"Friday?!" I exclaimed. "I thought it was Tuesday." "No, you've been out for three days. But it's cool, your up, willing, and able." Exiting the cabin, I could see how the golden glow of Apollo's cabin began to fade as the the silver one across from it began to brighten as we headed towards the mess hall, I was curious about the files and location. "What are the rules and where is it held at?" "So capture the flag is held inside the woods. And the first person. To get it over the river that divides the forest." "Oh, that doesn't sound bad." As we entered the mess hall, I grabbed some grapes, and barbacued meat that was there as I followed Nico's lead in grabbing an empty goblet before heading towards the dining pavilion. Heading towards the pavilion I noticed that the Greek framed columns looked amazing in the setting sun as it over looked the sea from the hill. Following my apparent brother, Nico made his way towards the bonfire as I followed. "Its tradition to offer up some of the best foods for the gods." "Why?" I cautiously "Because they like the smell is what I'm told, but its respectful." As he said this, we stopped in front of the giant bonfire that was burning inside what looked to be a big bronze bathtub.

Scooping some of the meat off his plate, he whispered "to Apollo and Hades." Before taking a step back. Not knowing who exactly to offer the food up to, I decide it would be simpler to offer it to Hades and to any god that watches over this flame. Felling ridiculous, I followed him towards our table where it was only the two of us as I saw all the other tables full with kids. "I know, it gets kind of lonely but you'll get use to it." Nico said with a smile. "I'm usually a loner anyway but it's good to know that I don't have to deal with the awkwardness alone." I said as I smiled. Watching as Nico asked for a Sprite, his goblet filled up which I was so fascinated by and following his lead asked for a Pepsi which filled up my goblet. Looking around, I saw another guy sitting at the table by himself causing me to guess he was another of the big three. "Who's that?" I asked.  Glancing back at who I was talking about, he replied. "That's Jason grace, he's the son of Jupiter."

Looking at him with a confused expression, he decided to explain. "Jupiter is Zues's counterpart from Roman mythology so he's kind of like us in the big three department. "Oh, so back to capture the flag." "Ok, so the woods are filled with monster and the nymphs as well as the satyrs live there too. He had me at monsters, which caused my mind to go blank for a second. "Why would we have a game in there?!" "It's a fun way to train and it's the closest to real danger we'll face out in the world." Shaking my head I decided to know as much as I can. "So what are the rules and do I have to play?" "Yes you do unfortunately," He replied with a smirk "and the rules are no killing or maiming other campers, guards can't stand within ten yards of a flag, flags must be visible and no more then two gaurds, and magic items are allowed." 'I'm doomed' I thought. "When does it start?" We all meet at Zues's fist to pick our teams at 5:30pm and the game starts at 6 which usually ends at 9 or when someone gets the flag."

I zoned in when he said Zues's fist and felt a bit excited to go there to know where it rather then play the deadly game of capture the flag. "Will you lead me there tomorrow?" Sure thing "and I'll help you with the armor dad gave you" he said with a smile as he already knew what was in those satchels. Smiling, I ate my food as I asked him for more info and stories on the upcoming game.
                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eating my food with the rest of the Demeter cabin, I could see Avery and Ben enjoying themselves. Enjoying the scene, I felt pretty great even though I could see that Eve was miserable with sitting with her cabin mates who looked like bigger brutes then the bullies in Ms. Susan's, unlike the grey eyed children Ben was sitting with. After eating, everyone went there separate ways either heading back to the cabins or walking around to talk. Seeing Avery talking to a girl a teen girl wearing a nice modest dress with her hair hidden beneath a light brown hood. Upon approaching, she looked my way and smiled. Looking into her warm brown eyes, I felt at peace and warm "I'm sorry, can I talk to Avery for a minute?" I asked her causing her to giggle which made me feel like I accomplished something. "You may." She said light heartedly as she walked off.

Turning to look at Avery I asked "who was that?" "I think she was a nymph that lives in the forest around here." Avery said looking back at me "But I found out we've been out for the past 2 days and there's a deadly game of capture the flag tomorrow." Hearing him say that I felt as if I should worry but I was calm about it for some reason. "How bad can it be?" I asked as Ben and Eve walked over as Avery began telling me everything he learned and heard about the event. "I can't stay here." Eve moaned "Every one of my cabin mates are terrible. I feel like I'm going to blow!" "If I remember correctly, Eris is the minor goddess of discord and strife who was known to ride with Ares when he went to war. So it makes sense you'll be in a cabin with his kids." Ben speculated earning him a punch from Eve. "Guess your queen bee charms and money isn't going to fly here huh?" Avery taunted earning a glare from her. "Now you know a mere sample of what it feels to be an outcast." As he said this he turned and headed for his cabin. Eve didn't look happy by what he said but couldn't think of a comeback before he walked off infuriating her even more before she stormed off.

"So what are you going to do?" Ben asked me as he watched his sister storm off. "I'm going to get some sleep and try to figure out what I'm going to do about tomorrow. What about you?" As I asked him, we started to make our way back towards the cabin. " Same probably, one of the kids in Athena's cabin offered to lend me their armor and apparently my mom left me some kind of axe! It's really cool!" He said excitedly. Nice I told him as we passed by the dark crypt of a cabin that Avery was staying in. As we continued we past by a cabin Ben informs me belonging to Iris's kids which was covered with rainbows the dimly glowed as well as shimmered. It has a rainbow arching over the doorway which was very welcoming. The cabin next to it seemed plain as it resembled a vintage prairie​ house with a rush roof and mud walls as well as a wreath of red poppies on the door. Asking Ben about the cabin, he couldn't give me no answer due to not getting a chance to speak with any one from that cabin.

Making our way pass an ordinary cabin with a broken wheel above the door that resembled packman. The cabin next to it looked as if it belonged on top of a trophy, with it's roof covered with medals and the front of the cabin had built in shelves in the walls where multiple trophies were on display for all to see. Shaking my head at how ridiculous it looked, my eyes moved on to the cabin next to it that looked as if it was made purely out of marble with small shards of diamonds embedded into the walls making the building look as if it was covered in glitter. Passing by the cabin the looked like a casino, I glanced over at the cabin made from blacks of stone which glowed now and then which gave me a weird feel sensation. "Who stays in that cabin?" I asked Ben "The children of Hecate I think. The witch and magic goddess." He said with a spooky sounding voice as he tried to freak me out. Ignoring the tone of voice we continued towards our cabin.

Walking towards my cabin, I glanced at the home of the children of Mr.D to see that besides the grape Vines lining​ the cabins that it seemed pretty normal. Unlike the cabin next to it which smelled strongly of perfume and resembled closely to the doll house I saw in the attic at Ms. Susan's. Having a checkerboard deck with white steps grey walls and blue roof with matching pillars, this place seemed perfect for the life sized Barbie's and Kent's. Only to be informed that the cabin houses the children of the goddess of love and beauty. Passing by what looked like a regular silver cabin with engravings of stag and other animals was now glowing a luminescent silver as if it was absorbing and bouncing back the moon light of the moon itself which Ben tell's me it belongs to Artemis. Walking up to the grey cabin with white curtains and an owl on the door, I wave at Ben who entered into Athena's cabin. Finishing my short walk alone, I stand in front of the cabin that houses the children of Demeter.

With the wild flowers and roses growing on the porch, and flowers and tomatoes growing up the walls including the door way, it looked as if nature was consuming the cabin. Walking in, I saw that some of my other cabin mates where getting ready for bed. Walking around the oak tree that was in the center of the cabin holding up the grass roof I headed towards my bed to notice a big woven basket resting on my bed which took up most of it. "Did any of you leave this basket here?" I asked but they all shook their heads with some saying a tired no. Opening the basket I saw my name sown into the inside of the basket's lid which surprised me for I didn't think anyone here knew my actual name. Going through the basket I pulled out some outfits made from what felt like silk and cotton, a pair of sandals and sneakers underneath that. Moving all of it aside, there was armor resting at the bottom of the basket and on top of it was a whip made out of some bronze like metal with a brown blade tipped at the end resembling a claw. Resting off to the side of it where a pair of three foot bladed weapons with the bronze blade taking the upper third of the entire thing and a screwing section at the end of each handle.

'Well thanks mom.' I thought as I put my clothes and shoes back into the basket. Picking it up, I slid the basket beneath my bed before hoping on top of it and allowing myself to drift off to sleep.
            ------------------------------------

Waking up and freshening myself up, I changed into a pair of pants that looked like blue jeans and a white short sleeved t-shirt and blue sneakers that I took out of the basket. Leaving the cabin I headed towards the mess hall to get some breakfast and prepare myself for what's to come. As I ate, the feeling that someone was staring at me began to bother me. So as I scanned my surroundings to catch the eyes of a tan skinned boy with thick black curly hair. Seeing that I noticed him, he ducked his head back down amongst his cabin mates and one by one they each glanced over with a smirk on his face causing me to feel a bit uncomfortable. Quickly finishing my breakfast I headed towards the cabins to see if Avery or Ben were out. But to my dismay, nun were out of their cabins.

Seeing Nico, I jogged over to him. "Hey Nico, is Avery awake?" "He just woke up, but he prefers to be left alone till lunch." As he said that the cabin itself and the ground around it shook violently almost causing me to fall. Glancing at Nico who was leaning on one of columns, he smiled. "I'm sure he's fine." As he said this he casually opened the door enough to poke his head in and out before shutting it. "Yeah, he's fine." Unsure what to say or do, I walked off towards Athena's cabin to see if Ben was awake and about. On my way towards the Cabin I saw one of the children stare at Hades cabin before heading inside with her fellow cabin mates. 'To doesn't seem good. I'll remember to tell Avery that what ever he's doing has gotten the attention of Hecate cabins attention.' I thought as I moved on.

Approaching Athena's cabin, I saw one of the guys who stayed within the cabin come out onto the porch and stretched. "Hey," I called to him getting his attention "is Ben inside?" "No, he went off towards the training grounds with Erica and Jackson." He said simply "But you'll see him later on today, if not during capture the flag." Nodding, I walked off towards the Ares cabin to see if even if would like to hang out or train. But before I even reached the cabin I saw her storm off with a broadsword strapped to her back with a child of areas walking behind her with what seemed to be a war hammer. 'Guess I'll train too.' I thought as I headed back to the cabin to get my daggers and whip.

Grabbing my weapons I walked over to Miranda who was currently kneeling by the oak tree in the center of the room as if she were praying. "Hey Miranda, could you train me in these?' I asked as I held up my daggers. Standing up, she grabbed one of the blades and examined it as she held it which ever way. "Not in this state." As she said this she grabbed the other blade and put the two handles together before twisting them into place making it into a 6ft long short staff. "But I can teach you how to use a staff and as for your whip, I know of a new camper who may be able to help you out with that. But if you planned on using it for capture the flag then your out of luck because there won't be enough time." Saying this she walked over to her bed and grabbed a long staff which was twice the size of my staff from beside her bed before gesturing me to follow her. Making our way to the edge of the woods, she guided me to a visible spot hat wasn't to far from the cabins.

"Handling a staff is harder then it looks especially when it can be broken down" she said as she unscrewed her staff down the middle creating two 6ft short staffs. "This staff is what I use for training and it's what we'll be using. You'll need to learn how to use a basic staff before using one with blades on each end or else someone would get hurt." Nodding in understanding, I set my bladed short staff down as I checked my watch which read that it was 1:00pm meaning that I didn't have long. "Ok so what's the first lesson?" "Basics" she said seriously
                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Your mother is truly cruel be giving you such a weapon." Ebony laughed as she swing her war hammer at me, missing me by mere inches. 'How did I get myself into this?' I scolded. As I used all my strength to keep the long sword up after being hit so many times with the hammer, my arms gave out. "Looks like I win, how pathetic." Ebony cackled as she walked off. 'I hate my cabin and everyone that's in there'. Getting up, I saw Adrien heading over with a long slender sword strapped to his side and his hair hanging down loosely past his shoulders. As he approached, I felt that I needed to make myself look as presentable as I can. Acting as if I didn't see him, I casually combed my fingers through my hair in hopes of straightening it out as well as to keep some of down due to the sweat I worked up.

"Need some help?" Adrien asked me which caused me to smile. "Help with what exactly?" "Help with using your weapon.' as he was saying this, he reached down and grabbed the sword before handing it over to me. "Umm, sure," I said nervously " but I won't be holding back." "That's fine, I want to see how good you are first." Taking a couple of steps back, he grabbed his hair and tied it up into a bun with the bracelet he had in his wrist. Not wanting to hurt his pretty face, I was unsure what to do as he waited there patiently. Deciding that the first strike was always a great way to win a fight, I hefted my sword and charged him as I swung downward with my weapon. To my surprise he used his sheathed sword to block it even though he had to use both hands. Surprised, I quickly took a step back as I watched him unsheathed his sword. With his long sword in one hand and it's sheath it the other, I could see that he wasn't going to make this easy.

As we trained, all he done was either block, Dodge, or redirect my swing and with each attempt he would hit me in random places with his sheath causing me to become agitated. "Instead of swinging with one hand, you should use two so it would provide more power in your swings and gives you more control." I stopped moving as I lifted my head up towards the sky to help catch my breath. "Have you noticed that a two-thirds of your blade is a darker bronze unlike the rest of it and is shaped like a blade." Looking down at it, I did notice it but I didn't think nothing of it. "I thought it was apart of the design." I said simply. "Well it may be able to split into two weapons." Coming closer, he stood right in front of me with my sword separating us. As he studied the handle of the weapon.

"Yeah here it is, may I?" He asked as he held out his hand. Handing him my weapon I saw as he tried twisting the handle to no avail. "It may be jammed,  after capture the flag you should take it to cabin 9 to see if they can do something about it." "Alright, until then, I'm going to go get something to eat before this game starts."