Chapter Fifteen

"Guys grab the masked ones," Percy said. No sense in revealing himself to the Emperor right now.

Percy, Thalia, Luke, and Nico, were in line behind other gladiators, suiting up for the gladiator battle. All four knew it was coming. The battle, their first day in The Arena, The Colosseum.

Percy smirked inside his helmet. It was truly amazing how people could gain entertainment from the slaughtering of men.

"Gladiators, into position!" an officer barked.

The gladiators lined up at the gate and the roar of the crowd was a deafening rumble.

"Gladiators, when you face the Emperor, salute him, and don't' turn your back on him!" the officer ordered.

The gate lifted and the gladiators were released into the arena. This is it, Percy thought.

The gladiators entered the arena, walking towards the Emperor's box and stopping in the middle and saluting the Emperor. There were 20 gladiators. Only 16 saluted.

"People of Rome!" the announcer boomed. "Your Emperor has provided you with a recreation of history. The barbarian general Hannibal dared to challenge Rome. He led an army of ruthless mercenaries to conquer Rome. Romans, Caesar is proud to present to you, the barbarian horde!"

The crowd cheered at the gladiators who stood, surveying the crowd.

"And now," the announcer began. "Your Emperor is pleased to present to you, the charioteers of General Scipio!"

The crowd roared as a gate opened to reveal archers and charioteers in golden armor driving 5 golden chariots pulled by black horses.

Percy looked around at his fellow gladiators. About a fourth looked like they'd never seen battle. He needed to think up something fast. "Has anyone here fought in the Roman army?" he asked.

A few soldiers nodded. Percy smirked. "Good, because this will only work if we work together. You got that? We work together, we survive."

"Let the match BEGIN!" the announcer roared.

Immediately archers fired arrows onto the gladiators. 2 fell. 2 others were sliced in half by the spikes on the wheels of the chariots. Percy had had enough. "Lock shields!"

The survivors did as they were told and felt the thump of arrows hitting the shields. A chariot brushed against them, its spikes hitting the shields and spears. Percy had an idea. The next chariot came and he took his chance. "Dive in!" The gladiators stepped forward and flipped the chariot. Nico charged and stabbed both driver and archer and followed up by launching his spear at another charitot, killing the driver instantly, causing it to crash into the wall. The horses were set free and the gladiators sprinted to kill the archer. Percy climbed atop the horse and raised his sword, "As one!"

The gladiators formed another shield wall while another five fell from arrows and spears. It was 11 gladiators against 3 chariots.

"Advance!" Percy called and the shield wall marched forward. "Pila!" he shouted. Spears spiked out from the shields. "Fire!" The spears flew through the air, killing a driver in one chariot and an archer in another.

Percy charged on his horse at the remaining complete chariot, riding up alongside it and decapitating the archer. He raced alongside the driver and thrust his spear into the driver's neck, blood spraying on the walls of the arena. The crowd roared in approval. Percy whirled around his horse, surveying the field. Luke had led half the shield wall on one chariot and Thalia had led the other half and was now killing the driver of a chariot. Half of Luke's squad was gone, leaving on him and two others while Thalia had lost two to being run over or sliced in half.

Yet he smiled. The battle was won and the crowd was on its feet. The gladiators converged in the middle staring up at the Emperor, listening to the deafening roar of the crowd.

Percy grinned in pride of his fellow gladiators and friends. His eyes wandered the crowd and found themselves at the Emperor's box, more specifically on blonde princess curls.

He knew she couldn't see his smile but he grinned all the more at the grey eyed blonde.

Annabeth normally hated gladiator fights, but Triton had forced her to come. She loathed and hated the caesar with all her body and soul. Luckily for her he hadn't approached since that one night, most likely afraid of her dagger.

Piper had been in tears when she had heard Jason had been put in prison and it was Annabeth could do to comfort her younger sister.

But today she smiled. Something about the energy and confidence that had been expressed in the battle had raised her spirits. It pleased her to see that the underdogs had won. Normally when Roman legionaries were represented, it meant that the gladiators who represented them were elite. She had expected a bloodbath, but not today. Led by the warrior with a masked helmet and three other masked people, the "barbarians" had triumphed.

She had had to admit it was quite heroic when the masked warrior had charged into battle, spear in hand, sword in sheath, riding horseback.

Something about him intrigued her and she wanted to know more about him. She shook her head. Who was she, a noble wanting an audience with a gladiator? She laughed at herself.

"Annabeth?"

The blonde turned to see Triton looking at her with a questioning look.

And there was always Triton in the way too.

Author's Note: And here's the opening battle! I honestly think I didn't do my best on it, I believe I could've done better but eh, it's 11:00 o'clock at night. What do you guys think? Please review and thanks for reading!