The Eye of The Storm - 1. Rememberance

CHAPTER 9 Rite of parting

Despite being back again in Cabin 11, I can't sleep at all. The pale slivery moon is gliding on the pitch-black velvet sky, it's only a pale sickle and tough shines bright and with a surprising amount of strength. Without telling Fritz or my cabinmates, I leave Cabin 11 and go for a walk, hoping to clear my thoughts.

Camp Halfblood is eerily quiet, as if the cabins themselves have fallen asleep. Finally, the Ares Cabin stopped blasting heavy metal songs and went to bed. I am, at last, alone with my thoughts, trying to understand why was I even here in the first place. Ah, yes...I want to understand something...I want to try getting my shit together.

The wind is blowing faintly. I let my feet lead around camp as I try to focus on my mind. I haven't properly learned how to be a demigod already, yet I see myself thrown into my very first quest. Why did the gods make such a bad choice? They could have sent to the meadows of Arcadia other halfbloods. Fritz would make a great quester, so would Taylor, Oliver or the others. But, instead of the mighty heroes that have proved themselves in the past, they chose nobody's daughter, landed here probably by mistake, who's nothing more than get hurt and spend most of her time in the infirmary.

Why? Why am I faced with such questions I can't find the answer to? I need a guide, a hint or, at the very least, some word of advice to help me stand tall. I don't think my friends will understand; it's only fair to say I've only known them for a couple of days. Why do I feel so lost, like a small boat in a sea of high and threatening waves?

A sound reaches my ears. It's like something broke under my feet, letting out a big crack. I haven't realized I'm in the woods now. How far have I walked? Am I allowed to be here? Should I go back? I see a light in the distance, a purple glow, and I decide to approach it with maximum caution. I hide behind a big boulder to avoid getting seen.

"My heart is heavy. I can't do this."

A boy sits with his back turned to me. I can't see his face. Around his hands I can make out a glowing purple mist.

"Kid, it's alright..."

A voice calls out from the shadows. The boy sighs heavily.

"I have to make a choice." He says. "My whole future sounds grim...I knew I should have done it when I had the chance. This way I wouldn't be confronted with such inescapable situations...I feel so lost. My ship is bashed ruthlessly against the towering tides."

I can't help but gasp. It's like he's read my mind.

"I can't do this." He continues, as if he were on the verge of crying. "I've become weak, thanks to her. I let her to close to me and she has drained me out of my strength..."

A crack disturbs his eulogy. I have accidentally stepped on a twig. I step out from my hiding spot and approach him slowly. The boy turns to me. His blue eyes glowing according to the mist in his hands.

"I'm sorry." I speak after a long and troubling silence. Magnus closes his eyes and breathes in.

"Alison..."

"Look, I..."

A knot forms in my throat. It feels like someone has stuck a blade up my throat, preventing me from speaking. I take a good look at Magnus. I had no idea he is this powerful...

"Nervous, huh?" he says, carefully taking the hair strands over my face with his gloved hand and gently putting them behind my ear. The glowing purple mist is still around us, forming a circle of secrets and powerful commitments.