My head was still heavy with grief as I tried to get back home, to my mom's apartment. I was suddenly aware of the blaring sirens and I turned onto the black, and ran as fast as I could, only to find the entire apartment engulfed in flames. I caught vague glimpses of paramedics and firefighters and police- but no sign of my family.

"Excuse me, but are you searching for someone? You seem lost, do you need any help?" a fireman called out from behind me, kindness laced into the sound of his voice.

"Yeah, I'm searching for the people from apartment 348. Could you help me?" I replied, struggling to fight back the fear in my throat.

His eyes softened the way the campers' did so long ago. "I'm so sorry. That's where...that's where the fire started, we...we weren't quick enough. I'm so sorry." His genuinity made me want to punch him.

WHY AREN'T YOU OUT THERE HELPING PEOPLE NOW? I wanted to scream. But I didn't. Because I knew the answer. It was the same reason that only a few demigods could be together outside of camp. It was dangerous.

I didn't bother to hold in the tears anymore. I let a waterfall stream from the bottom of my soul and out my hollow eyes.

"Were they...family? Close friends?" he asked empathetically.

"Mom, step-dad, and..." I paused and heaved a heavy sob, "my baby sister. Two months old."

The firefighter held a firm expression that I was only accustomed to seeing on older campers faces. I knew what that look meant. He'd seen many die before. "I'm so, so sorry for your loss," he said again, this time with no emotion.

I turned and stomped away, letting my anger channel into every step. The tears had almost stopped, and I had just enough strength left in me to get a cab to the Empire State Building. I walked in, and threw a look at the guard inside. He immediately handed me the keys, remembering me from last time. I waited in the dreaded elevator for far too long, and finally made it to the throne room.

"Hero of Olympus, what are you doing here?" Zeus asked, rather bored. Truthfully, I thought he was excited to finally have something to do.

"Call a council meeting, my lord," I said confidently.

He grumbled something about me being a rude little mortal to be so arrogant towards the great king of the gods, but he obliged and the council was suddenly sitting all around me.

"Why have you called us here, Father?" Artemis asked.

"Poseidon's child asked for this." Zeus replied, groaning.

"Perseus why have you asked us here?" Athena asked, a new softness in her eyes.

"I have a request." I replied. I gulped.

"Well? Get on with it." Athena said, her usual arrogance begging to show.

"I request for death' I said using all the confidence I had left. Poseidon simply stared and gaped at me.

"I finally gave you my blessing why do you wish to die?" Athena asked with a little bit of sorrow under her harsh tone.

"Cody...and Annabeth...they're...and the fire..." I began.

"My stupid son goes and breaks up the most perfect couple ever! Well, second best couple. STILL. THAT IDIOT." Aphrodite yelled, cutting me off.

"Well, we'll kill you then." Zeus said, excitement in his smile.

"NO FATHER. YOU CAN'T JUST KILL HIM. HE SAVED OLYMPUS. TWICE," Artemis roared.

"Fine, then I won't kill him. It's all the same to me. And if he wants to die so bad, let him join your girly hunt or something," Zeus drawled, clearly unamused.

Artemis seemed to ponder over this for some time, but I didn't understand. I couldn't be a huntress, right? Finally she nodded her head.

"Perseus Jackson, you may become a guardian of the hunt. I hope you will come to enjoy this position."

And before Zeus, my father, or I could protest, I'd blacked out. Things were going to be very different from now on.