The Dark Side of Beauty

Chapter 6//Fight

{{Vespera POV}}

It's been 2 weeks, and Chiron's left to go back to the school. I try not to sigh, knowing that being claimed takes a long time, if I even do get claimed. I don't know if I will, seeing as I'm here from a different universe, but Cecilia had assured me before that I would, because I would become one of the demigods for this mission.

I grab a towel off of a shelf, then wrap it around my damp hair, sitting on my bedroll on the floor. My clothes were the only thing I had, along with my bag that I had brought them in. I lay down after a few minutes, watching as everybody else slowly trickles in, crawling into their beds or bedrolls or going to the showers.

After everybody is inside, the lights turn off and I look out of one of the windows, watching the moon and stars. I smile, remembering how I would go outside at night at least once every mission and just watch the stars.

About an hour later, I carefully crawl out of my bedroll, then slowly make my way towards the door. I step over other bedrolls, around small groups clustered together, and finally reach the door. I slowly open it, stopping every few seconds so it wouldn't creak.

Once I finally get outside and shut the door, I walk over the hills, trying to find the perfect place to lay down and watch the sky. After about ten minutes of looking around, I find just the right spot, and lay down, looking at the stars.

I lay on the ground for hours, just watching the stars and the moon slowly cross the sky, then start to disappear, chased away by the first rays of sunlight.

I get up, and walk back to the Hermes cabin, dreading going back in where I would be sweating from all the bodies crammed in such a small space. Once I reach the cabin, I hesitate, then turn around and walk a few yards away, then sit down. I look at the harbor, watching the sun rise over the camp, watching as the sun changes the water and sky brilliant colors.

After about an hour, I see the first people coming out of their cabins, half asleep at this early hour. I close my eyes and let the sun warm my skin, chasing away the chill from the night. I watch as Luke bursts out of the Hermes cabin, scanning the grounds, half dressed in pajamas and armor.

I stand up, and jog towards the cabin, waving. I see Luke visibly relax, and then turn around to signal to somebody behind him. I know I probably look like a mess, but I don't care.

I trip over my feet, and tumble towards the ground, catching myself with my arms, but not before I let out an oof. I groan, rolling onto my back. "Ow." I say, and push myself into a sitting position. I get up, then brush off my shirt and pants. I smile, knowing I probably still had dirt on me.

"That's one way to start the morning." Luke says, and I laugh. "And so is scaring your cabin counselor." I stop laughing, wincing.

"Sorry 'bout that. I just wanted to watch the stars. They were really pretty last night." I say, and Luke nods.

"Just don't do it again, 'kay?" Luke says, and I nod. "Come on, or all the hot water's gonna be gone." I shrug, walking inside the cabin.

About thirty minutes later, I sit at the Hermes table in the pavilion, eating breakfast. I choke on my eggs, an image coming to my mind. I take a sip of my drink, my eyes watering.

"You okay?" Luke asks, and I shake my head before getting up and running out of the pavilion. I run all the way to the Hermes cabin, then run to the sink, tears spilling down my face.

"Colette!" I yell, feeling her fingers get yanked out of my hand. "Colette!"

"VES!" I hear Colette scream, and I leap towards her voice, and feel her hand. I grab on, tears spilling down my face.

I hear Colette scream, a blood curdling scream, and I drop her hand, bringing my hands to my ears. I see a flash of light, and see the volcra, its talons ripping off Colette's head.

I scream, knowing that image would be burned into my brain for the rest of my life. My baby sister. Colette.

I watch as Alinia falls to the ground, the light cutting out abruptly before coming back, but from everywhere except Alinia.

I watch as the volcra drops Colette, and I run over. I lean over her body, letting my guilt and remorse engulf me. My baby sister was dead, and it was my fault. I could have saved her.

I gasp, sliding down the wall onto the floor and put my head between my knees. My breath comes in shaky gasps, and for every breath I breath out, I have to breath 3 in just to get air in my lungs.

I hear a soft knock on the door, and I quickly rub my face with my hand before standing up and opening the door, seeing Luke, a look of concern on his face. "Hey, are you okay?" Luke asks, and I smile.

"Yeah. Just, went somewhere else for a second." I say, adding a fake cheeriness to my voice.

"You know you can talk to me anytime, right?" Luke says, and I nod, feeling another sob rising in my throat. I swallow, trying to push down the sob for long enough to finish this conversation.

"I mean it. If you want to talk about anything, you can talk to me." I nod again, and Luke turns around and walks away. As soon as I see the cabin door shut, I slink back into the bathroom, sitting on the cold tile floor, still a little wet from everybody's showers. I let go of the sob begging to be released in my chest, and I break down, letting the tears flow down my face, picturing the look of terror on Colette's face.

I stay in the bathroom for what was probably hours, and only leave after I make sure my eyes aren't red and my nose isn't running. I was supposed to be helping these people, but how could I if they knew the kind of nightmares I had? They wouldn't want my help, because I'd be weak, and that isn't good for somebody who is supposed to be leading, supposed to be there for everybody.

I redo my makeup, and pull my hair back into a loose ponytail. When I walk out of the bathroom, I grab a book before jogging outside. I looked down towards the training grounds, knowing that Luke would be there. I start walking, making my way down to the armory before stopping at the training grounds.

"I see you're doing better." Luke says, and I nod. I pull my dagger out of the sheath on my wrist, and Luke raises an eyebrow. "Do you know how to use a sword?" I shake my head, and Luke sighs.

"You're going to have to learn."

"I know. But I know how to go against a sword with a dagger."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Then let's start."

I nod, and Luke holds his sword in the ready position. I look at Luke's face, tracking his eyes. I dig my foot into the ground, making a hole. I grip onto my dagger tightly, the leather fitting perfectly against my palm.

I feign left, and skid on the ground as Luke swings his sword. I quickly get back up, and feel my bracelet against my wrist. I grit my teeth, feeling my blood pounding in my ears.

I watch as Luke charges at me, and I duck at the last second, pushing Luke off to the left as hard as I can, making Luke stumble. I stand back up, putting one foot behind me.

"Good." Luke says, but I ignore him, taking in his stance.

I run at his left, and Luke swings his sword towards me, but not before I swerve to the right and elbow him in the stomach. Luke doubles over, and I kick his shin, making him fall onto the ground. I put my foot on his back, and pulled the sword out of his hand.

I toss the sword a few yards away, and hear Luke groan. I let up, then grab his hand, pulling him onto his feet.

"That was good." Luke says, and I smile.