The Sun and Sky (Volume 2)

Liam | Love

Two swords clashed.

Liam and Mason locked eyes. Playfulness gleamed in both of them.

Mason braced himself and swung his sword at Liam's feet.

The son of Mercury instinctively jumped over it, only to have Mason charge him again.

"HA!" Mason thrusted his sword, but Liam swerved his body and parried his own weapon between the son of Vulcan's hand and his hilt.

He quickly turned his blade and launched his opponent's sword across the Colosseum.

Mason was left weaponless and with a sliced palm.

"Ha!" Liam mocked.

"Shut up," Mason grumbled, covering his hand up. "You barely got me."

"Uh huh," he replied, spinning his sword, proud of pulling off the move, making him remember when he fought Charlotte for the first time.

Mason pouted. "I'm serious! Besides, swordplay isn't my thing. You should fight someone with more skill."

"Well, Charlotte's asleep."

"There are plenty of other swordfighters."

Liam huffed. "Yeah, well, I like practicing with her."

Mason grinned.

"What?"

The son of Vulcan raised his hands innocently. "Oh, nothing! Just thinking!"

"About?"

Mason fluttered his eyes. "Love."

Liam grunted and shifted. "Shut up. It's not like that..."

"Uh huh, oka-" Mason turned his head to the entrance of the arena.

Liam followed his gaze, noticing who he was staring at.

Char skipped into the Colosseum, her brown hair gently flowing in the wind. She waved as she noticed the two boys. "Hey guys!"

"Hey Char," Liam said. "Is Charlotte awake?"

"No. She, uh, she is still sleeping." Char's eyes looked tired and droopy.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"Yeah." Char rubbed her eyes. "Just a bad dream." 

Liam nodded and looked at Mason, who had a drop of sweat rolling down the back of his neck. The son of Vulcan stared at Char for a moment, then looked to the ground.

Liam looked between the two of them, growing a small grin. He never thought the two of them would be into each other, though he didn't know if Char liked Mason or not.

Liam elbowed Mason in the arm.

"Ow! Seriously?" he complained.

Char chuckled softly, making Mason freeze. "So, what are you guys up to?"

Liam spun his sword. "Just practicing."

Mason gulped and pointed to his sword, which was across the arena. "Just losing."

Char let out a laugh.

He saw a smile break at the corner of Mason's mouth.

Liam had to bite his tongue to avoid saying anything. He could NOT believe this was happening.

"So what brings you to the arena?" he asked Char, to break the awkwardness.

The daughter of Apollo shrugged. "Just wanted to see what my two other besties were up to."

Mason's face went as red as an apple. He turned to get his sword to not let it show.

Liam mentally scolded himself for letting out a peep of laughter.

"What?" Char asked.

"Nothing, nothing! I, uh, just. Yeah, nothing!"

Mason glared at him, walking back over slowly.

There was a sudden flash of light from Char's direction, causing both Mason and Liam to look away.

The light dimmed, revealing Char, who was carrying a blindingly golden bow, and an arrow in her other hand.

"Jeez, Char, you're gonna make us go blind some day," Mason commented, rubbing his eyes.

"Sorry! I'm still getting used to it myself." She notched an arrow and quickly shot it towards a target. It drilled into the bullseye.

"Nice shot," Liam told her, raising his eyebrows. It always fascinated him about how well Char could shoot.

She smiled at the target, though something still seemed off. He remembered that she had a bad dream. What could it have been about? Did it involve the four of their fates?