Chapter 10

AN: Okay, so this is it. Plot reveal time. Aiming for 800+ words as a bumper Independent chapter will be up tomorrow. This chapter will be in two halves, but in the same chapter. It's just so I can skip around with POV's.

REYNA POV:

Falling flat on my face from pure exhaustion, Adam rushes over and peers down at me, checking if I'm ok. I have time to analyse his features: his close-cropped corn rows laced perfectly, and his warm eyes and dark complexion show every inch of kindness she wanted in a man.

"Hey you." He spoke softly.

"Hey… how you holding up?" I reply nervously.

"Just a few cuts and minor bruise, being a son of the medicine God gives me a bit of an unfair healing advantage. But what about you, some of the blows looked nasty?"

"I'm fine, but you're not gonna leave me lying there all day are you?" He smiles awkwardly and pulls me up. We are dangerously close. I sigh and he smirks before planting a soft kiss on my lips…

ANNABETH POV:

Reyna and Adam snuck up behind us making Frank jump and waking Percy from his ancient slumber. Adam seemed to be holding Reyna's hand which was a new development but the look on their faces convinced me that we had more pressing matters to deal with.

"Oh my gods Reyna! You look like a chariot has hit you!" I declare.

"Not far off Beth, a minotaur isn't much different!" Percy perks up at the word 'minotaur' and winks at Adam. Adam smiles understandingly. Huh! Boys! Who will ever understand them?

"Anyways, the minotaur is not the only weird thing we've encountered. We've already told Clarisse and Dakota on our way over, but we noticed a solid stone door at the end of the corridor." Adam says.

Frank replies "What's a door doing in a hedgy underground labyrinth?"

"Well no s**t Sherlock!" Percy laughs.

"Guys, shut up. Rey and I checked this thing out and it looks like Tartarus of doors. It's got corroded edges and rough wiring and has more cracks than a full moon. We tried seeing through but there is just darkness. That was what we thought anyway, until a torch light appeared and a man stuck his head at the glass. We ran to tell you then." Adam continued.

I was freaked out "Did you get a look at the m-man?"

"For sure. He had a mop of greasy blond hair and a devastating scar down his eye, as if caused by a dragon or something. He was about 25 and had sharp black eyes as black as venom." Frank shifted uncomfortably at that and Perce and I knew why. We both recognised that person. Oh Luke, what have you done now?

End of Part 1

PERCY POV:

I, Annie, Reyna, Adam, Frank, Dakota and Clarisse were all dressed for battle. I was fully ready in a celestrial bronze chest plate and roman gold leggings showing my half-roman half-Greek family. Deciding to branch out my battle strategy, to the surprise of my fellow demigods, a wooden bow was slung over my back as my skill in archery had improved rapidly. My leather helmet was strapped tight. Add some Nikes and you have Percy Jackson. Annabeth had her usual getup but with dual daggers, Clarisse had the spear of Ares and a vicious shield, Dakota had a two-handed sword, Adam had a sword, Reyna had a scimitar and I had called Mrs O'Leary who apparently solved the labyrinth quite quickly. Annie and I knew it was Luke since Adam started speaking, but the only odd thing was his eyes. I would understand if they were blue, or even gold, but pure black really creeped me out. Not only that, but the way Frank had reacted made me to make a mental note to keep an eye on him. I knew deep down I wouldn't bring myself to end his life, but I couldn't face Hazel to tell her Frank had been compromised, the poor girl would be heart-broken. The battle plan was for me to enter first riding Mrs O'Leary, bow drawn scanning the area. Annie and Clarisse would follow and Frank would ride with me. Reyna and Adam would take up the rear. Leaping onto O'Leary's back our plan commenced.

Notching a stygian iron arrow I rode into darkness. Frank almost made no sound behind me holding his breath warily. Scanning the pitch black no movement is seen. This is until the lights flicker on…

Gasping I analyse the breathtaking scenery. The hedges have been eroded to form a massive arena the size of Olympus' throne room. Sandstone pillars crane their backs to support the smooth stone roofing and the floor is marble. I snap out of my daydream as Annabeth screams in fury and I notice the man sprawled in a throne made out of bones, with encrusted images of demigods overthrowing their parents. Luke cackled evilly and rose to his feet, his eyes dark caves…

"Well…well…well. If it isn't my least favourite demigods… and Annabeth." His voice makes my skin crawl. I bare my teeth and fire an arrow at his face that he brushes away like one would irritating paparazzi.

"Where are my manners? I believe some of us haven't met. The name's Luke Castellan and this is my arena. Of course, this is where you will fight to the death..,"

AN: Luke is one evil you-know-what. Please review they tell me that you are enjoying the story.

Ba-bye,

Son of ZF