"Aw, don't look so surprised Maddie. We got some inside help to let us know where you were gonna be. We knew from the start we were gonna pay you a visit. That bastard is gonna regret getting in our way and messing with us. Best way to get revenge? Get at the one thing he was trying to protect."

Maddie charged towards her spear, which was lying only a few feets away. She screamed when her hair was grabbed just like before and she was painfully yanked back and pushed to the ground.

"I know it's your first capture the flag game Maddie but you should know better then to drop your weapon."

She struggled under the weight that pushed her down but it was useless. She was too small and weak. She cried out for help but a hand was put over her mouth. Instinctively she bit down at it, as hard as she could. The guy yelled in pain and pulled away, lessening the weight on her just a bit. She rolled away and quickly got up, running towards her spear again.

"Looking for something?"

One of the guys was holding her spear and sneering down at her. "Listen Maddie, we're not gonna do anything terrible to you. Just hold still and be a good little girl."

Maddie had had enough. She was bubbling with anger right now. She wanted to be left alone. She didn't want to see these guys anymore. She wanted to run and hide and and and...

Kill.

She ran forwards towards the one with her spear. He laughed at her determination and seemed to dare her to attack. He went into a battle stance and Maddie's brain told her to stop and hesitate. Her body didn't listen. She charged forward and at the last second, dived under him and used her momentum to slide forward, her body ramming into him and knocking him over.

The other two started laughing at the scene.

"Wow Greg. I knew you were bad at fighting but to be trampled by a little girl? You're pathetic."

"Shut up!"

Maddie wasn't paying attention. She had stood up as soon as her body had collided and ran for the spear. When her hand latched onto it she felt two things.

First, a sense of relief that she had some way of protecting herself.

Secondly, the overwhelming urge to destroy everything in her path.

And she loved it.

The world became a blur for her just like last time. She saw the one guy who had been trampled stand up and the other still laughing but slowly recovering. Then, Michael was behind her, grabbing her from behind. She didn't even register that the way he collapsed and doubled over was because the wind was knocked out of him. She didn't realize that it had been her own elbow that had done so.

"Get...her…" Michael grunted between breaths.

The other two charged forward, one casting a magic attack that erupted the tree next to her into flames. Maddie didn't even notice. She had never felt more free. More alive. More….everything. She became a flurry of attacks. She barely even registered the pain of her hair being grabbed and pulled close before she stabbed in retaliation. She didn't feel the slash against her arm and the blood pouring out. She didn't feel the flames licking at her feet as the fire spread through the forest. She only felt the intense desire to kill. With every successful hit on one of them and seeing the blood pour from their limbs made her crave it more and more. She wanted to know what they would look like soaked in blood. She wanted to see their eyes become soulless. She wanted to watch them go limp and never move again.

Michael's two friends eventually decided that it was too intense and ran off. Either from fear of the flames or the fear of Maddie, she didn't know. It was only Maddie and Michael now. He had some scratches on him and ash covered his face and body making him look more like the monster Maddie knew him to be. Maddie knew she was hurt too but she didn't care. The fire stung at her eyes and the smoke filled her lungs but she only saw her opponent and how best to defeat him. Both of their movements were blurs. She didn't have time to process each attack because she was already making the next one. In the distance she heard cannons explode but she didn't know what they meant anymore and didn't care.

How long the battle went on Maddie didn't know. But it was the end. It was his end. He had collapsed from exhaustion and was staring up at her, his back against a tree, one that had so far managed not to burn. Maddie stood over him, her spear pointed directly at his chest. Her smile was large and unforgiving. Her eyes seemed to burn like the roaring flames behind her.

"M-Maddie. Look. I won't mess with you anymore. I give up, alright?"

Was he talking to her? So what. That meant he was still alive. Kill him. He was on the verge of death. She could sense it. He was holding onto an arm that was bleeding profusely and bent at an awkward angle. One of his eyes was closed shut by blood, dirt, and swelling. He could barely catch his breath amongst the smoke. He wasn't dead but close. But wait. What was the fun in killing him right away? He had caused her so much pain and fear in just a few days. She had to return the favor. She lifted up her spear and struck it directly into his thigh. He let out a howl of pain. Good.

"Maddie…? MADDIE!"

Other voices started calling out to her but she heard and registered none of them. She lifted up her spear and struck it into his leg again. Gaining more screams. Yes. Beg for your life. You don't even deserve it in the first place. She began laughing. His terrified, pained, bloodied face was beautiful. She wished she had her camera to capture this moment forever. She pointed the spear right at his neck, accepting that the torment was over and it was time to end it.

"Please...no...no…"

Yes. Beg. Beg like I once did. Die.

She pulled her arm back for the final strike and then…

Maddie stopped and blinked. She looked around, fully realizing that she was in the midst of a burning fire with a crumpled up teen in front of her. He didn't look so intimidating and scary now. He was crying. Her eyes finally landed to the person to her right who had his hand on her head and staring at Michael.

"Can't say you don't deserve this. Luckily for you I'm not gonna let her kill you." Marcus' voice was quiet yet still heard over the roaring of flames.

The longer his hand was on her head the more aware Maddie became of the world around her. Other demigods were screaming and desperately using their magic to put out the flames. Others were being supported by campers as they were rushed to safety. The entire world around them was a mix of red, orange, and black. Maddie's lunges screamed at her and her body howled with pain.

Michael's eyes darted between the two of them and as Maddie slowly lowered her weapon he let out a small breath and passed out. Maddie looked up awkwardly at Marcus.

"Did we win…?"

"I think you're the one who really won here. You're lucky you're not the one who was about to die...or worse…" Marcus growled as his eyes narrowed at Michael.

Maddie couldn't tell if she was supposed to feel proud or ashamed. She didn't know what she felt right now. She had completely lost control. She could barely even remember it which made it worse.

Then, suddenly amongst the chaos around them, Maddie could hear the distinct sound of someone clapping. She looked around and saw that a few feet away was a man leaning against a tree that was on fire. He didn't seem to even notice or care though. He was taller than the average adult man and was wearing rocker-like clothes with black sunglasses. His black hair seemed to mix into the shadows and smoke around them. Maddie felt something tug in her memory but she didn't know why. She had never seen this guy before...at least she didn't think so.

"That was quite the show Maddie. I'm impressed." He moved towards her and smiled in such a way that reminded Maddie of the Cheshire Cat.

"Who are you?" Maddie asked.

"...Ares…" Marcus' words were a mixture of shock, amazement, and anger.

"Ey! Give it up for the kid! Surprised you recognized me so easily. Yep. That's me. Ares. God of war. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

The flames had been doused and campers were starting to quiet down as they one by one noticed that one of the gods had made an appearance. Some bowed down, others stood in shocked stillness at the sight. Maddie felt Marcus tense up next to her, but her attention was focused on the man...no...the god in front of her.

"Anyways. Sorry not sorry to appear at such an awkward time. I can see you guys got your hands full with the little mess that these obnoxious kids made." Ares nodded towards the slumped over Michael and smiled. "You really did a number on him didn't you? I honestly couldn't be prouder. I knew you were gonna be a special one as soon as I first saw you. Didn't think it would be this intense though. Oo boy."

"I-I'm sorry. Um...Mr. Ares. I-it's a pleasure to meet you. I-I-I'm honored. I've read and heard so much about you and your presence here is simply stunning and I-"

Marcus hit Maddie in the ribs to stop her from rambling and Maddie closed her mouth. She took a breath and tried to recollect her thoughts. "W-what exactly do you mean…?"

Ares let out a laugh that sounded like a bomb. "I'm talking about you Madison! Daughter of Diana Easton herself! My very own daughter."

Maddie's jaw dropped. Was...was he serious…? She was...she was…

Her face broke out into a smile and she ran up to him and hugged him.

"Hey, woah, woah, woah kid. I get you're starstruck but I'm not the kind of person to go around hugging." He gently pushed her off but her smile did not stop and her eyes sparkled with excitement as she stared up at him. "Anyways. I came down to watch the match today. Figured you'd make quite the scene, huh?" He playfully pushed her on her shoulder and she stumbled back from the force, continuing to hang onto every word. She heard a low growl from behind her. Marcus? She couldn't tell and didn't bother to check.

"You've got quite the special little gift there Maddie. I call it a battle mind. Most of my kids have it but yours is more intense to put it plainly...as you can see for yourself. The ability to completely lose yourself in battle and become a war fighting monster, unable to feel or think. A double edged sword most would call it. The ability to not let anything stand in your way and destroy everything in sight but also the inability to realize when you need to stop or when you, yourself are unable to continue on. It's been a long time since I've had a child like that, much less one that had it so pronounced like you. You might be able to control it to an extent in the future, at least, enough to not lash out while holding a cutting knife…" He lowered his glasses to reveal eye sockets full of flames, but he winked at Maddie at the statement, a knowing look that made Maddie feel somewhat embarrassed. "It won't ever go away though, I can guarantee that. However, it may be what saves you in the end."

"Wait...so you're telling me that Maddie is just some heartless killer just cause of you? That's a fucking joke. Have you met Maddie!?" Marcus had enough guts to try and glare at the god in front of him.

"Oh trust me, I know. Good thing you got her when you did. If not she wouldn't have stopped until he was truly dead. I find it funny though that you were able to snap her out of it with something as simple as a pat to the head. Might wanna keep that in mind if she starts getting out of control again." Ares gave an approving sort of nod to Marcus. "That's about all I got for you though Maddie. Great job again. I look forward to how you make your dad proud in your battles from now on." With a brilliant flash of light, the place where Ares just stood was suddenly empty again.

Maddie was still frozen in shock. It had actually happened. She had been claimed. It was like a dream come true.

"Well, well, well. Daughter of Ares, huh? Congrats Maddie. Never would have seen that coming." Aaron's voice came from beside her. She felt herself smile. Then the pain and exhaustion from everything hit her. Before she could stop herself, she felt her knees buckle from underneath her and she fell over, passing out on the grass.