Guiding Light (Perzoe)(Under Editing)

Competition

Five
Competition

If you had asked Percy a week ago what he had thought about the new sword instructed, he would have told you that while he was good, he wasn't to be trusted. Now?

Percy and Quintus has developed a relationship more akin to a master and a teacher, rather than an instructor at camp. Quintus could understand Percy's drive to better himself, that raging fire setting your muscles aflame, he used to be the same oh so long ago.

The camp was buzzing with excitement that day after hearing a proposition laid out by the new instructor. Instead of the normal weekly capture the flag game, they would do something else entirely. Chiron didn't fully approve as this new competition involved considerably more danger, but he hadn't been able to sway any campers to his side, so reluctantly he'd given Quintus permission to continue with the game. Even Perseus could be found going nuts over a new game, even if it was for a different reason that the rest of the demigods.

Quintus had first thrown the idea out during one of their sparring practices, and Percy had instantly taken to it. Not only would it get the lazier campers up and moving, but it would give Percy a chance to test himself against real enemies again.

The game was scheduled for right after lunch, something Percy had quickly devoured. He'd already convinced Annabeth to be his partner for the competition, meaning that he held little doubts about who was going to win.

The competition, while different than what they were used to, was relatively easy to grasp. The hundred or so campers would get into teams of two, before setting off into the forest surrounding camp. While in the forest, the duo would search for one of five little golden bags. Even though there was five, only one held the laurel signifying the duo's win. While it sounds incredibly easy, the dangerous part came from where the bags were attached. Originally the idea had been Hell Hounds, but Quintus had decidedly changed it to Giant Scorpions.

The Scorpions were huge compared to their mortal cousins, topping out at three to four feet tall when you add their stinger into the equation. They were also relatively hard to fight against due to them having multiple offensive capabilities such as their pincers and their deadly stingers. On top of that, the scorpions were all but invulnerable unless you could hit their soft underbellies. Percy new the competition was going to be difficult, but he had a determination incomparable to any of his fellow campers. Plus he had Annabeth, so that gave his chances of winning a huge boost.

"...rcy...Percy...Perce...Seaweed Brain!" Annabeth shouted, trying to get her partners attention. The boy quickly shook his head, clearing it of wandering thoughts.

"What?" He replied, acting as if he hadn't blanked out, like he'd been caught red handed in school.

"The competitions started! Everyone else has already gone off while you were off in Percy Land." Annabeth huffed. She hated losing as much as he did, anything to gain the favor of her mother.

"Well then let's go, stop slacking off Wise Girl." Percy commented with a sly grin before taking into the forest. The girl could only give a sigh of annoyance at his antics, but hidden behind it was a small smile as she took off after him.

He'd been distant since their last quest, and although she knew part of the reason why, she couldn't understand how he had completely shut himself off from everyone. It was like he was some sort of machine and it had worried her to no end.

It didn't take long for them to happen across their first target, and although Percy would claim it was Annabeth's unending wisdom, the girl knew it had something to do with his own hyper senses. The scorpion in front of them was backed against the rock formation known as Zeus' fist, meaning they couldn't get around to its stinger. The monster was playing it smart.