A/N: Yet again…I do not own the PJO series

Chapter 2

Fighting the Hand of Death

I was shell shocked, what has gotten into Annabeth lately, and Chiron's actually allowing us to share a cabin? What's up with that? But hey, I shouldn't complain. I love Annabeth, even though I haven't told her yet, and all I did this school year was daydream about her, and our underwater kiss. It was the greatest kiss of my life; thankfully, the naiads were keeping quiet about that. I wonder what my dad would think about me abusing my powers that way. If you could call it abusing.

I walked down to the sword arena, and I couldn't help but think of my first time here. Luke, before we knew he was evil, would train with me hours at a time, helping me perfect my skills. I remember the time when he taught me how to flip my opponent's sword out of their hand, and I executed it perfectly against him, even with an uneven blade. But now's not the time to be reminiscing, I need to practice; I wasn't able to do much practicing at the new house that my mom and new step-dad Paul bought. Just on the outskirts of the city, not to far away from the school and it's on the way to Camp…perfect harmony.

As I walked into the sword arena, I saw a crowd of people watching to people in the center ring battle for their lives. I could hear the grunts and yells of the competitors over the roar of the crowd. I could tell that the big burly one was Clarisse, no doubt about it. But I couldn't peg the second person. The kid was five foot three and was lanky, but muscularly built. You'd kind of have to be if you came here. But the second I saw his sword, I knew who it was.

"Go Nico!" I shouted. I knew it was him because I only know of one person with a Stygian Blade. The thing was as black as midnight and hurt like hell if you got cut with it.

"Hey Jackson!" The Stoll brothers ran up to me, grinning like they'd just pulled the biggest prank in the world, which they probably just did.

"Hey Conner, what's up Travis?" I gave them an awkward hug as they jumped me.

"The conquering Hero returns!" Travis yelled. "How've you been man? None of us have heard from you."

"Damn near broke our hearts," Conner fake frowned. "We thought you'd done ran off and found some new friends."

"Probably not as smart," Travis smiled.

"Or as fast," Conner grinned.

"Or as sexy," they both laughed.

"Nah, you guys are the only ones I see." I laughed as we walked to the arena. Clarisse was kicking ass.

"Uh oh," Travis looked shocked. "Best not let our little Annie hear that. She'd kill us all."

"Yeah," I shrugged. "You're probably right. Oh, and by the way, don't call her Annie. She'll castrate you before she kills you."

"Yeah," they both sighed. They put their arms around my shoulders and we walked to the ring like old times.

Just then I heard this loud smash, and a painful yelp. We looked in the arena and saw Clarisse pinned against the wall, sword half-way across the arena and Nico's blade at her throat. There was a stunned silence throughout the whole place.

"Damn it!" Clarisse punched the wall. "How did this little runt beat me?"

"I think it was when he smacked your blade out of your hand and judo flipped you into the wall." Conner yelled out.

"Shut up maggot or I'll-" she stammered

"Or what," Travis called. "If Nico could beat you why should we be scared now?"

"Hey guys," Nico chuckled. "Leave her alone. It's bad enough she got whooped by me, she doesn't need you ragging on her." The crowd roared and laughed. I didn't know which was redder, Clarisse's face or her armor.

"Yo! Hey Nico," I shouted. "How's about you and me spar for everyone?"

"Perc! When did you get here?" His eyes lit up. "Dude, Hades yeah! But are you sure you can handle Death's Hand?"

"Death's Hand," I was pulling on some armor. "Is that what you've finally named your sword?"

"Yeah," he was adjusting his armor back to normal. "I named it that some time in October. I kept summoning spirits and ghouls with it so I just decided that that's what I should call it."

I leapt into the ring and opened my shield. I uncapped Riptide and swung it a few times. Just as I remembered, like I'd never let it go. Nico and I started to circle each other but then he stood up.

"Hold on dude," He took off his helmet. "Let it be the first one to disarm his opponent wins. You've the unfair advantage here." A couple peopled started to murmur, I'd almost forgotten that I took up the Curse of Achilles. Now I'm invulnerable save for one spot, my lower back, near the base of my spine. But only one person new about it, my darling Annabeth.

"There are no pacts between Lions and men Nico…" I took off my helmet and stared at him; the corners of my mouth starting to grin slightly. "But sure, what the heck, I'm no cheater." I slid my helmet back on and prepared for battle.

Let me tell you, this kid got quick over the year. He was moving so fast I almost didn't see him when he brought his blade up to my neck. I quickly rolled out of the way and slashed at his legs. But instead of jumping, he caught Riptide with his own sword and nearly twisted it out of my hands. I tell ya, this kid had practiced. I stood up and charged at him. I feinted to his torso with Riptide while I attacked his head with my shield, it connected. His helmet went soaring into the stands. Nico whipped the hair out of his eyes and grinned. It was scary how much he looked like his father Hades. He spit out some blood and lunged after me. If I weren't untouchable, he would've skewered me right there, but as I side stepped, his blade went straight through my armor and grazed my skin.

It felt as if the ice from Tartarus had ripped open my skin. I backed off and felt where he had hit me. I couldn't believe it, there was a wound, but instead of blood, the liquid was a cloudy, milky color.

"Your soul…" Nico stood shocked. "I've never actually cut someone with it. That must be what happens."

I placed my hand back down there and the wound was gone, but my skin, inside and out still felt ice cold.

"All right," I pulled my sword to attention. "No more stalling lets go."

"You got it." He ducked down then leapt at me. I knocked his sword aside and he rolled out of the way. He got back up, only to run into my charging shield. But instead of being knocked down again, he caught my shield and twisted it off my wrist. He threw it aside and we started circling each other.

I heard a small gasp over my shoulder. I took a quick peek to see who it was, it was Annabeth. I could tell she just arrived because she looked like a mess. Sweat and grime all over her. Her hair a complete mess, grease stains on her forehead and cheeks. I smiled at this; she kinda looks sexy when she's unkempt.

That second was all it took for Nico, he sprung again, but as quick as lightning, I grabbed his wrist, twisted the blade out of his hand, turn him around and had Riptide at his neck.

"Aw Styx," Nico grumbled and a soft thunder rolled across the valley. "Oh well, I will get you eventually. Hopefully when your girlfriend isn't here to boost your courage." I let him go then turned to Annabeth.

"Hey babe," I walked up and kissed her on the cheek. There were a few chuckles but I didn't mind. I was happy. "Glad you made it back."

She didn't respond, her stormy-gray eyes were staring at the cut in my armor. She put her hand on the spot where Nico had stabbed me and a sudden blast of ice ran through me. I shuddered at her touch, but I liked it, for some strange reason, it felt really good. I grabbed her hand and put it at her side. She turned and glared at Nico.

"What the Hades is your problem Nico," she glared him down. "Stygian Iron? You could've ripped his soul from his body!"

"I-I'm sorry," Nico stammered as he backed off. "I didn't really know it could do that."

"Hey, hey, Annabeth," I grabbed her face and had her look at me. "I'm fine sweetie. C'mon, let's get you cleaned up. You look exhausted, plus, I needs me a shower."

I looked back at Nico and gave him a 'Dude, it's cool' look. But he still looked hurt. I put my arms around Annabeth and we headed back to 'OUR' cabin.