If someone had told me yesterday that a crow would have flown into my bedroom through my open window holding an ancient looking scroll in his beach I would have laughed in his or her face calling them insane and asking them if they needed to go to the doctor. Unfortunately for me, there is a crow sitting on my windowsill and I have no idea what to do.

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Hi, I am Isla Newton, I am 15 years old and am attending Whatford High, it’s some posh rich school I don’t actually give an sh*t about but unluckily for me, my parents are loaded which means that I have to go according to them. I have flawless grades, flawless life and a flawless face. At least that’s what everyone believes and I’ve lived my whole life wallowing in this lie that I believe it too. People look at me and say,

“Hey, look!”

“Isla Newton…”

“Gorgeous.”

“I wish I looked like that…”

“B*tch.” Yes, being ‘pretty’ also comes with a price. People only be my friend for one thing and one thing only. My popularity and my money. I have come along one too many horrible people. And then there are the people who are jealous, because you apparently unknowingly stole something from them, like their friends or boyfriend, etcetera. It’s honestly annoying and it’s not like I could do anything about the fact that I am ‘pretty’. I would give anything just to have normal friends. Friends who wouldn’t ask me to pay for their stuff because the ‘forgot’ their wallet, friends who wouldn’t hang out with me because of my looks and popularity but because I am ME! But that would is sadly extremely and utterly impossible, especially if you live in the world today.

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I stare at the crow as he stares back at me and I suddenly feel a wave of calmness envelope me. I don’t know what I was thinking but I reached over and stroked the crows head. He dropped the scroll on my lap before flying away. I watched him till he was only a black speck in the blue sky. I looked back at the letter lying on my lap and I hesitantly roll it open,

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Dear Miss Newton,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into ‘Olympus High’ the school of Demi- / Half Gods and Goddesses. All students are expected to be waiting at the river ολψμπυσ on the 1st of September. Instructions on how to get there are enclosed in the letter. Supplies and Uniform are provided by the school.

Yours Sincerely,

Zeus

Zeus, God of skies, King of Gods and Goddesses.

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I reread the letter. Twice. Then I screamed. A moment later my mother and father both rushed into my room, my father holding a chair. They both glanced around my room to see nothing and my father slowly placed the chair next to him.

“What’s wrong sweetie?” My mother immediately rushes over to me only to flinch when she see’s the letter in my hand. She turned and looked at my father before walking out the room closing the door gently behind her.

“Dad?” I asked nervously carefully studying his expression. My dad had one of those faces called a poker face. So it was extremely difficult to read him, I guess it was good in business but if you are about to have one of ‘those’ conversations, it’s not that handy.

“Let me tell you a story.” He began looking at me, I stared up at him with wide eyes, excited but nervous, “A long time ago-

A long time ago Gods and Goddesses existed. Not the Roman gods who were just copies but the Greek Gods! The most powerful beings on earth able to destroy a country with a simple flick of the wrist. But Zeus, the king of all gods and goddesses created earth and he didn’t want it to be destroyed. On one fateful day he was extremely bored and decided to have some fun with the mortals, he and 7 other gods and goddesses disguised themselves as humans and had … with the humans. The goddesses could create the life with just a touch while the gods decided on … Then about 9 months later almost 70 women gave birth to Half Gods. They are the most dangerous type of mortal out there. Without proper guidance, they cannot control their powers and kill ruthlessly. The Half Gods had children which were Demi-Gods and so on and on. But the Half-Gods were a threat to the mortals so the gods took action. They each took their powers that had been bestowed upon the Half-Gods and placed all that magic and power in 8 different Families. Leaving the children of the Half-Gods alone so their families continued to birth Demi-Gods. Every 5 generations a Half God will be born in each of these families, destined to live until the next Half God is born within that family. They are the protectors of the mortals. The Gods placed a curse on the families making sure they had children around the same time and never more than one child if the generation of the Half God comes. At the age of 15, the Half-Gods powers will start to appear and they will be called to attend ‘Olympus High’. A high school specifically designed for Demi- and Half Gods.

That is what happened.” My father finished looking at me nervously.

“I am a Half God?” I asked incredulously. My father immediately answered.

“No one is sure which families were bestowed the power for after the child finishes ‘Olympus High’ the entire families memories will be wiped off the fact that their child attended ‘Olympus High’ for 3 years. The parents of the child will be visited before the child is sent the acceptance letter to O.H. The parents will be told about the ancient story so that they can explain it to their children. We are visited by a χροω who tells us all about the school and the ancient tale. We have no choice but to accept, your life and ours will be in danger if you don’t.” My father said solemnly. He looked at me expectantly. I nodded determined,

“I’ll do it.” What I didn’t know was that I had thrown myself headfirst into a series of disturbing problems.