"No, no, no." she wrestled the two soldiers apart. "You're doing it all wrong!"
She raised the tall man's arm. "You're sword is an extension of your arm! Never let go unless you want to die." Audrey compared it with the sharp blade. Then, she showed him and the others basic defense points to remember when confronting someone of his rival's size – a short, swift man.
"And you – if you're gonna dodge his every offense, at least do it right."
Initially, the men were hesitant about letting her tutor them. She was laughing hysterically again and bouncing off walls like some skinny monkey. It was not uncommon to find the demigod walking down the railings on two hands. She appeared to have taken an interest in Gill's little traitor as well, always talking with her privately and arriving on scene to things wearing all silver. (Today, ironically, she was in all black sweats)
Nevertheless, the final battle was growing closer after they witnessed their very last peaceful crack of dawn.
Audrey was just exercising on her gymnastic techniques at the time - nothing different from a Monday morning - when the soldiers could be heard from downstairs. Once aware of their effort to prepare for battle, she couldn't resist watching.
She always expected her crew to hold some skill and knowledge over the world of fighting. Why else would they be here? Kronos would never enlist anyone with no usefulness in battle.
Oh, but what a surprise it was.
After enduring the painful sight of one man after the other's poor performance, she was quick to seize control of the event. This absurdity would not stand; it was just as shameful as embarrassing to send this many lives out only to be slaughtered.
Audrey could count on her fingers the number of men who could properly use a sword. It was absolutely amazing how many men were clueless. The demigod grew up using one. Fencing was a part of the sport curriculum at her school. Only a tad bit difference here or there, the foil helped to convert her to real Celestial bronze (Given to her by Kronos himself). Sadly, her strengths in bows, arrows, and knives could use a little work.
Fortunately, many of her men and monsters knew how to handle a bow and how to shoot when ordered to knock an apple off one man's head across the gym room. She switched the big guys swords in for spears and jackhammers. The short ones swapped for spears and daggers.
The one thing most of everybody troubled with appeared to be decent self-defense skills. Offense was alright for the most part after a few rounds. But, they needed to equally know both.
She realized then as she was displaying the proper techniques that her job not only included leading these men into war, but leading the strongest bunch who may come out alive in all this. For the first time, this demigod was seeing more to this war than just her selfish vengeance.
Audrey eventually found herself crossing over the crowd with her hands tied gracefully behind her back. Each solider watched her with eyes of admiration and respect - something she always longed for once not too long ago. Scanning out over the immense faces, she picked randomly, "You two." She pointed. "Fight - show me everything you got." It went on like that until each soldier had displayed his own strengths and weaknesses to her.
At some point during the evening, they wanted to see her fight. This came as quite a surprise to Audrey, initially. But it made sense. The agile sword fighter who won all battles and learned from the best intrigued them all. There was a reputation on her hands she needed to uphold. And although, some may have seen her in action during the Cyclopes raid, many hadn't. With such a large crowd gaining quite an affection for her finally, how could she refuse?
But she did.
Regardless of their pleas and bribes, she turned them all away. The demigod told them simply not to waste their breath. "You're gonna need it when those demigods are trying to stick a sword through your chest."
In all honesty, Audrey didn't think she could put out the same level of effort that would erupt if stimulated under deadlier circumstances. Plus, when she did fight, there was a wild side of her that enjoyed it just a bit too much. She can still remember when Mrs. Kraft approached the anxious girl too soon after being confronted by those nasty, scary monsters. . .
But before she turned her back, she took a moment to clear out her throat. It took a great deal of effort for what she was about to say. "I just also want to ask your forgiveness for my behavior as a leader. I shouldn't have risked all your lives for a Cyclops. I'm learning now that this is bigger than all of us – and we must act together if we want to live."
She couldn't carry on further eye contact. Quickly telling them to carry on, Audrey dropped her chin and headed toward the door. She was planning on returning to her poses and such when she heard a sudden clamp of feet rushing toward her. What now, was her first thought. Audrey was about to cease her steps and turn when mixed voices all suddenly cried out. Her muscles tensed, her heart beat raced. The next thing she knew, she was feeling a fierce, piercing blow to her back.
For a moment, just one moment, there was just a freeze. Something was different, though Audrey couldn't pinpoint what. She could hear only that heartbeat pumping away. Her hands reached for the sharp, distal end that blazed through her body. That's when she saw the blood. When she inhaled, a rush of horrendous pain burst. She could no longer stand. The blade was gone and Audrey was laying numb now on the floor looking foggily at the faces surrounding her. So much noise was going on.
"Come on, Audrey. Breathe!" One voice begged. She was so confused.
"Ma'am, look at me!" There was a warm hand tapping her cold cheek. "Stay with us!"
Someone was over her belly now, trying unsuccessfully to place direct pressure over the wound. She knew she would bleed out, she wanted to tell them, and die. All hope was lost. The chance to finally secure her vengeance was robbed.
Since the Cyclops incident, the ship continued to sail out with no troubles in weather. It was just coasting off a tiny island when familiar speedboats crossed their way. A dark sigil was painted over one side. Inside were a couple of men, one of them appearing more hungry and dark than ever before.
The crewmen raised the boat on board. Their leader stood as one of the first awaiting individuals.
It had only been a couple of days since she last saw Lord Kronos. He was wearing nice old-fashion clothes back then like one of those Italian mafia leaders. But now, as he approached her, he was adorned in black armor with that deadly scythe gripped in one hand. He looked much taller and threatening than the young man she once found kind and sympathetic. One bit that looked off, also, was his age. For someone who was around her age appeared twice that number now.
"Sir," she bowed her head. "We are extremely grateful for your help in blocking the Seagod. I personally ask your forgiveness for my negligence – it will not happen again."
"The Seagod should keep you at peace," Kronos replied. "He's plenty busy with Oceanus." A sudden figure he could've mistaken for an animal caught his attention. "And what have we here?"
Tied to the post several feet up in the air was a man. The sun had already done quite a number on his bald scalp as she joined in his view. "You like my new prisoner, my Lord? He does do a fine job of decorating my ship, I'll admit," Audrey joked. "He was caught and mildly beaten after shoving a sword through my back. Little did he know, I can be immune to such injuries."
"The water?" He guessed, while watching her prisoner.
"How did you know?"
"Lucky guess. You have fully recovered, correct?"
She nodded. Although, minutes after her trauma she panicked that today may be her last. Everything she had ever worked hard for would be taken by some coward. And then the water came and it saved her.
It wasn't but a little later that someone informed her that the indoor pool was dry and completely empty.
Her men wanted to put his head on a spike. They wanted to see him burn. Traitor and spy spit out of everyone's mouth. One man even claimed to have 'accidentally' cut out his tongue. She was pushed dauntlessly to take his life. But, the demigod was already convinced to handle this matter in another manner. She wanted to see him suffer.
His name was supposedly Colby, son of Morpheus the god of dreams. She told this to Kronos as they glided onto the upper deck for privacy. He was a fairly quiet boy so they told her. He was no more older than she with a shaved head and black eyes. She can remember upsetting him for trading his sword in for a spear due to his short height. "'Hey, get taller or shut up!'" she'd replied to his snarly attitude. He measured just above her shoulders and she was a good five foot nine inches. Anyone shorter than she qualified as short, so she determined. The only exception included any previous skill or knowledge to using the weapon and he had none.
"So he tried to kill you for not giving him a sword?"
"I think he's working for someone else. He refuses to explain himself." When given paper and pen to write, he spit in their face.
"So what are you planning to do with him?"
"Not sure yet. Likely to leave him up there and let the opposing side decide his fate." She took a moment to ponder his question. "Why?"
Kronos paused to order one of his men to seize the traitor and bring him forth. "My dear, it's time you know how to handle your traitors and spies." She was feeling like his student again.
When they brought forth the tied prisoner, Kronos surprised her by pulling out her sword from its sheath. "During slow times, it's okay to allow him to sit up there and allow the birds to feast on him. But limited times, like now, call for instant deaths." He handed her the handle of her sword and whispered in her ear, "Kill him."
"What was the purpose in your crimes?" She asked the boy up close. "Did you not like me? Did I do something?" She was kneeling across from him, trying to study his expressions. There was nothing more she learned in that damn psych ward than the methods those idiots used on her. She would dig as far as possible into the incentive or motive. "Was it because I wouldn't give you a sword? Did someone tell you to kill me? Who are you working for?" The most she could note from his silence were the dark glares directed toward their Lord Kronos. She quickly got the feeling that something was up.
It got to the point where she would begin to taunt him. "Aww, are you upset again because I lived? Would you like to see your work?" When she lifted her shirt just above her diaphragm, there was no mark of injury whatsoever. She had a flawless, well-toned belly. He continued to avoid her presence and eye the Lord.
As a result, she inched closer to him. The demigod was whispering her disappointment in a man so young and full of potential when Kronos snapped, "Be done with it already!"
With a smile and a few more seconds, the deed was done. The men were tossing his body into the sea when Audrey could feel someone standing behind her. The Lord's tone was full of dislike and disgust. "Now explain to me what on earth you're wearing."
She had on a white t-shirt, covered by a silver leather jacket, a pair of silver camo pants, and black battle boots. Everything, down to the shoes, was either handmade or given to her by her new companion, Scarlett.
Audrey followed his gaze and laughed, "Come, my Lord." She took his free hand. "We have much to discuss." And little time. She, along with her personal guards, escorted Kronos and his men to the board room. The whole way down, she put on a delighted face and excited eyes.
Hope you all can catch the foreshadowing I'm trying to show ;)
