-Oasis-

Materializing on the hill looming over the camp, I gazed down. Peace flooded the busy place, an event soon to be changed. Kids running and playing would be locked in doors crying. If old enough, a weapon put in their hands. Many would die or be fatally wounded. Many would lose their freedom only realizing in the end. Would they be ok giving up everything for those who do come out intact.

Some say your only truly free once you die. After my experiences in the army I know its a lie. Fallacy created by those destined to fail. But failure comes on a vast variety scale, and those who can never push past it can never succeed. Never be free. "Should we set up our tents inside the camp? Sense we plan to monitor the progress of training we should keep them within our eyes."

"No Star," I replied. "You may do as you please, but I simply don't trust the campers, even behind the safety of Forge's barrier." Taking a breath of fresh air, I looked back at her. "Why reveal your identity to Phoebe? I know you were close friends but it's not like we can all start walking around mask off."

"Back during my final hunt when I died under the stars, a look in Phoebe's eyes haunted me more than imminent death. She was scared and sad, a look so lost without a clue. We didn't have much time to talk, but I'm sure she got over me. Yet the look in her eyes was still there when I saw her. A glass on the verge of breaking. The hunt may be more useful than the camps, makes sense we keep everyone on a higher morale."

I nodded, understanding her reasons. "Time to reign in some campers," I muttered, and we trudged down the hill.

Camp had been gathered as I told Beckendorf to inform Chiron. Each wore orange t-shirts with a purple mist towards the sleeves and bottom. Camp Demigod, it read. Beads were still sewn around campers necks. Some had tattoos of godly symbols. Everyone seemed silenced, likely receiving the news of battle.

"As you may know the first battle came to the wall. It was an easy victory, but likely just a test of strength from Kronos. We have to remember while we are people, monsters are nothing more than disposable fodder in the eyes of Kronos and Gaea. We must begin training as an attack could come through the wall or to New York any time. If the monsters march on New York we must leave camp behind to defend the empire state." Eyes widened, likely not realizing the possibility until now.

"Training will be distributed based on weapon style or fighting type. You will split into groups based on your preferred weapon, and the army members will each take a unit. The hunters may stay as a group under A.R for specialized training."

The crowd filled away towards their respective groups, but one thing stood in my peripheral. Annabeth ignored the groups, strolling carelessly to the big house. Cursing silently, I jogged over as she placed her hand on the doorknob. "Hey, what do you think your doing?" Swiveling around, an eyebrow raised in my direction.

"Make battle plans, relax, self training, that kind of stuff." Her nonchalant tone set off a red flag. Gray eyes unveiled a gust of emotion, but a light glare signified her unwillingness to cooperate.

"We made training groups based on weapons and some of the best fighting styles in the whole Universe. Self-Training is not a good idea." Instead of taking it to heart, she shrugged and twisted the knob.

"Maybe not, but it's my decision, my final decision." So stuck up and arrogant. What was her fatal flaw again?

"Maybe I should spar you then if your so hubristic, would a Jason scale defeat scrape your pride. Not to mention he's still in the infirmary until tonight, missing more training." A trigger seemed to pull behind her eyes, but the bullet was less than what I expected.

"Damaging my pride is futile. Everyone makes mistakes and fails, it's what makes us humans. And we must all come around to eventually give up those errors, and understand we'll make more. Pride is like an armor, but once a mistake so big obliterates it, there's no point in reforging." She took a step into the door. "You can't damage the pride of someone when they have none."

Cocking my head in curiosity, she continued to walk into the big house, and up the attic steps. "Believe it or not your disappearance affected her." Jumping in surprise, I saw Zoe looking up the stairs Annabeth just walked. "According to Luke she didn't want to believe you were a traitor, but bought into it eventually. Then everyone learned it was a scheme by mainly Jason, and Annabeth's erstwhile ability to trust was lost. Now she practically only listens to herself."

"Talk about a fall from grace," I muttered. A hand rested on my shoulders. I spun around to see Kyle staring at my mask.

"Your leading the sword training unit right?" I nodded, and showed him and the other sword fighting group to fireworks beach. It was beautiful as always. Wars of the world were lost on the glossy open sea. Poseidon. That name was all it took to ruin the beautiful sight. Stepping onto the sand, I begun addressing my team.

"Those of you wielding swords of sword like weapons have come to my group. In order to best train you I would like you to find a partner and start sparing. I need to know previous skill levels." Surprisingly everyone immediately followed instructions and partnered up. No whining, or questing, or that one introverted kid without a partner. Maybe it won't be so bad.

Swords collided all around me as people began to gently spar, showing interesting techniques. Somehow Luke's disarming technique had been passed down to the youngsters. Others played defensive waiting for the perfect blow. Some stayed on their toes, relentlessly attacking so the opponent think. While it wasn't A class fighting it wasn't nearly as terrible as expected.

Something wet tapped across my back. Followed with the loud sounds of splashing and swooshing. Behind me Kyle and Winter fought in the water, each occasionally blasting water at the other. While Kyle used just a sword, Winter used sword and shield, yet was still losing. Brother and sister huh?

An idea branched into my head from that, stemming into a spiral of thoughts. The newfound thought tree tempted me to give up training right now and leave. Maybe not give up, just fudge the truth. "Very good everyone, it's not perfect, but mostly better than anticipated. I will see the progress Chaos has made on armor and weapons, and be back in a few minutes."

And so I evaporated into vapor, appearing outside the metal doors, life and planets swirling on the walls. I pushed the god sized double doors open, revealing Chaos at a desk doing paperwork. "Hey," she said, not looking up. Maybe I was biased to my godly parent, but her casualness and little to no ego truly made her the best goddess, one fit to rule.

"How are the weapons and armor coming?" She just gave a thumbs up and went back to sketching. "I'll take that as a mediocre." She nodded again, probably drawing weapon designs. And I snapped away again, a trail of mist left to blow through the air. Suddenly, I was in front of a locked gray door. Pit stop.

I practically slammed the door, hoping she was home. Shuffling came from inside the house, and I removed my mask, holding it in my hand. The door almost swung into me, revealing a woman stood watching me eyes widened. "Been some time, huh mom?"