So, here's the second chapter.
The demigod paced uncertainly on the hardwood floor of the arena, swinging his sword back and forth as he walked. It was almost dusk now, and he could imagine the sun setting over the water, turning it orange and rust.
His dream from last night had done nothing to help his already disturbed mood, and he knew that the deity who had paid him a visit in his nightmare was not one to send emergency messages for unimportant matters. And it had been his mom, after all.
He was a year-round camper, and it was still September, almost a month after the Second Giant War, and the camps were still reeling from-the after-effects of the battle. Gaia rising had not been a light issue, and one of his own siblings had played a pivotal role in the war.
"Malcolm, it's almost time for dinner. You've been here for a long time. You want to come? Chiron's calling."
The son of Athena turned around. Will Solace, the head counselor for Apollo, was standing at the entrance, his eyebrows raised. Behind him stood a figure almost completely obscured by the shadows that belonged to Nico di Angelo.
Nico had agreed to stay at Camp Half-Blood, partly because of the Roman praetors, Reyna and Jason Grace, and partly because of Will. They'd started dating only recently, and most of the time they stuck together like they'd been super glued.
He sighed. "I'll come. It's just that…now Annabeth's not here, and neither are most of my siblings, or, well, Percy. It's been a disturbing time... and the dream…"
He trailed off, mentally cursing himself. He'd almost released the secret his mom had asked him to preserve so carefully.
"Never mind." Malcolm said quickly. "Let's just go."
Nico gave him an observant glance, and turned away. Will followed him, and for a few seconds, Malcolm was alone.
He sheathed his sword, and exhaling through his nose, he walked out of the arena. He turned for a second to glance at the woods, wondering when the said demigod would arrive. Athena had said that the new half-blood would be an ally, but the other…facts she'd mentioned didn't make Malcolm so sure.
He turned away and walked towards his cabin.
Line Break
After a long, long time, Percy was actually happy. For months, he'd labored under the burden of the second Great Prophecy, and now he was free. The most disturbing things had taken place during the quest. Bob the Titan. Damasen the Giant. Annabeth's solo quest, Leo's death, and of course…Tartarus.
Remembering his journey, Percy shivered visibly. His mom noticed, and rolled her eyes. "Just go to sleep." She told him. "You've been working too hard. Rest."
She was right. He'd worked like anything to cover for his almost year-long absence from school. Plus studying for his SATs, and the DSTOMP for college in New Rome. And, yeah, he'd earned a break.
Annabeth was in Boston, some sort of family emergency. Grover, busy as usual, and Jason and Piper at Mr. McLean's place. Frank, Reyna and Hazel were at Camp Jupiter, and Leo…hadn't come back.
Percy walked back to his room and stashed his books on the table. The light was switched off, and the room was plunged in darkness. It was eleven in the night, and it was time to crash.
He stretched, yawning as he did. He turned around to grab his pajamas, when his eyes widened at the scene before him.
A figure was standing by his bedside, examining his orange camp T-shirt, oblivious to his entry. It was obviously a girl, with long dark hair falling over her shoulders, spilling to her mid-back, but her features were obscured by the shadows. Wondering for a moment if it was a goddess, Percy decided against it, and his hand drifted to his pocket, to Riptide. The girl's aura was strong, but not goddess strong. Probably a monster.
He uncapped Riptide, and the pen turned into a sword with a soft metallic chink. The girl turned towards him. The light from outside wasn't enough o completely show her face, but her luminous sea-green eyes studied him with amusement, and a trace of a lazy smile was noticeable. After a few seconds of studying each other, she turned to the fire escape window, and gazed out, almost uninterestedly.
Percy was stunned. She was arrogant; that was for sure.
He stepped closer to the girl, still maintaining his fighting stance.
Without any warning, the girl grabbed the windowsill and launched herself onto it, flipping around in midair so that she was facing Percy again.
Arrogant and skilled. Deadly combination.
She sat on her haunches, her fingers still gripping the part of the windowsill between her feet, like some sort of Spiderman, and regarded Percy like a cat. She raised an eyebrow suggestively.
Percy was aware that his mouth hung open in utter amazement.
The girl smirked and did a back flip, throwing herself out of the apartment, and free-fell downwards, headfirst. Coming out of his shock, Percy rushed to the window and looked out, only to find a quiet alleyway.
He turned around, still stunned from the encounter. No monster had ever dared to enter his room before. He had a nagging suspicion that the girl had been a demigod. A powerful demigod.
Percy noticed a dagger lying on the floor. He picked it up, and turned it in his fingers.
It was silver. Not belonging to his weapon collection. As he turned it, a few words engraved on the blade caught his eye. Frowning, he turned the dagger again so he could see the Ancient Greek writing.
A single line was engraved on one side of the Luminous Silver blade.
Dare to seek the past.
The dagger fell from his hand.