V

Percy

The sword arena was unlike anything Percy had ever seen before. For one thing, it was huge, at least half the size of a football field. On one side, the walls were equipped with every weapon a person could think of, from long swords and Roman gladiuses to bows and guns. There were crossbows, scimitars, daggers, riffles and other weapons he didn't recognize. There was a weird looking spear. Its shaft was at least a meter long, with blades attached to both ends. Its shaft seemed to have some carvings on it, but Percy was too far to see the details. Who in the world would use such a weapon? He wondered. He was pretty sure he had never seen one like that.

On the other side, Percy saw shields of various sizes and colors, although he noticed that most of them were rectangular and painted red and gold. Some had a picture of an eagle emblazoned on the front while others had a simple design of an eight-pointed star. The building may not seem big from the outside, but standing in it, Percy was in a whole new world.

"How can it be so spacious in here when on the outside it's no bigger than a three-storey office building?"

"It's magic. The arena is magically stretched to fit a hundred people. It's been like this ever since it was built centuries ago." Reyna replied in matter-of-fact way. Percy noticed that she was studying him and tried to ignore it.

He was impressed. The fact that this huge building was centuries old did not seem possible to him. "You're kidding right? This arena, built centuries ago? I mean a building that's been standing for the past hundred years ought to have some damage." This place seemed as if it was built yesterday. The wall carvings were still sharp and beautiful. The three rows of seat that rose above the walls shone in the moonlight. Some maintenance. They must have scrubbed it a hundred times a day.

Reyna shook her head. "We don't kid about these things. It is in fact centuries old. Why? Same answer, magic. Now, no more questions. You have an appointment." And at that, she turned and strode off. Percy sighed and followed. Must everything be so serious? He tried to collect his thoughts. Let's see, I woke up lying on my back, dived into battle with wolves, got knocked out using my powers, and now I'm going to meet someone name Lupa. Hmm…that's about it. I wonder who this Lupa person is?

He was so deep in thought that he didn't realize that he had crossed the entire length of the arena, and now he was standing in front of a humanoid statue 10 meters tall. On its arm was an eagle with its wing spread out and beak slightly open. There was a thunderbolt in its beak. Eagles again. Is it that popular here? Reyna was right beside the statue, beside a rack of swords.

"So, who's Lupa? And where is he?" Percy asked as he got closer. Reyna remained silent, and he was about to ask again when he saw movement in the shadows and a beast with reddish fur appeared. It was his friend the giant she-wolf. "Oh, it's you." She didn't look as if she'd been through a battle.

I am Lupa. I have asked Reyna to bring you to me as soon as you awakened. Lupa's eyes seemed to be analyzing him. Percy gulped. So the giant wolf is Lupa. Make sense. "Um… why did you want to see me?"

To clear things up. First, how old are you?

"Well, I'm almost 17, I guess."

And do you know where you are, Percy?

"I'm guessing this is a military camp. As to why its inhabited by teenagers using prehistoric weapons to fight monsters when there's guns available I don't know. And you might ask me how I got here. Two words, 'no idea.' I just woke up with a headache and then you found me. You know the rest." He shrugged.

"You don't remember anything? Anything at all?" Reyna asked.

Percy shook his head. "Not much. Just bits and pieces."

Who trained you? Something about Lupa's voice had changed.

"I… I don't remember. Every time I try to remember I'll have this stabbing pain in my head." Percy shook his head, trying to clear his mind.

"Um…what are you two talking about?" Reyna had a puzzled look.

Percy started to reply. "Lupa ρωτούν ακριβώς…" His voice faltered. "Wow, what was that?"

You understand Greek. Most can recognized a few words, but it takes practice to fully master it. Lupa was looking at Percy. You are a very curious person, Percy Jackson. Is there nothing else you can tell us?

Percy took a deep breath. "Well, I guess you might want to hear about this little adventure I had when I was out cold." He told them about dream, about the cave and the voice that seemed to come from deep within the earth. "And the voice said something about other children rising and destroying gods. That's bad, isn't it?" He intentionally kept the capture of Annabeth from them. He had a feeling that this piece of information should not be mentioned.

"Wait a minute. You claim that the voice said that you defeated Kronos? That's not possible!" Reyna said with disbelieve. "How can you go up against the army of Kronos? It'll be suicide! And even if you did, you'd be dead!"

"Like I said, I'm not sure." Percy was puzzled again.

"During the Titan war, Jason led us against the Titan's fortress. We slayed the guards there and Jason personally defeated the Titan Krios. After the battle, the fortress crumbled and the Titan army disintegrated by themselves while assaulting Mount Olympus. No army was sent there."

"No, it wasn't like that. I…" His head hurt again. It's not like what she said, I'm sure of it. But how…?

Lupa had been silent throughout the conversation, and now she growled to get their attention. Enough of this. Now Percy, you must be tested. She gestured with her head toward the entrance of the arena. Percy saw three people heading towards them. Your challenge approaches. Be ready.

"Oh come on. You still want to test me? I just went through a battle!" Percy can't believe it. She still wants to test me even after I had already fought a battle. Is she nuts?

By then, the three figures had closed most of the distance between them. He could see that two of them were girls and the other a bot. They were about his age. The boy was obviously in the lead. He was running a few feet in front of the other two.

"So Lupa, you want us to test him?" The lead boy said when he reached them. He studied Percy. "He doesn't look that tough. Hey Reyna, you sure it's him who we should thank for saving camp?" He was sneering.

Right at that point, Percy knew that they won't get along well. "I won't fight you."

"Sure you have a choice?" At that, he drew his sword and charged.