Perseus the Hunter

Chapter 1

Perseus Jackson stood at the edge of Camp Half-Blood, watching over the resting demigods. He leant against Thalia's Pine as he glanced upward to see Zoë Nightshade's star sparkle. Anaklusmos rested in sword form dangling from his right hand. He swung it aimlessly by his feet as he let a few tears fall down his face. Hidden by the cover of darkness he allowed himself to break, if only slightly. This last war had taken the most from Percy. They had all defeated Gaia but not without consequence. Jason, Hazel and Frank lay among the casualties of war along with Annabeth. It was her death that gave him the strength to finish off Gaia.

Tears started falling down his cheeks more rapidly, he tried to blink as the images swarmed across his eyes. Annabeth stood off to his left, he was in the middle of a battle with Porphyrion and caught a glimpse of a spear in the corner of his eye. Realising what was about to happen a few seconds too late. He turned away from the crumbling golden dust just in time to see her impaled with the pointed end of a Drakon's spear. He screamed with rage and watched as her back arched, her face shocked as she dropped to the floor. Her princess curls flying around her head.

Percy saw the stars again, smiling lightly at Zoë. His face contorted before he brushed away the tears. Looking down at the ground, imagining Annabeth in the fields of Elysium. Hoping that she was finally at peace, happy now that nothing could harm her anymore.

He felt empty, hollow but at the same, his anger and rage had left, along with the mother earth. He had managed to hide his feelings of grief from the other campers while they re-built and fixed the camp and Olympus.

Malcolm walked up the hill toward Percy, relieving him from his post. They nodded to each other in passing. Malcolm watched Percy carefully, he knew how much he loved his sister, how close they were. How distant Percy had become since the war.

"See ya later, Perce." Malcolm said to Percy's back as he walked down the hill. Percy raised his hand in response, not trusting his voice enough to speak. He capped riptide and placed the pen back into his pocket. Walking down to the beach and stopping a few feet before the waves. He sighed and sat on the sand. Everywhere he went in this Camp reminded him of Annabeth. The strawberry fields, the climbing wall, the amphitheatre, the mess tent - everywhere held memories of his Athenian Princess. He saw her face in her brothers and sisters.

He needed to leave. He wanted to leave. He had helped all he could with the rehabilitation and could tell he was no longer needed here. He now had no purpose, which was something he needed. He needed a purpose otherwise he was just going to waste away with nothing to do.

He held Riptide in his hand walking back to the pavilion, straight up to the fire and threw it in. "Lady Hestia, goddess of the Hearth, please return this blade to the rightful owner in the stars." He let another tear escape as the flames burned higher into the night sky. Zoë's star twinkling brightly at receiving her sword. Percy smiled slightly and proceeded toward his cabin. Being stopped by a hand on his arm. He turned to see the Lady Hestia stood behind him in her teenage form. Her auburn hair floating around her shoulders softly.

"Lady Hestia," Percy was about to bow when she stopped him by gripping his arm tighter.

"Join me Perseus."

"Percy."

"Percy." She corrected softly, sitting at the edge of the fire. She smiled at the hero in front of her. Feeling the waves of pain and grief rolling off of him. She saddened at the state of her favourite demigod.

"Is there something that you needed, Lady Hestia?"

"Please Percy, just call me Hestia." He nodded. "What are you going to do now? And you gave your sword back to Zoë, why?"

"It reminded me too much of her. So does this place. I was going to go stay with my mum but I'm worried about attracting monsters to her and Paul. I don't really know anymore." He looked at the floor in front of his crossed legs, tracing his fingers in the dirt. Accidentally drawing Annabeth's face. Watching as a few drops of water dampened the picture before he swiped his hand across it.

"I've got an idea. " She paused, not really sure how he was going to take it.

"Will it get me out of here?" She nodded and saw a small spark return to his eyes. "What is it?"

"Become my guardian."

"Your Guardian?"

"Yes."

"um... What would I have to do?"

"Accept my blessing and every now and then complete tasks. In between jobs you can be free to do as you wish."

"Okay," he paused. "I accept."

Hestia held onto Percy's hand and he saw the red mist swirl around him. Power pouring into his veins, suddenly feeling a connection to all the families and hearths in the world. He felt the flames in his system and it made him feel happier, if only slightly. He felt his clothing change. Turning his attire black, wearing a hoodie with an abnormally big hood. Something lay around his neck which he pulled up to cover his face from the nose down. Leather straps lay around his waist connecting a few pistols and throwing knives. He had vambraces with hidden blades and a loop for a sword on his left hip.

Hestia smiled at the attire, silently thanking Aphrodite for the help. She reached into the fire and pulled out a cylindrical handle. It had a few buttons up the side and a dial at the top. He handed it to Percy, letting him figure it out himself. She leant back into the flames and disappearing from view.

"Welcome Guardian, your first mission lies in Brooklyn." He felt a tug inside his heart and knew exactly where to go. Finding an empty space where the goddess once sat.

He stood, finding he had grown a few inches and gained more flexibility. His footsteps silent as he stepped toward the fire. He placed the cylinder in the loop at his side, finding that it fit perfectly. He turned and started running out of the camp. Passing Malcolm easily and disappearing into the night.