"Ahhhhh that feels so good!." I said letting out a sigh of relief. I was sitting in a chair next to Hyllas bed as I took off my arm brace, the feeling of the metal releasing my arm felt amazing like taking off socks you wear for hours. I looked at Hylla, who was wearing a tank top and pajama pants "You sure it's okay if I sleep here tonight?" I asked as she brushed her teeth. I quickly changed into a black undershirt and fluffy pajama pants, yes I like to be comfortable when I sleep shut up!
Hylla walked out "Trust me no one is allowed in the personal quarters of the queen without my permission and Otrera is talking to the Amazons. She is trying to convince them to banish or kill you, I can't risk that." she said and the thought made me smile. I leaned over and kissed her cheek, she broke into a blush and kissed me back. I then grabbed a bedroll and laid it out on the ground next to the bed but Hylla grabbed my shoulder and moved me to the bed.
I eyed the bed warily "Uh Hylla? I don't think that's a very smart idea." I urged and she frowned. Oh boy that came out wrong! I gulped "Listen ever since...Ever since Lycaon I've been having these nightmares. That I'm being chased, that he's trying to kill me, that I'm still a...a werewolf." I explained, yes I was scared. I would never admit this to anyone except Hylla but ever since that night, that terrifying night, I have had a very real and strong fear of wolves. That they would turn me into one of them and I would kill my friends like I almost did months ago.
Hylla gave me a hug and I winced at the slight pain my damaged arm gave from it but I returned it nonetheless. She smiled as she kept her grip on my shoulder and laid me down on the bed and snuggled against my chest. I felt my face heat up, I have literally been waiting for her to break my heart just like Drew did but she hasn't. Every day is like the first time we kissed, electrifying and amazing! I took a deep breath and hoped that my nightmare wouldn't be so bad tonight with her next to me. Eventually I closed my eyes to the sound of her steady breathing against my chest.
I was wrong the nightmares were worse!
I was in a pit, it was about the size of a football field and was twenty feet deep. I was at the bottom of it and everywhere I looked I saw bones, blood, and wolves! They all were ripping into flesh and eating and I lost my ability to breathe. I could practically feel my heart stop as I heard a whistle and all of the wolves ran out of the arena and into the shadows, leaving me alone. I wanted to move but my legs wouldn't work, then I heard a booming laugh.
As I looked up the spectators seats were illuminated, they were all empty except for two seats in what looked like a luxury box. It was a large man laughing, he had short grey hair, a scruffy beard, and arms that looked like he could snap an oak tree in half. On his back was a red cape that looked like the same one those men that attacked us were wearing. His was different though, it was longer and looked more regal as he leaned back and continued to laugh.
"You were quite right! Training these wolves will most assuredly help us in the battle to come!" he spoke to the person sitting to his right. I couldn't make out who it was, it looked like they were practically bathed in shadow. They leaned over and spoke to the man and he sat rigid for a moment before he smiled again in a way that showed he definitely was not in control here. He laughed again "Yes, we must prepare! Ready the beasts!" he said and stood up and walked out of the arena.
The scene shifted.
I saw Hippolytus and I felt my blood boil at the sight of him. He ruined my arm and he's going to pay for that! He was in his warehouse that I saw him in every dream he appeared in. He was counting a bunch of cages and muttering under his breath. He grinned widely "The soldiers belong to you mother! All that's left is the Amazons! If they fail we shall destroy them! Camp Jupiter will receive no reinforcements! Polybotes will crush them all! For you mother!" he roared staring at a swirling mass of mud and dirt.
Soon the dirt morphed into a face, it was a smiling woman but her eyes were closed as if she was sleeping.
Gaea!
"You have done well my son. As we speak Polybotes prepares his forces for the assault, gather your legions and when you are prepared meet him so that you can attack the camp together. Do not fail me my son." she said in a drowsy voice. Then the face turned to me and even though her eyes were closed I could tell she knew I was there!
"You think you are strong? Child of Eris you are a mere peasant to my children, soon you shall bend knee to me and renounce the gods. You will serve me child." she chided victoriously. I wanted to laugh but my mouth didn't work. She wants me to serve her?! Yeah why not ask Kronos how well that worked out for him! Oh wait you can't because I defected and Percy killed him! I'd just love to see this bitch try!
Her smile widened and the dirt swirled faster "So arrogant. So prideful. These are your greatest downfalls and when the time is right they shall be exploited. Make no mistake Samuel Strife, by the time Camp Jupiter burns you shall be my loyal servant." and with that the image swirled and so did my dream.
I woke up gasping and panting, I was coated in sweat and my heart was racing. I looked down and Hylla was deep asleep curled up against my side, my damaged arm was throbbing painfully but I kept it wrapped around her tightly. I looked around and the shadows of the dark room seemed to close in around me, I started hyperventilating as I thought about the wolves in the shadows in my dream. I gulped hard as I looked at the clock and it read four in the morning.
"Sam?" a groggy voice spoke, for a second I thought it was Gaea again. I looked back down and saw Hylla yawning and I let out a sigh of relief "What are you doing up? You okay?" she asked, her eyes barely open. I smiled and gave her a kiss on the forehead, she gave me a tired smile.
"Don't worry about it. Just go back to sleep okay?" I said softly and I really never try to lie to her because she can sniff them out like a bloodhound.
She sat up a little and looked at me "Sam you are covered in sweat and I could feel your heart beating faster. What's wrong?" she pressed. I sighed and spilled everything, she separated from me and sat on the other side of the bed as I told her everything. When I got to the part about the man in the cape she visibly tensed, I noticed and when I asked she waved it off.
"No I told you everything now you better start talking." I insisted and Hylla sighed in defeat.
"That man you saw, he's an ancient enemy of the Amazons. He goes by the name The First. Those warriors that attacked us were his men, he's getting bolder and stronger and we are not sure how. All we know is he must have come back through the Doors of Death so he's loyal to Gaea just like Otrera is." she explained sadly. I sighed heavily, wow that was a lot to take in and none of it actually helped us!
"Why did those warriors call me traitor Hylla? When I fought them they kept shouting that at me. Why? Who is this First guy?!" I found myself asking. I knew I wasn't going to like what she told me if she knew the answer.
She did and I was right.
"The First is the King of the Gargareans. The male equivalent of the Amazons."
