Disclaimer: Neither of us are Rick Riordan. We don't own the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series. We are not making a profit from this.
Zoee
"Zoee, hurry up!" Ben says, tugging me along by my hand. "We can't be late! Emily is going to be Chosen tonight" I sigh, knowing that Em won't give a drachma whether we're late or not. She probably wouldn't even notice. It's nothing personal, she's just a little… Erm… Absentminded. She almost didn't remember that she'd be Chosen today, and that's one of the most important moments in the life of a legacy, or as some campers -rudely- call us, semigods. Semigod. It's my least favorite word. Some of the other campers think that just because we're the child of a demigod and not directly born from a god that we're less important, less powerful. It's not true at all. I'm descended from Poseidon and Athena, which means I got water powers and smarts. Well, I'm still not sure about the water powers yet, but considering who my dad is, there's a big chance I'll develop them soon enough.
"Zo, you're acting like Emily." Ben complains. I giggle, because he's right. I had stopped lost in my thoughts, exactly what Em does when you try to walk farther than a couple meters with her.
"Race you." I reply, and take off running before he answers. I've got a decent head start before he realizes what I said.
"Hey!" He yells and dashes after me. I keep the ahead for almost the whole way, but at the end he finally pulls in front of me, a glint of competitiveness in his eyes. We burst into the dining pavilion gasping for breath, but only a couple heads turn. Most of them are focused on their food and the conversations at their table.
"Well, see ya, Zo." Says Ben, before walking off to the Ares table. I'm still surprised Ares claimed him, I've never seen him be mean to anyone. Yes, I know Ares' specialty isn't being mean and blah, blah. But whatever, they are. Apart from Ben, of course. I head to table 3, and slump down in my seat. I'm the only one there. As usual. Thanks, Poseidon, for making me sit here, when I could be over there, chatting it up with the Athena kids. I don't get it, I'm more smart than I am good at swimming! Did Athena not want me or something? Chiron's voice interrupts my moping,
"Emily Marie Zhang." He calls. The chatter dies and suddenly all eyes are on the centaur. Well, except Emily's. Awkward. Someone at her table nudges her, and she looks up from the spork she was studying. She realizes what's happening and shoots out of her seat like Zeus himself electrocuted her. Which is totally possible, considering she's descended from Hades, who is not Zeus' favorite person.
"Emily Zhang," Chiron continues, "You have reached thirteen, the age necessary to begin training here at Camp Half-Blood. One of your godly ancestors will claim you tonight , and-" He's cut off by a gasp from the gathered demigods. A glowing red ruby is hovering over Emily's head. She plucks it out of the air and examines it. 'She gets a gemstone?' I think, 'All I got was a splash of saltwater and a holographic trident.'
"Emily Zhang, your new home is Cabin thirteen, the cabin of Hades." The crowd cheers and Emily slowly sits back down, still staring at the ruby. Chiron coughs,
"And… Erm… Your new table for the dining hall is table thirteen." He says. Subtle hint, Chiron. Emily gets the message and switches tables, now all by herself, poor girl.
Dinner carries on as normal, and before I know it, it's time for the campfire. I rush to find Ben and Emily, and I congratulate her on being chosen. Sometimes the gods forget, and, well, it's kind of embarrassing to be claimed at breakfast the next morning. The three of us sit together, And Mary comes to join us. She's my best friend, which is kind of ironic, because her mom and my dad used to hate each other or something. I never got the full details, but there was something about toilets exploding and metal bulls. After a few corny camp songs and more than a few s'mores, I'm feeling happy and relaxed. Nothing's gone wrong all day, which hasn't happened in a while. There's always one camper who seems to find a way to get themselves hurt. Here I am, thinking maybe I'll finally have a normal day, when the camp's oracle doubles over, green smoke spilling out of her mouth. Rachel turns and I swear she looks directly into my eyes before speaking,
"Six half-bloods and a faun,
Will follow the trail and right the wrong,
They will go north with only each other,
To destroy all monsters' mother,
A sacrifice must be made,
For victory, a heavy price paid."
Rachel collapses and is carried away by two satyrs. The campers are silent for a moment before they all start to talk at once:
"A prophecy?"
"A heavy price. I hope it doesn't mean-"
"North? It's cold up there."
"Silence!" Yells Chiron, "We do not know that this prophecy is meant for the present, it could be about an event that will take place hundreds of years from now."
"But," An ever optimistic camper shouts, "We should expect danger just in case, right?" Chiron opened his mouth to reply, but as if the demigod's comment was a cue, a satyr bursts into the clearing.
"It's Forest." He says, panting for breath, "And the half-blood he brought in. There are monsters, tons of them at the barrier. It's bad, really bad." At this he falls to his knees in exhaustion, and is trampled by a horde of demigods rushing to help in the battle. All I could think was 'Please, let Forest be okay!'
Well, there goes my normal evening.
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