Keepers

Capture the Flag, if You Dare.

        I ran as far away from the archers as possible. I was walking around and came to a creek. I held in my squeal, because this was the creek where Riordon's character, Percy Jackson was first claimed by his father Poseidon. This was so cool. I looked around.  I tugged my bracelet and then  looked for a target. If I was correct...fire!'' I shot a leaf. It exploded into millions of molten rocks and leaf bits. Before any of the debris hit the floor it all disintegrated. I looked at the spot the leaf once was. It was completely gone. I had mixed emotions about this sword.  on one hand I loved it. It gave me a sense of protection; it is powerful and strong, and could survive even the toughest poisons, meant to kill weapons, and then their owner. But then on the other hand it would steal many lives, even if they were a monster it's wrong. Again, I'd be protecting many lives, I just don't know what to think. I put the sword in it's short term hilt and sat to collect my more pleasant thoughts. I grabbed a stick and drew rubbish scribbles on the floor.

        After doing this for a few minutes I heard rustling in the leaves. I panicked and ran. I heard running behind me and thought for sure I was getting more than a maiming. Was it a monster? A camper after me? I ran faster. I then heard a whisper-call for me. I looked back and saw Serina and Hydra behind me. I slowed to a stop and waited for them to catch up.

        I showed them what I could do with my sword. I said ''Give me a target, any target." They pointed to a tree and I couldn't help but think of a poor tree nymph I'd kill by doing so. "I can't shoot any trees or other living things. Nymphs," I said gesturing to the trees. "Oh, how about,'' and I yelled " Fire!" at a fallen dead log. It exploded and the girls screamed. " Shh," I heard more rustling in the leaves and a big ugly brute wandered into view. It yelled when it saw us and the girls pulled their weapons. Hydra had an imperial gold staff with a celestial bronze scythe tip. Serina had a dagger that could extend to a full length sword. I looked at the girls and nodded. I fell back and pointed the tip of my sword at him. I waited until they got out of my way and yelled "Fire!" " FALL BACK!" We ran. I heard the monster implode; his molten sandy flesh pieces falling every wheres before disintegrating. I shuttered, and sheathed my sword; it shrinking and appearing as my bracelet.

        Every one was here now. Both teams were staring in awe. I waved and said " It was nothing!" I brushed it off but I was scared; shivering. Hydra and Serina were too. "Well... That was fun," I said, waiting for the teams to go away. They all turned and left. I looked at where the other team was going and figured out where they were headed. "Keep your weapons out; stay here. I'll be back." I waited for them to agree and I left.

         I followed the other team. I was obviously as quiet as I intended to be, because nobody turned around. I saw the base and the flag. I grabbed jagged rocks along the way and was ready to nail the rocks into the ground, with the people's sleeves going with it, to grab the flag. I started, grabbing the first person I saw and pushing him down. I saw long-ish blond hair sticking out from his helmet. his orange shirt was baggy on him and I could easily pull it through the chinks in his armour. I did this while dodging his fists, my knee pressing into his torso so that he couldn't move very much without his middle stomach being knee'd. I stabbed the last rock into his shirt sleeve, and the second guard, a girl, was sleeping. The other young girl, maybe nine, was desperately trying to make her wake up. I probably would've fell asleep from the perfume coming off of her.

        "Can I give you an option? I can just take the flag," I said pulling my sword again for effect. " Or I can do it the hard way," I added holding up the rocks. She broke down and started to cry.

        "Oh I am so sorry," I said softly, running to her side, kneeling down, and grabbing her. I rocked her in my arms. She was sitting next to the flag mound. I saw her plan. She was a good player. I heard the other teams running to her aid. I snatched the flag, still holding her head close and her legs up. I had the flag pole in my hand. This girl was only seven or eight and I threatened her with rocks. I put her legs down just as her team members burst through the clearing. I got up, helping the girl up as well, and held the flag up. Chiron ran up to see what was happening and saw my flag and the boy nailed to the ground, a black eye starting to bruise. "I might of punched him to get him to go down, but he is not exactly bleeding and I only used his shirt to put him in the ground," I frantically stated, trying not to get in immense trouble. An Apollo cabin member popped through the clearing to see the damage, and said "I can fix that, no prob!" He yelled proudly. He was young as well. Not as young as the little one now with her team scowling at me, every once in a while giggling, like she was playing, but still little. maybe eleven. Chiron announced our team, now called the lions, on my behalf, the flag now shimmering.

        The flag began to take shape again. This time the flag was red orange with neon orange tassels. It had a beautiful un-tamed looking lion, it's body engulfed in a protective looking flame, like my glowing globe. It had long looking golden fur. Not like blond golden, I mean full on, shiny, clean bar-of-gold looking gold. It's face was calming yet intimidating. Kind of like how I was towards that girl. I wanted to keep it so bad. I wanted that as a tattoo, as my wall paper on my electronics, I wanted that every wheres. As if my wish was supposed to come true, the picture began to glow. I could feel it. My eyes began to glow as well. The picture was being etched into my brain. Not literally, but I could see again and when ever I wanted to I could picture the image in my head, as if I was looking at it. I looked at the campers, gawking at me. The little girl stepped up before any one noticed and said "Pretty picture!" I looked at where she was pointing and I saw that very picture drawn with care twisting down my arm. It didn't hurt though. It felt... normal. It was beautiful as well. With that the flag changed again. I guess my team won, because it was an elaborate setting filled with our team's godly parent's symbols. With that Mr. D or Dionysus came to us and said to " Get out." Which I translated to ''He's waiting for us outside isn't he." Mr. D nodded and the girls, who accumulated along with the rest of the campers gathered and we headed out.