Hero Story

My name is Iriva, I’m 14 years old. If you are wondering what my name means, it means rainbow in Greek. But don’t force me to tell you how I got this name because, well…. my parents gave me this name. I’ve been living with my mom since I was born. We lived in Los Angeles, her name was Katherine. She was nice and kind. She always helps me when I need help. But I don’t know who my dad is, I’ve never met him and never saw a picture of him. And my mom always tells me that I’m not NORMAL. I don’t know how I’m not normal, I got ears, nose, mouth, and eyes like everyone do. I had no friends at school. They excluded me because everytime I’m sad, scared or angry, there will be a storm. That must be the reason why I’m not normal like my mom said. My friends like to bully me, they don’t like me and they’re scared of me. At school, I have problems learning. I’m also diagnosed with dyslexia.

It was Friday evening, I was walking back from home when I found out my mom….. had died in  a car accident. Like what you already knew that I’m not normal, when I’m sad or angry there will be a storm, and there is a storm when I found out my mom had died. And suddenly, I saw my mom in our garden.

“ Mom?” I thought to myself.

“ Yes dear, I miss you so much! But there’s no time for that now.” She said,

“ Alright dear, I’m going to tell you who your father was.”

“ Who is my father?”

“ Your father is Zeus, the king of the gods.”

“ Whoa! How can that be!?!”

“ There’s no time for a question! Right now, you have to pack up.”

“ Where am I going? I don’t want to….” I didn’t finish my sentence.

“ You are going to Camp Half-Blood. You will be safe and you will learn how to fight and protect yourself there. It’s the most safest place on Earth for you. I’ll give you the map.” My mom explained.

I didn’t have a chance. So, I went back to my bedroom to pack up and get ready for the journey. This Friday evening was the worst day in my life. My mom died and I had to go to this Camp-Half thingy. While packing I cried and cried until I came outside the house. I told myself not to cry or else my mom will be worried.

The map said I have to go through the forest which did scare me a bit. It was a deep dark forest, you couldn’t see the light of the sun. I heard wolves howling in the night time. Then it was so quiet which creeps me out.

While I was walking through the deep, dark forest, I look down and up all the time, looking for poisonous animals like spiders and snakes. When I looked up again…… I saw this sign that said, “Camp Half-Blood,” which means I had arrived. I don’t know how I can read but I just….. I just read it! Because normally, I couldn’t read because, well, you know, I had dyslexia.

Once I stepped in, I saw a large horse and big wings with blue tips, white fur and big feet. It got a sapphire eyes and a big nose, stepped in front of me. Then, he slowly moved towards me.

“ Welcome, Iriva. You shall be the daughter of Zeus. Welcome to our camp.” He bowed, “ My name is Agata, that means good heart, I am a pegasus, the flying horse.”

Well, I think Agata is kinda kind to me. Because he talked to me very nice and he didn’t shout at me like all the other teachers and friends at school did to me.

Agata guided me through the camp. The camp has cabins that divides you into groups. Which means, when they figure out who’s your Olympian parents was, and they will move you to your Olympians parent’s cabin.

“Iriva, you are going to stay in the Zeus’s cabin,” Agata stated.

Then I entered my cabin. I saw nothing except a bed and a table. Nothing was interesting about this room. It was too quiet, too creepy. It made me felt lonely. So I stepped out from the cabin and continued to walk with Agata. When we were touring around the camp, we met a girl. She has dark brown hair, little black eyes and skinny legs.

“Iriva, this is Athene, daughter of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war.” He introduced Athene.

“Nice to meet you, Iriva,” Athene cheered happily waving her hands.

I said nothing, but gave her a big smile. Then, we all are walking back to the cabins to have dinner. Everybody welcomed me with a party. The party had many delicious food and desserts. Like Lobsters, spaghetties, puddings and cupcakes. The cupcakes even had my face on it! I was so surprise because no one ever did this for me.

After we all were all full, we cleaned up and everybody went back to their cabins, with their big tummy. When I nearly reached my cabin, Athene touched my hand.

“ Tomorrow morning, meet us at Agata’s room, please?” She asked with a serious face.

“OK! I can meet you and Agata tomorrow morning.” I looked at her, confused. So, I walked into my cabin and get ready for another day, here, in Camp Half-Blood.

The night had passed so quickly and now, it’s morning. Like what I had promised Athene that I will meet her and Agata at Agata’s room.

“Please sit down, Iriva,” Agata nodded politely. Agata cannot sit because, well, he’s a horse so he can only stand. I was sitting near Athene (she was right next to me).

I was listening to what Agata speaking, and suddenly,  my face expression darkened.

“You got a quest to do, Iriva. You have to find a Star Diopside from Polemo, the son of Ares,” Agata demanded, “We’re in a very serious situation, Iriva. There’s no one that can handle this, ONLY you.”

“ I…… I don’t- ,” My sentence was interrupted by Agata.

“Because if this Star Diopside is gone, the world will be in danger. This Star Diopside makes the world in peace and stable. Without it, the world will collapse and everything will die. Completely dead. Zeus and other gods had tried to stop him, but they failed.” Agata sighed.

“But I …..”  I whispered tentatively.

“Don’t worry, you’ll have Athene and I with you on your quest.” He continued.

“I don’t think I can do it. I’m not that good at fighting, how can I complete this quest?” I thought to myself.

“You’ll be fine with us staying beside you,” Athene added. I guess she can read other people’s minds.

From what Athene said, it makes me feel a bit more comfortable.

“From now on, you’ll be training to fight at least 5 hours a day,” Agata demanded, “I’m sorry for being harsh on you Iriva, but you need a big training course and experience before you can go out for the quest.” Agata explained.

From that time, I’ve been training for 5 hours a day. I’ve trained nearly 3 weeks. I practiced how to do sword fighting, archery and using a spear. Mostly, Agata forced me to practice using the spear.

Before, we could go on our quest, Agata gave me my weapons from my dad. Which is a golden tipped speaer. I received surprisingly.

It was Monday morning. Tomorrow is the day we are going on the quest, outside the camp. I was so nervous I couldn’t sleep at ALL! I was thinking what should I bring, what should I do when my friends get hurt and many more. The next day, I woke up, looking very sleepy. This morning, we got a great breakfast before we go out. The breakfast included fried eggs, honey toast, pancakes, fried rice, and many more.

After eating, we went back to our cabins and started to pack our things. After that, we left Camp Half-Blood. Agata’s assistance found out that Polemo is currently living in Los Angeles. So, we headed there.

As soon as we arrived at Los Angeles, we started searching for Polemo. I looked into the donut shop. WHY? Because I’m hungry. I hadn’t eat anything for two days! Before I could get inside the shop…..

“Uh, Iriva, it’s not the time for this,” Athene warned.

“Oh, Right! Sorry,” I apologized.I helped my friends look for Polemo and I did…..

“Polemo!” I shouted. He turned back and said,

“Aha! I heard about you little girl, Iriva~aaa daughter of Zeus, king of the gods. what are you doing here?” His smile was evil and it did scared me, but I know he knew why we’re here.

“Don’t act like you don’t know Polemo,” Athene yelled.

Then, I gently put my right arm up with my golden tipped spears and runs towards him with my legs shaking like jelly. He knows right away that I will fight him before I’m going to get my golden tipped spears ready, he brought out his sword. I moved right and move left so I wouldn’t get cut by his sword or get hurt. But anyway how I move, it didn’t help me at all. Instead, Polemo swung his sword at me and SWOOSH! The sword cut me.

“Haha! You lost, I won.” He giggled.

“I will win you next time, Polemo,” I promised to myself with some pain and BOOM! He was gone.

A moment after Polemo was gone, BANG! The lightning flash in front of us. The lightning turns into words which says, “HollyWood.” I was too stunned to say anything. Then, I looked back at them and you know what I saw? I saw my friends’ mouth opening which means they were shocked too.

“I guess, it’s your father’s lightning,” Agata sighed, “Oh! Wait! This means, Zeus is telling us that Polemo is heading to HollyWood!”

So, we are packing up to go to HollyWood right away. We rode on Agata’s back. I guess Agata is pretty strong because he can let us rode on his back for many hours without taking a break. Finally, we made it to HollyWood. We looked every where for Polemo, like we did in Los Angeles. I looked around and around I finally found him. You know where I found him? Well, I found him at the food store again! But this time, it’s not a donut shop it’s a bakery shop.

We chase after him into the city and we finally found his hiding place.

“So, how do we get inside?” I asked.

“I don’t know either,” Agata answered. While we were talking…..

BOOM! Athene burst into his place. His place is NOT normal, there were lots of magical items in his room. And this place has magic cover it which makes the gods can’t see them, but we, half-bloods can see it. It is a good thing being a half-blood, though.

“Welcome,” a familiar voice said. I know, it was Polemo

“You caught me,” he murmured .

“It's time you give us back the Star Diopside, Polemo!” I commanded.

“Then, fight me,!” Polemo charged, “You will never win me, Iriva, You guys are losers.”

“Be Careful what you’re saying! Iriva is a strong hero and we, together will win you!” Athene disagreed.

Athene, Agata and I quickly ran towards him. Agata flapped his wings near Polemo so he won’t be able to come near us because of the strong wind Agata made. It’s our chance.

Athene and I both held our weapons. Athene, swung her candy sword with confidence. I charged him with my golden tipped spear. But he can use his sword against my spear.

“Whoa!” Polemo said, looking very dizzy, “ Aw! It’s not fair to me, 3 by 1. If you want the Star Diopside, then fight me alone, Iriva!”

Athene and Agata exchanged looks. Athene touched me in the shoulder with a serious face. I knew right away what will come out of her mouth.

“I’ll be alright,” I smiled. Which makes her looked a bit more relax.

I quickly rush towards him and put my right arm up with my golden tipped spear and try to hook him. But this time, I could manage the timing when he swung his sword. I could avoid the sword easily but I don’t know how I did that. It must be my dad, helping me.

Suddenly, I swung my golden tipped spear straight into Polemo’s arm. “AHHH!” He roared. I reached my hand into his pocket and I found the Star Diopside that had been missing!

“You did it!” Agata cheered.

“Where are we taking him now?” Athene asked.

“I don’t know,” Agata and I said at the same time.

So we brang Polemo back to Camp Half-Blood. Just because we don’t know what to do with him. After we got back to the Camp, Agata contacted the gods by the Iris message, goddess of the rainbow, and send him there, up to Mount Olympus, leaving it to be the gods’ job and then everyone cheered .They must’ve plan to celebrate because I saw the food on the tables, drinks also and they decorate our camp with many colorful lights that we use to decorate our home when it’s Christmas.

“This is the best Party ever!” Agata cheered.

“Woo! Hoo!” Athene screamed.

While everyone was celebrating, I went back to my cabin to put away my stuff in my closet. And then, I looked out the window.

“Dad, I want to see you,” I sighed.

And suddenly, the orange clouds turned into purple-pinkish clouds and the winds are blowing very strong, it knocked me over to the bed. KABOOM! The lightning flashed. I was too shocked to think what had happened. Then, I turned back and I saw my dad, he was outside with the campers at the celebration. I ran out with a big smile and looking at my dad with the other campers.

“Alright, alright Half-Bloods, I came here to reward Agata, the pegasus, Athene, daughter of Athena and my lovely daughter, Iriva,” he blinked at me.

Agata’s reward is a crown which can make him invisible, but he can only use it when he’s are on a quest with me. Athene’s is a diary when she wrote what she want in the diary, it will come true. BUT it will not always work because if she think bad of others it won’t work and she can only use it when time need. Finally, mine, my reward is a book that tells you everything about every gods and goddess, monsters and their weakness and every weapon that immortals used.

Then, I walked back to my cabin with my dad. I walked nervously because it’s the first time I got to be with my dad. Once we got inside he gave me a big hug.

“Oh, my daughter, you did not disappoint me, I’m so proud of you” he hugged me, “I want to meet you too.”

“You heard me!” I called.

“Yes, my dear,” he continued, “But now, it’s time for me to go back, I can’t leave my thrown for too long. Sorry, we can only stay together for a matter of time.” Zeus apologized.

“So now, I guess, I have to say BYE.” I waved my hands as he went back into the sky. I know, my dad is still watching me as he went up in the sky so I screamed,

“I’ll make you proud, again. ”

“We’ll meet again soon, my daughter,” Zeus whispered.