Hello there! I'm quite new at this, so please feel free to give ideas and whatnot, you know, correct me on grammar, double words, weird sentences, etc… There's nothing like a respectful review that can help motivate writers to continue! *wink wink* Anyways, enjoy, or not, enough blabbing from me, roll the tape! (Or your eyes :p) You pronounce the hero's name Ah-thee-ness.

"Walter, how much longer do we have to walk in this Avo forsaken place?" The rebel princess looks down to the soggy earth, then to her clothes. Her mercenary trousers are covered in hobbe blood, with several rips streamed about, flowing in the soft, stinky wind. She bends down to rip them off, only making herself look more rugged and less like a princess.

"Be patient Athenis, we'll be there soon enough," Walter sighed, getting impatient with the constant complaining. Mourningwood was a dreadful place, yes but they have been through worse. He saw no reason for her sighs, moans and groans.

"The smell is quite awful Walter, like rotting flesh. It's also quite gloomy. I wish the sun would come out, maybe it would lift the dreadful fog." Athenis scrunched her nose, trying to get used to the stench. She looked at Walter, expecting him to say something about how it could be worse, but all he did was scratch his arm. "Where do you suppose Ben is?" She changed the subject, seeing Walter get progressively more bored with her babbling.

Walter didn't answer, not knowing where the dog had run off to, but his thoughts drifted to the dogs quite, amusing and ironic name. He gave a smirk, knowing the man at the camp's ego would falter when he realized his name was given to a mutt. "It's an interesting name you choose for that dog, Athenis. There will be a bit of confusion if you call for him where we are headed." He paused. "Well, if the bugger is still there, or alive for that matter."

"Why would there be confusion? Ben is one of the sharpest dogs I've had. And you don't think Ben has run off and gotten himself killed do you? Walter, you aren't making any sense." Athenis tried to make sense of what her father figure had told her, but soon dismissed it assuming she would figure it out when they got there.

"This place is quite dangerous at night, Athenis. I would make sure Ben is at your side before sunset." Walter suggested.

"Dangerous? What happens at night fall?" Athenis asked, fear starting to rise in her stomach. She had heard of awful things that come out at night; banshees, balverines, and who knows what else. Her father had told her about them, but she assumed they were just children's tales. After dealing with the undead in the reliquary though, she was beginning to doubt that those were just made up creatures to scare kids into behaving.

Not knowing how she would react to the undead, he slid away from the topic. "You will find out tonight. Don't fret, I believe that you are ready for it."

"I'll have to be ready for it. I don't really have much choice do I?" She asked, knowing she was probably going to have to prove herself to someone so they would join her cause.

"Right you are my girl. We are going to prove our cause for these people in Mourningwood. Well, if they are still here." Athenis sighed, hoping that it would just be hollow men. They were easy enough when in small groups, and they were good targets to practice her techniques on. Walter scratched his arm again, making red streaks on his blood spattered skin. "I don't know about dangerous, but this place is giving me a rash!"

"Bloody swamp!" Athenis shouts, throwing her arms up. They both laugh, and the mood lightens a bit. They walk in silence for a bit, every so often Athenis hearing the bark of her faithful companion. Getting bored, Athenis sticks out her arms, balancing on the wooden beams strung across the small pools of water. She stands on the pads of her feet, and flings her torso towards the ground, her hands outstretched in front of her. She lands on the thin beam, the only sound made was the creaking of wood. Her auburn hair danced above the water, she started gracefully 'walking' down the pathway. Athenis closed her eyes, and imagined she was far above the ground, on a small beam laid across two tall buildings. "Walter, do you think that I could do this, but ten feet above the ground? Would you worry that I would fall?"

"I believe you could do that on a rope, blind folded and bound at the feet young lady," Walter said with a smile. Athenis laughed and let her left leg fall forward, doing a slow, crooked cartwheel to her feet.

"You always think highly of me Walter. It's nice to know someone believes in me." She nudged him with her shoulder. Walter was her only father she knew, even if he wasn't of blood. "Hey, can we practice?" She asked excitedly. Walter raised an eyebrow at her, a little hesitant, but then laughed heartily when she started to slowly make her way farther behind him, urging him to say yes. He bent his knee, drawing his sword.

"I suppose it will help pass time." Walter knew she would need the practice, whether he liked it or not. Athenis gave him a crooked smile, the one he knew all too well. She loved to mix in her acrobatics with fighting. Athenis ran about ten feet behind Walter, took a deep breath, and lunged forward, a slight buzzing feeling making its way up her stomach. Walter flexed his free hand, trying to steady his slightly shaking limbs. Athenis jumped and spun, offering her hand to Walter when she was above him, her hair whipping him in the back of the head. He grabbed her hand and stood, flinging her under his arm and out behind him.

She straightened her legs just in time, kicking an imaginary foe in the chest. Walter twisted slightly and let go, Athenis sailing forward, landing on her feet, forcing her sword forward, killing another enemy. She turned to Walter, sheathed her sword quickly and sprang forward, to the slightly squatting man. Upside down, she pressed her hands to his shoulders. Walter stood to his full height, lifting her farther into the air as she curled into a ball, fire charging on her gauntlet. She threw the ball of fire at the ground with much force, allowing her to land softly on the ground.

In a crouching position, she let the imaginary remaining enemies creep towards her. Athenis watched her left hand flash blue with electricity, and her right glow orange with heat. She counted to four, and stood up, spinning on her heels while both hands released their power in a terrifying blizzard. After her will ran its course, she sprinted towards Walter again, him stopping his sword practice. She leaped, and Walter caught her on his shoulders, each facing opposite directions. Athenis wobbled a bit, but Walter soon steadied her and he started rotating as both pulled their triggers, in an effective shooting frenzy; Walters gun clicked.

"I'm out!" He yelled over her shots. She leaned forward, spinning just in time to land on one knee, with her hand steadying the land. They both continued to use swords, back to back, occasionally Athenis pulling a flourish.

They took practice very seriously, doing only their best. The first time they had tried with just swords in the armory, Athenis had complained, saying it was 'childish' and 'silly'. Walter had forced her to treat is as a real battle, and because of that she was alive today. Had they acted like it was a game, there would be no revolution. Well maybe one without a hero, but that would be highly unlikely to succeed.

"Let's be done, I'm getting exhausted," She breathed, sweat beading at her hairline. She saw Walter nod in the corner of her eye and swung around, her back facing him. He grabbed her and hurled her in the air, gripping her unsteady feet. She bent her knees as he tensed his arms, waiting for her to jump. She sure loves to be in the air Walter thought to himself.

Athenis pushed off, charging her gauntlets once more. She was in the air long enough to cause a good sized explosion of fire and electricity when she landed on her toes, gravity slamming her hands to the ground. Athenis and Walter stood there, both breathing heavily.

"You did good Athenis. But you shouldn't push yourself, you were very unstable at the end. And you whipped me with your hair again."

" Sorry," she said, not sounding as such. "and if I don't push myself, I'll never improve," She argued. He sighed in return and headed down the path.

"Yes, just… don't push the limits. Don't go farther than wobbling, I don't need you fainting during a battle Atty."

"You either Teetee!" Athenis giggled at his nickname she'd made when she was small. Logan couldn't quite pronounce his R's as a child, so he would call him 'Waltee'. That was soon picked up by Athenis, but she was little and had to simplify it to 'Tee'. She would repeat calling him 'Tee' and then just settled for calling his name twice, setting his nickname to 'Teetee'.

Walter snorted at the name, and thoughts of her childhood came to mind. Those thoughts entangled with Logan, a sweet little boy turning into a monster. He shook his head to rid his mind of those thoughts.

"Quite the name for an old soldier!" He joked. Athenis laughed and raised her eyebrows.

"So you admit that you are old?" He laughed and feigned shock.

"How dare you accuse me of such things? I'm not old!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!" They argued like they had when Athenis was about three. It brought back memories of trivial bickering over the smallest of things. Athenis always won of course, because she was three and it was usually about if Walter was a girl in secret. He had no idea why she thought that, but he let her win anyways, knowing that she wouldn't let up.

"You so ar-" Athenis looked over to Walter, his face grim and full of despair. "Walter, what is this place? Is this what we were looking for?"

"Yes." He said, not offering more.

"It looks…"

"Abandoned." He finished. Athenis hoped it wasn't, for her father's sake.

"Let's see if there is anyone inside," Athenis offered.

"Yes, yes that's a good idea. Let's not jump to conclusions," Walter agreed, hope coming back to him.

She saw ripped flags, the royal seal faded from what little sun peaked through the thick fog. Large bricks made the walls, moss growing in between each slab of concrete. Walter walked forward, a large gate becoming clearer as they quietly took in the massive walls.

"Cease your movement!" a voice called out, making Athenis jump. "Be you men, or be you hollow men?"

Walter's expression lightens, and a smile spreads across his face. "Have you gone daft boy? Open the gates!"

"Is that you Walter?"

"The very same, now are you going to let us in or what?"

The boy stammered and called to his comrades. "Open the gates! And tell Major Swift, Walter's here!" The gates slowly creak open, letting the two enter the small beat up cobble stone camp. Men wearing red coats dragged themselves around, cleaning weapons and playing cards. A man with a very large, and impressive mustache, walks up Walter, smoking a pipe.

Ben trotted up to Athenis, his tail wagging behind him.

"Hey boy! Where've you been? You missed practice dummy!" He barked quietly in response, ignoring the comment and pressed his head to her hand. She bent down and scratched his head, smiling at her black and white border collie. He flopped on his back, demanding a belly rub. "Oh who's a retarded doggie? Who's my little retard?" Ben wagged his tail furiously, licking her hand with joy. Athenis found a stick lying next to her conveniently, and she picked it up to wave it in Ben's face. He sat up, whining. "You want it? You want the soggy stick?" She teased. He barked and she flung it over the wall, watching Ben dart through the gate to retrieve it. She chuckled and stood up, brushing herself off. Athenis looked up to see three men staring at her. She cleared her throat and tried to stop the blood from rushing to her cheeks.

Walter looked at her, a bit embarrassed, but cleared his throat as well. "This is Athenis, my dau- ahem, apprentice. I uh, I'm teaching her how to fight." He said, his words becoming more confident at the end.

The Mustache Man looked her up and down, then finally introduced himself. "I'm Major Swift, head of the Swift Brigade!" He announced proudly and stuck out his hand. Athenis took it and lightly shook hands with the Major. She would prefer them to just bow, as normal peasants would, but they had titles. She would settle for hand contact, seeming it is a sign of respect. "This here is Cap-"

"Captain Benjamin Finn, at your service!" The blonde soldier interrupted and grabbed Athenis's hand. He placed a light kiss on her knuckles, making the woman stare. Hand shaking was one thing, now this is just inappropriate.

"Excuse me, I am a-"

"Very pleased to meet you! She's- pleased to meet you," Walter glared at Athenis and elbowed her. Right she thought. I'm supposed to be just woman with a sword and a pistol. Just another piece of resistance fighting for, well the princess. She pushed air through her nose, being slightly amused at the thought. If we are going to fight though, I will be able to use my magic. Then we will see how the Captian treats me. She bobbed her head at the word 'Captain', then straightened her back and cleared her throat.

"I'm pleased to meet you Captain."

"Please, just Ben."

"Ben?" She laughed to herself, when her companion perked his ears at the man, then at Athenis, wagging his tail. Ben looked down at the mutt, now slightly embarrassed, but not knowing the reason behind it.

"Yes, what's wrong with Ben?" He asked, clearly confused by the repetition of his name. He saw both Walter and Athenis smirk. Athenis gave a small snort, wondering if he too, is a dog.

"Oh, nothing," Athenis lied, trying to hold back laughter. Walter and Athenis met eyes, both thinking the same thing. She understood now why her mentor said there would be confusion if she called for her collie.

The first impression she got from this man, was that he was a very obvious womanizer. She disliked that in men, they never meant what they said, and if they did, it wouldn't mean anything. They would always leave the next morning, with no note to tell them what had happened, and most women knew that once he was gone, he was not planning on returning. Or she's been told anyway. For these reasons, she took an almost instant dislike to the man. He did not respect her, he interrupted his Major, he was looking at her with a stupid smirk, and most of all he was handsome. Very handsome. Athenis realized what she had just thought, and a frown spread across her face. What am I- what's wrong with me? She shook her head and looked back to Walter who was still chuckling.

"I- haha- ahem, Athenis, you should meet the other men. It will do you good to see who has your back."

Athenis gave him a small worried look, but he didn't want to press the matter further. "Walter about that-"

"Ben, why don't you teach her how to use the mortar?" The Major interrupted, trying not to scare the poor girl out of fighting.

"Will do Swifty," Ben pressed his hand on her back, leading her to a set of stairs. She looked back to Walter and Swift, Swift leaning into his ear. Walter nodded and she couldn't help but wonder what he had asked her mentor.

Ben ran up to Athenis, holding the stick happily in his mouth. "Hey boy!" She grabbed the stick and chucked it towards Walter, hoping he would play with him while she was learning how to use a mortar.

"Are you trying to scare the girl away from here? If she is what you say, then we will definitely need her, especially after the loss of Lieutenant Simmons," Swift said.

"She'll be fine! Sure she might react to the undead like any normal human, but once she sees something as a threat, there isn't anything that can stop her from eliminating the danger." Walter looked proudly at the young woman, thinking her as his own kin.

She had taken to him as her adopted father after her biological dad started to ignore the poor girl. Sparrow was a good man, but he never took much interest in the youngest child. Logan was older, and therefore the closest to taking the throne. He taught Logan everything he had learned, and hoped that his son would live up to the Wainwright name, but when he found out his daughter was the possessor of his will, he ignored Logan and tried to bond with Athenis. She didn't like him, telling Walter he was mean tried to make her burn things, so he stopped letting Sparrow see Athenis. He didn't listen to Walter, saying he was her father and he could do what he wished. Athenis, thinking of the soldier as her father, told him that Walter was her dad and the hero had to do as he said. The girl was about five when she called Walter her dad. It had almost made him cry, as his only son had died at a young age from a flu, and he thought he would never know love like that again. After that day, Walter protected and nurtured her as he would if she was his daughter. And she very much was, although not blood, she was his little girl and would always be.