Chapter 2

A Mighty Demigod

Benjamin probably just went trough the most horrible week he had ever experienced. He already knew there were other Demigods, but the fact of a Camp for said Demigods caugth him off guard. Although it could have been a trap, he trusted these people since he saw them the first time. The girl, Annabeth, seemed nice. She was blond, but when he looked in her stormy, grey eyes he saw that he souldnt be missled by her hair colour. Percy the black-haired boy was cool, but Benjamin saw the pain Percy went trough in his eyes. He didnt get an impression of Will as he didnt say much. As they arrived at the Camp they walked towards a big, baby-blue house where a guy sat on a horse. No – he was a horse from his waist down. A centaur. „Welcome, Benjamin, to Camp Half-Blood", the centaur said in a deep, kind voice. „My name is Chiron" As the centaur, Chiron, said this Benjamin went pale. He remembered his mom, who gave him a letter for a certain Chiron, before she…

„Is he all right ?", Percy asked. „He seemed to know about the existance of Greek Mythology, so why -"

„M-My mom", Benjamin said. „S-She gave me a letter for you." He pulled out a letter from his back pocket. A dirty, yellowish-coloured paper, which was folded and said „for Chiron" on it. Chrion took it, with a suspicious look on his face. He looked at it, and then read it out loud: „This is Benjamin Dimson, son of Erebos" Annabeth looked scared, Percy and Will confused. „I have never heard of a god called Erebos", Percy said. „Is he some kind of less known god?" Chiron, instead of answering, said: „Annabeth, announce a meeting with the hut elders. Percy how about you show Benjamin around and introduce him tot he Hermes hut, where he will stay for now." Percy, who seemed to be used to his questions not being answered, nodded.

He showed him around the huts, one for every god, exept for his father´s, Erebos. They walked past fields, forests. „Every evening, all campers come together at the campfire to sing songs or eat marshmallows", Percy said, while pointing to a big, theater-like place. „And here", he pointed towards a place where some teenagers, who might be around Percys age, fighting. „Are our training grounds. You will probably be there very often while being here. But let me introduce you to your hut where you will stay until your godly parent tells us that... well, that he´s your parent. They walked back to the Hermes hut where he was shown a space in the back of the room, which was totally overcrowded. There was a sleeping bag ready for him. „Are all huts this overcrowded?", Benjamin asked. „No but as Hermes ist he god of travellers and guests we just put every new camper in here. My hut, for example, is empty exept for me or Tyson, if he visits us." Another person called for Percy. „Oh – just wait here, Benjamin, i´ll be back in a moment." He talked shortly with the guy, who, as benjamin saw now, had goat legs. „So Chiron asked me to go to the training grounds with you, see what you can do."

„But i dont have a weapon", Benjamin answered. „No worries", Percy replied. „We will make a quick stop at the weaponry." They entered a little room, filled to the brim with swords, spears, knifes, bows, quivers and much more. Percy grabbeb a light sword, which maybe was 80 Centimeters long. „How about this sword? It really ist he lightest we got and every other sword is very bis as well." Benjamin nodded.

As they arrived at the training grounds there was a fight between a girl, who maybe was a year or two older than Percy and a maybe 15 year old boy, who looked scared and tried a shard as possible to not be decapitated. „Clarisse", Percy said. „We need the space so you will have to wait with slicing this poor boy apart."

„Funny, Jackson", Clarisse stopped fighting. „I think you can wait, I am training these campers"

„Well… we have a new camper and Chiron wanted me to see what he can do"

„Why didnt Chiron ask me?", Clarisse said. „He knew I have training right now"

„Maybe he wanted to see Benjamin in one piece this evening?", Percy smirked. Clarisse, with a very annoyed face, moved out of the way.

„What if I am too bad at fighting?", Benjamin asked, now scared. „Will I be kicked out?"

„No, of course not", Percy responded. „But being able to fight is important for Demigods. So lets start – rise your sword and try to not only attack but also block my incoming attacks."

Benjamin lifted up his sword. Percy grabbed a pen, that instantly transformed into a sword. Percy stayed back – he wanted him to attack. Benjamin aimed for Percys right lower body but he was expecting that, blocked his hit, disarmed him and held the tip of his blade at Benjamins chin – and that all in a matter of seconds. „Always hold on to your weapon tightly because greek style fighters love disarming their enemy." Benjamin grabbed his sword. He had a plan: pretend to aim for Percys left and then attack his right side. Before he could even finish his first motion Percy hit his sword cutting through it like butter. His sword moving towards Benjamins arm he closed his eyes – but there was no impact. He opened his eyes just to see a absolute black sword he was holding in his hand. The sword was about as long as Percys, but had a angle in the hilt. Its wheight seemed to adjust itself while he held it in his hand. Percy looked surprised: „Where do you have that weapon from? It looks like Stygian Iron" Benjamin has never seen a sword appearing in his hand. „I-I have no idea" Suddenly Clarisse, who was probably watching the whole time, said: „it cant be Stygian Iron, because they dont just appear in peoples hands and although those swords are black – these just seem to be made out of pure darkness: No details, no shadows"

„That surely is interesting", Percy added. „Maybe you can fight better with that sword?"

This time, the sword had the perfect length and weight for Benjamin to handle and the curved hilt made his attacks unusual for Percy, who was disarmed shortly after starting the duel.

„I think you have found your weapon", Percy said just as Benjamins weapon turned into smoke.

„Can we try to fight him?", Benjamin turned around to see two boys, both maybe 13 or 14, grinning. Percy looked as if he was about to deny their request as Clarisse said: „You two against the new one – why not?"

As they attacked, each with a short gladius, a roman sword suddenly two short curved hilt swords appeared in his hands – both made out of darkness. Benjamin easily overpowered both oft hem, using techniques he has never done before. Percy, looking surprised he won this battle so quickly, smiled. „I think Chiron will be pleased to hear we got a talented swordsman with some interesting abitlities here."