𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐈𝐋¹ || 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐘 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐎𝐍

𝐗𝐈𝐗

✦ 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑-𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 ✦

THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT CAMP HALF-BLOOD, Aurora dedicated herself to rigorous training alongside her siblings. Under Chiron's watchful eye, she honed her powers with expertise, learning to manage their draining effects.

Chiron's guidance proved invaluable as he helped her understand the intricacies of her abilities.

In addition to her physical training, Aurora delved into more mundane subjects with the rest of the year-round campers. History, literature, and mathematics became part of her daily routine, broadening her horizons in unexpected ways.

But perhaps the most cherished aspect of her time at Camp was the connection she maintained with Percy and Annabeth.

Utilizing the iridescent globes gifted to them, they spoke almost daily, bridging the gap between Camp and the outside world. These conversations were a lifeline for Aurora, keeping her grounded and connected to her friends no matter the distance.

As the days progressed, Aurora found herself spending more time with the Stoll brothers of the Hermes Cabin— Connor and Travis. They had always been close friends of hers, but this year, their behavior had taken a curious turn.

The brothers seemed unusually clingy, often trailing behind Aurora like lost puppies. She simply let it happen, thinking the brothers were having a hard time finding out about Luke, their half-sibling had betrayed all of them.

Despite their antics, the Stolls shared their secrets of pranking with Aurora, teaching her the ins and outs of their mischievous endeavors. Curiously, however, they never played pranks on her, a fact that didn't escape Aurora's notice.

Occasionally, she caught them gawking at her, their gazes lingering before quickly averting when she turned to face them.

Maybe it was because Aurora underwent her own physical changes. She grew an inch taller, her silvery-white hair lengthening with each passing month. The baby fat she once carried was gradually disappearing, replaced by a more athletic and slim physique. These changes were subtle but noticeable, marking her transition from girlhood to adolescence in the midst of her adventures at Camp Half-Blood.

On September 1st, Aurora woke up to the sweet aroma of a cake in the cabin. Her siblings had taken it upon themselves to surprise her with a homemade treat for her birthday. It was a simple gesture, but one that filled her heart with warmth.

As they gathered around for breakfast, Aurora found herself surrounded by laughter and chatter, enjoying the company of her friends who had organized a picnic that morning.

The cake disappeared quickly, devoured by hungry campers eager to indulge in the sugary delight. Despite the simplicity of the celebration, it was a moment filled with joy and camaraderie, reminding Aurora of the bonds she had forged at Camp Half-Blood.

Later in the day, Aurora received greetings from Annabeth and Percy, who both apologized for not being able to be there in person. However, they made sure to send their well wishes and thoughtful gifts.

Annabeth's gift was a matching bracelet with their name initial, the letter A, a symbol of their friendship and shared experiences. Percy, on the other hand, sent Aurora a batch of his mom's famous blue cookies which he did in fact help bake, a sweet reminder of their adventures together and the bonds they had formed.

After the morning picnic with her friends and siblings, Aurora's birthday took an exciting turn when her father, Apollo, finally arrived in his cherry-red Maserati, which was also the famous 'Sun Chariot'.

It was a tradition for Apollo to spend the day with his children on their birthdays, anywhere they desired in the world.

This year, Aurora chose Hawaii, and together they embarked on a memorable father-daughter bonding experience.

In Hawaii, they explored the lush landscapes, swam in crystal-clear waters, and enjoyed each other's company under the warm sun.

Apollo surprised Aurora with a Polaroid camera, a simple yet thoughtful gift that she cherished and used to capture moments from their trip. She didn't wait to share the memories with Percy, Annabeth, and her other friends back at Camp.

During their time together, Apollo cryptically hinted that Aurora might receive another surprise upon their return. True to his word, when they arrived back at Camp, Aurora was greeted with a new brother, Aden Miller. Claimed just moments after his arrival, Aden was the same age as her. He had blonde locks and amber eyes, and he quickly found a place within the family.

Aurora took Aden under her wing immediately, understanding the pain of losing a mother. She trained him, shared stories of her adventures, and provided him with the support he needed to navigate life at Camp. Despite the challenges they faced, Aurora couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness and fulfillment as she welcomed Aden into their growing family.

As the summer approached and as the Camp started to fill with more campers, not all was well within the confines of Camp Half-Blood.

The discovery of Thalia's tree, once a symbol of strength, vitality, and sacrifice, now stood as a grim testament to the Camp's weakening defenses. Its once vibrant needles had turned yellow, and a mound of dead ones lay scattered around its base. At the heart of the tragedy was a gaping puncture mark, oozing green sap, a clear sign of foul play.

Someone poisoned the tree.

The poisoning of Thalia's tree struck a blow to the Camp's security, causing the borders to weaken and leaving everyone vulnerable.

As tensions rose and trust waned, Chiron made an attempt to heal Thalia's tree, joined by Aurora and her siblings. Despite their efforts, their magic proved futile against the poison that threatened the heart of the Camp.

In response to this crisis, Zeus himself intervened, demanding the removal of both Chiron as activities director and Argus as head of security.

Their replacements were none other than Tantalus, a demigod with a dark past, infamous for his attempt to feed the gods human flesh. Tantalus' arrival brought an air of unease to the Camp, his demeanor cruel and sadistic. With his pale, thin frame clad in a worn prisoner's jumpsuit, he took pleasure in the suffering of others, reveling in the power bestowed upon him.

And for the first time, Aurora Deveroux hated being in Camp Half-Blood.