Xenomorphic

Chapter 27: Huntresses Part 2

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Sisterly Spar

August 16, 2006

Asteria's synapses practically exploded inside her head as her internal clock rang loud and true. The daughter of Poseidon did her equivalent to a yawn (a soft, screeching, metal-on-metal-like sound), arching her back, getting out the kinks, while holding her arm over her head and gripping the elbow with her other arm.

The magical fire was no longer burning.

Asteria slid off her bed, having never actually got under the covers, but still straightened out the sheets to where the bed looked nice and tidy. Nodding to herself at her handiwork, Asteria made her way for the exit, completely ignoring her dresser. She had been her usual naked self last night, to no comment or concern, and she had the highest faith that those feelings would continue into the day, as well.

Despite the magic of the tent, Asteria's sensory abilities were not cut-off from her, so when she brushed past the flap and out into the camp, she was not surprised to see some of the girls already up and about, their tents packed neatly into...rolls. Like sleeping bags. Whatever; magic was weird.

Jess, the Southerner, was already cooking breakfast, which smelled like bacon and eggs, while Bethany and Amber chatted by a tree, Joanna was doing Sarah's hair, putting it into pigtails, Zoё and Phoebe were arm wrestling, and Octavia was polishing her namesake.

'Longsword' was not an exaggeration. It was a simple bastard sword, with a ball for a pommel, a two-handed, leather-wrapped grip, a spindly cross guard, and a long, thin blade made of celestial bronze. It was a strange weapon to be used by a female, for sure, especially one born during the time of the Roman empire, where the most common sword was the gladius. It was also a most-definite weapon of masculinity, ironic for a Huntress that 'despised all things male.'

The rest of the Hunters were either still sleeping, or were doing one thing or another inside of their tent. Strange; Asteria could not detect anything happening within the tents...most likely due to magic, but the demigoddess found that to be more of a boon than a hindrance. Seriously, knowing what everyone was doing at every moment of the day sucked.

Knowing when someone was pooping in the toilet or fucking behind a tree was not something Asteria particularly enjoyed, despite dealing with much worse in the School.

The daughter of Poseidon was broken from her little reverie by the sound of cracking stone. Phoebe was clutching her hand, smirking in a pained way, while Zoё was smirking. The rock they had been using as their platform was broken, with pieces of the mineral laying strewn about the ground. Clearly, Zoё was the winner of the contest, and the physically superior of the two girls.

Sensing eyes on her, the Lieutenant turned to see Asteria staring at her and Phoebe. An idea sprung into the Huntress' mind. "Would thou like to arm wrestle me?"

Initially cocking a brow at the apparent lack of knowledge Zoё had on her physical capabilities, Aster was hesitant to break the older girl's hand, but then she shrugged with a what-the-Hell kind of attitude, and trotted her way over. Now, the attention of those awake were focused on Asteria and Zoё as the bent elbows and clasped hands.

"On my mark," Zoё said, a smile on her face. "One...two...three-go!"

Now, knowing that the girl before her was a daughter of Atlas, a daughter Pleione, the Lieutenant of Artemis, a Huntress, had been alive for thousands of years, and an extremely large amount of essence, Asteria fully expected somewhat of a challenge when facing Zoё Nightshade in a contest of strength.