the wreaking havoc side of love. I'm mixed whenever I come near this place. Seeing people like you helps I suppose. Perhaps I should hang around you more." I chuckle at their faces because they are still flabbergasted at my explanation.

"You're definitely the most powerful demigod of this age, maybe ever." Owen says.

"Well if you believe that, then I should tell you I haven't been a demigod in a little over two years now." I smile lightly at them. "Just found out I've been fully immortal. The gods neglected to mention that little detail when I escaped with Athena." I sigh. "Sometimes I don't know how they don't off each other whe nthey argue over who kept which secrets from what god or goddess that week. Honestly, they are worse than middle schoolers at lunch. Hestia is the only one who never argues. Thank Zeus for that. Milady doesn't ever get worked up, so I sit by her whenever I'm in the throne room."

"What all do they argue about?" Jack asks.

"Hera and Zeus argue over his affairs. Poseidon and Athena over whose children are better. Ares and Hephaestus over Aphrodite. Aphrodite with Demeter over cereal and love. Artemis and Apollo over who is older. Dionysus and Hades over whether or not letting ghosts drink wine as a summoning of the dead thing being a good idea. Hermes just sits there talking on his phone or arguing with the snakes on his caduceus. Hestia and I just converse until one of us is called to attention." I roll my eyes and shrug.

"Nice." Owen smiles.

"Maybe. Once the meetings start they are, but until then, Hestia and I just talk about how I'm doing or something." I shrug.

"Right. Should we go get the girls then?" Jack motions at the cabins.

"Actually, I have an idea. Follow me." I motion them to follow me as I start to walk away.

"Where are we going?" Owen asks when he reaches my right side.

"Aphrodite cabin. We are visiting one Piper Mclean." I say and huff. She is going to assume as soon as she sees my face on the other side of the dam door. When we reach the goddess of love's cabin, I knock on the door quietly.

After I hear rustling, the door creaks open and then widens, revealing a beaming Piper. I hold my hand up to stop her before she can say anything, she closes her mouth and frowns.

"Is it true you help the girls traumatized by the elder Ares boys?" I ask her seriously and business-like.

"Yes. Unfortunately, they have all been getting worse or just stay at a stalemate." Piper scowls at the ground, thinking about her meetings with the girl campers.

"How many?" I ask her.

She sighs heavily and her shoulders sag. "Too many. Almost twenty in couning. I expect more by the end of the week. Our numbers have-"

"Bolstered?" I give her a good word, she seemed to be struggling to find a big enough word for it.

"Romans too, but they don't have the Ares problem. I got Reyna to talk to me when I mentioned what was happening. The only time she doesn't glare at me is when we talk about that. I got her to accept some of the girls into the college in New Rome to get them away. But now they're back. And they have only worsened as they settle back in." She sighs deeper than before. "It's hard for me to help them. There are too many to have individual sessions with and Clarisse is busy trying to help run the camp and keep an eye on her brothers. I don't know what to do. We meet today to talk." Piper leans against the door frame.

"I will come and give them an offer. What time are you meeting?" I ask in a monotone voice. I'm trying not to get angry thinking about how many girls have ben harmed by those boys.

Piper brightens. "I think I know what you're going to ask and I wish we wouldn't lose any campers, but I fear it is for the best. It might help them more. We meet right after breakfast, we just go over to the campfire and we discuss things as a group. Thanks, Percy! They'll be so happy. Most have resigned to the fact that they shouldn't do much other than just live for their friends and families. I need to talk to you about some of them and their...conditions...before you see them though."

"When? You want to explain now?" I ask her.

"Yes. It might be the only time." She nods seriously.

Jack and Owen smile and wave. They head back to their cabin.

Piper closes the door behind her as she steps out. We walk to the beach and she sits down. I stand three feet away from her, back straight, arms crossed, and no expression on my face other than blank.

"Those boys...they did more than just touch some of the older ones, they..." Piper rolls her hand in the air, much like Artemis had done earlier. My eyes widen.

"How many?" I ask in anger.

"Out of the just over twenty girls I try and help, five of them were harmed in that way. They were left in the forest. Jack, Owen, or Jason finds those ones. Though, some girls have gone missing recently and I want Jason to go in and check." Piper admits.

"How recently?" I ask in shock.

"Over the past couple of days. Only two are missing that I can think of. Clarisse is going in tomorrow to help me look. We were going to ask your permission to be excused from your casses to go look." Piper explains.

"No need. Will you inform Lady Artemis that I am currently searching the forest for maidens?" I ask.

"Absolutely. Right away. Thank you." She runs off and I dart into the forest.

I hop from tree branch to tree branch. I run and jump through them like an animal. Finally I land on the ground and shift into a wolf. I howl and wait for the pack I saw earlier to show up.

Verick comes bounding in with his pup, Zazel at his side. She easily keeps pace. There are eight of them in total.

What is it you require of us, Guardian? Verick asks me in a polite and respectful tone. Thank the gods he doesn't bow. I think he senses I do not like it, good. I like him more and more.

I need two find two young maidens. But they may not be maidens. They have been horribly shaken and I have need of your skills to help me find them. I tell him.

He growls and nods his head. It shall be done. We won't rest until they are found. Verick turns to the pack. Find two young demigod girls. Quickly! We must make haste!

The wolves and I howl along with Verick. Zazel is sent with me to help me as Verick takes off like all the other wolves. Come, young pup. This will be an excellent way to prove yourself and earn a place of honor amongst your pack. I am well versed in my wolf side. I know everything.

Yes, Guardian. I would love to help. She nudges me and we take off. I am amazed at her speed. She sniffs at the air like I do. We run for an hour and our heads snap in the direction of an awful stench, we turn and follow it. It leads us to one of the missing girls. Zazel bounds towards her and lands in her lap. I howl and it pierces the air. The demigod screams bloody murder. I shift as I hear answering howls.

"Relax, dear child. I am here to help you. I found out you were missing and I asked my friends of the wild to help. I'm going to hand the Ares boys their asses when I get out of this forest." I snarl and crouch before her. She seems to be comforted by little Zazel curling up against her. She looks at me in fear.

"Who are you? I've never seen you at camp before." The girl looks at me puzzled.

"I am Percy Jackson. I have come with the Hunt." I tell her.

"Aren't you the missing guy they talk about?" She asks.

"Indeed I am. How long have you been out here?" I ask.

"Two days." She answers after thinking about it and her stomach growls. She blushes, but I hand her a canteen of water while I search for food.

"That is all I have. How do you fare, child?" I ask her concernedly.

"I can't walk without getting dizzy. I haven't made it very far. I'm too scared of the monsters that creep around." She starts to cry and I come over to her. Zazel is licking the tears away.

"Then I will carry you. Zazel, help find the other one. I cannot smell in my human form as well as I can in my wolf form." I look down at her.

She barks and starts sniffing around the trees and looks at me and bounces on her paws. "Go. Howl when you find her." She takes off in a direction to my right. I lift the girl into my arms and she clings to me as she sips the water. "What is your name?" I ask as I head after Zazel.

"Tiffany." The girl sniffles.

"That's a very pretty name, Tiffany." I smile at her.

"Thank you. How did you know I was here?" She asks quietly.

"Piper realized you were missing and I started searching right away. Thank the gods I found you. Clarisse was coming to search after breakfast, but apparently Piper wasn't sure how long you were gone. I was worried about you. Another girl is missing as well. My little friend and the rest of the pack she is in is out looking for her as we speak." I answer.

"I thought boys didn't travel with the Hunt." She brings up what I mentioned to her before.

"I am the Guardian of the Hunt and Moon. I am the only male currently traveling with them. My duties lie in saving people like you and protecting them and all that. I am bringing you and the other girl before Artemis to be healed and she will offer you something. It is a choice." I tell her.

"What kind of choice?" Tiffany asks curiously.

"Stay at camp, return to the mortal world, try to get into the legion, or start a new life without boys. A life of maidenhood. She will ask you to join the Hunters." I say softly.

I look down at her and silent tears wash the dirt off her face. "I'm not a maiden anymore." She starts sobbing into my chest.

"What if I told you you could be?" I ask gently.

"W-what?" She asks, drying her eyes and trying to stop her little fit of emotion.

"As goddess of maidenhood, she can restore what was wrongfully taken from you. I can as well, being her Guardian, but I think you would prefer it if she did it. Even if you didn't join, she would probably restore it because you didn't want it to happen. Did you fight back?" I say.

"I tried, but some of them had me pinned and I'm not that strong. Thrashing just made them laugh and it also made it worse. Can she really give it back to me?" She asks.

"Absolutely." I tell her sincerely. I hear a howl and recognize it as Zazel's. "Hang on. She is far off." I hold Tiffany tighter to me and as she nods, I take off in the direction of Zazel. She was somewhere far to my left.

After running for about ten minutes, I came upon Zazel. As I came to stand beside her, she howls as loud as she can, calling her family. The girl demigod Zazel found in hunched against a pine tree in a little ball. She is shaking and Zazel doesn't approach her like she did with Tiffany. She sits on her haunches as I walk slowly towards the girl.

"He only wants to help. He found me with his little friend. He wants to help you." Tiffany tells the girl and she stops shaking. She looks at me warily.

"Can you stand young one?" I ask her in a quiet voice, so I don't seem threatening.

She nods and uses the tree to get up. She hesitantly walks over to me. I crouch down to her level. "How long have you been here?" I ask nicely.

"A day, I think." She ansers in a little girl, barely audible tone. She can't be older than nine. That just makes me sick. I am so killing Ares for his devil spawn.

A shiver runs down my spine as I think what I must ask her. "And did they...?" I shake my head, I cannot ask her that question.

"Did they do anything to you?" Tiffany asks for me. I look at her gratefully and she smiles at me and turns back to the litle girl.

"Yes." The little girl whispers.

"What is your name, child?" I ask in a softer tone than before.

"Etna." She answers.

"Well, Etna. Would you like a drink?" I ask her and smile.

Her eyes light up. "Yes, please!" She says excitedly. Tiffany hands her the canteen and she chugs down the last of the water. She hands the canteen back to Tiffany. A faint blush dusts her cheeks. "Thank you." She whispers.

"You are most welcome. Come, dear. I will help you back to camp." I say.

"No! I don't wanna go back!" She starts crying.

"I'm not letting any other boys touch you without incinerating them to ashes." I tell her gently and she looks at me.

"Then why are we going back?" She asks.

"Because the one I came with is there and so are my sisters. We help girls like you and Tiffany. I take you back so Lady Artemis can ask you a question. Would you like to meet her?" I say sweetly.

"You mean the Moon goddess?" Etna asks sheepishly.

"Yep. That's the one. She's the best person you could ever meet in your lifetime and she loves to talk with girls like you two. She can give back what those boys stole." I look her in the eyes and she starts crying again. She holds her hands to eyes trying to keep the tears from coming out. "It's alright child. All will be fine. Do you want me to carry you?" I ask.

She nods and I turn around. "Hop on and hang on." I tell her. She climbs onto my back and I straighten as the wolves bound in. "Will you come with me back to the cabin, my brothers and sisters?" Verick nods and the wolves surround me. As we walk through the forest, they play around us.

"Am I allowed to pet them?" Etna asks after awhile.

I stop and let her climb down. Verick comes up to her and bumps his nose against her left hand. She squeals in delight and starts petting him. He lays down and looks at me expectantly. I chuckle. "Only if you want to. He wishes you to ride him child." I tell Etna. She beams and climbs on him slowly. When she's settled, he rises and we continue walking.

"Thank you. What is your name?" She pets the Verick's fur between his shoulder blades as he strides.

"His name is Verick, dear one." I chuckle.

"It's pretty. I like it." She cooes at him and he has a deep rumbling in his chest as she scratches between his ears. Then she looks at me. "What's yours mister?" She inquires.

"Percy Jackson." I say. "Yes, I am the missing camper." I tell her before she can ask.

Tiffany laughs lightly. "'Missing,' is not the word they use to describe you."

"And how do they characterize me, miss Tiffany?" I implore.

"They refer to you as, 'the betrayed one.' Brave, crazy, loyal, and sometimes stupid." She shrugs a little.

"Greatest swordsman of your time." Etna adds.

"Oh, wonderful. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside." I say sarcastically and roll my eyes.

"I heard it was bad. Mainly from Piper." Tiffany replies to my tone.

"Who are your godly parents?" I ask.

Tiffany answers first. "Aphrodite. I'm thirteen."

"I'm nine and my mommy is Hecate." Etna answers.

My posture stiffens as my suspicions of Etna's age is confirmed. My anger swoops to new heights and I wear a grim expression. Tiffany takes in my actions and looks me in the eyes. She mouths, "It disgusts me too." I nod, not trusting myself to speak nicely.

I would just teleport us, but I didn't want to. I walk so that they can calm down before they meet Artemis and so they can adjust to my presence easier. After I calm down enough to talk in a kind tone, I ask them questions. "How hungry are you?"

"I could eat a calvary of horses." Tiffany whines.

"I could eat the entire grocery store." Etna tells me.

"What is your favorite food?" I ask as something occurs to me.

"Bacon." I chuckle at Etna's reply.

"Chocolate chip muffins." Tiffany says, her eyes going all dreamy.

I snap my fingers under Tiffany's weight and a couple muffins appear in her lap and bacon appears in both of Etna's hands. "Forgot I could summon food. There ya go. Eat up. I'll feed you more as we speak with Lady Artemis."

They gobble down the last of their food when we break through the trees. The moon still shines brightly, but I sense it is almost dawn. I smile evilly, this will be so much fun when I see those boys. I lead them and the wolves to the Artemis' cabin and when I get ther, Etna opens the door from Verick's back. The wolves, the girls, and I all file in and everyone is still up, with the lights on, and worry is cast upon their faces. And their expressions darken when they see the states of the girls I bring with me.

I lay Tiffany on my bed and I look her in the face. "Will you allow me to heal you?"

"Yes. Thank you." Tiffany smiles at me.

I smile back with a small one of my own. I hover my hands above her and summon Hestia's blessing. My hands glow with a warm light, hope and peace radiate from them. I set one of my hands on her head and my other one moves from bruise to scratch to bruise. My eyes fill with worry when my hand comes to rest on her legs. "Dear god of Olympus, what did they do, break them?" I whisper in disbelief and my hands glow brighter. I feel her knees shift back into place and she winces. "Sorry." I glance at her face and she nods with her jaw clenched. When her right ankle and left shin are mended back together, I help her sit up. Phoebe comes forward with a bowl of water and a towel and I nod to her.

Verick is laying at the foot of the bed that Etna now lays on. Her eyes drooping drowsily. The rest of the pack lay at Artemis's feet. I walk over to Etna and I ask her, "May I heal you?"

"Yes." She yawns sleepily. I smile at her sleepy face and she smiles back. "You're really nice, mister." She whispers as she goes under. I place my hand on her head and heal her, luckily she only has a few bruises and it's less painful for her than it was for Tiffany.

Thalia comes over with the same supplies as Phoebe has for Tiffany and I tell her, "She might be more traumatized at such a young age. Be gentle, she might wake upif you aren't." Thalia nods seriously and starts wiping off the grime.

"Percy." Tiffany calls my name.

"Yes, young one? What do you need?" I smile at her as I turn to face her.

"Can I speak to Artemis now?" She asks quietly.

I chuckle. "She is right here." I gesture at the seventeen year old across the room from me. "She stays at my age level for some reason." I laugh.

Artemis shoots me a playful glare and rolls her eyes. She rises from the bed she is on and walks over to Tiffany.

"My lady, Percy has told me you can restore my maidenhood, is it true?" Tiffany asks nervously.

Artemis turns to me in shock and points at Etna. I nod with a grim expression on my face. She gets a look of absolute hatred and the Hunter's expressions aren't too far off. They are practically at the super loathing level compared to Artemis and I.

Artemis turns back to Tiffany, her face softening. "I can. Would you like to join me in the Hunt?" She asks Tiffany.

"I would love to, my lady. I refuse to go near any boys, but Percy." She states in a matter of fact tone. "I will only tolerate being here until we leave."

Artemis smiles at her, Tifany takes her vows, Artemis blesses her, Tiffany introduces herself, and stands with the help of Phoebe. Tiffany smiles gratefully at the two. "Thank you, milady. And thank you Percy." I grin at her.

"You'll love it in the Hunt. My Moon, I have to deal with the fiends who have wronged these girls. You and I have a meeting with Piper Mclean dealing with other girls who have been terrorized by them after breakfast. There are a great many. You may watch as I deal with the fools who dare harmed the maidens." I growl out the last sentence.

"I shall accompany you then." She grins evilly.

"Verick, would you mind if you and your pack helped guard over Etna while she sleeps and bring her o me when she wakes?" I ask the wolf. He nods and the pack comes to rest at the bed Etna sleps soundly on. The rest of the ack fals asleep as Verick remains awake as a sentry. I hold out my arm to Artemis. "Shall we go?"

She slips her arms through mine and we walk out of the cabin door as I open it for her. I lead her down to the Arena. We come to stand in the middle of it and the sun starts to shine weakly at the edges of the sky. The Ares boys, including Jack and Owen, come in and Jack and Owen run for me.

Jack smiles at me. "Guess what Clarisse did to them." Jack tells me excitedly.

I shake my head and smile. Artemis looks at me strangely.

"Artemis, I would like you to meet the only two decent boys in the Ares' cabin. Jack and Owen. The only innocent ones in these happnings." I point to both of them and Owen waves a little at Artemis.

Owen turns to me. "Clarisse wouldn't let them sleep a wink when they got back. Jack and I got catnaps as the girls practically pummeled them to a pulp. It was peaceful music to our ears." He grins.

I snort. "Always was Clarisses's style. I appreciate that little detail. It'll make this all the more enjoyable for me."

Jack notices Artemis has her arms linked with my one while my other one rests at my side. She hangs on my left side. "Uh, no offense Percy, but isn't she a maiden goddess?" He asks.

"Yes. Do not worry, it is fine." I tell him and he relaxes. "I forgot to ask, though. How long have they ben doing this to the girls?"

Jack's face hardens to steel and Owen stops smiling. "Sometime last year. Derek got them into the habit of it. But he himself only rarely participates, seeing as how he is busy trying to take over the camp. Apparently he did when you were here, but once you disapeared, I guess people snapped out of it and won't listen to him. Not even the new campers. I hate him." Jack tells me.

I nod. "Listen up!" I shout to the devil spawn. They all come rushing before me. Maybe I sounded like Ares when he was really pissed off, but I'm way past that level on the angry scale. "I want twenty laps of dead sprints around this whole, entire, camp. That includes around the forest, I can sense you, so if I know you're not sprinting, I'll make you regret it." I whistle and three of the eight wolves of the pack bound over to me from the cabin once someone opens the door for them. They tilt their heads at me expectantly. "They will run at your heels the entire time. They'll snap at you if you slow down even in the slightest. I suggest you keep your adrenaline pumping. The only time you'll get a break is if I am merciful enough to let you have a sip of water. Once you are done, get back here immediately for your next stage in improving your attitudes and behaviors. In a way, you're getting far worse than what Derek did from the hunters. I suggest you start running." I say in an annoyed tone. The wolves take off after the boys as they run away at my command.

"I'm guessing you're doing a fraction of what happened down there, aren't you?" She pokes my cheek.

"Yes I am. They'll wish they'd never be born. I am tired, my Moon. But I stay awake to continue my duties. I will meet with the gods tomorrow.

She smiles and nods. She gets a faraway look on her face and after a few minutes comes back to reality. "Father understands, he says to rest once night comes."

I roll my eyes. "I doubt that'll happen. I'll do it when I crash onto my bed. Hopefully, I have a feeling this is going to be a taxing day. You must speak with Piper. She knows the situations better than I do."

"We will stay here and watch for our brothers." Owen tells me and I smile at him.

"Thank you." I say. Then my face darkens. "Call for me when they are back. I'm sure you can handle your brothers easily."

"It would be our pleasure." Jack smiles sincerely at me. I nod and I lead Artemis down to the Aphrodite cabin.

This time Artemis taps on the door and Drew answers. A sympathetic look comes on my face as I look at her. She looks so sullen and changed. She must be one of the girls the boys took advantage of and must be regretting being so mean. When she sees me she brightens a little bit, but sulks again immediately. "You want Pipes?" She asks, trying to be happy.

"Yes please, dear." Artemis smiles brightly at her. Drew nods and leaves the door open while she goes to get Piper. She brings her back in three minutes, pushing her gently towards the door.

"Drew! Who are-? Oh. Thank you, sister. I'll see you all at breakfast. Drew be careful this morning okay?" Piper looks at her in worry.

"Okay, I'll try." Drew sniffs and tears well in her eyes. She heads into the bathroom of their cabin.

Piper comes out of the cabin and shuts the door tightly. She shakes her head at the door with her hands on her hips. She drops her hands and turns to us. "How can I help?" Piper asks after she takes a deep breath.

"Will you explain the situations to Artemis?" I ask her nicely. I see how worried she is.

Her shoulders sag almost immediately. "Of course." She leads us to the bench by the basketball court and we sit her in between us. We smile encouraginly at her. She sighs. "Well, I lied to you Percy. More than just a few have been taken advantage of and were left in the woods. Did you find them?" She asks after telling me what she didn't want to say before.

"Yes, some of my wild brothers helped me. One of my little wild sisters helped out the most. You can come out now Zazel." I chuckle as the little wolf comes out of the bushes behind us and jumps up into Piper's lap.

Piper doesn't even flinch, she just pets Zazel. "Is this her?" Is all Piper asks.

"Yep. That's Zazel. You have mainly her to thank for finding the poor girls. They are back in our cabin with the rest of the Hunt and pack." I tell her.

"That's nice. I suppose you want to know how many I am referring to, but that's just it. Some girls don't come to the gatherings we have most of the time. I've managed to get them all to come today though. I don't know how many were taken advantage of. It is so hard to keep track that I've lost count. I just try and help them it's that bad. Jason had to stop one of the girls from offing herself at the beach." Piper chokes and starts crying.

Artemis pulls her in for a hug and Piper sobs into Artemis's shirt. I rub Piper's back and try to soothe her with words. "It'll be alright Piper. They can't harm them anymore. I made sure of that already. And they are starting their punishment as we speak. Don't worry any longer. The hunters took care of Derek as you saw him. I don't think he will be able to touch another girl for a long while to come."

It takes another five minutes of Artemis humming a lullaby to Piper for her to stop crying. She sits up straight, but leans against the bench for suport, deciding just to relax instead of bear the weight.

"Thanks. Sorry. What do you mean they can't do it anymore?" She asks me, extremely curious and her eyes are sparkly with new hope.

I snicker darkly. "I made them swear on the Styx not to touch a girl like that again without the girl's permission first. But they can still hit them. They haven't figured it out though."

"Really?!" Piper hugs me and squeals like a little kid at Christmas. "That's wonderful news! Jason needs to know. Is he even awake?" She asks her self. She shakes her head. "How'd you get them to do it?" She turns to me again.

"I can be terrifying if I want to you know. I'm not all sunshine and sparkles all the time." I tell her. I crack a smile and she giggles.

"You are never sunshine and sparkles." Artemis tells me, her hands on her hips. Uh-oh.

"Not my fault." I look away whistling like I did nothing at all.

"It could've been solved if you would've opened up earlier." She argues with me.

"Maybe." I stretch the word out. Piper looks back and forth between us.

"Did I miss something? Or should I just go?" She looks at us and makes her decision. "I'll go then. I will tell Jason the awesome details. See ya!" She says and runs off to the clutter of the cabins.

"You were so dark your first year it's a wonder you're like this, even with the Moon's help." Artemis raises her voice.

I put my hands up in front of me. "I was not dark. I was in denial of my life." I state simply.

"It was a pretty crappy denial. And you should have been the worst possible mess, not perfectly sane." Artemis inches towards me. She stands up and I stay seated.

"It's hard to be insane when you know it is all real like that." I tell her in defense.

"That's exactly why!" She yells.

"My lady-" I try.

"Stop calling me 'lady!' You are of equal importance! Stop being so formal!" She screams.

"Calm down. You're getting worked up over nothing." I say to try and get her to settle down.

"Calm down? Calm down?! You are not nothing, Perseus Jackson!" She shrieks.

"That's not what I-" She cuts me off.

"That's exactly what you meant!" Her voice raising even higher. The campers have all gathered for the little spectacle and the Hunters were trying not to laugh while trying to be serious.

"Artemis, I don't understand why you're so mad." I tell her.

"Why am I mad? Because you can't see how much of a kind and gentle soul you are to have gone through all of what you did! You won't believe in yourself and you won't let anyone help you! It took us a year to get you to stop being so depressed!" She hisses loudly. "A whole year! And then it took us two more just to get you to be happy in the slightest!"

"I am happy now, that is all that matters." I say defiantly. I'm standing now.

"No! We are talking about this! Why were you so down?!" She says, glaring up into my face, searching for signs.

"I was not down. I was perfectly normal after what had transpired." I say.

"Why were you down, Perseus Jackson?" Everyone can still hear her.

"I wasn't." I state, trying to keep my rage bottled up.

"Why. Were. You. So. Down?" She demands with her voice raising further.

She pushes me past the breaking point. "Because before I had another purpose I felt hollow inside! I couldn't see anything colorful anymore and I was doomed forever to be a part of that place!" I yell. Then in a quieter voice, "Okay? I couldn't bear all the happiness you shoved in my face all the time. I couldn't take the hope of Hestia because I had none and I never wanted to be whole after all of that. The motherly love of Hera because the pain of lsing my mother was too much for me to handle. I was drowning in all of your good emotions and it only made it worse. The world had everything god drained out of it in my eyes. Is that what you want to hear?" I whisper and look down.

She raises my chin and makes me look at her. "Yes. It's exactly what I wanted to hear. Even if it does hurt to know how you finally feel."

She won't let me look away. "I'm sorry. I should have kept quiet." I whisper, tears forming in my eyes. "I've hurt my Moon. Forgive me."

Her silver eyes flare with anger. "There is nothing to forgive. I'm glad you told me. No secrets, remember?" She says quietly.

She wraps her arms around me and pulls me close to her. I hug her back, silent tears running into her hair from my eyes. "But if it hurts you to know then I have failed in my job to protect you." I tell her.

"No, I demanded an answer that you should've already told me. You swallowed your pride and told me against your will. Will you tell me now?" She asks.

"Yes." I reply. Her embrace tightens and she buries her head in my chest.

"You know they are all watching?" She murmurs into me.

"Yes. I noticed earlier. I believe your shouting caused it. They only heard your side of the conversation for the most part." I chuckle into her hair.

"The Hunters might kill you." She says in a muffled sing-song voice.

I peer over at my sisters and see them smiling. "I highly doubt that. They're faces might permanently wear those grins of theirs forever if they keepgoing like that. Besides, they have to find out sooner or later." I tell her. I see Zazel at Thalia's feet. Etna is riding Verick again. Tiffany is at Phoebe's side, glowing with her newfound blessing.

"Yes, but it will be like giving a new bomb to Hephaestus. It'll blow up out of proportion." She laughs nervously.

"Look who's afraid now." I tease her. She zaps me with moonlight and I let out a small yelp. "That felt weird. What are you doing?" I ask.

"Did it tingle?" She asks.

"Yeah. It felt weird. What did you do?" I ask.

"I shot one of your tattoos with moonlight. Your body is jumpy when I do that." Artemis giggles.

"That isn't funny. It felt like my heart restarted and I'm fuzzy all over." I say seriously.

"Should I do it again?" She pulls away wiggling her fingers at me.

I stiffen and she notices it and chuckles. "Definitely not, I feel like cotton."

"That's because I touched your back with it." She tells me, laughing at my facial expression.

"And if I touched you with it?" I hold up my hand and grin mischievously at her.

"You wouldn't." She stares at me, frightened.

"Oh, yes. I certainly would. This means war." I laugh loudly and touch her back with it she yelps and jumps away. We both hold moonlight in our hands and we start runnning around like crazy trying to hit each other with it.

"Percy!" She yells when I hit her with moonlight in the back again. I just laugh loudly. Then she hits me with some in my chest and the feeling doubles.

"That feels different! What in the Hades?" I yell at her and she giggles hysterically.

"Why are you trying to kill each other?!" I hear Chiron yell in fear.

"Not killing!" I yell, ducking under a beam of moonlight. It crashes into the Artemis' cabin and it absorbs it.

"Just trying to prove my point!" Artemis says.

I lob another ball of moonlight at her. "Waht point is that?!" I ask incredulously.

She tosses a shaft of moonlight at me, dodging my orb. "That you are so going to feel like that all day if you keep antagonizing me."

I catch the shaft and hurl it back at her. Her eyes widen. "Antagonize you? You started it!" I yell back.

She dissolves the moonlight and tackles me to the ground. She holds moonlight next to my right shoulder. "And I'm finishing it." She laughs like she's won.

"You sure?" I ask with a grin on my face. I light my hand and grab onto hers. She tries using the other one but I do the same thing.

"How are you doing that?" She asks, trying to push back.

"Doing what? Fighting against not feeling like cotton?" I ask her, keeping her at bay.

"No." She shakes her head. "Holding me back so easily. It's like your a moon god."

"Uh...I don't know. Are you trying?" I say.

"Not really. You?" She says, increasing the amount of moonlight. I can tell we are both feeling the tingling surging through our bodies.

I shake my head at her and my hands light further. Then I get a thought and I smile evilly. She sees it and looks at me like she knows what I'm thinking. " What would happen if I touched you with starlight?" I ask curiously, but I put innocence in my voice.

"You wouldn't dare." She says.

I chuckle heartily and the light in my hands swirls as it changes into starlight. She squeaks and tries to get away. I hold her where she is and she's trying to pry her hands away from me, but she's laughing. "Percy! Stop it! It feels even weirder!" She yells, but she won't stop laughing. Neither will I.

"Your fault. You pushed me to this point." I laugh harder as the starlight increases with the moonlight. As it increases the light leaves our hands and shoots up into the sky. "What the..." Is all I manage before the sky brightens and something starts falling toward us from the light. I push us to our feet and set Artemis away from me as I catch whatever fell out of our light. It's a body. "Oh my gods..." I whisper.

"Is tha?" Artemis whispers.

"It is." I answer.

"Why did it fall out of our light in the sky?" She asks, coming up to me.

"Um...my animal spirit maybe?" I suggest and shake my head.

"How can a wolf be created from our light?" Artemis whispers.

"I have no idea." I tell her. "But...I feel...connected to it somehow." I tell her. "Why is it so big?"

"Try healing it. It's breathing. Maybe it's hurt." Artemis tells me.

My body glows with Hestia's power and I direct it towards the wolf's body. It...has no name. I can't sense it's name because it has none. Suddenly, the wolf is healed and I am blown back into the Apollo cabin. I step out of the smoking pile of rubble. I am beyond mad. I can tell my eyes and Brand are glowing white. My body is surrounded by a silvery-white aura. The wolf manages to stand where I dropped it and looks at me strangely. It realizes that my healing it threw me back and it sits down. It looks at me expectantly and I shake my head. My aura dissipates and I calm down slowly but surely.

I feel more drained than I should. What happened? Did healing the wolf take that much or was I oblivious to my state this morning? I start to fall backwards and the wolf bounds towards me. It turns into a human girl and catches me. She lays me on the ground and puts my head in her lap. "Who-" I start to ask.

"Ssshh. Rest. You are tired. Thank you for bringing me to life young friend." She speaks in a silky rich voice.

"Who are you?" I ask in a quiet voice. My eyes are heavy.

"I have a feeling you know I have no name to go by." She smiles at me kindly.

"Why not?" I ask as I breathe in slowly.

"Because you are meant to name me. Do it when you wake." She says.

I shake my head. "I cannot sleep now." I fight against the force trying to push me down.

"You are very stubborn. I guess I'll have to get used to it. Breathing life into me almost completely drained you." She giggles.

"Why can you switch forms like I can?" I ask as Artemis comes to sit by my head.

"Because you can." She answers.

"What does that have to do with anything?" I cough out.

"Well, I was created by your starlight, you tell me." She smiles.

"Artemis's moonlight helped." I tell her.

She shakes her head. "No, her moonlight only deflected your starlight upwards. She was trying to get the upper hand. It was your starlight that created me."

I look over at Artemis, who is smiling at me sheepishly. She shrugs and smile wider. "At least the result was a new friend."

I roll my eyes, but smile like an idiot.

"Name me." Our new friend says suddenly.

"What?" I ask.

"If you're not going to sleep, name me." She looks at me.

"No, I meant, what do you want to be named?" I look up at her and she gets a confused look.

"I don't know, come up with one. I'm your wolf. Or is it human? Thing? I'm certainly not a werewolf." She thinks it over.

"No, you're a shifter like I am." I tell her.

"A shifter? Is that the term used to describe us?" She asks.

"According to Athena, yes. How about I name you...Delilah?" I ask her.

"I think it is a beautiful name." Artemis chimes in.

Delilah nods and smiles. "Okay, Percy. I'll be called Delilah."

"How do you know my name?" I ask, weirded out.

"I know everything you know." She tells me uneasily.

I sigh. "What's wrong?"

"Well, I kinda don't want to be in this place after seeing your memories." She says in a whisper quiet voice.

"It is fine. So, since you are practically the thing keeping my head from hitting the ground, thank you." I chuckle. "You have all my memories, eh? Cool. Can I get up?" I look at her.

"Are you sure?" Delilah asks me, turning serious.

"When am I never?" I ask.

Artemis sighs. "I definitely picked a stubborn fool."

"Indeed you did, milady." Delilah nods seriously, but she smiles down at me.

"Hey! I can hear you both you know!" I complain.

"You were meant to." Artemis giggles at my reaction, clearly what she wanted.

"Why must you provoke me today, my Moon?" I grumble.

"Because it's fun." She takes my hands while Delilah holds me up by my shoulders. Artemis pulls while Delilah pushes and I am up on my feet.

"Whoa, head rush." I stuble back slightly holding my head. Artemis holds me to her side and chuckles. Delilah comes befoe me and takes my hands.

"I shall help you." Delilah says and she uses the blessing of Hestia as she heals me.

Artemis is stunned. "How did you do that? Percy is Hestia's only champion."

"I do not have her blessing, but I am a copy of Percy's powers and emotions. I am not him, but merely an image of what he could have been. I suppose that's a good way to put it. Maybe I should rephrase. I am much like the Protector of the Airia, except I am here to protect Percy. I am one of his symbols and the Fates can tell you why." Delilah explains.

"What I could have been?" I ask in shock.

Delilah shakes her head. "No, I explained it wrong that way. But I do have your powers and loyalty. But that is all. I am only loyal to you and whoever you protect."

"Why would the Fates know?" Artemis asks. "I mean, how can they explain?"

"Just a feeling." Delilah shrugs. She phases into a wolf and bounds around me. Her fur is silver with gray in swirl patterns in different patches of her fur.

I shift into my wolf form and nuzzle Artemis's legs. I walk up to Delilah and brush against her is a brotherly way. She brushes back. We howl into the air and the wolves join in all over the place. Artemis walks up to us and crouches before us. A wolfish grin comes upon my snout. I lick her face.

"Percy!" She giggles. I start laughing and lay down beside Artemis.

"Artemis, why is young Perseus a wolf?" Chiron canters up to us.

Delilah growls at Chiron and his horse half skitters backwards. Delilah nods and sits down on Artemis's other side. Artemis scratches between my ears. I lean into it and she smiles. A deep rumbling comes from my chest and she laughs. "It was a blessing of Zeus and even if he didn't want it, he would've gotten it anyway, being my Guardian." She explains to Chiron when he regains enough courage to come back.

I look at her and she takes her hand away as I sit up on my haunches. I return to my human form and I am sitting next to Artemis with an arm over one of my knees. "It is very interesting to be a wolf. Delilah, how old are you?"

Delilah shifts back. "Around fifteen minutes old." She laughs.

"Alright." I nod and she shifts back. I summon food for her and she looks at me gratefully before eating it neatly.

Suddenly we all hear, "Ow! Don't bite me!" A strained boy's voice comes from Thalia's Pine. I snort, it's Isaiah yelling at one of the wolves. The whole camp is laughing.

"What's up with the idiots?" Jason asks.

"That would be my Guardian." Artemis says. I stand and offer her my hand. She takes it and I pull her up.

"How'd you get 'em to do it?" Jason comes over.

I chuckle darkly and he looks at me. "I'm scary enough to frighten them and dish out their punishments after all that they have done. I do believe it is breakfast time." I say and Delilah's food disappears as she polishes off the rest of it. I lead Artemis by the hand down to the dining pavilion as everyone follows us.

We all eat and the Hunters chat with Delilah.

"You don't seem like Percy at all." Thalia tells her.

"Nope. Different personality, but same flaw and experiences. I can answer any question you have about him though." Delilah replies to Thalia's statement.

"Cool." Dahlia smiles at Delilah.

"Oh, Etna. Did you want to join the Hunt?" I look at the small girl sitting on the other side of Artemis.

"Yes! I'm tired of this place. It's ugly with the people in it." She crosses her arms. The wolves sit around our table. I had summoned food of their choice for them. Verick sits behind Etna chomping away on deer meat. It had to be cooked though so I could summon it.

"Repeat after me child." Artemis turns so she is facing her.

Etna takes her oath and the whole room grows quiet as Etna receives her blessing. I am the first to speak. "Congradulations, Etna, daughter of Hecate. Welcome to the family." I smile at her and use a soft tone. Etna hugs Artemis as she squeals along with the other girls. I look around the pavilion and see everyone turn away fom my stare.

Chiron dismisses everybody for my training. I stand and say, "I have an announcement. Today, I am doing special training for a few...delinquants. If you have wish to train, I will be in the arena in about an hour. Hunters, if you want to train the campers in archery, I'm sure some of them have the courage." I smile at my sisters. "Verick, if they come to harm in my absence I want to see the perpetrator immediately." Verick nods as he and his pack follow the Hunters out and down to the archery range.

The son of Mars I'm training in hand to hand comes up to me. "I will await you in the arena." He tells me and heads off in that direction.

Piper comes up to me with a large group of girls. "You ready?" She asks Artemis and I.

"Of course." Artemis takes my hand and Piper leads us all to the campfire. The girls spread out amongst the stands while Piper stands in the middle with Artemis and I.

"The Guardian has come up with an idea for you girls. An offer. I agree with it, but you don't have to accept it." Piper declares loudly for them.

She looks at me expectantly and the group turns their attention towards me. I smile kindly. I only recognize Drew and two others. "My proposition for you, is my offer to join the Hunt. You will be treated with respect, you will have honor, a new family, and you get to travel the world. You get to live forever and if you have had something stolen from you by those boys, then Artemis and I can restore it, whether you join the Hunt or not. If you want to join, come forward and Artemis and I will accept you into the ranks of the Hunters. Eternal maidens until you wish to be released fom your oaths or fall in battle."

To my surprise, Drew is the first to step forward. She comes before Artemis and I. "May I join the Hunt, Lady Artemis?" She asks in a shaky voice.

Out of the twenty-four girls there, including Piper, twenty-three joined, not including Piper. Artemis was vibrating with happiness. I blessed half while she blessed the other half. They all took their oaths and some were restored into their maiden selves. The girls were ecstatic at being able to leave. We now have over fifty huntresses. I'm pretty sure that in exact total, we now have 56 or 57 in number and thats not including Artemis or I. Oh I didn't count the four new ones, so that's around 60-61. Fun.

Delilah comes bounding in and I ask her to take the new girls down to the archery range with Artemis. When they leave, I turn to Piper who is looking after them with a sad yet hopeful expression, even after they can't be seen. I clear my throat and she looks at me.

"I believe you did the right thing. In the event of coming here, the Hunt has accepted 27 new members and only the ones who were upset at men. They will live long under my watch. I will not let them perish. I feel Artemis's cabin growing to accomadate the newer members." I tell her. "Thank you for your help." I bow to her.

"What are you doing?" Piper asks.

"I am honoring a person who has helped girls find a path to the domain of my Moon. You have made her happy and for that I am grateful. You gave me more family and my sisters will love the new company. So for that, I thank you." I tell her and straighten from my bow.

"Percy?" Piper asks nervously.

"Yes?" I ask her, raising an eyebrow.

"Can you forgive me?" Piper asks in a shaky voice.

I smile at her. "Since you have done me this wonderful favor, I will forgive you. You have the right to become my friend in time now. I must deal with the wretches who touched the girls now. I sense they near the end of the first little exercise I have given them and I am due at the arena. Feel free to drop by later or follow along if you wish. It doesn't matter. You are welcome to watch them get their just desserts."

"I will accompany you. I want to see the result of the first...exercise you have given them." She laughs and hugs me. Then she pulls back quickly. After staring at her for a minute, I roll my eyes and she follows me to the arena.

I walk in to find that they are just sprinting into it as well. They enter with the wolves on their heels. The wolves bound up to me, out of breath. I pet the three wolves and summon huge meals for them and water to go with it. They bark their thanks and dig into their chow. They wanted bear meat, cooked of course.

The boys collapse and I laugh. "Up on your feet boys! Time for your next lesson!" I boom in a comanding voice I used in the wars.

They groan and only eight of the ten get up. I storm over to the two who will not rise. I kick one so hard he slams against the wall and thedrag the other one to his feet, punching him in the gut. I drop him and he staggers, but remains on his feet.

I look around to see the son of Mars. "Ah! My young friend! Would you like to train and help me punish the wicked?" He jumps down and comes before me.

"It would be my pleasure." He smiles and we shake hands.

"What is your name, friend?" I ask.

"Raphael." He answers.

"Great name for a son of Mars. Sounds vengeful and brave. Mine makes me sound ancient, but I would like you to not hold back on these imbeciles." I gesture at the Ares boys.

"Thanks. What did they do in the first place?" Raphael asks.

"They are the reason many joined the ranks of my sisters today." I tell him and he nods with a serious expression.

Then he grins evilly. "It would be an honor to serve justice to the wicked side by side with the Guardian of Lady Diana."

"The honor is mine." I smirk. "Hand to hand combat boys! Get it into gear! Jack and owen, would you take on a couple of your brothers for me? I'll take two and Raphael will take two." Jack and Owen smile at me. Luckily they had eaten breakfast because Clarisse brought them some. "Pick your opponents. I'll take Isaiah and the other eldest one."

"I'll take the next two most powerful. I'll prove to Mars and Diana my worth and deliver justice on your behalf." Raphael decrees.

"I got the next powerful." Jack says.

"I'll take on the next one." Owen tells me.

That leaves four left and I beckon Piper over. She comes up, smiling like I just made her day.

"The rest of you are doing push ups until we are done with your brothers. Piper, if they fall, splash water over them and charmspeak them back up." She nods and screams at them to drop and start working once she gets them off to the side.

~Two Hours Later~

"Finally can't move anymore, eh boys?" I look at my opponents. I look over to see the other ones dropto near dead. "Piper, could you get them to the water stand? You other four! Get over here! Same drill. Once they are done getting a swig of water Piper, make them do the same as their brothers." She grins and taps her foot while she charmspeaks them.

Jason had wandered in while I was beating the crap out of Isaiah and his brother. Clarisse came in to check up regularly and cackled every time before she left to update Artemis for me.

Raphael was improving faster without the harder obstacle, more like just right when he sparred two of his Greek half-brothers.He was beaming with pride at my praises while I waited for the next opponent.

After another two hours, The other four were finally at the water table getting a quick drink.

"Alright pansies, sit down or die. I don't care. It's just about midday. If I'm right, then the conch horn for lunch will sound soon. Jack, may I borrow you for a moment?" I ask.

Jack comes over. "Inform the nymphs and harpies that other than you and Owen, that the Ares boys are on a special diet on the order of the Guardian. They get half of what everyone else gets for a month. Nothing special whatsoever. They drink water only, no goblets." I tell him.

Jack runs off and Raphael comes up. "That felt great. Thanks for letting me help and train. Will you help me in the sword after lunch?" He asks.

"Of course. The boys will be busy running again. I'd be happy to teach you." I tell him and clap him on the back. He grins and runs off to find his cohort to show them his new skills. I shouted out new techniques for him to try over the period of the lessons.

"Well, I learned how to shoot a bow properly from Thalia. She nearly shot me though. That was frightening. I was standing near her target, my fault completely." Jason says right behind me. I turn and face him. Piper comes up to him and holds his hand.

"Wonderful job Pipes. Glad to see you can still go commando on people. Thalia is probably swamped with the rest of the olders hunters teaching the new recruits. You're lucky she had time for you, son of Jupiter." I address them both.

Jason looks at my arm, "You still bear your SPQR tattoo?" He asks increulously.

"Yes, well, number one it doesn't come off. Two, the Romans besides you did nothing to me and they never would. Three, I enjoyed my legionnaire time and realized I couldn't bear to part with it, even if it came off and they betrayed me. Mars addd another year of service to it when I beat him in ten consecutive duels." The corner of my mouth and one eyebrow twitch in annoyance.

"How many bars do you have?" Jason asks.

"Three. The extra one was from Juno for helping her a few times, I am her son you know. She turned to me for help and I gladly gave it. Such a sweet and loving woman." I sigh, thinking about my mother, Sally and how much Hera and Hestia remind me of her.

Jason looks at me funny. "Hera is nice?"

"You can ask your sisters. Well, you can ask Thalia, Artemis might castrate you, but not my point. Thalia visits Hera and Hestia with me. We do all sorts of fun stuff. Including pranking Zeus." I chortle.

"Thalia gets along with the queen of the heavens?" Jason asksin disbelief.

"Yeah. Hera loves Thals. She treats Artemis way better and Zeus spends more time with his wife now. Hestia's hearth is warmer thanks to Zeus having more time with Hera. Hades is more welcomed and Hestia is super jovial over that one. Athena makes me draw her new designs for something she asks for and is always demanding for new material while she works with Hephaestus. They still bicker a lt, but they've grown closer. So, if my mother and patron is happy, then I'm happy." I tell him.

"You're kidding." Jason deadpans.

"Not really. The Olympians like the new quality time as a family. The cold exteriors only come up when they face threats now. I really need to go over the Ancient Laws to find loopholes so they can spend more time with their non-immortal kids." I say.

"I think it's wonderful. How's my mom?" Piper asks, beaming at me.

"Oh gods, that woman annoys me to eternity. Every time I try to dress normal she zaps different clothes on me. One of these days it's going to be overdramatic. At present, she's giggling away over my situation and keeps muttering to herself about what she should do about Artemis. She is looking at so many different things trying to work out this huge project concerning Artemis and I. I'm worried for her sanity right now." I tell her.

Piper stares at me then grins. "You mean-"

"Don't say it out loud! Yes! I mean that. It is part of my job and I truly feel that way. So does Artemis. Which is why..." I take a deep breath. "I'm becoming a god." I breathe out in a big gust of air.

"That's awesome." Jason grins at me.

"Not really. I mean the god part isn't." I say, shaking my head.

"Why not?" Jason asks me confused.

"I only wish to be with my family, I have no need for more power other than to protect them. I don't want godhood. I'm only accepting it for my Moon." I say.

"When do you become one?" Piper asks while Jason stares at the ground thinking over what I just told him.

"Tomorrow." I answer.

The conch horn sounds. "I suppose I'll see you both after lunch." I say as a weird feeling comes over me. I yelp and turn to see Artemis giggling hysterically. "Artemis!" I whine. It just makes her laugh more. I roll my eyes and scoop her up, she gasps and looks at me funnily.

"Percy, put me down!" She tries to squirm, but my grasp is stronger than Celestial bronze right now.

"Nope. Not happening." I say as I light my hands with moonlight. She starts laughing. I walk into the dining pavilion with everyone staring at us. "Afternoon girls. How are we today?" I ask nonchalantly as I set Artemis down gently on an open space. The table had grown to adjust to the size of the Hunt. I see all the newer ones mixed in with all the more experienced ones. I plop down next to Artemis.

"Good!" Phoebe and the older hunters exclaim. I chuckle.

"That's nice. How's everybody settling in?" I ask the new members.

"Everybody is great!" Drew exclaims with some of her old enthusiasm.

Dahlia looks at me and her face turns serious. "How are those boys doing?" She asks.

"So they have already rubbed off on you, huh? You'll see for yourself in a minte. They are attempting to make their way down from the arena now." I point. They were practically rolling down the hill. "I might have to increase the regiment a little early. Since they're passing with flying colors." I smirk and the Hunters and Artemis laugh.

"You can be so evil, Percy." Thalia laughs harder.

"Aw, thanks Thals. That means so much, I'm touched." I say, putting my hand to my heart. They break out laughing harder than before.

"Thank you, Percy!" The newer ones scream at me and I have a look of shock on my face, then it turns into a small smile.

"My pleasure." I say and we all dig in as the nymphs bring out our food. They even bring out food for the wolves who still reside at the Hunt's side.

Everyone looks at the beat up Ares boys as they eat their portions. They had to sacrifice to Ares, so they have a third of what everyone else got. They gulp down their water bottles. Everyone turns to look at me as I eat my food. They look at me disbelievingly.

"Don't give me that look. I've been through much worse. I disn't eat or drink for centuries and I trained even harder than they did. They're getting off easy." I say loud enough for everyone to hear and the Hunters snicker while Clarisse cackles. I look at Clarisse and I sense something coming off of her. I cock my head and turn to my food after thinking over it. Shaking off a feeling I had. I remember she lost Chris in the Giant War. She's fine now, but she still misses him.

"Percy?" Delilah asks, she sits beside me in human form.

I shake my head. "Do you feel it when you look at her?" I ask, nodding my head at Clarisse.

"Barely. I forgot to tell you. I'm immortal like you are." Delilah says.

"That's wonderful." I smile at her and Artemis beams at me.

"I am your Wolf Companion. I searched through your memories and found the term I was looking for." Delilah informs me.

"Does Ezekeiel have one? I thought he did..." I wonder.

"Yes. His name was Danfin. He resides up in the place with them." Delilah says, pointing up. Thank Zeus she didn't say palace.

"That's right." I nod.

The Hunters are all giggling at something to my right and I look over to see the Ares boys laying their heads down on the table, snoozing like there is no tomorrow. Well, I'm finished with my food. I walk overto Chiron and Dionysus. They both smile at me, though Dionsus's is smaller because he is trying to concentrate on his wine magazine.

"May I continue with my endeavors?" I ask them.

"Of course, Perseus." Chiron says.

"Very well, just make it funnier, I quite enjoy their state of minds at the moment." Dionysus chuckles and returns his undivided attention to the magazine. I chuckle as well and I head over to the Ares table. I lean down and my mouth is right next to Isaiah's ear.

"I hope you know you aren't allowed to rest until I dismiss you." I say loudly and they all jolt up and almost jump at of their skins at the sight of me. They start quivering. I straighten with my hands behind my back. "Dear Clarisse, may I bother you to steal your brothers for their time?" I turn to her.

She snickers. "Go for it." Jack and Owen scoot closer to Clarisse so their brothers can get up.

"Hey, Raphael! Ya wanna learn the sword now?" I call over my shoulder as I shuffle the Ares boys out of the pavilion.

"Yeah! Comin' Percy!" Raphael finishes his food and rushes over to me. We get the guys all the way to the arena. They look at me with pleading eyes.

"That has no effect on me. The only ones able to pull that off are my mothers, Artemis, Thalia, and Phoebe. Looks like you kicked a puppy for the gods sake. You are to run ten more laps around the entire camp. This time, the whole pack is giving chase. With my Wolf Companion at their sides. Verick has asked me to let it be a test of the packs skills. I agreed wholeheartedly. He can be more merciless than meets the eye. Start running children!" I yell at them in my commanding voice and they take off with a bunch of wolves on their tails, pardon my pun.

Raphael watches in amazement at the wolves as they dart off gracefully as a groupto 'hunt' down the fools they are chasing. You can hear the howling laughter coming fom the wolves. "Didn't you make them run twice as much this morning?" He chortles.

"Yup." I pop the 'p.' "But they'll run faster than they did before because of the wolves and if they trip or something Verick wil just bite them and chase them until they catchup with the others. One pup already proved herself by helping me find a couple stray demigods, now it's the other pups who get to prove themselves as I teach the idiots. This is only the beginning for my brothers and sisters." I chuckle along with Raphael.

"Can we start out with basics to make sure I've actually got the hang of them?" He asks me.

"You betchya. You got your sword?" I inquire.

"Yeah, let me go get it from the Big House." Raphael runs off.

I stand there and as I wait for him, Clarisse comes up to me. "Dang, I hoped I wouldn't miss anything." Clarisse says laughing.

"You aren't. They are currently somewhere in the forest. Running for their lives for awhile. Not much to see other than their terrified faces." I shrug and she smiles.

"I want to thank you. I just don't know how I'll deal with father on this one." She sighs.

"How many quests have you been on?" I ask her.

"Over seventy. I'm one of the reasons we have tons of new campers, same goes for the Romans. It's why Reyna forgave me a little better." She answers tiredly.

"How many has Isaiah been on?" I ask.

"Barely two." She says angrily.

"And Jack? Owen?" I ask her.

"Jack has three and Owen has one." She says in a happier tone.

"Would you like to know what I think on your chain of command matters?" I ask quietly.

"Sure, I don't see why not." Clarisse says.

"If Jack has more, all he has to do is challenge Isaiah." I say slowly.

"What about me?" She asks me in shock.

"Clarisse, would you like to join the Hunt?" I look over at her. She stares at me and doesn't answer for a long while.

Raphael comes running in and he smiles as he sees Clarisse.

"Percy, I would love to. I think I need a change of scenery. I need to step down. Jack will be able to handle it easy. Ares won't mind if his son roughs up his brothers. You're right." She huffs out a nervous air.

"Then repeat after me sister." I smile at her and she takes her oath. I lay my hand on her shoulder and she glows silver.

She hugs me tightly and runs off to find Artemis, I smile at her back. She knows I forgive her.

"You ready Raphael?" I ask. I draw Riptide as I uncap it.

"Call me Raph, Perce." He smiles at me as he brandishes his gladius.

"You got it." I grunt as I attack him.

I press him hard. I disarm him every time, but he manages against me a little longer each time. After a few hours, it takes me a few minutes before I'm able to disarm him. He keeps laughing with me as we fight time and time again. We take a water break and I pour water over myself. He follows my lead and ends up looking like a drenched, deranged cat. I snicker and he chuckles with me.

"I'm glad you're taking the time to teach me. It means a lot. Reyna has told me that she finds my strategies brilliant and she needs someone with my mind by her side to help find the best possible ways to bring demigods to safety and defend against monsters. The smarter ones especially. I take a test every week to try and pass, but my fighting skills part is miserable. I can choose sword, bow, spear, or dagger. I always choose sword and lose." He sighs. "Now I think I can pass."

"I think Reyna like you more than you think." I chuckle. "The way you said it just makes it seem that way."

He blushes. "I admit I like her, but I don't think she likes me."

"Did you not just hear me? I may have sworn off girls for awhile until Zeus went behind my back and released me, but I still know how to spot something like that." I laugh.

"Should I ask her? I'm her age, but I just never made my way to the Wolf House for awhile, I guess my mother helped with that before she died. That's when Lupa came to get me." He admits and I looked at him shocked.

"Seriously? Your mom must've been magic because you only have one bar and Reyna is my age. She's twenty dude, I think you hold the record for oldest demigod survivor of the outside. You are one lucky dog sir." I clap him on the shoulder.

"I get my second bar tomorrow actually. You wanna come?" He asks.

"Wouldn't miss it. I assume it's early in the morning." I tell him.

"Crack of dawn man." He grins. "I heard you have the mark. How many bars do you have?" He asks.

I hold up my arm in answer and his eyes widen. "Three. All out of heroic actions. Two quests and one honor. One as I was made praetor, but stepped down. One for dueling with Mars several times. The other with Juno as I completed a very difficult task for her. She's giving me a fourth one for the other one, just don't tell Reyna, she'll kill me." I hiss the last sentence.

"As praetor she has to know, man. How are you going to break it to her?" Raphael looks at me in shock. I let my arm drop.

"Dude, she will go balistic on me. It's bad enough she still hasn't attacked me for disappearing for three years. Provoking her just doesn't happen with Reyna. Not to mention Lupa might kill me." I tell him.

"Yup, Lupa loves all her children." Raphael says.

"What about me?" A female voice hisses behind us at the other entrance.

I turn to find Reyna. "Oh, Styx." I curse.

She storms over and takes the arm with the tattoo on it and she slaps me across the face after studying it. "Perseus Jackson!" She seethes.

Raphael backs up to get out of her range.

"Who's watching the border?" I ask.

"Frank and Hazel." Reyna answers without hesitation. "Why-" She is cut off by a flash of bright light.

I sigh. "Hi, mother."

"Hello, son. I believe I have another one for you." Juno smiles as she walks up to Reyna and I.

"Mother." I groan.

"Hush. She might as well know." Juno smiles at Reyna as Reyna rises from her bow and returns the smile with a small one of her own. Juno grabs my arm in one hand and presses her other hand over my SPQR tattoo. A burning sensation happens on my arm, but it's more than just a bar. She adds one bar, her symbol by the trident, Hestia's, and all the other symbols of my patrons.

"There. Much better. Four years and all of us represented, including your own symbol." Juno puts her hands on her hips. "Now," I stiffen. "Come give your mother a hug. I've missed you, son." I huff in annoyance and embrace her warmly as she opens her arms. She relaxes just like I do and Reyna just looks at the scene like she can't believe it. She rubs her eyes and blinks.

"Mother, you're embarrassing me." I mumble.

"Good." She giggles and pulls away.

"How is mother Vesta and father Jupiter?" I ask in Latin.

"They are getting impatient. They can't wait until tomorrow. But they enjoy watching your justice of those fool Ares offspring." She laughs with a magical tone. I smile and chuckle with her.

"Lady Juno, how did Percy earn this one?" Reyna asks.

I sigh heavily and Juno lays her hand on my shoulder. "He defended one of my shrines over in another country from being corrupted by some evil force and stopped the monsters from trying to destroy it. Purging the evil from my shrine sent him to the hunters's infirmary for a week. The other quest he went on for me was similar, but with my husband's shrine. He was out for longer because of that one. Mars is just strange, but deemed it worthy. And you gave him the first one as I recall." Juno just explains the whole enchilada, wonderful.

A chorus of howls sound from the forest as I see the Ares boys burst through. They reach us in the matter of a minute and collapse again. I feed the wolves treats.

"You still have a huge caring nature, son. I will leave you to your little...situation." Juno giggles again, hugs me tight, and flashes out.

I grumble about crazy old ladies called June and turn to face the Ares scum. "What did I tell you last time?! Get on your feet! Or must I exhume holes for you to sleep in while you're alive?!" I yell at them. They rush to their feet as best they can and lean on each other.

"Maybe I should have you train the newbies for them to catch up with the rest of the legion." Reyna muses.

A smirk tugs at the corners of my mouth and I let it come on my face. "Maybe." I laugh with Reyna and Raphael. "Alright boys, this time we are going in a different manner." I go and drag something no one knew was there, but I asked a Hephaestus kid to make me a few during our one of the punishments earlier. I pull out five contraptions and they all look at them in confusion. Best part is they are height adjustable.

Reyna comes over to inspect while I cross my arms and tap my foot. Raphael looks at another one. "What are they?" He asks.

I grin and look at the Ares kids. "Two of you on each. You hang upside down by your jnees until I tell you to stop. You fall off, I'll hang you by your toes and you'll miss dinner. And breakfast the next day. Got it?" They all bob their heads as they get up there. I adjust some for the bigger kids and I watch for a few minutes until Reyna comes over.

"I should definitely recruit your for a trainer." She giggles.

"Dude, I don't ever want to be on your bad side. Awful place to be. I'm glad I'm your friend." Raphael whistles low.

"Just don't treat maidens or girls in general like they did and we won't have a problem." I shrug.

"I'll keep that in mind." He nods.

"I know why you were missing, but why no contact and why didn't you tell me about the marks?" Reyna demands.

I sigh and lean against one of the metal contraptions. It causes the two unlucky spawn to almost fall off and I chuckle. "Ah, where was this ruthless man all this time? Doctor's prescription, no contact with anyone but the gods and the Hunt. Monsters count I suppose cause they attacked us a lot, but that's why there was no contact. The marks, well that branches off of that and I didn't feel like defending against a mob of legion soldiers. Sorry. Plus I was busy fulfilling my duties. Just like you were. I hear you were swamped. How is the legion?"

She nods. "I see. The legion is doing better than ever. So many new recruits and we have a new cohort thanks to it. The eagle standard you brought back those few years ago really boosts morale and it stands proudly in our camp. You have a memorial, along with Frank and Hazel. Honoring you as a once praetor and member of the legion. One of our best, even for a crazy Greek." She smiles and we laugh.

"I should really visit." I tell her. "And really, a friggin' memorial? C'mon Reyna." I look at her with puppy dog eyes and she rolls hers.

"Frank and Hazel insisted along with Nico and many other soldiers. I loved the idea of honoring an old praetor. Juno seemed to like it even more." Reyna laughs lightly at my face.

"My mother." I sigh deeply. "Sometimes I think she wants to smother me with pride and affection." I huff.

"Stop being modest, for the love of Bellona!" She throws her hands up and Raphael just snickers at our interaction.

"How are you guys doing?" I ask the devils hanging upside down like bats. "Should I add more?" I wonder at them and most shake their heads while some seem to be having trouble not slipping off.

"I think you should add more." Raphael concludes.

"Hmm...maybe I should. Oh! Someone bring me cauldrons or something and fill them with water." I say and Raphael runs off to find some.

"Totally hiring you." Reya fist bumps me.

"Already hired for awhile by the gods for this camp and you guys. Why is all the legion staying in the Big House?" I ask her while we wait for Raphael.

"Well, some stay with their Greek siblings, like the minor gods children. We are actually building a makeshift cabin for a number of us. You know how fast we work." I nod to confirm. "We just needed to find a good space, draw up plans, and it should be ready by dinner time with the spare time you've given us. It's good practice for the new recruits we've been getting." Reyna tells me.

"Nice. Athena cabin helping?" I ask.

"Yes. Only a little bit though. We need to train the new members of the legion. They let your first wish leak into the Roman side. The kids get claimed almost immediately in my presence or Frank's or Hazel's. So that helps when we give them their marks." Reyna says happily.

"Glad to hear it." I tell her.

"Do you remember when you were raised on the shield?" She asks me all of a sudden.

"How could I forget? One of the best moments of my life." I smile at the memory and she smiles too. "Why?"

"I just wondred if you blamed us Romans for what happened." She sighs.

"Nah. I knew better. What I didn't know was that you were searching for me because I thought you didn't know what happened. And I figured no one would have told you." I say.

"Good. I'm killing that witch first chance I get." Reyna smacks her fist into her hand.

"Get in line." I laugh heartily. "The whole Hunt is behind Artemis and I."

"Well the Greek encampment can get behind the Roman legion." Reyna says seriously.

"That's a comforting notion." I say.

"We tell your stories all the time when Nico started the tradition with Hazel and Frank. Especially to the new recruits. Your memorial is part of the beginning tour." She informs me.

"Thank you." I whisper sincerely.

"It's an honor. Now we can add a Guardian to the list." She claps me on the shoulder and the two people on the contraption nearly fall off again and we laugh.

"Tomorrow after Raphael recieves his second mark, I'm being given the highest honor any person can receive from the gods. I turned it down the first two times for love and this time I'm accepting it for a different love." I tell her quietly.

Her eyes widen and then she grins. "Knew you were a special person when I met you. I'm guessing you're accepting it for Lady Diana?" She asks.

"Yes, it is part of my duty and we both feel that way. As her Guardian, she will still be able to keep the Hunt." I smile at the thought and Reyna beams at me.

"That's wonderful. You must tell me your domains and things once you receive you godhood. I will add them as well. Renovations will be required because of it and it will be a sight to see. Not to mention building your Roman shrine." She starts spewing out diferent traditions and I put my hand over her mouth.

"I got it!" I exclaim, worried she might not shut up. I remove my hand and she breathes deeply.

"Okay. Diana is so lucky. I hope she's happy." Reyna says excitely.

"I still need to propose to her. Can't do it 'til after tomorrow and then I have to talk to Zeus and I think Apollo understands the whole thing, but I still have to talk to him. Not to mention the ring. It has to represent my godly side." I say in a nervous tone.

"Fun. Here comes Raph." She nods at my new friend leading the harpies who are helping him bring five cauldrons, huge ones too. I grin at him and he grins back under the effort. Must be heavy. I run over to help him. Shouldering half the weight. He smiles at me gratefully and I can see the sweat pouring down his face and I chuckle. We set the cauldrons down underneathe the boys and there is already water in them.

"Thanks ladies." I tell the harpies and they squawk at me. "Yes, I'm putting them to great use. I'll try my best to keep them clean." I tell the blue one. She nods her pudgy head and flies off with her sisters back to the kitchen.

"What are we doing?" Raphael asks.

"Well Raph, I thought I'd make this interesting. Not only if they fall I'll do what I already said I would, but they'll suffer in the scalding hot water." I reply.

"But it's not boiling." Raphael says.

"Not a problem for a son of the sea. I can make it boiling and keep it like that for a very long time." I say and concentrate on the water in the cauldrons. In a matter of a few seconds, it comes to past just boiling. "That's more like lava, oh well. works for me." I shrug.

"Won't it evaporate?" Reyna asks curiously.

"Not if I don't want it to." I answer.

"Reyna you seriously need to hire him." Raphael says without a single funny reaction in his voice.

Reyna and I just laugh and I hear an Ares boy whimper. I walk over to Isaiah, he was the one who whimpered. "Aren't you supposed to be lean and mean? Tougher than nails? C'mon, you know those rumors about the children of Ares, they aren't effected by pain. You going to fall child?" I ask in a voice full of wrath and mockery.

He cowers under my tone. The boy next to him yelps and he has to use his handsto keep from falling.

"You already made us swear not to touch them without permission! Have mercy!" Isaiah begs.

"Let me think...no. Did you have mercy when you were hurting those girls? No? Didn't think so. The oath was only a small fraction of the punishment I have in mind. Which reminds me. Thanks to your brother here, I have an idea." I snarl at him as I grin with malice in my voice. I walk over to the supply closet in one of the stands of the arena and find what I'm looking for. I fish it out and come up with enough length of rope for my needs. "Perfect!" I exclaim with happiness to scare them.

I walk out and after tying their hands behind their backs, stand back to look at my handiwork.

"See Raph, son of Poseidon helps with knots as well. Quite handy for their situation I suppose. They could power the ropes like me if they had sea as their lifeblood. No matter, it just makes it more fun to watch." I tell him and he smiles.

"How are you so cruel?" Isaiah says. I see the pleading in his eyes, but no regret. No remorse.

"I consider it as incentive, not cruelty. You want cruelty, boy. I can give you more than that. I can show you evil incarnate. But I won't put anyone through what I was. This is but a prick in the finger compared to what I went through. You're lucky I'm not cruel. Ask Clarisse, I'm sure she can tell you how caring and kindhearted she seems to think I am." I tell him in a cold voice, dripping venom.

"I'll even pay you to train the new members once you are done here." Reyna marvels.

Raphael and I high five and start laughing. "I see you are enjoying yourself, my Guardian." I hear Artemis's voice behind me.

"Indeed my Moon. Do you like what you see?" I ask as I walk over to her, motioning at the Ares boys.

"I know I do." Clarisse says.

"How you liking the Hunt?" I turn to her.

"Better than camp." She laughs and Phoebe high fives her.

"You're both a disappointment to father!" Isaiah yells at Clarisse and Phoebe.

I growl and am in front of him in an instant. I hit his knees with my fists and he drops into the water. He screams and I drag him out and slam him onto the ground. "My sisters are not disappointments. They are worth more than a billion armies worth of your sorry backside. You should learn to keep your mouth shut!" I say. First deadly calm and then I start beating the crap out of him. I stop after a little while, blood dripping off my knuckles and his face bashed in. "You will hang here all night!" I tell him and I hang him by his toes, the top of his head almost skimming the water.

Artemis wraps her arms around mine and my chest as I'm shaking with uncontrollable rage. As she touches me with moonlight, my rage is forced back and I relax in her arms. "Better?" She whispers in my ear.

"Yes, thank you. I'm sorry I acted that way." I apologize to Artemis.

"It's alright. I'm glad you defended your sisters honor." She tells me.

I nod my head and she lets go. I get in Isaiah's face again. "Such a pity the Ares cabin is yours to run since my sister joined." I spit at him.

"A girl-" He starts.

"Shut up you idiot!" Yells the guy beside him.

"At least someone is learning something under my wing in your gorup. I thought it was all in vain." I say in a false happy teacher voice as I pull away from Isaiah.

I get in this kid's face. "What's your name kiddo?" I squint at him, trying to pry his lies from him. Oh wait, he can't lie to me still.

"Fred." I snort at his answer.

I look over at Artemis and smile at her. "What?" She asks, then she picks up on it. "Oh." She giggles.

"I met a 'Fred' once. Quite worried for his sister really. Such a shame, I liked that alias." I shrug. "But what can you do?" I ask no one.

The sun brightens and I chuckle at Apollo's reaction. I hear him laugh in my mind and it makes me snicker. "Apollo kills me sometimes." I say and I hear a distinct, Hey! in the back of my head. I chuckle at that.

"How is your doctor?" Atalanta rolls her eyes.

"Probably fine. I'm just glad he doesn't have to check on me anymore. Praise Zeus." I say and just fall to the ground with a thud. My arms lay away from my body. I feel vulnerable, but I know it's stupid because I'm safe and I can react quicker than you an imagine.

"Tired?" Artemis asks, looking down at me.

"Yep." I answer.

"The wolves are playing around down at the archery range. They await the next trial." She tells me.

"Yep." I reply.

"You having a lazy moment?" Is her next question.

"You bet." I tell her.

"How long?" She inquires.

"Until I am needed or the dinner horn sounds. Do you need anything?" I ask her.

"Maybe." She answers simply. I sit up, my back creaking. "You turning into an old man?" She laughs.

"Nope. Just my spine stretching. What do you require?" I look at her as I stretch out my arms and you can hear my shoulders crack.

"Can you teach me more in the spear?" She asks. "I don't want to tire you out more than you already are." She says.

"Nonsense. I would love to better your use over a weapon for your defense." I say as I stand up. I turn to Raphael and Reyna. "You guys up for a lesson?"

"Yes!" Raphael shouts in his excitement and Reyna just nods, elbowing Raphael in the side. I chuckle. I seem to be doing that a lot lately. I suppose that's a good thing.

"So enthusiastic. What wonderful students. I don't believe I've had you in my class yet praetor. How's your use of a spear?" I ask.

She grins and puts one hand on her hip. "Daughter of Bellona, Roman war goddess, reporting for duty. Master of the spear."

"We shall see." I grin back.

I've decided to end it here because...well...just because lmao. Hope you enjoyed it! It's over 18,000 words! Holy cow! Sorry Hera. Anyways, lol. Tell me what you think. Rick Riordan owns PJO/HOO. 'Til next time, my lovely readers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!