Anyone who knows Arya Jackson for more than five minutes knows her opinion of the world, and demigods not so fair place in it. Unfortunately, since the war Arya isn't that easy to get to know. To most she's little more than a legend.
Arya is fine w...
"My biggest fear is that they will eventually see me the way I see myself."
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8.
TOGAS ARE EMPOWERING
ACE VALENTI WAS UP WITH THE SUN as he tended to be when something in his life was remotely stressful. He didn't bother to try and get more sleep. Instead he slid on his glasses, grabbed his notebook, and started writing while the sun peaked in through the window and the golden rays hit the paper at almost an inspiring angle.
A few hours later, Cato was up and after using the bathroom made his way over to Ace. As he approached Ace pushed his glasses up and gave the boy a smile. The two didn't really get a chance to talk last night after everything happened, Ace had no idea how Cato was feeling.
"Are you over our devastating loss?" Ace asked as he closed the notebook and slid it under the mattress, crossing his legs so Cato could sit with him. Skylar's snores could be heard muffled by the pillow her head was buried in, but other than that there was no noise in the cabin or outside. It was a moment anyone would have stopped to appreciate.
"That's the last thing on my mind. Right now I'm focused on making sure we're ready for whatever is coming. Even if Frank and Percy free death, it won't be an easy battle. Not to mention it seems like the beginning of something greater."
Cato's shoulders were tense, his face looked weary. He looked just like their dad when he got stressed. They wore the same expression, even sounded alike. Cato cared not only about the second cohort's reputation, but every single person they took in as well. He honestly felt like their lives were in his hands. He carried more stress than he needed too, but it was the stress of every great leader.
"You've trained second well Cato. You've heard the retired legionaries over the years, we haven't been this in shape since before Cyrus. You worked hard to get us where we are, and everyone here, everyone in this camp looks up to you. We're ready for whatever's coming because you put us there."
Cato buried his head in his hands and Ace noticed his fingernails had been bitten off.
"You know you led them too right?" He asked eventually.
"What?"
He dropped his hands and looked over at Ace. "If it weren't for you balancing me out, I think I'd probably be a dictator and everyone would hate me. I trained these kids to fight and be competitive, but without you they'd feel the need to rip each other's throats out. You're the one who taught them it's okay to relax every once in a while, you taught them how to be friends, and family with each other, damn you taught me that too."
Ace smiled at him, "I appreciate that. Especially considering most of the time I feel all I do is drag the second down and mess up, that I didn't earn this position, you just gave it to me"
