Chiron was giving Percy the grand tour of Poseidon's cabin at Camp Half-Blood. Percy had to admit, it wasn't your usual suburban picket-fence kinda place. Nah, it was low, long, and looked like it could weather a hurricane or two. Guess that's Poseidon's version of a summer retreat. The outside? Rough gray stone with seashells and coral sticking out like it was snatched straight from the ocean floor. Percy half-expected to see a crab waving at me from one of the windows.

Classic Sea God style, Percy supposed.

Chiron, the four-legged tour guide, gestured proudly. "Percy, welcome to Poseidon's cabin."

Percy strolled in, and what hit him first was the glow—like the whole place had swallowed a bunch of glow sticks. "Dad's got a thing for mood lighting," he muttered, soaking it in.

Six empty bunk beds lined the walls. Then there was the centerpiece—a fountain made of gray sea rock. Coral decorations adorned the fountain, adding a touch of underwater bling. And the bottom? A jackpot of golden drachmas. The fountain was a divine ATM, spitting out drachmas like it had a money-printing trident. A fish, making its best Poseidon impression, spouted water like it was auditioning for a summer blockbuster. "Well, aren't you the Aqua Hollywood star?" Percy grinned.

Percy slung his backpack into Cabin 3, giving it a casual nod like. He had that laid-back vibe, like camp was more like his summer resort. But hey, he's the son of Poseidon; it's practically in the blood. Out the door, he found Ethan and Alabaster waiting, probably planning their next round of mischief. They exchanged fist bumps and Percy grinned, the demigods from Elysium Prep, were ready to conquer Camp Half-Blood.

Chiron led the way, with Percy and his crew strutting forward. Eyes from every other camper followed them, whispers swirling as the rumor mill started to get chaotic. The Elysium Prep squad didn't give a second glance. They weren't being rude; they were just on a whole other level, and everyone knew it.

"Did you hear? Percy rolled in on a bus escorted by actual monsters! Like, what is going on?"

"I swear, the whole camp's flipped. Percy's got a squad of demigods claiming him, and monsters acting like bodyguards. Classic Poseidon style, I guess."

"I overheard Chiron saying Percy's got a quest, but nobody knows what for. Something about stolen symbols and Fates being involved. Drama much?"

"They say Percy's like the prodigal son, back in town with a gang of demigods. I wonder what he's been up to."

"Okay, so Percy has this bus full of demigods with him. Who are they? What's their story? Spill, someone!"

"I bet Percy's quest is gonna be epic. Stolen lightning, monsters, and probably a cameo from the gods. I need the deets, pronto."

"Monsters escorting a bus of demigods? Sounds like a plot twist from the movies."

"Percy's got a crew, I'm low-key jealous."

"I heard Percy's quest involves stolen symbols, Fates messing around, and monsters galore. This summer's gonna be wild, mark my words!"

Percy kicked a pebble as they walked, a casual move that seemed to release the tension in the air. "Camp Half-Blood's got that timeless charm."

Ethan, always the one to stir the pot, smirked. "Sure, but couldn't we have had this charm without the monster-infested woods? The tower's got its own charm, minus the cyclops."

Alabaster chimed in. "The facilities here are not that different from the tower. I mean, the strawberry fields are great, but I've seen magical gardens with way cooler enchantments."

Percy chuckled, running a hand through his messy hair. "Yeah, but there's something about this place. It's not just about the cabins or the activities. It's the demigod energy... plus, we get to train under Chiron, who trained so many Greek heroes."

Ethan leaned against a tree, crossing his arms. "Legendary or not, I miss the tower's rooftop view. We could see the city lightshow without worrying about being ambushed by monsters."

Percy nodded, glancing at the climbing wall. "The tower had its perks, but camp gives us the real deal. It's like the difference between reading a quest on a book and actually living it."

Alabaster's expression softened. "Yeah, I guess. But I will miss the snack bar, nothing beats the tower's 24/7 snack accessibility."

They all shared a laugh, the banter easing the transition from the tower to Camp Half-Blood. Chiron led the group through the camp, his hooves clicking against the hard-packed dirt. The Elysium Prep students followed, exchanging glances as they took in the surroundings. The training yard came into view, and Percy couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building. As they approached, the clang of swords and the rhythmic thud of weapons hitting practice dummies grew louder. The training yard was a bustling hub of activity, demigods of various ages honing their combat skills. The trio from Elysium Prep, with their confident strides, drew the attention of everyone around.

Chiron stopped, his eyes fixed on the blond boy who was guiding younger campers in the art of the sword. The boy lowered his weapon, meeting Chiron's gaze with a raised eyebrow. The Elysium Prep students stood there, anticipation in the air. "This is where you'll choose your weapons," Chiron announced, gesturing towards the array of training equipment. "Your skills will be put to the test, and you'll forge a connection with your chosen weapon."

The trio from Elysium Prep exchanged smirks, seemingly undaunted by the challenge. As Chiron spoke, Percy couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. They all already had their weapons and had trained hard at Elysium Prep, and now it was time to show their abilities. Chiron arched an eyebrow, watching as the Elysium Prep students flaunted their weapon choices. The blond boy paused in his swordsmanship training, glancing over with mild curiosity.

Ethan grinned, twirling a sleek morningstar. "Mom thought I needed a bit more oomph. So, morningstar it is. Nasty surprises for our opponents."

Nearby, several Elysium Prep students chimed in with their own weapon preferences. A girl with auburn hair proudly displayed her twin daggers, while a boy with a boisterous laugh boasted about his trusty celestial bronze hammer. The training yard turned into a symphony of voices, each demigod eager to showcase their chosen weapon.

Alabaster made his celestial bronze spear materialize with a flick of his wrist, the metal gleaming under the sunlight. "I've always had a soft spot for spears. Versatile and effective."

Percy, ever the showman, uncapped his pen, revealing the glinting bronze of Riptide. He held it up for all to see, the leaf-shaped blade catching the light. "This is Riptide. My trusty sword. Been through a lot together."

Chiron's eyes widened, not expecting such a display from the newcomers- especially, the mythical weapon Perseus was carelessly twirling around. "Well, well. Elysium Prep indeed. But training here is different from studying. It's about honing your skills, facing challenges head-on."

Ethan shrugged, a nonchalant smirk playing on his lips. "Hey, we're up for it. Challenges are our middle names. Well, not literally, but you get the point."

Alabaster nodded in agreement. "We didn't come all this way just to lounge around. We want the full demigod experience." Alabaster frowned for a second, tilting his head. "But no dying, I really like the idea of no killing."

Percy, with Riptide now at his side, grinned at Chiron. "In Elysium Prep, we've been training as well as studying. You'll see. We're not here to sit on the sidelines."

Chiron chuckled, a mix of amusement and curiosity in his eyes. "Time will tell. For now, let's see how you handle your weapons in real combat situations. We'll get you some experienced demigods to mentor you."

"It's not like we need it," Lou Ellen exclaimed, coming to stand beside her brother. "Nico and Percy are the best swordmasters out there and can kick your campers' asses!"

"Totally!" Damien hollered, as the rest of the Elysium Prep student body joined in good humor.

"They got nothing on our King and Prince!"

"I would like to see them try mentoring the Ghost King and the Sea Prince!"

"Mentorship? Ha! I did not know we had comedy classes here!"

"Luke Castellan is the strongest swordmaster this camp has seen in centuries," A blonde girl with a baseball hat declared coming to stand besides Chiron, her grey eyes scanning the Elysium Prep trio with a hint of challenge.

Ethan, never one to hold back, sneered at the proclamation. "Really? We've not heard about this Luke guy. Percy here could give him a run for his money any day," he retorted, a smirk playing on his lips.

Alabaster chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, Percy's skills with a sword are legendary. Even Nico struggles to match him with just a blade."

At that moment, the blond boy from earlier, the one with the scar over his eye, joined the group. Percy couldn't help but notice the intensity in the boy's gaze. As the debate continued, the girl getting more agitated with each passing second as Ethan and Alabaster continued riling her up with glee, Chiron, observing the exchange, decided to intervene. "Why not settle this with action?" he proposed, his wise eyes twinkling. "A friendly sparring match between Luke and Percy."

Percy, ever up for a challenge, grinned. "Sure thing, Chiron. Let's see what this Luke can bring to the table."

Luke, his expression a mix of confidence and curiosity, nodded in agreement. The atmosphere in the training yard crackled with anticipation as the campers gathered around, as Percy and Luke squared off, their swords gleaming in the sunlight. The first clash of swords echoed through the air as Luke lunged forward with a swift strike. Percy, his reflexes finely tuned, parried the attack with ease. The sparring match had begun, and each movement was executed with precision and skill.

Luke pressed on, his attacks coming in rapid succession. Percy skillfully countered each blow, showcasing his agility and the arduous training he had undergone from Alexander, who had taken over mentoring the newcomers at Elysium Prep. The rhythmic dance of swords continued, a symphony of clashing metal and determined grunts. Luke's experience showed in his strategic maneuvers, while Percy's unorthodox style kept the veteran on his toes.

Percy seized an opening, launching a powerful slash that forced Luke to step back. The campers gasped at the display of strength, but Luke, undeterred, rallied for a counterattack, each combatant pushing the other to the limits. The clash reached its climax as Percy, drawing from his deep reservoir of strength, delivered a series of rapid strikes. Luke defended valiantly, but the relentless assault proved too much. Percy's final swing, executed with a flourish, disarmed Luke, sending his sword skittering across the training yard.

The demigods erupted into cheers, acknowledging Percy's victory. The atmosphere shifted from competitive intensity to friendly, and Luke, though defeated, wore a proud smile. Percy extended a hand to his opponent, a gesture of mutual respect.

"That was a good fight," Percy admitted, his breath slightly labored from the exertion. Luke clasped Percy's hand, nodding in agreement. "Normally only our teacher and Nico can push me this much."

"Yeah, you're not half bad, new guy," Luke remarked, his tone carrying a tint of camaraderie.

Percy joined Ethan and Alabaster, as he was crowded by the cheering students of Elysium Prep. The campers, witnessing the clash, were left with a sense of awe and excitement, eager to see what other surprises the newcomers from Elysium Prep had in store for Camp Half-Blood.

Well, almost all of them.

Clarisse, daughter of Ares, scowled at the scene unfolding before her. The newcomers from Elysium Prep were acting like they owned the place, and Clarisse couldn't stand the audacity. Her competitive spirit flared up, and she silently vowed to put these upstarts in their place. Camp Half-Blood belonged to the demigods who had trained and fought for it, not to some newcomers who waltzed in with their own agenda.

Annabeth, daughter of Athena, shared Clarisse's sentiments, though for different reasons. The black-haired boy, Percy, had not only embarrassed her with his victory over Luke but also revealed himself as a son of Poseidon. The ancient rivalry between Athena and Poseidon was deeply ingrained in their mythology, and Annabeth carried that animosity within her.

As Percy stood there, triumphant and unaware of the brewing tension, Annabeth's glare intensified. She resented his very existence, a living reminder of the clashes between their godly parents. Annabeth had always been a staunch defender of her mother's wisdom, and Poseidon was an adversary by association. The defeat of Luke Castellan didn't earn Percy any favors in Annabeth's eyes; it only solidified her decision to keep her distance from the son of Poseidon.