Almost At The Top- Book Four in the United Series

Chapter Fifteen

-Up above is a picture by Viria, whose artwork is now Rick Riordan's official work for Percy Jackson. Anyways, all rights go to her for this picture! It's kind of what I imagined Max and John to look like (even though it's just a gender-bent Percy and Annabeth XD). Enjoy!-

Max's POV:

I see Octavian as he charges at John from behind.

"John!" I exclaim, then jump in the way as Octavian brings his gold sword down on John's back.

Octavian quickly backtracks before he stabs me in the chest. John turns around but automatically turns back as the sound of blaster fire rings in the air. John's bracelet transforms into a red shield once again, protecting him from the blows of the blasters.

"Jackson, join me," Octavian tells me, holding his hand out for me to grab.

"And why should I?" I ask him coldly. I realize that that's why he's suddenly so attractive- the Mogadorian serum injected into him.

"We can have everything we want, Jackson. You, especially, can have everything you want," Octavian tries.

"Tempting," I say. "But I'm going to have to say no. Again," I tell Octavian, then stab his palm with John's dagger.

Octavian yells out in pain and I yank the dagger out of his palm. He backs away from me, pressing his hand ongo his stabbed palm.

I whip around and see the two Mogs charging at John with their swords. John kicks one in the stomach and I stab the other one in the chest, then stab the first one in the back. That's when I feel someone harshly pulling me to them from behind.

I yelp in surprise as someone yanks John's dagger out of my hand and throws it behind them, then wraps one of their arms around my waist, holding both my arms down.

"Max!" John exclaims but stops in his tracks as an Imperial gold sword is placed against my neck.

"Step back," Octavian orders John. John obeys immediately, backing up while putting his hands up in surrender.

"Drop the bracelet," Octavian orders. John grits his teeth together.

"John, don't," I tell him but Octavian digs his sword a bit deeper into my neck. John takes his bracelet off and drops it at Octavian's feet.

"Thank you. Now step away," Octavian tells John after picking up his dagger and red bracelet. He drags me away, but as we're passing John, John grabs Octavian's hand, the one holding the sword against my neck, and punches Octavian in the face.

Octavian stumbles back in pain but brings me with him. I struggle against him, but he's much stronger than I remember.

"Alright, I'm done with this." Octavian tells us, then takes a step towards John and swings his sword at him. John won't be able to dodge it.

"No!" I yell, then back up before Octavian's sword slices into John's neck. Octavian grunts and before I can process what's happening, John crumbles to the ground. He isn't dead, but he got hit on the head pretty hard.

I look up and see a tan, blue-eyed brunette standing behind John, an Imperial gold sword in his hand. I recognize him as the guy who helped Octavian in New York when we were fighting. He's also wearing Mortal clothes- a red flannel shirt with its sleeves rolled up to his elbows and blue jeans. He also looks more attractive and much more muscular then the last time I saw him. He must have had the Mogadorian serum, as well.

"Thank you, Curtis," Octavian says to the other Roman, Curtis. Curtis steps towards me, smirking, and I glare at him the whole time.

"I remember you. Next time you want to knock me out, give me a warning, huh, Sweetheart?" He asks me, holding my chin up to look up at him. I kick his stomach and he stumbles away from me.

"Jeez. Anyways, we going, Octavian?" Curtis asks Octavian as they both sheathe their gold swords.

"Yeah, let's go," Octavian replies, then he's dragging me closer and closer to the border, most likely where the Mogadorian skimmer is. I continue to struggle against Octavian but I can't get free until Octavian is knocked to the ground, finally letting go of me. I try to step away only to be grabbed by Curtis.

"Let go of me," I order Curtis but he just laughs at me.

"Yeah, sure Sweetheart. I'll let go of you. When we're on the skimmer," Curtis taunts before he's kicked in the face. He grunts in pain and backs away from me. I look back to see another blond haired, blue-eyed Roman-Jason.

I sigh in relief. "Thanks, Jason." I thank him, embracing him in a hug, and he hugs back. 

"Anytime, Max. Come on, let's go," Jason tells me and I realize how far we are from the battle. Pretty dam far.

"Here," Jason tells me, holding his hand out for me to grab. I take his hand and Jason pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around my waist. I wrap my arms around his neck but before he can fly us towards the others, I hear Octavian talk to us.

"Not so fast, Grace," Octavian says coldly. I look back and Octavian and Curtis are on their feet, their swords pointed at us. That's when I remember John's bracelet and me and John's daggers. Octavian still has them.

I let go of Jason and swiftly punch Octavian in the face. Jason unsheathes his gold sword and gains on Curtis. They sword fight as I punch Octavian's stomach.

Octavian groans in pain and I'm about to grab my dagger from the waistband of Octavian's blue jeans when Octavian swipes his sword at me. I'm too slow to react and Octavian cuts my stomach. I shout and step away from him, my burns searing in pain. He takes advantage of this and charges at me.

I quickly sidestep him and wrap my arm around his throat, choking him. He gasps for air but before he's knocked out, he stabs my right leg. I gasp in pain and fall on my back. Octavian turns around and cuts my other leg.

"That's it, Jackson. I don't care if you live or die, and I'll prove it," Octavian spits at me, then raises his sword above his head. He brings it down on me and I quickly roll out of the way. Octavian growls as I jump to my feet and he charges at me again. Before he can get any closer to me, though, Jason knocks him over the head with the hilt of his sword from behind. Octavian stumbles back a few steps which gives Jason time to swipe me and John's daggers and John's bracelet.

Jason kicks Octavian in the stomach and Octavian falls on his back. Jason then rushes up to me, flips me so my back lays on his arm and he's carrying me bridal-style, and flies away. I breathe heavily. I was so close to death, for the hundredth time.

"Thanks again, Jason," I say, resting my head on Jason's chest, and Jason smiles at me.

"Hey, remember when I told you that we should have more cousin pep-talks?" Jason asks me and I laugh. Jason's expression brightens when he hears a laugh escape my lips.

That's the only good thing that's happened today, and I hope it's not the last.

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