A backstory.

Every demigod has a backstory. I remember telling you that. Everyone has a backstory, good or bad, but a backstory nonetheless. Even the most cheerful people can have a dark past (Leo Valdez, I am staring right at you boy) and the darkest people may have cheerful pasts until something came along and ruined it (Nico di Angelo, I am looking at you).

Everyone has a backstory and the same goes for Remus Lupin. And I am afraid we are taking a ride in his past now. A past which is a riddle. A past which is a perfect mixture of bitter memories and sweet days. A past which will haunt him forever.

In his life's story, there will always be a chapter that will always haunt Remus. No matter how hard he tries to forget it. No one can escape their past. Pasts shape people. It gives them a personality, it gives them habits, it gives them fears.

Remus Lupin has had quite a backstory and I will explain now...

•••

Remus John Lupin was left on his father's doorstep on a sunny April morning. He was a quiet baby, quiet but beautiful. His eyes were a shade of pure amber, ones those could make you feel like he was staring right into your soul. Pure, copper eyes that could be strange for a young child. But then again, he was no normal child. His hair was like his father, Lyall Lupin, light brown with highlights of golden.

Lyall Lupin. Even now, his name could bring tears to Remus's eyes. He was a loving father. Being a zoology professor, Remus grew up surrounded by books and interesting facts about animals. He was sharp-witted and quick to learn, and his memory, like every other Athena child, was sharp and photogenic. He could perform tough Mathematics equations in mere minutes mentally.

Remus and Lyall had moved to Philadelphia some three years ago before Remus arrived at Camp Half-Blood. But Lyall was, at the time, infected by cancer. He was fighting, but getting weaker everyday. Two years later, he finally lost his battle. Remus, with no living relatives apart from his father, was left alone. For nearly an year, he attended his school and paid fees by the jobs he did on Sundays and Saturdays.

Then came along Chiron. He was in his professor disguise. He noticed Remus's odd abilities and explained to him about Camp. Remus did not find it very odd, seeing as he had not failed to notice his weird qualities.

And that was how Remus John Lupin arrived at Camp Half-Blood, folks. His story is one unique one. A happy life lost to a disease. Remus tends to avoid smoking and drinking.

Because they remind him of the life, the happiness, the innocence he lost long, long ago. Something that was never coming back to him ever again.

Funny, how pasts shape our characters, our fears...oh well, you get the idea. Pasts are unique things. Everyone has one. Behind every mask, there is a face, and behind every face, there is a past.

•••

James and Lily sat above the deck, in the small compartment fixed high above a pole. The transparent windows showed the darkening sky. The sun was blazing hot and a fiery red before it slowly turned to a softer shade of orange. It painted the pages of their books pale pink.

Lily raised her eyes from her book and found James's hazel eyes staring right at the sunset. His eyes had always been something special for her. When they first became friends, she thought they were golden brown, except, they were not. They were hazel, a perfect mixture of honey, forest green and caramel. During early mornings, his eyes looked like pools of melted honey which glittered. During late evenings, such as the fading light of the sunset, they looked like frozen honey. She had also noticed that they melded in with his surroundings. For example, when they were in the forest at Quebec, his eyes were forest green.

"James." Lily prodded him. "What are you thinking?"

"Me?" James laughed. "I'm always thinking. Right now about Mum. Haven't talked to her since we left for the quest."

"Where's she now?" Lily asked.

"My aunt's with her in Manhattan." James traced a line in his book. "Aunt Isla is taking care of her. You know, food habits, routine and stuff. She's okay now. Her cancer was caught in its early phase, so not much damage."

Lily hummed in understanding. She smiled and said, "I just remembered something. She used to call you "Caelum Mihi" right?"

James chuckled and said, "Yeah. At that time, I didn't know that I was a demigod, and a son of Zeus at that. Mum obviously knew."

"But it's Latin, not Greek," Lily pointed out.

James shrugged. "In Greek, Ouranos means sky. I'm not sure if people would have liked me with that nickname. They'd probably welcome me at parties with swords and daggers, so thanks but no thanks."

Lily giggled and James smiled.

"Oi! Lovebirds, we're going for dinner!" Emmeline's voice shouted.

Cheeks slightly red, James and Lily climbed down the pole.

•••

Regulus Black, son of Ares, was patrolling the outer borders of Camp Half-Blood. He was at the eastern side, but there were seven more people guarding Camp. He was leaning against a tree, steel grey eyes searching for any unusual signs.

The moon glittered above him, though Regulys avoided looking at the sky. The last he wanted to do was stare right into the godly form of Ouranos and BOOM! Here ends the life of Regulus Arcturus Black The Second.

There was a scream.

As fast as lightening, the pegasi who controlled Regulus's chariot came running towards him. They flew towards the direction of the scream, the western border, and Regulus's face turned as white as paper.

The first thing he noticed was a car running away from the borders, and he launched his spear at it, just as Alyssa Jacobs, daughter of Apollo, shooted four arrows into one of the car's tyres. It sunk dangerously. Mazus Rookwood, son of Demeter, flew towards the car and pulled open the door.

Regulus, meanwhile, knelt down beside the bleeding daughter of Hermes, Fiona MacLerie. She was cursing rapidly while pressing her palm to her bleeding arm. Elise Clarke, daughter of Hebe, quickly bent down beside her and conjured some ambrosia.

"Regulus!" Alyssa yelled. "Come here! There are these people in this car!"

Regulus ran over to the daughter of Apollo and found himself staring into the faces of three middle-aged men. He scowled and gestured to Alyssa to bring Chiron here while he and Mazus scouted the area.

This was going to be a long night.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

We got three things in today's update:

1. Remus's past
2. A Jily/Lames/Flowerpot/blah, blah, blah moment
3. Another attack on CHB

And we'll be getting more in some days. Take care and stay safe.

Love,
~Aurora♡