The Demigod Games

Chapter Seven

Faye twisted a strand of hair around one finger, nervously tugging at the lock. Seeing the other tributes scared her, she knew she'd be one of the first to die no matter what she did. The only question during training was how was she going to make the most of it?

Like any child of Aphrodite, the answer was finding love before it's too late. Faye decided against relationships, seeing as none of the boys at Camp Half Blood were very attractive. But a Roman camper definitely caught her eye. He was definitely flirting with her earlier, Faye decided. She went over and over again in her head trying to decide if it was worth it, going for him. The boy was already interested in her, so why couldn't she let go? Now the boy stood several tributes ahead of Faye in line, anxiously awaiting his turn aat the knives station.

Honestly, Faye had never touched a knife. She was mainly the kind of camper that went around handing out bottles of water and wishing everyone luck while other campers sharpened their knives and swords, preparing for battle. In the past, Faye had tried sword fighting, which hadn't worked out very well (it's a long story) and archery which also failed, so Faye gave up and focused on making friends as opposed to enemies.

The boy Faye had spoken to earlier craned his neck back, taking a quick glance at Faye. A small smirk appeared on his face as he sauntered over to Faye casually. "Faye, right?" he said in a smooth voice.

Faye coughed a little bit as if she had something stuck in her throat. Really, she was holding back laughter from his Gods-awful pick up line. "Yes," she nodded, flickering her long lashes seductively.

He didn't even seemed fazed at all. "I'm Liam," he went on, extending a tanned hand out to Faye.

She took it into her own hand and clasped on, shaking it slowly. "It's very nice to meet you," Faye's voice came out strained. "We talked earlier, remember?"

Liam nodded. "Of course I do, how could I forget you?"

That one actually managed to make Faye blush, a red tinge spreading across her cheeks rapidly. "Do you need any help with the knives?" Liam asked, gesturing to the tables of assorted knives and variety of targets.

"What's the point? I'm already dead," Faye sighed heavily, knowing it was true.

"Don't say that," Liam winked, before heading back to his earlier spot in line. "Just stay with me and you'll be fine. Alliances?"

"Alliances," Faye agreed, letting the corners of her mouth slide up slightly. Maybe love wasn't a bad idea in these times, she thought. It could be my key to staying alive.

--

Aelia pulled back another arrow and easily hit the heart of the target several feet away from her.

She found it extremely easy to work under pressure, but her problem was the moral delima it presented. Aelia was in no shape, way, or form ready to kill her friends or some innocent child. Next to her, some young Minerva boy held the bow wrong and struggling to get going.

Without hesistation, Aelia reached over and fixed it for him after setting down her own bow and pulled an arrow into place for him. "Thanks," he mumbled, gratefully. "I'm Maverick."

Aelia loaded another arrow and swiftly extended an arm back, then shut one eye to aim. "Aelia." The bow few to the center of the target with a thud. "Can I ask you how old you are, kid?"

"I'm just twelve," he replied in a shaky voice. Aelia could tell he was frightened out of his mind and didn't know what he was doing. "But don't underestimate me," he warned, "I'm not a fighter, but I know how to survive."

"Looks like you're in luck, kid, 'cause I have no idea how to live without water or shelter. I'll protect you if you take care of that," Aelia told him. "We could be allies."

"Another thing you might want to know," Maverick pulled the arrow back and let it fly to the target. It hit the heart of the shadow person target. "I'm an excellent liar. I think I'm better on my own."