Requiem of Darkness

I stationed my feet in the dirt, letting my senses focus on my surroundings. It was a tranquil wood setting with warm sunlight and the buzz of insects. Axel explored with his ears and nose, a curious look in my direction.
"Alright, let's go to camp." I offered, letting him gently reach out and clamp onto my jacket for guidance. It was natural to us. It was a no-brainer. Ever since the Hydra attack, when we were only ten, Axel would hold on to me and I would look out for him. It's always been that way.
I led him carefully over the rough terrain, giving verbal warning of logs and roots poking out of the dirt. He stumbled close to me, my jacket balled in his hands while our bags slapped against our sides.
"Nervous?" I asked quietly as a large, blue house was visible through the trees.
"Yeah, you?"
"Yeah."
We lapsed into silence, wings brushing against our backs. The walk continued in a comfortable quietness, on edge despite the calming forest. My eyes scanned for monsters while my fingers flicked towards my belt where my dagger hung. Axel seemed to be straining his ears, relying fully on me as his eyes. I had no clue what to expect in the camp. A camp for demigods seemed like a horrible idea. The stench would surely call upon every monster for miles. I swallowed down the rising anxiety in my stomach and focused on the faint clatter of swords in the distance. Would they even accept us?
The hill topped itself with a magnificent pine tree that held a glimmering, golden blanket in it's boughs. I paused to take it in for a moment, ancient magic covering the tree's bark. I turned to the camp, which was scattered before me like an old summer camp I'd been to back when we lived with our mom. A large house entwined with a rickety porch sat closest to the hill, the strawberry scent growing stronger. A chariot track wrapped south around the camp, a few kids in bright orange shirts chatting while on horseback. I could've sworn those horses had wings too. A large amphitheater sat to the east, a large fireplace tended by a lone girl. The cabins seemed further in the camp. I quickly began to describe it to Axel, who actually smiled at the warm strawberry aroma. It was calming.
"I totally call dibs on top bunk." Axel stated simply, smirking as I rolled my eyes.
"Fine. But if you fall out, it's your fault." I returned fairly. "Now c'mon. Let's get settled. Make some friends."
"Oh yeah. Winged twins and one is blind. We'll be the talk of the camp." I sarcastically glared at him, although he was unable to see it.
We began down the hill as subtly as possible, silently hoping not to draw attention. Of course wearing normal clothes seemed pretty unsubtle as it gets, everyone else decked out in neon colored attire. I lead Axel towards the large house, assuming we could register and what not there. The porch seemed cozy, with wood that bent under step and chairs left spread out for seating. A table covered in cards occupied a space under a window, a can of Diet Coke left open on the surface. Axel nearly bumped into it, a careful nudge from me leading him away from the obstacle. I hesitated at the door, finally twisting the handle and swinging open the screen before stepping inside the interior. The room was large and warm, a roaring fireplace crackling alongside one wall while a coffee table sat in the center. On the couch lay a camper, his hands behind his head while he was in mid-explanation, freezing as his dark eyes found mine. Near the couch sat an older man in a wheelchair, holding a clipboard as if he was some sort of therapist and we'd happened upon a session. The awkwardness in the air was only broken by Axel, who had stubbed his foot against the wall.
"Uh, hi." I muttered. "We're demigods, sent here by our father."
The guy in the wheelchair instantly gave a calm smile, setting down the clipboard, "We'll continue our session later, Matt." Finally he turned to us, wheeling himself closer while inspecting our wings and the thick bandages covering most of Axel's face. "Greetings, young ones. I am Chiron. Camp counselor and activities director of Camp Half-Blood."
"I'm Bailey." I responded, shaking his hand which was warm and dry. "This is my twin, Axel."
Axel smiled and hefted the strap on his shoulder, unwittingly ignoring Chiron's move to shake his hand, quickly realizing my brother was blind as he returned his hand to his lap.
"Right then, it's always a pleasure. I'll get Harper to give you a tour and supply you with supplies. Meanwhile, you're free to wait for her on the porch." Chiron gave another smile, which seemed almost forced, before returning to Matt's side and continued their therapy session. I quickly turned and lead Axel outside, breathing easier at the fresh wind on my face.
"Well that was a warm welcome." Axel murmured under his breath, finding a chair and taking a seat.
"Give them a break, Axel. Churro was busy with Matt." I defended, relaxing into a lawn chair beside my brother.
"I think it was Chiron actually. He's some hero trainer. I read about him in a Greek comic dad got me." Axel corrected in his usual smart-ass way. I rolled my eyes at him, leaning back and easing my nerves at another warm wind.
"It'll be nice here. A warm place to live. Showers. Food. Less monster attacks. You'll see. This is good." I suggested lightly, unable to read Axel's thoughts. His hands were clenched tight on his comics, revealing his uneasiness. I could see the way his shoulders sagged, the anxiety coming off him in waves. I let the wind cool my mind, taking a slow breath.
"Well, hey there newbies!" A chirpy, feminine voice broke my thoughts, causing me to jump up and look the stranger up and down for any threats. It was a girl around my age, however she towered above me with rippling muscles that easily tested the threads in her orange tee. She had medium length, brown hair tied back in a high ponytail to reveal dark brown eyes and a sharp nose. She smelled of Bath and Body Works, all sorts of perfumes mixed into one.
"Hi." I returned evenly, noticing the scars and bruises hidden along her skin. The girl's eyes were drawn to the scars under my eye and leading towards my cheek, quickly looking away.
"I'm Harper, your official half-blood tour guide!" She smiled widely, suddenly pulling me in a tight hug.
I stood stiff as she hugged me, quickly warning Axel, "She's a hugger."
Harper then whirled about and nearly tackled Axel in a hug, "Oh my gosh, woah, what happened to your eyes? If you don't mind, that is."
Axel gave an awkward smile, "Oh, uh, a hydra ripped them out."
She released him, and began inspecting the bandages with a shocked expression, "Oh wow... Ouch. I'm sorry that happened."
Axel shrugged, look relived that he was released before stepping backwards, "Yep."
I intervened quickly, "So, a tour?"
Harper whipped about, her smile growing, if possible, "Oh yes! Come along..."
"Bailey. He's Axel."
"Bailey! Cool name! C'mon, let's go!"
Her enthusiasm was almost contagious, grabbing my wrist and dragging me towards the bathrooms. Axel trailed behind me, snickering all the while as Harper began talking without any signs of stopping. Gods help us all.

Notes