I Was Percy Jackson (A Percy Jackson Betrayed Fanfic)

Chapter 20 || I Tour The Grounds

PERCY JACKSON

"...and here's our sleeping area. This is where the commanders rest and take their time in the tents. We don't have proper rooms because of Chaos, which I'm assuming you hate as much as we do?" Hannah raised an eyebrow.

"Clearly," I said, rolling my eyes, "That fleabag's got the common sense of a molecule."

Hannah turned away and I knew immediately she was one of Order's smartest commanders. No wonder Order put her first!

"And here's where we train," she motioned to the holograms where her comrades were fighting. "I'm going to walk you through the basic moves."

Ego alert!

"Stand right there," she ordered and I nodded. "React as if you would in real life."

Hannah charged at me, swinging her practice blade at me. She looked as if she was going to swing for my head, so I ducked. Hannah then abruptly switched directions and sliced at my stomach. If this wasn't a practice blade, I'd be chopped perfectly in half.

"Okay..." I stared at her.

"So? Don't do nothing, you idiot! Fight me!"

I charged at her and did the exact same thing she did, but this time, she did a front flip and landed on my back, sending my head to slam against the foam mat on the floor.

"That's how we dodge attacks coming to us from below. We flip onto their backs and trample them," Hannah said. "Then, we'll slice off their necks if they're on the floor. If they get up, we slice at their backs. If any way you get in this position, the best thing to do is this."

I got into her position and Hannah promptly rolled over, stabbing upwards and hitting me in the face before getting up and kicking me across the room.

"That's how we defend," she said.

"Okay," I said, "So what's next?"

"I'm assuming you can sword fight--"

"How'd you know?" I asked her, curious.

"Each year, Order always adds in someone new and asks me to train them. I've seen sword fighters and archers and all types. You..." she stared, "You're a sword fighter but something else tells me... you can do all."

I looked into her orange eyes and she sighed, giving me a look.

"I may not know you well or like you much... but there's something different about you."

I felt chills crawl up my spine.

"Different how?"

"That I cannot tell you," Hannah said, getting her dagger out.

I briefly thought of Annabeth and felt a tear rise to my eye. I quickly wiped it off but Hannah noticed. Hannah, thought I expected her to yell, walked over and stared at me with the same fierceness Annabeth had. Shit. No, no, no, Percy. Don't.

"You're thinking of something. Something who makes you sad. I can see it in your eyes."

"Well," I said, "It's not like you get cold and heartless in an instant, Hannah. It comes to you after something awful has happened to you. And you remind me of the person who dealt me pain."

Hannah's eyes softened for the first time since I had met her.

"It was someone you... you know... dated, wasn't it?" Hannah said.

"How do you read minds like that?" I let out a humorless chuckle.

"Like I said," Hannah said, "I've met a lot of people. And all of them have a different story."

She twirled her sword.

"Shall we go again?" her face hardened.

"Let's do this, Hannah," I growled before we fought.

I flipped onto her back, pinning her down. She did the defense thing and I quickly leaped back before I got an idea. I kicked her straight in the back and when she fell, I stabbed her in the back with my practice blade. Hannah rolled around, looking at me in wonder.

"What? How? Did you seriously just make that up?"

"Assassins like me don't normally have plans," I said, "We plan when we see our victims."

This wasn't true at all but I had to sabotage them the slightest, right?

"Alright," Hannah said, "I think it's about time we show you your tent, right?"

ANNABETH CHASE

I leaned over, putting my hands on my knees, panting. I was exhausted to the core. This training thing was really wearing me out. Luke and Ethan looked perfectly fine, only taking sips of water and chattering in a hushed tone. Being the person I am, I leaned in to eavesdrop.

"Thalost's literally not responding to any message we're giving him," Luke hissed to Ethan, "Doesn't that mean we need to come in and help? What if he's in danger?"

"We should trust that he knows what to do, Luke. It's only been a few days since he left. There's no way they caught him that quickly. You know, he's an assassin for a reason," Ethan replied firmly.

"But Ethan," Luke sighed, "Thalost's like a brother to me. Do you know how it feels to lose a brother?"

"I know, Luke, none of us do, but we need to trust him. He'll send us a sign for help if he needs it," Ethan said before their faces turned into harder stone and they walked forward.

"Break time's over," Luke said, "Back to your swords."

I practiced the moves they were showing us again, swinging with ease.

"Better," Luke nodded at my display of what I'd learned, "That's all for the backhand surprise stroke. See you tomorrow. Next, you're at archery."

I shivered, thinking about Zoë and Bianca. They were scarier than Luke and Ethan for sure. I guess that's what you get from hunters. You make one mistake, and they hold a grudge. I gotta say... I respect it. I mean, I made the worst mistake of the century... so I deserved it anyways.

"Bows and arrows up," Zoë said in a stern voice, "You'll be learning the shooting spring today. A back handspring to the side to avoid shootings while you shoot during your acrobatic move to attack the opponent, who won't be expecting it."

"Gods," I groaned.