Percy's eyes fluttered open slowly, and somehow he knew that very little time had passed since he fell asleep. He sat up, still wincing in pain and looked around. He blinked and rubbed his eyes when he saw a girl with long bright red hair and pale skin sitting on the edge of his bed. Her hair was tied in a loose braid with vines and leaves intertwined into it. She stared at him with fearce, yet incredibly kind eyes. Another girl stood behind her and a little off to the side, this one older looking, about fifteen, and she had dark brown hair that was also tied into a braid.Her skin was slightly tanned, as if she spent some time under the sun. Percy knew that he should feel afraid, his mom had always warned him about strangers, but he couldn't bring himself to feel any fear towards them. The girl with red hair radiating a calming sensation that told Percy he wasn't in any danger. They wouldn't hurt him, they would wrap him up tight and keep him safe. It kind of reminded him of the feeling he got when he looked at the moon.
Wait. The moon. Could she be… He looked at the girl with red hair more closely. The girl nodded in approval, and a smile spread across her face. "Such a clever child, isn't he, Zoe?"
"Indeed he is, My Lady," the girl with dark brown hair, Zoe, replied, a small smile gracing her face.
The girl on his bed asked, "You know who I am, don't you child?"
Percy nodded, "You are Lady Artemis,… My Lady?"
The last part came out more as a question. Percy didn't want to assume that she would accept. Artemis smiled at him, and said, "If that is what you what. I am not in the business of forcing people to join my hunt."
Percy's mouth fell open in shock, "Join your hunt, but… but only girls are allowed to join your hunt."
Artemis hummed softly, and said, "Well, didn't you say that you feel, at times, that you are a girl."
"Yes, I did," Percy said, his voice small, "But only sometimes. Other times, like right now, I feel like a boy."
Artemis placed a hand a Percy's shoulder, and frowned sadly when he flinched slightly. She whispered softly, her voice low, "Can I give you a hug?"
Artemis waited patiently as Percy thought about it. Percy had never even considered that Artemis would let him join her hunt. When he nodded his head, she slowly wrapped her arms around him. She was taller than him, being in the form of a nine year old and him being small for his age, and he melted in her hold. His head rested on her shoulder, and soft tears welled up in his eyes. She held him, rubbing circle on his back as she let him cry. Artemis knew from experience that crying really helped to make people feel better. Many of her hunters had been hurt in similar ways before meeting her. Artemis had known from the moment she had laid eyes on the child exactly what had happened to him, and she honestly felt sick to her stomach.
Artemis pulled him away slowly, after he had stopped crying, and looked at his face. He really did look like a mini Poseidon. The child had his father's sea green eyes and black hair. It explained why he was so small for his age. Children of Poseidon aged slower than other children, physically and mentally. Artemis frowned as she realized that the child must only be six years old mentally. Or perhaps…She had heard that it was also possible that the child's mental age could change like the waves as well. She couldn't help but wonder what age the child was. Artemis tilted her head, and asked, "What's your name, child?"
Percy sniffled, and said, "Perseus."
Artemis hummed, and asked, "What about Perseis? Means 'daughter of Perseus' or 'daughter of the destroyer'."
Perseis nodded, and said, "I like it, but most people call me Percy."
"With a 'y', or with an 'si'?"
It's with a 'y', but I think I want it with an 'si'."
"Okay," Artemis said, smiling, "So, do you accept, Perseis? Will you join my hunt?"
"What will happen with my mom?"
Artemis sighed. If she was being honest, she was upset with Perseis's mother. She had allowed her child to be harmed by a truly vial man. The woman deserved to be punished for her crime, but it was also important that Artemis got her away from that man. With her mind made up, Artemis smiled at Perseis, and said, "Don't worry. I won't allow that man to be around her anymore."
Persi's eyes brimmed with tears, as he wrapped Artemis in a hug, and said, "Thank you."
He got up from the bed, and knelt down on the floor. He bowed his for second before he looked self consciously, and asked, "What do I do now?"
Zoe knelt down in front of him, and said, "All thee must do is repeat after me."
Persi nodded his head.
Zoe started, "I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis…"
"I…I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis…"
Zoe continued, "I turn my back on the company of other men, accept eternal abstinence, and join the Hunt."
"I turn my back on the company of other men, accept eternal abstinence, and join the Hunt."
"If our Lady accepts, you are part of the Hunt."
"I accept." Artemis said, her voice clear.
Persi's eyes widen as he felt a rush of energy and strength spread throughout his entire body.
"Remember you pledge," Artemis said, "It is your life now."
Persi bowed his head low, and said, "Yes, My Lady."
A hand reached under his chin, and lifted his head. Artemis asked, "Perseis, what age…"
Persi answered immediately, "Nine years old, My Lady."
Persi didn't know why his mental age shifted so weirdly, but he always knew what age it was.
Artemis hummed, "What is the range?"
"Two years both ways."
So the youngest was five years old, and the oldest was nine, Artemis was already contemplating how she could make that work.
Artemis stared at him with clear eyes as she said, "Enough kneeling. Your are now our sister."
Persi tilted his head in confusion, "Even though I feel like a boy right now."
Zoe wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and said, "Welcome home, Sister."
"Home," Persi whispered, softly, "I'm finally home."