Chapter 2

Running away, running far away, running so I can finally be free. Freedom was all I wanted, an undying urge for it beating inside of me.

Take it off. Take it off. Take it off!

A scream rose up in my throat, only to be muffled by the mask. I ran as far as I can. Away from it all, away from father. His cold face still swam amidst my vision. His eyes molten red, like live volcanoes. He told me to go. He put on this mask and told me to go. 'Take it off,' he said, 'and you can be free.' And yet, I couldn't take it off. Of all the things I couldn't do, I couldn't take off this mask!

Now the eighteen cyclopes trail me. They cornered me in the warehouse, took me by surprise. I destroyed them though. Once 42 strong, only they remain.

Still, the destruction of the old warehouse had raised much suspicion and someone had alerted the authorities. I can't seek the shelter of a mortal. I'll probably get arrested. Besides, I need to take care of the cyclopes quickly. I couldn't risk getting anyone injured on my behalf. Especially on my behalf.

I ran down south, then started moving west. There's a huge street there. Even if I did fight I couldn't promise anything for the buildings and their owners. Better to go somewhere less populated. I spied an alley up ahead. The rotten sign was battered and sprayed with graffiti. I ran in.

The rest of the cyclops had caught up by now. I could hear then lumbering behind me. Their footsteps slow compared to the racing of my heart. Deeper and deeper I delved into the darkness. I prayed to Artemis that she would grant me enough moonlight to illuminate the things I cannot see. I've been through enough alleys in the past two years to know exactly what to expect on every twist, every turn.

I ran down a narrow path between two towering brick walls. What was at the end made my heart fall. The cyclopes had circled around me and is now coming at both ends. They got me, I'm trapped. Their battle cries, rather than making me tremble, made me calm. The words of my father resounded inside my head. "Weaklings don't decide their fate."

I drew my sword, a three foot long double edged sword of solid steel, blessed by my father to cut and destroy. But it was not the sword that the cyclops was going to be facing this time. Drawing my breath, I clenched my fist and drew it behind me. Instantly, the familiar dull throbbing of my power made itself known.

Destroy? Destroy.

I punched the air in front of me. All the cyclops I was facing were thrown backwards with enough force to fly a couple of miles. A loud crashing sound behind me told me the remaining ones behind me were just about to plough right through me. I wanted to live, but I would never turn around fast enough to block. Closing my eyes, I wished the darn mask would finally come off my face.

Then I waited.

Tick, tick, tick… I counted the seconds in my head. Was this death? If so, dying was a lot more painless than I thought. I opened my eyes only to see the recent destruction I had just created. In the same alley, in the same timeframe. 'W-what?' I turned around, astounded that I was still alive.

Then I saw her.

A mass of braids hung randomly throughout her choppy ebony hair. Piercing grey eyes glinted silver, prominent against pale skin. A mysterious black aura surrounded her figure as she stood there, watching me. Waiting.

My eyes didn't have to wander far to realize exactly what had happened.

There was no monster in sight. Not a single soul stood on this particular path other than ours. The sudden disappearance of the cyclops was explained by the twin black rapiers she held. How she managed to destroy so many in a couple of seconds, without even breaking a sweat I had no idea.

With such a slight frame, she didn't seem very old. About 14, 15 at most. Wearing a dark knitted scarf, the black color scheme of her jeans, boots and navy blue shirt told me she wasn't the kind to appreciate attention. Her stance seemed relaxed enough but the eyes told me otherwise. She could be an incredible ally, as much as she would a dangerous foe. Those eyes were filled with curiosity, and an equal amount of caution. Who are you? Why are you here? These questions wormed their way into my head, and I'm sure she was thinking of them as well.

I tensed as she raised a sword towards me. What payment would she demand? My life? A couple of years of servitude? 'Accepting death like that was pathetic,' her voice was hollow and cold. I blinked in surprise, before swelling in indignation. Who was she to judge? She didn't even know me! But she, this little girl had also just saved me. I swallowed my pride and glared. When I said nothing, she frowned. 'Take that mask off', not a single emotion was betrayed. 'I can't,' I replied. 'I would if I could.' She finally lowered her eyes, though not her sword. 'I see,' she said simply.

Whoosh!

My eyes widened as she suddenly left my line of sight. Where she was a split-second before was a small ring of dust, moved by the sheer force of her movement. I heard the distinctive slicing sound of metal. Next second, snap! The mask dropped to the floor in no less than six pieces. It's sightless eyes glared at me one last time as it dissolved into black dust, sifting and dissolving into the ground. I clasped my face in my hands before sinking to my knees out of sheer relief.

I didn't need to turn around to know she was behind me. 'Thank you', I hoarsely whispered. 'Thank you so much.' The world tipped onto its side as months exhaustion finally caught up to me. There's no need to explain what happened here.

I fainted.

Author's Note:

I know it's a bit short but that's kind of the point. We'll get back to Alexandra's side shortly. There's going to be some switching of views between these two, but not too much.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the plot. Percy Jackson and the Olympians is owned by Rick Riordan.