Horizon's Point: The Rise of the Lyre (Jason Grace)

Chapter 5: My gut hurts

"What do you think you're doing?" She screeched "So you argue with me and then get together with this... thing?"

Oh, my Gods, could she just mind her own business? It really isn't that hard; does she really think that we are together?

"For the love of Gods. We. Are. Not. Dating!" I retorted, she looked rather taken-a-back by this for a moment. I never talk back to her, ever.

But then she regained her composer, sadly, "You really are a weak little thing, aren't you? I challenge you."

"What?"

"After lunch. We're going to have a battle, see who's better. Also, no swords."

"Sure?"

She made a disgusted sound then walked away, flicking her hair back like the bullies do in those films. Jason stared at me like I had just lost my mind.

"What?" I asked, feeling like I had done something wrong.

"I was ready to stick up for you then, but it seems like you've got it covered."

Laughing, I playfully punched his arm, "Guess I've changed a bit then." He grinned and looked overjoyed that I had found some confidence in myself.

"So, I'm gonna have to wait longer to see your new gift, then." Percy pouted from my table, turning to face him I noticed that, he too, was pleased that I had managed to stand up for myself.

"No, you'll get to see it sooner now!"

"What is it?" He cried with exasperation, but I told him to be patient. Jason ended up moving to our table and sat down next to me, I laughed at their theories of what my pendant could be. When Jason asked if it was a horse, I couldn't contain myself and burst out into fits of laugher and soon the whole camp was wondering what was so funny to make us three laugh this much.

It didn't take long for word to spread that Drew had challenged me to a no-swords fight, some came over to me to talk about how unfair it was because they think it's my only weapon and she has charm-speak and had stolen all of Piper's weapons, poor girl. I just thanked them for their concern and assured the camper that I would be fine.

Every time someone brought up a new point about how much trouble I could get into or how hurt I could get; the boys would either look sick with worry or take their side and argue with me to back out. 'And look like a coward?' I thought, no chance. Besides, they don't know about my secret weapon.

When lunch finished, everyone went over to the training arena to watch mine and Drew's fight. We followed and Leo tried to talk me out of it, but I wouldn't listen. Annabeth gave me support and Percy gave in to do the same. However, just before I could enter, Jason grabbed my arm. I turned around -preparing myself to argue- but instead he simply told me to be careful and that there was no shame in backing down. I nodded, thanked him, and got ready to enter.

For the first time, I saw the true impressiveness of the arena. It was shaped like a coliseum, with tall, imposing, marble walls, ringed with seating for watchers. Now, all of these seats were full. There were two arches in the walls acting as the entrances and exits with raw iron portcullis suspended at the top. At the moment they were wide open, I knew that as soon as I stepped out of these walls mine would close behind me. I would be trapped with a daughter of Aphrodite who wants me dead. I tied my hair up while taking deep breaths to calm myself.

"So, here are the rules, ladies." Clarisse's voice rung out of a megaphone. "No swords, no powers. Drew made them, not me. Oh, also, try to not kill each other, but if you do, make it exciting."

"CLARISSE!" Half-a-dozen campers yelled at her.

Then Drew entered, Katoptris (Piper's dagger, it was once the property of Helen of Troy) was tethered to her belt, the Cornucopia was slung over her back (Piper had to battle really hard to earn that, and Drew just borrowed it? That's not fair by any means, I bet she didn't want her to) and Piper's Blowgun rested on her hip, it was a family heirloom from her Grandpa Tom. Some people cheered as she walked in, some booed. Now, that was unfair, she had so many weapons, and I didn't want people taking sides. I thought that it would just be a small fight behind a cabin or something like that. But, no. She meant business, she was even in armour!

Then I entered, a little taller than her, without a weapon, and just in my usual Camp Half Blood clothes. The light was dazzling, I heard people cheering off in the distance, but I ignored them; unlike Drew who was blowing kisses, shaking her fist and smiling sweetly at them. When the gates had closed, she turned her attention to me, her glare almost as stony as Medusa's.

"Want to back down now, sweetie? It's not too late." She asked mockingly, clearly enjoying herself. But I was loving it. The atmosphere, the excitement of the crowed, the training arena. It was amazing and I was not going to leave.

"Nice try," I replied, thinking only of my trident "But what do all of you think? Should I forfeit?" I had turned my attention to the watching demigods, they all screamed for me to stay. So, I turned to Miss Tanka, "Sorry, you're not gonna be that lucky." Wow, I was more confident now, I adored it.

"START!" Clarisse yelled through the megaphone.

Drew lurched forward, drawing the dagger and charged me. Sidestepping, I barely dodged her blade.

"Missed!" I called after her.

She turned to face me, howling in rage, and pulled out Piper's blowpipe. But before she could retrieve a dart, I pulled my pendant.

The crowd gasped, and started going crazy to know that I actually stood a chance. I spun it out in front of me and then slammed the butt-end into the harsh stone floor, causing cracks to appear around my feet.

She stared, eyes wide, mouth open at my secret weapon, but quickly restored her nerve and shot at me. I deflected and slashed, she pulled Katoptris out of it sheath once again and started jabbing and slashing. I protected myself calmly, then swept at her feet, knocking her off balance and causing her to fall over. Then I thought that I had finished it by catching her neck between two of the prongs on my trident, but she refused defeat that easily.

She grabbed the length of my weapon and kicked my stomach, causing me to stumble backwards. As she was wearing caligae (armoured boots) it did a lot more damage than usual. Blood spewed out of my middle and I almost threw up, but Drew's cry of victory brought me back. I straightened up and faced my opponent. She smiled cruelly, holding my only weapon and threw it at me, it was hurtling towards my head. I will say, she has great aim, but I didn't move and managed to block out the crowd completely. It was now one foot away and I could clearly see each Celestial Bronze spike on it. A few centimetres further and it would surely impale itself into my face.

Still, I didn't move because I knew the mechanics of it. As I had expected, it returned to being a pendant a moment before it could touch me. My weapon wouldn't harm its owner.

Drew looked mortified. Pulling my pendant again, I slashed across her chest plate, breaking it. My stomach felt like fire, it was screaming at me to keel over, to clutch it and get help. I felt light-headed, the pain was overwhelming, I could hardly breathe. Blood started to pour out of my mouth, I was coughing and spluttering everywhere, but didn't let her win.

I spun it again, catching her arm between the prongs and slammed her onto the floor, face-up. Again, I caught her neck between those deathly spear points and grumbled through gritted teeth and a lot of blood: "Do you accept defeat?"

She gulped, shook her head and started to try to wriggle free, so I pressed my foot onto her chest.

"I don't want to hurt you. But I can. Easily. Do you accept defeat?" I tried again and this time she whispered a yes.

I sighed and put my trident back to my necklace. I was vaguely aware of Clarisse calling that I was the victor. Then someone called that I needed a doctor, too late. I passed out from the excruciating pain.

Apparently, Jason had jumped down from the stands and caught me before I could hit the floor, closely followed by Percy, Leo and Annabeth. They told me that Drew had stormed out, that Jason had carried me to the infirmary and he and Percy refused to leave my side all day, until I woke up.

Apparently, Percy got me changed into my pyjamas once Will was done fixing up my wound. They said that I was going to be fine when I woke up after four hours. They said that everyone was in awe at my skill with a trident, and that they were proud of me for not wanting to harm Drew, even though she had broken one of my ribs and almost destroyed an internal organ. Percy and Jason said that I could have died from that wound.

Hi! So, I didn't know what weapons Drew should have, so I hope this works. Also, thank all of you for reading my story! :)