Chapter Three: I battle my rival

I woke around seven the next morning. I decided to wait over at the mess hall. No one was there yet. Not unusual for this early in the morning. I went over to the activity board, and there was nothing

planned for today. A few minutes later, I heard the clip- clopping of horse feet coming.

"Up early?" it was Chiron

"Hey." I smiled, I liked Chiron, he was one of my best mentors. He trained my father, who saved the world, my mother who became the greatest heroine ever, and she also oversaw the reconstruction

of Olympus, and he also trained all of the cool heroes of ancient Greece like my name sake Achilles, and Hercules.

"Hungry?" he asked

"A little," I responded

"I'm sorry you lost yesterday" Chiron said

"I can't believe Hector fooled me." I said a little irritated

"Ares may not the smartest apple on the family tree, but he knows how to fight."

So do I!" I protested, "I am the grandson of the goddess of wisdom of wisdom and battle."

"Yes but the abilities you have are not nearly as strong as a demigods I am surprised you retained most of the demigod traits."

"What are you talking about?" I asked "I can breathe under water, I can talk to horses and fish, I'm one of the best swordsmen around, I am the best at chariot racing, I read for fun, so how can you

say I am worse than anyone here!"

Chiron sighed, "So determined, like your mother, you want to prove yourself."

"I do want to prove my-"

A conch horn blew, and a whole bunch of campers were now heading toward the mess hall. Chiron smiled "Enjoy your breakfast AJ, we'll talk later."

So I went over to get my food. I got a bowl of froot loops. After dumping half of it in the fire I made a little prayer to my grandparents. I ate quickly and dismissed myself from the pavilion. I went off to

the sword arena to practice. In a matter of minutes several dummy heads were on the floor. Dad always i inherited his skills. On top of that I had my whole life I had my whole life to train. I felt like I

could do anything. I was invincible. Sweat was began to appear on my face after dummy number forty-five. I then heard arguing outside. I capped Riptide and headed toward the exit.

"-Are brutal, selfish, and mean!" yelled Jordan

Hector shrugged "I'm the son of Ares! It's who I am!"

"Then that's it, I can't take it anymore!"

"You're dumping me!?" Hector demanded,

"Yes!" Jordan said

Hector raised his arm to strike.

"Enough!" The words fell out of my mouth something in my brain forced me to say it.

Hector turned to me "Stay out of this Jackson, or you are next!" Hector roared

I had no choice, Jordan was in trouble, I uncapped Riptide. "Let's go!" I said

Hector laughed, "I've been waiting for this opportunity." He took the weapon that was strapped to his back. It was a giant war hammer. Hector yelled as he charged with incredible strength. He swung

at me, and I narrowly dodged. The sound as it hit the ground was unbelievable. To me it sounded like a sonic boom. I swung my sword at Hector as he tried to lift his hammer back up. He used his

pain as his power and lifted the hammer with force. He swung and this time he hit his mark. Me. I flew right into a tree. I was surprised I was still conscious. I then realized that even before it began I

had no chance against a fully rested Hector after I had been training in the arena. I saw him swing again, knocking me unconscious.

I woke up in the big house with the taste of ambrosia in my mouth. I opened my eyes to find Jordan spoon feeding me

"That was sweet what you did back there." she said smiling

"Yeah, and really painful," I said rubbing my forehead.

"Maybe this will make it feel better." She moved my bangs out of the way and kissed my forehead.

"What happened to Hector?" I asked,

"He abandoned the camp grounds." she said, "We don't have to worry about him."

"Are you alright?" I asked her

"better than you." she said smiling

"That's good." I said smiling and then I passed out again. The next time I woke up my hair was being ruffled by my mom.

"Mom?"

"Hi sweetie," she said sounding relieved I was up, "I came here as soon as I heard. The girl outside said you pulled quite a dangerous stunt."

"You know," I said "Same ol same ol." I smiled, I was glad she was here.

"Picking fights with a son of Ares is never wise." mom said

"But standing by and watch the defenseless go down is worse." I responded

Mom sighed "You are just like your father."

"Where is dad?
"Talking to Chiron," she said "Something has come up."

"What is it?"

"I can't tell you hun," she said messing with my hair some more, "you know you really need to cut your hair."

"Why can't you tell me?" I persisted

"Its something me and your father will have to deal with, it's not your concern."

I was now getting upset, "Let me come too!" I demanded

"No, you are not ready for this challenge."

"Yes I am!" I insisted and with that I passed out again. It must have been a long time since I woke up again because I woke up feeling stronger than ever. Feeling very restless, I got up to walk

around. Sure enough I was in good shape. I walked outside for some fresh air. That's when an arrow whizzed right past my head. I looked to where the arrow came from, and I saw something

horrible, impossible eve. An army of monsters in the campgrounds. There was no time to take this in however. I leaped into battle. I uncapped Riptide and stabbed the closest Dracnae. I fought my

way over to the battling centaur Chiron.

"What's- Whoah! - Going on here!?" I asked

"Your parents failed AJ." Chiron said shooting three Dracnae at a time.

"What?" I asked stabbing another Dracnae."

"There is no time to explain, just fight!"

with that I went to go fight a Laistrygonian. In minutes the camp seemed to be winning. The Ares kids and Apollo kids were able to make the enemy retreat, the Athena and Hephaestus cabins were

working together spring traps like sticky Greek fire, and giant monster seeking arrows from giant crossbows. Even the Demeter campers held their own. One of them named Jason did something I've

never seen a Demeter kid do before. There were pinecones on the ground, and he was able to control them. So he fired them at enemies sending them packing. After we cut down the last Hell-hound,

I felt a humongous surge of energy, and I mean three thousand hydrogen bombs huge only not as loud or radioactive. 'What's going on?!" I asked Chiron. Chiron's eyes were wide with fear, and

when Chiron was scared that was a good sign to drop what you were doing and run for your life. "He's here!" Was the only thing he said. I turned and saw a seven foot man walking our way. The

only thing he wore was a loin cloth. His body was night black and he sparkled like the stars. He had eyes but no pupils or iris. He was the source of the power. This wasn't right, I didn't feel this much

power when I saw my grandfather, or the time I met Zeus. They didn't generate nearly this much energy.

"Who are you?" I asked trying to sound brave?"

"I am Ouranous!" The man said, when he said this thunder boomed, and his voice had a deep echo in it. With that he stretched out his arm and a giant meteor could suddenly be seen falling from the

sky. Summoning up my strength, I willed the water from the nearby bathrooms to shoot a beam back at the meteor. It had enough pressure to destroy it, but then Ouranous stretched out his other

hand and blasted me with a giant beam of energy. I flew back thirty feet.

"AJ!" Jordan ran to my side, as well as Chiron and Theo.

"I'm fine guys." I insisted and got up.

"Your defiance amuses me, so I will let you live for now." Ouranous said,

"What do you want here?"

The man just shrugged "Just reclaim what is mine, my wife, my kingdom, and you my great great grandson will soon join me or be destroyed.

"You can't win!" I yelled back

Ouranous laughed "Tell you what hero! I'll give you a chance. I'll give you three days to defeat me after that, I unleash my full power on Olympus, this camp, and you. If you win you get your parents

back, not to mention your friends." Ouranous snapped his fingers and there was a flash of light. I was stunned, but after I got over my daze, I noticed that half the camp dissappeared. Jordan, Theo,

Dennis. They were gone.

"What did you do to them!" I demanded facing Ouranous

"Don't worry young hero, Tartarus is a safe enough prison for your friends, at least for now. If you defeat me they will appear back to you, but if you fail, I will let them rot or allow them to be eaten by

my monstouros sons." I shivered at the thought. Ouranous laughed again and dissappeared in a giant flash of light. Chiron trotted up to me and sighed.

"We must seek the Oracle, we need a quest."