Chapter 11

The next day the gladiator challenge was well on its way. Percy, Jason, and Bianca, had decimated their way through the competition thus far. Percy had been given three members of the second cohort, and two of them were carted off on stretchers. The third had not been one of Kyle Logan's stooges, so he allowed a smidgen of mercy. Bianca had proven to be one of the most competent female fighters so far. There were only a few left from each cohort at this point, and surprisingly the new girl from Cohort two was one of them.

For their own cohort Gwen was coaching all the gladiators while Dakota remained the only other fighter left standing from the fifth. The boy's sugar rush was clearly helping him out today as he fought like one of his father's mad victims, and Percy was excited to have so many people from his cohort left.

The way Percy figured it was shaping out that he was going to get another shot at Kyle Logan in the final four, and Bianca was on track to take on the new girl Reyna in the sweet sixteen giving her a chance to be the final female gladiator in the competition. Jason was on the opposite side of the bracket of Percy, but knew one of them was going to have to take down Michael Kahale eventually.

Percy was watching Bianca fight, and he had to admit the girl looked good today. She was whirling through a daughter of Apollo who was dual wielding hunting knives like a huntress of Diana. The girl was from the first Cohort, and her name was Summer. She was one of the few girls in that entire Cohort who had been kind to Percy, Jason, and Bianca. She just had one of those personalities as a daughter of Apollo that was always bright and kind, but she was a fierce fighter in the ring. Certainly among the best females in the entire legion, but with Riptide in Bianca's hand she made it look like an even fight.

The fight was long and drawn out, but eventually Bianca dodged a heavy handed attack and thrusted her blade so fast it's a miracle she didn't cut Summer's throat. The Celestial Bronze blade was inches from the intended target, and Bianca called out quietly heaving for breath, "Yield."

The girl had a fierce look on her face for a moment before sighing dropping both blades, "Very well daughter of Pluto. Well fought. I yield."

Bianca capped her pen and the two shook hands to immense applause. Percy, Jason, and Gwen whistled loudly at her victory putting her in the top sixteen.

Jason was next in the coliseum as he took on Dylan, the son of Trivia that Percy had faced last year. The match was excellent, but Jason proved too fast, focussed, and strong, for the skinny son of Trivia.

With Jason's victory it meant that Percy would have the next fight to advance to the final eight, and currently four of the sixteen remaining legionnaires were all from the fifth cohort. It was a good feeling, and Percy felt elated when he was summoned to fight Centurion Hank from the Third Cohort.

Hank was a legacy of Vulcan, and a huge African American teenager who was the lead blacksmith in the active legion. Hank was a great fighter, and Percy respected the man for his quiet demeanor. He never spoke up, or against Percy so the son of Neptune took him as a potential ally.

The fight that followed proved to be a battle of wits, and speed. Not something you would expect from the muscular blacksmith, but the young man had incredible technique. He joined the legion at nine, and only had one year left of service, which meant that he was very close to retiring to the city, and making his fortune as an accomplished blacksmith. His experience made him formidable, but it was nothing compared to the cards Percy was working with. Having been trained by his brother, and then having Jason as a sparring partner his speed was unmatched, and he disarmed the boy with great effort and placed his trident at the young man's throat after a long few minutes of fighting.

Hank yielded to him, and Percy looked up to the bracket to see his next opponent was likely going to be Octavion again from Cohort One.

Percy strolled over to the side with cheers only coming from the sections of his cohort, and some of the civilians. When he took his seat next to Bianca Gwen came over and put hands on his shoulders rubbing them carefully, "Stay focused Percy. I know you are coming up on some great fighters, but you are more than a match for Octavion, and I look forward to seeing what you do to that stupid son of Hercules when you make it to the final round of your bracket. After Octavian you will probably have to get through Larry before you make it to the final match of the bracket."

Bianca who was sitting next to Percy grinning like the Cheshire cat at his discomfort finally frowned at the mention of all their least favorite Centurion, "Centurion Logan said something to you didn't he?"

The girl rolled her eyes, "He asked me on a date. I told him no since he's such a dick to members of my cohort, but then we decided to wager it. If he beats Percy, or makes it further than him or Jason then he gets to take me to a movie in New Rome."

Percy felt his heart stop, "What!?"

The girl shrugged, "He was being his usual arrogant ass of a self and made it seem like I had the weakest cohort even though we have been kicking the crap out of them in War Games for the last year."

"So what do you get if Percy or Jason wins this?" Bianca asked curiously while Percy was still trying to pick his jaw up off the floor.

The girl grinned big, "First his entire cohort has to do our chores next week, and we get the better bath times. Also I told him that if one of my boys beat him then that particular demigod would be escorting me to the movies this weekend."

Percy's mouth immediately dried, "Come again."

He would later deny that his voice croaked at this, but the daughter of Ceres just tossed her hair back, "It was more of a rub it in his face kind of thing, but I figured I might as well add insult to the injury."

Percy shook his head, "So let me get this straight. I am two, maybe three fights away from fighting Kyle Logan, and if I beat him I get to take you to the movies this weekend?"

"That was my plan! Unless you lose of course, then I will have to bear the shame of going with that arrogant little toe rag. So do me a favor, and don't let him get the best of you."

With that being said it was Bianca's turn at last to see if she would advance to the final eight. The new girl Reyna was standing across from her looking extremely relaxed. The girl was holding a wicked looking gladius blade, and looked like a female Roman Commander. She sized up Bianca carefully as the girl strode out to meet her in the arena. Gwen whispered over to Percy, "Reyna fought her way off a pirate infested island. She was trained by Circe the witch in combat. The girl has some serious skills. This will be a great test for Bianca. If she ends up winning this that would put her easily in the top three female fighters in camp. I think Praetor Cassie is very interested in this fight."

Percy followed Gwen's words to the Praetor who had sat straighter than he had seen her all day. The blonde Praetor was staring at Bianca and Reyna with a very neutral expression as if she was studying possible enemies. When Mark called out the countdown the fight launched off into a blur of offense. The offense was almost dominantly from Bianca, but the impressive thing was that Reyna was keeping up with the daughter of Pluto, and even more to his surprise she was starting to subtly make disarming attempts in the girls defense. It was so subtle only the most experienced fighters were watching the girl slowly slip a single hit into the blur of offensive maneuvers.

Bianca and Reyna were going toe to toe for nearly six minutes. Eventually Reyna landed a surprisingly solid kick on Bianca's midriff knocking her backwards forcing her to roll from her back dodging Reyna's haymaker overhead strike that cleaved into the ground. When Bianca found her feet Percy could tell the girl was angry. He could almost see her now volcanic black eyes radiating. He knew she was drawing on her demigod powers to keep her fighting, and gain strength.

Gwen whispered to Percy, "She isn't going to last much longer."

Not many knew Bianca as well as he did though so he merely said, "She doesn't have too. The probatio is showing great resilience, but she has to be more tired than she is showing, and it's about to be clear one way or the other."

Being almost prophetically accurate Bianca surged back forward, and this time Reyna struggled much more to keep up. This time she was more offensive, but Percy easily figured it was more out of desperation. Another three minutes passed making it the longest fight of the day, and when they separated they were both heaving for breath. Bianca though had been training with the best for a reason, and she did not back down. With seven mighty blows Bianca screamed out in rage and exertion attempting to disarm the girl as a last ditch effort. Reyna blocked all of them, but with a quick and underhanded tactic Bianca closed the distance in a twirl and elbowed the girl in the face after a low feint strike. Reyna fell on her back in surprise, and Bianca lowered her blade to the girls throat, "Yield."

Reyna glared, and with lightning fast reflexes bumped the blade with her shoulder causing a small cut to appear on her throat, while the girl ignored it and kicked inside Bianca's feet making her fall backwards to the ground. Reyna kipped up to her feet with lightning speed, and attempted to gain control of Bianca before she could gather her bearings, but by the time Reyna had placed a foot in Bianca's throat the daughter of Pluto's blade was on her stomach. Bianca growled out, "I won't ask again. Yield or I will not show mercy a third time."

Reyna pressed her foot on Bianca's throat making Bianca start to push the blade forward causing blood to start to trickle down. It looked like the praetors were going to intervene, but Reyna nodded her head in acknowledgment of defeat and cheering began instantly. It was likely the best fight of the day, and everyone was on their feet. The Daughter of Pluto would be advancing to the final eight of the bracket, and had knocked out the only other remaining female. The daughter of Bellona did not help the girl to her feet though, and merely walked away in defeat.

Percy ran out to the ring to help Bianca to her feet, and embraced her cheerfully, "That was awesome. You did great B."

She smiled at her best friend happy to make him proud saying, "She was good. Really good."

Percy grinned, "Looks like my brother's stamina training paid off."

"Only thing that kept me going I think!" She said cheerfully.

Gwen was grinning at the two when they came back to the side, "Three fighters in the final eight! Great job guys."

Jason came and sat next to his cousins smiling big, "I like our odds that one of us takes this."

Bianca groaned, "I have Larry next. I don't like my odds."

The other Centurion of the 2nd legion was quite the fighter. A son of Nike, and one of Octavian's followers. The young man had always been one of the more softer spoken followers of the augur, which is the only reason the second cohort hadn't gone into all out war with Cohort Five, but ever since Percy embarrassed Octavion last year the Augur was never tempted to challenge Percy in public again. Behind closed doors though there was lots of belittlement.

Percy sighed, "Just make sure you give him a hell of a fight. He's on my side of the bracket, and if you wear him out and then I break him we should have at least one of us in the finals."

Gwen sighed, "Being a son of Nike in a competition must be nice."

The others all nodded, while the final fights kicked off. Jason was going to be the first to step up and try to make it into the final four. His opponent was Jacob the Eagle Bearer of Twelfth Legion. He technically belonged to no cohort, and last year he went down early, but it was clear to all who had watched the son of Fortuna he had worked hard in the off season.

When Jason stepped to the young man though it was clear he outclassed him. Jason was a son of Jupiter, and his unnatural demigod strength as the heir to the Lord of the Heavens was apparent. To Jacob's credit the young man fought with all he had, but Jason had the boy down on one knee defending for his life, before Jason reached out and ripped the blade out of the boy's hand, and kicked him to the ground not making Bianca's mistake, "Yield."

The young man grinned like he had won the match, and merely nodded, "I yield son of Jupiter."

Jason raised his sword into the air, and the cries of victory were immense while the son of Jupiter helped his opponent up, and they embraced in a show of respect and camaraderie. Bianca walked out next for her attempt to advance to the final four, but it was clear she didn't have much left in her tank.

Percy knew Bianca was fighting her hardest against Larry Bard, but the son of Nike was already so fast, and Bianca's depleted stamina did not allow her to keep up as long as he knew she would've wanted. It was over within two minutes, and Biacna was weaponless on her back, clearly upset with herself for not lasting as long as she wanted.

The applause and cheers erupted from the first, second, and third cohorts. Bianca sadly trotted back to the sideline to take an exhausted seat, while Percy said, "You did great B. Let me take it from here."

Percy walked out and embarrassed Octavion for the second year in a row. The son of Neptune was almost certain everyone was afraid to hurt the augur and get doomed to bad prophecies, but knowing that Percy was THE child of the great prophecy he had no such fears. He after all had all the bad luck in the world in the category. The fight barely made it past thirty seconds when Percy hit him so hard on the helmet the boy crumbled to the ground. This put Percy in the final four fighters in his bracket. He was really hoping Jason and himself would win each bracket making it an easy win for the fifth cohort.

Jason made easy work of a son of Mars from the fourth cohort, and that was when the tournament got really interesting. Percy was now going to be fighting Larry Bard in an attempt to avenge Bianca, and make it to the final two fighters of the bracket.. This left Jason already in the finals to take on Michael Kahale and win his bracket for good.

When Percy stood to his feet he looked at Bianca and she nodded at her best friend, and sighed sadly. Bianca had been angry that she lost, but Percy assured her that finishing as the top female fighter in camp had been more than enough, and that there would plenty of years where they could fight further into the bracket against each other, but now was the time for Jason and Percy to show the Legion that the time for the fifth cohort to truly dominate was now.

It was Percy's turn. For a chance to advance to the final match of the bracket. Larry was a damn good soldier, but Percy already knew the son of Nike was all speed, and technique, and would fall apart in an unorthodox style of fighting.

As soon as the countdown finished Percy matched the boy blow for blow for an entire minute, before Percy began attempting an ancient style of Atlantean fighting. This was a literal whirlwind of attacks. Spinning, dodging, twirling strikes left Larry on the ropes in moments, and Percy with a smooth double strike had the boy disarmed in less than three minutes. Ending the fight with a large grin on his face.

The crowd was shocked that Percy had defeated the Centurion so handedly, and with his trident extended to the young man's throat Larry merely asked, "How?"

"Your fighting style is literally the best Rome has to offer, but the problem is its extremely uniform. The only reason I won is because I fought like an Atlantean. Something you've never seen before."

The young man nodded in understanding, "Next time it will be different. Good luck Jackson, you're going to need it."

The two shook hands and the crowd applauded generously. This put Percy in the finals for his bracket.

Jason stood proudly when Percy walked to the sideline to welcome his cousin to the finals. This would be Jason's chance to redeem himself from last year and win his side of the bracket.

The fight between Jason and Michael was a stalemate that Percy could not have predicted. It was obvious had this been a real fight Jason would've smoked Michael with his power over the elements, but in a single gladiator combat fight the two were evenly matched. Michael was a Somoan son of Venus that was built like a large monster of muscle, and power had all the speed, and technique the son of Jupiter had, but the winner of this fight would be the one who could simply fight longer, and in the end that would be Jason. The fight was extremely impressive sword against sword, but in the end Michael exhaustedly swung to cleave Jason in half, and got his sword stuck in the ground just a second too long for Jason to elbow the boy in the face, and throw him backwards on the ground lowering his sword to the boy's throat. Michael immediately yielded to exhaustion unable to continue.

Jason had won the bracket, and would be advancing to the gladiator championship, and the roars of the entire legion showed their approval. Chants of Jupiter, and Centurion followed loudly.

When Jason strode over to the side where Percy was he fist bumped his cousin and looked over to the arrogant son of Hercules, "Show him the power of a son of Neptune."

Poor Jason looked exhausted, but Percy nodded, and Bianca grabbed his hand, "You've got this Percy."

Gwen however topped them all and turned him around planting a kiss on the cheek, "It would be nice if I didn't have to be escorted by that pig on a little date. Go be my hero Percy."

Percy felt his heart soar, and felt the power of the Ocean flowing through his veins. Kyle Logan held a massive broadsword in his hands, and flexed his body in a show of power. The son of Hercules was built like a bodybuilder. He looked like a young movie star Percy had seen in New Rome, a young man that starred in Terminator had about the same build as this son of Hercules.

Kyle stepped forward in a purple tank top, and stabbed his sword into the ground which seemed to cut through the concrete like butter. Percy held out a hand and summoned his trident. When they reached the middle Praetor Mark called the countdown, and at one Percy was already dodging backwards from the length of the broadsword.

Last time Kyle and Percy fought he used a normal axe, but this time around the length of the blade was going to be a factor, and the strength of Kyle put him at a disadvantage early in the fight, but he was quickly adapting as he swirled his trident around deflecting the strike and nicking the son of Hercules with one of his prongs right out of the gate. Kyle roared in anger as he wildly began swinging his sword, making Percy handstand backwards, and thrust his body several feet back, causing the crowd to roar with approval at his showmanship. Percy grinned as he spun his trident around with one hand, and held out his other motioning the son of Hercules to attack.

This time the boy roared out in anger, and Percy knew from start to finish that this angry young man stood no chance. Percy was now effortlessly dodging the wild swings, and hitting the son of Hercules a little bit at a time trying to wear him down. After three straight minutes of dodging Kyle roared, ripping his helmet off, "You coward! You refuse to fight me? Is this how Neptune raises his children."

Percy felt the roar of the tides in his ears as he growled, "Come let's finish this."

Percy surged forward with supernatural speed slashing, twirling, rolling, and eventually slammed the staff side of his trident into the man's head, making him lose his balance, but somehow remain conscious. This made Percy growl with great fury and continue to strike the teenager around the body before delivering a series of absolutely devastating strikes. Suddenly Kyle surged forward with a last ditch effort, but Percy twirled out of the way spinning his trident through the son of Hercules hands breaking both of them. This caused the boy to drop his broadsword in pain, and Percy dropped his trident following the final attack with a nose crunching punch making the boy fall to the ground bloody and unconscious.

There wasn't a cheer, and not even Jason gave the battle cry of the fifth. Instead an entire section of the stadium stomped their feet in a slow rhythm. The fifth was showing their pride. Percy, an optio of the fifth cohort, had just torn apart one of the best fighters in the legion, and made it look absolutely easy. The stomping continued for an entire minute, while Percy raised his trident with one hand over his head. Jason and Percy were going to face each other in the finals.

Percy walked over to the sidelines to no cheers, but the stomping halted when he took his seat for the allowed five minutes of rest.

Jason and Gwen were staring at Percy in shock as the praetors called the countdown to the next fight. Jason said, "I don't think I have ever seen you fight so fiercely. Not since we were on our quest."

Gwen spoke slowly, "That was one of the most amazing displays of power I have ever seen. Kyle has been saying he was going to trounce you for weeks, and you made it look so easy. Hitting him right out of the gate...I look forward to our date this weekend, Optio Jackson."

Jason's eyebrows shot up, but Percy just grinned with a cocky smile, "Wear something pretty for me Centurion Brown. Can I assume I am forgiven for my insubordination?"

She gave him a cheeky smile, "We will discuss it over dinner."

Percy wasn't sure how much more his heart could soar in the course of a single day, but the fact that he was going to get to take the beautiful Centurion out for dinner AND a movie was enough to make him want to do a dance of joy.

Suddenly Praetor Cassie's voice came forth, "Now for the moment we've all been waiting for. Perseus Jackson, and Jason Grace from the fifth cohort will face each other in the final match of Gladiator Challenge."

(A/N) A fight filled chapter. Little boring, but we will get to the point next chapter. I know we are seeing some flirting between Gwen and Percy, but don't worry the pairing in this story remains Bianca and Percy. Just thought I would throw a little extra in their so it wasn't the cliche love at first sight thing. Cheers, and see you all next Friday!

NNZtZXyD2c