Guardian of the Hunt
Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I do not own PJO OR AC
Percy POV
It's been a day since we left Yellowstone. These hunters do not stop for anything. We are already halfway across Wyoming and at this rate; we'll be in the Badlands by tomorrow. As we walked, I noticed Thalia's expression. She looked upset. Artemis told her that after we clear out the monsters in the badlands, she'll tell her what happened to me. I guess she was pretty disappointed because she tried to ask me again and I just glared at her. The hunters still aren't very nice to me. Phoebe tried to break my arm because apparently I was spying on them. Artemis had stood up for me but they are still mean. Earlier they sent a herd of deer my way and I was almost trampled to death. Then they sent bear after me while I was taking a nap. All in all I wasn't happy. We stopped at the border of Wyoming and South Dakota. Artemis wished to brief us before we start to camp. I was already thinking about where I was gonna camp when Artemis turned toward me.
"Since you are new to the hunt, how do you think we should put end to this breeding ground?" she asked. In all honesty I was shocked. I didn't think she would ask my input before the hunters. Thalia was grinning and the hunters were probably thinking the same thing I was. I honestly didn't know what to say, something mysterious perhaps. I grinned internally at that thought.
"It matters not how we complete our task... only that it's done." I said. With that said, I sat upon the ground waiting for her to ask the hunters their opinion but they were all gaping at me. Including Artemis. Thalia was just grinning. I don't know why but seeing Artemis's face warmed my heart. What is this feeling? It feels nothing like I felt for Annabeth. It felt better, like maybe my life would get better. Like I had something worth dying for.
Artemis POV
I just stared at the boy, mouth wide opened in shock. How can a man think like this? At first I thought he would say something stupid or question me on why I am asking his input. Instead he answers me without a care in the world." It matters not how we complete our task?" So anyway of destroying the monsters is good for him. Does he not care if he dies? I brushed these thoughts away. Whenever I think if Percy is hurt or could die. I feel pain and I can't explain why. To distract myself, I asked Thalia for her input since Perseus didn't care how we did it.
"What do you think we should do Thalia?" Thalia eyes were filled with pride that I would ask her for her input.
"Milady, I believe that we should surprise them, if we go rushing in their like the campers, we'll end up dead." Perseus nodded his approval. I wasn't surprised. I was thinking the same thing. That's why he didn't care; he already knew that Thalia was thinking the same thing he was.
" So do you suggest we send a scout ahead of us in three days, I have no doubt that we are probably going to be in the badlands for a month with so many monsters there." Thalia nodded.
"I agree with you Lady Artemis, but who will we send?" The hunters looked nervous. I cannot blame them. For someone to scout ahead would be a dangerous task. The amount of monsters in the badlands made Mount Tam look like a zoo. They may be immortal but they can still die. I was about to come up with another plan when Perseus stood up.
"Give me areas and I'll give you blood. If no one wishes to go then I will." I was surprised by his bravery. Apparently so were my hunters. I can see the looks of guilt on their faces. They probably don't want him dead knowing all they ever did was give him a hard time. Something I was going to address tonight. Thalia got a glint in her eye that told me whatever she was about to say was probably something I wouldn't approve of.
"M'lady, I wish to accompany Percy. It would be better if two went so someone is covering his back." I frowned at her suggestion. I wouldn't allow this. I don't want Thalia to go, hell I don't want Percy to go. The both of them together would be a great team but Thalia's scent would make the monsters go wild. Unless Percy can teach her how to mask it before he goes, she isn't going.
"Maybe, the answer will be a no if you can't learn to mask your scent. Your scent will let know the monsters that you are coming. It isn't a problem for Percy because he's apparently learned how to hide his presence." Thalia looked at Perseus expectantly. The hunters, I could tell were curious how a man knew such a neat technique. Percy sighed. He nodded toward Thalia.
"I can teach you, the only reason I am going to even bother to teach you this art is because you treat me well. Now some people on the other hand have treated me like trash since I got here. Not gonna mention any names." Thalia snickered and I could barely hold in my own as we looked at some of the hunters guilty expressions. Phoebes especially, her face was priceless. Percy turned his attention toward me.
"Arty if you don't mind, I need to see Hephaestus on designs of weapons that Chaos gave to me." I glared at him. He was trying to hide his grin. I could tell. I heard Thalia snicker behind me and my hunters were holding in giggles.
"Arty" I growled. Perseus chuckled and I smacked him. A red blotch on his cheek. He rubbed it while he glared at me. I gave him a cheeky smirk. His glare turned into a smirk.
"Yes Arty, what I can't give you a nickname. C'mon you know you like it. He smiled a beautiful smile on his beautiful face. I turned around to hide my blush. I am a maiden goddess, I shouldn't be thinking this way. I do like the fact that he gave me a nickname, it makes me feel special but I'll never admit it.
Percy POV
Artemis was glaring at me. I couldn't help but hold in my laugh because if I didn't, I would probably end up with an arrow in a place it shouldn't be. She nodded to my question.
"You can go tonight, but first do all the work I gave you." I nodded but in the inside I groaned. Three thousand arrows and a ton of laundry. Joy!
Third POV
Perseus sat on a stump drying out clothes. Next to him stood a mountain of folded clothes. It's been three hours since the hunters last pranked him. He was starting to get suspicious. Artemis had unfortunately made him camp near the hunters. They didn't like that. Thalia didn't mind but the other hunters like Diana, Phoebe and Atalanta didn't like it at all. They stood near a bush watching him. Their plan was set. Atalanta whistled and a whole herd of deer came by. As Percy was drying the clothes, he heard a noise. "Was that hoof beats". He thought. His head snapped in the direction it was coming from. The whole herd was after him. His eyes widened and he ran like no tomorrow. The deer were on his heels. Artemis had heard the commotion and had come to see what had happened. Her eyes widened at the sight of two hundred deer chasing Percy toward a cliff. Her eyes scanned the area and she saw her hunters laughing at the sight. They shouldn't be laughing, just because Percy can turn into eagle didn't mean he would make it. The transformation takes too much time. She rushed toward the area, determined to save Percy.
Percy POV
I ran as fast I could. I was panting from exhaustion. The deer were right behind me. I could feel one's breath on my neck. I was running toward a cliff. There was no water below. I either die getting trampled or take the risk of jumping. I had no choice. I closed my and took a leap of faith. I was falling fast but I didn't attempt to prevent my fall. Something told me not to. I opened my eyes and saw I was falling toward a pond. I smiled.
Artemis POV
He jumped. For the first time in my life, I felt fear for a man. I managed to get the deer away but it was too late. I looked over the edge and saw a small pond. There was no way he survived the fall. It was at least 1600 meters and that pond wasn't deep enough. I felt pain in my chest and for some reason I wanted to cry. I glared at my hunters who had gone pale when they looked over the edge.
"Why?" I asked. I tried to hide my pain. Atalanta looked like she was gonna cry. This prank went too far. The other hunters had looks of guilt.
"Milady, we didn't me-" I cut her off with a growl of anger.
"What do you mean you didn't mean too! You knew that there was a cliff and yet you did a cruel prank that I told you not to do. Do you want to know why I accepted Percy Jackson as our Guardian. I accepted him because he was different. He wasn't an evil cruel man. Father would've given us a man I wouldn't have approved of. Since you killed Jackson, we are gonna get a guardian that won't treat you as nicely as Percy did." Atalanta was crying now and so were the other hunters. I knew they didn't mean in it but this action not only hurt me, it ruined them because when Poseidon finds out, I don't want to think about it. We heard a snap of a twig and we whirled around quickly. What we saw made us gasp. We saw a bruised Percy. His leather armor looked damaged and his robe was torn in several places. Even though I couldn't see his eyes, I knew he was angry. They are lucky Thalia is asleep or she would be just as mad as I was.
Percy POV
I was mad. No not mad, furious. Why would they do this? What had I ever done them? As I stepped forward, my teeth clenched and my fists closed I noticed something. Are they crying? Why would they be crying? Argh, it doesn't matter. Even if they felt horrible, they deserve to be taught a lesson. Its time I made my own trick. One hunter, Atalanta stepped toward me, tears running down her cheek.
"Percy we're sor-"I cut her off with a raised hand. I was upset but I was starting to lose my nerve.
"Enough, you all need to get yourselves a new guardian, I'm done." I could feel Artemis's shock. Before anyone could attempt to persuade me to stay, I dug a smoke bomb out of my robe and threw it at the ground. It exploded and black smoke seeped through, hiding me from their sight. I scaled a tree and ran toward our camp. I rushed into my tent, dug out my blueprints and ran out of the tent. I snapped my fingers and it was gone. I mumbled a message for Hermes and I was teleported to Hephaestus's palace doors. Now it didn't look like a palace. It looked more like a factory or workshop. The doors were made of gold and they were huge. I cautiously knocked on the door. A voice crackled through the door.
"Who knocks on the door of the master smith?" it said. I smirked.
" Perseus Jackson, Guardian of the Hunt." The door opened and I stepped inside. I was in awe. If the Hephaestus campers ever came in here, they would all be squealing in joy. It looked like a forge crossed with a factory. In the middle was a smelter and anvil. Hephaestus was working on something. I walked over to the man and greeted him.
"Hello Hephaestus." He grinned.
"Welcome Percy, is there anything you require of me." I smiled at him. He sure was a lot nicer to me now than before.
"Yes, do you mind taking a look at these?" I said as I handed him the blueprints. He studied them with a gleam in his eyes. He smiled like he just found something new to play with.
"Where did you get these designs, I've never seen anything like this?" he looked really excited.
"I got these from Chaos himself. I didn't know what they meant but he said you would know
what to do."
"Give me your Vambraces with your hidden blades." I nodded and took them off. I handed them to Hephaestus. He examined them with glee.
"Such craft and detail. Utterly amazing. Now wait here this might take an hour or so. I sat on a bench and waited and waited.
2 hours later.
Hephaestus came back with my hidden blades and vambraces and was grinning like a madman. He gave them back to me and I examined them as I put them on my arms again.
"They don't look different." I said. I was confused. Hephaestus chuckled.
"Press one of the buttons on your vambraces." I don't have buttons on my vambraces.... Never mind. I pressed one of the buttons and my hidden blade morphed into a hook. I eyed it with fascination. This would be good for getting across buildings with lines connected to it. I pressed another button and my blade turned into.... No way a hidden gun. That is so sick. Hephaestus gestured toward the last button. I pressed it. My gloved hands were now claw like. These would be excellent for climbing things or needing to get an extra grip.
"Thank you Hephaestus."
"No need M'boy, if you need anything else, give me a call." I nodded and walked out of his palace and bumped into the last person I thought I would meet today. Apollo. He grinned at me.
"Sup Percy, taking care of my little sister?" I sighed and told him everything that's happen today.
"Damn, but are you really gonna leave them? I don't think my sister will be happy bro." I shook my head.
"No I'm not leaving them. This is just their punishment. Apollo chuckled.
"Before you go Perce, I bless you so that you are an awesome musician." I chuckled. Why would I need music?
"Oh also take this, it has a special effect on the wild." It was a silver flute. It had designs of animals on it. I thanked Apollo and teleported back to the badlands. Before I go back to hunters, I need to deal with the monsters.
Percy POV
It's been a day since we left Yellowstone. These hunters do not stop for anything. We are already halfway across Wyoming and at this rate; we'll be in the Badlands by tomorrow. As we walked, I noticed Thalia's expression. She looked upset. Artemis told her that after we clear out the monsters in the badlands, she'll tell her what happened to me. I guess she was pretty disappointed because she tried to ask me again and I just glared at her. The hunters still aren't very nice to me. Phoebe tried to break my arm because apparently I was spying on them. Artemis had stood up for me but they are still mean. Earlier they sent a herd of deer my way and I was almost trampled to death. Then they sent bear after me while I was taking a nap. All in all I wasn't happy. We stopped at the border of Wyoming and South Dakota. Artemis wished to brief us before we start to camp. I was already thinking about where I was gonna camp when Artemis turned toward me.
"Since you are new to the hunt, how do you think we should put end to this breeding ground?" she asked. In all honesty I was shocked. I didn't think she would ask my input before the hunters. Thalia was grinning and the hunters were probably thinking the same thing I was. I honestly didn't know what to say, something mysterious perhaps. I grinned internally at that thought.
"It matters not how we complete our task... only that it's done." I said. With that said, I sat upon the ground waiting for her to ask the hunters their opinion but they were all gaping at me. Including Artemis. Thalia was just grinning. I don't know why but seeing Artemis's face warmed my heart. What is this feeling? It feels nothing like I felt for Annabeth. It felt better, like maybe my life would get better. Like I had something worth dying for.
Artemis POV
I just stared at the boy, mouth wide opened in shock. How can a man think like this? At first I thought he would say something stupid or question me on why I am asking his input. Instead he answers me without a care in the world." It matters not how we complete our task?" So anyway of destroying the monsters is good for him. Does he not care if he dies? I brushed these thoughts away. Whenever I think if Percy is hurt or could die. I feel pain and I can't explain why. To distract myself, I asked Thalia for her input since Perseus didn't care how we did it.
"What do you think we should do Thalia?" Thalia eyes were filled with pride that I would ask her for her input.
"Milady, I believe that we should surprise them, if we go rushing in their like the campers, we'll end up dead." Perseus nodded his approval. I wasn't surprised. I was thinking the same thing. That's why he didn't care; he already knew that Thalia was thinking the same thing he was.
" So do you suggest we send a scout ahead of us in three days, I have no doubt that we are probably going to be in the badlands for a month with so many monsters there." Thalia nodded.
"I agree with you Lady Artemis, but who will we send?" The hunters looked nervous. I cannot blame them. For someone to scout ahead would be a dangerous task. The amount of monsters in the badlands made Mount Tam look like a zoo. They may be immortal but they can still die. I was about to come up with another plan when Perseus stood up.
"Give me areas and I'll give you blood. If no one wishes to go then I will." I was surprised by his bravery. Apparently so were my hunters. I can see the looks of guilt on their faces. They probably don't want him dead knowing all they ever did was give him a hard time. Something I was going to address tonight. Thalia got a glint in her eye that told me whatever she was about to say was probably something I wouldn't approve of.
"M'lady, I wish to accompany Percy. It would be better if two went so someone is covering his back." I frowned at her suggestion. I wouldn't allow this. I don't want Thalia to go, hell I don't want Percy to go. The both of them together would be a great team but Thalia's scent would make the monsters go wild. Unless Percy can teach her how to mask it before he goes, she isn't going.
"Maybe, the answer will be a no if you can't learn to mask your scent. Your scent will let know the monsters that you are coming. It isn't a problem for Percy because he's apparently learned how to hide his presence." Thalia looked at Perseus expectantly. The hunters, I could tell were curious how a man knew such a neat technique. Percy sighed. He nodded toward Thalia.
"I can teach you, the only reason I am going to even bother to teach you this art is because you treat me well. Now some people on the other hand have treated me like trash since I got here. Not gonna mention any names." Thalia snickered and I could barely hold in my own as we looked at some of the hunters guilty expressions. Phoebes especially, her face was priceless. Percy turned his attention toward me.
"Arty if you don't mind, I need to see Hephaestus on designs of weapons that Chaos gave to me." I glared at him. He was trying to hide his grin. I could tell. I heard Thalia snicker behind me and my hunters were holding in giggles.
"Arty" I growled. Perseus chuckled and I smacked him. A red blotch on his cheek. He rubbed it while he glared at me. I gave him a cheeky smirk. His glare turned into a smirk.
"Yes Arty, what I can't give you a nickname. C'mon you know you like it. He smiled a beautiful smile on his beautiful face. I turned around to hide my blush. I am a maiden goddess, I shouldn't be thinking this way. I do like the fact that he gave me a nickname, it makes me feel special but I'll never admit it.
Percy POV
Artemis was glaring at me. I couldn't help but hold in my laugh because if I didn't, I would probably end up with an arrow in a place it shouldn't be. She nodded to my question.
"You can go tonight, but first do all the work I gave you." I nodded but in the inside I groaned. Three thousand arrows and a ton of laundry. Joy!
Third POV
Perseus sat on a stump drying out clothes. Next to him stood a mountain of folded clothes. It's been three hours since the hunters last pranked him. He was starting to get suspicious. Artemis had unfortunately made him camp near the hunters. They didn't like that. Thalia didn't mind but the other hunters like Diana, Phoebe and Atalanta didn't like it at all. They stood near a bush watching him. Their plan was set. Atalanta whistled and a whole herd of deer came by. As Percy was drying the clothes, he heard a noise. "Was that hoof beats". He thought. His head snapped in the direction it was coming from. The whole herd was after him. His eyes widened and he ran like no tomorrow. The deer were on his heels. Artemis had heard the commotion and had come to see what had happened. Her eyes widened at the sight of two hundred deer chasing Percy toward a cliff. Her eyes scanned the area and she saw her hunters laughing at the sight. They shouldn't be laughing, just because Percy can turn into eagle didn't mean he would make it. The transformation takes too much time. She rushed toward the area, determined to save Percy.
Percy POV
I ran as fast I could. I was panting from exhaustion. The deer were right behind me. I could feel one's breath on my neck. I was running toward a cliff. There was no water below. I either die getting trampled or take the risk of jumping. I had no choice. I closed my and took a leap of faith. I was falling fast but I didn't attempt to prevent my fall. Something told me not to. I opened my eyes and saw I was falling toward a pond. I smiled.
Artemis POV
He jumped. For the first time in my life, I felt fear for a man. I managed to get the deer away but it was too late. I looked over the edge and saw a small pond. There was no way he survived the fall. It was at least 1600 meters and that pond wasn't deep enough. I felt pain in my chest and for some reason I wanted to cry. I glared at my hunters who had gone pale when they looked over the edge.
"Why?" I asked. I tried to hide my pain. Atalanta looked like she was gonna cry. This prank went too far. The other hunters had looks of guilt.
"Milady, we didn't me-" I cut her off with a growl of anger.
"What do you mean you didn't mean too! You knew that there was a cliff and yet you did a cruel prank that I told you not to do. Do you want to know why I accepted Percy Jackson as our Guardian. I accepted him because he was different. He wasn't an evil cruel man. Father would've given us a man I wouldn't have approved of. Since you killed Jackson, we are gonna get a guardian that won't treat you as nicely as Percy did." Atalanta was crying now and so were the other hunters. I knew they didn't mean in it but this action not only hurt me, it ruined them because when Poseidon finds out, I don't want to think about it. We heard a snap of a twig and we whirled around quickly. What we saw made us gasp. We saw a bruised Percy. His leather armor looked damaged and his robe was torn in several places. Even though I couldn't see his eyes, I knew he was angry. They are lucky Thalia is asleep or she would be just as mad as I was.
Percy POV
I was mad. No not mad, furious. Why would they do this? What had I ever done them? As I stepped forward, my teeth clenched and my fists closed I noticed something. Are they crying? Why would they be crying? Argh, it doesn't matter. Even if they felt horrible, they deserve to be taught a lesson. Its time I made my own trick. One hunter, Atalanta stepped toward me, tears running down her cheek.
"Percy we're sor-"I cut her off with a raised hand. I was upset but I was starting to lose my nerve.
"Enough, you all need to get yourselves a new guardian, I'm done." I could feel Artemis's shock. Before anyone could attempt to persuade me to stay, I dug a smoke bomb out of my robe and threw it at the ground. It exploded and black smoke seeped through, hiding me from their sight. I scaled a tree and ran toward our camp. I rushed into my tent, dug out my blueprints and ran out of the tent. I snapped my fingers and it was gone. I mumbled a message for Hermes and I was teleported to Hephaestus's palace doors. Now it didn't look like a palace. It looked more like a factory or workshop. The doors were made of gold and they were huge. I cautiously knocked on the door. A voice crackled through the door.
"Who knocks on the door of the master smith?" it said. I smirked.
" Perseus Jackson, Guardian of the Hunt." The door opened and I stepped inside. I was in awe. If the Hephaestus campers ever came in here, they would all be squealing in joy. It looked like a forge crossed with a factory. In the middle was a smelter and anvil. Hephaestus was working on something. I walked over to the man and greeted him.
"Hello Hephaestus." He grinned.
"Welcome Percy, is there anything you require of me." I smiled at him. He sure was a lot nicer to me now than before.
"Yes, do you mind taking a look at these?" I said as I handed him the blueprints. He studied them with a gleam in his eyes. He smiled like he just found something new to play with.
"Where did you get these designs, I've never seen anything like this?" he looked really excited.
"I got these from Chaos himself. I didn't know what they meant but he said you would know
what to do."
"Give me your Vambraces with your hidden blades." I nodded and took them off. I handed them to Hephaestus. He examined them with glee.
"Such craft and detail. Utterly amazing. Now wait here this might take an hour or so. I sat on a bench and waited and waited.
2 hours later.
Hephaestus came back with my hidden blades and vambraces and was grinning like a madman. He gave them back to me and I examined them as I put them on my arms again.
"They don't look different." I said. I was confused. Hephaestus chuckled.
"Press one of the buttons on your vambraces." I don't have buttons on my vambraces.... Never mind. I pressed one of the buttons and my hidden blade morphed into a hook. I eyed it with fascination. This would be good for getting across buildings with lines connected to it. I pressed another button and my blade turned into.... No way a hidden gun. That is so sick. Hephaestus gestured toward the last button. I pressed it. My gloved hands were now claw like. These would be excellent for climbing things or needing to get an extra grip.
"Thank you Hephaestus."
"No need M'boy, if you need anything else, give me a call." I nodded and walked out of his palace and bumped into the last person I thought I would meet today. Apollo. He grinned at me.
"Sup Percy, taking care of my little sister?" I sighed and told him everything that's happen today.
"Damn, but are you really gonna leave them? I don't think my sister will be happy bro." I shook my head.
"No I'm not leaving them. This is just their punishment. Apollo chuckled.
"Before you go Perce, I bless you so that you are an awesome musician." I chuckled. Why would I need music?
"Oh also take this, it has a special effect on the wild." It was a silver flute. It had designs of animals on it. I thanked Apollo and teleported back to the badlands. Before I go back to hunters, I need to deal with the monsters.
This book was very good but YOU ARE BEING VERY RUDE TO No men woman
11/29/16