So, last night was one of those 'how can I be such a retard?' moments. I realised several hours after I uploaded the chapter that I had missed out a sentence. I changed it, but it basically says 'at the end
the winning pair will fight each other to see who wins' Yeah, Because that wasn't important at all...

Chris' pov

As was expected Layla did not let me forget how she saved my butt. The only thing that kept me from a real sulking fit was that I had lasted longer than Valdez (I think I would have melted into a puddle of shame if I hadn't).

But at least we managed to scrape our way into the next round (the only people to actually be eliminated were Clovis and Ashley, children of Hypnos) , which we were being informed about today. It was my father's choice for this round, so hopefully I would do better.

Our cabin actually arrived at the arena on time today (we had learned from personal experience that keeping our father waiting isn't an intelligent thing to do) and were actually very attentive when he began to speak.

"Now listen here punks, I've decided that for my task you're going to compete in a mock battle, free-for-all, no rules. It'll last for an hour, and any of those who are eliminated are gone from the competition. Oh, and to my kids one of you better win." Okay, I could do this; dirty, underhand guerilla warfare was my specialty. Leo on the other hand was another story, he had something called 'morals'. Those would have to go.

"Hey, Christie"

"Don't talk"

"Sorry, but shouldn't we be looking for other contestants so we could eliminate them."

"Ugh, Leo, you are such an amateur. First we lie in wait for them, then when we hear them we jump out and attack. That's what guerilla warfare is all about."

"Oh"

"Shh, I think I hear something."

"What?...Christie...Christie, what do you hear?"

I turned towards him and said through gritted teeth. "How the hell am I supposed to know, when you keep speaking and poking me?"

By the time I had turned back around a couple had walked into the arena. It was Clarisse and Chris. Now, don't get me wrong I like Clarisse, she's a pretty cool sis, but there is also nothing I would like better than to beat her in this competition. So, ignoring my better instincts to let the older, stronger, and far more experienced fighter walk past I signaled to Leo to attack Chris from behind, as I did the same for Clarisse.

Leo, despite his elephant feet, managed to creep up on Chris and landed the first blow. I, on the other hand, was not so lucky. My sister obviously heard me creeping up behind her and also decided to make use of the element of surprise.

I was just seconds away from knocking her unconscious with the hilt of my sword, when she swung around; lamer, I mean maimer, giving me a stunning blow to my right (and thankfully not my sword) arm, obviously today was one of those days when being left-handed was actually advantageous.

Still dazed from the jolt to my arm I stumbled back, throwing my sword in front of my face to protect myself from the onslaught of blows. Clarisse was really in her element, smashing someone else into the ground. Her self-confidence, which grew by the second, was my only hope. Through years of experience I had learned that whenever a child of Ares was winning a fight, they grew arrogant, and whenever we grew arrogant we made mistakes. Clarisse would slip up soon I just had to wait.

After what seemed like hours of dizzying blows Clarisse made an over-exuberant lunge and momentarily slipped on the dewy grass. Using the time it took her to regain her balance to my advantage I brought the hilt of my sword smashing down on her head. From the corner of my eye, I spotted Chris on the ground and Leo turning towards us. No way in hell was I getting help from forge-boy.

This additional insentive was all I needed to spur me on in my duel. With a series of well aimed blows and kicks, I, by some miracle, disarmed an enraged Clarisse and round-housed kicked her in the face (don't worry, her helmet protected her), knocking her unconscious.

Fist pumping in victory, Leo skidded to a halt in front of me, just as the conch shell sounded signaling the end of the challenge. He was so excited, he was literally steaming, small sparks flying from his ears. He actually looked kind of cute.

Okay, why the hell did I just suggest that? Daughters of Ares do not help sons of Hephaestus, no matter how cute...wait what? I did not just say that. Please tell me I did not just think that Leo's pointy ears are actually kind of cute. Wait, stop it, you, Christie Wilhelmina (shut up) Matthews, do not find Leo Valdez's curly hair or tan skin or stupid grin attractive in the least. And you certainly don't love the way he is always smudged with oil, and your cold, cold heart most definitely does not start doing backflips whenever he walks too close to you.

Okay, maybe I am slightly physically attracted to him, but that is definitely it, got that brain? 'Cause if you don't I'll have to beat you up.

Wow, he's reduced me to threatening my own brain. I'm doomed.

Ugh, I just realised the main character's name is the same as Clarisse's boyfriend. Anyway, the next chapter will be in Leo's pov, I'm excited.

I have just one more thing to say: BUTTERFLY: |}|{|