Distantly I feel someone poking me as I try to wave them off. I can hear someone talking, but I try to ignore them and go back to sleep. I was dreaming about.

CRASH*

I bolt up and fall off the bed as I can hear laughter around me. I look up to see Luke holding two Cymbals with a massive grin on his face.

"Well, it's about time you got up. I was just about ready to get some cold water to wake you up," he says. I glare at him at the rude awakening. "What do you want?" I say bitingly, still a bit mad at him.

"Dinner time, come on. Everyone will be there soon," Luke urges me. "Alright, alright, I'm coming, Gods," I say with a huff.

Luke smirks before getting serious. "Cabin Eleven, fall in!" I see everyone finished getting ready and starting to head outside. I quickly get changed and head out as well. I leave my spear and dagger by my bed. I situate myself in the back and see that other cabins are also lining up.

We start marching to the Dining Pavilion, and as we get there, I can truly see how many demigods there are. There must be nearly a hundred of us. We all go to our respective tables. I remember in the books that sitting at another table is a big no-no.

There are so many of us at the Hermes table that some are even on the ends. I managed to find a place to sit as Chiron pounded his hoof against the floor, and everything instantly became quiet.

Chiron raises his glass, "To the Gods," he bellows out. We all raise our glasses, "To the Gods."

Wood Nymphs start bringing out platters of food, and I take some things here and there. I even grab one smoked steak and wait for it to happen. Suddenly, everyone gets up and starts heading to the fire, and I join them.

I can see them throw different foods into the fire as burnt offerings for the Gods. I can see Luke throw in his butter roll, "Hermes," and walks back to the table.

I throw in my steak, "Mother or Father," and then I throw my roll in, giving an offering to a person as I walk back to the table.

"What was that roll about?" Luke asks. "I just had an idea." Luke looks at me skeptically, but I wave him off. "It's fine," I say as I dig into my food. I don't have much food left, but I eat all of it. It practically melts in my mouth.

"Pretty good, huh?" Luke says with a grin. I nod, unable to say anything because of the delicious food.

Once all of the food is eaten, Chiron pounds his hoof again, and we all stop talking. Dionysus gets up. "Hello, you brats. Chiron says that Capture the Flag is this Friday, and Cabin Six currently holds the laurels." Athena's table cheers with pride. "Yes, yes, you brats, I don't even care.

Next, I should introduce the new camper, Jack Bar."

Everyone waits to hear Chiron correct him, but nothing happens. All eyes swivel towards me as I shrink into my seat. I could deal with a few eyes, but about a hundred is more than I could take.

"Now go have fun with your silly campfire." He then sits down. Everyone gets up and heads to the Amphitheater for campfire songs and sing-alongs.

"Jack!" I hear someone call out as I turn around and see Magellan making his way towards me. "Hey there Magellan." I hug him once he was in front of me. "I haven't seen you much. Where have you been?"

"I was in the city, and I was supposed to watch another demigod they found, but I brought you back early, so I had to explain myself to the Council of the Cloven Elders," Magellan explains.

The Council of the Cloven Elders was something that was briefly touched on in the books, but they weren't put in a good light. They always seemed like people who wanted to keep the status quo and shoot down new ideas or philosophies. Hell, when Grover came to them telling them about a lead on Pan, the actual God of Nature, they turned him away and tried to take away his searcher's license.

"So, are you going back?" I ask. He nods, "Yeah. But don't worry. As soon as I get back, maybe we can hang out."

I give him a grin. "I look forward to it. When are you leaving?" I ask him.

"Tomorrow morning. Oh, and by the way, Chiron wanted to let you know he wanted to talk to you about something but said that the invitation was open for anytime" Magellan says.

I nod, wondering why Chiron was asking for me. I haven't done anything odd or out of place. At least, I don't think so.

Magellan shakes me out of my thoughts. "Come on, or we'll be late." We start heading to the Amphitheater.

We sing campfire songs and sing-alongs. We have s'mores and stories. All in all, it was a wonderful time. I felt like I was connecting and being a part of the whole camp. Soon, it all started to wind down as we were all going back to our cabins or other places we needed to be.

I started walking to the cabin, and when I saw someone sitting at the fire, I decided to walk over.

"Hello?" I ask as the girl looks up. She looks about eight years old and has mousy brown hair.

"Hello. Have you decided to join me by the fire?" She pokes her stick at the fire before putting on another log to keep it burning,

"I would like that, my Lady." She turns her head to me, looking at me with curiosity in her eyes. Her eyes look like flames, but they feel cozy and not like hatred. "Oh? And how is it that you know of me?"

I give her a grin. "How would I not know probably the most powerful Olympian? At least in my opinion, of course."

Hestia was always one of my favorite Goddesses. She was always one of the calmer Goddesses, but she was the firstborn of Kronos and Rhea, making her very powerful. She probably could take on Zeus for the position of King of the Gods, but she loves her family too much to fight against them for power.

I go to kneel, but Hestia just waves me off. "I've never really been one for honorifics like my brothers and sisters. May I know your name, young demigod?"

I sit back on my log and smile at her with warmth. "Jack Bar, my Lady."

"Jack Bar? I must admit I've never heard of you, and my siblings, nieces, and nephews do like to talk about their children," Hestia says with a growing curiosity. And please call me Hestia. I insist." I give her a grin. "Very well Hestia." That was going to take some getting used to.

"I would also like to thank you for the offering. Not many send me offerings anymore," she says with a small smile.

I blush a bit at being caught. "I don't see why anybody wouldn't. You are in charge of the Hearth. You keep the fire going, giving out peace and warmth to anyone who needs it," you say truthfully as Hestia's smile widens.

"Thank you for the kind words, Jack. It's nice to be remembered every now and then." I give her a smile back.

"Are you here every night, Hestia?" I ask her. "I am where the Hearth is needed most," she says cryptically as I roll my eyes. Gods and their cryptical words

"Will I be accepted at the hearth?" Two can play at that game, Hestia. She gives me another big smile. "The Hearth accepts all and is open to anyone.

"I thank you," I get up and give her a small bow. "I hope we can talk again another time, Hestia." I walk away, feeling her eyes on my back as I return to the cabin. I walk through the door, and many people are asleep, and the rest are almost asleep. I carefully navigate my way through everyone and make it to my bed.

"First day of Camp Half-Blood," I whisper to myself as I feel myself drifting off. Pulling the blanket close to me, I drift off to sleep with a smile on my face.

Hestia POV

I watch as Jack walks away. "What a curious demigod."

Most people ignore or walk right past her, seeing her as unimportant. But not only did he give her an offering, but he also came over and talked to her, knowing exactly who she was. Most people would be frightened if they knew who she was, but he stepped forward without fear.

Many times, she tried to determine what God he was the son of, but she couldn't find anything solid. He was now turning into a curiosity that she wanted to solve.

"Who are you, Jack? What's your story?"