As it is rather redundant and obvious, I shall be saying this only in the opening chapter. All characters that aren't the OCs belong to R.R. I own nothing other than the plot and the OCs. This is my first written endeavor, and I would appreciate positive criticism as to how to make the reading experience better for you.
"IF you're ever in desperate need of help, go to the location on this map." These words grew in the debate that was between my logic and conscience.
The thing is, he had never lied to me, nor given me any false promises. But…
It has been years since I heard those words. So long that its owner should be dead.
I was jarred away from my thoughts by a person I had come to dislike with a passion. "What are you thinking about?", asked a honey blonde immortal, twirling her princess curls. "Oh, it's nothing. A bit lost. I mean, what do they mean by, 'Prove yourself worthy.'" It wasn't a lie, the thought had become an afterthought with his promise plaguing my mind. Then again, it also isn't the truth.
I stood coolly under her gaze, which flashed momentarily its true colours. Cold and measured, before shining a false smile. "Well, you are a son of Poseidon. The last one achieved great things and with your privileges you can do much more."
I exhaled, "Yes, ma'am. It's just all you gods are so vague and it's so confusing as demigod."
"Do you know why we're that way? I used to be a demigod too, you know," she said. "Us gods are restricted by Ancient Laws in more ways than one. We can't directly interfere in the lives of mortals, much more to demigod children that aren't our own. So, in the desire to help while not breaking the law, we say vague and confusing statements, in hope that you're at the very least cautioned. While I say that, don't worry. You'll do fine." , and with that she left me to my thoughts again.
Well, I hope it isn't too late to introduce myself. Troy Blahnik, a relatively unimportant person until I joined the Greek mythological community. Not that I'm any different now, people know me only 'cause I'm the son of Poseidon. I was homeschooled, so I kind of can't relate to all the constant changing of schools everyone associates with being a demigod. Don't go assuming I was born rich, even I don't know how my mom got an all-in-one teacher. I guess he was a demigod too, I mean, he taught me everything that important for my demigod life and more. He taught me hand-to-hand combat, sword fighting, archery, mythology of so many religions that it would take some time to explain, and languages. Man, he spoke so many languages, 9 before I asked him to stop from embarrassment… Sorry, I digress. So, yeah, I'm different from what you'd call normal in both, human and demigod terms.
I came to Camp Half blood 60 years ago, which feels weird 'cause I still look like I'm 19. Yeah, partial immortality is confusing. There is an immortal camper per cabin, usually the eldest, again me being the exception, since I'm the only one from my cabin. My father, recently proposed to turn me fully immortal if I 'Prove myself', but as I said before, that's the least of my worries.
You see, 2 weeks back, I went to the Big House to meet with Chiron and turn in my choice of activities this winter. It was then, during the annual Senior counselor meeting that à prophecy was spoken. If I had to pick a day to blame for turning the semi-stable life of the demigods into nightmare, it would be that day. August 18th. The birthday of the most revered demigod in the past 5 centuries. My half-brother, Percy Jackson.
Lady Artemis had come to address the gathering, describing a sudden change in monster attack patterns. That they were scarce at first, before becoming organised and numerous. I, scatterbrained as ever, said, "That means they're following orders. Meaning we may have another war on our hands." Lady Artemis sighed, "Let's not make assumptions -", and out of nowhere, Lady Dare spoke a prophecy.
Dark days line the years ahead,
Beings of old come for your head,
Friends, new and old, must stand together,
To move our chances from none to better,
A hero wronged will decide our fate,
Apologize, repent, before it's too late.
I turned around confused, I didn't understand, normally you asked her for a prophecy, but what I saw was something I'd never forget. Most of the cabin counselors were pale, and what scared me the most was the goddess. She looked like she had seen a ghost.
The rest of the meeting was sombre. People spoke in hushed tones. And as everyone filed out of the room, I stayed back with Chiron, Artemis and the gods of the camp. "Lords and Ladies, with the present threat may I suggest something that has been on my mind?" After thinking for a few seconds, the goddess of the Hunt nodded.
"As many of you know I used to have a teacher who homeschooled me, teach me about the gods, before I came to camp." I looked on, before apprehensively continuing. " Well, before he left, he told me that if I ever found myself needing help I should go to 60.3139°N, 139.3708°W….." Lady Levesque almost immediately said, "The Hubbard Glacier." I looked at her, astonished. "Yes, my lady. So, I request permission to seek this out."
All eyes turned to the goddess of the moon, who said, "No, we must first discuss this at the council." And with a nod I was dismissed.
Third person POV:
"ありがとございます！ほんとに！わたし わとても くわかったです!", (Thank you! Really! I was so scared!) said a small boy of 7, trembling, crying, holding onto his sick mother. He looked back at his savior, the man who, by some miracle, prevented his small world from collapsing. The boy let go of his mother's hand and prostrated himself before the stranger.
"ああ、さあ。今はそれがありません。あなたのお母さんを中に入れましょう。彼女を世話するのを手伝ってもらえますか。", (Oh, come on. None of that now. Let's take your mother inside. Can I help you take care of her?) said the man, leaning over to get the kid back on his feet. He hugged the child, who after a few more moments of sobbing, breathed softly, drifting into a careless sleep.
This was one of the more random dreams Troy had had over his years as a demigod. He mused silently as he gazed at the ceiling, seeming to find a splinter he hadn't seen before. While the Japanese conversation was surprising, he smirked, thankful that he remembered the language, what caught his attention was eyes of the man. They were captivating. Immersive was a better word, troubled like a snowy day with orange freckles like lanterns. He sat up on his bed and thought out loud, "It was probably a mistake. It's was reflection of a broken, smudged mirror in a dark room. Even if it's true, it's probably from the past."
"Should you really be thinking so much early in the morning?", asked à voice from across the room. As he was jarred out of his thoughts, Troy smiled. "What can I say, Aunt Hestia, I may be the first nephew of yours with a brain.", he said cheekily. And at that the goddess giggled, "You would be the last if you said outside these walls." Troy pouted before asking, "What are you doing on Percy's bed?"
The goddess of the Hearth seemed to blush before saying, "I got bored waiting for you to get up and the other bed is occupied by your brother." Troy, confused as ever, looked over to find his big brother snoring away. Troy pinched himself, waking himself up. He must be going deaf if he couldn't hear a 9 foot cyclops snoring next to him. Turning back, the son of Poseidon asked, "So, Aunt, what did you want to say?"
The smiling goddess of Home turned serious, once again reminding Troy that the being in front of him was the eldest sister of the Big Three. "Zeus has granted you permission to fly through his domain. The council debated on your proposition and agree that we must start looking for allies if this prophecy is as bad as it sounds. Take close friends. Ones you trust with your life. Alaska is called the land beyond the gods for a reason. We can't help you there." Troy beamed at her, saying, "I won't let you down." before turning to see the time.
As he heard the conch sound off, Troy would later question why he heard the goddess wish that Zeus was this mature 500 years ago.