The Hunted Chapter 5

The Battle

“There are worse evils than war.” –Owen Wister

She looked up from the scene of destruction around her. She didn’t know what she was doing there. Just three days after she had gotten to camp, they handed her a sword that she could barely lift and told her good luck. She didn't even know what any of it was, much less how to get lucky. (A/N: hhehehehehe)She rarely even knew what to kill and not kill. Kill. Yes, that word was giving her some trouble. She didn't know how to kill; much less did she want to do it.

It was the second day of battle and Ava had gotten no where in knowledge besides Kronos was a Titan and was inside a boy’s body. Things had been going badly since Annabeth had gotten hurt. People had been running around the bases, preparing for another attack when one finally came. The Drakon startled the campers, and most of them went down in the fight; some not getting back up. She was slightly accustomed to death at that point, but that didn’t mean she wanted to see more.

After another wave of monsters and demigods came through, they sent Ava out to battle with the simple hope that she didn't die. She could vaguely sense Gabriel to her left saying “It’s okay, kid.” and charging into battle. She only had time to feel fear as she tried her best to defend herself. She felt the dull pain of a sword butt hitting her armor as she whipped around to glare at the attacker. Why can’t you just be on our side, for gods’ sakes? She thought hurriedly. And just like that, he turned around and started attacking the enemy.
She looked at the scene with a mix of horror and relief, not finding any explanation on how it happened. Later on in time, she understood it. She was looking into his eyes, the one place she could begin to control the mind, and he had obeyed. She tried it on others with fascination, and found it was easier to do with physical contact. The trouble with that though was she could also hear their thoughts as they could hear hers. She could see how the gods had betrayed each and every one of them. Their motives for working with Kronos left mystery to Ava. What side did she really belong on?

Her question was answered when she was thrown a few feet and landed at Kronos’s feet. In her sudden attempt to get up and run away, she accidently brushed hands with him, and saw the boy that once inhabited that body. Luke Castellan. The gods had abandoned that boy, but Kronos had manipulated and used him. She was fighting on the right side. The moment she knew that, she also knew she hated- no, loathed her power. She didn’t want to know Luke’s story, but she knew it anyway. She knew everything about him. That horribly broken boy had made so many mistakes and he was sorry. So incredibly sorry, but he could do nothing about it, and neither could she. He looked down at her with blue eyes she’d never seen before.
“Run.” He told her, and she didn’t argue.

--

It took quite a while for Kronos to notice that many of his demigods were now on the wrong (or right) side.

“What is this?!” he roared. “What have you done?!” The last part Ava could have guessed was meant for both sides of the battlefield. She had to stifle a laugh rising from inside her chest and Gabriel looked over at her wearily. “We will be back!” Kronos finalized as he retreated with the remainder of his army- which was still more than they had.

Ava had felt as though she had witnessed enough death in her life as another girl succumbed to it when defeating the Drakon. Her name was Silena. She was one of Luke’s regrets. Of course, more surprises came as a helicopter almost ran into the side of a building, was stopped by Annabeth, and a mortal climbed out. She had frizzy red hair and jeans with so much marker stains on them; Ava was surprised she could still see the original blue. She could have sworn by the time Percy came up to her, she was hallucinating.

“Hey, um, you’re Ava, right?” He asked wearily.

“Yes.” She said looking into his eyes and wishing she hadn't. Underneath all of his memories, there was so much girl drama, she almost felt like a minor character in a teenage television show.

“I was thinking maybe you should sit out for the next battle. Maybe you could help with the Apollo cabin for healing…” His voice trailed off as his intentions were made clear. She gave him a look of calculated interest. He didn't know of her power. That also made it that much easier to get the information that her father had asked him to protect her and Pollux. Dionysus had finally gave her the straight answer three days ago that yes; he was her father.

“Sure.” She said with a hint of relief. If things started to go bad, she would do what she needed, but she liked the idea of not having to also.  

--

She sat down next to Pollux, deciding she should at least get to know her brother a little more. Brother; such a foreign word in her mind. She looked into his eyes and the first thing she noticed was there were no memories. No thoughts, nothing. The second thing she noticed was they looked familiar, then she realized it’s because they’re the same pair she sees in the mirror; green. Like grapes, with hints of sarcastic humor left behind. He had curly black hair like their father’s and the same round face too.

“Hey, I don’t think we were properly introduced. I’m your sister.” She said. Her looked over at her smoothly.

“Never had a sister before.” Was all he said. Ava gave a wide smile.

“Well it’s either the luckiest or worst day of your life.”

“I think both.” He said with a far-off look.

“How so?” She asked.

“Well the lucky part is I have a sister,” He said, glancing at her with a small smile.

“But there’s a war going on.” She looked around at the paradise of Mount Olympus around her.

“Think of it as a small spat.” She suggested.

“With blood and weapons?” Ava gave a look of fake surprise.

“You mean your family doesn't fight like this?” she asked with mock concern. He looked at her slowly as if trying to decide if he should throw her off the side now or later.
“That was a joke, wasn't it?” He asked.

“Yep.”

“You’re making a joke in the middle of a war.”

“Yep.” A small grin spread across his features.

“I think we’re going to be alright, little sis.” He said.