Daughter of Poseidon

On the Road

I had that sword-fight with Luke a few moments later, and it was honestly the most intense fight I had ever gotten into. I walked into the arena, and saw Luke leaning against the wall, ready to fight. He was also wearing full battle amour.

"Hey!" I said. "No armour or shields allowed, just one weapon of your choice."

"You could have told me that sooner. You'll just have to fight without then."

"Take it off."

"No."

"I'll tell the nymphs you've been littering."

"Ah."

One of the first things you learn at Camp Half-Blood is: Don't litter. You'll never hear the end from the nymphs and the naiads. Luke quickly took off his amour with my help. At one point our fingers touched, but I didn't say anything, neither did he.

"Ready?" Asked Luke.

"Yup." I said, pressing my necklace and adopting an defensive position.

He came after me. Somehow, I kept Luke from getting a shot at the hilt of my sword. It was so hard to block his lightning fast strikes. My senses sharpened and everything suddenly became tinted with red. I saw his attacks coming and reacted quickly, adrenaline pumping through my veins. I countered. I stepped forward and gave a sweep, ending with a quick jab to his arm. Luke deflected, but I saw a change in his face. The battle adrenaline had got to him. His eyes narrowed, and he started to press me with much more force than I had ever seen him fight with. I struck a blow along his side and saw his face contort with pain, but he quickly brushed it off. For the first time I was worried, I didn't really want to hurt him. But that thought was quickly pushed out of my mind as he shot a blow at my leg. I crumbled to the ground. My feet had been in the wrong position and had tangled up. I saw Luke preparing to to press his blade against my neck, but I also saw an opening. I took it, cutting across his chest, bringing him back and giving me a chance to get up. "You fight pretty well for a girl." Panted Luke.

"Shut up."

I shot back and my sword met his again. Metal clashed against metal for a few minutes, neither of us gaining an advantage. I saw an opportunity and pushed my blade against his, thrusting down in a disarming manoeuvre. But I was too slow and Luke realized. He twisted his blade out just in time, however his grip on it was lose for just a fraction of a second too much. I swung Perseis and hit Luke's sword on the hilt; hard.

His sword clattered to the ground.

My sword was positioned against his undefended neck.

We were both gasping for air. That battle was one of the hardest ones I had ever fought, the fact that it was against a friend made it harder.

"Don't let that go to your head too much." Teased Luke with a smirk."I was going easy on you."

"Why are you panting so hard then?"

"Allergy."

"What are you allergic to, metal?"

"Maybe."

I gave him a look.

"You win, but remember, I've beaten you before."

"I was seven."

"So?"

I gave him a shove. We sat down on one of the rows of marble benches in the arena.

"How have you been holding up?" He said, face suddenly serious. All the joking gone.

"Against what?"

Luke sighed. "Don't play games with me Anya."

"I-I'm . . . Ok."