Dear readers,
I am so sorry it took me so long to finally update! Thank you all for being so patient, so here it is. I hope you like it and continue to review, please.
-Stealingthunder101
(Thalia's POV)
Luke explained to me that the Academy was a safe place for demigods like us to train, without the ridiculous organization and boundaries set up by camp half-blood. At the Academy, demigods weren't separated by who their godly parent was, so all the children of the minor gods weren't shoved into the Hermes cabin. At the Academy, you earned your way through the Levels of the school through fighting ability and tactics. Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon are the different levels. Alpha, made up of the most elite students, is at the top of the food chain and Epsilon is filled with the new recruits.
I have to admit I was a little nervous about going to the Academy. I wanted to prove myself to Luke. To show him that I really was an excellent warrior and that I truly believed in this cause, and was willing to give it my all.
I wondered what the classes were like and, of course, what level I was going to be placed in. Luke told me that there was an initiation test I would have to take so that they could evaluate my skills to determine what level I should be placed in.
"We're here, Thalia." Luke stated.
I looked through the windshield of Luke's charcoal pick-up truck. Sure enough, I saw a gigantic grey building on the horizon. It looked just like a jail, complete with a barbed wire fence. The structure's windows were crisscrossed with bars. Overall, it was a very intimidating building.
"So that's the Academy?" I probed.
"Yeah, don't worry, although the appearance is kind of desolate, the boarding rooms really are pretty nice." Luke appeased. I certainly hoped Luke was right, because the building looked rather uninviting.
"So this is Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus?" questioned Hyperion, the secretary of the Academy. According to Luke, he was the titans' version of the god Apollo. He was the first sun and titan of light. His eyes shone a blinding white, with no irises or pupils.
"Yes sir." I replied. I always thought it was very important to be especially polite to the immortals. Whenever someone was rude to them, there's a plume of smoke and ZAP all that's left is a pile of ashes. That was one of the things I hated about the gods. They've had eons to learn to control their tempers, yet they still act like two-year-olds when they don't get their way.
"Well, Miss Grace, welcome to the Academy. Tomorrow you will undergo a series of tests to determine your Level, but for tonight you may stay in the guest chambers." Hyperion informed. He handed me a slip of paper, "Just take this to the Demigods' Resources Office right over there, where you will be guided to your room." He took out a folder and started working on something else, which I took as my cue to leave.
"Thank you, sir." I mumbled before heading out of the main office.
Luke was waiting for me on the other side of the door.
"So," He asked, "how did it go?"
I shrugged, "Fine. I guess."
"Do you have any questions for a seasoned member of the Alpha Level?" He joked.
I rolled my eyes, "Yeah I do have questions. Like, how old am I? How long was I a tree? When and how will I get my memories back? What-"
"Thalia," He interrupted, "We already went through this. I will explain everything after you take the test tomorrow, okay?"
I refused to agree, which caused him to sigh. I had the right to know. I couldn't understand why he wouldn't tell me the truth about me. The whole car ride here he would just keep saying I'll tell you everything after your testing tomorrow Thalia, after the testing...
"Well, anyways, good luck out there tomorrow, the tests aren't easy."
I merely grunted in response. I wouldn't look at him, as I started off toward Demigods' Resources. Suddenly, Luke grabbed my arm and spun me around.
"Be safe," He whispered, as he cupped my face in his strong hands and landed a quick, soft kiss on my forehead.
His eyes bored into mine, his hands still cupping my face. "I will," I vowed. Luke started to walk away, leaving me in a stunned silence.A million thoughts spun in my head as I mulled over what had happened. Did Luke just kiss me? What is this tingly feeling in my stomach?
I didn't have the answers to these questions yet, so I just brushed my fingers across my forehead where he kissed me, then headed over to Demigods' Resources. I will have my answers after the testing.
(Rory's POV)
I remembered what Chiron had told me before I left camp.
"No one but you, Dionysus, and I can know about this, we cannot risk jeopardizing your mission, because of the titans' spy. I will simply inform the other campers that you are on a quest." Chiron emphasized.
"But," I started, "what about my friends?"
"No one can know, Rory. No one."
I took a deep breath to calm myself and focus on the journey I'd be undertaking. No one but the titans knew exactly where their camp was, though I knew it was somewhere just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. I was kind of excited to have the chance to travel out there since the farthest west I'd ever been was Buffalo. Even if I was forced to travel by freight train. Yes, it was exactly as bad as it sounds. Let's just say freight trains are not meant for passengers. First of all, the floor where I was sitting was lumpy and had nails sticking out of it all over the place. It was pitch black in there, and -Oh, did I mention the tens of thousands of rodents in there with me?
I had wanted to travel by plane, but Chiron informed me that there was no way to sneak aboard a plane, even with the help of the mist. Ergo, I departed on my week long journey to New Mexico.
After too long the train stopped at Albuquerque, where I jumped off. Now was the hard part- finding my way to the titan's lair. I figured it wouldn't be on the city map, so I wondered around the city looking for something, anything that could lead me to the titans.
Thirty minutes later, I was no closer to finding the titans. I did, however, manage to get myself completely and utterly lost in the ghetto. The houses were dilapidated. What once must have been white paint was now a faded shade of grey. The shutters were hanging off a few of the houses by one hinge. Numerous junk cars, old tires and only-the-gods-know-what-else were lying in the dirt yards. The street itself was zigzagged with cracks and potholes.
After walking at least two more miles through the ghetto, I was no closer to getting out. It seemed endless.
Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me. I grabbed the hilt of my sword and spun around, prepared for the worst. A hydra lunged at me. I blocked one of its heads with my sword, then dashed away. I tried to remember what Chiron had said about fighting hydras. I knew there was something that I wasn't supposed to do when fighting one, but I couldn't remember what. So, I just let instinct take over.
The hydra charged me a second time, this time I was more prepared for its attack. I quickly dodged then swung my sword, chopping one of the hydra's heads clear off. The hydra hissed in agony, which gave me a chance to decapitate a second head.
The hydra hissed, "You will pay mosssst dearly for that, puny boy."
Someone else might have made a sarcastic retort for the hydra, but I was never exactly a quick thinker, especially when it came to words. So I just swung my blade at the hydra. This time, the hydra dodged my attack then counterattacked, landing a nasty bite in my left arm. I felt my arm go numb as the poison spread. It's a good thing I was right-handed. Still, I had to be more careful, this hydra was quite the formidable opponent.
I watched the hydra's moves closely, waiting for my chance to strike. After fending off several blows, an opportunity presented itself and I chopped off three more heads in one fell swoop. Just two more to go.
The hydra's strikes became fiercer, and for a while all I could do was defend myself from its barrage of attacks. I felt my stamina begin to give in with the familiar burn in my muscles and my heavy breathing. Fortunately for me, the hydra seemed to be wearing down as well. This was going to be a battle of endurance.
The hydra got through my defense and knocked me to the ground. I struggled to my feet. If this truly was a battle of endurance, I would most certainly loose. I cursed in ancient Greek; I couldn't let this be the end of my mission, it hadn't even begun yet!
Fueled with adrenaline and the Twinkie I had for breakfast earlier this morning, I threw myself at the hydra one last time. I focused on the two remaining heads. Two heads. That's what had stood between life and death for me. I closed my eyes and slashed at the hydra with all of my force, letting loose a strange battle cry- I honestly don't know where it came from.
When I reopened my eyes, two heads laid on the street next to the hydra's limp body. I breathed a sigh of relief. I had really thought it was going to be the end for me.
I looked around at the houses on either side of the street, surely someone must have seen or heard my battle with the hydra. Amazingly, no one was staring out of their window gaping or calling the cops. The mist truly works wonders.
I started back down the street, rubbing my sore left arm. It was getting late. I was going to have to find some place to stay for the night. There should be a decent park bench or something somewhere in this city.
Suddenly, I remembered what Chiron had said about fighting hydras.
When fighting a hydra, one must never chop off one of its heads, for two more will grow in its place…
I turned around and cursed. The hydra hissed at me with double the heads it started out with. All of its fourteen heads smirked at me. I tried to dodge its attack, but in a matter of seconds the hydra had me pinned to the ground.
"You will die, little boy. My masssssterssss will be very pleasssssed." It hissed.
I inquired, "Who are your masters?"
"The mosssst powerful titanssss! We will wipe your preciousss little godsss off the face of the earth!"
"But I am not loyal to the gods," I lied, "I want to join the titans."
"What." The hydra stared me down, as if trying to determine whether or not I was telling the truth. "I want to jusssst kill you, but my masssssters ordered me to bring any willing demigodsssss to them, even little scrawny babiessss like you. I will take you to the Academy…"
"Thank you."
"If you try to run away, I will not hesssssitate to kill you."
On that note, the hydra hurried off in the direction of the Academy. I felt a little excited that I would finally make it to the Academy, but I also felt an inexplicable sense of impending doom that made me shiver. I hurried after the hydra.