Chapter 10 – Kyle

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes mother."

"You don't have to do this. You know we're not forcing you."

"I know mother."

"I don't know…maybe this isn't a good idea."

"I'll be fine mother," Kyle droned in a metallic voice. He had been having this same conversation with his mother for a week. Kyle had finally turned 13, something he had been waiting for since ages, which meant he could finally go to Camp Demigod! His mother, Annabeth, was slightly less thrilled.

"I just…I just…" she let out a horrible sob and suffocated Kyle with a hug. She pulled away and began wiping away the tears that had begun to leak. "Take care of yourself Kyle!"

"Mom, I will be fine."

"Promise to write?"

"Why in Hades would I write? If I have something to say to you, I'll just walk over," Kyle cried in exasperation. "And I'll see you when you come to mentor!" Annabeth was the mentor for the Athena cabin, while Percy was mentor to the still empty, Poseidon cabin. Leo, Frank, Hazel, and Piper were watching the scene with amusement. A little ways away, Jason and Reyna were saying their goodbyes to Levina.

"You'll be staying in the Zeus cabin, right?" Jason was asking. Levina nodded. "Well, I better warn you that theirs this creepy statue of him there. There's one spot where you can't see him though, it's a tiny alcove. You'll find it since it's the only spot not covered in dust and it has some pictures." Hearing this seemed to remind Kyle's mom about his own sleeping arrangements.

"A-are you sure you want to stay in the Poseidon cabin? It's empty, and it'll get lonely," Annabeth said once again.

"A whole cabin to me, not lonely, awesome," Kyle said. "Now, can I please go?" His mom looked like she was about to protest, but thankfully his dad stepped up.

"Annabeth, he'll be fine. Let the poor child go," he said, smiling.

"Oh, Alright! Goodbye Kyle!" she called, but he was already running away. He found his friend, Alvin Patten, waiting for him by a tree.

"Can we go now?" Kyle grinned. Alvin was a second generation demigod too. His mom and dad were children of Hecate and Athena, respectively. He would be staying at the Athena cabin this year.

"Yeah, my mom was smothering me in attention," Kyle said rolling his eyes. They started walking towards the camp. The sound of giggles was floating through the air from the spot where Levina was walking to camp with her friend, whom Kyle hadn't bothered to learn the name of.

"Are you sure you won't stay at the Athena cabin?" Alvin asked. "We'd be staying together!"

"I know, but wouldn't it be cool to have an entire cabin to myself?" Kyle said, thinking of all the possibilities. "Why don't you stay at Hecate? That place would be pretty cool."
Alvin looked appalled. "No way, that cabin is freaky. I checked it out and everything is green and purple, there's barely any light, and I swear, there is enough smoke there to cause someone's lungs to burst." He said something more but Kyle had stopped listening. They had arrived at Camp Demigod. It was actually the same location as Camp Half-blood, and it was also the exact same camp. The only differences were a few more cabins, some Roman temples and of course, the huge city that was attached. Camp Jupiter was still the way it was before, but it now served as a hideout/safe area for demigods on the other side of the country. Some of the Roman demigods had chosen to stay there, and demigods that were found on that side were taken there instead. Octavian had become the leader there, after Reyna and Jason had decided to live at Camp Half-blood.

Kyle looked around at awe. The huge lake was glistening in the sunlight, the rock climbing wall was spewing lava and a bunch of kids were playing a game of soccer on the fields. A sweet smell was wafting through the air. A large, blue house stood on a hill in the distance. Then there were the cabins. They were arranged in an Omega shape and the middle was filled with benches and campers. Kyle instantly fell in love with the place. He stepped over the line separating camp from the town and felt excitement building up inside of him. This would be his new home.

"I'll go check us in," Alvin offered. "You can look around. See ya later!" He walked off towards the Big House. Kyle immediately headed to the Cabins. There were two large cabins at the end, which were Zeus and Hera. Next to the Zeus cabin was Poseidon, then Ares, Apollo, Hephaestus and Hermes. Next to the Hera cabin was Demeter, Athena, Artemis, Aphrodite and Dionysus. This was done in a U shape. At the end of this U shape, there were 8 cabins, 4 on each side, that were perpendicular to the ones in the U. These were Hades, Iris, Hypnos, Nemesis, Nike, Hebe, Tyche and Hecate. Kyle immediately walked to the Poseidon cabin.

The cabin was low, long and solid. All of the windows were facing the sea. The outer walls were made of rough stone that looked like the bottom of an ocean floor. Inside there was a fountain made of the same gray rock as the cabin. Fish were swimming inside it and it seemed to be filled with salt water. The bottom was glittering with golden drachmas. Bronze Hippocampi were hanging on the ceiling. Various sea plants and corals were sitting on desks and window sills. The walls were glowing slightly, and six empty bunk beds were standing ready.

But something was wrong. The bottom bunk of one of the beds had stuff on it. Kyle walked closer and saw a thin blue book, a fishing rod and a bronze knife. He picked up the book and was about to open it, when a sharp voice sounded from behind.

"Drop the book! What do you think you're doing?" A dark-haired boy stepped up, with startling green eyes. He seemed about Kyle's age, but was considerably taller. He was by no means muscular. He looked weak, as though he had recently been running and it looked as though he hadn't been eating enough. He also looked extremely sleep-deprived.

"Who are you?" Kyle asked blankly.

"Who are you?" the boy shot back.

"Kyle."

"Adrian."

"What are you doing here?" Kyle asked the boy, Adrian.

"I could ask you the same thing. This is my cabin. I'm a son of Poseidon," Adrian said calmly. Well, that sucked. Kyle had been so excited to have a cabin to himself and now, that wouldn't be happening. It was still better than the crowded Athena cabin though.

"Well, now this is my cabin too."

"You're a son of Poseidon too?" Adrian asked, his green eyes lighting up.

"Grandson," Kyle said. Did that make Adrian his…uncle? Well, that was awkward. Adrian seemed to have reached the same conclusion.

"How did Poseidon have a grandson?"

"My dad is a demigod, who is a son of Poseidon. My mom is a daughter of Athena," Kyle explained.

"So you're like…mixed?" Kyle nodded. "Well, nephew…"

"Don't even go there," Kyle said warningly. Adrian smiled. "So, I guess it's just you and me," Kyle said, trying to decide which bunk to occupy.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," Adrian said. "Apparently dad's been on a huge demigod-making spree." Kyle grunted in disgust and threw his backpack on to the top bed of the bunk next to Adrian's.

"Why don't you sleep on the top?" Kyle asked. Adrian paled a bit.

"Afraid of heights," he mumbled, looking very embarrassed.

"Makes sense," Kyle said, climbing up the rope ladder hanging down the side of the bunk. "Zeus and Poseidon aren't always friendly, and Zeus rules the skies, so the air is not a safe place for us." He flopped down on the soft bed and stared up at the bronze Hippocampi.

"How come you're not afraid?" Adrian questioned.

"I dunno. Maybe it has something to do with having Athena in me too," Kyle said. "I'm gonna check out the camp now. Later." He climbed down the ladder and walked back outside into the sunlit center area. At the same time, Levina stepped out from the Zeus cabin, and a sudden realization hit Kyle. He and Levina were now neighbors. Levina had spotted him and seemed to have come to the same conclusion.

"Just my luck," she said loudly, shooting a nasty look at Kyle. He smirked and walked over to her.

"Yes, you are extremely lucky," he said. Levina glared at him with her electric blue eyes. Her dark brown hair fell on her face.

"I hate you."

"But I love you," Kyle said smirking.

"Get lost."

"I'm already lost. In you're eyes," Kyle continued, sarcasm firmly in place. There was a sudden blinding flash, and then Kyle was lying on the grass, his clothes smoldering. Campers screamed and ran over to see what had happened.

"What happened?"

"It looks like he's been struck by lightning!"

"There's no storm!"

"There's a daughter of Zeus you idiot!"

"Move, move out of the way," a commanding voice ordered. Kyle blinked and saw a man, no a horse, trotting towards him. He guessed that he was Chiron, the centaur. "What happened?" he asked, looking Kyle over.

"Levina blasted me with lightning!" Kyle said furiously, picking himself up off the ground.

"Levina, is this true?" Chiron asked calmly.

"Kyle was getting into my personal space!" Levina shouted, just as angrily.

"That doesn't mean you can blast me with lightning!"

"You deserved it!" Levina retorted. Kyle was about to say something rude back, but Chiron stopped him.

"Enough. Go back to your cabins immediately. You shouldn't come out until it's dinner time." The way he said it told Kyle not to argue. He walked back into his cabin and fell asleep.

"Wake up!" Adrian yelled. Kyle opened his eyes and looked around. His bed was covered in shoes. He started to get up, but was hit by one of the flying shoes.

"Are you throwing shoes up here?" Kyle yelled.

"You wouldn't wake up!" Adrian yelled back.

"Dude, how many shoes do you have?"

Adrian shrugged. "It's time for dinner!" Kyle groaned and rolled over on his bed. There was the sudden sensation of falling and then he hit something hard. Oh, right. Bunk bed. He peeled himself off of the floor and straightened up.

"Let's go." They walked to the dining pavilion and took their seats. A large bonfire was in the middle. Levina was sitting in a close by table, all alone. Wood nymphs brought plated piled with barbeque, cheese, grapes and fresh bread. Adrian and Kyle walked to the fire together and scraped in some of the food before eating themselves. The food was delicious and Kyle got to know Adrian pretty well.

Adrian was thirteen, just like Kyle. He could control water like all children of Poseidon. He lived in Pennsylvania with his mom and step-dad, who he hated. Only a week earlier, the satyr at his school had brought him to camp, and he had decided to become a full-year camper.

After dinner, it was announced that they would be playing Capture the Flag. Kyle was excited for his first game. The blue team was Zeus, Poseidon, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Hecate, Nemesis, and Hebe, led by Athena. The red team was Demeter, Ares, Apollo, Hypnos, Nike, Tyche, Iris and Dionysus, led by Hermes.

Kyle was strapping on his armor when Adrian walked over to him. "Athena cabin put you on defense with Levina," he said warily.

"I thought the Athena cabin was supposed to be smart!" Kyle protested, knowing that working side-by-side with Levina would not end well. Adrian shrugged.

"I did too bro. Anyways, you're going to need a weapon. I brought you this from the Armory." He handed Kyle a long and deadly looking bronze sword. It was probably 3-feet long. The hilt was wrapped in dark blue leather. There was a green gem sent in the center. "It's called Potámi. It means river…I think…"

"Thanks man! Does it turn into something cool and portable?" Kyle asked excitedly. The sword felt perfect in his hands.

"Not every weapon can turn into something cool," Adrian said. "But this one can!"

"Seriously?" Adrian took the sword and tapped on the gem. The sword shrank down until Adrian was holding a small blue flashlight with a green button. "Awesome! Thank you so much! What's you're weapon?"

Adrian pulled out a gleaming knife. Kyle recognized it as the one that had been on his bed. "I prefer close combat," he said, turning it in his fingers.

"Does it have a name?" Kyle asked curiously.

"No, it's a new knife. It was made only a week before I came to camp. You should finish getting ready. I'm playing distraction two." He turned and went to talk to a group of Hephaestus kids. Kyle was reminded briefly of his younger friend, Kenneth, who was now 10. Things between them had become a little awkward lately, since both Kenneth and Sophia had a thing for each other. Kyle shuddered a little at the thought.

"Kyle, over here!" Kyle saw Alvin waving to him from a large group of demigods. He walked over, and saw that Alvin's grey eyes were shining with excitement. His dirty-blonde hair was sticking out crazily. The Athena cabin began explaining the strategies. Kyle easily understood everything, being a descendant of Athena.

Half of the blue team would be set up strategically to defend the flag. The other half were split up into to groups. One group would serve as a 'distraction' by running towards the flag. Since using a distraction was such a simple plan, the other team would be expected it. That was where the second group came in. They would also charge the flag, acting like the main offense. While the other team was preoccupied, Kyle and Levina would get the flag. Why they had to choose Kyle and Levina, only they knew.

"Positions!" some Athena kid yelled. Kyle saw two flags being carried away to be hidden. One was silky gray, with a painting of a barn owl above an olive tree. The other was silver with a caduceus in the center. Then a bunch of kids were pushing him towards the South woods. The red team was marching to the North side. Kyle and Levina were pushed into a small area hidden by trees and leaves.

"Wait till you see the red flash! Then move a little closer, but don't head for the flag yet. When you see the blue flash, go on ahead," Alvin instructed.

"Dude, I know. You've told me like…ten times now," Kyle said, mildly annoyed. "Go get in position." Having Hecate on the team was very useful. They were the ones able to send sparks into the air. Alvin scurried off, and it was just Levina and Kyle. They remained silent. Kyle hadn't forgotten about Levina scorching him. He heard the conch shell being blown and the sound of yells.

"This is so stupid," Levina said suddenly. Kyle, who had been staring intently at the dark sky, turned to look at her. She was holding a large spear. "Just standing here waiting. What's the point of having such a long-winded plan? We can just charge. The other team would be overwhelmed, and we can get the flag!" she elaborated.

"It's called strategy," Kyle snorted.

"If you ask me, it's just a huge waste of time. The other team will get our flag first."

"Well, nobody asked you," Kyle said, irritated by her lack of appreciation towards the Athena cabin. He was related to Athena too, after all.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to offend you and you're nerd cabin," Levina said, her eyes blazing. She was getting angry too. Kyle could tell.

"At least they aren't a bunch of buffoons," Kyle shot back. He made a high-pitched voice and said, "We can just charge them."

"Well it's better than trying to make everything complex," Levina answered, turning red. "You can sit here and wait until the sparks go off, but I'm going to get that flag."

Kyle was now seriously mad. "You can't! Athena cabin is in charge and-"

"See if I care," Levina said viciously, turning to walk away. Kyle didn't know what happened next, he hadn't meant for anything to happen, but he was just so mad. A large amount of water suddenly burst from the ground in front of him, hitting Levina and knocking her forward.

She got up, dripping, and turned on Kyle. "You," she hissed, pointing her spear at him. There was the sound of thunder overhead and Kyle realized what Levina was about to do. She was planning on electrocuting him with her stupid spear.

But Athena always had a plan. He could feel water churning beneath the ground. He willed it to shoot up and surround him like a shield. The ground trembled slightly and water was suddenly shooting out of the ground. It created a dome around Kyle, protecting him. Then the lightning struck. The water protecting Kyle began to crackle with energy. A spider web of lightning and water was surrounding Kyle. Arcs of electricity shot through the dome. He couldn't see Levina from his position, but he was pretty sure she was looking shocked. He concentrated hard and the dome broke apart, the water went flying everywhere. Kyle blinked a couple of times, trying to clear his vision. He saw a very wet and angry Levina standing in front of him.

"How dare you," she said, glaring at him. The sound of a conch shell suddenly rung through the night. "What? The game is over!"

They both glanced at each other before running towards the sound. After a few minutes of running and being hit with branches, they emerged from the woods and saw some kid from the Dionysus cabin being lifted by the red team. The once gray flag was now a deep purple with a Thyrsus wrapped with grape vines in the center.

"What happened?" Kyle turned and saw Alvin marching towards him, followed by a huge mob of Athena kids. "We sent up the blue sparks, and the plan worked! They were completely distracted! You guys could have gotten the flag easily!"

"It's her fault," Kyle said, glaring at Levina.

"I can't believe you guys," Alvin said, stopping Levina from making a remark back. "We were all counting on you, and because of your childhood feuds, you let us down. Thanks a lot." He turned and walked away to talk to some Athena kids. Kyle felt totally shunned.

"This is your fault. If you had just gone through with the plan, this wouldn't have happened!" he said, turning on Levina. "Do you have to ruin everything? I know you hate me, but are you really selfish enough to let down half of the camp?" He turned and stalked off, burning with anger.

Because of that stupid Levina, half of the camp now hated him. He took off his armor and threw it on the grass as he walked, distancing himself from the girl who had ruined everything.

He really hated her.

So so sorry about the late update. I've been getting caught up with other things, and I just - sorry. Hope this chapter makes up for my lack of updates. Next chapter will be Levina.

REVIEW - It makes me want to update faster!

llll

llll

VVVVVVVVV

VVVVV

V