Conquer

~16~

Photo by Taun Stewart Unsplash 

The morning of a battle is odd, to say the least. 

Or at least, the first one. We are supposed to intercept them from entering the kingdom in a day, but it seems the infamous general has sent a miniature army to take care of us. According to Percy's spies.

Jason and Leo won't stop cracking horrible jokes through the discomforting silence of our camp. I can't stop thinking over the absurdity of last night. I had a feeling I knew Barns, from somewhere, and the possibility of him...being from this other -- place. It's almost too much.

But what kept me up all night was a glimpse into a happier version of my life. A version that I am full and completely myself. A version I do not have to be ashamed of anything.

"Perch, eyes up," someone quips.

I startle, looking around. Turns out I was steering my horse toward Luke's. "Sorry," I mumble.

"All good."

This morning, aside from Jason and Leo's jokes, felt different than any she has experienced as a soldier. The air had this bloody, eerie tang to it -- as if it was predicting the way this day was going.

Percy halts the unit, and we look over into a valley from the top of the hill, mountains looming at our backs. He turns to us. "Today, we bring the full might of our kingdom. Today, we fight to maintain peace."

Everyone cheers. A chill skitters along my spine.

He continues, "Do not enter this battle anxious, for we will die true to our hearts and purposes!"

Cheers.

Claps.

And me. Silent.

Percy says nothing more and urges his horse down into the valley. When the herd moves forward, and I reach the edge of the hill, the breath gets caught in my throat. An entire legion waits for us, donning dark red armour. No sign of the famous, bloodthirsty general. Just her warriors.

"AYEEEEEE!" everyone screams, our horses charging toward death.

Bouncing on the galloping animal, I whip my head back to look back at the mountains. To the place, I saw that alternate version of myself, where I could break in that darkness. But will I pick myself back up? Or will I let these pieces stay scattered across the filthy ground?

The enemy draws closer.

I can't.

I can't.

The armour feels too big, too clunky.

I think -- should I?

"Perch, shield!" Percy yells to my right.

I throw my shield over my shoulder and he bounds over it, flying into the merging lines of warriors. The second his weight is gone, I unsheathed my dagger, slashing it through air, fabric, skin, almost as if I could discourage this armour I have built upon myself.

A lie. I am a lie.

Luke groans from the brutal impact of a wooden stick, nearly tossing him off the horse. I knock the enemy warrior to the ground, letting the following soldiers in our legion do the rest. I may be a lie, but they need Andrew Perch right now, not Annabeth Chase. The wind sighs, almost in disappointment.

The fighting feels exhausting, everything almost sluggish. My breathing turns heavier, and I wince with each thrusting movement of my arm - dagger gripped tightly in my blood-soaked hand. I just have to keep reminding myself to keep going --

-- going --

-- going --

-- going --

-- going....  

Sorry for the wait!! Life is quite busy at the moment. 

Have a great day/night wherever you are! - The Fangirl