Too Many Memories

I Become Queen Of Man-Hating Warriors

I Become Queen Of Man-Hating Warriors

Half a year had passed. Half a year since I had joined the Amazons. Half a year since Hylla had told me she didn't want to be the Queen anymore.

Today was the day I was dreading. A week ago, Hylla had told me I was ready. Today was the day that we would fight again, and this time whoever won would become the Queen of the Amazons. I didn't want to be the Queen, but Hylla trusted me. She believed that I would be the best Queen. I couldn't let her down.

I sighed as I worked on fastening the straps of my armor. Hylla said this would be a serious fight. Armor, shields, maiming. Dirty blows. We would disarm each other and place our weapon over the back of each other's neck, that's how we would win.

Once my armor was secure, I followed Kinzie back into the arena. Hylla was waiting. She had her armor on as well, balancing a sword in her right hand. Like before, there was a rack of weapons and shields. Weighing my options and the odds, I yanked a lightweight shield off of the rack and slung it over my arm. Hylla grabbed a similar one.

"Are you ready for this, Annabeth?" Hylla spun her sword around in her hand. I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans.

"Honestly?" I raised my eyebrows, "No." I fingered my dagger before holding it firmly in my hand.

"You'll do fine. I have no doubt." Hylla smiled warmly before gesturing to Kinzie.

"Begin!" She signaled with her hands and the fight started.

Hylla and I circled each other, both of us surveying our opponent and looking for weaknesses. I planned to stay on defense until I found an opening. I watched Hylla, looking into her eyes to see her plan. They held a firm glint which told me that she was planning to go on offense, which worked well with my plan. We were enemies now, no longer friends.

Faster than a blink, she sprang forward and swung her sword in an arc toward my dagger arm. I jumped back and swiped at her wrist. A thin line of red appeared and she grunted as she stepped back.

Her mouth was a thin line as she hopped forward again and sliced my shoulder. I cursed in Ancient Greek and bounced back. I raised my shield and her sword clanged off of it and I pushed her off balance. She regained her footing and slashed again.

I held my dagger like a pole in both of my hands and blocked the swing. Her blade caught on the hilt and got stuck. She tugged and her sword sprang free.

I dodged and rolled to the side as her sword whipped towards me in a deadly arc. We continued to dance around each other. She swung, I blocked. I swiped, she dodged. A crowd had gathered once again. Word had traveled quickly once Hylla told me that we would be fighting for the rank of Queen.

There were people on both of our sides. Most of the Amazons cheered for Hylla, but a few close friends I had made cheered for me. My two closest friends, Tansy, daughter of Trivia (or Hecate in Greek), and Tammy, daughter of Demeter (Ceres) were among them. We had become friends quickly after I had joined and hung out together every day. They were both one rank below me.

Anyway, they were on the sidelines cheering me on. Of course they liked Hylla, she's their Queen, but we were closer as friends. "Go Annabeth!" They cheered in unison.

"Kick her podex!" Tansy screamed and pumped her fists. "Woohoo!" She grinned and gave me a thumbs up along with Tammy.

I turned back to the fight and ducked as Hylla's sword cut the air where my neck would have been. I pushed up off of the ground and jumped forward. My dagger glinted in the sun and a line of red appeared down the left side of Hylla's face. She growled and dashed towards me.

Her sword sliced my waist and I lost my balance. I fell to the ground and Hylla swung toward my hand. Luckily, it was the hand that held my dagger and with a quick flick of my wrist, her sword clattered to the ground. I lifted a foot and kicked her in the chest, sending her flying backward. She spun in the air and landed on her stomach.

I raced forward and placed my dagger over the back of her neck, winning the fight. She grinned and I lifted my knife, before reaching down a hand to help her up. She popped onto her feet and smiled brightly.

Hylla turned to the crowd of onlookers. "I present to you, your new Queen. All hail Queen of the Amazons, Annabeth Chase."

The crowd grumbled, obviously not thrilled at the change of leadership, but repeated the words. Tansy and Tammy said them with pride. Hylla turned to me, happiness spread all over her face. "Thank you, my Queen." She bowed and I grimaced.

"Please don't bow to me. I don't like it. Or call me 'Queen' even though I am." I peeled off my armor and let it fall to the ground.

"Sorry. Now, what is my rank?" Hylla started to unfasten her armor as well and tossed her shield to the side.

"Lieutenant!" I didn't even hesitate. "You trusted me over everyone else, even though Percy and I caused you to be kidnapped by pirates. There's no way you would be anything lower."

Hylla bowed again. "As you wish." She smiled at me and walked off, taking our armor and our shields. She tossed them onto the rack and some of the men clad in orange jumpsuits raced over and organized it. I sighed at the sight, but said nothing. Then Tammy and Tansy came running over and hugged me from both sides.

"Awesome! Great job, little miss! That was epic." Tammy gushed and slung an arm over my shoulder. I blushed and thanked her.

"Come on, celebration time!" Tansy and Tammy dragged me away and we hung out together for the rest of the day.