Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Chapter 12: I Kill Some Monsters

Later that day Chiron told the whole Hermes cabin to go to the Big House to get a special activity. When we arrived Chiron explained that we were going on a hunting expedition in the woods to find a particularly bothersome group of monsters.

He said that the monsters were a hellhound, a Dragon and an Empousa and that we had to kill them because they were killing all of the smaller monsters in the forest which were used for hunting expeditions. He also said that we would have to wear full armour and take shields along with our swords.

After he was finished explaining he left and we strapped on our armour and weapons. I was a little nervous because I hadn't killed monsters before and I was worried that I would look weak in front of everyone.

"Hey, Nico?" said a voice behind me. I turned to see Travis standing there looking anxious.

"Yeah, Travis?" I answered

"Do you want to take part in this?"

"Yes." I said, "Why?"

"Just wondering." he said, "I mean you're new and I didn't know whether you would want to or not."

"I do want to." I said, slightly indignant.

"Ok then." he said, "Let's go."

We set off into the woods and stopped at Zeus's Fist.

"All right, everybody," said Connor "We're going to be in two groups. Travis will lead one group and I will lead the other. Stay with your group whatever happens."

He then split us into the groups and I was in Travis's group. We went off to the right and Connor's group went left.

Two and a half hours later we still hadn't seen any monsters and we were all starting to get bored. I lagged behind my group because I wasn't as fast as most of them and because I preferred being at the back anyway.

Suddenly I heard a noise somewhere to the left and I headed that way. My group barely noticed me and soon I had left them behind.

After about five minutes, I came to a clearing where some monsters were fighting with each other. I saw a female vampire with one donkey leg and one bronze leg. Her hair was made out of flames and her fangs dripped with saliva.

I instantly recognized her as an empousa, a she-demon. I charged into the fight with my sword and slashed her to dust with a single strike.

Then the rest of the monsters charged me and my mind went into a different mode. I was able to dodge their attacks and attack them myself. I moved faster than I ever had before and soon all that was left of the monsters was a large pile of dust and a few of their weapons.

I stared at what I had done in bewilderment. I was shocked but also proud of myself.

"Nico?" someone shouted behind me and I saw both Connor's and Travis's groups standing there.

"You killed them all?" Connor asked incredulously.

"Yes," I said, "It was like my mind went into another mode and-was

"That would be your battle reflexes." Connor explained.

"Well done." said Travis, "Not many people could take down a group of monsters single handily."

"Thanks," I said "I appreciate that."

"Your welcome," he said, "Let's get back to the Big House."