Chapter 9: The First Wolf Praetor

[Percy's POV:]

What was less than a second, felt like hours passing by as we sprung at each other. My senses heightened not only by my wolf instincts, but by the adrenaline filling my veins. The anticipation drew me in. I assumed my battle eagerness was a product of Lupa adopting me, my wolf instincts craving the battle for the alpha position.

We clashed powerfully, her imperial gold spear thrust out at me, with power strong to pieces my metallic hide without any doubt. I get hit by an attack like that and I'd be done for. I had to wait, time it right to the moment when she could no longer alter her line of attack and then duck underneath to her non-dominant side. Just as planned her blade was centimetres away from impaleling my snout before I suddenly ducked my head down and dashed past her. It was this action that made me realise one problem, I'd been shrunk far too long and it was beginning to take its toll on me. The discomfort growing to unignorable amounts making my actions sluggish costing me a viable opportunity to attack. I decided to grow a little to ease the stress, it would hinder my agility a little, but not much. It would, however, prevent me doing certain actions effectively such as quick dodges and spin based attacks. Which worked well with a small body but not so much a big one. I turned towards her, a murderous look in my eyes with my lips curled in a vicious growl. The arena and its crowd no longer existed, just Reyna and I trapped in battle.

Once I had recomposed myself, I began to reassess her fighting style, she used a lot of solid foundation moves and the footwork was flawless. Finding an opening would be just as difficult as making one in her solid defence, I needed a new approach to win this so I decided to get wild. Attacking with raw speed rather than agility, doing my best to avoid each sweep and thrust of her spear. I just needed to close the gap, get in close enough to bring the advantage to me. Running at her once more I got low to the ground positioning my body as if I were about to pounce, she took the bait positioning herself ready for an aerial attack. Instead, I remained low, running straight into her legs, my bronze fur slicing the skin as it passed by. I didn't stop there, I had finally closed the gap presenting me with the advantage. It didn't work out that way however, I managed to knock her down, but she had also unexpectedly turned her spear into a sword holding it at my throat while my jaws at hers. A tie. Something I oddly felt satisfied with and I could tell Reyna felt the same.

"It is a tie! And as such I will still offer you the seat of co-praetor beside myself. Does anyone object? Speak now or do not speak at all" silence confirmed no one was opposed to me taking such an important role and I would be mad to refuse.

"I ACCEPT!" I barked out loud forcing my hoarse voice to be heard by all. I was their praetor, and they my legionnaires. I would lead them to strength and power alongside Reyna. Together I believed we could survive anything.

The audience cheered at my acceptance, excited to once more have two praetors like they should have for so long.

"Damian, follow me, we have much to discuss about your new position and its responsibilities. I also must get you fitted for an outfit even if you are a wolf, decency is a must." I huffed at her words disliking the idea of clothes, especially since I'm technically wearing some already and it's just part of me right now. We began walking together towards what I think was the barracks.

"You will be staying in the praetor house alongside me. It's a place built recently that acts as both a meeting hall for important discussions and a place for us to live." Wait wait, we were going to live together? Isn't that like a post dating thing? Oh yeah I'm a wolf she probably imagines I'll just laze around like a pet or something. We walked silently through the campus grounds, passing the occasional légionnaire. Couldn't help, but think about what my purpose here really was, about the supposed plan Juno was 'repeating' for me and more importantly, why me?

"I expect you to pull your weight as a Praetor, being strong doesn't make you a decent praetor and let me warn you. Abuse this position in any way and I will cut you down bronze furred or not" my previous thoughts were proven wrong from her words, carrying a cold chill as she spoke them. Her promise was one she wouldn't hesitate in carrying out, not that I planned in abusing the position; I'm not like that. At least I think I'm not.

"I will do my best to strengthen this legion to new heights, my mother's honour demands it" Reyna seemed pleased by my answer or at least accepted it, her emotions were not easy to figure out. What I could see was a strange longing and loneliness, that she tried to hide so badly, it was practically on display.

"Good, we have arrived at the praetors quarters" the building was no different from the rest of the barracks save for the size difference. It felt like the place you get called to for detention.. probably was. We entered and found a large living space alongside several rooms. 2 on the right, 2 on the left and 2 at the back.

"Your room is next to mine on the right, which is marked with my name. If you value your life you will stay out of my room unless permitted. We will have to iron out the living details due to your... wolfishness. on the left, the first door leads to the kitchen and the second to the clothes washroom and storage which I suppose won't be of much use to you. At the rear of the room, the right door leads to the armoury.. not that I see you making any use of it. And the left is the shower and bathing area. Do not leave your fur everywhere we don't have very good drainage systems" It was a nice place featuring classic purple rugs and furniture and many wall mounted ornaments. Likely from wars or war games. I looked over at the bedrooms to find something I hadn't expected. My name, not Damian, but Percy Jackson. Left on the door which smelled weirdly of Reyna and tears and something else... My past self leaving must have badly impacted her.

"Oh and one last thing.... you might want to meet Electrum. She is my pet, a child of both Argentum and Aurum with an unknown female automaton, we don't know how it happened, but it did so I decided not to question it. A year later Argentum and Aurum both died, from unknown causes. She can tell when a person lies even if they are lying to themselves as well" she then made a call which oddly made me want to run at her.. Stupid instincts. A few seconds later a more yellow than gold wolf like robot bounded in looking as if she were ready to shred someone. aka me.

"Electrum, this is Damian Lupus, a demigod Wolf adopted by Lady Lupa and our new Praetor besides me. He is not to be attacked upon entry of our home" Electrum walked up to me sniffing me and I couldn't resist the urge to sniff back and familiarise myself with her. She smelled similar to me in my bronze form. After a short sniffing session, we parted from each other happy to not have found any hostility from one another.

"She is impressive, if not for the metal smell and looks, I would've mistook her scent for a normal female wolf" Electrum shuffled seemingly nervous from my statement. Had I said too much? I definitely hadn't lied, had I? Was I lying to myself? Would I even know if I was.. Dam ADHWID.. Reyna began to talk about the rules of the house.. Some were.. Demeaning to say the least. After we had set the ground rules, it was on to the roles of a Praetor. It was long, boring and I would probably break 90% of the etiquette rules.

"And finally-" I felt relief overcome me here "- you are required to train a number of demigods of your own choice" I was ok with that, it felt like a normal thing to do. Finally she was done explaining and I had remembered basically none of what she said, I was too busy trying to think up reasons I liked blue foods so much. Was it just the colour? A demigod thing? A wolf thing.. Nah doubt that. In the end I decided on some kind of sentimental thing or I'm just weird.. Probably the latter.

"For the rest of the day we have no duties, so we will get you measured for fittings and have a praetor tour of the grounds. Then it will be Dinner at 1900" I could only nod as she spoke, hoping to seem like I was paying attention. I wasn't at all.

"Well then, Let's get started then?" I spoke as a hopeful question than anything. Desperate not to listen to any more rules, roles or regulations.

[Artemis POV:]

[2 week before Percy left (2 weeks into Lupa's training):]

"Where Is that dam Idiot!?!?" It's been almost 3 weeks since Percy disappeared and tension was high, thanks to being careful here he probably gave up on love and ran away.. stupid demigods!

"I wish we knew M'Lady, we can't seem to find his track past the creak we have looked in both directions and with the expected rain.. Any tracks that were left will probably get washed away" Phoebe, my arguably best tracker spoke. We had been searching none-stop for weeks. I remember a camper suggested we stop searching.. I proceeded to kill her on the spot skipping the Jackalope part, I don't care if she is a girl no one is stopping us from getting our Percy back, not even father himself.

Annabeth had been quiet most of the time, only really speaking to her daughter, Aria, Coral or me and most of it being apologies for her carelessness. I had already forgiven her for it since she hadn't really done anything wrong, but in truth, It was fun to tease her about it.

Aria and Coral took it the hardest, fearing they'd been abandoned. Annabeth and I constantly tried to comfort them, but the same thoughts were unwelcomely swimming in our own heads. Sighing, I got back to work allocating areas of search to my hunters and anyone else who would listen. I had finally found someone worthy of my love, worth breaking my love oath for.

[Annabeth POV:]

It was a mess caused by my carelessness, I should have reacted faster, called out to him or better yet chased after him. Do something other than just stand there and let my seaweed brain once again go missing. Artemis is doing more than I ever could to find him, all I'm good for is comforting the girls.. Even then they're really the ones comforting me.

"I will get you back Percy and this time you aren't leaving my side" with my resolve set, I began writing up plans. One to assist in finding Percy.. And the other for the rising of Gaea. again. This is gonna be fun...

[??? POV:]

[Somewhere:]

"I am tired of this, these mortals always hurting my precious domain for their own desires. When I am at my strongest, they will be put back in their place, back in the natural order. That stupid grandchild of mine Prometheus and his creation.. He couldn't just stop at making the humans. No he had to give them fire as well. If only his grandfather actually cared, not that it matters now I have Tartarus, though he has been rather distant these last millennia, probably found himself new lover... I suppose I wasn't the best mother to Iapetus or is it Bob he goes by now? I can never keep up with their name changes or forever changing titles. It's a pity he chose to side with that annoyance Percy Jackson, else I would have started anew.

My words echo through my domain unheard by its inhabitants, to them I was the villain, the aggressor, the evil one. I only seek to right their numerous wrongs and dispose of the Gods that cause it. I plan to keep a few, Demeter's agriculture is nice, Artemis keeps the forests healthy and Apollo.. Well plants need sunlight I suppose and I can't rely on Hemera for that, she's probably too busy locking lips with Aether again. Oh and definitely Hades wife Persephone, I just adore her flowers in the spring. Pontus can easily do Poseidon's Job, though i see no reason he couldn't stay if he swore loyalty since storms and sea in one package is a good deal.

Honestly the only God that really had to go was Zeus, he was a replica of his deranged father Kronos. Swallowing his first wife Metis and their child Athena and then divorcing his second wife after the birth of the fates.. Who I admit are severely creepy. He will be their doom with his thirst for power. domain of justice? Fairly sure they forgot the "in" part there. even aphrodite served her purpose more in the love of procreation.

With my reasoning set, I began making my new plans to reform the world rather than just destroying it and I knew just the right annoying demigod to help me complete it.