Chapter Text
The steady beep of the heart monitor was the only sound in the quiet hospital room, signaling Kim Dokja wasn’t dead, and very much alive. Still, Kim Dokja still hoped he would be dying soon because the soreness he currently felt was unbearable. The moment he gained consciousness, everything ached as he registered his pain full-force.
He thought he had gained a high pain tolerance from the constant abuse he received from his classmates at school, but he was wrong. So wrong. Every fiber that made up Kim Dokja writhed in agony, screaming in protest at the simple rise and fall of his chest. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. Wasn’t he supposed to be doped on painkillers? Why did everything hurt so bad?
"Well that’s what happens when you jump off from the whopping height of four stories,"
His inner thoughts quipped unhelpfully. His back cramped from laying on the rigid bed, and so did his neck. He looked around the hospital room he was placed in, bare white walls, nothing of importance except for him and the bed (plus hospital equipment he didn’t care to identify). So embarrassing.
When his Uncle and Aunt found out why he had to be hospitalized he’d never hear the end of it.
He willed his sore legs to keep him upright as he slowly pushed himself off of the bed. They almost gave out. He put on slippers that had been left beside the bed and hobbled out of the room. He grumbled, realizing his room was at the end of a long hall. More walking, yay.
Strangely, it didn’t look like any other person, patient or hospital worker, was currently on the floor. He observed his surroundings, noticing an elevator at the opposite end of the hall. He tottered towards it, noting that there was nowhere else to go, all other doors locked. Just where the hell was he? He walked into the elevator carefully, eyeing the numbers. He chose to press the first floor. It appeared he was on the fourth one.
A cheery tune came from the elevator's crackly speaker as it descended, it wasn't to his tastes. He wondered what he should do. He didn’t have any of his belongings, and as far as he could tell, no one had visited him.
Did his relatives even know about his attempt? If they did, did they care? Probably not. Why would they start to now?
A ding sounded, and the elevator doors opened.
He stepped out, watching Doctors bustle about with purpose. He lowered his head, wanting to conceal his presence as much as possible. He didn't want any attention, even if it was well-meaning. He was successful until he bumped into a broad, strong back.
The person’s stubby body twisted slowly, a scowling face came into view. Her thin lips were pushed out with disgust, terrible wrinkles ingrained into her forehead. She had an upturned nose that put her giant nostrils on display, with red, big eyes that pulled her strange appearance together. Her pale skin was littered with blotches of pink. She had a broad face, with short, stringy black hair framing it. Her expression only soured more as she looked down at him, recognition flashing in her venomous eyes.
“What are you doing out of your room, Kim Dokja.” It wasn’t even phrased like a question, she didn’t bother hiding her hostility. He visibly startled, eyes flitting to stare at anything but her. Her presence bore down on him, making him feel small. He flinched at the feeling of her big hand resting itself on his shaky shoulder.
“Let me walk you back to your room.” She murmured in an artificially sweet voice, not waiting for a reply as she turned him around and led him back towards the elevator. He didn’t know why, but he felt nauseous at the thought of being alone with her.
“I’m hungry.” He announced, quickly backing away from her and her reach. He couldn’t bring himself to look above her chin. He was never good at making eye contact. Instead his eyes wandered down her outfit. She wore baby blue, classic nurse scrubs. Her uniform was tight around her torso, a size too small, he’d guess. Her pant legs draped over her shoes, short stature not meant for the long pants. Though, hyper focusing on her clothes couldn’t distract him from her radiating anger.
There was a long pause, conflicting emotions twisting her face, she decided after a while. “I’ll bring you food, then we go back to your room.” The women growled out, turning to walk towards the hospital cafeteria without pause.
”Stay here.” She ordered before leaving. Kim Dokja cautiously watched her figure leave. He quickly walked in the direction opposite from her. He wanted to be very far from wherever she was. Kim Dokja walked into the lobby, ignoring any lingering gazes on him as he walked towards the reception desk.
Sitting behind it was a beautiful lady. She had long, silky hair that was as white as snow, a small nose that complimented her small, blood red lips. Her pale unblemished skin seemed to glow underneath the cheap yellow lamp hanging above them. She smiled radiantly. Her caramel eyes stared into his.
Kim Dokja’s eyes nervously darted away from hers. He looked down, eyes catching on a silver tag. The letters danced around, not forming together. It took a few seconds till they settled down and he could read that it said ‘Lee Seolhwa’. She was wearing scrubs as well.
“Can I help you?” She asked, voice tender.
“Yes I…” He paused, analyzed her kind face as he thought of what to say. “…My name is Kim Dokja. Could you please call any of my relatives?” He asked. Lee Seolhwa’s eyes widened, smile faltering.
“Kim Dokja…?” She repeated slowly, raising a curious eyebrow.
“Um. Yeah, My auntie’s name is Lee Jaeyi. Do you have her information?” He rambled, nervous about her shift in behavior. Had he somehow misspoken? Lee Seolhwa’s eyes shined with interest, and curiosity.
“Kim Dokja, how about we t-“ Lee Seolhwa was interrupted by a high strung, fierce voice.
“I thought I told you to stay where you were.” He recognized it, going as stiff as a board. It was the nurse he had ran into.
“I-I got lost.” He replied meekly. He did not want to turn around, afraid to face her wrath head on for disobeying. He looked to Lee Seolhwa, silently asking for help. She didn’t look at Kim Dokja, glaring at the figure behind him.
“And who are you?” Lee Seolhwa spoke, toneuneasy. Her posture had gone from friendly and relaxed to rigid and guarded, but she wasn’t any less composed.
“My name is Ms. Wilma. Excuse us.” The burly nurse replied curtly, though not without a sneer. She turned around, latching onto his thin wrist and dragging him with her. He just went along with it helplessly, Lee Seolhwa stood up, alarmed and her mouth formed words. He didn’t hear her.
Ms. Wilma powered through anyone in their way to the elevator, like a bull, shoving anyone aside easily. She pushed employees and patients alike. Nobody stopped them. They entered the empty elevator quickly and she pushed the button that led to the fourth floor. The lack of conversation unnerved him, the atmosphere was overwhelming.
Ms Wilma’s large hand felt like leather, rough against his skin. He looked at her heavy hand on his wrist, and he realized that she hadn’t even gotten food. He wasn’t hungry, but still. She didn’t seem like a good employee. His train of thoughts were interrupted as she dragged him out of the elevator. He hadn’t realized it stopped.
“You’re hurting me..” She didn’t reply, pulling him harder until they arrived at the front of his hospital room.
“Go in.” Her voice left no room for any argument. He obediently limped inside, sitting up on his bed. She followed, shutting the door with a click. The air felt cold, Kim Dokja’s shoulders were tight with tension and he felt like he was suffocating from her relentless stare. She, on the other hand, was eerily calm.
“Kim Dokja. Your fate has been postponed long enough.” She started, slowly walking closer to him. He tilted his head in a confused manner.
“Regardless of the blood that runs within you, you're an abomination. You shouldn’t continue to live!” She hissed, revealing razor sharp fangs. Her eyes bulged abnormally, and her fingernails extended into long needle pointed claws. Kim Dokja’s jaw slacked, mouth gaping.
So rude!
She suddenly lunged at him, swiping at him wildly. He barely managed to avoid it, rolling off the bed. He pushed himself to the wall, body wailing in protest. His injuries from the fall were not forgotten. And they made sure to ache impossibly to remind him.
She didn’t give him time to recover, hopping off the bed and growling at him. He felt suppressed just by her undeniable killing intent.
His heart dropped once he took a moment to really look at her. He could now see Ms. Wilma in her full monstrous glory. Her leathery skin gradually flaked off, revealing angry red muscle instead. Her shirt had been ripped to tatters, and her hunched back revealed paper like black wings that flared up angrily. Her gleaming red eyes twitched, lips pulled back to show her sharp fangs and a snarl.
He paled, uncontrollable shivers wracked his frail body. He hugged his back against the wall, lip trembling.
“Who the hell are you?!” He shouted, staring at Ms. Wilma as her face contorted into a grotesque crescent, an attempt at smiling.
“The right question is what.” She purred, right before she rushed at him again, clawing for his chest. Kim Dokja’s vision spun as he threw himself to the floor, looking back at where he had just been.
The white wall paper he had been plastered to the wall was rapidly decaying, her claw lodged into the wall. The stone surrounding it had turning murky, and withered away.
He had just barely avoided it, about a hair strand away from being sliced by her poisonous claws. He looked down at his chest, the upper part of his hospital gown was in tatters, but at least his rib cage wasn’t turning into dust. Wasn’t he lucky. He hurriedly bolted out the door while he could, Ms. Wilma struggled to dislodge her claw.
“Kim Dokja!” She screeched terribly loud, causing Kim Dokja’s ears to ring and he slipped pathetically to the floor. Until now adrenaline had kept him going, but now that he was trying to get back up, he simply couldn't. Everything hurt.
He heard a crunch, twisting his head back and seeing her black, smokey claw fastened upon the now crushed doorway, her face contorted wickedly with plain fury. Kim Dokja forced himself up, crying out at the agonizing pain shooting up through his over exerted legs.
He ran. He ran and ran, the fastest he had ever ran before. It startled him, it was as if his leg wasn’t injured at all. He felt a sense of hope. He could make it. He bit his lip until it bled, scrambling to the elevator and throwing himself in.
The monster was now using its thin wings, rushing in for the kill. Her mouth opened in a disfigured scream.
“KIM DOKJA!” It made his head throb as he hurriedly pressed the button for the first floor, tapping it desperately. She was now only a few feet away, her unnaturally blood red arms now reaching for him as she hurled towards the shaft.
The elevator doors began to slowly close. Her elongated talons were now a few inches away from the opening, claws at the ready to shred him to bits and pieces. She was so close now, and he had backed himself into a corner.
He could hardly breathe, lungs over worked from the abnormal amount of movement. His chest hurt from the erratic breathing pattern. He couldn’t do anything anymore. He shut his eyes, preparing for the worst while he held himself helplessly. But it didn’t come.
He hesitantly peeked one eye open, searching for the hideous being he had seen just moments ago, but saw nothing but an empty hall, stained from blood. He now registered the wet feeling coming from his abdomen
The elevator continued to slowly close, and he held his breath. He was tempted to stop it from closing completely and look outside, but at that point he would’ve been asking to die. But what if he had finally gone crazy, imagining a monster was trying to take his life?
Kim Dokja collapsed onto his butt, exhausted, and closed his eyes. Now that he felt safe, he felt all the pain adrenaline had been shielding him from. He couldn't have imagined it. This pain was real.
It wasn't just that, it was excruciating. Gobs of tears slipped out of his eyes, and he curled up carefully, staring at the doors of the elevator.
He almost died. He could’ve, if he didn’t try to survive. There was a lump in his throat once he acknowledged that he actually wanted to live.
He was a fool.
It felt like years before he heard a ding to announce the ride to the first floor was over.
He heard a gasp, prompting him to open his eyes, but he didn’t bother to look up to see who it was. He surely looked like a mess right now, with the strips of a gown he was still wearing, his bloody lips, his disheveled hair, and just. Just everything.
He shamefully kept his eyes from looking up, and instead observed what he could see. There was a pair of thin legs in his vision, wearing baby blue pants. They matched Ms. Wilma’s, the 'nurse' that had just tried to kill him.
He should've been trying to protect himself, especially considering what had just happened, but instead he felt at ease. Call him naïve, but their mere presence calmed him.
Soon, he was being lulled to sleep by a sweet voice, in a language he didn’t know but somehow understood. It made him feel warm inside. It comforted him. He promptly passed out.
Kim Dokja blinked in and out of consciousness for a while. Everytime he had some piece of mind, he was greeted by bright yellowish lights and sometimes blurry figures. Usually he was alone, but a few times when his eyes would flutter open, he saw two people that he couldn’t describe beside him.
“He hasn’t eaten in days.” A gruff, unrecognizable voice murmured, a hint of concern in their tone. Were they talking about him?
“The nectar is enough to sustain him, don’t worry.” Another one replied, tone hushed, voice soothing. He distantly knew who it belonged to, but couldn’t quite place it.
“...He’s awake.” The first voice stated. A cool hand brushed his hair away from his hot forehead. “Go back to sleep, Kim Dokja.” The second voice whispered, sounding closer. He listened.
He finally came to full consciousness. His eyelids felt like they had been glued shut, but he managed to open them. The bed he was laying on was soft, comfortable, a white wool blanket was carefully laid out over him. This was without a doubt the best sleep he’s ever had.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes as he looked around curiously.
There were a dozen carts containing medical equipment and plants. There were at least 20 cots laid out, similar to his. It was familiar, like his school infirmary that he was always in. But there was a difference he couldn't explain, the area just felt more welcoming.
He cracked his neck, yawning. To his surprise, his body was only a bit sore. As if he never got hurt in the first place.. How long had he been resting? Had he been in a coma or something? He was wearing a too big pair of shorts and black shirt.
He hopped off the cot and carefully padded across the wooden planks with practiced ease, using slippers that had been left by the cot.
He carefully scanned the cabin for anyone else who might’ve been there as well. Once he saw that no one else was there he made his way to the door. He hesitated, hearing a muffled voice right outside. He pressed his ear against it, wanting to decipher what the conversation might’ve been about.
The voice suddenly came to a stop. He pressed closer, before he heard heavy footsteps approaching. Before he could back off, the door was fiercely yanked open.
Kim Dokja fell forward and onto his face. God, he prayed to a higher power that lighting would come down a strike him dead.
“Hey. Get up. Now.” A deep voice commanded. Kim Dokja refused, remaining still and silent on the floor.
He doesn't care, he can play dead.
“Kim Dokja,” He flinched at the use of his name. “Let me help you up.” Another voice murmured, one he remembered. A hand gently but firmly gripped his arm. He shamefully stood up with some help, cautiously looking at the two people now in front of him.
“How are you feeling?” The girl asked kindly, causing his dark pupils to meet hers. He recognised her immediately, how could he not?
Her beautiful white hair was now in a long braid that reached her lower back, her bright brown eyes curving up while she smiled. She still had on red lipstick. She no longer wore blue hospital scrubs, instead having an orange shirt that read ‘camp half-blood’ with blue denim shorts to match.
“You’re from..the Hospital..” He muttered, confused.
“Wh-What am I doing here?” He also wanted to question why she was also here, but didn’t want to get ahead of himself. They weren’t familiar with each other.
“You don’t know?” A voice deeper, colder than hers asked. Kim Dokja turned to the other person who was there, momentarily forgetting their presence. He had to look up. The guy was about a head taller than him. He looked up at his face and Kim Dokja grit his teeth in order to prevent his jaw from falling open.
His eyebrows were seemingly drawn by a single, uninterrupted stroke of a famed artist’s brush; a nose and a chin shaped in perfect angles that defied attempts to measure them through mere devices of men; a pair of deep eyes seemingly carved out of a beautiful jewel containing all the misfortunes found in this world. His black, shiny hair formed into perfect waves that barely reached below his ears. It complimented his unbelievable face.
His shirt matched Lee Seolhwa’s. Were they a couple? They definitely suited each other. His frown was unappealing though. Kim Dokja silently stared at his face without realizing, unfortunately he was pleasing to look at. The beautiful boy's scowl deepened, eyebrow twitching. “I asked you a question.”
“If I knew, would I ask?” The snappy reply shocked all three of them. He had replied so fast, he didn’t even think twice about his response. That was so unlike him. He mentally prepared himself to get throttled.
Lee Seolhwa's eyes widened before she started to let out a quiet chuckle, covering her smile with a pale hand.
“Sorry.” She apologized, but she didn’t sound like she meant it. Kim Dokja wished her friend found it as funny as she did.
The boy positively glowered, furrowing his perfect eyebrows in irritation. He opened his mouth slowly.
“Anyway,” Thank goodness he was interrupted, “Kim Dokja, this is Yoo Joonghyuk. And you are at Camp Half blood. We hope you’ll stay here for the summer." Lee Seolhwa replied to his forgotten question.
"Yoo Joonghyuk will be showing you around. I have things I have to take care of, but I’ll surely see you later. Don’t be afraid to ask him about anything if you’re confused.” She explained calmly, gesturing towards the irritated camper beside her with a small smile. Joonghyuk stared at her incredulously, clearly not agreeing to lead a tour.
“But why am I here?” She hadn’t answered that one.
“He’ll explain everything you want to know. I’ll see you soon.” Lee Seolhwa responded cryptically, ignoring Yoo Joonghyuk’s pointed stare.
She started going into the infirmary, and towards the staircase. Lee Seolhwa looked back at them and had a stunning smile.
“Thank you, Joonghyuk. See you later.” She murmured before walking up the stairs and out of view. Kim Dokja snuck a glance towards said guy. His face didn’t change at all, but his reddening ears and longing eyes were a dead giveaway. He liked her. Yoo Joonghyuk, without a word, began walking in the other direction, causing Kim Dokja to follow (from a safe distance of course).
Kim Dokja quickly found out Yoo Joonghyuk was a terrible guide. He took long, quick strides, like he was trying to get Kim Dokja off of his trail, but of course he was unsuccessful. And whenever Kim Dokja asked a question, albeit a bit quiet..but loud enough to hear, he would get flat out ignored.
They came across multiple, weird structures, (one of them resembled a roman colosseum??), and Yoo Joonghyuk would just say a name, no explanation.
“Is that a volcano?”
“Obstacle course.”
Kim Dokja finally saw other campers, some were sparring (with REAL swords??), others hanging around strange, artistic cabins all strikingly different from each other, one was made out of gold. All of the campers were wearing the orange ‘Camp half blood’ shirt. And unsurprisingly, when they got near others, all eyes were on them, or on Yoo Joonghyuk, he should say. Shockingly, he was popular. It couldn't have been for his personality though.
Kim Dokja was beginning to grow anxious at the unrelenting attention, and if he hid behind Yoo Joonghyuk, he wouldn’t admit it. They came across ‘Canoe lake’ and saw a pair of girls completely submerged underwater, also wearing camp half blood shirts, except they were green.
Kim Dokja felt like he was imagining things as he stared at them, while his guide had no reaction whatsoever.
The girls simply giggled and waved when Yoo Joonghyuk came around, vying for his attention. When they saw Kim Dokja their flirtatious laugh came to a stop, all of a sudden finding the lake's algae very interesting.
He glared at Yoo Joonghyuk’s stupidly wide back.
“Could you please just point me to an exit? Or don't. I'll find my way out.” He grumbled, tapping on his courier who had finally slowed his pace. Said boy raised an eyebrow, turning to face him fully and look down at him. He crossed his arms, and Kim Dokja couldn’t help feeling an inkling of jealousy over his impressive biceps. He had it all.
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why do you want to leave?”
“Because I have a family. School. I have no idea why I’m even here..” Kim Dokja replied slowly. Why wouldn't he want to leave? He wouldn’t have been surprised if this place performed science experiments, because the half goat boy he just saw scamper by can not have been from Mother Nature. Yoo Joonghyuk looked at him like he was stupid. Kim Dokja glared. Yoo Joonghyuk sighed and began to drawl on.
“You’re a demigod. Your existence attracts trouble. You’re here so the bad monsters can’t get you, and you so you can protect yourself.” He answered curtly, as if Kim Dokja was a little kid.
Kim Dokja waited for him to laugh, to say Just joking, or for his firm expression to fall. They stared at each other for 10 seconds before he realized this guy was dead serious.
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m not.”
“Haha.” Kim Dokja said dryly. His patience was running out, and the guy in front of him wasn’t helping at all. Yoo Joonghyuk bore into his eyes, as if looking for something. When he didn’t find what he wanted he broke eye contact and sighed, turning around and walking in the direction they came from.
“Follow me.”
Kim Dokja was led to where he had first woken up. It was a sky blue 3 story house, with what he would guess had 9 windows. It looked unremarkable compared to what he’s seen so far. They both walked in, the first floor being the infirmary he had been in. They walked up the stairs that seemed never ending. With each step Kim Dokja only felt more intimidated.
They stopped in front of a door. Kim Dokja looked back at Yoo Joonghyuk hesitantly, who just nodded. He took that as a sign he could enter, twisting the doorknob and pushing it open. He saw two girls, they looked around his age. They both turned to see who had entered.
Upon seeing Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk, one smiled and the other frowned. The one frowning spoke first. “Who invited you guys?” She grumbled. The girl was for a lack of better words, very pretty. She had a small face with big slightly upturned eyes that reminded him of a cat, they had a grey shine. She had a beauty mark under her right one, and white canines that .
She was sitting on top of a ping pong table, her black short hair was being braided by the other girl behind her. The other girl tugged softly at her hair.
“Han Sooyoung, don’t be rude.” She scolded, before turning to wave at their new guests. She was a sight for sore eyes as well. She had long copper hair and bangs swept to the side. Everything about her face reminded him of the sun’s warmth. Her eyes were wide and the same color as her hair. She had a small, angular nose and pink lips that formed into a smile. Her gentle aura was similar to Lee Seolhwa.
“Im Yoo Sangah, and this is Han Sooyoung.” She gestured towards herself and to the girl in front of her.
“Where’s Chiron? And Mr D?” Yoo Joonghyuk asked the two girls, not bothering with introductions. Han Sooyoung shrugged, and Yoo Sangah sighed.
“They went somewhere, they didn’t tell me why. Now who's this?” Yoo Sang responded without a beat, Kim Dokja got the feeling she was used to his callous behaviour.
Yoo Joonghyuk expectantly nudged him forward.
“Kim Dokja, ask.” Was all he said. Kim Dokja rolled his eyes. He racked his brain, wondering what would be the best question. He remembered one of the numerous ridiculous things Yoo Joonghyuk told him.
“What’s a demigod?” He decided to ask. The black haired girl’s eyebrows pinched together.
“Are you seriou-” Yoo Sangah pulled her hair again, receiving a yowl from Han Sooyoung, and replied.
“Do you know about Hercules?” Kim Dokja nodded, though only by name.
“Well the story goes that he was the son of the King of gods and a mortal woman, Alcmene. A demigod is to be the child of a Greek god and mortal, everyone you’ve met so far has probably been a Demigod. It’s safe to assume you’re one as well.” She spoke quickly and smoothly, only taking a few breaths in between.
“I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else. I have,”
Had.
“human parents.” He argued. These people were crazy, and they genuinely seemed to believe what they were saying. The girl didn’t seem deterred, looking straight into his eyes. “Tell me, have you ever seen anything unusual ? Like, monsters?”
“N—”
“Tell them about the hospital.” Kim Dokja turned his head fast enough to get whiplash. Yoo Joonghyuk had a straight face. How did he know about that?!
“Lee Seolhwa told me.” This freak must be a mind reader. Kim Dokja sighed, deciding to be honest, even if it meant entertaining their crazy ideas.
“There was a nurse..She tried to hurt me. She had black claws that decayed whatever she touched..and wings like a bat. She had fangs and red eyes..” He recalled, expecting them to laugh at him for playing along with their obvious prank. Instead, they all shared a look.
The nice girl hummed and nodded. “I’d guess you met a Daemon.”
“Isn’t it weird that he didn’t die?” Han Sooyoung eyed him suspiciously. Kim Dokja was surprised at their acceptance of his description.
“I mean, I’m pretty sure I was hallucinating..” He shrugged, uneasy by the sudden scrutinization.
“Even then, can’t you recall other strange encounters? A person who didn’t look quite right, or maybe other people who’ve tried to hurt you?” Yoo Sangah prodded. Kim Dokja took a moment, and remembered other weird instances.
When he was 9, a woman with pitch black eyes had tried to lure him out during recess. His teacher was adamant that he imagined it. After that, there were multiple strange things he saw that he couldn’t explain or prove. A man without a head. A woman without a face. Deformed creatures trying to present themselves as human. Abnormal things.
Everyone else around him just started calling him crazy. His head throbbed as he thought about it more.
“Could you just show me the way out?” He asked her, a dash of desperation present in his voice. He wanted to go home. Even if it meant returning to his average, boring routine, he’d prefer it. He'd rather be called crazy for the rest of his life than accept that monsters are real and want him dead.
“Can I show you something before that?” She asked, sweetly. He hesitatingly nodded, weak to her charm. She grabbed a pot full of dirt and held it with one hand.
“Look here.” She directed as her other hand ran across it. Before his eyes a plant sprouted from the dirt, and it began growing rapidly, unnaturally. What grew was a venus fly trap, a carnivorous plant that ate flies. It was still increasing in size, and it didn’t show signs of stopping.
“Wh....what are you doing?” He stammered. The mouth of it was growing to an alarmingly large size, and Kim Dokja backed against the door. The plant was now big enough to bite his head off, and he think it would if she willed it. Then, it stopped. And as fast as it grew, it then shrunk.
Yoo Sangah looked smug and grinned. “I’m a demigod, daughter of Demeter. An ordinary human wouldn’t be able to do this, don’t you agree?” Han Sooyoung stared at her. She looked entranced, as if under a spell. Yoo Joonghyuk looked mildly interested.
“I still think you guys got the wrong person-”
They all collectively sighed, Han Sooyoung face palmed and dragged her hand down slowly. Kim Dokja hoped she would break out with warts.
“There’s a reason a Daemon was after you. We don’t know your godly parent, but we’ll find out soon enough. Until then, you’ll have to stay here.” Han Sooyoung relayed, playing with her freshly braided hair. Yoo Sangah had put flowers in between the strands, and she looked happy.
“But what if I don’t want to stay?” Kim Dokja exasperated. All of this was an overload on his senses. Fine, he could believe all of this was legit and all of these weirdos were half god, half human, but that didn’t mean he was too.
To think his bastard of a father could have been a god or have a child with one was ridiculous. It wasn’t possible, he couldn’t believe that his mom had done anything of the sort either.
“Kim Dokja, we know who our parents are once we are claimed by them. If you dont get claimed in three days, we’ll take you back home. Is that fair?” She asked patiently, as if she were negotiating with a bratty child.
Kim Dokja mulled it over, and nodded slowly, “Yes.” That wasn’t too long, and he wasn’t expected at school for a while because of the…accident. Not to mention the now small plant was snarling at him, convincing him to agree.
“Awesome! Yoo Joonghyuk, do you mind taking him to Jang Hayoung?” Yoo Sangah asked sheepishly. Han Sooyoung glared at him, as if she was challenging him, ‘Say no. I dare you’. Yoo Joonghyuk glared back at her before letting out a tsk and storming out the door. Han Sooyoung puffed out her chest proudly.
He felt bad, the guy was bossed around by everyone. Kim Dokja hurriedly followed Yoo Joonghyuk out of the house and towards the cabins he saw earlier.
“Are you sure he’s gonna get claimed in three days? That’s not enough time.” Han Sooyoung voiced once the boys left. Yoo Sangah hummed, untangling Han Sooyoung's bangs with her fingers.
“The oracle. It mentioned a newcomer.” She murmured. Han Sooyoung perked up.
“The oracle? What did it say? Tell me!” She pushed. Yoo Sangah laughed lightly and began to rub the head of her plant, the Venus Fly Trap preened.
“You’ll know soon enough.”
Their trip to meet this ‘Jang Hayoung’ was a long one. Yoo Joonghyuk’s ‘Admirers’ wouldn’t let them freaking walk for more than five minutes.
“Master! You were busy all day, we were supposed to train!” A short girl, he’d guess she was eleven, stopped them in their tracks. She waved around a silver sword carelessly, trying to show off. Kim Dokja hoped it was fake.
“Not now.” Yoo Joonghyuk muttered, obviously grumpy from being everyone’s errand boy. The girl wilted. Kim Dokja sighed tiredly, and her head snapped towards him scarily fast. Her black eyes were narrowed and her lip was pulled into a frown. She had long black hair put up into a ponytail and bangs that covered her eyebrows.
“Is this guy bothering you, master?” She murmured quietly, leaning towards Yoo Joonhyuk but never taking her eyes off of Kim Dokja, as if he couldn’t already hear her. ‘It’s more like you’re the one being a bother.’ He internally grumbled, and her eyes widened in offense.
Oops. He said that out loud. Why was he suddenly slipping up so much?
She gripped her sword and raised it like she was about to slice him in half before Yoo Joonghyuk exhaled, “I’ll train with you later, Lee Jihye. Go spar with Kim Namwoon.” She perked up happily and nodded, skipping away.
A few moments later someone else decided to approach them. It was another girl, but she looked fairly older. She had a classically pretty face. She smiled upon seeing Yoo Joonghyuk, her cheeks glowing pink. She flipped her long brown hair to the side and batted her eyelashes, extending a hand that had poorly made bracelets on it. They had the initals ‘Yjh + Mjw’.
“Here...People think we look cute together, so someone made these for us.” She explained, face neutral as if she didn’t care. She could’ve convinced Kim Dokja if she wasn’t shaking with excitement.
“No thank you.” Yoo Joonghyuk replied curtly, not even looking at it as he brushed past her and walked away. Kim Dokja’s mouth fell open. He slowly turned to look at the girl, scared to see her reaction. He had expected to see disappointment, embarrassment or sadness.
Instead he saw her blushing wildly, holding her face in between her hands, and squealing. It felt perverse to Kim Dokja, as if he was witnessing something he shouldn’t have been. He turned away and caught up to Yoo Joonghyuk.
Eventually Yoo Joonghyuk led him to a cabin, and truthfully, it looked more average than the rest. The rest were grand and tall, all different colors and of different material. Almost otherworldly. But the one he was at was simple, it was still large, but not as flashy.
He kinda liked it, it was just normal.
The only notable feature of it lay at the top, a symbol of a pole with wings at the head of it, wrapped by two snakes at the overhead of the cabin. It was a symbol often associated with medicine.
Yoo Joonghyuk and Kim Dokja stood in front of the door for a minute, the cabin booming with the yelling, stomping and noisey campers.
“Do I have to stay here?” Kim Dokja asked. Yoo Joonghyuk nodded and knocked firmly. The house went quiet for a second, before there was a burst of excited yelling. Kim Dokja could see some kids staring at them through the windows with wonder.
It was a while before someone opened the door.
“Yoo Joonghyuk! Hey! Who’s this?” A girl that must've been about his age wheezed, a kid hanging off of her leg. It looked like it was a battle for her to even get near the door.
She had short blonde hair, smooth unblemished skin, and bright purple eyes. Dimples appeared as she talked. It was as if everyone here was visually blessed.
“Hi. This is Kim Dokja. Undetermined.” Yoo Joonghyuk said stiffly, before promptly walking away. Kim Dokja felt betrayed by his abandonment.
“Nice to meet you, Kim Dokja!” The counselor grinned brightly as she shook his hand eagerly.
“I’m Jang Hayoung, Head Counselor of Hermes cabin! You’ll be staying here until you get claimed, kay?” Kim Dokja opened his mouth to reply but before he could he was pulled inside by the very hand he was shaking.
The cabin was crowded. He had been here for forty minutes and he’d already stepped on two hands. Kids hung off the bunk beds, and rolled around on the floor. It turns out, the Hermes cabin took in every ‘unclaimed’ camper. Something about housing travelers.
There was an array of kids and teenagers alike, the kids were wild and full of energy, while the older ones seemed almost.. gloomy. He heard some of the people here had been here for years and hadn't gotten the ‘sign’ from their godly parent. The sign that they were claimed by them.
It was sad, and call him ungrateful, but he hoped his would act like he didn’t exist too so he could just go home.
He briefly considered running away, there were so many kids here they wouldn’t notice he was gone.
He decided against it once Jang Hayoung told him in passing about a camper who had once tried escaping and got mauled by a bear right outside the woods. He failed to notice her mischievous smirk.
A little girl came over and sat beside where he stood, looking up at him expectantly. He didn’t really know what to say.
“Hi?” He waved, she smiled.
“Are you a regular or undetermined?” She asked with shiny eyes.
“Sorry?” He asked politely, not understanding.
“Is Hermes your dad, or you don’t know yet?” She elaborated. He sighed and looked on to see Jang Hayoung breaking up a tussle between two little boys fighting over a rubix cube.
“I don’t know. To be honest, I don’t think I’m supposed to be here.” He looked at her, she had a disappointed frown.
“What about you?” He slid down the wall so he sat side right next to her.
“I recently got here, but I haven’t been claimed.” She exhaled, crossing her arms.
“My mommy was attacked, and she never told me who my father was. I’m hoping it’s hermes or...just anyone.” She admitted, eyes getting teary. Kim Dokja felt like her little hands were squeezing his heart.
“I’m sure he is. You’ll get claimed soon, so don’t worry too much, okay? What’s your name?” He felt guilty for being dishonest, but he couldn’t help himself. He’d say anything to get her to smile.
She had a small smile and wiped her eyes. “Shin Yoosung.” He rubbed her shoulder softly. “I’m Kim Dokja.”
She looked up at him and seemed to cheer up, and was about to talk again before they heard a horn.
Jang Hayoung had long solved the dispute between the two kids and yelled in a thundering voice, “Eleven, fall in!”
She led all the hermes campers into the commons yards. They were all lined up in seniority, there were about twenty people in the Hermes cabin, Kim Dokja was last.
The sun had started setting, and all of the other cabin’s had made it into the yard.
He recognized Lee Seolhwa, Yoo Sangah, Lee Jihyee, and Han sooyoung in the masses with their separate cabins. He noticed that each camper in each cabin looked similar. Yoo Joonghyuk was the only one who walked alone.
They marched up a grassy hill, the goat people joined them ‘They’re called satyrs.’ Shin Yoosung helpfully informed him, the girls who had been underwater all day ‘Naiads!’, and some girls who had been in trees, ‘Those are wood nymphs.’ all followed. Shin Yoosung proudly answered any questions Kim Dokja had. Turns out Shin Yoosung had done her research.
At the pavilion, each marble column had a burning torch around it, an impressive fire at the center in a bronze brazier the size of a bathtub. Each cabin had its own table, all color coordinated by cloth draped across them.
Jang Hayoung led them to a yellow one, cabin eleven. There was no space for all of them to sit, so Kim Dokja was left standing.
Shin Yoosung had offered him her spot, but he immediately said no. Then there was a heavy stomp and all of the chatter stopped. Kim Dokja looked for the source of the sound and saw an old guy with the lower body of a horse.
Shin Yoosung must’ve noticed his shock, because she tapped on him and whispered with a bright smile, “That’s Chiron. He teaches us how to use a bow. He’s a Centaur!” He could tell she liked him.
“To the gods!” Mr. Chiron lifted a crystal glass. Everyone else raised a glass that had been given to them as well.
“To the gods!” They repeated. The wood Nymphs handed out plates full of food. They were varying with things like grapes, apples, strawberries, cheese, bread, and meat. All fresh. His mouth watered.
Kim Dokja noticed that instead of eating, the other campers began to line up with their plates to the center of the pavilion, throwing a piece of their meal into the fire. Shin Yoosung gestured for him to follow along, and so he did. He couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed that the younger girl knew so much and that he knew so little.
Eventually he ended up in front of the fire. He had wondered why everyone was burning their food, but now he could guess why. With each piece dropped into the blazing flames the smoke only smelled better. It smelt of chocolate, freshly baked cookies, strawberries, and more.
Other campers had mumbled the names of gods he assumed were their parents, but he wasn’t even sure he had one. He could only think of his mother, and how this had came to be. He silently tossed an egg roll into the fire.
He went back to cabin eleven’s table and awkwardly stood beside Shin Yoosung. The campers were eating happily and loudly, but Kim Dokja found that he didn’t have much of an appetite anymore. Once everyone had finished eating, the half horse, ‘Chiron’ he reminded himself, stomped a heavy hoof again. A lanky man stood up and cleared his throat.
“Hello everyone.” Shin Yoosoung stared excitedly, tapping Kim Dokja to get his attention. “That’s Mr D!”
The man, Mr D, continued. “Our activities director and I decided that the next capture the flag game will be held this friday, and as we all know, cabin one has all the laurels.” clapping erupted, and everyone’s heads were turned to Cabin one’s table.
There was only one person sitting there, expression stone cold. It was Yoo Joonghyuk. The bastard didn’t even bother with a little smile, instead he just looked uncomfortable. But whether he liked it or not, he was someone who’s mere presence commanded attention.
“Settle down. I’d also like to announce the arrival of a new camper, Kim Dokja. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner, Chiron and I had been on an errand. Welcome to Camp Half blood.” He bellowed, staring at Kim Dokja with little interest. Kim Dokja shrunk as all the campers made a point to stare at him, yea he wasn’t as interesting as Yoo Joonghyuk but could they chill?
“Cabin one and Cabin six, prepare your teams.”
“What cabins are those?” He asked Shin Yoosoung, not familiar with the assortment of cabin names. “Cabin one, Zeus! And Cabin six, Athena. Usually Cabin six aligns with us, we might win this time!” She explained excitedly.
Mr D announced playfully, “ We want a show! Bring glory to your cabins. Alright, that’s all. You’re all dismissed, enjoy the rest of your night!”
There were cheers before he even finished, and everyone stormed to the amphitheater that was situated around the campfire. Kim Dokja was unwillingly pushed along.
The Apollo cabin led a sing-along, Lee Seolhwa and Han Sooyoung were a part of it. Lee Seolhwa was the camp counselor for the Apollo cabin, and Han Sooyoung was Athenas. For whatever reason, she joined in even though she clearly couldn’t sing.
A few of the songs were dedicated to the gods, and Kim Dokja found himself getting more interested in Greek history. He planned on reading more on it. Some of the campers joked around and acted out skits, one of the main ones was the girl Yoo Joonghyuk had given the cold shoulder, her name was Min Jiwon. She was a part of cabin ten, Aphrodite’s.
It explained her looks. She was also incredibly talented at acting, completely immersed in it. He wondered why she couldn’t act nonchalant when showing Yoo Joonghyuk the bracelets.
Yoo Sangah sat next to Kim Dokja, not noticing Han Sooyoung glare at him.
“How’s your first day been so far?” She asked politely.
“Um, good? I don’t know how to feel.” Yoo Sangah nodded thoughtfully, watching Han Sooyoung belt out terribly, though still looked impressed by her.
“How long have you been here?” He asked, curious. She snapped her attention back to him, seeming shy about where it had previously been.
“Oh! I’ve been here for six years, I arrived when I was eight.” She answered quickly, pulling out a leather necklace that had exactly seven clay beads on it.
“For each year we stay here, we get one bead. Some people are only here for the summer, but I don’t have anywhere else to go so I stay here all year.” Kim Dokja nodded in understanding. She looked somber while she talked. Kim Dokja wondered why.
Her previous mood disappeared and she stared at him excitedly. “I think you’ll really like it here though! It never gets boring, you know?”
“Yoo Sangah, I just..don’t know why you guys think I belong here. I can’t grow plants, or talk to animals..I think you’ve got the wrong person.” He murmured with uncertainty.
“Kim Dokja-” Yoo Sangah started. A conch horn blew brazenly, and he guessed it was a sign it was time to sleep once each head counselor of every cabin rounded their respective campers up.
“Kim Dokja, I’ll tell you everything you need to know, tomorrow morning meet me here.” Yoo Sangah continued, before being whisked away with her half siblings. Kim Dokja watched as everyone talked and laughed, and for once, he felt as if he wasn’t an outsider.
All of the campers were inside of their respective cabins. Jang Hayoung personally made sure that every camper was tucked in, and then put out the fire that lit up their cabin. Kim Dokja ended up having to sleep on a thin blanket on the floor, which Jang Hayoung apologised profusely for.
He couldn’t say he minded, he was used to it. He didn’t realize how exhausted he was, and let sleep overtake him easily, completing his first day at Camp Half-Blood.