"Now, from what Hera has said, I believe you need to get to the wolf house. Since I'm friends with-ah, people, who run the place, I'll get you to the wolf house tonight. Sounds good?"

"Yes, thank you Lady Artemis." Persis said, before turning to her friend. "Well Drew, let's pack up and go now, shall we?"

—

Time: just after sunset

Persis POV

"Girls, are you ready to go?" Artemis asked, and I nodded.

"Drew?" I asked the girl inside my tent, stuffing her belongings into a new silver backpack. Her old one's shoulder straps tore, so Artemis gifted her a hunter's pack to use.

"Coming…" I Heard- the muffled voice of my friend within the tent. Apparently, she had decided that sleeping the afternoon away was the best option instead of packing.

I sighed. "Drew, come on. Lady Artemis is getting impatient."

"Kay fine, coming in just a sec!" Drew's muffled voice came out from behind the tent flap. Seconds later, she burst out from the tent flap, her silver backpack haphazardly thrown across her left shoulder, her normally neat and tidy hair falling over her shoulder.

I still couldn't get over Drew's natural beauty. I mean, she had these cute roundish almond eyes, a perky nose and beautiful, soft lips, as well as unblemished skin (aside from the faint scar on her right cheek) and her kaleidoscope-coloured eyes, not to mention her lush, schwarzbraun hair that cascaded down in a silky wave, I couldn't see why she saw the need to use makeup. In my opinion, she often put on too much makeup, ruining her natural look.

Not to mention, she always went heavy on accessories, and I had never seen her without at least a fre bracelets dangling on her wrists, as well as a necklace and some ankle bracelets.

Well, not until today, that was.

"Well? Can we get going? Also, stop gawking." Drew's voice cut through the air, and I involuntarily flinched as I realized I had been staring at Drew's perfect features. I blushed, before I turned and walked towards Artemis, face burning, with Drew in tow.

"Alright girls. Hold on to the railings if you're scared of heights. We're running late."

With a flick of her hand, the chariot began trundling down the small clearing before it lifted off into the sky. Drew and I stood next to each other as we gazed down at the wilderness below. The distant lights in the city twinkled and burned, while the cool night breeze brushed gently against our skin. Our clothes fluttered in the wind as we soared towards the wolf house.

(Hera isn't at the wolf house yet. She'll be there in a month, days after Persis and Drew depart for New Rome.)

The chariot didn't have a high cruise height. It cruised just above treetop level, giving us a great view of the speeding blurry patches of green that was the small forest beneath us.

"I never thought the wild could be this beautiful," Drew muttered. "The only time I was in the wild was when we had to play capture the flag, and when I left camp and got chased by monsters. Never did I get the time to appreciate natural beauty."

"Same here, I've never gotten any time to appreciate the wilderness. I've been to sea cliffs and stuff like that, but never have I seen the wilderness from this angle," I said.

Silence permeated the air again, until Drew spoke up. "It's a bit cold up here, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is."

"Ah…would you mind if I, um, stood a bit closer? To ward off the cold."

I turned to look at Drew, and noticed that she had a light blush on her cheeks.

"Why? Can the beauty queen not endure a bit of cold?" I smirked as Drew blushed slightly harder. "Ah, I'm just toying-hmm, how do you say it in British? Ah yes, 'taking the piss'. Of course you can stand closer if you like. I'd do anything for friends."

"First, it's not British, it's British English. Second, not funny." Drew whined as she shuffled closer, until our shoulders were touching.

"Hey Drew, are you feeling warmer now?" I asked the girl next to me, who for some reason was still blushing.

"Y-yeah."

"Since when did the headstrong and flirty beauty queen get a stutter?" I remarked, and Drew's face flushed red, as did her ears.

Before I got the chance to poke fun at Drew again though, Artemis spoke up. "We're almost there now. I suggest you prepare yourselves."

The moon chariot slowly descended, before landing on a clearing and quickly coming to a stop. Immediately, the red-faced Drew hopped off and quickly scampered away from the moon chariot. Shooting her a puzzled glance, I also stepped off, before turning back and thanking Artemis for the ride.

"It's nothing-my champion deserves some help from time to time." Artemis smiled gently. "Now, you should prepare. The wolf house isn't like anything you've seen before. Go down the paved path, and you'll know what to do." She gave a small wave, and I returned the gesture before the moon chariot took off into the night sky.

"Hey Drew, you ready?" I asked the girl, who still somehow had a light pink dusting on her cheeks. "Yeah, I am. Let's go and see what's in store, shall we?" She flashed me a smile, and without waiting, started walking down the cobblestone-paved path.

—

Drew POV

My heart was racing as I walked down the path, the electric feeling when our shoulders touched still lingering.

I had never sensed this feeling before. From the moment I looked at Persi in the tent back in the hunter's camp, I felt instantly attracted to her. I didn't know why or how, it just…happened.

Back in camp, Persi was already naturally good-looking. Boys were falling for her left and right, and I was very, very jealous. I craved attention, and the moment I had set my eyes on her, I wanted her for myself in a selfish way. She was cute, beautiful, caring, loyal…everything you could have wanted for a perfect, ideal girlfriend.

But I knew I could never have her. She was always throwing her onto the front lines, helping every friend out when she had the chance. She was loyal and had a dedicated group of friends, and even though I did have a shaky friendship with her, we were never close.

Still, back in the chariot…I couldn't deny that I felt a spark between us. The momentary contact of our shoulders, the split second our eyes locked…it was all over in a flash, yet the feelings lingered. And for once, I was unsure of what to do. I had never experienced true attraction, I have never experienced true love. My prior experiences were simply amplified lust and desire, but never, never ever did I feel anything like this.

I was conflicted. On one hand, I knew I had feelings-deep rooted feelings for Persi, and I wanted to push her, to get her to feel the same, to intertwine our threads of fates. Plus, mother told me I had the tiniest embers of true love smouldering within me, and it was soon to grow into a raging fire. But on the other hand, I remembered my poor treatment of her in camp, and thought we shared a bond, it was hardly worthy of even being called 'friendship'. Plus, back then I treated her rudely, and only desired for her to be a 'trophy girl' so I could show her off to others, and perhaps use her to fulfill my own desires.

That wasn't love, that was obsession.

I looked back at Persi, who was mindlessly following me, seemingly lost in thought. Her mismatched yet beautiful eyes were staring listlessly at the ground in front of her, and I saw her unconscious rub her pinky finger. Her raven-brown hair blew in the gentle breeze, and the moonlight shone on her through gaps in the trees. She looked so…perfect, so beautiful, illuminated by the silvery moonlight, her tan shining in a heavenly shade while her hair reflected the gentle glow of the moon.

The only thing that put me off was the conflict within her eyes. She seemed to be thinking about something, muttering under her breath while her eyes nervously darted around to look at the ground in front of her.

Whatever she was thinking about must be serious.

I decided to turn back and focus on the road once more. Though Lady Artemis did say she knew the place in and out, whilst promising no danger, I wasn't so sure. For all we know, it might just be another challenge that we had to complete to prove ourselves.

—

Persi POV

I was conflicted.

From the moment Aphrodite revealed the fires of true love between me and Drew, I knew it was inevitable for me to fall in love with her. But now, I wasn't sure if I should take the opportunity and confront Drew about it, or to hide my feelings forcefully and hope that there would be a right time to reveal them.

Truth be told, I wasn't ready for another relationship. My last one with Annabitch ended so abruptly and painfully I was afraid that I would experience heartbreak again. I wasn't ready to commit myself towards someone else just to have my loyalty forsaken and my heart betrayed again.

I was afraid that by entering a new relationship, I would suffer another heartbreak. I was afraid that I would harm Drew's heart, afraid that I would drive her away from the very thing she was born from.

Call me insecure, sure. Honestly, I was more worried for Drew than anything else. She had been with so many people at camp, I wasn't sure if she would be willing to commit to one person and stick with them, nor was I confident that I could release my burdens on her without her kicking up a fuss-or worse, having her fragile emotional state broken.

I knew that something was up with Drew moments after I met her. Bullies, or people who were snarky and rude to everyone and everything, were honestly insecure people who wished to bully their way to the top so that they could hide their insecurities and feel like they were in charge for once. I didn't know Drew well enough to be sure, but from what I'd heard from some Aphrodite campers, Drew occasionally had nightmares about her father. Of course, no one dared to tease her, but I was worried for her nonetheless.

Should I simply acknowledge the sparks that flew between us, or should I wait until later?

Before I could find an answer to my own question though, a howl penetrated the silent atmosphere within the forest.

—

3rd Person POV

"DREW!" Persis yelled out as her twin knives shimmered into existence. Drew stood stock-still, fear filling her face before she unsheathed her own blade. "What's going on?" Drew asked, clearly frightened.

"I don't know, Drew! Just-stay close, we'll move together, yeah?"

"O-okay."

Both girls shifted into a combat stance as they moved closer to one another. Moving in parallel, both girls crept forwards, with Persis and Drew both throwing backward glances to ensure their backs were secure.

Scanning her surroundings, with her twin blades gripped tightly, Persis noticed something between the foliage that lined the cobblestone paved path. "Drew?" She asked, edging closer to the other girl, "do you see anything in the bushes?"

"N-no, why?"

"I think…I think we"re being watched."

Right on cue, another howl-much closer this time-permeated the tense atmosphere. Persis' ears picked up rustling on her left (Drew was on her left) and managed to get a glimpse of something big and fast moving in the forest, seemingly coming straight at them.

"DREW, DUCK!" She screamed and Drew hit the deck, before a massive wolf exploded through the bushes, aiming straight for them. If not for her warning, Drew would have been pounced on by this unnaturally large wolf.

Luckily, Drew was already in the ground, having heeded her warning, and with a flash of crimson and silver, the wolf retreated, snarling in pain as twin cuts sprouted from its underbelly.

More wolves began to pour out from the foliage, and Persis yelled at Drew to stand. "Do you have a shield?" Yelled Persis, and Drew shook her head in fear.

"Fuck!" The brunette swore (Persis has raven coloured hair roots but due to the gradual change to honey brown, most of her hair is in a shade of brown), as she ducked just in time to avoid a set of sharp claws aimed at her head.

"Take this!" She yelled, throwing Drew a wristwatch. "Tap the surface and it'll become a shield!" Drew caught the watch and quickly strapped it onto her wrist, before she nimbly dodged a wolf and tapped the watch surface once.

Instantly, the watch spiralled into a round shield, and Drew raised it just in time to slam a wolf in the muzzle. However, the wolves seemed to not be targeting Drew, and instead were congealing towards Persis, who ducked, rolled, dodged, slashed and stabbed as fast as she could. Surprisingly, wolves who were wounded almost immediately retreated into the foliage, before pouncing back out, good as new.

"Who's hiding in the trees? Come out you damn coward, don't send your minions to fight!" Persis roared as she dodged yet another set of sharp claws and slashed the wolf, leaving a deep gash in its underbelly. It limped towards the trees, but it didn't come back out. Slowly, the number of wolves thinned, and Drew finally managed to drive off the few wolves that were pestering her.

It was then hell broke loose once more.

Wolves suddenly exploded out of the foliage left and right-but none headed for Drew. Instead, all of them were flying towards Persis. "DREW RUN!" The girl screamed as she tried her best to dodge the fully of oncoming attacks, whilst seriously maiming some of the wolves in the process. Drew however shook her head, as Persis widened her eyes in disbelief.

"I'm not leaving you behind!" Drew yelled back, as she began marking her way over to Persis. However, barely a few steps in, she was sent flying towards the ground, tackled by the massive wolf that led the initial attack, who appeared to be good as new.

"DREW!" Screamed Persis as she watched the scene unfold, before a heavy, furry body slammed into her as well. Sent flying, she could do nothing as she watched the wolf rear back, ready to kill her friend.

In a desperate gambit, Persis threw one of her twin blades, Fortia, at the wolf. It struck home, hitting the wolf in it"s midsection as it prepared to slash down at her friend. However, before the wolves could finish a dazed Persis off, a new wolf exploded out of the foliage, it's pelt more luscious and thick than any other. It was also bigger than the wolf that had tackled Drew to the ground.

"DREW! RUN!" She screamed at the demigoddess, but before she could get up, the massive wolf had come flying at her-just to tackle the wounded wolf to the ground as it changed forms midair.

Instead of a massive blur of fur, a woman now clutched the wounded wolf and yanked Fotia out of it in one swift motion, before pressing her hand to its wound and yelling "STOP!"

Immediately, all the wolves backed off, while Persis immediately scrambled up and ran to her friend's side, holding her knife threateningly at the wolves while pulling out her throwing knife (NOTE: SINGULAR) from her left boot. (She gave her other one to Thalia for self defence…okay, she gave it to Thalia so she could peg whatever made her mad)

[A/N here: I need to add something here first. So, we have 2 melee weapons that turn into rings, and they also return to Persis when they get too far. Both are designed with a curved blade, and the length is somewhere around a dagger and a tactical knife. One is held in a forwards/reverse grip (Fire) while the other is held in reverse due to the knuckleduster grip (Ice). And yes, I know that Ice can still be wielded in a forward grip, but see my explanation below before you decide.

Since I realized I forgot to explain this in previous chapters, I decided this short explanation was needed.

Fire is most likely held in the left hand (less powerful) to slash and jab, and is more agile but exerts less power. Ice is held in the right, as a reverse grip allows for more power while Persis is right-handed. The blade is used to slash sideways and upwards, and jabbing DOWNWARDS. It is also used to parry stuff , and can be used to hook enemies, since it is held in reverse and the inner curve can also be utilised (in this case slashing from left to right in reverse).

If you don't have an idea on how Persis' combat stance is, think of Ahsoka Tano. With her lightsabers replaced by twin karambits,]

Drew struggled to get up, so Persis guarded her friend as she tried to stand, staring at the wolves as if to dare them to attack again.

"Relax, cubs. My wolves mean no harm-it was merely a test." The woman said, and Persis turned her head just slightly to allow the woman into her field of view, whilst not letting the pack of wolves out of sight.

"Oh yeah?" She growled. "Then if this was all a test, why did that big brute try to kill her?" She pointed a knife at the wolf currently cowering behind the woman.

"Because I ordered it to simulate a killing blow." The woman said confidently. Persis heard Drew stand up and retrieve her sword, while she analyzed the woman thoroughly.

Her features were sharp but pretty, and she was quite petite compared to her wolf form. The only odd thing she possessed was furry, paw like hands and wolf ears which occasionally twitched. Persis couldn't help but think that she seemed familiar.

"Have we met? Your aura seems familiar." Persis said, her guard still up. "Yes, dear cub, we have met before…sadly the circumstances were not preferable. Also, no need for all of this hostility-the test is over." She smiled at Persis, who gingerly lowered her weapons, with Drew following suit.

"So, mind telling us who you are?" Persis asked, sheathing her weapons before walking forwards slightly to retrieve her other Karambit on the ground.

The woman smiled before she spoke. "Can you not guess who I am?"

"You're either one of those animal-human magicians in the Harry Potter universe, or a goddess."

The woman gained a puzzled expression. "Harry potter universe. How interesting. Sadly, I'm not from that universe-nor am I aware if it's existence. However, I am indeed a goddess." She smiled, walking forwards into the mall clearing before she continued.

"I am the Goddess Lupa, Trainer of demigods. It is a pleasure to meet you, Drew Tanaka, Greek daughter of Aphrodite, and you-" She looked Persis up and down before continuing, "-Persis Jackson, Greek Daughter of Poseidon, slayer of Titans, saviour of Olympus."

Persis' eyes widened at this. "You're…Roman?"

"Indeed, cub. Now, no need to be surprised. Queen Hera has explained her plan to me-as much as I am against it, for fear of my other cubs not accepting you into the pack, perhaps even causing infighting, a Queen's orders should be followed no matter what. Besides, it is an honor to train you." Lupa smiled a wolfish grin, before she continued.

"Yes, yes, don't be surprised. You single-handedly beat two titans, a whole army of monsters and the minotaur-twice, may I add, while laying waste to a bridge in Manhattan and most importantly, personally preventing the full ascension of the titan Kronos. You caused quite the stir in even the Roman sphere of influence, might I add." Her face then resumed its stoic mask, before she spoke again.

"The attack was a test. Both of you passed-in a way. You both did not pay attention to your surroundings when you came. It would have allowed us to ambush you while you were not on guard. If not for the warning howl, I doubt you would have noticed my pack. Yet, your reflexes were quick, and your attacks precise, and you deserve some commemoration for it."

Lupa turned to face Drew, as she commented, "Daughter of Aphrodite, your combat prowess leaves much to be desired. However, I can see a fire burning within you, a desire to help protect and save your friends. Use that wisely, and trust your instincts. Looks matter not in a battle when it can be taken away in an instant by a well-placed stab."

"Daughter of Poseidon," Lupa turned to face Persis before resuming, "You are a great warrior and a skilled dual wielder." Persis' eyes widened at the praise she received.

"However, you allowed yourself to be separated and isolated from your allies in the heat of the moment. Which would certainly bring about your downfall." Persis' eyes saddened, and she lowered her head in shame.

"Now, cubs, especially Persis, do not take this criticism too harshly. You both have excellent talent, but its potential has yet to be fully realized. For now, you shall train hard with my lack in the ways of Rome." Lupa said, before she paused and added, "Rome is much, much more different than camp half-blood. I'm sure your mothers have explained it to you, but in Rome, you must learn to fit in, become another cog in the war machine to aid Rome in its conquests. You should retain your skills as an individual fighter, as they are required in some circumstances and can help you survive. However, to perform efficiently within the legion, you must learn to cooperate and work with your fellow legionnaires."

Lupa turned to address Drew. "Drew, you have a great potential to be an outstanding warrior. However, your beliefs and insecurities hinder you. In this month, you shall train hard to overcome these and become a great swordswoman."

Lupa then turned to Persis. "Persis, from what I have learned by watching you fight in recordings and in real life, you are already one of, if not the best swordswomen I have ever seen in recent centuries. However, I believe that you also have another innate ability-leading. In this month, you will train harder than Drew-not only in combat, but also in the fields of politics and leadership."

"Now, I believe I have spoken long enough. It is nighttime, and after that fight, I believe you shall rest. You will remain in the vicinity of the wolf house. Tell me if you need anything." With that, the wolves retreated back into the foliage, and Lupa shimmered before disappearing.

"So…where are we sleeping tonight?" Drew asked, and Persis chuckled.

"I got just the thing." She smiled as she pulled out a silver square. "C'mon Drew!" She said cheerily before walking down the path with a spring in her step. Drew reluctantly followed, and soon the pair stopped in front of an old and worn structure.

It looked like what a billionaire lumberjack would have built decades ago. In its prime, Drew assumed it would have looked grand and mighty. Now though, it was nothing more than a mass of faded red and gray stones and rough-hewn timber beams.

"We staying in that?" Drew asked nervously. "No, of course not." Persis smirked, before she threw the silver square in front of the structure. The square began to unfold, and in a matter of moments a fully erected Hunter's tent was in front of the wolf house.

"Okay! Let's go in!" Persis grinned, before unzipping the tent and holding the flap open for Drew. "You first." She said, and Drew gladly nodded before stepping into the familiar tent. "Ah, I can't ever forget how the tent is so different inside." Drew remarked, before she looked around and noticed something. "Wait…Persis, why is there only one bed!"

"Hm? Don't you have your sleeping bag and portable mattress?" "Oh yeah! I forg-wait, where the hell are those?"

Kilometres away, a bundled up roll of cloth and foam was lying silently in the forest.

"Oh shit."

"Uh…how are you gonna sleep tonight?"

"Can we…share a bed?"

—

A/N: and that wraps up chapter 6! As you can see, it's the beginning of the romance arc between Drew and Persis :p

Anyway, I'll work on chapter 7 quite soon. I hope to catch you all in the next chapter!