Previously on The Moon's Shadow:

"What's up short stuff?" she said, "My name is Thalia."

Now

Percy POV:

"Names Perseus, and I can't help it that your freakishly tall," I said," Are you the one giving me the tour?"

"Yep," she said popping the p. "Been here the last two years. Almost nobody knows it better."

Not another know it all, I thought. Maybe I should try this another way. "Son what's a pretty girl like you doing in a place like this? Shouldn't you be at school or something?"

"Nice try stud, might have worked if you didn't just insult me 30 seconds ago." She said trying to hide the blush on her face. Percy-1, Thalia-0. Yes. "So, either I can spend the next hour showing you around, or I can just pound you in the arena. Your choice." Pound on me huh? She's got another thing coming.

"You're on. Let's make this a bit interesting, eh? Winner buys the loser lunch."

"Sounds like you win either way. Either I go on a date with you, or I practically pay you to go on a date with me. Oh well, a free meal isn't worth arguing about. Deal." We then shook on it. "The armory is that big building directly across from the arena. Go get what you need and meet me there in 15." She then walked off towards the cabins. I then made my way towards the armory to change into my cloak and armor. As I got there I pulled my cloak out of my bag only to discover that it was ripped to shreds and burnt at places.

"If it wasn't bad enough that I unintentionally attacked her, I destroyed her gift too. I'm in deep now." I then began to look for suitable armor. I ended up getting a cuirass that seemed to be old enough to have belonged to an actual hoplite. It didn't have any armored sleeves to restrict mobility, or any noticeable damage though. I then grabbed a small dagger and tucked it into my boot. Better safe than sorry. As I looked in the mirror I had to say I looked intimidating. My faded bronze chest piece, with black cargo pants lined with silver and black boots. My tattered cloak was clamped on my shoulder giving me a dangerous look to me. I made my way to the arena and saw Thalia, in full battle regalia, with a spear and is that medusa? Wow, I've got to get a shield like that. We got into a ready position and she began to circle me.

"Ready to lose so soon? You must be dying to buy me that dinner, Perseus," she taunted.

"In your dreams Thals. The heat must be getting to that pretty little head of yours," he said remembering one of the first thing Artemis taught him about combat.

Flashback

"Okay Percy, when in a battle you must always keep a clear head and not let your emotions define you. Falling victims to your emotions leads to rash decisions, which are often fatal. This is also a double-edged sword, no pun intended. If you can throw off even a more experienced fighters emotion, they can make mistakes that you can and will use against them."

Flashback end

Thalia's face reddened and she quickly lunged at me. I mainly stayed on the defensive to get a feel for her fighting and watch for a pattern. When I saw her offense was nearly impenetrable with that shield I decided to start fighting back. I deflected her spear and quickly drew my dagger from my boot. I rolled away from her shield bash and threw it at her. When she raised her shield to block it I saw my opportunity. She left her legs unprotected and I quickly gave he a shallow cut to her calf. She pushed me back with a swipe from her spear and resumed her defensive stance. I noticed she was leaning I parried her next strike, grabbing the shaft of her spear when I was struck in the chest by a bolt of lightning.

"Daughter of Zeus, huh. Well two can play the power game thunder butt." I then focused all of my power into my voice and used the power I got from Aphrodite, "Drop your spear and shield," I said, my voice laced with charmspeak. I walked over and put my xiphos to her neck. "Do you yield?"

"How did y-" she began before I moved my blade a little closer to her throat.

"Yield," I commanded a bit more roughly.

"I yield," she finally relented. At that moment a hologram of a dove appeared above my head and Chiron said.

"All hail Perseus, son of Aprodite."

Another chapter down

QOTD: What weapon would you use if you were a demigod? Also who would be your godly parent?

This is Cloaked Protagonist, signing off.