Practice (PRIVATE WITH DRAGON)

Well a boyfriend is supposed to do this... Dallas leaned forward and kissed Anna softly on the cheek before laughing quietly. I won't do anything to harm Kodee, I promise. Just don't run off crying like that again please. I'm sure you scared everyone there and all that good stuff. Dallas gripped Anna's hands softly and smiled at her.

Kodee laughed and picked Ashley up in his arms while spinning around a couple times. This was a great time to be happy and not fight so maybe the two boys could learn to get along for the time being at least. The son of Thanatos put his girlfriend down on her feet and smiled at her happily. Everyone's fine, but are you okay? Were you going to join us at the beach today? Kodee brushed his fingers against Ashley's cheek softly while grinning at her. Her skin was soft and warm as Kodee laughed and stroked her cheek fondly.

Dallas glanced over at Kodee and actually chuckled at how the ten year old was so madly in love with Ashley but wasn't going to hurt her in any way. I take it that is Ashley, the girl Kodee's dating. He said it as a statement since there was really no doubt in Dallas' mind that Kodee would never act that way around anyone other than either family or Ashley.

Well it seems the nicest daughter of Ares is well matched with the most short-tempered son of Thanatos. They seem to equal each other out and have great feelings for one another. Quite like us, a calm daughter of Apollo and an aggressive son of Hades. The Fates have set us all upon a path we do not know but I feel that the four of us are destined to be great friends. Towards the end of Dallas' statement, he had gotten louder so that Ashley and Kodee could hear him and then smiled as he spoke about friendship and the Fates.

Kodee was midway through starting to speak when he heard what Dallas had said about them being friends and had to stop because he was stunned. Just a little bit ago, the son of Hades had been so angry that he had been ready to challenge Kodee after getting through Kat, Austin, and Zephen. Now he was speaking of being friends and the best of them at that. I agree, son of Hades, for there is never anyone better to befriend then those you once have hated. One knows someone else better after having feuded with them for some time. That is why we are going to be great friends and allies in the coming wars that each of us must fight. Whether they be battles warred within us or battles we must join forces with the Romans to win, I will be by your side as your brother in arms and your friend. Kodee held out his hand in a gesture of peace and brotherhood as well as bowed his head to the son of Hades. His father bowed to Dallas' so Kodee respected Dallas just as much as they would.

Austin was walking toward the cabins when he heard a scream from somewhere ahead for him and Zephen. It sounded sort of like Ashley, or maybe Anna, but why would they be running around looking for him and Zephen unless something was wrong. Kodee and Dallas were both too much in love with Ashley and Anna to start a fight with them so something had happened that needed a healing touch. Quickly Austin looked at Zephen and then ran toward Ashley while whistling for Seraph. The white Pegasus shot through the clouds and so did Flare, a red Pegasus who was the mount of Zephen. When the two boys made it to Ashley, the horses were pawing at the dirt impatiently while they knew something was wrong.

Why is it that I am becoming your healer on call? I am a soldier who fights and kills, not someone who stands at the back of the lines with the medical supplies and a weak stomach. Austin tried to glare but then laughed and mounted Seraph while Zephen mounted Flare. So where is it that we are needed and why do I guess we are going to have a fight as well as healing to do? Zephen sat astride Flare and held his hand out to help Ashley up onto the red Pegasus in front of him.

Austin nodded and spurred Seraph into a gallop which soon led to the Pegasus taking flight straight to the skies where the stallion was most comfortable to roam through. As the white horse flew through the skies, Austin mentally went through his course of action. The strong demi god drew his great sword and laid it across his lap where he could get to it quickly just as the Pegasus descended and Austin could see Kodee and Dallas lying on the ground while Anna tried to reach his nephew. She passed out and Austin looked around for the attacker, soon finding an archer in the trees. The son of Nike gave a battle cry and jumped from the flying horse to attack just to realize he had little time to heal Kodee and Dallas as well as Anna. Austin jumped from the tree and landed in a crouch next to Kodee. Quickly the young man wrapped his hands around the shaft of the arrow and pulled out the bolt. The arrow let a pungent odor waft through the air that spoke of pit spider venom. Austin cursed and pulled out a vial of antidote that he kept on hand for that very venom. He dripped some upon the boy's tongue and then the wound before he moved to the other two. Soon all three were treated and Austin was able to turn to deal with the fight.

While Austin dealt with the three wounded upon the ground, Zephen had drawn his blade and jumped from Flare onto a branch. He attacked the girl archer with his sword, aiming to destroy the bow that had shot the arrows that had poisoned his family. Zephen was tall and broad shouldered so if the blade did hit then the bow would shatter instantly.

Austin felt his eyes go black and his vision clouded over before going red as his mind went singularly focused upon the destruction of this silly archer girl who thought it a good idea to use Anna as a scape goat for her idiotic behaviors in this clearing. He clenched his jaw and the muscles on his arms bulged as he gripped the hilt of his sword tighter. Austin jumped into the air and kicked off of the trees until he was on a branch right above the archer. His arms moved as if on their own decision and in a split second Austin was hurtling toward the girl with his jaw clenched and his eyes flashing dangerously feral and black.

You never blame your mistakes on someone else. And you sure as hell never attack my family without expecting revenge upon you for your actions. Now join Hades in the earth and Underworld! Austin swung his sword but it missed and was blocked as Zephen shoved the girl aside and blocked his cousin's attack. Calm down Austin! She is just a child and if you kill her then it will just hurt you in the long run.

Kodee woke up slowly and looked around as he blinked through the pain in his head that seemingly came from nowhere. The son of Thanatos had never been in this much pain before as he stood up and stretched, causing the muscles to creak and stretch in painful motions. He looked around and saw his uncle and cousin both on tree branches while Dallas lay on the ground still unconscious and Anna lay on the ground barely awake. Then there was Ashley who was off to the side with tears in her eyes. Kodee couldn't understand why everyone was so upset and why he was in so much pain, until he found the arrows on the ground next to him, Dallas, and Anna. They had been shot and apparently Austin and Zephen had come running to help them when it happened. Wh...what happened? Kodee's voice was scratchy and he could barely speak as he winced and looked around again.

Dallas moaned and rolled over a couple times before blearily blinking his eyes open, sword already in his hand as he jumped to his feet. Someone had attacked him and he would... Three people were in the clearing unharmed and two others were on the ground in pain. Kodee was just waking up and clearly confused as Anna barely stayed awake. Ashley, Austin, and Zephen all stood there looking at them and Dallas realized what had happened exactly. They had been attacked and the two older boys had come to their aid and were now fighting about what to do. Dallas ran to Anna's side and crouched down next to her. He placed his hand on her brow and kissed her cheek softly.

Anna managed to make out a few words, "Ashley did it huh?" Ashley laughed at this. "Yeah I did." She replied. Both girls smiled, and a minute later Anna found herself asleep.

Dallas stood up and picked Anna up in his arms gently so as to not wake her again from the rest she obviously needed now. He nodded at Kodee who understood immediately and walked over to Dallas with his swords drawn in case they were needed. Better to be safe and have a friend by your side then to be ignorant and foolish without a friend to aid you in your time of need. Dallas started toward Camp with Anna in his arms and Kodee walking beside him. What happened, do you think? Dallas shrugged slightly and repositioned Anna in his arms, leaning her head against his chest so her neck wouldn't hurt when she came to again. There was someone in a tree while we were talking with a bow. When our guard was down they shot us in the back. Ashley must've ran for help and returned with Austin and Zephen who then healed us. Anna was tired from trying to help before she got shot and so she is sleeping now. I would say that archer is gone since Austin and Zephen were standing there calmly.

Dallas saw Camp just ahead but heard something approaching them from the left side. The son of Hades went to tell Kodee but already the younger boy had moved to stand between the sound and Dallas. Out of the trees charged a hell hound with a full grown buck in its jaws. Kodee bellowed and drove both swords into the beast before it could attack them. When the hell hound collapsed into ash, he wiped the blades on a bush and continued forward with Dallas. The two walked into the open and came face to face with something that made them stop in horror. The camp was chaotic as someone was running around slaughtering everyone in a mad rush to get to another person. Dallas put his hand on Kodee's arm and shook his head while he led him to a cave that was just past their present position.

In the cave was a set of stone stairs that were hidden under a boulder which Kodee was able to move. When the boulder was moved, Kodee and Dallas walked down and into a torch lit tunnel that led to a large chamber with several cots as well as a plasma monitor that showed the Camp on the screen. Dallas walked over to the cots and laid Anna down before he curled up next to her with his arms around her torso. Keep watch, Kodee. Call Austin and Zephen and have them come here with Ashley so that they don't get hurt. Dallas fell asleep as Kodee pulled out his phone and called the others before he sat down with his hands holding the swords.

Kodee smiled at Ashley as his eyes drooped further from the exhaustion that he had been experiencing ever since the attack in the forest. It was amazing that there were many secrets in the Camp like this particular cave that seemed to go on forever but how did Dallas know about it and why was if even here anyhow? Kodee sighed and laid his head back against the wall, trying to keep his eyes open but soon he was asleep and dreaming. The dreams were insignificant and so Kodee didn't think to keep track of what he was doing in them or even what they were about.

Austin stepped through the entrance of the chamber after having rolled the boulder back so that it covered the entrance to the stone stairs that led to the chamber. When he walked it he saw Kodee already fallen asleep at his post next to the door and Anna in Dallas' arms both asleep. Austin smiled and carried Kodee to a bunk where he laid him down before walking back to the chair and sitting down. He drew his sword and rested it against the wall.

Ashley found herself asleep a minute later. Anna woke and , careful not to wake Dallas, she stood on the floor. "Scale of one to ten, how cute did me and Dallas look?"

Zephen smirked as he thought about Anna's question and how he would answer truthfully to avoid any problems later on. Normally Zeph didn't care about how people looked when together but to be honest they had looked really cute and calm when he had first walked in. Well 1 being not cute and ten being oh my gods you are Aphrodite beautiful, I would say you guys ranked a 9 on that scale because let's face it. I don't really want to face that goddesses wrath and you were absolutely cute with Dallas and you so calm and the way your head rested in his chest while he slept carefully to not wake you up.

Zephen moved so that he could carry Ashley over to the bunk where Kodee was sleeping and watched in amazement as the boy moved slightly so that Ashley could sleep comfortably. It was shocking how there was so much going on in Camp that made everyone fight yet there were times like these where people were so happy and serene. As Zephen turned around he saw Austin looking at a monitor with curious enthusiasm.

Austin smiled as Anna walked up to him with her question. The Camp is being attacked by some demi titan who has a vendetta against the Aphrodite cabin but what is really surprising isn't that. It is that Chiron is just standing there watching while every other camper draws their weapons and attacks the rogue demi titan. Although since they are cornering this kid then the Camp will be safe in like an hour. Austin walked over to the wall and examined it carefully as he found something strange.

On the wall there was a panel that looked like a semi electronic device but what was it doing there and why would there be a panel on the wall. Austin rubbed his fingers over the stone and a soft nearly silent movement happened as the panel slid aside to reveal a secret vault. The vault was about the size of a kite shield and was deep enough to house a sword laying down. In the vault were gold bars, drachmas, gems, and stacks of hundred dollar bills. Whoever had built this vault had made sure that there was money for them to survive.

Austin looked around in confusion since if there was a vault with money then there should also be a vault with other supplies, but where. As he walked around the room, Austin heard a quick but quiet click from the ground and then a door slid open on the far wall. Inside the second room were racks of weapons and armor. He also saw food and medical supplies as well as random items and blue prints.

Zephen was still not asleep because he really wasn't tired so when Anna and Ashley both spoke of leaving to go join the fight that had broke out again, the son of Zeus stood and moved in front of the door. He drew his sword and set his jaw while he motioned for Austin to join him. Austin moved over as well, picking up the broad sword along the way.

You aren't leaving to go fight in that chaos right now. At least not without telling Kodee and Dallas who are still asleep. Austin kept his grip on the sword loose but he was ready to swing the blade up at the ready until Kodee moved next to Ashley and put his hands on her shoulders. The ten year old boy spun Ashley around and looked in her eyes. Are you sure you want to go fight in this battle? Kodee was willing to go fight with Ashley just so that she could do what she wanted and he could be sure she was safe.

Kodee nodded as he heard Dallas jump from the bunk in a haste that he hadn't known the boy to possess much less use in any situation. The son of Thanatos smiled at Ashley and took her hand in his. If you are going then so am I... Kodee rested his free hand on his sword hilt and then looked over at Austin and Zephen who moved aside silently. As Zephen moved though, he grabbed his shield from his back and slipped his helm on his head. Might as well go as well, I guess. The son of Zeus walked out of the room and rolled the boulder aside so they could get out of the cave.

Dallas looked at Anna in confusion and then nodded. If you are going and so are the rest of you then I am as well. The son of Hades blinked a couple times before he headed for the entrance to the cave as well.