So... Chapter 2!!! I hope that it's okay. I'm trying to incorporate all the big plot points to get the story moving, it should slow down and have some more details with the next couple chapters when there are more things to revolve around the characters and not plot and exposition. I'm not trying to rewrite the whole book. LOL just add a character.

I wasn't sure exactly how I was supposed to play capture the flag, but I was pretty sure I would manage to do it wrong. Annabeth had strode ahead after giving me a few curt instructions. Magnus, dropped back,

"Don't worry about her, she always gets like this during games. She's very competitive"

I glanced over, "And you're not?"

"Well sure I like to win, but I'm not a huge fan of beating myself up for no reason"

I could agree with that sentiment.

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Just as I was beginning to suspect that something was up, Magnus burst through the trees, panting and out of breath.

"Hey Percy" he gasped. He moved over to stand next to me and warily scanned the trees.

"I think Annabeth had some kind of plan when she..." he trailed off stiffing and drawing his dagger.

"Get ready, someone's coming"

What seemed like half the Ares cabin came bursting through the trees. Clarisse sneered when she saw us.

"Well well well, it's the two brats."

Magnus glared and took a step foreword. For all his talk about self preservation he seemed perfectly ready to hurl himself into the hoard of heavily armed campers.

I lifted his sword, ready to back him up.

Clarisse sneered again

"Have at it"

It was like she said the magic words, the Ares campers charged. It was five on two and my sword felt large and unwieldy in my hand.

I spared a glance at Magnus, he seemed to be holding his own, but as I watched, one of the swords slipped under his guard and slashed his bicep. The cut was deep, but the next time I looked over it seemed to be gone.

I shook my head and refocused in his own fight.

Annabeth looked shocked when she saw Magnus and I. I thought it was out of concern for us. I should have know better.

"Magnus, you weren't supposed to be here." She snapped. "You could have messed up the plan."

" I wasn't just going to leave him to the wolves!"

I glanced back and forth, this was the first time I'd ever seen them fight. Judging from the expressions on both faces, it wouldn't have been over anytime soon. Fortunately Annabeth's retort was cut short by a sudden deep growl.

The entire group at the top of the hill stilled as Magnus and I slowly turned around. Just as we moved to start backing away, a large canine face appeared. It leaped down at us, paws outstretched. I felt Magnus try to move in front of me, but before I had time to properly process what he was trying to do the hound was on us.

I heard a high pitched scream that sounded suspiciously like Annabeth.

There was a twang and arrows sprouted from the dogs neck, but not before I felt my armor cave under the claws. My skin shredding and warm blood seeping down my chest.

As the dogs body rolled of I felt another something else hit the ground beside me. I looked over as Annabeth ran into the creek. She was crying hysterically.

"Magnus!"

She was on her knees now, frantically undoing his armor straps. Luke was in the creek now, quickly giving me a once over before going back to Annabeth at Magnus' side.

I looked down at my chest, somehow the gashes were healing.

I compared myself to Magnus. His gashes were worse than mine, longer and deeper. It looked like he had managed to block me at least somewhat. I felt really guilty.

Annabeth was crying while trying to stop the blood flow. Luke was muttering in her ear while Chiron shouted for someone to run and get a med kit.

I watched with disbelief as the gashes on Magnus' chest slowly knit together, the steady flow of blood trickling out. Luke raised his eyes to the sky and muttered what looked like an uncharacteristic prayer of thanks to the gods.

Annabeth hastily tried to stop crying as Magnus slowly opened his eyes. I couldn't believe it. A second ago he had been bleeding out and now he was glowing and-

Wait. When had he started glowing?

"Magnus Fredrick Chase don't you ever do anything like that again!"

Annabeth was shrieking, I got the feeling that if she stopped yelling she'd start crying again.

Magnus opened his mouth like he was going to respond but the healer had returned and they took the opportunity to shove nectar down his throat.

After he finished choking, Magnus looked over at me, and did a double take, I stared back. I was opening my mouth to thank him when Annabeth looked up and gasped.

"Percy..." she trailed up and I craned my head up, trying to see what had her so spooked. There above my head was a glowing green trident.

"All hail Percy Jackson, son of the sea god."

Magnus looked away.

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I couldn't help but feel guilty, I knew that it wasn't my fault Magnus got hurt but every time I saw him limping around camp with a bandage tied over the half healed gashes I felt so guilty. He wouldn't talk to me, although I had a feeling that it had less to do with him getting hurt and more to do with my gettin claimed less than a week after arriving at camp while he had been left out in the cold for five years. It still hurt because I had almost started to consider Magnus my friend.

I resolved to talk to him soon. Right after I figured out why Mr. D wanted to speak with me.