Story 10
The Champion part 2: Numbers

A/N: I hate this chapter. :( I hope you all like it, but I don't! I may rewrite it in the future-but I wanted to give you all something!

The opening festivities have completely drained Avery of all his energy. He has signed thousands of autograph, kissed hundreds of babies, entertained dozens of girl s and taken enough pictures to cover every square inch of Trivia Island.

He is worn and does not want to attend the dinner feast tonight, but he must. It would not be proper for the Champion of the Gladiator Games to miss his own feast. Plus, being the son of Trivia, and looked up to as a 'prince" Avery must attend.

Avery lies down on a sofa near a window in his room. He can still hear the cheering and music coming from the streets.

"Shouldn't everyone be preparing for the feast tonight?" Avery wonders, closing his eyes. He lays his arm across his eyes to shield the sun. He feels a headache coming. Today has been extremely busy. And that bastard Kreighton hasn't helped improve his mood very much.

Kreighton hovered around menacingly all day. Whenever Avery looked there he was, smiling at him with those horrid eyes. To add to that pressure Diana lingered around the Island, also sticking close to Avery. He was cordial to her whenever he saw her, but inside he was screaming to be rid of her presence. She scared him to death.

Trivia made sure that Diana had plenty to do and it seemed like she was purposely steering Avery away from Diana. Avery didn't mind of course, he would do anything to avoid seeing the frightening goddess. There was something about her that unnerved him. He felt like a little child hiding a dirty secret and from his parents. He hated the feeling, but it wouldn't go away. He had nothing to hide right? Right?

Oh gods, help me, help me keep my son, I don't want to lose him!
Calm down, all is well, everything well be alright.

Why is she here? Why is Diana haunting us? Help me!
Maybe you should prove to her that you are not to be toyed with. Maybe you should teach Diana a lesson.

Yes…I should….I will. Help me…I want her off my island and out of my life!
Of course I will help you. Diana will regret trying to take your son from you.

Kreighton doesn't see why Avery is so important to Diana, but his patron had been acting strange lately. He is curious to know what she is up to. She is hiding something massive, but won't tell him what it is exactly.

Diana sends him on strange quests, gives him orders that go against the gods rules. If Jupiter found out...he would be struck down to the Underworld. He shutters at the thought. He has been to the Underworld and it is not pleasant.

Kreighton knows that there is something wrong with his patron, she is not her usual self. She isn't the strong, witty, huntress he once knew. It is unsettling to think what she could be planning. Sometimes she talks to herself…but it's like she is having a conversation with someone else.

Sometimes he can her another voice. A dark, menacing voice. It scares Kreighton, but he is determined to help Diana. He cares for her more than he does for Mars. Even if Mars treats him better than most of his other kids. He wishes there was something he could do, but he can't think of anyway to help Diana.

He sighs and pushes off the stone wall of Trivian Manor.

"Time to go to work." He says, tiredly.

This is another quest from Diana. He must go to Avery's room and whisper some ridiculous numbers in his ear. He thinks its really stupid, but Diana was insistent that he do this, so here he is. Why in the hell is whispering numbers in someone's ear so damn important, anyway?

He enters Avery's private chambers from his balcony. He had been waiting their ever since Avery disappeared from the parade. He had to climb the side of the manor and wait on the balcony because the door to Avery's room was melded into the wall. Some magical shit, no doubt.

He enters and sees the Prince sprawled on a couch near a window across from the balcony. Kreighton smiles. How defenseless. Is he this confident that he won't be attacked by competitors? Idiot. Kreighton stalks forward, like a wildcat coming towards its prey.

He kneels before the sleeping Prince, slightly regretting this, but he knows it is for the best. He needs Avery. He is the only one that can help him find answers about Diana.

"Two-six-one-seven-four-six."

Avery blanches in his sleep, and frowns, his breath becoming labored. His closed eyes tighten, and he bucks a little, a nightmare suddenly invading his once peaceful dreams.

Kreighton stands and takes a step back, watching the prince battle mentally, trying not to cry out.

What is the significance of those numbers?

Kreighton is halfway down the hall, heading for Diana's room, when he is stopped by a harsh voice.

"What do you think you are doing?"

Kreighton puts on his best smile and turns around to see a girl standing behind him. It is the same girl that interrupted his conversation with Avery. She is

very beautiful. Kreighton is tempted to stop and flirt, but he has a mission to complete.

"Just enjoying my free time before the activities begin again." He says, casually crossing his arms. "And what of you, young lady? Are you merely enjoying the scenery?" He inconspicuously flexes his muscles, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

The girl- Caridee he thinks her name is- stalks forward, menacingly.

"I don't know who you are, or what the hell you want, but you are bothering Avery and I will not stand for that." She is so close, Kreighton can feel her breath against his neck. Her eyes are dark with rage. "I want you to stay away from Avery. He doesn't want anything to do with you or your twisted mistress."

Kreighton smiles. This is getting very interesting. Avery is stronger than he looks. He indulges Caridee, letting her continue rant.

She seems to catch on to this, because the next minute the air has left his lungs. She has slammed him against the wall with surprising strength.

"You forget, I will be in the arena as well and I will not hesitate to slit your throat." Her voice is dark and malicious. "Stay away from Avery, or I will come after you."

A/N: I really, really, love Caridee! She is the bestest! That's all I got! *sniff!* I wish I had more for you guys, but I just can't write! *sobs!* I hope you all aren't bored with this! I hope you like it! Your reviews are worshipped- like really they are! Thank you Deathly Hallows! Insanities-Cure! and Zipper! You guys are da best!