Hi again guys! I'm writing fast now :) Maybe because school's almost coming, or maybe just because I haven't been writing in a WHILE.

Oh yes! and questions going to be answered!

Daughter-of-Poseidon-16: Hi :) This story actually takes place at least 69 or seventy years later after Percy Jackson's battle with Kronos. Also,
the time gap is really just to get rid of any characters that Rick Riordan really has. I don't want to make a story involving his characters, because
I'm afraid of "tinting" their characteristics. Even though it IS seventy years from now, I really don't plan to take the technology level up a notch here on Earth
since I don't want to interpret that as well :) Also, you should read my other story :) It's related to this, and it's more detailed :)

ConcreteAngelRoxHerHalo: Thanks again for the review! I'm so happy your still there to support me!

And both of you: about the test. teehee :) I won't tell you! XD ahaha :)

On with the show! Or story :)

Review :) It really helps.

-Olo Eopia03


Chapter 8: Before You Leave


Left. Swing. Right jab.

Elli could already feel the droplets of sweat rolling down her cheeks as she swung the sword harder. The arena was a huge place, and it felt even bigger now that she was the only one in that room. The high ceiling, the careful positions of the obstacles, and the weaponry placed dangerously on the racks and the walls made the room look like a battle field. But honestly, sometimes rooms that look like battlefields look . . . awesome.

Slicing the dummy that stood in front of her in half, she really wished she could actually own her own sword. This one was, again, just too heavy. Why did she have to be so small? Somet-

"Agh!" Elli cried out in pain as she fell on her back and the sword that was in her hand clattered to the ground. The blade weighed so much that when she tried to wrench it out of the dummy she had just stabbed, it flew directly out of her hand, catching her off balance and twisting her wrist. Elli just continued to sit there, rubbing her hand and leaving the sword lying on the floor.

What am I doing here? Elli thought, trying to rub the pain that was erupting in waves from the small spot in her wrist. I don't understand why I feel . . . So afraid.

Only one will fail the test.

Could that be one of us? Elli thought. What test is the prophecy talking about . . .-

"Going somewhere tomorrow, are you?"

Elli's head snapped up to look at the person who sounded as if he was only a few feet behind her.

"I heard the four of you talking," Zack Sheen sneered. "Four will journey on the quest, huh?"

The older boy looked huge for only a fourteen year old. That was definitely one of the effects for being a child of the war god.

"What are you getting at, Zack?" Elli said, her eyes narrowing toward him. They were the only two in the huge arena.

"How do you guys know the four people going on the quest will be you four?" Zack spat in disgust. "It's pathetic. None of you can probably even last for a couple of days."

"Zack, we didn't ask for this," Elli said, getting up shakily to her feet. This was starting to go very badly. "I know everyone here's looking for a quest too, but-"

"Do you know how unfair it is right now?" the son of Ares snarled. "There was barely any time where I had a chance to show my father-"

"Is that all you care about?" Elli asked, exasperated. "Zack, I know you're not here to talk to me. What are you doing here? You know we're risking our lives-"

"I want to go on this quest," Zack said through gritted teeth. Then he smiled. Elli could feel the chill running through her veins. "What am I here for, you say?" Zack asked. "Well, we all know who's the smallest and weakest in this camp, and she happens to be going on a quest. We all know that your glory of being Percy's sister already outshines that of the Ares children. I guess it's time for a replacement, don't you think?"

Before Elli could say anything, Zack had already slammed into her chest with his shoulder. Next thing she knew, Elli felt herself gasping in pain, lying a few feet from where she was originally standing.

Oh gods, Elli thought. I really was going to call off a truce back there.

She wasn't even wearing armor. Her sword was on the ground about ten feet away from her. How can she reach it in time without getting herself killed? This was an unfair game. One, Zack was angry. This only increased his strength and how aggressive he acted by at least tenfold. Two, he had a huge battle axe in his hands. It looked sharp enough to give you a cut by just brushing against it. Lastly, he was bigger, stronger, and obviously a son of a war god. This was almost worse than wrestling class. Except this was real.

Was this going to be interesting or what?

But Elli knew better. She was not going to be bullied just because she was a child of the Big Three. Even though she wanted to be treated differently than what people think of her, she was still proud to be Percy Jackson's sister. It wasn't something to be angry or sad about.
Immediately, Elli darted out of the way as the older boy swung at her with his axe. Although her chest throbbed and it hurt to breathe, she was definitely not going to be chopped up by an axe a day before her quest.

"Aw," Zack chuckled evilly, "Look at the little girl trying to run away from the big fat axe." His eyes widened in amusement. In a few seconds, the axe that he was holding clattered on the ground as well, landing far across the room. "Well, since you're not holding a weapon yourself, I guess I'll play nice for now, but the brutality level's not going to go down!" He added.

"Get another camper with you to fight, and now you'll have an even match with me," Elli said. Zack snarled in fury. She'd always learned over the years to still act confident and noble if you're facing a bad situation. Right now though, Elli was already debating whether that move had been incredibly brave, or ridiculously stupid.

Probably the latter.

Every day is a gift, that's why it's called the present, Elli thought. Well, this is clearly not a present for me!

Elli looked around frantically, searching for any source of water or anything that held a single droplet. Quickly scanning the whole arena, she found . . . nothing.

Note to self, Elli thought. Learn to make water out of thin air.

She could tell that her sword beyond her reach. But then again, she really was no match for the big guy right in front of her. Either she gets beaten up . . . or gets beaten up.

Ah, not a lot of options, here, Elli thought, the panic rising frantically up her chest.

"You made your first mistake by messing around with me in the beginning, you twerp!" Zack roared as he stalked toward her. Elli really couldn't move. She knew that she couldn't run, anyway.

Just face him, Elli urged herself. It was obvious that the sweat on her forehead right now wasn't from being tired. Not at all.

The two were already two feet apart. Elli could only stand there in a stance that made her feel really experience and foolish right now. Zack was in full anger mode. This was definitely not good.

Just focus.

The older boy lunged toward Elli with such ferocity that Elli felt herself blank out for a moment before closely darting out of harm's way. She could already tell that her own advantage was to be quick and light, while Zack would, being blinded by anger, go straight for the kill.
After his second rage toward her, Elli did a quick turn that only missed his punch by a couple of inches. The only bad thing was that Zack was quick too.

The third time he tried to aim a punch at her, Elli was able to block it quickly as she tried to attempt, at the same time, to turn around and twist his arm.

Elli yelped in pain. Even as she tried to grab his arm, Zack grinned as he punched her back into the stomach. Elli recoiled from the blow, but Zack again grabbed her back and flipped her into the air. Elli felt the wind and breath escape her lips as her back thudded hard onto the floor. Even before she could recover, Zack was leaning over her, a sly smile on his lips.

The first blow came really hard. Elli gasped in pain as Zack again punched her near the right eye.

"As soon as I'm done with you, you won't even be able to walk, let alone go on the quest," Zack said. "Then I'll just leave you, and as you're trying to recover, I'll step up innocently and take your place."

Elli tried as hard as she could to get herself away from Zack's grasp, but he was too big and strong. Wildly, she thought that learning to make water out of thin air wouldn't be such a bad idea right now.

That's it.

Was that a voice in her head? It was soft, almost a whisper, but Elli heard it clearly all the same. Now that she thought about it, the air didn't feel that dry, either. In fact, she could feel bits of moisture and water particles tingling in the air. All she needed to do was concentrate.
Elli yelped in pain as the boy again hit her in the right eye. Her face felt as though it was on fire.

Never mind that, Elli screamed in her mind. Just do it!

The affect was immediate and strong. Only a huge surge of emotion could've conjured up the mist of water that stood between her and Zack. Elli never knew she could do this. Did Percy?
Thinking fast, Elli brought the newly formed water particles together to create a huge jet stream that shot toward the son of Ares. Instantly, Zack was thrown backward to the wall of the arena, where it looked as though he was knocked off conscious as he slumped pathetically back onto the ground.

Ah, Elli thought dizzily. Her vision was starting to blur as the edges of her eyesight started to dim. She thought she heard a cry of an owl as she collapsed onto the ground. But in this case, she didn't even feel herself hit the hard floor. It's over.

Against her will, Elli blacked out.