Chapter 6: Thomas

“Who are you two?” I pointed at the girl, Nova, daughter of Death and Hel, and then to the other one, my mother called Raven.

Charlie gently lowered my hand. “That’s Raven, my sister.”

“Oh, right! You’ve mentioned her before. It’s been years, though.” Raven was cute, much like Charlie, though her complexion was lighter and Charlie had freckles. Raven wore dark eyeliner, eye shadow, and maroon lipstick, a sharp contrast to Charlie’s usual style.

“You’re Thomas, right?” Raven asked, her voice serious. “The gods mentioned you.”

“Yeah, that’s me.” I nodded, still processing everything.

“Is there… tension between you two?” Adam interjected with poor timing, looking at Charlie and Raven.

Ivy placed a hand on Adam's shoulder, giving him a small, patient smile. “We'll save the questions for later, alright?”

Charlie sighed and glanced at Raven before speaking. “It’s a long story. Raven and I were part of the Norse camp. She was in charge after I left. I never really fit in there. I took after our mother more than our father. Raven, though, she was the one who stayed and took on the responsibility.”

Raven nodded, crossing her arms. “It’s not as easy as it sounds. When Charlie left, I had to step up. But it wasn’t the same without her. After she left, I didn’t feel like I belonged either, but I stayed. Eventually there was no one else to take charge. So i took it.”

“I was a loner,” Charlie said with a small shrug. “I felt like I couldn’t fit in. So, I left one night, and eventually found my way to Camp Mythos.”

Raven's expression softened slightly. “You left a note. You didn’t need to, but you did. You said you didn’t belong there, but you didn’t have to leave like that.”

Charlie sighed, looking regretful. “I didn’t know how else to do it. I’m sorry, Raven.”

Raven’s left eye turned teary. She quickly blinked it away. “I get it.” She regarded me, “Though it is good to see you found a boyfriend to tolerate you.”

I started to speak, but Charlie cut me off with a playful punch to my shoulder. “Shut up, dumbass.”

Raven gave a small laugh. The two shared an emotional hug. I could feel the tension between them ease.

Nova, who had been standing quietly by, spoke up. “It’s time for us to head back to the Norse camp. Dinner awaits, and time moves differently in the Underworld.” She sounded eerily calm, with her ghostly features and wings making her seem otherworldly. It was like half of her was ghostly, like an afterimage following her around.

“We better head out too,” I said, thinking about the journey ahead. “We need to prepare to go up north.”

Ivy nodded. “Right. Gotta get some natural antifreeze.”

She looked embarrassed as we exchanged confused glances with the Norse group. Then we prepared to leave.

I was about to thank Raven for the open conversation when I heard it—a ripple in the air. I turned just in time to see the familiar shimmer of shadow travel. It wasn’t long before we reached the camp’s gate.

Charlie linked her arm with mine as we walked to the mess hall. “You can’t take a hint, huh?”

“What do you mean?”

Charlie laughed softly. “Denying it was stupid. Should’ve just slapped you.”

I didn’t have the energy to deny it. “Yeah, well, I didn’t want to rush anything. I’m not as quick as you.”

“Sure, sure.” She grinned at me. “But we both know what we are.”

“I’m not denying it.” I smiled back, feeling my heart race.

Charlie kissed my cheek lightly, making my chest feel warm. “When the time comes, we’ll see how it all unfolds.” She leaned her head on my shoulder as we walked. We’d definitely been a thing for a while, but the reality of it finally set in. I had a girl.

Later that night, in the amphitheater, Charlie gave the speech. The gods had tasked us with a new mission.

“We need to go up north, to speak with Boreas. We’ll find out who our true enemy is and where Death and Hel are being held,” Charlie announced confidently. “We spoke to Hades, Styx and Persephone, the gods of death have been abducted, captured or trapped.”

We were gathered after dinner. Chiron, the centaur, had allowed us to address the camp. With the influence of the Romans, everyone had come together as a unit, but it was clear that Charlie, Adam, and I were among the most experienced and respected.

“In our wake,” I said, “I’d like Olivia Overa to stand for us. She’s got four years of experience and is the most powerful of the rest of us.”

Olivia stepped forward, bowing to Chiron and the others.

“Thank you, children,” Chiron said, his voice filled with authority. “The gods have selected these three, with Ivy if she chooses. Tomorrow, you’ll meet with the Norse camp.”

Charlie spoke again, “Stay vigilant. Everyone will patrol as needed. If things go south, head to the Hephaestus bunkers.”

Ivy remained quiet. Adam had urged her not to come, but she was determined. I agreed with Adam—there was no reason for Ivy to join the quest—but if Charlie was going, there was no way I could stop her.

That night, I packed my duffel bag. I didn’t need much: my notebook, emergency phone, knives. My swords, though, I kept close, strapping them across my back.

As I lay down, I thought about Charlie. We’d finally come to terms with what we were. I didn’t know what I had been missing all this time, but it was clear to me now that I wanted to be with her.

My dreams that night were strange. Names and places I didn’t understand echoed in my mind—Vayden, Xyros, Lunira, Aeran, Silvaenor. A map of a strange continent. I woke up in a sweat, with a sense of urgency I couldn’t shake. A need to act, fight, run. It took an additional few hours to go back to sleep.