Half Blood Heros.
Book 1 Chapter 3.
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Thank you.
Remember the past. Live for the Present. Hope for tomorrow.
- Mother Theresa
There is an old saying that says something about home being where the heart is. For a long time I felt that saying was rubbish someone made up for people to feel content with their normal or unrealistic family.
But Hades, I actually felt warm when I saw Camp Half Blood these days. Like a part of me is just kind of stationed here and it only comes back when I walk past that familiar tree into home.
We had only been gone for a week when Apollo had summoned us to the Gulf. It wasn't a horribly extensive amount of time, if you count traveling. But I still felt as if I had been gone an eternity.
Luckily some things never change. Camp Half Blood was still the same as it always was in Early June, and certainly in full swing. A fresh new year and there seems to be more children than ever.
Speaking of which, that had been the awkward part of our return to camp.
There was an arrival just pulling up upon our return. That had been exciting, having to explain to them how we were the welcome commity, telling them where to go.
That was normally left to Percy, Piper, Jason, Annabeth and Leo. It just wasn't our strong suit to be open and cheery with people... plus we had to explain to those five that we just took over their jobs momentarily and it won't happen again... as long as we could help it. The job sucked.
Luckily we were able to deter everyone without leaving anyone too suspicious... except maybe Annabeth, but that was all. The five of us did our usual routine with our mission conclusions with no other notable instances.
The five of us sat on the edge of Camp Half Blood, reflecting on the mission and began discussing post-mission duties. This was the easy stuff, and I was always the one who assigned assigned someone the easier job.
"Okay, Amber and I will go inform Chiron of our return. You three will take the files to the designated spot. Be sure to gauge Apollo's reaction." I said before John spoke up, "So we can see if he wants any further action taken?"
"Exactly, and if he does, retrieve me immediatly... its not like Apollo is the one to give us our missions normally, so I'm a bit curious to find out why we asked us to do this in the first place." I said, dusting my pants off.
"You and the rest of us, Neeks. Come on boys, lets go call Daddy and see if I can't sweet talk some info from him." Allison said as she dusted off her shorts before they trudged off toward Camp. Amber smiled at me as I stuck out my tongue at her. "Whats with the goofy smile?" I said, eventually smirking back, "Nothing. Just glad to be back with my best friends..." she said as I nodded, "Me too... but just because we're back does not mean I'm going on one of your shopping celebrations with Allison ever again. Don't even try it." I said as she giggled, "Well, we can't take Val! He outright refuses to try anything on... for some environmental reason." She said as I chucked, "At least he's dedicated." I said.
"You would know, eh Nico?" She said as she stood up to brush ourselves off. "Shut up..." I said as I flushed at the comment... wishing she would forget about it. It was no real secret that Val crushed on me pretty hard. He made little hints with his art projects, always defended my decisions and outright flirted with me all the time.
Its not that Val is a bad guy but... I don't know what to feel about him. How open and outgoing he was. Could we be anynore opposite? Its the primary reason I asked him to keep it friendly... but he still flirts. He is one frustrating guy.
"Oh alright, no one else is around to make teasing you fun anyway." She said as I nudged her side. She laughed as I sighed, "Remind me why you're my best friend, again?" I asked as we stepped onto the Big Houses porch.
In this everchanging world of ours, it is nice to see what continues to stay the same. In his wheelchair form and playing a game of pinocle, was Chiron. It seemed, only momentarily, that he didn't notice him. We stood as the Centaur let out a 'Ha!' As if he had the upper hand. "Apologies Nico, Amber. This is just a riveting match." He said as Mr. D let out a huff, choosing to ignore 'Nickolas and Amanda.' As he called us. I tapped my foot for a moment before I spoke up, "Mission was a success and all. Maybe even more, if the info we gathered means anything." I said, hoping to catch his attention for a moment so I could get the post-mission crap over with and get some sleep.
"You found some files? What did you learn from them?" Chiron said, setting his cards down to give us his full attention. Amber sighed and shook her head, "Mostly it was a batch of invoices. But that was what was scary... Madea's order slips included nothing short of bulk orders of monsters, supplies for weapons and Drachmas."
Chiron nodded, "Okay." He said, not letting any emotions show... though it was quite obvious that he was pondering something very carefully. His eyes darted back and forth, as if taking mental notes in his head. He remained like this for a good minute before he spoke up again, "Anything else?" He asked, looking at the two. I spoke up this time, "The Signiture on the page... it wasn't your normal name signing... it was a symbol."
Then it finally hit Chiron, his eyes visablly curious, and his mouth was turned in a ponderous frown. "A symbol? What is meant by a symbol?" He said, abandoning his game to wheel over to us.
This page confused the lot of us entirely, so I had a copy of this made particularly to show to Chiron, one of two people in camp outside of our group that knew our identity(excluding Mr. D, as he is one of the Gods.) The symbol appeared as a big jumbled mess to me, but maybe the oldest and wisest person at camp could shed some light on it.
"I heard that, Mr. Dimaggio." Mr. D said, causing me to visibly sigh annoyedly, "Except the all powerful God of Wine, who is too preoccupied to render assistance." I said as I watched Chiron read over the Invoice copy.
"Quite right." He said as he shuffled his cards, once again ignoring us. I rolled my eyes and returned my attention to Chiron. He was still examining the invoice closely. I wasn't particularly interested in listening to Chiron, no offense to the old Centaur, but I had been awake for what seemed like hours and couldn't really entertain the idea of talking to him for a couple hours.
"Look Chiron, my team and I are exhausted. We need rest if there is to be any actions taken against this. If any need taken." I said, looking at him with suddenly droopy eyes.
Chiron waved his hand as he set the copy down, "Quite right, Nico. I shouldn't keep you longer. I will look into this for the time being, and should anything arise from it, I will inform you all immediatly."
Gods was I thankful for that. Witha quick nod, Amber and I saw our way back to our respective cabins with the thought of nothing but sleep in mind. I was imagining my silk sheets before I got there.
I quickly regrouped with the others for a brief end of mission report. All in all, its left us in an enigma. We succeeded, for sure, but all its left is more answers needed to unknown questions.
Allison regretfully informed me that not even she could convince her father to spill the beans, even using her 'Don't you care about my safety, Dad?' Tactic. One that worked very well for her in the past. But he adamantly refused to say anything.
We just had to hope and wait on a real answer. Luckily, in the mean time, it appears as if we had a small break. Chiron would make sure someone knew that this letter, in all its confusing manner, was our top priority.
So until he debunked its meaning, no infuriating random God Calls in the middle of the night for a little while.
I had eagerly crawled into bed that evening after showering up, my sheets being the most welcome thing since we got back. They were soft and I was comfortable.
I could feel my eyelids closing and becoming heavy as my brain entertained the idea of a peaceful dreamless sleep.
Yet my sleep wasn't dreamless exactly, but it wasn't your usual Demigod dream with some underlying meaning to the future... no, this was a dream about the past.
I was dreaming about the days following my group becoming the Heros. It had been a strange bit of events that led to it. Oddly enough, it began with a rousing game of capture the flag.
The evening had been ripe with excitement. As it was, tonight was the biggest game of capture the flag yet. Well over 200 participants. While our swords and arrows were stubbed to make them safe, no one, not even me, could shake this feeling of excitement.
It also helped that my friends and I were on the same team. At this point, it still felt foriegn to me... and my aquaintences around camp. They had been trying for years to get me to be social with them and they questioned why these four could draw me from my shell and no one else could.
We each came from a similar story... our parents abandoned us, were never there, dead or... we just had no one. Until we met each other, we were drifting amidst a world with no one to guide us... but now, we had each other.
I felt... prepared when I was elected team leader, having been at Camp Half Blood the longest out of any on my team. It oddly came natural to me to be a leader... which was so odd. I had never done it before. But... some instinct took over. I chalked it up to being a Child of the big three.
"Alright, here is the plan as I lay it out." I called, stepping onto Zeus' Fist, which was our base. "I will lead a small group through the wood while half engage the enemy and half defend. We will prepare an ambush and use it to our advantage. I will assign your roles." I said as my friends took their place beside me.
You could say it was our first real mission together, though it was kind of a mock mission... or maybe just a warm up for the future ahead of us.
It wasn't an unconcievable idea. Considering that the five of us were the only reason we won that match. Our teamwork was solid and damn near flawless. We worked so well together that our strengths outplayed our personal weakness.
While the entirety of our two teams battled and defended, I ordered us five to take a detour. I lead the pack... and prepared a proper distraction as we made our way to the enemy flag.
The battling was fierce, even if the combatants weren't using real swords. They had all been trained to focus on battle and nothing more... which also proved invaluable to the lot of us, trying to move stealthily through it all.
But eventually we made it to the right side. The spot was guarded well... archers lining the trees and ready to fire. A few stray fighters were on the ground and patroling.
Allison was kind of the beggining of it all. She had climbed up a tree and took a poaition with the otger archers, as if she belonged there... oddly enough, no one paid her any mind as we got into position.
Val immediatly reached forward with his powers, causing the trees to tremble, and it began a small panic, making everyone think a earthquake was in progress.
That was when I stepped in, in their off guard state, I raised my Stygian Iron and commanded the undead to serve. And I got a decent reaction for it, watching the bomes of fallen skeletal warrors raise up, allowing John and I to take point, and for the others to cry for an ambush.
Luckily they were distracted with the bones of undead attacking them, and you may think we left ourselves open with the archers... but Allison played her part, letting forth a powerful burst of solar energy that did nothing short of incapacitate them... allowing her to join the fight.
I had found myself caught in battle with some child of Hecate, parrying his sword away and dodging his spells as the last bit of our plan came together.
The distraction had to last for this to work... so we doubled our efforts to keep them busy. I delt a swift side kick into the Hecate kid before moving on... and we held strong until the Horn sounded.
"Winner!" Cried Chiron as the losing team looked up to realize... their flag was gone. And our plan had worked flawlessly. Amber had snuck in the last moment to steal the flag away. A perfect distraction, leaving them thinking we were going to steal it.
I think it was that match that got us our first bit of recognition. Even if it was only momentary. Nothing came of it immediatly... no, that was a few months later. At Camp Jupiter.
Between the summer months, the more permenant residents retired to Camp Jupiter for the rest of the year. Its a little more expansive than Camp Half Blood and offers more to do... school included.
And most importantly, out of all places in the world, its one of the safest places out there, or one would think.
It was your typical Friday night here. There were kids shopping, playing, studying and playing music. The five of us were just playing cards around a magical campfire. The fire was blazing pretty heavilly due to our high spirits. We always were in good moods when the weekend starts.
Kind of our break from the usual studying and training. But this Friday was much unlike the other because this one had turned into a brawl with a few monsters.
We were never told how they got in, only that it was going to be taken care of immediatly, as if they knew why and could have prevented it. I was suspicious but I didn't press the issue.
We were busy playing a game of slap jack and having a blast... Vals hand was trying to hold mine under the table (which I... almost let him do.) When we heard the screams and watched as kids at camp were flying away from a small drove of giants.
I'm not sure what came over me, but I had my sword drawn and nodded at my friends, who were already drawn and ready to press forward. Val and Allison took to the back of us, letting forth an elemental Hades and storms of arrows.
Long story short, the lot of us saved the day. We defeated the Giants and came through with no injuries (unless you count the Giants) and we definatly set the tone to become who we are. The actual ceremony didn't happen until we were back at Camp Half Blood back in the summer. But the words of our flawless heroics had hit every single ear... we were famous. No one in Camp Jupiter or Half Blood didn't know our names.
It was a bit awkward at first, the gawking, the... mirth, even the few autographs we were asked to sign (which I assuredly rejected) but in the end, I felt a sense of achomplishment with doing it. Like people could count on us to do well. To get a situation taken care of.
That sounds so cliché, but its the truth. And I wasn't the only one thinking it.
That was when the summons began.
It was a hot mid July night when the call came to my door. The worst part about it was that I was the only Hades kid in Half Blood, so I knew whoever was at the door was expecting me to answer... otherwise people knew to avoid it.
"I'll be there in a minute, this had better be good." I said, slipping on a pair of black shorts and a t-shirt before strapping my sword to my side and swinging the door open with less-than warm reception.
I immediatly softened up when I realized the man, or rather Centaur... at the door was Chiron. I suddenly knew this had to be serious. Not many things could drive Chiron from his room after bed time. I quickly fixed my hair before I acknowledged his presence.
"Whats up Chiron?" I said with a heavy yawn as I leaned on my door frame. Chiron smiled slightly before he motioned over his shoulder for me to follow him. I didn't really care to ask questions, and followed.
It was then, I noticed that I wasn't alone. My frirnds were all there... making each of us worried about what the hell we had done to get called out here in the middle of the night.
Were we going to get expelled from camp? Suspended? Beheaded? Was Mr. D going to punish us... that thought made me visibly shudder as Chiron opened the door to the big house as he switched to his wheelchair form.
He sat the five of us down before he looked over each of us silently, gesturing to the tea in front of us. We each sat quietly as Chiron sipped at his tea silently. We were all visibly worried as the next room opened... reveling one Oracle. Rachel Elizabeth Dare, wearing a Gypsy-type uniform as she sat down on the floor with a bowl of some kind.
"You guys aren't in trouble, I hope you know. Chiron here has recently told me of your exploits and... well, something incredible happened." She said as Allison sat up, trying to stay awake. "Okay... care to... Elaborate?" She said.
Chiron took that role as he set his tea cup down, "Rachel was given insight to a very special and secret order of Camp Half Blood. An order that is nearly extinct these days." Chiron said, finishing his cup before continuing.
"Its a sort of... splinter group that takes on some of the most dangerous missions. All of which... are given directly by the Gods." He said.
We were all visibly surprised. What group was so important that they reported directly to the Gods? It was... exciting to think about.
"Rachel recieved the vision that allows us to formally extend an invitation... to the Half Blood Heros... should you desire it. The ceremony is very simple but it is important... its kind of an official thing that allows the Gods to recognize you as you are. But you must decide now. The Order of Half Blood Heros has been dead for sometime... this is your opportunity to bring it life." Chiron said, a little... wishful?
He wanted us to do this? Not that responsibility bothered me... but it was a lot to take in. And I had no time to discuss or consider it. How does one make a decision like this.
"I'm in if you guys are. We already are a team. May as well make it an official, right?" Val said, making a plant sprout in the corner. He had a point... we already worked so welk together... this way our notoriety would go past Campers and to the God ears themselves?
It was a unanimous agreement. No worries, concerns or disagreements. That was what would make us a formidible team. We may be friends but when it came to decisions... we always see eye to eye.
Rachel and Chiron smiled as she motioned for us to sit on the floor as she sits in the middle, bowl in hand. Upon closer inspection, I noted it was oil of some kind.
Rachel smiled, "Hope I rehearsed this well enough." She said as she took a dab of oil in hand and turned to John... and used the oil to draw an... eye of some kind on his arm. "John Peck. Son of Athena, and warrior of sight. You not only have a perception of your opponents, but an insight. No one can hide from you. You are the backbone of your group. And invaluable in battle."
She turned to Allison, drawing a sun on her arm "Allison Reid, Daughter of Apollo. As bright and shining as your temper." She said with a smile, "You brighten the world in more than a few ways... don't let that light leave. You will need it."
"Amber Bass. Daughter of Aphordite. A girl who uses her immese love to help calm the beast and disquet ferel of monsters." She said, drawing a ring with two hearts.
"Vallewida C. Deaurneax. Son of Demeter." She said, drawing a line with three leaves on his arm. "Your love for the world and selfless desire to make it better allow you to control the very fabric of nature."
"Nico di Angelo, Son of Hades and the Leader of the Half Blood Heros. You appear cold and blunt to those around you... but as a leader you guide and protect your subjects from all harm. You are a true leader and worthy of the title."
She finally looked away and clapped her hands, causing a searing pain on our arms where she marked us, "And with those words, I revive the ancient order of the Half Blood Heros. Defenders of the Gods, Our bestbkept secret and out first and last line of Defense."
We now were truly official... our arms now had a brand on them... which appeared as a tattoo to mark our rank in it.
Chiron smiled as he turned to wheel toward the door, "Rest tonight. Celebrations are indeed in order but training must begin immediatly." He said before stopping at the door.
"Its truly life changing."
