Variance [A Percy Jackson/Divergent Crossover]

Chapter 12

 Leo's P.O.V.

What have I done wrong now?

I've blown up buildings, destroyed priceless artifacts, and set a few people on fire. I usually know exactly why I'm being punished and how I'm being punished. Now I have no clue.

Eric leads me out of the training room, everyone else following closely behind. I risk a glance at my half-blood friends, and they look as confused as I am. Eric halts at the chasm, and I gulp at the sheer drop. I imagine my body lying crooked on the rocks, and my pulse quickens. Is he going to force me to jump in?

"You seem to think that giving up is something that Dauntless allows," Eric says. "When it is actually cowardice."

"A man knows his limits," Four argues. "If an opponent is impossible to beat, a man is aware of this and surrenders. It's foolish to continue fighting when you're bound to lose anyway."

Eric glares at him, and I realize that these two have a history. A rivalry, maybe. "It isn't brave to stand down in a fight! Dauntless never surrender," he says, his eyes flashing. 

"Would you rather die because of foolish pride or live and acknowledge that another man is stronger?"

Eric ignores him. "Young Leo here has much to learn," he says, eyes glittering with malice. "Let's teach him the consequences of giving up."

Before I can react, Eric shoves me off the chasm. I yelp and grab onto the railing with one hand. I slowly raise my other hand and hang in the air, the rail the only thing separating me between life and death. 

"Leo!" Thalia screams. She rounds on Eric. "Why are you doing this?"

Eric smiles. "He has to hang like this for five minutes. If he refuses, I'll help him up and he can join the factionless. If he slips, well, that'll be the death of him. What will you do, Leo?"

What kind of sick class is this? I whimper heroically and cling onto the rail, the waves crashing into the rocks and spraying my ankles. "I accept your challenge," I manage to say. 

Eric counts down the time. The water soaks the railing, and it's all I can do to prevent myself from slipping. I use that time to insult Dauntless and regret my choice. Why didn't I join Piper in Amity?

I gasp as three of my fingers slip. My hands are red, and my body aches. After all that I've been through, falling to my death seems unfair.

"Time's up." Eric scowls. I bet he would've loved to see me plummet. "He's done."

Unfortunately, I lose my grip on the railing and begin to fall.