I was not alive.

Well, as far as I knew, I was not alive.

Everything was black, I was kinda warm and kinda cold, and I couldn't feel anything. Seemed like death to me. But I was fine with it!

…Until I wasn't.

It was soft and comforting. Way better than the torture I'd endured from the Grove of Dodona. It was easy. And then, my mind created an image for me, maybe as a way of reminding me that life was more important than whatever this was. My family and friends came to mind. I didn't think they would mourn for me. I didn't think they would really break down or feel any kind of trauma about my death. I was cocky, yes. I still am. But there's always an internal fear that I'm not really as loved as I want to be. And the overconfidence comes out as a mechanism of self-reassurance.

The only reason I decided life was worth living was that my death would leave them vulnerable to the army and to the Beast the prophecy mentioned, the ones who probably kidnapped my baby sister. If I died, that would leave her in their hands and force my family and friends to fend for themselves.

I couldn't do that to them. I wouldn't do that to them.

Having experienced sleep paralysis many times throughout elementary and middle school, I knew how to snap myself out of it before I could get in too deep. Because of that, waking up from this weird, almost death-like sleep didn't seem as difficult.

First, my fingers wiggled. And then my wrist. And then my lower arm. Upper arm, shoulder. Neck and head. Then down my spine to my stomach and hips. My upper legs, knees. Lower legs, ankles. My toes. When I could finally move everything, I pried my eyes open with all the strength I had in me. I could start to hear some kind of fuzzy noises, unclear but audible.

The light nearly blinded me, so my eyes shut quickly to avoid the pain.

Still, I can't come back to the people I love if my eyes are closed.

I forced my eyes to open and stay open, and they did, with a lot of squinting and tears. The noises grew in volume and became clearer as my other senses began functioning again.

Loud arguments (between my boys and my siblings) greeted me when I could finally see again. Not really a screaming match, but lots of stern words bounced back and forth between them. And then, a barrage of kisses to my face from Reginald, whose lap my head apparently rested in, a pillow placed over his thighs for my comfort.

"Uh, hi." Yeah, I know. So eloquently expressed. I am well aware.

He laughed through tears, and Tlato came over to crush my entire skeleton with his hug.

"Ouch."

The guy pulled back when he heard my exclamation, apologizing profusely and holding my face with both hands. Looking at him, I realized why I wanted to wake up. I couldn't die knowing I had been so harsh on him the last time we spoke. He was thinking the same thing, I think, because he leaned his forehead against mine and apologized "for all that was said in that argument". I accepted, obviously, but I couldn't understand why he still looked upset afterwards.

His lips pulled down into a frown, and I could only stare in confusion. "A-Are you okay? Is everything okay?"

"Uh, yeah. I came back to you guys. Why wouldn't I be okay?"

Reginald pulled the taller boy close to whisper something in his eyes. Tlato's face contorted with some kind of heartache, and he pressed my face into his shoulder, holding me gently. I leaned into his touch and sighed, unsure of what was going on.

I didn't feel different, but I knew they thought I had changed. That I wasn't myself anymore. It sucked, but I had no clue of how to deal with that or prove that I was the same Anusha, the same me.

But if I'm being honest, I knew I had changed. You don't experience what I did and feel completely normal afterwards. I couldn't be the same person I was.

You might be wondering what exactly I went through to make me feel so changed and uncomfortable and confused.

Here's a quick summary.

After my most recent fight with Tlato, I ran off to visit my naiad friend. She doesn't talk, but she tried to help me work through my issues however she could, mostly by smacking the back of my head when I said something bad or stupid and writing in English in the sand.

Then, Tlato came back and found me and got mad again. It was just another stupid argument. He was calling me a horrible person, and I called him ungrateful. That was the gist of it. So, I ran off. If you can't face your problems head on, you can always run away, bide your time, and then come back to face the problems when you're ready. So that's what I did. Also, I couldn't stand the thought of having to deal with him yelling at me again, especially after I just wanted to protect him.

I walked into the woods to think. Just find some peace and quiet so I could clear out my head. Something called to me, something in the heart of the woods. I followed that call because I was curious and hoped that it would help me with my problems.

It was the Grove of Dodona. It had called to me. I walked towards the center of the seven trees like the call had asked, and then I waited. My ears picked up an acute singing noise coming from somewhere near me.

I only realized much later that the singing was from the Grove. A hymn of death.

My death.

The Grove was taunting me, mocking me, singing in that horrible discordant song.

"Child of the sunset, whose eyes grow gold, your death in summer is foreseen, the manner already foretold. Blood stains the sands, skin torn like papyrus, flesh and bone in your father's hands, body burning from cruel virus."

The noise grew louder. I had no clue of what to do as the volume increased with each repetition of the poem. The last I knew, I was screaming for my mother and trying to find something to make the sounds stop. Then, I wake up in Reggie's arms, lying down on my bed in the Apollo cabin.

As soon as I'm helped up to a seated position, my dad rushes forward and grabs me into a hug. I cling to him and let him baby me, finding heavenly relief in the gentle pressure of his embrace. Too trapped in the hug to go down gracefully, I allow Apollo to fall back onto the floor and cradle me in his lap. He kissed my head and rocked me back and forth, letting me be a child while I recovered. He hummed some lullaby, and I fell asleep again, lost to the sweet silence of slumber. This time was better. I had dreams, but only of good things. Impossible things, actually.

I won't tell you what I saw in my dreams. Well, not yet.

When my eyes pried open again, I saw darkness. And then, spots and sprinkles of light, like microscopic polka dots of yellow and blue and red. At first, I couldn't understand what I was seeing. Maybe it was one of the cabins? But I didn't remember hearing about a cabin having a dark blue and polka dot ceiling. I would have remembered that.

My attention moved to the crick in my neck from lying on the ground. I turned my head a few times to free myself of the ache and saw my boys sitting closely, side-by-side with their hands clasped together. I tried to smile, but it didn't work, so I just smiled with my eyes. That was easier.

Then, I noticed the grass beneath my hands and the rush of air over my face. We were outside? If so, why had I been sleeping for so long that I got neck pain?

Tlato smiled when he saw me moving around, crawling over to join me on the ground. Reginald laughed and lied down on the opposite side. "Hey there, pretty girl. You had some good dreams last night?" the speedster joked.

"Meh. Kinda scary, but not that bad. Why are we outside?"

My best friend sighed and moved closer, taking my hands as he reclined onto the ground. "Well, you were having some kind of night terrors of some sort, and your powers flared. Reggie and I didn't want to sleep in our cabins after your incident, so we slept in the Apollo cabin. Your dad was fine with it. But when he saw you were panicking in your sleep, he asked us to take you out here and let you sleep on your hill. Sorry we came up here without asking your permission."

I shook my head and sat up, looking down over the valley. "This hill is ours. I decided I wanted it. When you became part of my life, Tlato, I decided I wanted to let you have this hill too."

Reggie quickly moved up and looked at me. "And me? Do I have any right over this hill?"

I looked at him and took his face in one of my hands. "Tlato and I both decided we wanted you. When we poured a piece of our own lives into trying to save you, we decided we wanted you in our life. You have as much right to this hill as we do."

He grinned and held onto my hand, turning his head to kiss my palm. I didn't know how to smile at that, but damn, he knew how to melt my heart.

"And where the hell is my kiss, track star?" Tlatoany playfully grumbled. Our funky friend laughed, tossing himself over my lap to drag the bigger boy's face down and kiss his cheeks. I could tell from Reggie's too-big grin that he was quite proud of himself for influencing our buddy to ask for kisses.

"Well, someone got close while I was basically dead," I droned lightly. Tlato shrugged. "With a guy as cute and charming as Reginald, kinda hard not to."

The Alfredo-sauce-skinned son of Hermes smirked. "Oh, come on, you can say something even nicer."

Tlato snorted. "I'm trying to keep your head from exploding. It's inflated enough."

"Where's my dad?"

The boys stopped immediately and started fawning over me, checking my head and face and hands and arms, as if I were injured or dying.

I hid my irritation, not wanting to upset or sadden them because I knew they needed to know I was safe. Maybe they saw something bad too, just like I heard something bad that I couldn't remember at the moment.

They helped me up and guided me all the way back to the Big House, where Apollo sat with Chiron and Will on the porch, speaking in soft tones about a serious topic. Dad saw me and lifted his head, grinning big and bright as usual. Will mimicked him, eyes almost brighter than our godly parent's when seeing me up and functioning again.

The boys walked me all the way to the little triangle of chairs, and I turned to stop them before they left. I didn't know what face to make. "I know you guys are worried about me. You're right to be concerned. You saw something that traumatized you about my health and safety. That's what I assume and now know is accurate. While I understand that you guys feel the need to check on me and keep me safe at all times, please don't forget who and what I am. I've taken everything in my life and faced it head-on. I'm gonna continue to do that, but I can't do it with you guys shielding me constantly. I'm hurt, not shattered. There's a difference. Respect it."

I turned around and sat in a chair offered to me before looking at their faces. I couldn't see their hurt expressions. That would make me feel guilty and would make me want to take back all my words. I had to look away to stay firm with my decision.

The boys left after murmuring their promises to do better. It broke my heart to hear their tones and not be able to turn around and hug them tight enough to crack ribs. Apollo squeezed my hand.

He only spoke after they left. "I'm so proud of you, sweetie."

I couldn't do anything but nod in thanks. It sounded like he was saying he was proud of me for being harsh to my favorite humans on Earth. I hated that.

Chiron asked in a somewhat shaky voice, "How are you feeling?"

I had to think about that. "Uh, I don't know. Am I supposed to feel something other than upset that my boys are hurt by my own words?"

Will smiled and leaned over to kiss my temple from where he sat at my right side. "Sweet girl. But he means about that traumatic moment with the Grove of Dodona. Are you alright?"

That made me frown. "Um. Maybe? I honestly can't tell. I'm just more hurt that I had to go to Hera for a mother's love rather than my actual mother. It's so stupid. What the hell is the point of my mother's existence if she won't do the only job the Universe gave her to do?" I sighed. "Whatever. Can't fix that now. Is there something you guys need from me?"

Apollo scooted his chair closer and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Well. I heard about your connection with the Hope Diamond." My eyes widened microscopically.

"Yeah. Um. It talked to me a few times. Is there a problem?"

He sighed and shrugged, looking at Chiron before turning back to me. "We don't know. It's been glowing deep purple out of absolutely nowhere. The same color of your powers when you remove disease."

Oh, okay, so there was a problem. A really fucking weird one.

"And, it asked for you. With a real voice."

I choked on my spit. "The fuck-"

Dad sputtered and smacked my shoulder. "Hey! Language!"

I could only snort in amusement. "Sorry, Captain America. Didn't mean to offend you with my bad words." He made a huff and rolled his eyes.

"Hush!"

"Anyways. Who's gonna take me to it?"

Chiron looked away and awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "See, the issue with that request is that…" He sighed, locking eyes with me. "The necklace disappeared."

I stared at him. What else was I supposed to do?! "What."

Will interjected, waving around his arms and trying and failing to keep himself calm. "We don't know how! The counselors for Hecate and Athena were in there an hour ago, and when they went in to check on it just now after having been absent for thirty minutes, they couldn't find it. All the counselors pitched in to look for it, most using their powers. It's just gone."

My hands held my face, and I growled. "Okay. Fine. Fine. Great. Perfect. Glorious. Not in the Nemesis cabin?"

"Not in any cabin or building."

I took in a slow breath. "Fine. We go without it. The necklace bonded hard to Reggie and Tlato and me. It'll come looking for us if it wants us that much. In the meantime, Will, gather all the people who I made a bet with." I looked him right in the face. "I hold to my promises, especially promises for a fight."

Apollo pointed out, "I was one of them too, my dear. But I don't think it's wise to try and fight now. You've dealt with so much."

"Dad." He paused, watching me intensely with silk-soft blue eyes. I reached down and pulled my drum sticks out from my belt loops, twirling them to reveal the knives. "I don't know my heritage. I don't know where I'm from, what I mean to the world. I don't know those things because Mom never taught me." That always got me. Every time I tried to ask about our family history or our past or our legacy, Mom refused. She shut down the conversation, either with anger or with sadness.

I never questioned her afterwards because I didn't want to upset her, but it meant I never got to learn about my family or ancestry. I didn't have any history to speak of proudly like Reggie and Tlato did.

"But I do know Epipole's story. She was a woman who tried. She went against all of society as a woman and fought as a man to die a hero. She did it because she felt it was right, she felt it was her duty. She made it her promise to fight for what she knew."

Apollo's frown deepened and eyebrows furrowed slowly with each of my words. "And as the person now bearing her weapons, it would dishonor her to break my promise to fight. I know I made that promise to fight because of a silly reason, but I'm not about to break it. I don't break promises to anyone, especially to those I consider my real friends and family."

Will grinned and hugged me from the side. "Look at my baby sister. All grown up and talking like a hero! Oh, I'm so proud!" He tilted his head back to smile at our father, but only received a disappointed sigh in response. "Dad, aren't you proud?"

The sun god sighed and shook his head. "I can't say I am."

I rolled my eyes. "Not gonna work, Dad. You wear your heart in your larynx. Hard not to tell how you actually feel. Maybe pick up some acting lessons from Mr. D or Lord Hermes."

He groaned. "No fair. How'd you know I was faking it?"

"Dad, seriously. I am the best liar ever. I've been lying to my mother about my feelings and emotions since I was a child. The only people better at lying than me are the Hermes kids, and that's because of their dad."

"Fair enough. But just be careful. Quests are no joke." Dad rubbed my back and winked. "And just remember. If those two boys ever mess with you, you are always free to whoop them for it. Tell them your dad gave you permission." At this, I rolled my eyes.

"Acchu. Come on. Not cool. But still, they're good guys." There was that itch again. "I trust them to protect me and care for me. After all, they're the ones that found me."

A little twinkle sparked in Dad's eyes, a brightness I didn't yet understand. Tinged with sadness and heartache, but so warm and sweet that I felt that love take over my entire heart, as cold as it was. "I'm glad to hear that, my darling." He looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

I sighed. "Are quests always this messy?"

Chiron shrugged his shoulders and sat back in his wheelchair-disguise thing. "Perseus Jackson's first quest was a bit more orderly, I will admit. Though, he had the advantage of being unaware of many things. He had just been at Camp a few weeks when he heard the prophecy about his quest. One of his companions was a satyr, his long-time best friend named Grover. The other was Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena."

"Huh. How did that go? What was the quest for?"

He smiled and looked at Will and Apollo. "Who wants to tell her that story?"

Will grinned, tossing a hand over Dad's mouth. "I got this. Dad's gonna make it way more dramatic than necessary."

Apollo threw up his arms, pushing my brother's hand away at the same time. "William, I'm the god of the arts! Drama is my whole thing!"

"Dad, shhhhhhh. Lemme talk. Okay. So a bunch of years ago, when I was twelve or ten or something, Percy first came to Camp. He was the weird kid, like you, but not nearly as charming."

I hummed pleasantly at that. Well, at least I had something on the greatest hero of the millennium.

Will continued. "He was kinda broody and uncomfortable because he saw his mom turn to golden sparkles. Later, he got a quest from the old Oracle saying he had to find and retrieve Zeus' lightning bolt. He and Annabeth and Grover traveled all the way to LA to enter the Underworld and try to bring back the lightning bolt from who they thought was the thief: Lord Hades." That made me wince. What kind of insane people would ever blame a god for theft?!

"They were really mistaken. They ended up finding the actual lightning bolt and returning it to Zeus. The gods wanted to kill Percy because they didn't like how powerful he was and because he was the result of Poseidon breaking his oath by the Styx to not have more kids to avoid causing another World War because his kids, Zeus' kids, and Hades' kids were the main players in WWII. Poseidon hadn't had a human child in many years. Maybe a hundred or more. So they wanted to kill him, but Poseidon and a few others vouched for him, and he got to live. He found out that Luke Castellan, the son of Hermes, was the actual lightning thief, and they all lived happily ever after. Just kidding. Percy nearly got killed by a pit scorpion, and then the rest of summer was chill."

I scowled. "How come he gets it easier than I do?"

Apollo sighed. "With great power comes great struggles. Percy did start out easier, but every year came with another quest for the summer. His suffering was stretched out. Yours is condensed. Sorry, darling. But you have my help and your siblings' help, and the help of all the friends you made here."

I sighed. "...yeah. I know. I'm grateful that I have you guys. Well, I'm gonna go eat. I think my stomach lining is deteriorating already." Will snorted at my reply.

"Your boys are at the Pavilion already, if I've guessed correctly. And when are you gonna fight those people you promised to fight?"

I could only hum. "Sunset, in the Arena. I'll give you guys a show." I kissed his cheek in thanks and gave Dad a hug and kiss before rushing off. I needed food, yes. But I also needed a break. And lunchtime would be that break.

Tlato and Reggie had already begun eating by the time I got to the Pavilion. I grabbed a plate for myself and sat across from them at the Ares table, where Kayda and her friends occupied the opposite end. "Hey, guys." The boys waved hello, too busy chomping away at their meal to speak.

Reggie took a ravenous bite of his sandwich and finished it before saying anything. "You have a good talk with your dad and brother and Chiron?"

"Yeah." I leaned in closer to whisper. "The Hope situation is out of hand. It's lost. It'll come back to us. We should continue with the quest."

Tlatoany coughed, nearly choking on whatever was in his mouth. "I'm sorry, what?!"

I shushed him. "Bro, we can't hope to find it before we leave tomorrow. We need to just keep moving. We don't have the time."

He grumbled and groaned, nodding eventually. "Fine. Anything else?"

"Not really. Nothing that would help the quest, anyways. You?"

Reginald grinned. "I've been helping Tlato figure out travel and other expenses for the budget for the quest. Not too hard so far."

"Wait, how do you have that figured out when we don't even know where to start?"

They stared at one another. "How did we miss that, Reginald?"

"Don't look at me, man. I was just going along with whatever you said."

I snorted. "Okay. So that's why you idiots need me. Tlato, any idea of where to start?"

He stayed silent for a few minutes, clearly wracking his brain for any clue as to a good starting point for our quest. He slouched when he got nothing. Reginald opened his mouth to make a suggestion but shut it quickly, shaking his head. I had only an inkling of an idea.

"Maybe. Um. Uh, maybe we could start with the people who took Izzy. Let's assume they work for that so-called Beast from the prophecies. They're also the same people who attacked me, and Maximus and Brandon were members. So, maybe we should ask if there are any information outposts for the army near New York City."

They nodded in agreement after taking a few minutes to think.

"But we have to be wise about how we go there. We don't know if they'll be spying on us from the start of the quest. If they're spying on us now."

I hummed. "Well. I guess that's where I come in."

Tlatoany frowned. "Please don't tell me you're back on that violent thing again."

"I was never off. But just a little tidbit. Remember I told you about the attacks on me when I was in self-exile?"

Reginald. "By those people in the forest, right?"

I nodded and watched their expressions curiously, intensely. I wanted to see how they'd react, but I also wanted to put some fear into any spies watching my interactions. I spoke as clearly as I could. "One of them tried to get handsy with me when I was asleep. Something similar happened to my mother. It ruined her. And I was not about to let harm come to me after all my days of suffering."

I could practically feel how fast Tlato's heart was beating, just from the sweat accumulating at his hairline. But I could see it too. Poor guy's chest must have been hurting. I continued slowly, carefully. "He put his hands where he shouldn't have, and I put my hand on his face, no gloves, no control."

Reginald's body indicated severe nausea, as did Tlato's. Massive dim ovals of pain hung at their lower abdomens. I only bared my teeth. "He doesn't have a functional face now. Holes where the orifices are, yes. But no eyes. No nose. No lips. I ruined him." My gut told me to turn my head and look forward over the edge of the water of the bay nearby. I focused on something I couldn't see and repeated my words. "I took away his face because he took away my sense of safety. Imagine what I'd do to anyone who tries to hurt my loved ones."

I paused for dramatic effect. "Or don't, if you're faint of heart. My flaw isn't loyalty. I'm not Perseus Jackson. I'm Anusha Rajachari, and my flaw is pride. Hubris. I know that I am the most powerful person in Camp, except my dad. I know I can take down anyone. Yeas, I am proud. It'll be the death of me, but I'll drag down with me anyone else who tries to destroy those I love."

The corners of my lips pulled up in an unfamiliar way. Reginald leapt out of his seat to sit beside me and whisper, "Did that really happen, or were you lying?"

I could only snort in response. I whispered back, "It was a lie. Convinced you, though, didn't I? That's one of my greatest talents. I can lie so well, no one would even know. Because I hid my emotions from my own mother, anyone who's ever met me has never been able to tell that I'm lying if I don't tell them first."

Tlatoany huffed. "Now that makes no sense. How is a daughter of the god of truth such a good liar?"

I rolled my eyes. "Just because my dad represents truth doesn't mean he can never lie. He's lied plenty, especially with prophecies. Nobody cares because, in the end, his lies were for the benefit of everyone and everything. I'm not that good. My lies are to protect myself or my friends. I lie for advantage, and I'm not ashamed of that."

I paused. "I'd lie for anything. If it means getting ahead of people more powerful than me, then yeah. I'd happily lie."

Reginald frowned. "But that's not right."

I stared at him. "Is it right that most of my hometown is so poor that the honor of attending community college is similar to the middle class's perceived honor of attending an Ivy League? Is it right that the companies who built HQs in my city get to keep all their wealth in some other state while my people basically have to struggle for survival on the daily? No. It's not. So yes. I will lie to gain an advantage. And I'll still help my people. I won't give a singular rat's ass about the rich, but I will give back to my community every time I get more power and influence, and then, all of my people will get to be happy and not worry about whether there'll be enough money in their bank accounts for food the next morning."

Tlatoany groaned. "You are simultaneously so good and so bad. This is weird." I shrugged.

"Not gonna apologize for that either."

"Asshole."

"Yep."

Reginald frowned. "Is your community really doing that badly?"

I sighed. "I'll show you. Gonna make a stop to see my mom after we're out of New York. You can see for yourself just how 'badly' we're doing."

Tlatoany patted my back. Reginald only breathed quietly. "I have a feeling I really won't like what I see. I might just ask my mom if we can add a new branch to the company in Chicago. We won't replace anyone or move people out. We'll probably refurbish an unused building and work from there. And hire anyone who needs work."

I smiled. "Sweet thought. But what we need isn't just jobs. It's legislation from the feds to make sure our poorest aren't taken advantage of by major corps like Wal-Mart and stuff. They've got so much power and influence and really hurt workers. Your mom's company is probably fine, but the minimum wage isn't well-enforced in other corporates. It should be higher. And the physical condition of our home is trash. No funding is used for infrastructure. Or that's how it seems. Half of it goes to policing, and all those idiots do is kill our people. They're useless."

Tlatoany rubbed his chin. "Have you considered speaking with a government official in your home?"

I scowled. "American politicians are the lap-warmers and bitches of corporations and industry. They don't know how to help us, and they don't care. I had considered it, but I'm still on VISA right now. Can't afford to mess with the gov if they decide I'm trouble."

Reginald hummed. "I thought you'd be valid for citizenship. You were born on the plane, right?"

"Yeah, but it wasn't a US-based airline. Doesn't count, I think."

"Still, is there nothing you could do to help?"

I sighed. "It's admirable that you guys are trying to help me help my people. But the only way I can really get ahead is to lie about specific things and gain an advantage in a system that hates me. There's nothing else I can do. Anyways, onto other things. What have you two packed for the quest?"

Tlatoany shrugged. "A few sets of clothes, first aid kit, medications, fire-starter stuff, some basic Camping items, a small magic blanket made by Cabin Nine, and a few other things that were on my list. Why? Haven't you packed yet?"

I gave him an unimpressed look. He laughed sheepishly. "Right. Forgot. Sorry."

I frowned and looked at my hands. "Why would you need first aid when I'm right here?"

Reggie snickered. "She's got a point, dude."

"What if you're absolutely unconscious and can't heal us?" my best friend retorted. Well, he had a point.

"Touché, fancy man."

"Do not ever refer to me as 'fancy man', sunshine."

I snorted. "That applies to my siblings. Not me."

With a pout, our son of Hermes whined, "But we need a cute nickname for you!"

With a smack to my upper back, Apollo plopped down beside me. "How about Travesti?"

"Uhhhhh…?" I stared at him, trying to remember my Ancient Greek lessons with Malcolm. "Tra-vesti…wait, crossdresser? Dad, everyone wears jeans and stuff now. I wouldn't be considered a crossdresser by anyone's standards."

The sun god rolled his eyes. "It's a nod to your predecessor of sorts. Epipole dressed as a man, and you're carrying her legacy."

I nodded slowly. "Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, okay. Yeah, that makes sense."

Reginald cooed. "Awwwwww, that's so cute! I love it!" He and Apollo high-fived, grinning at one another. "You're a genius, Mr. Apollo, sir!"

Dad snickered and waved his hand. "No need for all that. Just Apollo is fine. Lord Apollo would be preferred, but it's not necessary. So, you kids ready for the quest?"

"Dad, you already asked me that." He tossed a hand over my mouth.

"I was asking the boys, little mouse."

Tlatoany grinned. "That's way cuter than Travesti."

"Why do I need a nickname? Isn't Anu enough?"

Reginald rolled his eyes. "You call me 'Pretty Boy' and call Tlato 'Fancy Man', which is boring. And since you've decided to do that to us, you're getting a nickname too, mouse."

I rolled my eyes in response. "Just call me Jerry, why don't you."

"Great idea!" I groaned at my newest friend's excited shout.

"I hate you sometimes." He grinned and moved closer to squish me into a hug.

"Impossible! You just met me!" Tlato and I shared a knowing, amused glance when we heard that.

The son of Ares commented with a grin, "Birds of a feather." I rolled my eyes.

"Shut up. Anyways, Dad, where's Maximus?"

He groaned. "Fighting with his boyfriend. Those two have been arguing since yesterday. I'm so tired of it."

"Why are you even getting involved?"

"I don't intend to, but Max calls me in for support, and I don't wanna take sides, even though I should technically be on his side."

"Want me to step in?" I wondered openly.

He shook his head. "Absolutely not. Never step into a fight between romantic partners, honey. Never a good idea," Dad advised.

I raised an eyebrow but nodded. "I'll take your word for it."

Tlato looked at me. "You still wanted to fight all those people? Will texted me."

"Why wouldn't I? It's good practice for actual monsters and fights."

He shook his head in exasperation and leaned over to pat my shoulder. "Just be careful."

"Yeah, yeah."

We split apart after that. Reggie to talk to his siblings, Tlato to go speak with Maximus and his boyfriend, and I went to go pack and prepare for the quest.

Will and Naomi and the others all sat on their beds, advising me what to pack and not pack. Maximus piped in a few times too, having finished arguing with Brandon to sit and spend some time with me and the others after getting claimed yesterday.

"And remember. Your best source of water will always be trees or streams," Kiran explained carefully. I nodded.

Naomi murmured something under her breath that I couldn't understand. I asked her to speak louder, and she told me something that kinda ruined my day. "You don't smile anymore. What happened to you?"

I looked down, heart clenching at the realization that she was right. I really had stopped smiling as of recently. I don't know why, but I hadn't given even a semblance of a grin since I was brought back from Cabin Two yesterday. Will stood to walk towards me and hold my face in both hands. I had no choice but to look into his eyes.

He asked me in the softest tone I'd ever heard from him, "Sweetie…did you forget how to smile?"

I only stared at him in silence. "I don't know. My face itches when someone says something nice, like I wanna make a face of some sort, but I don't know."

One of the few siblings that hated me and my powers spoke up. "Trauma. Must have had some kind of issue with smiling when she disappeared that it damages her to do it now. But I don't know how you suddenly have more trauma than all of us do even though you've only been here like a month."

I looked at him, trying my hardest to remember his name. Tino! That's right. Tino looked at me. I don't know how I got to the next question I asked, but I somehow did. "Do you hate me?"

He snorted. "I don't not hate you."

My nose scrunched up at the triple negative. "Your grammar is atrocious."

"And so are your powers, but-" he shut up at the sight of Naomi's glowy glare.

"Sooo, what? My powers make me worthy of hate?"

He scowled. "A cabin of light and healing should never be a cabin of plague and disease."

I snorted. "Clueless bitch."

Tino retorted with "Evil shitstain!"

Will scolded both of us. I just sighed. "Whatever."

The cabin grew progressively more tense as the minutes ticked by. I finished packing fairly quickly since I didn't bring that much to begin with. I stood to go and fight the people I'd made a bet with before eating dinner. Tino stood in my way as I was getting ready to head out. I glared at him, and he jumped aside, glaring right back.

I shoved past the doorway to head to the Arena. I needed a break. Maybe fighting people would give me that break. Eleven people stood around the stage, all looking uncomfortable, weapons in hand. I sighed. "Why are you guys so awkward?"

One of them, a son of Hermes, gave me an odd smile. "Well, you kinda went AWOL and showed up in the Hera cabin really weird and mentally scarred. We just don't wanna hurt you and then have you react all angry and stuff."

Ohhhhh. Okay, so that's what it was. They didn't want me to get triggered by something and destroy them. I rolled my eyes. "I'm better now. Smiling is hard, but I do know how to fight without killing people. I'm not insane. Just emotionally and mentally scarred. All of you guys are too, according to what one of my brothers said."

The others all glanced at one another as if looking for any doubt or disagreement and nodded. "Fine. So how are we gonna do this?"

I hummed. "All at once."

One of the Nike girls raised an eyebrow. "Can you handle that? You haven't been here very long."

I snorted. "What? You scared of losing? Don't drop out now," I crooned, pulling out and twirling my drum sticks. Her face went red with embarrassment, and she growled.

"Fine! If you want a fight, I'll give you a fight!"

The boy from earlier put up a hand. "Isn't your dad gonna fight you?"

I nodded and shrugged. "He'll be here at some point. You guys just come at me. Let's see how long I can handle you guys before he jumps in," I challenged.

They encircled me, and I felt the excitement flood my veins. I was so ready.

And then they pounced.

Have any of you ever fought lions or wolves? Or any wild animals? No? Yeah, I didn't expect you to. But that's what it was like when the group lunged at me. Like being attacked by wild animals. Greeks fight like lions. Individual attacks, but equally powerful. (For your information, Romans fight like wolves. Group efforts where each person's loyalty to the majority can make or break a battle. Makes sense though, with Rome's history with the animal.)

But I loved it. Oh, I loved it. Fighting felt so natural to me. Like dancing is for some people or how swimming is to doggos.

I never wanted to stop, but I had to, for air. It's hard to fight constantly with no break. Now I know that in real combat, there's some time before and after moves to get a breath, but that doesn't prove true for training in Camp.

At one point during the sparring session, I could feel Tlato and Reggie's eyes on me. I really wanted to give them a smile and a wink (why? Because I can, and because I like being a smug bitch), but my face just wouldn't move that way. I didn't mind. I locked eyes with them when I was taking a pause for breath while the others regrouped after I defeated two of the eleven, and I could see the pride in the boys' eyes. They grinned, and Reginald shouted praise for me as I stood and downed half of my water bottle in one go.

I only winked and got back to work whooping people. It was fun!

At the end of the fight, I remember being so exhausted I wanted to sleep for a century, but Tlato just smirked and walked over to ruffle my hair. "Best fighting I've seen from you since you came here. Well done." I merely shrugged and punched his arm.

"Just used what you and Nico taught me. A student is only as good as their teacher's efforts." He chuckled and pressed his right cheek to mine, and my body couldn't help but lean into him. That was what I appreciated most about my best friend. No matter what happened, no matter what I endured, I was always able to come back home to him. He was my home.

And to be honest, he still is.

Reggie sprinted over (not at his actual superhuman speed, but at a normal speed that wouldn't break our bones upon contact) and pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. I guess I didn't escape skeletal damage, after all. He giggled and grinned, kissing my cheeks. "That was the coolest thing I've seen you do. Like, even cooler than when you helped Tlato's brother teach that class where Tlato almost died." I wanted to laugh at how casually he said that. I simply nodded and pecked his cheek.

"Thanks, bud." After patting his back, I stood up straight.

My spidey-senses were tingling. My hypothesis: Dad just arrived. My head slowly spun around to look over my shoulder, and I saw him there, twirling his golden sword fluidly. My hypothesis was correct.

"But this fight isn't over until my dad and I are done fighting." The boys scurried away to join the Campers I'd just fought, some of whom were sporting several injuries and muscle damage after I threw them into one another. Dad smirked and waved hello with his blade. I only hummed and waved back.

We approached one another, stopping when five meters of space separated us. Dad and I began circling one another, moving around our respective weapons to get ready. He snapped his fingers and created a golden dome around us that gave people five feet of space from the walls of the arena. This was to make sure we didn't end up hurting anyone with the plagues he knew we'd use.

Dad smirked and hummed. "It seems like your buddies are already fawning over you after that first part of the fight."

I shrugged. "Credit where credit is due. I owe my fighting ability to Tlato. He's the reason I'm even capable of holding a sword without dropping it. But yeah. I've gotten pretty good, I'd say." My face itched again, yearning to pull itself into a different expression. "But he doesn't get total credit. I put in a lot of work. A lot of practice. And I learned to use my powers and strengths with no help from anyone. My instincts guide me, and I'm stronger for it."

Apollo laughed and shrugged. "Perhaps, sweetheart, but your pride is what will bring you down. You should be more afraid and cautious. Too much confidence does no one any good."

We stopped and got into our fighting stances. I tried to explain myself as clearly as I could. "I'm the first plague-bringer in close to a millennium. I've seen more than some people here have. I have experiences and tragedies and issues of my own that differ from other people. But I know I'm capable of many great things. And I have to have that faith in myself because if I don't, how can I hope to help the people I love? I need to be proud to help other people find pride in themselves."

I winked and let one corner of my mouth flicker up in a weird smile. "And besides, I'm me. Why shouldn't I have pride? I'm fucking awesome."

Dad snickered and nodded his head, clapping his hands together. "Alright, fair enough. But enough words. Prove to me that you're worthy of your pride." My eyes narrowed. What a good challenge.

Each of us tried to analyze the other, looking for weak spots or openings. I saw Dad had his legs a little too far apart and his top half bent forward. There was my opening. And I don't know what he saw, but he lunged first, coming at me high and strong. I leapt forward, sliding under him to jump back up and stab him in the back in the half a second I had before he turned to slash at me with his sword.

I blocked with both knives, trying to wheedle one out from the defense to try and get him in the arm so I could slip away and look for a new way to land a hit. He rushed at me again before I was ready, but I let him get as close as possible before C-stepping behind him and slashing at his lower legs and upper quads. Dad let out a hiss of shock before spinning around to face me.

"Good one."

I just snorted. "That all you got?" He grinned, and we kept going. It took Will yelling at Dad that he shouldn't be fighting me to make us stop for the day. But the great thing was that the fight ended with my knives at his throat. Of course, he was about to disarm me, but the whole thing got called off before he got a chance.

Hums and sighs, I was enjoying the hugs from Tlatoany and Reginald who grabbed me for affection after the fight. Only Reggie started fussing and worrying about my wounds. Tlato just kissed my cheek and pressed our foreheads together. Oh, it was so soft. I let him hold my face in both hands and melted into him. I felt at home. This was where I was meant to be, getting fussed over and loved by the two people who knew me better than anyone else. (Well, eventually, they did.)

After we split apart, Dad smirked at me and leaned down to whisper when I came at him for a hug, "Are those wedding bells in the distance?" He laughed when I punched his arm.

I headed to the showers after healing all the people I'd fought and made sure I was squeaky clean before making my way to arts and crafts. Emilia and I spent the hour chattering away about absolutely nothing. I wasn't very facially expressive, but she made enough faces for the both of us. I finished the scarf I had begun making earlier in the summer, and I sighed, hugging it to my chest.

Emilia smiled at me from where she was carving something out of a block of wood using a little knife. "Who are you gonna give it to?"

"I dunno." My heart felt so light at the thought of gifting this to someone. "But I know I want them to have made me better in some way. I want the person I give this to to be someone who influences me in a good way."

She giggled and snorted. "You're such a romantic."

I rolled my eyes. "Says the girl trying to woo me every two days."

Emilia pointed her knife at me like it was her finger. "Touché, Travestí."

We snorted and continued working on our projects until the hour was over. Emilia walked with me to my next class, Ancient Greek with Malcolm. "Hey, um, Anu?"

I glanced up at her in acknowledgement. "Hmm?"

Her face was oddly red, not from the wind or from sickness, but something else. I raised an eyebrow but said nothing. "You're leaving for the quest tomorrow, right?" I don't know why she was asking me that. It was kind of common knowledge at that point. But not wanting to be mean, I just said yes.

One of my first friends at Camp looked at me nervously and asked in a quaking voice I never ever heard come out of her mouth, "Can-can I meet you today? After dinner? At the Apollo cabin?"

Unsure of what she wanted, I nodded. "Sure. Is there something you need help with?"

She frowned and tapped her lips thoughtfully. "I dunno. Maybe. But um," her face flushed deep pink again. "Make sure no one else is around when we talk. It's something private. You have to hear it from me."

At this point, I was pretty confused, but I went with it. I had plenty of secrets nobody knew about. I figured some others had secrets that they did want to tell people.

"Uh, sure. That's fine. Everyone else will be at the Campfire, but those idiots are gonna want me to get on percussion again, so I'll let Will know that-"

"No!" I stared at her after the outburst. Her hands were outstretched, as if to grab me. She blushed again. "Sorry. Sorry, it's just. It's really private."

I frowned but nodded. "Okay. That's fine. In that case, just meet me there as soon as you can after the Campfire. I'll try to get there quickly." She agreed and hurried off before we even reached the Amphitheater. I shrugged and made my way to class. No point in getting late to the last lesson for the day when I had nothing else going on.

Malcolm waved and smiled at me when I joined the group, sitting down on the first bench closest to him. "Hey, man."

I nodded hello. "Hey, Malcolm." I could feel my lips itching to move upwards again. The word man felt so good in my ears. I loved hearing it, especially when people were referring to me. I didn't know what that meant, that itch in my lips, but I liked being called man.

"Ready for class?" My shoulders moved up and down in response to his question.

"So long as I don't have to do things beyond my level of understanding, yeah." He chuckled at my response and nodded. "Hey, Malcolm? What is Percy Jackson like?"

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Why do you ask?" A few of the other Campers had turned to look at me when I asked about the great hero.

I sighed. "I have no idea how this quest is gonna go. I don't even know if we'll all make it through. I guess I wanna hear about someone else's experience with quests to feel better about this one. Gods know my summer has been more chaotic than his when he was 12."

Malcolm paused and nodded. "Fair enough. I guess we can have some story-time today. Alright, everyone gather down here near the front. We'll do today's lesson as a story. I hope you guys have kept up and practiced. We're gonna still do work today." The others stepped down and sat near the front two benches, notepads and pencils in hand but faces much more relaxed. I think they were just glad that they didn't have to do the usual grueling work for today.

We got settled, and then Malcolm started the stories. With each passing moment of the tales, I felt kind of less impressed with Percy Jackson. People always called him the greatest demigod of the century, but I appreciated the people around him more than him himself. Maybe it's my ego, but I thought he kinda sucked, in a way. Almost all of his successes were because of his loved ones, in one way or another. Indirect, inspiration, however. The successes weren't all his own. He owed his powers to his father, frankly. Though, I greatly admired his creativity in battle. I really wanted to know how to recreate that for myself.

"Where's Percy now? He seems to love Camp so much, but he isn't even here," I wondered aloud.

"Well, most demigods don't stay here, Anu. People want to settle, to have normal lives. And so did he. He and Annabeth moved to New Rome in California and have been going to college there." Malcolm seemed eager to move onto the next topic after answering.

I frowned at that. "I can't relate, personally. While this whole mess with the quest kinda stresses me out, it's better than normal life."

One of the Aphrodite kids looked at me weirdly from my left side. She raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What? How?"

I took a breath. "I live in a pretty bad part of Chicago. Or, I used to. The people there really struggle, and have no way to climb up the social ladder. No help. Nothing. The cops make everything worse. The gangs are full of selfish idiots. The crime rates are…traumatizing. And the infrastructure? Almost nonexistent. And I'm still on a Visa, so I can't help anyone in a way that matters, which involves fighting the feds. I'd just get myself into more trouble than I can risk. Yeah, I'd say Camp Half-Blood's stresses are better than that."

The Demeter boy sitting to my right huffed. "So almost dying on the daily is better than normal life? Sure."

I glared right into his eyes. "Okay, asshole. Riddle me this. Would you rather live a short life full of joy and die quickly than live a long life full of suffering and disease and pain?" He swallowed, probably his words.

"Uhhhh…"

"There's no one here that understands better than me that death is better than disease. And frankly, my city is dealing with a socio-economic pre-existing condition if I've ever seen one," I retorted.

Malcolm gave me a look, and I sighed, apologizing under my breath. The lesson continued. At the end, I packed up my things and planned to rush off before the Aphrodite girl from earlier walked over to me. Not looking at her, I asked quickly, "Is there something you need from me?"

She smiled and put a hand on my shoulder. Awkward from the contact, I stood up straight to look her in the face. "I know you're stressed about the quest. If you ever need any advice or planning, just try to think of what Percy would do. He's pretty good with all this hero stuff. I mean, he is the savior of Olympus."

My jaw clenched before I could stop it. "Yeah, sure. Thanks for the suggestion." I left as soon as I could.

On my way to dinner, I met up with some of my old Hermes buddies. Connor was among them, joking around and laughing. But to my great disappointment, Reggie was not a part of that crowd. Still, I hung out with them and we headed to the Pavilion together. While walking, a few of them kept dropping advice about what Percy did on his quests and how that could help me on mine. I thanked them for the advice through gritted teeth. This was REALLY getting on my nerves.

Sure, maybe they were just being nice. I mean, Percy is an amazing hero and super fascinating to learn about. But he is not the end-all-be-all for every demigod out there. And I hated that people kept on saying that I should try and emulate his behavior in the quest I had to go on.

I split off from the group to find my siblings and drop my stuff off with them. Kind of a bad decision considering how much poetry I'd been writing since I met Dad that I didn't want them to read, but too late to change that now.

My feet trudged all the way to the Ares table, where I greeted Sherman, Arthur, Mark, and Kayda. Tlato and the others hadn't arrived yet. One of his sisters said hello and spoke to me for a bit. She was this really pretty brunette with dark skin, beautiful braided hair with streaks of red and purple in it, and the most startling brown eyes. She winked playfully when Tlato ran over and wrapped me up in a hug. I tried to ignore the heat in my face and returned the embrace.

"You good, buddy?"

He shrugged and pulled back, staring at my face with deep intent and deliberation. "I think so." With a kiss to my cheek, he asked that I meet him and Reggie at the beach after the Campfire. I shook my head.

"Emilia asked me to meet her then at the Apollo cabin. Too much at once, buddy. How about before the Campfire?" With a begrudging sigh, Tlatoany nodded, smiling as he pushed me towards the Hermes table. "Okay, see you later, ya big meanie." He laughed as I strolled away.

I could hear the other Ares kids making fun of him for something, but I was too happy about the hug to care. Reginald was already sitting at the table when his other brothers, including Connor, dropped by. He grinned and pulled me into a hug after I walked closer to him. "Tlato told you about the meeting?" he probed.

"Mmhm. Kinda random, I feel like, but whatever. You doin' okay?" No idea why, but my brain told me I had to ask him that.

He sighed, rubbing my hands with his and pressing his head to my shoulder. I leaned my cheek against his hair. "I just miss her so much." My heart clenched, and I nodded, pulling him closer for a proper hug.

"We'll find her. I swear on my life. We'll get her back here safe and sound." Reginald smiled softly and kissed my other cheek.

"Go get dinner. You're jittering from hunger." With another hug and another smile from him, I hurried back to my table to say hello to my siblings.

I was eating my food, all happy and stupid. I was just excited about carbs. I love carbs. They're just so pleasant! Naomi was being ADORABLE as usual, and Will was being all cuddly with Dad, bragging about Nico, who still hadn't returned. And then. That asshole Tino suggested that I maybe ask people about Percy's quests since I've never been on a quest before. He had dropped the straw that broke the camel's back. That camel was me. My back was SHATTERED.

Really, I have no idea what color my face was that day. But I do remember the sheer fright in Tino's eyes when I jumped onto the table, avoiding people's plates and cups, and yelled loud enough to deafen one of my sisters.

"LISTEN THE FUCK UP, ALL OF YOU. I have just about HAD IT with people telling me I should do my quests like Percy Jackson did his. And that I should be like him. LET ME TELL YOU RIGHT NOW. I CAN NEVER BE PERCY JACKSON. I REFUSE TO BE LIKE PERCY JACKSON. I AM NOT HIM. I AM ANUSHA RAJACHARI. I AM THE PROUD PLAGUE-BRINGER, THE FIRST OF MY PEOPLE IN ALMOST SEVEN-HUNDRED YEARS, AND I WILL NOT BE TOLD TO LIVE UP TO THE OVERGLORIFIED TALES OF A WHITE GUY WHO WAS BELOVED BY THIS CAMP FOR ALL OF HIS MIRACULOUS VICTORIES."

Noticing my own rage, I stopped. I covered my face and closed my eyes. I needed to calm down before I decomposed everyone's food by accident. I pulled my hands away after relaxing.

A sigh and a sad look. "I understand that you guys are trying to help by giving me a good role model to keep in mind. But I don't need another role model. I have my dad. I have my friends, both here and from Chicago. I have a whole world to look up to. I can't hope to be Percy. He's the darling son of Poseidon who saved the world. I'm just fourteen and lonely and tired. I just want to do my part this summer and hopefully be able to go home to my mother if she still cares about me." I stopped any tears from reaching my eyes. "I just wanna finish this and be at peace. Can you guys give me that? Please? Okay. Thanks." And I sat down and finished my dinner in silence, trying to keep the tears of frustration at bay.

I felt warm arms around me and recognized them as Tlato and Reggie's. They held on until I could get out the crying and let me melt into them when I was unable to hold back any longer. Reggie pulled back to press a kiss to my forehead and rake his fingers through my hair. Tlato pulled back to press his cheek against mine and murmur soft promises in Spanish until I cooled down. They kissed my cheeks simultaneously and only headed back once I swore I was okay.

Apollo sighed softly, reaching a hand out to stroke my cheek. I leaned into his hand. He smiled. "I'm glad you have them."

I could only nod my head and sigh just as softly, but more out of love than sadness or pity. I didn't know what love was supposed to feel like. I wasn't sure I'd ever felt it before. But the safety and trust I felt when my best friends were there to comfort me when I was feeling all the bad things? The knowledge that they would catch me no matter how or where I fell? That was love. That was friendship, yes. I knew friendship meant being there for one another even when the world gives up on you. But that was also love to the innocent me. Love was being supported at your highs and lows, despite the lack of true understanding of who a person is at their core.

They didn't know me, just to be honest. I'd only been Tlato's friend for a few weeks and Reggie's for a few days. And I knew romance was when a person knows you better than anyone else and when you can be your true self around them. But I knew that friendship was kinda that too. Friendship was being able to be yourself without judgement or fear. But I knew what I was feeling was a new kind of love.

Those guys, I loved them differently from how most people understood romance and friendship and love in general. They were beyond that, but I was so much happier about that than I was about any other feelings I had all day.

My face itched again, but I knew it was for good reasons this time. It was because of love.

During the rest of dinner, Dad kept shooting me these really sad, nostalgic looks. I got tired of it and told him to go find his old lover again. I knew he was thinking about love too, but I was stressed as it is and knew he just missed his old partner. I felt so bad not being able to do anything while he was so wistful and melancholic. He laughed so hard when I told him to go find the one that got away that it seemed like the heartache left his heart.

After that, things were chill. Nothing big until Sherman did this whole shenanigan at the very end of the nighttime meal involving a bunch of badly painted paper roses and this serenade in song for Miranda. It was easily the cutest thing I'd ever seen, and someone told me it was for their anniversary.

She responded by growing a flower crown around his head, which looked amazing on him, actually. This really beautiful indigo flower with delicate petals and bright green leaves. Dad sniffled a little, but tossed golden rose petals on them after conjuring the petals from midair. "That's a larkspur, Anu," Will explained. "The flower of his lover Hyakinthos, the first prince of Sparta. Dad loved him, but so did Zephyrus, the god of the west wind. Things got messy, and Hyakinthos was lost. Dad and Zephyrus only recently forgave one another."

I winced. "Ouch."

Will nodded sagely. "Ouch, indeed."

Everyone left to go to the Campfire and sing-along, and I rushed off to the beach to speak with my Questing Crew. No one really bothered me much because of my loud outburst of a monologue and because they knew I'd be stressed and planning for the quest.

I found Tlato and Reggie sitting on the beach, arguing like an old married couple about something stupid. I knew it was stupid because they shut up once they saw me. I only rolled my eyes and sat down between them, leaning back against my palms, hands slowly sinking in the sand. "So what's all this about?"

Tlato flushed reddish pink and looked down. "I just wanted to hang out. I really missed you guys." Slowly, Reginald and I met eyes. With one shared glance, we jumped on our other friend and buried him in kisses and hugs, most of which came from the nerdy-named son of Hermes.

The massive-muscles demigod just groaned and laughed, wrapping both his arms around us and squishing us in a hug of his own. "That was nice. Thank you."

I shrugged and sat back once he moved his arms away. Reggie pulled our Big Boi up and smiled. "That was the cutest thing I've heard all day." He giggled, throwing his head back when the little laughs grew into roars of hilarity.

Tlato and I shared equally amused and exasperated looks while nodding along to quiet our hysterical friend. "So this was just to chill? Nothing else? No plans or brainstorming?"

My best friend shook his head. "I think we've had enough planning. I'm leading this quest. I know how to get started, but we need some rest. Some relaxation. Besides, this is gonna be our last night of real safety and protection. We should enjoy it as much as we can." That seemed like a pretty sound argument, so Reggie and I went with it, just sitting and trying to chill while each member of the trio told stories of their childhood experiences and friendships.

At the end, we got kind of bored and decided it was a good time to head to the Campfire. I knew my siblings would never let me hear the end of it if I missed the whole thing and didn't play percussion for them. Demanding, lovable idiots. Actually, that applied to my boys too.

The three of us walked down to the amphitheater together. We hugged before they hurried off to sit with their siblings as I got settled into my seat and twirled my drum sticks in a way that wouldn't turn them into Epipole's knives. The first song was something like a slow friendship ballad. I didn't need to do anything for that, just wait and hum along at specific chords to fill the harmony. The next few songs had really intense percussion that left my wrists and forearms aching. I always went a little too hard when drumming for the Campfire performances.

The last song was a surprise. Because the person singing it was Reginald. I couldn't help the faint grin that rose to my lips when he dragged Tlato from his seat and pulled him all the way down to stand beside me, and while I played through the rhythms and beats for the song, Reggie grabbed a mic and started singing this beautiful song in French. I knew what it meant in great detail, to my shock. I'd only heard French in certain movies or in school from the two kids who learned and spoke French, but I never understood it. But the song's meaning and intentions were completely clear and obvious to me.

Tlatoany's face, like usual, turned a deep crimson with embarrassment and timidity, but he relaxed when I locked eyes with him and tried to muster a grin. It made him laugh for some reason, but I didn't mind. Seeing a smile on his face made my heart feel light as a feather. He leaned down and kissed my cheek before pulling Reginald closer to us so we could kiss his cheeks too.

Some idiots wolf-whistled at us but looked away awkwardly when I shot my usual death glares at them. I rolled my eyes and sighed. "Will, that it? Any other things you need me to play for?"

My brother grinned, shaking his head. He looked way too proud of himself about something. I couldn't figure out what, to my great dismay.

"Nah. That's it! But everyone, have a great night, stay safe, and keep in mind, anyone who wants to see the questers off tomorrow morning better be up early. Anusha does not fuck around with her morning schedule," he joked. I threw a pencil at his head, and Will stuck his tongue out at me. I did the same while walking backwards with the boys, who pulled me off the stage by my arms.

"Come on, asshole. Keep moving!"

"You're an asshole!" I retorted. Tlato smacked my back and kept pulling me along. Everyone laughed at my exit, but I didn't mind. Eventually, I recalled that Emilia had wanted to talk. I dug in my heels to stop the backward motion and looked at the boys. "Guys, Emilia said she wanted to talk to me in private before bed. Can I meet with you guys at the Ares cabin after that?"

Reggie groaned but nodded. Tlato just shrugged. "So long as it's before curfew, but I guess the harpies hate you enough to not try and enforce it, so I guess it's just down to you to get there before lights out." I nodded, hugging them both.

"I'll be there. I promise. I just need to do this. See you in a bit!" The two walked towards the Hermes cabin, both moving closer together with each step forward. A smile peeked out from the corner of my lips again, and I felt that lightness. I knew then. That was love. Knowing I'd be late if I just kept watching them walk and act cute, I shook my head and hurried to Cabin Seven. Emilia was already waiting there for me, standing uncomfortably near the right hand window of the wooden building. She jumped back upon seeing me, kinda like a cat.

"Hey, girl. You needed something?" I asked cautiously. I didn't know what to expect. I knew she didn't hate me or anything, but her behavior was so weird. It had been strange all day, actually.

Emilia's cheeks reddened, and I raised an eyebrow. "Um, yeah. I uh. I just. Okay, look. I really really don't know how to say this without sounding pushy or dumb or selfish or stupid or weird, so I'll just say it however I can."

What the fuck? "Uhhh, okay?"

She took a deep breath and lunged forward, taking my hands into hers. They were frighteningly cold. She looked so cold and scared and sad in her thin blue Harvard College T-shirt and black leggings. Emilia gave me the most frightened, startled look I'd ever received from her. "I-I like you. And…Look, I don't just mean in a friend way. I mean, I do. Like, I really do like you a lot like a friend but I want more than that. Not like I wanna be your wife or whatever, ummmm…" Her face paled, and my heart dropped into my chest.

"That-that's not what I meant. I know that- okay, this all sounds weird, but, I- AGH!" One of my first friends at Camp Half-Blood grabbed me by the waist and pulled me forward into a weird frontal hug that ended at the hips. My heart pounded, and the nausea set off. Emilia held my shoulders and grasped them tightly. "Anu, I really like you. Romantically. And I know we haven't known each other that long, but I just wanted to tell you. I don't know if you like me back but I thought maybe we could-"

I put my hands on her shoulders and pushed her away gently but with enough force to let her know I was feeling really trapped and uncomfortable. My face pulled into the deepest frown it had ever made. "Emilia, I- I can't just love like that. I can't even like people like that. I don't even know you!"

Her face flushed red, but this time out of frustration. "But you like Tlatoany and Reginald that way?! Reginald's only been awake for like three days! You know me better than him!"

My nausea only worsened at that. She was right, but how could I explain to her that I just didn't see her that way?! I only thought of her as a friend. Maybe a sibling or cousin. "Maybe, but I poured my fucking life force into saving him from a coma." Her anger only worsened. I pressed both my hands to my face.

"Emilia, I knew you for a max of two weeks before I learned about my powers and went into self-exile. And we haven't spoken in so long. You don't even know me. These boys have seen me at my worst. They've suffered with and for me. You haven't been in my life like that. And I don't want to hurt you by accepting or by just being mean. But I really can't see you as more than a friend. I'm sorry."

She let out a sob, and I could only stare at the ground in disappointment and guilt. The last thing I wanted to do was make people cry. But I couldn't fake my feelings for someone else's happiness. I couldn't do that anymore. The daughter of Hermes rubbed her eyes and glanced at me through lenses of glass. "Could I- can I still give you a kiss good luck? Like a goodbye in case…things come to the worst? I don't want to have lost you on bad terms…" she murmured through whimpers. I know it sounds weird, as if she's threatening me with imaginary danger, but I knew exactly what she meant.

I hadn't been at Camp very long before the prophecies were revealed to me, and even I didn't know if I'd survive on the quest. I've never even left my own city, much less my state or time zone. This experience would either make me a hero or a tragedy, and I didn't know which was more likely.

I agreed to the kiss. I just wanted to know what it was like, but I also wanted her to part with a nice moment and not some kind of unbearable heartbreak. I really couldn't understand what she saw in me, but I decided not to question it. No point in hurting someone dealing with heartbreak. So, I let her hold just my face and lean in and press her lips to mine. I didn't know what to do on my end, so I just held her wrists in case I had to move away quickly. But I didn't feel the need to. It felt…nice. Softer than I expected, but warm and sad and salty from her tears. She pulled back grinning. I pulled back kind of dazed but calm.

"Sorry for bothering you with this the night before your quest." Emilia rubbed her eyes and nose with the back of her wrist while speaking.

I shook my head. "No worries. I'm glad you told me, and I'm really proud of you for it. I have no idea how hard that must be. Not entirely sure what about me is so likeable, but I'm sure you'll find someone better than me who can really give you the love you want. I promise." I tried to smile, but it just made her laugh, just like with Tlato. And I appreciated that.

Trying to sound petulant, I grumbled, "Nice to know that my attempts at expressing happiness are so amusing to you." She laughed harder and bent over at the waist, tears of pain now tears of hilarity.

"Anu, I have no idea what Aphrodite has in store for your romantic future, but I pity whoever has to love you. They won't be able to see your face from being made to laugh too much at the stupid shit you say all the time," she teased. I could only sigh and roll my eyes, another smile pressing past the corner of my lips.

"Thanks for the boost of confidence, Emilia. Want me to walk you back to your cabin?"

She snickered, shaking her head. "No need. I'd rather walk alone anyways." She gave me a soft smile and leaned in to kiss my cheek. "Hope that was okay. And Anu? Thanks for not being a bitch about it." While walking away, she called back to me. "One more thing! Naomi is super cute. She's the reason I even had a crush on you to begin with. Who knows? Maybe by the end of your quest, I'll have charmed her into liking me!"

I shouted back, "BET! If you get Naomi to agree to go on one date with you, I'll gift my scarf to you. How's that?"

My friend turned around and smirked, brilliant teeth bright in the night. "You're on, Travestí!"

I chuckled and hurried towards the deep red cabin to my left, sitting on the steps and greeting the children of the war god that passed by me while entering their home. Kayda hugged me on her way in, and Tlato's beautiful muscular sister with the red and purple highlights gave me a high-five before rushing inside.

The boys met me at the steps, and the three of us spoke there, trying to comfort ourselves and one another about the quest.

"I have a hard time making decisions without early planning, so I'll need to know the travel plans at least two days before we make each move. Safety, Anu, you've got that down, right?"

I nodded in response to Reginald's query. "Yeah. I can handle that. Of course, I'll need to do a lot of experimenting to figure out all the ways I can use my powers, so just stay careful in any fight where I'm active. Tlato, you need any help with the overall quest concepts and goals?"

He shook his head, one hand rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't think so. Nothing about this quest seems undoable except reaching the Beast. I need to know how to stop him, but Maximus and Brandon already gave me info on where to start. Apparently, our first stop is Pennsylvania. We'll drop by Chicago to check on Anu's mom. And we'll figure out the rest after getting there. We have no idea what to expect, so we'll prepare once we've gotten the hang of things. And for now, we move by logic. I don't wanna take any chance with emotion or gut instinct. Those have failed me so much, and I wanna know for sure that I'm making the right moves."

That seemed like a really bad plan, but I said nothing to avoid hurting him or judging his feelings. I know this contradicts my previous statement about Emilia's confession, but it's one thing to talk openly about love stuff and another thing to talk openly about quest stuff. Tlato had been here the longest. I trusted him to guide us through everything safely, and I knew he would do things the right way, the methodical way, something I learned to appreciate with my time as Nico's student.

"Whatever you say, big guy. We ready, then? We're good for tomorrow?" I asked. The boys glanced at one another and nodded. "Good. Now, you guys get some rest. We'll be up early, and I don't want you two losing sleep for no reason." Having confirmed our plans, we hugged one another and separated again, leaving each other with kisses and gentle touches of cheeks and night-softened smiles. Mine were more like grimaces that were trying too hard to look cool, but, oh well. Whatever.

As I climbed into bed that day, Dad stayed with me the entire time, letting me place my head in his lap as he stayed up the whole night to read from some old Ancient Greek book full of love poems. That, I appreciated greatly. He stroked my hair from the moment I passed out to the moment my eyes opened the next morning, and we went through my sunrise routine together, silent but soft. It was so peaceful.

And when I began doing yoga again on my hill, I finally felt that smile reach my face again. Dad kissed my forehead and hugged me tightly. I held on just as tightly, afraid to let go of him and realize that I'd be so far from Camp's safety and comfort and familiarity.

We walked down the hill, only to find Tlatoany and Reginald waiting for us. Dad placed a hand on my shoulder when I opened my mouth to ask what they were doing there. "I called them here. Do not worry. I have some gifts for you three. More like tools, actually. Very useful, powerful tools."

I bounced on the balls of my feet. NEW SHINY THINGS FROM MY GODLY DAD? OF COURSE I WAS EXCITED!

But here's the catch: the things we got from him were…weird.