Moonflower: Chapter 1



If I could have any one wish, I’d want to be a demigod. I don’t care if monsters come to me like a moth to a flame, or if I die in a deadly battle. I think it might be better than this.

I’m Fallon Corkery, and while I may be a halfblood, I am not a demigod. I have the curse of being the daughter of a titan. Being a demititan, even a minor daughter of Selene like me, is never a good thing at Camp Halfblood. Of course, I had the privilege of finding my parentage three weeks after the Second Titan War ended, a year ago.

Let’s just say things have been sort of frosty since then. I’d love to say I’m deeply respected by my peers at Camp, where I go year-round, but sadly, that would be me twisting my own story. Really, only one camper ever talked to me at all. Estelle Leones, daughter of Nyx was my only, therefore best friend for the whole year I spent in almost-solitude. She was also more of an outcast in Cabin 23, wearing beaded tunics and striped stockings. And the fact that she was in love with Cabin 13’s own Nico Di Angelo.

The summer day my life changed forever started out with her, actually.

“Hey, Fallon!” My caffeine-friendly friend bounded over to me, grinning. I hadn’t seen her since last fall, when she went to a mortal school in Pennsylvania. I smiled, and gave a half-wave.

“Hi Estelle.” I continued towards the breakfast pavilion, where I was going to eat breakfast all alone, having no half siblings.

“What have you been doing all year?” I didn’t even bother replying, since a steady stream of words continued through her heavily glossed mouth.

“I was just thinking, you being a daughter of Selene and all, you’d have a quest, y’know? I, personally don’t want anything to do with fighting monsters for a while, that Battle of Manhattan sure did the trick for me!” She paused, obviously waiting for me to say some sage words of titanly wisdom.

“Gee, Estelle.” I said, “I honestly don’t even know what I am. Selene was a goddess later in history, remember? I could really be a demigod.”

“Yeah, maybe…”

She wasn’t buying it. I hadn’t ever even believed the words I’ve repeated to myself these past eight months.

“Well, you could be right,” She said, trying to be optimistic, “We had Greek Mythology in class this year and – Nico! Hi!”

The son of Hades walked by, faking oblivion the way he had every day before Estelle left.

“Gone on any good quests lately?” She asked. I made a mental note to help her find a new icebreaker.

“There are no quests,” came the sullen reply. “Not since the battle, at least.”

Nico used to have a personality, when he first came to camp. Ever since he found out that his sister was dead, and his dad was Hades, though, he was all quiet and moody.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">“Have a nice day!” Estelle called after him, as he hurried into the pavilion.

<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt">I sat down to breakfast, and poked at a bagel for a while. I wasn’t at all hungry, but Chiron hadn’t let me give my whole breakfast as an offering to my mother. Chiron was always checking in on me, making sure I was okay and all. I think he felt bad for me, although I don’t know why he should.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Maybe he knew what it was like to be a child of a titan, his being Kronos’ kid and all.

<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt">But all of three minutes later, two people walked in, and made me forget all thoughts of Chiron.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Rachel Dare dragged a son of Apollo, Mark Little in by his arms. Nina Oakley, his girlfriend, and the definition of spoiled Aphrodite girl, gasped and ran over. She ran her hands through his coppery hair, murmuring something all lovey-dovey to him. I almost gagged on my bagel.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">“Prophecy.” Rachel managed to choke out, as Mark staggered to his feet.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">He grinned, and brushed himself off.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">“Sorry for that,” He said, “But yeah, Rachel did go all Oracle on me. Should I tell you or is she supposed to…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Mark had only been at camp for three months, and trying not to sound too amateur. He wasn’t doing too well.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">“I don’t really remember…” Rachel said woozily. It was the first prophecy she’d given since she was made Oracle, and I guess it wasn’t too fun.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">“Alright.” Mark said. He closed his eyes, and began,

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">“Sun, moon and death

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Will find the final breath

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Of a secret parents hid

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">That the ancient laws forbid

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Spark the even deadlier war 

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">And drown us all in endless gore.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Silence engulfed the pavilion.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">“Well,” Chiron said, “It’s obvious to us all who the questers are.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">“Me…” Mark said vaguely. “At least, I’m pretty certain it’s me. I mean, the prophecy came to me, but I guess it could be—“

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Thankfully Chiron cut him off before he could go on.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">“You will lead this quest, and select two campers to go with you.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Mark nodded.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">“Death...” He mused, staring at Nico. “Nico, will you go on the quest with me?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">“Heck yeah!” Said Nico excitedly. Then I guess he realized he had broken his grim mood. “I mean, sure, I guess. If you need me that much.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Suddenly it occurred to me. Moon.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">“And of course, Fallon Corkery, daughter of Selene. Will you join us?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">My mind screamed, “No!” but my mouth didn’t listen. It made the words, “Yes, I will.”