#finished the daughters of artemis quest

[safyresky]

i have been a LITTLE QUIET but rest assured, everything at SafyreSky Industries is a-okay! Holidays tend to bog us down with business and then for some odd reason, every new year, I get the urge to play AC Odyssey again?

[persevereforahappyending]

Maybe in Another Life |3|

Pairing: Clarisse La Rue x Hunter of Artemis!Reader

Summary: You are a Hunter of Artemis, but you start to question what you truly want when you meet Clarisse and get to know her.

Warnings: Slight Titans Curse Spoilers

Word Count: 2.5k

Main Masterlist | Series Masterlist

ch.1 | ch. 2 | ch. 3 | ch. 4 | ch. 5 | ch. 6 | ch. 7 | ch. 8 | ch. 9 | ch. 10 | ch. 11 | ch. 12 | ch. 13 | ch. 14 | ch. 15 | ch. 16 | ch. 17

You, Zoe, Percy, Thalia, Grover, Bianca, and the other head councilors were all seated around a table with Chiron and Dionysus. All of you were discussing the prophecy, what it meant, and more importantly who would go on the quest. Five people were meant to be going on the quest but since it was Zoe’s she got say in who should go on it. It was actually Percy who agreed that Zoe should be the one to decide and that the majority should be Hunters. Zoe would have preferred to have no campers, you agreed with her, but the prophecy indicated that it needed to include both Hunters and campers.

“Grover,” Zoe said, surprising the satyr. Zoe knew Grover would be helpful in tracking down where Artemis was.

“And Thalia,” Zoe said surprising the daughter of Zeus. Thalia hated Zoe but there was no way she’d turn down going on the quest when it meant she could save her friend.

“Phoebe,” Zoe said, flicking her eyes to you. You nodded, understanding Zoe’s thought processes. “She’s the best tracker we have.”

“And Bianca,” she finished.

You tensed up, your eyes snapping to Zoe. She didn’t pick you. You had nothing against Bianca, she was new and nice enough, but she had no experience, with a quest this dangerous you didn’t want someone inexperienced going with your sister. You clenched your jaw to keep yourself from speaking up. You knew your place; you questioned Zoe but never in front of a group like this. Zoe met your eyes with a glare, silently making sure you kept your mouth shut. At least she knew what your thoughts were, she wouldn’t be surprised when you confronted her after leaving the big house.

“Wait!” Percy didn’t keep his mouth shut. “What about me? I want to go too!”

“Oh,” Grover said, looking at his friend. “I’ll stay behind?” He looked at Chiron, you, and then Zoe.

“No.” Zoe smirked at the boy. “No boys allowed.” She flicked a glance at Grover, “He doesn’t count.” Grover frowned but didn’t say anything more.

You caught Clarisse’s mouth twitch up in a smile at Zoe’s words. The girl was the head councilor of the Ares cabin and had remained relatively silent for the most part, surprisingly. Ares kids were usually all about a fight and begging to go on quests but when they were talking about which campers would go on this quest she hadn’t volunteered. Clarisse agreed when the Stoll brothers said it sounded like two people were going to die based on the prophecy. A flicker of what you could only describe as surprise flashed across her face when Zoe chose Bianca to go on the quest. You would bet she had the same thoughts as you, bringing someone so new and untrained was crazy.

“But I need to be on this quest! I need to save Annabeth!” Percy tried to reason with Zoe. You knew it was no use, there was no way Zoe would budge on this, there was no way she’d ever let a boy come along on a quest.

“Not everyone wants you crashing their quest fish boy,” Clarisse snarked.

Percy flicked a glare at her but didn’t say anything, moving his attention right back to Zoe. You figured there was a story behind Clarisse’s words. The idea of Percy Jackson worming his way onto other’s quests didn’t surprise you. You didn’t think he desired attention and glory like a lot of demigods, if you were to guess his reasons were probably honorable, as if he felt he had to be the one to save the day, like it was his responsibility.

You stayed silent, dutifully at Zoe’s side as she and Percy continued to argue. It didn’t stop until Chiron stepped in, saying that it was Zoe’s decision. Not that Chiron could force her anyway, he had no say in what the Hunters did. As you, Zoe, and Bianca left the big house Thalia, Percy, and Grover stayed behind to continue talking with Chiron, while the other councilors dispersed back to their cabins as well.

Before the three of you left the big house though Zoe was approached by the Stoll brothers. You narrowed your eyes as they talked with Zoe. They said how Phoebe had been interested in a shirt at the camp gift shop and they wanted to give it to her as a gift. Zoe didn’t question it though, she just took the shirt with a roll of her eyes and pushed past them, shoving her way outside. You followed, looking back as the Stoll brothers silently giggled to themselves before running off when they caught your stare.

“Say goodbye to your brother,” Zoe said, coming to a stop not too far from the big house, looking back at Bianca. “Then make sure you’re packed; we leave at first light.” Bianca nodded and ran off in search of her brother. “Speak,” she said without turning to face you.

“Why am I not on this quest?” You asked calmly.

“Phoebe is the best tracker out of all of us. Even you know that,” Zoe said plainly.

“But what about Bianca?” You crossed your arms. You didn’t want it to sound childish, but that’s probably exactly how it looked, you weren’t chosen to go on a quest and now you were whining but that wasn’t the case, not really. “She’s new to this, not just being a Hunter.” You raised your arms gesturing around camp, “But all of this, to being a demigod. She’s barely had training.”

“She needs to learn eventually.”

“This quest is too important to be a training session.”

“Do you trust me?” You kept your mouth shut as you sucked in a breath. “Do you?” She asked again, it wasn’t like she didn’t know the answer.

“Without question.”

“And yet you question me,” she mumbled.

You gave her an unamused glare. The only one you trusted more than Zoe was Artemis and she knew that because it was the same for her. After Artemis, there was no one Zoe trusted more than you. The two of you had been together for so long, you knew each other better than you knew yourselves at times. However, unwavering trust didn’t mean not questioning things and just blindly following orders.

“You are needed here,” Zoe said.

“Bullshit,” you scoffed.

“Language,” Zoe snapped, glaring at you.

You couldn’t help but smile, shaking your head at Zoe, she was really stuck in the past at times. Since you were the oldest you went into town or interacted with mortals more than most. You were also better at adapting and not drawing attention to yourself. If a mission involved going somewhere public a group of pre-teen girls tended to draw attention, but being seventeen most people didn’t question your presence. Since you got to interact with the world a bit more you were able to keep with the times and not speak as if you were born a thousand years ago, even if you were. There was plenty you didn’t know about the human world, things you never cared to know, you didn’t need to know them, you just needed to be able to pass as a regular member of society occasionally.

“How can you say I’m needed here,” you got back to the subject at hand. “I’m needed with you. Our goddess is in danger, and I need to be by your side as we try and rescue her.”

“No.”

“You heard the prophecy,” you whispered, glancing around to make sure no one else was around. “You know what it means.”

“We don’t know anything yet,” she brushed you off, but you saw the way her back straightened just a bit.

You gave her an unconvinced look. Even if prophecies could be misleading and weren’t always literal, you knew you both had your suspicions. You had both been demigods for so long, with Artemis for so long, you weren’t naive enough to not make an educated guess at certain lines of the prophecy.

“I don’t have a good feeling about this,” you admitted. You stared into Zoe’s eyes, silently begging her to change her mind. “Please, let me come with you, let me do what I’m meant for and protect you.”

Zoe’s gaze softened. It was rare for Zoe to not be a hundred percent serious and stoic, but she was capable of showing emotion, other than annoyance, most didn’t get to see that though. “You’re needed here,” she repeated kindly. “Without Artemis and with me going on this quest our sisters need someone to lead them.”

You knew what Zoe was trying to say but that didn’t stop you from trying to convince her. “We’re at camp, they’d be perfectly safe until our return.”

“You can’t guarantee that.”

“Then let me make sure it happens,” you pleaded. “Let me go on this quest, if a leader is needed here then it should be you not me. You know you’re better at this than me.”

“We both know I have to lead this quest, it’s my quest.”

You dropped your head in defeat. You knew there was no convincing Zoe to let you come and there was definitely no convincing her to stay behind. You felt Zoe rest a hand on your shoulder as she stepped closer to you. “I will not fail,” she said softly. You raised your head just enough to look her in the eye. “I will rescue our goddess, I swear it.”

“I know,” you said, giving her a sad smile. “Promise you’ll come home as well.” You knew she couldn’t do that; no demigod could promise that when they went on a quest, hell they couldn’t promise that if they just went for a walk, a demigod’s life had a habit of being short and tragic, happy endings being a rarity. “The Hunters need you. I need you.” A part of you hated to admit that, you weren’t one to get overly emotional but the dread you were feeling over this quest made you say it. It was true, you needed Zoe, she kept you from going off course, she kept you in line, you couldn’t imagine a life without her.

Zoe sighed and removed her hand from your shoulder. She didn’t say anything, just offering you a sad smile in return. Then she turned and left you there, heading back to the cabin to inform the rest of the Hunters about the quest and what the plan was. You knew the others wouldn’t be thrilled about staying at camp even longer knowing Artemis was missing and now that Zoe was leaving but none of them would question her like you did, they would just silently accept their orders to stay and wait for your goddesses return.

“Trouble in paradise?” a snarky voice came.

A smile appeared on your lips as you instantly recognized the voice already. You turned to see the daughter of Ares herself standing behind you, her arms crossed.

“Aww, you waited around just for me?” you gave it right back. Clarisse scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Zoe knows what she’s doing, and I trust her decision.”

“Yeah, that’s why you were begging her to go on the quest.”

“I wasn’t begging.” You tilted your head at the implication of her words. “Were you eavesdropping?”

Clarisse clenched her jaw, glaring at you. “No,” she said through gritted teeth. “Was just curious why your leader wouldn’t want her second who happens to be her best fighter at her side.”

“So, you admit I’m the best fighter,” you smirked, gesturing arrogantly at yourself.

Clarisse rolled her eyes again. “Of the Hunters maybe but definitely not at camp.”

“Yeah?” you stepped cockily towards her. “And who would be the best fighter in camp, you?” she gave a shrug and nod, but you could see the arrogance in her eyes, she definitely believed she was the best fighter in camp. You couldn’t help but scoff at the claim. “Is that why I kicked your ass in capture the flag?”

“That is not want happened.”

“Funny, I seem to remember you on your back, your own spear in my hands, pointed at your throat.”

Clarisse stepped forward as if she were ready to brawl with you right there. You couldn’t get rid of your smile, staring right back, seeing the fire in her eyes. Clarisse might have been right; she might have been the best fighter at camp, but she was no match for your centuries of experience.

You and Clarisse continued to stare into each other’s eyes, your competitive spirits mixing, adding to the tension in the air along with something you couldn’t place. You weren’t sure what it was about the daughter of Ares that drew you in, that made you want to mess with her. You two finally broke your stare down when someone cleared their throat.

Both of you quickly blinked, realizing how close the two of you had gotten as you each quickly stepped back. You turned to see Silena standing there, her eyes darting back and forth from you and Clarisse.

“You promised to hangout tonight,” Silena said to Clarisse, finally interrupting the awkward silence when it became clear neither you nor Clarisse would. Clarisse rolled her eyes but unlike every other time there was no annoyance behind it.

Your smile faltered as you watched as Clarisse allowed Silena to grab her arm and began to drag her back to the Aphrodite cabin or wherever they were going to hang out. “I expect a rematch,” Clarisse turned back as she continued to follow Silena.

You weren’t sure why your smile quickly appeared at the daughter of Ares’s words. “Can’t wait,” you said back with a smirk.

You did really want to fight the girl again. Capture the flag was fun and you had fun playing with her, but it was just that to you, a game. You wanted to really spar with her and see what she was actually capable of. Clarisse definitely had skills and you wanted to see just how good she was and see how well she could actually keep up with you. You knew she still wouldn’t win but it certainly would be fun beating her again.

You sighed and made for the journey back to the cabin. Zoe and them were leaving early and you might not have been going but you would be there to see them off. Until then you needed to help Zoe pack, making sure she had everything she would need for the quest. You also needed to make sure to talk to Bianca, the girl was young and inexperienced, and you wanted to give her as much advice and encouragement as you could before she left, you knew she was going to need it. The closer you got to the cabin the more the uneasiness and dread for this quest filled you, this quest wasn’t going to have a happy ending, you knew that, you were just afraid of what that would look like.

[classicschronicles]

Hi lovelies,

I feel like I’ve just returned from ‘buying the milk’. I’m sorry I disappeared for *checks notes* 11 months, but it’s been a hectic year. I feel like if I get into it I’ll sound like an AO3 author, so here are some very quick highlights- I have just finished my first year studying Classics at university, I qualified as a fitness instructor (which is a side quest nobody asked for), I’ve become a theatre kid again, and I finally watched Game of Thrones. Studying Classics at uni is basically telling everyone that you study Classics at uni and then getting one of two reactions- “What is that? What kind of job are you going to et with that?”. To which I have no response, because honestly I’m not sure. Or the ever famous- “Oh like The Secret History?”. To which I cry inside because it is nothing like The Secret History. It is actually reading so much Thucydides that he becomes your sleep paralysis demon, and having to translate so much Caesar and Cicero that your daydreams become wishing you were in the Theatre of Pompey on March 15th 44 BC… for no particular reason. And also crying at 3am whilst you try to delude yourself into thinking that this is so dark academia core (spoiler- it’s not). All that being said- this has actually been one of the best years of my life and I am so happy I get to study what I love.

Anyways, I feel like we’re missing the most important part- and that is of course Game of Thrones. Guys. I have a crush on Jaime Lannister. HEAR ME OUT! I can fix him! I promise. I just need one chance. But also, I would fight him because why did he do my girl Brienne like that. Anyone who makes her cry can fight me fr. You know what made me cry though- Shireen Baratheon. What the fuck was that. And Ser Davaos’ finding out and his whole “I loved that girl like she was my own”. BAWLED. Anyways, it might surprise you to know that her death was actually based on a very famous greek myth- the myth of Iphigenia. So that’s what we’re going to talk about today.

Iphigenia’s story finds its beginnings in another myth entirely- the myth of Agamemnon and the Deer. Quick fun fact- the movie ‘Killing of A Sacred Deer’ is actually based loosely on this. The story goes that Agamemnon, out hunting one day, killed a deer belonging to the Goddess Artemis. This angered Artemis, not least because the deer was pregnant and Agamemnon’s little hunting accident killed both the mother and the baby.

Fast forward to some time later, Agamemnon launches a thousand ships to save his sister-in-law Helen from the Trojans at the behest of his brother Menelaus, and also the whole blood oath situation. The Spartans and the Mycenaeans make camp at the island of Aulis whilst they wait for the rest of the fleet to arrive, only to find that when they are ready to set sail once more, they cannot leave the island. There is not wind to push their ships, the air hot and heavy and remarkably still. This goes on for quite some time. Eventually Agamemnon consults the priest Calchas who tells him that the Gods (Artemis) are angry with him and demand a sacrifice. More specifically, the sacrifice of a virgin. This is also where some accounts differ- some claim that it could be any female virgin, some say that it had to be Agamemnon’s eldest daughter. In all honesty, I think the latter is probably more accurate because of the level of hesitation he shows before he makes his final decision. If he could sacrifice any virgin I don’t really think he would care.

Anyways, he obviously cant just write to his wife and say “hey babe can you please ship our eldest daughter over, I want to sacrifice her xoxo”. So he instead he comes out with an altogether more devious plan, and that is to tell his wife that the Prince Achilles wishes to marry Iphigenia before they sail for Troy. Both Iphigenia and Clytemnestra are of course overjoyed that she should marry ‘the best of the Greeks’ and she comes to Aulis where the army wait for her.

This is where it starts to break my heart a bit. On the morning of Iphigenia’s wedding day, Clytemnestra dresses her daughter and prepares her. She, of course, does not know that she is preparing her child for death. Her fathers men come to her tent and escort her and her mother to the alter. However, she never gets to say her vows because as soon as she steps onto the platform, they cut her throat and spill her blood as an offering to Artemis. Her mother is of course beside herself with shock and grief, but her husband does little to comfort her, telling her only that Artemis is appeased, and with the return of the wind he is leaving for Troy.

Euripides’ Iphigenia at Aulis, differs from this account and tells the story that on the morning of her supposed wedding, Iphigenia was aware of her fathers plan to sacrifice her and accepts with stoicism and all the bravery of a child put in an impossible position. He writes the following, heartbreaking, lines:

Iphigenia- “If only I could sing like Orpheus, father! Orpheus, who could charm even the heartless rocks into following him! If I could use such a voice and have everyone charmed, have them convinced to agree with me and follow me, then I would use that voice. But I have no such skill. The only voice I have, father, my only skill, is in my tears and, here, father, I’m giving them to you! I’m giving you my tears! I’m giving you all I have! She leans before him and embraces his knees Here, father, here is the body of a suppliant! Here is the body that your wife has given birth to. I wrap its limbs around your knees and beg you: Please father, do not cut off my life short. Let me enjoy the sweet light of day and do not force me to enter the world beneath the earth. I’m your first one, father! The first one to call you father, the first one you called daughter. Me, father! I was the first to play on your knees, the first one of your children to enjoy your love and the first one to give you a child’s love. Remember, father? You used to ask me, “I wonder, my darling, will I get to see you married one day, married and settled happily in your husband’s home, your life ever blossoming, making me proud of you?” And I’d touch your chin, my father, hang from your beard, father, like I’m doing now and say, “and what about you, father, will I get to see you, father, an old man, visiting me at my house, ready for me to repay you for your hard work in raising me?” No, you don’t remember these words, father. I do but you don’t! You’ve forgotten them and so, now, you want to kill me. Please, father! Please, in the name of Pelops and of Atreus who is your father, I beg you! Please don’t do it! And I beg you also for my mother’s sake, the woman who laboured to bring me to life, the woman who is being tortured even now. I beg you, father! What does my life have to do with the marriage of Paris and Helen father? Why has their marriage brought about my death, father? Agamemnon turns away. She continues despondently. Come, then, father, turn to me and give me a final kiss. A kiss to remember you by in the underworld, since my words have not convinced you. Agamemnon does not move. She goes over to her mother and takes baby Orestes in her arms. She swings him, sadly, gently back and forth and leans over him as she speaks to him What a weak little helper you are, my tiny brother! Won’t you cry with me, Orestes? Come on, won’t you beg your father not to kill your big sister? Come on, Orestes, even babies know when there’s trouble around! Ha! See, father? Orestes is begging you, too! Begging you by his silence. Do you not care about me any more? Spare my young life, father. Spare me! Here! Look here, father! Here are the two of us, one’s a baby, the other a grown up girl, a brother and a sister, both your children, begging you, by your beard, pleading with you… She turns and looks sadly around her, then up at the sun. That! Up there is my final argument. That light, this light all around us, will cut all other arguments to pieces. This light is the sweetest thing that can fill the eyes! The world beneath the earth is a world of nothing. Only fools would pray to go down there. I’d rather live a life full of misery than die a hero’s death!

If that doesn’t make you cry I don’t know what will. And then to top it off he follows it up 200 lines later this this tear jerker:

“C- What report shall I give to your sisters?

I-Do not dress them either in black garments.

C-Is there any word of love from you I should give the girls?

I-Bid them farewell; and make sure you bring up Orestes as a man!

C-You look at him for the last time- hold him tight!

I-(holding Orestes close): Darling boy, you helped you dear sister as much as you could!

…

I-Who will come to take me there before they drag me by the hair?

C-I will be at your side…

I-No, not you- that would not be right!

C-…holding on to your clothes!

I-Mother, oblige me in this: stay here! This is the nobler course for me and for you. Let one of my father’s attendants here escort to Artemis’ meadow where I shall be sacrificed.

(Iphigenia begins to move away from a crying Clytemnestra)

C-O my child, are you going?

I-Yes, and never shall I come back.

C-You will leave your mother?

I-Yes, as you see, we do not deserve this.

C-Wait- don’t abandon me!

I-I forbid you to shed tears. (C sinks to the ground)”.

In every version you read, however, sacrificing his daughter is not a choice that Agamemnon takes lightly. He is torn between sacrificing his daughter and angering his wife- but winning glory for the Greeks, or saving his daughter, but abandoning his men. As a father, he made the wrong choice, but as a king some would argue that he did what was expected of him.

I do like, however, in Euripides’ version the character of Achilles. He is adamant that he will not be privy to the murder of Iphigenia. He tries so very hard to save her and to offer comfort to Clytemnestra and genuinely I think that this might be one of the loveliest most favourable depictions of him.

This myth then gives way to part of the Oresteia trilogy and many many retellings of her Iphigenia’s story- every single one of which always make me want to cry. I can’t explain what it is- I know that the whole point of tragedy is that build up and release of emotion but no tragedy has every made me actually sad other than Iphigenia at Aulis.

Anyways, you can imagine my absolute horror when I watched S5 EP9 and saw Shireen tied to the alter, literally gave myself whiplash with how quickly I tried to look away from the screen.

I would say I hope you enjoyed reading about Iphigenia, but if you did you’re an absolute psycho! The two translations I used are from PoetryInTranlsation and Penguin’s 2005 edition “The Bacchae and Other Plays”. Hopefully, now that I’ve posted again I’ll try and be more regular with it and I hope you all have a lovely lovely week <33

~Z

[poseidonsdaughterthesiren]

The Daughter of Poseidon: Chapter Six

Della has to admit flying on a bronze dragon’s back is a surreal feeling. Up high the air is frigid. But thanks to the heat Festus generates they don’t feel it at all. Talk about seat warmers! 

Leo uses reins to steer Festus through the clouds like a reindeer.  They zip through the clouds with ease the rest of the world below is nothing but a speck. 

“Cool right?” Leo says. A pleased smile coats his features. 

“What if we get spotted?” asks Piper. 

“The mist,” Jason and Della say at the same time. Jason smiles at her. 

“It keeps mortals from seeing magic things,” Della explains, “Only seers will notice anything out of the ordinary.” 

Her mind goes back to the memory of Luke. His poor mother–

“Seers?” asks Leo. 

“Mortals who can see through the mist,”  Jason answers.

Della glances back at him and notices he’s holding a photo of a girl, a girl with dark hair. Is that…Thaila?

Jason glances up at her. He sheepishly puts the photo back in his pocket. 

“We’re making good time probably get there by tonight.” 

“Get where?” Della asks. “I thought you didn’t have a plan.” 

Jason laughs, “We’re going to find the god of the North Wind. And chase some storm spirits.” 

⬳

The silence had begun to drive Della insane. Typically, when she and her friends went on quests they couldn’t shut up. Percy, in particular never shut up on their quests. 

“So,” Piper says. Oh, thank the gods. “Della earlier you said you’re a cursed child…what exactly does that mean?” 

Leo sat up straight at the head of the dragon. “You’re cursed?!?” 

Della laughs dryly. “Sometimes I wonder, but being a cursed child means that you’re an offspring of the Big Three.”

“The Big Three?” Piper asks. “Do you mean, like Zeus, Hades, and–”

“Poseidon, yeah. They made a pack to not have kids. It’s a loose promise. Anyways, all three have broken it in recent years. We’re more forbidden than cursed.” 

“So, are you, your brother, and Jason the only ones?” asks Leo.

“No there’s Nico Di Angelo a son of Hades, and Thalia Grace…she’s a daughter of Zeus but has taken up with the Hunters of Artemis.” 

“So why did make a pact if they break it?” asks Piper.

“We’re considered ‘too powerful’ which is fair Percy can take on a whole army by himself, and I–we don’t fully know what all I can do yet.” Della looks down at her lap. 

She’s always felt second best to Percy, especially after he took on the Curse of Achilles. She doesn’t understand all she can do. The only thing she does know is her fate, her usual nightmare. Meeting a similar end to Thesus. Being betrayed and thrown over a cliff–but instead of into the sea, it’s Asphodel. She’d seen it in person back when she was twelve, on her first quest. 

Della shivers at the thought of the horrid place. 

“Shut up me,” Leo says out of nowhere. 

“What?” Piper asks.

“Nothing,” he says, “Long night. I think I’m hallucinating. It’s cool.” 

Jason, Piper, and Della all share looks of concern. 

“Just joking.” Leo decides to change the subject. “So what’s the plan bro? You said something about catching wind, breaking wind, or something?”

As they fly over New England, Jason lays out the game plan. First, find Boreas and grill him for information–

“His name is Boreas?” Leo has to ask. “What is he the God of Boring?”

Second, Jason continues, they have to find the spirits that attacked them at the Grand Canyon–

“Venti? Do you mean anemoi thuellai?” asks Della. 

“Can we just call them storm spirits?” Leo asks, “Venti makes them sound like evil expresso drinks and the other one sounds harder.” 

And third, Jason finishes, they had to find out who the storm spirits work for, so they could find Hera and free her. 

“So you want to look for Dylan, the nasty storm dude, on purpose?” 

“That’s about it. Well…there might be a wolf involved too. I think she’s friendly…so she probably won’t eat us, unless we show her weakness–”

“I’m sorry…a wolf?” asks Della. She turns around and faces him. 

Jason explains his dream of Lupa the murder-wolf and a burned-out house with stone spires growing out of the swimming pool.

“Uh-huh, but you don’t know where this place is?” asks Leo. 

“Nope.” 

“Lovely…” says Piper.

“Sounds about right for a forbidden child’s quest.” Della turns back towards the others. 

“There are also giants, the prophecy said “The giants’ revenge” Piper reminds them. 

“Hold on,” Leo says, “Giants? As in more than one? Why can’t it be one giant who wants revenge?”

“Too easy,” Della mutters. 

“I don’t think so,” Piper muses, “I remember in some of the old Greek stories, there was something about an army of giants.” 

“But they haven’t been seen for centuries, but then again neither had Kronos.” 

“Great…knowing our luck it will be a whole army,” Leo says. “You learn anything else while doing research for your dad Pipes?”

“Your dad?” Della asks. 

“Umm yeah, he’s an actor, Tristan McLean.” Piper mumbles. 

“What was he in?” asks Della and Jason.

“I’m surprised Della doesn’t know.” 

“Hmmm….oh wait…wait! Yes! He’s the Aphrodite’s cabin top pick this year!” 

Piper sighs. “That’s why he’s on the wall in my cabin.” 

“Yeah, they pick a new “hottie” every year.” 

Piper looks about ready to heave off to the side. 

Leo on the other hand cackles. “That’s the only reason you’ve heard of him?”

“I mean I vaguely remember the movie posters. But Percy, Beth, and I don’t go to movies very often.” 

“You don’t go to movies?” Leo asks.

“Look I don’t go out very much in the mortal world unless I’m thirdwheeling.” 

It was a sad truth, Della didn’t really go out that often. It just wasn’t her style. Of course, she’s been to movies over the past few years but is has always been with Annabeth and Percy. Mostly, because Percy drug her carcass out with them. 

“Thirdwheeling?” The others ask. 

Della sighs. “Not to change the subject, but I’m gonna….giants, we were discussing the giants.” 

“The giants–well there were loads in Greek mythology. But if I’m thinking of the right ones they were bads news. 

“Extremely bad news,”  Della sighs. “They rose after Krono's first downfall–eons ago. They could throw mountains and things of that nature. Like the Titans, they too tried to destroy Olympus. If these are the same giants–”

“Chiron said it was happening again,” Jason says. “The last chapter–that’s what he meant. No wonder he didn’t want us to know all the details.” 

Leo whistles. “So…giants who can throw mountains. A wolf-mother who will eat us if we show weakness. Evil Starbucks drinks. Got it. Maybe not the best time to bring up my psycho babysitter.” 

“You’re joking,” Piper says. 

Leo tells them about Tîa Callida, who was Hera, and how she’d appeared to him at camp. He fills them in on his past. How his mom died. And finally tells them about a woman in earthen robes who seemed to be asleep. 

“That’s disturbing…” says Piper. 

“Bout sums it up. The thing is everyone says not to trust Hera. And the prophecy says we’ll unleash death if we cause her rage. So… I gotta ask…why are we doing this?” 

“Because the gods–she chose us,”  Della sighs, “I will admit you guys have it  a bit rougher than my first quest.” 

“What do you mean?” Jason asks.

“You,” she points at Jason. “Have no memory. But I’m not that worried about your fighting ability. This is definitely not your first quest.” She looks over at Leo and Piper. “You two have absolutely no training. At least Percy and I had two weeks…then again we were twelve…”

“You were twelve?!?!” Piper and Leo say in disbelief. 

“You only had two weeks of training?” asks Jason. 

Della shrugs and smiles a bit. “ Zeus accused me and Percy of stealing his master bolt. Even though we didn’t know we were half-bloods.” 

“Holy–how’re you alive?”

“Luck?” Della laughs. “Anyways the other reason we have to do this is–this quest will kick off something bigger. This is an antecedent.” 

“And helping Hera is the only way to get back my memory. That dark spire in my dream seemed to be feeding off Hera’s energy. If that thing unleashes a king of giants by destroying Hera–”

“Not a good trade-off,” Piper agrees. “At least Hera is on our side.” 

“Mostly–she’s the peacekeeper. The only thing that keeps the gods from annihilating each other,” Della chimes in. 

Jason nods, “Chiron said worse forces are stirring on the day of the solstice, with it being a good time for dark magic, and all–something that could awaken if Hera were sacrificed that day. And a mistress who’s controlling storm spirits, the one who wants to kill all demigods–”

“Might be that weird sleeping dirt lady.” finishes Leo. 

“If she’s asleep that means we have some time,” says Della. 

“Yeah, Dirt Woman fully awake,” Leo says, “not something I want to see.” 

“But who is she?” Jason asks, “And what does she have to do with the giants?”

Good questions, no answers. The wind blew colder the further north they went. 

Della rubs her hands together to keep warm and then rubs at her eyes. 

“Hey,” Jason leans forward, “get some sleep, Ariel. We need our guide.” 

“I’ll take you up on that Hercules. You do the same,” she whispers. 

She closes her eyes and dozes off.

[the-talented-tink]

NAME: Tink Bell AGE: 28 (2006-2014) GODLY PARENT (IF APPLICABLE): Zeus AFFILIATION (CAPTURE THE FLAG TEAM/AGENT OF ERIS/HUNTER OF ARTEMIS/CAMP STAFF/ETC?): capture the flag team SPECIES: demigod ABILITIES: Atmokinesis (can control the weather, rain clouds storms etc.), Electrokinesis (control lightning and electricity and call down a bolt of lightning though it will tire her out), aerokinesis (can manipulate air i.e. ride the winds to fly, pick up or push objects backwards etc.), enhanced leadership quality (generally feels she should be in charge)

BIOGRAPHY: Tink started from grandiose beginnings. Her mother Helena Bell was a rising star in the film industry. Everyone was getting to know her name and her face. Her picture was plastered everywhere introducing her as one of the sexiest women alive. It was no wonder, then, that Zeus set his sights on her. Helena fell in love with Zeus, and it brought about the birth of Tink Bell.

In those first few years, she wanted for nothing, and her mother Helena thrived off her film success and the knowledge that she had charmed the mighty Zeus of all the gods. In fact, it made her even more confident in her career and become a part of bigger films, even earning awards for her talents. It was this that seemed to draw Zeus back to her, and soon Tink had a younger sister named Eilonwy. Two demigods, both from one of the most powerful gods despite their oath to not have more.

Helena realized this from her conversations with Zeus over time, and it made her… well a bit overconfident. The woman continued to try to tempt Zeus back to her home. But the next time she faced a god, it was not Zeus. It was Hera in her living room while her two girls were in bed, threatening her death if she did not stop calling for Zeus, and giving her a terrible choice: either give up one of her children, or Hera would get rid of them both.

Tink did not have many memories of before that time, some of her and her sister. But one she recalled very well was the day her mother left Tink at home with a nanny and took Eilonwy. Hours later Helena returned in absolute tears, with no Eilonwy to be seen. When pressed, all she would tell Tink was that Eilonwy was gone. She was gone and she would not come back.

This loss of Tink’s sister filled her with a rage she had never thought she would ever experience, and created a major storm around the mansion that they had been living in. By the end of it, the place was destroyed, and not long after… her mother’s career was finished. As the media asked about Eilonwy, the woman could never give a direct answer and eventually she was exposed as having given away one of her daughters.

Her career never recovered, and Tink and Helena Bell found themselves in a small home with Helena just scraping by for bills and Tink growing more and more frustrated with how little Helena would tell her about her sister. Finally, a year after her sister disappeared, at just 8 years old, Tink ran away from home. She had enough of watching her own mother destroy herself and still desperately cry out for a god that had seemingly abandoned their family. But the outside world was harsh for a demigod child of Zeus. Tink struggled to find her way and to take care of herself. She was just scraping by for two whole years before she finally encountered a satyr that came to help her.

She found her way to camp, and she threw herself into training, into learning to fight. She was determined to grow strong, so that she would never have to fear for her life out there again. As a child of the Big Three, and especially claimed as Zeus’ child, Tink felt the weight of that and found herself volunteering for every quest even if she knew she might not get picked. She volunteered each time, thinking it was her job to do so.

Two years into her time at camp, she felt she had really found her footing. She knew who she was and how she wanted to represent her father Zeus. Then, two years later, two shocks happened: The Titan War started, and Tink’s long lost sister Eilonwy appeared, and she finally had her sister back. Tink shifted her focus to protecting her younger sister with all her might: this was easier said than done as her sister ended up being one of the prophesied heroes that would save Olympus.

While her sister fought to save the world, Tink fought on the ground alongside the rest of the campers. When the war was finally won, all she could think of was making sure that she would always have a space for Eilonwy to go to if she needed it. She found a little place in London and lived…well… as average a life as she could for the next few years being a child of the big three. Every so often she would have to relocate again to avoid having monsters track her down. Now, ten years after it all ended, Tink only really cares about one thing at this reunion: showing off to some of her campmates in a chaotic game of Capture the Flag.

[hextechmaturgy]

my thoughts on pathologic classic

finally finished the game all the way through, so here are my (not at all concise) thoughts

beware of spoilers and A LOT OF TEXT

NOTE: I do know quite a bit about pathologic 2, but seeing as I haven't played that game yet, I'll try to keep my ideas here separate and only focus on what I got from playing the classic version

Bachelor:

By far my favorite character, and if you say I'm biased cause we have similar degrees, you are absolutely right, but that's not why I love him. I got into pathologic by watching all the video essays I think everyone else watches, so coming into it I had a very specific idea of what Daniil would be like - rude, condescending, heartless, "the prickly prick who will bury us all" - and while I can definitely see where some of those are coming from sort of, after 80+ hours of playing this goddamn game I can safely say: Daniil is a good person who does good things and the hate he gets is largely undeserved. I'm a Daniil Dankovsky TRUTHER.

He's kind! He's surprisingly good with kids; when he does snap at them and threaten to put them in timeout or to call their parents, it's usually because they're breaking his quarantine rules and that's a REALLY BAD IDEA (after 2020, I feel we can all relate to that frustration). In one instance, Capella asks him to look for a kid in an infected district and, upon finding him, Daniil tells him to run off and leave testing the disease to him, earning a shmowder from the kid but also getting the plague. This is a side quest, it's up to you to decide if getting infected is worth the shmowder or not, but the fact of the matter is, Daniil doesn't have to care about this kid, he doesn't have to do this quest, but (at least in my save) he does. Forgetting about the kids though, Daniil is just a genuinely helpful guy. He's a fucking lifesaver when you're playing as the Haruspex, he clears your name completely on day 1 when he really doesn't have to. The two go on to collaborate pretty much until the end. When Daniil's solution begins to diverge from Artemy's, he explains that no, killing the polyhedron won't help Artemy actually, it's the only way to ensure Aglaya is sacrificed, which is the only way Artemy will be accepted by the kin, which he knows is important to him, it's his inheritance! Time and time again, Daniil gives it his all to protect the people of the town. He talks Peter down from suicide, he can try to do the same with Rubin, he kills a bunch of men to protect Andrey, at some point he has a mission to reunite a daughter with her father and he only fails that mission because Artemy kills her (because you asked him for an infected heart and Artemy chose hers). His best efforts are constantly thwarted or misunderstood. I'm not saying he's a saint, he still has plenty of awful dialogue lines to choose from, but? MAN, I've been a health professional during a pandemic, I understand frustration, the pure fucking rage felt at the people who don't quarantine or believe vaccines will help, the hatred that rises in your gut when you watch as politicians take advantage of the situation. I was only a student back then! Imagine being 1 out of FOUR (4!!) people who can do something!

Daniil's condescension is another one of those things where... I see it, but I don't. Yes, his latin is tacky and he does have lines calling people dumb as shit compared to him, a genius mastermind, but one thing that we have to take into account is that Daniil is, by all accounts, a genius mastermind. The mysticism of the town goes completely over his head (it's SO fucking funny to me that Daniil has 0 knowledge that the Rat Prophet even exists), but this is because it's not something one can easily prove 1) it exists and 2) can be repeated and reproduced, both of which are VERY important in scientific experimentation. Meanwhile, in the Capital, Daniil is a famous scientist known for his experiments surrounding death; he's so good he's earned himself a following, and if the rumors on the street are to be believed, Daniil has even successfully brought someone back from the dead! I think he gets to flex his smarts, maybe. He doesn't need to be rude about it, sure, but it's not like the people would respect him if he didn't flex it. He's told from the start that he just doesn't get it, will never get it, "you're smart but you're not" type of conversation time and time again, since he's not attuned to ~miracles~ like some of the others are. Again, as an atheist myself, I can see why that would get frustrating. There is also an instance where Daniil "mansplains" antibodies to Artemy? Artemy, a fellow doctor sort of, can reply with something along the lines of "don't make fun of me" and Daniil's response is a genuine "i wasn't making fun of you, i was only explaining a concept". To the fellow mentally ill person reading this, ain't that the most relatable thing ever? Talking about something you're passionate about with a person that you like, wanting to make sure they understand the concept because you love it and understand it, but just coming off as obnoxious?

Daniil is GAY AS HELL. Those videos don't prepare you for how gay this man is. I started getting into the fandom telling myself "wow people ship these two huh, I can't imagine why" and then I played the fucking thing and you can't not ship them. It's not even subtext at this point, this is how Daniil introduces himself to Artemy:

He has two women thirsting over him (I don't know if Maria's feelings are genuine of if the Mistress magic within her just recognizes that he's her path to victory) and he barely reacts to them inviting him to their bed or saying "I love you" to his face. He can flirt back, but I feel like Daniil is just a charming guy as it is, he's from the Capital, he was friends with Andrey so you KNOW he did drugs in university and he has to know about the orgies already. He does care about Eva, but who wouldn't? In the runs you don't control him he often refers to her as "my Eva", but I always read it as platonic I'll be honest. Her death hits him hard, she's a sweetheart who only ever tried to help him, she housed him barely knowing who he was for fuck's sake, and Daniil's last conversation with her in the Cathedral shows he feels awful because he thinks she did it for him. I like to think that Daniil took a liking to Eva's kind and free spirit and often looked to her for comfort. Do I think he was in love with her? Absolutely not <3

Finally, let's talk about his ending, shall we? I feel like this is often used to demonstrate just how heartless Daniil is, and I will admit that, to me, his ending felt weirdly cruel and sudden while I was playing him. Hilariously, though, when I was playing as Artemy and spoke to Daniil about his solution, I thought Daniil had way better reasons to keep the polyhedron when I wasn't controlling him, and he explains his views better too. Daniil sees that the town is basically destroyed already, so many have died, so many more are infected and will soon die, they have a panacea but lack the materials with which to make enough to go around. The tower is aseptic, children have managed to live in it for the entirety of the plague without getting sick; it would be the perfect isolation ward for the survivors, a controlled space where they would be able to be vaccinated and monitored. Daniil does show frustration with the town, I think he even has some less than kind lines calling it backwards and doomed, but when his mind is clear and he's just talking about his plan, he says that he wouldn't mind saving the town, but he knows Block has to shoot something, and the polyhedron is worth preserving. I feel like his reasons are mostly empirical, a real science man's choice, but I'm also not one of those people who believes that Daniil represents hard, cold logic. The only reason he's searching for a way to defeat death is because he wants humans to die on their own terms, at peace. He follows facts but he interprets them with the mind of a bright eyed idealist. He writes the most dramatic letters in the world. He wears his heart of his sleeve! By the end of the game, he has seen evidence that the Kains are as magical as they claim to be. Maria's prophecies have come true, and he's literally spoken to the spirits of Nina and Simon. He sees the marvel of architecture that his twin friends managed to build, he admires it for what it is even without the mysticism on top, but then he actually learns that the mysticism is real, and he's naturally enthralled by it. Going into the polyhedron, hearing that music and seeing those lights, watching the kids play without a worry or care in the world. The future could be immortality and comfort, peace equal to that of a child who doesn't know pain, wouldn't that be wonderful? Adding to the mix the fact that he feels used by Aglaya (gonna be real here chief, either she played me super well or I was just not paying enough attention cause no matter which protagonist I was, I only ever loved Aglaya, this one is on him xoxo), while knowing she will die only if the town falls + knowing Artemy needs her dead or his prophecy won't be realized and his people won't accept him....... When talking to Clara about her ending, all she says is that she can't explain her miracle, a miracle requires faith, and yeah! If you were to meet God and he told you exactly how or why he stayed silent and hidden from you all your life, believing God exists and has power over the world would become fact, not a belief. There are too many "what ifs" in Clara's ending, at the cost of blood sacrifice one might add. Idk, I hate to see the town die and I do still think this ending is a bit cruel, but I get it. Daniil would think keeping the Polyhedron alive is the best choice, I can't fault him for it.

Side note, I would like to add that, although Daniil doesn't understand magic, as I've mentioned, he is the first person to defend it when he finds proof for it, and this doesn't just apply to the Kains. He admits he was wrong about the people and practices of the Steppe; they do work, he doesn't know how, but they are very much real and they do absolutely work, Artemy even gives him a panacea, a cure for the epidemic made from ancient, sacred blood. How can he go on claiming they're dumb superstitions? When you play as the Changeling, Daniil doesn't believe what he's heard about you at first, good or bad, but then he witness one of your miracles and from that point forth he's on your side. He defends her from Aglaya, once again rectifying the reputation of a perceived scoundrel simply because he can and he thinks they deserve it.

Haruspex:

This man makes me feral, I want to hug him so bad. His casual playfulness gets to me, the fact that his bound are children means that he often has to deal with them, and he really is good with them. A lot is said about his first mission being a testament to how hard the game and, indeed, his whole run is: one of your bound, a kid, asks you to kill another kid for betraying him or whatever. The reward is a shmowder, a cure to the plague, but you obviously lose reputation for going through with it. And see, if making this decision really was as crucial as some people make it out to be, I would get it, but it's really not. Letting the kid leave with his life means you don't get a shmowder, sure, but that doesn't matter cause you're playing the guy who invents the fucking cure. Notkin, the kid who "hired" you, thanks you for letting him live because he no longer felt so angry he wanted him dead once you left his hideout. TO ADD EVEN MORE REASONS TO WHY YOU SHOULD BE A DECENT HUMAN BEING, that kid you let escape comes back on day 9 and helps you get the Bachelor out of prison, no questions asked. Saving that kid and getting rep for it is so much more important than getting a single cure, especially because, if you're role-playing as Artemy in that moment, he probably doesn't even know what the shmowders do. Don't make your life harder. Play Artemy as the nice, moral man he is, protect the kid, protect all the children of the town, and you'll be rewarded with their friendship and all the things they can do for you. Murky alone provides the ingredients you need to make 2 fucking cures, and the price you pay for that is "go on a nice stroll through the steppe looking for her missing doll".

Related to my last point, Artemy will only really be hunted down by the masses for his crimes if he goes around town killing innocent people for no reason. You don't need to do that!!! If you must kill (and I do understand you kinda do in order to make your awesome potions), killing criminals at night raises reputation and, surprise bro, they also have organs: steal 'em, cook 'em, thrive. Artemy is portrayed as a brutish, scary man who will spill blood, and just like how it is with Daniil, this is all true in places. Despite what his model in 2 might suggest, I always envision him as a tall, large and imposing figure, the giant with the heart of gold archetype and all. People in the streets see that man, they hear about his crimes and his alleged crimes and they think the worst of him. I do believe part of the confusion also comes from the racist views of the people of the town, who go on and on about how freaky the worms and the brides are. Artemy's prophecy that he will spill blood is true for his ending, that's how he gains access to the ingredients he needs to make the cures, but it's also just a part of his occupation. Not to be a filthy solasmancer on main, but there's a character I really like in dragon age who says "the healer has the bloodiest hands" and to me that's Artemy in a nutshell. Daniil is more scientist than doctor imo, he deals with antigens and antibodies, proteins seen only through a microscope, a modern invention. He injects his solution with aseptic, hypodermic needles, and it seems to me that he mostly dealt with corpses in his previous job. Artemy's role in his society requires him to get his hands dirty to make sure that whoever is still living but hurting can recuperate and go on living. I think both positions are admirable and, to me, Artemy's is downright beautiful. As the devs have said, his story is about love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HIS ENDING FUCKED ME UP, MAN. I really spent the entire game thinking I would go for his designated solution no matter what. Nothing else made sense to me, I was looking forward to seeing how Daniil would explain his side to convince Artemy into choosing ANYTHING over the town, his town. Then I found out about Oyun who told me about Aglaya, Daniil told me that, if Artemy destroyed the polyhedron, the ancient blood would indeed flow, but the kin would not allow him to use it because, by choosing to not take his sacrifice when he needed to, he would not be accepted by them. Aglaya x Artemy is the only romance with the protagonists that I'm willing to believe, besides Daniil x Artemy ofc. Aglaya is enamored by Artemy (or possibly manipulating him because) she sees how he lives his life independent of the Powers That Bed. So what if my decisions are preordained? They're helping the ones I love. She's hoping his independence will rub off on her, and indeed his ending is the only way she lives. If you care about Aglaya, which I certainly do, choosing an ending as Artemy is torture.

I wish Artemy had stronger ties to the town. His father is dead when the game starts and all of the kids he's put in charge of are strangers. He does have an old friend there, Rubin, but he mostly contacts him through letters telling him he's out to kill him, and if I'm remembering correctly, later they meet once so Rubin can apologize and then he never comes back? My memory is bad, but that feels right. Anyway, the kin do seem to remember him, they do certainly recognize his name if not, but they don't respect him until Artemy proves himself to them. I won't get into pathologic 2, I said I wouldn't, but I know this alienation was tweaked in that game and I'm glad for him. Having Grief and Lara as extra childhood friends only adds to Artemy's connection with the town and the people living in it. Wanting to keep his childhood friends safe, who are all bound to Clara, would give him even more reasons to agonize over his ending. Imagine if, after falling down Oyun's hole (oops!) and speaking to the Changeling, Artemy had to choose one of those three women to die knowing one of his oldest friends was among them! Delicious drama, I say.

Oh yeah, Artemy is also gay as shit. I'm sorry, but if a stranger from the big city came to me and asked me for a still beating infected heart which I might have to lose reputation to get, I would at least think to tell them "maybe" if not "go fuck yourself". I won't go into this ship again, but the way they're both always so willing to help each other, even though it would be easier not to.........

Changeling:

Getting into this game, I had quite a bit of information on Daniil and Artemy, but very little on Clara. I knew the basics: she's the plague, but she isn't! She has a twin but she doesn't! How is that possible? Fuck you! That being said, I was probably looking forward to her route the most because I felt like this was the character I had the most to learn about, and I was right. Clara deserves more love, her character is truly incredible. But.... where to start, oh my god................

Okay, so Clara is the personification of the plague, we learn this super early on; in the Haruspex route, she asks Artemy to talk to the Rat Prophet about who she is and what her purpose is. Artemy can be nice and tell her she's a holy healer who can only do good, or he can tell her the truth, which terrifies her. She is spit by the Earth (wakes up in a hole with no memories) and arrives in town on the day the plague starts. While Daniil and Artemy have to pay everyday for updated maps showing the different infected districts, Clara sees her "twin" in dreams who tells her where she'll go next, so she always just Knows where the plague's spreading. She has to convince her mirror self to leave an infected district to prevent it from staying infected until the end of the game. It's obvious that she holds power over the plague, the how is what gets most people. How can she both have and not have a twin? How is she a deadly disease but also a holy healer? The answer, in the end, is quite simple. Clara is the personification of the plague, but she is also a bright 13 year old girl with an imagination. In this world we're invited to play in, which is actually the invention of two very traumatized children and, beyond that, a group of indie game developers with a passion for what they do, having an avid imagination is what makes Clara unique, it's the source of all her magic and goodness, even if it cannot completely erase her wickedness. Clara believes she can heal people and find a solution that doesn't require Block to shoot anything, and in doing so, those options become real. When Clara said she had a twin sister, she spoke another Clara into being. It's truly fascinating and also tragic, I think, to tell the story of a young girl who believes she can cure all of Humanity's ailments, not realizing (or perhaps living in denial of the fact) she's the reason those ailments exist in the first place.

I'm gonna break the mold a bit and talk about her ending already, because I feel like it flows well coming from that last point. Clara's ending, the miracle that keeps both the polyhedron and the town, can only be achieved by keeping her bound alive and healthy until the end of the game, which is harder as Clara than it is as the other two. With Daniil and Artemy, if you manage your time correctly, you will keep all your bound healthy, but Clara's daily missions require her to meet her bound and learn how awful they are (well, some of them) and then she has to lie about their true nature to those who could punish them for it, just as Clara lies about herself. She detests trickery, but if we ourselves are to suffer deception, our hands are no longer tied. When you know the truth about something, you are compelled to form a just opinion on it, but if you are lied to or deceived in some way, any decision you make may yet be forgiven because you just didn't know all the facts. Clara lives in make believe land in the most figurative but also literal sense possible. The sins of her bound don't hit her as hard because they have been deceived into believing they're real people, so she's inclined to forgive them, especially cause she's certain they can still be useful to her. In many ways, Clara is lying to herself about her true nature so she can navigate the world without concerns. Lying to her dad about the "goodness" of her bound and taking the reputation loss because of it is kind of poetic; her dad made the wrong choice by believing her and not arresting those people, but he's been freed from his crimes by her lies. Later, when Clara turns to her bound and asks them to make the ultimate sacrifice to power the miracle, they go in peace. Most say they're glad they get to die like "a real human" with a blood like Simon's.

Clara's route is really fun, but later on it does get as repetitive as everyone says, you can tell she was rushed. The missions "find your sister and banish her" and "find the bachelor and the haruspex so they won't kill each other" do get annoying, especially because they don't even have different dialogue prompts and every time you get into one of those houses to talk to them you just get the shit beat out of you, or you get the plague. There's also like... NO mention of Eva's death in her route? She's alive in the Haruspex's so I though she would be too in the Changeling's or, if she did die, I thought there would be a really cool conversation between them, seeing as the Changeling sends Daniil a letter taunting him with Eva's suicide. But no, Eva just stops showing up at her house and that's it. Huge waste of potential there. I also don't get why some of her bound are those people? Anna Angel, Bad Grief and Aspity are the fucking most in this game, so those I get. Oyun is out to kill the Burakhs, so yeah I read him on the bad vibes scale too. Katerina is a failed Mistress who only ever gave me bad instructions, so I GUESS she counts, and Alexander is a cop so fuck him too. I could make a case for Rubin? Kind of? But for Lara and Yulia, I am truly out of ideas. Clara's bound is made up of all these complex liars and cheats, corrupt politicians and the like, and then there's the lady who's too nice to shoot even her father's murderer and the math lesbian who....????? I'm gonna be real here, I never know what the fuck Yulia is talking about, I could not tell you if I like her or not because I simply do not understand what her purpose is. She's a fatalist who believes in the predetermination of fate and, as far as I can tell, that's it. Cool look, though.

I love that she gets to meet the Powers That Be twice and that they're spooked she got to them earlier than the other two. I also like the detail that this whole Clara dichotomy exists because the kids can't decide between one another if she should save or kill everyone.

One thing I forgot to say in the section about her ending: I love the implication that her ending will only reach peak effectiveness if the healers learn to work together. Clara will transform the blood of those who volunteer to die "like Simon"; this blood is what will allow Artemy to make the cures to all of those who get infected; this blood is also what allowed Daniil and Rubin to make a vaccine that can prevent the disease from coming back for as long as they can. Note: Awesome world building detail, adding in that Simon's blood was old and that was why it could only be used to make vaccines, not panaceas. It makes me think about how older folk tend to hold wisdom of past generations that allow the younger ones to avoid unnecessary pain (Daniil is older than the other two healers, not by a lot but still....... curious). This suggest that, when catastrophe does hit, the younger folks can return the favor by protecting them to the best of their ability, and then, when the bad days pass, we can look to the children and recognize that the future we build afterwards is for them. Allowing humans to exist within a loving community is Clara's miracle. It's so fucking nice to be alive, you guys.

anyway play pathologic, it's not as hard as it seems, and if it is just cheat, i won't tell anyone

[the-raven-babes]

I have no one to bounce this idea off of unless I make an tag a post myself, but the “Adam made the light flicker and storm appear” post reminded me of this:

I don’t think blue is done figuring herself and her magic out. Gwenllian implies that she’s like Gwen and can learn to be psychic, but I think her other claim “we are witches” is more accurate. Maura says sadly she is not a witch, implying psychics and witches have a connection, but I’ve always thought witches had more in common with druids than wizards and thus nature magic. I think blue should be able to do more with her mirror magic, perhaps bend other peoples magic like a mirror reflects light to suit her own needs, bend the magic of a leyline, and I high key hope that one day Maggie takes some time to finish blue’s arc of finding her place in the world, especially now she’s out of 300 fox way. I think there’s so much more to explore with her magic - she’s the daughter of a psychic and a literal tree(light)! There’s no reason she should not be on par with gwenllian, and Artemis was ALSO a magician! She should be able to do more even than Gwen! And I don’t fully believe her arc was complete in trc either.

What do you think?

I love this!!! You are so right that there’s so much unexplored with Blue. I love trc how it is but a small part of my heart cries out “it was supposed to be about Blue!!”—from the start it seemed like it was going to be about Blue being the main protagonist and having a wild summer of love and magic and it ended up with four and a half protagonist all dealing with their own things and becoming friends and going on an epic quest in their spare time. A part of me is still waiting for that journey for Blue and I really hope that Maggie returns one day (idc if it’s ten years from now, I’ll wait forever) to write her story.

[sassy-thalia-grace]

✨ Athena Parent/Kids Headcanons | Collab with @wickedweasly 😊

Athena doesn’t participate in her kids’ lives very much; occasionally she’ll come to CHB to check on them and she always congratulates them after they finish quests and she bestows her blessing on each and every one of them, but that’s pretty much the extent of her parenting.

Athena is one of those moms that expect nothing but the best from their kids but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have their best interests at heart after all she did thank them up.

She’s a very no-nonsense type of mother who is super strict and expects the utmost from her children - good grades, excellent performance in any activities they participate in, succeeding in their quests, and being able to fend for themselves and take care of eachother are just a few of the things she demands instills in her kids from birth.

Athena may not be that involved in her kids lives but whenever one of her kids start hitting puberty she personally comes down to them and gives them “the talk” because she doesn’t trust anyone else to do this but her.

Athena is constantly bugging her daughters to join the Hunters of Artemis because she wants them to be maidens like her 😂

On top of bugging them to be maidens she is wary with her girls around boys (Annabeth being a perfect example) and she’s always giving their boyfriends death glares to tell them not to mess with her daughters.

All of her kids have a lot of respect for Athena and take pride in being her kin, but none of them really look to her as a mother figure. She’s just the model for what they should be and the idol of possibilities.

Cabin 6 is one of the best cabins at CHB: the whole cabin is full of desks and comfy chairs, there are lots of bookshelves packed full with books and trinkets, there are crocheted blankets and pillows, tapestries and maps hanging from the walls, art and architecture projects everywhere, a whole set of shelves designated to armor, weapons and battle plans, the bunks piled with handmade stuffed animals and drawers filled with handmade clothes. The second you enter you can feel the creativity and inspiration in the air.

Athena and Ares are always arguing about who’s kids are better.

Athena kids are almost as competitive as the Ares kids, and the two cabins are constantly in friendly bets with eachother.

[agathasblackheart]

Bro I finished the daughters of Artemis quest line and I refused to kill Daphnae and honestly heart been broke so many times 😭 that was my wife and now she wants me dead

[longproxy]

Trials of apollo the dark prophecy plot

TRIALS OF APOLLO THE DARK PROPHECY PLOT PLUS

TRIALS OF APOLLO THE DARK PROPHECY PLOT SERIES

They fight bitterly and often before realizing they need to slow down and figure things out. They no longer share that sensationalized infatuation from the end of Heroes of Olympus– the heightened emotions have worn off, and reality has settled back in, and now they realize they have no idea who they are as individuals, much less as a couple. Something that pleasantly surprised me was the more mature and realistic ‘step-back’ that Riordan took in depicting the relationship between Leo and Calypso. The disparities between Apollo’s inner thoughts and the reality surrounding him manage to be either hilarious or bitterly emotional.

TRIALS OF APOLLO THE DARK PROPHECY PLOT PLUS

The two main characters, Apollo and Meg, have a couple thousand years of an age difference, plus they’re constrained by this warring and ironic balance of servitude, betrayal, deeply-rooted love, and selfless devotion. The particular situations between characters, and between the characters and their world, are very fascinating. They’re immensely unique and interesting. We’re only two books in, but I think I can tell that the strength of The Trials of Apollo will stem from the relationships the story fosters. The strength of Heroes of Olympus was character nine protagonists managed to become strongly defined and developed individuals. To me, the strength of Percy Jackson and the Olympians was its plot it was elegantly woven, spanned several years, and wound up nicely in an extremely heartfelt finale. And I’m not just talking romantic, though he does a good job writing those. Relationships, relationships, relationships. So how do you keep it interesting and meaningful? (And let’s be real, this is less the second book, and more like the twelfth book of a story that spans three series/parts.) Regardless, Riordan had to build off of the momentum that first books can easily generate with new problems, powers, and characters.

TRIALS OF APOLLO THE DARK PROPHECY PLOT SERIES

Second books have a unique challenge, especially within series as long as five books. They’re in quite the unfortunate situation. A looming, dark cave of prophecy might have the answers they need to save the Waystation and themselves (and might just help Apollo finish up his mortal-time and return to godhood), but that’s only if they don’t go insane first.Īnd when the second emperor of the evil Triumvirate is Apollo’s ex-boyfriend? Yeah. Their daughter became insane and went missing after the rise of the second Roman emperor. Invited into the mysterious Waystation, a magical house with rooms as shifty and unpredictable as their creator, the trio finds a new home with Josephine and Emmie, two former Hunters of Artemis. When they arrive in the heart of the American midwest, their problems really begin. Meanwhile, Apollo runs into the danger to find her again, accompanied by Leo Valdez, the now-mortal Calypso, and a faulty bronze dragon. The elusive Meg McCaffrey is on a deadly quest ordained by her brainwashing stepfather and abuser, the risen Roman emperor Nero. There are no spoilers until you press ‘Keep Reading’.Īpollo’s life as a mortal is a little tough when his closest friend (and unfortunately, his supreme master) has been instructed to kill him.

Book Review: THE DARK PROPHECY by Rick Riordan (The Trials of Apollo #2).

Come along for what promises to be a harrowing, hilarious, and haiku-filled ride. To survive the encounter, Apollo will need the help of son of Hephaestus Leo Valdez, the now-mortal sorceress Calypso, the bronze dragon Festus, and other unexpected allies-some familiar, some new-from the world of demigods. Standing in Apollo's way is the second member of the evil Triumvirate, a Roman emperor whose love of bloodshed and spectacle makes even Nero look tame. Somewhere in the American Midwest, he and his companions must find the most dangerous Oracle from ancient times: a haunted cave that may hold answers for Apollo in his quest to become a god again-if it doesn't kill him or drive him insane first. What is affecting the Oracles, and how can Apollo/Lester do anything about them without his powers?Īfter experiencing a series of dangerous-and frankly, humiliating-trials at Camp Half-Blood, Lester must now leave the relative safety of the demigod training ground and embark on a hair-raising journey across North America. The only way Apollo can reclaim his rightful place on Mount Olympus is by restoring several Oracles that have gone dark. Zeus has punished his son Apollo-god of the sun, music, archery, poetry, and more-by casting him down to earth in the form of a gawky, acne-covered sixteen-year-old mortal named Lester.

[positively-patroclus]

Atalanta

Atalanta (Ἀταλάντη) so who her parents are depend on the version. Iasus and Clymene, or King Schoeneus. In this post I will be using the version with King Schoeneus.

The Start: When she was born, Atalanta’s father was distraught. He had wanted a son, and because people in ancient greece were so understanding, he left her on a rock to die. A sow who had recently lost her babies found her. She was raised, and nursed by the sow. Until a group of hunters found her, and stole her from the bear. They raised her in the woods, and she became a swift footed. She modeled herself after Artemis (Ἄρτεμις) Atalanta killed two centaurs (Rhoecus and Hylaios) who tried to r@pe her. After this point the myths get a little more confusing., I will try to organize the events.

The Voyage of the Argonauts. Otherwise known as the bane of my existence: Sometimes she is a part of the Quest For the Golden Fleece. Atalanta is in the battle of Colchis, and was later healed by Medea. In other versions Jason won’t let her join the Argonauts because she was a woman. So we don’t actually know if she was on there so it is up for interpretation. Now let's get into the events that actually make sense.

The Calydonian Boar Hunt, The Footrace, and Hippomenes: So the stinky little King Oeneus forgot to sacrifice anything to Artemis.  She probably would have been fine with like some oranges or something but nooooooo. Anyway she sends the calydonian boar to them to destroy crops, cattle, etc. Oeneus was annoyed so he decided to host a hunt for the calydonian boar. Meleager, Theseus, Pollux, Telamon, Peleus, and more people but they don’t matter. Atalanta showed up as well. Meleager grew close.  Hyleus and Ancaeus died, Peleus injured other hunters, Atalanta drew first blood, Amphiaraus struck the boar’s eye, and Meleager finished off the boar. Meleager gifted Atalanta the boars hide. His uncles, Plexippus and Toxeus, did not like that and tried to take the hide. Meleager, always the logical person, killed them. Althaea, Meleager’s mom, responds by burning his stick, and murdered her son. You know like a logical person. Soonish after that an oracle told her that getting married would be her undoing (*gasp* foreshadowing). Atalanta’s father found her and took her back because apparently girls aren’t cool until they aren’t the cause of three men’s death. So he tried to arrange a marriage for her. Atalanta agreed on one condition; They had to beat her in a footrace, if they didn’t she got to kill them. He agreed, because a pretty daughter will get suitors. All died until Hippomenes came. He came with the blessing of Aphrodite, and three golden apples. He and Atalanta raced, her in armor and with weapons, began to race. Everytime she got close to him, Hippomenes threw a golden apple to her to distract her. He won and the two of them wed. Happy Ending? No remember the oracle. They had a son, Parthenopaios. Hippomenes forgot to thank Aphrodite, and she caused them to have a moment of passion. They ended up having s*x in a temple of Zeus. Zeus decided that only he could have s*x with everything, in his temples so he turns them into lions.

So thank Aphrodite and don’t have sex in Zues’ temples.

[greekbros]

"greek-Bros: The Return of an Old Enemy"

Chapter 12: Matters to Attend To

After a rough night of sleeping in the tough dirt with roughly 15 or so big cats, Dionysus prepares to leave for Olypmus. He was waiting for Apollo to pick him up, feeling as if he'd been gently shoved into a small box to sleep in while dogpiled by his own pet big cats. He drinks in the scenery of the morning, wondering what the day shall bring. Feeling the top of his head feeling a little bit warmer, he looks up to find Apollo riding above. "Ah there you are!", he shouts to his brother in the sky. Along with the ball of fire trailing behind Apollo's chariot, it's golden embellishments shined bright enough to create a blinding glare, leaving Dionysus to shield his eyes for a short second.

Riding down to Dionysus's position, Apollo waved back, "Good morning. How was your night?", he asked softly. Apollo also looked a little sleep depraved as well, after Dionysus's afternoon celebration, he had his own issues to deal with. Apparently, there had been issues around the coastal areas around mainland Greece that weren't related to wolves....but a bizzare influx of dolphins harassing the locals.

Dionysus yawned loudly, streched his arms and gave his back a good crack, "let's just say it's easier to imagine sleeping with big soft animals than it is to actually put into practice.". He groggiingly climbed onto Apollo's chariot. ".....so is there any seatbelts on this thing?", he joked.

Apollo shook his head and snaps the reins, off they went to Olypmus. "Well, hang on then, time is of the essence.", he chuckled. He snapped the reins and off to the clouds above the two went, the clouds at first felt like cool mist but slowly thickens into a softer fluff that opens to a sea of soft white and blue. Off in the distance, Olypmus stood proudly like an island.

Meanwhile, Zeus had returned to Olympus with the growing concerns that had become prevalent throughout the Mediterranean; the wolf attacks. Pacing back and forth, Zeus was pondering what to do about such an issue. "Wolves of all things", he though. Did he need to talk to the other gods about this? Was Hades responsible for this, inspite of his lack of evidence that Hades has yet to be responsible for any surface issues. He hadn't the foggiest idea what is causing it. "oooooh....where is that girl....I know she's the greatest huntress in all of Olypmus but she shouldn't be taking this long.....and Athena....my goodness with all her wisdom and intelligence....a little empathy wouldn't hurt once and a while.", grumbling on while rubbing his forehead, oddly enough even mentioned Athena's name gives him a mild headache. Inspite of this, Zeus still worries for all his daughters.

Hermes could only watch as he was growing more entertained by the hole in the floor Zeus had created. Hera was more disgruntled at Zeus because now the nice marble floor now have sizable divot. "..... Zeus can you PLEASE just sit down. You're not the only one here with a headache, how am I going to find a stonemason at this time in the morning?", she groaned. Spectating the whole issue, she really had become curious as to how Zeus could be blaimed for this, maybe its so bad that he would be banished and she would be made Ruler of the Sky, but she doubts that.

"I understand my dear, but there are more important matters on our plate.", as Zeus says this the sound of Apollo's chariot. "Oh thank goodness.". Zeus hoped with Apollo and Dionysus now present, there would be a few more heads working together. "Ah good morning boys.", Zeus urgently greeted them.

Dionysus slid down the marble floor for a dramatic entrance, while Apollo calmly walked in. "Good morning father, good morning Hera you look absolutely radiant today", Apollo greeted back. The two placed themselves on their designated thrones.

Hera wasn't too flattered but she appreciates the greeting with a head nod. "Morning... Apollo. So what has your father done this time?....". She has been watching over both Olympus and the earth while Zeus had been flying around. Tapping her perfectly sharpened nails on the arm of her gold and marble throne. "Well?", she inquired again.

With the rough sound of clearing his throat, Zeus interjects to answer for Apollo. "Well Hera, it seems we have a pest control problem, 'wolves'...........'wolves' have been seen doing such strange things .....but others say it's really not wolves. If memory serves me, we did not create wolves to act like this......boys, have any of you found any new information?", Zeus inquired.

Dionysus and Apollo looked at each other, remembering the day before and what had transpired during the Dionysian Games. Dionysus glances away, trying to deter any responsibility in being the first to tell anyone, Apollo is given the unceremonious task of explaining what had happened on Delphi. "Well.....let's just say, while Dionysus was having a...day time event, it seems that there was some semblance of a sighting. No one was harmed thankfully....", as he finished he looked at Dionysus, hoping he was going to going to fill in any details.

Dionysus, pretended that he wasn't paying attention. Apollo continued to stare at him until he took a coin from his pocket and aggressively flicked at Dionysus. The coin hit Dionysus's head with an audible tunk as it bounced off, "Ow! Fuck man what the hell?!", Dionysus rubbed the currently forming lump. He looked around as he saw Hera, Zeus and Hermes were looking at him, clearly knowing he knew more than he was willing to share. "Ugh....yeah....someone saw a dog thing? Yeah but as Apollo said, no harm no foul...", he hoped his flimsy confirmation would suffice.

Zeus obviously took this as a sign something was wrong and that these creatures were indeed becoming more and more brazen but he wasn't going to pry Dionysus anymore for obvious reasons. He was still wondering where Artemis and Athena were, probably assisting mortals or actively finding more information.

Zeus than turned to Hermes, usually his energetic messenger was more talkative, yet right now he was rather quite. "Hermes....is there anything you would like to share? Any news that would ....at the very least help us... Artemis told me you witnessed one of these creatures yourself?", Zeus asked. He could see Hermes looked a little anxious, in fact Hermes hadn't taken his encounter very well since he first saw it. "My boy, do you have something to say?", Zeus again asked.

The wings on his hat emoted his sudden alertness much like how a dog would, he was mentally elsewhere but quickly came back to planet Earth to put it 'mortally'. "Oh well.....it wasn't too bad.... Artemis shot it in the mouth...hehehe, but....I'm more use to things staying dead.", he rubbed the back of neck, "The creature came back to life shortly after she killed it. I've never seen something like that in my life.", Hermes responded somberly. He felt silly being scared of something that wouldn't be out of place in the Underworld, but he knew that it wasn't something he had experienced in its controlled chaotic environment. "Outside of that, it seems they're very sturdy and very fast.", he continued.

Off in the hall, Artemis and Athena had finally arrived, although both were empty handed, Athena had come with her pride humbly swallowed. The two sisters entered the throne room unannounced as to not disturb Hermes's story.

Dionysus went from playing with his curly locks to glancing past Zeus and seeing Artemis and Athena. "Oh cool, you're here!", he exclaimed with a smile. Artimes waved back, but Athena stayed stone faced.

"Ah there you two are! Where have you two been?", Zeus bellowed.

Artimes walked towards her barely used throne next to Apollo, slumped onto her seat, surprisingly exhausting. It was obvious Artemis had been doing most of the leg work of investigating what has been happening, meanwhile her brothers decided to have fun with their fake Olympics. ".......ugggh....", she groaned and turned to Apollo, "so....did you look over Delos like I asked?"

He had been so occupied with Dionysus that he had COMPLETELY forgotten to check if the island of Delos was untouched. Apollo struggle for a few seconds, as he was about to say something.

"You didn't fucking check didn't you?", Artemis interrupted. Lucky for her, she had checked Delos and the island was currently at the bottom of her list worries.

Apollo couldn't help but give an embarrassed half smile and immediately points to Dionysus and whispers, "this is your fault". Dionysus of course couldn't help but give an identical smile.

Athena stood in front of Zeus, "Father....I believe I owe you an apology for doubting your judgement....it seems.... Athens has come under a terrible affliction....the city has been relying on outside trade these past few days because the farmlands have been savagely ravaged by unknown forces. On top of all that......Theseus hasn't helped much politically, considering he is off on some pointless quest with the rest of his demi-brethren, the state executives have been scrambling for answers to the myriad of metropolitan issues. Disappearing blacksmiths, sightings of creatures in the night and hordes of food, metal, and wood supplies have disappeared over night. I seek your your guidance, for this is genuinely a force I have never experienced.", she was at a loss for words with her situation. Athens has had many terrible lows in its long history, but nothing of this supernatural sort.

He looked at his children, he shook his head. "Your apologies are always accepted my dear Athena. Laps of judgment always happen.", Zeus said with a smile.

She held her head up high, "If I may ask. Is there explanation to.our plights?".

Dionysus stretched his legs a little, "it's wolves I think....but they're kinda funky. Hermes says that THESE wolves can get hit with arrows and like...not die....it's kind of weird. Oh and apparently they like destroying food tents.", he interjected.

Hermes turned to Dionysus, "This thing wasn't a wolf! I know a wolf when I see it, this thing had hands! And it stood on two legs and was fast on them!", he corrected Dionysus was short burst of annoyance.

Obviously, Hera was about to toss herself from the top of Mt. Olypmus from all the sweetness of Zeus's love for his children, the destruction of anyone's food tent or anything, she couldn't care less about it. ".....Can we go on?", she strained. "Frankly Zeus, I just want to know what does all of this has to do with you.", She paused as she was just speaking at suddenly thought had dawned on her. ".... Zeus.......this "wolf" business doesn't have anything to do with Lycaon does it?....You DID say the problem was taken care of....right?", Hera spoke with a tone of ripe displeasure.

Zeus couldn't deny it any longer. An unnatural wolf, Athens in social chaos and the constant bickering between his children had to stop. "Children........it's time I told you the whole story....do you remember when I've told some of you the story of how I defeated the most evil man in the world?", he asked.

The other gods became curious, what did an old bedtime story that their own father had to do with all of this? Hera let out a long and disappointed sigh, it really did have something to do with him, but she had secretly hoped he wasn't responsible for it.

He continued, "Many decades ago, it should be a century or so....if memories serves me correctly....I was invited to a feast in Arcadia by King Lycaon himself. In the story, I told that I defeated him by turning him into a wolf and destroyed his desperately sons for serving me a feast made from the flesh of man..... however.....I may have left out a few.... important details....I did turn him into a wolf....but I left a small semblance of humanity in him so that he may suffer ridicule and hatred for the remainder of his life......that...may have been the greatest regret....I should have ended him when I had the chance.... however, I cannot contest for how he has managed to live for so long....but I do fear it maybe my power is what helped with his longevity.....I doubt he's alone too....", he solemnly ended his story.

The five Olympic offspring sat there in disbelief, the rumors were true and their own father had direct responsibility over the situation. Hera in the meantime, felt a little sorry for Zeus, if she was responsible for such a blunder she would no doubt feel an eating guilt in her heart. "Zeus, listen, what's in the past is done....you fucked up and honestly that's no surprise.....", she put it bluntly.

He turned around unamused but not surprised that his wife would take a swing at his ego, yet all he could do is agree. "Now..... children, we must spread ourselves around and look high and low for Lycaon...no matter the cost.", he declared.

A low crashing noise could be heard from halls, alarming everyone in the throne room. The boys screamed, Artemis was too tired to care and Athena raised her shield and spear ready to defend everyone in the room. Zeus and Hera were worried but there was a likely suspect on their minds. "Ares!", the two said in unison. If anyone would regularly break urns and vases in Olypmus, it was Ares. Whom oddly enough did not come to the meeting. Apollo, Dionysus, Hermes and Athena were the first to charge towards the noise while Artemis had no intentions of moving for the moment.

In another room, Ares was trying to help Ajax use armor and play with a wooden sword for the first time. Turns out, after a few hours of roughhousing with his own war hounds, Ares realized Ajax could use his paws to hold things. So one silly thing led to another, and Alex accidentally broke a vase. "Nice swing Ajax, you'll lead your own army in no time!", Ares chuckled with enthusiasm. Ajax wagged his tail and adjusted his ill-fitting helmet. "You know what, I'm hungry. Come on Ajax, let's go get something to eat", he gestured to Ajax to follow him to the kitchen. The pup's tailed wagged even more enthusiastically, he gently removed his helmet, placed his shield and sword down and followed his new devine friend.

As the two miscreants went to the kitchen, the rest of the Olympians just missed them by a few seconds. Apollo and Athena were armed and ready while Hermes and Dionysus were reluctant to have followed them.

Apollo and Athena both look at the obvious mess of broken urns and damaged marble along with the instruments of the crime. "Hm...It definitely looks like Ares may have been here....but what would he want with set of juvenile training armor?", Athena questioned.

"Hmmm....maybe he's taken up another Amazonian student?.... after all it's not like he's done it before.", Apollo speculated.

"Well I'm not cleaning up after his kids again.", Dionysus groaned brushing away a piece of broken pottery with his foot.

Hermes looked around and started to hear more clattering coming from the kitchen. "I think we'll get our answer shortly.", he pointed to the direction of what at this point sounded like a dog playing with its food.

The four than slowly cornered the entrance way to the kitchen, Apollo and Athena on opposite sides of the door. Dionysus, summons his thyrsos, to protect himself and Hermes who's just behind him. Athena motioned to Apollo to get ready to bust into the kitchen, he agreed with a stern nod.

Zeus and Hera have just arrived, spectating the mess of a hallway and had just about enough this. "OH FOR GOODNESS SAKE.", Zeus bellowed and opened the kitchen door to fine Ares mid bite into some meat and Ajex sitting on the counter, peacefully chewing on lamb chop.

It was a standstill for the ages.

"Son.....what is that?", Zeus asked calmly and sternly.

"Lamb chops.", Ares replied.

"....no.......I mean....what...is....that?.", Zeus pointed at Ajex.

Ares hadn't thought so quickly in his life and drew out his sword and pulled Ajex closer to him. In a deadpan tone and a blank stare, "Take one more step Dad I will wreck everything.". Ajex obviously was completely clueless and just innocently looked at everyone.

Everyone from Zeus and his children all armed themselves. "ARES I NEED TO YOU STEP AWAY FRO. THAT ABOMINATION.", Zeus commanded him.

Athena raised her spear, "Ares you dimwitted buffoon! That creature's kind has cost us all dearly!", she hissed at him

Ares still expressionless knew he wasn't going to let his family hard a single fur on Ajex's head.

The Olympians were all shouting and tried coaxing Ares to give the wolf pup but the god of war wouldn't budge.

Hera, finally pushing Apollo and Dionysus aside, "ARES! What is going on?! And why is that thing on the counter! You have no idea where it's been and I thought I told you no snacking before meals!", Hera shouted with a wag of her finger.

"Oh I gave him a bath before we started training.", Ares replayed.

"TRAINING?!?", everyone shouted in unison.

Zeus's voiced boomed, "YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT CREATURE IS CAPABLE OF!".

"FUCKYOUDADYOUCANTTELLMEWHATTODO!", Ares defiantly shouted back.

As the quarreling between the gods continued, Hermes at was fearful at seeing this kind of creature again until he started to get a closer look. "Wait a minute..... isn't this the dog with tattered clothes your thespian friend told you?", he turned to Dionysus.

As if a candle was suddenly lit, Dionysus than remembered the joust. "Hey it's that dog thing that cost you the joust you know the one you lost and got very very VERY humiliated in?!", he hoped reminding Ares about his loss would make him relinquish Ajex due to anger.

"Oh really? Well ok than accidents happen I guess. I guess little Ajex here had places to go. Ain't that right buddy", Ares said with a smile basically forgiving Ajex for costing him the joust. Ajex let out a little yip with glee.

"Damnit. I thought that would do it. Sorry guys I tried.", Dionysus shrugged.

Hera was distraught and disappointed, "Oh my gods you've named it too. Now we'll never get rid of it.", she said breathlessly.

"Come on mom, it's just a dog. I mean sure he's really misshapen for a dog but he's managing pretty well with me.", Ares still had no idea that what he was holding close to him....was more closely related to a cursed human.

"Son....that is no hound....that....is what I had turned Lycaon many years ago....I turned him into a part wolf monstrosity for the purpose of punishment! That right there!.....could be his very offspring! Or worse!....an innocent child who was transformed into wolf.", Zeus gravely explained.

Ares looked at Ajex, "....oh...so that's why he has thumbs.".

The rest of his siblings couldn't believe that Ares had just realized this and collectively groaned. Zeus could only nod in minor disappointment while Hera shook her head.

Hermes on the other hand stepped a little closer to Ares and Ajex. "....Well....thus one DEFINITELY isn't the same kind of beast me and Artimes saw.", he than started to feel extremely silly for being so afraid of this small and somewhat cute looking creature.

"That's because it's a wolf cub!", Artimes had finally caught up with everyone. "I mean seriously, you guys got worked up over a pup? I mean seriously it still teething.", She pointed at Ajex who was still chewing on a lamb bone.

Ares looked at Ajex, "you mean like how babies do?....cool. That explains why he bit me when we first met.", he fondly remembered.

Zeus went pale. "Son....did....did ugh...Ajex you called him? ....well....did he draw blood when he bit you?", he deathly asked.

Ares looked at his arm and saw no marks, then he looked everywhere else that Ajex had teethed on and still no marks. "Nope. Little guys' gonna have to grown into his big teeth later.", he knew that dogs had their own set of baby teeth much like humans did, so considering Ajex's lineage, there was a good chance he still had many of his baby teeth.

A deep sigh of relief was let out by Zeus.

Apollo than asked, "Father, why is it such an issue that it bit Ares, it's not like as if gods could die of an infection....even so I can fix it.".

Zeus shook his head, "Because I've seen what happens with mortals who survive an attack from these monsters....they become them.", the others became visibly worried, expect for Ares and Hermes. Hermes of course could always outrun them and Ares simply assumed he was impervious to injury.

Ares than realized if he hadn't been so physically hard to chew on he would be a half-wolf half-war god. "WAIT A MINUTE I COULD HAVE BEEN A WOLF WAR GOD THAT SOUNDS EPIC AS FUCK!", He shouted.

Apollo, Athena, Artimes and Dionysus looked at each other in clear worry, the idea of a beastly war god even more so vicious than what he currently is now is a far more unfathomably terrifying idea.

Hermes was still looking at Ajex with mild curiosity. Suddenly Ajex looked at him a tilted his head with equal curiosity. A sudden urge to do something Hermes wanted to do when discovered he could perform a neat little trick. He than raised the wings on his hat upwards in an alert position. Ajex's ears did the same thing. Than Hermes switched to a 3 o'clock position, Ajex than followed through and mimicked with his ears.

The rest of the gods looked at this strange display and went silent, surely something important was happening.

Ares however was starting to get jealous, "dude da fuk can you stop that's super fucking weird.", he asked but Hermes continued with different wing positions as if he was giving signals. Ajex was oddly enough having fun with this activity and let out a yip.

"I can't believe it.... we're completely in sync! You know what this means?", Hermes exclaimed at his wings alternated with Ajex's ears. "This could be like a secret handshake or something."

His brothers were obviously was confused, "Ugh...is this going to help us? I mean it's a cool trick but how is this going to solve anything?", Dionysus asked.

Hermes chuckled a little and replied, "oh no there absolutly nothing useful about this it's just fun to see if another animal would do it.". Another collective groan from everyone could be heard.

Athena rested her spear, "This has been a waste of time! All that's happened was the discovery of this creature infiltrating our ranks through Ares's pure ignorance and we still have no clue where to find these b-", she suddenly stopped mid sentence and looked at Ajex and started to formulate an idea "....... surely....this...Ajax has a family...I mean for such a young pup, he has to be missing his parents...", She glanced at Ares whom was still keeping Ajex close. He didn't want to part with him.

Zeus knew what Athena had been implying, he agreed with this plan but he didn't want to lose anymore of Ares's trust. "Athena, as much as that sounds like a wonderous strategy, I believe we can achieve our goal in finding Lycaon.... without harming the young creature.", Zeus walked up to Ajex, no matter if this creature had fangs, claws and fur, it was still in a sense a child.

Scoffing at Athena's attempt to gain her favors by being "tactful", she couldn't help but sense Athena was simply trying to be a little bit insensitive to Ares considering the two have had it against each other for years. "Or....I can just track down trail where me and Hermes found the first wolf. I mean, if I remember correctly there IS a complex cave system in Mount Parnassus.", she concluded.

Ares was relieved.

Zeus had than remembered what Athena had mentioned about Theseus and the rest of his half-born children. "By jove I've got it. BOYS! You're off to find Lycaon.", he announced.

Apollo, Dionysus, Hermes and Ares all looked at Zeus in mild disbelief. "Wait what?", they all murmured in unison.

[lovetheworld-harrypottergirl]

When The Sea Met A Child Of The Moon

Percy Jackson x Daughter of Artemis

Part 1: The Lost Child Awakes

Word Count: 9555

Time Period: 2021 ( Because I made civilization start seven years later than wanted, so I could use songs from our time.)

Summary: When a boy returns from his quest with his satyr friend and a Daughter of Athena, a girl from long ago awakes from a deep sleep she was put in hundreds of years ago. Seeing things have changed is hard for the girl, but she must learn to catch up with the times. People that have watched over her every day she has slept that are still around help the poor girl to come to terms with what has happened, only one of which she knows. What happens when she runs into the boy and their destinies intertwine?

Y/N- Your Name, N/O- Name Origin

~

 You were one of the first ever campers to ever attend Camp Halfblood. You helped build the cabins, carve features on the buildings, and you even got to light the first flame at camp. But one thing that nobody could ever know was your heritage. Chiron had looked after you your whole life, and was the only person at camp that knew your Godly mother. The day he received you, you were just a baby. 

 Chiron had finished training the hero Asclepius and gone to make sure the hero was on the right path to his quest, when an old man had come stumbling out from a bush, carrying a basket in his arms. The old man had fallen and Chiron rushed to help him. He knelt beside the man, checking his pulse, but the man had already died by the time Chiron had run up to him. There was a soft faint crying noise coming from behind him, and he went to see what it was. He stood in front of the basket and saw laid inside of it was a baby, wrapped in white cloth.

 He very cautiously picked up the baby, gently rocking it to calm its crying. When the baby had fallen asleep, he noticed a symbol in the middle of the cloth: A bow, arrow, and a crescent moon. He had seen the marking before, it was the Symbol of Artemis. He was perplexed, and carefully sat down, placing the swaddled baby back in the basket. He had carefully gotten up, making sure not to wake the sleeping child, and walked over to the waterfall with a small rainbow from the mist only a few paces away.

 He untied a small pouch from around his neck and pulled a golden drachma out. Tossing it into the water, he called out some words to the Goddess Iris, asking for her to accept his offering. He called out to speak with the Goddess Artemis, and in the mist, the image of a girl shimmered. The girl turned towards the mist, smiling brightly.

“ Lady Artemis, I have an urgent matter to speak with you about.”

“ Then proceed Chiron, for I am eager to listen.”

“ I was watching the hero Asclepius, making sure he was in the right direction for his quest facing him, when an old man stumbled onto the trail with a basket. He collapsed, and when I went to help him, he was gone. And, I heard the crying of a child, and I found a baby girl, swaddled in a white cloth with your symbol.”

 The goddess’s face turned pale as the moon.

“ Lady Artemis?”

“ Chiron, I have broken my oath to never bear a child. The man was named Alexandros, and he only ever wanted the gift to raise a child. It was only until after I had given him that gift, that I saw he was attacked. Venom from a Manticore, it was too much for his body to handle. But the child, may I see her?”

 Chiron carefully walked over to pick up the baby, cradling its small figure in his arms. He walked back over to the image of the goddess in the mist and tilted the child up for the goddess to see.

“ Her name is Y/N, meaning, N/O. Chiron?”

“ Yes Lady Artemis?”

“ I need you to promise me you will take care of my child, and that you will care for her as your own. I need you to promise you will never tell anyone of her heritage, not until the time has come that I must claim her. Swear on the River Styx Chiron.”

“ I swear on the River Styx that I will care for, watch after, and not tell the godly heritage of the child I craddle in my arms.”

 There was silence for a moment, then a clap of thunder rolled through the air. The promise had been made, and the goddess looked down longingly at the child.

“ Goodbye my daughter, may you sleep well by my moon and stars.”

 And with that, the mist shimmered, and the image of the goddess was gone. About eleven and a half  years later, after the first ever game of Capture the Flag was played at camp, you had been walking with some of your cabin mates alongside the forest. You looked over at your best friend Anastasia, holding hands with her boyfriend Acacius, when you suddenly felt very faint. The world around you began spinning and you started to fall to the grass. Your friends hadn’t even noticed you dragging behind, but one of your very close satyr friends, Gaios Underwood, saw you fall to the ground.

 He quickly rushed over to you, checking to see what happened. It was only when a bunch of forest nymphs started crowding around you, that your friends turned around to see you surrounded by a bunch of forest spirits. Anastasia quickly ran to you, asking your satyr friend what had happened.

“ Gaios, what happened?!”

“ I don’t know, I saw her fall and came over to see if she was alright. We have to get Chiron, he’ll know what to do, right?”

 A few of your friends rushed off to go find the centaur, but they wouldn’t make it in time. You tried your hardest not to close your eyes, but it was like a cold force was engulfing you. The world slowed down, and you saw Chiron being led by your friends to you. It was as if time stopped, and your eyes shut. Chiron tried desperately to wake you, but nothing worked.

 No matter how hard he tried, or how many Apollo kids tried their healing magic, you would not wake from your deep slumber. Chiron and the campers even prayed for Apollo to come heal you, but even the God’s magic would not wake you. But he did leave the camp with a prophecy.

“ She will sleep for years, until the chosen Son of Poseidon returns victorious, the sky restored to full strength.”

 Chiron waited for years and years for the prophecy to come true, but after almost a decade of waiting, he gave up hope. It soon became a tradition, that every year on your birthday, the camp would have a day of peace. Each cabin would make a special gift for you and they would place it by your bed in the infirmary. Surprisingly, the Ares cabin always made the most wonderful gifts. And every five years, the Apollo cabin would create a new camp song, composed of things Chiron told them you used to love.

 That all ended the summer Percy Jackson showed up at camp. Things became chaotic, and Chiron couldn’t always be watching to see if you ever woke up, so he set up a rotation schedule for campers of each cabin. It was about mid afternoon, the sun was high, and Silena Beauregaurd was watching over you. There was a ruckus at the very edge of camp, along where the borderline was, and Silena looked out the window to see what the fuss was about. She saw everyone crowding around Percy Jackson as he stepped through the border and into camp.

 That was the exact moment you woke up, gasping as you opened your eyes. Silena turned around, and saw your eyes were open, and you were breathing heavily.

“ Oh my God’s!”

 You sat up to face the girl, scared that you had no idea who she was. She slowly stepped towards you and you backed into the bed you were now sitting upright in. She put her hands out infront of her, showing that it was alright.

“ Hey, it’s ok Y/N, I’m not gonna hurt you.”

 Her voice soothed you a bit, but not enough to make you comfortable with the stranger in front of you.

“ Wh-Who are y-you?”

“ My name’s Silena Beauregaurd, do you remember who you are?”

 You nodded your head slowly, back still pressed against the back of the bed.

“ I-I’m Y/N.”

“ That’s right, do you know where you are?”

“ C-Camp Hal-Half Blood.”

“ Good, do you mind if I go get someone real quick?”

 You just nodded your head, as she stepped out the door. As soon as her feet hit the grass, she started running to the crowd of people, shouting.

“ Chiron! Chiron!”

 The centaur looked in the direction of the shouting and running girl. He raised his hands, quieting everyone down.

“ Silena, what is it?”

“ She- She woke up! Chiron, Y/N woke up!”

 The centaurs' eyes widened, and everyone started chattering loudly. Silena waved him to come up the hill and to the infirmary. The centaur started galloping up the hill, hoping desperately that the girl was telling the truth, campers following close behind him. Silena came back through the door slower now and walked over to your figure, curled up into a ball. She crouched in front of you.

“ Y/N, there’s someone here who I think you might remember.”

 Silena pointed over to the doorway, where Chiron was standing, anticipating the moment. You slowly turned your body, looking at the centaur in front of you, that same one that had raised you. The centaur walked over to you, his face soft with a gentle smile. He knelt down to touch your cheek with his large hand.

“ Y/N, my dear, it has been too long. You have awoken.”

 You looked at Chiron.

“ Ch-Chiron, what’s happening? Who are all those people outside?”

 Chiron looked over at Silena and gestured to the crowd of campers. She walked to the door and shut it behind her, telling the campers to return to their cabins. Chiron very gently pulled you into a hug.

“ Chiron, what happened? And where are all my friends? Where’s Anastasia?”

“ Y/N, you don’t remember do you?”

“ Remember what Chiron?”

“ Y/N, they’re gone, you were asleep for over two thousand years.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 It had been two weeks since you woke up, and you spent that time crying and missing your friends, watching the kids outside your window passby. The one friend you missed most of all, was Gaios. You missed sneaking up on him and scaring him, you missed singing along with the tunes he played on his pipes. But what you missed most about him, was his friendly features: His smile, his playful eye glint, and the horns on top of his head. He was the best friend you could’ve asked for, and now he was gone.

 You heard a knock at the door and turned your head towards it when you heard the hinges squeak. In walked two boys, almost identical, but with a few slight differences.

“ Hi.”

 You just turned your head back to the window, trying to block out everything. The boys looked at each other.

“ Hey Y/N, I’m Travis Stoll and this is my brother Connor.” Gesturing to his left. “ Chiron told us to come talk to you.”

 You just kept staring outside the window.

“ Chiron’s worried about you, says you won’t talk to almost anyone, not even him.”

 You turned towards the boys, your skin pale from lack of eating, looking almost light gray in the light coming from the window.

“ Connor and Travis? How would you feel if you found out you had been asleep for almost two thousand years, and that every friend you ever had was dead?”

 The two boys looked at each other, mouths open in shock. Your voice was so soothing, they might have mistaken you for a Daughter of Aphrodite, trying to charm speak your way out of a tricky situation.

“ We-Well, we would probably be scared, and keep to ourselves.”

“ And what do you think I’m feeling right now?”

“ Scarred and alone, lost on the situation.”

 You looked back out the window and spotted a face that looked familiar.

“ Who’s that?”

“ Who is who?”

“ That satyr, the one with the white pipes and tan skin.”

“ That’s Grover, surprised he’s out. Why?”

 You looked over at the twins once more.

“ I-I want to speak with him.”

“ Why would you want to speak with Grover?”

 Connor elbowed Travis in the stomach, causing the boy to let out a small wince.

“ I mean, sure, but let us tell Chiron first.”

 You spoke not a word as the boys walked out of the room. You laid down your head on your pillow, looking up through the roof. Chiron knew how much you loved to look at the sky when you were little, so when you hadn’t woken up after five long years, he had decided to make a transparent roof tile above your bed so the Gods could watch over you in your state. You heard a knock at the door and just kept staring through the roof.

“ Come in.”

 The door opened, and the satyr you had been watching earlier stepped through, shutting the door behind him. You sat up a little and motioned for the satyr to come sit on your bed. He did so and looked at you while you messed with your fingers.

“ Grover? If you don’t mind  me asking, what is your last name?”

“ My last name is Underwood, why?”

 You looked up at him, smiling slightly for the first time since you had woken up.

“ You look just like Gaios.”

“ My great-great grandfather Gaios? You-You knew him?”

 You laughed a little at the satyrs' surprise.

“ He was my best friend, he was one of the first satyrs here at camp, you know. And he was so proud of it. But yeah, I knew him. He always talked about what he wanted as if it were a dream, so dedicated to every little detail. I remember one time, he told me he had a dream about one of his future descendants, Grover. I thought he was being ridiculous, but now I know he was describing you with every detail he could muster.”

“ Wow, thats-”

“ Impossible? I used to think that too, then I saw you and I knew, you must be one of his.”

“ What was he like?”

“ Gaios, he was kind, gentle with every creature he found, and the way he played his wooden pipes, it was the most beautiful sound ever.”

 You stayed quiet for a few seconds, then felt the sadness hit you harder than a rock. You sniffled and Grover looked at you.

“ Y/N? Is everything alright?”

 You shook your head slightly, feeling the tears build up in your eyes.

“ Yeah, I just miss him, I miss everyone from my past. I just can’t believe that they are gone, and I never even got to say goodbye.”

 A tear rolled down your cheek and you let out a small sob. You put your elbows on your knees, and your hands on your head. Grover couldn’t stand to see anyone crying, just like how Gaios could bear to see you cry. Grover scooched closer to you and pulled you into a tight hug. He hugged you while you cried, telling you that everything would be alright.

 When you pulled away, he gave you a smile that seemed to make your sadness go away.

“ Everything happens for a reason, and I believe that you woke up when you did, because we are going to need you for whatever lies ahead of us.”

 You smiled weakly at Grover.

“ Thank you, you’re exactly like Gaios. And you have the same glint in your eyes, mischievous with good intentions.”

 Grover laughed, and that made you smile a little more. Grover got up from the bed.

“ I’m glad you wanted to talk to me, and you are always welcome to.”

 He extended his hand out towards you.

“ Friends?”

 You grabbed his hand and shook it gently.

“ Friends.”

 You smiled, knowing that Grover would be there when you needed. He walked towards the door and waved you goodbye, and you waved back, feeling truly happy for the first time in a while. After that day, Grover, Silena, and the Stoll Twins were the only ones that you would really talk to. A few days passed since you and Grover became friends, and you woke up one morning to find the sky was still dark. You looked out the window by your bed, and the outside was completely empty.

 You decided to take a walk, having not done so since the day with Anastasia and your friends. You carefully slipped into an extra change of clothes: A white CHB tank top, a pair of ripped black shorts that Silena had brought you, in case you ever decided to go outside, and a pair of black shoes called Converse. You carefully opened the door, careful not to make the hinges squeak, and crept past the cabins. You walked over to the dock, the same dock you spent time with your friends making, and sat down. You sat with one leg over the side of the pier, while you rested your chin on the other, holding it close to your chest.

 You watched as the fish swam around where your foot was hovering, illuminating light as the moon reflected off the water. You looked at your faintly glowing skin. You had always glowed, that's why you had always loved sneaking out at night, because you would never not be able to see. You looked into the water and saw something shimmering faintly. You took off your shoes, and looked around to see if it was clear, not noticing a figure standing on the porch of Cabin Three.

 You dove into the water, diving down to the bottom where the shimmering object lay. You could see through the dark water and when you reached the location of the object, you could see it was inside a shipwreck. The boat was wooden, with the bows knocked to one side, and the mast snapped in half. You could see that the object was lying in between two planks of wood, standing upright in almost a pyramid shape. You swam closer, and with each kick that thrust you forward, you saw what the object was.

 You picked it up, and it was as if the moment you touched it, it shimmered brighter. It was a jewel encrusted golden laurel crown, engraved with the Symbol of Artemis. You whipped away the algae building up on the crown with a tattered piece of fabric that was left from the sail. You just sat in the water for a few minutes, looking at the beautiful crown in your hands. When you had decided to go back up to the surface, it seemed a nearby naiad had other plans.

 This particular naiad had been around when you started at camp, and had quickly become jealous that you were always stealing away boys from her, and thought it was time for some revenge. She snuck up behind you and entangled your legs in a net, dragging it under the shipwreck, you along with it. You struggled to free yourself, having very little success, and felt your breath going away. Chiron had taught you to hold your breath, but the struggle to break out of the net took the energy you had taken under with you, all out of you. You looked over at a nearby Hippocampus, who saw you in destress, and it swam over to you.

 You put your head to the creatures, connecting with its spirit.

“ Find me help, I can’t last much longer without air and energy. Now go.”

 The Hippocampus swam up towards the surface, and you watched it as it broke through the water, seeing it thrash widely. The sun was up and the water at the surface no longer seemed dark, but it shimmered almost all brightly as the laurel crown in your hand. The Hippocampus swam to the pier, where something seemed to calm it somewhat, you losing more air every second. The Hippocampus dove back down towards you, and you could faintly hear people above, as the world seemed to grow darker around you. Something dove into the water, following the Hippocampus.

 You tried to keep the air inside you, and keep conscious, but the air and energy had escaped you. Your eyes shut as the figure of a person neared you. Your legs were being cut free, and a pair of arms enclosed around your body. The water going through your hair as some strange force propelled you and the figure carrying you up. Finally, you broke the surface and people started shouting.

“ He got her! Someone, go help him!”

 But the person carrying you didn’t need any help. The water slowly came off you, as the person stepped out of the water, and onto shore. You were being sat against the warm sand, and someone was putting their head against your chest.

“ She’s not breathing.”

 Everyone gasped and started to become fearful with worry. Someone began pressing against your chest, trying to revive you. A bark came from the forest and a wolf the size of a Hellhound began running towards the beach. Everyone scattered, everyone but the person pressing your chest. You coughed and water came out your mouth as you sat up, the person backing away after seeing you shoot up.

 Everyone started pulling out their weapons, ready to attack the large wolf. You said something in between coughs.

“ Therapéfste ti Loupágia, den ypárchoun apeilés.”

 The wolf stopped where it was and sat down, panting happily. A few of the campers stared at you, while others kept their weapons up in case the wolf decided to attack. You fell over onto your side, breathing heavily.

“ Eláte Lupaya, allá perpatíste argá.”

 The wolf trotted over carefully, side eyeing the campers with their weapons drawn and growling at them.

“ Lupaya, na eínai oraía.”

 The wolf walked to you and nuzzled its large muzzle into the crook of your neck. You brought a hand up to the creature's face, resting it over the wolf's eyes, calming it and causing it to transform to the size of a Rottweiler. The campers gawked at your ability to calm the large creature and all began whispering loudly. You felt two hands on your shoulders, lifting you up.

“ Show’s over people, please follow your cabin heads to the dining pavilion, Cecil will lead the Hermes cabin.”

 You felt weak as Connor and Travis dragged you to the infirmary. Connor opened the door as Travis carried you in his arms inside. Will Solace, one of the new Apollo campers, looked up from rearranging some medical supplies and looked at the twins surprisingly.

“ What happened?”

“ She got stuck underwater, we’re not sure how badly she might be hurt, but she has a lot of bruising on her legs. Looks like she got stuck in a net.”

 Travis set you on a bed carefully and stood off to the side with his brother. Will carefully examined your legs, looking at all the bruising running everywhere from mid thigh, all the way down your leg. He tried to lift your leg to see how bad the bruising was on the other side, but you cried out in pain as soon as he touched the underside of your leg. Connor and Travis made their way to each side of you, holding your hands in theirs so you had something to hold onto. You squeezed their hands, needing reassurance that someone was there beside you.

“ Travis, Connor, do you think you could turn her onto her side?”

“ Sure, be careful with her legs Con, we don’t want to inflict any more pain on her.”

 Travis carefully lifted your torso off the bed, while Connor carefully turned your legs sideways, allowing Travis to lay you on your side. Will carefully examined the bruising on the underside of your legs.

“ The bruises are pretty bad, if we give her ambrosia nectar, it could heal the bruising or it could heal any injuries that might be inside of her. Worst case scenario, she’ll have to rest for the remainder of the day.”

 Will walked over to a cart and pulled out some ambrosia nectar, shaking the bottle slightly to mix it up. He poured it in a cup and put in a straw, holding it up to your mouth for you to drink. Connor took the cup and crouched down next to your face.

“ Y/N, can you drink this for me? It’s to help you get better.”

 You nodded softly and Connor held the straw to your lips as you sipped the nectar. The nectar was sweet, but it tasted slightly bitter, just like the Dandelion Lemon Tea you would make with Chiron on cloudy days. After you finished the nectar, you felt very tired, slowly shutting your eyes. Connor looked at your face, gentle and calm, but also like stone, then back at his brother.

“ She’s probably exhausted, we should leave her to rest. Let us know if anything happens.”

 Will nodded as the boys carefully walked out of the infirmary, and shut the door behind them, careful not to roose you. Will walked out about twenty minutes later, going to help with a situation that involved a satyr, an Ares' camper, an ax, and a tree. You laid there in peace, eyes closed, feeling calm and at ease. The door opened a few minutes later, and a dark haired boy with sea green eyes entered the room, shutting the door behind him. The boy walked  to the bed you were laid on and looked at you while you slept.

 To him, you looked breathtaking when you were sleeping: The stray bits of hair around your forehead, the braid over your shoulder, and he noticed a small scar on your temple. You stirred in your sleep, but it didn’t startle him the slightest bit. He watched from the corner of the room as your eyes fluttered open and you sat up in the bed, wincing at the bruising on your legs. You rested your head against the headboard, staring at the ceiling. You sat there for a few moments until a voice from somewhere in the room startled you.

“ Hey, how are you feeling?”

 You looked over to the nearest corner of the room, and saw the sea green eyed, ebony colored haired boy. You had recognized him because when Grover wasn’t talking with you, he was hanging with the boy.

“ I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“ It’s alright. You’re Grovers friends, aren’t you?”

 The boy nodded.

“ Percy, Percy Jackson, Son of Posieden.”

“ Y/N Moon, Daughter of Unknown God or Goddess. Grover has told me a lot about you.”

“ Really, what has he told you?”

“ That you nearly got killed on your quest from flying shoes, that you only seem to have a keen eye for blue, and that Clairesse wants you dead.”

“ Yep, that pretty much covers the basic things you need to know about me. Grovers also told me about you.”

“ What sort of things?”

“ Well, he always talks about your love for wild things and nature, he told me you used to love hunting for fun, but you never intentionally hurt something without reason, you’re kind, and you share his love for music.”

“ Sounds like him… I’m sorry for what happened today, I-”

“ Don’t, it wasn’t your fault you got stuck. It was an accident.”

“ No it wasn’t, that stupid naiad trappedd me there!”

“ Hey, no need to blame anything on naiads’.”

“ But she is to blame. When Camp Half Blood was being built, boys would go down to the lake to cool off, and the naiads’ would try to catch their attention. One naiad in particular named Amphidridia was always looking for attention from the boys, but she claimed whenever I walked past them, that I was using some sort of dark magic to lure them away from her. Chiron had told me to just ignore her, but after that, I don’t think I’ll ever want to go in the water again.”

 You buried your head in your hands, trying hard not to break down. Percy looked at the state you were in and recognized it immediately, he had seen one of his best friends Annabeth with the same look on her face and the same terrified edge to her voice. He walked over to you and took your wrists in his hands.

“ Hey, hey, hey, it’s alright. Just calm down and take deep breaths, in and out.”

 You took a few shaky breaths as your hands and the rest of your body relaxed. Percy took one of your hands and placed it in the palm of his. You looked at him.

“ If the naiads’ give you any problems, just come talk to me and I’ll talk to them so we don’t have another incident again. Same for if anyone else gives you trouble.”

 You looked up and smiled at him, and you could feel yourself blushing.

“ Thanks Percy.”

“ Anytime, as for me-”

 You heard people talking, the voices getting closer. It was Connor and Travis.

“ That's my cue to leave before they beat me to a pulp, I’ll see you later, and I’m always available to talk when you need it.”

 Percy smiled as he climbed through a window, just as Connor and Travis stepped through the door.

“ Hey, how are you feeling?”

“ Better, my legs still hurt, but I think I can fix that myself.”

“ Really? Now we are intrigued, please do show us.”

 You just rolled your eyes at the boys.

“ Maybe some other time.”

“ Ok, we just came in to let you know that there’s a game of Capture the Flag tonight, and that Chiron thinks it would do you some good to join.”

“ Capture the Flag? Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve played that, I’m in.”

“ Great, since your godly parent is undetermined, you’ll be on our team.”

“ Actually-”

“ Awe come on, don’t you want to be on the winning team?”

“ I’m flattered, but I work better with Ares kids.”

“ Ok, but we can’t make any guarantees that Clairesse will accept you on her team, good luck.”

“ Bye Connor, bye Travis.”

 With that, the boys walked out, leaving you alone with your thoughts. Your clothes were still pretty wet, so you decided to change into a same exact set of clothes Silena had dropped off the day before. You realized that you had forgotten your shoes at the docks, and mentally face palmed yourself. You saw that there was a small pile of discarded rolls of torn bandages and you gathered some and put them back on your bed. Using the discarded torn bits, some twine, leaves, and two pieces of wood you found, you placed them neatly on top of each other and focused your energy on them.

 Putting a hand on the two piles, you began chanting something, little did you know that some of the Ares’ campers had been passing by and heard the Greek words.

“ Theótita kai pnévmata, sas zitó. Metatrépste aftá ta aporrímmata se papoútsia. O ílios kai o ouranós, ta astéria kai i nýchta, afíste aftá ta aporrímmata na metatrapoún se fos.”

 The campers listened carefully and could make out the words you were saying, translating it from Greek, to English.

“ Deity, and spirits, I ask of you. Turn these scraps into shoes. The sun and sky, stars and night, let these scraps be turned into light.”

 A brightlight started illuminating off the two piles, then after a bright burst of light, the piles had been replaced by a pair of white sparkling sandals with decorative silver leaves on the sides. You picked up the shoes and slipped them on. When you walked around the room in them towards the door, it was as if you were able to move faster and swifter. You let your hair out of its long braid, not yet deciding what you wanted to do with it. You walked over to the door and as soon as you opened it, you were greeted by a few rough looking kids, with smiles on their faces.

“ Um, hi.”

“ Hey, um, we were coming by to try and get to know you I guess. What was that you were doing in there, with the piles of stuff?”

“ You mean Moon Magic? It’s something I learned. I was just making some new shoes, I don’t really have any others. I’m Y/N Moon, by the way.”

“ Name’s Clarisse, you seem good, do you know how to use a sword?”

“ Is Zeus the God of Lightning and the Sky?”

“ Well duh, come on, you can hang with us.”

“ Thanks, where are we gonna go?”

 Clarisse looked at you with a mischievous grin on her face.

“ As head counselor of my cabin, I get to help train newbies, and today we get to go against newbies trained by Jackson. Piece of cake, you’re gonna need a weapon though.”

“ I’ve got my own, it’s not much, but you might as well get to see it.”

 You walked out onto the lawn, the Ares’ kids following you as you did so. You looked up towards the sky, putting your index and thumb to your lips, letting out a loud whistle. A second later, a large bird flew overhead and dropped an object wrapped in a cloth. The object fell directly into your hands and you unwrapped the cloth from it to reveal a beautiful silver sword, in a sleek gray leather sheath. The Ares’ kids gawked at the weapon, jealous of the craftsmanship.

“ Woah, where did you get that sword?!”

“ Someone who used to be an old friend, and it’s not just a sword, pick it up and look at it closer.”

 Clarisse picked up the weapon and unsheathed it, looking at it carefully along with her siblings.

“ Go ahead, press that trigger in the middle.”

 Clarisse pressed an arrowhead shaped trigger in the middle of the handle and it instantly transformed into a bow. A few of the kids backed away in surprise, but the same sound came from all of their mouths.

“ Woah! Mother of Ares!”

 You nodded at Clarisse again, and she pressed another trigger at the tip of the bow and it transformed into a ragged dagger. Clarisse pressed the button a few more times, and each time she did so, the weapon changed. She pressed it one last time and it turned back into the sword that she had started with.

“ Wow, that's amazing, how does it do that?”

“ You’d have to ask Hepastus himself, Chiron said one of his kids had a vision from him and made it, they still have the design somewhere hidden inside that cabin. I know because someone hid it there when I was really young, like when I first discovered Camp Half Blood, I saw an old man burying a scroll that was written in the hand of a God. Maybe you could ask for one.”

 Clarisse smiled at you, and you saw past her rough layers, that there was a kind girl inside. The wind blew past you and your hair got in your face and you had to use both hands to keep it back so you could see. Clarisse laughed lightly.

“ Looks like you need some help there, let's go to my cabin and we can help.”

 Clarisse jogged over to her cabin: A building scruffily painted with an angry red color, with barbed wire lining the roof, and a stuffed boar's head on the doorway. It looked almost the exact same way it had on your first day at camp. You followed Clarisse in the building and she led you and her siblings to an empty bed with no mattress, just a slab of wood. The surface was scattered with small baskets filled with face paint, brushes, hair ties, and face paint brushes. Clarisse sat you down while she and a few other Ares’ kids messed with your hair, discussing what to do with it.

“ I’ve got it! If we braid three sections of her hair and put them into a bun on top, and we leave the rest of the hair in the back, then we could use the hair left at the bottom to put into one long braid going down her back. An Ares’ Braid Bun, let's get to it.”

 Clarisse and four of her siblings got busy dividing, brushing, and braiding your hair, while you talked with her other siblings. A few of her younger siblings asked Clarisse if they could help and she let them put some decorations into the work. They would put in shimmering stones as their older siblings braided, and they stuck in a black flower to the side of the bun on top of your head. Clarisse finished off the last braid by tying a hairty to the bottom of the braid and carefully setting in a discarded bear's tooth she had won in a fight against one. She then sprayed it real quick with a mixture of pine sap, and conditioner, using it as hairspray, and sure enough it held the hair in place.

“ Can I look now?”

“ Yep, we’re all finished and you look amazing.”

 Clarisse handed you a mirror and showed you your reflection. Sure enough, the hairdo was amazing and went well with your outfit. She checked her wrist watch for the time.

“ Okay guys, time to go beat Jackson’s butt!”

 The cabin cheered and you smiled. You whispered into one of Clarisse’s siblings' ear and they passed the message along to her. She quieted down her siblings so you could speak, nodding to you to take the floor.

“ I love what you guys have done with my hair, but I think if I use some of my Moon Magic to make it appear as just a ponytail, I can use it as an advantage in Capture the Flag later.”

 Her siblings all nodded in agreement, saying that it would be a good element of surprise, plain to amazing. You chanted a few words in Greek, then your hair appearance changed to appear as just a ponytail. Everyone was still amazed by the fact you could do Moon Magic.

“ Let’s go campers and kick some Jackson butt!”

 Her siblings all cheered and ran to the arena, you along with them. You sat with a few of the other girls from the Ares cabin, talking about how cool it would be when you took down the other team. One by one, various Ares kids were called to go against other kids from the other group. There was an empty spot and Clarisse said free spot, and asked who wanted to go against Percy, even though she wanted to take the spot for herself. You raised your hand and stood up, the Ares kids cheering for you as you made your way down to the fighting circle.

“ I’ve already explained the rules several times, but just remember, Chiron says no intentional stabbing for blood. Fight!”

 The Ares campers began cheering as your sword clashed into Percy, sending a few sparks to the ground. Your swords pushed against each other, and he was trying to push you outside the circle. You were almost at the edge when he had his sword flat pushed against yours.

“ Game over Moon, you might need more training.”

“ Wouldn’t be to sure about that Jackson, if Chiron had taught you anything-”

 You jabbed Percy in the arm with the hilt of your swords, allowing you time to take his sword, jump over his back and knock him to his knees, his hand falling outside the circle.

“ You would know better than to underestimate the power of a girl.”

 You dropped his sword as the Ares kids all shouted.

“ OOOOOOH!”

 You turned around for one last remark.

“ And next time Jackson, it would be best for your safety if you didn’t challenge me!”

 Another round of shouts came from the Ares campers and they started chanting your name as they followed you out of the Arena. Percy got up just as Clarisse was walking past him, followed by four of her siblings.

“ La Rue, what in the name of the Gods’ did you do to her?”

“ I didn’t do anything Jackson, that was all her, you’d better watch yourself tonight or that just might happen again.”

 Clarisse and her siblings snickered as they walked out of the arena and back to their cabin. Everyone was sitting on their beds, while you sat on one of the smaller girls beds, braiding her hair. You were talking about your life before, “The Rest”, as everyone had called it. You were talking about how you had taken down your first monster when you were just seven with nothing but a bow and some rocks, and how you had helped build camp, people intervening every once in a while to ask questions.

“ Y/N, there are all of these small quotes carved onto the steps of each cabin, which camper did that?”

“ That’s actually my doing, each cabin has a quote carved in Greek with a special saying for each cabin. For example, when I was carving the saying on your cabin, I had put down the words, 

‘ Paidiá polémou, megála kai mikrá, pou tha antéxoun na polemísoun méchri tin iméra tou fthinopórou.’ And do you know what those words mean Gracie?”

 You looked to a little eight year old girl that was sitting on the top bunk of a bed while she was nestling between a set of twin boys, who were no older than yourself.

“ My bubby told me that those words mean, ' Children of War, big and small, that will stand to fight till the day of the fall.’, but what does that mean?”

“ That means that even though you are all Children of Ares, that you will fight for the right purpose, the purpose Camp Half Blood means to almost everyone here: For family.”

 You heard a few campers sniffle, moved by your words, and you blushed slightly.

“ It’s almost dinner time, so everyone go wash up to eat.”

 Everyone got off their beds and went to go wash their hands as you had kindly asked of them. You picked up the little girl whose' hair you had been braiding and followed everyone to go wash your hands. She booped your nose and you booped hers in return, making her laugh. You set her down and told her how to wash her hands with a little song.

“ Scrub, scrub, scrub the dirt, clean with soap and water. Flick the water, off it goes, follow sister and your brother.”

 You hummed the tune again as the little girl dried her hands and you washed yours. After you had dried your hands, you held the little girl's hand as you walked to the dining pavilion. You sat down with the Ares kids and you made conversation with a few of the other girls as you rubbed the little girl’s arm. After you had gotten your food and made your offering to the Gods, you sat back down and started eating your food, while still conversing with the girls around you. You had been the first one to finish your food, followed by Clarisse, and so on until the whole table was done.

 Clarisse saw it was getting dark, and she and the rest of the table started getting restless. Mr. D stood up lazily and spoke over the tables of kids.

“ If anyone who is done with their food wants to, you can go prepare for Capture the Flag.”

 As soon as he finished his sentence, the whole Ares table and yourself ran off to the Armory to prepare for the game. You searched the walls for the best fitting armor, but nothing seemed to be right, until Clarisse tapped your shoulder. You turned around and she was holding a silver breastplate with a silver helmet, topped with a red plume. You strapped on the armor and everyone started heading back to the Ares cabin for the best part of preparing for Capture the Flag: The War paint. Everyone started decorating their faces with marvelous designs of paint, putting it down one side of their face while putting another streak across their face horizontally.

 You designed your face by putting drips of gold along the top of your forehead to make it look like Ichor, the Blood of the Gods, and silver along the underside of your eyes and on the right corner of your mouth. Everyone liked the design you were putting on your face and added similar elements to their faces, some asking you to do it for them. By the time all you were done, the rest of Camp Half Blood had just finished putting on their armor. Chiron led the campers into the woods to the borderline of each team's side: The left side belonged to the red team, and the right side to the blue team. Chiron said the teams had three minutes to figure out a plan and that was it.

 Clarisse waved over the other cabins that had been selected and informed them of the plan. The Hephaestus kids would go into enemy territory and draw them away from the border while the Aphrodite kids stayed on border patrol. Then Clarisse and the rest of Cabin 5, followed by Cabin 7, would surprise attack the people guarding and lower anyone that tried to go a different direction. This would allow you to sneak along the very edge of enemy territory undetected and get their flag. The team agreed and Chiron stamped the ground, signaling that planning was done with and allowed both teams to set up their positions. You were in ready position, and could see the forest ahead of you, despite there being no sunlight, you could see through the darkness and your body let off a glow. 

 You thought of darkness and your bright glow went down to the point where it was just a faint glow. You heard the horn blow and took off into enemy territory, hearing the fighting start. You crept quietly, making sure to not step on any sticks. You were about twenty feet away from the people guarding the flag and you saw Clarisse and the rest of your team leading the enemy away. You saw them run off, chasing Clarisse and the team until you couldn’t see any more of them.

 You carefully crept towards the flag, snatching it up and running back towards home territory. You had only gotten about thirty feet before you ran into someone about half a foot taller than you. You fell to the ground and someone had their foot on your chest, and the flat of their blade to your chin. You looked up and were met with a pair of sea green eyes.

“ Looks like the tables have turned, Moon, how’s it feel?”

“ Jackson, haven’t you learned anything from the arena?”

“ Yeah, I actually have. I learned that I shouldn’t underestimate you, and that you are easy to knock down when you aren’t paying attention.”

“ You really need to watch your mouth, Jackson.”

 You swiped your hand over your head, revealing the hairstyle the Ares kids had given you. Percy stared at you for a moment, having a loss for words, giving you an advantage. You kicked Percy back, knocking him down to the ground and you grabbed your sword, taking off running again with the flag in your hand. You ran as fast as you could until you saw the creek, jumping over it and landing on your team's side. The horn blew, signaling the game was over, and your team ran to you as fast as they could.

 As soon as they got to you, they all patted you on the back, congratulating you. Clarisse and one  of her siblings hoisted you onto their shoulder, as the rest of your team chanted your name. Chiron came from the enemy territory, the other team following. Clarisse set you down and Chiron gave a few last remarks for the night, announcing your team as the winners, and that you got special privileges for the day tomorrow. The rest of your team moved to the side, talking to one another excitedly.

 You smiled at Clarisse as she talked with one of her brothers, and you knelt by the side of the creek, looking at the reflection of your hair in the shimmering water. You heard a rustle from a bush on the other side near the other team. You cautiously stood up, hand on your sword. Before you could even step over the creak, a giant Hellhound jumped out of a bush, heading straight for the other team. Time seemed to slow down and you saw the hounds' target.

 You didn’t really think in the moment, all you knew was one second you were at the edge of the stream, then you were sticking your sword into the hounds neck. The people behind you jumped and screamed. The sea green eyed boy behind you stared in disbelief at the hound. The hound howled in pain, clawing at the sword stuck in its neck, scratching your abdomen. The scratch left a deep gash, but you were more focused on the threat in front of you.

 You twisted your sword in the Hellhound’s neck, causing it to let out a painful sounding howl. You pulled your sword out of its neck and slashed it against its throat several times, until you raised your sword and stabbed the Hellhound in the head. The hound fell to the ground and burst into golden dust, leaving nothing but a large tooth in the pile. The rush of adrenaline made everything seem to spin, but then you realized it was because of the gash on your abdomen. Your knees buckled and you fell forward, but someone caught you.

 Everything was quiet, yet loud around you. The person turned you over and you were met with the sea green eyes from earlier, people crowding around you.

“ Oh my Gods’ Y/N, you saved me.”

“ Percy…”

“ Y/N, your abdomen! Someone get Yew!”

 The Apollo child pushed through the campers until he reached Percy and yourself. He set down a bag and started pulling out medical supplies. Michale tried to touch your abdomen, but you jerked away from him, a wave of pain going through you when he touched even your side.

“ Y/N, I need you to try and relax so I can see how bad your abdomen is hurt. Percy, give her your hand in case she needs something to hold onto.”

 Percy slipped his hand into yours and you relaxed a bit, a tear rolling down your cheek as Michale examined your abdomen. You squeezed Percy’s hand as Michale pulled out a needle from his bag and injected something into your arm. You began to get very tired, and your grip on Percy’s hand loosened. Michale said something to Percy that you couldn’t understand, but Percy lifted you off the ground and started carrying you. It was only a few seconds before your eyelids shut and you were asleep.

~

 It was almost nine-o'clock the next morning before you woke up. You woke up and were met with the faces of your friends. Connor and Travis were directly on your left and they both smiled when they saw you open your eyes, Clarisse was on your right and let out a sigh of relief when she looked down at you. Grover was pacing nervously at the end of the bed and Clarisse nugged him, snapping him out of his state.

“ Hey Y/N, how are you feeling?”

“ Achey, my head hurts.”

“ Michale said that would be a symptom of the medicine he gave you last night. You gave us quite a scare last night, taking on the Hellhound, what were you thinking doing that alone?”

“ I-I don’t know, I just saw  it was going for Percy, and I couldn’t let it just hurt him.”

 Connor and Travis looked at each other. Clarisse looked them both in the eyes and motioned towards you. Travis sighed and looked at his brother.

“ You wanna tell her or should I, Con?”

“ Tell me what?”

 Connor cleared his throat for a moment, and looked at you straight in the eyes.

“ Y/N, after Percy had started carrying you back here, you sorta started glowing.”

“ That’s nothing new for me, I’ve always been able to glow.”

“ No, like, you were glowing really bright. After Percy brought you back here, something- something happened.”

“ Connor, you’re starting to scare me, what happened?”

“ A, uh, symbol appeared above you. You’ve been claimed, but-”

“ I-I was claimed?”

“ Yeah, you were. You were claimed by Artemis.”

“ By Artemis? I-I don’t understand, Artemis doesn’t have any children.”

“ That’s what we thought too, but Chiron explained everything to us. He told us about the day that he found you, and how hard it was to keep it from you. He really wanted to tell you himself, but something came up and the Gods wanted to speak with him, he won’t be back until a month and a half at least.”

 You just sat there for a while in silence, staring up at the ceiling. After you hadn’t said anything or moved at all for five minutes, your friends started to worry. After Clarisse managed to snap you out of your trance-like state, she couldn’t get you to say anything, even after many tries. Everyone tried, but nobody could get you to say  a single word. Travis and Connor pulled Clarisse and Grover to the furthest corner of the room and started whispering, but you were able to hear every word.

“ I told you guys she wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

“ Well we couldn't just keep it from her forever Grover, she was gonna find out eventually, but now it seems like we broke her.”

“ If she won’t talk to me, I don’t think she will talk to anyone.”

“ Well Clarisse, there might be one person at camp that she might talk to.”

“ No, not him, it's because of him that she has that giant gash in her abdomen.”

“ She has that gash on her abdomen because SHE chose to protect him, not because she had to, she wanted to.”

“ Clarisse, he might be the only one who can snap her out of it.”

“ Fine, but if he says even one wrong thing to her, all of my siblings will make him wish he hadn’t.”

“ Ok, Grover, can you go find him and bring him back here?”

“ Sure, be right back.”

 Grover trotted out of the cabin. Connor walked over to your bed and sat down by your feet.

“ Y/N, I get it if you don’t want to talk to any of us, but we need you to talk to the person Grover is getting. And if you won’t talk to anyone then, we’ll just wait until Chiron gets back from his council with the Gods’.”

 The door opened and you didn’t even bother to look at who was entering, you just kept staring at the opposite wall.

“ Come on guys, let’s go, she might not talk if she knows we are still here.”

 You heard footsteps and then the door shut. The air was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. Someone walked towards you and sat down on a chair next to your bed.

“ Y/N?”

 You turned your head just enough to meet Percy’s sea green eyes. You tried to speak calmly, but your voice quivered, and your hand began to shake.

“ What do you want Percy?”

“ Grover told me you wouldn’t talk to any of the others, what’s wrong?”

 You turned away from him, hoping if you did so that he wouldn’t be able to see you cry. But Percy could clearly see the tear fall onto the bed. He stood up from his seat on the chair and sat himself in front of you.

“ Y/N, I know it’s hard to be claimed, believe me. I didn’t even know my father was still alive until about two weeks ago, let alone that he was a God, but I need you to tell me what you're feeling so I can try and help you.”

 You just looked down at your shaking hand, tears falling off your cheeks.

“ I-I do-don’t kn-know what to d-do Percy, I-I’m sc-scared.”

 You let out a quiet sob, your hand starting to shake more. Percy grabbed your hand in his, your hand still shaking slightly, but much less at his touch.

“ Y/N, look at me.”

 You slowly lifted your head up, looking deep into his eyes.

“ There should never be a time here at camp that you should be scared. As long as you are here at camp, I will make sure that you are never scared.”

 A tear rolled down your face and Percy whipped it away gently with his soft touch.

“ I-I just don’t know what to do, I just don’t know Percy.”

“ If you don’t know what to do, just keep looking at me, everything will be alright.”

 Percy inched forward a little bit and pulled you into a hug, rubbing your back soothingly.

“ Everything will be alright Y/N, I promise.”

[poseidonsdaughterthesiren]

The Daughter of Poseidon: Chapter Four

A/N: Okay...this is really long lol. Hope you guys enjoy it!

Della, Piper, and Rachel arrive just as the songs end. Della pats Piper on the back and goes to sit next to Annabeth and Jason. 

“Are you okay?” whispers Annabeth. 

“For now,” Della whispers back. 

Jason’s eyes are locked on her. He opens his mouth to say something–

Chiron clears his throat. “Very nice! A special welcome to our new arrivals. I am Chiron, the camp activities director, and I’m happy you have all arrived here alive and with most of your limbs attached. In a moment we’ll get to s’mores but first–”

“What about capture the flag?” asks Danny, one of the Aries kids. 

At this point Della kind of zones out. She hears bits of the conversation. The dragon. Damn, Beckendorff for rebuilding that thing. It’s been a huge problem. Della focuses instead on the campfire. The flames dance. Little flickers flutter up creating small pictures. They start to form a face, a familiar face–it almost looks like–

“We will have to be patient,” says Chiron, “In the meantime, we have more pressing matters to discuss.” “Percy?” asks a younger Apollo camper. 

The fire dims a bit as anxiety floods around the campfire. 

Chiron gestures to Annabeth. 

Annabeth rises and steps forward a bit. “I didn’t find Percy.” Beth’s voice catches a bit at Percy’s name. The flames illuminate her brown eyes. “He was not at the Grand Canyon like I thought. But we’re not giving up. We’ve got teams everywhere. Grover, Tyson, Nico, the Hunters of Artemis–everyone’s out there looking. We will find him. Chiron’s talking about something different. A new quest.” 

“It’s the Great Prophecy isn’t it?” asks Drew. 

Surprise spills over the crowd. Drew never really speaks at these things. 

“Drew?” Annabeth says. “What do you mean?” 

“Well come on.” She spreads her arms out like it’s obvious. “Olympus is closed. Percy’s missing. Hera sends you a vision and you come back with three new demigods in one day. I mean, something weird is going on. The Great Prophecy has started right?” 

All eyes were on Rachel, who pats Piper on the arm. 

“Well you’re the oracle,” says Drew, “Has it started or not?” 

Rach had that look her determined oracle look. “Yes, the Great Prophecy has begun.” 

Chaos erupts like a volcano around the fire. 

Jason scoots closer to Della. “You okay?” He whispers.

“Never better. Thanks, Hercules.” Della smirks in the firelight. 

Jason tenses at the nickname. 

“For those who have not heard the prophecy,” Rachel says, “the Great Prophecy was my first prediction. It arrived in August it goes like this:

Eight half-bloods shall answer the call.

To storm or fire the World must fall–” 

Jason startles from his spot next to Della. He may as well have been electrocuted. 

Even Rachel is taken off guard, “J-Jason, what is–” 

What Jason spat out next was definitely not English, but if Della had to guess was Latin. Judging by Rachel’s face she’s translated what he said.. 

“You-you finished it,” Rachel stammered. –an oath to keep with a final breath/And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death. How did you–” 

“I know those lines,” Jason winced, “I don’t know how, but I know that prophecy.” He winces again and puts a hand on his forehead. 

Della stands up and places a hand on his shoulder. 

Drew glares at her and is not alone in the sentiment. Piper is also not happy with Della’s gesture.

Jason sits down embarrassment evident on his face. 

Della follows suit.

“It’s okay,” she whispers, “should’ve seen me the first day I was here.” Her lips turn up in a soft smile. 

Jason doesn’t look convinced but nods. 

Rachel is shaken. She glances back at Chiron for guidance. 

Chiron looks like a gloomy gargoyle. Silent and distant. Almost as if he’d seen this film before and didn’t like the ending. 

Well,” Rachel says, trying to regain composure. “So, yeah that’s the great prophecy. We hoped it might not happen for years, but I fear it’s starting now. I can’t give you proof. It’s just a feeling. And like Drew said, some weird stuff is happening. The eight demigods, whoever they are, have not gathered yet. I get the feeling some are here. Some are not.” 

Murmurs of anxiety lace themselves around the fire almost like a noose. Until Clovis slightly eased the tension thinking they were taking roll call.

“Anyway,” Rachel continues, “we don’t know what the Great Prophecy means. We don’t know what challenge the demigods will face, but since the first Great Prophecy predicted the Titan War, we can guess the second Great Prophecy will predict something at least that bad.” 

“Or worse,” mutters Chiron. 

“What we do know,” Rachel says, “is that the first phase has begun. A major problem has arisen, and we need a quest to solve it. Hera, the queen of the gods has been taken.” 

Stunned silence envelops the campfire. Then like a hundred campers all talk at once. Chiron stomps his hoof for order, and Rachel waits to get their attention again.

Rachel then spent the next few minutes catching everyone up on the events prior. From the Grand Canyon–Gleson Hedge’s sacrifice–to Piper and Della’s vision–to Jason’s vision.

“Jason,” Rachel says, “Um…do you remember your last name?”

Jason shakes his head no. 

“We’ll just call you Jason then,” Rachel says, “Hera has issued you this quest.” 

All eyes are on Jason. Jason looks calm and brave. Much braver than Della did when tasked with her first quest. But this was not his first quest. 

“I agree.” 

“You must save Hera to prevent a great evil,” Rachel continues, “Some sort of king from rising. For reasons we don’t understand yet, it must happen by winter solstice, four days from now.” 

“The council day of the gods,” says Annabeth, “If they don’t already know she’s missing, they will notice her absence by then.” 

“That’ll end well,” says Della, “They’ll probably break out fighting. Accusing each other of taking her. Their usual M.O.” 

“The Winter Solstice,” Chiron speaks up, “is also a time of great darkness. The gods gather on that day, as mortals always have because there is strength in numbers. The solstice is a day when evil magic is strong. Ancient magic, older than the gods. It is a day when things…stir.” 

The tone he uses makes Della shiver. It sounds sinister–like it was a first-degree felony, not something you did to cookie dough.

“Okay,” Annabeth says, glaring at the centaur, “Thank you, Captain Sunshine. Whatever’s going on, I agree with Rachel. Jason has been chosen to lead this quest so–” 

“Why hasn’t he been claimed?” someone yells from the Aries group. “If he’s so important–” 

“He has been claimed,” Chiron announced, “Long ago. Jason, give them a demonstration. 

Jason doesn’t seem to understand right away. He glances at Della one more time before he steps forward. Della has to admit he is pretty handsome in the firelight. She suddenly realizes she’s been staring for too long. Off to the side, Annabeth smirks at her.  Della mouths back at her Shut up! 

Jason reaches into his pocket pulls out a golden coin and flips it. The coin flashes in the air and once he catches it he’s holding a lance-a rod of gold about seven feet long with a spear tip. 

The rest of the camp gasps at the sight of the weapon. Annabeth and Rachel step back a few steps to avoid the tip which looks as sharp as an ice pick.

“Wasn’t that…” Annabeth hesitates, “ I thought you had a sword.” 

“Um, it came up tails…I think,” Jason says, “Same coin, long-range weapon form.” 

Della snorts at his quip. 

“Dude I want one!” calls an Aries boy. 

“Better than Clarisse’s electric spear, Lamer!” one of his brothers agreed. 

“Electric,” Jason mutters like it was a good idea. “Back away.” 

Annabeth and Rachel get the message. Jason raises the javelin and thunder breaks open in the sky. Every hair on Della’s arms stands straight up. Lightening arches through the golden spear point and hits the campfire like a ballistic artillery shell explosion. 

The smoke clears with a stunned Camp Half-Blood—half-blind and half-covered in dust. Cinders rain down from where the fire was a few seconds ago. A burning log impales itself a few inches from Clovis who sleeps with a loud snore. 

A sheepish Jason lowers the lance, “Um…sorry.” 

Chiron brushes some burning coals out of his beard. He grimaces as though all his worst fears were confirmed. “A little overkill, perhaps, but you’ve made your point. And I believe we all know who your father is.” 

“Jupiter,” Jason says, “I mean Zeus. Lord of the Sky.” 

Pandemonium encapsulates the campfire for the millionth time this evening. People keep asking question after question after question. Annabeth raises her arms out,

“Hold it!” she says, “How can he be a son of Zeus? The Big Three…their pact not to have mortal kids….how could we have not known about him sooner?” 

Chiron says nothing. He knows the answer Della can tell but he can’t tell them. 

“The important thing,” says Rachel, “is that Jason is here now. He has a quest to fulfill, which means he will need his own prophecy.” 

She closes her eyes and swoons backward. A couple of campers catch her before she can hit the ground. Another fetches the stool and they ease Rachel onto it. It is rather dark without the fire, but Della sees the familiar green smoke swirl from Rachel’s feet. 

She opens her glowing eyes. Emerald smoke issues from her mouth. The voice that emerges is raspy and ancient. Della feels goosebumps along her arms. 

“Child of Lightning, beware the earth, 

The giants revenge the eight shall birth,

Daughter of the Sea serves as sight,

The forge and dove shall break the cage, 

And death unleash through Hera’s rage.”

Rachel collapses on the last word. But she is caught once again. They lay her to rest in a corner.

“Is that normal?” asks Piper. Everyone's eyes land on her. “I mean does she spew green smoke a lot?” 

“Gods you’re dense,” Drew sneers, “She just issued a prophecy–Jason’s prophecy to save Hera! Why don’t you–”

“Drew!” Annabeth and Della snap at the same time. Della nods at Annabeth to continue. “Piper asked a fair question. It’s her first day let alone something about that prophecy definitely isn’t normal. If breaking Hera’s cage unleashes her rage and causes a bunch of death…why would we free her? It might be a trap, or-or Hera will turn on her rescuers. She’s never been kind to heroes.” 

Jason rises. “I don’t have much of a choice. Hera took my memories. I need it back. Besides, we can’t just not help the queen of the heavens if she’s in trouble.” 

Sure we can, Della thinks to herself. 

Nyssa from Cabin Nine stands up. “Maybe. But you should listen to Annabeth. Hera can be vengeful. She threw her son–our dad–down a mountain because he was ugly.” 

“Really ugly,” snickers someone in Aphrodite’s cabin. 

“Shut up!” yells Nyssa. “Anyways we’ve also got to think–why beware the Earth? And what’s the giant’s revenge? What are we dealing with here that’s powerful enough to kidnap the queen of heaven?” 

Annabeth sighs, “It’s Jason’s quest, so it’s his choice. Obviously, he’s the Child of Lightning…and the Daughter of the Sea is of course–” 

“Me,” Della says. She rises and makes her way towards Jason. “Guess we’re teammates Hercules.” 

“That just leaves the other two. Usually, a prophecy only calls for three but this time it calls for four heroes.”

Like their first quest. The quest that kicked off the Second Titan War. Does that mean–

Travis Stolls yells, “Well, you obviously Annabeth. You have the most experience aside from Della.” 

“No, Travis,” Annabeth says, “First off, I’m not helping Hera. Every time I’ve tried, she’s deceived me, or it’s come back to bite me later. Forget it. No way. Secondly, I’m leaving again in the morning to look for Percy.” 

Della sags at her words. Her first quest without Percy or Annabeth. She hopes Annabeth finds her brother while she’s gone. A part of her tells her that probably won’t happen. 

“It’s connected,” Piper blurts out. “You know that’s true, don’t you? This whole business, your boyfriend’s disappearance–it’s all connected.” 

“How?” Demands Drew, “If you’re so smart then how?” 

Piper’s mouth hangs open like she’s trying to come up with an answer but she can’t. 

Annabeth saves her, “You may be right Piper. If this is connected, I’ll find out from the other end–by searching for Percy. As I said I’m not about to rush off to rescue Hera, even if her disappearance sets off the Olympians fighting again. But there’s another reason I can’t go. The prophecy says otherwise.” 

“It says who I pick,” says Jason, “We already have the Daughter of the Sea. The forge is the symbol of Vul–” he glances at Della, “Hephaestus.” 

Under the Cabin Nine Banner, Nyssa’s shoulders slump like she’s been given an anvil to carry. “If you have to beware the earth,” she says, “you should probably avoid traveling overland. You’ll need air transport.” 

“Too bad the chariots at the bottom of the lake,” another kid from the Hephaestus cabin says. 

“Anyways,” Nyssa says, “the pegasi, we’re using them to search for Percy. But maybe the Hephaestus cabin can help figure something else out to help. With Jake incapacitated, I’m senior camper. I can volunteer for the quest.” 

She sounds horribly unexcited. 

Leo stands up. Has he been here the whole time? He’s been super quiet which doesn’t seem to fit. 

Several of his cabinmates try to pull him back down, but Leo resists them.

“No, it’s me. I know it is. I’ve got an idea for this transportation problem. Let me try. I can fix this!” 

Jason studies him for a moment. Della can already tell he isn’t going to say no. 

“We started together Leo. Seems only right you come along. You find us a ride, you’re in.” 

“Yes!” Leo pumps his fist. 

Della holds back a giggle. Thankfully, Nyssa warns him of the dangers of quests. Leo seems to deflate a bit but brushes it off. 

“Well, then it seems you only need to choose the fourth quest member. The dove–”

“Oh absolutely!” Drew scrambles to her feet so fast. She flashes Jason a smile. “The dove is Aphrodite. Everybody knows that. I am totally yours!” 

“Ugh, I think I might throw up,” Della pretends to gag. 

Piper laughs until she realizes Drew is serious. Her hands clench into fists. “No.” 

Drew rolls her eyes. “Oh please, what are you going to do dumpster girl?”

“I had the vision. Not you.” 

“Anyone can have a vision. You were just in the right place at the right time.” She turns to Jason, “Look fighting is all fine, and people who have to build things….” I suppose someone has to get their hands dirty. And I suppose Jackson’s guidance is needed. But you need charm on your side. I can be persuasive. I could help a lot.” 

Everyone murmurs how right Drew is and Della is trying so hard not to agree. 

“Well…” Annabeth says “Given the wording of the prophecy”

“No!” Piper’s voice is different, somewhat richer like a fine wine. “I’m supposed to go.” 

Then there were mutters about how Piper has a compelling point. Drew looks ready to throw a dagger. 

“Get over it!” Drew snarls, “Besides what can Piper do?” 

Piper looks at a loss for words. 

“I’m sure she has more modest reasons to go other than just pure vanity Drew,” Della says cooly. 

Jason places his hand over his mouth to cover a laugh. There are more mutters in the crowd but no one really seems convinced. 

“Well,” Drew says smugly, “I guess that settles it.” 

Suddenly, there’s a collective gasp around the fire. Everyone stares at Piper like she’s just exploded. 

“What?” Piper asks looking at Della who points at the glowing symbol above Piper’s head. 

When Piper glances down she’s in a beautiful sleeveless white gown with a v-neck so low Della would’ve been murdered by Percy. Delicate gold arm bands circle her biceps. An intricate assortment of amber, coral, and gold flowers glitter her chest and hair. 

“Oh my god, what’s happened,” Piper says. 

Annabeth points at the dagger oiled and gleaming at Piper’s side by a golden chord. 

“Holy Shit,” breathes out Della, “I knew it. Piper, you’re gorgeous.” 

Drew on the other hand looks ready to die, “No! Not possible!” 

“This isn’t me–I don’t understand.” 

Chiron folds his front legs and bows to her, and the rest of camp follows his example. 

“Hail Piper McLean,” Chiron announces gravelly like he was reading her eulogy, “Daughter of Aphrodite, lady of doves, goddess of love.” 

Piper stands there horror-painted her features. 

“Hmmm looks like we won’t be needing you after all Drew,” Della says. 

[masterwell]

29-11-2020

Hi

This is my 1st post on this app ever, so you guys gotta help me out a bit...

So

I am a huge fan of pjo, but tho I only started reading this summer. I just finished Tower of Nero and I am speeceless. (I am not english or american so sorry for my bad spelling). I thought, what is a better way to start then to discuss ToN? So lets start!

DONT START READING IF YOU DONT WANT SPOILERS!!!!!

(This is my opinion)

I loved it. I really did. Rick really did a good job. My hearth is broken, tho. The books that started with pjo, now stopped. These books changed my life while going trough a hard time. I didnt want to believe it really ended. I want more books to read...

But siriously, these books were great.

Apollo changed a lot. When i started reading the hidden oracle, i was like: he is a really egoistic god. I dont like him. But he changed so much. He first was so angry that he was in the mortal world, that he had to go on a quest, and that his master was a 12 year old girl. Now he didnt want to leave the mortal world or his friends. He remembered Jasons promise and i love that.

The fight with Nero and later with Python was epic. I loved it. And Will who can glow? I laughed so hard. I also like that he is a starwars-nerd, that just makes sense i guess?! That Nero dared to manipulated Meg again was the most mean thing ever. HOW DARE HE? (Just wanna say that lol)

The end was so good. Apollo and Artemis really love eachother (family way) if they want to admit it or not. I agree that Zeus was a little mean to Apollo, but the other gods were really nice to him!

When Apollo visited Camp half-blood, he really wanted to stay. (Did i mention that i love his changes?) And when he visited the hunters from artrmis and co. , i liked how they are such a big family. I like the fact that Leo helps little children so much! I hope he and Calypso are going to be alright, i like the caleo ship.

When Apollo visited new rome, i was so happy. I was kinda dissapointed that Percy wasnt in the book before, but i think Rick wanted to show us that this is Toa, not Pjo. I am happy that we did get to see him tho. And that he, Annabeth and Grover did a trip together!! People sometimes seem to forget the old trio, but i dont, i love them.

Also, i love Estelle already! Didnt see her in a book before, but how can she have Percy's seegreen eyes? She isnt Poseidons daughter right?

I guess i talked (or wrote) enough for today. I hope you liked my first post. Bye!

[idk--words]

TYRANT’S TOMB SPOILER ALERT

ok I tried my best to warn anyone that does not want any spoiler on the book so read at your own risk..... I just finished the book and I literally NEED to share my thoughts so here goes:

first of all, what the fuck.  I tend not to shit too much on author’s work in general unless it’s ultimate bs, because I know how much efforts it takes to create. Don’t get me wrong though, I liked the book. I wouldn’t say I loved it, but it’s not terrible you know.

I kind of get why Reyna felt the need to be free and remove the weight of being praetor off her shoulders. I do think that yes Camp Jupiter is lowkey doomed without her leadership, they won’t be as great like no offense to Frank and Hazel. They’re otp but they don’t command as much authority as Reyna would. She’s been through so much and she’s been praetor for so long. She is powerful AND knowledgeable. Frank and Hazel were legit newbies until HOO and they have a lot to learn. Even Percy, it took him 5 years to learn to be more mature and experienced. 

I just don’t get the whole “no mortal or demigod shall ever heal your heart” thing like WHAT EVEN IS THE CURSE. I’m hella confused. WHY is this happening to her in the first place? Anyways, hope Reyna finds who she wants to be and some relief in life. 

What I really didn’t like was that Rick didn’t give that much of a role to Reyna in all of this? As the daughter of Bellona, we never really got to see her in true action. Like is it me or did we never see her truly in action or in a single combat. Like yes she did fight off a few ravens and stuff, but where was that one-on-one epic combat that all heroes get? She’s literally the daughter of the war goddess and all we saw in her powers was sharing strength like ouuuhh big deal. seen that already. She was part of the prophecy to “open the door to the soundless god” and it made it sound epic but all she did was amplify Apollo’s power. 

I honestly think we should have seen her grieve more for Jason. They literally grew up together in a way and she should have been the one to avenge him instead of Zhang. Like yeah, Frank and Jason were friends, quest comrades but even in HOO, they weren’t as close as the other crewmates were to each other respectively. They were certainly not as close as Reyna and Jason were to each other.

Thalia’s mourning was also pretty tragic that it was barely mentioned. Like I get that demigods/heroes die all the time in quests but hey that doesn’t stop any of their comrades to be fucking human and cry. 

Lavinia is literally the most hilarious chick I ever seen. She’s random and impulsive and it’s hilarious that she’s a centurion bc she is so NOT made for that but anyways.

Dakota being dead is also random af like that came out of nowhere. 

The sisterly love from Artemis/Diana was also random? Like I don’t doubt siblings love each other and all, but coming from gods whom the characterization made by Rick made it seem like they clearly don’t give a shit. so how does a thousand years old twin sibling suddenly miss her annoyingly egotistical brother. 

I love the character development in Apollo. Like we can clearly see that he’s trying to be better and that he really understands suffering. I don’t doubt that he changed, but what I’m worried about is will he change back when he becomes a god? When you’re in power, it’s so easy to get lost. Like he said, he had been turned human once and when he became a god, he didn’t change. I don’t know if this time will be different. If he becomes a god, then he is immortal once again. He will never age and those adventures will seem like eons ago while the demigods will remember it as long as they live. It’s so easy to forget you know. I’m curious to see how it will play out in the last book. 

Also random, but who the fuck is taking care of the sun god’s duties if there is no sun god at the moment lol

Theory for the last book:

I don’t know, it’s been a long ride you know for the PJO/HOO/TOA series. I’m not sure if Rick has any plans in continuing another series so if it happens that Tower of Nero is the last book ever, being back in Manhattan, I’m pretty sure it will involved Annabeth Chase and Percy Jackson for one last awesome adventure.