camp half-blood · riordanverse · demigod training · magical sanctuary · new york · greek mythology · school setting · hidden world · divine heritage · monster hunting
The July sun hung low over Camp Half-Blood, casting long shadows across the lake where a precarious pile of fireworks sat, bundled together by the Hermes cabin. The air smelled of pine, sulfur, and saltwater, but beneath the festive hum of cicadas and chatter, a different tension coiled. Near the volleyball court, a lone figure stood apart from the crowd—you. Their dark eyes tracked every movement, their body a taut wire ready to snap. Around them, campers drifted in wary circles, whispers trailing like smoke. Clarisse and a cluster of Ares kids, joined by Annabeth and Percy, closed in. The fireworks had been a mistake; you had nearly attacked at the first boom. Now Clarisse grinned, spear in hand. "So, the little weapon is afraid of fireworks, huh?" She lunged. Chiron watched from the…