Her head started getting a bit lightheaded and her eyesight blurred, but she could see clear enough to make out a figure walking down from the stands towards them. As he got closer, she could see his features even clearer. He was of average height and had blonde hair matched with both his ears were pierced with what seemed like a gage, and he had a sleeve of tattoos going down his right arm. To be honest, Eirene was too distracted by the colourful and intricate detail on his arm to pay any real attention to his features, and when she finally did, she was drawn back from his beauty. She had never seen a more attractive looking male, and was kind of intimidated by him. His salient blue eyes seemed to be that of a god's, and for a moment Eirene believed he was.

He stopped right in front of her and raked her up and down for a moment, before turning to Clarisse.

"I don't think you should fight her."

She narrowed her eyes. "Why does your opinion matter to me?"

He just shrugged. "It doesn't. I'm just trying to say that fighting someone just on their second day of camp seems like bullying."

"Bullying?" She laughed. "This is not bullying. This is initiation. This is proving that you're worthy of leading a quest."

His eyes drifted to Eirene for another second, and she noticed his gaze seemed very uninterested, as if he was stuck in class on a Tuesday afternoon.

"I don't think you should fight her."

Okay, Eirene had had enough. Currently all she wanted to do was get this fight over with. She was confident she would win, but not because she thought her sword fighting skills were better than Clarisse, which she sure they weren't. Clarisse had been at camp half-blood for years training, and she is much older than Eirene; but because Eirene couldn't get hurt even if she wanted to.

"It is fine really, I don't mind fighting her. I…I want to prove myself,"

"Beat it, pretty boy. Newbie wants to get her ass kicked."

His eyes cut to Clarisse, annoyance in them. "My name isn't pretty boy, it's Daniel. And I really don't think you need to fight her." He said it more slowly this time, his eyes more intense when he looked at Clarisse. Eirene noticed that her expression softened and her eyes glossed over for a second, before snapping back to reality. Her eyes were even angrier than ever, and she moved until she was face-to-face with Daniel.

"I should skewer you right now for trying to charmspeak me." She hissed.

He smiled and turned to Eirene. "Good luck," Then curtly walked away.

She stared after him. He was an odd one, he had used his energy to come over and try to break up the fight, but had executed it in a way that seemed like he was forced or asked by someone to come over their way. And he had done…what on Clarisse? Whatever it was, it seemed to not have worked and possibly just escalated her anger. She turned her back to Eirene and faced Chiron, telling him something she could decipher. Chiron nodded, exiting the arena as he galloped away.

A few minutes later, a horn-like sound exploded from the speakers, quieting the entire arena before Chiron's voice was heard.

"For the first time in years, a battle in the arena is currently undergo. Counselors and campers alike, if you do not wish to miss such an event, I would advise you to hurry to the arena as quickly as possible."

Oh. So that was what she told him to do. Eirene felt almost embarrassed; surely it was a big deal that this was the first fight in the arena in years, and people would be expecting so much. But a nervous feeling overcame her for another reason, so many eyes, watching her; expecting her to fail, expecting her to come out with scratches and broken limbs and bruises. What would they say, what would they think, when she came out with none? When the sword grazed her skin, but nothing came of it? What would they think?

They circled each other; Clarisse crouched down so low Eirene was bracing herself for the pounce. Chiron was in the Arena, standing right by the exit gate. The crowd was chanting a name; some even had banners they were holding up. And they all said the same thing: Clarisse la rue for the win! Kick Eirene's tiny shins!

My shins aren't that tiny. Eirene thought, completely missing the point. She wasn't too concerned with her lack of supporters as she saw little Samantha sitting in the crowd, waving at her. That was even motivation to give her the courage to strike first.

Clarisse was taken aback—as she probably thought she would strike first—but dodged Eirene's attack and quickly countered. She stabbed her sword towards Eirene who ducked and moved back. Just keep dodging; just make sure she doesn't hit you.

Clarisse charged forward and clashed her sword with Eirene's, and they were suddenly locked in an intense battle. Their swords clashed back and forth, Clarisse's aiming for attack and Eirene's to block and defend. Their swords clashed again, and Clarisse egged Eirene on.

"Just dodging? Come on, attack me. Try to hit me."

Eirene just shook her head, causing Clarisse to use her feet to trip Eirene, who was now lying flat on her back, her hair spiraled across her face. She couldn't see much, but managed to hear Clarisse lifting her sword and tumbled out of the way. She stood up feet away from her, senses heightened. There were boos in the crowd and some yelling that she was a coward, but Eirene didn't care. Better they think her a coward than think her a freak.

Once again the daughter of Ares charged forward, and Eirene waited until she was almost stabbed to flip over, landing right behind her. Which turned out to be the worst move, because Eirene didn't have enough time to run away before Clarisse turned around and jabbed her with the side of her sword, right on her arm. Eirene was knocked to the ground, and Clarisse stood over her, seemingly triumphant before noticing that Eirene was nothing past irritated. She was too invested in her shock to quickly strike again, which gave Eirene the chance.

Clarisse dodged her counter attack, but was still confused and staring at Eirene. "You…no, maybe I just didn't hit you hard enough." She reasoned out loud, and Eirene struck again, still missing. Anger was suddenly filling her, anger than appeared when Clarisse was able to knock her down with her sword. Stupid, stupid, stupid, you weren't supposed to let her hit you! Now she's suspicious…you should've been scarred with that hit.

But it was too late to dwell on that, she had hit her and Eirene had to make sure it never happened again. She hoped she could get out of this fight by just tiring Clarisse down with dodges, but changed her tactics and decides she'd have to scar Clarisse in order to walk away from this victorious. She lunged again, this time knocking Clarisse down and causing the crowd to go in uproar. Bringing down her sword, she was stopped short when Clarisse also managed to knock her down, and both girls were locked in an arm-to-arm battle. They rolled around in circles struggling with each other, Clarisse punching and kneeing Eirene for the effect of injury. But Eirene felt no pain, and she head butted Clarisse with such fierceness that it knocked the brunette on her bum.

Eirene grabbed both swords and quickly pinned Clarisse down by the shoulder of her shirt. Staring down at the girl, she then realized the arena had gone silent. Eirene looked up and stared at all the shocked faces pinpointed on her, waiting for her to strike. Her eyes searched the crowd for a familiar face, for some encouragement. But her eyes instead landed on Andrew, who wasn't even looking up. He was sitting there, reading a book. This, for some reason, irritated Eirene to the point that she wanted to throw the sword at his head.

"What are you waiting for?" Clarisse yelled, snapping Eirene back to the present.

Comments and reviews? I'd love if you review/comment, also please share!