The Spirits of the Universe (PJO)

Chapter 37--We Learn of Tricks

"The rules are simple," Mormolyce said. "The first team to go around the track twice wins."

I waited for him to say more, then balked. "Wait—that's it?"

"What more would you need?" the Titan asked. 

"A few rules for safety, maybe? We want everyone to come out alive, right?"

"That would require an extensive judging team," Mormolyce said coldly, obviously not happy that I was questioning him. "I do not have that kind of manpower. If you don't want to die, follow a set of simple directions: don't get stabbed, sliced, or stabbed by anything that might be lethal."

I looked at him incredulously, wondering if he had a screw loose or something. But then, Aridne dutifully gestured for us to board our chariot. 

"We can't actually go through with this," I tried to convince her. "You heard his rules—this is way too dangerous! You think the Taraxippi will go easy on us if we're on horses?"

"We have a better chance doing this stupid race than disobeying what Mormolyce wants," Aridne said grimly.

"But . . ."

"Percy, if you want to make an escape route for us, then be my guest. But you'll have to fight without me." Then she climbed aboard.

I stood there for a second, unsure what to do. But as dangerous of a situation I was in, I didn't really have a choice. Mormolyce's Taraxippi had somehow multiplied to the point where I wasn't really sure if I could best them in a fight. I really didn't see any way out of this race. However . . . End?

We could break through, End said. It's only a Titan and his cronies. I don't know about your friends, though. We'll have to leave them.

Then forget it. I climbed into the chariot. The floor was a rough wood, while the metal sides reached up to my waist, providing a sense of security. The chariot itself was surprisingly roomy, with enough space for six people to stand comfortably—which was good, since Liam and Paul clambered in right behind me.

"Mormolyce is okay with this?" I asked the Taraxippus in surprise. "Won't he get mad if you help us?"

"All the other chariots are filled, and Paul couldn't make his boss more angry, even if he wanted to. Besides, Paul won't be of any help."

"That's not true!" I protested. "You could . . . um . . . erm . . ." I tried to think of any examples of Paul's talents that didn't include running away or stealing something, but the truth was, I simply didn't know him well enough. But I wasn't going to say that to his face. 

Fortunately, Mormolyce saved me from my conundrum. "Charioteers!" He bellowed out from out in front of us, to the side of the starting line—a simple chalk line that looked like it could be tampered with easily. "Are you ready?"

Around us, the Taraxippi echoed his excitement. For a group of ghosts, they sure had a hell of a lot of enthusiasm. 

As our horses stamped their feet restlessly, the blue fire in their eyes glowing steadily, I studied our opponents. There were four chariots, two to each side of us. Four Taraxippi staffed each one. They all looked very experienced as they slid past one another, tending to their respective duties without talking. 

"On your marks!" Mormolyce said. "Get ready! Set!"

"Wait!" I yelled. "What happens if we lose?"

"GO!" The Titan roared, completely ignoring my question.

Shut up and win! End said excitedly. She always loved a friendly competition. 

Fortunately, my group was a lot more prepared than I was. Aridne grabbed the reins, tugging hard. Liam and Paul scrambled for the shields. Meanwhile, I grabbed the handrail. If these horses were even a fraction as powerful as Blackjack, I knew that there was a high chance that I could get thrown off. 

The sound of hooves pounding on dirt slammed against my ear canals. A cloud of dust was stirred into the air as we launched forward . . .

Only, our opponents did. Before our horses could follow, Aridne guided them to stay. 

"What are you doing?" I asked, flabbergasted as Aridne didn't even try to rectify her mistake. "Why are you just standing there? We have to win!"

"If this was just a horse race, you'd be correct. But there's something else going on here."

"And that something is . . . ?"

"I don't know. But until I figure out what that is, it's best to play it safe." She waited three more seconds, then snapped the reins. "Go!"

We grabbed the handrail for support. Our horses pushed forward like their armor weighed nothing. But no matter how fast they could be, we'd already lost too much ground. The dust cloud stirred up from the rest of the competitors was already a good couple hundred feet from us. Was waiting really worth it?

Just watch, End said mysteriously. 

I squinted, but the dust cloud was just too thick. Just as I was going to give up, a glint of metal caught my eye.

The Taraxippi were fighting each other.

No, I realized. They weren't fighting each other—they knew that mortal weapons wouldn't hurt them.

So they attacked the chariots.

As I watched, two chariots converged on the one in first place—one from each side. It didn't take long for the vehicle to fall. Weapons swung, and the chariot dramatically collapsed—nails flying everywhere, wooden planks digging into the track, and two wheels rolling away from the whole mess. But the race continued.

I watched as the ground came up and swallowed the remains of the chariot. Then it settled. If I hadn't watched, I would've thought nothing happened.

"So," Liam grimly said as we passed where the wreckage had been. I expected the Taraxippi to pop out and say something like, Surprise! We got you good!  but no such thing occurred. They were just . . . gone. "Great call, Aridne."

"I would've rathered that I was wrong," she replied in a soft voice.

"At least we know that we need to win. Not like we were going to be fine with anything else. Right, Percy?" His eyes widened in alarm. "Percy?"

While he had been talking, I'd stumbled to the back of the chariot, barely catching myself from tumbling out from the back. My breath was uneven as I said, "Stop the chariot!"

"But what about the race?" Aridne protested. "We can't just give up—"

"Get me out of here. Now."