13. Tyson.
When Annabeth suggested adding Latin to their lessons, Damian was initially surprised but accepted with enthusiasm. Despite the already heavy workload, the idea of learning another language intrigued him. Annabeth, with her strategic mind, explained that knowing Latin could be an advantage in the world of demigods, especially during quests or in deciphering ancient texts.
"Latin is the foundation of many languages, including much of Greek. And since you don't have dyslexia, it will be easier for you to learn," Annabeth said with an encouraging smile.
Damian found Latin fascinating: its grammatical structure, the musicality of the words, and its deep connection to culture and history. Annabeth taught with patience, integrating practical phrases and historical curiosities, making each lesson engaging.
"Learning languages gives you a chance to better understand the world," she had told him one day. Damian nodded, feeling a new awareness grow within him. The more he studied, the more he realized that knowing different languages opened a universe of possibilities—not just for reading and understanding, but also for communicating and forming connections with people from different cultures.
Gray, always curious about the lessons, joined them occasionally, trying to pick up a word or two, although he preferred to stay focused on music. Damian, however, made an effort to share what he was learning, turning studying into a more social activity.
Over time, Damian realized he had a new passion: languages had become a way to feel stronger, more connected to the world, and, in a sense, closer to what could be his future as a demigod. When Percy returned to Camp Half-Blood, he brought a huge boy who seemed like a real giant. Damian, both curious and intimidated, instinctively hid behind Annabeth. Although the newcomer seemed kind and had a reassuring smile, Damian remained skeptical.
Annabeth, who knew Damian well, placed a hand on his shoulder to reassure him. "Don't worry, Damian. This is Tyson. He's... Percy's friend."
Tyson seemed harmless, with an innocent and friendly demeanor, but Damian couldn't shake the feeling of being small and vulnerable next to someone so imposing. However, Tyson noticed Damian peeking shyly from behind Annabeth and bent down a little to greet him.
"Hi!" he exclaimed enthusiastically. "You're small, but you look nice."
Damian pressed his lips together and nodded slowly, moving closer to Annabeth, who was trying to hold back a laugh. "Damian's just a little shy," Annabeth explained, giving the boy a reassuring glance.
Percy, for his part, seemed amused by the scene. "Don't worry, Tyson's the most harmless guy there is. Damian, you might not believe it right away, but he's one of us."
That statement struck Damian, who studied Tyson more closely, trying to understand what Percy meant. Annabeth whispered something in Damian's ear, trying to encourage him to give the newcomer a chance. Although his wariness didn't entirely disappear, Damian decided to observe from afar, little by little, the giant that everyone seemed to welcome so warmly.
The chaos at Camp Half-Blood came suddenly and was overwhelming. Damian, who had been enjoying the peacefulness of the day until then, was shaken by the screams and the sound of explosions in the distance. He turned sharply toward the main camp and saw the mechanical bulls: enormous metallic creatures with sharp horns and gleaming bodies, destroying everything in their path. More experienced demigods were trying to stop them, but they were knocked down like leaves in the wind.
Damian's heart was pounding in his chest. He knew he wasn't ready to face such a situation, but he couldn't stay still. He started running, looking for Chiron, weaving through the tents and trying to avoid danger. He reached the Big House just as Annabeth, Percy, and Tyson were preparing to intervene.
"Damian!" called Chiron as soon as he saw him. "Come here, stay with me!"
Breathless, Damian took shelter beside the centaur. As he watched the battle from a distance, he saw Tyson courageously charge at one of the bulls, grabbing its horns and facing it with incredible strength. It was then that Chiron explained what was happening.
"The camp is under attack because Thalia's tree has been poisoned," he said gravely. "The barrier protecting the camp is weakening."
Damian looked at Thalia's tree in the distance. The sight saddened him: the once lush tree seemed withered, its branches devoid of life.
Annabeth joined them, her face marked with worry and determination. "This isn't a random attack," she said. "Someone wants the camp to fall."
Damian nodded slowly, the fear and confusion he felt mixing with a sense of helplessness. He hoped that Percy, Tyson, and the others could stop the monsters, but he couldn't help wondering: who could commit such a vile act? And why?
With Annabeth and Percy gone to the Sea of Monsters, Damian's days at the camp seemed never-ending. The routine that once was full of activity now felt empty. Without Annabeth, Damian felt disoriented; the lessons that had given rhythm to his life were on hold, and he missed their conversations terribly.
Damian spent a lot of time under his favorite tree, with his notebook and pencil always within reach. He drew imaginary scenes of Percy and Annabeth during their mission, trying to guess what challenges they were facing. Drawing helped him calm down, but sometimes he wondered if he would ever be brave enough to go on a quest like theirs.
Gray was a constant support, and the music lessons with the ocarina became moments of escape. Damian appreciated Gray's patience, even though the melodies they played seemed melancholic, reflecting his mood. Simon, on the other hand, tried to distract him by taking him to shoot with the bow or involving him in games at the Hermes cabin. Yet, no matter how hard they tried, the camp felt less alive without Annabeth and Percy.
The hardest thing for Damian was the absence of the stories and curiosities Annabeth shared during their chats. Every now and then, he tried to read something from the book she had given him, but without her guidance, it was easy to lose focus.