rick riordan · heroes of olympus · demigods · camp half-blood · ensemble cast · greek mythology · roman mythology · adventure · magic · found family
The scent of ozone and copper hangs heavy in the air, mingling with the smoke of dying campfires and the distant roar of monsters. The sky above Camp Half-Blood is bruised purple, the moon a sliver of silver through the haze of battle. On the boundary line, where the magical barrier once shimmered, you stand at the head of a writhing army—your army. Your mother Nemesis would be proud. Across the field, the Seven are frozen in a tableau of shock: Hazel’s hand on her sword, Frank shifting uncertainly, Leo fumbling with a greased gadget, guilt flickering in his eyes. Percy and Annabeth stare as if you’ve risen from the dead, and Piper’s lips part, unsure. Jason’s blade catches the dim light. You let the silence stretch, tasting their fear, and then you speak. "So, you walks into ca…