Almost At The Top- Book Four in the United Series

Chapter Thirteen

Max's POV:

I try to stand up, but I can't. I struggle to stand but pain shoots up my right ankle. It feels like it's broken.

My eyesight gets blurry as I feel I'm about to pass out. I see about twenty Mogadorians heading my way. My head starts pounding and there's a ringing in my ears. When I can finally hear again, it's chaos. I hear the yells and screams of my friends and family, the firing of Mogadorian blasters and pistols, and the clanging of swords against swords.

A Mogadorian soldier looms over me and harshly grabs my shoulder. I reach for my black Loric dagger hidden in the waistband of my jeans but before I can even wrap my hand around its hilt, the Mog holding my shoulder about to haul me to my feet is turned to ash.

My first thought is that it's John, but I'm quickly corrected as the voice who killed the Mog yells at all the other Mogadorians: "Stand back! Get away from her!"

I grit my teeth as I realize that it's Ivan. I look up at him, though it's hard to see him with my eyesight still blurry.

When my eyesight finally clears, I see Ivan standing right above me, protecting me. He slashes at any Mog who comes near us.

Should I apologize for not helping him? Should I accept his apology?

Maybe I should do both. I mean, I bet he really is sorry for what he did, and he only did it because he loves me.

"Ivan," I croak to Ivan before I can stop myself. He looks down and smiles painfully. He kneels down next to me.

"Hey, Garde," Ivan tells me softly. There's still guilt in his eyes and he can't seem to find mine. He keeps looking down.

"Look at me, Ivan," I order Ivan softly and he finally looks me in the eye. "It's okay, Ivan. I forgive you," I tell him.

Ivan looks extremely grateful. He's about to say something when I tell him something else. "And I'm sorry for not helping you when Adam-"

Ivan shakes his head at me. For a scary moment I think he's going to refuse my apology, but when he looks back up at me, he's smiling.

"I'm going to get you somewhere safe, Garde. Come on," he tells me then picks me up bridal-style. I'm about to wrap my arms around his neck for support, but my arms hurt too much.

I groan silently and breathe heavily and unevenly. Ivan carries me away towards the woods, where he sets me down next to a tree. I lean against it and take out my dagger. Ivan stands in front of me, still making sure that no Mogs get near me.

I quietly stand up, gripping my dagger tightly. I start to walk towards the battle to help, but Ivan catches me. He lightly grabs my shoulder and pulls me back towards him.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asks me, raising one eyebrow.

"Um, to fight..." I tell Ivan sheepishly. He shakes his head at me.

"Get behind me, Garde, " Ivan orders me softly then pushes me behind him again.

"I need to find my brother, Ivan," I protest. He looks me in the eye and notices my desperation.

He purses his lips and looks at the battle. Dust is spread out everywhere so I can barely see anyone expect a few silhouettes of people close to us.

Ivan sighs. "Okay, come on," Ivan tells me. I don't wait for him. I burst out in front of him and sprint to the other side, searching for Percy. After awhile I finally see him, fighting alongside Annabeth.

"Percy!" I call out to him. He turns towards me and his face lights up. I rush up to him as he kills off another Mog with Riptide.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Percy tells me then embraces me in a hug. I hug him back and when we let go of each other, I notice a Mog soldier quietly sneaking up behind Percy.

"Percy!" I exclaim, then shove him out of the way. He tumbles to the ground as the Mog who was about to stab him jabs his sword towards me instead. I raise my black Loric dagger to protect myself, but I know a small dagger like this won't protect me from a long, strong sword like the Mog's.

I brace for the worst as the Mog's sword is about to collide with my dagger when someone grabs my waist with one of their arms, pulls me behind them and holds out their other arm towards the Mog. A red shield expands from his arm and the Mog's sword crashes into it. The Mog stumbles back in surprise and the shield retracts back to a red oval bracelet.

I look at John as he charges at the Mog with his diamond edged Loric dagger. He stabs the Mog in the heart and the Mog turns to a pile of ash on the ground.

John turns back to look at me, his face coated in ash. He walks towards me and softly grabs my hand.

"Are you okay?" He asks me, concern filling his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks," I reply then flash John one small, quick smile before heading back to the battle. Percy is back on his feet, once again fighting alongside Annabeth. I kill tons of more Mogs and stab one in the head before I hear someone call out to me.

"Max," I hear a weak voice croak.

I turn towards the voice and see John limping towards me. He's almost in front of me when I notice the dagger stabbed into his side.

"John!" I exclaim and quickly catch him in my arms before he falls on the ground. I lay him down and lay his head in my lap.

"Marina!" I cry out, hoping she'll hear me. I need her to heal John. "Marina!"

"Max, what's wrong?" I hear a voice ask from behind me. I turn around and Marina is looking at me, her eyebrows knit together in confusion. Then she gasps as she sees John lying on my lap.

"Oh god," she mutters under her breath. She kneels in front of John and I and yanks the dagger out of John's side, then places her hand on John's wound.

Soon enough, the wound closes and John breathes normally again. I look up at Marina gratefully.

"Thank you, Marina," I say to her. She slightly smiles at me.

"Anytime, Max," she replies, then heads back to the battle. I look back down at John as his eyes flutter open and he groans.

"Max..." He calls to me. He looks up at me and smiles, then reaches over and brushes some hair out of my face.

"How about next time I save you?" John asks and I chuckle.

"Let's not let there be a next time," I reply.

I hope there won't be a next time.

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