The past few weeks were super hard on me. I mean, every activity I did, I excelled. I’m already in masters’ archery. I can shoot an apple while, a satyr was still eating it and let me tell you. Don’t mess with a satyr having his snack break.

When Fern showed me how the Hephaestus cabin make armor. They had to put it in fire and keep on pounding on it until it looked sharp. I wanted to try, but as soon as I put the sword in the fire and took it out, the sword look like what a master took days to make. The embroidered hilt shimmered with celestial bronze. The sword’s blade was well balanced. I swung it around and it was a good fit for me. Everyone in the forges still had their mouths hanging.

It just that I did many things that weren’t “demigod” like. I love to read and watch the scenery, letting time fly.

Athena is the goddess of wisdom, but her kids read in ancient Greek. So I when was reading in front of an Athena girl, Annabeth, she asked, “What are you doing?”

I was really focused in the story, so I was startled. She had gray eyes like Athena should have. She had curly, blond hair and had a Yankees baseball camp. I’ve heard that she was dating the lost son of Poseidon. The Yankees cap made her invisible and she’s been in camp nine beads that represent each year you survive the camp.

“Doing nothing”, I answered.

“How can you do nothing?”

“What kind of question is that? You just sit down, watch the view-”

“No, all demigods can’t do that all demigods are ADHD. We can never sit still; it’s for our reflexes in battle.”

Demigods can’t sit still? I have to be a demigod; I’ve eaten both nectar and ambrosia. If I wasn’t a demigod I would literally burn up. I have two parents and I’m related to them, I can’t be adopted. People witnessed my birth and I look like them. Maybe it’s the thing called mist. Fern explained to me that the mist blocks mortals from seeing things in its true form like monsters. What am I, should I even be here?

The nymphs took a liking towards me, since they pulled a prank on me. I was doing foot racing with the dryad instructors. I’ve gotten so good, they started to be jealous. They had an idea for me on showing whose boss.

“Okay,” I said. “All I have to do is outrun you guys?”

The nymph shook her head. “Not us.”

She pointed to the group of guys. “Them”.

My mouth was wide open, I was speechless. These were the most well-built, athletic guys in camp.

I backed away. “T-that’s unfair.”

The nymph shook her finger at me. “There’s a catch.”

“C-catch?”

She yelled at the guys. “Fist one who outruns her, haves her.”

The guys whooped and cheered from the deal.

I held my hands. “You can’t-”

She yelled, “On your mark”.

“-Be really-”

“Get set.”

“-Serious”.

“Go!”

They took off and ran towards me. I sprinted away from them, my life is at stake.

I yelled a curse to the laughing nymphs. “I’ll make you pay!”

I ran all over the camp, with heart-driven guys at my heels. I was just glad that none of them have any golden apples, because even I couldn’t resist it just like Atlanta. I ran past a surprised Fern, a cheering Chiron, and a bored Mr. D. I finally got an idea, and ran into the woods. Thankfully, the guys didn’t have the guts to go in. I walked on in the woods thinking of a way to get back on those nymphs. I accidentally stumbled into some clearing. In it was this huge hot springs. I had this strong temptation to jump into the pool, but I resisted. I figured I’ll sneak back some other time. I then went back towards the camp, being careful for those guys who might be still chasing me.

I wanted some peace and quiet for my reading time. At the Hermes cabin, I’m too scared they’ll pickpocket me when I’m noticing. At the arena, this huge hellhound named Mrs. O’Leary will pounce on you. And by the workshop, the loud clanging gets annoying. Then I thought of that huge warship by the lake. Everyone is probably doing activities or on lunch break. I’ll just find a storage room to stay in for the rest of the day.

I finally got a got view of the ship. It’s a huge was galley, similar to a rowboat. It looks likes it’s mainly made of celestial bronze in many overlapping layers. There was only a single sail with oars connected to the ship. There were crossbows and a catapult, no, a ballista attached to it. I always mix the ballista up; it’s like a combination of a crossbow and a catapult. At the prow of the ship was a huge masthead that looked like the head of what looked like a bronze dragon. As U climbed up, it reminded me of the ships of “Pirates of the Caribbean”. It looked like the location of one of the ships of the movie. Only the place isn’t surrounded by cannons, but other than that, everything went down to the tiniest detail. When I went down the stairs of the ship it reminded me of a labyrinth. Corridors skittered everywhere as far as the eye can see. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a pamphlet of the map in this thing. I opened my book and walked into a corridor. Don’t be scared if I’ll crash into a wall while reading. I’m pro at this, the key is to read the book vertically so you can see the background and avoid crashing into things.

I was really focused with the book Mythology- Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes.

I read aloud, “So matters stood when Paris gave the golden apple to Aphrodite. The Goddess of Love and Beauty knew very well where the most beau-”

But I stopped dead in my tracks, some guy passed in front of me when I was about to turn the corner. He didn’t bother noticing me; he was too busy carrying a stack of cardboard boxes. I closed my book, and stood absolutely still. I’m not even supposed to be here, how was I supposed to know someone was still in this ship? Just at that moment, a wrench dropped from one of the boxes he was carrying.

He said something in Ancient Greece then muttered, “Did they bother to wake me up for lunch? No, they just left me in this stup-”

He turned around to pick up the wrench and saw me. He looks like a Latino elf but a cute one and about 5’6”. He had curly black hair, hyper brown eyes, pointy ears, and mischievous smile. I then realized he was the same guy who helped me out when I came to the camp. His name was umm…Leo, I think. He gave me a devious grin as if he was planning something.

I blushed and turned away, but at that moment, I banged into the corner of the wall.

“Darn,” I mumbled. “Was that always there?”

I started to walk away; I don’t care where I was going. All I need to do is get out of here. But I heard him drop the boxes he was carrying and follow me.

“Wait-”

I started to quicken my pace. Maybe he’ll tire out or something. I was still embarrassed the way I met him.

“Sorry,” I said. “I got places to be, people to see.”

But he matched my pace. Sooner or later he’s going to catch up.

“Hello?” He said in a sing-songy voice. “My name’s Leo, what’s yours? Hello, its nice meeting you?”

I took a sharp corner; he accidentally went straight but noticed that I took a corner. He then went to the corridor I took. Finally he hopped in front of me, and stopped me.

He gave me a grin. “You're fast, you must have been in track and field.” Then he leaned on the wall. “But of course,” Leo stated. “I’m faster.”

“You know what, I got to go. I have to do…um do stuff.”

I started to back away.

Leo pretended to look heart broken. “Wow, do stuff. That seems exciting.”

“Yeah”, I backed away some more. “This stuff is really important; I have a lot of stuff to do.”

“Interesting, is this stuff fun to do?”

He’s like the master of the art of being nosy. Just leave me alone already.

“Oh sure, this stuff I’m going to do is really interesting.”

He rolled his eyes. “Please, that’s the oldest trick in the book. Now, why are you really here?”

I finally admitted why I’m here.

He arched an eyebrow. “To read, that’s a new one.”

He shrugged it off, I guess he didn’t care.

“Well,” I said. “You’d better go back to work. And I should be going.”

I tried to rush past his, but then stopped. I have no way to get out of here. I was lost, if only I have the fire escape route or something.

He gave a half-hearted chuckle. “You lost?”

I laughed uncomfortably, “Yeah, what’s with this place? What happens if there’s a fire?”

Leo paused as if he never thought of that. “Gee, why didn’t I think of that?”

I coughed. “Smart.”

We walked until we were back to the boxes; it was filled with gears, tools, and other stuff. He started to pick it up, and I helped him.

“I almost for got to introduce myself. I’m the Supreme Commander of the Argo II.”

I replied, “Hello Supreme Commander of the Argo II”.

He gestured as if he was being too generous. “Please, call me Commander Tool Belt.”

“I’m Alexandria Olympia.”

“My jacket is still stained with that golden stuff of yours.”

He showed me his jacket that had globs of glittering gold. I blushed; I didn’t mean to mess up his coat.

“Sorry, but at least you can sell it, 30% made of gold.”

“Yeah, maybe I could get a good deal on eBay.”

I whistled. “This is a really cool place.”

“Pfft, this is nothing. I made this all by scratch, nothing special I just-”

He stepped on a wrench and landed torso first to the ground.

“Geez, I need to work on my footing.”

“Try all you want, it’s not easy to impress me.

He hopped back to his feet. “So Alex when I got into the workshop, you left my brothers and sisters mouths still hanging.”

“And you’re the famous Leo Valdez making this thing?”

“Yup, the Argo II she’s un-crashable.”

“Tell that to the makers of the Titanic.”

“Well good luck to whoever going to stick an orchestra in here and play “My Heart will go on”.

We laughed together like we were good friends. I just met Leo but he’s a really nice guy.

“So son of Hephaestus, do you have any powers?”

“Yup.” He added with a big grin.

He extended his hand and fires dance on his palm. I was amazed as the fire seemed to fly around out of his hand.

“Impossible”.

He closed his hand and the fire then went out. “So, what about you?”

I looked at my feet. “I’m an undetermined. I have golden blood, a magical ring. But, I don’t really know if I’m a demigod.”

“Oh, that’s cool. The whole ring thing’s cool.”

Suddenly we heard an alarm go off. This huge light bulb turned red and started beeping.

Leo said, “There’s something wrong. I need to head to the control room.”

He started to walk into a room and I followed. When he said control room, he meant it. Everywhere cameras were videoing every inch of this place. I also saw a huge game system, with an x-box, play station, and wii. I saw the whole control panel that was going to be use to drive the ship. It looked like a computer keyboard attached with a control yoke and the controls panels of a jet. I was totally amazed that they did this all by scratch. Leo looked at the panel and cursed in Latin, some coffee spilled over the controls.

Leo scratched his head and cried, “Curse you venti!”

I shuddered at that Roman word. Julies always liked to tease me that Roman names are easier to say.

“Don’t you mean anemoi thuellai? This is a Greek camp, but you say it in the Roman term.”

“No I didn’t mean those storm spirit guys. I meant evil espresso drinks.”

I repeated, “Evil espresso drinks, sure why not?”

He opened a panel under the controls, steam started to come out. I pursed my lips, it was a real mess. Besides the coffee that was dripping everywhere, the wiring was so complex.

Leo bit back a curse, “I told Harley to go easy on the wiring and not show off!”

I looked at my nails, pretending to be interested. “You know, now’s a good time to show off while you still can.”

He grinned and cracked his knuckles, “What and learn, Amiga.”

He then said to himself, “One clean rag, and a pair of wire cutters”. I didn’t know who he was talking to, but he dug into his tool belt and pulled out the items he asked for. Either that thing is connected to Santa or it’s a magical tool belt that get’s you stuff. He started to clean the mess of the evil espresso drink. Then he started to cut the wiring and the alarm stopped. We both sighed in relief but then the alarm started again.

Leo groaned, “I did it right, what’s happening?”

I looked to see what’s wrong and I saw the problem right away. Leo may have fixed it, but the main wire still needed to be replaced. But it was pretty confusing, Harley really was showing off.

“Leo let me try.”

“Sorry, but this is a man’s-”

But I was already awkwardly taking off his tool belt and putting on myself. It didn’t look like anything was in it. I asked for a 7 inch black wire, but when I reach down to get it, it was still empty.

Leo mournfully said, “It has limits.”

Then I snapped my fingers. Why have I not thinking of it earlier? I pressed on my ring and touched a flaming hammer that seemed to be the image for Hephaestus. I expanded it and tools of every kind were displayed for my every need. I looked back at Leo, whose mouth was wide open.

I smirked, “I’ll do the impressing for now on”.

I touched the image of a 7 inch black wire and pair of wire cutters. I rewired the whole system, and made it simpler for Leo’s sake. After I was done I looked back at Leo with his mouth still open.

I slapped him on the back and said, “Nothing but a day’s work, right”.

Then he groans, “Damn”.

“What, are you jealous that you’ve been outclassed, Tools?” “

You’re an undetermined, right? Man, if you’re my sister then…”

He was right, this was getting awkward. Then we heard voices of other kids.

One said, “Hey Commander, I heard the alarms again. Did you leave evil espresso drinks on the controls again?”

“I hope my wiring didn’t give you a pain,” another said.

They walked into the room and stopped. Everyone was silent; they caught us being alone together.

Until one of the girls, Nyssa grinned at Leo.“Were you in the middle of something? Because… we can go.”

I started to move away from Leo.

“You left coffee on the controls didn’t you?” One asked.

“Aww man Leo!” Harley groaned. “You’re so unfair, look how simple this thing looks.”

Leo uncomfortably chuckled, “Whoops”.

I shuffled out the door then paused. I turned to the Hephaestus cabin. I complained, “Seriously, how do you get out of here?”

Nyssa rubbed her neck. “Wow, we never really thought of that.”

Someone explained, “We had to memorize the whole place.” Harley said.

“Take two corridors down then take a left.”

I waved goodbye. “Have fun making a map.”

They all groaned and started to argue with each other. They fought on why the other didn’t think of a fire escape.

After I got out of the labyrinth, I went down the beach and sat on a rock. I was looking at the lake. It was so clean, no pollution or anything. I was admiring it when the water started to bubble. I wanted to look to see what it is. Then I heard some song I’ve heard before. It was a lullaby sung by my mom. It wasn’t in English, though I’ve heard of it, it sounds kind of like Greek. But, how can my mom know Greek? None of my parents like it, they shiver every time I tell them a myth of a monster. The song was very slow and peaceful. I caught a few words like girl, prophecy, and love. I started to sing the familiar song.

I sang (Latin):

Quis deducet magna septem prophetiae?

Maiestas eius esse deveniendum, maiestas voluntatem.

Quando erit amorem suum pro uno ferimus?

Nemo scit neque maiestas est tamen maiestas voluerit.

(Translation: Who will lead the seven of the great prophecy? Her majesty must, her majesty will. When will her love for one prevail? No one knows, not even her majesty does, though her majesty wants. )

I went in a trance into the lake. But instead of going in the water, I walked on the top. I didn’t notice though, but the whole camp was. As I sang something rise from the water.

A horse with a serpents tail stood or swam to face me. The tail glisten in the light and had shiny scales. Then I heard neighing and horses flew towards me and on top of the water. Each one looked liked it represent a god. A bony horse, that ooze liquid was probably Hades. A war horse that was easily Ares’. A bronze horse was Hephaestus’. A white minature horse was majestic looking. Its hair and tail was braided, so it had to be Aphrodite’s. Then there was a gray stallion that looked like it was made out of clouds, it must have been Zeus’. One by one was a horse for each god. Then all 13 (including Hades) spoke in my mind in unison.

“We the horses of the gods will guide you.”

“Um, how can you do that?”

“We will support you in your every need and fly you where you wish.”

Then they started to merge into a pure white mustang. It had a black mane and horse tail, the feathers were mixed with black and white. It looked so beautiful and majestic. Everything started to spin and the next thing I knew. I fainted and started sinking into the lake.

I woke up on the couch, it wasn’t the infirmary that’s for sure. The room had a ping- pong table and on the wall was a stuffed leopard. I got up from the couch and studied it. I felt sad for it, since its –well bodyless. I hope maybe it was fake, but it seemed so realistic. Then it growled at me and I freaked out.

I yelled, “It lives!”

“What do you think?”

I turned around to see who was talking to me. I was alone until the voice came to me again.

“Give me some snausages, or else.”

I went toward the stuffed leopard and realized. Freaky dreams and flying shoes, this is the closest thing to being normal. I looked for the snausages it asked for. I finally found a package on the table. I went up to the leopard and asked.

“Do you want a sausage?”

“It’s pronounced snausages and yeah!”

“Can I get a please?”

“Can I bite your head off?” I tossed a snausage at him then another voice talked to me.

“You know, Seymour doesn’t always ask people to feed him.” I turned to see Mr. D. He was wearing a leopard style hawain shirt, bermuda shorts and a pair of Laker colored Nikes.

“He doesn’t like any of the kids in the camp except my sons, Castor and Pollux,” he said with a sigh.

I stared at the ground. I didn’t know until now but I’m absolutely terrified of Mr. D.

“I thought there was only one kid in your cabin.”

“I know, Castor died in battle.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

Then I saw him grin and his eyes flashed with purple fire. “Heh, your very different from other kids who first meet me. So far you’re not really rude like Peter Johnson.”

“I haven’t heard of someone named Peter Johnson.”

“He went to the Roman camp since he was one of the prophecy.”

“Does the prophecy have anything to do with me?”

“Up to you, do you think you have the guts to be in a prophecy?”

I paused and thought about that. I don’t think I’m ever ready to die. Many kids die in prophecies, and when you die you go to the underworld. In there you can’t see the living just stay underground. Probably in the Asphodel Fields standing there for all enternity. But then I looked at Mr. D. Imagine being imortal seeing loved ones dying and can’t do a single thing about it. Yeah, he’s here for punishment but I pity him. Seeing all of these kids that will soon die and he will still be here with a new generation of kids.

“I think I do, what’s my prophecy?”

“Well you should know that many mortals try to fight their prophecies.”

“Yeah, King Acrisius tried to fight his prophecy. He ended up sending his daughter, Danae and her son, Perseus, into the ocean. When they came back to Argos, Perseus entered a discus- throwing contest that killed King Acrisius.”

“Well at least he made Perseus famous, with killing Medusa and all.”

“Why do prophecies exist? Yes, they tell the prophecy but it has bad things happen along the way.”

Mr. D sighed, “Prophecies exist so we can get warned for the future and also to make people famous. You know Heracles turned famous from the 12 labors, as punishment for killing his family.”

I decided to defend him. “ Hera hated him because he was a son of Zeus. That’s why she sent him madness to kill his family.”

“Nevertheless he turned famous, got poisoned by his girlfriend and died. The end.”

“You sound like you know him!”

“Have you forgotten? I’m a god and his half brother. He was a stupid bafoon, it was embarrasing that we were ever related.”

“Well that’s kind of true.” I couldn’t believe that I forgot that the two were related.

“Kind of true?” He snapped. “On a summer day, when he was too hot he pointed one of his arrows at the sun and threatened to shoot it down!”

“You shouldn’t blame him, he never had enough patience for education.”

“Never had enough patience? He killed his music teacher with a fatal blow, just because he didn’t like him.”

“Are you going to tell me my prophecy or not?”

“I should have, but dinner’s starting. So let’s go.”

I was late for dinner so I raced last in line for the Hermes cabin. Everyone stared at me as I went to my table. When we sat down I asked Connor or Travis where was my horse or horses. He explained to me after I fainted, my horse headed to the forest. Ever since everyone’s trying to tame your horse, but it won’t let anyone come near it. Then

Chiron stamped his hoof to get everyone attention.

“To the Gods!”

Everone answered back, then nymphs set platters of food to everyone. I got slices of ham, some Greek salad, and mashed potatoes. When our table got up, I didn’t feel like eating so I put everything in and prayed it to the 12 Olympians. I looked at Mr. D and he gave me two thumbs up. I bet he likes my sacrifice.

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Hi everyone!! Did you like the song of this chapter? I know it doesn't rhyme, but it had to seem "ancient" so I can't rhyme it like a rap. Comment and vote this chapter, and I promise you there will be some rhyming songs since this is the Muses Wrath. Can't spoil anything eles, untill then. PEACE AND MUSIC!!!