The Undead Heroes (The first part of The Reiteration of Olympus)

Chapter 3, I get a bespectacled companion

DYLAN

Desirée was a demigod.

As soon as I saw her under the bleachers I knew that there was something special about her, but I wish it would have been something else. Couldn't she just had been a mortal that could see through the mist? That would have saved me a lot of trouble. That thing with the grass was definitely her doing, and that's when I realized she must've been a daughter of Cer- Demeter.

It was getting close to four pm. when we were walking to her home and all I could think about was how I could ditch her. It's bad, I know! But I don't want to deal with the gods more than I already have to. We're not really on the best terms to put it lightly. But when I looked over at Desirée I knew that if I left her now she wouldn't make it long. She was small and a bit chubby with red-ish brown frizzy hair pulled into a low ponytail. She also wore rectangular glasses that were too big for her face. This kid wouldn't make it a day alone now that she knew that mythological monsters existed. Even though every single cell inside me told me to run away and leave her I decided that I would at least keep her safe until I could get her on a train to Camp Jupiter. The thought of the place terrified me and made me want to just run away until my legs gave out. I didn't have good memories about that place but if sending her there was going to save this kid then I'd have to do it.

Desirée led me through the streets of Richmond until we eventually got to an average sized house with a small fence. Desirée opened the gate of the fence and walked towards the front door. I followed her, (remembering to close the gate after me 'cause I have manners), and followed Desirée when she walked through the door. Her home was a bit cramped but homely all the same. Desirée led me to the kitchen and motioned for me to sit down on a chair whilst she got something to eat. I didn't want to tell her, but I was probably as beat as she was. I try not to use my godly powers as much as I can, which makes me unused to how much energy it takes. That doesn't mean that I'm rusty with my powers though, I have an annoying amount of control over them. Using them is as easy as breathing, which makes it super annoying trying to suppress it.

Desirée handed me a packet of yogurt and a spoon getting the same for herself. I opened the packet and starting eating, Desirée doing the same. Neither of us could come up with anything to say so we just kept eating.

But, as is always the case with eating something, it eventually ran out. It was quiet for a while before Desirée said:

"What is going on?"

I sighed deeply and ransacked my brain for a good answer to her question. How do you explain to someone that their life will never be the same as soon as they understand what is going on? I decided to make it as simple as ripping off a band-aid; easy and direct.

"Most things in the Greek and Roman mythologies are real and there is a high chance that you are a demigod."

I looked at her and she looked stunned for a moment before nodding determinately. She seemed to accept the fact so easily and I had no idea how she did it. If I were her I would think I was crazy.

"Are you a demigod too?" she asked.

"Yes."

She thought for a second before asking a question I hate.

"Who's your godly parent then?"

Now, the reason I am not the number one fan of the gods is because of who my godly parent is.

Neptune. Roman god of the sea.

Neptune's Greek counterpart, Poseidon, was adored by the Greek. He was one of the most worshipped gods for sure. Neptune though?

Not so much.

The Romans feared him and seeing as they weren't really ones for sea fare they weren't a big fan of the sea. But Neptune wasn't only the god of the sea; he was also the god of fresh water, earthquakes and horses. One thing is not like the others.

Now I don't have a problem with my dad, he's actually pretty cool. Sure he has a few anger issues as most Roman gods have but except that he's cool. To me at least. I guess that's because I'm his daughter though.

No, the reason I don't like people knowing who my godly parent is because of Camp Jupiter. They aren't really the biggest fans of Neptune or his kids. They consider us dangerous and bad luck, and last time I checked my dad's temple was just a shack, unlike all the other major gods. When the people at camp learned that I was a child of Neptune they resented me and I know when I'm not wanted. I got out of there as fast as I could and vowed to never go back.

Until now.

"Take a guess," I told her scraping the bottom of my yogurt packet with my spoon. She looked at me and put her hand on her chin and made an over exaggerating thinking face.

"Weeellll... you can bend water and you look really cool sooo..." She knocked on her temple like Whinnie the Pooh and made an "Aha!" sound.

"Your parent must be Poseidon!" she exclaimed. She looked really proud of herself and as the terrible person I am I corrected her.

"Neptune"

Her face fell and I tried so hard to hold in a smug smile before catching myself on what I'd just done. Apparently, my urge to crush people's hopes and dreams is bigger than the urge to protect my identity.

"Neptune, Poseidon. Same thing," she muttered. She had an amused look on her face but when she looked at me her face turned into one of concern.

"Hey, are you okay? You look really pale." I scratched my neck and sighed.

"I said something I shouldn't have." She looked confused so I continued. "You can't tell anyone who my dad is. People don't really appreciate him or his kids." She just stared at me and I couldn't really tell what she was thinking. I felt nervous and I started to explain further but she cut me off.

"Okay."
"Okay?"

She shrugged. "It's your dad and if people really don't appreciate you guys then I won't say anything." She gave a smile. "Mainly because they're stupid. You guys are cool."

I stared at her. "You've known me for what, two hours? And you've already decided that I'm cool?"
"Yup!"

She stood up and threw her yogurt in the trash. I started to get up to throw mine away too, but she took it and threw it away before I could. I gave her a questioning look and she looked a bit sheepish.

"Sorry," she said, "I'm kinda a freak about having the trash being in the right bin. I don't want to destroy the planet in more ways than I already do, you know?"
Yup, definitely a daughter of Demeter.

"But, hey, Dylan", she said.

"Yeah?"

"Will things like that that Chimera come after me?"