Story #7
Champion
Here we are, back at the POV of Avery! I really love him. He is so fun to write!

The Gladiator Games are always a highlight on Trivia Island. The best warriors come from all over to try and best the Champion.

Me.

I have held the title of Champion for almost five years now. Not to sound vain, but I do consider myself invincible.

I smile as my invisible servants dress me in my battle armor. I feel confident in my abilities. I know I can win the games.

Trivia comes to me. We exchange hugs and she kisses me. "Do your best, my son." She whispers to me. "No matter what happens though, you will always be my champion."

A grin splits my face and I kiss Trivia again. "I promise to honor you, Trivia." I pull away from her, draw my golden sword. I pretend to battle a enemy. "I will pay honor to the great goddess Trivia!"

Mother laughs. "You silly boy. Come, you must leave now if you are going to be on time for the opening festivities.

The opening day is a huge parade feature all the contestants and a large feast for everyone. After the parade we have the entire day to do whatever we
want until dinner.

I always practice early in the morning and then get to know my competitors. I don't want them to see what I can do just yet. I want them to think I have the same techniques from the previous year. Little do they know, I am always changing my fighting style.

I stride confidently through the halls of Trivian Mansion. A smirk graces my face. I try not to be too over-confident, but I believe in my abilities. I know I can do well.

The gods will be coming to watch. They love The Gladiator Games. They like to watch the strongest demigods battle it out among each other. I am sure they are sick of watching me win, so they might try and pull a few tricks. Trivia has assured me of this so I must be on my guard.

At least I know I have Minerva on my side. I think that is really all I need, but I don't underestimate the gods and I am always careful about what I say about them.

I don't know why, but Diana doesn't like me. I have never met her, but mother tells me that she is corrupt. She keeps me far away from Diana. She hardly ever talks about her.

"Slow down, Avery!"

I turn to see Caridee jogging towards me. I wait for her to catch up to me, before heading on to the parade. She looks wonderful. She is wearing a silver and blue Stola, to match her wondrous grey eyes. Her long black hair has been done up in a messy, sort of braided bun. There are silver and gold jewels interwoven in her braids.

"You look absolutely radiant," I say, kissing her hand.

Her smile lights up her face. "As you do, Avery." She curtsies. When she stands, I take her arm in mine.

"Shall we proceed together?"

All eyes are on us when we enter the main hall. From here we will all go to our respective chariots so we may be presented to the crowd. I stroll around, making small conversation with the competitors. We are cordial, but underneath our kind words are acid.

I am not here to make friends. I will destroy them all in the Gladiator Games and claim victory once again.

"I've been so stupid….

Jupiter will kill me….

Pluto will kill me….will kill him….

Oh gods, what have I done?

What have I done to my poor, Avery?"

Diana is here. She is here at the games. I don't know why, but I am afraid of her. There is something about her unlike the other gods I know. There is an aura around her…I don't know if its positive or negative yet, but it frightens me.

I grip my Imperial Gold lance tighter, hoping that will ease the anxiety. It doesn't. I decide to grab the Minotaur by the horns. I stalk towards her, keeping a careful, tight hold on my weapon.

Trivia intercepts my path.

"Go back," She says, pushing me lightly, "Go back."

"Mother-" I look past her and see Diana smiling. It ignites my fear. I begin to shrink back, cowering.

"Why is she here, mother?"

Trivia looks as if she has been struck my Jupiter's master bolt. She keeps herding me back, towards the arena. "No, Avery, just go back."

I head back into the Arena, glancing back every now and then to see what Trivia will do. She goes straight to Diana, determination showing in her features even from this distance. Diana wear a smug expression, and even when Trivia approaches her, she is looking at me, as if to say I know something you don't know, and I will use it against you.

Diana's smirk is still haunting me as I prepare to mount my chariot. Her face scares me and I don't scare easily. Almost no one can intimidate me, but Diana has managed to render me frightened. My hands shake as I grip the handle to my flaming red and golden chariot.

"You look weary, your highness."

I am so frightened by the sudden voice, that I lose my balance and slip from the step ladder. I make a quick recovered and turn around to glare fiercely at the owner of the voice. His mere presence is enough to send me into a fit of rage.

I stand tall, a sense of regal power coming around me. I feel magic in the air. Maybe its from Trivia of just from the island, but I summon it.

The speaker looks bored, as he tosses his flouncy, blonde hair from his face and smirks at me, a look of mischief in his wild eyes.

His eyes… I can't explain them…they are like a kaleidoscope, constantly changing colors. One moment they are blue, then golden, lavender, silver and many more. His wispy, blonde hair is fitted along his handsome, strong, angular face.

I hate him instantly. He is smug and arrogant.

"Who are you?" I demand.

I receive a cocky smile. "I am Kreighton Adler, son of Mars, companion of Diana, and future champion of Trivia Island." He bows to me, making a show of it, drawing attention from every in the room.

My blood boils and I see red. I want to impale him with my blade. "You will have to face me first." I clench my fists and teeth, wanting so badly to fight him.
Every fiber of my being wants to kill him where he stands.

Kreighton is smirking again. "We will see, your highness." He bows again and then does something so unexpected, I don't even know how to react.

He kisses my hand.

Everything that was holding me back breaks at that moments. My lance flies in the air, transforming into a sword, and as I catch it, I swing around towards Kreighton, aiming my sword for his neck. Unfortunately, Kreighton is faster than I expect. He kicks my sword from my hands and catches is, bringing it to my throat.

All eyes are on us. The silence is deafening, pounding all around us. My eyes flare and my skin tingles as I gather magic. I'll summon a whole barrage of fire just to kill this bastard.

Someone is calling my name…Caridee. She is holding me by my arms, begging me to stop and calm myself. I don't want to, but I listen to her. I want to hurt Kreighton. He doesn't deserve to be here on Trivia Island.

He is staring up at me with those disgusting eyes. Gouging them out sounds like a wonderful idea. He smiles and hands me my sword. "Imperial Gold," He observes, "It's very well-made, and lightweight too, it's nice, I like it."

I mutter a profanity in Roman and Kreighton's grin widens. He replies in another language. It isn't Roman, its…something else…a language I've never heard before, yet I know what it means.

"Ich werde dich in der Arena sehen"
"I'll see you in the Arena."

Kreighton leaves me with that, but he looks over his shoulder and grins one last time before disappearing in the crowd.

Caridee pushes my arm. "You fool! What was that about? You are a Prince! You cannot act like that!"

My rage returns, and I release it. "Do not label me with false titles!" I say, gripping my chariot. I haul myself up and glare angrily at anyone that dares to challenge me.

Caridee grips the edge handle on the chariot, and I take her other hand to help her get her footing. I offer her my arm when she is in the chariot, so she won't fall. I am angry, but I will not forget my manners.

"Maybe you aren't officially a Prince, but people look up to you as if you were, Avery." Caridee's voice is soft, like she is speaking to a wild animal. It's works, I calm down.

"I'm sorry, Caridee. You are right." I calm myself, taking deep, controlled breaths. "People of Trivia Island do look up to me, but I do despise being called 'Prince'."

I am brooding and acting very childish, but at this point I do not care. Kreighton Adler will regret the moment he ever crossed paths with me.

A/N: I really hated this chapter. The words wouldn't come, and I could NOT figure out what the hell was going to happen, so I just ended it. Sorry, I know it sucks! *pouts*