The Demigod Games - Setting Fire to Water

Chapter 13

I cried, up in a tree somewhere in the forest half of the arena for what felt like hours.

My first love, my older brother figure, my best friend...he's dead. Slaughtered by the Games...by the gods. I swear to them all that I will make them fade if Donnor isn't in Elysium. I wiped my eyes, choking on sobs.

"I can do this." I dust off my jeans. "I'm Gianna Jackson, da- Daughter of Katie and Per-Percy Jackson, and future w-winner of the 125th hunger games." I tell myself. I throw my bag down, it was now empty after living off the food in it.

I climb higher in the tree, viewing the whole arena. It looked like an octagon, 8 sides, but it cut in half at the forest line. The Cornicopia was near an edge, close to the surronding ruins that littered the dessert like ants. I saw the cannon, cutting through the wedge of the desert, far from the cornicopia.

Then, what I thought was ruins, moved. I saw a shady figure moving, hoping from wall to wall. "What the Hades.." I whispered, narrowing my eyes. I couldn't make out anything but I could tell that the figure was in a rush.

Then I saw it.

A huge tidal wave came crashing through the left side of the octagon, chasing after the figure. They ran, putting about a mile between them but the wave was catching up. "Oh gods.." I mumble.

I saw the figure jump into a ruin that was almost completely intact - an old, tall building that I couldn't see well. The wave went around every building intact, including that one and two others, far apart.

I sighed, more competition.

A musical chime interrupted my thoughts, I looked to my left and saw a parachute going down. It wasn't for me but that showed that a tribute was near...or the careers.

I climb down, about 80 feet in the air, and watch. I here laughing and look down. I see a mob of black hair burst through and a spear in the hand of a 13 year old grandson of Zeus. Missy of course is next to him.

They were holding some sort of bronze net. "Celestial bronze.." I whisper shocked. That is a key ingredient to them winning.

"Ladies and Gentleman, I have an announcement!" Locke Grahound, our announcer for the games, called over the speakers. "Each of you desperately needs something-" My stomach grumbled in response while Icarus and Missy look at each other and nod. "-so a feast will be held tomorrow at dawn. Prepare Tributes." His voice cut off.

I'll get food. The careers will get something horrifying. Zak...Zak will survive, he always does.

I closed my eyes as the careers left. I need to get to the cornicopia. I grabbed a leaf and doodled the map of the arena before climbing down the tree and sprinting east, towards the boundary of the woods.

At nights, Donnor and Tia appeared.

"4 left." I whisper at the edge of the woods, scared to step on the sand. "3 more have to die." I say, stepping on the sand.

I ran along the trail of the trees before seeing the cornicopia a near 6 miles at most. Dawn was about 6 hours away - I can get some rest. I go to the dirt and sit at the base of a tree, focusing.

"Okay, you've seen moms games. You can do this." I say. I feel the ground, I see the soil and roots underneath the line of sight. I add to the roots of the tree, growing a bush to cover me, before drifting to sleep.