Requiem of Darkness

I'd never had a proper meal. Sure, I've had bits and pieces of various foods, but never in my life had I actually sat down with my brother and had a warm, full meal. I gripped my plate tight as I followed the meal line, my eyes darting about while campers smiled and laughed around me. Axel followed closely, his hand gripping a tuff of my jacket to guide him through the strange sounds and confusion. I already let my anxiety take control, picturing myself tripping and shattering the plate across the ground. Everyone would laugh. I cringed as I approached the tables lined with warm smelling food. I inhaled deeply, using tongs to snatch up a turkey leg. Axel seemed lost, so I gave him a turkey leg too. His nod in thanks caught my eye as I moved towards the corn.

By the time I finished, my plate was practically overflowing with food that made my mouth water. I was about to go find a seat, when I noticed the meal line continued towards a roaring fire near the end. Shrugging, I continued along as well, confused as to why we needed to go to a fire. Another beat, and I realized the campers were dumping some of their meal into the flames, sending up a quick prayer to the gods. I frowned and stared back at my plate, searching for something to give up to my dad. Deciding the green beans would take the bite, I moved forwards and let the warmth flood over me. The fire smelled of all sorts of delicious foods, wafting upwards to Olympus. I took a breath and moved my plate near the flames, using my fork to push the green beans into the hungry flames.

"Dad... Please guide Axel and I through this new setting. Thank you again, for everything." I whispered before helping Axel do the same with his plate. He murmured a prayer under his breath, forking over half of his plate's contents. Satisfied with his sacrifice, he followed me over to the tables. Most were crawling with kids, however some remained empty. I began to move towards a quiet table, when my name was suddenly called across the pavilion.

"Bailey! Hey, over here!" Harper waved excitedly from a separate table, Shawn beside her with a few saytrs. I shrugged and lead Axel over to them, nodding in greeting as I slid in across from Harper.

"Meet Axel, my brother." I introduced proudly, gesturing to my twin who seated himself on my left.

Shawn reached out, grasping Axel's hand tightly, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Axel. I am Shawn, of Demeter, and would love to speak with you of all the wonders of life."

Axel stared blankly at the table, slowly pulling away his hand, "Uh-huh. Cool."

Harper giggled, digging into her ribs, "Honestly, it's always fun to get new campers. Just wait, Chiron might introduce you guys tonight."

I sunk a little in my seat, my wings tightening against my back, "Oh joy."

"Oh, lighten up. Half-blood are super nice... Well most of them anyways. Don't worry, everything will be fine." Harper chewed intensely at her meat, much to Shawn's horror who ate his salad slowly.

"So what's after supper?" I questioned, raising my empty goblet in confusion.

"Normally a Sing-a-Long by the fire, hosted by the Apollo cabin. On Fridays, however, we have Capture the Flag!" Harper smiled.

Shawn knit his brows, "A brutal game of bullies and violence. One I absolutely despise."

Harper lifted her own glass, a sudden liquid filling it to the brim, "Oh Shawn, it's not all bad. It's about teamwork and courage!"

I suddenly imagined my drink full of a chocolate milkshake, watching in awe as it magically appeared. Shawn noticed my reaction.

"It's a magical cup that has powers. Pretty radical, huh?" Shawn smiled down at his own, which seemed to be tea.

Axel tested his out as well, filling with a liquid smelling closely to alcohol. I shot him a look, which he didn't see, as he gulped it down with a grimace. The pavilion suddenly filled with the clopping of hooves, the conversations falling silent as all eyes turned to the large centaur towering before the tables. It was Chiron, the man from the big house in the wheelchair.

"Attention, young warriors! We have new faces in our camp! Sam Parker, spawn of Athena!" Chiron roared, the camp clapping and cheering as a girl at the Athena table blushed and wave awkwardly. "Ford Manson, spawn of Aphrodite!" A handsome teen winked as a crowd of girls swooned. "And finally, Bailey and Axel Price, spawn of Thanatos!"

A hushed silence rose over the tables as all eyes found mine. I gulped away my anxiety as I slowly extended my wings, nodding at Chiron with a fake mask of confidence.

"We welcome all to our camp! Be sure to join us at the amphitheater after dinner for entertainment provided by the Apollo cabin! Dismissed!" Chiron announced, turning and trotting over to a man in a tight, leopard-print shirt.

"Did people stare at us?" Axel asked quietly.

"Yeah," I folded my wings. "They did. I guess we're the first Thanatos kids."

Shawn suddenly straightened, biting his lip as he put down his spoon. The saytrs couldn't make eye contact.

"Um, that's the thing..." Harper clasped her hands. "You aren't. There was one before you. Dylan Spencers." Her expression darkened. "He was the first demigod of Thanatos. He... He betrayed us in the war with Kronos. He joined a teen named Luke's army. After the battle... He was never seen again. No one... No one really talks about Dylan anymore. It's taboo."

Shawn shuddered, his brown eyes flooded with a strange sense of pain.

Harper cast him a sympathetic look, "Dylan is- was... Shawn's best friend. He-"

"Dylan is dead to me." Shawn snapped, his spoon shaking in his hands. "Dylan died the day he left us for Kronos."

He leaned forward, resting his head in his hands. Harper gave him a side-hug, looking down as he wrestled to control his breathing. The other saytrs gave him sad looks. Axel ate hungrily beside me, unaware of the situation.

"How come dad never told us about him?" I questioned the air, leaning on my elbow.

"He was probably ashamed. That's why he kept visiting us." Venom entered Axel's voice. "He wasn't checking up on us... He was watching us to make sure we didn't betray him. Like Dylan."

"No, he wouldn't... Dad wouldn't-" I shut my mouth tightly, glaring at my corn.

The silence that settled over our table was thick and unsettling. None of us spoke for the rest of the meal.
After supper, we were gathered towards the amphitheater, excited hoots and yells echoing around us in anticipation. Axel grabbed my jacket with a poker face, his jaw set. Harper practically skipped beside us, smiling at anyone who looked over. Shawn trailed behind, whispering prayers to the gods for his meal. We must've been a spectacle to look at.

"C'mon, I know the best seats!" Harper tugged on my arm, leading us through the crowd towards the back of the clearing. It was far back, however we had the best view of the entire theater, a handful of Apollo kids gathering around a huge fire in the center. It's flames were colored yellow and bright orange, flickering between them abstractly. There were so many campers seated around us. It was a bit overwhelming.

"This is nice." I admitted, stretching back while throwing an arm around Axel's shoulders. "I could get used to this."

Harper gave me a sweet smile, "I'm glad I got to meet you two! We're gonna have so much fun at camp! You'll see."

The roar of conversations suddenly were swallowed up in a shocked silence, much deeper and stunned than the previous. I frowned as as figure swept through the crowds, almost as if sleep-walking. The figure had bright red hair, much like the princess from Brave, however she wore simple jeans and a loose camp shirt. A green smoke circled around her, billowing from her mouth while he eyes rolled back to pearly whites. My breath caught in my throat as I watched in shock. The girl gracefully climbed onto the stage, the Apollo teens scurrying backwards with fear on their faces. She stood before the crowd before she spoke in a voice of demons.

"War on the horizon quickly comes close,
A threat among friends should come to pose,
The shadow of death shall travel to hell,
And cloud the fury that has begun to quell,
Awaken a darkness older than time,
Not even soap can wash away the grime."

She suddenly teetered on the edge of the stage, her eyes returning while the mist disappeared. She began to fall forwards, a bunch of campers rushing forward to catch her, gently resting her to the ground. The theatre exploded in conversations, rushed and scared while the fire suddenly flickered to deep purple and green.

"Who- what was that?" I asked Shawn and Harper with a confused expression.

"A prophecy..." Harper's jaw hung open. "Given my our camp's oracle; Rachel."

Shawn hugged himself, eyes wide and skin pale, "No, no, no, no, no... Prophecy's mean quests and quests mean death..."

"Shawn, please, it's alright. Some of the popular campers will get chosen. We'll be fine." Harper comforted softly. He took a shaky breath, nodding curtly. Chiron centered himself on stage, his face seemed to have aged twenty years since the prophecy was given.

"Please, calm down! Everyone, calm yourselves!" He clopped his hooves, once more silencing the crowd. "There is no need for worry. Three campers will be chosen and our world will be saved. Please exit in an orderly fashion to your cabins for an early curfew. Also, will the Price's please join me at the Big House?"
I felt a strange chill spread through my veins at those words. He couldn't have meant me. Or my twin. No, there had to be other Price's at camp. Not us.

"Oh my gods... Perhaps you two are the chosen ones!" Harper clapped her hands in excitement.

My heart sunk, "No, it's a mistake! I just got here! I haven't even been here for a day yet! I can't just go off on a quest!"

Harper crossed her arms, "Look, I get it. You're new here and it's scary. But going on a quest... It's the best thing that can happen to a camper. You instantly become popular and everyone likes you. The gods give you riches... Monsters fear your name..."

Shawn frowned, "Harper, my sister, I get your meaning and all that, but think about it. Most recently, you know what happens to people on quests? They get killed. It's been getting worse too. Sending anyone out with a war coming... It's suicide!"

"Guys." Axel stood, without wavering. "No more fighting. Bailey and I must speak with Chiron. Meet us at our cabin later tonight and we'll tell you guys everything."

They nodded reluctantly, turning and beginning to shuffle out with the crowd. Axel grabbed my hand, nodding in confidence at me as I began to lead him towards the Big House. The stares were worse. They were of shock, fear, anger, jealousy and even sadness. I pulled my brother faster, nearly tripping over my own shoes. We almost made it to the Big House. Almost. A large figure blocked my path, arms crossed with two others flanking her sides.

"So you're the newbie who made friends with the hippies." She snarled viciously. "And now you're being treated like royalty because you happen to have wings."

Axel tightened his hold, "We're not royalty in the least, our wings have nothing to do with that."

"Oh, but they do." The girl stepped forwards, her greasy brown hair barely touching her shoulders. "They show everyone that you're just like Dylan. A dirty, little freak who's going to betray us all!"

I released Axel's hand, taking a threatening step forwards as I stared her down, "Is that so? You think we'll betray you because of our half-brother?"

The girl scowled as she too stepped forwards, "I know so."

I sent my fist into her jaw, the satisfying crack of my knuckles against her chin echoing as she stumbled back with a surprised gasp. I unfurled my wings before lowering myself in my casual fighting stance. Her goons sneered at me as they helped her up, tears filling her bloodshot eyes.

"Oh, you're dead meat. Get them." She ordered her friends, charging forward with murder in her eyes. I rose my forearm, blocking her jab before swiping at her legs with my foot. She barely moved at the swipe, instead throwing a punch towards my left which was unprotected. Her fist pounded into the side of my head, my feet stumbling back as pain flared through my cheek. Axel rushed forward to my aid, only to be tackled by the two other jerks, his wings shooting out as he was pinned to the grass. I instantly moved to help, only to be grabbed by my wing and twisted painfully to my knees. I let lose a cry of anguish, slamming shut my eyelids as the girl stood behind me and continued to pull at my wing.

"Who do you think you are, trying to punch me like that?! You ain't shit!" The girl cussed loudly in my ear, a groan escaping me as I struggled to break free.

I suddenly blocked her out, closing my eyes as slow breaths enveloped my body. The noise blacked out as I focused on my breath. Finally, I drew the strength residing inside my chest to the surface, wrapping an invisible hand around the girl's soul before gripping it tighter and yanking with all the strength my power had. The scream came first. The girl let go of my wing in an instant, clutching her sides as she screamed bloody murder. I forced myself to ignore this, continuing to hold the soul in my hands, or technically with my mind. I twisted it, just as she had done with my wing, earning another cry of agony from my attacker.

"Bailey! Stop!" The sudden voice of my twin cut through the link, severing it as my power ceased and the girl dropped to the ground in pained sobs. I opened my eyes, finding black tendrils dancing on my palms while power laced through my bones. Axel stood before me, a bit bruised up and his bandage had been pulled off in the fight, revealing two empty sockets that were bloody and scabbed. He held my hands in his, staring at me so intently, I almost forgot he was blind. "Bailey. Focus on me. Let the anger go. You're okay. I'm okay."

I took a shaky breath, letting sweat roll down my temple as my eyes refocused on my brother. A small circle of campers had crowded us in, now dispersing as the fight had ended. I blinked hard, hands trembling as I leaned into Axel heavily.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..." I murmured quietly.

He held me tight, "I know you didn't. It's alright. It's okay."

It didn't take long before the heavy set of hooves hit the dirt. I felt sudden fear clench my chest as Chiron approached. I don't think he'd be too keen on listening to my side. I kept my brother tight as Chiron broke through the crowd, his face a mess of anger and surprise. This would go well... Not.

Notes