As Ikenna crossed the boundary into Camp Half-Blood, a strange warmth washed over him. The chaotic sounds of snarling monsters faded into the distance, replaced by the hum of cicadas and the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind. The air here was different—cleaner, lighter, and yet heavy with an energy that made the hairs on his arms stand on end.
"Whoa," Ikenna muttered, looking around. The clearing gave way to a sprawling landscape of rolling hills, cabins arranged in a horseshoe shape, and a shimmering blue lake in the distance. Beyond that, the camp stretched toward the horizon, dotted with training arenas, climbing walls, and a strawberry field that looked oddly out of place.
Marcus clapped him on the shoulder, jolting him out of his trance. "Welcome home, kid. This is Camp Half-Blood."
Ikenna turned to him, eyebrows raised. "Home? I don't even know what this place is."
Marcus grinned. "You'll figure it out soon enough. Let's get you settled before the others start asking questions. New arrivals tend to cause...a stir."
"Others?" Ikenna asked as they started walking down a dirt path leading toward the cabins.
"Demigods," Marcus explained. "Kids like you. Some are fresh arrivals, others have been here for years. You'll meet them soon. Just stick close to me for now."
As they passed the first cabin, a group of kids sparring with wooden swords paused to stare at Ikenna. Whispers followed him like a ripple through the camp. He caught snippets of their conversations—"new kid" and "Zeus" standing out like neon signs. He tried to ignore the stares, but the weight of their attention pressed on him.
"Is it always like this?" he asked Marcus.
"You're a son of Zeus," Marcus replied. "People are going to notice. The Big Three don't have kids often, and when they do, it's a big deal. You'll get used to it."
Ikenna frowned. "What if I don't want to be a big deal?"
Marcus chuckled. "Tough luck, kid. You don't get to choose. But hey, look on the bright side—at least you'll have the best cabin."
They stopped in front of a massive structure that looked more like a temple than a cabin. The walls were white marble, veined with gold that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. Columns framed the entrance, and a bronze lightning bolt was engraved above the door.
"Cabin One," Marcus announced with a hint of reverence. "Zeus's cabin. Your new home."
Ikenna stared at the imposing building, his stomach twisting. It felt too grand, too much for someone like him. "Do I have to stay here?"
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Where else would you go? This is where you belong. Besides, it's not like you'll have roommates. The cabin's all yours."
Ikenna stepped hesitantly inside, his footsteps echoing on the polished marble floor. The interior was just as extravagant as the outside: tall ceilings, a massive bed with golden sheets, and a fireplace crackling with blue flames. Lightning motifs were carved into the walls, and the air buzzed faintly with energy.
He dropped his bag near the bed and turned to Marcus. "This...feels weird."
"You'll get used to it," Marcus said. "Take some time to settle in. Dinner's at the pavilion. Just follow the other campers when the conch horn blows."
Ikenna nodded, still feeling out of place. As Marcus turned to leave, Ikenna called after him. "Wait. What happens now?"
Marcus paused at the doorway. "Now? Now you learn what it means to be a demigod. Training, quests, and maybe—just maybe—finding out who you really are. Welcome to the adventure, kid."
Later that evening, Ikenna followed the sound of the conch horn to the pavilion. Long tables stretched beneath an open-air structure, each one marked with a banner representing a different god. Campers sat in groups, laughing and talking as they ate. The smells of roasted meat, fresh bread, and sweet strawberries filled the air, making Ikenna's stomach growl.
He hesitated at the entrance, unsure where to go. Marcus had said something about offerings, but the details had been lost in the chaos of the day. A girl with curly blonde hair and piercing gray eyes noticed him and waved him over.
"You must be the new guy," she said as he approached. "I'm Annabeth. Welcome to Camp Half-Blood."
"Thanks," Ikenna said, shifting awkwardly. "Uh, what do I do?"
Annabeth smiled. "First, you make an offering. Grab some food, then toss a portion into the brazier over there. It's for the gods."
Ikenna nodded and loaded a plate with food, then approached the brazier. The flames flickered as he hesitated, unsure what to say. Finally, he whispered, "To Zeus, I guess," and dropped a piece of meat into the fire. The flames flared briefly, and he felt a strange sense of acknowledgment, like the air around him had shifted.
He returned to the table, where Annabeth and a few other campers had saved him a seat. As he ate, they peppered him with questions about his life, his powers, and how he had gotten to camp. Ikenna answered as best as he could, but there was still so much he didn't understand.
By the time the meal ended, he felt both overwhelmed and oddly comforted. For the first time in his life, he wasn't the only one who was different. These kids understood what it meant to live in a world that didn't make sense, to fight battles no one else could see.
As the campers dispersed, Annabeth leaned over. "Get some rest. Training starts tomorrow, and you'll need all the energy you can get."
Ikenna nodded, exhaustion finally catching up with him. He made his way back to Cabin One, the marble structure glowing softly in the moonlight. As he lay in bed, staring at the carved lightning bolts on the ceiling, he felt a strange mix of fear and anticipation.
The world he'd known was gone, replaced by something infinitely more dangerous and exciting. For better or worse, this was his new life. And deep down, he couldn't wait to see what came next.