The Eye of The Storm - 1. Rememberance

CHAPTER 15 Aftermath

"The divine essence of the titaness Eurynome..."

Chiron was examining the small green gem intrigued. When we returned, everyone was overjoyed to see we came back safe and sound. After a touching reunion with our cabinmates, where Taylor and Oliver asked me whether I brought any souvenirs, we still had the small gemstone with us, the one left from what was Eurynome. As we didn't know what to do with it, we asked Chiron for help.

"I've heard of divine forms of the gods and of their divine essence." Chiron says lost in thought. Then, he turns to us. "I've never seen anything like this: crystalized divine essence. This is, indeed, a peculiar case."

"We wouldn't have received it without a purpose." Noah gives his opinion. "Such an important artifact is too important to be entrusted to someone like us without a purpose."

"She said something about planting something else in its place." Aristoniki murmurs as if she's talking to herself. "She said that a pine in this region didn't look good anyway."

"I don't think any gardening advice will help us now."

"Maybe, we are looking at this the wrong way."

"May I hold it for a second?"

Chiron puts the gemstone into my hand. It feels rather warm to touch, smooth and rough at the same time. It smells of freshly mowed grass and peonies. it is shaped like a diamond, with the delicate silver chain hanging from one side. It is decorated with flower motives, carefully crafted.

"I recall she said something about a civil war in Olympus."

I didn't realize I was talking; my voice was low.

"I'm afraid that's no longer a dark premonition." The centaur sighs. "This is, indeed, the harsh reality we're living in. The gods have grown arrogant, Zeus himself has become corrupt."

"That's why the Maenads attacked us back then in Arcadia." Noah says understanding. "Dionysus is no longer on our side. that's why we didn't see him around here, he left us behind to fight against Olympus."

"It's to early to talk about sides now. We are still neutral, son of war, and the war is yet to begin. Everyone clasps their weapons with growing tension and mistrust towards the other. If conflict were to eventually break out, we will have to make a decision at some point as alliances shift. When surrounded by war on all sides, one must eventually pick a side."

He then smiles at us reassuringly and adds:

"But that's yet to come, children. Say, Alison, have you found out what to do with it?"

I shake my head.

"Why don't we keep it in the attic of the Big House then?" Aristoniki suggests. "We can take it as a trophy or a spoil."

"What if it's not a trophy to be displayed, but a reward t be used?"

Magnus takes a closer look at the divine essence resting in my hand. It's only fair that the son of magic would be knowledgeable with magical artifacts. He gently takes the gemstone from my palm and looks at it in the sunlight.

"It's a seed."

"A seed?"

"Yes, a seed." Magnus replies calmly. "Remember when she asked to take care f her plants and how a pine tree is not suited in our area and we could plant something else instead?"

He looks at the top of the hill where Thalia's Pine once stood. He closes his eyes, as if trying to imagine something, perhaps how the tree towered over camp or how its branches danced in the breeze.

"Perhaps you have a point." I tell him. "Perhaps you are right...I guess there's only one way to prove."

We begin to walk to the top of the hill, followed by Chiron. The sky itself blackens with thunderclouds as if proclaiming the start of a funeral procession. And, as if this whole thing was meant to be one, the campers start following us. Some are curious to see what we are up to and whether they can help. Others understand the situation and follow in silence.

We reach the place where Thalia's Pine once stood, where now, in the place of a mighty pine tree, lies a fallen tree stump. Magnus turns to me and nods.

"You know what to do, Alison." He says handing me Eurynome's divine essence. His voice is as calm and reassuring as when we first met.

I dig a small whole in the ground and burry the green gemstone in it. Soon enough, the small dirt mound I made starts glowing fade in the most vibrant green I've ever seen and, under the gaze of the astonished halfbloods, a small sprout emerges. My friends pull me back as the sprout grows rapidly, sprouting thick wrinkled branches and lush emerald leaves. The wind brings a soft smell of peonies and a warm atmosphere around the tree, a feeling of safety.

Eurynome's divine essence turned into a mighty oak tree.

Some of the halfbloods, seeing the miracle, fall to their knees in fright. Amidst the cheering crowd, I see my cabinmates and Fritz, looking pleased and proud. The campers begin to shout our names in ecstasy. The sky above seems to clear up and a mild summer rain starts, dancing with the warm sunrays.

"We did it!" June exclaims hugging both Aristoniki and Noah. "We saved Camp Halfblood!"

I smile warmly as I glance upward at the rustling leaves of Eurynome's oak. It's over now...