Daughter of the Gods

"Insert Quirky Title Here"

I sat staring at the small fire we had made. Across from me, Annabeth and Percy were asleep, Aivery warm from where she curled up behind my back. Black Jack and Graze were also alseep, finishing the ring of our camp.

I could fly. I had saved Percy from falling to his death. It meant Zeus' blessing was actually worth something. But, I'd jumped anyway. Before knowing, before making a plan, I just jumped.  But that didn't make any sense. I mean, demigods and humans had received blessings in the past, but to give me control over the air?

"What's wrong?"

I jumped so high, I almost hit the tree above me. Apparently, I was wrong about Annabeth being asleep.

"Nothing, just thinking," I stammered.

"Is it about earlier?" She asked, and sat up, looking at me.

"Yeah."

"Liar. You were thinking about your trip to Olympus and what happened earlier," and I ducked my head.

"It's okay to be confused, Kenze. Percy was pretty confused when he first came to camp, most half bloods are,"

"But I already knew about all of this!"

"And reading about it in a book is different from experiencing the real thing. I know that, Kenze, better than anyone. I had read about the Sea of Monsters and wasn't fully prepared when I went with Percy. I had read about the Labyrinth, knew almost every written record of it and it did nothing to prepare me for the real thing. Reading and experiencing are two different things,"

I knew that. I knew that was true. But.

"Kenze, Percy told me about the trip to Olympus. About Poseidon and Zeus. To already be a child of the Big Three and have the blessing from one of them two? It's a big deal. And we'll handle it. Like we handle everything else,"

"But Annabeth, this means Poseidon broke the oath twice and Zeus knew it. He knew that Poseidon broke the oath. And I refuse to believe that my life is going to be normal or quiet. I will be lucky if I can leave Camp and - and maybe my Mother was right? Maybe my life does kind of end by coming to camp because leaving isn't going to be an option. And I-I can't I can't spend my life like that! Spend it cooped up and hoping and-"

"Kenze,"

I jumped, unaware that she had moved surprised by her presence beside me.

"You don't have to stay at Camp Half-Blood. Part of this arrangement that we want to make with them will allow the Greeks to go to New Rome. To live adult lives and still be safe. That's an option in your future too. And you're right, Big Three demigods often become part of prophecies. And if you are a part of some great prophecy, Percy and I will be there. No, don't protest, we will be. Percy is obsessively loyal to his friends and family. And you're his family now, Kenze. Just like Tyson is. And if you're a part of Percy's family, that makes you part of mine. And we will help you. You will not be alone, I promise.

"But this is your life now. That won't change, it can't. And staying with your Mom would've gotten both of you killed. And as much as I hate how dangerous our life is, I'd rather live a dangerous life than a dead one,"

"Even if it means Elysium?"

She didn't answer, instead turning her grey gaze towards Percy. But I had a feeling I knew what she was thinking. Elysium meant nothing without Percy. And despite all of the heroic things they had done, until you die, there was always going to be that kernel of doubt that it wouldn't be enough.

But I felt calmer after talking. A little more settled. At home, I was constantly trying to figure things out myself, Mom either busy or distracted, or asking her for help just wasn't an option. But as confused as I was, it was a comfort knowing that Percy and Annabeth would stay and help. That I wasn't alone this time.

~~~~~~

We made good time the next day and didn't run into anymore attacks. On our third day of travel, we reached Camp Jupiter.

It was mostly bordered by a thick, bright river, with several bridges. Right by one bridge and near what looked like a tunnel, was a cluster of buildings. I assumed they were the barracks. There were kids running around, and Pegasi as well. There was one larger building above all of the other ones. Principic. Praetor House. Beside it, there was a huge space of land, bare and charred. There was a large sun spot, sunflowers. There was also a lake, and right beside it stood a small city. It had buildings small and large. One the other side of the lake stood a hill, with temple looking buildings. 

"What? I've read about it. I'm kind of excited about this!" I grinned. Percy shook his head, and led our descent. I gladly directed Aivery to follow, and was the first to hit the ground. We landed in the Field of Mars. Aivery snorted.
It smells odd here. But I'm happy. This is home. She said. I had gotten used to her voice in my head.

"You were from Camp Jupiter?" I asked her, leaning down to look her in the eye. She reared her head vigorously, so I took that as a yes. Percy and Annabeth landed beside me, and smiled. Annabeth was clearly relieved to be on the ground. It was a perfect moment, until a boot load of angry and surprised Romans surrounded us with weapons and all. Though, luckily, we didn't have to say anything. Someone recognized Annabeth and Percy. A girl with bright golden eyes and long curly, dark brown hair and a boy with blue eyes, glasses, sandy close copped hair, and a scar on his upper lip stepped forward.

"Guys, fall back. It's Annabeth and Percy." The boy said. I made the exciting and valid assumption that it was Jason. The Romans put their weapons down, and stepped back, allowing Percy, Annabeth and I to get down. I stood beside Annabeth, patted Aivery on the neck and turned back.

"Who's this?" the girl asked.

"Guys, this is Kenze. Kenze, meet Jason Grace and Hazel Levesque." Percy introduced, and I smiled.

"Hi." I said. Hazel smiled, and we started walking. The 4 of them started talking, but I sort of zoned out. The sky was bright blue, and Romans were walking around, talking, some were even practicing on The Field of Mars, trying to attack each other, and smiling when they succeeded. I could like here. Hazel mentioning Frank brought me back to reality.
"Where are the other's any way?" Annabeth asked.

"Frank and Reyna led a group to Mount Tam. Apparently, a bunch of monsters are gathering there. I think Piper went with them. Rachel's with Tyson and Ella in New Rome." She explained, looking over to the river.

"Still no sign of Leo?" Percy asked.

She shook her head. "No. Percy, if Leo is alive, then he's doing a really good job of hiding." She sighed. "Maybe we should just let Leo either be dead or be wherever he is." There was a quiet sorrow and resentment in her voice and I recalled Percy telling me that Leo disappeared after they defeated Gaia. That both Hazel and Nico felt him die but not really. So everyone had spent the past 2 years looking for him.

"Come on. Let's head to the Praetor house until Frank and Reyna return." She suggested. We all nodded.

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