Ch59

Ethan stared at the land around him as a sense of joy and disbelief filled him up on the inside. I did it. He knelt down and picked up some of the soil and let it fall. This was grandfather's land and now it was his again.

He didn't know what he'd do with it, but he hoped to make a monument to his family somewhere.

"Your family is now balanced." Nemesis appeared in front of him. "What was once unrightfully taken is yours again."

He bowed as various emotions built up inside of him. "Mother." He tried to think of what to say but he couldn't think of anything.

Nemesis smiled. "You did well bringing balance to the world."

"I-It was nothing," he said. "You are now recognized as you should be."

"I am." Nemesis looked around the land. "When you return you'll have other siblings. Now that they have a home at the camp they'll need someone to guide them."

"I'll do it!' He said firmly. "I'll teach them all about finding balance and how to be good demigods." A wave of courage swelled up inside of him. "I'll show them that no matter who their parent is that they can be heroes too!"

Nemesis looked at him and he swore he could see a small smile on her face. She then approached him and traced his eyepatch. "You've come a long way Ethan." She paused and looked up at the sun as it began to rise. "I know you will continue to bring balance to this world."

"I will," he said softly. With that, his mother disappeared in a flash of light. Well that was interesting. His gaze drifted upon the land, he didn't know where he'd start but he would make sure this place was up and running again.

The next few weeks he would come to the property and take various notes on what to do with it. The problem was he didn't have a lot of money for massive development. Maybe I could reach out to my father's family? It would be a good idea to consult them when he got a chance.

Eventually, he decided to return to camp where he inspected the new Nemesis Cabin. "Not bad," he muttered as he looked around the inside of the room. It was the same as before but with a set of scales in the room.

Mother you finally have a throne and your children finally have a cabin. His heart raced as he looked at the cabin. A knock on the door caught his attention.

"Hey Ethan!"

Turning around he was surprised to see Drew Tanaka standing in the doorway. "Hey what brings you here?"

Drew shrugged as she let herself in and walked around. "Just wanted to see what your cabin is like. You should like add more stylish stuff, the coloring is too one sided."

He looked around at the dark color scheme and shrugged. "I'll see what I can do in the future. How are things in your cabin?"

Drew walked over to the scales and gently pushed them. "It's been chill. Silena is with Beckendorf so I have more work to do." She stood up and turned to look at him. "You know if you want your hair done we can do it in our cabin?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You guys want to do my hair?"

Drew smiled. "Sure why not. Anyway feel free to stop by my cabin if you want advice on how to be a stylish leader."

Surprisingly he chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."

If he thought he would be staying in his cabin alone for the rest of the summer he was wrong. About after he returned Percy came up to him with a scruffy looking white guy behind him. "Hey Ethan this is Damien White, he was just claimed by Nemesis."

Damien White was gripping a bag of belongings tightly as if expecting him to steal it while is gaze was that of a wild animal observing a potential threat.

He stood up and did his best to withhold his surprise as he looked Damien over. The boy gave off an aggressive vibe as their eyes met. "Nice to meet you I'm Ethan Nakamura."

He extended a hand and Damien gripped it tightly. "So you're a child of Nemesis too? You don't look all that strong?"

The bit of derision in Damien's voice nearly made him chuckle. "Oh you have a lot to learn." Pulling away he opened the door. "Choose any bunk you want. You'll have a lot to learn."

Ah yes you'll have a lot to learn about balance. He was the first cabin head for Nemesis and he would make sure to be the best example he could be for his new siblings.

Annabeth looked at the Castellan household as various sentiments filled her heart. I haven't been here in ages. Her body shook as various memories from her childhood replayed in her head.

"Oh Luke!" Ms. Castellan came running out her gaze still half dazed as she embraced her son.

"Hey mom," Luke muttered as he hugged her back with his good arm. His body was shaking as if debating to get angry or break down and cry.

She followed Luke in alongside Hermes the god hadn't even spoken to her the entire time. "Luke your punishment is to remain by her side and forbidden to have contact with any unapproved campers or enter the camp. Please don't test Lord Zeus." The god gave his son a sorrowful look before turning around and disappearing.

Luke's posture went rigid as he nodded and sat down on the couch. "Mom can you give us some privacy?"

"Of course dear I'll get snacks," Ms. Castellan said in an exited tone as she returned to the kitchen.

There was a pause as they both felt the gravity of the situation. Despite being enemies in the war they were once family, though to be honest a part of her felt like Luke was more than family. She stared at Luke as a pang hit her heart. "Luke…Me and Thalia will help if you need anything."

Luke paused and looked at the ground. "I'm sorry…for everything."

She avoided her gaze as a variety of emotions formed inside of her. "We were a family until you chose revenge."

"I did what I had to do," Luke said softly. "The life of a demigod is pitiful."

She looked down at the ground. "Luke I hope you and your mother can have peace. I don't know what you plan to do with your life but if you need anything let us know."

Luke slowly sat down his gaze vacant. "I was just sick of everything Annabeth. I honestly wanted to world to be a better place." He winced his body shaking. "I just us all to have happy lives."

A part of her felt sorry and sympathetic towards Luke while the other felt a bit of disgust. "Kronos would not have given anyone that," she said her body shaking with emotion. "Please don't anything stupid. Who knows perhaps they may let you back in camp one day."

With that she turned around and headed towards the door. "Annabeth did you like me?" Luke asked softly.

She froze as she gripped the door handle. "We were family Luke," she said softly as she fought the tears in her eyes. Taking a deep breath she opened the door and let the cold wind enter. "If you cared about me and Thalia don't do anything stupid, just lay low."

With that she exited the house. Like I have time for romance. She shook her head, deep down she knew she had feelings for Luke but they were gone and now she would live her own life.

As she closed the door behind her she let the tears fall. We were family then enemies. I really hope you can be find peace. If not she wouldn't hesitate to put him in his place.

"How's he doing?"

She looked up and saw Thalia and Bianca by the shadows. "He's slowly taking it in," she muttered.

Sitting down on the bench she let herself collapse on it as Thalia and Bianca rested on the porch. "How's the hunt?"

"We lost a lot of people so we are doing our best with what we got and trying to recruit new hunters," Thalia said as she stared at the door to the house. "Who would've thought we would be back here again," she said softly. "Talk about a depressing family reunion."

Bianca nodded and stared at the ground with a sorrowful look in her eyes. "Sometimes you can only help someone so much, in the end they are responsible for their own decisions." Her voice was soft as if she were holding back various emotions.

"Your brother where-"

"He's gone," Bianca said curtly. "My father took him." Taking a deep breath she shook her head. "He won't hurt anyone ever again."

"I'm sorry to hear about that," she muttered.

A wave of energy rippled throughout the area making the hairs on her neck stand up. Oh boy Hermes isn't happy.

The next thing they knew the door swung open was Hermes came out his gaze half furious half sorrowful. They all bowed respectfully. "Lord Hermes."

Hermes' body shook as he closed the door behind him. "I'll do my best to help when I can," he said softly before disappearing in a flash of light.