The Sun and Sky

Finally Claimed--Char

Char's memory was a blur. She had absolutely no idea how she knew the Praetors' names, or who their parents were. Part of her just knew, and she blurted it out.

"Ok so," Charlotte said to her, snapping her out of her train of thought. "As you know, that was the principia. Over there are the barracks."

She pointed to a cluster of white, Roman buildings with red roofs.

"And over there, past the Vic Praetoia, is the Bath House."

The two then followed a long path, past a giant field of lush, tall sunflowers.

"New Rome is back that way, but I can show you that later."

"Where are we going then?"

"Temple Hill."

* * *

After a long hike up the hill, they finally reached the temples of the gods.

"Wow," Char breathed, admiring the view. "You can see the entire camp up here."

Charlotte smiled, one of the first genuine smiles Char had seen in a while.

"Yeah. It's pretty cool, huh?"

Char nodded as they turned to meet the temples.

Each building was unique and carefully made, with its own personal character to represent each god.

The temples surrounded one large one with giant columns, made with marble, gold, and other precious stones embedded into it.

"Is that the Temple of Jupiter?" Char asked, pointing to it.

Charlotte nodded.

"I wonder who my father is."

Charlotte placed her hand on Char's shoulder. "We will find out soon. You can't be undetermined forever."

The two walked past each temple, admiring the workmanship and dedication out into each building. Some were small, while some were larger, depending on the god.

Char turned to a bronze temple. "What's that one?" she asked her friend.

Charlotte grumbled. "Temple of Bellona."

"Reyna's mom?"

"Yes," she answered, trying to dismiss it.

Char crossed her arms. "What is going on with you two?"

"What do you mean?"

"You two obviously have a grudge against each other."

"It's nothing."

"Your face says otherwise."

"It's nothing, alright? Just drop it." Charlotte continued to walk on.

Char followed. The two of them definitely did not like each other, but she decided not to push it.

Char pointed to a red one. "Is that the Temple of Mars."

"Yes. And to your right is the Temple of Apollo and next to it is the Temple of Diana."

The Temple of Apollo was made of pure gold, while Diana's was made of silver. They looked nearly identical.

"Can we go inside one?" Char asked, hopefully.

"Sure, but we can't be disrespectful while we are in them. The last thing you want is a god with a grudge against you," she warned.

Char nodded and they headed inside the Temple of Apollo.

* * *

The Temple of Apollo was beautiful. The entire temple was solid gold, with shimmering columns, a small, elevated stage to the side, and a large golden replica of the god.

Char stared at it. "I wonder if he really looks like that."

Charlotte shrugged. "Over there is where the Augurs work. They're pretty much oracles."

Char glanced at the work space, but she kept staring at the statue. She felt something deep inside her when she looked at it.

She sighed and turned to walk out of the temple. It felt terrible not knowing who her father is.

Then, suddenly, the room began to illuminate.

She turned around and noticed the shining brightness.

Char took a step back from the light, unaware what was going on.

As the light brightened, Charlotte stepped back with her, holding her arm up, to cover her eyes from the blinding light. Strangely, Char was not affected by it. She just stared intently.

The light began to recede, revealing a beautiful, young girl with long, auburn colored hair, and a baby deer at her side.

Charlotte's eyes widened as she dropped to the floor.

Char had a slight moment of panic for her friend, but it was until she noticed what Charlotte was doing. She was bowing.

She elbowed Char's leg and gestured to her to bow. Char did as she was told.

The young girl smiled warmly towards the two of them. "You may stand," she said softly to them.

The two demigods obeyed her and stood.

The girl turned to Charlotte. "Thank you for delivering her safely to your camp. I am very proud," she said to her.

Charlotte nodded, "Of course, my lady. Thank you."

Char then suddenly realized what was going on. She started realizing who the girl was.

The girl turned to Char.

She smiled. "My name is Diana, goddess of the hunt. I have come here to inform you of your claiming."

"You mean," she paused. "You're my mother? I thought you were a-"

"Maiden?" Diana finished her sentence for her. She laughed softly. "I am, in fact, a maiden. However, my brother, Apollo, has had an...accident, I suppose."

Char's eyes widened.

"So," the goddess continued. "I have come here to claim you for him. He desperately wanted to see this moment, but he was not able to perform it."

Char's heart dropped. "You mean, he forgot?"

Diana tilted her head. "Oh, of course not! My clumsy brother has just gotten himself in an accident, but he is alright."

"Oh."

Diana smiled warmly again, instantly making Char feel better.

"I must return to my hunters. Goodbye, Daughter of Apollo."

And at that very moment, the goddess of the hunt departed, and Char and her best friend were left in the empty temple of her father.