Ch.6
(Inside the Big House)
Percy sat on his bed inside his bedroom, his gaze fixed on the floor, lost in a tumult of thoughts. He was acutely aware of the gods' callous treatment of mortals, but the neglect of their own demigod offspring struck him as particularly egregious, regardless of ancient laws and divine complexities. Even if the gods couldn't personally care for their children, Percy believed they owed them the simple acknowledgment of claiming them, providing them with a sense of belonging if nothing else.
As he brooded over these troubling notions, Percy remained oblivious to the door of his room cracking open and Aurora's concerned gaze peering in. She had finished unpacking and grew increasingly worried when Percy remained unresponsive after their departure from the Dining Pavilion. Deciding to check on him, Aurora quietly entered his room and approached him, her worry evident in her voice as she spoke.
"Percy, are you okay?" she asked, her tone laced with concern.
Lost in his thoughts, Percy didn't respond immediately, his mind still preoccupied with the injustices he perceived. Aurora sighed softly and settled onto the bed beside him, gently shaking him until he finally raised his head and noticed her presence.
"Aurora, when did you get here?" Percy inquired, confusion evident in his voice.
"Just now. I finished unpacking and came to see you after you didn't say anything once we left the Dining Pavilion," she explained quietly.
At her words, Percy's expression hardened once more, his gaze returning to the floor as he voiced his frustrations. "The gods have no excuse for not caring for their children. Even if they can't raise them, they owe them that much – to claim them, so they at least have a place to go without being crammed in a single cabin."
Aurora nodded in agreement. "I know, Percy, but staring at the floor isn't going to change their behavior. Let's go out and talk to people. You never know what kind of friends we can find here. Plus, I want to see the archery range," she suggested, her voice hopeful.
Percy nodded in response, appreciating Aurora's attempt to lift his spirits. He stood up and reached out his hand, and Aurora took it, a small flicker of disappointment crossing her face when he let go after pulling her up. Unaware of her reaction, Percy led the way to the door, and they exited the Big House together, stepping out into the vibrant atmosphere of Camp Half-Blood.
As they made their way to the archery range, oblivious to the watchful eyes observing them, Percy and Aurora marveled at the activity around them. The range was bustling with activity, with Apollo's children practicing their archery skills on one side, their golden bows gleaming in the sunlight. Across from them, the Hunters of Artemis were imparting their wisdom to younger members, teaching them how to use a bow properly.
Finding a couple of empty spaces at the far end of the range, Percy turned to Aurora with a playful grin. "So, free for all, or do you want to compete?" he asked, amused by her excitement at the prospect of target practice.
"Free for all! I want to see how many arrows a dummy can take before it blows up!" Aurora exclaimed excitedly, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Percy chuckled at her enthusiasm, rolling his eyes playfully. With a swift motion, he removed the ring that concealed his mother's bow, Quicksilver. Beside him, Aurora did the same, revealing her father's bow.
"Did you name it yet?" Percy inquired, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
Aurora nodded eagerly. "I named it Scorchfire," she replied with a proud smile.
Percy laughed, thoroughly impressed. "I love it," he declared warmly.
Turning their attention back to the dummy, Percy glanced at Aurora. "On three?" he suggested.
Aurora nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed on the target before her. "3... 2... 1... GO!" Percy exclaimed.
In perfect synchronization, both archers unleashed a flurry of arrows, each shot precise and determined. Percy's arrows split every incoming shaft with remarkable accuracy, while Aurora focused on landing as many shots as she could, eagerly awaiting the explosion of the dummy.
After ten intense seconds of rapid fire, they both ceased shooting, their bows primed and ready for the anticipated detonation.
Laughing at Percy's bewildered expression, Aurora retorted, "20," before directing her gaze back towards the dummy. Percy, still puzzled, followed her line of sight and turned to look at the target. Suddenly, it began to glow intensely before erupting into a burst of golden light.
Realization dawned on Percy's face as he turned back to Aurora, who was doubled over with laughter on the ground. "Oh, that's what you meant," he exclaimed, his astonishment evident.
Just then, a throat cleared behind them, prompting Percy to turn around while Aurora craned her neck to glance behind them from her position on the ground. To their surprise, Chiron stood there, accompanied by a group of campers and the hunters they had encountered earlier. Their expressions were a mix of amusement and concern as they observed the scene before them.
"Percy, where did you learn to shoot like that? I don't think even Artemis's hunters could shoot that accurately," Chiron inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"My mother taught me. She also taught me how to use my knives," Percy responded matter-of-factly.
Chiron furrowed his brow in confusion. "What knives?" he asked, scanning Percy's attire.
Realization dawned on Percy as he smacked his forehead in embarrassment, gesturing to his black pants where his knives were concealed. With a deft movement, he unsheathed them, revealing a pair of glowing silver hunting knives, their blades gleaming with an otherworldly sheen similar to his bow.
"These knives," Percy clarified, presenting them to Chiron.
A collective gasp escaped the hunters present, their eyes widening in astonishment. Some of them speculated that Percy had stolen the knives from a huntress at some point. Before Chiron could intervene, a couple of hunters bolted towards cabin 8, Artemis's domain, driven by a mix of shock and determination.
Sighing softly, Chiron turned his attention back to Aurora and Percy. "And what about you, Aurora?" he inquired, his tone gentle.
Aurora extended her bow, her expression proud. "My father trained me and gave it to me when I turned 12," she explained with a hint of nostalgia.
At her words, the children of Apollo stomped off, their departure fueled by jealousy at the perceived favoritism their father showed Aurora. Left with just the trio, Chiron observed their departure with a saddened shake of his head.
"Don't mind them. Campers aren't always appreciative of children they perceive as their parent's favorites," Chiron reassured them, his voice tinged with sympathy. Redirecting his attention to Percy and Aurora, he offered a suggestion. "Why don't you two freshen up and meet with the others at the dining pavilion for dinner? We'll see if any gods feel like claiming their children tonight."
With nods of understanding, the duo agreed to the plan. Aurora sprung up from the ground, eager to follow Percy back to the Big House. As they departed, Chiron watched them go, a pensive expression on his face.
"These two just keep getting stranger. I wonder, though…" Chiron mused to himself as he made his way towards the Pavilion, his thoughts drifting towards the mysteries surrounding Percy and Aurora.
Line Break
(In the Artemis cabin)
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE HAS A PAIR OF HUNTER KNIVES?!" one hunter bellowed, her voice echoing with disbelief and outrage.
A girl who had witnessed Percy's display at the archery range nodded in confirmation. "He showed them to us. They're just like ours, although they seemed to emanate a stronger aura," she explained, her tone filled with uncertainty.
The revelation sparked a flurry of arguments among the hunters, their voices rising in discord as they debated the implications of Percy's possession of their sacred weapons. The heated discussion continued for several minutes until a sudden glowing flash illuminated the cabin, drawing all eyes towards the source.
Artemis materialized in their midst, her serene expression faltering as she beheld the tumultuous scene before her. Sensing the simmering tension among her hunters, she inquired, "What's wrong, girls?"
Without hesitation, the hunters launched into a cacophony of complaints and grievances, each vying to be heard above the others, all focused on the unexpected revelation of the boy with the hunter knives.
Artemis, her patience wearing thin, raised her voice to a commanding roar. "QUIET DOWN!" she demanded, her authority cutting through the chaos like a blade.
Instantly, the hunters fell silent, their expressions chastened as they averted their gazes from their mistress, unwilling to incur her wrath any further.
"Thank you," Artemis acknowledged, her tone firm yet composed. She turned her attention to Daphne, the eldest huntress present, and requested an explanation of the events at the range.
Daphne nodded in response, her demeanor respectful yet resolute. "We were conducting training exercises with the younger hunters when a boy and a girl entered the range. They proceeded to the vacant shooting spaces and retrieved their bows. The boy wielded a silver bow akin to ours, while the girl possessed a bow wreathed in flames of gold. Naturally, we were taken aback by the boy's possession of a bow resembling our own, prompting us to observe their shooting."
Her words were measured, reflecting a mixture of astonishment and reluctant admiration. "The boy displayed a level of skill that, as much as I regret to admit, rivaled our own. Moreover, the girl showcased remarkable talent, her arrows imbued with a fiery energy that caused a dummy to glow before erupting into flames and exploding."
Artemis listened intently to Daphne's account, her features betraying a mixture of astonishment and concern at the revelation of Percy's skills with a bow and the unexpected mention of knives.
"What does that have to do with knives though?" Artemis inquired, her brow furrowing in confusion.
Daphne continued her explanation, her voice steady as she recounted the events at the archery range. "After the girl exploded the dummy, Chiron approached the boy and inquired about his proficiency with a bow. The boy claimed that his mother had taught him, along with instructing him in the use of his knives. When asked about the knives, he revealed two hunting knives concealed in his cargo pants. They bore a striking resemblance to ours, glowing with a silver hue but emitting a stronger aura."
Artemis's annoyance simmered beneath the surface as she processed the information. "It appears I need to have a conversation with this boy," she remarked, her tone firm. "I have spoken to him before during our time in Maine, as you girls recall, but he never mentioned his knives. Prepare for dinner, and I will seek him out to address this matter."
The huntresses nodded in acknowledgment, their expressions reflecting a mix of anticipation and curiosity. As they began to tidy up in preparation for dinner, Artemis made her way out of the cabin, determined to locate Percy and confront him about the concealed weapons.
As everyone settled into their seats at the Pavilion, Chiron scanned the gathering, his gaze searching for Percy and Aurora. Failing to spot them among the assembled campers, a sense of unease settled over him. Turning to the man seated beside him, Chiron addressed the god known as Mr. D, who appeared engrossed in a magazine depicting grape-related content, with evident disdain for his Diet Coke.
"Mr. D, have you seen young Percy or Aurora?" Chiron inquired, his tone tinged with concern.
Mr. D glanced up from his magazine, his expression vaguely disinterested. "Oh, you mean Peter and Ariel? They were still getting ready when I left the Big House," he responded casually before returning his attention to his reading material.
Sighing softly, Chiron redirected his gaze towards the hill, a wave of relief washing over him as he spotted Percy and Aurora making their way up the incline. Observing their changed attire, Chiron noted Percy's black sleeveless T-shirt adorned with a crescent moon necklace, paired with combat boots, and deduced that he still concealed his knives within his pants. Aurora, on the other hand, wore a golden yellow sun dress complemented by a sun necklace and yellow sneakers.
As Aurora and Percy reached the head table, they couldn't help but notice the intense scrutiny from their fellow campers. Aurora felt a knot form in her stomach as she observed the girls their age seemingly captivated by Percy's presence. Unbeknownst to her, Percy experienced a similar discomfort as he noticed the boys' admiring glances towards Aurora.
Sitting at the designated seats indicated by Chiron, they awaited the camp director's address. Chiron cleared his throat, signaling the beginning of his announcement.
"Good evening, campers," Chiron began, addressing the assembly. "Cabin leaders, please organize your cabins and proceed with the offerings so that everyone can settle in. We have four new campers joining us today. Two of them, at the request of Lady Artemis, are seated here with us."
All eyes turned to Artemis, who nodded in acknowledgment, giving her approval for Chiron to continue.
"The newcomers at the Hermes table are Miss Bianca Di Angelo and Mr. Nico Di Angelo," Chiron announced, gesturing towards the designated table where the siblings sat, offering a small wave before averting their gaze.
"And for the two campers seated at the head table," Chiron continued, drawing attention to Percy and Aurora, "please welcome Mr. Percy Jackson and Miss Aurora Nightshade."
At Chiron's words, the atmosphere grew tense. The occupants of Cabin 8 froze in astonishment, their eyes darting towards Zoe in disbelief. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, echoing the astonishment of the campers. Even the hunters, renowned for their stoicism, couldn't contain their surprise.
Percy and Aurora exchanged bewildered glances before realizing the source of the commotion. Above their heads, glowing holograms materialized – a silver bow in the shape of a crescent moon hovering over Percy, and a flaming golden wreath hovering over Aurora. The significance of these symbols left the campers speechless, their minds racing with questions and speculation.
Chiron's reaction, though shocked, hinted at a level of understanding that piqued Percy's curiosity. As the camp settled into the knowledge of their divine parentage and completed their offerings, Percy's gaze drifted towards the Artemis table, where he made eye contact with the goddess herself. Her expression conveyed a silent message: "We need to talk." Percy nodded in acknowledgment, and Artemis returned to her conversation with the hunters, her smirk suggesting a hint of intrigue.
Turning back to Aurora, Percy was met with her concerned gaze as she gently nudged his shoulder for attention. "What's wrong?" he inquired, noting the unease in her demeanor.
"I saw the way Artemis was looking at you. I don't like it," Aurora voiced her apprehensions.
Percy furrowed his brow in confusion. "What do you mean?" he queried, sensing the gravity of Aurora's observation.
Aurora shook her head, her expression troubled. "I don't know, but the way she was observing you when you were claimed... it felt unsettling. Almost predatory," she explained, her concern evident.
Percy's surprise was evident as he absorbed Aurora's words. "I didn't notice," he admitted, his mind racing with implications. "Keep an eye out in case she does it again," he suggested, his tone serious.
Aurora's eyes widened in understanding before she nodded in agreement. "Okay," she affirmed, silently resolved to remain vigilant in the presence of the goddess.
After they finished dinner, Percy and Aurora headed back to the big house before the campfire later that evening. Chiron, who also went to the Big House, watched as the two retreated to Percy's room and closed the door. A few minutes later Artemis entered the Big House. Seeing Chiron, she walked over to him. "Chiron do you know where Percy and Aurora are?"Observing Artemis's approach, Chiron noted the subtle tension in her demeanor as she inquired about Percy and Aurora's whereabouts.
"They went into Percy's room a few minutes ago. Down the hall, first door on the right," Chiron responded, his voice steady despite the underlying curiosity.
Artemis's gaze hardened imperceptibly before she made her way down the hallway, her footsteps echoing softly against the floor. As she reached Percy's door, she raised her hand to knock, pausing momentarily to collect her thoughts. With a firm rap, she announced her presence, waiting patiently for a response.
Cracking the door slightly, Aurora's eyes peeked out before widening once she realized who was at the door.
Aurora's polite demeanor belied the subtle tension she felt in Artemis's presence. "Oh, hello, Lady Artemis. What can I do for you?" she greeted, her voice composed despite her underlying unease.
Artemis's expression softened as she regarded Aurora, momentarily appreciating the young demigod's respectful demeanor. "I was looking for Percy. Is he in there with you?" she inquired, her tone gentle yet direct.
Aurora nodded affirmatively before stepping aside to allow Artemis entry. As the goddess crossed the threshold into the room, her keen eyes scanned the surroundings, taking note of the modest yet orderly space. With a quiet click, Aurora closed the door behind them, returning to her seat on Percy's desk chair.
Meanwhile, Percy remained seated on the floor, engrossed in the task of sharpening his knives. With one knee drawn up and the other leg extended, he exuded a sense of focused concentration. The glint of metal caught Artemis's eye, and her gaze sharpened as she noticed the blades in Percy's hands. A flicker of recognition crossed her features, acknowledging the undeniable resemblance to the weapons wielded by her own hunters.
"Percy," Artemis addressed him quietly, her tone carrying a hint of exasperation. Percy looked up from his task, immediately shifting into a respectful bow. "Lady Artemis, what can I help you with?" he inquired, his voice calm and deferential.
Artemis regarded him with a mixture of irritation and begrudging admiration. "I told you, you do not need to bow," she reminded him, her frustration evident in her expression.
Percy offered a small, understanding smile. "I'm aware, but I do it out of respect," he explained simply, his demeanor unwavering.
Artemis rolled her eyes, a subtle smirk tugging at the corners of her lips despite her attempts to maintain a stern facade. "You are as stubborn as ever," she remarked, before relenting. "Very well, rise," she instructed, acknowledging his show of respect.
"I was curious as to why your knives have a stronger aura than my hunters'," Artemis began, her voice carrying a note of curiosity. "They mentioned it after seeing it on the archery range earlier, and of course, came running to me thinking that you stole them from a huntress. I went to look for you, but this was the first opportunity I had to speak to you about it."
Percy's expression hardened at the implication of theft. "I am many things, Lady Artemis, but a thief is not one of them," he asserted firmly. "But to answer your question, they have a stronger aura than your hunters' because my mother made them for me, imbued with power close to her own."
With a deliberate motion, Percy ceased sharpening his knife and extended it towards Artemis, hilt-first. Artemis stepped forward, accepting the blade and examining it closely. Selene's divine energy pulsed within the weapon, a testament to its craftsmanship and origin. After a brief assessment, Artemis deftly flipped the knife in her hand before returning it to Percy.
Turning her attention to Aurora, who remained seated nearby, Artemis inquired, "Do you have a close-range weapon as well?" Aurora nodded, reaching for a golden bracelet adorning her wrist. With a subtle gesture, she summoned forth a gleaming golden sword, which she offered to Artemis for inspection.
Artemis studied the weapon, noting its intricate design and the faint aura of Helios that surrounded it. Satisfied with her assessment, she returned the sword to Aurora, who effortlessly transformed it back into its bracelet form.
"Well, thank you for showing me your weapons," Artemis said, her tone softening slightly. "I must return to my hunters to make sure they don't kill any stupid campers before the campfire."
Percy and Aurora shared a laugh as Artemis turned to leave, a faint smile playing on her lips. Percy glanced at Aurora, a look of reassurance in his eyes. "She didn't seem like she wanted to kill me, so I guess your feeling was wrong."
"Maybe," Aurora replied with a hint of uncertainty in her voice. Despite Percy's words, she couldn't shake the unsettling feeling she had about Artemis's scrutiny.
As Artemis exited the room, Aurora stood up and walked towards the door, holding it open for Percy. Turning back to him, she offered a light smile. "Ready to head to the campfire?"
Percy nodded, storing away his sharpening stone before rising to his feet and following Aurora out of the room. Chiron, who had been lingering nearby, looked relieved as they passed him. With a sense of comfort settling over him, Chiron closed the door of the Big House behind them, ready to join the festivities of the campfire.