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Courtland Summers ~ X-24
"The greater one's anger, the greater the risk that someone is going to get hurt."	{{{1}}}
	Character's Bio  Age: 13  Height: 4'10"  Weight: 115  Sexuality: Unsure  Relationship Status: Single   Main Weapon: Two katars that transform into rings  Accent: Western  – "Only when one is angry do they express how they truly feel." Character's Powers  3/6/9 month powers locked Offensive Children of Lyssa have the ability to focus an emotional energy beam out of their rage which will burn anything it touches. Children of Lyssa are able to tap into primal rabid animal instincts which allows them to attack or flee with enhanced speed and ferocity. However, this ability can often lead to loss of self-control and only lasts for a short time. Defensive Children of Lyssa, when enraged, can ignore damage sustained in battle temporarily. Once they have calmed down, however, the pain from the damage is intensified. Children of Lyssa can generate a veil of the emotional energy of rage around their bodies, the veil would protect them from damage for a short time and cannot be used if the child doesn't have the rage to fuel it. Passive Children of Lyssa are stronger when themselves and other around them are angry, they cannot be empowered from rage created by their aura. Children of Lyssa can cure rabies in both humans and animals with a simple touch. Children of Lyssa emit a rage aura which makes people around them at least slightly angry, they can turn it off for a long time if they wish. Children of Lyssa can communicate with and command rabid animals Supplementary Children of Lyssa can cause people near them to temporarily develop symptoms of rabies, including agitation, hallucinations, and an inability to swallow, incapacitating the victim for a short period. Children of Lyssa can cause people near them become enraged and frenzied, reducing their competency and effectiveness in battle. Children of Lyssa can cause nearby animals to become rabid and once in this state, can command them to attack an enemy or gather information for them. This ability can only be used on up to 3 animals at one time. The larger the animals and the more that are summoned, the more energy it drains. 3 Months After Character is Made Children of Lyssa are able to drain the rage and anger from those around them, using it to empower themselves for a short time, while also weakening the will of those they drain to fight, but once it has worn off, they are substantially drained. 6 Months After Character is Made Children of Lyssa can turn their volatile emotional energies into larger tools, objects, weapons and other items, create semi-living constructs and/or create structures/buildings of varying permanence; however, only up to 4 combative/non-combative items or 1 semi-living construct can be conjured at a time and it cannot be larger than roughly 3 times the size of the one that conjured it. Tools may telekinetically moved by the user’s mind and all rage constructs slightly burn anyone who touched it. The longer they maintain combative/non combative items and semi-living constructs, the more it drains their energy, so they are more limited for the time they can keep these things cohesive.However, their ability to use the power is hindered before or during use when they experience emotions in relation to peace and happiness. As more positive and serene emotions are felt, the strength of the object begins to fade, becoming dull and brittle. 9 Months After Character is Made Children of Lyssa are able to transform into a dog for a short time. They can turn into either a full dog or a humanoid dog form. In the human/dog form, they are twice as faster and stronger than before. Their senses are also quite sharper as well. They also tend to be more violent and volatile in this state. Once the transformation ends, the user is extremely drained. Using the hybrid form is more draining rather than the full dog form. They will not be able to move and could possibly faint. Traits Children of Lyssa are known for being very irritable and hostile, many usually struggle with controlling their tempers. Children of Lyssa sometimes love seeing other people angered and will taunt them for fun. Children of Lyssa are often fond of dogs since their mother was associated with them.
Owned by: Merlin ~ Posted on: {{{2}}}

Benjamin "Benny" Carraway ~ Son of Hebe
"It is with youth as with plants; from the first fruits they bear we learn what may be expected in future."	{{{1}}}
	Character's Bio -Youthful Hero  Age: 14  Height: 5'5  Weight: 125 lbs.  Sexuality: Bisexual  Relationship Status: Dating Tyler Young  Birth Place: Canton, Georgia  Main Weapon: CB Sword and Slingshot  – "Youth, enthusiasm, and tenderness, are like the days of spring; instead of complaining of their brevity try to enjoy them." Character's Powers  ====Offensive==== Children of Hebe have the ability to force the effects of age upon a person for a short time; making them feel pain and cause their movements to be slow and sedated. Children of Hebe can become temporarily changed during battle and become even stronger and quicker in combat than they were before, for a short time. Defensive Children of Hebe can become resistant to all types of physical attacks for a short time. Children of Hebe can cause an opponent to feel aching bones and muscles for a short time. Passive Children of Hebe are innately stronger and faster due to their slow aging. Children of Hebe have an innately faster rate of healing than other people. Children of Hebe always have an unlimited supply of Ambrosia, even if none is on them at the time, they can create it out of nothing Supplementary Children of Hebe can restore energy to a weakened person and heal some minor wounds. 3 Months After a Character is Made Children of Hebe are able to curse someone with being very young children again, this has the potential to cause the victim a feeling of being lost, helpless and often leading to fits of crying, this only lasts for a short time and drains the user considerably. 6 Months After a Character is Made Children of Hebe have the ability to strike someone with a curse of old age for a short time; however, the person will not only feel old, they will become old and be unable to fight or even defend themselves, this also drains the user for a considerable time while using the power 9 Months After a Character is Made Children of Hebe can bless water to have the effects of allowing whomever drinks it to feel young again for a short time, their appearance may also take on a more youthful appearance for as long as the effects last. Traits These children age slower than normally, beginning around the age of 12, and retain a youthful appearance far longer than most.
Owned by: Alex ~ Posted on: {{{2}}}

Theo Green ~ Son of Ariadne
"Passion is a narcotic. Too little, and your life can be quite painful. Too much, and it will take over your life."	{{{1}}}
	Character's Bio  Age: 16  Height: 6'1"  Weight: 160  Sexuality: Gay  Relationship Status: Single   Main Weapon: Two dual swords disguised as a pin  Accent: New York  – "If only life was like a maze, where if you mess up, you can turn back around. But It's not. So It's a good thing I don't mess up." Character's Powers  3/6/9 month powers unlocked Offensive Children of Ariadne have the ability to cause someone to believe that they are trapped inside a labyrinth, disrupting their senses into seeing anything else for a short time. While under its effect, they become more vulnerable to attacks. Children of Ariadne, while a labyrinth is summoned, have the ability to create 1 to 3 lesser monsters (those classified as “easy” in the Monster Encyclopedia) nearby them within it; these monsters, however, will not be controlled and will attack anyone they see. Defensive Children of Ariadne have the ability to create a large portion of a labyrinth wall to protect themselves until it corrodes after a short time. The walls can be created at all directions to create an absolute defense, but drains more energy from the user. Conversely, this can be used to imprison enemies. Children of Ariadne can cause a person to feel/be lost, as if they don’t know how to reach their desired destination and wander off aimlessly which may induce distress, confusion and loss of concentration, for a short time. The effect can be used on a larger number of people, but drains more energy. Passive Children of Ariadne have the innate ability to find their way through/around any sort of puzzle, maze or obstacle without any aid, as if they have a psychic compass within them. They are also able to perceive any kind of hidden obstruction, trap or dead-end within a 10 meter radius around them. Children of Ariadne have the innate ability to see in multiple directions at once, allowing their senses of sight to become more finely attuned to their surroundings. Supplementary Children of Ariadne have the ability to create a real labyrinth which traps anyone inside it for a short time. The user has total control over the creation, such as altering and closing its walls or even expand the maze at any time. However, a larger maze will consume more energy from the user. The maze has a roof over it and cannot be teleported out of. Children of Ariadne can conjure a very durable wool string that can be used to navigate around a place, mislead or ensnare victims, bind or strangle enemies, hold or suspense things firmly, weave fine cloth or in any way possible. The longer the string, the more energy it drains. The string can also be conjured from the ground or from any surface. Children of Ariadne can increase or decrease a person's passions, whether the purpose is to weaken one’s will to fight, or to motivate them to do a certain hobby or to love, etc. The longer this state is maintained, the more energy is drained from the user. Children of Ariadne are able to teleport themselves through the mazes they created. The further the distance traveled, the more energy drained. 3 Months After Character is Made Children of Ariadne have the ability to construct paths out of materials found around them that they can use to take them anywhere (up into the air, over trees, etc.) but as they move along the path, the path behind them slowly corrodes. The longer they use the energy required to make a path, the more they are drained. 6 Months After Character is Made Children of Ariadne have the ability to enchant a localized location into becoming an illogical, yet illusory, maze which traps anyone inside it. With this ability, the user can cause a building’s passageways to lead somewhere else such as an upstairs flight lead to the basement, a closet room lead to the rooftop, lead a door back to itself, and so on and so forth. The larger the area of effect and the longer it is held, the more it drains the user. 9 Months After Character is Made Children of Ariadne have the ability to materialize a shadowy form of the Minotaur into existence which is capable of both fighting and dying under their control, in a sense; afterwards, it will vanish and drains the user extensively. However, the Minotaur conjured is weaker than its real counterpart would be. Traits Children of Ariadne have an excellent sense of direction, and are able to navigate and locate any location with ease, rarely getting lost. Children of Ariadne are typically willing to help others, even to strangers.
Owned by: Merlin ~ Posted on: {{{2}}}

RP- The Campfire

Courtland: Courtland was sitting on a log near the campfire site. It was the middle of the day and cold outside, so there were very few people in the campfire area. Courtland had on a long sleeve blue shirt and jeans and was wearing a brwn jacket. He was moving around the ashes in the fire pit with a stick, drawing pictures in them. He drew a picture of stick figures fighting; he wasn't the greatest artist. He sighed as he put the stick down and began to meditate on the log.

Benny: Preparing for another day at Camp Half-Blood, Benny saw Courtland sat near the campfire. It was barely lit, so few people were there. He decided to sneak up on him. "Guess who?" He smiled softly and sat on the end of the same log. "I thought I'd try and surprise you.." Repositioning himself, the son of Hebe took the stick and began to doodle in the mood. "How are you?"

Courtland: Courtland kept his eyes closed, as he wasn't done meditating, but smiled as he answered Benny's questions. "Benjamin, I would assume, based on your voice. And you are correct I am quite surprised. Very few people are ever in this area of camp during the day unless there is an event taking place." Courtland paused a second before answering the next question. "I am... less than content. I'm currently attempting to readjust my body and mind, in order to once again balance my yin and yang."

Benny: "You're good...." He giggled. The son of Lyssa was definitely strange but he was a nice enough guy. It was good to see him meditate and be relaxed. "Um yeah, I just got back from Florida. I spent Christmas there with my dad and my boyfriend Tyler." Benny shrugged his shoulders. He idly started to draw the yin and yang symbol in the muck. He'd heard a little about it, but not enough to try balancing his energies or anything. "Oh. Have you got too much of yin or yang? If you draw them, they look like little fishies."

Courtland: "You did? I have never been to Florida, but I wish to go someday." Courtland's eyes were still closed. "I have more yin than yang. I always do, unless I attempt to adjust my spiritual energies daily." Courtland smiled at the fish comment. "That they do my friend. That they do."

Benny: "Mhm. I spent the summer there too. I like being near the beaches. We never had them in Georgia." He said, feeling pensive. Courtland always had a strange effect on his personality. It didn't make him feel angry or mad, but he tended to think about home a lot. "Oh. Could you teach me to do it? Alex taught me a little bit but most of it was about using my powers and learning how to survive. Him and Dad never really believed in anything spiritual. I only just found out I'm a Pisces."

Courtland: Courtland let out a slight laugh. "You would be a Pisces. And it is unfortunate your mentor didn't believe in anything spiritual. The soul is an immense source of power. And so it would be my genuine pleasure to teach you to balence your energies. But one cannot learn to balence themselves, until they have found themselves by letting go of their surroundings, their desires, and their suffering. Detatching oneself from the world is the first step to Nirvana, the final resting place of the soul, when it can finally be at peace."

Benny: "What do you mean?" Benny shrugged his shoulders. "He was a Hecate kid. I miss him. He had problems but I owe him a lot. He taught me how to channel my feelings and energy into abilities. Hebe powers can be a bit strange to grasp sometimes." He smiled sadly. "So I'd have to detach from my feelings? Wouldn't that make me less powerful? Uh, I mean my friends make me stronger..."

Courtland: Courtland laughed again. "You have much to learn, Benjamin. Emotions are a manifestation of your energies. Channelling your emotions is like treating the symptom of a disease. It works for now, but if you delve deeper, to the core energies that control those emotions, you can highten your strength even further. And yes. Detatch yourself from your feelings. It will only make you less powerful if you let it. But if you let me guide you, it will put you in touch with the core energies that control your emotions. I am not telling you to get rid of your friends, or the care you have for them, but rather asking you to stop focusing on them temporarily, and focus in on yourself for a while." 

Benny: Scratching the side of his head, Benny listened patiently. "Uh, it sounds a lot like Dad's work with his patients. He says that it's important to understand why and how our minds and emotions work, so that we can understand ourselves better. I guess it's pretty much the same thing, just with a lot more spiritual stuff." He smiled cheerfully. "Uh, we could always use my room if you wanted. I make a pretty good blanket fort and I have snacks or we could go to the woods and find the waterfalls." He offered, wanting to make Courtland more comfortable. "It might help me figure things out."

Courtland: "I advise we go where you feel the most comfortable. The most at home environment will allow you to consentrate on yourself, and reflect on you own thoughts and emotions." Courtland picked up his comic book from the ground and stood up. "So, where are we headed to?"

Benny: Benny smiled thoughtfully. "Is my cabin okay? I have the lieutenant's room so we have loads of space. I'm right next to the courtyard, so there are nice fountains and everything." He said, already thinking about how he could make a nice little fort for the both of them. "I'll put a sign on the door."

Courtland: "Yes, the sound of running water can be quite relaxing. Very well then. Your cabin it is." Courtland began to leave the campfire site in the direction of the Hebe cabin. "And a sign won't be necessary. In fact, if someone intrudes, I will simply have you ignore them. Being able to tune out the world around you and focusing in on yourself as you let distractions pass you by is important in meditation."

Benny: "Okay. That's fine. Tyler and Theo would walk in anyways." He led Courtland in the direction of the Hebe Cabin. "I'll bring some snacks and pillows so we're both comfortable there." Benny opened the door for Court and lead him into the room. It looked as it was described. The room was bright, as sunlight streamed through his bay windows. Birds could be heard chirping in the background, near the fountains. "Will this do? Make yourself comfy."

Courtland: "This will do just fine. Thank you." Courtland saw a blue and yellow rug in the middle of the room. "Alright, sit on the rug there, cross-legged." Courtland sat on the other end of the rug cross-legged and closed his eyes. "Do as I do. Close your eyes, as if you were resting. Not too tightly though. Take a deep breath... In through your nose, and out through your mouth." Courtland spoke softly and sloly, as if consoling a child. "Breath is the key to life, and controlling one's breath is the first step towards controlling everything and anything in one's life, from your physical health to your emotions. Again. In and out..."

Benny: "Alright. I think I'm ready to practice." Making himself more comfortable, Benny sat on the rug and crossed his legs. He closed his eyes and did his best to focus without giggling or fidgeting. He followed instructions. "One.... two...." He took a series of deep breaths, taking light inwards with every breath. "Like this?"

Courtland: Courtland opened his eyes to observe what Benny was doing. "Exactly. But try not to count. Counting is only a way of maintaining temporary peace of mind, because it is a sequence, with a beginning and an end. Instead, try a cycle. Try in and out. Fill and release. Expand and Contract. Undertanding these different cycles, these balences, are crucial to understanding how your mind and body are connected. Concentrate on your breath. Chose a cycle and repeat it to yourself, on the inhale, and on the exhale."

Benny: Benny nodded his assent and closed his eyes. He listened to Courtland speak and timed his breaths to coincide with his words. The sunlight through the window warmed his skin, and he did his best to phase out any distractions- difficult for someone with his level of attention deficit. "Okay. I'll keep going. It's like my training." Inhale. Exhale. Expand. Contract. Young and Old. Sun and Moon. Rain and Snow. The world is full of cycles, constantly shifting and changing. 

Courtland: Courtland smiled as Benny struggled not to fidget. "Alright, now as you inhale this time, acknowledge your thoughts. Whether they be good or bad, ackoledge them, picture them floating above you, as if one a cloud. Then on the exhale, picture them passing by, floating away, and move on to the next thought or desire. Acknowledge its existence, and watch it pass by. In and out. Acknowledge and release."

Benny: It took him a while to let the images pass by, without grasping at them. He thought about Tyler for a brief moment, interrupted by the image of clouds, before he switched back over to thinking about Wil, and Laz too. He tensed up a little. "Acknowledge it. Okay. He exists but I'll find him..." Benny took another breath and moved on, towards happier thoughts.

Courtland: "Now that you have had time to acknoledge your deepest thoughts, I want you to attempt to clear your mind. Clear it of all worries, all concerns, and needs, all wants. Simply be. Remember, in and out. Expand, contract. Breath is everything." Courtland began pacing around the room, inspecting all of Benny's Disney paraphanalia and his weapons stash.

Benny: It takes a while before Benny can successfully get rid of his memories. He closed his eyes once more and tried to focus on his breathing, rather than anything else. What did Courtland say? He had to practice detachment so that he could be free, but it was difficult to see himself as one person. It was the people around him who made him, well him. "I'm trying... it's hard to let go of everything. How do you manage it?"

Courtland: "I know. I know it is. Just try to relax. I want to try something else. Open your eyes." Courtland was now standing above Benny, looking down on the son of Hebe. 

Benny: Benny opened his light blue eyes. He was relaxed but frayed on the edges. Looking up to Courtland, he scratched the side of his head in confusion. "Umm, what are you doing?"

Courtland: Courtland sat down next to Benny. "You are worried about someone who you have lost yes? You seem to have an anxiety for this person which is slowly becoming frustration and anger. You need to manipulate these emotions. Find a positive emotion more powerful than your anxiety, to balence your spirit out once more. Think hard. Whether this emotion be love, or happiness, or garatitude. Find it, and hold it dear to you insted of letting it free. Use it to balence your spirit." Courtland grabbed Benny's hand. "You're tense. Relax. Let me help you." Courtland used his ability to drain a significant amount of anger from Benny, absorbing it himself. He had only done this as X-24, and this only knew that he had the power to do this easily, but had no idea what effects it would bring to the sane side of his mind.

Benny: Benny sat up and thought to himself. "I guess I'm scared about losing someone else. When Lazarus went, I thought that he left to avoid hurting me, or that maybe I cause trouble. But there's nothing I can really do about it. All I can do is make my family and friends proud, and live for those I lost." He clenched Courtland's hand, close to his and thought about his friends. "I want to see the good in people. I mean, my friends aren't perfect. Theo's a thief, but they're on their own journey I guess. Maybe, I just need to take some time for myself. Thanks Courtland." Closing his eyes, he felt a trickle of his own energy. He channeled his energy and sent it to Courtland, wanting to create a circle of energy. 

Courtland: "My pleasure." There was a long pause before Courtland spoke again. "I lost someone once. I was ten. It changes you." Courtland clenched his fists, as he became increasingly mad with himself, thinking back and blaming himself for Ben's death. Courtland realized his build up of anger, and summoned a vial of rage energies around him, for no other purpose but to get rid of the rage he had built up.

Benny: "Yeah it does..." He sighed. "I'm here if you want to talk about it Courtland." Benny said, holding his friend's hand a little tighter. He could feel that the son of Lyssa was uneasy, whether it was his empathy or a side effect of Court's powers. "If not, that's fine also. You're here now and that's the important thing. We have to live for them, the best life we can."

Courtland: Courtland gave Benny a sad smile. "Thank you. But it can be hard to think like that when you are the one who took their life in the first place. That is why, ont he first day we met, as a told you, I don't get to have the luxury of friends."

Benny: His eyes widened. "Um, I'm sure it was an accident. Alexander doesn't let in anyone bad." Benny smiled sadly. "I felt like I killed Alex. We got attacked by a manticore and he was too injured to teleport us away. I tried to heal him but it was too late. That's when Laz took me to camp." 

Courtland: Courtland gave Benny a forced smiled. "Sure. Right. I'm sure it was too." Courtland said, as he thought back to the worst day of his life, when he attacked Ben for no reason other than the fact that Ben was trying to help him. Courtland knew it wasn't an accident. But he couldn't bring himself to tell Benny. Or anyone at Camp-Half-Blood. "I don't get the luxury of having friends." Courtland said crypticly, just as he had when he and Benny first met weeks ago.

Benny: At that turn of phrase, Benny felt sad. It must be awful to feel like you were actively hurting the people closest to you, especially as part of your godly-given powers. "I'm sorry, we'll finish up for today." He blushed, then had an idea. "Umm, is it okay if I give you a hug? I think it'd make me feel a lot better." He smiled, shuffling closer to him. "I mean we're friends, right?"

Courtland: "I promised myself, my mentor, my mother, and my grandmother that I wouldn't risk the lives of anyone else while I was here. In order to do that, I must keep to myself. But I guess, in a way, we are. I went back on my word. I am sorry grandmother, I have failed you." Courtland got up and began to head for the door, realizing that he had done multiple things today from befriending Benny to using his abilities in Benny's presence that placed Benny's life at risk. 

Benny: "Wait Courtland...." He jumped up to his feet. "I don't want you to go. Please stay, I'll get some candy and we'll... um, watch Disney Movies or something." Benny awkwardly shuffled around. "You can't scare me. I'll be okay, no matter what happens." He leaned forward and spontaneously gave him a hug. "You're safe here. I can be strong for the both of us."

Courtland: Courtland stopped in the doorway and turned back towards Benny. "It isn't me you should be scared of. It's X-24. Although you don't know it, he almost killed you today. I kept him down though. But he'll be back. He always comes back. Bruce Banner can only surpress the Hulk for so long. I am the same way." Courtland waited for a responce. He didnt move back towards Benny, but didnt leave either. He just stood there.

Benny: He tilted his head, a little bit confused. "Um... I don't understand. But I still think you're wrong." Benny crossed his arms over his chest. "Does this mean that we can't be friends anymore? I want to see you again, but I think we both need space."

Theo and Benny's Talk

Benny: I don't have the luxury of having friends. Benny pondered Courtland's words the following evening, as he sat near Theo's door. He didn't know why, but something about them made him feel sad. He couldn't imagine grieving over someone without any friends. Hopefully talking to Theo would help him figure out what to do. He was worried.

Theo: Theo was wearing a T-shirt and jeans and playing with a ball of string he had conjured when he walked out of his room to see Benny sitting outside him room. The boy looked sadder than usual, and as if he was thinking about something. Theo appraoched Benny, and sqatted down next to him. "What's wrong kid. Something's up. It's all over your face."

Benny: "Um, can I stay over?" He tried to make a brave face but failed miserably. "It's about my friend Courtland. We were talking in my room, like about what happened to Alex, and then he said that he killed someone in some accident, and that we couldn't be friends anymore. He was talking about something called X-24 too." He blurted out, like he tended to do when upset.

Theo: Theo smiled at the boy. "Sure kid. come on in." Theo walked back into his room, and sat down on his bed. His expression and tone of voice suddenly became a lot more serious at the mention of Alex's name. "Alex? You told him about Alex? Who is this kid anyway?" Theo was concerned now, knowing how sensitive a topic Alex was for Benny.

Benny: "Um yeah, we were meditating together." Shrugging, Benny jumped up on the bed and shuffled next to Theo. His clothes were still slightly damp from waiting outside in the cold. "Court's a son of Lyssa, but he's really nice and cute. I've been trying to show him around." He blushed slightly. Theo was no doubt judging him. "We were talking and it just came up. I still think about him sometimes."

Theo: "You? Meditate?" Theo said, laughing. Theo's expression all the sudden returned to a straight face onc more. "You know Lyssa kids are ticking time bombs. They all have anger management issues. You should know better than to talk to them, let alone befreind one of them and let them into your room. And it just came up? How exactly does Alex, just come up?" Benny was right in that Theo was judging him, and Theo wasn't afraid to show it. But little to Benny's knowledge Theo was acting this way out of concern for the kid; he didn't know how else to react.

Benny: "Yeah, it was nice..." He said defensively, looking down to the floor as Theo ranted at him. "I...I... Everyone deserves a chance at Camp. He didn't have any friends so I thought I'd talk to him, and he said that he could help me meditate and get over any problems, but I was really nervous so I told him that I'd be scared of losing my family or someone like you who's my big brother... and then I explained about Alex and he told me what happened and it made me really confused and sad." At this point, Benny started to cry, caught off-guard by Theo's words. "Sorry. I'm being a dumb kid."

Theo: Theo sighed. "Benny, did you ever consider that maybe he has no friends for a reason?" He put his hand on Benny's shoulder. "Look kid, crying isn't gonna solve anything. If this kid has the unstable power and ruthlessness to kill someone, crying is definately not the way to fix this. It sounds like he shooed you away because he didn't want you to get hurt though, so who knows, maybe this kid is different than the other Lyssa kids. Maybe you should find out what happened to him yourself. Take some weapons just in case, and confront the kid. I've talked to the kid once or twice. He strikes me as the kind of kid to respect a challenge. Why don't you challenge him for your friendship? I feel like he's the kinda kid who'd respect that, ya know?"

Benny: Benny paused and dried his eyes. "Yeah I know. It just makes me really sad. He said, glancing towards Theo. He was completely sincere. "He deserves to have friends. If I have to fight to prove that I'm strong enough to look after myself I will. I mean, I'm almost a man now. I can handle myself sometimes." Playfully, he nudged Theo in the ribs. "Thanks Theo, it's hard but I think it's gonna be okay."

Theo: Theo laughed. "Benny, you're only like 14. As far as I know, that's still a kid." Theo nudged Benny back before getting serious again. "You sure you don't want me to come with you?"

Benny: "Boys in Sparta became men at the age of 15. Isn't that also like a Jewish thing?" He scratched the side of his head. "I don't know. It might be safer, but I think I have to do this myself."

Theo: "Yeah. It's called a Bar Mitzvah kid. But you aren't Jewish, are you? And also, as far as I'm concerned, you are a Greek demi-god, not a Roman one." Theo conjured a string and manipulated it in his hand, to satisfy his ADHD. 

Benny: "Hey! Dad could be Roman for all I know. Plus, Sparta is in Greece, silly." Benny giggled and gave Theo another nudge, this time with a pillow. "No, I think Dad didn't believe until he met mom, and the rest of my family was pretty Christian. They are fairly okay though." He shrugged. 

Theo: "Whatever. I hated geograohy class anyway. Mr. Litchtman was a real b***h. But nonetheless, your family still isn't Jewish, right? Benny, you're not winning this arguement. For all you knwo this kid is like a serial killer and you are poking a deadly sleeping beast."

Benny: "No they're not. But I have a feeling that he's a good guy." He paused. "Sometimes you have to take chances and go with your intuition. Laz could have been a serial killer but he wasn't, you could have been one too for all I knew." He replied, blissfully unaware of the irony. "Theo, you trust me right?"

Theo: "Benny, you do realize that it was trusting this kid that put you in this situation in the first place, do you not?" Theo said, avoiding the question. "And honestly, how do you know Laz isn't a serial killer? Technically, he is. I mean, all us demigods are. We go around running rampant killing monsters. It's just some people don't think there is that big a difference between monsters and other people."

Benny: "How do you know I'm not? I've killed a lot of chocolate bunnies during Easter." Sticking his tongue out, he pondered for a moment. "That's different. Monsters are made to attack and kill us, and that's what they do. It's all self-defence. But people are different, they'll surprise you." Benny swung his legs up and down. "I'll be okay."

Theo: Theo just stood there, not sure how to respond. "Fine. Go. But don't come crying, again, to me when you lose, and then, you actually are worried. Not only for this other kid, but for your own life."

Benny: Silently, Benny walked out of the room. He came back a couple of moments later, with a rainbow shell in his hand. "Umm, I sent him an Iris Message to ask whether he was okay and see if he could talk." He sat on the end of the bed and admired it. "Thanks for being worried. It means a lot to me. Umm, can we forget about it and throw a movie on?"

Theo: "Hardly. You're going over there. Now. Or I am. You choose. Don't ask, he's already said no to that. Just go and do it already." Theo began to make way for the door. "No problem kid."

The Strawberry Fields

Courtland: Courtland needed some space, even more than usual, after the events that had just taken place with Benny. He had decided to venture to the end of camp, all th way to where the strawberry fields met up with the forest, and sat at the forest boarder, meditating for hours. Athough Aaya was Hindi, Courtland found Chinese meditation and philosophies to be just as effective. Courtland was focusing on balencing his chi, to keep X-24 from coming out again. He managed to meditate for two straight hours, without any interuptions.

Benny: Following the golden string, Benny wound it around his hands. "A little to the left, and now a little bit to the right..." His eyebrows narrowed while he concentrated. The golden thread would lead him towards his destination but the user had to focus. Theo had given him it to light his way. A few moments later, he arrived at the strawberry field, drenched in his own sweat. "Courtland... I.....I wanted to see you."

Courtland: Courtland ignred the other boy. He continued meditating, focusing all of his energy inward, away from Benny, but still listening to the boy. 

Benny: Pausing, Benny scratched the side of his head. "I know you said that you don't have the luxury of having friends, But I wanted to let you know that I'm much braver and stronger than you think. I want to prove that I can handle anything bad that happens to you."

Courtland: Courtland, his eyes still closed from meditating, stood up and opened his eyes. "Very well. You want to befriend me? You must prove you have what it takes to befriend one as lonely and untamed as I. A test is in order. If you pass and prove yourself strong enough, I will allow myself to open up to you. If you fail, you will leave me to my meditations, only interacting with me if it is absolutely necessary. Are we understood?"

Benny: Benny sat down next to Courtland. "Okay. I'm prepared to take that risk." 

Courtland: "Don't resist. And don't scream." Courtland used his powers to induce a strong hallucination onto Benny, that would most likely take the shape of Benny's greatest fears and regrets.

Feeling himself frothing at the mouth, Benny was helpless as he looked up towards the night sky. He tried to put himself into a meditative state, but it was obvious that something was happening to him. He blacked out and woke up in a darkened room, with nothing but the golden thread in his hands. "Is this what it would feel like to die? Am I gone?"

Courtland: Though she put much of his insanity in X-24, Nyx did not take away the slight bit of sadistic nature every Lyssa child naturally develops. Courtland was slightly enjoying this test, and Benny's torture had only just begun. He smiled, not saying a word, staring at the boy's franticly anxious face.

He definitely felt panicked. "Where am I?" Benny looked down to his hands and towards his feet. The room turned into a long narrow hallway, paved with a series of doors. His immediate reaction was to freak out and try to ask for help. "Hello! Is anyone here?" He felt a slight yank, as the string guided him towards the first door. It was a wooden one, covered in ivy. There was a warm draft underneath the door. "Here goes..." He slowly pulled the door open.

Courtland: Courtland heard Benny speak, as the kid thought his hallucinations were real. Good, it's working. He thought to himself.

As Benny opened the door, he saw felt his shoes become damp. The boy looked down to see his white shoes stained red with blood. Benny began to panic. He looked up, to see a human lying on the floor, shirt ripped to shreds. He couldn't make out the face of the person, but they were mumbling. And Benny recognized his voice right away. "Wil?" Benny asked, scared out of his mind. Once it registered what was going on, Benny yelled the kids name again and ran towards his body.

Benny: "Wil? Wil?" Benny ran straight towards Wil and practically threw himself on top of the boy. He laid his hand on his chest and concentrated for a moment. For a few seconds, he tried to use his powers to heal up the illusory son of Zephyrus. "No. Please don't die. You're my best friend. Please stay with me..." He gritted his teeth, hands now covered in his blood.

Because it was an illusion, Benny's powers were also illusionary and thus did nothing. Wil looked up and the boy, and laughed, as he choked on his own blood. He tried to make light of the fact he was dying, but was getting too weak to do so, so he became serious instead. "I don't want to die Benny." He grabbed his friend's hand tightly. 

Benny: "I don't want you to die either" Frowning, Benny held Wil's hand tightly in his own. He felt himself well up with emotion. The son of Hebe had guessed that it was some sort of trick, but even so, the possibility of Wil dying in his arms filled him with fear. He started to cry but did his best to hide it. "I can't do anything, but you'll be with Pilot, together with nothing but blue sky."

"And my mom. I'll be—" Wil coughed up some more blood. "With her." He squeezed Benny's hand tighter. "Promise me something. Promise me—" Wil wa sreall struggling to speak now. "Don't... Don't forget me." Wil closed his eyes, as he stopped breathing.

Benny: Benny cradled the fake Wil's head in his hands and gently sat him up. "I promise. I....I never got to do this for Alex, he died before I could talk to him. But I.. I think he found peace." He paused, kissing Wil briefly, his lips were cold as ice, not the warm ones he remembered. "I.. I..." He stuttered, as the boy died in his arms. "Wil! Wake up. Wait, there's something I have to tell you!"

The scene began to dissolve, as Benny was transported back into the same long narrow hallway as before. All the doors were a dark blue, except for the one Benny had already entered which had turned black. 

Benny: As he reappeared in the corridor, he looked down towards his hands. They were clean. What just happened? I didn't come prepared for this. Benny leant against one of the walls and took a few deep breaths. Courtland said this was a test. C'mon Benny, you can do this. He gritted his teeth and walked down the corridor towards the next door.

Little did Benny know what was behind the next door was to be even more violent than the first. Behind the next door, two young looking men stood across from one another in a large white room. One had blond hair, and was wearing jeans, without a shirt or shoes. He held two dual swords madeof Celestial Bronze. The other man had black hair and was only wearing boxers. He held two held dual swords, except his were black.

"Lazarus," said the blond haired figure. You may have fooled Benny, but you don't fool me. I know who you are, Who you reallyare. I hearby challenge you to a fight to the death." The other man smiled,and laughed softly. He shook his head.

"Oh, Theodore. You always were an interesting one. Unique. One of a kind. You hate your mother, yet fight for her. You defend the weak, but hate dependency. You, my friend, are a true hypocrite. I am going to enjoy killing you." The two figures ran towards each other, bloodlust in their eyes.

Benny: "Stop!" Panicking, Benny ran straight into the invisible barrier which set him apart from the two. He cried out briefly in pain and picked himself up. "Wait, why are you trying to kill each other?" He crossed his arms. Normally he would defer to Lazarus or Theo, but this was too much for him. The hallucinations were clearly challenging him. "If you're trying to protect me, then stop. I don't want this."

Lazarus looked at Benny. "You moronic good-for-nothing child! This fight isn't to protect you. I'm getting rid of the problems you created." Laz looked back at the other boy. "Theo here is getting in the way of my plans for you. Connor's plans for you. Theo made a growling sound. 

"Im gonna kill you Lazarus, if it's the last thing I do." Theo said. Lazarus just laughed.

"Kill me? Please, you couldn't. But hey, I'm glad to see you'll die trying." The two demigods charged at each other, and their swords clashed. Laz sent a fireball whirring towards Theo, which he dodged.

Benny: "This why you left me, isn't it? Because I created problems and trouble?" Balling up his fists, he banged against the invisible wall to no avail. "Theo isn't a problem, he's my friend. So were you. You were my mentor and my older brother, but now you're being a big bully."

"Stay out of this Benny. For you own good."  Theo said, as he threw a knife in Lazarus's direction.

"Connor wants to wipe out camp for good. But for some reason, you're more fragile than most, which means you are entertaining to toy with. I don't want you dead. Not yet. You care too much for something that quick. I want you to help us. Once I immobilize Theo, you're going to kill him. Whether you like it or not. I'll make you hungry, just as I am. You're going to feast on your friend's flesh. Laz smiled a zealous psychopathic grin. What fun!" Lazarus laughed, and he parried attack after attack, until he struck a deep cut into Theo's right leg. 

Benny: Taking a deep breath, Benny closed his eyes and tried to meditate for a moment. This was all just a dream, but Lazarus would kill the illusory Theo if he took too long. It's all in my head... I'm scared that Lazarus left me cause I was unworthy. But that's not true. He opened his eyes. Laz never laughed, and he'd certainly never make Benny kill anyone, at least he didn't think so. "Laz, I may be a kid but I have a lot of heart. I.. I know this is just a dream, but I'm sorry about this..." Pushing against the wall, Benny did his best to bend it to his will to push the fake Lazarus and Conor back, then push them into a box. "I'm afraid but reality is all about how you see things. You're a fake man in a box."

The figures began to fade slowly as they kept fighting each other.

Benny was once again transported back to the hallway, where only one red door was remaining. 

Benny: As he ran back down the hallway, Benny muttered to himself. "It'll be fine, just keep swimming, just keep swimming. This is all just in your head, but why couldn't it have been Disney stuff?! Dragons beat hallucinations any day." He knocked on the next door and haphazardly walked inside.

Benny would be walking in on one of his father and Alex's sessions of therapy together. His father was wearing a plaid shirt, khakis, and a tie, and Alex was in jeans and a leather jacket. They were sitting in velvet chairs in Dr. Carraway's office, across from each other. Alex looked distressed.

"It's just, we promised never to use our powers on each other. She broke that promise. How can I forgive that? How can trust her. And if not her, how can I trust anyone?" Alex looked like he was about to cry.

"Alexander. You can trust me." The psychiatrist said.

"No!" Alex yelled. "I can't. I can't trust anybody. You had sex with a goddess, how do I know you aren't going to tell Hebe everything I tell you?"

"You don't. But how do you know you won't be dead by tomorrow morning either? Just like you need to believe you will be able to fight off any monsters you face with your powers and your sword in order to live another day, you need to be able to believe you can fight off the lies and broken promises of every day with positivity and love. It works. And I'm going to prove it to you. I am going to entrust you with my son, and trust that you will train him to defend himself againt the horrors of this world. Trust you won't let harm come to him while he is under your watch. And you will come in every other day for counselling. I will drop my Benny off at the park on Fifth Street. Meet him under the old oak tree, by the George Washington statue. I'm trusting you Alex, with the most important person in my life."

Benny: Running through the door, he was surprised to find himself in his dad's office. It was a long time since he'd been there, but an even longer time since he had seen Alex. His eyes widened. "Alex!" He yelled, but the figure didn't seem to respond. After a couple of minutes waving his hands around, Benny eventually gave up and sat on one of his father's chairs. It seemed like they were talking. He knew that Alex once had kids and a family, but even then he understood that it was a delicate subject. The son of Hebe sat down and listened to the conversation with interest.

"But I don't understand how you could just give Benny to me," Alex responded. "I could try kill him for all you know." Dr. Carraway sighed.

"Alex, every time I have a patient walk in here, they could kill me, and they could kill Benny. You can't go on living your life in fear of betrayal. The least you could do is help others be ready for what you weren't ready for. The potential for betrayal is always going to be there, so might as well be ready. Now, bright and early, tomorrow morning. You'll meet Benny at the park?"

"Yeah. Thanks Doc."

"Please, call me Thomas."

"Thomas it is." The scene then dissolved, and a younger Benny was sitting under an oak tree holding a Nala plushie. Alex approached the boy, and introduced himself. '"You must be Benny. Your dad told me you might need some help with your swordplay. You know, so you can be tough like this guy here." Alex took the plushie and jabbed it at Benny's face. Benny laughed and the plushie back.

"It's a girl silly." Benny said. "Her name is Nala, and she's the Queen of Pride Rock." Alex smiled, and laughed with the boy.

"She sounds bad ass if you ask me. Now, I'm gonna teach you everything from swordplay to your abilities to monsters and potions and spells. Ready to get started?"

"You bet!" Benny exclaimed, as he jumped up. "I even have my own sword! My dad says my mom gave it to him to give to me when I was ready. That was today!" Benny showed Alex how his dinosoar bracelet turned into a Celestial Bronze sword.

Benny: As the scene cut towards Benny and Alex's first meeting, he blushed and sat in a heap on the grass. "Hey I don't sound like that, do I?" The real Benny scratched the side of his head in confusion and decided to wait for the scene to develop. He remembered that day fairly well; and he'd always kept the bracelet at his side, no matter what he was doing. In some ways, he was much different to that kid but in another way, things had barely changed at all.

Alex laughed again. "Every demigod gets a weapon from their parents Benny. You aren't that special. But then again, you do have me as a teacher, and I'm gonna change that. Alright. Lesson one. As a demigod, you could and will be betrayed by everyone and everything you place your trust in. But you need to trust the world nonetheless. Let me show you what I mean. Can I see Nala for a second?" He put his hand out ready to recieve the stuffed animal. Benny looked suspicious, but gave him the toy anyway.

"It's ok Nala, he's not gonna—" With one fluid motion, Alex had taken a dagger from inside his jacket, and severed Nala's head from her body. "Hurt you." Benny started to cry. "Why would you do that?! You're a big bully!" Benny kicked and punched Alex in the chest, but it didn't seem to phase the man. Alex waited till Benny realized he wasn't hurting the man at all to speak.

"Benny. Watch." Alex said calmly, as he placed his hand over the stuffed animal. "Quam elegi de mundo confregit." The stuffed animal head was suddenly reattached to it's body. Alex gave the toy back to Benny. "Never give up trust. Don't start fights. Never throw the first punch out of rage. Instead, throw the winning punch in self defense." Benny just nodded, which Alex interpreted both as "ok" and "thank you." 

Benny: Blushing at his reaction, Benny curled up to his knees. I definitely didn't expect that.. He giggled quietly to himself. Alex was a good guy and truthfully the son of Hebe missed him. He'd taught Benny a lot of life lessons, that it was best to be kind to everyone and defend yourself when needed, how to survive alone in the wild, how to stand up to neighhbourhood bullies. The kid couldn't help but feel his eyes water up as Alex gave him back Nala. He was like a father or an older brother to me. I know dad did his best but he was always busy with work. He's the one who I could ask for help with any problems, he taught me how to fight my first monster, taught me all about mom, and I wish that he could see me- so that we could talk again. Standing up, he ran towards the younger version of himself and Alex. "Wait! I need to speak with you Alex! I have so many questions..." As Alex didn't reply, his voice got louder and louder. "Please. I need your guidance."

The scene dissipated just as Benny was finishing his thought. Benny was now back in the original hallway once more, where all the doors were blue, except one. A new door, that looked to be made of glass was at the end of the hallway. Through the door, Courtland could be seen, waiting for Benny to wake up.

Benny: Suddenly the scene shifted to the large empty hallway. He didn't talk to me. Wait, does that mean I failed the test? I had so many questions that I needed to ask. As Benny dawdled, the corridor began to close in on itself. Instincively, he ran towards the exit. "C'mon, this is no fair! These hallucinations suck." He complained, just reaching the light in time. He opened his eyes to see Courtland above him. "W-what happened? My head feels fuzzy."

Courtland: Courtland smiled slyly. "I based your tests on the Threefold Division in Buddhism. Wisdom, Ethical Conduct, and Concentration. Together, these three things make up the Eightfold Path to Enlightenment. Your first test: Wisdom. Failed. Your second test: Ethical conduct. Failed. Your third test: Concentration: Failed." Courtland paused for a second to see Benny's reaction. Although he never showed it like the other Lyssa children, or went out of his way to antagonize people, like all children of Lyssa, he loved seeing people get upset. Especially when he got to be right on top of it. "Want me to explain?"

Benny: "I know it didn't go well- but I did my best." He scratched his head in confusion. Sure, he might not have detached himself completely, but he didn't even know if that was possible for him. "Yeah, you can explain." Benny sat up, curling his knees towards his chest. Contrary to what Courtland's wishes, he was more disappointed with himself than upset and angered over his failure. "You wanted me to accept that I can't trust people, that people will die inevitably and I must detach myself to make peace. I don't know if I'm ready to do that."

Courtland: Courtland laughed quietly to himself. "No Benny. That's just what you thought I wanted to see. The results of the first test were determained by two factors right perspective, and right intensions. You saw your friend dying, and as were able to realize this and accept it after a moment. And although you cared, you did your best to tell him all would be ok, and to tell yourself that, knowing it would be best for the both of you. You wanted to tell him something personal and intimate, because you knew his death was inevitable, and you wouldn't get another chance later. What that is exactly, well, since you didn't say it to him I am not sure, but that was the one test you passed. The second and third tests were a different story. For the second test, you were unaware of what to do to fix the situation, so you concentrated, and forced the hallucination to dissolve itself, with your will overpowering me temporarily. You failed the test as it was on ethical conduct, but you exceeded anything I could have forseen with your concentration in this section. You were fully mindful of where you were and cognizant that it was a hallucination. This test alone showed me that although you failed the test overall, your will and mental strength may just be enough to allow you to defend yourself again the risks that will come with our newly found friendship." Courtland smiled again.

Benny: "I don't know how to feel about it all." Thoughtfully, Benny turned towards Courtland. "Are you okay after seeing that? I mean, it was hard, seeing Wil laying there and dying. When Alex died, I didn't really know how to respond, and I didn't want it to happen twice. Especially with Wil. He's my... best friend." His cheeks turned the same colour as the fruit on the nearby bushes. "I found it hard to concentrate after that. I knew it was all in my mind, and I couldn't bear to see anyone else I cared about get hurt. That's why I tried to manipulate it so that everybody was safe." He paused, to allow Courtland to speak if he wished. His nerves were somewhat frayed and his hands were shaking- a side-effect of the hallucination. Courtland was much more powerful than Benny gave him credit for. The last lines were a surprise. "Wait, we're friends? But I completely failed the test. I thought that was the deal we had." 

Courtland: "Look Benny, I'm a child of Lyssa. Nobody ever wants to be friends with me. You're lucky you have as many friends as you do. I am incredibly lucky to have found someone so willing to be my friend. But if we are going to be friends, you need to know exactly what you are signing up for. I think that you should meet X-24, in case you ever need to deal with him in real life. I know that Theo is spying on us from those bushes over there. His pretty upset I made you hallucinate. Best we do this now while he's here watching. You know, just in case he is ever released from his cage by accident." Whenever Courtland tried to explain X-24, people never seemed to understand. He put his hand up, as if he knew that Benny would have questions. "Don't ask, you'll see what I mean when you meet him. He's sorta like my evil twin. We share a body. I'd back up if I were you though."