Astrid Strider Daughter of Apollo

Strange...

In the middle of that nice cold day, Chiron had decided to set up a game of capture the flag. Yes, I know what you may be thinking; But it's cold out and you should be having fun! I agree, but we have to do this. It's like a practice of a sort.

I gathered up with the Apollo cabin and listened while Will set us up. We were with The Hermes and Athena cabin, but also counting Nico. We were against the Ares and Hephaestus cabin, counting Hazel, Percy, Dakota, and Jason. Apparently, because we have the Athena cabin, they get more people... Anyways, Annabeth, Nico, two half siblings of mine, a Hermes kid, and I would be doing defense. Asha and Will will be working to help us if needed for wounded, and the Stoll Brothers of course we're in charge of the magical items.

We took our positions and I wasn't sure about the other team, but they seems well prepared... I readied Shadow. I decided it would be easier to use than an bow and arrow. Shooting would seem kinda difficult since I've been trained to kill. Annabeth walked over to me and Nico. She was really pretty even in her armor. He blonde hair was tied back and her storm grey eyes were blazing. I guess I was okay. I mean, I had my hair braided over my shoulder and my hands were bandaged up with white bandages as usual, with slight burnt marks... Nico was still as scrawny as ever, so his armor hung a bit loosely. But he seemed well built now.

Annabeth talked to the other three defenses, a Hermes guy and two Apollo kids, a guy and girl which I don't really talk to. Well, I only seem to hang mostly with Asha and Tobias of course, but I talk to Will. He's probably the only one I could remember, sadly. "Hey, Astrid....?" Nico said quietly from my side. I looked at him from my helmet. Our team was blue, so the tufts on top of the helmet was blue, like our flag. "Yes?" I replied, gripping Shadow tightly. I was ready listening to Nico, but also seeing aware of my surroundings. We could be jumped any moment, so I was crouched, and tense.

He held out his palm scratching the back of his head nervously with his other hand, which his sword was in. In his palm, was a bracelet. There were grey skulls and these little silver spheres. One sphere between each skull. It was honestly beautiful. "For good luck..." He added as I hesitantly took it. I admired it for a moment and slipped it onto my wrist. "Thanks Nico..." I said pecking his cold cheek. His face turned red as he stared as me surprised. "What w-was that for?" He asked. I smiled, "For good luck."

Our moment was short lasted when an Hephaestus girl came out of nowhere, swinging her sword at Nico. I jumped in between them and blocked her swing, pushing her back. An Ares guy attacked Nico, but he just blocked it with his own sword. I realized it was the same guy I had yelled at when I dropped my plate. The girl swung her sword at me again, and our swords clashed. Her eyes burnt with a sort of hatred. I grunted and kicked her chest armor, knocking her down the hill, away from the flag. Before she went down though, she grabbed my pants leg. I was tumbling down. Through the snow. Into rocks. Into trees. And I finally landed...

My ears rung and blood dribbled from my forehead. I stood up dizzily and looked around. Things were spinning. I shook my head lightly, and leaned against a tree. Will headed over to the girl who was apparently unconscious, and Asha came to me. "Astrid! Oh my Gods you're bleeding... Are you alright what happened?" She asked bandaging my head. I stepped back from her, "I'm fine. Just fell... I-I have to get back!" I realized and ran back up the hill. It was kinda a struggle through the snow, but I eventually got through. I saw the guy who was fighting Nico running off with our flag, but he was being chased by like, five or six people from our team. So I didn't bother.

Making it to the top, I saw Nico laying in the snow. His sword was a foot or two away, and his breathing almost seemed weak. I rushed over to him and looked for any fatal wound. Nothing from what I could see. I touched his arm and he winced. "Broken arm..." I said. "You should be chasing him..." He said smiling weakly. It was strange. I had never seen him smile. It looked nice on him. "I'm going to take you to the infirmary." I said gently picking him up. Though he was taller and bigger than me, he was surprisingly light. I still struggled to get him back to camp though...Fortunately, Chiron met us half way. He sent the excuse of me and Nico to Asha, and let me go with him to help out with Nico.

   I sat beside Nico's bedside after I had bandaged up his arm. He was sleeping. Snoring quietly. Chiron had to go back to help others who may need it, and so he left me with Nico to care for. I smile looking at the bracelet he had given me. I brushed his hair back from his eyes. As my finger tips touched his cold forehead, a shiver ran up my spine and I saw images in my eyes. A bright light. Fire. Rain. Blood. And a soft, sad smile...