Where: The battle of Manhattan
The battle raged around my ears. Behind me, my comrades were in battles of their own, the sound of metal against metal, occasionally joined by cries of agony, filling the night sky. I had just been through a rather difficult battle with another demigod. An Athenian camper, I think. Or maybe she was Apollo. No matter. In the end they are all just another overcome obstacle, bleeding in the dust at my feet; their eyes open wide so that they could take in their last portrait. It's sad, but if I'm ever going to see home again, it's necessary.
Another demigod charges at me, his Axe raised high above his head. I quickly sidestep, and he stumbles onto the stationary car behind me, leaving a massive dent in the bonnet. Uh-Oh, I think, the people who own that car are not going be pleased when they wake up. If you're wondering why, in the middle of a life and death battle there is a random car, it's because the owners [and everyone else in Manhattan] are asleep. Deeply asleep.
We have Hypnos to thank for that.
Suddenly, another boy attacks me from behind. I hastily hold him off with my shield, and then quickly check what Axe-Boy is doing. I'm relieved to see someone else took care of him. Phew. I turn back round to face the other boy, and am shocked to see how little he is. Eight? Nine? He could be the same age as Sammy, before they... I broke from my thoughts, partly because I was in danger of tearing up, which would look weak [and not to mention strange, since I'm in the middle of a battle], and partly because the kid was starting to climb over my shield, a knife in his teeth...
I quickly shook him off, and then paused as I got a proper look at him. He had dark curly hair that lightly bounced over his ears, and a little dimple on his left cheek. His eyes were a grey/blue colour, and looked wide with fear. As he struggled to get up, I noticed a deep gash on the side of his leg. Probably fatal. "Please" he begged, as I stood towering over him, my blonde hair dripping with sweat, and my dark eyes frantic with battle-rage, "I'm only seven, please, let me go!" I froze. His voice. It sounded exactly like Sammy's before he died. Before that brute, Percy, killed him on the Andromeda by setting off that bomb. I put down my sword, the memory of that night making me queasy.
The boy looked at me questionably, and I could see that he was trying to work out what I was doing. "Go" I said, not looking at him. "Just go". His eyes light up and he tries to get up and run away. But after a few shaky steps, he collapses in a heap, clutching his injured leg. I run over to him, despite the risk. He looks up at me, and I can suddenly see the colour draining from his lips. Only then do I notice the ever growing pool of blood I am standing in. I suddenly realise what I have to do. I have to carry him through the battle.