CHAPTER 5

We geared up in our armors and equipped ourselves with our weapons of choice, I went for sword, since I showed some success with it, and Tyler of course opted for the bow and arrows, because he has shown exemplary prowess with them.

Chiron rounded us all up and discussed the rules and objectives of the game.

The horn was sounded, declaring our release, we ran towards the creek, our chosen side of the forest. Tyler and I were assigned to be part of the raiding party, with Ashley from the Athena cabin and Chelsea, from the Ares cabin as point, Peter, a Poseidon camper as rear, myself, Tyler and the Stoll brothers as supporting defense.

The rest of the Hermes, Poseidon, Athena, and Hecate cabins would patrol the grounds and keep watch of the flag. The Ares cabin would sneak into the woods and follow us as back up if things go wrong.

Our main strategy was to make the assault team take point and head straight for the flag, if attacked, half of the Ares campers would keep the pursuer away, and the rest would run by our side.

At first it all seemed to work, but it seems that the other teams would work together to get rid of us and fight each other afterwards to reach our flag. We deployed all the Ares campers, but more pursued us. Tyler shot arrows to fend off the distant attackers, and sent a volley of arrows to the south and we heard each hit about 20 half-bloods. A daughter of Nemesis, Aria, clashed with Ashley and almost unarmed her, fortunately, Chelsea was able to touch Aria's armor with maimer, the electric spear she inherited from her older sibling Clarisse, and Aria collapsed. Then came our second problem, the children of Aphrodite and Eros, the two love deities, used charm speak and told us to give up. When charm speak is used, you cannot disobey, you are enchanted, it makes you imagine that the one you love is talking to you, pleading to do as he says in his mantra, thankfully, just before we gave way, we heard a piercing scream of agony. They stopped their words of deception and headed to the sound.

We finally managed to get the other teams to fight amongst themselves, and just two meters away from the red flag, and the horn sounded, declaring another's victory.

As we gathered round, we found out that Phoebe and Chris, the children of Leto, the goddess of the unseen, managed to sneak away from the chaos and snatch the yellow team's flag.

While they were celebrating, a bright trail of yellow light crawled like mist, carrying a gentle melody, slowly encircled Tyler. As the mist continued to envelope him, the music continued and Apollo's harp was a bright symbol above his head. Everyone else knelt, honoring the sight, the signal claiming Tyler as the sun god's offspring. As everyone was still in shock, I heard a great call, one of a bird's. Then a majestic silver owl landed on my shoulder, and it said, in a woman's voice:

"I claim you as my daughter, an heiress to my wisdom, strength, bravery and strategic prowess. Atheala Archer, I am Athena, goddess of crafts and warfare, I am your mother." The voice declared proudly.

I peeled my eyes of the owl as it started to glow, the others were kneeling once again, facing my direction, honoring yet another godly presence.

My new cabin mates welcomed and congratulated me as I was lead to my my new cabin, and Tyler was given the same acceptance by his newfound brethren. But, just as we parted, I gave him a final glance, and he was looking at me longingly, as if he was disappointed. Why?

In the Athena cabin, the bunks were pushed to one side against the wall, and the far side of the room was some sort of library. Facing the bunks were work benches, 3D replicas of various architectural structures, weapons and armors. All in all, it was a great place for over-intelligent kids, or scatter brains who enjoy doing multiple things at once.

CHAPTER 6

I was given my bunk and I retrieved my belongings from the Hermes cabin. On my way out, Tyler noticed me and pulled me aside.

"Uh, hey what's up?" I asked confused by his action.

"I'm happy that we got claimed and all, but..." he said forlornly.

"But what?" I inquired a bit frustrated by his mood.

He looked down, as if at a loss for words, he looked sad, and at the same time annoyed.

"It's just that, for the past months, I've been with you, spent almost every hour with you. Through the tough times, you were by my side. It's just that I am going to miss your friendship, your humor, your beauty, but most importantly, I'm gonna miss you. I know it sounds illogical, but I will. Now that we're from different cabins, we won't be able to hang out a lot..." He said with self-directed disappointment, but as he spoke, his gold eyes burned with sincerity, and he spoke with a kind of fervor.

I stared at him, shocked by his sudden revelation, I also felt that way, but I have never imagined returned feelings, especially from him.

"Oh, uhm.. Yeah, me too," Why am I so flustered? So much for a daughter of the goddess of wisdom, I chided myself.

"I will miss you too.. Uhm okay I got to go to some uhm, things, bye!" I said blushing and ran for my cabin, all night thinking about what he just said.

What I just responded to Tyler was very unworthy of the goddess of wisdom. I was stammering, blushing and tripping over words like a nuisance. What just happened?

Okay, honestly, I have admired him since the day I met him. He was friendly enough to help a stumbling fool, he was talented, and well, he's gorgeous.

I contemplated with my feelings, until I fell asleep, and dreamt of entering a mysterious-looking dilapidated, filled with reptiles.

I woke with a start as the alarm call started, and in a few moments, the Athena cabin was up and ready for breakfast.

Few days after my arrival, I was taught the history of camp, I realized that it was strangely peaceful. In the past, a great prophecy has always loomed and made it impossible to sit peacefully. But, in the past 8 years, no prophecy has been foretold about the world ending.

The oracle, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, is now twenty-six years old, she stays in camp two weeks every month, and the rest of the time she runs her own business. She always gives prophecies and insights about quests, but nothing too major like a third great prophecy, meaning the world was safe, for now, from impending doom.

After two weeks at camp, dangers started to stir in the mortal world. Rumors of monsters so ancient most have been forgotten, have been seen once more. Mortals have been dying, demigods scattered, something must be done. There were unusual sphinx sightings, strange sewer gas, flashes of light and glowing people just south of Manhattan in the Brooklyn area. I once overheard Chiron speaking to Mr. D once:

"We must help them!" Chiron exclaimed.

"It's the other god's problems Chiron, we will help when we start to get affected by their problems." Mr. D boredly replied.

While the senior councillors were planning with Chiron, Miss Dare came to camp for an untimely visit.