Rising Heroes Book Four: The Sands of Ouroboros

Chapter Nine: Foe vs. Friend

Disclaimer: I don't own HOO or VE

Chapter Nine: Foe vs. Friend

When Beth was little, she had thought it was normal not to have a dad. But when she grew up, her mother had told her the truth- her dad didn't even know she existed. She had grown up on her grandmother's farm working with horses and cows, until she turned fifteen and her dad showed up.

Griffin had been nervous, but she found comfort in his slight country twang that matched her own. He had taken her to embrace, and her life had changed ever since. The biggest surprise was when her father's former partner's son became her partner.

Now she was sixteen. She hadn't believed all the time travel stuff at first, but after being thrown into the Labyrinth, having to navigate the deadly maze, and meeting demigods- well, she didn't really have an option now, did she?

Percy's eyes widened in recognition when he saw her. "Beth!" He said.

Percy thought she was a daughter of Hermes. It seemed like the most ambiguous god. And he didn't know that they were from the past, either, although sometimes Annabeth looked at them so strangely she wondered if she suspected.

Beth glanced behind her at the Cyclops. "We have to fight," she told Percy, picking up a sword from the ground.

Percy swung at her and she barely parried. "Not so hard," she hissed.

Percy swung again and she parried this time, pushing him back. She threw in a kick, taking him out at the knee. Percy spun on the ground, taking out both legs, but she kicked at his torso.

The crowd was starting to grumble. Beth eyes Luke in the stands, who was frowning.

Beth pressed Percy again, but the sword felt unnatural in her hands. She missed her dagger. But she moved fast enough and fought hard enough that it felt convincing.

Percy's eyes furrowed in concentration. He did a complicated maneuver which involved pressing the hilt of his sword against her wrist, effectively disarming her as her sword dropped to the floor. She put her hands up.

The giant sitting next to Luke put his thumb down. Beth squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for another blow, but instead Percy sheathed his sword. "This is stupid," he announced.

Luke stood, but the giant put his hand out. He stood to his full height, revealing dark tattoos shaped like skulls and water. "Come fight for yourself," Percy continued.

Beth looked at the edges of the arena. Annabeth was shaking her head, Maverick looked panicked, and Carmen looked sick. But the giant lumbered down to the floor, holding a sword that made Percy's look like a toothpick.

"If we win," Beth hedged, "you'll let us through without issue."

"Very well," the giant agreed. "And when I win, I will eat all of your friends!"

Beth was rarely afraid, but she couldn't help the anxiety coursing through her. Focus, she told herself. Everyone was counting on her. Seb... Seb was counting on her.

The flash of his kiss ran through her mind. Even though it meant nothing... well, she couldn't help but replay the thrill of it nonetheless. And his power now coursed through her, which was a definite plus. 

The giant lunged. Percy parried, and Beth scrambled behind it, plunging her sword into the back of his knee. The giant bellowed, but as soon as she removed the sword the ground seemed to rise to cover the wound, erasing any mark of the wound. 

Percy run under the giant, ducking and rolling to plunge his sword into the giant's thigh. He came up empty-handed, and yet the giant still did not fall.

Percy cut his gaze to the chains hanging from the ceiling, then looked at Beth. She nodded, understanding what he was thinking. 

Percy ran at Beth, who dropped her sword. She gave him a boost, propelling him to the lowest chain which he immediately climbed as though a monkey. The giant followed. 

Beth watched as Percy swung like a madman, grabbing and looping and tying chains. Soon the giant was suspended in the air, struggling to get free. The crowd had started to boo. 

Percy lifted his sword in the air. At the same time, Beth put one of her hands on the chin, channeling the iron so she could become the same density. At the same time Percy struck she punched the giant in the back, watching in satisfaction as his body crumbled into dust and blocks of earth. 

Percy started to shout at Luke, but Beth was already moving. She slashed though their friend's chains, grabbed Percy by the elbow, and ran out of the arena. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"That was amazing," Seb told her later when they stopped to rest.

Everyone had been reunited. Waverly and Evan had kissed; Maverick and Carmen had been  kissing, apparently, and even Waverly and Maverick had hugged. It had taken a little explaining to Percy and Annabeth since they had said Maverick was a son of Hermes and Waverly was a daughter of Demeter, but eventually they settled on the fact that they were foster siblings.

Both Rachel and Annabeth had been staring at them strangely. Beth knew Rachel had the "sight" and Annabeth was extremely smart, but she had been too worried about staying alive to think about it. Plus, there was Daedalus to worry about. They were hinging their return home on him having some kind of device to time travel- or convincing him to make one. Hopefully the rest of the demigods could find similar ways back and they could all meet.

They tromped through the maze, Rachel leading the way. Annabeth plucked at Beth's elbow, pulling her away from Seb. She tried not to be disappointed. 

"I know where you're from," Annabeth muttered.

"I don't know what you mean," Beth replied carefully. 

Rachel stopped by a modern-looking tunnel. "Through here," she said.

Annabeth stepped in front of Beth. "I know you're from the future," she said.

Beth shook her head. "How?" she asked.

Annabeth looked smug. "Believe it or not... you're not the first time traveler I've met."