The Sun's Eclipse

Chapter 1: The night they came

I always knew I didn't belong. Or, at least, not in the way the other kids did. The orphanage was proof of that. I was the kid in the back of the room, the one nobody talked to—and I was fine with it. The others left me alone, and I returned the favor. But Mr. Harlan, one of the old guys running the place, always had to comment. He'd stop me in the halls and tell me to "act normal." Like I'd ever figure out what that meant.

Then there was Sebastian. He volunteered at the orphanage—sweeping floors, fixing broken things. He never asked me to talk, never tried to make me join in. He just... sat with me sometimes. He was different. Sometimes, he'd tell stories about gods and monsters—legends that felt too real. And for once, I didn't feel so alone. But that was before everything fell apart.

One night, while everyone slept, I snuck out of bed to watch the stars. My only routine. But this time, something felt off. The air was thick, heavy. Then Sebastian burst in, his face pale, eyes wide.

"They're here," he whispered, voice sharp as glass. "Azrael, we need to go."

My heart pounded. "What's coming?"

He didn't answer—just grabbed my arm and pulled me out into the dark. "Monsters," he said as we ran through the halls. "They found you."

I should've called it crazy, but something in his face told me not to argue. We ran into the woods, the cold air stinging my skin. "Where are we going?" I yelled.

"To safety," he said, glancing over his shoulder. Then I saw it—a massive, twisted creature slithering between the trees, red eyes glowing. Too many legs, way too many teeth.

"Run!" Sebastian pushed me forward, but I was frozen. In a flash, he stepped between me and the monster—and I realized something wasn't right. His legs... they weren't human. They were goat legs.

"Go, Azrael!" he shouted, drawing a dagger from his belt and lunging at the creature. I should've moved, but I couldn't tear my eyes away. The creature's claws hit him hard. Sebastian went down with a sickening thud.

I ran. Branches clawed at my face, but I didn't stop. I ran until my legs gave out, collapsing by a tree. The stars spun above me, and everything went dark.

When I woke up, I was in a bed, with a stranger sitting nearby. He looked about seventeen, with bright blonde hair that almost glowed and pale green eyes watching me with concern.

"You're safe now," he said gently. "My name's Solon. You're at Camp Half-Blood."

I stared, still dizzy. "Camp what?"

"Camp Half-Blood," he repeated, giving me a reassuring smile. "We'll figure this out." And I knew things would never be the same.