The Demigod Games

Chapter Thirty-four

As Apollo brought upon the arena a lovely sunrise, mountains arose beyond the trees. A fresh lake sprouted out of nowhere towards the center. Rather than just a forest, the arena became more wholesome and inviting. Annabeth had a nagging feeling that it a ploy to kill them all. Deadly plants, animals, monsters, anything the Gods could come up with. She was beginning to wonder how long it would take for the gods to come down themselves to crush the demigods with their pinkie fingers.

Percy still slept peacefully as Annabeth kept watch, snoring lightly. Annabeth couldn't help but smile, knowing that the horrid dreams have vanished since they've entered the games. It was the only positive part about them, except for Percy, of course.

Tentatively, Annabeth ruffled Percy's hair. "You should wake up," she said to him softly. "The sunrise is beautiful."

Percy forced his eyes open, squinting due to the brightness. "Peaceful sleep is more beautiful," he groaned, pushing himself up with his palms. "But none as beautiful as you."

"Nice save," Annabeth smirked, pushing Percy's shoulder lightly. She pressed her lips to his cheek. "We better get moving."

He cocked an eyebrow. "Are you sure? You haven't slept in hours," Percy asked, concerned.

"I'm fine," Annabeth lied. Exhaustion was taking hold of her with every word, but she know that it could be much, much worse.

Percy wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her head down. Originally, Annabeth thought he was just being a jerk and asking to be judo-flipped. "Do you hear that?"

The thing about running is that it has an extremely distinct sound. Annabeth recognized the shallow gasps for breath followed by careless footing. "The cave!" Annabeth whispered, already grabbing Percy's wrist and pulling him through sharp vines and rough branches into a mostly hidden shelter. Together, they held their breath as the running passed.

"I'll go check to see if it's clear," Percy said to Annabeth in a hushed voice.

She nodded tensely, turning to take inventory of their new sanctuary. To her gratitude, it wasn't too disgusting, but it sure was dark. Annabeth reached forward, her hands met by a cold stone wall. It was almost surreal to Annabeth; being in a place so secure and safe.

Only the eye of an owl could catch even a glimpse of that hidden gem.

--

Piper dove forward for her for her dagger, ignoring Leo's various shouts and comebacks to the the dracanae. Long scaly legs and ugly, toadish faces. Ach. Aphrodite would throw a fit looking at them.

The daughter of Apollo did her best to distract the beast with makeshift weapons. Something told Piper that the girl was never truly a fighter, but more of a peacemaker. Nonetheless, Aelia successfully whacked the she-beast with an abnormally sharp point as Piper finally threw herself to her feet.

Three demigods and one left-legged monster? Easy.

"You imbeciles," the dracanae hissed, barely scratching Leo with her long talons. "Even if you defeat me, there will be more to take my place! As Kronos fell, Gaea will rise and so shall we! With you demigods out of the way, Olympus will be ours!"

They exchanged weary looks as they continued their dance, draining the monster's lifeforce with each stab or each fire ball. Leo yelped when she got him again, digging her nails even deeper into his thigh. Aelia took her place in front of him, weaponless, but outraged. All of them had made it so far, but an infection could end everything. "Hey, bitch!" Aelia spat, gaining the monster's attention away from Piper.

The dracanae smirked maliciously, wrapping her snake leg around Aelia and ripping her to the ground. "Who do you think you are?" she laughed. The leg held her stomach tightly, making it unable for Aelia to find breath. "You act as if you're a child of the Great Prophecy!"