Rise of the Demigod (A Writing Competition)

Round 1 - Entries

Ginny Sashlin

Whirling around in a tornado of sweat, Ginny successfully disarms the dummy placed in the middle of the isolated Apollo cabin. Huffing with satisfaction, she rolls up her whip and places between straps on the back of her body.

Instead of praising herself on making a new record of speed, Ginny brutally criticises her moves, losing the satisfaction she had gained mere seconds ago. When the world refuses to provide you with a dedicated teacher, you have to learn to be your own, and one of the harshest there can be.

Screams of desperation masked with authority, perfectly expressing Ginny's internal thoughts throughout life, pierces through the dome of silence she had created in her cabin.

"Campers, campers, listen up! We've got one of the largest battles you have faced approaching and I desire you all to protect the dear camp you all call home. Leave your camp activities and prep yourselves for battle. Do not stall, and alert all campers around you to gather around in the Dinner Hall to hear our battle plans."

Galloping past, Chiron warns the campers of the lethal battle advancing through a blow horn probably stolen from a mortal store. Smirking wickedly in anticipation of facing monsters whose blood she can proudly spill, Ginny differs from the many campers running around in panic and worry.

Embrace your problems; own them or kill them, but don't let yourself bow down to them.

Conveniently for Ginny, due to her battle practice, she was already in her armour with her whip strapped as a comforting friend pushing her forward in life.

"I doubt you'll count as a camper I so obligingly have to inform, so tata dummy head. I hope I'll be back to kill you soon," Ginny sweetly informs the late dummy before savagely walking out of the cabin, ready to unleash her anger, madness and skills, and maybe, just maybe, gain a little respect from the other campers.

People who are rude desire undivided care and attention from others, not isolation.

Ginny walks towards the dinner hall and loses herself in the sea of campers, all either giddy with excitement at the prospect of battle, or panic-stricken and sweating with worry.

Nervous and anticipating chatter can be heard, alongside with the clanging of armour, covering up Chiron and the cabin leaders' impromptu planning before they ask for full attention. There are a few like Ginny who stand alone but most are buried in worry, whilst Ginny's expectations for a bloody battle rise higher by the second.

"Attention attention! Listen up, all campers! A tribe of monsters have gathered outside our precious camp, and it is up to every one of you to protect our camp and the golden fleece before there is no place left you all can call home. Listen to your cabin leaders for more information and detail."

Nodding with a grim expression, Chiron walks back to the Big House while the campers shout in excitement and courage, rushing to make their way towards their camp leaders. What an effect Chiron can have on Camp Half-Blood, unlike Dionysus who is probably lounging around somewhere, drunk and without a single worry in this corrupted world.

Will is radiant and highly visible in the crowd; Ginny would have easily recognised his blue eyes and blond hair, despite the Apollo flag calling her name. Taking a deep sigh, obviously predicting the disgruntled replies from the adventurous and bloodthirsty Apollo children, Will announces, "In this battle, the Apollo cabin has been granted the opportunity not to commit harm, but to tend to the ones who have suffered from it."

"What? I'm not eating any of this rubbish. There's more than even volunteers to aid, I'm going to go fight in the midst of battle and if anyone tries to stop me, I'm not afraid to give them the same treatment as the monsters."