Sacred

Scorn

Gemma's POV
Late that night, the head counselor of Hephaestus assigned me a bunk which folded against the wall and slipped into a bunker. There was a bunch of things around the bunk like a digital control panel and lights.  I make my bed retract into the private room and I put the clothes Carter gave me and my backpack in a large trunk. I rummage through my backpack and pull out a pair of work overalls and jean overalls.
"And mom said I would never need them," I say and silently laugh to myself. I take off my winter gear then I pull my fiery red hair into a high ponytail. I go back to ground level and look around. A girl with brown hair, a blue bandanna, and tan skin slides down the fire pole.
"You're the new girl right," the girl asks and I nod.
"I'm Gemma," I tell her.
"Jami, I'm your half-sister," She replies and I smile.
"Nice bandanna," I tell her and she goes over to her bed and pulls something out," Here. You can have this one I was never really found of it."
"Wow thank you Jami," I tell her and she hands me a red bandanna and I hold onto it.
"Hey no problem," she says and walks out of the cabin. I wave and then look around.
"I do suppose I could check out that awesome basement again," I say and start to make my way to the circular staircase. I hear a knock at the door and stop and go to answer it. Julia stands there looking down at the ground.
"Oh hi Julia," I greet and she gives a small smile.
"Hey Gemma," she says.
"Oh come in," I tell her and she walks in," So what's up?"
"Wait you have a fire pole and a basement?" Julia asks and I nod with a smile.
"Yea it's pretty cool if I do say so myself," I say with a grin. Julia looks around then smiles.
"So most Hephaestus kids make their own weapon but you can pick one out of you want," Julia tells me and I grin from ear to ear.
"Wait does this mean I can make myself a sword?" I ask and she nods with a smile. "That's so epic!" I shout.
"Yea but until you make one you can just borrow one from the weaponry shed," she tells me and I smile.
"Then let's go," I say and go down and grab my varsity jacket.

Julia and I walk to the weaponry shed with only the sound of snow crunching beneath our feet.
"So how long have you known Carter?" I ask her.
"Ever since I came to the camp when I was 11. Carter rescued me he slashed all the monsters attacking me into dust," Julia recalls and blushes.
"Sounds like you sorta like him," I mutter.
"Huh?"
"Oh nothing," I reassure her and fiddle with the sleeves of my jacket.
"Here we are," Julia says and I walk into the dusty shed. Immediately a Golden sword spots my eye. I grab it and hold it out. It feels pretty even and balanced. I walk out of the shed with the sword in hand.
"Looks like you've picked a temporary sword," Julia points out and I nod.
"So do I like go to training or something?" I question.
"Yea you can go train and spar," Julia tells me and I nod.
"Can I go now?" I ask curiously.
"Maybe not tomorrow but the next day but I'm kinda tired ," Julia says and I nod.
"Now that I think about it I am too. I'll see you tomorrow," I reply and walk back to my cabin.

The next day passes as quick as a cheetah. Soon it's the day I get to train I wake up and get ready, today I was going to train. I throw on the Camp Half-Blood shirt with the jean overalls, my varsity jacket, and my boots. Next I put my hair in a messy bun and go up to ground level. I walk to breakfast and sit down at the Hephaestus table. As everyone does I scrap some offerings into the fire pit. I go back to my table and eat my breakfast. Looking around and spot Julia laughing with the Hermes kids and Carter with the Aphrodite kids. I give a small wave and they wave back.

After breakfast Julia takes me to the arena.
"Hey have you seen Carter?" Julia ask but I shake my head.
"No didn't he leave during breakfast?" I ask.
"Oh right," Julia says and looks down at the ground. Once we arrive I notice a familiar looking guy practicing. He's slashes and stabbing the dummies.
"Carter," I hear Julia mumbles. I walk more into the arena and start hitting a dummy.
"Here let me help you," Carter offers and shows me how to hold the sword and swing.
"Ok Aphrodite. Let's go then. I think I got this," I tell him with a grin.
"You sure?" Carter asks me and I nod. I turn around and see Julia standing by the entrance watching us. I give her a small wave and she waved back.
"Yea I mean what's the worst that could happen?" I ask and Carter opens his mouth but I shush him. We stand across from each other and I hold my sword out in front of me. Carter lunges out me and I block his hit. I swing but he blocks my sword. Quickly he tries to strike my leg but I move.
"Not bad Hephaestus not bad," Carter says and I smirk.
"I could say the same thing about you Aphrodite," I tell him and he smiles. Quickly I swing my sword to slash his arm but he rolls backwards. I lunge towards him and jump on top of him holding him down.
"Clever," He says and I smirk. I hold one of his wrist down and put my sword to his throat.
"Ouch!" He cries and I roll off of him.
"Are you ok?" I ask and see his wrist is a bright red and it seems like a burn.
"What did you do?" He asks holding his wrist.
"Nothing I did nothing," I cry and walk towards him but he walks away. Julia runs up to him and takes him to the infirmary. Great everyone is going to know I'm a freak now. I hold out my palm and a small flame ignites. Quickly I close my palm extinguishing the flame. I hate my power, all it brings is destruction. Slowly, I walk up to the infirmary, I have to make things right even if it means telling him the truth.

Once I reach the infirmary I walk in and see Julia sitting next to Carter as an medic treats the burn. The medic wraps it up then leaves.
"Hi," I say softly.
"Now isn't a good time," Julia says but I stand my ground.
"I need to talk to Carter please," I tell her.
"I don-"
"No it's fine. Julia I'll be back in a second," Carter says and he walks outside with me.
"When you asked about fire..." Carter starts to trail off.
"I know, I know and I never meant to harm you I never want to harm anyone. I hate the power, I don't use and you're the first person to know that isn't my mom," I confess to him.
"I understand, I freaked out I didn't know how to react or what to do. I've never met someone with your power,"He tells me and I smile a bit.
"Thank you for understanding. I don't think anyone would," I say and he nods.
"Julia is going to be so excited when she finds out," Carter says and I wince," What is it?"
"Carter I want to keep it a secret. I only told you because I burned you. Please don't tell Julia until I see fit. I know you two are close but I need you to keep it a secret, please," I beg and he grabs my hand and holds it.
"I promise Gemma," he promises and pulls me into a close hug. I wrap my arms around him and I bury my head in his shoulder. We just stand there hugging and I realize it's a weight off my shoulders telling someone about my powers.
"Thank you," I whisper to him and we finally let go of each other.
"If you ever need anything Gemma, I'm open to talk any time," Carter says holding onto my hands.
"I can't thank you enough," I exclaimed and throw my arms around him and we quickly hug.  "How's your hand?" I ask him.
"It's doing better. An Apollo kid treated it and I should be better soon. How do you even summon fire?" He asks in a hush voice.
"It just comes to me I guess," I reply and hold out my hand and the flame dances on my palm.
"It's breathtaking," Carter says and I extinguish the flame.
"And dangerous. It's why I've never liked it," I tell him and he nods.
"I promise to keep your power a secret Gemma," Carter promises and I smile.
"We should probably go back in," I suggest and he nods. We walk back into the infirmary and Julia rushes to Carter.
"How are you feeling?" Julia asks Carter.
"Julia I'm fine. I cleared things up with her. I got a burn at breakfast and when Gemma grabbed my wrist I felt the pain of the burn," Carter lies and I nod.
"I'm sorry for to come off rude when you first came in. I was just angry and upset," Julia apologizes and I nod.
"Well I better be on my way. I have to go make my sword," I say and turn on my heel.
"I'll take you there," Carter offers.
"Thanks Carter," I tell him and we walk out of the infirmary to the forgery.
"So any plans for your sword?"Carter asks.
"I'm going to go with gold. A fire symbol on the top of the hilt. Maybe some mechanics or magic where I can switch it from sword to dagger in a second," I tell him and he nods.
"Sounds cool can't wait to see it," Carter says with a smile.
"Yea I'm gonna work on it all day today and tomorrow. Then your burn will be healed and everything will be fine," I tell him and I smile.
"See you at lunch,"Carter says as I walk into the forgery.
"Can't I'm going to be working non-stop on this sword," I stop and announce.
"Gemma you need lunch how about I bring it to you," he suggests and I nod.
"That would be wonderful Aphrodite," I added and he smiles.
"See you later Hephaestus," he calls and I walk into the forgery.