The day has finally arrived, the moment everyone has been waiting for, The Gladiatorum will begin. As the crowd settled into their seats the 24 fighters entered the arena. The arena itself is a smaller replica of the forum in Rome; it was built by the half-bloods from Camp Jupiter as a token of friendship. It's able to seat around 500 people including Cyclopes and centaurs, all the fighters were in a straight line standing shoulder to shoulder with each other. As Chiron introduced each fighter one by one the crowd screamed and roared, everyone was excited to see the first match the match that would begin it all.

As the two first fighters remained in the arena, the other 22 left in a hurry no one not even them wanted to miss the first fight. In the center two gladiators stared down at each other, on the right side stood 15 year old William Jefferson at 5'10. William or Will for short is the son of Hebe, his shoulder length blond hair tied in a pony tail, his blue eyes staring at his opponent. Will was wearing an orang Camp Half-blood shirt under a black jacket with some black jeans, he had his standard celestial bronze sword on his left hand. Will has high odds to make it far in the competition due to his healing powers, but his opponent wasn't going to be easy to beat, and he knew that.

At the left side staring back at Will was Janel Johnson, daughter of Athena. Like Will she was also 15, her black hair also tied in a pony tail, and her steel grey eyes stared back at Will. Her pink shirt fluttered a bit in the wind, her blue jeans showed some signs of dirt. Janel trained by her older sister, Annabeth, is considered to be a top contender in this competition. As the horn sounded signaling the start of the competition the two warriors raced towards at each other, both of their swords clashing with a loud clank

Will pulled back, and swung at Janel, who ducked right under rolled to the left of Will and hit him in the ribs with the butt of her sword. Will let out a yell as he staggered back, Janel followed up with a swing of her own, but now it was Will who evaded the attack by rolling to Janel's right. Will then followed up by kicking Janel in the right shin causing her to go down on her right knee and yell out of agony. Will knows that a long nerve runs along the shin and is painful when anyone gets hit there. Before Will could go for the next hit, Janel rolled to her left far away from Will as possible. Will wouldn't let up he tasted victory around the corner, he felt that one more hit and the match would be over. Before Will could get his chance Janel rolled backwards and quickly got up on her feet. Will with the flat of his sword tried to smack Janel, but she ducked under again and with the butt of her sword hit Will on the same rib, before Will could do anything she hit him again causing will to fall on his back. Will knew he wasn't in a good position; Janel was right above him getting ready to give him the final blow.

"You gave a good fight." Said Will

"Thanks so did you, but now your time has come." She said

And with that Janel raised her right foot over Will's rib to give him one last hit to knock him out, Will saw this and smiled; he knew that the match wasn't over for him. Will before Janel could react punched Janel's Shin and as she fell back Will tackled her landing on top of her, he then grabbed his sword and with the butt of the sword smacked her on the head. As Will stood up, the crowd began the countdown.

"10…9…8…7…6…"

As the crowed reached 5 Janel began to move, she started to get back up causing the crowd to get even more excited.

"4…3…2…"

It looked like Janel was getting back on her feet, when she fell face first on the dirt laying there unconscious as the count finally reached zero. The crowed roared and chanted Will's name, Will raised his sword in the air causing the crowed to go even crazier. As the Apollo kids raced into the field to attend to Janel's wounds Will screamed of joy he had done it, he had won the first match.

In the locker room Mike was sitting down listening to the roar of the crowd, his match was up it was his time to fight. A few lockers away Aaron Madison was staring at Mike, Aaron new that this match would be a fast one. As Aaron studied Mike, he saw Mike's nervousness and new that would betray him. Mike turned and saw Aaron staring at him; all that Mike could think of at that moment was how Aaron was going to lose.

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