Doom of Olympus
Chapter II
Chapter III
Ratonhnhaké:ton
Ratonhnhaké:ton filed into the dining pavilion behind Annabeth and the rest of the campers for dinner. The pavilion consisted of about two dozen tables, each labeled with the symbol of a different Greek god. He forced himself not to look at the symbols on the white and purple trimmed tablecloths, he knew his mother's symbol wouldn't be on them. His mom was too old, hardly anyone worshiped her anymore. Maybe that was why she was so angry, not to mention how poorly they treated her now...
He turned to ask Roy about what he was gonna have for dinner before remembering that Will had taken him up to the Big House a few minutes before they'd headed to the dining pavilion, apparently the Camp Director, Chiron had wanted to speak to him. He got in one of the lines that lead to a wood nymph dispensing a variety of food to the campers every thing from mac and cheese to sushi it looked like.
The campers carried large goblets that always seemed to be full of whatever the user desired he noticed as one changed from Kool-Aid to Mountain Dew. He got a cheeseburger and fries from one of the wood nymphs, a pretty girl of about eighteen with rosy cheeks and and dark brown hair before sauntering over to the table marked Visitors.
He sat down before unwrapping the burger. Roy could eat all the rattlesnake he liked but he had always enjoyed more modern dishes. Eating what you killed lost it's appeal after it was your only option, in his opinion. He dug into the burger, which tasted exactly like he'd bought it from his favorite Culver's just outside the reservation back home.
A few minutes later he was joined at the table by Piper, who sat down with a PB&J sandwich across from him. He nodded in greeting at her as she gave him a small wave before they resumed eating in silence while the rest of the campers sat down to meals with their cabin mates. They ate in silence for a few minutes before Piper spoke up.
“Um I'm sorry but your Roy's brother, right?” she asked, a little intimidated by his massive frame.
“Right, my name's Ratonhnhaké:ton. But, Roy and everyone else call me Cronk.” he said as Piper's eyes widened.
“That's an odd name, if you don't mind me asking what tribe are you from?” she asked. He didn't mind. He was obviously some form of Native American, that much was immediately obvious.
“Well I won't bore you with specifics but I'm from one of the Apache tribes. Dad always said my name was from the Mohawk tribe though. How bout yourself?” he asked as he took another bite of his burger.
“Well, my dad's Cherokee but none of my family still uses traditional names.”
“My father always said that the wasn't anything wrong with the old ways. He always said we needed to remember those who came before us or we would end up becoming just like them. Dead and forgotten.” he said, causing an awkward silence to settle over the table. Piper shifted uncomfortably, not sure of what to say as she bit into her PB&J.
After a few minutes of relative silence in the dining pavilion, surrounded by the boisterous conversations floating over from the other tables before Piper spoke up again,
“Hey like, can I ask you something?” she asked as she looked back up to see him taking a Herculean swig of black tea from his goblet. He set it down and dabbed a napkin at his mouth before replying,
“I don't see why not.”
“Back at the Grand Canyon, Roy said something to me in what sounded like French. I think he said I have beautiful eyes-” she said as he gave a deep chuckle.
“Yeah, that sounds like Roy. I'm sorry about that. Roy's a great guy, but he tries too hard sometimes. Especially when pretty girls are involved. But seriously, just give him a chance, Roy's a stand-up guy.” he said as Piper's cheeks flushed,
“Well, that's nice but I kinda already have a boyfriend... at least I used to. I'm not so sure anymore.” she said sullenly as she frowned down at the last bite of her sandwich in her hands. She was spared from having to explain as they noticed the campers at the nearby tables getting up and heading out towards the amphitheater.
The amphitheater was cut into the side of a hill with a large stone-lined fire pit in the center that burned with gold flames as he heard the sound \s and songs coming from the Apollo campers.
They stacked their plates on top of each other as they both got up and made to follow the campers. When they got to to the amphitheater they saw the campers once more gathered into groups made of their cabin mates. Most were sitting under one of various colored banners that proclaimed their heritage in large ancient Greek letters above them. Piper ran over to where a teenage girl with freckles and curly red hair sat next to the girl from the Gran Canyon, Annabeth.
He took a seat on one of the upper step far enough in so that he wouldn't wouldn't be bothered by anyone. The campers continued talking amongst themselves until a figure with thinning brown hair and a full beard with the body of a white stallion from the waist down. He hoisted a golden spear impaled through a few toasted marshmallows.
“Welcome to all our new campers. I am Chiron the Camp Activities Director. I'm glad to hear you arrived here safe and sound with most of your limbs intact. I've been told we have five new campers, three of whom have already been claimed.”
A ripple of murmurs spread through the amphitheater as the campers began to mutter amongst themselves. So it wasn't just him, no on else had heard of the two other claimings either.
“I understand one of those who was claimed was claimed when he arrived. Without further ado, I introduce Jason and Roy.” Chiron finished as Roy and Jason stepped out from the shadows of the lowest level as they both took a place one either side of the fire from Chiron.
“I understand your confusion but apparently both of these two were claimed before they showed up. Though for reasons I do not yet understand, both of their memories of the incidents have been taken. I suspect they were taken by the same person but I'm not certain.”
“If they've been claimed, then who are their godly parents?” a voice called from across the amphitheater.
“I will let them demonstrate that for you.” Chiron said as he stepped aside leaving the two boys looking a little confused as to what they should do next. Then, as if on cue, both reached for their magical weapons as Roy's bow appeared in hand and a gold javelin materialized in Jason's hands.
“I thought... you had a sword.” Annabeth called from a nearby bench at the front. Jason looked up and down uncomfortably before stammering out,
“It, came up tails this time.” he said as Roy held out an arm with his palm open and facing the ground as he closed his eyes in concentration as glowing strands of silver light wove through the air before converging on his palm and solidifying and shaping into the form of a long, silver javelin before thunder rumbled in the distance. Roy held up the spear in his other hand as the thunder continued to build before a lightning bolt descended from the clouds with a thunderous crash as the bolt hit the top of Jason's spear before spider-webbing out from the tip in all directions. The lightning bolts hit the ground with a series of popping noises as they each caused a miniature explosion as they hit concrete, shattering a nickel-sized area of concrete with each impact. After the dust cleared, Chiron dusted himself off, combing bits of concrete from his beard before continuing,
“Hail Jason, son of Zeus, Lord of Olympus. And Roy, son of Artemis, Lady of the Eternal Hunt.” Chiron finished as he bent his forelegs in a gesture like he was bowing. The air was deathly quiet until the amphitheater exploded in a bout of raucous questions from the campers.
“How can he be a son of Artemis?”
“I though Thalia was the only child of Zeus still alive today!”
“Where can I get a spear like that?”
The questions continued for several seconds until Chiron raised his hands for quiet and the clamor turned into subdued muttering.
“I can't get too much into specifics but it seems these two have been tasked with freeing Hera, queen of the gods. I don't believe it was an accident that brought them here.” he said before a teenage girl with curly red hair, shimmering with gold in the firelight, and freckles stood up,
“That's right. I haven't had much time with Roy or Jason but I met a few of our other new arrival, and Hera definitely needs our help. I think she sent us these two so they could go on a quest to free her... There's also a good chance that this is linked to Olympus closing up and maybe, even the Great Prophecy.” she said, her voice had started strong and diplomatic when she spoke but by the end she looked uncomfortable and insecure.
“I- I don't know for certain but I have a feeling like maybe a few of them are here tonight.” Rachel said as she rubbed her arm in the cold winter air. As if waiting for a queue, a collective gasp went up from the entire camp as one of the head counselors, Drew he seemed to remember, stood up,
“No! Not possible.” she said with disgust. He couldn't see what she was talking about, until he noticed Piper that was surrounded by a glowing pink aura. She was now dressed in a sleeveless white dress with gold armlets on her biceps. Her hair was now long, lush, and braided down one side with gold ribbons. She had makeup on now that could give any actress a run for her money and dark-red lipstick.
All eyes in camp were fixed on Piper. Poor girl, she had on a look of utter horror as she examined herself in her dagger blade. He didn't see what happened as a glow at the edge of his vision.
Back on the amphitheater's stage Roy stood, both his and Jason's eyes glued on Piper. Roy however had started to glow with silver light. Sometimes when Roy was excited or distracted his light powers would kick on by themselves. He wasn't particularly eager to see Roy make a fool of himself in front of the whole camp for not controlling his powers. He pulled his LED flashlight from his pocket and pointed it at Roy's face as he clicked the button on back. Flicking the light on in a series of short and long pulses. Roy looked up to see his brother mouthing something at him
U R GLOWING
Roy got the message as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath as the light began to fade. Just as the glow faded, Jason began to speak,
“Piper, you're a knockout.” he said as Chiron bowed and announced.
“Hail Piper Mclean, daughter of Aphrodite, Lady of the Doves.” he said as some of the camper's repeated the gestures. Poor Piper he thought, the girl look absolutely mortified. Fortunately, the Oracle Rachel stepped in to shift the focus of the campfire.
“Well, If Jason is to go on a quest to save Hera, he will need his own prophecy.” She said going quiet for a few seconds before she slumped forward and two campers caught her by the arms as a third grabbed a three-legged bronze stool from nearby, as if they'd been trained for this.
After a few seconds, emerald green mist began to swirl around her
“Child of Lightning, beware the earth,” she began when something went immediately wrong. The mist turned to choking purple smoke as Rachel began to cough as she doubled over. When next she spoke he voice was deep, gravelly, and undoubtedly masculine. What she said though didn't sound like any language he'd ever heard. She uttered a string of nonsensical sounds before collapsing in a heap on the ground, clutching her stomach as she coughed up a sizable amount of blood.
Without needing any warning or encouragement, Will Solace sprinted down the steps, two at a time to Rachel before scooping her up in his arms as the campfire exploded with panicked questions and overreactions.
“Will, take Rachel with you to the Big House. Roy and Jason will meet you there and I'll send our best medics as soon as I get everyone calmed down.” Chiron said as he trotted over to Will. Will nodded and dashed off like a man on fire as Chiron banged his spear for order.
When Cronk finally turned his attention back to the stage, Roy and Jason were already gone...
