"My mom - your aunt - was not the gentlest. She was not afraid to tell me about my father, nor was she shy about pushing me to learn. To survive.

I had monsters sent after me from the moment I turned 5 years old. My uncles, Poseidon and Hades, were not happy with my birth.

When my mom was eventually killed by a cyclops, I was 13 years old. That was about 5 years ago, and I needed help.

I knew my mom had spoken about some kind of camp in New York, but at the time I lived in California. It was unlikely that I would make it to this safe haven alone, especially with my power.

This was when I met Cleo.

Cleo was 11, and she was as knowledgeable about the godly world as I was. A daughter of Hades, she was a valuable fighter by my side. We stole and bartered our way out of Cali, and on the path east.

Of course, Poseidon now wanted us both dead, but we didn't let that deter us. We fought our way on foot, hitchhiking when we could, until we reached Minnesota.

It was winter at this point, and we were freezing. We were tired, hungry, and being chased by some demonic bat-women that cursed us whenever we killed one. I was limping, Cleo couldn't hold her sword any more.

Thank the fucking gods for Parker.

Parker was also a redhead, but a child of Poseidon. They leapt into action, taking down the bats without a care in the world. They were 12, very adamant about what pronouns we used for them, and did not give a fuck otherwise.

I was so lucky to have these two. Our smell attracted monsters no matter where we went, but our combined powers managed to keep us alive until we reached the camp on Long Island.

By then, we were about a mile from camp. It was pouring rain, and we were surrounded by a horde. Hellhounds, cyclops's, arai... we weren't going to make it.

But Parker turned to us. Cleo was badly injured, and I had been basically carrying her. Her leg was infected, and she wouldn't last much longer without medical health. Parker told me to get Cleo to camp, that they would meet us there. They would distract the monsters.

I didn't want to leave them! I didn't! But they were freaking stubborn... incredibly loyal... and as soon as we had an opening, I booked it with Cleo.

Parker's sacrifice saved Cleo and I. A search party from camp found where they had made their last stand, and they weren't there. Cleo felt them die, even if we never found a body.

Cleo nearly died, and she... she lost her leg from the infection. She managed to heal otherwise, but the prosthetic limb our friendly neighborhood Jevin made was a reminder of Parker's sacrifice."

I sighed, looking up at Mumbo and Iskall, who sat opposite the campfire. We were the last kids outside, and I knew the cleaning harpies would be on our arses soon.

Mumbo raised his hand. "Uh... where's Cleo now? I thought there was only one kid of Hades, and their name isn't Cleo."

I smiled wistfully into the flames. "Cleo joined the Amazons. It was better for her than she was doing here."

Iskall yawned, and that was my cue to stand. A small breeze blew out the fire, and I spoke to both of my cousins. "Now, kids... it's time you both got to sleep."

Mumbo sleepily walked towards the Athena cabin, leaving just Iskall and I. I glanced up at the sky, to the constellation of the Huntress.

"You got us here early because you didn't want us to be Parker... didn't you?" Iskall's voice was uncharacteristically quiet, probably due to him pondering my story.

"Yeah..." I turned to the Zeus cabin, hands shoved in my pockets. "Now... get some sleep. Maybe your parent will claim you tomorrow."

I saw him nod from the corner of my eye, and cracked a smile. "G'night Issie."

"Night Grian."

~~

Well, everyone has a traumatic backstory it seems. Mine isn't out here yet, but it will be!

~Parker