User blog:GamerNerd i/Dei et Viri - Book I: Graecum Est, Non Potest Legi (Part 1)

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Translation of Latin in title: Gods and Men - Book I: It is Greek, It Cannot Be Read (the origin of the phrase "It's all Greek to me")

How Did You Know?
Apollo and Meg basically carry me to a large house on a hill. Apparently, it’s called the Big House. The house is normally-sized, so it must be important for people to call it by such a name.

A kind, elderly man in a wheelchair greets us with a smile on the porch. There’s a pitcher of lemonade on a nearby table.

“Oh my,” the man in the wheelchair says. “I thought you took Ms. O’Leary, Apollo. Why is our guest already so drained already?”

“I don’t know, Chiron,” Apollo says. “I told her to hold on, but it would seem that she did not do so very tightly.”

The name sparks a shard of memory. Chiron? The centaur who trained all the Greek heroes? But... This is a guy in a wheelchair.

Chiron’s deep, wizened eyes size me up. “Either way, bring her into the house. We should talk before we send her to explore the camp.”

I stop leaning on both Meg and Apollo as we move into the house. Chiron leads us into a living room, where a redheaded girl in a T-shirt and jeans is already waiting. I take a seat on one of the couches and Apollo and Meg do the same.

“Pardon my manners,” the elder says. “My name is Chiron. I am the activities coordinator and all-around manager here at Camp-Half Blood. We are a kind of camp or safe haven for demigods: the half-mortal children of the gods.” He gestures to the redhead, who’s fidgeting with a hairbrush. “This is Rachel Elizabeth Dare. As unusual as it sounds, you may have heard that we knew about your... fall. Rachel, being our oracle, was one of the first to predict it.” I shake Rachel’s hand in greeting. “Oh, but pardon me, we don’t even know your name.”

“My name is Nadia. I... I can’t really tell you anything else about myself. I don’t have any memory of... anything, really. Anything useful, at least.” I could tell them about my vision, but something told that it would do more harm than good. And naturally, my vast literary knowledge wasn’t going to help.

“I can sympathize,” Apollo grumbles.

Chiron glances at Apollo before responding. “Interesting...” He muses with intrigue. “At this point memory loss seems to be becoming more common than I would like.” He rests his chin in his hands. “Well, common isn’t exactly the correct word, but these incidents are too close together chronologically for comfort.”

I didn’t realize how confused I looked until Rachel spoke up. “Let me explain. Very long story very short, our best hero went missing, then someone showed up without his memory, a huge war broke out, a bunch of people went on a quest to stop it, blah blah blah blah...” She points her hairbrush at Apollo. “And this guy falls out of the sky like you did and remembers basically nothing of his several millennia of existence. Not like he would’ve remembered the majority of it anyway.”

I hear Apollo smack himself. People really like giving him a hard time, don’t they? Can’t really blame them; he’s done more than his fair share of stupidity, among other less appropriate things.

“Rachel is correct, despite the massive understatement,” Chiron says. “The latter issue has barely begun to be addressed, as well.”

“I see...” I said, lying. “I’m curious, though. What kind of forewarning did you have of me?” I knew the Oracle of Delphi was a thing for prophecy, but the implication of multiple signs was unsettling.

“Three main things happened,” Rachel starts. It’s always threes. I don’t get why three is so symbolic. But I digress. “First, the spirit of Delphi spoke something through me, as it does,”

“I beg your pardon?” I say. I’m only becoming more confused. Is his what Chiron meant when he said that Rachel was their oracle? Somehow, it does and doesn’t make sense at the same time.

“You’ll probably see it eventually. It’s not quite as weird as it sounds,” Rachel reassures me. “Anyway, I don’t remember what happens when Delphi does that, so the others will need to fill you in.” I look at Chiron for answers.

“This prophecy, in particular, was most unusual,” the elder says. “It was not original. In fact, it was actually quoting something.”

“More like singing, actually,” Apollo interjects. “Delphi was forcing Rachel to sing ‘Skyfall.’ From the most recent James Bond movie, I believe? Its significance should be quite obvious, regardless of whether you’ve heard it or not.” No s***, Poirot.

“Next, my... friend... started reciting verses from that Christian book, but we could not interpret the connection. We dismissed it as a... What is it? False start?” Apollo continues, reaching for something in his quiver. “Anyway, I am sure you two have already become acquainted. This is the arrow of Dodona.” He pulls out the talking arrow from before. The one with the darker wood and green plumage. “What was it that you were saying?”

The arrow quivered (HAHAHAno) and spoke. “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made...”

“Stop right there,” I interrupt. “I know how this relates.” Surprisingly, I remembered my Bible, even though I’m not really religious. Granted, this is the first book and a really well-known story. “That’s the start of Genesis 2. That story with the snake? It’s known as ‘The Fall of Man,’ or just ‘The Fall.’”

Apollo seems disgusted. Apparently, the Greek gods have a distaste for Christians. Understandable, considering that emperor Constantine adopted it and replaced the main pantheon. (He was trying to reunite Rome. It failed.)

“I suppose it was an appropriate passage, then,” Apollo says. Yep, he’s salty.

“The last major thing was a vision one of our friends had,” Rachel says. “Piper... You’ll meet her later, but just know that she has this reflective dagger that’s a bit like a mirror. When you look into it, you can see a glimpse the future.”

Could be useful. I’d think it doesn’t always work though.

“So after all this stuff happened—and a few little things too: dreams of falling, bits of Celestial bronze falling in human shapes—she looked into the dagger for something. Sure enough, there was something human falling like our friend the Sun God here.”

I was speechless. I got a vague feeling that it’s something that rarely happens to me. I mean, I’ve got a vast knowledge of literature. How often is it that a literary scholar doesn’t have something to say?

Chiron clears his throat. “Anyway, Ms. Nadia, it would seem as though you might be staying with us for a time. It would only be right for us to give you a tour. Apollo and Meg, thank you for bringing her here. You may go.”

Meg leaves happily. Apollo glances back and glares at me one last time before leaving. “Ms. Dare, may I ask you to show our guest around?” Chiron says. “I have another matter to attend to. See you at the bonfire later.”

The elderly gentleman wheels himself out of the house. Through the door, I watch him jump out of his wheelchair, revealing a set of brown horse legs. As Chiron gallops away, I stare at the legs remaining. I guess I should’ve seen this coming, but I could do nothing but stare at him.

“Looks like you’re stuck with me still,” Rachel says, standing up. “I’m probably not the best to show you around, but I don’t have anything else to do right now,” she walks to the door and beckons. “Let’s go.”

I Hope You Signed Your Waivers
This place wasn’t your father’s summer camp. Well, I guess if you’re a demigod, it actually is your father’s (or mother’s) summer camp.

What really stood out was the climbing wall, complete with lava. I asked Rachel if that was against the law or something. She shrugged, saying that she had little knowledge of the law, but was indifferent because she didn’t really use it.

A shack labeled “Arts and Crafts” was a full-on forge. Kids were actually blacksmithing in there, furnaces, anvils and all. I ducked as a bronze drone flew out as I walked by.

“Hephaestus?” I said. Turns out there was also a modern engineering area within. Hephaestus was the god of the forges, but they’d naturally have to expand their power as technology evolved.

“Right the first time.” There aren’t many other gods of the forge, that I know of at least.

There was also a pretty big lake connected to a river. Boats were docked at its pier, and a mini naval battle was taking place further out. Beats canoe races.

“Most of the kids here are Greek demigods, but you’ve probably figured that out already,” Rachel says as we approach a line of cabins. “They’re divided by godly parent into these cabins.”

“Most?” I ask. How could mortal people see this with the Mist that Apollo mentioned before?

“Yes, most,” she says. “Certain immortals stay here, such as Chiron. Dionysus used to be here too, but he disappeared last summer. Others aren’t immortal, but are... creatures, so to speak. A lot of satyrs, dryads, nereids, and monsters live in the woods.”

“Now you’re telling me there are monsters here?” I’m starting to wonder what the average lifespan of a demigod is if they’re sent to this place for summer camp.

“Yes. They usually stick to the woods,” she points to the forest behind the cabins. “So if you don’t want to meet them, then don’t go over there.”

“Next you’ll tell me that there are normal people here too,” I mutter.

“I’m offended,” Rachel says, sarcastically taking a dramatic breath. I look at her, raising an eyebrow. “I’m actually the only human here without a godly parent.”

My head tilts in confusion like a dog. “Wait, but you’re the Oracle,” I say. “Wouldn’t you be a daughter of Apollo?”

“Gods, no,” she responds. “I’m special in the sense that I can see through the Mist. Heck, Percy and his buddies actually needed me to find a few entrances to the Labyrinth.”

Percy? Why do I feel like I should know that name?

“Anyway... I assume these twelve big ones are for the main ones, and all the little ones are for the minor gods?” I asked. Rachel nodded. “Nice to see that they’re being acknowledged.”

“That’s fairly recent, actually. The camp has been very busy since then, with such an influx of kids.”

“Where do you live?” I inquire. I’d assume that she doesn’t sleep in any of the cabins.

“I have a cave,” Rachel responds casually. I can’t hide my puzzled expression. “I beg your pardon?”

She smirks. “Well, my parents actually have a pretty nice place in downtown New York, but while I’m here I hang out in a well-furnished stone cavity. Just to make the Oracle comfy.” She starts toward the nearest cabin. “But that’s not important. Here, let me show you around the cabins.”

Home Sweet Home
You’d have to be stupid to not be able to tell which of the big cabins belonged to which deity. It was as obvious as the allegory in “The Masque of the Red Death.” (Okay, it’s a lot more obvious than that. You kinda need to be educated to see that one.)

Barbed wire, trenches, boar: easy, Ares. Silver, lunar imagery: Artemis. Gold, sun imagery: Apollo, everyone’s favorite. I could go on and on.

As we approached the Athena cabin, notable for its owls and blueprints visible in the windows, a blond girl walked out. She reminded me of myself if I was a few years older and had grey eyes. She clutched several blueprints in one hand.

“Hello Rachel,” she said, slowing down. “Who’s this with you? Our shooting star?”

“Yes, it is,” Rachel responds. “Nadia, this is Annabeth. She’s the head counselor of the Athena cabin, and very busy.” I shake her hand. Annabeth smiles, but her eyes tell me that she’s sizing me up. Not the trusting type, huh?

Annabeth sighs. “That’s an understatement. Between college and spearheading the reconstruction of Olympus, I’m already under a huge time crunch. Now that you’re here...” her voice trails off. “Well, I might fall a little behind in my classes if I’ll be needed to help with this too.” She starts walking away. “Anyway, I need to go. My mother needs me to supervise something. Hope you like the camp!”

Annabeth seems nice enough. If you’re a friend, anyway. She probably gets that analytical look from Athena.

“Rebuilding Olympus?” I say, asking yet another question.

Rachel nods. “Yep. Giants did quite a number on it.”

The next people we meet are in front of a massive bronze bunker. Hephaestus, no doubt. A cheeky black-haired Latino boy and a brunette girl are sitting at the door. He has a mechanic’s tool pack around his waist, and she wears a white t-shirt and blue jeans.

“Hey, Rachel!” The boy says, grinning. “This the kid that Piper saw?”

“I am, I think.” I really can’t say anything because I’m not sure how many “kids” can be found in the blade of that dagger.

“Nadia, this is Leo and Calypso,” Rachel says. I shake both hands. “Calypso actually got here fairly recently.” Calypso? As in...

“Wait, are you the actual Calypso?” I ask. It’s probably out of line, but I’m too surprised to realize it. “The one who gets washed-up heroes? You escaped your island?”

“Nah, I rescued her,” Leo responds. Calypso socks him in the shoulder. “Agh! What?” “That’s kind of true, but don’t you ever treat me like a damsel in distress,” she chastises him, “To answer your question, yes, I am that Calypso.”

I decided to try something. I’m not sure how much outside contact she had on the island, but surely with all the time she had alone, she would discover some things. I mean, English didn’t exist during mythical Greek times.

“Lingua Latina intellegere potes?” I say, asking if she can understand Latin.

Leo’s grin seems to transfer to Calypso. Although Calypso's grin is more sly than goofy. Leo begins to nervously tinker with something in his hands.

"Ita vero. Tu?" She responds, confirming my suspicion.

“Sane pauculus habeo." I may not have much, but it's enough to swear and have simple conversations. "Quam stultus est is?" Maybe I'm being too mean, asking how stupid Leo is. (Not like he needs to know.)

Calypso laughs. "Callidus cum machinis, sed stultior quam asinus est." Dumber than an ass, but clever with machines. I'd hope that a son of Hephaestus would be good with machines.

"Uh, ladies..." Leo says, breaking his silence. "I don't know what that was, but I really hope it wasn’t about me.” Calypso and I snicker.

Rachel looks just as confused as Leo. I can’t blame them.

“Well, nice chat,” Rachel says. “But I need to take Nadia around a little more. See you both at the bonfire later.” She leads me away from the two. It’s nice to have something in common with a Titaness, I suppose.

Next, we meet two guys. One comes out of the building decorated with multicolored coral and a lot of fishnets. The other is waiting on the steps.

“Lucky you, Nadia,” Rachel says, smirking. “You’re going to meet the legend himself.”

The boy who just exited the building approaches us. He has black hair, blue-green eyes, and smells vaguely of salt. “Please, Rachel,” he says, placing his hand in his pocket, “don’t start. I’m Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon.” He extends his hand in greeting. So this is the Percy kid, huh? He looks experienced, but in all honesty, I’m not too impressed.

The other boy approaches as we shake hands.

He looks like your typical emo/goth kid. Pale skin, black hair, sad expression. Also has a notable slouch and an apparent aversion to eye contact and removing his hands from his pockets. Something told me that this kid has seen some things.

“Don’t let Rachel fool you,” he says. His voice is calm but firm. “Percy doesn’t like being called the big hero. Frankly, he doesn’t deserve it.” Percy gives him a skeptical look, but he doesn’t seem to notice. “Nico di Angelo, son of Hades.” I shake his hand and notice that he wears a silver ring on his finger.

I notice something on Percy’s upper arm. “Your father is Greek, right?” I ask. He nods. “Then why do you have the motto of Rome burned onto your arm?” I point to the letters SPQR—Senatus Populusque Romanus—The senate and people of Rome — that rest under a trident symbol.

“Oh, that,” he says as if remembering just now that it was there. “That’s a long story. You’ll probably hear it eventually.” Something told me I already had. I’m not sure what it was, though...

My thoughts are interrupted by a loud horn blast. Percy, Nico, and Rachel start in another direction. Nico beckons to me. “Come on, it’s time for dinner,” he says, “Then we get to see whose kid you are.”

Give Me a Sign! Just One!
Dinner was interesting. We are in a pavilion that kind of looked like the Lincoln Memorial, without either Lincoln or the Memorial. Somehow both the drink and the food were exactly what I felt like. How did they know? I didn’t even know what I felt like. I also had to sacrifice a little bit for some reason, by which I mean I had to scrape some of the food into a blazing brazier. It’s a shame, really. That was some pretty good okonomiyaki too. (Look it up. It tastes better than it sounds.)

True to summer camp style, there was a massive fireside gathering after dinner. Rachel had had to leave, so I decided to stick around Calypso and Leo (but mostly Calypso). I watched the fire shift colors and intensity spontaneously as the Apollo kids led us in singing such classics as “99,000 Thunderbolts in the Hall” and SpongeBob’s “Campfire Song.” Calypso told me that the fire shifts according to the crowd’s mood.

Chiron stopped us at 46,292 thunderbolts. By that time the fire was burning low and a rather sickly color.

“Demigods, former gods, and Titanesses,” he began. This was the first time I was able to get a good look at him as a centaur. Somehow his chestnut lower body complimented the bright orange T-shirt on his torso nicely. “Today we welcome a new hero to our ranks. One whom, I’m sure, many of us have been anticipating for a time.”

A ripple of activity goes through the crowd. The fire glows an odd mix of red and green. Not sure what that’s supposed to mean. I notice a very clique-ish group of girls and boys roll their eyes in unison.

“As our various sources of prophecy have told us, someone did indeed fall from the heavens. We know nothing about her, and neither does she know anything substantial about herself.” Another ripple goes through the crowd. “Yes, yes, I know that this is another one of those cases. But we must welcome her as we would one of our own. I don’t doubt that she will soon be c-“

At this point, Chiron stopped and stared at me. I became vaguely aware of a light glowing above me. I tilted my head upwards slightly to check.

The glowing white icon of a torch was hovering over my head. A small cluster of kids cheer.

“Well, I suppose that settles things,” Chiron says. Before he is able to announce me as a daughter of Hecate, the symbol over my head floats to the side, and another takes its place.

A brazier, the symbol of Hestia. Everyone is dumbstruck.

“How the-“ Calypso says beside me.

The symbol changes again. And then again. And again. Athena, Hephaestus, Hades, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Nemesis, Pan (which made no sense since he was a satyr)... All of them. Soon I was surrounded by godly symbols, orbiting me like I was the sun.

Finally, the sign of Zeus flashed over my head. I thought it was done. How wrong I was.

A new set of symbols began appearing, orbiting around me alongside the others. The eye of Horus. The beetle of Ra. Egyptian hieroglyphics, swirling among the already numerous Greek icons. In the midst of all this, I notice Percy grit his teeth.

Not even that was the end of it! Runes showed up too! I wasn’t quite sure, but I was sure that these were Norse. I mean, that would be the next logical step, right? I’m not nearly as strong with my Norse imagery, but I usually know it when I see it.

At last, there are no more symbols appearing. They swarm around me like bees. They spin faster and faster and faster... then they collapse onto me. Just like that, each icon, hieroglyph, and rune just enters my body like a cliched comic book trope.

I hunched over and shuddered as fear and a sudden surge of power flowed through me.

The whole theater is quiet. I’m just as dumbstruck as anyone else in the vicinity. The fire burns low in a multitude of colors: the crowd has no idea what just happened. Neither do I.

A random kid breaks the silence. “Someone please tell me that they recorded all that!”

The comment is enough to snap Chiron out of staring. “Everyone, return to your cabins for the night. Percy, call our council together. Nadia...” his voice drops off. “Please, come with me.”