The Boy On Fire (A Caleo Short Story)

Chapter 4

               Leo answered instead, mostly because Chiron and Calypso were busy doing a lot of hugging, chatting, and explaining. "Uhh... hi, Mr. D! I'm Leo, remember me?"

               "You're Theo! Of course I remember you! I'm a god, I never forget stuff!"

               "Yeah..."

               "The pretty girl is Catherine right?"

               "Calypso."

               "Precisely what I just said. Stop repeating me. I remember her from that island that we banished her to. I remember because that's the day Hermes lost that bet to me about that nymph girl. He had to go ask Athena out! It was hilarious! She said no of course, being a maiden goddess."

               "Ok... Why exactly did we need to know that, may I ask?"

               "No, you may not ask."

               "Oh, okay then." Leo turned to go back to his conversation with Chiron but then remembered something. "Mr. D?"

               "What now?"

               "I was just wondering if, you know, Calypso lost her immortality when she left the island. So she won't live forever and whatnot."

               "It's obvious isn't it? She wouldn't lose her immortality, of course. She's the daughter of an immortal Titan after all!"

               Just those few words hit Leo like a rocket ship going full speed into space. "But Demigods are the children of immortal gods and were not immortal!"

               "That's different. Well, I got to go do important stuff that none of you would understand." With that sour note, Dionysus turned around, grabbed a bottle of diet coke from the icebox on the table, and walked right back out the door.

               Leo thought about what Dionysus just said. He wouldn't get to age with Calypso. They would never get to be an old, happy couple. They could only be a happy couple with one old guy and one young beautiful immortal girl. How would their relationship even work now that Leo had found this out? He would always know that Calypso would be as young and healthy as she is now, even in the future when she stands in front of Leo's grave. He almost cried at the thought, but he managed to keep himself together. I'll tell her the next time were alone. He planned. I can't tell her now in front of Chiron. That would just embarrass her. Plus it would ruin their happy I-haven't-seen-you-in-3000-years reunion.

               Leo walked up to Chiron and Calypso, who were still chatting. Leo noticed that Calypso's beautiful almond eyes were red from crying.

               "Umm... You okay, Calypso?"

               "Better than okay! This is the happiest that I've ever felt in my life! You should have told me that Chiron was here!"

               "I didn't know that you guys know each other."

               "Of course we know each other! You see Chiron was there when I was first banished to Ogygia after the First Titan War. He taught me how I would survive on that deserted island. He taught me how to plant crops, how to built a shelter. I owe him my life."

               "Oh. I didn't know that. I'm glad you guys could meet back up." Leo then turned to Chiron. "I have a question."

               "Yes, child? I'm ready." Chiron answered.

               "Well, while I was falling out of that hurricane---"

               "What hurricane? The weather is always clear here."

               "Doesn't matter. Anyway, while I was falling out of that hurricane, I had a dream. My dad, Hephaestus, was there talking to me. He said that I had been summoned to come to the next Weekly Council of The Gods, or whatever that is, next Saturday." Leo recounted his dream to Chiron.

               "Oh, yes! The WCOTG. That is a big honor. You better prepare."

               "But what is it?"

               "Every Saturday, all of the major gods, including Hades, hold a council at Olympus to talk about important stuff that has happened and to make decisions."

               "What important stuff? And why was I invited to come?"

               "It varies from council to council what they discuss, but if they invited you, it is important that you arrive. My guess is that it will probably be something about the recently-ended Second Giant War."

               "Thanks Chiron. I think that's all I need. See you later!" Leo turned back to Calypso and reached out his hand for her to take it. "Ready to see my Bunker?"

               "Yes, of course." Calypso gave Chiron one last hug and took Leo's hand and together they walked back out of The Big House and into the sunshine of Camp Half-Blood, where Festus was waiting patiently.