𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍// 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑𝟒

Will had faced darkness and walked out of it full of light. He had battled inner demons and emerged victorious.

And yet the thought of singing in front of a large crowd filled him with more terror than any of those experiences ever had.

Camp Half-Blood had invited over Camp Jupiter for the performance. Now the audience had near-tripled in size--and all of them were expecting the performance of their lives.

But no pressure.

"Are you okay?" asked a concerned Kayla.

"Fine," Will said, trying and failing to hide the fact that he was trembling. "Just fine."

"Dude," Austin said flatly. "I can lead the song, if you want me to."

"I'm fine being the main singer, Lake," Will said, a note of irritation in his tone.

"You look like you're ready to pass out."

At that moment, the narrator called out, "Give it up for--the Apollo Cabin!" The audience roared.

"No stopping now." With a deep breath, Will walked onto the stage, his siblings trailing behind him. The crowd cheered. He tried his best to smile, concealing his fear. Walking up to the mic, he said, "A few of you will be familiar with this song. It might even be your favorite."

Surprising quiet from the audience. Will continued.

"We are going to sing 'Invincible' by Kelly Clarkson."

Applause and a few cheers. The music began to play. With a steadying breath, Will began to sing.

You know I was broke down, I had hit the ground

I was crying out, couldn't make no sound

No one hears silent tears collecting

The music strengthened, as did his voice.

You know I had lost hope, I was all alone

Never been so low 'til you came along

Teacher, I feel the dots connecting

Austin and Kayla joined in.

Beat down on me, beat down like a waterfall

Cause I can take on so much more than I had ever dreamed

So beat down on me, beat down like a waterfall

'Cause baby, I am ready to be free

They launched into the chorus.

Now I am invincible

No, I ain't a scared little boy no more

Yeah, I am invincible

What was I running for

I was hiding from the world

I was so afraid, I was so unsure

Now I am invincible

Another perfect storm

The audience cheered as Will went on to the second verse.

Now I am a warrior, a shooting star

You know I got this far, I had a broken heart

No one hears silent tears collecting

Will smiled in the pause.

'Cause it's being weak that's strong

In the truth I found

I have courage now, gonna shout it out

Teacher, I feel the dots connecting

The three children of Apollo sang together.

Beat down on me, beat down like a waterfall

'Cause I can take on so much more than I had ever dreamed

So beat down on me, beat down like a waterfall

'Cause baby, I am ready to be free

Now I am invincible

No, I ain't a scared little boy no more

Yeah, I am invincible

What was I running for

I was hiding from the world

I was so afraid, I was so unsure

Now I am invincible

Another perfect storm

Kayla took up the third verse.

I was running from an empty threat

Of emptiness

I was running from an empty threat

That didn't exist

Austin sang with her.

I was running from an empty threat

Of abandonment

I was running from an empty threat

That didn't exist

Kayla sang out the high note. Will began to repeat the chorus again.

But now I am invincible

No, I ain't a scared little boy no more

Yeah, I am invincible

What was I running for

Will hit the high note, and an unexplainable feeling came over him. Not joy-- but determination. Strength.

The song climaxed, and Will sang to the best of his ability.

I was hiding from the world

I was so afraid, I felt so unsure

Now I am invincible

Another perfect storm

The chorus repeated. Tears welled in Will's eyes. He let them fall.

The Hell he had endured at the hands of those demons, at the hands of his mother...It had broken him, had burned his soul to ash.

But he was a phoenix. He would rise from the ashes, more glorious and stronger than before.

He was unbreakable.

He was untameable.

He was invincible.

He was Will Solace, son of Apollo, and he was fearless.

The song faded. For a moment, there was silence.

Then the audience roared, and even gave them a standing ovation. Will smiled through his tears, then turned and walked off the stage, his siblings at his side, faithful as ever.