Let the rain be blood! ( War Game )

Blood, Sweat, and Sass (Mostly Blood)

I knew it was only a matter of time before I ran into one of the Ares psychos. I just didn't expect it to happen this fast.

After taking out the two Demeter campers, I didn't let myself feel too proud. They weren't exactly the biggest threats. No offense to them or their plant-growing skills, but I wasn't going to win this thing by picking off the passive players.

Which is why, as soon as I heard the heavy footsteps coming my way, I knew things were about to get a whole lot more complicated.

Ares Cabin. The worst-case scenario. Because when it comes to a fight, they don't play fair. And they definitely don't hold back.

Okay, Percy. Just... breathe. 

You've got this.

 It's just a fight to the death, no big deal.

I ducked behind a tree, hoping to catch a glimpse of my opponent before they spotted me. The moonlight barely lit up the forest, but it was enough for me to see the glint of armor. I couldn't tell who it was, but they were big—bigger than me, which meant I had to be smarter. Faster.

And, most importantly, not dead.

I adjusted my grip on my sword which I got from the ones I eliminated, my muscles tense as I waited for the right moment. Then, without warning, they turned and charged straight at me.

Oh, here we go.

I dodged to the side, barely avoiding the massive swing of their weapon—a huge battle axe that could probably slice me in half if I wasn't careful. I felt the rush of air as it passed by my face, too close for comfort.

This wasn't going to be like my fight with the Demeter kids. This was going to be brutal. Bloody.

The Ares kid grinned at me—of course they were grinning—like this was all some kind of sick joke.

Great. 

A full-on psycho.

Before I could react, they swung again, this time faster. I blocked with my sword, but the force of the blow sent me stumbling back. My arms screamed in protest, but I didn't have time to feel the pain. The Ares camper pressed forward, slashing and striking with the ferocity of a wild animal.

I managed to parry a few of their attacks, but it was obvious I was being pushed on the defensive. I was bleeding now, a cut on my arm from where they'd grazed me with the edge of their axe. The blood dripped down my sleeve, but I couldn't stop to think about it. One wrong move and I'd be dead.

Okay, think, Percy. 

You can't match them blow for blow. 

You have to outsmart them.

I ducked another swing, rolled to the side, and came up behind them, slashing at their leg. My blade cut deep, and they roared in pain, but it wasn't enough to slow them down. If anything, it made them angrier.

Of course it did. 

Ares kids don't know when to quit.

They turned on me, eyes blazing with fury, and for a second, I thought this was it. They were going to tear me apart. But then I remembered the one advantage I had.

Water.

Without hesitating, I summoned the water from the nearby lake. It wasn't much, but it was enough. The cool liquid shot through the trees like a missile, slamming into the Ares kid with the force of a freight train. They stumbled, just for a second, but that was all I needed.

I lunged forward, my sword cutting through the air in a deadly arc. This time, I didn't miss. My blade sliced across their chest, leaving a deep, bloody gash. They roared in pain, swinging wildly in a desperate attempt to hit me, but I was too fast.

Stay calm. 

You've got this.

But it wasn't over yet. They came at me again, relentless despite the blood pouring from their wound. I ducked under their next swing, feeling the heat of their breath on the back of my neck, and I could feel the desperation in the air now. We were both fighting like our lives depended on it—because they did.

I barely managed to block another strike, my sword ringing out with the force of the impact. My arms were screaming, my body was screaming, but I couldn't stop. I wouldn't.

With a final burst of energy, I sidestepped their attack, and in one swift motion, I brought my sword down, slicing through the wristband on their arm. It flashed red instantly.

The thunderclap that followed was deafening.

I stood there, panting, covered in sweat and blood—mostly mine, but some of theirs too. The Ares camper glared at me, fury still burning in their eyes, but they were out of the game. With one final look, they disappeared into the shadows, officially eliminated.

One less psycho to worry about. 

Good riddance.

I collapsed against the nearest tree, my body shaking from the adrenaline. I'd done it. I'd actually survived a fight with an Ares camper. But I knew it wasn't over. There were still six cabins left, and the night was far from finished.

I wiped the blood from my arm, wincing at the sting of the cut. It wasn't deep, but it was enough to remind me that I was still very, very mortal. I'd need to bandage it up soon, but first, I needed to find somewhere safe. Somewhere I could regroup.

Note to self: avoid Ares Cabin at all costs for the rest of this game.

I took one last look at the battlefield, the bloodstains on the ground, and the shattered remains of my opponent's wristband. It was brutal, sure. But I wasn't done yet.

With one last deep breath, I disappeared back into the shadows, ready to fight another day.