Daughter of Hera
A/N: I see many people liked the previous chapter and I'm glad! Just to clear things up, Percy ain't dead, just missing because it now follows a timeline. Now, the official result up till now of the poll is: 3 for Leo, 5 for Jeff (he is the OC I was talking about, born of my own imagination.), 1 for poor Percy and 2 for her becoming a Hunter of Artemis. So, for now, I've decided, on the quest its Jeff along with her wondering how Percy would be as a BF, then meeting him and a small crush. Before leaving for the quest though, she'll become good friends with Leo. Okay? Good. Now, if anyone wants to voice their opinion nicely, they may leave a review. Thank you.
Disclaimer: I don't any characters or story aside from Jayda and Jeffrey.
Jayda answered with a grim determination, "Then we fly."
Annabeth looked shocked for a second and then answered, "That actually makes sense. We can't go by ship and the Argo II still isn't complete, and we can't go by foot. Besides, it's too dangerous. We have an inkling of who we're dealing with and if our suspicions are true, we have to minimize our time on land."
Chiron nodded. "You must leave as soon as you can. I propose that you try out your weapons and such tomorrow and leave the next morning."
"That makes sense," Jayda said. "I'm going to get some rest now. I'll see you all in the morning." She walked off towards her cabin. "Jay! Jay! Wait up!" She turned around to see Jeffrey jogging towards her. She smiled and slowed down, allowing him to catch up as she observed him. He seemed to have healed up well, any superficial wounds he had had were closed up now though she could tell he was feeling tired. "Jeff, how are you feeling?"
"I've been better. My leg still hurts but me being awesome, I'll manage with it."
"You're too modest."
They bantered back and forth all the way to her cabin. When they reached, Jayda turned around to say goodnight but was stopped by the look in her best friend's eyes. "What's up Jeff?"
"You are." Then he leaned down to kiss her. She pulled just in time to avoid it. "Are you crazy Jeff? You have a girlfriend! It's not like you've shown any interest in me before either!"
"Not any more, I don't. She went off with another guy, saying she doesn't love me anymore. Even if I still had her, it's not like this could work out, what with her being mortal and all."
"Gods can mate with mortals, why can't you?"
"It's not like that Jay, and you know it! It'll be a hard life for all of us," he gestured around, "and a normal life isn't guaranteed."
"I know Jeff, I know." She ran her hands through his hair. "You're still hung up over her and just looking to soothe yourself. This isn't the right way to do it. I'll be there to support you through this. That's what BFFs are for."
"Did you just say BFF?"
"Yeah, so what?" she said defensively.
"That's such a- such a Hannah Montana phrase!"
"You watched Hannah Montana?" she said incredulously, trying not to laugh.
"It was on! I was bored, it was raining, and mom had made cookies: it just kind of happened!"
"You're talking as if you had a one-night stand with some hooker!"
"I did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Goodnight Jeff. I'll see you in the morning."
"'Night Jay!" He called over his shoulder. She rolled her eyes and went in. Not bothering to switch on lights, she grabbed a pair of pajamas and went into the bathroom, deciding to have a shower. She grinned at the jet shower that took up half a wall on one side and quickly stripped down. She stepped into the shower and turned on the water, moaning happily as the hot water eased out her tense muscles and unknotted her back. She quickly shampooed her hair with lemon soap and washed it out. It was amazing how a good bath made you feel so much better. She stepped out and dried herself, pulling on her night-clothes and brushing her teeth. She padded onto her bed and slipped under the covers, wondering how she went from popular school girl to having the burden of leading a quest on her shoulders.
Jayda blinked her eyes twice in response to the bright sunshine flooding the room through the windows. She yawned and stretched in a cat-like manner and clambered out of bed. At first she didn't realize where she was then the previous day's events came back to her mind. So it wasn't all a nightmare. I really do have to go on a life-threatening quest to do God knows what, she thought. Stumbling into the bathroom, she quickly brushed her teeth and changed into a pair of jeans, an orange T-shirt she'd been given the day before and sneakers, pulling her hair into a ponytail. Satisfied at last, she put on her charm bracelet and watch. She headed out in the direction of the breakfast hall, where she assumed everyone would be. She met Annabeth who was heading the same way. "'Morning Annabeth."
"Good morning Jayda. Going to breakfast?"
"Yeah, I'm ravenous. Any idea where I have to sit today?"
"Chiron had a table set up for you, next to Zeus, where Jason sits and in front of Poseidon, where P-Percy u-used to sit."
"If you don't mind me asking, who is this Percy? And why do you look so sad when you mention him?" When Jayda looked at Annabeth's face, she wished she hadn't been so brazen.
"Percy Jackson was- is a son of Poseidon, Savior of Olympus and my boyfriend. A few months ago, he went missing. One night, I hugged him and told him to go to sleep and the next morning I checked on him and he wasn't there!" she said, growing angrier with each word said.
"Annabeth, don't worry; we'll all work together to get him back. I promise." Jayda said softly. Annabeth nodded and they entered the hall. Jayda spotted her table and made her way over. She settled down happily and noticed that the table wasn't too big, so it didn't seem lonely, nor did it seem too small. She smiled gratefully at Chiron. She wished for blueberry pancakes and syrup and apple juice and was delighted to find that it appeared in a pretty China plate and crystal glass, looking sophisticated and refined. She forked over a pancake into the fire and wished. Mommy, if you can hear me, please help me and guide me. I'm so scared, she thought. Oddly enough, she received a blank signal in response. She sighed and dug into her food, slurping it down with her drink.
Once she was done, she got up and was about to leave when Leo and Annabeth came up to her. "We've been told to test your combat skills, to prepare you for the upcoming quest," Annabeth explained and Leo grinned. Jayda blanched at the thought of fighting these seasoned warriors. She followed them, with Annabeth leading and the two trailing behind. Leo leaned in and whispered, "Don't worry Jayda, I've been here a few days only too. It's not that hard, once you get the basics."
He fiddled with some scrap pieces of metal and opened his palm to show a little bronze bird, chirping merrily. He put it up and let it fly away. "They don't die and they come back to me for repairs too," he explained, seeing her befuddled expression. Her face cleared and she nodded.
They had reached the arena by then. Leo and Annabeth picked up their swords and shields and strapped on armor. Jayda hung around, not knowing what to do until Annabeth said, "Activate your weapon, shield and armor. We'll have a fight, then we do dagger-throwing and afterwards, you have archery with one of the Apollo kids."
Jayda activated her sword and tapped the dial of her watch. She watched in amazement as the shield spiraled out and armor grew on her body, and the sword elongated to its full length. She gave it a few practice twirls and then took up a battle stance. "First you spar with Leo and then me."
Jayda faced her opponent. He made the first strike and she blocked it with a little difficulty. The guy didn't look it but he was wrapped in layers of lean muscle. They struck, blocked and parried when Jayda feinted to one side and swept out his legs from the other. He was now sprawled out on the floor.
Annabeth didn't give her a rest. With a battle cry she attacked and Jayda bent backwards to avoid getting maimed. She went in for a hit and was blocked easily. Soon, their fight became more of a wild dance, both leaping back and forth and fighting easily. Annabeth increased her intensity and Jayda responded with increased vigor. She's tiring, Jayda noted, and so am I. Jayda reached into her deepest reserves of strength and began pushing her back. Her opponent noted this and fought back. A crowd had gathered, watching the two girls. Jayda now thought of a way to beat her. She feinted to one side but Annabeth didn't fall for it, exactly as she had hoped. When she swung to the other side, Jayda twirled around and wrested Annabeth's sword out of her hands with a quick move. She put her sword's point against Annabeth's neck.
"Checkmate."
A/N: Oooooh! I love the way I finished that off! Sorry for the long delay. Expect update next week.