Chapter Text
You know that one tik tok trend that had been going around. About how you have the passion for one thing but the talent for another? That had been my life ever since I was claimed as a child of Apollon. Healing and singing and basically being a real-life bard. That was my job. You’re hurt you go to Lyn, need a pep talk go to Lyn, never was I taken as a warrior. But that’s really all you can do in camp Jupiter, stay and fill your rank. Though oh boy when Gaia came around it was the best year of my life, also the worst but mostly good. I was kicked out of camp by Octavian sure but once I met Jason outside of camp and then the rest of the Argo crew it was like I finally found my home. I was still a healer sure, but everyone saw me as a fighter beforehand. Someone powerful in battle sure but they never overlooked the fact I was still compassionate. Even then I was Lyn. Child of Apollon, and healer of the Argo. And second-best archery shot, the number one spot went to Frank.
After the war was said and done, and I cried my heart out over people I thought I lost forever, I welcomed back into camp... It was like being shoved back into the box I just got free off. I got tired quickly and had to be put on leave since without me being at my best I couldn’t heal. Then my father, Apollon, then known as Lester, came to town with Meg. And they once more tore me from my role in Rome to wander around the US while kicking emperors in the ass.
We lost Jason. But Leo was alive! Though not without company of his own. The goddess Calypso, or as I have dubbed her, the pick me of the gods. Leo was a sweetheart and Calypso never seemed to understand the way he thought. The way he saw the world. I was like watching Leo tear every part of himself apart to be perfect for this goddess. It was sad. I was sad... Through the quest more we met Lityerses, son of Midas and Demeter. With the middle name of Trauma because that poor boy had gone through it. Used and abused by his father, turned to gold more times than he could count, used as a killing machine instead of being able to live his life. I felt bad for the guy, I couldn’t relate to everything, but I still tried to be there, and I think he appreciates having a friend. Once that quest was wrapped neatly in a bow I didn’t want to go back to new Rome. Sure, it had been home for a few years but if a healer was all I ever was there then it felt like a cage.
But the fates were on my side, Frank and Hazel invited me back under a different title, advisor to the two of them. Basically, Octavian's position before he got power hungry. I was finally seen as someone to be respected. Of course, I visited camp and the Waystation, you couldn’t get rid of me easily and yet one day I was invited back to camp on the promise of seeing family and friends during the summer. So, since Percy and Annabeth were on break we all hitched a road trip back to Camp Half-blood. I was working with Percy to pull their bags off of the roof of the car while Annabeth talked to Chiron. I was untying the back, and Percy was catching them as I tossed bags off of the car.
Chiron looked up at me and smiled as I pulled the last bag off of the car roof and Chiron spoke.
“Lyn, Camp half-blood welcomes you once more. The entire Apollo cabin has been expecting you as well as young Meg.” I smiled proudly and slid down the side of the car pulling my cardigan back over my shoulders looking at Percy with a joking expression.
“Hear that? Aren’t I popular now Jackson?” Which Percy rightfully responded with throwing my duffle bag at me while laughing. I grabbed my bow as well as my suitcase from the pile as Percy practically turned himself into a pack mule so Annabeth wouldn’t have to carry anything. But she still sunk at least two bags onto her person. Chiron led us down from Thalia's tree and into camp where campers were already gathering plenty of which I recognized. My little siblings, Will, Austin, and Kayla, along with a few younger campers who were hiding near them. Kayla wasted no time jumping on me and I had to lean back on my suitcase to keep balance. I let out a laugh and ruffled her hair.
“Kay! Will! Austin! I missed you guys! And are these new siblings for me to meet?” I asked as Kayla mercifully pulled off of me and I looked at the three smaller campers hiding behind Will.
“Yeah, you’re right, Vick, Gracie, Jerry, this is Lyn, your eldest sibling that we have!” I dropped my bow and crouched down a little bit with a smile as I looked at the kiddos. I let out a chuckle before I stood back to my full height.
“Well, well! It’s great to have more siblings in the mix! Assures me these dorks aren’t getting lonely- OW-!” I was then met with a sharp punch to the side and then a hug from the side Kayla wasn’t occupying. Meg had found her way to clinging onto my long-woven jacket like it was some sort of security blanket. I smiled and placed my hand on her head, though not messing up her hair like I did for Kayla.
“Hey there kiddo, happy to see you too.” Which earned me another punch, while softer. Once everyone was greeted for the most part Austin and Will helped me move my things into a corner of the Apollo Cabin for the summer. It felt a lot cozier than the bunks we had back at camp Jupiter. Nico was there as well and we talked about how Hazel was doing; the underworld kids really do care for each other. We shot some arrows, talked to people I haven't seen in ages and had a wonderful time. We had a campfire to welcome back Percy, Annabeth, and even my name was included in the celebration.
I was sitting between Will and Clovis, the very sleepy counselor of the Hypnos cabin but also a dear friend of mine. He was asleep on my shoulder holding a cow squish mallow I got him as a gift while Will was trying hopelessly to teach me how to play the ukulele. I preferred singing the campfire songs more than playing them. Or telling stories that I've read far too many times to count. The fire crackled and burned brightly as we all talked and enjoyed our time around the fire. All was well, and I felt like I could breathe… which meant naturally it was time for something to go wrong.
Will was in the middle of showing me the chord progression for lemon boy as I hummed along watching him play with my own Ukulele in my lap. It seemed Will and I were a little lost in the music since suddenly there was a lot of cursing from Percy's end and when I looked up, I saw a column of green smoke curling in the air as if searching for something. I paused and instinctively rested the child of Hypnos where I was sitting as I stood up. I was going to hurry over and check on Rachel, the current holder of the oracle before the smoke crashed down on top of me. It curled around me, smelling like old incense and attic as I coughed into my hands. I looked around only to be face to face with Octavian…? The oracle took so many forms I should have expected it but really this guy?
I sighed not really realizing the implications of this and stared at Octavian, or the very green mimic of his form. I crossed my arms as I spoke.
“So? Who’s it for this time, because I think you have the wrong target here-”
“Child of Apollon.” The voice dug into the crevices of my mind like everything I was hung on whatever this hunk of smoke was going to say next. Threatening if I even let a word slip my mind it would spell my doom. But this was a quest, a prophecy, for me. I squared my shoulders and took a breath staring at the oracle.
“Give it to me.” The smoke curled and Octavian gave me that signature shit eating grin before speaking in the same pompous attitude he always does.
“The choices you make are not set in stone, they’re deep and changing like seeds yet to be sewn. You must travel, mark a new path in the light, walk with your back to the wind and your soul alight. Slumber and rest, for the best is yet to come, this message is one of many to become. Find your allies, know your worth, then meet me again at your home's hearth.”
“That tells me so much…” I grumble crossing my arms, but the smoke slowly fades as I am already mulling the words over in my head. I had to find a team? What is there to find? But the smoke settled and I was met with wide eyes and bewildered expressions. And from those who have been on quests, that familiar look of terror realizing what was about to be done.
“That, that right there is why I retired.” Percy said which I had to agree with. I turned to him with a tired frown with my arms still crossed.
“I know- and I'm on PTO. Hazel is going to flip her lid when she hears this.” I said rubbing my eyes as the familiar sound of Hooves approached the campfire and Chiron was there with Mr. D. Or should I call him Mr. B in my case?
“What happened?” Chiron asked, placing a hand on my shoulder and I was still frowning. I sighed and tried to muster up the best smile I could before speaking.
“I just figured out what I’m doing this summer…”