I do not own Percy Jackson nor Heroes of Olympus, they belong to Rick Riordan.

Chapter Thirty-Four - Alyx

Alyx hopped out of the way from its fist, the force making a crater in the ground. She landed, and gulped.

"The rules consist of using any type of weapon or power you may have." He smiled evilly, leaning back and gently tugging on Carlos's collar.

"Well, Alyx? What will you be fighting for? Your freedom or your friends?" She looked at the cage, all of their faces in horror and worry, then looked at the animal.

"Fight!"

Jorge, she guessed his name was, let out a roar and ran towards her. She jumped before he grabbed her, jumping over him and landing nicely on the ground. The crowd roared.

Sure, I have invincibility and I can live without getting a scratch, but I don't want it to seem like I can win easily either. She hopped out of the way as his fist came down again. She glanced at Bianca, her eyes slightly open now.

"Hey, gorilla face!" She shouted at Jorge, who turned and growled. "Come get me!" He let out another roar and galloped toward her. She planted her feet on the ground, putting her arms in a lock hold above her head. Jorge slammed his arms down, dust flying up. The crowd went silent. Her ears rung, yet her body didn't feel impacted or sore, but she did feel a little weight. The dust cleared and the arena went into an uproar. People screamed in an outrage and monsters roared with anger.

"Did you forget," she lifted her head slowly, coming into eye contact with the gorilla. "That I have the Curse of Achilles?" Akira cursed.

"Find her weak spot, you monkey! Kill her!" He yelled. Jorge roared, rearing back for another attack. She took off in a sprint toward the double doors, looking over her shoulder to see him galloping toward her. She turned, spreading her legs, holding her position.

"That's it, you big ape…" She said. He raised his fist to punch her, but she ducked and slammed the palms of her hands into his stomach, his eyes widening. He coughed, blood splattering onto the doors. He stumbled back, trying not to trip.

"Done yet?" He growled, lunging at her once again. She ducked and rolled under him, running to the doors he came out of. He followed, galloping and roaring behind her. She whipped around, watching him get close then ducked again when he lunged, and took off in a run. She thanked her parents for convincing her to do track, to help with the Roman training. She hoped he followed, looking over her shoulder to see.

Thankfully, he did. She continued this until she heard ragged breaths, looking over to see him slowing down. She stopped, skidding and planting her feet.

"Come on, kill me!" She yelled, spreading her arms. He roared, lunging, his mitts ready to tear her head off.

SHURGH!

Jorge hung, Riptide's point barely sticking out from his back. Blood spurted repeatedly from the wound, and the arena went dead silent. She slowly pulled out her sword and pushed him back, watching his body begin to disintegrate. She turned to Akira's balcony, watching him begin to shake with rage.

"No… How?" She pointed her sword at him, making him flinch.

"Let us go."

"No." He said plainly. "I don't think I fully explained the rules. You must win three matches every day until my crowning. I mean, if I decide to let you go." She scowled, gripping the hilt tightly.

"You-"

"No bad language here." He gestured to Bianca, who was getting worse. Her skin was almost blue, her eyes squeezed shut and her lips parted, her breathing ragged. She pursed her lips. If she did take it, then that was a death sentence, and if Bianca died down here…

"Fine. I'll play in your stupid games. But treat her and heal her." Alyx said, pointing to her. "If she dies, I will have your head."

"Fine, fine." He gestured to Rei, who nodded and left. She saw two guards come in and pick her up on a stretcher and haul her out.

"Now…" He grinned. "Release the Champion!"

The horror that crossed on Carlos's face gave her a really bad feeling. She turned to the gates.

"No! Get out of there!" She looked to see him leaning over the railing, his eyes wide with fear. "He's too powerful! He'll kill you!" Akira yanked his chain and Carlos fell back onto his lap, coughing. He gripped his collar, whimpering.

The gates opened to reveal a man, clothed in ragged clothes, a chain hooked to a ball and a really big sword. The sword was dark, almost black because of the metal color. He had dark pink hair, pale skin covered in way more scars than she had, and dead eyes that reminded her of Akhyls's eyes. They were a dull magenta, so bare of emotion.

She gulped, holding her sword properly.

"Jax is a son of Ares, Alyx…" She looked up to see Akira smirking. "Left as a newborn to me, I raised him and trained him to be a gladiator. He's the strongest gladiator here. Let's see if you can beat him." He leaned back, his fingers dancing on Carlos's hip, before sliding up his back. He arched it, biting his lip and looking away.

She turned her head as she heard a chain landing on the ground, just in time to see him flying towards her, slamming his elbow into her stomach and knocking her back. She flew back, landing hard on her back hard, and rolling a bit. Riptide was knocked out of her hands. She coughed, sitting up and turning her head, her ears ringing.

"Jax has unusually high strength in his body. He's able to kill an enemy in a single blow if they are weak enough." Akira chuckled. "I wonder how long you'll last." Jax looked down at her with such a blank look, she almost wanted to give up. Raised to be a gladiator? How long has he been like this?

Her stomach churned.

How many innocent people, creatures and beings has he killed?

He grabbed her by her hair, lifting her up. She kicked and squirmed, her scalp burning. He threw her across the arena, her back slamming into the wall. She fell to her knees, coughing, blood splattering onto her fingers. Dark blood.

What the hell…? Why isn't the invincibility working? Her back throbbed, her ears rung. She saw feet appear in her view, and slowly looked up. He reached down and grabbed her by the neck, lifting her, her feet dangling off the ground. She weakly clawed at his wrist, coughing. She heard faint yells and cries, but she couldn't understand where it was coming from.

Then the crowd started to chant.

W-What are they saying…?

"…Kill her! Kill her! Kill her!" Repeatedly. Jax showed no emotion, and his grip tightened around her neck. I-I can't die like this… Her body was numb, but she looked into his eyes and whispered:

"Why…?"

To Be Continued...