The camp was quieter than usual, the calm after the chaotic excitement of the previous days. The tension between Ikenna and Maria still lingered, though the focus of the campers had shifted to preparing for upcoming quests and training sessions. Despite the stillness, Ikenna's mind raced, replaying every word of his heated conversation with Maria, every lingering question about his father, and every lingering spark of doubt about himself.
Morning light streamed into the Zeus cabin, highlighting the ornate carvings of eagles and lightning bolts that adorned the walls. Ikenna sat cross-legged on his bunk, his head bowed, electricity faintly crackling around his fingers. He had been practicing this exercise Marcus had suggested: focusing his energy inward instead of letting it explode outward.
"Focus, don't force it," Marcus's voice echoed in his memory. "Power like yours isn't about strength. It's about precision."
For all his effort, though, the energy always felt unpredictable, like holding back a flood with a paper-thin dam.
"Knock, knock," a familiar voice called, breaking his concentration. Ikenna looked up to see Percy standing in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame.
"Morning," Percy said, stepping into the cabin. "Thought I'd check on you. Word is you've been stirring up some excitement around camp lately."
Ikenna gave a half-smile. "You mean messing things up? Yeah, I've got a knack for that."
Percy chuckled and sat on the bunk across from him. "Join the club. My first week here, I got turned into a walking fountain during sword training. Nobody told me kids of Poseidon weren't great with celestial bronze weapons."
That got a real laugh out of Ikenna, and for the first time in days, he felt a little less weighed down.
"You're handling things better than I did, though," Percy continued. "You've got more power than most demigods, sure, but that also means more people are watching. Expecting. That pressure doesn't go away, but you get used to it."
Ikenna hesitated before speaking. "What if I don't want them to watch? What if I don't want to be this... symbol or leader or whatever people expect me to be?"
Percy leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "I get it. Trust me, I do. For the longest time, I just wanted to be normal. No prophecies, no gods, no monsters—just a regular kid. But we don't get to choose this life. What we can choose is how we handle it."
"Easier said than done," Ikenna muttered, looking down at his hands.
"Yeah, it is," Percy admitted. "But you don't have to do it alone. That's the whole point of Camp Half-Blood. We're all in this together, no matter what."
The two sat in silence for a moment before Percy clapped Ikenna on the shoulder. "Come on. Let's hit the training grounds. I've got a few tricks that might help you with that lightning of yours."
The training grounds were buzzing with activity. Campers sparred with swords, practiced archery, and worked on their defensive techniques. Percy led Ikenna to a quieter section near the edge of the field, where a series of targets had been set up.
"Okay," Percy said, picking up a celestial bronze sword. "Show me what you've got. Don't hold back."
Ikenna raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? Last time I went all out, I nearly took down half the amphitheater."
Percy smirked. "I've faced worse. Let's see if you can impress me."
Ikenna took a deep breath, feeling the familiar hum of energy building within him. He extended his hands, focusing on the targets ahead. Sparks danced along his fingers, growing brighter and more intense. With a sharp exhale, he unleashed a bolt of lightning that struck the nearest target dead center, leaving it charred and smoking.
"Not bad," Percy said, nodding in approval. "Now, try to hit the target without turning it into a pile of ash. Think of it like threading a needle—control the power, don't let it control you."
Ikenna frowned. "Easier said than done."
"Yeah, but it's worth it," Percy replied. "If you can master control, you'll be unstoppable."
Ikenna spent the next hour practicing, with Percy offering tips and encouragement. It was slow going at first, but gradually, he began to feel more in tune with his power. Instead of overwhelming the targets with raw energy, he focused on precision, channeling smaller bursts of lightning that struck with pinpoint accuracy.
By the time they finished, Ikenna was drenched in sweat but grinning.
"See? Told you you've got this," Percy said, clapping him on the back.
"Thanks," Ikenna said, breathing heavily. "You're not half bad as a coach."
"Don't let it go to your head," Percy joked. "Now, go get cleaned up. Chiron's got a meeting in the Big House later, and he wants you there."
Ikenna nodded, feeling a newfound sense of confidence as he headed back to his cabin. For the first time since arriving at Camp Half-Blood, he felt like he was starting to find his place.
Later that evening, Ikenna sat with Marcus and a few other campers at the campfire. The flames danced in the cool night air, casting shadows across the faces of the gathered demigods. Maria was there, too, though she kept her distance, her expression unreadable.
As the night wore on, Ikenna found himself staring into the fire, his thoughts drifting. He still had so many questions—about his father, about his purpose, about the storm brewing within him. But for now, he let those questions rest.
The road ahead would be challenging, but Ikenna was ready to face it. And for the first time, he knew he wouldn't have to face it alone.