Vesta's Child

Chapter 16

You are to make Percy praetor, he has an important role to play and must be trusted by all." Lupa instructed, Reyna opened her mouth to protest but Lupa beat to it,

"What is not to like daughter of Bellona? He is strong, handsome, powerful, respectful. The perfect partner for you, give him time and things might be able to speed up romantically." Reyna blushed at the thought, he was undeniably handsome and she had been waiting for the right man to take over for co praetor. Being a praetor meant that you and your partner bonded in many ways, friendly ways and romantic ways.

"But what if he is not a good fighter?" She questioned and Lupa gave her a wolfish smile,

"We shall see."

Percy stood in the coliseum holding his two imperial gold hunting knives, he wore his hoodie that his father had given him and the hood covered his eyes. He stood tall as the crowd roared in anticipation of the upcoming battles, he could hear bets being placed on how long he would last. His golden bow was currently being held with the roman god of borders along with his guitar. Percy only brought his knives and his sword Anaklumos for he wanted to fight the Romans fairly so he gave it to Terminus for safe keeping.

"LEGIONNAIRES! We will be watching Percy Jackson fight to be accepted into a cohort. Bring out the fifth cohort centurion!" Reyna bellowed, Frank walked into the arena and Percy smirked deviously,

"Well if it isn't the son of Mars?" Percy taunted as Frank took a fighting stance, Percy just stood there watching him in amusement. Frank scowled and glared at him,

"I'd love to see you try to take me down." He seems to be more like a son of Ares then Mars. Percy mused as he casually approached him, his stance was firm but based on his weight Percy knew he wasn't a quick fighter. Frank probably had strength but by the angry glint in his eyes Percy could tell he lacked strategy, Frank looked as though he could attack Percy at any moment. Frank clutched his sword tightly and Percy yawned and looked at him expectedly,

"Are we gonna fight or are you just gonna stand there like a ditz?" Frank roared in rage and charged at Percy, Percy remembered king Perseus doing the same thing. At the last second he stepped out of the way and tripped the centurion. Frank fell and quickly jumped to his feet, he slashed his sword at Percy who easily blocked the strike with his knives. Percy sliced a long gash into his stomach making Frank bend over in pain, he then grabbed his face in his hands and slammed Frank's face into his knee. The son of Mars nose cracked and blood gushed out, he then fell to the ground unconscious. Percy wiped his bloody knives off and turned to Reyna who was very surprised at how short the match was. Apollo campers took his unconscious body away. The crowd cheered but some booed loudly,

"Bring out the forth cohort." Reyna called and a boy appeared, he marched proudly and had blue eyes. He had bright blonde hair and Percy knew it was one of Apollo's children, he carried a bow and Percy sheathed his knives. He brought out Anaklumos and Reyna gasped once she saw the celestial bronze sword,

"I am Jordan, son of Apollo. May the best man win." Percy nodded and decided he liked Jordan, he wasn't boastful or cocky like Frank was. Jordan fired arrows at a rapid speed, Percy dodged and used his blade as a shield against the arrows. They bounced off his sword as he flipped and rolled in between arrows, Percy began to advance on the son of Apollo while easily avoiding the arrows. To his surprise one caught him in the stomach, he grunted as pain exploded in his stomach. Instead of falling like the Romans predicted he ripped the arrow out and glared at Jordan murderously, he threw the arrow back at him catching the son of Apollo in the thigh. Percy silently cursed himself for not wearing armor but knew that with no armor he would gain the acceptance and respect of the Romans faster. Not to mention he hated how heavy and bulky armor was, it was hot and limited his movements. Jordan screamed and Percy took his moment of distraction and charged at him, Jordan saw this and quickly took out a knife. Percy moved so quickly that he looked like a blur, he smacked Jordan's arm with the flat of his blade making it go numb. He then dodged Jordan's blade as he attempted to feebly fight him off, Percy couldn't feel the pain in his stomach anymore as anger boiled through him. He fought himself so he wouldn't burst into flames. Jordan tried to kick Percy but Percy easily grabbed his foot and twisted it with one hand, with his sword in the other hand he swept Jordan off his feet with the flat of his blade. Jordan let out a yelp and fell flat on his face, Percy put his sword to the back of his neck,