Chapter Two

The Harsh Light of Day

Oh my gods," said the girl, staring at Jason in amazement.

"No matter!" growled the monster. "I am Shufu! The greatest of the greatest foes and I shall make waste to the half-bloods of old!"

"Half-blood of old?" questioned Rachel.

"Rome," said Jason, quickly, but he didn't know how exactly he knew that.

Shufu launched himself at Jason, but with a quick dodge, he was able to avoid the strike and he was able to hit Shufu hard in the nose with his elbow. The monster growled and let out another harsh roar. The direct impact knocked Jason off his feet and he flew into a tree, his sword falling from his hand.

"No!" screamed Rachel.

"Half-blood of Rome not so powerful now," said Shufu, with a sick grin.

Jason groaned, trying to get up, but that shock had knocked the wind right out of him. He looked up to see Shufu coming toward him.

Suddenly, the girl ran forward and did an amazing flip, twisting in the air like a gymnast, and landing on her feet. She got into a fighting stance, prepared to defend Jason.

"You will die for him, half-blood?" asked Shufu, shocked.

"He is my friend, after all," said the girl. And she charged into battle.

Jason didn't know what shocked him most…that this girl had just called him a friend or that she was charging a monster, defenseless. The girl did a roundhouse kick to the monster's great jaw and there was a echoing sound as the monster's face went sharply to the left. She jabbed the monster several times in the gut and elbowed the monster in the nose just like Jason had. Shufu looked stunned, but then he realized he was next to Rachel. He grabbed her quickly by the throat and Jason got to his feet, slightly dazed.

"Let her go!" he growled, picking up gladius.

"No!" said Shufu. He looked down at Rachel. "I love the taste of clear sighted mortals."

"Well," said Rachel, "I'm a little overdone. You want to eat me!"

Jason didn't know what to do. If he attacked, Shufu would kill Rachel and if he wanted, Shufu would still kill Rachel and come after him and this mysterious half-blood girl. He lowered his sword.

"Take me instead," said Jason. "Just don't hurt her."

"Jason!" said the half-blood girl, indignantly.

He looked at her and recognition hit him. He did know this girl and she was a friend. Her name…her name…was….

"It's okay," he said to her. He looked into her eyes and saw that they were crystal blue. He knew those eyes all too well and he knew those eyes would never let him yield. But he had no choice. He needed to save Rachel. He broke eye contact.

"Wise choice, half-blood," said Shufu. "But I think I want you to come to me and bow down before I eat you good."

Jason didn't hesitate. He walked forward.

"Good," growled Shufu.

"Stop!" yelled the girl, raising her bow with another arrow notched. Jason saw out of the corner of his eye that the girl had her arrow aimed at him. "If you take another step, I will kill you where you stand."

Shufu laughed haughtily.

"Half-bloods killing half-bloods!" the monster yelled with delight. "Perfect, he will be pleased!"

"He?" choked Rachel, as the monster had grabbed her by the throat.

"Yes," said Shufu, "my master who sent me to this place. A wise master he is to know how to challenge half-bloods!"

"You mean, Porphyrion?" asked Jason.

"He is not the only giant to stir," said Shufu, menacingly. "Now, come to me half-blood!"

Jason took that step and he saw the girl's arrow fly. He hit the dirt, his instincts taking over, and the arrow planted itself in the ground in front of Shufu and Rachel. A blinding light exploded from the arrow's impact like the sun had just risen right in the middle of Central Park. Jason was slightly blinded, but he knew. Somewhere deep inside he knew. Because they had done this before…trained together…

While the light trick was still in effect, Shufu had dropped Rachel to cover his eyes because he couldn't see. He raised his sword, just as Shufu lowered his clawed hands, and his reptilian eyes widened in surprise as the Imperial gold blade went through his stomach, all the way up to the hilt. Shufu burst into bust and the light of day from the arrow died immediately.

Rachel sat up on the ground in the darkness, coughing, holding her throat.

Jason blinked, his eyes burning as they readjusting themselves to the darkness of Central Park. He rushed over to Rachel and helped her up.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Fine," said Rachel, taking a breath. "If she had waited a second more…"

They both looked at the half-blood who was looking at them both furiously.

"Why the grim look?" asked Rachel.

But the girl raised an arrow again and aimed it at her.

"What have you done to him?" she growled, angrily.

"I didn't…" began Rachel.

Jason stood in front of her.

"Stop," he said to her. "You don't want to hurt her. She's my friend."

"Friend?" the girl said, her head cocked to the side to see Jason and Rachel better. "I'm your friend! I have been searching six months for you, Jason! And you turn up here and in this place. I know something wrong is going on with you. You're not acting like yourself and I know it has something to do with her."

"Listen," said Jason, "my memories were taken and…."

"What?" the girl said, stunned. She lowered a bow, just a little. Then, she raised it quickly. "No! It's just another trick. Just like that guy showing up last winter. We're not fools!"

"Percy," said Rachel, quickly. "What have you done with him?"

"The son of Neptune," said the girl. "He is safe from the influences that took his mind! I think the same thing has happened to you, Jason. And I know she has something to do with it. She knows something. I sense it. My father sent me a vision."

"Father," said Jason.

"Half-blood," said Rachel, and her eyes lit up again. The girl stared in awe. But the light from Rachel's eyes died. "I know who you are."

The girl laughed with mirth.

"I know who I am," the girl said. "And you, I sense the power of foresight. Are you the fabled Oracle who lead those weakling Greek heroes into battle?"

"Weaklings?" said Rachel, outraged.

"Thought so," said the girl. "Jason, it is time to go. Now!"

"What?" said Jason. "No. I'm not going anywhere."

"They have brainwashed you with your memory loss," said the girl.

"No," said Jason, more forcefully. And thunder rumbled in the sky and wind began to blow. "Stop this. We have to work together. It's destiny!"

The girl stared and the bow and arrow vanished from her hands. She walked toward Jason, but he didn't feel alarmed. She reached out and touched his face, cradling it in her hands. Her crystal eyes bore into his eyes and she gasped, dramatically, forcing her eyes shut. She jerked slightly and her eyes flickered open. Her arms dropped. She took a few steps back.

"What happened?" asked Jason, as the girl took another step away from Jason, breathing hard. Rachel walked up next to him.

"She had a vision," said Rachel. "I know the signs when someone has one. You know who she is don't you, Jason?"

"The arrow tip," Jason recalled, "is Imperial gold. Her armor…Roman gladiator style…and her name…yes…I know her."

"Who is she?" Rachel said. But it wasn't a question. Because Jason had a feeling that Rachel knew exactly who this half-blood girl was and she wanted him to say her name.

"Her name is Dakota Starlight," said Jason. "She's from my camp. She's a child of Rome, daughter of Apollo.

PLEASE REVIEW….WILL BE UPDATING SOON!