Chapter 21: Arriving in Camp Halfblood

Adan lay on the ground, exhausted from the intense battles and long run. In the background, he could hear footsteps approaching. For a brief moment, he glanced ahead and saw some people running away. He thought to himself, "They must be fetching the camp leader."

A boy, looking about 14 years old, walked up to him and extended a hand to help Adan up. Riley has short black hair and wore a greek war armor. Adan accepted the gesture and thanked him. The boy introduced himself as Riley, the son of Hephaestus. Adan reciprocated with his own introduction. After chatting for a couple of minutes, a figure approached—an entity that appeared to be half-human, half-goat.

Adan instinctively went into a defensive stance, expecting an attack. His reaction did not go unnoticed by the other demigods who were watching. The creature, introducing himself as Chiron and beeing a centaur, assured Adan that he meant no harm and encouraged him to relax. Adan glanced at Riley, who nodded in agreement, reassuring him further. With that, Adan eased out of his defensive posture.

Chiron instructed the surrounding demigods to disperse, leaving only Riley with Adan. He believed that the two of them might get along well and hoped they would become friends. Addressing Adan with a friendly tone, Chiron welcomed him to Camp Halfblood. Concerned about Adan's potential injuries, he suggested that Adan visit the infirmary for a check-up before Riley would show him around the camp.

Expressing gratitude for finally reaching his destination, Adan replied, "Thank you," before adding with a weary voice, "This was a hell of a journey." Riley and Adan made their way to the infirmary, where Adan settled into a vacant bed, as instructed. He waited as Riley inquired about his journey, but Riley quickly realized that Adan needed rest and left him alone with a small excuse.

As Adan struggled to keep his eyes open, he noticed someone approaching his bed, likely to tend to his injuries. However, seeing that Adan was already asleep, the person quietly withdrew. Recognizing the signs of exhaustion, the caregiver decided to let Adan rest undisturbed, understanding that he must have been through a lot.

------

Adan eventually stirred from his slumber, feeling significantly more refreshed but still experiencing some discomfort as he attempted to rise. The rustle of movement didn't go unnoticed, and a figure approached him.

Introducing herself as Cassandra, though preferring the nickname Cassi, she explained that she was in charge of the infirmary and happened to be a daughter of Apollo.

Adan was initially taken aback by the revelation that his father had sired multiple offspring, but he reasoned that such was likely common among the gods and goddesses of greek mythology, who often had numerous children throughout their immortal lives.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Adan nodded in agreement to Cassi's request for a swift examination. With a mix of curiosity and professional interest, Cassi carefully observed the progress of his healing over the past 12 hours. She noted the remarkable speed with which his wounds had closed and his strength seemed to have returned, finding it unusual yet not unprecedented in the realm of demigods.

As she conducted her examination, Adan couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue mingled with apprehension. The infirmary, with its neat rows of beds and the scent of antiseptic hanging in the air, felt both comforting and unnerving to him. He shifted slightly on the cot, feeling the cool touch of the sheets against his skin as Cassi continued her assessment.

However, she couldn't immediately fathom how Adan knew about his divine lineage, as typically a god would need to "claim" their offspring for it to be certain. Nevertheless, she speculated that perhaps Adan had developed his latent abilities during his arduous journey, leading him to the realization of his godly parentage.

Once the examination was complete, Cassi advised Adan to rest further and informed him that Riley would likely visit him soon. However, Adan found himself growing impatient and reluctant to wait any longer. Expressing his gratitude to Cassi for her care, he politely excused himself from the confines of the infirmary tent.

With a sense of determination guiding his steps, Adan made his way toward the beach, seeking out a secluded spot with a breathtaking view of the shimmering waters below.