Chapter 7 - An Army to Lead

                                    

                                          
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"So there's another Bellona kid around?", Reyna said, sitting opposite Damian, next to Percy.
"Legacy,", Percy automatically corrected.
"I see.", Reyna replied, giving Damian a once over, before turning to Percy, "looks strong. I assume he's been trained already. It doesn't look like he's tapped into his powers yet, however. Is he staying year round or.."
"Summer only. Yes, he's been trained. He's an assassin. Sort of. We didn't get the powers thing though."
"I see. Well, give me two hours with him, and we'll figure it out. Are you going home after this? I bet Annabeth will want to see him." 
"Yup. We're just going to use the portal though. I'm not driving the west to east coast journey again, it was painful enough once." Percy said, getting up slowly, dragging her palms off her thighs as she stood straight, "Well I'll be back in a bit. Chin up Dami, you're finally going to meet your aunt. Sort of."

Damian's face remained impassive as he stared at Reyna. 
"So you're my mother's sister?"
"Half-Sister." Reyna corrected, before gesturing for Damian to scooch closer.
"I've heard much about these powers. What can I do?" Damian asked, scrunching his eyebrows.
"We can do much. You won't be as strong as me or your mother, at least in the terms of powers, since you're a legacy. Our greatest strengths are leadership. I bet you'll like that, but understand. To be a leader, you need to have a team that is willing to rely on you. Or you're just a dictator."
"I work alone."
"Not for long", Reyna smiled, "You'll learn that teamwork is the only way to cultivate our powers."
"Then tell me, what is this 'so-called power'?!" Damian snarked, "I've heard much about it, but not what it actually is. Kindly enlighten me."
"Our power is strength. We're stronger in groups. We can share our strength with an army. In the same way, with willing comrades, we can borrow strength. That's why we lead. To empower our forces. And you won't ever be able to do that unless your team trusts you, and you trust your team. Do you understand me?"
"I.. don't have a team. Only a partner."
"All armies start with one person. Build your forces. Our power works as long as there is at least one person who truly believes in you. We can practice now. Give me your hands."
"What are you trying to do?" Damian questioned, wary of Reyna's sudden forwardness.
"Just give me your hands."

They sat across one another, clasping hands.
"Now trust me. You must trust me,", seeing doubt in Damian's eyes, she tried again, "if not me, then trust Percy's intentions of leaving you with me."
"Alright. Get on with it."
Reyna grimaced, before taking in a deep breath
"Now I'll lend you my strength. You'll understand what I mean in just a second. To lend somebody your strength, you need to truly believe you're fighting with them- to death. You need to push your consciousness and your strength, mentally, to fight alongside your partner, and then... you've supported them. Can you feel it? How does it feel?"
Damian could not describe what he felt at the next minute. Not even if he had the largest dictionary in the world. Something about the way his heart beat faster, his vision seemed sharper, and the way he felt as if true power was flowing through his veins told him that he indeed had the woman's strength with him.