𝓑𝓾𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓭 - 𝓛𝓾𝓴𝓮 𝓒𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓪𝓷

𝒔𝒊𝒙, 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒓

тнє hardwood floor didn't feel great on her sore body. Aurora sat up, pushing her arms behind to support her upper half. Regaining clear sight, Aurora glanced unamused at the twins grinning ear to ear in front of her.

"Really boys, can you let a girl have some space." Aurora huffed playfully.

"Can't let a gorgeous girl like you get pranked on all day by the jerks of Hermes offspring. We're trying to help you out." Travis managed to get out while breaking out into synced laughter with Connor.

Aurora finally broke into a smile, turning around to make sure she had all her weapons and bag. She winced as she stood up, body aching from both her journey and the nightmare. The twins offered her a safe spot to put her bag, otherwise she said she wouldn't leave the cabin. After happily getting what she wanted, Aurora thanked the Stolls and headed out to check on Woe.

Aurora turned the corner of the cabin and out into the forest. She came up to the end of the border, exploring around for her best friend. She spotted Woe circling around a black flower sniffing the petals. Aurora in awe at the way Woe reacted to the flower. She slowly wandered to the flower Woe was focusing on, becoming aware of the surrounding bright green trees. As Aurora approached the black flower, she sensed its power and magic within. Intrigued, Aurora knelt down next to Woe who smothered her head into Auroras shoulder as the flower glistening in the morning sun. The petals gave off a very slight purple sparkle. Aurora raised her fingers above the plant, closing her eyes. The flower danced at her hovering touch, starting to seem more alive if possible. She opened her eyes, gleaming at the newfound energy Aurora felt heal her aching body. She took in the feeling with a deep breath, exhaling as her shoulders relaxed.

Marking the location in the back of her mind, she directed Woe to a rock nearby to update her about her night and the dream.

The two made their way back to the cabin. Taking a detour to the lake, a girl with curly dark hair came into Aurora's vision.

"Pretty lion you got there. You knew around here?" The girl asked coolly.

"Thanks, yeah I got here last night." Aurora replied calmly to match the girls energy. Her features were dark, a spark of anger displaying from her face and body language.

"Clarisse, daughter of Ares." She stated as she held out her hand for Aurora to meet. Well that explains her aura. Aurora mentally answered herself.

Aurora gladly accepted, shaking her hand. "Aurora Castro, uhm unclaimed."

"Don't be too worried newbie, some get claimed, you seem like a strong girl." The dark haired girl commented. "If you ever want to throw some arrows or duel, come find me." She looked Aurora up and down before walking towards the archery area.

Shaking off the interaction, Aurora and Woe continued to the lake, observing the other demigods train and converse. Getting down to sit at the ledge of the wooden dock, Aurora analyzed the sky. The sun was bright and beaming down on the pair. She smiled, thinking of Apollo and clutching her necklace as she daydreamed of their childhood memories on Olympus. She wondered what it was like to grow up with a mortal parent. Or even what the other demigods thought of the gods. She knew it had been complicated with her father's rule of no contact, but she's never really met a demigod and heard their stories. Maybe camp could teach her a few things and show her other perspectives than she formed. Aurora wasn't like the other gods and goddesses, partially because she was much younger and less wise, but she would also like to believe that she was more understanding and caring. Though she didn't show it as much, she always thought what she felt, not as much expressing.

Woe cuddled into her lap, purring as Aurora now petted her mane. The wind lightly caressed their bodies, blowing into her long blonde hair as she was staring off into the water.

After a while, her stomach turned, reminding her to eat. Woe felt the same way, jumping out of her lap and trotting down the dock back to camp.

⚕️⚕️⚕️

Aurora was energized after eating and decided to check out the dueling area, secretly hoping to find Clarisse to take her up on her offer of fighting.

Leaving Woe to go wander off in a different forest near camp, she strutted over to the sound of clashing swords in her black and gold lined boots, jean shorts, a t shirt version of the corset styled top Artemis crafted for her (Aurora convinced her to make a whole collection after loving the first top), and her hair tied up in a messy bun. Her dagger and sword from Athena. Realizing she had to come up with a name for her bow and sword, she made a quick mental note and continued on. Woe would say she looked pretty badass if she saw Aurora right now, making her giggle at herself imagining the scenario.

Entering the arena, she found a spot out of attention and battle, watching the demi gods sword fighting skills. Not too bad. She studied them as they countered and pushed offense or defected and held a solid stance defending. As she surveyed the crowd, a familiar curly haired girl yelled at her opponent, catching them in a headlock with her sword to the back of their neck. Aurora strut over to her, clapping slowly. Clarisse releasing her grip and bowing at Aurora.

"That was sly I have to admit." Aurora acknowledged, kneeling on one knee, acting as she was hailing Clarisse. She laughed, pulling Aurora up onto her feet.

"Piece of cake really, I've been doing this almost everyday for a few years." Clarisse claimed, smile dropping slightly.

"Impressive. I would like to give it a try." Aurora drew out her sword, holding out her free hand to the girl as a deal.

Clarisse raised an eyebrow at the bold girl. "You sure new girl, you haven't even trained yet. I wouldn't want to embarrass you on your first real day." She disclosed warning Aurora but in a softer tone to confirm.

"Yeah sure why not." Aurora blurted, shrugging her shoulders.

The girls got in ready position, swords in the air. Clarisse took the first jab, Aurora defecting and side stepping easily. She spun and came at Clarisse from the right, throwing her off. She regained her balance, pushing offense once again, with more force this time. Aurora, having trained with the gods, knew about every trick in the book. She was always a step ahead as Athena said. Aurora switched her blade at the speed of lightening to deflect Clarisse's hits. She smirked at the girl, taking an opportunity to bring her sword under the dark haired girl's legs, distracting her for a split second.

An audience of eager watching demigods joined, forming a circle around the two girls intensely brawling. Yet it was silent, everyone focused in anticipation of each of their next moves.

The two dueled back and forth. Aurora got an idea, using a maneuver she learned from Athena to knock Clarisse's sword out of her hand. She executed the attack perfectly, the clang of the sword echoed in the arena as the metal hit the ground. Aurora didn't look down at it, knowing better than to get distracted. She charged at the weaponless girl, pulling up Clarisse's chin with her sword from where was staring at the ground in disbelief. Shock written on all of the demi gods faces. Aurora glanced around at the group, sword still centimeters away from piercing the girls neck. A moment later, their attention wasn't on Aurora, it was on something above her.

Aurora looked up, to be met with a symbol of a sun over her head. Apollo.