▃▃▃ ᴅᴏɴᴛ ʟᴇᴛ ʜᴇʀ ʟᴏᴏᴋ ᴏꜰ ɪɴɴᴏᴄᴇɴᴄᴇ ꜰᴏᴏʟ ʏᴏᴜ ꜱʜᴇ ɪꜱ ꜰᴜʟʟ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ᴋɪɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ʙᴀᴅ-ᴊ ɪʀᴏɴ ᴡᴏʀᴅ
▃▃ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 1 ▃▃ In which the only daughter of Persephone sneaks on a quest to see the world for the first time since she's been at camp. The daughter of wisdom...
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𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⭑ ‧₊˚ ⋅ જ⁀➴๋࣭ ⭑๋࣭ ⭑
ᴊᴀɴᴜᴀʀʏ ³ʀᴅ, ²⁰⁰¹
I sat at the long table with the Hermes cabin, my small frame barely reaching the edge. I poked at my food, feeling out of place among the older kids who seemed to know exactly who they were and where they belonged.
"Hey, Elara," a boy from across the table called out, drawing the attention of several others. "Is it true you can't remember anything? Like, nothing at all?"
Before I could respond, Luke shot the boy a sharp look. "Back off, Jake. It's none of your business."
I appreciated Luke's defense, but the question lingered in my mind. I tried to remember my father, to grasp at any memory that might give me a sense of identity. But all I could see were red eyes, glaring at me from the darkness. As I focused on the image, a searing pain flared up on my back, right where my birthmark was.
Unable to bear it, I stood up abruptly, my plate clattering as I left the table. I needed air, space, anything to clear my head. I found myself wandering towards the fireplace, drawn to its warmth and the figure sitting beside it.
The girl looked up, her eyes gentle and kind. I didn't know who she was, but there was something comforting about her presence. I sat down next to her, feeling a strange sense of peace.
"You seem troubled, child," the girl said softly, her voice soothing. "Sometimes, the past can be a heavy burden, especially when it's shrouded in darkness."
I nodded, the pain in my back subsiding slightly. "I just... I can't remember anything. It's like there's a wall in my mind, and every time I try to climb it, I get hurt."
The girl smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Memories are powerful, Elara. They shape who we are, but they do not define us entirely. You have a strength within you, a light that can guide you even when the past is hidden."
I felt a warmth spread through me, not just from the fire, but from the girl's words. Maybe I didn't need to remember everything right now.
ᴘʀᴇꜱᴇɴᴛ
"Are you sure about this?" Nico asked for what felt like the thousandth time as he watched Elara carefully fold her clothes into her bag.
"I'll be alright," she responded gently, sliding her sketchbook into her backpack before zipping it up. "You shouldn't worry so much," she added, slinging the backpack over her shoulder.
Nico's frown deepened. "But what if a monster attacks you or something? I won't be there to protect you," he said, his voice tinged with concern.
Elara gave him a small, reassuring smile. "I truly appreciate your concern," she said, crouching down to meet Nico's eyes, "But you need to trust me. This isn't my first quest... I'll be fine. Plus, Zoë, Bianca, and Thalia will be there. I won't be alone."
