The Shadow Summoner | Book Three - PJO Universe

six

RACHEL'S HOUSE

Ariana spent her morning helping out the first year campers, like she had done for many years.

The daughter of Hades had once taken up the role of Senior counsellor, Luke Castellan had been it once.

It essentially meant she helped out Chiron and Mr. D around camp.

"Lila that was brilliant!" Ariana grinned brightly as she disarmed the daughter of Athena.

The girl was only young, around eight years old - Ariana suspected that monsters had kept coming near her so she had to be brought to camp.

Most likely, it was too dangerous for her to stay at home for another summer.

"I didn't even disarm you." Lila frowned, her eyes gazing across the floor.

Ariana kneeled to her level, putting her swords away and gestured for the girl to turn around. Lila did and Ariana began putting the girls hair back up into a ponytail.

During their fight, her hair began falling out of its bobble and Ariana didn't want her to be at a disadvantage simply because she was distracted by her hair.

"Well, I've had a lot more experience than you but I've never seen skill like that before. I reckon you could disarm loads of people I know!"

"Like who?" The girl giggled, spinning around once Ariana had tightened her hair securely in a ponytail.

Ariana stood up again, looking around the sword arena. Loads of demigods were looking up at her, each of them idolising her.

"I bet you could beat Clarisse."

Ariana knew she couldn't but she didn't want to beat up a young child's hopes or dreams. She had been like Lila when she was a child.

She clapped her hands together. "Alright guys, up you get and find a partner! Whoever beats their partner can get out of doing an activity one time!"

At some point during her training session with some cabins Malcolm had entered the sword arena looking for Ariana.

Upon seeing him, Ariana quickly put the demigods into another activity before giving Malcolm her full attention.

"Hey dude. What's up?" She smiled.

"I think Mr. D wants to speak to you about something. He's in the Big House."

Ariana nodded, picking up her jacket. "I'll go right away, can you take over this or tell them they're free to go?"

Malcom nodded. "Course, you should go."

Giving him a thumbs up, Ariana left the sword arena and trekked up to the Big House. Unsurprisingly, Dionysus was sat with a Diet Coke.

"Have a seat." Dionysus motioned to the couch opposite the fireplace.

As Ariana sat, Dionysus studied her for a moment.

"Right. I believe it's time you step up, take on more responsibility. Being a Counsellor may just not be enough for you." He said plainly. "You're the most powerful demigod I've ever seen. Maybe ever. You were able to handle yourself during the wars well."

"Dionysus, mate, I do a lot more around Camp than you do." Ariana pointed out. "And I'm Senior Counsellor."

"Not enough, that's my point. Senior Counsellor or not, you're the daughter of one of the the Big Three. You're destined for more than this. The gods are aware of how powerful you are, as are the demigods. You're even more powerful than the average Big Three kid, considering your mother's heritage."