Perseus clutched the scrolls from his teachers close as he looked over the camp before him. Tents in orderly rows lined the road to the mountains beyond Marathon. One of the tents stood out from the rest, not because it was the most ostentatious but rather in its simplicity. That was the one Perseus was looking for in this training camp for heroes joined with the camp of the combined armies of Greece. War with the Persians was approaching, Perseus could feel it in the air, something tangible only to those blessed by the patron of Sparta, or so his teachers had taught him. Like the others in the demigod camp Perseus was here to experience battle, despite his youth. Shaking off daydreams he began his decent into the well-guarded valley.

Chiron stood behind the desk in his tent casting glances over the letters at the boy in front of him. Perseus had garnered praise from all his teachers, former students of Chiron as well. This in itself was surprising but the boy's appearance did something to reassure the wise centaur that his pupils hadn't taken leave of their senses after their sojourn in the Underworld. At 15 the lad stood close to six feet with several years of growing left, his bright green eyes held the experiences of an avid quester, his muscles were tensed with a ready wariness under his well-polished but well used armor, the weapons strapped around his body were well used and well cared for. In the chariot pulled by his Pegasus was the bare essentials. Three years of quests had taught the boy many lessons. Chiron could see why it was time to give him battle experience. Younger than any Spartan before him to arrive at this point in their training, but better prepared, the last heir of Sparta was more than worthy of a position among the demigod auxiliaries that Chiron was preparing and filling slots for. This was not something Chiron was going to mention to the boy of course.

"Well, your references are in order. You'll undertake the same examinations as all your fellow applicants before being told who made the cut and given your assignment. There are only 100 spots in the auxiliary forces we are training and applicants can continue to arrive for another week. Until that time you are free to train for the test however you see fit. The tests will be comprehensive any question is fair game for the examiners. The qualifications for any position are known only to the examiners who have been randomly selected from the officers of the armies of Greece. Those who do not qualify will be asked to leave and seek positions elsewhere. Those who qualify will be trained by counterparts in the armies of Greece as to what is expected of their position in the auxiliaries. This bronze tag has a number on it. Keep it on your person at all times and never trade with another applicant. It is your identification for the tests and the camp stewards. You'll be given a place to pitch your tent and three meals a day in the common mess from now until the end of the examination. I wish you the best of luck Perseus." Chiron finished handing the boy his tag engraved with the numbers 918.

Perseus bowed to the centaur before leaving the tent his tag hanging from its leather thong clasped tightly in his hand. Leading Blackjack he set off for the camp stopping to show the steward his tag before setting up camp against the mountains well away from his competitors. He would need to earn his place in the forces more so than any of the men he'd passed. All several years his senior they would be young men just finished their training with Chiron. Sitting in front of his newly erected tent Perseus thought about the problem before him trying to find the best solution. Sensing his thoughts becoming tangled he grabbed a piece of paper, quill, ink and his lap desk to organize them.

Goal: Earn spot in auxiliary forces and the trust and respect of prospective teammates

Potential Problems: Age, youngest here won't respect me because don't have experience; Skill, don't have the same skills as them and probably fewer; Heritage, if told become ostracized because of parents and patron.

Possible Solutions: Age, be honest about how old and show level of experience; Skill, ask to be taught any new tricks; Heritage, only say escaped Sparta's fall since her warriors are still respected and her patron much needed.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" A cocky voice drawled from in front of Perseus. Looking up he found it belonged to a young man in front of him. He was probably in his early twenties and muscled like all warriors. He stood probably a few inches higher than Perseus's height with sly blue-grey eyes and washed out blonde hair. A step behind him on either side were two warriors who could give his Lord Ares a run in sheer size of musculature which made him think they were two of his patrons sons. Quickly dismissing the two lackeys and the milling crowd forming behind them Perseus focused back in on the arrogant man before him.

"I'm sorry, did you want this camp site, because it wasn't taken when I got here." He told him with a wide grin.

"No, it's the worst in the area. What I want to know is what a slave boy is doing with such finery, did you steal it?"

"Ah… That's a good one, but I'm no slave I'm here to earn my spot in the force just like you. You couldn't possibly have a problem with that?" Perseus asked sarcastically.

"Not if you don't mind getting creamed in the evaluations."

"Oh really. Well then you'll be without all I bring to the table, as the last Spartan in existence." At those words Perseus saw the man straighten up and his two friends come forward.

"You're my father's last champion. He told us there was only one who had escaped the fires his city, a boy pledged to his service as the gates fell." The son of Ares on the left addressed the son of Hades and Persephone.

"Yes, a blessing that shall be given only to those of my line found worthy. I take the oath the day my training is complete." Perseus said knowing the sons of Ares would understand why he was here.

"You have been named a paidiskoi young." The son of Ares on the right commented ignoring their friends scoffing at Perseus's claim.

"Not without reason. I've met all the requirements and thus will serve the rest of my time as such, including my ten years of service in the syssitia and the army before taking the oath." Perseus told them noticing the relaxation of once tense muscles.

"Then welcome to the final son of Sparta, her honor rests on you." The sons of Ares intoned before reaching a hand out to the boy, who stood and clasped it. At this their friend came forward again.

"Well then, I'm Ariston son of Hermes and these are Aristomache and Aristokles sons of Ares. Welcome to camp. I hope you make it, after all the honor of a people rests on your shoulders." Ariston told him with a forced smile before sauntering off.

The next week Perseus spent observing the occupants of the heroes' camp and the army camp. Learning everything he could about his fellow competitors. He practiced his weapons skills alone in secluded areas but continued his other training the open. Only the two sons of Ares, Aristomache and Aristokles seemed to appreciate his training regime. Recognizing it as standard agoge training while the others wrote him off for an idiot. Ariston spent the most time laughing at Perseus's methods not understanding that all the conditioning was preparing Perseus to defeat him. Ariston spent four hours in the morning on weapons work and two in the evening, confident that it would be all he needed. Perseus spent little time resting instead preparing for all contingencies.

From his spot on a knoll overlooking the camp Chiron stood with the commanders of the Grecian armies watching the heroes prepare. While none of the heroes below knew it, this was also part of the test, a part that Perseus was distinguishing himself in.

"The boy shows the most promise out of all the heroes of Greece. Chiron, you said that his references were impeccable though you'd never trained him." Callimachus said turning to the centaur with an unspoken question.

Chiron bowed his head. "Yes. Perseus is the adoptive son of Hades and Persephone, and the last heir of Sparta. He was trained in the underworld starting at the age of seven, at twelve his teachers began sending him on quests, now he is here for the paidiskoi portion of his training." The two generals and their seconds turned to the centaur with expressions of shock written on their faces and through their bodies. "Of course the King and Queen of the Underworld hired only the greatest heroes residing in their realm to be his teachers." Chiron told them as the shock started to wear off.

"We'll continue to watch him, he'll be a powerful ally to have on the side of Greece. Some of the god's children are forsaking Olympus out of fear, we need to keep him on our side because he'll be the force that changes the war between Darius of Persia and the Allied Cities of Greece." Miltiades spoke to the men gathered receiving nods of agreement before bowing his head to the centaur and turning back to his tent followed by the others leaving Chiron standing alone.

"A dangerous game is being played," Chiron mused, "one with many players. War is on the horizon and the Champion of Ares rises again, a champion bound to sea, earth, and underworld. My young brothers and sisters, my dear grandchildren, I pray that the fates are guiding your hands in this." With that Chiron turned from his post with a heavy heart and churning mind.

AN: So here's the next chapter. A couple of notes to help you understand better (If you want if not then just skip to the end, I won't know and it won't hurt m feelings). Agoge training in Sparta consisted of three parts, the part mentioned here, paidiskoi, is when young men serve in the reserves of the Spartan army while still serving in the pederasty system of sponsorship, this was for the final few years of training before becoming a full member of the army around age 20. Syssitia is the mandatory military mess, not even a king was exempt from attending, only two excuses for absence were accepted, sacrificial duties or hunting and the hunter was required to bring back a gift for the syssitia table as repayment for his absence. The names of the two generals are those of the commanders of the Battle of Marathon. Ariston is a name meaning the best, Aristomache means the best battle, and Aristokles means the best glory. Also I've always seen Chiron to be the type to pick up on Percy's heritage without being told thus the ending. Thanks to all those who've favorited, followed, and reviewed this story. I hope you continue to do so. - Hansi