Chapter Two

Welcome to Camp

Grover led me through the long line of cabins to an open pavilion filled with kids sitting on stone benches and tables. A large brazier stood in the middle, filling the entire area with comfortable warmth.

The campers-who I was just noticing were little older than teenagers-turned and looked at me as we walked. I saw a few exchange hushed whispers while others snickered. One kid with sandy-blonde hair and a long white scar running down his face stared me down, his face emotionless.

Finally, we arrived at a table that was off to the side, with two blonde boys and an old, fat man sitting on the bench. At the head was a man with brown hair, sitting in a wheelchair. When he noticed us, he looked up and smiled pleasantly. "Ah, Grover, I'm glad to see you've returned safely"-he turned to me-"And you must be Hunter."

I nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Oh boy," the fat man murmured, "another mouth to feed."

"Mr. D," the man in the wheelchair said, "do try and be a bit more welcoming."

Mr. D put his Diet Coke can down and smiled pleasantly (or as pleasantly as he could). "Of course, where are my manners? Welcome to Camp Half-Blood! Try not to die, I don't need my precious time wasted by scraping up your remains."

"Well aren't you a barrel of laughs," I muttered.

Mr. D looked me in the eyes and I could swear that purple flames danced in his irises. "Watch your tone, boy, or you'll lose that fancy tongue of yours."

I swallowed and nodded.

"Good," Said Mr. D. "Now that introductions are out of the way, why don't you run along."

The man in the wheelchair nodded. "I agree. Why don't you follow me, Hunter? I'll show you our orientation film."

"Ok," I said.

"This way."

We left the pavilion and walked (or rolled) in silence for a few minutes before we came to a massive farmhouse. There looked to be around four stories, but only the first level was lit. Chiron stopped and looked like he was trying to push himself up. Before I could argue against it (on the grounds that he couldn't walk), he pushed himself to a standing position and kept going. Instead of human legs, he had the entire underside of a horse.

"Y-you're a centaur," I said in disbelief. "Wait, so does that mean that you're Chiron? Like…the Chiron?"

He chuckled. "There aren't many others named Chiron, at least not that I'm aware of."

"So you, like, trained Hercules and Perseus?"

"And a hundred others," he said, "and even more after them."

I swallowed. "Oh."

He gave me a sympathetic smile and gestured with his hand for me to follow. "In here."

We walked inside. The interior was rather nice, with comfy looking cushions and armchairs that were huddled close together. A small coffee table sat in the middle of them, with several Olympian magazines spread across the center.

I scoffed. Apollo had always been a sucker for tabloids, and had tried relentlessly to teach the skill of gossip to me, but I'd refused to participate in such nonsense.

"So," I asked, "where's the movie?"

Chiron crossed his arms. "I don't think you need that."

"W-what are you talking about?" I asked.

Chiron arched his eyebrow. "My boy, if you want to fit in here, you'd better learn to trust others."

I sighed. "You know, don't you?"

He nodded. "Lord Apollo did not leave out any details that I might find, ah, important."

"Then you know who my mother is, don't you?"

He nodded. "I was informed, though I prefer to see the proof for myself."

A held out my arm hesitantly for a moment before I summoned my bow. Chiron's eyes widened for a second before his gaze returned to neutral. "May I?"

I nervously placed it in his hands. He ran his fingers along the top. "Interesting."

"Please be careful," I said, nervous about him breaking my prized possession.

He looked at me for a moment before handing the bow back to me. "I wouldn't have believed it had I not seen it for myself."

"Neither would she," I muttered.

Chiron put a hand under his chin. "Lady Artemis does tend to favor her own eyes to the words of others." He nodded. "Very well then, welcome to Camp Half-Blood."

"Thanks," I muttered. "Where will I be staying?"

"Well, I suppose I could put you in the Artemis cabin, considering—"

"No!" I said hastily. "I mean…no thank you."

He looked confused. "Are you sure? I'm certain Lady Artemis wouldn't mind it if you—"

"Thanks," I cut in, "but I'd rather not."

He was quiet for a second. "Very well, I'll have your things brought to cabin eleven."

"Hermes?" I asked, remembering something Apollo had told me about how the cabins had been set up, way before I'd left.

"Yes. He takes in all those without proper places, at least until their claimed"-he shot me a look-"but once you're claimed, you have to go."

I nodded. "Understood."

"Good. Follow me."

By now dinner had wrapped up and most kids were heading to the amphitheater that sat nearby, though I few did seem to be heading to bed. Chiron raised a hand and called "Luke!"

The blonde-haired boy with the scar jogged over, a small smile on his lips. "What's up?"

Chiron put a hand on my shoulder. "This is Hunter, he's new."

Luke's smile widened. "Awesome! He claimed or undetermined?"

"Undetermined," said Chiron.

Luke's smile didn't diminish. "That's cool, that's cool. Nice to meet you, Hunter." He stuck out his hand and I shook it. "Likewise."

"It seems a bit late for a tour, so why don't you bring him to cabin eleven?" Chiron suggested.

"You got it," Luke said. "Follow me."

There were only twelve cabins, arranged in a reverse U, just like the Olympian throne room. (Apollo told me about it; I haven't actually been there.) Luke led me to a cabin that-quite frankly-looked like it had seen better days. The paint was peeling, and one of the window-shutters was hanging by a corner.

I must've looked nervous, because Luke patted me on the shoulder. "I know it doesn't look like much, but just give it a chance, yeah?"

"Yeah, sure," I said.

The inside wasn't much better. There were so many beds and sleeping bags that it was hard to walk without stepping on one. Luke tapped a rolled up one by the wall with his foot. "This one's ours," he said. "Your things will be brought by later."

"Thanks."

He turned to walk out but stopped in the threshold. "You comin'?"

I nodded. "No thanks. I think I'll just go to sleep. It's been a long day."

He looked like he wanted to say more, but went with, "Ok. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," I said back. Then he closed the door, and I was alone. I placed my knives next to me and unwrapped the bundle and crawled inside. It was a little too small for me, and a little dusty, but my body must've had enough, because I fell asleep within seconds.

-o-

I was standing on the edge of a cliff that dropped fifty feet. A large lake was nearby, its waters still. Trees stretched as far as the eye could see, and a mountain rose in the distance. The sun was rising, giving the sky a vibrant pink and orange look. It had snowed the night before, and soft flaky powder covered the ground.

I sighed contently. Sometimes it was nice to live in the middle of nowhere. I liked to come here sometimes when Apollo was out. The cabin was less than a mile south, so I was in no real danger. I closed my eyes and breathed in the smell of nature.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

I whirled around. Standing a few feet behind me was a woman I had never seen. She was beautiful, with golden hair and shimmering green eyes that were the color of healthy grass. She was dressed in a simple white gown, with bracelets on her wrists. A small crown rested on her forehead.

"Who are you?" I asked.

The woman laughed; a sound that radiated calm. "Come now, child, you must have an idea."

I swallowed and took a step back. "You're Niobe."

She nodded. "And you're Hunter." She took a step forward. I tried to step back, but my heels craped against the edge of the cliff, sending flakes of snow over the edge. I closed my eyes and prepared for the worst, but all I felt was a hand cup my cheek tenderly.

"You're so…beautiful," Niobe whispered. She removed her hand and stepped back, though a tiny smile remained on her face.

"What do you want?" I asked, a little unsure (and creeped out) of how this was going down.

Niobe cocked her head. "Why, to see you of course."

"What?"

Niobe giggled. "I wanted to see how you've turned out, despite everything that's happened."

I scowled. "What do you mean 'everything that's happened?'"

Niobe's smile faded. "Apollo wasn't supposed to hide you; he was supposed to bring you to Artemis from the beginning."

"Why would he do that?"

"Because that was what he promised me," she said.

"Hold on, time out!" I put my hands in a T shape. "What do you mean by all this? What are you talking about?"

Niobe sighed sadly. "I'm not surprised that he didn't tell you. I suppose it's my fault for trusting that fool with anything besides his reflection."

"Hey!" I said, not liking how she was talking about the person I owed my life to.

Niobe began to pace back and forth. "Do you know why I hate Artemis and Apollo so much?"

"I don't care."

"They killed my children," she continued, completely ignoring me, "just because I said that I was superior to their mother, Leto, because I gave birth to fourteen children while she only sired two."

"Fourteen? Ouch."

She nodded. "Indeed. Anyway, I refused to give praise to Leto, as was customary back in the day, so Artemis and Apollo sought revenge."

"By killing your children."

Niobe nodded. "I watched as your mother and uncle slaughtered my babies with arrow after arrow, until all of them were dead."-her voice cracked-"After that, my husband threw himself from the cliffs of Thebes, our home. I refused to go on living, so the gods took pity on me and turned me into a stone."

"Why a stone?" I asked. "Why not just kill you outright?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. The gods are weird. Anyway, I was sent to the Underworld, where Hades forced me to watch my children die again and again for centuries."

I winced. "Wait, then how are you here?"

She smiled. "I'm glad you asked. Just when I thought I'd had enough, a voice spoke to me."

"You do know hearing voices in your head is bad, right?"

"And they said that they could help me hurt Artemis, Apollo, Hades, and all the other gods who'd wronged me!"

I swallowed. "I don't really understand your meaning."

Niobe smiled and extended her arm. "Would you like me to show you what I mean?"

I thought for a second before I took her hand. The scenery shifted around us, almost like we were going through hyperspace. Now we were in the middle of a clearing, with silver tents all around us. Girls in silver camo were everywhere. I saw Zoe Nightshade sharpening her knife while Artemis spoke to her, her massive bow in both hands.

Where are we? I thought.

"The Hunters of Artemis's campsite," Niobe said, appearing next to me. "March 21, 1992."*

Why are we here? What does that have to…o-o-o-h.

Out of the trees, another Niobe appeared. In an instant all the Hunters were on their feet, bows trained at the newcomer. Artemis rose to her feet, eyes blazing with fury. She walked over to Niobe. "Niobe, why are you here?"

"I come bearing a message from Lord Hades," she said.

"Hmm. No doubt summoning me to Olympus. Very well, you may go."

"Actually," Niobe said, rising to her feet, "I have been asked to deliver this message personally. If you'll please come closer..."

Artemis narrowed her eyes, then sighed. "Very well, bring it here."

Niobe walked forward slowly, reaching into her robes with one hand. When she got close enough, she withdrew her hand, revealing a clear vial.

Artemis looked confused. "What are you—AAHHH!"

Niobe plunged her hand into Artemis's stomach, and the goddess erupted into white light. When the light faded, Artemis was laying on her back, and Niobe was gone.

"My lady!" Zoe cried. The Hunters rushed forward to check on her. She waved them off. "I am fine, Zoe. No serious harm was done."

Suddenly the scene changed again. This time we were in a small alleyway. Cars flashed by on either side. Then Niobe was there, appearing out of thin air. In her hand she held the vial, which was now half full of white night.

"I have it," she said, "you can come out now."

The shadows shifted. I could make out the silhouette of a large humanoid, but not his features. "Good. Let's finish this." His voice was thick and smooth.

Niobe nodded. "Are you ready? This won't exactly be painless."

He nodded. "Go ahead."

Niobe shoved the vial into his stomach, but he didn't explode. Instead, he cried out in agony and fell to his knees. Niobe pulled her hand free, some white mist trailing behind. She placed a cork on the vial.

"It's done. Everything's in place. Are you alright?"

He pushed himself to his feet. "Fine. Are you sure this will work?"

Niobe nodded. "Yes. A child will be born from the essence of you and Artemis. After that, we'll be able to use it as a weapon to destroy that wretched goddess and all those she holds dear."

"Good," said the man. "I must be going now."

"Farewell, my friend."

Before he could go, he stopped. "Don't let anything happen to my child, Niobe, or it'll be you who pays for it." Then he was gone.

Niobe uncapped the vial and held her hand out. The white mist floated out and formed a sort-of orb in her hand. She muttered a few words under her breath before she placed her hand against her abdomen. The light disappeared.

Niobe smiled and said, "Soon."

The dream shifted again. This time we were in a large room. Past-Niobe was laying on a bed, her stomach swollen. She was wearing a loose-fitting gown with both legs propped up on the mattress.

"Is that…" I began.

Niobe nodded. "In order for you to be born without fear of complications, I had to carry you myself."

I suddenly had an overwhelming urge to vomit. "So are you like…my second mother?"

She smiled. "I suppose I am."

I shuddered.

The door to the room was kicked open, and in came Apollo, wearing a-good gods!-white tank top, jean shorts, and a mullet. A golden bow was in his hand, and a quiver of arrows at his back. When he saw Niobe, his face morphed from anger to confusion to shock.

He knelt next to her. When she saw him, she smiled. "It's about time you got here." Then she cried out in pain as a golden light came from her body.

"Impossible…" Apollo whispered. He placed a hand on her stomach and closed his eyes. After a moment he gasped. "You…what've you done?"

She laughed before she gasped from pain. She grabbed his hand. "Listen to me, Apollo! You have to bring it to her…she'll keep it safe." She whispered in his ear, "Promise me, Apollo."

Apollo swallowed. "I promise. On the Styx."

Thunder rumbled outside.

Niobe smiled weakly, then cried out, "It's time! It's coming!"

Before Apollo could react, Niobe let out one massive shriek and the entire room was flooded with light. When the light faded there was nothing left on the bed but a crying baby. Niobe was gone.

Apollo reached out gently and picked the crying babe up. He gently wrapped it-me in a blanket that sat nearby. The crying stopped. Apollo turned and fled, taking the baby with him.

Then the dream faded, and Niobe and I were surrounded by darkness. "Do you see now?"

I scowled. "That's it? I was born to be a weapon?"

She nodded. "You were."

I scoffed. "Well, I'll never join you."

Niobe cocked her head. "Why not? You've no reason to join Olympus. Artemis was ignorant of you for your entire life. Apollo kept you isolated in a cabin for thirteen years and then forced you to come here when his secret was found out. Why join them?"

"Because I won't join you."

Niobe narrowed her eyes. "We'll speak again, and when we do, you'll see how cruel the Olympians can be."

She napped her fingers, and everything went dark.

-o-

When I woke up, everyone had already risen. I looked next to me and saw a black duffle bag labeled Hunter. I took a quick look inside and saw several changes of clothes, a toothbrush, a water bottle, and even a few candy bars (you rock, Apollo!). I threw on a new shirt and followed everyone else outside.

Breakfast was a fairly calm affair. We got our food, sat by table, sacrificed some food to our parents (or Apollo), and ate. After that we were allowed to do pretty much whatever we wanted until morning activities started.

Luke gave me a tour around for my first activity. He showed me the canoe lake, the combat arena, the archery range, and the woods surrounding the camp. When we were almost finished I noticed some kids from the Athena Cabin talking in hushed tones.

"What's with them?" I asked.

Luke looked where I was staring. "Oh. They're preparing for capture-the-flag."

"Capture-the-flag?"

"Yeah. Basically, there are two teams who each get a flag. The objective of the game is to steal the other team's flag while keeping yours safe."

"That sounds fun."

"It is, and we play every Friday."

"But…today's Friday."

"Yep! We're gonna have a blast."

Oh boy…

* On the official Riordan Wiki, Percy was said to be born in 1993, and since Hunter's around a year older than him, he would've been born on the Winter Solstice, December 21, 1993.

A/N: Ok everyone, if you enjoyed then please leave a review so I know if I'm doing a good job so far. If you want to be alerted to when I update, then please favorite and follow. If you have any questions, then please either PM me or ask in a review and I will do my best to answer you. Finally, I want to ask you all a question: since this is going to cover all of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, should I write sequels based on the five books or should I just combine them into one massive story that's split up into five acts (Act I: The Lightning Thief, Act II: The Sea of Monsters, Act III: The Titan's Curse, Etc.)? Please let me know what you think.