"My stepdad was an ass. He was an ass to me, to Thalia and to my mom. He hated me more than the other two. I suppose it's because he and my mom never had any kids. Nevertheless, she had not one, but two kids with Zeus. My mom died just after Thalia left, and I was lucky he kept me in the house." I let out a short, sarcastic laugh. "Maybe lucky isn't the correct word to use in that sentence."

Percy sat down beside me in the same position. "The first guy my mom married was very much like that. He was mean to both of us, and he hit my mother. However, she stayed married to him so that he would make my smell less obvious to the monsters. And it worked for most of my life. But, he's out of our lives now, and my mom has a new husband that's great. He's even a teacher at a great school that I'm enrolled in now."

I looked at Percy, but he didn't look at me. I leaned over and gently nudged him with my shoulder. He retaliated with a harder bump on my shoulder, which knocked me over, and we both laughed.

"So are we going to fight or what?" I asked as I stood up. He followed my lead and began to brush the dirt off himself. I looked at the dirt covering my back and butt before shrugging and grabbing the sword.

"Alright. I know this is going to sound weird, but let your instinct take over." Percy began to circle me.

"What instinct? This is the first time I've ever even touched a sword!" He reached out with the sword, but I slid to the side and reached under with my own sword, a blow that he parried.

"That instinct." He laughed as the battle continued. He won about twenty times before we stopped.

"Not bad." He panted. "Not bad at all."

I raised an eyebrow as I attempted to catch my breath. "That, Mr. Jackson, did not sound right at all, especially with your lack of breath."

He laughed again as we walked to get water. "Okay, what I meant was you're a very strong fighter. Don't even comment on that." Percy held up a hand to cut off the words he was sure were going to fall out of my mouth. I suppressed a giggle. "You're fighting style is extremely similar to Thalia's, and with a little training, you'll be amazing."

I smiled. "Thank you, by the way, for comparing me to Thalia. That's a good thing for me. It actually just made my day. And, with a little training, maybe I'll be able to disarm you!"

"Don't worry. In high pressure situations, you'll react on instinct, and you'll be good. I mean, my first battle was against a Minotaur, and I managed to come out okay. I mean, I was out for three days, but other than that I was good!" He chugged his water as I laughed.

"Thirsty much?" I watched him fill his cup again.

"Son of Poseidon." He shrugged, downing another cup. "Now, come on. Let's go see Chiron so he can get us the correct measurements for your very own sword!"

I gasped and did a faux cheerleader clap. "My very own sword!" The excitement in my voice was clearly overplayed, but Percy continued.

"Yes, that's right, your very own sword! And, if you call now, we'll let you choose who forges your very own sword!" He was really starting to sound like a game show host.

Nevertheless, we continued. "No way! Someone find me a phone!"

We laughed when both of us were out of things to say. Percy told me to bring the sword that I was holding so Chiron could see me spar and get a better idea of the type of sword that I would need. I finished up my water before following Percy.

We chatted as we walked, talking about everything and nothing. Percy was so easy to talk to that the barrier between my brain and my mouth seemed to collapse. I was sure it was still there, though, because I was careful not to bring my family up again. I did not want to have a conversation about all of that yet.

We got to the Big House to find Mr. D and Chiron playing pinochle…. Again.

Chiron looked up and greeted us warmly. Mr. D glanced up for a second. "Johansson, Grath."

"Mr. D, you know my last name is Grace." I felt my authority as Zeus' daughter rushing in my veins. "If you do not wish to call me that, I would prefer you did not address me at all. Please and thank you." I smirked before turning to Chiron.

Percy choked back a laugh as I began to speak. "Chiron, Percy and I have begun my sword training, and we can't find a sword that is balanced for me."

"I figured this would happen. It's not trouble, child." Chiron smiled at me.

Dionysus snorted. "You are such a push over."

That is where I snapped. After all, everyone has a breaking point. "Dionysus, you were taught by Chiron. You should respect him as your superior and not treat him as if he were mere dirt on your foot. You were sent to camp as punishment, but perhaps it is more punishment for the campers than you. You are nothing put rude, loud, and miserable. We come to camp to have fun. If you can't respect that, then maybe you should talk to my father about putting you at a garbage dump or something."

"Who exactly do you think you are? Speaking to a God as if you were on his level." Mr. D stood up, growing a bit taller. I knew he wasn't going to change into his true form, but he sure was challenging me.

I straightened up. "I am a daughter of Zeus. I may not be a God, but I am linked to someone much more powerful than you. So, if you were wise," I poked him in the chest and felt the static fly from my finger, "I would say to not bother people around camp anymore, because my father will always be watching you. Now, you may leave."

Percy's jaw was on the floor this time, and Chiron had an impassive look on his face as I turned back to them. I sighed and addressed Percy. "So, shall we spar?"

We both took our positions, and I felt the blood pumping again. I ducked, swung and lunged through a fair battle. Finally, he took a swing at my ankles which gave me the ability to jump onto his sword. I twisted to kick his hand, causing him to release the sword. Percy then continued to battle with his bare hands. I didn't hurt him, but he became more determined with every missed blow.

Finally, he got me with a blow when I wasn't looking. Unfortunately, he managed to hit my left hip. I screamed out in pain before passing out as I crumpled onto the floor. The world spun for a minute before it disappeared.