Chapter Three: Hazel
Three days. For some those three days were for training, for others it meant partying all over the camp. For me? I spent 2 days helping Frank set up the tournament and the festival. The forum was trashed heavily the night before and both I and the fifth cohort were cleaning as much as possible before the big day. Once that was done, I spent one-day training with Piper, Will, and Nico the day before the tournament. I tried asking Frank to train with us after the Senate meeting, but he denied that right out of the gate. Sorry Hazel, but Reyna and I have a lot of work to do before the tournament even happens. Maybe Nico can help you?"
I guess he wasn't paying attention since I already told him that Nico was helping me. I worry for Frank. It's his first year as a praetor and he has to organize the whole festival as well as prepare for the tournament. Reyna seemed to handle that well as I saw her get most of her work done in the day. At night where everyone was done training and joined the festivities, she would disappear. People wondered where she was, but I knew she was training hardcore. If I had to bet on someone winning, it might be her.
'But what about myself?' I thought. I was also a child of the big three, yet I was seeded around the middle. Is that how Frank sees me as a fighter? I couldn't think like that as Reyna and Chiron were also involved in my placement as well. I like to think that Frank supported me and tried to get a higher seed for me.
I then get my head squashed and hit the floor for thinking about something else during training.
Piper ran up and tried to pick me up after knocking me out.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry Hazel. Are you ok?" Piper said with concern.
Despite my throbbing head, I was beyond happy with her performance. I have been training Piper on the art of the sword since our trip to Greece. She went from amateur to top-level swordswoman in a few months. Being proud was an understatement.
After Piper pulled me up, I started to remember where I was. Training grounds on the Fields of Mars. Usually, it a spot exclusive to wargames but updated for training as the coliseum was being equipped for the event. It was late in the morning, with the tournament starting in a few minutes. Nico, Will, Piper, and I had last-minute training in the early morning and were running late.
"It looks like you're ready today. To be honest, do you even need charmspeak?" I asked Piper. I assumed our powers were allowed with some leeway. If we don't blow up the whole coliseum with otherworldly godly power, then it's fine.
"Most people already know about my charmspeak. Someone like Annabeth probably has defenses for it.
Piper looked different than the girl I met several months ago. She was still pretty, but her muscles were more defined. Leo joked that she looked like a certain warrior princess, but I still have no clue to who he was referring to.
So, thanks for the lessons in sword fighting. I feel like I graduated today." Piper said with a smile.
I did a bow all courtesy like and said "Now the student is the master. Don't use my teaches for evil."
"Is torturing Leo in a fight evil?"
"Given his outburst yesterday, it might be a gift to mankind." I laughed.
My laughter was cut short as two Lares were coming up behind us. One of which was Vitellius, a ghost who represented the fifth cohort. He ran with some speed before tripping on his toga as he usually does. Behind him was another ghost that I've never seen. He also had a purple aura around him but came off as more graceful compared to Vitellius. He had a brown toga, short grey hair, and many rings on his fingers. He looked like he was following Vitellus for quite some time.
"Vitellius, I beg you please slow down. I can barely keep up" The new ghost muttered.
"Well, keep up then, Cassius!" Vitellus yelled. "I have no time for slow Romans." Vitellus took his wrath towards the other ghost and then brought it to Piper and me with a stare.
"And you two. I'll have you know that the Fields of Mars are for life and death battles in which we Romans barred our souls just to survive!" Vitellius screamed. "Not for silly play fighting. Not only that, but you are late for the tournament as well! Disgraceful."
I rolled my eyes and talked back defiantly. "No one dies in this field, Vitellius." The purple ghost was about to answer back but I stopped him with swiftness.
"And no, Gwen doesn't count as a death. We use this field for wargames, and right now it's been outfitted for practice.
"Oh please, you call that skirmish of yours fighting. I saw it from leagues away. Why the original Twelfth legion, now they could fight. Back in my day...
Vitellius continued with his stories before the both of us got fed up.
Piper was standing near me trying to understand what was going on. I guess she had no experience with the Lares before.
"Ok, so this guy is a roman ghost who just happens to be annoying." Piper looked in my direction. "Want me to deal with it?"
I smiled back at her. "Oh yea, go for it."
Vitellius looked insulted. "And what is this little graecus going to deal with exactly?"
Piper walked towards Vitellius and whispered something in his ear. Vitellius seemed annoyed at first, but completely changed his attitude and ran across the field at high speeds in a huge semi-circle.
I let out a laugh and grinned at Piper. "Let me guess, 100 laps around the field?"
Piper grinned back "200 around the field. He shouldn't complain, he's a ghost after all."
The other ghost was mortified by Piper but still tried to hold his ground.
"Well, this was an astonishing example of always taking women seriously. Forgive us, we're centuries old." The ghost bowed at us. "My name is Cassius. It is an honor to meet you two.
I was still put off by this new ghost. There was plenty of lares around camp, but this one was new to me. Despite that, he still looked somewhat familiar to me. Like he reminded me of someone else while still appearing new to me. "If you are centuries old. How come I've never seen you by the camp before?" I asked.
Cassius looked a little embarrassed at the fact. He rustled his ghostly hair like it was a habit of his. "I've always chosen to hide among the other lares of the camp. However, Vitellius has been a valuable new friend of mine. He has brought back my more social tendencies."
"Wow, you need better friends Casper," Piper said.
Cassius beamed at us; it seems that he liked the nickname despite not getting the reference.
"Well how about the three of us become friends?" Cassius asked. He seemed to be waiting for our answer with bated breath.
I looked at Piper as she shrugged her shoulders. I guess having a ghost as a friend wasn't a problem. Technically, I should be a ghost as well.
"All right, my name is Hazel, and this is Piper. It's nice to meet you, Cassius." I said with a lighter tone as usual.
Cassius was overjoyed and hugged both of us. It felt like a strong breeze taking over. "Oh, how splendid! It is nice to meet both of you.
The ghostly hug seemed a bit much, but we humored him before he let go.
After the hug, Cassius looked at both of us with new eyes. "Ahhh I get it. Demigods practicing in the Field of Mars. Are you two in the tournament? That would explain the charmspeak."
Piper raised an eyebrow. "You know about charmspeak, old man?"
"Well, of course, I've studied the art of magic back in my time. The ability of the beyond." Cassius said with nostalgic eyes. It was odd that Roman was interested in magic. It made me like Cassius a bit more.
Cassius looked at me for a long time before speaking again. "Piper is a child of Venus I gather, but what of you, Hazel? What is your parentage?
I knew it would come to this. Most of the ghosts of Camp Jupiter stay away from me because of my parentage. The only exception being Vitellius who is too arrogant for his own good. Most of the Lares believe that I would expel them from camp and back to the underworld if they talked to me. I like Cassius enough not to mention it, but here he was asking me about it.
"Pluto. Child of the underworld.
Cassius's smile wavered a little bit. I knew it. He was afraid just like any other ghost within the camp. However, he walked towards me and his smile rebounded.
"We are not defined by our parentage, young one. Be proud of where you come from but be even more proud of who you are." Cassius said beautifully.
Piper gave Cassius a hug of her own. "Maybe you ghosts aren't as bad as I thought." She added.
Before I could do the same, I saw Nico shadow travel towards us with Will and greeted them both. However, Both Cassius and Piper didn't see them coming and yelped at their arrival. Everyone is always surprised by Nico coming out of nowhere, I guess Will and I are the only ones who see him shadow travel into conversations.
Will had torn up clothes. His jeans were stained with mud and his quiver had fewer arrows. Nico really put him in the wringer. Nico himself looked fine and his leather jacket was barely touched. Well, he is considered top 3 in the tournament.
"Times up, we should head towards the coliseum now. I don't want to miss the first match." Nico said.
"Because Percy is in it," Will added happily.
"Shut it," Nico said as he created a dark shroud around us, and the world appeared dark.
I didn't even get to say goodbye to Cassius before going. It was a little rude of Nico to do that, but I know he didn't care that much about the Lares since they didn't care for him. The shroud of darkness embodied all of us, and then we vanished.
After a few seconds of darkness, we appeared in the middle of the coliseum with the other 16 and hundreds of Romans and Greeks in the stands. Almost everyone freaked out at our arrival, not knowing that we shadow traveled. Seriously, how does everyone miss this?
Their genuine surprise allowed me to survey the entire arena, and what an arena it was. The whole coliseum had changed. Before it was a barren battlefield with entryways for the fighters. But now, it had greenery, a shallow pond, the ground was ruptured, and the walls were climbable. Everyone from every cohort was in the stands above watching. Even the students and facility of New Rome University were watching. I saw Gwen, the former Fifth Cohort centurion in the stands cheering us on. It's funny how we had more in common now compared to the time before her death. Well, her first death. It's complicated. The Greeks were the loudest of all on the other side of the stands. Yelling, throwing popcorn, and generally having a good time. Many Lares were next to them and were disgusted by their rowdy nature. It was annoying how loud they were in the Senate House a couple of days ago, but now; I enjoy them. They created a lively crowd worthy of a show. All in all, the Vulcan kids did a great job with changing this place in the span of three days.
Chiron was the first to see us appearing out of nowhere and spoke. I guess he is used to shadow travel.
"Since everyone is here, we can now speak on the ground rules of the tournament quickly." Chiron instructed. "First off, no killing whatsoever. We have zero-tolerance for fatal moves with malicious intent. We also chose you 16 because you are skilled enough to avoid accidental deaths and plan accordingly. Understood?"
Everyone agreed silently. This was obvious, and we all have been in enough battles to know the differences between a fatal blow and a blow that was meant for bruising.
"These matches are one on one. Magical weaponry and godly abilities are allowed. The match ends when one demigod forces the other to yield or knocks them unconscious.
"Oooo, can we say uncle instead?" Leo asked. "That's more my style."
Chiron looked like he aged fifty years, and that was saying something.
"Yes, you can, any word that expresses the act of yielding or giving up is accepted."
Reyna stepped up. Probably to speed the process up herself. She was dressed for battle. Full armor with gladius sword in hand and a concealed knife on her belt. Golden armor and a purple cape with the emblem of her mother Bellona on its back.
With the seeding in place, matches will be announced, and the combatants have to be ready to fight right after. If you paid attention to the seeding, you would know when your match will take place." Reyna clarified.
I knew my match was right after Percy vs Travis. In terms of seeding, I was in the middle. Which means my opponent was...
"This tournament is double elimination. Meaning you have a second chance to prove yourself if you lose in the first or later rounds." Frank chimed in. "The two brackets are separated and are called Upper and Lower bracket. The one who wins the Upper bracket will face the winner of the Lower Bracket.
Second chances seem good. I was worried about this whole seeding process, but it added complexity to the whole tournament. We could have had a battle royale instead, but that would've been more chaotic.
"The winner of the Lower bracket has to beat the other twice, while the Upper bracket winner just needs to beat them once to win the whole tournament. It is the reward for winning the Upper bracket with no losses. The reward for winning the tournament will be discussed after the first round of matches.
I looked at people like Annabeth and Thalia. Both looked perplexed that the reward was hidden for so long. Annabeth was deep in thought herself. What is she thinking about?
"The first match will take place right now." Reyna stated. "Percy Jackson vs Travis Stoll. Everyone else to the common area for viewing."
I followed the rest of the demigods up the ramp towards the viewing area. As that happened, I watched both Percy and Travis size each other up. Percy was wearing jeans and his Camp Half-blood T-shirt. While I missed him wearing Roman colors, at least he was comfortable. The only armor he had was around his chest and was extremely light. Percy valued speed over anything. No sheath as well, for obvious reasons. He looked relax and cool. Typical Percy.
Travis on the other hand was the complete opposite. He had full Greek armor head to toe with a sword on his hip and some knives to boot. He was sweating profusely. Yeah, I think it's over before it even started. But there was something weird about Travis. Once everyone was off the field, he pushed something in his pocket and hid it away. It looked like a button.
The viewing area was to die for. They really spruced up the place. Previously a long hallway with a view of the arena, but now with seating and dining area, a practice range, foosball, and a rainbow fountain that Iris messaged us the entire match. In fact, there was a giant Iris message at the top of the coliseum that showed the match as well for everyone in the coliseum. With a permanent rainbow to boot.
"How was this done in just three days?" asked Kayla.
"When I wasn't training my butt off, I was helping those Vulcan kids with the coliseum," Leo said proudly. "You like the practice range? All me, baby. Frank hooked us up with the Iris connection and the cohorts handled the rest."
I felt bad that the legionaries were stuck with most of the work and didn't get to be in the tournament. Even now there were legionaries patrolling the area making sure everything was all right. I'll find a way to make them proud. Reyna and Kahale are not the only Romans in this tournament.
Piper stood next to me the entire time before deciding what she wanted to do. "Well, I'm not that interested in the first match. Wanna go into the practice range, Hazel?" She asked.
I waved my hand over my face. "This match seems interesting, plus I got to find Frank. You have fun."
Piper shrugged and left the group as I looked for Frank. I finally saw him talking to Chiron about the logistics of the tournament. Still dressed in his praetor wear. He looked regal but not ready for a fight. I was planning to walk towards him before I heard a loud voice taking over the entire arena.
"Welcome to the final sporting event of Ludi Decem! This is the Ludi Decem Tournament! It is I, your favorite god of the Pomeranian Line...TERMINUS. Acting as both announcer and commentator of today's festivities. Why am I doing this you ask? Well, BLAME THE PRAETORS, THIS IS HUMILIATING." Cried Terminus.
Terminus stood... well, his body was placed on an announcer desk right above the viewing area. He looked just about the same but with a tie wrapped around his stone neck and a mic and headset on his marble hair.
"Why is he up there?" I asked as Annabeth appeared right next to me.
"The praetors were shorthanded basically and no one wanted to do commentary." Annabeth added.
"Well, at least he can use his OCD to be analytical." I said jokily.
I looked at Annabeth and realized that she was not decked out in terms of armor. In fact, she may have borrowed her style from Percy. Representing Camp Half-blood with the orange shirt and light armor. With only a knife on her belt, which she borrowed from the camp's armory.
"Hey, this might be a stupid question, but what's Percy's plan here?" I asked.
Annabeth looked straight ahead towards Percy and spoke with no hesitation.
"Same plan he always has, improvise and win."
"That centaur may have laid down the rules but I'm saying it again!" Terminus shouted. "No killing! Only I do that! Keep wailing on each other till the other one cries for their momma! Anybody who breaks the rules answers to me. Ready. Set. GO!
Terminus was not given the order to start the tournament as both Chiron and Reyna both looked angry beyond belief. However, Terminus was a god and it's hard to have any control on that. With his words, fireworks appeared in the sky roman colors that said 'FIGHT!'
And it began with Percy as he lunged at Travis and hit him on the head with the flat part of his blade. I didn't even see him summon it before it connected. Even with a helmet, Travis's head was rattled beyond belief.
Travis hit the ground but immediately ran the opposite way. He stumbled a couple of times and he never ran straight, but he was on the other side of the coliseum in no time flat.
Many legionaries and Lares in the stands booed. I was about to do the same, this was a bout of strength. Running away wasn't very Roman.
However, Travis didn't look scared. In fact, he looked like he won.
"I'm about the cause the biggest upset in history! Catch me if you can, Percy".
Percy did not move a muscle. It surprised me but Annabeth had a smile on her face.
"There are traps all over the arena, right? You did it the night before."
Travis's smile of confidence was gone instantly. "How d-did you figure that out!"
"Dude, you do it at like every Capture the Flag. I'm on your team half of the time. Also, I saw you press the activation switch when everyone left the arena. How do I not know?
Travis looked lost for words, but with a grin, he came back to his usual self easily and bounced back. "Well, that doesn't matter, if you can't touch me then you can't beat me. I won't say uncle!"
"Hmm, well time scamming isn't against the rules. I love technicalities!" Terminus added.
"YOU GO TRAVIS, TEACH HIM HOW STOLLS GET IT DONE." Screamed Conner.
I knew only having a few rules was a bad idea, but I didn't want to question both Frank and Reyna. Percy wasn't best at a distance. He relied on his swordsmanship and was a horrible archer. I don't think Percy loses this, but it might be a long match.
Annabeth held my shoulder and smile. "Watch, this is when it gets good."
Percy looked straight at Travis and made him trembled. When Percy wasn't joking around, he was downright frightening.
"Good grief." Percy said as he directed his hands towards the pond and water pipes and with that watery hands came to life. Travis knew he had to run but he hit the walls of the coliseum. There was nowhere to run. The hands picked up Travis and lifted him up 20 feet. All this looked easy to Percy as he never put up a sweat. When I use my powers over the earth or mist, even I feel queasy.
"Jackson got this kid in the air. It looks like it's over, kiddos. Remember, if you drop him and cause lethal damage, I'm coming for you!"
"Don't need to say it twice Terminus. Say uncle, Travis. Come on, I know you want to." Percy teased.
Travis looked scared of the height, let alone Percy himself. Even though he was powerless, he still had the confident grin back.
"I am the co-leader of Cabin Eleven. The last leader wouldn't want me to give up." Travis said defiantly.
Percy smiled back before summoning a hurricane from the watery hands. The hurricane surrounded Percy creating a huge spectacle. This caused the watery hands to evaporate, dropping Travis in the process.
The whole arena was screaming as Travis was falling towards his death. Even the Romans, who booed Travis were on their feet. Travis was screaming at the top of his lungs. I guess he was a little afraid of heights.
"HEY JACKSON, NOBODY BREAKS THE RULES WHEN IM AROUND. I'M COMING" Terminus said while his statue body wobbled towards Percy.
"Calm down, Terminus." Percy replied. "I'll save him."
The hurricane that surrounded Percy quickly left him and picked up Travis instead. Instead of falling, he was hovering. Ending his descent and bringing him close to Percy. Unfortunately for him, he was now trapped floating in the vortex.
Travis's smile was now born out of fear rather than confidence. "Ok, thanks, man. You can drop me now." Travis said.
Percy considered his options before finally picking one. "You spent all night getting those traps ready. Let me guess, land mines?"
"Uhm yeah. The nonlethal kind of course." Travis added. "But we don't have to activate them, right? Ha-ha."
Percy smirked back at him and I knew what would happen next. "Oh yea, the shows over. But we could end it with a bang, right?"
With those last words, Percy pushed back the hurricane with all his force, and it went flying with Travis within its center. The hurricane went so far that it hit every single landmine of flashbangs, paint pellets, and an assortment of condiments that all exploded and fused with the hurricane. Travis wasn't lucky as he got hit by every single trap. The flashbang blinded some people in the arena, the paint shells never made it into the stands, but the condiments did as some legionaries had ketchup and mustard on them.
Percy put his hands down and the torrent of water settled down. Leaving Travis alone in the center of the arena, covered head to toe with a variety of colors both edible and non-edible. Travis was beyond dizzy and was about to knock out before yielding completely.
"Uncle. I said, uncle." Travis whispered with utter defeat on his face.
Percy walked to Travis and picked him up easily. "Luke would be proud, man. Good luck in the lower bracket."
"THE WINNER IS... PERCY JACKSON" Terminus screamed.
The whole crowd erupted. Both Roman and Greek alike.
Annabeth finally changed her gaze from Percy and looked at me. "Told you it would be entertaining." She said and smirked.
It was a spectacle to be sure. Percy not only had control of his powers, but his swordsmanship was still unmatched.
While I was happy for Percy, I couldn't help but be a little envious of his ability. I was also a child of the big three, and while the Romans don't hold Neptune in high regard, Percy was still here proving that he was the strongest. When will I get the chance to prove myself?
Terminus was the only one not amused by the fight. He sneered at everyone celebrating Percy's victory. "All right! Everyone calm down, there is still a bunch of matches left and I don't have all day!
Terminus was looking at a stack of papers near his announcer's desk.
"Ok, it's time to announce the next fight. Oh crap, I can't move these papers. Where is my assistant? Julia!" Terminus screamed.
Julia appeared out of nowhere and flipped the papers for Terminus. Julia looked happy as can be. I do remember her being a fan of Percy.
"Thanks, Julia." Terminus added before reading the papers. "All right, the next match is Hazel Levesque vs Leo Valdez!
I looked over at Annabeth who gave me a confidant nod that said 'Well, it's time to prove yourself' as I walked away and headed towards the arena.