The Third Camp Trilogy: The Chaotic End

Chapter five: Neptuna

Marshmallow, Elymas' cat, jumped onto the table, and leapt onto Chris' head.

I grabbed a plate and put some food on my plate (two pancakes that I coated in a layer of syrup), then waited for Carrie to get food. But he didn't and he returned to the apple. I sat down and stared at my plate.

"Is that all you're going to eat?" I eyed the apple in Carrie's hand.

"Yeah, why?"

"You're going to starve."

"...Look who's talking." He raised an eyebrow at me.

"He doesn't do it to starve himself." Chris leaned over to me.

"Chris, how long?" Carrie questioned.

"Uh, I think... about 9, maybe?"

"8." Carrie nodded.

"7." Chris continued.

"6."

"What're you guys counting down to?" I frowned.

"You'll see." Carrie told me.

"2." Chris held up two fingers.

"I'll get it this time." Carrie smirked.

"Get what?" I raised an eyebrow.

Carrie threw his apple into air, and a sword came down, but Carrie caught it.

He pointed it at the attacker and caught his apple.

"Nice throw there, Virtus." Carrie took a bite of the apple.

"...You never cease to amaze me, babe." I sighed, smiling.

He tossed the sword over his shoulder. Virtus caught it and sheathed it, looking satisfied with Carrie's work.

"How about after we all finish we can head out to the yard?" Carrie offered the group.

"Oh, yeah, I can teach you how to swordfight!" I grinned.

"Actually—" Carrie was cut off by Virtus hitting him upside the head.

"Don't lie." Virtus growled.

"Virtus!" I snapped. "Don't smack him, you little—"

"Don't anger him." Carrie and Chris cut me off.

"It's a bad idea." Carrie shook his head.

"A really, really bad idea." Chris added.

"It's also a bad idea to anger me." I glared at them. "It's not like I can't hold my own against a god."

"That's true." Percy pointed his fork at Carrie.

"Not Virtus. He trained me."

"And he dealt with me." Chris added.

"At the same time," they pointed out in unison

"Are you saying I couldn't beat you in a fight?" I narrowed my eyes at Carrie.

"Well I've been praetor for, how long?" Carrie looked to Chris.

"A few years." He nodded.

"I've been praetor for a few years now."

"So?" Percy raised an eyebrow.

"The only reason I'm still alive and praetor right now is because I've never lost a fight."

"Except against your mentor." Virtus spoke up.

"True." He shrugged.

"Then I challenge you to a fight. You know how to use a spear?" I pulled out my trident and spun it in one hand.

"Of course." He pressed a button on his watch and pulled out a spear.

"Good. Let's go."

"No fighting in the house except in the training room." Angita ordered.

"Fine. C'mon." I gestured for everyone to come with Carrie and I outside.

Once we reached the edge of the lake, I got into a fighting stance.

"Nep, are you sure you wanna fight him?" Grace asked. "He's still kinda weak, and—"

"I'm fine." Carrie pointed out. "If I'm breathing then I'm healthy enough to fight."

"And I'm sure. He says he's never been beat, and I want to take a poke at breaking the streak." I smirked.

"Is this an official battle or just a training session?" Grace questioned.

"If it was an official battle, seeing as we're from different camps, I would have to do paperwork. So no." I shook my head.

"Training session." Carrie nodded.

"Ready?" Virtus raised an arm.

I deepened my stance and studied Carrie. How would I do this?

"Set."

I figured out a plan and clenched my fists tightly on my trident.

"And... GO!"