Sorry for not updating in forever. So yeah, this story replaces ToA. Sorry if the last author's not was kinda weird. I was really tired when I wrote it.
Anyway, new chapter. Enjoy!
Hazel woke up gasping.
"You okay?" called Nico from the other side of the room.
Hazel looked around, wondering why the surroundings were so unfamiliar. Then she remembered. She and Frank were spending a weekend at Camp Half-Blood. Hazel was in her bunk in the Hades cabin. There was no darkness. No smoke. No evil presence. Everything was fine.
"Yeah." she said. "Just – just a dream."
Nico didn't ask questions. He knew just how awful dreams could be.
As she dressed and went down to breakfast, Hazel tried to convince herself that the dream meant nothing. But deep down, she knew better. Demigod dreams always meant something, and this one was no exception. It was so terrifying that she just wanted to forget it, but that was impossible.
OOO
After breakfast, Hazel had an hour's free time. She decided to go for a ride to try and clear her head. Walking past the commons area, she only had to concentrate and Arion was there.
He was the fastest horse in the world, but today Hazel had no need for speed. They galloped up towards the Big House, then back, to the beach. As they passed the swordfighting arena, Hazel saw Jason coming out, apparently having just finished practise.
"Hello." Hazel called.
Jason started and swung around. When he saw her, he relaxed slightly, but he still remained tense, like something was worrying him.
"Oh...hello." he said.
"Are you okay?" Hazel asked.
"Yeah, I guess so." Jason said. "It's just…"
"Go on." prompted Hazel.
Jason hesitated, then sighed. "I can't stop thinking about…you know…two months ago…" His voice trailed off.
Hazel knew. She knew that Leo's death had been her fault. Everyone tried to convince her otherwise, but Hazel knew she was to blame.
"I'm sorry." she said. But words weren't enough.
"It wasn't your fault." said Jason. (Hazel felt like smacking him). "I could have done something, hel Gaia off longer –"
"Hey, look up there." Hazel interrupted.
"No, really, I could've."
"Seriously, look up."
Jason squinted at the sky. "I don't see…Oh." He'd seen what Hazel had.
High in the sky was a dark speck, maybe half a mile off.
"Do you think we should warn Chiron?" asked Hazel. The old centaur would know what to do.
"No, wait." said Jason. "Look closer."
The speck was nearer now, moving at quite a speed. As it dipped slightly in the air, Hazel caught a flash of bronze.
Celestial bronze.
"No." said Hazel. "It can't be."
But now, as the bronze speck drew closer, she could make out its shape.
Hazel looked over at Jason. "Impossible."
"We're demigods." said Jason. "We deal with the impossible on a daily basis."
Hazel re-focused on the speck. Or not a speck, since it was now close enough to see what it was.
A dragon. A bronze dragon.
A bronze dragon with two figures on its back.
It might have been Hazel's imagination, but she saw one of them wave.
An enormous weight of guilt and grief lifted from Hazel's shoulders. She locked eyes with Jason, who looked like he was about to start turning cartwheels and singing.
"I'll fly back to the commons area and tell the others." he said. "You get down there!"
Hazel needed no persuasion. She swung onto Arion's back. Jason summoned the winds and took off, heading uphill.
Hazel spurred Arion, and the roan stallion galloped past the armoury, skirting the border of the forest. There was certainly a need for speed now. Hazel was determined to get down to the beach and welcome Leo home.