A/N: No excuses this time. The real reason i didn't update is because I've been lazy. Nothing else, well maybe a little bit busy with school and work but it's whatever. Anyways as always big shout out to my beta, who nonstop harasses me but is there when i need her to get the job done, so thanks for that. And enjoy the chapter guys, had a lot fun writing it. Forgot how awesome it felt to write, lol. Anyway if you like this then please leave in the box below V and please favorite and follow this story for chapter 13 that will be up shortly.

Chapter 12

Tal looked at Ace with amazement. She couldn't fathom what he had just done. 'How much pride, anger and hatred did he have to swallow to do that?' She asked herself. She was so astounded by his action that she didn't even notice that the blood had stopped flowing into her hand. She stared at him if as he had just fell out of the sky.

"You're welcome." Annabeth said in response.

After that Ace jerked his head to look at Luke. "Can you take us to the cabin now."

His voice was void of any emotion.

Luke nodded and started to lead the way but like a good bully, Clarisse wasn't going to let him get away that easy. Especially after he embarrassed and insulted her.

"Where are you going punk? We haven't done the ritual yet." She said with a smirk.

"Look I'm not in the mood right now. If you have a problem then let us settle it in the arena." He glared at her.

"Great. Meet me there in an hour." She exclaimed, practically bursting with excitement at the idea of getting revenge.

After that Ace pushed through and followed Luke to the cabin. He still had Tals' hand in his and was pulling her along.

Luke took them to cabin eleven and showed them around. Then he showed them the side of the floor they were going to sleep in and gave them sleeping bags. He helped them set it up and would have left afterwards but he wanted to talk to Ace about his challenge.

"Dude, what were you thinking?" Luke demanded. He wasn't really angry, rather he was worried.

"I'm sorry. Can you give us a minute?" Ace said while looking at Tal

"Uh sure. Let me see if I can find you guys some pillows." He replied walking towards the other rooms in the cabin.

"What's wrong?" Ace asked looking Tal in the eyes.

She didn't say anything, just pulled him into a hug. He was a little a taken back but returned the hug.

"What's this for?" He asked smiling.

"I'm so sorry you had to do that. I still can't believe it but I'm sorry." She said burying her face in his neck.

He didn't need to ask what she was talking about. He tighten the hug and said "We are here to do something. I can't let the past control me."

She pulled away to look away at his face. "I'm here, okay? You aren't alone. I'm here for you; we're in this together through thick and thin. You got that?" She said smiling as she lightly touched his cheek.

"Thanks Tals. Having you here makes things easier." He said leaning into her hand.

They stayed liked that, smiling at each other, when Ace saw Luke coming from the corner of his eye. He straightened up and turned to face him, pulling away from Tals' hand.

"You guys are lucky, I found two extras." Luke said handing them two pillows.

"Great lookin' out bro. Now you had a question, right?" Ace stated taking the pillows.

"Yeah, are you crazy challenging Clarisse like that? Do you know how to fight? Do you even have a weapon?" Luke asked leaning against the wall.

"Well we have an hour until the fight. Let's go find me a weapon. The rest, well the rest I'll improvise, like I do with everything else." Ace said smiling.

"Tal, I think you're about to lose your friend." Luke said shaking his head as he looked at the pair.

"Good, he's annoying." She said smiling.

"Hey." Ace said, feigning hurt.

"Alright let's go. Let's get you a weapon then I'll see if I can teach you some tricks that could help you salvage your life."

Ace and Tal both got up from their seats and followed him. They walked to the armory as campers looked at Ace.

"The shows in the arena in about forty minutes. Come watch." Ace said grinning from ear to ear.

They walked into the armory to find Chiron already waiting there. This time he wasn't in a wheelchair. He was in his all glorious half horse half human form.

"Before you say anything, I couldn't stop them. Plus you know how Clarisse is." Luke asserted.

The old centaur let out a sigh. "I know."

"So, are you here to help me pick out a weapon?" Ace asked Chiron, still grinning like an idiot.

"I hope you know what you're doing Ace." Was all he said before he walked deeper into the cabin.

Seconds later he came out holding a celestial bronze sword. It was a simple sword with a length of three and a half feet. The handle was wrapped in leather for a good grip.

"Try this. It's simple and easy." Chiron said handing Ace the sword.

Ace grabbed the sword. Being the god of weapons that he is, he already knew how to adjust to this sword. He knew that he would have to hold the sword towards the end of the hilt so it wouldn't pull on the grip. He knew that the sword was heavier than most other so he should swing with extra force. He deduced that this sword hadn't been used for some time because of it's overweight. He swung the sword a couple of times. Examined the blade to look casual in front of the audience.

"I like it, it's pretty heavy but I can adjust. Now it's time to learn the tricks." Ace said showing his goofy grin.

Chiron was surprised to hear this from Ace. He purposely picked out that sword knowing its history. He wanted to test Ace and see if he was an amatuar or if he had some form of training. He was expecting Ace to complain about the sword and ask for a another one. Most people would have done that. But the answer he got from Ace was an answer only an expert swordsman would have given. The sword weighed about thirty pounds, so if you didn't know how to hold it and swing it properly, you couldn't use this sword.

Chiron smiled to himself and followed the demigods. 'Show us what you can do Ace. I know you're hiding more than you're letting on.' Chiron thought to himself.