Author's notes: This is my first fic. I hope you all enjoy it. Reviews welcome and watch out for surprises. I'd also like to thank 'Nuuoa Eclaire', who spent many hours reviewing, adding and editing my story. Thank you so much. I can't really think of much to say… until the next update. –Archie-Atlanta
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Chapter 1: Restless SlumbersIt was dark out, the street lamps and house lights the only thing illuminating the bleak darkness enveloping the town. Everybody was indoors, barely anyone outdoors. Even the seven descendants of the famous Greek heroes were indoors.
Laughter sounded from the main area, where they had gathered to watch a movie. Jay, Herry and Theresa were slouched comfortably on the largest couch, Neil and Odie on the other. Atlanta and Archie were comfortably sprawled on the floor, engaged in what appeared to be a heated debate. They were certainly entertaining, and the movie was paused in order to watch the two of them.
"Are you kidding? He is always pointing out the obvious. He's totally useless!" Archie exclaimed, seemingly oblivious to the amused stares. Atlanta grinned in response, a sure sign she had a sharp comeback. "Kind of like yourself?" The group exploded in laughter.
Before Archie could reply, however, Jay had spoken up. "As entirely amusing as this is, this movie has to be back tomorrow and we also have school. Not to mention we're not even half done." Atlanta scowled, brushing some dust from her bold red hair. "What were we watching anyway?" She asked, pulling herself up into a sitting position then lying back down again. "If you two decide to stop bickering we'll turn it on again." Theresa replied, grinning as she pointed the remote at each of them. They rolled their eyes and she started it again, leaning back into the couch beside Jay.
12:00am
"Jay"… "JA-A-A-A-A-AY" Theresa called slightly louder. He woke up, startled, staring at the slightly blurred faces in confusion. Archie, Atlanta, Neil, Odie, Herry and Theresa. All of them were grinning. "What?" he asked. "Wasn't it you who said you wouldn't fall asleep through 'such an awesome movie?'" Herry asked, handing him the tape. Jay shook his head. "Okay, okay. But I wasn't expecting a three hour movie with an hour debate break." He replied, grinning at the two on the floor. "Anyway everyone should get some sleep." He added, taking up his role as leader after glancing at the clock, where 12:30am was displayed. "Hera will kill us if she sees a single yawn so I mean it…get some sleep." With that, he followed Theresa out the door. Popping his head back in he added with a grin "And take that mirror away from Neil or he'll never go to sleep."
Maybe it was just him. Maybe it wasn't. Whatever the case, Atlanta, Herry and Archie were definitely yawning more than the others the next day. And it wasn't just Jay who noticed either. The others noticed too. By their second last class, advanced weapons training, Archie had stumbled into several doors and tripped over the top steps more than once. Atlanta had tripped over her own feet, gone to the wrong classroom twice and fallen over from complete exhaustion. Even Neil had performed better, however Herry had definitely perked up.
"Archie, Atlanta!" Jay called as they left to head to their next class. "You two look dead. Didn't I tell you to get some sleep?" he asked, absent-mindedly brushing off some dust from his shirt. Archie and Atlanta exchanged a glance. "Yeah…" Jay cocked his eyebrow. "So you don't look like you got much sleep. You've both stumbled into various things more than once today." He replied. "Okay. Well we couldn't get to sleep so Herry, Atlanta and I watched another movie. So what?" Jay rolled his eyes. "So we can't use two warriors who are half asleep when we're fighting Cronus's various creatures!" he exclaimed angrily throwing up his hands. This time Atlanta spoke up, her voice rising above Jays. "Didn't Archie just mention both mine and Herry's name? I don't see you yelling at me or Herry." Jay opened his mouth to retort then closed it again. "Jay," Archie said calmly now, "You're our leader, we trust you, and we listen to you. We'll get some sleep tonight alright?" Jay nodded, watching as Atlanta and Archie began to walk again. He turned to Odie and Theresa, who were behind him. And he began walking to his next class.
However neither one of them were in class the next few days. Actually, they were rarely seen at all. Jay was walking back to his room when he spotted Archie for the first time in three days. "Archie!" he called, staring at the sleepy pale form before him. "Huh?" he replied. Jay was quiet for a moment, as if absorbing the fact that Archie was literally swaying with exhaustion. "I thought you said you were gonna get some sleep." He said finally. Archie looked down then back up, as if examining himself. "Guess I look pretty bad then?" Jay nodded. "I haven't been getting much sleep at all. It's easier said than done. Every time I manage to get an ounce of sleep my dreams end up being terrifying nightmares." Jay was quiet for a few minutes. "Archie, why don't you sleep in my room for a bit? Maybe there is something in your room to do with it. It might do you some good." He suggested. "n---Alright Jay. But promise me you'll find somewhere for Atlanta to sleep. Unlike me she can get sick."
Only after Jay had promised several times was Archie satisfied. As Archie headed toward Jays room, the leader watched carefully. "Huh? I Suppose I'm not the only one in the group with a crush." He murmured. Theresa walked up a few minutes later, grinning. "Jay you look like you've been standing there for hours." "A few minutes actually. Hey, Can Atlanta sleep in your room? Archie's sleeping in mine…or I hope he's sleeping, but I had to promise several times that I'd find Atlanta somewhere to sleep." Theresa gave him a questioning look but she nodded. "Alright." "Thanks. After that meet up with us in Neil's room." Theresa hurried off to find Atlanta while Jay called up everyone else.
"Alright Jay, what's with the whole Archie-Atlanta-room-switch-promise thing?" Theresa spoke first, leaning forward in her spot. "The two aren't getting enough sleep, so I offered Archie my room for now. There must be something with their rooms to keep them from sleeping. Anyway, for now their fine, if they leave the school for any reason though, I want someone to follow them. Alright?" Jay explained quickly. They nodded and all headed back to their own rooms. As Jay turned the key to his room, he could faintly hear Archie. Good. At least he's asleep now.
Both Archie and Atlanta remained sleeping for two days straight. Not once did either of them wake up. The three days of exhaustion seemed to have worn them out more than anyone thought. However as Jay entered his room he was startled to find Archie grinning at him, all strength seemingly restored. "Well you look a bit better." He observed. Archie dipped his head in a nod. "Oh yeah. I'm feeling better." He replied energetically. "Good. You slept for two days straight. If you weren't better after that, I'd have thought something was seriously the matter with you. Atlanta's up too. She slept just as long as you did." Jay added, hiding a grin. Archie's face seemed to brighten. "Good. So she's not sick then?" Jay shook his head. "Alright. Well I'm going to class tomorrow if that pleases you." Jay nodded. "Archie, what was it about your room? Why couldn't you sleep?" The grin that had appeared was wiped off his face. "It was terrifying Jay. Every ounce of pain was real. I could feel it all. I could hear Cronos laughing at me every night…" Jay sighed. "Alright, well you don't have to go back tonight so…"
The next day both Archie and Atlanta attended their classes. No one would have been able to tell the difference between now and before if they hadn't slept for two days. Both were energetic and full of their friendly competitions. The two of them raced once around the school for the sheer joy of it while Theresa and Herry held back laughter. "They're obviously more energetic than I am when I wake up" Theresa noted between giggles.
"Huh," Odie murmured watching intently as Archie and Atlanta clash in what appeared to be a violent battle. Jay walked up beside him, leaning comfortably against the wall. "Interesting isn't it? Before they were unafraid of hurting each other. By now, Archie and Atlanta would have received at least three minor cuts and about seven bruises. But now they seem to be afraid of getting hurt." He noted, grinning. "I know. That's what's confusing me. The closest they came to hurting each other was when Atlanta almost tripped Archie. And that was an accident. They get close enough to make it look like their doing some damage but they've hardly even nicked each other." He turned to Jay. "Don't worry. I'll talk to them all right? And we can talk to Chiron and Hera if they don't improve." He promised. "Ok. But I can't help but feel something strange is going on. And I'm not liking it one bit"