2018. Twelve Years Old. Three weeks after Thalia got turned into a pinecone tree. Two months before Luke's betrayal.
"Y'know Nick, I've been thinking." Luke said as he walked alongside Nicholas. "You've been improving in training. I would say that you're one of the strongest demigods in this camp."
"Thanks Luke." The Son of Hades replied back. The two of them walked around the grounds, passing by the Ares kids as a silence was shared between them before Luke spoke up.
"Come with me." The Son of Hermes lead Nicholas away from the cabins and to the Forge.
There were white marble columns lining walls stained with soot. Chimneys on the roof pump smoke over a gable with carvings of gods and monsters. The forge was located at the edge of a stream, with waterwheels spinning bronze gears. Always, campers hear machinery working, fires crackling, and the sound of hammers against metal. Inside were tables full of projects and weapons, and there was also a big wall map of the camp, used to plan traps to catch the bronze dragon. Hephaestus' children were often, or always, working in the forges.
And speaking of Hephasteus' children, Nicholas got led towards one of them: an African American who was about his age.
Looks athletic. Wonder if he plays baseball.
Luke cleared his throat to get the boy's attention before introducing him to Nicholas.
"Nick, meet Charles Beckendorf. Charles, meet Nicholas di Angelo."
The boy, known as Charles, pushed his goggles upwards to his forehead as he looked Nicholas up and down before reaching out his hand.
"Pleasure to meet you." He said as Nicholas shook his hand. "What can I do for ya?" Luke leaned in and whispered something in Charles' ear that Nicholas couldn't hear, but whatever it was, it made the mechanic smile.
"Gotcha." Charles said before looking up and down at Nicholas once more before heading to one of the tables.
"What'd you say to him?" Nicholas asked with curiosity. Luke grinned.
"You're getting your own weapon, Nick. You've been using a training sword for too long, haven't you?"
Nicholas widened his eyes a bit at Luke's statement. But before he could say anything else, Charles returned, hiding something behind his back.
"Close your eyes."
Nicholas raised an eyebrow. "Do I have to?"
Charles rolled his eyes while Luke chuckled. "Yes, you have to. Now shut up and close your eyes."
Nicholas scoffed and rolled his eyes before closing them.
"Ok, now open them."
As he opened his eyes, Nicholas looked down and his eyes widened as he got presented with two daggers.
"Is that—"
"Adamant. We have some of these hanging from the racks. Why not give them off?" The Son of Hephasteus said as he handed over the daggers to Nicholas. "You're gonna have to name 'em. Most of us call our weapons something."
"Name 'em, huh?" Nicholas said as he twirled with the daggers. Luke put his hands on his hips.
"Yep. So what's it gonna be?" Luke asked.
"I'm gonna call them...Bobby and Freddy."
