Author's Note: Hey guys, this is Chapter 10 for you all! Sorry for the long wait! Give a hand for dubba dubba double digits …. And thanks again to everyone who read and reviewed, and favorited…also being patient with me….keep the reviews coming so I know what you think; I need to know what people think, since I get curious on what people think of my writing for each chapter…as I said, as long as it doesn't wound me. Every review or favourite I get inspires me to write more and lets me know that people like to read my writing…thank you so much. All for you guys! ;) I also want to thank you for your opinion on the ideas….and the side comments to why you chose it, and I finally have a good idea for that….so you know what they say, majority wins, and yeah true…the damsel in distress thing is getting old and played out. So thank you AGAIN soo much. So READ and REVIEW xoxo -thatasianwritergirl

P.S.: This might not be an enjoyable chapter but I promise you I'll do my best on the rest and I am so sorry I updated Late again and sorry again for the cliffhanger, I wanted to make the story longer… In my opinion this chapter might kinda suck….

Confused Feelings, The Nightmare, and Private Training Sessions

(Annabeth)

"What brings you here, Commander?" I said playfully as I fixed the letters back to the box...just hoping Percy didn't read anything from Thalia's letter.

As I said that, I wish I could've taken that back. I can't believe I couldn't even act or feel normal around him. And I would never fall for a man like him, playful and cocky, someone I barely know but is somewhat familiar, and someone I don't see often. But my feelings towards him are strong, positive, but at the same time….complicated.

"Nothing, it's just thinking about these letter sent." he said sheepishly holding up his letter box.

"Oh, okay," I said as I gathered my box and felt my face fall to a blank expression. "I must be going; I understand that you need to be alone."

"No," he said, grabbing my wrist with a firm grip. "Stay, Annabeth."

I sighed; I looked into his eyes which had a soft expression. "Look, Percy, I really have to go, I'll….I'll see you tomorrow."

He had a sad expression when he let go my wrist and I walked away. How could I actually like HIM? Him out of all the men in Greece…I think I just had to leave him alone so I could sort my thoughts out, I can't keep up with these complications on my head.

I walked away from the forest, to the row of tents in the dark of the night. The shadows were scary to me. Tonight in a way felt cold, dark, alone, and mysterious, like something wrong is going to happen. But I don't intend to know why. I immediately went inside my tent, my bare tent. It was only decorated with a broken column top from a wrecked temple, which can substitute as a nightstand with an oil lamp, and a few scrolls on top and a "bed" which consisted of thick layers of material stuffed which looked like sacks that were used for the trade. I changed to my sleeping robes, lay down on my bed, on a drifting sleep. My first dream, oddly was this foolish fairytale about me and Percy but my second dream...or nightmare, is in a way complicated.

~~Dream/Nightmare~~

It is the dark of the night….just like tonight. Two men went into the tent of a sleeping girl; oddly the girl looked like me. They both wore Spartan uniforms and they had sinister looks in their faces. One man seems muscular and had this aura that would make him scary. The man beside him was stout, like he's been eating a lot and I assume was his sidekick.

"Is this the person we are supposed to take?" one said to the other.

"Not sure, woman seems weak to take; we look like fools, general's orders are to take person who matters most to Greek commander." the other said.

"But if we take girl, won't it make the commander of the Greek army heartbroken?" the fat man stoked his chin.

"Nah, we won't get much outta her, but if we get the other guy, he could give us strategy, and he is best friend and second in command." the taller man said in a tone like he was trying to debate.

"Are you sure? Because woman seems easier-"

"Stop it you buffoon! Let's just get the other guy, if we get the girl, we'll look weak, besides we don't have much time!" the taller man said in a cruel, demanding tone as he smacked the back of the stout man's head and headed out of tent.

~~End of the Dream~~

I woke up after what seems like a few hours after that dream, at the crack of dawn, with the few cracks of sunlight streaming into my tent. I dressed up for training and went outside.

LATER IN THE DAY

"Troop Annabeth Chase!" a guard called me.

At the time, I was doing a practice before my private sessions. Today is the day everyone has their private sessions. There, they would determine your strongest abilities. Malcolm tells me that where your strongest is; archery, combat, or anything…you'll be assigned to that certain position. He also promised me once, earlier in the week that when my private sessions come, he'll be there.

I put down the bow and arrow I was holding and went with him. As we walked, it looked like we were going out of camp.

"Do you know where the private sessions are?" I asked the man.

He turned to me with a gruff look and said. "I do know, but I can't tell, I just carry out the orders, woman…."

I kept quiet until we reached a cave in the mountains. He motioned for me to come forward. There was a stairwell leading underground. It was steep and dark, so I had to hold on to the stony walls of the cave, keeping my eyes closed, and kept walking hoping I don't fall. It was not long that I took the last step and I am sure now that I was underground, as soon as I felt the flat, rocky ground.

"What is this place?" I asked.

"The private training grounds, Annabeth." a familiar voice said. I opened my eyes and a blinding, hot light flashed through my eyes. Regaining my senses, I saw Percy, standing in front of me. Behind him, there were officials with him; the advisors, a few high officials…but where is Malcolm? He promised me he'd be there.

"Why in here, then, commander?"

"It is, private training session, isn't it? This was an abandoned quarry….we just use this for private sessions."

"Then where is Malcolm then?"

He looked back and he summoned a guard and he muttered him something in rapid Greek. I caught what he said. 'Summon Malcolm Chase.' The man nodded and went out of the cave.

I looked about the cave, it was like an arena. In corners of the room, there were archery ranges, spaces for combat, obstacle courses, and tables and stands used to hold the many tools used for fighting. This place is almost as big as our camp above ground.

"Anymore to say, before you start, Wise Girl?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

"Nothing else, Seaweed Brain," I muttered to myself as I picked up a weapon. "I am ready."

"What did you say, Annabeth?" he asked me questioningly.

"Nothing, let's start this."

The training sessions were really tiring, now I know why they were special; they tire you out more than the regular training done in camp. I was able to shoot twelve consecutive arrows to the center of the target. They also brought out the best people to combat with and I knocked all ten of them out. My last one is the obstacle course.

"This is your last challenge," an official said, smirking as if he knew a secret. "You have to go through this obstacle course as fast as you can."

I nodded as I had a determined look on my face, as I started to go through the obstacle course. When it came to the poles, I took a first step and somehow the cave felt hot all of a sudden and when I turned I saw fire suddenly shot through one of the holes in the cave. I jumped and almost fell from the tall pole, but I gripped on tight.

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" I asked, panting as I held on to the pole. I was lucky I didn't get burned.

"You didn't think we would make this easy for you, Annabeth." a high official said, I could see him smirking. But I saw a look of worry in Percy's face.

My insides were boiling with anger. I can't believe they would pull such a dirty trick. I decided to show them. I climbed back on top of the pole and approaching the other poles, I did flips, twists, and turns as I dodged all the spews of fire that came out of holes from the cave walls.

After I finished the obstacle which was rigged with traps like ropes that could make you hang over a pole, spikes, snake pits, and such…I was given a standing ovation. I smiled but I noticed Malcolm wasn't there…which causes for my face to fall. It felt wrong since knowing Malcolm, he always kept his word.

"Thank you, Ms Chase; we are going to go for the meeting. Thank you for your attendance and efforts." a man said concluding the private sessions, standing up and walking away from the cave. The rest followed his suit one by one. I turned back and decided to take one last look.

"You have done well, Annabeth." a voice said. Even before turning around, I knew it was Percy.

"I guess I have."

"Annabeth," he said in a worried tone, with his eyes on the direction of my hand. "Your hand…"

I lifted up my hand, I haven't noticed it. My hand was burnt. There were portions of flesh peeling off, when I pricked it with one finger from my other hand, it stung.

"I'm so sorry, Annabeth…" he said as he took my burnt hand and kissed it, trying to get the pain away.

"No, it's fine; it wasn't your fault…." I said, jerking back my hand, somehow regretting I wish I haven't done that.

"Come Annabeth, let's go up…." he said holding out his hand for me to hold. I nodded as I was about to take his hand. Then a messenger came…..

"Commander Perseus…." the messenger said.