Chapter 1

Nice to meet' cha. Name's Alexandra Moon and today I'm going to tell you all of the time when I saved Camp Half-Blood, and got everyone to stop hating me. I'm currently writing since here at Camp I pretty much have no interest during free time, so I figured I might as well write down my story so my future siblings or just demigods in general can have a heads up on how lives aren't as stupid as they seem. You're probably wondering why I said that, but you're going to have to wait. My story explains it all, and forgive me for writing weird things here and there but that's just how I roll.

My day was already pretty crappy bad before the prophecy rolled in. I was just minding my own business, stealing some food to eat, when some snitch went and told on me. We get that a lot here in Manhattan.

'Oi! Get back here!'

'Crap,' I cursed as I ran for it, stuffing pieces of bread into my mouth as I went. Ducking low, I disappeared into the crowd and made a beeline for the south part of town. Along the way I grabbed a bottle of milk from a street stand, I was already running anyways. Frantically, I looked left and right for a good hidey hole. The main street iss busy, but that baker was something else when it came to thieves. Run into a tight spot and you'll probably have the living daylights knocked out of you. And that dude's human.

Then there's Keys Alley. Depending on your looks it's either the best alley or the worst alley. Look like something worth robbing and you're in trouble. It's an alley that's pretty notorious for all the crime that happens in and around it. In terms of hiding from anyone on the right side of the world, it was the best; pickpockets and thieves lurking here and there, muggers and gangs if you're not careful. The local police have given up on that area although they deny it, but if the residents stir up something on a large scale they still investigate, although pretty badly. However, today was what was publicly considered an 'ordinary' day, plus I just happened to pass by the entrance and it was getting pretty late. So, I darted into the alley without any trouble.

Crouching in the shadows of a worn down fruit cart, I quickly finished off all the bread and wolfed the milk to slide it all down. Holding goods like that is for the world to see is a big no no. Already, I could feel the piercing gaze of the unseen eyes in the alley. Envy, hatred, jealousy. They're all part of the package in this world. Typical.

Swallowing the last of the milk, I went ahead and navigated my way to the West, the kinder parts of Keys Ally; also the most empty. It's where I had set up a hideout. A good one mind you, only been broken into twice. Pretty concealed, good load of equipment and stashes of nectar and ambrosia, the food and drink of the gods. If any mortal ate it, their bones will melt and then combust into a pile of ashes. The two times someone managed to break in and steal some food without knowing exactly what it was, well, it wasn't very pretty.

Then the rumors started.

At first it wasn't much. Just some curses, the gossip that someone died after stealing from the West of Key Alley. But then, some idiot did it again, some nectar this time. Plopped it a canteen and swigged it down. Combusted almost immediately after. This time, even the police got involved. I had to hide somewhere else for almost a month. When I returned, the west became practically abandoned. All those thugs and criminals, they just packed up and left. Most likely because of Fear.

A powerful weapon to have, fear. I've heard rumors of the twin gods, Fear and Panic. I'm assuming it was Fear's work though. Panic is more into, well… panic. He would be the cause of the uproar in the beginning. Making people leave? Leave that to Fear. He's all about up-close and personal. Driving people out of their home? No problem. Those who remained either believe the rumors aren't true, or are just too busy or old to care. Either way, they're the tough guys. I can appreciate that.

You're probably wondering why I can eat these things without dying, and probably how I got my hands on them in the first place. Well, I can die if I eat too much, but if I eat it in reasonable amounts, it acts like an energy boost with multiple healing properties. However the main reason why I don't die is because I have a godly parent, That's right, a god. More specifically a Greek God. They come down to the mortal realm from time to time and have a fling with someone they find attractive or enjoyable. Sometimes they produce monsters like cyclops or river nymphs. Other times, with a human, they produce us; half-bloods. Formally known as demigods.

Demigods are a special kind. Half human, half god, they can influence both the immortal and mortal realm; prompting the immortals to make us do quests for them when they want something done that has something to do with the world of mankind. Especially when they want something done in the world of mankind. Mostly, those who go get themselves killed, or fail then get killed by the gods. If the poor schmuck manages to successfully complete the quest, depending on what the god wants, you either get bragging rights with whatever reward they feel like giving you or are forced to keep silent since that quest never should have happened anyway.

I know, unfair.

But it's just one of those things that immortals do in their spare time. Regardless of what you want, they still impose their will on you. That, or you get incinerated for being ever so thoughtlessly rude towards a mighty god who spared some of their precious time to talk to you and offering you something that they would want from you in the form of a quest.

Again, unfair.

Then there's the downside. Monsters, such as dracaena, cyclops, chimeras, or even bag ladies just seem to flock right up to you like you're a homing beacon or something. They almost always kill you. Almost always eat you as well. Other times, those really crafty ones come along and try to recruit us to join their cause, usually by using excessive force. (Hint: even if you join, it still ends with death).

There are safe spots as well. Waystation in Indiana, Camp Half-Blood on Long Island Sound for the Greeks, Camp Jupiter near the Little Tiber for the Romans. They recruit and train demigods in these camps to try to give us a chance at life without being killed. Sometimes in order to defend the gods, they train us for war. Mention gods aren't allowed to interfere directly in mortal affairs? Monsters attacking humanity. Sure, you can ask them for some favors like extra weapons or a surefire way to defeat the enemy. But all in all, unless it concerns the gods themselves, we get the short end of the stick.

On the other hand, you do get free food, a roof over your head and weapons. Plus, no monster's going to easily kill you while you're there. Those camps are basically the safest places in the world. I've heard Camp Jupiter even has their own boundary god that forbids bloodshed while in town. Handy.

Then there's the major gods, or as they call themselves, the Olympians.

Twelve in all, each and everyone of them insanely powerful. Zeus, Poseidon and Hades are known as 'The Big Three'. They split the realms when the gods first defeated Kronos, Titan of Time with a game of die. Hades, getting the worst roll, Hades got the Underworld. Poseidon got the sea, and Zeus got the sky. They became the most major of Greek Gods, and their Roman forms (Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto), are slightly different in personality. More disciplined, more harsh and less involved with the mortal world. Otherwise, they're almost the identical.

Greek and the Roman gods are basically just different aspects of the same coin, and this causes problems. In fact, in the last war against Gaia (the primordial goddess of earth. Trust me, she's a nutcase), they were practically incapacitated half the time, unable to do anything as their offspring (us, demigods) fought the war against her. Their personalities collided with each other, each wishing to grant victory to their respective nations. All the good that did was give the gods a head splitting headache.

Then there's me.

Unlike most demigods, I prefer to stay on the run and alone. Out of war. Out of sight. Why you ask? Well, if you know the story of famous hot-shot demigods like Percy Jackson, Hercules or Jason (Jason Grace, not the one who stole the fleece), you most likely think that I should seriously find my way to Camp Half-Blood being the daughter of a Greek God and all.

But there's a catch. The very reason why I don't, is because of my father. Don't get me wrong, I love him to pieces. Apparently since I'm his only daughter, he spoils me with constant meetings and free training with tips when he gets a break from his job. He's the one who gives me ambrosia and nectar. And yea, he's a god. Not just any god, he's Thanatos, God of Death.

I know, not exactly what you'll invite to school for 'parent, teacher interview,' but I didn't go to school so it's cool. I was homeschooled instead by my father and his sisters, the Keres, spirits of slaughter and disease. Yay, me.

Thanatos didn't really get affected during the wars though. He only got chained in Alaska for a while and a couple of demigods were sent to rescued him. People stopped dying for a bit during that time but that's okay, I don't hear anyone complaining they didn't manage to die.

Either way, he's always been himself; Death, The Grim Reaper, Man in Black, whatever.

Seriously, you should know by now why didnt go live in Camp Half-Blood. Just imagine what I would tell the campers as a self-introduction.

'Hi! I'm Alexandra Moon, daughter of Thanatos. My power's include Death Perception which allows me to see everything's Deathlines. Literally black lines that I can trace and consequently kill stuff with. It's everywhere! Also, I can show you where all your Death Spots are and demonstrate how stabbing them is fatal! Even for immortals! But that's not all, I can even generate lethal miasma that sucks the life out of anyone that touches them. Controlling it is a cinch too. Also, I have these wicked long and thin stygian steel twin swords that I can summon at will. Plus, they can channel by miasma safely and have enough power to cut an entire building in half if I want them to! Also, the reason why you guys never knew about me until now, is because I've only been roaming the mortal realm for 3 years. The rest of the time, I was being cared for in the Tartarus, the deepest pit the the Underworld and growing up, since my dad being Death and all isn't supposed to sire people! Amazing right?'

Yea, I have my reasons for not socializing.

Enough about me explaining and complaining. On with the show! Anyways, I cautiously made my way down Keys Alley. The evening sun was burning a tan on anyone under it so I stuck to the shadows, avoiding any form of contact as I climbed onto the roofing via fire escape. As usual, the neighbors hadn't wash anything off since the day they moved in. Careful to avoid any bird poop, I made my way to ventilation shaft. Sliding my fingers behind the rust colored cover, I flipped the lid open and slid down the chute. A few seconds of falling and I landed, feet first out the other side like a gymnast.

Flopping down on a dusty mattress I groaned in satisfaction, yawning and rubbing my eyes. The rectangular room was exactly as I had left it: a mattress with a red fur pillow in the corner, a small cooler and a tiny blackened cooking stove on the opposite end, two patchwork couches with a wooden coffee table complete with a radio, and a peeling oak desk topped with a tangle of wires all connecting to several screens and laptops. Along all the walls were different assortments of equipment; weapons, ropes, armour, clothing and chocolate, all stacked and labelled onto shelves. I've collected enough stuff to call this room my house.

When I first found this room while running from a pack of vrykolakas (vampires), I thought it was supposed to be somebody's attic. The trapdoor was nailed shut on from the inside, so I put a rug over it since I can't use it without looking like a burglar to whoever lived beneath it. Sometimes I wonder whether they look upstairs and think, 'did I leave the radio on again? Do I even have a radio?' Even if they did, they certainly aren't investigating. So who cares?

I dragged myself over the narrow window that overlooks the entire west area of Keys Alley. It was cracked into multiple spiderwebs, barely held together by an iron frame. Beneath it was a 32 foot drop onto the pavement, 6 it you can hold on and lower yourself with the manila rope I nailed into the wall beside the window. It was the exit, as well as an alternative entrance.

'But Alexandra', you're probably thinking. 'That's one crappy security system you have. How is this safe?' Well then, my dear readers, I consider myself quite accomplished in the ways of Hecate, titan Goddess of magic, Mist and Crossroads. Daughter of Perses and Asteria, honoured by Zeus above all and the blah, blah, blah. I'll try to keep this explanation short.

Mist is the magic veil that befuddles mortals minds into thinking something as 'normal'. A cyclopes might look it has two eyes, a dragon might look like a small plane, a drakon (distant cousin of dragons) a long bus gone haywire. There's no telling what they think they're seeing. Even if they did get a glimpse of what it really was, the Mist alters their memories in a way their narrow minds can comprehend. It's pretty much the only thing keeping New Yorkers from going insane on a daily basis.

However, there are demigods powerful enough to manipulate the mist to their will. Everyone can do it, but only those who mastered it can create an illusion capable of fooling everyone. What I did was simple: the window seemed like another part of the brick wall, the nailed rope simply wasn't there, the ventilation shaft was screwed and rusted shut with no way to open it, and my room didn't have anything in it other than a mattress, a radio, dust, and the peeling oak desk. Unless you could see the full contents, it seems like an abandoned attic.

Outside, the world fell dark as Hemera switched places with Nyx, accompanied by Asteria. I could see Artemis' chariot rising in the distance, and when the moon rises, monsters come out to hunt. Already, I could hear werewolves snarling in the shadows, and once I even saw a sphinx licking its massive claws. For a demigod, going out alone in the night is never the wisest decision.

I waited patiently while listening to the radio. Thanatos sends me a small message once every full moon. Staying up to date, keeping in touch. That's a trait that comes by once every millennium when it comes to godly parents. It was coming rather late, but who was I to worry about a god?

The droning voice of the man talking reminded me of a lawnmower. The news is always the same: some happy news, some random complaints from the residents, a list of achievements by this and that and rarely, critical news.

'A freak explosion combusted a warehouse at 7:46pm today. There's no confirmation of the source, most likely bombs. Six teenagers were spotted fleeing from the site. They are all wearing black hoods and caps except the one that has a black leather mask. Authorities have reported they are all heading to the West of Manhattan. If anyone sees them, please report to the nearest police station immediately. They are extremely dangerous, do not approach at all costs.'

Vandalism? I let my mind wander. The West of Manhattan is where Keys Alley is located. I hope they don't stir up any trouble over here. My thoughts were getting by sluggish now. In the next few seconds, I was fast asleep.

'Excuse me? Ms. Moon' 'Huh!' I grunted. 'Oh um,' I quickly straightened up and smoothed my clothing while bowed deeply. 'Hello Lord Hermes.' The God of Messengers was wearing a typical blue postman uniform. In his hand was an envelope and a pen. 'Sign here' he said hurriedly. 'Of, course My Lord', I accepted the pen and waited as two snakes wriggled under my fingers and formed a grip like the ones people used in elementary school. 'Hello, George. Hi Martha.' They nodded in acknowledgement before I handed back the pen. 'Have a nice day Ms. Moon', said Hermes. I averted my eyes as his form heated brilliant white until the room felt radioactive. Flash! When I looked back, I muttered a prayer of thanks. He's one of the only gods who's nice enough to not leave a scorch mark whenever they go nuclear.

I opened the royal purple envelope. Inside was a simple note in the curly handwriting of my father.

Hello Alexandra

I'm going to be busy very soon, lots of reaping to do. There's something big coming. I can't be sure what it is, I can't write as often either. A new prophecy has been issued by the Oracle of Delphi. It concerns you.

They'll discover you soon. Stay safe.

Woefully born, never famed

Wrongly kept, wrongly named

The bovine mother possesses a view

Into the pit a widow threw

Foes to seek their final breath

A brother of magic and daughter to death

My mind went reeling as I fell onto the mattress, hard. What? Why me? How? Thousands of questions I wanted to ask my father's surged through my head like a thousand bees swarming inside a hive. 'They'll discover you soon.' Who exactly? Other demigods? The Olympians? Oh gods, if the Olympians discover I'm Thanatos' daughter then we'll both be in trouble, big time. Clutching the note, I re-read the prophecy.

'Woefully born, never famed.' I frowned at this. I don't think that's me, at least, I don't find my birth woeful of all things. 'Wrongly kept, wrongly named.' Well, that part maybe. After all, my father doesn't know everything about me. At least, not yet. He can't know. Not until I'm ready. He's the God of Death. If he does find out. Then he'll probably have to- 'Gah!' I blinked before realizing I had unintentionally knocked my head against the wall. A trickle of crimson trickled down its white surface like veins against marble skin. 'Whoops,' I shuddered. 'Keep calm girl, you can do this...' I breathed in, then I let it out. The seconds ticked in what felt like eternity. Feeling more refreshed, I resumed my ride on the thought train,

'The bovine mother possess a view.' The 'mother' must be Hera. She's the only one who'll be associated with a cow and a mother. After all, it is her sacred animal and she is the goddess of marriage. The view part could be a certain perspective though I doubt that's what it meant. My father told me prophecy's are never straight, you'll only know what it really meant once the event comes to pass.

'Into the pit a widow threw'. Widows? I groaned at this. Give me something more specific to work with. The pit, however, might be a problem. If it's that place… Nah, can't be. It's a pain to go down there of all places. What did the widow throw? Again, give me something more specific.

'Foes to seek their final breath'. Sweet, if my foes try to die by themselves it'll make things a hell of a lot easier.

'A brother of magic and daughter to death'. ' Daughter to death is obviously me. I mean, Death himself has confirmed that. A brother of magic however… If this was a quest (and I'm hoping it isn't), then why is my partner defined as 'brother to magic?' Is he someone who can do magic? Someone who is simply a brother to a child of Hecate? Does Hecate have a brother? Is he even human? Just who exactly is this guy?!

I wanted to yell. I wanted to cut Hermes into pieces for delivering me this, I wanted to strangle the Oracle of Delphi herself for dragging me into this mess. In the end, I resigned myself to a long, internal scream.

I'm sure I would have done this for days on end, but I was rudely interrupted by the distinctive sound of someone being sent flying. I'll have him write this part. Besides, I haven't even told you what I looked like yet have I?

Author's notes:

It's my first fan fiction! Please comment on whether you guys want more or not. The first chapter's basically explaining everything in the story.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot! Percy Jackson and the Olympians belongs to Rick Riordan