The claiming was the only thing that the other campers talked about since last night. None of it was positive, more along the lines of fear ridden. It didn't make sense; they had no reason to be scared of me, as long as they don't provoke me or harass anyone I know then we'll be fine.
Currently, I was standing at the far end of the room of Cabin Two with Hera, who decided to stick around for a bit. The reason for us being in the cabin was because we were watching some of her divine servants clean every square inch of the cabin and bring in a few things, few being a light term.
A wardrobe that was carved with an image of the Garden of Hesperides and was already filled with clothes that looked new and had tags on them still and next to it was a large vanity mirror. Blazing braziers were hung from the ceiling that also had a mosaic of a tall tree with golden apples hanging from the branches.
Along the walls were purple shrouds with gold trims that had a lotus flower on it. The bed they brought in was queen sized, the frame and headboard were solid oak and ornate with sheets of silk. Next to it was a nightstand with a built in fridge, on top of it was a stereo system and across from the bed a flat screen.
Somehow I got the feeling that not all the cabin were like this on the inside and it would probably make look like a spoiled rich kid if anyone were to see this. I pray no one other than my friends see this.
When they were finished, it was just me and mom standing next to her statue. I wasn't exactly her likeness but she like it none the less.
"Now this is a room fit for a Prince, it's modern with a cultural design," she said, while taking a walk around the cabin.
"The bed was a gift from Hypnos, god of sleep. I didn't really need a new one since mine has serviced me for the better part of 2000 years. Once laying in it for about a minute you're out like a light."
While she went on about the specifics about what item came from whom, I was more interested in knowing over 18 years of information as to why she left me and my dad.
Going up to her and putting my hand on her shoulder, Hera stopped and looked at me with a start but her eyes were welling up. It made me step back in surprised; she sounded fine but in truth see was only putting up a farce to hide her true feelings.
"Mom, we really need to talk," I said.
"About what honey?" she said calmly.
Where do I begin, there were a number of things I wanted ask her ever since I was a little kid. Now that I had the chance I was tongue tied. Forcing my thoughts to clear; I picked the most obvious one.
"Why did you leave me?" I asked.
Hera hesitated, as if expecting this to be brought up but needed to pick her words carefully as to not misinterpret.
"You were never supposed to exist Justin, just the fact that you were ever born was an act against my own nature," she said.
"What is that even supposed to mean, why shouldn't have I been born?" I said.
"I am the goddess of marriage Justin, meaning that my union to my husband, Zeus, was supposed to be just that, to him only. The fact that I have a Demigod child is unthinkable. But something in me gave in when I met your father."
At the mention of him, a smile of remembrance graced her lips. My guess is that she had happier moments with my dad than she did with Zeus.
"We met by chance; he wasn't like other mortals who only desired me for my appearance. He became my friend shortly and later…my lover and I soon bore him a beautiful baby boy."
Her tears finally fell free. If anyone saw the Queen of Olympus cry other than me they'd probably freak out, but I didn't see her as a Queen, just a mother in pain.
"When you were born, I couldn't believe that you were mine. I wanted to bring you to Olympus, to be raised amongst the other Olympians but I couldn't, it would be too dangerous for you and I couldn't risk them finding out that I cheated on my husband with a mortal; they'd kill you both.
That's why I left you, for your protection but do not think I didn't stop thinking of you every day Justin. I watched you from a far but I wanted nothing more than to be with you growing up."
The sincerity in her case was real, something that probably wasn't normal for gods to do. From Annabeth said to me about the gods yesterday is that they aren't supposed to show favoritism to their children. No doubt if the other gods were to see this they'd go against her.
"Why did the others say that they were trying to protect me, and why are other campers so scared of me?" I asked.
"It is because of a prophecy that was deciphered from the Sibylline Books, ancient texts were consulted during times of crisis. The Romans used them to secure their empire; after the war last month a harpy was found who had actually read them and memorized them. One text that was deciphered a week after the war was how a child of royalty would appear to lead a vast army and ancient beings would rise and destroy the West.
Many thought it was my Champion, Jason Grace, son of Jupiter would be the one but in fact that is false. You are a child of a Queen, and you have the ability and authority to command others. It can be no one else but you," she said.
"But why are they scared of me, if I'm supposed to lead others than why do they look at me like I'm the enemy?" I asked.
"Prophecies have multiple meanings; they think that the one leading this army is one who won't lead it to save Olympus, but against it."
Now it was starting to make more sense, since they didn't know what this prophecy hold for them, they think I might take the enemies side and fight against them if they do something wrong. Damn, way to make a first impression.
My hand was taken by Hera and she kissed it lightly.
"I'm sorry Justin, for making you go through this. A hero's path is one filled with hardship, one that has death lurking at every corner. The Fates are cruel to make this your path," she cried.
I couldn't her tears anymore; it was my turn to embrace her. This was probably something a mortal shouldn't be doing but at the moment I didn't really care.
"I'm not mad at you mom or at anything else. All I've wanted was to know you, at least once in my whole life. Now that I have, I'm not ashamed to call myself the son of Hera. If any dare disrespect you for having me, then I'll kick the shit out them three ways from Sunday," I said, making her laugh lightly.
When we pulled away, there was an awkward silence until I finally suggested that we take a walk around camp. The place was just as lively as it was last night; kids talking about what happened while some stared in awe of the Queen who walked next to me like it wasn't a big deal.
What was strange is that I caught Percy looking over in our direction with a glare so full of hate that it might've looked intimidating if was easily scared but that wasn't the case now was it?
"Lady Hera, a word if you will?"
We turned around to see the one thing I least expected; it was Mr. Brunner but instead of his electric wheelchair, his lower half was that of a white stallion and he had a bow a quiver strapped to his back.
"Mr. Brunner, you're a horse?" I asked in shock.
"Centaur, the correct term is Centaur Mr. Stryker and the name is Chiron," he said.
His name ringed in my head from yesterday; Tessa said that she and the others had spoken to him about some arrangements, my guess is had something to do with me being here.
"What do you want Chiron, I'm in the middle of spending some time with my son whom I have not seen in a few years," Hera said.
"Forgive me, I shall make this brief. Justin, everything is set for your stay here. Your activities will be handled by your friends as requested by them, and your table has been set at the dining pavilion. Forgive me for keeping this a secret from you but I felt that it was time for you to know; I sense something in you that further exceed my expectations of you Justin," he said.
'Again, how was that last part a compliment?'
"Were you expecting anything less Chiron?" Hera said.
"I suppose not, well I won't keep you any longer."
Chiron trotted away and we walked around until we reached the top of Half-Blood Hill, overlooking the entire camp. It was just the two of us, well not counting the green dragon-like serpent that was coiled around the pine tree.
Also the giant statue of Tessa's mom, Athena; that thing really made me uneasy, the way it loomed over us was like it was passing judgment on me. I could also hear it say to me, 'You should not be here'.
Got the feeling she would say the same thing if I met her in person.
"Now that I'm here, do the other Olympians know that about this?" I asked.
"Zeus has noticed my absence, no doubt from last night." Her tone was less than pleasant and full of irritation.
I've heard stories of the King of Olympus, the womanizer who conceived countless children. One of which, Hercules, received the worst of it when he was driven to madness by…oh yeah, mom did that. Think I'll stop there while I'm ahead.
"Enjoying the view?"
Coming up the hill were my friends, who looked uneasy when Hera looked at them. Lilly ducked behind Tessa and Matt and Bobby tensed up. They made it up the hill but stayed atleast three feet away from her.
"Lady Hera, an honor to make you acquaintance," Bobby said, breaking the awkward silence.
"Hello children, nice to finally meet Justin's friends. You four have done well protecting him for as long as you did, especially you Miss Fern; you are truly fine protector," she said.
Lilly blushed at the compliment but still tried to hide herself. I know they were scared of this prophecy but I hoped that it didn't change what they thought of me.
"Hey, I hear you got Cabin Two all to yourself and that it got decked out. I'm kind of jealous, but if you ever what to chill at my Cabin, me and my big bro Pollux know how to throw a party," Bobby said.
"You're all that I can handle, having another spawn of the party is just a recipe for disaster. Plus I don't know him, he might slip me something in my food or spike the drink," I said.
"Last thing we need is another hammered Tess and her dictionary of profanity," Matt cracked, which earned him a punch strait in the chest, making fall to his knees.
"I thought I made it clear to never bring that up again," she fumed.
I laughed, for what seemed like a while now, I actually laughed. Granted it was from someone else's misfortune but still the same none the less. Looking over at mom, I saw her look at us with what I guessed was curiosity.
It sort of gave me the impression the Olympians don't quite understand human nature, let alone the antics of four teenagers and a satyr.
Before things could settle down, the air was filled with the sudden clean sent of ozone; there wasn't a cloud in the sky or any signs of rain, though that didn't seem to apparently matter to the guy wearing the fancy Armani suit, long black beard and hair and electric blue eyes.
Standing next to him was a woman who was wearing same white dress as Hera but she also was wearing a breastplate, a shield hanging at her back and brandishing a spear. Her hair was black and her eyes were stone grey and seemed to hold a type of aged intellect.
The other was a blond surfer guy with a tanned skin, blue eyes and was wearing a hoodie with blue jeans and was fiddling with some sort of contraption. The noise that it made sounded like a moose getting shaved with a chainsaw.
Then there was this guy who looked like a guy who was part of some sort of biker gang. He had a buzz cut, scared up face, wore a leather jacket over a bullet proof vest, black jeans and biker boots. Resting on his shoulder was an aluminum bat that he seemed more than eager to use.
"What are you all doing here?" Hera asked, her face turning to a serious expression. She started to edge her way in front of me, almost like she was trying to shield me from them.
"Who are all those guys anyway?" I whispered to the others.
"Athena, Apollo, Ares and Zeus; guess they're here about what Hera did. Hint, hint," Matt whispered.
The way he looked at his father Apollo was a clear sign that there was some bad blood between them. Tessa was no better; Athena's look was stern and for a brief moment she glanced over at her daughter, something I wasn't expecting reflected in her stare; disappointment.
Zeus' look was none the kinder, our eyes met for a fraction of a second and he looked pissed. I could see blue sparks of electricity popped from his beard and suit.
"I couldn't believe the rumors; I thought them to absurd and some ridiculous joke. But now that I've seen it with my own eyes, that…that thing is very much real," Zeus spat.
Did he just call me a thing? Zeus came over and the ozone started to get stronger and my ears popped.
"You dare conceive this half-blood behind my back, dare to go and consort with a mortal?"
"You've only yourself to blame Zeus, you went behind my back and conceived countless children, even after your pact with your brothers and had Thalia and Jason," she retorted.
I didn't know who either of the two was, or what this pact was about, but from the looks of it, it was serious.
"What I've done has nothing to do with this. You tainted yourself and this half-blood is the result of it!"
Zeus shoved Hera aside grabbed me by the throat and lifted me in the air, that made weapons appear in the others hands at held them at the ready but were waiting for him to give them an excuse to attack.
"Stand down fallen heroes, you've no business interfering with matters that do not concern you," Athena said.
"If anything you are just getting in the way," Apollo added, still messing with that contraption. Somehow he made it groan like a dying walrus.
Tessa and Matt looked like they were really hurt by the comments given by their parents. What did they mean by fallen heroes, was that supposed mean something here. Zeus paid them no mind and was starting to make his grip tighter.
Hera tried to get him to stop but he wouldn't.
"Damn it Zeus, let him go now! He is my son and is under my protection," Hera shouted.
"He is nothing more than mistake, just as those who have protected him all these years. Better to just be rid of them all."
Okay, I was quiet for long enough. When you mess with my friends you mess with me.
"Like you're one to talk you fucking hypocrite," choked out, getting the King of Olympus look me straight in the eye.
"You sneak out and cheat on my mom all the time yet for reasons I don't know she still stays with you. When she does it you're quick to call her on it, but the truth of the matter is you can't accept the fact that a mortal man was able to win over my mom, whom she still loves more than you," I said.
"Justin, please don't speak any further," mom said but I just kept going.
"You're nothing but a two timing asshole who doesn't deserve a goddess like Hera."
"Whoa, this kid's got a steel pair on him," Ares cracked, actually looking impressed
From his free hand materialized a bronze cylinder that soon started to ignite from both ends with lightning bolts. Right before he stabbed one through my chest, I kicked him as hard as I could in groin which made him let me go.
While he was bent over, I uppercut him flat on his ass. Everyone couldn't believe that I just beat down the lord of the sky; Ares was having the time of his life laughing it up. That was all was cut short when got his bearings and tried to blast me to ashes.
It soon turned into Zeus blasting craters into Half-Blood Hill, the guy made the area look like a warzone. I needed to move fast in order to stay alive, a second too late and I was done for. I had managed to duck behind the tree and catch my breath, if not for a moment.
This couldn't keep going, odds were that he was going to get me sooner or later or he would get bored. I doubt the second option would happen anytime soon. I couldn't get close without a weapon to fight back with and I couldn't risk getting hit with a bolt of lightning.
"Hey kid, over here."
Looking over to my right, I saw Ares who was standing so casually while lightning few past him and he just paid it no mind.
"I know this is probably wrong, but I'm kinda itching to know what you're made of, so just this one time I'm gonna let you use my favorite weapon. Catch!"
Ares tossed me his aluminum bat and the moment I gripped the lower end, it started to shimmer and take on a new form. The bat's top part flattened and turned into a silver sword blade about four feet long, the lower half shifted in a hilt and the pommel was a skull with a ruby in its mouth.
Was sword wasn't too heavy or too light, just perfect. Something felt strange though; something in me seemed to take control over my mind. Almost the Justin who is usual rational stepped aside and one who was more forceful and authoritative was now up to bat.
No pun intended.
Standing up, I peeked out the side of the tree to see that Zeus still had the weird cylinder pointed at the tree. A plan came to me in a flash, a risky one but still a plan none the less. I poked my head fast enough to dodge the bolt and run to at him from the other side.
Zeus opened fire but for reasons I didn't understand, my body kept moving on its own. When I was too close to avoid another bolt, my arms raised the sword that acted as a type of lightning rod and absorbed the lightning and then redirected it.
The act left everyone stupefied; that was something that shouldn't have been possible, yet somehow I still did it. Before another could be fired, I was within reach and rushed Zeus' right side and slashed at this his ribs, a trail of gold liquid which I guessed was his blood trail the ground from the swing.
Turning back I then stabbed the sword right through his back. The cylinder dropped from his hand and the bolts vanished. Kicking him off the blade, I put the edge to his jugular since I knew he was still alive but there was a burning urge to kill this bastard.
But I couldn't, there were two sides of me fighting for what to do until they managed to make a compromise.
"Beg me," I said.
"What?" Zeus asked.
"Beg me for your life like the lowly vermin that you are. Do it well, and I might consider it," I said.
"As if I, the King of Olympus would ever do such a thing for a half-blood-" I didn't let him finish that statement as I edged the blade closer to his skin.
His eyes were staring back at me and they slowly started to fill with fear, not overly so but it was still apparent to me and anyone who looked. Zeus swallowed hard and hesitated; he more than likely didn't want to show weakness in front of the others.
Doing so would more than likely make them question his strength, but at this moment he really did have a choice.
"I request, with great humility, that you grant me amnesty," he muttered.
It wasn't exactly what I asked but I let him get up before I loped off his head.
"We will settle this soon enough Stryker; I will never recognized you as my son and will not show mercy when I kill you," he said before vanishing.
Athena and Apollo looked over at me and the glare I gave them was a clear message to leave before something happens to them too. The only one left was Ares, who came over clapping his hands.
"Damn kid, you sure you're not one of mine? Haven't seen that brutal of a beating since the Battle of Thermopylae; you fight with the spirit of a Spartan but also with the cunning of an Athenian. I'm gonna keep my eye on you, let's see if you can make things interesting around here," he said.
He took back the sword which turned back into a bat then he also vanished. The moment he did, I fell to my knees and felt exhausted. If this was going to be a daily thing, I think coming here was a mistake.
"Dude, that was awesome. You went toe to toe with Zeus and beat him, no one can top that feat," Matt said when he and the others came over to check on me.
"You even managed to deflect lightning from the Master Bolt. That's one of the most powerful of Olympian weapons ever," Tessa added.
"Plus you impressed Ares and scared the others shitless, you're on a role here," Bobby said.
"I can't feel my legs, fuck I'm exhausted and feel like I'm going to throw up," I said.
Falling forward, I would've hit the ground if Lilly hadn't caught me and rested my head against her chest and stroked my hair. Despite the situation, I just let it be since I couldn't really move anyway. My instincts went into overdrive and made my body use muscles that I don't normally have to.
Since I don't, it hurts more than I realized. Before I could doze off, I needed to know the answer to what Athena said before things went wrong, that phrase she said.
"Hey Tess, why did your mom called you and Matt 'Fallen Heroes'?" I asked.
She purged her lips and looked away for a moment. "Get some rest Justin," was all she said before everything went dark.
Just like before, another dream visited me. This was different from the last; instead of that dark place with that hunter thing, and I say thing because I very much doubt it was human, I was standing somewhere that looked like a palace.
The ceiling looked as if it was the night sky with numerous constellations. In the center of the room was a burning hearth and sitting in the corner was a floating sphere of water with some sort of fish cow swimming around it.
What was weird were the four thrones: Current Occupants, me and my friends. We weren't dressed in shirts and jeans; instead we were wearing more ornate.
Matt was a gold breastplate with a sun emblem with twin snakes curved upward, underneath was a white tunic and he had a golden bow set on the side of the seat he was on.
Bobby was somewhat the same; breastplate the color of grapes with an ivy design on it, green tunic, in his right hand was a goblet filled with…something, I wasn't too sure. Gripped in other hand was a wooden staff topped with a pine cone.
Tessa didn't look at all like herself; if anything she almost resembled her mother; white Greek dress with a bronze breastplate, her brown hair the same way as Athena's. She even had her shield and spear but when she held them it felt like she would use them if provoked.
Taking a look at myself I wasn't really all that different. My armor was like Matt's; golden but lacking any form of emblem and a white tunic. Clipped on my shoulders was a goatskin cape, (don't ask me how I know that), and atop my head was a golden laurel wreath.
"This can all be yours."
I looked around to see where that voice came from, but the source appeared to be nowhere. Thought that didn't really matter since it made me shiver, whoever it was didn't seem like the kind of person to be taken lightly.
"Abandon the Olympians; they are cruel and heartless to their own and are quick to cast out their own children," it said.
Somehow it felt as if the voice was referring to my friends. What did it mean that the gods cast out their own children?
"Your mother will be no different; once you have fulfilled your task she will abandon you like she did long ago. You will fall from her graces as did they. You are only a tool meant to carry out her agendas."
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" I shouted, making my friends look at me with worry.
"You alright there man?" Bobby asked.
"I don't know," I said, still looking around to see who else was talking to me.
"Serve me and my brethren; lead our armies against them and you all will be crowned rulers of Olympus. Topple their thrones so that yours may rise. Spill their Ichor and let them know the wrath of a true King."
In front of me, a shadowy figure with white spheres for eyes appeared. Gripped in their hand was what looked like a sword made of glass and along the flats it was studded with bronze? The weapon itself seemed to give off an ancient power, one that shouldn't be taken lightly.
They pointed the tip at me and I feared that they might stab me with that thing. The glass sword suddenly flew at me and found its way to my left hand faster than I could dodge it. It shrank and wrapped itself around my middle finger.
The pain soon followed; it felt as though the glass was melding onto my skin and that my finger might actually get burned off. As soon as it came, it stopped and there was a newly formed glass ring on my hand now.
"Fight for us son of Hera, there is no limit to the things we can achieve. Greater than the foolish Gaea thought she could accomplish with her foolish children, The Giants. IT IS YOUR DESTINY!"
The boom of their voice enough to give me the shock I need to wake with a start. I wasn't exactly of sound mind at the moment and when I saw someone looking over me I kind of latched my hands around their throat.
My own fury temporarily blinded me and I didn't know it was I was trying to kill right now. Next thing I know, other people were trying to pry me hands off my victim.
"Dude, let him go before you actually kill the kid," said the voice I knew was from Bobby.
"Justin, please let him go, this isn't you," pleaded Lilly.
When my sight started to clear, I realized that I strangling a pasty skinned kid dressed in dark clothing and looked no older than 15. Letting him, he fell to his knees and sucked in as much as he possibly could.
"You fucking psychopath, what hell is wrong with you; do you just strangle anyone the minute you wake up?" he practically yelled.
Taking in my surroundings, I found myself lying in my bed at Cabin Two with my friends, the kid I tried to kill, Percy, Annabeth and Chiron. Sitting up, Matt handed me some water that I downed like my life depended on it.
"What the hell happened, how long was I out?" I asked.
"A few hours, you passed out after fighting Zeus," Matt explained.
"Did I kill him?" I asked.
"No; gods don't die, they just fade from existence, but on a light note, what gave you the idea to take on the Zeus; how crazy are you?" Annabeth said.
"Do you really want me to answer that question?"
She looked as if she was about to say something, then stopped herself to think for a moment before nodding her head 'no', smart girl. Looking at the unknown kid, I reached out my hand to him.
"Sorry about a second ago, I really didn't mean to do that to you. I was having a really bad dream. I'm Justin Stryker, son of Hera, and you are?" I said.
He hesitated at first but still took my hand and shook it lightly.
"Nico di Angelo, son of Hades. Don't worry about that, it isn't the first time I've almost died. Didn't think the rumors were true, Hera having a Demigod son and all but I guess anything is possible," he said.
Wow, I already hate him and it's only been three minutes. Chiron approached with a worried look on his face.
"Tell me of this dream you Justin, leave no detail out," he said.
After explaining to them what I saw the color drained from their faces, well aside from Nico of course. Chiron looked as he might pass out at any minute, Percy looked confused as did Annabeth, looking as if she was trying to piece together everything and make sense of it.
"Seems as though some unforeseen group has taken an interest in in you Justin, for what they intend to is obvious, when and where is yet to be known," said the Centaur.
"Justin, what's that on your hand?" Lilly asked.
I felt something wrong, like in my dream when that shadowy being appeared. Looking at my hand, I saw it; the glass ring that was burned onto my finger was actually there. For a moment I had wished that I was blown sky high by that lightning from the Master Bolt.
My hand acted on its own and clenched. When doing so, the ring seemed to activate and out sprang the glass sword, looking exactly the same as when dreamt it.
"Wow, what kind of weapon is that? I've never seen anything like it before," Annabeth said.
"Doesn't even look like a weapon, more like a piece of art work," Percy added.
"That, children, is the very same material that was used to slay Ouranos, adamantine," Chiron said.
"Wait, I thought Kronos' scythe killed Ouranos, and it was made of Celestial Bronze and iron," Percy said.
"True, but the scythe that you went up against was incomplete, for it was missing its key material. The very same that is meant to slay gods. If Justin had used this while fighting Zeus, he may have actually killed him permanently," Chiron said.
"Guess whoever gave that to him must really what to use him to dethrone the gods," Nico said.
"But he won't, Justin isn't like that. He would never kill anyone because someone told him to," Lilly said.
I tossed the sword on the floor to get it away from me, but the before it could hit the marble it flew back to my hand like a boomerang.
"I think it likes you dude," Bobby said.
I kept trying to get rid of it but no matter what the damn thing kept coming back. Getting up from the bed, I went out the door and hurled it as far as I could. When it was out of sight I felt relieved. But the sound of a strange hiss proved me wrong.
The sword came whirling back like a fan of death. "Hit the deck!"
We all dropped as it flew in back into the cabin and back to my hand. Was there no end to this madness?
"It seems as though whoever made this weapon must really want you to have it. Also going through great lengths to make sure you can't get rid of it," Nico said.
"I hate my life right now. I really, really, hate my life right now. Maybe I'll end like the Romans; I'll fall on my sword. Here Nico, hold this about here and wait for me to fall forward," I said, putting it in his hand.
"Wait what?" he said, baffled.
"Dude, don't joke about that. You'll probably piss off your mom." Tessa said.
"Not true, the Romans believed that suicide was an honorable death; that robbing the enemy of the joy of killing you is a noble thing," Nico explained.
"You're not helping, you're just giving him an idea," Lilly huffed.
Right now that seemed like a good idea, better than having to listen to what that shadow wanted of me. Taking back the sword, I walk out the cabin to get some air and to clear my head. This place was messed up and if this was normal for them then they're fucking crazy.
Going to the shore near the sound, I sat on the pier and just looked at the water; naiads swam by and giggled when I waved at them.
"Careful, rambunctious ones they are." Looking up, I saw Percy take a seat next to me. He moved his hand and the water started to move back and forth at his command. Guess he was the son of Poseidon, and now that I think about it, my cousin and so was Nico.
Learning something new very few seconds; guess that wasn't so bad.
"You know, I used to be in your position once. There was this whole prophecy thing about the child of the eldest god who would either save or destroy Olympus. Some of the gods actually wanted to kill me but somehow they convinced themselves that I was useful, maybe that's what's happening to you too," he said.
"Well my stepdad already wants to kill, guess that's a start," I said. "Oh that reminds me, where did my mom go after I passed out?"
"The others said that she had to go back to Olympus and sort some stuff with out. Guess she's setting some ground rules on the other Olympians."
"What like, not trying to kill me or something?" I asked, only getting a shrug.
"Gods are weird; it's usually hard to know what they really want."
That makes sense I guess. Still, who was this other side that wanted me to fight for them, and would they really promise something like that if I did help them? Wait, why am I thinking like that?
'Don't let him get inside your head Stryker. You're better than that to let someone manipulate you like that.'
Summoning my sword, I held it up to the light of the sun and it refracted it all over the water of the sound. If it were different circumstances I thought having this would've been pretty cool, but knowing what it was meant for made want to chuck it into the sound.
Though I doubted the naiads would like that very much. The sound of a horn filled the air and Percy stood up.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"It's time for dinner, everyone is going to the dining pavilion," he said.
Following him, and the crowd, we made it to the pavilion and everyone sat tables. Some filled more than others; Percy and Nico sat by themselves, and I guess I was too. The table I sat at was the same as the others, though it kind of sucked that I had to eat alone.
That changed when the others took seats besides me. The other campers looked at them like they had just committed a national crime.
"Why are they looking at us like that?" I whispered.
"We aren't supposed to sit at tables other than the ones of our godly parent. But it's not like we're welcomed there to begin with," Bobby said.
"But satyrs are allowed to sit where ever they please, though most like to sit at Dionysus' table. We always sit with each other at lunch at school; why should that change now?" Lilly added.
Yeah, why should it? Just because the other campers don't like me doesn't mean that I should let that change anything I usually do. The food that was served was BBQ, grapes, apples, strawberries, cheese, and fresh bread that the wood nymphs served to the tables. I thought the goblets were pretty cool.
You just have to say what kind of drink that you want and it fills with; best part was is that they never run out. Right before I dog it down, Tessa stopped me and her and the others stood up with their food went over to a bronze brazier the size of a bathtub.
They all scraped a portion of it into the fire for some reason, and then waved me over to do the same.
"Before we eat, we're supposed to give some to as an offering to the gods. One of the traditions at camp," Tessa said.
I didn't know any of the other gods; odds were that they hated me and that word spread of how I fucked up their leader. I dumped all my food into the fire, whispering something to myself.
'Hope its good mom; enjoy.'
The fire flared up like before, causing everyone to jump. Instead of something a god coming out, a black case flew out and landed in my hands. On the top of it was a note, one addressed to me. All that was written on it was, 'don't disappoint me'.
The case was heavy and I was nervous to open it, last thing I needed was this to be a trick and have something jump out and kill me.
"Let's see what it is dude," Matt said.
Undoing the latches, I lifted the lid and saw something that made me question whether or not if someone was giving me a death threat. Inside was a 12 gauge pump action shotgun, thought it didn't look like a traditional shotgun.
The stock was engraved with sense of Greek soldiers in battle and on the other side was a holder that had different colored shells. Under it was a slit that housed a Celestial Bronze blade; this was for when I run out of shells and needed to use it like a makeshift axe.
The mouth of the barrel was in the shape of a dragon's head, the fore-end was also engraved with the phrase 'kill them dead' written in ancient Greek that I somehow understood.
There was a switch just below the ejection port, when pressing it a Celestial Bronze 10 inch bayonet sprang out. Overall, this thing was the definition of overkill.
"What the hell is this? Whoever this is came from, you have a twisted sense of humor," I said.
No one stepped up; then again I was holding a gun that was probably loaded. Looking over at the others; Matt, Bobby and Lilly only shrugged but Tessa took the gun from and examined it before gaining a grin.
Let me explain why. Tessa Carter wasn't like most girls, she comes from a military family and her father, Samson Carter, was a retired Spec Ops captain. She grew up around weapons and learning everything that he during his times in service. This was second nature to her
Hell I even went along with them to the shooting range and saw how good they were first hand and again when we went paintballing when she took us out like nothing. Chick was dangerous.
"This was is gift from lord Ares; he must've been impressed about earlier today and gave you a gift. The note is to ensure you put it good use. Quick, make another offering to say thank you to him," she said.
I kind of panicked and just grabbed a whole platter of random things threw it into the flame, making a few people laugh. The fire seemed to crack loudly, almost like it burped. That had to have been Ares saying he enjoyed it.
"Gotta say, this has been the most eventful day at camp I've ever had," Matt said.
"First the adamantine sword and now a modified shotgun from the god of war; guess a few of them up there like you," Bobby said.
"Okay, but what am I supposed to do with it? I don't normally use firearms," I said.
"It means that you're on our side." Coming over to the brazier was a large girl that did not at all look friendly.
"Name's Clarisse, daughter of Ares, we heard about your little fight with Zeus on Half-Blood Hill. Thought you were crazy to take him on but you impressed my dad, the weapon is proof of that, and he's not easy to please," she said.
I impressed the god of war, wow.
"Listen kid, tomorrow is out Capture the Flag game and we want you and your friends on our team. With you packing that kind of firepower and your little team of renegades could help our team win; what do you say, you guys in?" she asked.
'Renegades',what the hell is that supposed to mean? Pushing that aside for a moment, I thought about the situation that I was just put into. Given a gun and now asked to join in a game of Capture the Flag.
Sounds like a normal camp activity, god knows I need some normalcy, though I'm not sure why I need a shotgun for something like that.
"Sure, guess that would be fine. Plus I want to see what thing can do," I said.
The kids at the Ares table cheered like Vikings, shouting, raising the goblets while spilling their drink and banging on the table.
This should be interesting.
Please Review if not that's cool too.