Hi guys! I don't know how I feel about this but I hope it goes well. I'm facing many changes in my life, but I will do my best to keep it poppin, anyway, enjoy! -Echo

Chapter Eight

(7 years later)

(3rd Person POV)

Many teenagers were currently surrounding an arena. Each person's eyes were all locked in towards the center. Their attention seemed to be completely stolen, whisked away from their grasps towards the people dueling in the center.

Six boys were currently in the center, with many people outside of the arena, along with about twenty similar aged boys standing on the side, all of them with blonde hair.

Each boy seemed to be fighting for their lives against the other, holding nothing back.

Gasps were heard when thunder boomed and lightning struck, or fire stranded itself away from the battle. Many jumped when water or vines seamlessly rose out of the ground. A few stared wide eyed as darkness formed and ferocity rose, a red haze expanding.

Each of the six made many names for themselves, seeing as they always were training.

Training relentlessly, continuously battling each other or using their powers to continue to grow, and rise. Many rose to be the strongest within the camps, all three camps.

The Roman's had a very cordial relationship with the camp, having gone to Camp Half-Blood for joint training few times over the years. Many of the Romans loved the power that they had seen within these six boys, fearing but also welcoming their strength and loyalty. These guys went and visited new Rome a few times, and were always welcomed and known.

The Amazon's had crossed paths with the boys only a handful of times, but even the queen feared the destructive power they had. Quite entertaining for them all to witness a queen fear their casual training.

Back to the fight, three of the boys stepped down. They had few bruises and cuts, but nothing fatal. The three had mostly stepped from power exhaustion, having fought for multiple hours in the day. They sat down on the front row seats, moving the other people out of their way, and watched intently.

The final three boys were interlocked in battle, a true war being felt to the stands, clash on weapon and hand, powers surrounding the three in battle.

Winds were blowing, and the air smelled of burning ozone. A boy with bouncing blond hair fluttered around his opponents. Attacking with his metal gloves that had claws, the shining Olympian silver glowing under the sun.

Darkness was erupting from the tallest of the three, shielding around himself and his glaive. His eyes were shining golden, and his darkness would solidify around his opponents' attacks, neutralizing them. He seemed to fighting mainly defensively, his glaive being his only offensive weapon. His Stygian iron glaive, named Memento Mori, 'meaning remember you must die' glowed menacingly, reacting to his power.

Water was encircling around the last boy, attacking and defending to his will. He seemed to radiate a sea colored aura around his body and along his blade. His beautiful blade, a medieval short-sword, colored in green and bright blues, glistened like the morning water in their fight. Behind his glasses, were bright blue and green eyes, showing his power. The water would travel around and solidify into ice around the attacks, or a shield to stop his opponents' attacks. Not only would it do that, but times would occur that he would strike with his water, pin pointing onto his opponents' momentary gaps in their guard.

All three boys fluttered around each other, a water blast hit the boy of winds back. The ground erupted as a skeleton grabbed the glowing green boy's leg, as a glaive caught his shoulder. All of this while a lightning bolt struck the boy of darkness.

Dylan slowly stood from the ground, soaking wet with a cut oozing blood along his forehead. He wobbled on his feet and look at his opponents.

Avery took the lightning bolt head first, with slight electric shocks coming from his hands. His black aura flickered out. He slowly opened his eyes and attempted to stand.

When CJ hit the ground, his ankle hadn't been released, so he snapped his ankle during his attempted to dodge the attack. He slammed his head onto the ground, and was still out cold.

All of a sudden, after only one moment, at least three gallons of water dropped out of the sky, seamlessly from nowhere, and fell onto CJ. The water soaked into him, and the boys, and crowd, watched as his eyes opened very quickly. CJ bit back the pain, and willed the water to continue to healing his ankle. It slowly popped into place, and he wobbly attempted to stand.

After one moment of strain between the boys, and before Chiron, the head centaur, could say anything, each boy rushed forward between each other, weapons being drawn, and withheld at each of the others vitals.

"Yield?" each boy spoke in sync, before the centaur ran out onto the field, and spoke urgently.

"Game is over boys, three-way tie between the three of you. Now please go get yourself checked out by the Apollo cabin campers, my sons." Eased Chiron.

At that moment the boys stepped away from each other, laughing with each other. They all smiled and regrouped with the others. They each took three steps forward before they were caught by the other three. The crowd began dispersing, each talking about the true gladiator battle they just witnessed.

(line break)

(3rd person POV, the next day)

Each boy attended their first class of the day, which had been adamantly argued with Chiron for years. The six independently attended their class, which happened to be Greek history, without their cabins alongside of them. They walked over to the beach and all sat down in their respective spots.

Each boy had created their own attempt at a throne for their area. Caleb had vines, Ethan had a clay throne he molded with fire, River had old broken weapons stacked together (with Ethan's help of course), Avery had earth molded into a seat. Dylan used his powers to create a solidified air seat, but it only stuck around whenever he sat, and finally CJ sat upon his ice throne.

CJ had washed away the sand around their sitting area, with Caleb creating vine traps surrounding the outer moat. Ethan had burned an area around them, solidifying the sand around them for a scene of privacy.

"So," Ethan began, wiping his forehead and looking among his friends, his brothers.

In that moment a pregnant pause formed, causing each boy to awkwardly stare at each other.

In one moment each boy busted out laughing, but not a very humorous laugh. It seemed more empty.

"There is nothing to do guys, I'm extremely bored." Announced Caleb. To this each boy nodded their head as Ethan stood.

"I mean, in all seriousness, we have completed and done everything there is to do, except leave camp outside of our parents." Stated Ethan.

"Hell," started Avery, "we have completed each individual challenge in camp, there is nothing to do for us."

"I mean, the only thing that's exciting is beating my cousin and their hunters, but that's only once in a blue moon." Spoke Dylan.

Each boy pondered what was spoken, thinking about what they could do, they were the best at camp, winning every tournament, every war game, and every individual battle. Collectively, they were a very talented force within the confides of Olympus.

They also had tried the Oracle, Marie. She spoke about the lack of new prophecies, or anything similar. No visions of guidance, or anything.

Finally, after many minutes passed, River spoke. "What about leaving? We are all eighteen, so we don't have any issues with Chiron, or anybody else."

This enticed a reaction from all the guys, some happy, some unsure. "But river," started Caleb, "What would we do? It's not like we are all built for city life anyway."

"I mean we could ask the gods?" spoke CJ, "There has to be something for us to be doing, like what the Hunters do or anybody else for that matter."

"Why don't you all speak with me then; I am a Goddess after all." Spoke a soothing voice.

Each boy whirled around to face the edge of their fort to see a flash of fire, and a female who looked around 30, walked through. Her white dress held many sparks flying off of them, and small embers licking the bottom. Her brown hair rolled down to her hips and her bright orange eyes showed every boy something, hope.

"Lady Hestia." Each boy almost jumped at her presence and kneeled in a bow.

The goddess only chuckled at their antics, "Boys I told each and every single one of you, there is no need to bow to me." Each boy got back in their own chairs, while a chair appeared in between River and Caleb, a chair of pure flames. "Now, we begin."

"Lady Hestia, how were you able to hear our conversation?" Spoke Dylan.

Hestia smiled at this, "Through my home domain. You six put together, especially in a building, makes it a home, even if only temporary. You all have piqued my interest for a long time."

Each boy looked in interest at the goddess. "You six are all confused on what you should do, correct?" Every boy nodded, "Then why don't you six become my champions?"

Each boys jaw hit the floor faster than Zeus cheating on Hera.

Hestia only laughed at this, "yes, you six would become my first and only champions, each to receive my blessings, and I shall provide you tasks and aid in every way I can."

Ethan was the first to recover from the absolute shock. "My lady, why?"

"Because, as I said, you six intrigue me, and I believe you six can live to inspire." Spoke the goddess. "I have faith in you six to do the right thing, along with the family bonds you all have, it makes me proud."

Each boy looked at each other, then nodded towards Hestia.

CJ spoke up then, "But what about Chiron, and the rest of camp?"

Hestia lightly chuckled, "That is already handled my child, now, do you all accept?"

Each boy eagerly nodded, and then disappeared in a flash.

(Line Break)

Each of the boys were teleported to Hestia's palace, thoroughly confused at why they had burst into flames, and why they feel at home.

Hestia only chuckled at their confusion, and explained. She then went further in explaining the form of travel. She continued to explain her reasons for blessings.

Hestia sat the boys down, and had each of them take an oath to serve Hestia, similar to Artemis' oath. Each boy was made partially immortal as well, as they could only be slain in combat.

Hestia then blessed each boy, and every single boy noticed the flecks of orange in their eyes.

The goddess then explained, "This blessing is similar to the powers you gain in birth, but not quite as strong. You may only master one or two abilities of mine while being adequate at others. Here is my blessing, my children."

Avery then spoke, "My lady, now what should we do? We are all grateful, but you didn't explain what we should do?"

Hestia spoke, "I'm getting there, but here," each boy had a bag of their own theme appear on their back. "Each bag is filled with extra clothes, a magical tent, and extra supplies you may need. Now, I will teleport you all to the woods in Virginia, and here I will explain more of what you shall do."

Each boy gave their thanks, and waited to be teleported. Dylan was mid sneeze during their teleport back, which ensued a massive sneeze of fire whenever they teleported to the clearing.

This caused an eruption of laughter from the others boys, at the expense of Dylan.

Hestia spoke in the boys' minds, "my sons, you will be rescuing demigods, but I cannot help further for now. If in need of anything, just pray for me. Search your bags and get ready."

Each boy nodded, and begun planning.

SO hi guys, I am so sorry for being gone for so long, I was busy and life basically hit me like a truck. But gods it is fun.

Anyway, this is the beginning of the second arc, enjoy my sir, ma'ams and anything else.

Much love, Echo.