Okay, so, here is ch. 9. Reyna's chapter (most likely her last) and Octavian's big scene. Translations are at the bottom of the page. really excited for this chapter. i hope you all enjoy! For all Americans out there: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!XD Hope you all had a great time with family and friends (And that goes for everybody)
IX
Reyna
Reyna did not enjoy shadow traveling. The darkness blinded her of her surroundings, and she resisted the urge to draw her weapon while her instincts screamed danger. She could hear voices and movements in the dark. Plus, the ride killed her stomach. She learned not to eat before traveling.
She could see the energy fade out of Nico every time. Reyna was actually afraid that if they, for some horrifying reason, got stuck in the darkness, she wouldn't know what to do.
Reyna stumbled and caught her breath. She looked around at where they were dropped off. It was a park, a big city park. There were people everywhere; but if they noticed two tired teenagers, a guy with goat legs, and a huge statue pop out of nowhere, they didn't show it.
"W-whe-where are we?" Nico panted. Gleeson sniffed and looked around. "New Jersey."
Nico sat down and rested his head on a tree to catch his breath. He nodded wearily, "We should keep going if we are going to…stop…Octavi…zzz…zzz…"
Gleeson looked at the sleeping demigod. "That kid is going to die of exhaustion one day."
Reyna nodded, "He needs his rest, but he is correct. Octavian strikes tomorrow, most likely in the morning."
The faun-no, satyr (Gleeson had reprimanded Reyna numerous times saying, "Faun is Roman, cupcake! There is a difference!)- nodded.
Reyna sighed, We are all tired. Reyna was still sore from that battle on the island and from the Cyclops at Virginia. She was also sure that Hedge was still hung over from the group of friendly, but completely crazy Greek centaurs, The Party Ponies: Virginia Branch. Now that was an event that Reyna would never forget. She still hadn't gotten the blue paint off her hair.
Reyna looked over to where the Athena Parthenon landed. Reyna's mouth twitched in amusement. The Athena Parthenos landed perfectly in the middle of an intersection. The square base was a perfect fit inside the four way intersection. Though, of course, it was causing a disruption of the traffic. Cars had to swerve and maneuver around it. The statue of Athena looked like she was the queen of the intersection, which she probably could have been. You never know.
The park was pretty big. It had a sidewalk that was running along the rectangular perimeter. A basketball court. A soccer field. Sand areas with slides, swings, and monkey bars. An open grassy area where there were people with kites and Frisbees. Couple trees and benches placed here and there. There were people walking their dog and hanging out with friends and family. It was normal. Ordinary.
But Reyna still felt uncomfortable. They were being watched. By more than one watcher. She looked at the snoring Nico, then at Coach Hedge. He looked relaxed. He was splayed on the ground, propped up on his elbow. His eyes half closed and looking around aimlessly, and his hand was absent mindedly petting the ground. But his nose was twitching like it was sniffing something out. His other hand was ready on his baseball bat. His eyes were actually observing his surroundings and looking for any signs of danger.
Reyna knew that the satyr would never let his guard down.
He looked at her. Reyna raised an eyebrow slightly, asking an unspoken question. The satyr understood. Hedge slowly turned his head toward a place at the edge of the park that were near some apartment buildings. He sniffed a bit loudly and wiggled his nose. He looked back at her.
"I'll be back," Reyna said and stood. That alerted the stalkers. The feeling of being watched intensified. She walked at a calm pace to the sidewalk, and then she started toward the place Hedge pointed/ sniffed to. Not too slow, but not too fast either.
She was closing in when she saw movement. Two people with armor and hints of purple shirts ran from a couple of bushes into an apartment.
Great.
Reyna ran over, hopped over a fence, and ran inside the building. There was only a lady in work clothes at a desk.
"Hello, can I help you," she asked politely and added a smile.
"Did two people just run in here?"
She seemed taken back by the urgency and seriousness in her tone, "Um, yes. They went that way. I'm pretty sure they left out the back door, though."
Reyna ran past her.
"Um… you're welcome…"
Sorry lady, Reyna thought, but I don't have time for you right now.
Reyna found the back door and slammed it open. She stepped outside just to see a blue car with two people in armor zoom by. She gave up the chase.
"You didn't get them," Coach Hedge stated when he saw Reyna come back empty handed. "They got away by car, but they were roman."
"That new praetor sent spies?"
"He's NOT a praetor," Reyna stated firmly, "But I wouldn't put it past him to send spies to observe our every move."
Hedge grunted. "We should leave at nightfall. Get some sleep, cupcake."
The sky was dark when Coach Hedge shook her awake. "Come on," he send urgently, "get up. We're leaving." He had his club out and was looking ready for a fight.
Reyna rubbed the grogginess out of her eyes. She saw Nico preparing the ropes attached to the Athena Parthenos. Mortal police had been at the sight. Orange cones and caution tape blocked any traffic from the intersection. Reyna wondered what the mortal police saw. A typical car crash? A murder? A fallen meteor?
A growl awoke her senses. She looked around. Nothing. No monsters or people were anywhere in sight except for the two godlings, the satyr, and the statue. Reyna held her hand on the handle of her sword as she walked to Nico. Hedge was helping Nico with the ropes, but he was distracted. He was looking around constantly.
"You almost ready?" Rena asked.
"Just about…Done."
Reyna and Hedge latched on as Nico concentrated and took command of the shadows. Then it went wrong. An arrow whistled toward them. Reyna cried out and pushed Nico aside. Pain made her see black dots swim in her eyes. It was then that they were covered in the shadows and teleported.
As soon as the shadows left them, Nico collapsed. Gleeson caught him just before his head slammed into the edge of the Athena Parthenos's pedestal. Reyna fell on her knees, clutching her side of her stomach and panting. Gleeson cursed and gently laid down Nico as fast as he could. He scrambled for ambrosia.
Reyna coughed and blood spattered out of her mouth. She forced herself to keep calm and look at her wound. An arrow stuck out of a side of her stomach. The shaft was a dark green color, the fletching were yellow. Blood covered her hands, the arrow, and her side.
Reyna carefully and skillfully pulled the arrow out. She screwed her eyes shut and threw back her head, however, she did not make a sound. She let it drop to the ground; her hands shook.
Gleeson practically stuffed ambrosia in her mouth still cussing under his breath. "Eat this. How are you? Lay down! Do you know who or what shot it? Don't speak, just relax! You won't die, cupcake. Are-"
"Gleeson!" Reyna winced. Ow, that hurt. "Where are we?" She asked more lightly.
He points along a narrow road. "About a mile that way and we're there, at Camp Half-Blood"
Reyna nods. "Coach," Reyna wobbled up, "Go over there and tell them where we are."
"But-"
"Coach, you can't carry both of us much less the Parthenos. Be careful. Octavian's forces are most likely roaming around here. Go over there."
He looked uneasy. "Don't die," he said.
"I'll try not to. Now go!"
He nods and runs off.
An unnaturally loud eagle cry is heard somewhere in the distance. The Roman war eagles. Reyna grounded her teeth together. Octavian, Reyna thought with hatred, He's taken my position, disobeyed my direct orders, disgraced me and my leadership, and is taken complete control of the legion.
A twig snapped behind her. She whirled around, her sword out and ready. Nobody. Reyna cursed to herself as she realized what she just fell for. Something hit her behind the head and knocked her out.
The moment Reyna's hands went through Octavian's neck like an illusion was when she realized that she was dreaming. Octavian was there in the Praetors' tent discussing attack plans with the centurions of all five cohorts. Each of the cohorts had two centurions except the fifth. Nobody had replaced Hazel. Octavian was dressed in armor as they all were, except he had a purple cloak.
"We shall attack the graecus scum head on. They are no match for trained Romans."
The leaders nodded their heads in understanding, some more reluctantly than others. Reyna noticed that Dakota, the remaining centurion of the fifth cohort didn't nod at all. "What will happen when Praetor Reyna regains consciousness?" Dakota asked.
Octavian looked at him coldly. "If the ex-praetor, now Roman traitor, awakes, she will be punished accordingly. However, you will still be taking orders from me and go according to plan."
Dakota scowled, but didn't reply.
Octavian opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Reyna didn't hear anything. She realized that the world had gone mute.
"Poor child," a cold woman's voice said behind her. Reyna spun around and reached for her sword which wasn't there.
"Gaea," Reyna said.
The earth mother chuckled. "Reyna, can't you see that your efforts are meaningless? Can't you see that you are on the losing side?"
"If my efforts are meaningless, then they shouldn't bother you," Reyna said.
Gaea's smile wavered. "You cannot stop me! I am almost awake! Your gods are at war with themselves!"
Gaea moved outside of the tent and Reyna's feet, moving against her will, dragged her outside.
"Even your roman friends are against you."
In the middle of the camp was the Athena Parthenos and tied to it at the bottom were Nico's and Reyna's unconscious bodies, unarmed. Arms, hands, legs, feet, and chests were tied tightly to the statue. They were even gagged.
Gaea looked at me with half-opened, green eyes. "Tell me, child of Bellona. Do you still fight against me and with the quarreling gods?"
Gaea faded away. Thunder boomed overhead and rain started to crash down. Reyna looked up to the gray clouds. She looked back down to see that she was in a different place. A barren place with dusty dirt which was dry despite the pouring rain. "Roman!" A voice so powerful and strong that it rang through the desert.
Athena, Reyna thought as she saw the figure through the crashing water and the little light.
"Roman!" Athena repeated, "You must bring me to the Greeks. Return me!"
I'm trying! "If I do, will the gods be back to normal?"
The rain started falling in her eyes her vision went blurry. "Yes," Athena said.
Someone started pushing and shoving her. Reyna wondered if Athena wanted to pick a fight all of a sudden. Reyna tried to bring her hands up defensively, but it was like she was tied.
"Remember," Athena's voice said, "You must return me."
"Reyna! Someone said. "Come on, wake up!" Gleeson, Reyna realized. "Reyna, you got to put yourself together, cupcake. Come on!"
As Reyna regained consciousness, she couldn't help but think that the satyr sounded like he was yelling at his TV, yelling at a player on his favorite sports team. Reyna almost smiled.
"Come on, cupcake!" Reyna saw his blurry figure tugging uselessly at her bonds. He wouldn't be able to untie them. These were tied with a special knot that only those of the legion knew of it.
"Reyna!"
Like fog lifting away, Reyna's vision cleared. "Coach," Reyna said clearly and unwavering.
"I told you to be careful," Hedge grunted, though Reyna heard some relief mixed in.
"Well, I'm alive aren't I?"
He huffed. "Holy Hera! These ropes are impossible to untangle."
"I know how to undo them," Reyna said and tried to reach for one but couldn't. "If I can just reach one, I could start untying myself free."
"They aren't indestructible right?" Coach Hedge asked and looked at the ropes thoughtfully.
"I think my sword is in that tent," Reyna nodded toward a tent. Instead of going over to find the sword, the satyr smirked at Reyna. He brought a line of thick rope to his mouth and started gnawing at it. In minutes Reyna was free.
Reyna checked the tent, the Praetors' tent, for her sword and found out that it was there along with Nico's Stygian Iron sword. They were both still sheathed and seemingly un-tampered with. She tied her sword around her waist and walked back to the Athena Parthenos where she found Nico laying untied next to the statue and Coach Hedge hefting his club.
Reyna heard fighting in the distance. Coach Hedge saw her and looked in the direction of the fight.
"Stay here," Reyna ordered and started walking away.
"But-"
"Stay," Reyna repeated. Hedge didn't respond back."
Reyna was reminded that Camp-Half Blood had a dragon that protected the tree that carried the Golden Fleece on their side when she saw it burn a Roman war eagle.
Reyna hadn't gone into the fight yet. She was searching for Octavian. There! He was on the other side of the battle field. She could either go around, avoiding the greater possibility of fighting and the possibility of being delayed to confronting Octavian; or she could take her chances and go straight to him. Reyna touched her sword. Well, she thought, it's not like I'm unarmed. Without drawing her sword, Reyna walked into the battle field, heading straight for Octavian. All the anger that she had been able to keep at bay was suddenly bubbling up again. All the atrocious and dishonorable actions that Octavian has ever done, has ever said, came into her mind. She was not amused.
The first person to see her was a Roman soldier. The soldier dodged a swipe from a Greek who was wearing an orange tee, jeans, and a breastplate. The Roman who dodged happened to back into Reyna's line of sight on Octavian. The soldier sensed she was there. He glanced at her and, even though his face was turned away from her and he was wearing a helmet, Reyna saw his eyes grow big with realization. He turned to face Reyna who, even though had someone in her way a few feet in front of her, was still walking on her set path.
"P-p-prae-"
"Move!" Reyna growled.
The soldier dropped his sword and stumbled out of her way.
The more she walked into the battle the more the fighting stopped. Those who were unlucky enough to stumble in her way were ordered to move. One roman soldier was stupid enough to draw his sword at her and point it at her. When Reyna ordered him to move out of her way he did not, yet Reyna did not slow or go around him. The closer Reyna got to the point of the sword, the more nervous the soldier holding it got. When she was less than a foot away and still not slowing her pace did the soldier drop his sword and move. Octavian was shouting encouragements. He held a gladius and was fighting a Greek girl who looked no older than twelve. The idiot was still unaware of Reyna's presence.
The girl had gray eyes like Annabeth's that kept glancing at Reyna, as if she was waiting for a sign or some sort of signal. Ah, Reyna knew what she was waiting for. When the time was right Reyna nodded her head, and the girl backed away.
"What? Are you giving up?" Octavian sneered, and then he realized that it was quiet. He turned and saw Reyna in front of him. "How-"
POW! Reyna's fist hit him straight in the face, knocking off Octavian's helmet in the process.
"How dare you?" Reyna screamed, furious. "How dare you disobey my direct orders? I told you not to attack! You disobeyed me! You disgraced me! You, then had the nerve to ambush me and keep me hostage! You cimex!* You are a disgrace!"
Reyna spun on her heal. "Romans, go back to the camp now!"
Soldiers started moving.
"I challenge you," Octavian said.
Everyone froze. Not a single soul moved. Not one dared to even breathe.
"What?" Reyna's voice was dangerously quiet.
She practically heard Octavian gulp. "I-I challenge you for praetorship."
Reyna turned slowly to face him. She unsheathed her sword. The sound of the metal sliding out of its sheath rang throughout the clearing. She leveled her weapon towards Octavian, the Imperial Gold radiant in the sunlight. "Okay."
Octavian glanced at the silent crowd, at the paralyzed Roman soldiers. He licked his lips. He raised his sword and, with a shout, brought it down upon Reyna. She sidestepped and slashed at his face. Octavian cried out as blood slid out of the new cut on his cheek. Perfect. Reyna rested her sword on his collarbone. Octavian's Adam's apple bobbed only millimeters above the sword. "Done," Reyna stated.
She removed the sword and turned away. However, Octavian was still going. Reyna heard Octavian gladius cut through the air upward, going for the strike. Reyna whirled around, whipping her sword with her. Her sword cut through Octavian's neck. His head fell one way, his body another. Reyna had always done this thing where when she sees someone die, she names how. Cause of death: Decapitation.
She looked at Michael Kahale, a centurion of the first cohort. "Clean this mess," Reyna ordered. He nodded, still looking shocked. "Legio in castra reduxit!"** Reyna shouted. Nobody moved. "Now!" Soldiers started retreating. Reyna turned to a Greek camper. "Those woods are stocked with monsters, right?" The boy nodded, opened-mouthed. "Thanks," Reyna said, silently hoping that he was not too scared of her. She marched off.
*- Cimex- Bastard, Asshole, Son-of-a-bitch
**-Legio in castra reduxit- Legion, go back to camp
Hope you liked the latin input. Please Review!
I love it when I see the e-mail saying someone review my story (Except Godly Marine: Killed cuz I feel so bad that they won't get another chapter update in such a long time :( srry guys)
