The morning air was cool and crisp as Ikenna stepped out of Cabin One. For a moment, he stood on the marble steps, letting the sun warm his face. The camp was already alive with activity—campers were jogging to and from various locations, some carrying weapons, others chatting animatedly. The energy in the air was contagious, and despite the nervous knot in his stomach, Ikenna couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement.
"You're up early," a familiar voice called out. Ikenna turned to see Marcus approaching, his satyr legs making soft clopping sounds against the ground.
"Didn't really sleep much," Ikenna admitted. "Too much to think about."
Marcus nodded knowingly. "First night's always the hardest. Come on, let's get you to the training arena. Chiron wants to see what you're made of."
Ikenna followed Marcus through the camp, taking in the sights as they went. They passed the forge, where sparks flew as campers hammered metal into shape, and the archery range, where a group of kids practiced shooting flaming arrows. Everywhere he looked, there was something new to take in, and it only added to the growing sense that he was in a completely different world.
When they reached the training arena, Ikenna's jaw dropped. The space was massive, surrounded by stone walls and filled with every kind of weapon imaginable. Campers were sparring in pairs, their movements quick and precise, while others practiced against dummies that moved as if alive. In the center of it all stood Chiron, his human torso rising from his horse body as he watched over the activities with a practiced eye.
"Ah, there you are," Chiron said as they approached. His tone was warm, but there was an unmistakable authority behind it. "Ikenna, I trust you slept well?"
"Not really," Ikenna said honestly. "But I'm ready to get started."
Chiron's lips twitched in what might have been a smile. "Good. Let's see what you can do. Marcus, bring him to the sparring ring. We'll start with some basic drills."
Marcus led Ikenna to a circular ring marked by chalk lines. A group of campers gathered around to watch, their curious eyes making Ikenna's skin prickle.
"Don't worry about them," Marcus said quietly. "Just focus."
Chiron approached the ring, holding two practice swords. He handed one to Ikenna and the other to a camper who looked about his age, a girl with dark hair tied back in a ponytail and a no-nonsense expression. "This is Maria, daughter of Ares. She'll be your first opponent."
Ikenna took the sword, its weight unfamiliar in his hand. He glanced at Maria, who was already in a fighting stance, her eyes locked on him like a predator sizing up prey.
"Begin!" Chiron called.
Maria lunged immediately, her sword swinging in a wide arc. Ikenna barely had time to react, raising his weapon just in time to block. The force of the blow sent a shock up his arm, and he stumbled back.
"You've got to do better than that," Maria said, smirking.
Gritting his teeth, Ikenna adjusted his grip and moved forward, swinging his sword in a clumsy but determined attack. Maria parried easily, her movements fluid and practiced. The sparring continued, with Ikenna trying to keep up as Maria pressed her advantage. Sweat dripped down his face, and his arms ached from the effort.
"Focus on your footwork," Chiron called from the sidelines. "Balance is key."
Ikenna took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He shifted his stance, remembering the tips Marcus had given him on their way over. When Maria attacked again, he managed to sidestep her swing and counter with a strike of his own. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to make her take a step back.
"Not bad," Maria admitted, her smirk softening. "For a beginner."
The sparring match ended a few minutes later when Chiron called for a break. Ikenna's arms felt like jelly, but there was a sense of satisfaction bubbling beneath his exhaustion. He hadn't won, but he hadn't completely embarrassed himself, either.
"You did well," Chiron said as he approached. "There's raw talent there, but it needs refinement. Training will help with that. And remember, a demigod's greatest weapon isn't their strength—it's their mind."
Ikenna nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Good. Tomorrow, we'll see how you handle other weapons. For now, take the rest of the day to explore the camp and get to know your fellow campers. You'll need allies here."
As the crowd dispersed, Marcus clapped Ikenna on the back. "Not bad for your first time. You'll be a pro in no time."
"I don't know about that," Ikenna said with a laugh. "But I'll try."
They left the arena and wandered through the camp, Marcus pointing out various landmarks and introducing Ikenna to other campers along the way. Despite the challenges of the morning, Ikenna felt a growing sense of belonging. For the first time in his life, he wasn't just a foster kid trying to fit in. He was part of something bigger, something that felt like it mattered.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the camp in shades of gold and purple, Ikenna sat by the lake, watching the water ripple in the fading light. The events of the day replayed in his mind, and for the first time, he allowed himself to wonder what his future might hold.
The road ahead wouldn't be easy. But as he stared out at the horizon, a small smile played on his lips. He was ready to face whatever came next.