𝕱𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖑𝖞 𝖋𝖎𝖗𝖊 - a Leo Valdez slowburn

Chapter seven

Chapter seven.

[Some Chris x Lin content]

" "

The meeting of the Solomonari had gone just as planned.

Lin always kept as much information as they could secret, for reasons still unknown to most of the Rebellion. Some said they didn't trust the recruits, some said they just winged it and improvised everything they didn't explain.

Christian knew in reality it was that Lin knew that the moment they'd explain their plan in detail, their team would subconsciously alter it. Different people had different strengths, Lin knew. They just didn't have weaknesses in the Rebellion's eyes, so they couldn't show them. "Fake it 'til you make it," Christian had whispered in their ear before they walked up to the podium together. Chris stayed in the background, while Lin strode up to the front, where a microphone stood, unused.

"Welcome to the War Games," Lin greeted grimly. Their voice was quiet – half the audience had to strain their ears to hear what they were saying, even with the microphone. Chris grinned at the dead-panning faces in the crowd – it was a trick Lin used every meeting to get everyone quiet and not have to lose their voice the day after. It had worked wonderfully every time they used and Chris doubted it ever wouldn't, but there were always those who saw through the trick. Chris would've been one of them if he hadn't been on the podium with Lin.

"We'll be here overmorrow, and we'll be here again and again and again, but let me make this clear: losing is something I don't do." They swept their eyes over the crowd, a glint of red in them. "Now I'll only be participating as hostage, but I hope you keep my words in mind." A group – the Alpha squad, the most elite group saluted to them, like soldiers. 

"Yes, captain!" they chorused together. Christian scanned their faces from the shadows: he knew each and every one of them: He could've named every single person in the room if you asked him to.

"Now you've had messengers of mine tell you what to do over these past two days, but I'll go over what you need to know again," Lin continued. They turned to a map with the two fortresses pictured, the forest in surrounding them. Another map hung next to it, of the two fortresses' build.

Chris wondered which cartographer had drawn it, which architect had built the forts. Lin had asked the gods for help when they first arrived here with their little group, drenched of the heavy rain that had poured for a week. It was no doubt a ruse from Solomonar: come home, he said. Come back to me. Chris's jaw clenched at thought of that bitter old man.

Lin explained what the Solomonari had to do vaguely, he knew, even though he didn't listen. He'd heard it a million times before, it wasn't that special. The crowd didn't think so, judging by the anticipating faces he saw.

"The other team has made a few adjustments," Lin said, their voice barely loud enough to hear in the back of the room. Chris's ears perked up. Now this was important. How were they going to deal with the two new demigods?

"There are two new demigods at the GD, as you may know. A daughter of Demeter and son of Nemain." Murmuring broke out throughout the room. Chris didn't bother to pay attention to them.

"I trust you know who those deities are, so I won't explain what high of a threat these two are," Lin addressed the crowd. It immediately quieted again.

"Leah is in almost full control of geokinesis and arborkineses, control of rocks and plants. Aiden can fiddle with sound waves and make vibrations in the air, sometimes going as far as paralyzing the opponent, as some of you." Lin didn't mention themselves, but it was obvious they could too. "They probably will be split up, but you should have your eyes peeled." They quickly wrapped their little speech up, returning to their best friend. They walked together backstage.