Hi, I'm Dominic Ryder, but my friends call me Nick. I walked beside Chiron, the Activities Director at Camp-Half blood. As we walked through camp Chiron ran a running commentary on the daily activities at camp, when meals were served at the dining pavilion, etc. I barely heard a word as I was too busy fidgeting nervously as the other campers walked by pointing and speaking in hushed tones. He looked down at his clothes and cringed internally. I was wearing a white hoodie covered in graphic art depicting skulls, dried dirt covered the white in a grimy layer of dust. My tight black jeans ripped, my knees bruised and cut, my shoes, black converse, falling apart from my trip across America. I had been running too long it was time to stop. I clutched my wrists, feeling the ice cold obsidian bracelets, black like midnight with stars dotting the surface, it had been a gift from my mother, after my dad died. Tears stung my eyes and I fought for control as I forced my mind back to the present.

"Try not to take the other campers too seriously" Chiron said watching me intensely. I looked up at the sky, it was a warm August day and the sun was still high in sky despite the afternoon. I had a feeling even Chiron wasn't sure of what to make of my sudden appearance. My birth had been kept a secret from the other gods and I had no doubt in my mind at least one of the Big Three would gladly see me in Elysium. "They're only curious." Chiron continued jarring me back to the moment. The wind picked up sending my shaggy black hair into my eyes, I swept the hair away and was reminded yet again of just how long i had been running. I was saved from uttering a feeble noncommittal reply when an attractive looking blonde boy about my age with sky blue eyes, pale skin, and defined muscles and features you'd expect more from a roman statue than a 16 year old boy. He ran up to us slightly out of breath. "Jason what is it?" Chiron asked immediate alarm spreading across his face his eyes darkening with worry. Jason caught his breath and said "Percy's just returned and is insisting on seeing you at the Big House and Chiron" Jason paused uncertain for a second, "I don't think its good news..." Very well" Chiron said gravely, "Gather the cabin leaders and I will meet you there." Jason ran off as Chiron shifted his gaze to me. He just stood there studying my face as if seeking an answer to some unspoken question. He studied my features my black hair shaggy and unkempt, my coffee colored skin, my gentle yet standoffish features that simultaneously invited you to learn more and to stay away, my eyes black as coal glinting with a mysterious magic barely contained. Chiron finally nodded "Come with me, you are a Cabin Leader now too."

We arrived at the Big House a few minutes later, Chiron had told me the names of the campers in attendance. Jason whom I had previously met, Percy Jackson, Piper who was apparently a daughter of Aphrodite, Leo Valdez of Cabin 6 , Clarisse daughter of Ares, Annnabeth daughter of Athena and Nico diAngelo Son of Hades, whom I had met previously in the Underworld and I had a huge crush on him. He had saved my life on the first mission my mother had sent me on the Kires had surrounded me and i had been poisoned by one yet still I was conscious, i remember the pain was unbearable. He commanded them to stand down and he took me to my mother who healed me and Nico had kept my secret from the gods even his father. I owed him a great deal and all i wanted from his was love. My cheeks turned red as our eyes met. I looked away quickly but i saw the shock and recognition in his eyes. Chiron called the demigods in attendance to order. "Before we begin I'd like all of you to meet our new camper Dominic Ryder, son of Nyx, he will be staying in the Hades cabin since his mother doesn't have a cabin yet." My heart raced in my chest, my mind reigning in my aching heart. Nico didn't even like guys did he? All eyes met mine and i found myself staring back at a pair of sea green eyes... I noticed they belonged to a boy named Percy Jackson this must be the Son of the Sea God everyone had been talking about. I smiled weakly at the room of assembled demigods "Hi" I say nervously. Nico walked up to as the curious campers exchanged whispers and glances. Nico was wearing his trademark black skinny jeans grey t-shirt and that black Aviator Jacket. I bit my lip nervously as i stared at his beautiful black eyes his pale skin and the dark circles that seemed permanently under his eyes. Nico shook my hand. "Hey Nick it's nice to see you at camp" he said as i let my hand drop to my side. He searched me for an answer i wasn't going to give him here. Why now? Nico had tried to convince me to go to Camp back when he first found me and since then I'd made excuses just to run into him out on missions even though he never knew i had orchestrated those run ins. "Nice to see you too" I said implying i didn't want to be here but it was nice to see him it always was even if I could barely breathe and my heart felt like it was breaking the entire time. Chiron cleared his throat, "Let's get down to business shall we?" I joined Nico on the far side of the room as Percy spoke up, he seemed to be a leader at camp as well as in battle if the rumors held true. "I just returned from my Dad's realm and he was really worried, the only time I've seen my Dad worried was during the War with Kronos. He warned me that the camp's magic boundaries were in danger of failing and if a quest was not issued the camp would be overcome by hordes of monsters, My Dad is concerned someone is behind these events but Zeus will not listen." Percy glanced at the other campers helplessly. "He also said the only way to strengthen the magic boundaries since we already have the Golden Fleece is to acquire the Scales of Justice and The Stars of Night." As soon as Percy was finished the room erupted with questions everyone talking at once. Piper and Leo seemed to be talking animatedly about something, Clarisse was arguing with Annabeth and glaring at me as if she wanted to gut me with her electric spear. I sighed to myself She and I were sworn enemies, but she resented me even more because I had saved her life and her boyfriend Chris. I knew she couldn't restrain herself for long and I was tired of fighting her. Percy, Nico and I were the only ones who stayed silent until Chiron yelled "Quiet down!" Chiron spoke with absolute authority and the campers instantly fell silent. "This situation must be addressed, that means we have no time for arguments and unfortunately no time for a prophecy as Rachel is away at school. Three campers will go on this quest as usual and Percy I think it's clear your father wanted you to lead this quest." Percy nodded as Chiron began again "Now does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for Percy's Quest?" I cleared my throat nervously and asked Chiron for permission to speak. He nodded. I took a second to collect my thoughts and Clarisse laughed at me, ignoring her i began "First of all The Scales of Justice will probably be held by the Judges of the Dead but to get them to relinquish control you will probably need Hades permission and as for the Stars of Night. You'll have to ask my Mom for them. So you'll have to find a way into and out of the Underworld oh and I wouldn't bring any children of Ares. "

Clarisse charged me her knife in hand when she got close i threw up my hand a wall of darkness formed between us and she skittered to a halt. "Damn you!" Clarisse shrieked at me. "Enough Clarisse!" Chiron said sternly. Clarisse stomped back to her spot on the other side of the room. Most of the campers looked at me in awe or fear I wasn't good with people. Annabeth said "What was that?" as if she was thinking out loud but then i noticed the others waiting for me to answer and I began to panic my mouth like sandpaper as i struggled to find my voice. Luckily Chiron answered "As a son of Nyx he has Command over the night and knowledge of the mysterious arts forgotten as they too belong to the night." I cut in when i calmed my nerves enough to speak "And all I meant was my mother has a long and bloody history with the war god and let's just say she'll be much more cooperative without that added hassle." Percy's eyes met mine as if he was conveying his understanding? I couldn't be sure.

"Percy?" Chiron asked "Have you decided who to take with you on your quest?" Percy stood straighter and addressed Chiron "If they don't object I choose Nico and Dominic for this quest, it seems they both have extensive knowledge of the Underworld." Chiron looked to Nico and I for confirmation. My insides tingled as I contemplated the quest before me. Nyx had arranged for me to come to camp she had said it was time to join camp and to train with other demigods not just against monsters. I was excited to have a chance to prove myself to my fellow campers, but this whole situation also unnerved me. I had a sneaking suspicion that my arrival at camp had to do with this very quest but in truth what scared me more was the hidden implications. I knew from experience when Gods interfered like Nyx sending me to camp and Poseidon basically issuing this quest something big was going to happen...and soon.

"I, Nico diAngelo, son of Hades, accept this quest." Nico said formally pulling me from my musings. I figured i should follow his lead and said "I, Dominic Ryder, son of Nyx, accept this quest." "Very well" Chiron said gravely. "The three of you will leave right after breakfast tomorrow, Nico? Can you show Dominic around? I'm sure he'd like to clean up and get some rest he's been on the road awhile." "No problem" Nico said easily and I found myself blushing again. "It's Nick." I say self-consciously. Chiron took a moment to look us each in eye as if trying to say to us without scaring the campers how paramount this quest was to the very survival of Camp Half-blood. "Heroes!" Chiron said getting everyone's attention once more "You are dismissed."