Solis

Chapter XI

Ron really believed that Annabeth had stopped following new campers closely once summer started (even though she wouldn't admit it). He didn't understand why she was acting strange, ever since he saw her rushing away from the Big House. He wasn't trying to listen in, but he always overheard Luke and Annabeth talking when they hang out together. She kept talking about a prophecy and needing to find a specific boy, girl, or someone—that it was getting late or something.

Ron couldn't just understand the situation, and he had grown tired of repeatedly asking them if they were still keeping secrets from him. 

Well, that was two months back, if he recalls. But now, it's happening again. It was storming outside the camp, and the redhead was just about go to the Dining Pavilion for dinner while holding his wooden sword that Luke gave to him as a gift before, when all of a sudden, someone pulled him away.

"I. Need. You." Amnabeth stated urgently.He let out a yelp as he was pulled along toward the Big House.

Later that day, Ron found himself feeding a boy he didn't even know. Annabeth kept pacing back and forth, making Ron feel dizzy. Every time the boy, who was sleeping in a deck chair, opened his sea-green eyes, Annabeth would halt and start bombarding him with questions, only for the boy to fall asleep again.

"This is stupid," Annabeth clicked her tongue and quickly walked away, saying, "I'll be right back." Ron gave her a pleading look to just tell him everything before she left, but she just brushed him off. The redhead only let out a sigh of relief when Argus, theit camp's security guard, showed up to look out for the boy.

The following day, Ron didn't come back there. Because who would want to feed a stranger suddenly? And he doesn't even sure if the boy is a new camper. Plus, he was getting a rather uncomfortable feeling from that boy—like something very bad or something. He had experienced the same feeling before when the redhead attempted to touch the scar on Luke's face, and the older boy had only flinched as a hint of bitterness had crossed his expression.

But Luke's face changed to a gentle smile right after the bitterness showed.

And Ron was indeed right because it was around in the afternoon when he heard the rumor about the boy and so he didn't waste a time to I.M Kayla and Austin.

"Guys, hear me out! Hear me out!" Ron exclaimed, while using both his hands to illustrate what he had heard from others. 

“—and so, and then, he, has this horn on his hand, everyone saw it as Mr. Chiron toured him around and and and, I saw it too and—”

"Ron, calm down," Kayla said, looking puzzled.

“—he killed a Minotaur! A Minotaur!“

“Yes, yes. I've heard that for three times now.“ She added."Isn't that right, Austin?" Ron and Kayla turned their gaze to the boy who was munching on cereal at the table. They could see Austin's mom behind trying not to appear startled by the sudden call.

"Uh," Austin started, his cereal spoon hovering mid-air as he looked wide-eyed at them. "Yeah?"

"Hi, Mrs. Lake," Ron greeted her, then quickly turned his attention to the other two. "Come on, you two."

Kayla only grinned at him, "I get it, I understand—but I was thinking that while we're all on this call together now, I'm going to introduce you guys to my dad! DAD! DAAAD!" Austin and Ron heard some voices, and after about two minutes, a man appeared, looking somewhat embarrassed in their presence.

Ron had never encountered someone as good-looking as Luke, until now.

🔆

"Lee, Lee!" Ron shouted as he rushed back to the cabin, forget about the Minotaur, forget about the new guy—he had some more exciting news. He was jumping with excitement as he approached his brother, taking a deep breath before sharing the news.

"Kayla's dad said I can go live with them, and said we can visit Austin's place together. I was hoping that—that you'd let me leave and stay with them. Please, please, please, Lee—"

Lee, too stunned to react, slowly set down the bundle of dirty clothes he was holding onto one of the bunk beds. Some of their half-siblings must have sensed something was about to happen, as they hurriedly exited the cabin.

"Ron, listen to me."

"Please, Lee. Pretty please?"

Lee placed his hand on his face and let out a breath before glancing down at the redhead. "Ron. Come over here." Lee settled onto one of the bunk beds and gestured for Ron to sit beside him.

Ron looked at him, hope evident on his face as he readied himself to hear his brother out.

"You can't," Lee said gently.

Ron's expression dropped at those words. "But Lee, Kayla's dad said I could. And we can also visit Austin's home together."

Lee sighed. "Listen, you're too young. Do you even realize how dangerous it is to live outside of camp?"

"But I'll have Kayla and her dad with me!" Ron protested. "And why does everyone keep saying how dangerous it is outside? I've been training every day. I know how to handle a bow and arrow."

"That's beside the point that—"

"Please," Ron pleaded desperately, looking at his brother. "I want to experience the outside, just for a month? I've only seen it in newspapers, magazines, and even comics."

Lee sighed with a hint of sadness. "I really wish I could, Ron," he said. "But Chiron—well, he told me you're not allowed to leave camp."

"Chiron?" Ron's confusion deepened.

Lee smacked his own forehead, leaving Ron even more puzzled. Why wouldn't Chiron let him go outside?

"Listen. I don't have all the answers, but I know you're safe here, Ron."

Ron felt a lump in his throat, "You won't even let me see Dad when you guys visit him outside during winter.“ 

Lee felt a surge of guilt. He couldn't find the right words to say next, but he had made a promise to Chiron, something important, which tied his tongue. "It's better if you don't see him," he finally managed, closing his eyes as he uttered the words.

The redhead burst into tears, sobbing, "You're all the worst!"

Ron found himself sitting with his half-siblings during dinner quietly. Mr. D introduced the new camper, as usual. The boy's name was Percy Jackson, and so on and Ron chose not to join in the sing-alongs after dinner, feeling upset and tired.

The next day, Ron chose to hang out with Nyssa as they walked to the arena where Luke and Percy were sparring.

"What's wrong, kid?" She asked, noticing Ron's sudden quietness.

"Can I ask you something?" Ron said softly. "Do you ever feel like you're only here because you have to be?"

Nyssa blinked at the question, surprised by his depth. "That's a pretty deep question for a seven-year-old like you," she chuckled.

"But, do you?" Ron asked again, fidgeting with his fingers.

"Hmm, you know what? Yeah. I mean, we're demigods. We're supposed to be myths to mortals, but here we are, just popping into existence one day, and you're just in there," Nyssa offered him a smile. "We exist because we have to. That's what demigods do. They exist because the world needs them."

"So, you're saying we train every day to save the world? Like Spider-Man?"

"Who?" Nyssa looked at him quizzically.

"He's a hero. A spider bit him and he got superpowers."

"Oh. Wait, wait—that sounds cool, tell me more."

The two only stopped talking when they reached the arena, where some campers had gathered to watch the sparring. Ron tried to sneak his way to get a better view, maneuvering through the crowd until he was able to watch the match.

Percy, being new, surprised Ron when he managed to disarm Luke with a quick move as Luke's word rattled to the ground. No one had ever done that before—their sparring sessions usually took about an hour, mainly because Annabeth never knew how to give up when it came to practicing. But now, seeing Luke with a sword pointing at his chest, the only thing the redhead could heard after their sudden silence was, "Beginner's luck?"

“Hey, don't give me that look," Luke said, taking a sip from a water bottle. The redhead burst into laughter, swinging his wooden sword around, mimicking Percy's moves earlier. The arena was nearly empty now, as most campers had hurried off to their next activities after the sparring. However, Luke remained behind, taking a moment to rest.

Ron decided to stay as well, not in the mood for archery. But suddenly, an idea struck him. "Luke, can you sneak me out when you go to visit the gods outside again?"

Luke raised an eyebrow, sitting on the ground with one leg pulled up to his chest and his arm resting on his knee.

"I want to see Dad," Ron admitted, swinging his sword again. "Because Lee told me it's better if I don't see him. I want to know why."

"Your brother said what?" 

Ron nodded vigorously. "I know, right! I was really angry, so I'm not going to talk to him anymore."

Luke hummed thoughtfully. "I'm not sure, there must be a reason behind it, don't you think?" Luke gestured for Ron to come closer, and the redhead complied, though he pouted as the older teen pinched his cheek.

"Besides, it's dangerous outside. Look at you," Luke said.

"But everyone keeps telling me that. Is it because I don't have family outside?"

"And who told you that this time?" Luke questioned.

"I just have a feeling," Ron replied, his sadness palpable. The older teen his pursed his lips and then abruptly took Ron's hand, placing a bracelet on his wrist.

"What's this?"

"My beads."

"Huh?" Ron was completely puzzled at the sudden action, finally looking at Luke who stood up as he seized his sword from the ground and give him his biggest smile.

"Keep that safe for me, okay?“

🔆

Ron was brushing his teeth in the cabin's little kitchen when a knock interrupted the chatter. Everyone stopped talking, right as they were about to discuss the Percy and Clarisse incident. Lee went to answer the door, greeted by Annabeth and one of her half-siblings, Malcolm. He was two years older and the youngest child of Athena.

Lee and Annabeth seemed to be having a serious conversation, and eventually, Lee nodded.

He closed the door and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. He then proceeded to explain the conversation he had just had with Annabeth.

Ron's eyes widened along with everyone else's. "They want us to team up with them and the Hermes cabin?" one of his half-siblings asked. "But if it means sharing duties and all, count me in."

Nods of agreement spread through the group, and enthusiasm filled the air as Lee mentioned that Cabin Six had a plan. They agreed to discuss it further tomorrow before the capture the flag game, Ron told himself he won't talk to Lee anymore because of what he said about him.

But Ron's impulsiveness and excitement got the best of him, causing him to ran excitedly towards Lee, only to be met with a firm "no."

"But why?!" He shouted in defeat.

"It's—"

"Always dangerous, everything's always dangerous!" Ron stomped his foot in frustration.

Lee appeared annoyed. "I don't want to discuss this right now, Ron. I have some things to take care of."

"Like what, being the worst?" Ron retorted.

Silence hung in the air as his half-siblings gasped, particularly Ron, who was growing visibly angry at his half-brother. Lee struggled to keep his composure.

"No," he said firmly. "You're not leaving this camp, and you're not participating in the capture the flag. That's my final word."

And so, Ron found himself alone in the cabin the following day after dinner. He couldn't help but feel jealous of the kids from the other cabins. They were just a bunch of nine and ten years old, yet they were allowed to participate. Ron wiped his eyes whenever a tear threatened to fall.

He constantly reminded himself to be brave, knowing he had to.

Lee was just hiding things like everyone else an to be protective, that's all.

Ron had an idea, but fear held him back. He wished Kayla and Austin were there with him, but they wouldn't arrive until summer. 

He shifted restlessly, thinking about his plan. Despite feeling a bit let down because Nyssa hadn't completed the bow he wanted, he considered sneaking into the forest with his bow.

He just wanted to experience what it was like to join in capture the flag, to be there instead of just standing there holding a tray of ambrosia and nectar or a medical kit.

And so Ron made his choice.

He successfully managed to sneak into the forest where the capture the flag game was taking place. Ron found an armor—a red-feathered helmet, to be exact, with his bow and quiver strapped to his back, he tried his best to refrained himself from taking a magical weapon in the table there since he didn't want Chiron to notice his presence. 

But he really did want that cool looking sword he saw, but eh.

Ron doesn't know of his exact location in the forest, but he noticed a crowd of campers with the same helmet of his so he just slipped into them.

And when he heard the conch blew, it began. 

Ron found himself running alongside a group of campers, realizing they were from Aphrodite and Demeter cabins. Suddenly, his attention was caught by a group of kids wearing blue-feathered helmets, rushing toward their direction.

And then, fighting set in.

"Gotcha!" One of the Hermes' kids exclaimed, leaping towards Ron with a sword, ready to strike. The redhead swiftly used his bow to parry the attack.

"What the? A bow?! I didn't see that on the table—woah!" The Hermes' kid yelled as Ron deftly tripped him, causing the kid to fall to the ground. "WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE GODS IS A LITTLE KID DOING IN THIS GAME!?"

Ron gazed down at him with a dizzy expressio and quipped, "Now, I've got you." And without hesitation, he joined the fight against the other blue team.

Although Ron didn't get a chance to use his arrows, he effectivel used his bow to fend off attacks from opposing teams, blocking their strikes with their weapon.

He even witnessed a camper from the Hephaestus cabin shielding a panting, breathless girl from Aphrodite who sat on the ground. They were facing off against an Athena camper, so Ron rushed from behind and tackled them, causingthe boy to collapse to the ground.

"Oh my gods?!" The Aphrodite girl shrieked.

"Run!" Ron yelled, as the boy managed to reverse their positions.

"Come on, you're injured," the girl from Hephaestus said to the girl, her voice sounding familiar. As Ron tried to reach for an arrow behind him, his oversized helmet was knocked off easily.

The Athena camper looming over him stared in shock. "What the? Ron, why are you with this team!?"

"Eh?" Ron looked up at him, confused 

Suddenly, the Hephaestus girl seized an opportunity and delivered a swift kick to the Athena camper's head, causing them to roll on the ground while groaning in pain, as the girl, Ron immediately recognized it was Nyssa, as she frabbed his arm and pulled him away from the fight.

"Don't touch me!" The Aphrodite girl exclaimed, wrenching her arm free from Nyssa's grip, unaware that she was also being dragged away.

"Don't be stupid, Tanaka. You can't even walk properly," Nyssa said softly, and her head immediately turned toward Ron.

"And Ron, what on gods are you doing with this team?"

"What's wrong with this team?" Ron asked.

"What's wrong? You were supposed to be on the blue team. Your cabinmates joined forces with cabins nine and eleven," Nyssa explained. "You know what, never mind," she said, removing her helmet and handing it to Ron.

"Everyone knows you, so be careful," she cautioned.

"Enough! I'm practically dying here. I need to go hack to my cabin, and by gods! Just look at this dreadful mess of sweat all over, It's completely ruining my makeup and—"

"Shut up," Nyssa interjected, rolling her eyes.

"No, you shut your mouth! No one asked you to help me!"

Ron glanced between them and asked, "Are you guys... friends?"

The Tanaka girl glared at him, “Us, friends!? Who would even consider befriending a daughter of Hepha—”

“Don't mention my dad,” Nyssa said, giving her a stern look. “She's just being dramatic because she sprained her ankle, ignore her.”

“Ignore me!? I'm practically dying over here!”

Ron was about to say something when they heard screams coming from the creek. The three exchanged glances before Nyssa nodded. She helped Tanaka to her feet, and although she initially complained, he gave in when Nyssa told her she would leave her alone there.

"We should go see what's happening," Nyssa suggested. They made their way to their fellow teammates who were engaged in a battle against the other blue team.

And then it hit him.

He spotted some of his siblings among them. He had indeed in the wrong team.

Oh and the blue team won. 

The blue team emerged victorious, exploding into cheers as they hoisted Luke high while holding the red team's banner. Chiron appeared from the woods and blew the conch horn to signal the end of the game.

"I won't join in this game again," Tanaka muttered quietly. Other Aphrodite campers who overheard her seemed to agree, watching the cheers of the opposing team. Ron tried to help Tanaka and Nyssa, but a sudden, loud howl echoed through the forest.

The cheers from the blue team stopped abruptly as Ron's instincts kicked in, causing him to draw his weapon. Nyssa pulled out a dagger from her belt, and the rest of the group stepped back upon seeing what was causing the commotion.

It was a hellhound—a massive black hound the size of a rhino, with lava red eyes and dagger-like fangs.

Ron's eyes widened as he stared at the monstrous creature perched on a rock. He was frozen in place, unable to move. Nyssa positioned herself protectively in front of him, blocking his view.

Everyone remained still, but Ron heard a familiar voice shout, "Percy, run!"

Ron wasn't sure what was happening, but he saw the hellhound leaping down to attack Percy. Acting quickly, Ron pushed Nyssa aside, because Annabeth was there—but Nyssa pulled him back just in time, as a barrage of arrows struck the hellhound's neck.

“Di immortales!” He heard Annabeth said. “That’s a hellhound from the Fields of Punishment. They don’t..they’re not supposed to…” 

“Someone summoned it,” Chiron said. “Someone inside the camp.”  

Ron's heart raced as he clutched Nyssa's armor, their attention fixed on the scene as they heard Clarrise's voice shouting near them, "It's all Percy's fault! Percy summoned it!"

Almost succumbing to the same belief, Ron watched as everyone gathered around Percy. Finally, Nyssa allowed him to maneuver his way towards where Luke and the rest of the blue team were standing, the flag now forgotten.

"Chiron, watch this," Annabeth said, and as Percy walked wearily toward the creek, everyone gasped at what happened next—A trident symbol suddenly appeared above the boy's head.

"It is determined,” Chiron announced and Ron along with the others began to kneel, a customary whenever someone is determined.

“My father?” Percy asked, completely bewildered. 

“Poseidon,” said Chiron. “Earthshaker, Stormbringer, Father of Horses. Hail, Perseus Jackson, Son of the Sea God.”