1
The City
I woke up and had no idea where he was.
A cell. The walls were bricks carved out of grey stone. The floor was the same and there was only one door. The door was of iron bars, so close together he could only fit his arm through. More cells were out in the corridor, torches flaming, hanging on the wall. I rubbed my eyes and looked around. People were in the hallway, two at each side of his cell.
-Excuse me? I asked. The two of them swerved spears pointing at me, all at the exact same time. I raised his hands.
-I’m unarmed, I’m unarmed! Where am I? The two figures lowered their weapons. They were both wearing armour, their helmets silver with a red plume. One was a boy, the other a girl. The girl was African American, with eyes of an impressive cocoa and her features delicately carved. She was pretty, but she looked threatening and mean enough to kick a kitten. The boy had brown bangs falling in his eyes. They both looked well-built and stern.
-We know. We disarmed you the moment you got here.
-Where is here?
-Don’t play games stranger. Where is he? The girl asked, jerking her spear forwards.
-He? Who are you talking about?
-You can not be serious. If you think that I’ll…
-WOW wow, wow! Rey, its okay, its okay. I’ve got this covered. A girl said. She walked towards me. She wore a purple shirt covered by a breastplate and black jeans. A sword was at her side. Her eyes were thin and a color I couldn’t identify, and her hair, light brown curls, was pulled back.
-Hazel, what are you talking about?
-I’m on orders from Lupa; I am to show him camp. Hazel said.
-I am to keep him in the cell.
-Lupa wants to see him. He is harmless as far as she can tell. Do you perhaps doubt her? Hazel smoothly suggested. The girl jerked her sword back and attacked the lock with a key she turned.
-It’s your lucky day. Don’t think they’ll all be like this. She said. She pulled the door open.
-Common. Hazel said. She took his wrist and led him down the corridor, up a flight of stairs. She opened a wooden door and the sunshine nearly blinded him. He squinted.
-Common before Reyna gets ticked. Hazel whispered. I followed her out the door which she closed behind us.
There was a temple right in front of us, houses around them. There was a building that looked like the collleseum too. A creek passed straight in the middle, a log-like bridge right there. Two girls were kneeling collecting water in big vase-like pots. Other people were walking around, dressed in silver armour, but very few of them were. Most people had seemed to take shelter of the chocking heat.
-I’m sorry, Reyna isn’t usually like this. Well, she is. But, oh- never mind. I’m Hazel by the way. Hazel Ducharme.
-I’m… I’m…
-Let me guess: you don’t remember?
-Umm… I’m sorry, but yeah. How do you know?
-You’re what, 16? You’re 16 and you had weaponry on you, yet nobody at this camp has ever seen your face. You didn’t answer any questions when we found you and-
-What?
-You showed up floating face-in near the stream last week. Reyna nearly attacked you. Then Bobby stopped her, and they dragged you out. You were still alive, so Reyna asked you things. You had no idea where you came from or who you were, then you passed out. You were alive and unharmed, so we got you in the dungeon.
-Dungeon? What’s this, Camp Medieval spirit?
-What’s Camp Half-Blood?
-Camp Half-Blood? How should I know?
-For starters you’re wearing a T-shirt with that name on it. Hazel said. I starred down. The shirt I was wearing an orange shirt with something that looked like “Camp Half-Blood” written on it.
-I don’t remember that either.
-Okay, since I have no idea what your name is, I’ll just call you Bob.
-Umm, no.
-Joe?
-No way.
-Tyson?
-Tyson..? The name seemed familiar. I knew someone named Tyson, and I should know who he was.
-Not Tyson either, hmm? Geez you’re picky. What about Add?
-Alright then, Add.
-Cool, and it suites you. Advena means stranger. Common, better get started on that tour before Reyna thinks I’m lying. She’s nice and all but you do not want to lie to her. Let’s go. She said.
Hazel was not giving me any processing time. I woke up in a dungeon guarded by a girl who wanted to kill me, then she’s given me a new name and now I was going for a tour of wherever-we-where.
-Where are we?
-The City. She said walking off.
-Wait, the city of what?
-The City isn’t OF something it’s completely dependant on its own. Eat form the forest, drink from the creek; the rest is given through the gods.
-The what?
-The gods. Aw, Romulus, you can’t be that clueless!
-I don’t remember my name, I’m pretty sure I can.
-Okay, then I’m going to have to break this to you. I apologise, I’m no good at this. Here, come sit down with me. She said, gesturing to the edge of a fountain with some kind of cupid on it, shooting water from the tip of the arrow notched at its quiver. She sat down and so did I.
-Science sucks. She said.
-What? Hazel smacked her forehead.
-First sentence and I screw up. I mean science isn’t true. Lightning, the waves, seasons; it’s not science. It’s the Roman gods.
-Roman gods?
-Yup. Jupiter, Trivia, Juno, all of them.
-Aren’t the Romans just the Greek gods?
-No way, buddy. Greeks were too laid-back. Didn’t take fighting seriously. No discipline, why do you think Rome absolutely creamed those guys in the old days? The Greek gods, well… Sure, they did exist. But after Romans started believing in new, similar, gods, they faded away, and those gods went for power. They still are at power, because they’re immortal. They can’t die, nor can their power.
-That doesn’t make any sense.
-Add, when you’re a demigod, your whole freaking life doesn’t make any sense.
-Demigod?
-Yup. When gods mingle with mortals, mingle and fall in love that is, a demigod is born. Some of us are born by thought, some by magic.
-Athena and Hecate’s children?
-Minerva and Trivia. But yeah. My mom is Trivia. Do you know who your immortal is? No eh? Hmm… We’ll find out. Lupa will at least.
-Who’s Lupa?
-You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Common. Each god’s children have their own cabin.
-They all look the same, except for the curtain at the door…
-Order and discipline. Two camp rules.
-But… The gods are all different.
-Yes. But we are united. We are one. Why does it matter to you anyways?
-Nothing. I said. Hazel looked at me oddly.
-There are too many gods, more gods then room the camps own, and some of them are maidens. No kids. Empty cabins. Some of the gods are paired up by houses. The wind gods, for example. Ceres and Proserpina too.
-Who?
-Agriculture goddess, spring goddess. Ring a bell?
-Oh, Demeter and Persephone.
-Nobody uses the Greek names, Add. It’ll just make you look like a total loser. But anyways, that’s why we have so little houses. I’ll show you the arena, you will love it Add. She said. As she walked I noticed a tattoo on her arm. Except they didn’t look normal, more like burns. 7 bars, like a grocery-market code with the letters SPQR and a dog paw imprint above.
-What’s with the tattoo? I asked. Hazel looked up at me.
-This? Every summer, the day before everyone goes back to wherever they live and unity breaks, they mark us. SPQR; it’s the motto of the Roman Empire, and camp. Senatus Populusque Romanus. The lines represent each year I’ve been around. I’m 15, and I got here when I was 8. Basic math Add, 8+7=15. Every year I’ve survived. How old are you? Ooh, let me guess, you don’t remember do you? You look 16, so I’ll go with that. The paw…
-You like littlest pet shop?
-So you don’t know your name but you know all about littlest pet shop? So much sense, and realise my brothers and sisters would kill you for saying that. The dog is a symbol of Trivia. It changes depending on your parent. For example Rey would got a plumed helmet and Jason has this… She bit her lip.
-Jason? He the guy that was in the dungeon?
-No, that was Bobby. Anyways what was I saying? Oh yeah, the tattoo changed from person to person unless you have a twin. Well, even then, if there was a year where you did something to majorly disrespect the gods, the camp, Lupa or anything else really you get a red bar, the red color is from your…
-Who’s Jason? Hazel pursed her lips.
-I mustn’t speak of him to you. Not until… Not until we know where you came from. I answered your questions, you answer mine. What’s with the necklace and the beads? You’re not into jewellery are you? ‘Cause that could mean…
-No. No, I… I don’t remember.
-Dammit, how are you supposed to answer my questions if you don’t remember anything? And you’ve got some weird designs on there. Is that a tree? I stared down and rolled the bead she was talking about between my fingers.
-It looks like a tree, so I guess.
-Wow. Out of all things a stupid tree.
-It’s not a stupid tree, it’s an important tree! I replied. Then I frowned, surprised to see the anger in my voice.
-Okay, I’m sorry I insulted the important tree. How do you even know that?
-I… I just do. I said.
-Okay, so is that an important building? She asked pointing at the last one.
-I… Yeah. I think it is. I said. I racked my brains to figure out what the building had that made it important.
-We’ll figure it out Add. You know, I think we should forget the arena and I’ll just take you to see Lupa.
-Who’s Lupa?
-Lupa’s the talking she-wolf in charge of this camp. I blinked a few times.
-No seriously. Who’s Lupa?
-I said you wouldn’t believe me. You’ll see. In front of her, show no weakness. No fear, no confusion.
-Oh that’ll work well.
-You better prey it will. I need to get my armour if we’re going to see Lupa. Do you mind stopping at my place?
-Umm, no.
-Sweet, common. It’s by the creek, behind Neptune and Jupiter’s.
I followed Hazel.
-Just wait here. Don’t get in a fight, don' swear at anyone and don’t go too far away.
-Got it. Hazel disappeared through a thick black theatre-style curtain and into her house.
*Hazel (sort-of)
The City
I woke up and had no idea where he was.
A cell. The walls were bricks carved out of grey stone. The floor was the same and there was only one door. The door was of iron bars, so close together he could only fit his arm through. More cells were out in the corridor, torches flaming, hanging on the wall. I rubbed my eyes and looked around. People were in the hallway, two at each side of his cell.
-Excuse me? I asked. The two of them swerved spears pointing at me, all at the exact same time. I raised his hands.
-I’m unarmed, I’m unarmed! Where am I? The two figures lowered their weapons. They were both wearing armour, their helmets silver with a red plume. One was a boy, the other a girl. The girl was African American, with eyes of an impressive cocoa and her features delicately carved. She was pretty, but she looked threatening and mean enough to kick a kitten. The boy had brown bangs falling in his eyes. They both looked well-built and stern.
-We know. We disarmed you the moment you got here.
-Where is here?
-Don’t play games stranger. Where is he? The girl asked, jerking her spear forwards.
-He? Who are you talking about?
-You can not be serious. If you think that I’ll…
-WOW wow, wow! Rey, its okay, its okay. I’ve got this covered. A girl said. She walked towards me. She wore a purple shirt covered by a breastplate and black jeans. A sword was at her side. Her eyes were thin and a color I couldn’t identify, and her hair, light brown curls, was pulled back.
-Hazel, what are you talking about?
-I’m on orders from Lupa; I am to show him camp. Hazel said.
-I am to keep him in the cell.
-Lupa wants to see him. He is harmless as far as she can tell. Do you perhaps doubt her? Hazel smoothly suggested. The girl jerked her sword back and attacked the lock with a key she turned.
-It’s your lucky day. Don’t think they’ll all be like this. She said. She pulled the door open.
-Common. Hazel said. She took his wrist and led him down the corridor, up a flight of stairs. She opened a wooden door and the sunshine nearly blinded him. He squinted.
-Common before Reyna gets ticked. Hazel whispered. I followed her out the door which she closed behind us.
There was a temple right in front of us, houses around them. There was a building that looked like the collleseum too. A creek passed straight in the middle, a log-like bridge right there. Two girls were kneeling collecting water in big vase-like pots. Other people were walking around, dressed in silver armour, but very few of them were. Most people had seemed to take shelter of the chocking heat.
-I’m sorry, Reyna isn’t usually like this. Well, she is. But, oh- never mind. I’m Hazel by the way. Hazel Ducharme.
-I’m… I’m…
-Let me guess: you don’t remember?
-Umm… I’m sorry, but yeah. How do you know?
-You’re what, 16? You’re 16 and you had weaponry on you, yet nobody at this camp has ever seen your face. You didn’t answer any questions when we found you and-
-What?
-You showed up floating face-in near the stream last week. Reyna nearly attacked you. Then Bobby stopped her, and they dragged you out. You were still alive, so Reyna asked you things. You had no idea where you came from or who you were, then you passed out. You were alive and unharmed, so we got you in the dungeon.
-Dungeon? What’s this, Camp Medieval spirit?
-What’s Camp Half-Blood?
-Camp Half-Blood? How should I know?
-For starters you’re wearing a T-shirt with that name on it. Hazel said. I starred down. The shirt I was wearing an orange shirt with something that looked like “Camp Half-Blood” written on it.
-I don’t remember that either.
-Okay, since I have no idea what your name is, I’ll just call you Bob.
-Umm, no.
-Joe?
-No way.
-Tyson?
-Tyson..? The name seemed familiar. I knew someone named Tyson, and I should know who he was.
-Not Tyson either, hmm? Geez you’re picky. What about Add?
-Alright then, Add.
-Cool, and it suites you. Advena means stranger. Common, better get started on that tour before Reyna thinks I’m lying. She’s nice and all but you do not want to lie to her. Let’s go. She said.
Hazel was not giving me any processing time. I woke up in a dungeon guarded by a girl who wanted to kill me, then she’s given me a new name and now I was going for a tour of wherever-we-where.
-Where are we?
-The City. She said walking off.
-Wait, the city of what?
-The City isn’t OF something it’s completely dependant on its own. Eat form the forest, drink from the creek; the rest is given through the gods.
-The what?
-The gods. Aw, Romulus, you can’t be that clueless!
-I don’t remember my name, I’m pretty sure I can.
-Okay, then I’m going to have to break this to you. I apologise, I’m no good at this. Here, come sit down with me. She said, gesturing to the edge of a fountain with some kind of cupid on it, shooting water from the tip of the arrow notched at its quiver. She sat down and so did I.
-Science sucks. She said.
-What? Hazel smacked her forehead.
-First sentence and I screw up. I mean science isn’t true. Lightning, the waves, seasons; it’s not science. It’s the Roman gods.
-Roman gods?
-Yup. Jupiter, Trivia, Juno, all of them.
-Aren’t the Romans just the Greek gods?
-No way, buddy. Greeks were too laid-back. Didn’t take fighting seriously. No discipline, why do you think Rome absolutely creamed those guys in the old days? The Greek gods, well… Sure, they did exist. But after Romans started believing in new, similar, gods, they faded away, and those gods went for power. They still are at power, because they’re immortal. They can’t die, nor can their power.
-That doesn’t make any sense.
-Add, when you’re a demigod, your whole freaking life doesn’t make any sense.
-Demigod?
-Yup. When gods mingle with mortals, mingle and fall in love that is, a demigod is born. Some of us are born by thought, some by magic.
-Athena and Hecate’s children?
-Minerva and Trivia. But yeah. My mom is Trivia. Do you know who your immortal is? No eh? Hmm… We’ll find out. Lupa will at least.
-Who’s Lupa?
-You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Common. Each god’s children have their own cabin.
-They all look the same, except for the curtain at the door…
-Order and discipline. Two camp rules.
-But… The gods are all different.
-Yes. But we are united. We are one. Why does it matter to you anyways?
-Nothing. I said. Hazel looked at me oddly.
-There are too many gods, more gods then room the camps own, and some of them are maidens. No kids. Empty cabins. Some of the gods are paired up by houses. The wind gods, for example. Ceres and Proserpina too.
-Who?
-Agriculture goddess, spring goddess. Ring a bell?
-Oh, Demeter and Persephone.
-Nobody uses the Greek names, Add. It’ll just make you look like a total loser. But anyways, that’s why we have so little houses. I’ll show you the arena, you will love it Add. She said. As she walked I noticed a tattoo on her arm. Except they didn’t look normal, more like burns. 7 bars, like a grocery-market code with the letters SPQR and a dog paw imprint above.
-What’s with the tattoo? I asked. Hazel looked up at me.
-This? Every summer, the day before everyone goes back to wherever they live and unity breaks, they mark us. SPQR; it’s the motto of the Roman Empire, and camp. Senatus Populusque Romanus. The lines represent each year I’ve been around. I’m 15, and I got here when I was 8. Basic math Add, 8+7=15. Every year I’ve survived. How old are you? Ooh, let me guess, you don’t remember do you? You look 16, so I’ll go with that. The paw…
-You like littlest pet shop?
-So you don’t know your name but you know all about littlest pet shop? So much sense, and realise my brothers and sisters would kill you for saying that. The dog is a symbol of Trivia. It changes depending on your parent. For example Rey would got a plumed helmet and Jason has this… She bit her lip.
-Jason? He the guy that was in the dungeon?
-No, that was Bobby. Anyways what was I saying? Oh yeah, the tattoo changed from person to person unless you have a twin. Well, even then, if there was a year where you did something to majorly disrespect the gods, the camp, Lupa or anything else really you get a red bar, the red color is from your…
-Who’s Jason? Hazel pursed her lips.
-I mustn’t speak of him to you. Not until… Not until we know where you came from. I answered your questions, you answer mine. What’s with the necklace and the beads? You’re not into jewellery are you? ‘Cause that could mean…
-No. No, I… I don’t remember.
-Dammit, how are you supposed to answer my questions if you don’t remember anything? And you’ve got some weird designs on there. Is that a tree? I stared down and rolled the bead she was talking about between my fingers.
-It looks like a tree, so I guess.
-Wow. Out of all things a stupid tree.
-It’s not a stupid tree, it’s an important tree! I replied. Then I frowned, surprised to see the anger in my voice.
-Okay, I’m sorry I insulted the important tree. How do you even know that?
-I… I just do. I said.
-Okay, so is that an important building? She asked pointing at the last one.
-I… Yeah. I think it is. I said. I racked my brains to figure out what the building had that made it important.
-We’ll figure it out Add. You know, I think we should forget the arena and I’ll just take you to see Lupa.
-Who’s Lupa?
-Lupa’s the talking she-wolf in charge of this camp. I blinked a few times.
-No seriously. Who’s Lupa?
-I said you wouldn’t believe me. You’ll see. In front of her, show no weakness. No fear, no confusion.
-Oh that’ll work well.
-You better prey it will. I need to get my armour if we’re going to see Lupa. Do you mind stopping at my place?
-Umm, no.
-Sweet, common. It’s by the creek, behind Neptune and Jupiter’s.
I followed Hazel.
-Just wait here. Don’t get in a fight, don' swear at anyone and don’t go too far away.
-Got it. Hazel disappeared through a thick black theatre-style curtain and into her house.
*Hazel (sort-of)
last edited over a year ago