The story should be starting to get interesting right about here. I'd like to thanks my BetaReader, traversing, for editing this first.

Thanks for all the reviews, everyone :)

Also, just a warning, this chapter may be a bit graphic. I think you might like the end, though.

Chapter 14:

Battle Axe

This wasn't just any bandit raid, Percy soon realised. The bandit crew had a powerful Shaman among them, who was generating some sort of protective magical shield over the group.

Arrows flew harmlessly over the heads of the bandit group, and every shot miraculously missed its designated target.

A large, intimidating horse led the way, and the horse's rider–a vicious-looking man with many scars and ripped muscles–chopped down anything and anyone who got in his way. Mothers scrambled to get their children off the busy streets, making way for the merciless leader.

He cleared a path for himself through the ruckus using his double- headed battle axe–a mighty weapon that only the best warriors could wield, as it was a solid weapon with weight, length and sharpened steel on its side. The monstrosity was meant purely for destruction–it could cleave through a skull no problem, as Percy saw against his will when a brave old man tried to swipe his grandchild off the road before she got trampled.

All Percy saw was the glint of the steel as it flashed in the sun, an arc of devastation, and the sickening thud of a headless body falling to the ground. Red liquid spurted high in the air and bathed the child in her grandfather's blood.

Percy winced. He wanted to run right over there and chop that cruel man down with Riptide, but Beckendorf cautioned him with his eyes and rested a beefy hand lightly on his shoulder.

Percy knew that if he were to disobey his elder, it would backfire on him. Badly.

He gritted his teeth and watched as Scar Face and his minions stopped in the market square. They appeared to be lost. Nobody was volunteering to fight, so what should the bandits do now?

"Now?" Percy asked Beckendorf quietly.

Beckendorf shook his head. "Wait."

So they waited. Finally, the leader got fed up with the silence, and shouted, "Well? Send out your best warriors!"

Percy just about charged right then, his impulsivity getting the better of him, but Beckendorf tightened his grip on Percy's shoulder. "Heed. I said wait. We'll see what he wants first."

Beckendorf stood, hefting his spear on his left hand and shield on the right. His broad shoulders rippled with muscle as he made his way to where the bandits stood.

"Ooh, a volunteer?" Scar Face sneered. "About time."

Percy was so tense that his grip on is sword hilt was turning his hand white. He rested one hand on the ground–for better leverage if he had to suddenly spring up.

"What business do you have here?" Beckendorf's harsh words rang across the quiet, strained atmosphere.

"Why, can't a man have a bit of fun once in a while?" Scar Face cackled.

Beckendorf flexed his biceps. Percy knew that this was a sign of his aggravation.

"Leave this village now, and nobody gets hurt," Beckendorf's tone turned threatening.

Scar Face laughed incredulously and swung his battle axe. "Leave? But the fun hasn't even started, man!"

Percy fought the urge to chop off Scar Face's head now.

But that wasn't meant to be. Because just then, the little girl who had lost her grandfather to Scar Face's battle axe ran out in front of the leader's massive horse. Her face was bright red, and her eyes were puffy and bloodshot from crying.

Percy could see her mother try to catch her child, but a man held her back.

"I hate you!" the little girl screamed, racing towards the battle- axe- wielding man. "You killed my Papa! I hate you!"

With a sudden chill, Percy realized the child was Rachel's cousin Rubiana.

Scar Face stared down at the young, screaming child with no emotion. "She has nerve," he said without emotion. "Kill her."

The man raised his axe, but just as he was about to strike, a voice rang out across the market place. "NO!"

Percy's head whipped towards the familiar voice.

It was Rachel.

But the battle axe was already in action.

Rachel barrelled towards her young cousin and shoved her out of the way.

All the hairs on the back of Percy's head stood up. "Rachel!" he cried, running forward, but it was too late. The axe was already embedded halfway through her neck.

Percy was stunned for a moment. He stood still as Scar Face drew his blood-stained axe from Rachel's now limp neck.

Then, before he knew it, and despite Beckendorf's warning glances, Percy screamed in rage and flung himself at the man who had murdered the girl he loved. The momentum knocked the man off his horse, and suddenly Percy and the man were in close combat. The man's long handled axe was no use in these circumstances.

Percy slashed and lunged like never before. He fought like a wildcat, kicking, spitting and screaming–anything to keep Scar Face down while Percy delivered the final blow with Riptide.

The group of bandits stared in awe at Percy as he stood, yanking Riptide free of his victim's torso.

"Well?" he roared to the warriors. "Kill them!"

While Beckendorf rallied the troops to dispose of the bandits, Percy ran to Rachel's side.

He knew it was hopeless. She was too far gone. "Rachel," he breathed, smoothing the red hair back from her bloody neck.

Her breathing was shallow. Blood ran in a continuous stream from her wound.

"Percy," she whispered, her voice impossibly quiet. Percy strained to hear what could be her last words. "I- I'm sorry…"

"Shh," he took her face between his hands. He was oblivious to the fighting going on around them. "You're gonna be okay. Just stay with me. Rachel, do you hear me? Stay."

Rachel's breathing hitched. She hiccupped. Her chest convulsed in pain. "Percy," she whispered again. "Love–you."

Tears streamed down Percy's face. He stroked her cheek with his thumb. He knew it was hopeless.

"L-love you too," Percy whispered.

Rachel squeezed his hand one last time, ever so slightly. He squeezed back with all the strength he possessed.

Then her hand became limp in his. Her eyes glazed over, lost their light. Percy cried out, shaking her hand.

"Rachel!" he yelled, his voice breaking. "No! Medic! Help!"

He glanced around wildly, desperation in his eyes. He jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Percy," a deep voice said quietly. "I'm sorry, man. She's gone."

Percy fell to his knees and sobbed as Beckendorf hugged him, displaying a rare show of affection.

It wasn't usually in Beckendorf's nature to present his feelings like this. But he knew what it was like to lose someone important.

Annabeth felt terrible. While Percy and Beckendorf and everybody else had been fighting a group of bandits outside, she and Thalia had been sitting on a comfortable couch inside the Big House, sharing tea with Chiron.

Annabeth felt a strange desire inside of her. She wanted to know what it was like to wield a weapon. To hold a dagger in her hand, and to be the reason that a life had been spared.

She had watched as the red- headed girl–Rachel, she recalled–had been struck down by the big man's battle axe.

And though Annabeth had no clue who the girl was, she felt this desire burning through her veins–to protect what was helpless.

For so long, she herself had been helpless, sitting at the mercy of her ruthless father. It was time to step up and become a woman worthy of the title of 'noble'. No more running. No more fear.

This was to be her goal.

She would get over her irrational fear of men. Or, at least, get to the bottom of it.

However, when the boy Percy ran through the door, tears streaking his face, blood on his hands, Annabeth felt a stirring inside of her.

No more fear, she told herself firmly, sitting up straighter.

But, for some reason, she had a feeling that it wasn't fear that was messing with her insides.

Ah, the first stirrings of Percabeth. Is this chapter more to your liking? Apart from, you know, Rachel's gruesome death? (Sorry to those of you who like Rachel. I don't actually mind her, but she had to die for this story to work.)

I won't update till we make 75 REVIEWS! That's six reviews. Not too hard, considering how many views this story gets.

Until next time,

MashPotatoeSquishBanana