Hey guys... Thanks for the patience, school has been crazy and softball as well. Student-Athlete isn't everything it's cracked up to be. Here's the next chapter. For those of you who've read BoO already keep in mind I wrote this before it came out and such. Not going to lie I still kinda ship Will and Reyna just because but... as usual, enjoy :)
Will-
"Tough girl?! Could you be more lame!" Percy starts cracking up. "Shut up man."
"Chill Solace, it wasn't that bad." He is still laughing. "Was kinda cute." He nudges me in the ribs. "You know, until she blew you off."
"Not cool Perc."
"I'm kidding, Will." he chuckles. "Really it wasn't that bad. She needs someone to look after her, like Annabeth. Most the time she is too worried about others or too busy trying to be tough to care about herself. She can handle it on her own don't get me wrong, she's strong, but no one should have to do that."
"She hates me." I throw my hands up in the air. "No one I like ever likes me back. What's wrong with me?"
"There isn't anything wrong with you! She doesn't hate you either, if she hated you she would be less hostile. She keeps her enemies close, like she did with Octavian. I think it's her way of showing she likes you."
"Pft. Right and I'm the son of Artemis."
"Really. Annabeth's almost killed me a few times. Sometimes she still acts like she hates me and she is in love with me." He is laughing again.
"What man!?"
"The son of Apollo is having girl problems." a few more laughs. "I'm sorry man, It's not funny. I'm just kinda hysterical today."
"It's ok Bro." I laugh "It's pretty funny." It is, my dad is famous for his work with the ladies, and I am too but the one I want wants noting to do with me. I mean like seriously, some girls at camp practically throw them selves at me. Oh, this one time I remember when I was checking out a mortal high school. A girl, not going lie she was pretty hot, came onto me so hard I had to run away. She was talking all gross. I mean I'm a teenage boy, but I don't want all that physical stuff...
"LOOK OUT!" Percy pushes me out of the way and draws riptide just in time as something hardly misses my head. It's a group of three empousai. I draw my knife behind Percy. Wish I wouldn't have left my bow below deck I could end this in a matter of seconds. But no, I had to leave it next to Reyna.
"Perssssssioussssss Jacksossssn. We meet again." The empousai in the middle, clearly the leader, hisses. "Now you ssssshall die." It charges in attack. Percy side steps and slashes riptide at the midsection of the monster but some how it evades.
The momentum carries the monster strait to me. "William Sssssolaccce. Fine you firsssst. Then I will kill your friendssss. Jussssst like I killed your brothhhher!" it lashes out at me barley missing my head. I drive the blade into the monster's stomach twisting the knife as it enters.
"Right. Good luck with that." I say as it bursts into dust. "That was for you Michael, sorry it was so easy." I turn just in time to see Percy fending off the other two. One bursts into dust. The last one tries to charm speak Percy but it's no use. He slices riptide into the neck of the monster and all there is left is gold dust.
I straiten my armor and hilt my knife. "Well that was easy." I say. Those things aren't so hard to kill when it's just them. I wish I could have made it hurt worse. Michael was killed worse. Should have made her suffer like she made my brother. Even though it's been a few years I still miss him every day. As good as I am, he was better. Hardest thing I ever did was fight after I saw him fall in battle, we couldn't find him after, but I knew he was gone. My big brother who taught me everything I know, was gone for ever. Now it's up to me.
Whats wrong with you!? You're supposed to be a healer. You're a sniper. Quick and easy if you kill something. Or you save things. You're not like that, there isn't any room for hatred in your heart. Michael would be disappointed in you.
"Yeah man. You hit?" Percy caps riptide after wiping the dust off the blade on his pants.
"No, you?" Percy just responds with a shake of his head. "Two hours and two monster attacks. Hope your girl gets here quick Perc."
"Yeah. Me too." He puts riptide back into his pocket and straitens his shirt. "Where's your bow."
"Below deck. I'm going to go grab it real quick." I run down and grab my trusty friend but not before checking on Reyna. She is sleeping soundly, her leg is starting to heal, the fang marks aren't as deep. I touch her forehead with my hand to check the fever. It's going down slowly, but she is still warm. She shifts a little at my touch but stays sleeping.
She's so pretty. I love when she's not all put together. When she is being her, not Reyna the goddess-warrior-queen who can't show anything but strength. Earlier tonight when she was crying, she looked gorgeous. It took all my will power not to kiss her. Ha, Will power. I wanted to tell her that she didn't have to act tough all the time and all this other stuff I've been wanting to say for months, but it wasn't the time. I want so much to be there for her but if she doesn't want me, I won't force it. She deserves better, and if she wants me eventually then I'll be there.
I head back up stairs after placing a blanket on top of her so she can stay warm with the fever and chills. "How is she?" Percy asks.
"She's good." I sigh before I look at the sunrise. "Morning Pop." The colors are pretty incredible. It's my favorite time of day, I always try to watch the sun come up. The light makes everything beautiful, it means another day of surviving, another day to make a difference. It's a new beginning. It's life. It's hope.
"Will, you seeing this?" Percy points off in the distance. It's a flock of some flying monsters.
"Yeah man, give it a second." I draw my bow and knock an arrow. They are about 75 yards too far. It's a gift from Apollo, I can tell how far stuff is away, the trajectory I need to let something fly to hit where I want it. 25. I pull the string tight and begin aiming. NOW. I let the arrow fly. It hits the first monster and there's a cloud of gold dust. I knock the next one and let it go. Another monster down. 5 more arrows and 5 times more dust.
"Good shooting." Percy nods to me. I shrug it really wasn't that great, I could have done it faster. "She should be here in a few hours until then let's let Rey sleep. Me and you can hold 'em off."
"Yep sounds like a plan." I knock another arrow and leave the string flat. Come and get it.
