15. Thalia.
In the depths of the Underworld, where lost souls wandered endlessly, a cold, amused laugh broke the silence that cloaked the darkness. It was a sound that echoed through the shadowy halls of Hades' realm, a laugh that belonged solely to him—the Lord of the Underworld. Hades, with an almost sinister smile, was entertained, as much as a god like him could be. The thought of inflicting further punishment on Tantalus brought him a certain satisfaction. Another cruel twist of fate, a never-ending torment, mirroring the suffering Tantalus had inflicted on Camp Half-Blood, trapping demigods in a cycle of inescapable agony.
"What a vindictive little boy," Hades mused with a grin. "He's got some spirit, I'll give him that. But he has no idea what it truly means to play with someone who masters revenge." The god found amusement in the thought of Damian, young and often quiet, nurturing that spark of anger that might one day make him a formidable adversary.
It wasn't common for a demigod, even one raised at a place like Camp Half-Blood, to approach him so directly, almost boldly. Damian still had a long way to go, but his revenge, small as it was compared to the gods' games of power, did not go unnoticed.
Hades paused for a moment, considering whether to reach out to Tantalus and make his punishment even more unbearable. He could make him suffer more—he deserved it, and then some. But not now. Not yet. Because vengeance is often sweeter when restrained, like a flame that never fully extinguishes but waits for the perfect moment to erupt.
With a sadistic smile, Hades sent his thoughts toward the world of mortals and demigods, where the boy who had made the request continued living his life. "Let him enjoy his little victories for now," Hades thought, "before the fires of hell let him feel their heat."
And so, in the depths of the darkness, the laughter of the Lord of the Underworld echoed, while another demigod, unaware of his role in this divine dance, followed his destiny. Back at Camp Half-Blood, Damian finally felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Life at the camp had resumed its routine, with days passing peacefully, as though the storm of dramatic events was now a distant memory. The tension that had gripped the camp after Luke's betrayal and the poisoning of Thalia's tree had slowly dissipated, leaving behind an air of apparent calm.
Damian had found solace in his usual routine, the one he knew by heart. Each morning, he woke up, attended lessons in Greek, Latin, and music with Gray, and then spent his afternoons drawing, as always. But there was something different now. The peace he sought, the one that always seemed to elude him, finally wrapped around him like a warm and comforting blanket.
He spent more time at the Big House, in the company of Mr. D and Chiron. Despite the sarcasm and irritated demeanor of the god of wine, Damian found that their presence offered him a sense of stability. The pinochle games had become a habit he looked forward to. They weren't just games but moments of relaxation and companionship, far removed from the worries that still occasionally troubled him.
Mr. D and Chiron seemed to appreciate his presence. There was no need for many words; their company alone was enough to make him feel less alone. Sometimes, Chiron teased him about his attempts to maintain a serious demeanor, but Damian had grown used to such moments. It was as if, through the game, he could finally let go of his worries and focus solely on the present.
His thoughts were less crowded. The constant feeling that something terrible was lurking had slowly begun to fade, and the daily routine allowed him to breathe. A part of him still couldn't let go of the past, but that part was now quiet, buried under the weight of more peaceful days.
Peace had finally returned, though it felt fragile and precarious. Damian no longer felt like a person torn between countless fears and impossible hopes. He had found his place at camp—a place that, while not perfect, finally offered him some serenity.
The arrival of Thalia, the daughter of Zeus, sent a shockwave through the camp. The scene that unfolded before everyone's eyes was almost surreal: the girl, seemingly emerging from the roots of Thalia's tree, rose as if nothing had happened. The Golden Fleece had had an even more powerful effect than anyone had imagined. Not only had it healed the tree, but it had also brought Thalia back to life, years after she had been transformed into a tree to save the camp.
Damian, watching the scene in wonder, immediately noticed the air of astonishment that hung over the demigods. He hadn't expected such a reaction, and yet, in that moment, the camp once again felt like a place of miracles. Disbelief was etched on everyone's faces, but above all else, there was joy—most evident in Annabeth.
As soon as Thalia stood, Annabeth couldn't contain her happiness. Without hesitation, she threw herself into a warm embrace, tears of joy streaming down her face. It seemed that, for Annabeth, this moment marked the end of a long wait—a dream finally coming true. The friendship between the two girls had never faded, and now Annabeth could once again hold her long-lost friend.
Chiron and the camp medics quickly rushed Thalia to the infirmary for checks, ensuring she was healthy after all she had endured. Damian found himself reflecting on the power of the Golden Fleece and how it had changed not only the fate of the tree but also Thalia's. He had heard of her story, of how she had been transformed into a tree to save the camp, but seeing her alive before him felt almost unreal.
News of Thalia's return spread quickly, and soon the camp buzzed with chatter and speculation. Everyone wondered what her resurrection would mean for the camp and the demigods. Damian couldn't take his eyes off the infirmary door, pondering how Thalia's presence would surely bring new hope and strength to the camp.
For Annabeth, especially, Thalia's return meant so much. It was a bond being rebuilt, and Damian watched their interaction with curiosity, understanding how important Thalia was to Annabeth—not just as an ally but also as a friend.
Amidst the joy, a sense of uncertainty lingered in the air. What would Thalia's return mean for the camp? Would it be a sign of hope or a harbinger of new challenges? Damian, though reluctant to admit it, felt that his world was shifting once again. But this time, for some reason, he didn't feel as uneasy as before.