Approximately 3000 BCE

"Knife?" I slide the short weapon into the sheathe on my back, "Check."

"Armor?" I knock my fist against my chest, the near indestructible celestial bronze/silver/ gold alloy ringing, "Check."

"Sword?" I take my sword off of its stand on my dresser, "Check."

I sit back and stare around at my room. It always was a bare place. I never had anything to keep in here. MY armor and weapons, a free changes of clothes. That was it. I'm not really leaving any memories here either. I never spent much time here. Today is the day I'll be leaving this place, and officially starting my career as a Guardian. I stretch up with my arms and punch the air.                                                    

"Let's do this." I say to no one.

"Talking to yourself again?" A voice sounds out from behind me.

I turn, "Xander! How have you been doing?"

The son of Zeus lowers his hood, "It has it's ups and downs."

I smirk, "I hear from some of the minors that you got assigned to Aphrodite."

He winced, "Yeah... She doesn't go anywhere, or do much of anything, so I'm stuck here."

"It's been weird." I say absentmindedly, "You're around, but I don't see you anymore, and Alex got assigned to that new Olympian, Appolonis or something."

"Apollo." Xander corrects.

"Yeah, him. So he's traveling all over the place, and dragging Alex along with him."

Xander scowls slightly, "And I heard that he's apparently a womanizer as well."

I laugh slightly, "Do you think he could even begin to think about that? You know what Alex is like."

He laughs as well, "Yeah. She's a lot more conservative than Aphrodite."

"So, aside from Aphrodite being...well, Aphrodite, how's the job?"

"Aw come on, you know how the gig works." He says, "You stick to the Olympian like glue, and pick up a few tricks. It's pretty good."

"Nice." I reply.

"You know," He says suddenly, "I expected you to ask me about your assignment."

"What's there to ask?" I ask, "I find out who I'm protecting, and I protect him or her."

"Well, you do like to preach the need for all the information."

I just look at him.

"Oh, hey Xavier." A voice call out from down the hall, "Did Perce finally wrangle information out of you?"

"For the last time Sheena, it's Xander, and no. He doesn't want the information."

"You do know that she just does that to annoy you." I point out.

Both of them ignore me.

"But you do have the information?" The daughter of Ares phrases it like a question.

Xander nods.

"Well, spill." She demands.

The son of Zeus sighs, "My source is a drunken Aphrodite, so just keep that in mind." He says, "The name is Artemis. She's the daughter of Leto and Zeus, and the older twin sister to Apollo."

"Apollo?"

"God of archery, truth, and prophesy." Xander explains, "He's the new guy Alex was assigned to."

"Oh." Sheena says, "Ok, continue."

"She's apparently been assigned the domains of archery, with her brother, hunting, maidens, and childbirth. Oh Perce, you'll get a kick out of this."

"Oh?" I throw my Guardian cloak around me, "And why exactly would I find any of that especially interesting?"

"None of the stuff I said yet." He replies, and a mischevious glint appears in the son of Zeus' eyes, "Apparently, she was born today, exactly fifteen years ago."

I stop everything, "What?"

"Woah, hold on!" Sheena holds her hands up in a 'stop everything' pose, "The new Olympian and Seaweed Brain were born on the exact same day?!"

"That's what my source says." Xander shrugs.

"Drunken Aphrodite?" I ask.

"Not for the birthday." Xander says, "Aph gave me everything else. That last tidbit came from Alex, who heard it from Apollo."

"Okay then." I resume strapping the rest of my weapons to me, "Well, we all know that there is no formal ceremony for this kind of thing, and I'be got to go soon."

"Yeah." Sheena's voice suddenly becomes downtrodden, "It's gonna suck, just me for the next couple of years."

Xander claps her on the back, "You'll survive."

"Well well well, it looks like the gang's all here."

"Alex!" Xander turns faster than I thought was possible, "I didn't know that you were coming!"

"Yeah, well Apollo decided to come back to Olympus to see his 'baby sister' receive her Guardian." She scowls slightly when she says Apollo's name, "Oh, and Percy? You'd better watch out with Artemis. You're going to have to tread very carefully."

"Okay." I confirm, "May I ask why?"

"She hates males." Alex replies, "Like in a 'I'm going to turn you into a new species of rabbit then hunt you' kind of hate."

I flick my hood up, "Thank you Alex. Now I've got to go, don't want to be late."

Xander laughs, "No you don't. Now get going you brainless clam."

"Yeah, later." I reply and start walking.

"Hey Perce?" Xander calls out, "One last thing."

"What's that?" I asks.

"Every day as a Guardian is a gift; not a given right. Make the best of it, take the path less traveled and show no fear."

I nod, "Thanks Xander."

I wave to the three of them one last time, and walk away, heading towards the top of Mount Olympus. Passing through the city of Olympus, I wave to a few of the minors I know. Nike brandishes her sword in salute. Iris jumps up and down, waving both hands at once. Pan returns my wave and continues his discussion with Morpheus, who'd nodded in acknowledgement. Tyche also waves back.

Of course, there are some minors that I don't get along with. Kihone blows by me, as cold as ever. Yes, that was a bad pun. Phobos and Deimos growl at me. I grin and flick them off. That one isn't personal, those two are just jerks. Cupid on the other hand, is a personal situation. He messed with Xander and Alex. No one messes with my friends. Athena and Demeter had to physically hold me back and hide the matchmaker somewhere. He got lucky. Now, he hides whenever I'm around. The little cherub swore revenge against me, swearing that he wouldn't let me find love in this life. I couldn't care less. Love isn't for me.

I finally come to the doors of the Throne Room. The gods are expecting me, so I don't bother makeing my presence known. Instead, I just open the door. Inside the Throne Room are two people, well gods: Zeus, king of Olympus and Lord of the sky, and Poseidon, my father and lord of the seas.

I bow to the two most powerful Olympians, "Lord Zeus, father. I am ready."

"You have an arduous journey ahead of you." My father says, "Do you accept your role as a Guardian of Olympus?"

I nod, "Yes father."

"State your oath." Zeus commands.

Taking a deep breath, I do exactly that.

"I, Perseus, swear to honor the code of the Guardians. To protect the gods. To ensure the future of Olympus.

I swear to protect my assigned Olympian, no matter the situation, even if it means my own death.

I swear to always act honorably. I will never take any action which my Charge would disapprove of. I swear my loyalty to my charge.

I swear to provide mental support to my charge, providing advice and support in trying times.

On this Oath, I swear my life, my soul, and my blade."

I finish and stand up, awaiting Zeus or Poseidon's reaction. My father is the first to respond.

"Welcome to the Guardians." With that he teleports out of the room.

"Stand behind my throne, Perseus." Zeus commands.

I nod and step behind the throne, confused but knowing that there is a good reason. The moment I do, a person appears in front of Zeus' throne.

"You summoned me father?"

This must be the new goddess, Artemis. I look the girl up and down. Her auburn hair frames a soft, yet determined face. Eyes that glow silver like the moon look up towards her father. She has the body frame of a girl of about fifteen, which is exactly how old she is. I have to admit, she does look very pretty. That last thought floats through my mind before I quickly shove it out. I can't think like that. I'd heard stories from some of the older Guardians, and that train of thought never leads to someplace nice. Besides, according to Alex, this new Olympian despises males.

"It is time for you to receive your Guardian." Zeus says calmly.

The new goddess backs up a step, " Um, no."

"Artemis, listen to me." Zeus says, "You have no choice in the matter. You are recieveing a Guardian."

"Why do I need a Guardian?" Artemis demands, though it comes out more like whining.

"Because you are an Olympian." Zeus says, "And every Olympian receives a Guardian."

"I don't need a Guardian." Ok, she is really independent, and slightly irritating.

"You're getting a Guardian, whether you like it or not? Zeus is beginning to losehis patience.

"She'll only slow me down." Artemis mutters under her breath.

"She huh? I don't think he'll have any trouble keeping up." I notice a slight hint of humor in Zeus' eyes.

"He? NO! If I must have a Guardian, then the role will be filled by a female."

"Well, he is the only Guardian currently available." Zeus smirks.

"Fine, but if he can't keep up with me, then don't blame me." Artemis groans.

Very well. Perseus, show yourself."

I step out of the shadows, completely cloaked in my Guardian attire. I can see from her eyes that she is trying to give me the 'once over'.' My uniform does make it difficult for her.

"Artemis, meet your new Guardian: Perseus JAckson, so of Poseidon. Perseus, this is your charge: Artemis, goddess of the hunt." I refocus my attention from the new goddess to Zeus.

I nod and bow to Artemis, using the formal Guardian bow.

"M'Lady Artemis, " I begin, "It is an honor to be assigned as your Guardian. I swear upon the River Styx itself that no harm shall come to you if I can prevent it."

My Guardian cloak shimmers and changes, forming a bright silver trimming.

"And what of my Hunters?" The newly crwoned goddess of the Hunt asks.

I pause for a second. My role as a Guardian is to defend the Olympian I am charged with protecting. No where in the rule book does it say that I have to protect those close to the Olympian.

"No harm shall come to them either, as long as I can prevent it. I swear that on the River Styx as well." I'm not going to just leave the newbie out to dry. We'll figure out this whole Guardian thing together...if she doesn't kill me first.

Thunder rumbles, sealing the oath.

"Very well boy." The goddess says, "Let's see if you can keep up." With that, she disappears.

Zeus pinches the bridge of his nose, "Good luck with that one. She's a handful."

I smile and disappear, reappearing at th bottom of Mount Olympus, kneeling behind Artemis.

She jumps in surprise and whirls around, "How did you do that?" She demands.

"I am now bound to you." I say stoicly, "Wherever you are, I have the travel to your side."

"Great," She grumbles, "Now I can't get rid of you."

"I'm sorry, M'Lady Artemis?" I ask, feigning confusion.

"Never you mind!" She snaps.

"Do you have any orders for me, M'Lady Artemis?" I ask, standing up.

"First, stop calling me 'M'Lady.'" I incline my head in acknowledgement, "When we arrive at my camp you are to secure the perimeter. Nothing comes in."

"Yes LAdy Artemis." I reply.

We begin walking east in silence. Artemis is lookng straight fowards, not diverting her eyes from the path. I, on the other hand, extend my senses outwards around us. Constantly glancing around, I make sure to note every detail of my surroundings. My aura sensing powers expand outwards, looking for any unusual patterns or deviations. I may not be the best at manifesting my own aura, but I can sense another being's fairly well. I detect motion just as an aura flares to the left.

"M'Lady, get down!" I dive over her and tackle her to the ground. A second later, an arrow imbeds itelf into a tree to the right of us.

"Get off of me boy!" Artemis demands.

I stand up off of my charge and glare over to the north. I can just barely make out the shape of a seal-like beast.

Drawing my sword, I call out, "Telkhine! The coating on that arrow is one forged of black magic. Turn yourself in to the gods and you will be shown mercy."

HE barks bitterly, "As if the mighty Lord Zeus would show mercy to a lowly traitor like me. I forged that arrow, as well as the eleven others in this quiver. Do you know what I coated them with? It's a concotion called Acheronic Oil, a deadly poison which can cause the essence of an immortal to fade completely from existance."

I can feel Artemis' eyes boring into me, but I ignore them, "For creating such a monstrosity, you shall die."

I charge forward as the telkhine fires another two arrows.I duck under the first and diflect the next off of my sword blade. At this point, I'm far too close for the sea monster to be able to fire an arrow at me. Instead, he swings his bow, attempting to use it as a melee weapon. I side-step the first swing, then neatly cut the bow in half. I'm about to follow that up when a silver arrow appears in the monster's head, before it disappears into golden dust. I turn around to find the maiden goddess with her bow drawn, and anodd look in her eyes.

She lowers her bow, "Perhaps I was wrong to judge you so harshly. You do not appear to be like other males." She smiles softly, "Come now, it is time we move to the camp."

I bow quickly and begin to follow her, "Maybe I should have said this earlier, but happy birthday, Artemis."

This chapter feels short, but here you go. I answered your challenge aajj342558640 with two hours to spare. Can you guys figure out the pattern in the story? First person to do so gets...I don't know, something special.
Keep being awesome,
Leonidas_son_of_Nike