Disclaimer: I do not own Hero: 108 or Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Chapter 8:

Percy smiled as he walked to the archery range, already seeing Shen there. It didn't take an expert to find out which brother Shen was, based on his archery skills. His sword skills were passable, though his archery far excelled even that of the hunters.

He then made his way to the beach, sighing as he sat down on the soft sand and let the waves roll over his feet. He was soon joined by Shen, who tilted his head in the demigod's direction. "So, how's everything going for you?"

"Besides preparing for another war? Just peachy." Shen laughed.

"I guess you can say that again."

"What's it like?" Percy turned to the archer, who raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Suddenly adapting to a modern life from your past one?"

Shen grinned. "Well, it's been strange, but you get used to it. And Lin Chung helps to make it easier."

"I still wonder how he manages to change with the times. I mean, 3000 years? That's from when the Greeks ruled. The world changed a lot from then."

"Maybe it is because he has witnessed the change. It makes it easier to change then, I suppose."

"What about your brothers?"

Shen frowned. "Well, it has been complicated sometimes. There's the not understanding new things, but it's been getting better. Besides, wartime is sort of our element. We're more comfortable here because you don't use modern technology, like us back then."

"But you seem most comfortable with the change." Percy noted. Shen laughed.

"Of course. Do you know my element?"

"Water."

"Exactly." Shen nodded. "Water moves constantly, from the ocean, to a sea, maybe a lake, but it is always moving. It never stays in one place for once, and can be a liquid, a solid, and a gas." Percy tilted his head, not understanding it quite yet.

"Water changes shape and usually goes along with what happens. As Ke once pointed out, I tend to fit in with places faster than them because water can change and adapt easily. Part of my personality."

"What about the others?"

Shen laughed. "Well, Yong, he's firm, solid. The element of earth is a powerful element, like his fighting skills…and he can also be extremely stubborn when he wants to. Zhi is smart, sharp. A metal user. The different kinds of metals make him kind of complicated to read, but back then, metal was only for the rich and those who are smart enough to earn it. Zhi has clearly earned it.

"Ke, with his speed, fits with lightning. Jiao is sly and sharp, much like Hermes and his children. He has the element of air, so he's often here one minute, and there the next. That, mixed with lightning, makes him a free but also unpredictable spirit. Lin Chung has fire, which represents his magic. Powerful, but still very vulnerable."

"Vulnerable?"

"Vulnerable. Water puts out fire, after all. He is also unpredictable, much like fire, but is determined to keep on going. I guess that is why he works well with me. We're different, but it works."

"Because you are opposites? When one of you are vulnerable to something, the other won't be." Shen nodded thoughtfully.

"I never thought about it that way, but yes, I suppose." He looked up suddenly, frowning. "Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Percy asked, curious. There was no noise. "There's nothing."

"Exactly." Shen got up, dusted himself off, and immediately headed straight for the Amphitheatre, Percy following close behind.

Yong pushed his way to the front, seeing the three children cowering in the corner. Lin Chung had blocked any way out, his staff out and ready to strike.

"What's going on?"

"They," Lin Chung snarled, pointing to the demigods, "are traitors!" Anything human had gone out of his voice as he growled at the demigods. Shen recognised this before.

"Lin Chung, calm down." Yong said sternly, standing firm.

"They're traitors!" He growled, lunging at them. Ke and Jiao lunged out as well, pulling him back, before Yong growled.

"Lin Chung, calm down!" He shouted, to which Lin Chung suddenly fell silent. Ke and Jiao pulled him away, while Yong turned to glare at the three demigods. "What's going on?"

"That's what I would like to know as well." Chiron and Lupa came forward, both looking stern.

Lin Chung marched forward, grabbed them, and pulled Rick's sleeve up, revealing a mark. Hawk's eyes narrowed dangerously. "The mark of Twin Masters." Chiron and Lupa snarled, even as the gods appeared.

The youngest clone growled; Hawk also looking disapproving. "How do you explain this?"