Chiron eyes looked over his guests. Camp Half-Blood did not entertain many guests, especially mortal ones.

But these two were different.

The one on the right had introduced himself as Sam. His features were predominantly Asian, but his eyes had a hint of Latino in them.

The one on the left had introduced himself as Mike. His appearance however, was a typical blond hair, blue-eyed boy from California. Both of them had the build of a seasoned warrior.

The two of them wouldn't look out of place in Camp Half-Blood. Chiron mused to himself. Of course, these boys didn't have a drop of Godly blood in them. That much Chiron could sense. They did however, have an unusual aura around them. Chiron couldn't deduce exactly what kind of power he was sensing from the two boys.

"Are you alright?" Mike asked, breaking Chiron out of his trance. "I apologize. I'm sure this is all rather disorientating." Chiron smiled.

"It is indeed. I didn't think that you of all people would offer the hand of friendship to us." Sam laughed.

"Nor did I. Generally, whenever we're sent out, it's to cleanse what the boss deems to be pagan scum."

"Sam!" Mike hits his partner's arm. "Bow your head and pray to the Lord for forgiveness!"

"Blah, blah, blah, I'm sorry." Sam laughs. "Chill out man! Here, the big G doesn't have precedence. This is Greek territory!"

"Blasphemy!"

Chiron looked at the two boys bickering in front of him. They really are like normal teenagers. Chiron waited patiently for the two of them to calm down.

"I-I apologize." Mike inclined his head. "We went a little overboard there."

"It's alright." Chiron smiled. "Now then, why don't you tell me why the Holy See has suddenly developed an interest in this camp?"


The Holy See. The headquarters of the largest religion in the world, the Holy See was located in Vatican City, the smallest country in the world. Located within the city of Rome, it had a little over 800 official residents. And yet, this tiny city controlled over 1.2 billion people.

Sitting in front of Chiron were two representatives from the Holy See.

Chiron knew he had to be careful about what he said. A single mistake could lead to a holy war. And Chiron wasn't deluded enough to think the Greeks could win. With the power of 1.2 billion believers, the Vatican had enough power to destroy Greece a hundred times over. If the Vatican joined the war against Gaea, the war would be over within days.

This was the power that these two boys represented.

"…This is a nice camp." Sam exclaimed. "It's definitely a change from Vatican City." Sam looks out the window. In the distance, campers are playing football. "It's incredibly peaceful…" Sam's eyes glaze over. Chiron, in spite of himself, couldn't help but ask a question that had been on his mind for a while.

"Why are boys such as yourselves representing the Vatican?" Sam continued to stare out the window.

"Faith has no age." Mike answered for Sam. "We were chosen due to our faith in the Lord."

"What he said." Sam turned back towards Chiron. "But enough about that. We're here to offer you help in your war."

"…" Chiron could not believe his ear. The Vatican was offering help against Gaea's forces? "This is unusual. Pantheons tend to avoid direct interference with other Pantheons."

"That's true." Sam replied, his face revealing nothing. "But in this case, your problem is larger than you may realize."

"How so?"

"…Sam." Mike interjected. "You know we can't-"

"Do you know what's the problem with the Christian religion?" Sam suddenly asked a question.

"…Pardon?" Chiron wasn't quite sure if he had heard right.

"Do you know what's wrong with Christianity?"

"...I'm afraid I do not know." Chiron isn't sure if this is a test, a method of inciting a war. He would have to treat carefully. A single insult, a single misspoken word, could lead to another war. What was the Vatican's aim?

"It's variety." Sam placed his hands on the table. "The Anglicans, the Russian Orthodox, the Protestants, the Catholics. Of the 1.2 billion believers that we have, not all of them are Christian. And this is where the problem arises."

Sam drew a number of circles onto the table. "Their interpretations of the Bible are different. These differences lead to contradictions, which lead to conflicts." Sam looked up at Chiron. "And it is this internal battle, no internal war, that is tearing the Vatican apart. The Holy See's power is weakening. The faith of the 1.2 billion believers is growing weaker."

"I understand, but what has this got to do with the war against Gaea?" Sam and Mike looked at each other. Some invisible message must have passed between them, because Mike stood up and walked towards the door. Chiron watched as he stepped out, before closing the door behind him.

"…What do you know about John Milton?" Sam asked.

"The author?" Chiron racked his brain for a moment. "The man who wrote Paradise Lost?"

"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n." Sam smiled bitterly. "That poem is surprisingly accurate in depicting Hell. But obviously, you know why I'm mentioning him of all people." Chiron thought for a moment. There was something about that poem that rung a bell. And suddenly, all the pieces came together. The reason why the Vatican had suddenly appeared before him was clear.

"Pandemonium. The meeting place of the Infernal Council." Chiron murmured quietly.

Within the book however, Pandemonium is also given a different name. A name that Chiron was very familiar with. After all, two of his Demigods had barely survived their time down there.

Tartarus.

"Correct. That's why we're here." Sam sighed. "After that ruckus with the Doors of Death down there, the seals keeping the Council chained came undone. The 72 Pillars are awakening." Chiron shuddered.

The 72 Pillars. The 72 strongest demons in Christian faith, it was said that they had all been sealed by the legendary King of Israel, Solomon. Chiron didn't even want to consider the damage that 72 demons could wreck upon the world. But it was the next thing that Sam said that caused Chiron to fall into despair.

"And if they do awaken, they will ally themselves with Gaea." Sam finished. "The 72 Pillars, along with their 40 million or so servants? A force like that could easily crush destroy us all many, many times over." 40 million? Chiron felt himself pale at the thought of that many monsters. And add the Giants, Titans and the rest of Gaea's forces to that number?

If they were to join forces and attack humanity, it wouldn't be a war.

It would be a massacre.

"So what do we do?" Chiron asked. "How can we stop the 72 Pillars from awakening?"

"No idea." Sam admitted. "The IAE is currently working on finding a solution."

"The IAE?"

"International Association of Exorcists." Sam replied. "They're pretty useless in combat, but when it comes to demonology, they're the best."

"…very well." Chiron glanced at the clock. It was nearing 6:30. Chiron had had enough darkness and despair for one day. "Would you care to join us for dinner? Camp Half-Blood has a bonfire party every Friday night."

"We would love to!" Sam replied, smiling.


Huh. This is my first time writing Fanfiction for a book rather than a manga. I've already read House of Hades, so this story happens afterwards. I hope you enjoy it!

Rate and Review!

Daemon