A/N: Hey All! This chapter never wanted to end, so there is one more part to the games after this, which will be posted shortly! I really enjoyed writing it, and you will see why. :)

Percy's POV

"What the hell!?" I yelled loudly. Some of the people turned around to look at me.

The minute Addie walked out into the arena, I wanted to go down and help her. She looked bad. Not as bad as she had looked, believe me, but she reminded me of death. Her skin had a grayish tint to it, and there were very pronounced shadows underneath her eyes. Every slash and movement looked like it cost her dearly. I glanced around, wondering if there was anything I could do. Did Apollo know about this? Surely, he would not have let her fight….

This was my entire fault. If I had not had let Addie strain herself down in Tartarus, none of this would have happened to her. I watched them fight for a few minutes. Addie struggled to stay out of Palaestra's grasp, but she was managing.

Palaestra lunged for Addie, and she darted out of the way, slashing her daggers up over her head. You could hear the Ooo's and Ahh's of the crowd as Addie backed away.

"Is something wrong with her?" Piper asked uncertainly.

"She shouldn't be fighting," I said worried. "She should be resting. She was practically dead when I saw her last night." Annabeth looked at me, a little of the color in her face draining.

"What?" she asked. Addie flung one her daggers at Palaestra, grazing her arm. Palaestra snarled in response, maneuvering herself closer to Addie again. Addie summoned the dagger back to her, watching for another opening. Palaestra did not have any weapons that I could see, but she did not need them. She was built like a man, her arms almost as big as Addie's torso.

"Later," I whispered hurriedly back to her. She nodded her head, our attention focused once again on the fighting.

Addie stumbled back. She was missing her usual grace and speed, and it was hurting her in the fight. Palaestra lunged for her and grabbed her around the legs. They both fell to the dirt, and the crowd groaned in response. Addie moaned, and Palaestra picked her up. She looked like she was going to body slam Addie to the ground. A huge rock, about the size of a chair shot out of the ground and hit Palaestra squarely in the chest. She flew backwards, and Addie fell in a heap. I saw her raise her head, a small smile on her face.

"Did she just knock out a god with a rock?" Leo laughed.

"Yes. Yes, she did," Frank said amazed.

I could not help but smile just a little. The crowd cheered dramatically, and Addie slowly pushed herself up. You could see her arms shaking, and although she had a small smile on her face, she looked close to passing out. The announcer declared her the winner, and two godlings came to get Palaestra off the field. Addie hobbled back to the gate, and as soon as she made it inside, the doors shut behind her. Two more opponents walked out on the field, but I stood up.

"Percy, where are you going?" Annabeth asked.

"I'm going to find a way to check on her," I muttered quickly back to her.

"I'm coming with you," she said, determination in her voice.

"Annabeth, no-"

"We made a deal, Seaweed Brain. Never apart again, remember?" she snapped back at me. Her tone may have been harsh, but her eyes were not. I grabbed her hand and nodded my head.

"Let's go, then."

"We will cover for you," Jason said hurriedly. I silently thanked him, and the corners of his mouth turned up in a small smile.

We edged out of our seats, heading to the stairs. I figured she would be below the arena, just like the coliseum in Rome.

I hoped I was right.

Apollo's POV

"I'm going to kill him," I seethed.

It took all I could not to jump down the three rows and absolutely throttle my half-brother. He was the most sadistic, anger-ridden asshole to ever walk the planet. He turned around, purposefully looking in my direction.

"Looks like you should have done a better job healing her!" he called tauntingly from his seat. My bow came into my hands, and I was just about to send an arrow into his smug head. Now that would have been a fight everyone would have loved to see.

"Don't, Apollo. You know that is exactly what he wants," Artemis said from beside me.

"I do not give one flying pegasus what he wants," I said harshly.

"I know you don't, but getting in a fight with the thick head is not going to help Euadne," she said knowingly. I eased back in my seat, glaring in Ares's direction. My bow vanished with a wave of my hand. He turned back around, cheering loudly as Hercules fought Theseus.

"We need to go talk to father," she said. "I think we can appeal to him."

I stood, heading up to the canopy above me. The highest gods were sitting right where we could see most of the action. Zeus, like the Kings and Ceasers before him, sat under an awning, a few rows above us. I began walking up there, catching Athena's eye. She gave me a worried look, and she asked a silent question by glancing up towards Zeus. I nodded my head, and she looked back down at the arena. She wanted to help Addie as well, but now, she could not interfere. Our father was mightily angry at her for doing what she did. I knew he yelled at her for hours, but deep down she did not care. It was one of the things I liked best about Athena. When it came to what she thought was best for a strategy, she would stand her ground.

I walked to my father's side, the one opposite of Hera. She glanced disdainfully at me and then proceeded to ignore me.

"Yes, son?" he asked in a gravelly voice. He sounded tired, which meant him and Hera had been arguing.

"Father, I want to pull Euadne from the games."

He took a sip of his wine, but did not look at me. Hercules had just been claimed the winner, and he was gesturing triumphantly from the arena floor. The crowd roared in approval, and I saw Ares turn and narrow his eyes in our direction.

"Why is that?" he questioned, motioning for Ganymede to fill his cup again.

"She will not be able to work after this," I reasoned carefully. "She still has a mortal body."

I could not let on how much I cared for Addie. If I did, I do not know what would happen. Father had a tendency to get touchy about who we care for, which was laughable when you thought about his escapades. Dionysus got a hundred years at a camp for messing with a nymph, and I had a feeling that he would not react well with her.

"She will have to do as she is asked, Apollo. Are you worried about her health?" He asked as he turned to me. He gaze was appraising, like he was trying to read my motives. I nodded my head.

"Father, she will be a valuable tool in the coming weeks, and I think pushing her unnecessarily will weaken our chances," Artemis stated. Zeus grunted in response, taking another sip of wine. Artemis quickly glanced at me, her expression a little anxious. I knew she liked Addie, but Addie could never become a hunter. She had been married, so her "maiden" status was null and void. I did not particularly mind that though…

"I wanted to see what she was capable of when she was injured," he said thoughtfully. "Is she truly as bad off as you say?"

"That poison was intended for a purpose, and that purpose was to kill her. It will take her a few days to recover," I stated.

"Ganymede, who will Euadne fight next?"

"Heracles, my Lord," he responded from his side. Zeus touched his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"She will fight Heracles, and then, win or lose, she can be pulled from the games. Go down to her holding cell and give her any assistance you deem necessary. However, do not give her an unfair advantage! Just try to get her where she at least has a chance."

I nodded my head quickly, darting out from the pavilion. Artemis walked back to where we were sitting, giving me a significant look. I guess this was the best we could hope for, given the circumstances. I was in the hallway of the arena now, and Ares stepped out in front of me.

"Trying to interfere with my game, brother?" he questioned menacingly.

"Like what you did was not interfering," I snapped back. He stepped closer to me, his godly aura flickering around him. Mine sparked up in response.

"Euadne is mine, to do with as I please," he ground out.

"I am sure father would agree with that statement," I seethed. "We all have control over her, Ares. She did not receive this so you could do whatever you wanted with her! I will not stand for it." He stepped back, a smug smile on his face.

"Protecting her? Growing to care for a mortal, brother? If you want my sloppy seconds so bad-"

I lost it. My immortal form took hold, and I punched Ares in the face, sending him back into the wall. The whole coliseum shook, and I pinned him against the wall.

"You ever lay another hand on her again, and I swear on the River Styx that I will chain you down in the Acheron and watch you suffer for eternity." He glared at me, utmost rage in his eyes.

"We will see about that," he countered, pushing me from him. He disappeared, a look of anger on his face. I walked away, trying to control the rage in my system. I had to calm down before I saw her; she would disintegrate if she saw me like this. I took a deep breath, bringing myself out of my immortal form. I walked towards the catacombs, to the holding cells under the arena.

I meant what I said, though. He would not ever touch or harm Addie again.

Addie's POV

As soon as I made it in the doors, I fell out.

Every single inch of me felt like it was on fire. I felt like I had been put through a meat grinder, and then ran a marathon. I may not have been dying, but I sure as Hades felt like it. Even using that small amount of my powers was draining. The poison was bad enough when it was in my system, and the after effects were not going much better.

I tried to lift myself back up, but my arms would not hold my weight. I sighed into the stone floor, content on not moving. The coolness of the stone felt wonderful against my heated cheeks. I closed my eyes, thankful for the rest. There was no way I was going to make it through the next round.

But I would have to try anyways.

The floor stopped moving, letting me know I was back in my holding cell. Most of these games were played in a tournament-like format. I would play the winner of another set. I had no idea how long I had free before the next match. I crawled to the far corner of the cell, curling up in the corner. I suspected that I had hurt my knee when Palaestra had tackled me. I did not think it was broken, but it was swollen and bruised. I did not have anything on me for a brace, so I would just have to deal with it. It really was not fair that I was a mortal fighting against gods. I will admit though, part of me did enjoy beating them. The fuzzy, sleepy feeling started to come over me, and I drifted into the darkness.

"Addie?!"

My head snapped up to see Percy and Annabeth. I had dozed off, but I had no idea how long it had been. They were both clinging to the bars, looking at me with sad expressions.

"What are you two doing down here?" I quickly asked them. I sat up and hobbled towards them, to the front corner. I felt even sorer after my nap. I eased down the front of my cell, watching my knee carefully. It was pulsing painfully, sending sharp pains up my leg. Percy crouched in front of me, sticking his hand in the cell and placing it on my shoulder. Annabeth stuck her hand through, grabbing mine. A quake rattled through the coliseum, and I looked up hesitantly. There must be one hell of a fight going on up above.

"You are burning up," she commented, her eyes wide.

"Fevers will do that," I responded. "You two need to go back upstairs, if they catch you down here-"

"Then we can take care of ourselves," Percy finished.

"I am sure you can, but you will not have to deal with them on my account," I responded quickly. The gods would punish them for being down here. Maybe not all of them, but some of them would not hesitate. "Look, I'm fine-"

"You are not fine, Addie! We can obviously tell that!"

I rolled my eyes. Gods, Percy was just as stubborn as my father. Well, I guess he was just a stubborn as me too. I almost wanted to smile.

"If you will stop interrupting me, and listen, I will explain," I paused, and Percy had crossed his arms across his chest. Annabeth gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, a small smile just touching her lips. "You are right, I am not fine. However, I doubt they will let me die. I'll be okay. I will just take what I have to take. I'm not going to make it during the next round, and that's okay."

"Yes, you are."

I looked up, and I saw Apollo standing behind Percy. Percy and Annabeth turned around, looking up at him.

"Annabeth, Percy, go back upstairs."

Annabeth let go of my hand and looked questioningly in my direction.

"I'll be fine," I whispered. "Go."

Both of them left, and I sighed. Apollo appeared inside of the cell, feeling my forehead.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. He made a vile appear in his hands, uncorked it, and handed it to me.

"For what?" I asked.

"Not being there when you woke up."

"It's okay," I reassured him. I began drinking the nectar, and he looked at my knee.

"You shouldn't be fighting," he said as he began healing it. I felt a warm pulse through my leg, and it was aggravatingly itchy. He explained his conversation with Zeus, and I felt myself pale. Heracles, Hercules, whatever, was super strong and one of the best fighters ever.

"I'm going to get beat to a pulp," I whispered.

"No, you will not. You do not give yourself enough credit."

"Apollo, I cannot do magic right now, I can barely move. I'm praying he knocks me out with the first hit."

"You have to win," he said as he finished healing my knee. "And that was not a command. I want you to win, so you can shove it in Ares's face."

"You do?"

He nodded and placed his hand on my chest. Warmth, comforting and strong, slowly started to creep through my body. I looked up, and his face was mere inches from mine. His honey brown eyes stared into mine, and for the first time in a long time, I was embarrassed.

All of those feelings I had carefully thrown into the drawer were coming back. How had he known about my fears? What were my fears, exactly? I knew things I was scared of, but was that the same thing?

And him! I never thought any of the twelve noticed me enough to know me that well, and he obviously had. I had always thought of him as a good friend, someone like my brother, but he was still my boss. The gods were kind of selfish, and it blew my mind that he, of all people, knew. It was flattering, that he had noticed, but I could not understand why he did.

"What is it?" His eyes were concerned. He was so close I could smell him. He smelled like sunshine, like the outdoors during summer.

"You healed me of that poison," I whispered to him. I hated that rule. I had to answer honestly when I was asked a direct question. It was horribly embarrassing, having to tell the truth all the time. His eyes softened just a little, and he smiled at me.

"I did."

"How?"

"Questioning the god of healing, Addie?" he said, slightly teasing.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. I did not want to continue.

"You did not think I would know them, didn't you?" he asked me.

I looked down into my lap, and shook my head. Oh great, this conversation was going to happen now.

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