I removed the part where Nathan is claimed because I wanted to put some background into his character before I could do anything else with him.

December 14

Percy's POV

Capture the Flag planning was a drag. Almost every single plan made by the Athena cabin had been used in the past. Annabeth finally came up with a plan to use secret entrances where you flank out behind enemy lines and surprise them. I was on Athena's team with alliances made with Hephaestus and Apollo while Ares's team had Aphrodite and Hermes.

"You know the rules!" Chiron called, "Creek is the boundary line, Blue Team—Athena, Red Team—Ares! I will serve as a referee and battlefield medic! No maiming and magic items are allowed! Heroes, to your positions!"

I caught up with Annabeth when she was helping the newest camper, Nathan Boone. He's still unclaimed, but she doesn't mind helping an opponent. Though, he had a mysterious impression on his face just like Annabeth told me about.

"I know I shouldn't be helping you," Annabeth told him, "but it's the best I can offer."

She looked up at me as Nathan finally sprinted off to the east side of the forest. I followed her to the opposite side of which Nathan ran.

We stopped at Zeus's Fist as our team of thirteen campers gathered around us. Annabeth brought out a piece of canvas and discussed the positions. I would be cutting through the middle of the two entrances stationed on the north and south sides of the forest. One group would go through the north while the other one was south while some of the rest stood back to guard the flag or just run in and fight. A strategy really worthy of Athena, alright.

Then the conch horn sounded and whoops and yells thundered deep inside the forest.

"Move out!" Beckendorf ordered. Swiftly and silently, the two groups split and went opposite directions while I lead one large group of campers straight. The temperature was so cold that some campers had to have coats under their bronze armor. Luckily for me, I didn't mind the cold even though it was stinging my skin like ice daggers.

I uncapped Riptide as soon as we neared the boundary line. Out of the tree line, Clarisse and her band of warriors charged at full speed towards us. I met her with a staggering blow to the head. She cursed but just kept coming. One of the Hermes kids tried to jab me, but I blocked it and sent his sword skittered back into the water.

The group pressed the other team back into the creek. The water woke up my senses and I almost sliced off Clarisse's leg before she jumped.

Annabeth's POV

Sword clattering continued as we plunged into the south postern entrance. Enchanted torches automatically lit up the corridor. Water roared above the cave ceiling and I knew we were right under the boundary line.

"C'mon," I motioned my group, "A few hundred yards until we literally 'capture the flag'."

Silent cheers erupted as I trailed behind to watch the backside of the group. When we finally emerged, we scattered and knocked out the two Aphrodite kids guarding the flag. Malcolm climbed to the top of the mound, grabbed the flag, and jumped off. Beckendorf's group finally met up with us.

"You, you, and you," I pointed to the people in my group, "Go with Beckendorf and rendezvous with the rest. We'll handle the flag."

They saluted and charged west. This was going according to plan. I lead my group towards the southwest with hardly any faults at all. Fighting ravaged on in the distance.

"We're almost there," I panted. Just then, a shadowy figure a little shorter than me leaped out in front of us.

He had black hair that blended with the winter night and his face showed more anger in his face than Michael, one of the most meanest of the Ares boys.

"Run!" I commanded Malcolm. He stormed off the other direction and left me with Clayton, son of Apollo, who drew his bow and notched a bronze-tipped arrow. I drew my knife as the opponent slowly stepped forward, making twigs snap. Then I recognized him as Nathan, the new kid I helped. He certainly took my advice pretty well after all.

I blocked his downward attack and sent a diagonal uppercut with my dagger. He spun around and almost jabbed me if it wasn't for Clayton nailing Nathan with an arrow on his left shoulder. He yelled louder than no other person I've heard before. Nathan stumbled and fell to the ground. The conch horn suddenly sounded as I quickly picked up and Clayton helped me carry him towards the creek.

Percy's POV

As soon as Malcolm sprinted across the creek over to our side, the flag changed from blood red to a glittering silver banner with an owl embedded on it. We'd won. Cheers erupted as the Ares team groaned. Chiron bounded towards us with two Aphrodite kids that looked like they were going to fall off Chiron's backside.

"I suppose laurels go to the Athena team, then—" He stopped himself to look at Annabeth and Clayton carrying a kid with untidy black hair and pale face.

Chiron sighed, "Another injured camper. I'll take him to the infirmary."

He set Nathan on his horse back, "As I was saying, laurels will be awarded at the campfire. Carry on."

I hung my head down as the rest of the campers trailed off to whatever activities they were doing before Capture the Flag. Black hair was hanging in my eyes when I was staring at the bunch of twigs on the ground. The ADHD part of me was thinking off task about random facts about the solar system and how sticks and stones relate to cars with unscrewed tires.

I visited the armory to take off my bronze armor and trudged with hands in my pockets to the campfire. Chiron awarded the laurels as soon as he got back from placing Nathan in the infirmary.

"He'll be better within a few hours at the most," he said, "but let us not delay. Jason, you do the honors."

Oh great, I thought, I hope he didn't spike the chocolate.

He passed around a jumbo-sized bag of marshmallows and pieces of chocolate while another camper handed us graham crackers. Chiron trotted back to the Big House for one last pinochle game with Mr. D. I poked my metal rod back and forth in the flame when Annabeth sat on the step above me.

"You know," she stated, "you're very hard to read."

"Just like Nico?" I asked, resisting the temptation to look at her. I pulled off the marshmallow and stuck the chocolate and crackers on it.

"Can I eat that?" Annabeth abruptly asked.

"No, I'm eating it," I took a bite to prove my point.

She huffed, "I was hungry for another."

"Tough luck then."

She punched me on the shoulder, already frustrated with me. It didn't take her long.

"I thought you said I was hard to read," I reminded her.

"Did I?"

"I don't know. I don't pay attention."

Annabeth rolled her eyes at me, "You never do."

Then the conch horn sounded for bed.

"See you tomorrow, Seaweed Brain," she jumped up and walked off without letting me say anything else. Couldn't she at least call me Prince of the Sea one more time?