The Demigod Games

Chapter 2

Frank and I stare through the gap in the ceiling. I can see the blue sky and the white clouds. I wonder how long I have not seen them. Days? Weeks? Months, even? I can't remember. Frank comes in front of me and grabs the first rung of the steel ladder.

"I'll go first. Come up when I signal you to," he says as he climbs up cautiously.

I nod and stay where I am. No point risking death, if the arena above is really that dangerous. Frank pulls himself over the rim and lies flat down on the ground above. He glances around, then looks back down to me.

"It's safe."

I start climbing the ladder up. As my head emerges into the vast landscape above, I can see a mountain with a snow cap in the distance, a pine forest on the right and a large lake on the left. The field we are in looks completely harmless, but we are in a very exposed position. I size up the arena around me as Frank hauls me out of the hole.

The moment I am on the grass, the hold clamps shut. Now, we would never go back there to hide. We would have to find a shelter ourselves.

"The book says that we can find weapons, so let's go get some," I suggest, and Frank nods.

"We'd better take cover in the forest over there as well," he adds, and we head over there.

The pine forest is a lot cooler, and we walk through it briskly, keeping an eye out for anything we can find. There are sparrows fluttering around among the tall trees, some rabbits burrowing into the fresh soil and the sunlight that penetrates the leaves of the trees creating spots of light on the ground.

Finally, I spot something glinting gold that is half buried under a tree. I point it out to Frank and he helps me to dig it out. I hope it's not a trap, laid by another one of those in the arena with us, although we haven't seen anyone.

At last, we wrench the thing out of the tight grip of the soil and heave it out of the hole. It is heavier than I had expected, and we took a while to haul it out. As it sits on the packed soil, I take a closer look, still panting after the first round of exertion.

It is a huge box, a chest to be exact, and a catch seals the thing tightly. Frank pushes it open and the lid pops off. I peer inside and see an array of weapons. Swords, some shields, spears, bows and arrows. There were all kinds of them, and even some strange yet familiar-looking armour. I can't place it anywhere in my memory yet, but I know I have worn a set before.

We distribute the armour. There is just enough for both of us. I fasten the straps quickly and efficiently, and I see Frank do it with the same ease. Once we are geared up, we select our weapons.

Frank immediately goes for the bow and arrows, and tucks a small sword into his belt. I choose two swords with blades about a metre long. All our weapons are made of the same weird bronze material. Tucking them into my belt, I helped Frank pack the other things we needed into a small bag that was provided.