Chapter 38
Malikai's POV
It's been a week or so since the party on Olympus. I sat at the lunch table, with Reyna sitting across from me and Jason sitting next to me. Another kid named Frank Zhang sat across from Jason. He was a stocky Asian son of Mars who liked to use the bow. Overall, he was pretty shy but not that bad when you got closer to him. I picked at my food, Reyna's foot kicking the same spot on my shin, as she talked avidly about battle strategy with the other two. I would pitch in here and there, but mostly continued just barely swallowing spoonfuls of mashed potatoes. After a while, the constant kicking on my shin was starting to hurt pretty bad.
"When are you going to notice I'm not a table leg?", I finally asked, trying not to laugh. Reyna looked away from the conversation to see me looking up at her with a quirked eyebrow. Upon interpreting my words, she quickly glanced under the table and blushed. Her eyes widened a little as she looked back up at me to apologize.
"Oh! Malikai I'm so sorry.", She quickly said, appearing quite flustered. She got up with her hands still on the edge of the table.
"No, no. Two can play that game Miss Avila RamĂrez-Arellano", I growled in a playful way. I also struggled to say her name correctly, but her name flowed about smoother than usual. She looked at me, confused, before I hooked two of my feet around her ankle and attempted to pull off her shoe. She shrieked in surprise.
"Malikai! That's it!", She said indignantly, slamming her fists on the table before doing the same. This continued on for a while back and forth until she held my shoe in the air triumphantly. I just pouted as Frank and Jason laughed. Rubbing it in my face she celebrated her triumph, waving my shoe around. She eventually gave it back as people shot her strange looks.
"Come on guys, this is boring.", Jason said standing up, I separated from the others and threw my food into the fire and sent it to my mother. It smelled… it kind of reminded me of the northern forests when they were blanketed in snow, mixed with the smell of the pines. I just shrugged and left my plate back at our table for the nymphs to pick up. Frank and Jason began walking off towards the colosseum, Reyna stood back and waited for me. I jogged up to walk alongside her. I tried to slow my pace so we could walk a bit longer together. But Jason and Frank slowed down to wait for us instead, so we had to catch up. Jason and Frank were in a heated debate on whether swords or bows are better.
"Bows can be used up close AND far away, what's a guy with a sword gonna do against a guy with a bow?", Frank said matter of factly, brandishing his bow proudly.
"Guys, guys.", I cut in, "We obviously know what's better than both.". I said with a smile before stretching out my wings, the wingspan going further than the shoulders of the whole group. Jason just scowled, Frank laughed, and Reyna shook her head with a small smile. I might have been cocky, but I'm right aren't I? Speeding ahead, I started walking backwards once I got far enough.
"Now who's ready to try and kick some frozen butt.", I taunted, drawing my sword, "Can't touch this.", I said before running off. They all chuckled and chased after me.
What ensued was a long day of constant fighting and training: everyone winning a fair amount and no one getting too far ahead. The most heated battles were between Reyna and I, as she was a far better swordsman, or swordswoman, but I had the advantage of wings and flight. Sometimes she would make a "No wings" rule and I would almost immediately lose. Our duels would end up with me, on the ground, panting and out of breath, and her, standing over me, point at my neck, grinning at her superiority.
"This was gonna be fun.", I thought twirling my sword getting ready for another round.
Simon's POV
I was walking around the woods looking for a drachma and daydreaming but I was interrupted from my thoughts when a huge pile of snow fell on my head knocking me onto the ground. Hm, snow, that reminded me of something. I pulled out a bunch of napkins and strips of papers, they had names with a quick "IM me!" message along with a kiss on the back. Malikai had Percy give them to me, they were apparently from the party on Olympus. WHICH I WASN'T INVITED TO WHAT THE HECK GUYS.
But you know, it's cool. I wasn't on the quest, so I couldn't get to party. You know whatever, I'm chill. I got to party with camp people, and stuff...
Anyways on the back of one of the larger napkins was written, "Hopefully you catch one of them, Simon. I don't have any use for these, I'm already tracking one of my own. I'll see you sometime. -Malikai".
I just quirked my eyebrow at his message and started to jog back to camp, looking all over for a drachma. Why do IMs have to be so expensive? Sure I was grateful, but still, i was a bit offended.
He thinks I can't get the ladies myself or something. Just because he's a hotshot cool dude means I can have his leftovers.
I get back to camp, and I'm asking around for drachmas, when I see this giant hellhound. Like I mean giant like garbage truck giant. It's long shaggy hair drooped past its stomach. It's tongue was lolling beast is just trotting around the archery range, and I start freaking out. Did no one else see this? I had to do something.
I tried to sneak up on the furry shaggy beast, picking up a sword as I crept along. I patted my magic pet turtle, renamed Shelldon, peeking out of my shirt pocket, and I raised the sword to strike.
As I was about to make contact, another sword flashes out of nowhere and parried my strike. I switch targets and charge at the swordsman, when he yells,
"Truce!"
I did not expect that. As I attempted to skid to a stop, I ended up tripping and practically falling on the swordsman, if he hadn't called a truce, I'd be hell hound chow by now. As he helped me back on my feet, I groaned and rubbed my forehead. Then, I looked around frantically, feeling my empty pocket. My turtle! He had flown out of my pocket somewhere! Where could he be? Oh, wait, nevermind, there he is, on the ground. Being a turtle with a thick shell, he was alright. He just started munching on grass like nothing happened.
"Whew!" I expressed my relief. Then I remembered my situation. Glancing back at the man, I demanded an explanation. "What the hell hound is going on!"
"That is Mrs. O'Leary" he explained, chuckling.
"Mhm, mhm, okay. Thank you for that detailed explanation. That clears up everything for me." I exclaimed sarcastically.
"Yes, this hellhound is my pet. Nice to meet you. My name is Quintus. And I am the new sword instructor.", He finished with a smile.