A Goddess Claims Me

I woke up the next morning with a fresh sense of satisfaction. The Hermes campers now trusted me after I had the guts to prank their councilor. Also, my mom's plan was in motion. With most of Hermes cabin behind me, I could move on to my next conquest: Aphrodite cabin. I already had gained the trust of their councilor, but now I needed to gain the rest of the cabin's trust. That would be easy because Silena trusted me so much.

I walked to the breakfast pavillon to get something to eat. I grabbed pancakes, eggs, and orange juice from the buffet. I ate quickly before dumping some into the brazier. For Mother. Hope this helps with getting to claim me under a different symbol. Then I ran to Hermes cabin with a mischievous smirk on my face, "Connor, Travis, I've got a great idea for a prank on Demeter!"

Connor and Travis looked up at me. They had run out of ideas and were trying to brainstorm some. Connor asked, "What is it?"

I grinned, "Well, you know how Alayla is really into shoes?"

They both nodded.

"Leave a pair of shoes that will fly her all over Camp Half-Blood on the doorstep that says, 'To Alayla, From Luke', because then it will be like a double-prank."

They both grinned. Travis said, "Great idea, Noxtos. I really hope you're Hermes' son."

I shook my head, "Probably unlikely, Travis."

Travis nodded, "I know, but one can always hope, right?"

I grinned, "Yep. So what's next for Hermes cabin?"

Connor shrugged, "We're kinda free today."

I nodded, "Okay, I'll just probably be in the arena if you need me." Then I ran off towards the arena.

When I arrived at the arena, I saw Clarisse La Rue, head counselor of Ares cabin, practicing against Luke whose arm was not stuck in the backpack anymore. I grinned as an idea to surprise them came to mind. I quickly tapped my gauntlet and my shield appeared on my arm. Then I threw the shield, Captain America-style. It bounced off Luke's sword before crashing into Clarisse's shin guard. Then it flew back to me and I caught it one handed before slipping it back onto my forearm.

"Mind if I join?" I asked with a smirk. Luke shook his head unbelievingly, "Noxtos, how'd you get so good at that?" I smirked again, "If I told you, I wouldn't be good enough to beat you, would I?" Luke grinned, "Guess not. And to answer your prevdious question, yes, you can join. If it's alright with Clarisse." Clarisse growled, "Come on, newbie, show me what you can do."

I smirked, "No problem. Come and get me." With that, I back flipped three times and landed twenty feet away. I stood up to find Clarisse's spear flying through the air towards my face. My eyes widened and I could barely move enough to not get killed. The spear still slammed into the bicep of my shield arm and my arm went numb, as well as starting to bleed. I gnashed my teeth as the wound kept growing. Grabbing the spear shaft, I pulled the spear out of my arm and gritted my teeth as the feeling of pain rushed through my arm.

Clarisse smirked, "C'mon, Noxtos. I thought you couldn't be beat. Guess you're weaker than most people realize." I growled before standing up and attempting to throw my shield. The pain was too much though and I fell to the ground, blacking out. The last thing I heard was Clarisse's mocking laugh. I will kill her.

When I woke up, I noticed that I was once again in the Big House, specifically the common area. There was a strange leopard head above the fireplace, but otherwise, the place was empty. I tried to stand up to walk out the door, but I fell face-first onto the floor. Ugh…

I heard a voice, familiar and friendly, "You should stay on the couch." Then two strong hands grabbed my arms and laid me back down onto the couch. I groaned. "Water." The figure nodded, "Of course, m'boy." At that phrase, I realized Chiron was taking care of me. How badly am I hurt? Usually Chiron lets the Apollo cabin take care of injured people, unless the people are incredibly injured.

Chiron returned with a cup of water. "Here you go, Noxtos." Then he handed over a square of ambrosia. "Eat this as soon as you finish your water." I nodded, then winced as the slight movement of my head sent racks of pain all over me. "Chiron, what happened?" I winced again as my jaw began to sting.

Chiron looked at me, with…Is that pity?! Why, you stupid little horse-man! Chiron spoke, "Clarisse threw her electric spear at you, which is why it hurts more than normal. If you had left the spear in, it wouldn't have done as much damage. But when you pulled it out, the electricity went throughout your entire body. I don't know what it might do to you now, though.

I nodded, "Okay, thanks for that Chiron."

About a week later, I was back to my full battle-ready self. Occasionally, I would get tingles throughout my left arm, as a leftover from the injury. Chiron said the tingles would most likely stay with me throughout my life. Clarisse had gotten the punishment of cleaning the bathroom while I was in the Big House because 'she should've known better than to attack a new demi-god with an electric spear.'

Anyways, I was eating dinner in the pavillon when, suddenly, everyone stopped what they were doing. I looked up at the sudden silence. "What?" Then all of a sudden there was a scramble as all the demi-gods and Chiron kneeled. I looked above my head. There was a bright, shining, holographic snake above my head. Inwardly I was smiling. On the outside, I asked, "What just happened?"

Chiron stayed kneeling and said, "All hail, Noxtos Stone. Son of Demeter, goddess of fertility, the harvest, plants, and the earth." I put on a look of astonishment, "Demeter?! No freaking way!"

Mentally I called out to my mother, Nice job with the snake. Especially considering it is both yours and Demeter's symbol. Does that make it less difficult? My mother responded Thank you, Noxtos. And it did make it a little easier.I nodded mentally before returning to reality and moving my food over to the dinner table. Then, with a pang of worry, I realized something. It was common knowledge that Hermes cabin loved to prank the Demeter cabin. I'm going to really regret pranking Luke.