The Chiaroscuro: Chapter 12

The Chiaroscuro: Chapter 11 Hiro's POV Woods outside Dark Circle base, One year ago I was watching Ariel sworn in to the Dark Circle. Vega lit four fires, one red, blue, yellow, and green. She was also using a stick that was burning on one end. I smelled like herbs when I got sworn in an hour ago. Both Vega and Ariel raised their right hand. "Do you, as a member of the Dark Circle, will always get the job done, no matter what happens?" Vega said. "I will." Ariel replied. "As a member of the Dark Circle, are you prepared to make impossible decisions, even if it means that your friends die?" "I-I-I w-will." "As a member of the Dark Circle, will you always fight for the protogenoi and impose their will?" "I will." By that part, I sort of got a vision. I get those sometimes. In my head I saw a knife go down, a pitch-black knife, and a hand fall to the floor. It looked familiar, lIke it was... "My hand. I died in the future." Someone killed me. But who? I stole a glance toward Caleb. He was holding a knife in his hand. The exact same one. "Hey, Drake. I gotta go. A guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do." "Dude! Too much information! Ya could've just said 'I need to go to the bathroom'." "Okay. Just gonna leave." I walked toward the Dark Circle's base, but I didn't come in. I hid behind a tree, and time travelled to the future. Dark Circle base's hold, When Hiro died "Caleb, don't do this! You don't know what you're doing! Tons of people are gonna die! Even-" Hiro pleaded. "You took the oath! And you swore on the River Styx too! And you know the penalty for being a traitor!" Caleb yelled, almost panicked. "No, wait! If you kill me, then you're gonna kill tons along with me! Even you are gonna die!" "Lies!" He materialized a knife in his hands out of shadow, and stabbed present-day Hiro in the humerus. "Gods damn you Caleb! I'll never make a joke in the Underworld now! I'll tell your pops that his son is a complete *cough* idiot." And present-day Hiro became unconscious. "And that, Hiro, is what happens to traitors." Caleb walked away, and the I silently walked in. "Caleb killed me. I guess those oaths went down the drain. Okay, me, I'll carry you to camp. Wow, this kinda feels weird." Camp Half-Blood, Two years ago I pulled out that staff Ariel gave me. It was supposed to summon storms whenever I needed them. "I always knew this thing would come in handy," I thought. I sent a lightning storm above and carried my present self into camp. "Help! Help!" I yelled, "Storm spirits are behind us!" About five campers and twice as many satyrs ran out to us. "What the hell is going on?!" they asked. "We were being chased by storm spirits, and I lost them in the woods. But I didn't get away before they shot my big brother," I tapped my present self, "And he's been knocked unconscious and he's bleeding from his arm! You guys gotta heal him!" And who else would come out but... "Josh!" "Hiro! What are you doing here?" We knew each other a little. But then again, when uou worked in the infirmary for a while, you know almost everyone at camp. "Dude, you need to heal him," and I added quietly, "He's a future self of mine." "Okay, just bring him to the infirmary, cuz they have tons of ambrosia and nectar." I carried my older self into the infirmary, and let Josh work his magic. Two hours later... "What the hell?" My present self said. "Hey, Hiro, he's conscious!" Josh yelled. I rushed over to the infirmary, where Josh and some of the other campers were gathered around. "Thanks a ton Josh. I owe you one. I'd better bring myself to the present." "No prob. Just make sure the time is right." I sliced a time portal with my staff, the Chronoscepter, waved goodbye, and walked through it. Dark Circle Base: Present Day I woke up where Caleb stabbed me. I looked at my arm. Only a white scar was left of where Caleb stabbed, twisted, and ripped the knife out of my own arm. He didn't stab me in the heart or head. I guess "traitors" to the Circle were only allowed the slow death. "Caleb! That f***ing bastard! He's plunging this world into World War Three. I gotta find the Center of Light. They'll know what to do." I walked up and snuck around, knowing that if Caleb saw me, even a younger self won't be able to save me. At least I remember saving myself. Now, where are they?