Chapter 4: The Sword
As we walked along across the strawberry fields from the Big House as they called it, Rachel was explaining all of what had happened during the last 5 years or so, as well as some more information that I was missing. She told me of what all the gods powers were, introduced me to some of the people we'd met on the way round and also filled my in on the Titan war, the Giant war and the recent loss of the world's oracles.
"I lost my abilities just after the Giant war. Apollo, the one who grants of all the seers' powers, thankfully got all our power back. You'll see him around here sometimes, for a while anyway."
I Asked her what Apollo did to restore her oracle powers, and Rachel turned to face me as we walked to the armoury.
"Apollo went on a series of quests along with a new girl, Meg McCaffrey. She and Apollo eventually found the cause, fixed it and so now we're here, despite her originally working for the enemy. Anyway, enough of that, I guess I should introduce you to more of your fellow campers once we sort you out with a weapon."
Chloё had apparently explained to Rachel and the others that I had lost the original weapon I had in the river, but I doubted I'd miss it much when I was told this a few moments ago. The armoury was pretty much like a garden shed, bar one or two small braziers outside. Rachel unlocked the shed, and we both walked in once the light turned on.
"Wow, very very shiny, I get one of these huh? How much does all this cost?"
"I don't know whether you're joking or not. If you mean in dollars, they're pretty much worthless, seeing as they are made of mystical metals like Celestial Bronze and Imperial Gold. In the mortal world they have no real use or value." For some reason, I already knew the answer, and yet I didn't.
"Never mind... how do I pick?"
"That's easy, just go through and try the ones you like the look of, see if they suit you. We can pick out a few, take them over to the training arena so you can get a feel for each one if you'd like."
"Let's do that...How about this one?" I said as I picked up an old sword with a leather strap wrapped around the handle.
"That's junk. Can't you see the way it's been battered? We only really use it for training sometimes."
"Okay...this one looks nice" It was a dagger, reasonably weighted, and not too flashy. I put it in the maybe pile. Rachel gave me a hand by pointing out weapons that she thought would suit me and gave her honest opinion on the ones that were perhaps not so endearing. After 5 minutes we'd managed to collect about three or four well suited swords and daggers, a bow, and even an axe.
The next one that caught my eye was a bronze sword with a small emerald encrusted in it's hilt. As I try to lift it off the wall from it's bracket it turns red hot, burning my hands. As it clatters to the floor after I drop it, Rachel picks it back up without any qualms and puts it back.
"What just happened? You alright?"She was very concerned, and she grabs a medical pouch that was in the corner, opens it and hands me a yellowy lump of something.
"I'll be fine...IT BURNT ME!"
"Eat that, it'll make you feel better. That amount should be okay to handle." And I obliged.
Boy was I disappointed. I couldn't taste a thing. Surely everything has a taste of some kind, right? Even if it's so faint you don't notice it, it should still be there. Yet here I was chewing on a block of pure tastelessness. After a while, I noticed my hand begin to heal the blisters from the heat, which was a relief, as well as not having to eat any more magic food.
"That was ambrosia, food of the gods. Along with their drink, nectar, it has healing properties. But only if you take a small dose. You don't want to find out what happens in big doses."
"Oh trust me I won't if I can help it, 'cause I'll never be wanting that stuff again, it is literally the worst"
She was evidently confused about what I was trying to say. I could tell by her face.
"Whenever anyone else tells me about what it's like they all say it's the best thing they've ever tasted. How come you don't like it?"
"Why? I can't taste anything. Why eat something you can't taste? I'd rather eat something disgusting than never tasting it."
"Oh...that's really sad."She smiled sympathetically and continued on,"Come on, we should probably get back to weapons. Can you see anymore?"
"How about that one over there?" This time it was a slightly longer sword than the last. The blade was black and was inlaid with slivers of silver around the handle edge in a complex pattern.
It radiated a kind of cold feeling. But for some reason I was drawn to it, just like it drew in the shadows around it, It just seemed right to me. If this sword was in here all the time, how come I didn't pick it before?
"This one. I don't care about the others anymore. It just has to be this" As I take it off it's mount, I feel it's weight in my hands, and it was perfect. The balance on the thing was just right, despite the length.
"I've never seen that one before, it's kinda creepy. Makes me wonder whether you're related to Hades."
"He's the death, underworld god you told me about earlier right? It'd be pretty cool."
We tidied up the place and continued off to the Arena with the sword I'd just acquired. We walk in and find a shady looking kid with a pallid complexion talking to a blonde guy with a bow over his back.
"Hey Will, hey Nico!" The pair turn around, surprised that Rachel and I were there. Will Smiled and Nico just looked at me and studied me hard.
"As you may know, Haxolo can't remember anything, so we're doing introductions again."
"Yeah okay then," Will approached me, offering his hand out for a handshake"So I'm Will Solace, son of Apollo, and that over there is my boyfriend Nico, son of Hades. He's in a bit of a bad mood today so he won't talk much."
"I can speak for myself you know. Yeah I'm Nico Di Angelo, we've met before but you don't remember, do you?" I shake my head.
"Never mind, I knew a titan once that went through the same problem, but he sacrificed himself to save Percy and Annabeth from Tartarus.
"I see you got a new sword? I have a sword made of the same stuff,"He draws his sword from it's scabbard and hands it to me to have a look. It's of a completely different design, but the materials were the same.
"It's called Stygian Iron, cooled in the river Styx, hence it's name. Swords forged from it will absorb the essence of monsters, as well as mortal souls, so don't cut yourself on it." I hand him back his sword which he then sheathes again.
"Usually only creatures of the underworld are able to wield such a weapon, how you managed it I don't know. I don't think you're a son of Hades or Pluto, his Roman counterpart." Nico's delved into deep thought, meaning he began to scowl a little.
"So, wanna learn how to shoot a bow and arrow?" Will asked.
"Nah, He's good. Gotta finish our tour first. Maybe some other time Will." Rachel covered for me after picking up on my sense of apprehension towards the proposition of archery.
"Well, see ya 'round Hax!" I nod to both of them and Nico returns the gesture, while Will waves casually.
The next stop was the Cabins, and boy were there a lot of them. The number of cabins totalled 20 and each one of them completely different to the next. But before we even reached them there was an even bigger surprise awaiting us, because there was a massive bronze dragon in our path and it was frickin' huge.
Chapter 4 is finally finished, what a relief! I hope all of you enjoyed it, and please keep sending me reviews. I want to know what you think! If you're confused about the swords and the underworld business then I'm sorry for being evil, it just means that my plan is working. So go ahead, ping me any theories you have and I might even confirm them (don't tell anyone if I do though)!
Thank you all for sticking with it, I hope to see you all soon!