Chapter 8

Warpath's P.O.V.

I walked back to the war room carrying Annabeth in my arms bridal style thinking about everything I just overheard. Was she really going to do it? Kill herself? For me? Ugh, I don't have time to be thinking about this right now.

Once I passed through the door, all eyes were on me. After Thalia saw Annabeth in my arms, she went off on me.

"What did you—"

I wasn't listening to the rest. I ignored her and went straight to Athena. I knelt down on one knee next to the chair she was seated in.

She looked at me and I could see she was about to question me on why her daughter was lying still in my arms.

"Lady Athena, when I went to retrieve your daughter, I found her about to end her life out of grievance for Percy. Luckily, I arrived in time to stop her. Your daughter is merely unconscious. Asleep, if you will, in my arms. I assure you no harm came to her when I intervened." I said as respectfully as I could.

"Oh Annabeth" she said with a tired sigh.

I gently handed her off to Chiron so he could lay her down in her cabin.

"Thank you, Warpath. I don't think anyone else could handle anymore loss on this day. I'm so grateful you were able to get to my daughter in time. Thank you for saving her." she said with tears in her eyes.

"If there is anything I can do for you, all you need is ask." she added.

"My Lady, no thanks are necessary. I can see everyone has been through a lot today. I offer my most sincerest condolences. I must admit, at first I was worried that it was I who might have killed this Percy fellow. Had I done so, I believe my stay here would be less hospitable. I was quite relieved that that was not the case. As for your daughter, I have no desire to watch anyone else die today. Especially not your daughter." I say in a kind voice. I can tell she is emotionally exhausted and still a little over what had occurred earlier. I had an idea that might help her lighten up.

"She is quite beautiful. Just like her mother." I add, taking Athena's hand that lay on her lap in my own. I wrap my gloved hand around her soft fingers and give them a gentle squeeze. I saw Athena blush and her delicate cheeks turn a deep pink as she took a sudden interest in her lap. A small smile playing at her luscious red lips as she looked up at me.

"Also, I would prefer to keep the death to a minimum, at least until the war starts." I add in a more upbeat voice that made Athena smile and let out a small laugh. She gave me a warm grateful smile. We sat there next to each other talking to one another until everyone decided that it was time to call it a day.

"Well, I'm afraid I should retire for the night." she said sadly.

"Will you be staying here at camp or will you be leaving for your palace on Olympus?" I ask.

"Father believes it best if we stay here with our children so that we may be better prepared lest the enemy launch a surprise attack. Also, it would be beneficial to spend some time bonding with our children now. It is likely that not all of them will make it out of this war alive, if any of us." she replied solemnly.

"The troops and myself will do our upmost to help best prepare your children for this war and also look out for them during battles. It is not our first priority, but we will do what we can. You have nothing to worry about, my Lady. This army has been through worse and come out victorious. You will survive. We are strongest when we work together." I reply warmly.

She smiled. "Escort me to my cabin?"

"You read my mind." I replied.

"This is it." she sighed.

"We can continue our conversation tomorrow. I'll see you at breakfast. I'm up very early." I reply.

"Oh! By the way, I think its best if you hold on to this." I say taking out Annabeth's dagger and handing it to her.

She takes it gratefully.

"At least until the fighting starts. Keep an eye on her. You can't be to careful. Plus, we still aren't sure what kind of shape she's in mentally." I finish.

"You are absolutely right, Warpath. Thank you again." she says giving me a dazzling smiling.

"It is my pleasure, Lady Athena. Goodnight my Lady." I say.

She stopped at the top step.

"Just Athena" she says back giving me another smile over her shoulder.

"Goodnight Athena." I reply.

4:00 A.M. The Next Morning

I woke up early today so I could get a head start on my morning workout. Hopefully, I can finish before breakfast and get there in time to see everybody walk in.

I bolted through the woods, jumping over logs and dodging branches, heading in a full circle around the camp barrier. Most people would just settle for a jog, not me. I find that it helps me maintain and increase my agility and speed during fights. I just pretend that every log or branch I dodge is a sword or weapon being aimed at me.

I'm not wearing a shirt, obviously. I don't want my clothes all dirty and ripped up before the day even begins. All I'm wearing is my combat jeans, boots, and my face mask of course. I'll be honest with you, training with Chaos has it's perks. I'm pretty sure I've never been in better shape in my entire life. I literally look like I just walked out of a comic book. My well defined pecs protrude out and makes me look like I'm chiseled out of marble. I also have an extremely well cut 8 pack going on. My shoulders are much broader and more muscled than they used to be. My arms are also lot bigger and have more definition as well. I used to have the body of a lean swimmer, now I look like I just stepped off the cover of Men's Fitness Magazine. But anyway, after about 30 laps around camp, I head off towards the arena.

I get on my hands and toes and start firing off explosive push-ups. While I'm doing that, I try to think of how I can best train the cabin leaders. I can already tell Bryce is going to be a problem. I guess I'll just have to put him in his place. I would have to make it public of course. That colossal ego of his is gonna have be brought down a notch. Before I knew it I had done over 560 push-ups. Its always easier if I think about other things when I work out. It helps me lose track of time.

I switch to sit-ups. Now, I have no doubt people are going to be trying to figure out who I really am. I can tell they already have their suspicions. Obviously they can tell Warpath isn't my real name. What assassin would go by his real name and then continue to eliminate high profile targets throughout the galaxy?! The answer to that riddle, is a not very good one. If I did, I'd have a bounty on my head higher then the Empire State building (past the 600th floor). Thankfully, they haven't started to pry in that area just yet. Huh, 637 sit-ups. Not bad.

I walk over to a stray horizontal bar hanging over near the edge of the arena and jump up and latch on with both hands. I slowly bring my chin up above the bar, then ease myself back down and repeat the exercise. I have no doubt that Annabeth is going to be pissed off that I interrupted her little Shakespeare act she was about to put on. Well thats not my problem anymore. She can go whine about it to Bryce while he is laying in the infirmary. I'm really trying to forget what I saw yesterday. I can't dwell too much on what I overheard saying and if she meant it or else I'll weaken my resolve. I need to keep this stay here professional. But oh my sweet Chaos did Athena look gorgeous yesterday. She seems a lot nicer and more down to earth since the last time I saw her 4,000 years ago. I've always admired Athena. She just never seemed to care for me much. Most likely because of the whole Son of Poseidon "seaspawn" thing. The whole Poseidon/Athena Athens family feud debacle. I'm glad that old thing is finally buried. But I've always thought Athena was the most gorgeous. I mean sure Aphrodite is extremely beautiful but I've always thought that a beautiful woman thats intelligent is exponentially more attractive then a woman who has a drop dead gorgeous body but has a flat personality. I think thats part of the reason I fell for Annabeth. I guess I go for girls with brains, go figure. Athena is so much kinder and smiles a lot more than she used to also. Apparently while I was gone Athena finally got that stick out of her ass.

That very round, soft, perf–

Snap out of it!

I drop down after 448 pull-ups. By now, my hair is damp and hangs loosely on my shoulders. A thin layer of sweat coats my body and glistens in the morning sunlight. My breathe is ragged from the physical exertion.

I walk over to the shed nearby and pull out a couple of training dummies and start demolishing them with my fists. I can't remember how many I destroyed. I think I just kept going until I ran out of practice dummies. I was about to check the time when I heard the conch horn sounding off signaling it was time for breakfast. I decided I'll head over when everyone is already situated, that way I'm not bombarded with questions right when I arrive. I have some time to kill so I might as well go for a brief swim.

Athena's P.O.V.

"This is ludicrous." I mumbled. Here I am standing in front of a mirror obsessing over my hair like Aphrodite. I have never before cared this much about my appearance. Sure, I would always look proper and presentable. The court of Olympus would expect nothing less. If this is that horrid love goddess' doing, I swear that her looks will be the least of her worries.

Last night, I had the best sleep I've had in a while. I can't imagine why. Yesterday we received news of a frightening upcoming war and the death of a fallen hero. Also my daughter tried to kill herself! "Why do I feel so carefree this morning?", I wondered.

I remembered last night and my riveting conversation with Chaos' assassin. I must say, I was quite impressed. I half expected him to be gruff and unintelligent like Ares. Instead I find out that he has an intellect that matches my own. He also seemed very kind and understanding when it came to the loss we were all dealing with yesterday. I was quite amused that he never spared my sister, the love goddess a second glance after he saw her. Most men would be on their knees drooling and lusting over her body. It was remotely obvious that she was undressing him with her eyes the entire meeting. Instead, he paid no mind to her.

To my surprise, he was more attentive to me throughout the meeting. He even went as far as to outwardly compliment my noteworthy intelligence among other things..

He called me beautiful...

I must admit he was quite handsome as well. Even though most of his face was not visible, If I looked close enough, I could see the prominent manly features of his facial structure that any women would find attractive. Not to mention his perfect height, his strong muscular build and his eyes.

oh his eyes...

His eyes were a beautiful emerald green that were easy to get lost in. Whenever he spoke, he always kept the conversation interesting. He asked me about famous battle strategies in history, about Athens, and about what it was like back when Greece was the center of western civilization. He actually seemed interested. All the while, he never seized to stop complimenting me on my "beauty". My face felt warm from blushing all evening. I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to—

My train of though was interrupted by the camp's conch bell sounding off signaling it was time for breakfast. I sighed wondering what was wrong with me lately. I snapped myself out of my inappropriate thinking and started rousing my children from their sleep, telling them to get ready for breakfast and get ready to walk out in line. I looked over at Annabeth's sleeping form and decided that it would be no use trying to get her to leave.

She needs time.