(Percy is 14 year old)

We had already arrived at our new "home" that Alex couldn't stop talking about all ride. The drive went surprisingly well, almost making me believe Apollo was onto something by giving me the wheel.

I'd never seen Camp Half-Blood before. The snow surprised me—soft, silent, and somehow out of place. I heard magic was supposed to keep this place warm, but today it looked like even the gods had let the world in.

Frost coated the chariot track and the empty strawberry fields. The cabins were strung with little floating lights, not quite Christmas, not quite real. Somewhere in the woods, a fire glowed, and the attic window of the Big House flickered like someone was awake up there, waiting.

Nico stepped off the chariot first, his breath curling in the cold. "Woah is that a climbing wall?" he asked, pointing at the lava-spewing monstrosity in the distance.

Alex gave a crooked smile. "Yeah. Welcome to Camp Half-Blood, where even the snow can't put out the fire."

Grover was next, nearly tripping over his own hooves as he tried to help with the bags. "I'll, uh, show you around. If you want."

Zoe and my sisters didn't linger. "Cabin Eight," she announced, already striding ahead without a backward glance. The Hunters fell into step behind her, their silver cloaks rippling like moonlit waves.

I hesitated, scanning the snow-dusted cabins and the hollow quiet between them. The camp felt too still, too watchful—as if the shadows themselves were holding their breath.

"Percy." Apollo's voice cut through the cold, closer than I expected.

I turned to find him standing behind me, uncharacteristically still. No lyre, no smirk. Just the distant glow of his golden eyes, fixed on the horizon as if reading a future written in the winter light.

Zoe paused mid-stride, her spine stiffening. She glanced back, sharp gaze darting between me and the sun god. For once, her usual sharpness wavered—Apollo's silence had a gravity even she couldn't ignore. "Don't stay out here long," she warned, voice low but edged with something almost protective. "You're still one of us, brother. Cabin Eight waits."

The Hunters moved on, their footsteps crunching softly in the snow.

Apollo waited until they were out of earshot. Then, softer than I'd ever heard him speak: "Walk with me, kid."

We strolled in silence for a while, snow crunching underfoot. Finally, Apollo spoke, his voice low and oddly gentle. "You know, one of my many domains are prophecies. Interestingly enough, they aren't about seeing the future. Not really. It's about seeing the truth in the present—the things everyone else ignores."

I frowned. "So… what truth am I missing?"

Apollo glanced at me, the weight of centuries behind his gaze. "Hard times are coming. You'll be tested in ways you can't imagine. Not just by monsters or gods, but by doubt, by loss. By the fear that you'll lose what little family you have left."

My jaw tightened, but I remained silent.

Apollo continued, "The Oracle will speak to you soon, but the meaning is yours to find. Even I can't change fate, but I can guide you to face it. Remember this: 'Know thyself.' That's the first lesson of every hero. If you don't understand your own heart, you'll never survive what's ahead."

He paused, then added, "The sun rises for all, but not all see its light. You're not alone, even when it feels like it."

I looked away, the words settling in deeper than I wanted to admit.

Apollo gave me a steady look, the weight of his words still hanging between us. Then, with a sudden grin, he clapped his hands together and said, "But hey, don't go turning into a gloomy seaweed, alright? Keep your chin up, kid. We'll catch up soon—preferably somewhere with less snow and more sunshine!"

And with that, Apollo strode off, leaving me with more questions than answers, and the thought that Apollo deserves to be the god of mood swings.

…

Catching up with the other demigods wasn't hard as Alex wanted to show me around… for some reason.

Thalia nudged me. "You ready moonboy?"

I didn't smile, but my voice was steady. "I am."

Alex tried not to stare at the snow, or the cabins, or the way I seemed to belong and not belong all at once. "So… you want to meet Chiron?"

"Might as well, I don't even know if this place is safe yet," I muttered.

Thalia's laughter was sharp, but not unkind. "Don't worry, Percy. If the monsters don't get you, the camp pranks will."

Alex grinned nervously. "And if you survive both, you might even get to meet our other friends."

We started toward the Big House, the snow crunching under our boots. The camp was quiet, but I could feel the eyes watching from the windows, the woods, the shadows. For the first time, I wondered if I'd ever really be warm again.

…

Alex nudged me as we approached the Big House doors. "Alright, brace yourself. The guy in the wheelchair? That's Chiron. Don't let the tweed fool you—he's trained heroes since Achilles. And the one smelling like a wine vat? Mr. D. God of parties and turning people into dolphins. Try not to stare."

"Jeez, flattering," I whispered back sarcastically.

I stepped into the Big House, the familiar scent of pine and ancient magic wrapping around me like a cloak. Chiron was there, sitting in his wheelchair, eyes sharp and curious. Mr. D lounged nearby, shuffling cards with his usual bored expression—until he caught sight of me.

Chiron smiled when he saw the others.

"Alex! Thalia! Ah, and these two must be—"

"Percy Jackson and Nico di Angelo," Alex said. "They are both half-bloods, including Nico's sister."

Chiron breathed a sigh of relief. "You succeeded, then. And seemed to run into the hunters"

"Well…"

His smile melted. "What's wrong? And where is Annabeth?"

"Oh dear, not another," Mr. D said in a bored voice, "but let's change to the more interesting topic."

Mr. D's cards slipped from his fingers. He leaned forward, eyes narrowing at me with sudden interest. "Well, well. Looks like someone's been busy with divine paperwork." His voice was laced with disbelief. "Kid, you're radiating enough godly blood to make a cyclops jealous. Who's been playing matchmaker up on Olympus?"

I squared my shoulders, meeting their gazes without flinching. "Artemis doesn't 'play matchmaker.' She chooses. She doesn't abandon."

Chiron's hoof tapped the floor, his usual calm shaken. "A blood adoption? That's… unprecedented." He exchanged a look with Mr. D, whose smirk was tinged with something close to awe.

"If Artemis has truly claimed you as kin…" Mr. D's voice dropped. "That changes everything."

Chiron nodded gravely. "Artemis has shared her ichor with him. He is bound to her yet remains Poseidon's child—a duality no demigod has ever carried."

Mr. D snorted. "Duality? Try catastrophe. Kronos loves unstable half-bloods. They crack easier." He shot me a mocking toast. "Happy early death, kid."

"Um… I can't help but feel like you would be more surprised about this," I stated wearily.

Mr. D didn't even bother to hide his smirk. "Honestly, I'm surprised it took you this long to figure out everyone's been whispering about you," he drawled, swirling his Diet Coke.

Chiron nodded, folding his hands. "You must understand, Percy, news travels fast on Olympus. The gods are not exactly discreet when it comes to gossip—especially when it concerns something as unprecedented as Artemis taking a demigod as her own."

Percy frowned. "So you're saying… everyone already knows?"

"Oh, please," Mr. D snorted. "By the time you'd finished your first archery lesson, Hermes had already delivered the news to every nymph and minor god from here to the Underworld. Even Aphrodite's been fussing over what to wear for your 'inevitable introduction.' I hear she's planning something dramatic."

Chiron's eyes twinkled. "It's not every day Olympus gets a new rumor to obsess over. You, Percy, are the talk of the immortal grapevine. Some of the gods are even placing bets on how long it will take you to cause a diplomatic incident. Of course, you are still just a rumor, and until it is a proven fact, Zeus and Poseidon are both acting as if it wouldn't be a possibility."

I ran a hand through my hair, equal parts exasperated and uneasy. "Great. So I'm a walking headline."

Mr. D raised his glass. "Welcome to the rumor mill, kid. Try not to embarrass us too much. And if Aphrodite corners you—run."

Chiron smiled, a little more kindly. "You'll get used to it, Percy. Just remember: in a world where everyone's watching, the best thing you can do is be yourself."

Suddenly Nico burst into the room, followed by Grover.

"SO COOL!" Nico yelled, holding his hands out to Chiron. "You're… you're a centaur!"

Chiron managed a nervous smile. "Yes, Mr. di Angelo, if you please. Though, I prefer to stay in human form in this wheelchair for, ah, first encounters."

"And, whoa!" He looked at Mr. D. "You're the wine dude? No way!"

Mr. D turned his eyes away from me and gave Nico a look of loathing. "The wine dude?"

"Dionysus, right? Oh, wow! I've got your figurine."

"My figurine."

"In my game, Mythomagic. And a holofoil card, too! And even though you've only got like five hundred attack points and everybody thinks you're the lamest god card, I totally think your powers are sweet!"

"Ah." Mr. D seemed truly perplexed, which I couldn't tell was good or bad. "Well, that's… gratifying."

"Alex," Chiron said quickly, "you and Thalia go down to the cabins. Inform the campers we'll be playing capture the flag tomorrow evening."

"Capture the flag?" I asked. "Can I join in?"

"It is a tradition you do," Chiron said. "A friendly match, whenever the Hunters visit."

"Yeah," Thalia muttered. "I bet it's real friendly."

Alex nudged me, trying to lighten the mood. "So, which side are you thinking? Hunters or campers?"

I didn't smile. "It's not that simple. If I join the Hunters, it looks like I'm picking Artemis over everyone else here that I may end up close friends with. If I join the campers, I'm turning my back on the people who raised me." I glanced at Thalia, then at Chiron, my expression thoughtful. "Either way, I'm making a statement."

Thalia arched an eyebrow, her tone challenging but not unkind. "You always overthink these things, Percy. It's just a game."

I met her gaze, serious. "It's never just a game, God have eyes everywhere. People watch, and they remember. Alliances form here that last longer than a single night."

Chiron nodded, clearly impressed. "Wise words, Percy. Perhaps you should consider where you can lead best—and who needs you most."

I weighed the options in silence, then finally said, "I'll play with the Hunters. They're my sisters— even Artemis made sure of that. I love them as any brother would. I'll bunk with them, fight with them, and when this is over, I'll still stand with them. But I'm not just a Hunter. I'm Poseidon's son too. Let them see what happens when both sides claim me."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Trust you to turn capture the flag into a diplomatic mission. You're really going with them, huh?" His voice was light, but his knuckles clenched slightly. "Not even a thought for Cabin Three? Your dad's–my side?"

I didn't flinch. "I thought about it. But the Hunters—they're my family too." I met Alexander's gaze, steady. "I'm still Poseidon's son. That doesn't change. But I'll still fight with my sisters."

Alexander exhaled sharply, then smirked. "Guess I'll have to drag you back to the sea myself later." He punched my shoulder, softer than usual. "Just don't expect me to go easy on you because you're batting eyelashes at Zoe's squad."

Thalia snorted, her electric-blue eyes flickering between them. "Careful, Alex. You sound jealous."

Alexander rolled his eyes. "Jealous of a guy who sleeps in a cabin full of girls who'd stab him for sneezing? Hard pass." His tone shifted, quieter. "But… I get it. You're balancing both sides. Just don't forget which blood runs in your veins, Percy."

I nodded, gripping Riptide. "I won't. But you can't expect me to think about choosing someone I barely know over the people who have raised me. It's the harsh truth Alex, but I hope one day we will have that kind of bond."

"Alright you three," Chiron jerked his head toward Mr. D, who was still frowning as Nico talked about how many defense points all the gods had in his game. "Run along now."

…

The rest of the day unfolded like a dream—if dreams included lava walls and strawberry-picking drills. After years in the wild with Artemis, the rhythm of camp life felt foreign yet familiar, like a song I'd forgotten I knew. New faces blurred past: satyrs herding dryads, Hephaestus kids tinkering with automatons, and a dozen demigods eyeing me like I'd sprouted a second head.

…

"Ten drachma says Zeus smites him by sundown," a wiry boy snickered to his mirror-image twin near the climbing wall.

"Twenty says Aphrodite's already writing sonnets about this," the other shot back, wiggling his eyebrows.

I didn't need divine senses to peg them as Hermes' spawn—their grins screamed trouble.

…

The Apollo cabin proved harder to ignore. Sun-kissed and loud, they swarmed me after archery practice. "Artemis's son?" a blond guy mused, twirling a golden arrow. "Bet she taught you to shoot like a prissy poet."

Phoebe's arrow thwipped past his ear, embedding in a target behind him. "Try again, sunspot," she said sweetly. "Next one's your left cheek."

To their credit, the Apollo kids took the humiliation well—mostly. Their leader, Lee Fletcher (as he later introduced himself), just laughed. "We'll get you on the range tomorrow, Percy. See if moonlight beats sunlight."

…

The glares from the Ares cabin needed no translation.

A buff girl with a buzzcut spent dinner sneering at me—until two Hunters "accidentally spilled" boiling soup in her lap... from three tables away. When she lunged, Naomi disarmed her with a silver blade to the ribs.

"Lesson one," my sister said, pressing the blade to the girl's throat. "Percy's ours. Breathe near him, and we'll reintroduce you to pain."

…

But nothing prepared me for Aphrodite's cabin. The moment I passed their pink silk pavilion, a dozen demigods descended like vultures on a carcass.

"Oh my gods, your eyes—"

"Does Artemis let you date? Asking for a friend—"

Their leader, a sharp-eyed girl named Selina, physically blocked the door. "Back off, harpies! He's not a trophy." She tossed me an apologetic look. "Ignore them. Most think romance is a competitive sport."

I believed her—until a curly-haired boy shouted, "I'll compose a haiku for your eyelashes!"

Oh Hades.

…

However, other than my sisters, there was one other person I interacted with most of all.

Nico di Angelo was a puzzle I hadn't quite solved yet. There was something about the way he looked at the world—wide-eyed, hungry for adventure, and desperate to prove himself—that reminded me of the first time I truly set foot in this mythological world, before everything got complicated.

Nico's excitement was infectious. He'd bounce at my side, rattling off facts about Mythomagic cards or peppering me with questions about the Hunters, the gods, or what it was like to fight a manticore. Sometimes I caught him staring at the cabins or the woods with a kind of awe most of us had lost. He made the world feel new again, like there was still magic in every shadow.

But beneath that energy, I could see the cracks. Nico was young—much younger than he liked to admit, and far lonelier than he'd ever say out loud. He clung to his sister, Bianca, and when she left to join the Hunters, I saw the panic in his eyes. I knew that kind of fear—the terror of being left behind, of not belonging anywhere.

I wanted to protect him, maybe because I saw pieces of myself in him: the kid who'd lost too much, too soon, but still hoped for something better. I wished I could tell him that the world wasn't as dark as it sometimes seemed, that he'd find his place, even if it wasn't where he expected.

Nico's excitement was a shield, but it was also a promise. He hadn't been broken by the world—not yet. And as long as he kept that spark, I'd do what I could to make sure it didn't go out.

Meanwhile, dinner at camp felt just like our own, with Zoe at the head of the table doing her "Big sister duties" (as Naomi likes to call it) while I sat beside Phoebe right near Zoe.

However, the real warning Apollo mentioned begun at night.

…

I jolted awake, his hunter's instincts screaming that something was wrong. The camp was silent except for the distant hoot of an owl—too silent. I grabbed Riptide and crept into the hallway, my silver-tinged sea green eyes piercing the dark.

Zoe stood frozen outside our cabin door, her face pale in the moonlight. Her hands trembled slightly, a detail I only noticed because Artemis had trained me to see what others missed.

I stepped forward, voice low. "You're not sneaking out for a midnight snack, Zoe. What's going on?"

Zoe's spine stiffened. "It is none of your concern, brother."

I blocked her path. "You had a dream. About Artemis." It wasn't a question.

Zoe's breath hitched—a crack in her millennia-old armor. The silver circlet on her brow gleamed too brightly in the shadows, as if betraying her panic. "You do not understand the stakes, Perseus." She used my full name like a blade.

"Then explain them," I said, stepping closer.

She hesitated, biting her lip like she was fighting herself. Finally, she sighed and looked at me with tired eyes. "I don't want to worry you. You're like a younger brother to me, Percy. I don't want you carrying this burden."

But I wasn't letting her off that easy. "I'm not a kid, Zoe. If Artemis is in trouble, I need to know."

Her voice dropped to a whisper. "She's kidnapped? Look it wasn't that understandable, and it may not of happened. But there was a voice—a warning. Something terrible is coming. I don't know all of it, but it felt like a trap for her."

My voice dropped low, trembling with a fury I've never experienced. "Kidnapped? Kidnapped?" The word tasted like ash. "Artemis—the goddess who's felled Titans, who's never needed anyone's protection—was taken? Tell me you're lying, Zoe. Tell me this is some test."

Zoe gripped her bow, her voice brittle as winter frost. "I wish I were. The dream was difficult to decipher. And that voice… I have a slight idea, but I pray it isn't."

I slammed a fist into the cabin wall, wood splintering under my knuckles. "Names matter, Zoe! Who. Took. Her?" My voice cracked like thunder, raw and jagged. "I'll carve through every monster, every god, every breath between here and Tartarus if I have to. Tell me where she is."

Zoe stepped closer, her own rage simmering beneath the surface. "You think I'm not choking on this agony too? She's my lady—my purpose for three thousand years! But charging in blind gets her killed. Think, brother!"

I let out a bitter laugh, unshed tears glinting in the moonlight. "Think? I'm thinking how weak I was. She spent years protecting me, teaching me to track, to fight—and the one time she needs my blade, I'm here sleeping?" I kicked a nearby shield, sending it clattering across the floor. "What kind of son does that make me?"

Zoe grabbed my shoulders, shaking me hard. "Enough. You're her blood, Percy. That means you don't just swing a sword—you outsmart them. Whoever took her wants you reckless. Don't give them the satisfaction."

My breath came in sharp, uneven gasps. For a moment, the cabin air hummed with my barely contained wrath. Then, quieter, lethal, I whispered, "Then we find her. Now. And when we do…" My fingers brushed Riptide's cap, the gesture a silent vow. "No one touches my mother and lives to boast about it."

"I know brother. I agree. Now please get back inside, I'll force Chiron to let us leave tomorrow," She spoke softly, having regained control over her emotions.

I didn't move. "One more thing." The question tasted like poison. "Who do you think it was?"

The shadows in the cabin deepened as she leaned in, her whisper colder than Lethe's touch. "My father."

Atlas.

The name punched through me like a spear. The General who'd nearly killed Artemis in the first Titan War. The one even Zeus feared.

Fuck.

Zoe turned to leave, her silver cloak swallowing the moonlight as she vanished into the shadows, leaving me alone with the crackling hearth and the weight of Atlas's name coiled in my gut.

Then—

"The path you walk is perilous, Perseus Jackson."

The voice came not from the cabins, but from the flames behind me, soft yet powerful, threaded with the warmth of embers and the sharpness of smoke. I whirled, Riptide uncapped before my mind caught up—but the blade met only air.

The hearth's fire roared to life, flames twisting into a spire of gold and crimson. At its heart stood a girl no older than twelve, her form wreathed in living fire, yet her bare feet left no scorch marks on the stone. Her eyes glowed like banked coals, ancient and knowing.

A soft smile graced her face.

"But the hearth burns brightest when the night is darkest," she continued, her voice layered with the crackle of kindling and the whisper of ash. "Listen well child, for what I say may be the difference between ruin and salvation."

Double fuck.

…

A/N: Hestia is the fourth god/goddess Percy has met so far. Of course Mr D and Chiron aren't TOO insane with their reactions to Percy. The big ones will come later, those of course being Poseidon and Zeus. Though I wonder how his relationships will work with each of them. Sorry for not making the chapter much longer! I'll try next one.

Comment responses:

Sharkwest: We'll definitely see soon, whether in the capture the flag game or his upcoming quest! Thanks for the support!

Magocrat777: Tsym!

PyroGremlin: Good idea. Thanks for the criticism, yes I have to agree that I should've stretched out the relationship a bit longer, kinda just was lazy and put in time skips to show the slow building instead. I'll likely come back to those earlier chapters soon to fix them.

SSG1102: Sadly my workload is building so uploads will start to become less often but thank you so much for the support!