Elkie's POV:
One last sickening crunch ended the battle. Blade met flesh, and tore it to oblivion. The empty carcasses of the grotesque beasts that once littered the battle scene had disappeared without a trace, leaving nothing but the thrumming aftermath of adrenaline in their place. No remnants but memories. Heat and sweat was all that thickened the air, a wave of humidity washing over the clearing. The sky shone a brilliant blue, the azure hues uninterrupted by clouds, merely wisps of gathering water particles lazily drifted across the sky. It was almost like nothing had ever happened. Like they weren't just attacked by a posse of deadly scorpions and had fought to the death. Well, that was one thing I had to learn about monster fighting.
I cautiously swept by grey gaze across the parting of the trees about us, seeing that everyone seemed alright and together. An almost surreal sort of feeling came over me as a hesitant smile weaved its way across my lips and countenance. My blonde locks slightly astray against my forehead, and the last beads of cool sweat trailing down my hot skin, I licked my lips slightly. God, I could do for a nice, big glass of water. The soft thumps of footsteps could be heard coming towards me.
"Why so happy?" the slightly breathless tone of Sebastian cut through the slightly thick air, his light tenor tearing me from my wistful thoughts. I glanced up to meet his placid aquamarine irises, smile slightly broadening at his comment. I tucked some loose strands of hair behind my ear before venturing a reply.
"We can only get better from here," I replied with an amused sort of huff before striding off to check up with the others who had gathered about. Nerves still danced across my skin. Yes, we had defeated the crew of monsters, but our amulets had glowed during the process. Some god had sent them here. To stop us.
"Thanks a lot, Ghost boy," Xavier growled dangerously, turning to face Sebastian. His whole stature was tense with anger, jaw clenched and hands balled up into fists and knuckles turning white. You could almost get the image of a snarling canine just by looking at him. His hazel eyes crackled with fury. Truth be told, Xavier may be an admirable warrior, but the process of killing was something he loathed so.
Sebastian's eyes seemed to clash with that same sort of energy. Fury, frustration, anger nonetheless. "Get a grip man! Not everything is my fault – just cuz I'm the son of Hades," he snapped back, taking a step forwards and narrowing his eyes slightly. It was obvious he had had enough of shouldering the blame for every mishap on his journey, and he was clearly unsympathetic to the other male's plight.
It was a blur, a sudden move. A punch. A smack. A hit. Dead on the Hades's upper cheek – bone reaching for the left eye. Another sort of figure, a shape really, came upon the scene; swiftly moving in between the two and forcing them apart with outstretched palms.
"Cool it," Cedric, his familiar baritone cutting through the struggles of the boys, had come to the scene. Arms swung as the pair attempted to get out of the other guy's way. A rumble, the angered stirrings of a growl roused within his throat as he joined the scuffle, grunts and yelps emitting from the mass of flailing limbs.
"Holy shit!" Grace exclaimed. I turned in surprise as they entered.
"What the fuck happened here?" Collins spat.
The three guys stopped and looked up.
Grace and Collins stared at me like I was supposed to do something.
The three guys broke up the fight, while Grace and Collins yelled at Cedric and Xavier to get off of Sebastian.
All three guys went in different directions badly bruised and scratched.
Grace and Collins darted towards me.
"As we can see all those guys are total idiots. Each of us should take one and help them because they all look badly beaten." Collins simmered.
"I guess…Elike you get Sebastian because you have a better relationship than Collins and I," Grace muttered.
"What! I always get stuck with him! He's so annoying. I mean…" I drifted off.
Collins and Grace exchanged glances wait for someone to pipe up.
"Ugghhhh, fineeee….you can have Cedric. I'll take Ghost boy," Grace huffed.
"Okay," I agreed.
Collins looked at Grace and whispered something.
We parted.
I went to find Cedric. He was looking at the lake when I appeared.
I stepped on a stick and Cedric turned. I felt my face get hotter.
Those light green eyes of his held an inquisitive air, almost as if he did a double take inwardly at the sight of me. Obviously he was expecting someone else. He was expecting Grace. I cleared my throat lightly in the awkward silence that ensued, cautiously taking a step forwards.
"I'm here to patch up your battle wounds," I joked nervously, biting my lip to suppress the giggle that nearly came out. God, that would have sounded stupid.
"Your job should be easy, then," He replied with ease, gesturing to himself, "I'm not seriously injured."
And he was right. I mean, being an Ares kid and all, he was probably the least battered out of the three. Only dirt marked his skin, despite the minimal bruises, and was the only remnants of the small scuffle.
"Yeah…" I trailed off into the air, tentatively taking another step towards him to examine his wounds, uncertainty flickering openly across my eyes.
I earned a hearty chuckle from Cedric as he plopped down onto the earth, casting a bemused glance back to say, "I don't bite."
The giggle I had been restraining slipped out from in between my lips, and cut through the air with an obnoxiously melodic tone. I swore inwardly. Ignoring his presence for a moment, I brushed off the dirt and felt rather flustered as my fingers ran over his skin.
"They don't look too bad," I muttered softly, Cedric seeming to grin in amused fashion as I performed the examination.
"Why thank you, Doc," he joked lightly back, turning slightly to meet my eyes.
I froze, blinking as my lips attempted to form the words that came to mind, but my vocal cords refused to work, leaving me pursing my lips in contemplation and in hopes of not looking like a total idiot.
Cedric looked back towards the lake; while I thought about the conversation we just had.
Grace's POV:
Why had I opened my big fat mouth like that? I could have stuck it out until Collins collapsed, but god that girl was headstrong. There was no way of evading it – I was stuck with Sebastian.
The Ghost boy was surprised as I walked over, grumbling to myself in frustration, and held an inquisitive air within his glance. A broad smile weaved its way across his lips as he turned to fully face me, a chuckle rising within his throat.
"Look what the cat dragged in," he teased, blue eyes dancing with that ever present bemused manner.
"Sit down," I ordered gruffly, grey gaze smoldering. He better listen – or something bad was going to happen to a certain son of Hades.
As if he had heard my thoughts, he sat quickly atop the ground, wearily glancing up at me with widened eyes.
"I wonder who woke up on-"
"Don't."
"Oh – kay"
And with that, I took to bandaging up the guy. Boy, was he battered.
When I was finally done; there was a silence.
I just sat next to him and thought about everything that has happened to be recently.
"I know you don't really want to help me," he sounded hurt.
"I—I didn't say anything," I didn't want to offend him more.
"Look, I know you're interested in Cedric, everyone is," he sort of snapped at me.
"I haven't said anything about that!" I tried to defend myself, but I couldn't blame him.
"Grace?" He asked.
"Yeah?"
"You know the guys at camp always talked about you and your looks," he sounded ashamed of he said.
I stared at him, "Do you think Elkie hates me because of that?"
He didn't say anything. He just looked at the other trees.
That was our conversation a few pitiful words leaving our lips. Now, that I think, I don't think I've ever had a longer conversation with Sebastian. He was never really mean to me. I never thought him more than Elkie's best guy friend.
Collin's POV:
I was somewhat glad not seeing Sebastian. I always felt that Elkie should go with him; while Grace got Cedric and I had Xavier. Deep down, I thought Elkie was weak. Unable to compete against Grace. Grace was prettier and she got most of the guys. Elkie should be embarrassed to be even related to Grace. Grace was sweet. She should be my enemy but she is just so laid back.
I had to search for Xavier. He was super hard to find. That's until I found little spots of blood on the leaves that covered the path. I walked further. I found a bigger puddle of blood. I looked up to see Xavier in a big oak tree. I stared at him and shook my head. I climbed the tree to be next to him.
"I don't need charity," he huffed, helping me up in the tree with him.
"I'm not here for that," I lied.
"Oh really?" Xavier laughed.
"Seriously," I persisted.
"Okay," he hot lips kissed me on my forehead.
"Thanks," I laughed.
"I'm glad we are together," he held my hand.
Xavier and I just came to the camp and had to leave. We found it on our own. Xavier and I used to go to a prep school before we came here. He and I survived on our own for about six months. He would catch the fish in a nearby ocean; while I made the fire. He and I walked from Florida to Camp Mix-Blood. I guess we couldn't really die since the gods were always watching us. We barely made it to Camp Mix-blood.
Xavier stood up and yelled, "I love my girlfriend Collins, daughter of Zeus!"
All a sudden, lightning almost struck the tree. Xavier was laughing hard just like me. It was pouring. Xavier and I just sat on the tree watching all the lightning flying through the land.
"Collins?" He whispered in my ear.
"Yeah," I turned to look at him.
"Have I ever told you how your eyes light up my world," he told me.
"Oh really?" I laughed.
"Yeah , it's my world. The color of blue in your eyes makes me smile every day," Xavier kissed me on the lips slowly while the rain kept coming down hard.
I always feel like people misunderstood Xavier and I. I might come off harsh but when I know you, I'm pretty nice. As for Xavier he has that moody attitude. But he's really sweet. We stayed up in that tree for hours talking. It was like the old days.
