The Spirits of the Universe (PJO)

Chapter 67--I Get Ambushed

Disappointment.

That was the only feeling I could make out that was running through my body. There were tons more. There was a lot I wanted to do too—scream, punch a wall, and even start slashing at the air with Riptide, but . . . I just stood there numbly. I should've expected this.

Immortals were more immature than schoolchildren—I'd already known this. I should've expected for N to behave exactly like she did with her excuses, and I shouldn't have been feeling like the Hydra had chewed, digested, and spat me out after she'd disappeared on me.

And yet, a small part of me said I couldn't have expected such a thing.

You know I'm right, Order insisted. You think your love for her is going to disappear overnight? Make no mistake: this could've been predictable . . . but when we're retrospectively thinking, anything could. You wouldn't expect the person you care for to do something so heinous. It's natural.

Yes, a very small part of me.

Another very small part of me had other concerns, though. I can't sense anyone outside of this room, but you aren't exactly a hunter of Artemis, End said. What did she mean by 'visitors'? 

It's probably some more nonsense, I grumbled out. I think it's pretty fair to assume you can't really trust anything she says anymore.

But if she's telling the truth . . .

Enough. Don't even try to defend her. Besides, I'll be finding out soon enough.

I wasn't just saying that to appease End. I couldn't stay cooped up in my room—I had a job to do. 

Niyomina needed to be eliminated before the sun rose.

By now, my backpack contained everything I owned. I zipped it up with trembling hands. Just keep moving. If I ignore it, the pain will go away.

I closed my eyes. I took a breath, imagining the sleepless nights I'd had for the past month, all because of one woman. The uncertainty. The confusion. 

The thoughts wanted to escape—burrow deep into my actions and taint everything. But I wouldn't let them. I gritted my teeth as I forced them into a mental box made of my darkest thoughts. Have fun in there.

Then I dropped that box in the back of my mental space, right where I'd appeared when End had taken control of my body. Make sure nothing escapes, I said.

Are you crazy? End exclaimed. It's not feasible to bottle up all your thoughts. We're all going to explode!

Like you said, it's not just my problem now. You guys are old and wise, right? Find a way to deal with it. 

Ignoring their protests, I swung my backpack over my shoulder and walked towards the front of the room. In one fluid moment, I yanked the door open—

Only to see a man winding up to kick it down.

He wasn't alone. There were about a dozen of his comrades, all wearing leather armor. They had various types of weapons strapped to their waists—short blades, the type you would want to use in closed spaces. They wore cloaks to conceal their identities, but even with their baggy hoods, I could tell that they were all gaping at me in surprise. 

"That's not proper form," I informed the man in front of me, who had frozen in shock with his leg in the air like a dog peeing. "You'd pop your kneecap before you do any damage to my door. Let me show you how it's done." Then I kicked him square in the solar plexus.

The man went flying into the far wall, clonking his head on the concrete so hard that he was knocked unconscious immediately. He crumpled to the floor.

That was beautiful, End praised. An eleven out of ten. I might need a replay of that.