Fated To Fall: PJO

2.01

"Again," Clarisse instructed Theo, who was wheezing on the floor of the training arena.

Theo stared up at her with wide eyes, "Seriously?" Clarisse gave him an unimpressed look.

Since the half-bloods who only stayed for summer left Clarisse had adopted Theo as a mentor. Every morning she would wake him up before 6 in the morning for a six mile run.

If he didn't finish in under 40 minutes, she would add another mile. It was great motivation. She would then lead him through a strict training schedule including lifting, sword-fighting, hand to hand combat, weaponry, and swimming.

She was kind enough to give him Wednesdays and Fridays off.

"Yes, seriously. You've improved but you've still been training long enough that you should have known better than to lift your foot when you wind up your punch," she chastised.

With a deep breath, Theo forced himself up and put himself back into his starting stance. Clarisse smirked at him, "You win,  you can have the rest of the day off."

Theo raised an eyebrow, "If I lose?"

She shrugged, "You lose, and Aphrodite cabin cleans Cabin 5 for the next inspection."

He thought it over and nodded his head.

Clarisse shot a fist out towards Theo's head, forcing him to duck. He retaliated by attempting to throw a punch into her exposed rib. Key word, attempted.

She shifted her body and blocked his hand, bringing it back into his face and shoving him back. Theo dropped low and picked her ankle. He brought it up with him as he stood back up.

Clarisse twisted her body, jumping up and bringing her free leg up and sending it towards Theo's face. She wrapped the leg around his neck, bringing him down and forcing him into a roll.

Immediately, Clarisse sent another kick to his head. Theo rolled back to his feet to avoid it. He feinted a punch to her left shoulder before pulling back last second and sending a right hook into her side.

Clarisse let out a grunt as she sent a fist to his jaw, making contact. Theo hissed in pain as he stumbled, "Ouch."

She kicked him in the chest, forcing him back a couple steps. "No complaints."

Theo grit his teeth as he felt a bead of sweat roll down his neck. He threw a crossbody punch towards her, aimed at her cheek. She caught it. He sent two jabs into her stomach before she could drop his hand.

Clarisse faltered for a step. Theo took advantage and tackled her the rest of the way down. Still falling, Clarisse let her self roll and used the momentum to throw Theo off of her. She spun around and kicked out her foot towards his shoulder.

Theo rolled to the side, and sent a kick of his own to the back of her knee, forcing her to the ground. He then wrapped his leg around her neck, hooking it behind his other one.

"Yield," he said in a strained voice.

Clarisse thought for a moment before mentally shrugging, "I yield."

Theo shot to his feet, eyes wide, "Really?"

Clarisse chuckled while she rolled out her shoulders, "Sure. You've been working hard. And there's a surprise in your cabin that you shouldn't be late for."

Theo bounced on his feet, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" He grinned, giving her a quick hug before running out of the arena.

Clarisse laughed to herself at the boy's eagerness before picking up her bag.

Theo sprinted across the property, skidding to a stop before his door. It dawned on him that this could be another of Clarisse's tests. He shuddered remembering her last one.