Betrayed and Alone

The Duel (16)Part 1: Percy's POV

       I was at the arena five minutes early, demolishing the straw dummies in multiple ways. I hated being here. I stabbed one where it's heart would've been while beheading it at the same time. I whirled around, kicking a dummy straight towards the wall and slashing it 50 times under a second. I was on a roll now. I unsheathed another sword and shredded a dummy with enough violence and speed that it looked like it exploded. Then I heard a slightly nervous cough directly behind me. I whirled around and kicked someone in the stomach, sending him flying into the wall. Before he hit it, I pinned him against it. It was Jack. I narrowed my eyes. "I was starting to wonder if you were coming." I said coolly, emotionless. I could sense his fear, a skill that had gotten stronger after Spike bit me. I sheathed my swords and carefully backed away, making sure he was in sight, and pretended that I didn't notice the crowd forming. My ex-half-brother's fear was fading, and his usual arrogance was coming back. "So I see that Hero isn't joining in on the duel? I'm not sure that's fair." He sneered. I just chuckled coldly, darkly, almost evilly, and got in a stance in the middle of the arena. I glared at him. "Well? Let's fight."

       Almost immediately did he charge while unsheathing a bronze sword, swinging it around wildly as if he didn't know how to use it. I smirked, a hand on the hilt of one of my swords: Nightmare. I leaped to the side just in time and swung my foot out, tripping him. I pulled out the dark sword that swirled with mysterious power as he staggered to his feet. I blocked each of his pathetic swings before I began to go on offense, easy at first, but then I began to go full force. Jack stumbled. I attacked instantly, kicking him hard in the stomach and punching him hard in the face. He hit the floor. Hard. I pressed my sword into his neck until the dazed demigod held his hands up in surrender. "Yield." I growled. "I yield!" Jack squeaked. "And that's what happens when you challenge me to a duel." I growled at the stunned crowd. Then one began cheering: Sarah Winter. "Yes! I've always hated that little-!" She began cheering before I warmly interrupted her: "There are children here- no bad words." I glanced at Jack, as if he were one of the "children here". Sarah laughed, loud and clear.

        Assuming that Jack wasn't dumb enough to attack me when he was obviously beaten, I sheathed my sword and backed away. And I turned my back. Big mistake. Next thing I knew, a poisonous dagger was buried in my back. I swayed, and staggered. Jack got up and laughed. I fell to one of my knees. Then the other. "I defeated the Commanders!" He screamed to the crowd, which I now realized included gods. "You only defeated one in a dishonorable way." A cool voice boomed. Spike?! Dang it! And that was all I knew before darkness took over my vision, and I was pulled towards Death's door.