Percy Jackson was thirteen years old when he first saw the new kids.

He was coming back from sword practice, sweat-soaked and tired, Riptide capped and tucked into his pocket, when he noticed the unusual stillness near the Big House. Camp Half-Blood was rarely quiet—there was always laughter, clashing swords, the crackle of campfires—but now campers lingered at a distance, whispering.

Two kids stood near Chiron.

One was a girl, maybe thirteen, with dark hair pulled back neatly and a serious, protective posture. She stood slightly in front of the boy beside her, like she was used to shielding him from the world.

The boy couldn’t have been older than ten—definitely younger than Percy. He was small for his age, pale, with dark hair that fell into his eyes. He clutched a Mythomagic figurine in one hand, knuckles white, and looked around camp with a mix of awe and fear, like he wasn’t sure whether this place was a dream or a trap.

Percy slowed without meaning to.

The boy’s shadows seemed deeper somehow, stretching oddly even under the bright summer sun.

“That’s… weird,” Percy muttered.

Annabeth elbowed him. “Don’t stare.”

Too late.

The boy noticed Percy looking and stiffened immediately, stepping closer to his sister. Bianca placed a hand on his shoulder, murmuring something soft and reassuring in his ear.

Chiron cleared his throat. “Everyone, this is Bianca and Nico di Angelo. They’ve had a… long journey to get here.”

Percy watched as Nico peeked out from behind Bianca, eyes wide and curious. When his gaze met Percy’s, Nico didn’t look away. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, studying Percy with open fascination.

“You have a sword,” Nico blurted out suddenly.

A few campers laughed. Percy blinked, then grinned despite himself. “Uh. Yeah. It’s kinda my thing.”

Nico’s face lit up instantly. “Is it magic?”

Percy crouched down so he wasn’t towering over him. “Very magic.”

Nico gasped like Percy had just confirmed the greatest secret in the universe.

Bianca sighed. “Nico—”

“It’s okay,” Percy said quickly. “I mean… I’m Percy. Nice to meet you.”