5. The Aftermath

November 2009

Olympus

I stared at Zeus with doubt and skepticism, there was no way there's another camp. A camp filled with their children of their Roman counterpart, it was hard idea to wrap my head it. Why has no one told us about this other camp before? Why now? More and more questions came to mind about this Roman camp.

"You're kidding. Right?" Percy looked at Dad, his face was completely serious and gave a small head shake. "Why are you telling us this now then? Why not earlier, during the war?"

"It was for the best at the time. In the past both camp knew of each other but were constantly fighting each other. I thought it would be best to separate the camps, so I move Camp Jupiter to California. If united during the war it would has cause more damage," Zeus explained, which led me to my next question.

"So why now?" Percy's stare hardened.

I know where his mind was heading, and there had to be a reason why they were telling us this now. Something must be coming. Or someone who was stronger than Kronos. Strong and powerful enough that both camps need to work together.

"Gaea is awaking from her slumber, and when she does destruction will follow. The camps will need to work together to defeat her," Zeus told us, rendered us shock and silent. The information hit us heavy, my body went numb while my breathing quickened. Fear crept inside like an old friend, consumed my body and mind.

"Gaea. Mother Earth. As in your grandmother?" Percy asked stunned, Dad and Zeus only nodded grimly.

"If the camps fought before, what's to stop us from fighting again." I pointed out in a hollow tone. If things between our camps were so bad that Zeus had to separate us, I doubt that we're going to dance and sing around the camp fire. There will be too much hostility between us. It almost going to be impossible to get everyone to play nice.

"That is where you come in Bella." Dad stepped in, I stared at him as a pit settled in my stomach.

"Me? What about me?" I asked them, the pit in my stomach was getting bigger, it spread throughout my whole body. They weren't making any sense. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that there is whole another camp of demigods.

"What does Bella have to do with all this?" Percy asked calmly but I could detect a worry in his voice.

"I have a son, in Camp Jupiter, his name is Jason. He is around yours's age," Zeus began to explain but he paused to share a look with Dad. Percy and I hold our breath, waiting until he spoke again.

"We had a thought, that Bella and Jason are to meet first," Dad jumped in.

"Okay but why? Why just me and Jason? Why can't Percy meet him too? Enough with all the secrecy, just tell us what is going on." I was getting angrier, my voice getting louder towards the end of my rant.

"Watch your tone, Isabella. I will not be spoken to, in that tone in my own home," Zeus snapped back at me, thunder booms loudly outside.

"Then tell me," I demanded as I glared at him, my jaw tightened.

"We want you and Jason to meet, so perhaps something more can… transpire among the two of you." Zeus declared finally but it left me only more confused.


A pin drop could be heard in the living room; nobody moved not, even an inch. I continued to sit on other on the couch starring at the family across from us, it's been almost six minutes since I've spoken. How much more will it be like this? This silence is starting to kill me a very slow and awkward death.

"So…" I started to vibrate my lips, just to fill the silence. Could someone just please say something? Before I started to blabber nonsense.

"I'm sorry, it's such a shock for us. We've never consider the notion of Greek gods being real, nevertheless their children-" Carlisle began to say but was interrupted by none other than Rosalie.

"That's if they're even telling the truth. For all we know this can all be a ploy-" Rosalie is then interrupted by Mike.

"A ploy for what? How can we possibly make trick you by telling you who we are? If anything we are putting ourselves in vulnerable positon, exposing ourselves like this."

"And what about us? Have you even thought about how my family can be in jeopardy? You knowing what we are puts us all at risk." Rosalie snapped back, as she walked around the couch to get a bit closer to Mike. Her eyes were now pitch black, and there was a low growl in words. Her and Mike continued to argue back and forth, throwing their opinions and views on the situation.

I sat there as I watched them bickered between the two as they get dangerously close to each other. Soon Jessica stood up to try calm Mike, grabbed his arm to drag him back a little bit. I began to hear Esme also make fruitless attempts to ask Rosalie to lower her voice, Carlisle joined her effort. Emmett and Jasper get involved in the dispute but at this point I couldn't tell what they're saying. Their voice gets lost in the others until it's just noise to my ears, all I see is their lips moving. Not able to stand the sight of any them, I look away only to be met with Edward's eyes.

A shiver erupted throughout my body, my heartbeat quickened. We stayed like that way for a period of time, letting the others argue and disappear into the background. Until its only just the two of us in the room. And then it isn't just us as the yelling of Jessica reaches me, glancing back I notice how worse it has gotten. Mike was now holding back Jessica while Emmett standing in front of Rosalie arguing with Jessica.

"Enough." My voice solidly rang out in the living followed by a small earthquake. It was small enough not to make any huge damages but it's still noticeable by everyone. My half-filled glass of water tilted over, water spilling over my coffee table. Other objects around the house tumbled off their placement, clashing and breaking onto the floor. The glass walls and windows started to tremble. Everyone was thrown off their balance for brief second, surprised and shocked by the quake underneath their feet. As quickly as it came the earthquake, it comes to an end as everyone immediately directed their eyes to me as I stood up to speak again. "We're not going to accomplish anything just by screaming at each other. We're just going in circles."

"Was that you?" Esme spoke to me, her arms clenched Carlisle's arm. Her eyes widened in shock and amazement. Every single pair of eyes was now on me and I hate it.

"Of course not, how-" Rosalie protested once again, I sigh at her persistence not to believe us.

"Yes it was me but if you still need more proof. Follow me."

Jessica and Mike gave me a puzzle look, as to say 'what are you doing?'. And I honestly don't know what I was doing. Should I be doing this? With a final look at everyone, I turned around to make my way to the backyard where a small barn was located. If nothing I said or do will make her believe me, then I will have to show her. And since there wasn't body of water near my property, this was the next best thing. The backyard was fairly large to accommodate the size of the barn with a fairly sized fenced field to graze. I make my way to the barn without looking back to check if they all following me.

Will they even be able to look pass the Mist? I would assume yes can since they're not exactly mortals. But the mist is strong enough to even sometimes confuse our minds, I really hope they can see through it. I don't think I could handle Rosalie's defensive response again; I could already hear snarky retort after I made her walk all this way just for a plain horse. And what if Stella didn't want to come out, then this entire walk was pointless. I'm going to look like an idiot if I tell them to turn back again. Then, I can't blame them for thinking I'm crazy and a liar.

"Okay, so what I going to show you at first may just look normal but it's not. Please try to keep an open mind. Wait here," I said as I turned around to face them once we've arrive to the barn. Not even bothered to wait for a response, particularly from Rosalie, I turned around to get Stella. Her stable was the middle one on the left side, the other two occupants in barn greeted me as I pass their stable. I gave them each a quick rub on the head as I headed to Stella. Her white head poked through the opening on her door. She shook her head, ruffling her mane in the process and neighed softy as I get closer to her.

You brought visitors. They're not mortals.

"I did and you're right. But they don't believe us, think that we're lying," I whispered to her, stroking her cheek and ran my fingers through her mane. It has gotten so long; I'll have to give her a trim later.

So that's you brought them here.

"Yes but I understand if you don't want to come outside. I don't want to force to anything your uncomfortable with."

I'll go outside. If that is what think will help them believe you, my Lady.

I sighed out in relief, "Thank you."

I placed a kiss on her cheek, then I opened the door to get in to place the saddle and rein on her. It only took a few minutes to have her ready, I stared into her eyes when I was done and she stared back in silence. No were words needed, all that stress and worry just seems to fade away just by looking into her eyes. She seemed to be feeling the same, she whined as she rubbed her head with mine. I laughed softly when I felt her warm breath fan over my face, giving her one more stroke on cheek, I grab her rein led her out of the stable.

Just before we got to exit, I paused to take in a deep breath and whispered, "Okay."

And we stepped out of the barn.


Their faces showed confusion and it seemed that I was correct to assume that they wouldn't be able to look through the Mist. It must be stronger than I had originally thought.

"Okay so I want to say that by all of your expressions that you don't see it, right?" I said, patting Stella to calm myself.

"See what? The white horse next to you, yeah we see it." Rosalie stated cynically.

"Rosalie, we need to be patient," Emmett spoke softly to her, placing his hands on her shoulders and gave her a gently squeeze from behind.

"Right," I took in a deep breath, "She may look like a normal horse but you need look closer. Really try to focus on her, it may feel as it something obstructing your vision. Push through it."

They all stood there with a face full of concentration, I held my breath as I waited next to Stella. There was a weight in my stomach, making hard to breathe or relax. For a moment, there wasn't any movement or words spoken as they continue watch Stella. After a few moments with no reactions, I began to give up thinking they may not be able to look through the Mist. Until I heard a small gasp from Alice.

"Incredible," Alice whispered, her eyes wide in astonishment. "She's beautiful."

"What is it, Alice? What do you see?" Carlisle asked her.

"Is it a vision?" Jasper questioned her as well.

"No, it's not a vision. Jasper, you have to see it. She's amazing. You need to try harder." Alice continued to urge Jasper and everyone else in her family to resume their effort. I frowned at Jasper's question, what did he mean by "vision"? I look at Mike and Jessica, if they have any idea what he meant. Both shrugged their shoulders and shake their heads.

"Oh my…," Esme breathed out, one hand hovered over her mouth while the other clenched Carlisle's arm. "Carlisle, I can see it. Do you?"

"Yes, I see it now. I'm astound, never did I consider for one moment they truly existed." Carlisle placed his hand over Esme's.

"What do you see?" I asked, I had to make sure.

"Wings, it's a pegasus." Carlisle answered without taking his eyes off Stella. Once he responded, the rest increase their efforts to see what has Carlisle, Esme, and Alice so startled in wonder. Soon more gasps and murmurs of shock filled in the silence, I sighed in relief until Rosalie spoke.

"I don't believe it," She said and I snapped my head to look at her ready to argue again. But I hold my tongue when I see her expression. She could clearly see her wings by the way her eyes on expanded. It's must have been natural response due to the shock.

"Will you be okay letting them touch you?" I turned to Stella and after a small pause she responded with a nod.

"Does she understand you?" Jasper inquired.

"Yes, it was my father that created pegasus so we're able to communicate. Same goes for horses, sea creatures, or anything in between. Say a zebra or hippocampus," I stated, while I continued to rub her check. Her soft hair bristles against my palm comforted me. "So would you like to touch?"

"Yes, if she doesn't mind," He took a small step forward.

"She doesn't mind, as long as you move too fast or make any sudden movement."

Jasper proceeded to walk slowly over to us, Stella got a little nervous as he stepped closer. I raised my hand to signal Jasper to pause as I tried to relaxed her, once she settles again I nodded at Jasper to resume. He finally stood in front of us, that when I noticed how his face and neck were covered with scars. That's probably what made Stella uneasy. Those scars with his blond hair and gold eyes, it was all too familiar. I swallow the lump in my throat and forced myself to talk.

"Do you have much experience with horses?" I asked him, and I wondered if he could hear the slight shake in my voice.

"When I human my family owned a horse or two, I can't fully remember. But I can remember riding one, he was old and smelly but I loved him. And when I was in the Texas cavalry, horses were a necessity," He gazed up to Stella, his face lost in old memories. He slowing lifted his hand, his sleeves were pushed up to his elbows exposing more scars that look like bite-marks. Stella noticed them as well which caused her step back in and whine loudly. Jasper freezes his spot as I tried to calm her down.

"It's okay. I would let anyone hurt one. It's okay, calm down," I soothed her as I stroked her neck and cheek repeatedly. "It's your scars, it makes her nervous. Can you cover them?"

Jasper looked at me shock and after a moment rolled down his sleeves. Once they are covered he lifted his hand again inching it closer slowly Stella. When his hand it practically a centimeter from her face, he paused again but before he can move Stella softly pressed her head against his palm. The moment they touched, I released my breath that I didn't realize I had held. Jasper stood there without moving his hand, simply just enjoying the feel of her coat underneath his fingers. Stella shivered at first but then calmed down.

Slowly, Jasper lifted his hand higher up almost to her eyes and brought it down in a soft caress. He continued this movement for a moment, until he finally stopped and stepped back.

"She really is beautiful. Thank you, it been long time since I touch a horse," He said and placed he arms behind his back.

"Your welcome. Maybe if she warms up to you, she'll let you ride her," I said with a smile.

He smiled back, clearly excited at the idea, "I would very much like that."

"But for today, I will ride her to show you what she can do," I turned around, placing my left foot on the stirrup swung my right leg over her back. I settle myself into the saddle, grabbed hold of the reins again.

"Let's show them what you can do. What do you say?" I ginned at her as I patted her mane.

It would be my pleasure. She expanded her wings giving them a quick shake, ruffling the feathers as she stood on her hind legs and kicking her front leg letting out a loud neighed in excitement.

I laughed at the show she putting for everyone. "Okay, I get it. You're excited."

I stir her away from everybody to get good distance for a head start. Once there is a large gap between us and them, I turned around again and broke into a gallop to gain speed. As we got closer to them she accelerated to full speed, extended her wings to their full length to get some height. Soon enough her hooves were no longer touching the ground, and the cold wind was blowing on my face.

My heart was racing, pounding so fast that I could practically feel it pounding against my ribs. I was laughing loudly but it was masked by rush of wind. My hair was blowing in the wind, and I know it's going to be a pain to brush it later. But in that moment, I didn't really care about it. This feeling was worth it, soaring through the sky; making loops, going as high as possible to fall as close to ground before swinging up a the last second. Up here in the sky flying with Stella it made all my problems disappear, or at least, left behind in the ground.

I was so caught in the moment that I completely forgot about why I was even flying Stella in the first place. We let ourselves float in the sky after we got tired of the loops, Stella would occasionally flap her wings to keep us steady. We'd sway softly in the breeze as I gaze at the setting sun, beautiful colors painted the sky. All was silent and peaceful until I heard another pair of wings flapping.

Soon Mike appeared next to me, on Max; a beautiful pegasi with a red-brown coat that shines in the rays of the sunlight.

"Do plan on coming down anytime soon? You've been up for twenty minutes."

"Sorry, I was just caught in the moment," I said with disappointment, I didn't want to go back. But I didn't want to be a bad host so I muttered, "Let's go back."


"Do you believe us now?" I asked as I closed the gate to field where Stella, Max and Aureus are now grazing. I leaned against the fence facing the Cullen family, Jessica was sitting on the fence next to me. Mike was focusing on the horses, slanting over the fence with his head placed on his crossed arms.

"Yes, I apologize on behalf of my children behavior from earlier. I must ask, is there more demigods?" Carlisle spoke to me, he has gotten closer along with Esme, Alice and Jasper. But the others still kept their distance.

"In Forks, no, it's just us three here. But as far as the rest of world, yes. So many of demigods' scatter all over the globe, some not even know who they really are. We're trying to change that, trying to bring them safety to Camp Half-Blood. It's really the only place where we're safe from monsters," I said just only loud for it to heard among us.

"When you mean monsters?" Edward asked somberly.

"I mean; minotaur, harpies, hydra, Medusa. Any Greek monster imaginable, they all hunt us down," I muttered gloomily.

"How does it function, is it as any normal summer camp? Who looks over all the rest demigods? Is it your parents?" Carlisle fired question after question, I'm sure he had more. But I could tell from the squeeze and look he received from Esme, he held himself back from asking more.

"It is somewhat like a normal camp, there's a huge lake, an outdoor volleyball court, we do camp fires most night, play capture the flag, you get the picture. But it' s also where we train to fight so we defend ourselves against monster, to be heroes. Our mortal parents aren't able to enter, even if they wanted to, they can't unless given permission. There's a barrier place by Zeus to only allow demigods and few other creatures to enter the camp. The Gods reside in Olympus or in their own domain. They rarely make appearance at camp, most the campers had never even met their godly parent," I said dejectedly as I looked over to Mike, he still hasn't turned around.

"What? Really?" Emmett exclaimed loudly, "Some of you never met your parents once. Why not?"

"It's just not really common for the Gods to interact with their children, I've never met my mother. Jessica has only met her father twice, while Bella has only see her father a handful of time. It's sad but true." Mikes answered Emmett with a shrug, finally turning around.

"You've never meant your mother? Then how can you be sure she is your mother?" Esme spoke out to Mike, her face was full with remorse.

"The claimed us, when a half-blood arrives to camp they are claim by their parent. Then placed in their parent's cabin with the rest of their siblings. There's a cabin for each Olympian, even the minor gods." Jessica jumped in this time to answer, it was then that I noticed how dark it's gotten. The sun has set yet there was still some light out, it was twilight.

"We should go back inside, it getting dark," I said. "We can continue to talk there."

They all looked around surprised, just noticing how dark it's gotten. We've all been so consumed by our conversation that the hours flew by.

"Yes, that would be best," Carlisle commented with a smile.

"As of right now, I hope we have ease some your main concerns," I responded calmly as I walked closer to Carlisle. "That I truly only want a peaceful life here in Forks."

He held out a hand and said, "I, and I think I speak for the rest of my family when I say; welcome to Forks."

I grinned widely and happily toke his hand to shake, "Thank you."

When I let go of Carlisle's hand, the weight lifted from my shoulder. And now that I was more relax, I realize how hungry I was. I haven't eaten anything for dinner. The stress made me lose my appetite. "Shall we?"

"Lead the way," He said with a smile.


Carlisle walked next to me as we headed back to the house, while the rest fall behind us a couple steps back. There was a new sense of peace and tranquility settled between us. All the tension that was hovering between us has now vanished.

"I do have some questions of my own. Concerns, mainly." I told him as we march back to my house. Not a word is heard behind us.

"As is natural. I have some of own as well." He replied simply, arms behind his back.

"As is natural for a doctor," I said back with a grin. He chuckled in agreement and the rest of the walk is silent. "I'll be right back, please make yourselves comfortable. I'm just going to order some food."

Most of them take their old spots from before, while I went the drawer where I stashed the flyer for the pizza restaurant in town.

"Ooo what are you getting?" Mike asked entering the kitchen. "Pizza sounds great. Can you add olives?"

"Ew, that's disgusting. Don't add olives. Add jalapenos, instead," Jessica chimed in. The continued to argue while I go ahead and call. I settled on a large pepperoni and jalapenos with olives on one half.

"Happy?" I told them, arching an eyebrow. Jessica shrugged, which basically was an okay, while Mike came around to hug me. Snickering he lifted me inches from ground, I laughed when he started to bounce us around the kitchen. "Okay! Put me down!"

"You're the best," He said to me, finally putting me down. "Always the peacemaker."

"I know," I chuckled breathlessly. All of the Cullens' eyes stared in observation, it made me lose my humor. I cleared my throat. "I have some questions about your kind."

"Please go ahead," Carlisle told me and I knew what my first question was. But that what made it harder to say.

"Why are your eyes that color?" I asked directly. It felt as if a part of me wasn't going to rest until I got that answer. "Gold."

"It due to our diet, we're not like the rest of our kind," Carlisle began to say. But when he paused to think what to say next. "Almost all vampires feed all humans, those who do; their eyes are red. We refuse to kill humans so instead we feed off-"

"You feed off of animals, I know. So that's why your eyes are gold," I said as calmly as I could. Relief consumed me, I knew it was impossible that it could be Kronos. But hearing them say it, helped me feel better. It may have been irrational, even after all this time to still fear their eyes.

"How do you know that we live off animals?" Jasper asked me instead. He came forward to stand next to Carlisle, an unyielding look on his face as stared at me. It made him all the more frighten with all those scars on his face.

"I told her," Mike jumped in to my defense. "And I knew because I saw you, Emmett and Edward hunting one-night last year. Saw some real weird shit go down."

Jasper looked shock at what Mike just said, they all do. Everyone struggled on what to say next; I could see how alarm they all were at the confession. That someone has known their secret for a whole year. A boy they would have never thought to be a threat to them.

"Why made you even think to do that? How did you even go unnoticed?" Alice questioned quietly. And I was sure it was the same question they all have. They all carried a face of concern and worried. The tension returned to circulate around us, it weaved around like vines. My skin began to itch, my muscles clenched.

"We knew the second we saw you guys at school, that you weren't normal mortals," Jessica stated in a soft tone. As if she didn't wanted to worry them even more. "Everything felt off. Always tried too hard, it felt forced."

"Saw much you guys struggled to be near us, like we were something to eat. Eventually I made this mixture, that covered our scents, to make it easier for you guys. We've been using it every day," Mike declared, clearly proud of his achievement. He went over to his backpack to pull out a glass fragrance bottle that I instantly recognize from my first day of school. He had sprayed himself before he got inside the car.

"Wait, I recognize the bottle," I took the bottle from him to sniff it. There wasn't a specific smell to it but it's light and pleasant.

"Yeah, I've been spraying it on you every day when you weren't looking," Mike stated sheepishly. "I'll give you a bottle once I make more."

"Why haven't you share it with the camp?" I asked him completely dumbfounded. We could have use it to mask our scents; satyr can use it when they bring new demigods to camp. Lessen the risk of being hunted or tracked down. "Mask our scents from monsters."

"Tired it, but it didn't work. Other monsters just smelled right through it," Mike replied with a shrug. "Even Edward look like he was having trouble being around you during biology, but that's your scent is stronger. I can always play around with it, to make it stronger."

"Yeah, try that. It can be helpful if we given to satyrs when they guide new demigods to camp." I told him, motivated with excitement that we can perhaps find a way to cover our tracks.

The doorbell rang in that moment, a reminder of the outside world. I walked over to the door, grabbing a twenty-dollar bill from my wallet along the way. I handed over the money, and told him to keep the change. We quickly and quietly gather our slices with our drinks then returned to the living room.

"The floor is now yours for questions." I said before I take a bite of my pizza. Mike and Jessica happily eat their slices beside me.

"One your first day, after you ran off. We heard you and Mike talking, but it wasn't English. What language was it?" Edward asked me directly; his stare is so intense that I need to look away. I chew slowly but eventually I have to answer.

"So you really can hear from a great distance. It was ancient Greek, it's one of our skills. We can speak it, understand it, and read ancient Greek," I answered quietly once I've swallowed my food. I hastily take another bite.

"Really? But don't you all have dyslexia?" Emmett stated obliviously. It wasn't a secret in Forks that Mike and Jessica were dyslexics. Then when I had come along, and the gossip mill began. By the end of my first week in Forks, everyone in town knew I was also dyslexic.

"Yes, that's part it. Our brains are set to read ancient Greek, not English. Makes it difficult going to school. But very helpful on quests," I answered Emmett before I took a chug of my soda.

"That's incredible, truly amazing. To speak and understand ancient Greek. I've only know a very few vampires who can speak it," Carlisle marveled, his face full of astonishment. "I know it may sound odd, but there are some old texts that I have acquired over the years. Would it be possible that you may help me translate them?"

"Sure, I don't mind. Just let me know when." I told him with a gentle smile, he nodded back, graciously. He looked to Esme and asked a silent question with his eyes. She nodded back with a smile and they both stood.

"I think it be best for us to leave, let you enjoy your dinner," Carlisle said and gave a nod to the rest of his family, they followed him to the door. I follow to see them out, Jasper opened the door for is family. And one by one they each exit until its only just him and Carlisle left. "Thank you for having us and being so understanding. This has been a most interesting evening."

"It was a very interesting night for me too. Enjoy the rest of your night," I told him lightly. He nodded and walk out, Jaspers lingered for a second. He gave me solemn stare before closing the door behind him. I took in a deep breath, shaking off his look and turned back to the living room. "So what do you guys want to watch?"