Chapter Text
I never actually found out the exact date of my birth, only that it was in late December. Luke found out and decided that I should celebrate it on the winter solstice.
“It’s the day all the gods are up on Olympus, having there super important god meeting.” he had said, rolling his eyes at that last part. “Making it the perfect time for us to have a celebration of our own.”
This year is a bit different than the rest, unfortunately, for the first time since I arrived at camp five years ago, I’m celebrating my birthday alone. Okay that may be a bit melodramatic, almost all the year-rounders still at camp have wished me a happy birthday, but it just isn’t the same without Luke and Annabeth here. Several campers have been invited to Olympus to observe the god's council meeting.
It hadn't taken long after arriving at camp for both Luke and Annabeth to be claimed and I’m happy for them, though I can't help a small edge of bitterness. It’s not fair that I’m the only one in our group to remain unclaimed. Five years and I’ve yet to get so much as a hint as to who my divine parent could be, I don’t even know if it’s my mom or my dad.
That never prevented Luke from all but adopting me as a little brother. He really is amazing, ever since he saved my life by chasing off the Clazmonian Sow I can admit to somewhat idolizing him. In my defense he has truly thrived under Chiron's tutelage, becoming the best swordsman at camp and excelling at pretty much everything he does. Even in his role as head of the Hermes cabin he always makes the newcomers feel welcome and safe.
Annabeth too has excelled and even taken it on herself to ensure that I get as through an education in all subjects, especially the Greek myths, that she can. This is where I learned more of my hated nemesis, that dreadful beast that relentlessly chased be all those years ago, the Crommyonian Sow and her even more terrifying sister the Clazmonian Sow.
I’ve not been idle the last five years either, I’ve managed to grow in leaps and bounds as well. Many find my choice in weapon a bit odd, the Aries cabin in particular has poked fun at me for it, but I excel at fighting using a whip. It’s not all that powerful directly, but I like the versatility and adaptability that it provides, I may not be the best at one-on-one fights but when it comes to support and controlling a battlefield, I’m second to none at camp. That isn't to say I’m not at least competent with all the weapons at camp.
Annabeth has taken to her self-appointed task as my tutor in all things academic with gusto. No matter how hard I try, I seem incapable of focusing on any academic subject on my own. Attempts to self-study have often led to disaster and chaos as I quickly find something far more interesting to do, most frequently with some of the more mischievous members of my cabin. Annabeth, thank the gods, is a strict but wonderful teacher and has kept me well on track in regard to my education. She still makes guesses as to my parentage from time to time. I can see her watch me when she thinks I won’t notice, trying to put the pieces together, it drives her nuts. Honestly, I’ve stopped hoping to be claimed after I turned ten, Annabeth is certain that all I need is a quest too prove myself, but after what happened to Luke on his I’m not sure it's even worth it. I’m happy staying with Luke in cabin eleven.
Sitting on the porch of cabin eleven I stare up at the night sky, it’s a little past curfew but I can’t help but wait for Luke and the rest to return. Looking at the stars calms me, I’ve always been fascinated by the night sky, astronomy is one of the few classes that I look forward to. I was lost in thought, tracing a constellation in my mind when a deafening thunderclap explodes within the camp making me jump. Snaping my eyes to where the sound originated, I watch as thick ominous storm clouds start rolling across the sky. My heart begins to race as I feel something in the air shift and an unease smothers the camp like a thick blanket.