Shattered

Duel

"Your new family will be crushed by father; he is undefeated in combat," Aegle stared down upon the group with grimace.

It was true. Even the gods had trembled when they faced against the titan of endurance.

Percy stepped forward – a determined expression on his face, clearly disregarding the warning from Zoe's eldest sister.

"So far," he stated simply. He had a distinguishable smirk on his face that Zoe couldn't quite place. He seemed much more cockier than before he went missing.

What made Zoe conscious, was whether the cockiness simply a façade?

The nymph scoffed. "You have not a chance against him, mortal."

Aegle waltzed over to him and placed her index finger on Percy's chest, pushing down, probably with some force behind it, but the son of Poseidon refused a flinch.

"You are – but a mere mortal. Who are you to challenge the mighty titan Atlas?"

The boy stood straighter, "Percy Jackson."

She scoffed once again, "I know of thy name boy, and I have been informed of your achievements." The nymph's gaze softened with pity. "I truly pity thee. So hopeful, so confident. Yet, you stand no chance against myself, let alone my father."

There was still a certain venom that was laced within her words.

Percy's grip on Anaklusmos tightened.

"Then fight me, Aegle."

Her eyes narrowed, "So you know my name. It will not help thee. Nevertheless, I will let you prove your worth. Defeat me in duel, and the five of you are free to go and face your death at the hands of Atlas."

Percy simply uncapped his blade, with a smirk playing on his lips. "Then consider yourself defeated."

Aegle's expression hardened. She took a good look at his blade.

"Anaklusmos," she said with a bitter voice.

The boy nodded briskly.

"Your blade has reached yet – another god-ling. You continue to disappoint, Zoe."

Zoe chose not to respond.

Percy crouched and took a stance. One that Zoe immediately recognized.

He was crouched low, his body slightly turned to the side, his shoulder facing his foe. The sword was held at hip level, the point facing Aegle.

"You place yourself like a hunter, boy," Aegle said with disgust.

"Tools of the trade."

Zoe grew incredibly confused, Percy had showed up with Artemis all of a sudden, surprisingly alive and well. Now, only a few days later, he had the poise of a trained hunter. If what she thought was true, then Artemis had drilled him hard. That was, assuming that Artemis had actually trained him and not just flashed him over to the bay once he healed.

Aegle narrowed her eyes at the son of Poseidon in front of here, before unsheathing her weapon.

The Hesperide possessed a single leaf shaped bronze medium length Xiphos. It was a shimmering double-edged blade – bronze sword, complimented with a leather-wrapped grip and a flat hilt riveted with gold studs.

In other words, an exact copy of Anaklusmos.

With one slight difference.

Instead of Anaklusmos, engraved on the blade was 'Thamvos'.

Dazzle.

"Now, you shall face the true strength of the eldest daughter of Atlas!"

Aegle rushed at Percy with haste.