Sol sat upright, staring at the translucent blue screen in front of her.
Welcome young demigod!
You have awakened the system!
Was this a dream? No, it felt so real… what was going on?
She reached for the screen and her fingers went right through it, its surface rippling like water. What was even stranger was that she could read it perfectly, as if her dyslexia was never there. The letters didn't swim around as she was used to.
"What… are you?" It was a shot in the dark but maybe this thing responded to her voice instead of her touch?
I am the system!
I help you get stronger. This is a dangerous world you live in, one full of monsters, gods and other things! You need power to survive and that's why I'm here!
"Monsters? Like… like those things? So I'm not crazy! I really saw them! Then again… maybe this thing is here exactly because I'm crazy? Man… have I finally cracked?"
You are not crazy! You are a demigod. A certain mystical force, the mist, keeps mortals from seeing the monsters. There are plenty of other demigods out there who share similar experiences to you!
I recommend you to talk to your father if you are still unsure but don't tell him -or anyone really- about the system. You have limitless growth, well past the limits of a mortal or even a demigod. If this were to surface, the gods might smite you before you become too powerful
Sol's face grew pale. The gods, smiting her? But she was just a normal girl! Well normal was maybe the wrong word for it, after all, she was just talking to a screen which was floating in front of her. That wasn't exactly normal, now was it? Still, she hoped, no she needed it to be true. If it wasn't, she might as well go to the loony bin herself. So, she sat up and walked downstairs, still in her pyjamas, hair still a tangled mess. Her father sat in the dining room, newspaper open, coffee in hand, enjoying his quiet Saturday morning. She felt bad for ruining it but she needed answers, "dad?"
"Oh, Sol, already awake? I thought you'd sleep in", he didn't look up from the newspaper.
"I- I had a dream… about mom"
"Oh?" He visibly tensed up.
"I- am I special?"
"All children are special dear"
"No- I mean- just- am I a-" the words stuck in her throat before she finally said, "am I a demigod?"
Dad let out a huge sigh, "you are… I thought I could shield you a bit longer… 11 years… come, sit with me, Sol"
Sol sat down at their table, her heart pounding like a war drum.
"You are indeed a demigod and your mother… well, she was Demeter. She told me the day would come when you found out but I got comfortable in the lie. I thought maybe, just maybe, I could keep my little girl forever… foolish, I know. I- there is this camp, camp half blood. It is where demigods go to train. I- if you want, I can take you there. The monsters will come for you now that you know the truth. It is almost summer anyways. One summer should be enough to teach you the basics… I hope. You could also…" he hesitated, "you could go year round"
Sol shook her head, no way! She loved her dad, she couldn't abandon him like that, "summers sound fine"
Her father visibly relaxed, "good… good… let's have some breakfast, you go pack your things and I'll take you there"
She nodded. Breakfast might've as well been cardboard. It tasted like nothing. She wanted to confide in him but The system's warning hung clear in her mind like an unwanted ghost. Would the gods really smite her? What were they like? She had never been much religious, so this was quite the surprise. At least it was one of the cooler religions, the Greek gods… if he had to go to Jesus camp instead of camp half blood, she might've refused to go. Demeter, Demeter, Demeter… Sol's mind was racing. If only she had paid attention in class. Wasn't Demeter some kind of nature deity? Could she control plants or something? Sounded okay, she guessed, though she would've preferred something a little more… y'know, exciting?
Most of the cool heroes were children of Zeus, Herakles, Perseus and so many more, whose name she couldn't remember. She couldn't remember any children of Demeter from the legends, then again, like she said, she'd never really paid much attention.
The ride was quick.
"A strawberry field?" She asked, confused. Where was this camp?
"The camp is over that hill. I can't follow you so… good luck. Write me a letter when you can", he kissed her on her cheek and left.
She dragged her feet over the hill and what she saw was magical, a dozen cabins, an arena, archery ranges, forges, children fighting with swords, daggers and spears and so, so much more. Walking down the hill, she couldn't decide what was most impressive… was there lava on that climbing wall.
"New here?" A voice rang out and she spun around, fists raised.
"Hey, I mean no harm", the boy, looking freshly 18, maybe a year younger or older, raised his hands but he clearly wasn't defenceless. There was a sword strapped to his belt in a leather sheave, "by the way, your stance is all wrong. Not to worry though, you will learn, in time. I'm Luke Castellan, head counsellor of cabin 11. Chiron will want to meet you, follow me"
They walked past young demigods (man was that weird to say) shooting arrows, crating swords and riding winged horses, until they saw a middle aged man with a full beard. Well, his upper half was a man, his lower half was a white stallion. A centaur! Chiron… the name sounded familiar.
"Chiron, this is… actually i never got your name?"
"Sol Smith"
"Yes, Sol here just arrived a few minutes ago. I thought you might want to meet her" Luke told him, his hand drumming at his leg.
Over the next two hours, she got a tour through the camp, Chiron never leaving her side. He was patiently explaining everything, not at all bothered by her lack of knowledge. She wished her teachers were like this.
"And here is one of our swordsmanship classes", he pointed at a group of children sparring with bronze swords. Sol touched one of the swords leaning against the weapon's rack and, for the first time since she had awakened it, the system hummed to life.
Basic Job class: warrior detected. Do you want to equip this class?
"Sure"
She could feel knowledge flood her mind and strength surge through her body.
Warrior class equipped, skill {heavy attack} learned. To see your status screen, simply will it to appear
Sol Smith
Hp: 40
Mp: 10
Level: 1 (0%)
Classes:
Warrior (1/15)
Stats:
Strength: 4
Dexterity: 2
Constitution: 4
Intelligence: 1
Will: 1
Skills:
Heavy attack
Spells:
-
Those stats… weren't they painfully low? Sure, she had just started levelling but- but was a 1 in intelligence really accurate? Was she that dumb?
Well, anyways, she picked up the sword and swung it a few times.
"Not bad for someone who has never held a weapon", Chiron stroked his beard, "your footing is unsure and you swing too heavily but you have potential"
"Thanks", she went to put the sword back where she had gotten it but Chiron stopped her.
"Keep it for now. You'll need a weapon. Later on, you might get a different one or even forge your own but for now, this one will do"
"Really? Awesome!" She grabbed one of the sheaths and strapped the blade to her hip. Then, he brought her to the big house, where a pudgy man sat, playing a card game with some satyrs. He had a flat face and a plump nose, like an overripe avocado. He wore a Hawaiian shirt and looked bored out of his mind. In his hand was a Coke Zero and next to him was a pile of empty cans.
"Mr D? We have a new camper, ms. Sol Smith here" Chiron introduced her.
"Great… another annoying child to babysit… ", he glanced at her but quickly lost interest, turning back to his game.
Sol had no desire to continue a conversation, so she simply looked towards Chiron for guidance. The centaur motioned for her to follow, "there are twelve cabins in camp, yours is number four, the Demeter cabin. Lovely children, many of them tend to the strawberry fields or the groves. You will get along great with your half siblings, I am sure of that. I have to go teach now but if you have any questions, don't hesitate to seek me out"
"Thanks Chiron, I will" the cabin was beautiful, vines growing up its sides, a grass roof. It felt like home.