"So what do you make of everything that happened this morning?" Matthew was trying to dutifully enchant some arrows like a good Hecate boy, but his friend Heather was making things difficult with her incessant questioning. She was a daughter of Athena and had found the morning's excitement fascinating.

"I don't know," Matthew muttered, "I guess it was kind of creepy."

"Creepy? That's all you have to say?" she exclaimed. "The three Furies themselves came! He rode in on Serberus! And all you can say is, 'it was kind of creepy'?" He shrugged and returned to engraving magical symbols on the arrowheads. "Oh, why do I even bother? Why I thought you would make a compatible conversation partner I'll never know. I'm going to go see if Annabeth has gotten out of that meeting yet. She would at least answer intelligibly." With that, she spun on her heel and stalked away, muttering something about knowing smarter squirrels.

Heather found Ethan's dramatic claiming interesting for two reasons. First, it looked like it meant something big was coming since Chiron and he had immediately arranged a camp council. Ethan himself, though, also intrigued her. When he had emerged from the forest, he had looked so dark; it was hard to even see him. It was as if he had been sitting in the middle of a shadow, but nothing made one. When he had become more visible, there sat a boy wielding a sword that looked like the blade was a razor-sharp, sleek diamond, but inside it glowed a blue light in the core. His countenance was fearsome and calculating. For the moment, it had looked as if nothing could possibly challenge his authority. As frightening as the sight was, however, she felt drawn to find out more about it.

Upon reaching the Athena cabin, she ducked inside to find a few of her siblings studying ancient texts and 3-D designers. She made her way to the rear of the cabin where Annabeth's bunk was. Heather found her sitting on her bunk googling something. "Hey, Annabeth?" she began, now slightly timid. Heather had always been somewhat intimidated by Annabeth, and now that she had gone on so many crazy quests, she always seemed out of her league in a way.

Annabeth just looked up, "Oh, hey Heather. What's up?"

"I was just wondering, do you know anything about that new guy?"

Annabeth pursed her lips. "I know a little, but I'm not sure what of it I am allowed to say. He specifically asked for certain people to be in on the meeting, and I wasn't permission to tell anybody else. I'm sorry, but you'll have to ask Chiron about it. Why do you ask?"

Heather's eyes suddenly met the floor. "Oh, I was just curious." She could feel Annabeth studying her, and she knew what she was thinking. I just thought all that happened this morning was interesting and I wanted to know what you thought

Annabeth smirked, "Well, what I think and what I know are two different questions. I can't tell you what I know, but…I may be able to tell you my thoughts on the matter."

Heather let out a small smile, "So?"

"What is happening is obviously something important. Personally, I fear that it may be even more drastic than the Titan war, or perhaps even the conflict against Gaea. This time, however, I predict that we won't have many of our friends from which to expect help."

Heather considered everything Annabeth had said for a minute, then asked, "And how does Ethan fit into all of this?"

"Because, he just started it this morning," Annabeth said solemnly. With that, she turned back to her laptop, and Heather saw that she was reading something about "blessed children" whatever that was. Heather turned to leave when Annabeth suddenly asked, "So what is it about him you like?"

Heather was caught in a mix of blushing and surprise. "What makes you say that I do?"

"It may be subtle to some, but to be honest you remind me of myself a lot, and I was similarly obsessive about him back when I was in that phase."

She didn't know whether it was meant as a compliment or not, but all Heather knew was that Annabeth Chase – the girl who had led in the Titan war, escaped Tartarus, and helped defeat Gaea – had just said that she was similar to her. She almost forgot their actual conversation in her moment of pride, but she realized Annabeth was looking at her, expecting an answer.

"I guess I just like the mystery around him. Most guys I can look at and analyze entirely in minute. But I look at Ethan, and all I see are shadows and internal walls. I suppose I just am attracted to what I don't understand."

Annabeth nodded, "You know, instead of asking me about what's going on, maybe you should go talk to him about it."

Heather looked like she had been injected by a direct shot of expresso. "Do you think that's a good idea? I mean, would he even want to talk to me, and what would I say? Would you…"

Annabeth cut her off, laughing a little, "Relax, it's just a suggestion. If you want to get to know him, you might as well ask while the topic is ripe. Besides, if you ask me, I think he wants some company." Internally she had to laugh as Heather tried not to act too excited as she hurried off to talk to Ethan. When she was once again relatively alone she muttered to herself, "If only life would stay so easy and innocent."

. . .

Ethan headed over to the sword-fighting arena to see if he could pick out any potential candidates to join him. It was early afternoon, and he had spent the remainder of the morning after the council to get settled into the Hades cabin. Lunch would be soon, and he was definitely looking forward to it. As he entered, he heard the sound of several swords clashing. About fifteen kids of varying ages were practicing in the spacious arena. Ethan found a seat on the outskirts and watched a duel between a bulky dude who looked like death incarnate and an ordinary looking kid who was duel-wielding a sword and a dagger. The bigger guy looked like he could've squashed the other easily, but the smaller guy seemed to be holding his own. He would parry with his sword then follow up with an intricate attack with both blades that left the big guy stumbling to avoid getting sliced open. Finally, the big guy gave an incredible swing in frustration that should've cut the other guy in two, but where the smaller boy had stood a moment before there was only dust. Instead, the big guy had a sword pressed against his neck and dagger to his back. Somehow, the smaller guy had just appeared behind him in a split second.

The big guy did not seem thrilled by this turn of events. "Oh come one, Matthew! It's one thing to use freakin' enchanted blades, but to do your sorcery stuff in a duel is foul play!" The kid yelled.

The boy who had won, Matthew, merely shrugged and removed his blades. "You have to use your strengths, Evan. I can't beat a son of Ares by force, so I'll win by cunning."

"You mean you'll win by sorcery," Evan grumbled.

"Call it what you will. I merely showed you what you wanted to see. That's what the mist is."

"Whatever. Let me know when you want a fair fight." Evan marched out of the arena toward the dining pavilion.

Ethan decided this Matthew kid looked like he could be very useful and was about to go talk to him when a girl suddenly cleared her throat. He whirled around and thought for a moment that it was Annabeth. She had the same blonde hair and grey eyes, but she was a couple years younger looking and had less hardness in her countenance.

"Hi, you're Ethan right?" the girl asked. He nodded, not quite sure what she could want. "I was wondering if you would be willing to tell me what exactly happened this morning. Nobody will give me anything definite, and Annabeth suggested I talk to you."

This wasn't exactly good timing. Ethan needed to talk to Matthew who looked like he was about to leave. Before he could answer though, Matthew looked over and called out, "Hey Heather!"

She looked somewhat annoyed, "Hi Matthew."

He walked over and seemed to only just notice who she was talking to. "Hey, you must be that new guy. Ethan, right?"

"Yeah, I actually was just about to come talk to you," said Ethan, not looking at Heather.

"Really? What about?"

Ethan glanced at Heather now, "It has to do with the council meeting this morning. I have a proposition for you," he said.

"I'm all ears, but let's talk over lunch shall we?" Matthew said gesturing toward the dining pavilion. "Normally cabins can't mingle during meals, but I doubt anybody is going to bother the guy who rode in on Serberus. Come on!" With that, he began walking out of the arena, but he stopped when he remember Heather. "Hey," he said to Ethan, "is it cool if she comes too?" Heather gave him a look that showed she was grateful.

Ethan glanced over then shrugged, "She wants to know about the meeting anyways."

"Then let's eat," said Matthew, leading the way.HadeH