The Son Of Neptune
Chapter 2
Virgil
Yet another day at the legion yields another new arrival. Virgil arrived on the same day as Percy. Though Percy was asleep for the most part, and they decided they would test them on the same day. He considered running away at first, he was pretty sure he was faster than any of the other guys at this camp. Though they have very good security, and besides he feels like he belongs here. Somewhere he doesn't need to run away from because of the people, or even just straight up boredom. He enjoyed training and all the ancient Roman military stuff was pretty cool.
It was time for breakfast, the legionnaires went to the dining pavilion and like yesterday, Virgil sat alone. He was used to it, and he didn't really care otherwise. Well the same set of tables as the rest of Mercury's children, but isolated nevertheless. He sat near one of the bronze braziers and was about to tell the new guy a to give an offering to the Gods, but he did it himself. "Someone's remembering more than they let on." Virgil said.
"It's like someone put the my brain on a timer, giving me memories at a specified time." Percy said with a frustrated expression as he sat by Virgil. "Why are you sitting here alone?" he said.
"The same reason you are."
"So we're both newbies. I'm Percy. You?"
"Virgil. Me and you will be tested together. Got any fighting or survival experience?" He replied. Percy's face looked blank. "I sure hope so."
They continued to eat in silence, while subconsciously Virgil was thinking.
Could it be that this guy is his opponent later. Lupa had said they would both be tested together. Does that mean with or against? Virgil hoped they both get claimed. It would help him to know more, in both cases. He worked out whenever he'd had the chance, and played several sports, though athletic he never got along well with others and ran away often. He's had previous experiences with weapons and martial arts. That might give him a distinct advantage over Percy. If they are to fight one another.
Lupa walked in, at this point. "Legionnaires because of other activities, possible claims and other circumstances. The tests will be held now, instead of twilight." She announced. Damn Virgil wished he had a little bit time to train or at least. Familiarize himself with different weapons. It could have been worse, poor Percy did not get any training at all. Which may or may not work to his advantage.
The demigods orderly followed Lupa with curious expressions on their faces. They stopped at the very same redwood clearing that Percy had been found in. "Vulcan cabin, are the androids ready?"
"Yes Lupa, but it might be a little too challenging, even for us" one of them said.
Great, so they were going to fight something stronger than the legionnaires themselves.
"They are older, and I sense they are strong willed and determined. They will defeat it, if they want to live. One way or the other." Lupa said. So if they run, they die. "Perseus, Virgillius, - (they opened there mouths in protest, but Lupa continued) it's time."
A guy from the Vulcan Cabin ushered us to a random part of in the centre of the clearing. He stepped a few metres away from us, pulled out a remote from his pocket and pressed a button. A coliseum rose from the ground, and Virgil and Percy were in the arena. Lupa and the other legionnaires were watching in the ancient stands. It was definitely tested before, knowing the legionnaires knew where to go. An epic, mechanical voice over spoke projected from somewhere in the arena: "Stage one, Hydra."
Hydra, where did Virgil here that before? Wasn't it some lizard with many heads? Who defeated it again? Oh yea Hercules. Unfortunately he didn't remember the mythology on how it was defeated. Just then, a weapon rack rose from the ground, and he grabbed two short swords quickly. Percy walked over towards him, but a man sized mechanical, seven headed lizard stomped into the arena through the wall, which split to let him through. Damn, the Vulcan kids are smart. Meanwhile Percy still did not have a weapon. The Hydra's heads lunged towards the both of them. If not for Virgil's inhuman speed and agility he would have been dead, the Hydra's razor sharp teeth a few inches away. He circled the lizard and kept himself opposite from Percy as to limit the general travel of the Hydra's body. He dashed forward and stabbed at it's torso. Not exactly penetrable, it seemed his blades glancing off. Half of the Hydra's heads lunged at him teeth bared. He side-stepped and slashed the Hydra's head off, the sharp blade able to pierce the tin material. One down, six more to go. He looked over to Percy, somehow managing to avoid the snapping heads of the hydra, as if accustomed to it's movements. Gil threw himself at the lizard. "No!" Percy exclaimed, as Virgil sliced off the other head. He looked at Percy with a puzzled expression. "Oh no, look what you've done." Percy said pointing towards the Hydra. Two more heads grew out of where each had been cut.
"Dammit, how do we beat this?" Virgil said frustrated. The crowd grew quite as if he had said something explicit, they had just been chatting a bit ago. He analyzed the lizard, it's body was impenetrable and the heads multiplied. The Hydra heads attacked, one after another and Virgil and Percy were hard-pressed to evade it's attacks. Percy was forced towards him and the Hydra was cornering them. They retreated until their backs touched the wall. It seems he was going to die here, humiliated in front of a bunch of people and painfully eaten. He squinted, cinders flying from a nearby torch on the wall. It seems Percy remembered something important because he pulled a pen out his pocket uncapped it, and it transformed into a celestial bronze sword. Bobby had talked about celestial bronze.
"Follow my lead." Percy said. He grabbed a torch and ran towards the Hydra. A Hydra head lunged at him and Percy slashed through it's tin construction, and followed up by burning where the same area. Cut and burn, Virgil thought. "I'll cut, you, burn." He raced towards another head, which quickly reached out to strike him. He ducked, stabbed it from underneath and sliced. Percy burned the cut again. They were able to get a couple more. Nine down, two to go. Percy distracted one of the heads with false jabs with his sword while Virgil flanked and cut it. Last one. He rushed it head on, poising his sword for the blow and jumped at it. The Hydra grabbed Virgil's blade and threw it to the ground. He was unarmed. The hydra head moved in to finish him. Just then from behind Percy jumped from behind slicing the head off and setting it a flame. The Hydra fell back, limp. Percy helped Virgil up. "Thanks, man." he said a bit shaken.
"We're not finished." Percy said as they waited for the next challenge,
"Final stage, Minotaur." The voice over said
Rising from a platform on the ground a mechanical half bull, half human appeared. The front horned half being bull, the toned legs being human. Taller than the both of them. It held an axe, the blade shaped like an Omega. It charged towards them. Virgil rolled aside, Percy worked hard to parry an incoming blow, and stepped backed. Virgil rushed forward to stab at his legs but the Minotaur blocked it; the impact strong enough to send Virgil crashing into the wall. Virgil could see the Minotaur's next move. It didn't stomp it's feet, it didn't crouch or rear up. Nor any other physical gesture that might telegraph it's attack. Virgil could see it in his eyes, as if programmed almost to show emotion, and he was winded from it's last blow. There was no way he was escaping.
Why the abrupt end? Well I just thought Percy will have a better point of view. Anyways I'm sorry it took this long, I was caught up in my routines and was brainstorming ideas. Review and tell me, whether or not you think Nico D'Angelo should be in the Great Prophecy; because that may alter the focus on three people, becoming two instead. Or maybe Annabeth won't be in it I don't know. Correct me if I'm wrong but the great prophecy will surely involve: Jason, Piper, Leo and Percy. Most likely Annabeth will be involved, and I foresee Nico becoming involved because of the array of Godly parents. I don't think Thalia will be involved because none of the God parents repeat, and I believe this pattern shall continue. Anyways review and thank you guys. Anyways I'll have the next chapter out by Friday March 11, 2011 at the latest. AlphaLiterate out.