AN: Hello everyone! Here's Nazz with the next chapter~

Again, we own nothing but the plot and our own OCs.

Chapter 4

Jarred looked up to the voice, to see Alice. He was surprised to see that she was the one Pascal had been talking about.

She's taken... He felt almost sad about it, though he was unsure why he would. He had only met this girl this morning, yet she had saved his life. And he had saved hers.

Pascal smirked at her. "Aww come on Alice. I picked these with love." He teased, his eyes twinkling.

Just friends huh? Seems a little more than that. Jarred smirked slightly.

Alice rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms, leaning against the doorway. "Sure you did." She said, smirking back. Noticing Jarred, her features softened a bit. "Hi Jarred. What are you and my idiot of a best friend doing here?"

He blinked a few times; once again he had been sucked into his thoughts. As he looked at her, his cold eyes softened revealing their true soft amber color. " Going to the armory, Pascal said it'd be nice to have you come along." He gave a smile, his soft eyes and bright smile made him hard to argue with.

Alice smiled as she took the flowers Pascal offered. "Sure I'll come. Give me minute." She said before going back into the cabin.

Pascal smiled goofily at Jarred. "Isn't she amazing?" he said, eyes still twinkling.

Jarred felt a hint of jealousy rise up, and he tried not to let it show. "Yeah." He said as he looked back at the cabin. "Amazing."

"Aww come on! Don't tell me you don't see it?" Pascal smiled mischievously.

Jarred chuckled with a small smile. "I never said that now did I?"

Pascal looked incredulously at Jarred. "You like her." He said that like it was a fact and there was a protective glint in his eyes.

Jarred narrowed his eyes at Pascal. "Don't say that like it's a fact."

Pascal shrugged. "Whatever you say buddy."

He rolled his eyes. "I have a feeling you're gonna keep bugging me about this someday."

Pascal just smirked with a weird glint in his eyes. "I never said anything about that."

"Oh, using my words against me. That's cold." Jarred gave him a playful shove.

Just then Alice came back out. She was wearing the orange camp shirt, a sleeveless opened jacket and a beaded necklace. The pockets of the cargo pants she wore looked like it was full of items. "Okay, let's go. I have a feeling that you two are going to spar immediately after so I'll just referee." She said her sandy blonde hair bouncing slightly as she walked up to the two boys. She raised an eyebrow as she looked between them. "What were you two talking about?"

"Nothing important." Jarred said.

Pascal scoffed. "You're saying she's not important?" He whispered to Jarred, too low for Alice could hear.

"I'm not saying that." He hissed quietly.

Pascal waved him off before turning to Alice. "We'll talk later." He said, throwing an arm around her shoulder and winking at her. "First we've got to get Jarred here suited up."

Jarred rolled his eyes at Pascal and started walking. "Let's go then."

Pascal nodded them smiled at Jarred. "Sure buddy." He said, walking in step beside the older boy, his arm still on Alice's shoulder.

"So we're having a sparring match afterwards?"

"Sure why not?" Pascal said, unconsciously pulling Alice closer to him. Alice took no notice as if she was used to it.

"Cool." He glanced at them, a small glint of jealousy in his eyes.

"I repeat. I'm just going to referee. My arm's still sore." Alice turned to Jarred. "You okay?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowing in worry.

"Fine, just letting the whole demigod thing sink in." He gave her a small smile.

Alice smiled softly at him. "You'll get used to it soon."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." Her voice was soothing and gentle.

Jarred smiled slightly.

"Here we are!" Pascal said as they arrived at the armory. He led Alice through the door first then Jarred. "Let's get you fitted."

Jarred remained silent, either amused or irritated by Pascal's amusement.

"I'll go find one of the Hephaestus kids." Pascal went deeper into the armory to talk to one of the kids in charge while Alice hoisted herself up an empty table.

Jarred did the same and sighed. "This is gonna take awhile to get use to."

"It takes time but you will." Alice said, swinging her legs slightly.

"Yeah I know." He smiled at her slightly.

Alice chuckled a bit, her eyes softening. Reaching her hand out, she stroked a tuft of hair out of Jarred's face. "You'll do great. I know it." She said softly.

"What makes you say that? My school reputation?"

She shook her head. "I just have a feeling you will."

Jarred smirked. "I hope your feeling is right." He said quietly

She rolled her eyes. "I know you'll do great." She whispered.

He smiled at her. "Thanks."

She smiled back, her eyes twinkling. "You're welcome."

"No, not for that." He looked at the ground. "For what happened at the school."

"It was only right. I couldn't leave you at the mercy of those things."

"I know, but you got hurt while doing so." He gestured to her arm. "Is there a way that I can make it up to you?"

Alice stared at her arm as if remembering the pain. "You don't have to do anything." She said, her eyes glazed over. "Unless you really want to though. It's up to you."

"I really want to." Jarred said calmly.

Alice turned to Jarred. He could see weariness in her eyes as if she witnessed many loved ones, many friends die. Then she smiled. "Sure. What do you have in mind?"

"What do you want me to do?" There was a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

Alice shrugged. "I'll up for anything that won't threaten my life or sanity."

"I'm sure I'll think of something." Jarred smirked at her.

Alice smiled wider and chuckled. "Sure." She said, her eyes twinkling.

Just then Pascal came in with another boy. "Okay, I found Matthew here to suit you up Jarred." Pascal said, waving Jarred over.

Jarred smiled at Alice, happy that she agreed, before he followed Matthew.

"Okay, this will just take a second." Matthew said. "Hold up your arms to the side please."

Jarred did as he was told and held up his arms. He looked at the weapons within the armory as Matthew took the measurements. There were spears, swords, shields and bows with quivers full of bronze arrows.

On the side, Pascal was leaning back against the table where Alice sat. He was whispering in Alice's ear with a mischievous smile. Soon enough Alice let out a laugh then took his hat and ruffled his hair. Pascal chuckled before taking back his hat and put it on his head, his eyes shining.

Jarred wondered what they had been talking about but pushed it away, trying hard not to move due to his ADHD.

Alice caught his eyes and smiled widely, her eyes shining.

He returned the smile softly. He caught Alice blush before she turned back to Pascal. Jarred chuckled at her.

"Alright. Come back in half an hour. We'll have them finished." Matthew said as he wrote down the measurements. "Go look around and see if you could find a weapon." He then turned back to the deeper part of the armory.

Jarred put his arms down and walked around the room. He looked at swords mostly but nothing truly caught his eye.

Pascal and Alice watched him walk around before Alice jumped off the table. Jarred saw her look around then ducked behind one of the shields.

"How about this one?" She called out, holding a spear in her hands. It was a burgundy painted spear. It had four sharp silver clamps that closed at the base of a black spear head.

He got a glint in his eyes and smiled as he took it. "Wicked..."

"That is Efialtis, Nightmare in English." Pascal said, walking towards them. "The spear head is Stygian iron and the clamps are steel while the shaft is pure celestial bronze. That spear was used by many other demigods before you. I haven't seen that one in a long time."

"Wow." The clamps opened and red electricity sparked around the spear head. "I wonder who else used this..."

"My older brother..." Pascal quietly said.

Jarred looked at Pascal. "What happened?"

"Something went wrong on his quest...Only stayed alive until he was sure his companions got back okay." Pascal's eyes were glazed over. "He died in the infirmary but he died a hero."

He put a hand on Pascal's shoulder and gave it a small squeeze. "I'm sorry for what happened to your brother Pascal."

Pascal shook his head but smiled at Jarred. "It's alright. I miss him but I know he's happy in Elysium."

Alice came over and hugged Pascal, burying her face in his chest. Pascal chuckled and hugged her back. "It's alright. I'm fine." He murmured.

Jarred nodded and turned his focus to the spear, the black iron of the spear head returned his reflection. For once he saw how cruel and cold his eyes were. No wonder people feared me at school.

He suddenly felt a hand in his. Looking down, he saw Alice smiling softly at him with no fear in her eyes even if she was looking into his.

"Come on. You two still have that spar right?" She said, smiling. Pascal was at the door, smirking at the two.

He nodded. "Right." Jarred allowed her to lead him to the door.

Pascal gave them a crooked smile and walked ahead. Alice followed though it seemed that she wasn't aware that she was still holding Jarred's hand.

He glanced down at her and smiled to himself. Pascal's right about her, she's amazing.

He saw Alice look up at him and smile brightly, as if she read his thoughts.

Jarred smiled back. "So, what are the rules for the spar?"

"Just no killing and maiming." Alice replied. Jarred noticed that she still hasn't let go of his hand.

"Good to know." He felt a little uncomfortable with her still holding his hand, but said nothing about it.

Alice saw his expression. She finally noticed that she was holding his hand and quickly let go. "Sorry." She muttered before walking ahead to Pascal, her face red.

Jarred felt his own face redden as they headed to the arena.

"Okay..." Jarred followed Pascal over. "Why's Chiron here?"

"He sometimes comes here to overlook challenges." Pascal handed him a set of armor.

"Cool." He said as Pascal and him got into their armor.

They got onto the mat just as Chiron came over with Alice right beside him. She was looking at the floor deep in thought as she rubbed the back of her neck.

Pascal smirked at Jarred and pulled out a pin from his hat. Jarred watched as the pin transformed into a double-edged celestial bronze sword. "You ready? Because me and Breakneck are."

Breakneck? That must be his sword. Jarred smiled wickedly letting the sparks around Efialtis's spear head charge up. "Yeah, I'm ready."

Chiron walked forward with Alice beside him. "Campers!" He said in a booming voice. "Take your stances."

Pascal gripped his sword in both hands and pointed it at Jarred's chest, grinning like a cheshire cat.

"Ready. On guard!" Chiron shouted.

Jarred hesitated, waiting for Pascal to make the first move.

Pascal stood firm, sword in both hands and pointing at Jarred.

He's got the same idea... He skillfully advanced forward; fighting skills came naturally to him. He knew what he was doing.

Pascal dodged Jarred's first strike. Jumping to the side, he swiped his sword at Jarred before rolling. He stood up and faced Jarred, sword in front.

Jarred smiled wickedly as he lunged, landing a strike to the middle of Pascal's chest. The electricity almost making the younger boy crumple to his knees.

Pascal gritted his teeth then suddenly kicked the back of Jarred's knees, making the older boy fall. Pascal then used the hilt of his sword and hit Jarred hard on his back.

Anger flooded through him. Jarred rolled onto his back and kicked Pascal's knees causing them to buckle. He got back to his feet spear aimed at his head, but he kept still. No matter how bad his hunger for a fight got, he would never kill a person.

Pascal suddenly rolled on his back and jumped up, kicking Jarred in the chest and knocking the wind out of Jarred, making him fall on his back.

Jarred growled, jumping back to his feet. He advanced aggressively lashing the spear out, giving Pascal a deep cut on his cheek, small bits of electricity making the younger boy shudder.

Pascal parried with Jarred, slashing with his sword against the spear and twisting to dodge. He sliced down, giving Jarred a cut on the older boy's cheek much like his.

He snickered, wincing slightly at the cut. Jarred jammed the spear into the ground. "I don't give mercy." He whispered as a red wave lashed through the ground, electrocuting Pascal and knocking him over. The younger boy's armor sizzled from the heat of the lightning that had gone through it.

Pascal lay still. Everything was quiet before a scream pierced through the air.

"PASCAL!" Alice ran towards the son of Hermes.

Jarred froze. What did I just do? He ran over to Pascal, after Alice.

Alice dropped by Pascal's side, frantically brushing hair off the boy's face. "Pascal…Come on wake up." The son of Hermes lay still though breathing heavily.

He knelt down beside Pascal and gently shook him. "Pascal, come on get up!"

"Come on Pascal...Please." Alice's voice broke and Jarred saw tears in her eyes. There was a sudden glow of red on his face. Alice looked up at Jarred, her eyes wide.

"What? What is it?" Jarred looked at her confused.

"J-jarred." She said, her voice cracking slightly. "Look up."

He tilted his head upwards and his eyes grew wide. Above his head was a faint red spinning boar head and spear. "Whoa..."

"I don't know why it's faint but...You've been claimed by your father." Alice told him.

"Ares..." He whispered. "God of war."