I walked in the lonely, dark woods. It was the middle of the night, I was alone with Fern. I heard a twig snap, I flinched. They were watching me. I was paranoid, traumatized by the monsters I saw. I was afraid, I just wanted to throw myself of a cliff, make the memories go away. I ran as fast as I could. I finally saw the view of the pine tree on the hill. I limped towards the hill step by step. I'm practically dragging Fern by now. Blood stained his pants; he also lost his shoe, revealing a broken hoof. My clothes were ripped to shreds, it was embarrassing. Golden blood trickled all over my body, with golden dust from the monsters I finally killed. I looked behind me. They're probably still following me. The monsters have been following me ever since I left home.

When I was almost passing the border, I tripped. I looked at the famous tree I was traveling to for so long. It was the tallest one of the forest. On the lowest branch I saw a bulky golden fleece. I also saw what looked like a dragon, but sound asleep. I panicked; maybe it'll eat me like the other monsters tried to do. I got up and limped away as fast as possible.

I dropped Fern and collapsed on the ground. Fern tried to get up, but groaned and collapsed again. His hoof must have been still broken. I heard leaves crunching; I turned and saw two girls. No, not girls, I think the term is nymphs, a dryad. They were barefooted and wore hand-made green dresses. They had long elf ears, wild red hair, and odd pale green skin.

I tried to blink back tears. "Please", I uttered. "Camp."

One of them took Fern and hauled him up. The other one tugged my arm and supported me to the camp.

They led us out of the woods. The night was dark, and I saw a huge, beautiful lake. Kids were in some sort of outdoor cafeteria, probably for dinner. My stomach suddenly started to growl at the smells of the food, I haven't eaten in days. They all started to notice the nymphs dragging us. One of them got up from his table. He then ran towards us and kneeled towards me, trying to make me stand up.

"I'm Leo, Leo Valdez", He tried to say. "Don't worry, you're okay."

But I knew he saw the unnatural, golden blood drenched over me like sweat. He looks like a Latino elf but a cute one and about 5'6". He wore a cameo colored army jacket over an orange shirt, with a golden colored tool belt that look really empty.

He smiled, "You must have hit the gold mine, huh".

I tried to smile, but then I cringed. My side was slit open by a monster claw and was spilling even more blood. I remembered the blood, images of those, those things chasing. Tears filled my eyes and I started to cough up blood. Kids started to call for a medic; I could hear their screams for help. But it was nothing to compare to the ear- piercing howls I heard. I felt defenseless; I saw the flood of images of those things trying to tear me to shreds. I put my arms around Leo, trembling from the sights I've seen. He placed his arm around me, trying to comfort me. His jacket was probably stained with the golden blood.

"M-make them go away", I whimpered. "Make them go away."

I then collapsed in the puddle of golden blood, my golden blood. The last thing I saw was that guy, trying to talk to me. But I couldn't understand a word he said.

-

I woke up with a bunch of guys surrounding me. I was startled by their eyes watching me. I looked at the guys; some had blond hair, some black. They were all athletic looking and let me say it- cute. One of them was wrapping me up with another bandage. He looked like the average surfer dude back in Los Angeles. He had blond hair with blue eyes that I couldn't help but stare. He saw me staring and gave me a million dollar smile; I groaned and tried to sit up. I looked around and saw I was in some sort of hospital. I was still in bed, some how changed into a hospital gown. I didn't want to know who had the honor to do that. I was wrapped with bandages. My body still ached with pain.

I looked at him, who was wrapping my arm around a bandage and asked, "Where am I?"

"Camp Half- Blood's infirmary", he answered.

Then this guy riding a horse came to me. Wait, he wasn't riding a horse his bottom half is a horse, a centaur. The top half of his body, he looked like some teacher in Greek times and had a set of arrows and a bow strapped around him. The bottom half was a white stallion body, with four legs not two hind legs like a satyr which is half goat. He wore a shirt that wrote: CENTAUR GOT YOUR TONGUE? He looked like a middle aged teacher, with a messy beard.

He said, "Hello, I'm -"

I cut him off, "Chiron".

"How come you don't think I'm not my relatives?"

"You don't look that drunk, like what most centaurs are."

"Yes, that's true."

"Um, you should be dead and where's Fern?"

"Yes, I should be dead, but the gods let me train demigods for-"

I repeated, "Gods".

Even after all that I've been through; I still don't believe that the Greek "gods" are alive, much less real. This should be a dream, I should wake up by now, but I knew the goat thing and the blood thing was real. Everything was real, even the monsters.

I was frustrated that I was still in bed. I then pressed my ring and it lit up 13 hieroglyphic images. Each had a different image, one had a trident, and another had a lightning bolt. I touched what look like an aid kit and a sun. I searched for a cure of what would fit his description. All of the guys were watching me. When I was about to give up, I saw this circle that wrote: "plenamcuratio" or full body treatment. I then pressed on it and a vial came to my hand. I drank up the srange elixer, the pain in my body started to go away. My injuries started to close up, I was able to breathe better. I started to tear off the bandages and a cast that was on my ankle. Chiron looked at the guys who stared at awe of the miraculous thing I just did. He gave them a look for some privacy, they got the message and shuffled out the door of the building.

Then he faced the kid who was taking care of me and asked, "Will, help Kassandra to the bathroom where the nymphs set out her clothes".

Will gave me a drink that looked like apple cider. As I drank it tasted funny, kind of like the peach cobbler my mom bakes. The drink seems liquid, but I could taste the crust of the cobbler.

I smiled and said, "Thanks"

Will asked, "What did it taste like?"

I sighed, "Peach cobbler".

He nodded and led me to the restroom. In there I saw a pair of short shorts and bright red converse. Then I saw an orange shirt that read CAMP HALF-BLOOD. When I put the outfit on I looked into the mirror. I had choppy short chestnut-brown hair that came to my shoulders, with long bangs that fall to the sides and front of my face. I had weird autumn eyes that were told to glint gray in the sunlight. I had a light tan and quite athletic from the journey I went through to get here. I tried to focus on what just happened until now.

I'm Alexandria Olympia.

I know what you're thinking, Alexandria Olympia? I know it rhymes; it's like some prank my parents gave me. And what kind of name is Olympia. When we were learning about Ancient Greece, it was like a living nightmare. My namesake though, is Cassandra the prophetess from the Greek legends, who no one believed her prophecies. I just turned 15 years old. I was in the private school, Rosé Point Academy. I never got in trouble, I have straight A's. I have a twin brother named Julies. (Yes, like Julies Caesar.) My mom is Madelyn Olympia while my dad is Theodore Olympia. My friend, Fern Everglade, is a satyr from Greek mythology. I am the only one in my family who has golden blood running through my veins. I have a mysterious ring that holds many unanswerable stuff. I don't know what I am.

This whole started with a gift that I got in the mail. Yes, one small package that wrote: HANDLE WITH CARE changed my life, forever. I just turned 15 when I got a package in the mail. I never told my mom, my dad, not even my annoying twin brother. As soon as I went to my room, I opened the mysterious and small package. In it was the prettiest ring I've ever seen. The ring wasn't too flashy nor to elegant. The ring didn't have the same shape of most rings. To me, it reminded me of the last letter of the Greek alphabet. The shape of an omega, Ω. Each side had 6 jewels that to me reminded me of the 12 Olympian Gods. Ever since I got it out of the mail I still wonder who send it to me. On the package, it was written on it:

To: Cassandra Olympia

The Olympians

600th Floor

Empire State Building

New York, NY

In the package there was a letter that wrote:

Dear Cassandra,

We hope you will enjoy this small token. This will be found helpful in your travels in many ways. Your life will be found difficult and challenging. So you must prove to us that you are the rightful owner of this ring. When you can, travel to:

Camp Half-Blood, Half-Blood Hill, Farm Road 3.14
Long Island, New York 11954

(800) 009-0009

Go there as soon as possible. We wish you the best and may the Gods be with you.

Sincerely,

The 12 Olympians and Lord Hades

At first I thought it was some kind of joke. I mean really, the 12 Olympians- including Hades- sending me a letter. And why is the return address the 600th floor of The Empire Sate Building? I'm may be a Los Angeles girl, but I think the Empire State has 102 buildings.

I should explain why I love Greek mythology so much. When I was little, the library had a few books. I got tired of the picture books so I went to the older kids' section. I then saw a simple book of Greek mythology. I don't know, but it felt like it was trying to draw me to it. I checked the book out and was so fascinated of the different gods and the different myths that explained how life is. Ever since, I find everything related to Greek culture. From architecture to words in the English language like alphabet, alpha α and beta β are the 1st two words in the Greek alphabet.

I wear the ring everyday not having it lose my sight. But, every time I read about Greek mythology, the gods being more specific, it sort of tingles like a phone on vibrate. I told my Mom about it but she told me I must be wearing the ring to much. And when I ask my Dad when he's at work on a business trip he says the same thing. Even my annoying twin brother, Julies thinks I'm in love with that thing.

My mom, Madelyn Olympia, can be pretty over-protective. She won't let me stay home or in the car for only a few minutes. She works as a teacher in HBSD or Highland Bridges, School for Disabilities. It's some school for kids with physical and mental disabilities.

My dad, Theodore Olympia, is more over-protective than my mom. He works as an archeologist and takes business trip all over the world. He calls me 3 times a day to check up on me. He's been teaching me kick-boxing when he's on vacation and he wants me to learn sword-fighting. My parents met in Athens, Greece. My mom took a vacation there while my dad's work took him there. They met in a tour on the Parthenon. They then went back to America and I was born there with Julies.

Then there's Julies, I was older by like 2 seconds. My friends think we look like twins, kind of like Artemis and Apollo. But he wears glasses, how can we look like twins?! I feel Artemis pain, he is the total opposite of me. And he loves Roman myths; I like the original myths more. I mean Rome is cool, but they copied Greeks and Etruscans to make Rome. Romans are a bunch of copycats, stealing ideas and calling them their own.

It was an average day in Rosé Claire Academy. A private school for the gifted and may I add, rich kids. I was in class staring at my ring. I was supposed to do my class work, but I finished it faster than everybody else.

My history teacher, Mr. Kipler, was having an announcement. He's not a bad teacher, but not a good one either. Every time I ace history test he gives me an evil eye, as if he wants me to fail. He is about 6"5' and has red hair. He has a scruffy beard; he always wears a t-shirt of cats, lions to be more specific. When it was Halloween, he dressed as the Courageless Lion from the Wizard of Oz. To be honest he really acts like a cat. Once I caught him licking himself like a cat taking a bath. Another time he climbed up the monkey bars then landed on all fours. We call him Catnip since he takes a cat nap when we do our work. Some kids played a prank on him by filling his car with bottles and containers of milk and cat toys, which was pretty funny. He hardly teaches us anything, so I'm not surprised that everyone is passing his class. I don't even know why he bothered to become a teacher.

Anyway, Mr. Kipler announced we have a new student. He told us his name is Fern Everglade. He was a small guy with acne all over his face like the chicken pox. He wore a green beanie over his curly, red hair, had hyper green eyes, and had a small beard he was starting to grow. He wore the school's uniform, a collared shirt, and a red vest with baggy khaki pants. He shifted very uncomfortably since he wore crutches. I felt sad for him, not only because not only was he crippled he will probably be bullied by the other kids.

He then greeted us, "Salvete".

"Salvete", I answered back.

Mr. Kipler then asked me, "Alexandria, where did you learn Latin?"

"What are you talking about I don't know Latin"

Fern then pondered and asked me, "Quid nos discere in genere?"

I said, "Oh, we're learning about ancient Greece." But it came out as, "Nos discis de ancient Greece," but I didn't notice.

I then went back to Mr. Kipler and said, "See, I didn't say anything Latin.. at...all, oh."

After class when we headed out for lunch I saw Fern has already become a target with the school bully, Arik Dolphus. He's the school's basketball team's leading player and the guitarist of the school's band, meaning he's a heart throb, gladly I wasn't caught in his spell. He's also wore the school's uniform, collar shirt with the school's blazer. He's a well built guy, I guess, with short, dirty-blond hair and green eyes. He always carry his guitar slung at his back like a pet and has a silver necklace in the shape of a lyre. He also talks in a fake English accent that girls fall for.

Arik sneered, "Doesn't Fern seem like a girl name?"

"M-My mom gave me that name," Fern stammered.

"Maybe we should give you a new one?" Arik's friends agreed with him.

Fern pleaded, "P-Please, I'm new here."

"Oh we know," he looked back at his friends. "We're just giving you a grand tour, inside the school's toilet."

His friends cheered in agreement. I had enough with Arik, he's always so mean to the newbies. So I pushed him away from Fern.

Arik smiled and said, "Look guys, we got a feisty one."

"Come on Arik, leave him alone."

He lifted my chin with his hand and said, "Only if I can get you alone."

I moved his hand away. "Don't you have a musical to be in, Ariel?"

His friends shuffled unconfortably and coughed.

"Dude," one of them said. "You just got burned."

Another one coughed, "Burned... by a girl."

Arik glared at his friends, who backed away.

He then smirked at me, "You have a lot of guts. But sooner or later you'll be caught in my spell just like the other chicks."

I rolled my eyes. "Chicks as in chickens, like you and your- I pointed at Arik's friends behind him- friends?"

His friends grumbled, "Man, she's good."

Arik growled, "Never mind, I'm leaving."

I called out, "Shouldn't you be in the tutor club, Dufus?"

He snapped back. "It's pronounced DOLPH-US!"

He then headed out to the cafeteria with a trail of his friends.

I smiled at Fern. "You okay, newbie."

"Yeah."

"If you need any back up, just whistle."

"Thanks."

-

When it was almost summer vacation, the school gave the whole 9th grade a party. It took place at the school's gym. Everyone looked great, especially the food. I wore a strapless, red dress that has a belt that shaped omega. My mom helped me with my hair. My mom straightened my short hair and added curls at the end. I look like I should be America's next top model, but that wasn't the embarrasing thing. When I finally found Fern I noticed him staring at me. He then quickly glanced at me. Fern sighed at a happy couple dancing away.

"Do you think I can find love?"

I slapped him on the back, "Are you kidding, you'll find her in this big world."

"There's a girl back home, Lily, she's the prettiest naia-" He caught himself.

"She's the prettiest what?"

"Oh, she just has a pretty nature."

All of a sudden I heard this crash. Then this redish, orange lion came into the room. It reminded me a lot of a sphinx, but it had a spiky tail and manish lion face. The most horrifying thing of all though was that it reminded me a lot like Mr. Kipler. It looked vaguely like a manticore in Greek mythology. It came crashing everywhere in sight. And everyone panic out through the doors. Then it looked at me with bloodshot eyes.

It called to me, "Princess of the Olympians come to me."

I shuddered and I looked at Fern, but he didn't look scared at all. He looked as if he was ready for that thing. He then told me to go. I looked at him as if he was crazy. Was he planning to fight that thing?

"No way, I'm not leaving you", I said.

"Go home and I'll catch up to you." He then started to take off his shoes.

"I think you going too fast with that thing."

But he didn't reply, when he took off his pants in their place were chestnut red hind legs and hooves. And when he took off his beanie, small horns stick out of his hair. I stood their dumbstruck, with the new kid trotting towards the manticore. I then realized, ever since the first day I met him. He looked like he was embarrassed when he limped, but runs very fast from the bullies. How he smells like an animal and didn't went to school for a week because he caught fleas. He's a satyr, a half man- half goat in Greek mythology.

"No!" I cried out.

Fern got some pipes from his jacket. He started to play a song, vines from the garden started to grow and wrap the manticore. But it broke free and shot a barb at Fern. Fern then collapsed, the barb must be poisonous. I tried to come to his aid, but the manticore walked to me.

It called to me, "My princess".

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come with me, Mother Earth will be please."

All of a sudden, my ring started tingling. Then a bright, blue light came out. Then, 13 circles showed up as a hologram. Each circle had the picture of what looked like the signs of the Greek gods. Like a lightning bolt for Zeus or a trident for Poseidon. I then touched what look like a war helmet, which was the sign of Ares. Then a bunch of weapons showed up. The manticore started charging at me so I pressed a sword picture. Suddenly, a sword came out of the air that I caught.

I yelled, "Go back to Egypt, sphinx!"

That made it mad. It swished its tail and barbs shot out. I ducked behind a table where Fern was.

He moaned, "Alex?" I knew he would be okay.

I jumped in front of the table and rode on the lion. For your information, if you're in my position riding on a bucking broncos, wearing a strapless dress don't do it. I then slashed the head off with my eyes closed. It then disintegrates and I fell down on the floor. I felt so weak that I crawled to Fern who was sitting up. I looked at myself and I saw that I was covered in the manticore's poison. I then collapsed on the spot.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Hey, so how do you guys like the first chapter? This Alexandria's first fight, pretty good for a rookie. You have to admit, and you should give Fern the satyr some credit, too. I'm so excited and hope you'll read my other chapters. But you have to wait, so post comments. THX