Chapter 13 Clarisse END OF PART ONE

It took an hour for the arena to be cleaned this time. Weeds were all over the arena and nobody wanted to pick up the bones off the ground. It was originally going to be two hours to clean up, but I told Chiron that I couldn't wait that long. I didn't mind the terrain at all. I knew what I was getting myself into and no obstacle could stop me. This was the end of the first day so you would think that the crowd was ready for its main event. However, nobody treated this as the main event. Many of the campers in the stands were already tired and a lot of the university students went to bed early. They didn't think of my match as the main event at all. Not the main event. That thought alone pissed me off. I was fuming just thinking about it.

Annabeth was on the other side of the arena moving the bones away from the center with her shoes. Many of the bones were already swallowed back into the ground on their way to Hades, but Nico was knocked out, so clean up was harder without him. That Hazel girl wasn't there as well to help with the bones. So many campers leaving without seeing my match. I was the only underdog that wasn't being rooted for. That didn't matter to me, not caring what others think was my superpower. Then again, it has been failing me recently.

Annabeth shifted through the bones for a final time and tossed them to the side. Any variable that would affect her battle plan would lead to the worst-case scenario. At least that's what I think she was thinking. Her face was tense as she shifted around. I made sure to peak at every detail. Her blonde hair tied up in a scrunchie. Her armor being extremely light. The only weapon on her being an imperial knife, and that damn baseball cap to her side. If her plan was as minimalistic as her look, then I wouldn't have any trouble. My biggest opponent wasn't Annabeth herself, but her complex mind. Leo said that the gears in my head stopped turning after Annabeth told me off. I gotta do the same thing to her. Ruin her rhythm and stop her from thinking. It was the only way I could win.

Chiron came into the arena in his stallion form. His armor shimmering in the moonlight. Seeing him in his true form was a good omen. It's been a while since I saw it and I was getting tired of the wheelchair. I guess he didn't want to freak Roman campers out by going full centaur earlier.

Chiron blew on his curved horn. A loud hum could be heard across the arena. Calling for the crowd's attention.

"It is time for the final match of day one. We've all seen our fair share of matches and I would like to congratulate every participant who gave it their all."

The crowd clapped in unison. Chiron was good at this. He didn't just try to give the winners a pat on the back but thanked the losers as well. It was in his nature. But he won't be thanking me as a loser here. I was going to come out a winner. Pat on the back or not.

Chiron looked to the both of us, to see if we were ready. His eyes fell on me as he noticed my heavy set of armor and shield on my back. What piqued his interest was my weapon, rather, the lack of one.

"Clarisse, a child of Ares without a weapon is like a naiad without a body of water. I suggest you get back into the armory and grab one."

"Just start the damn match." I muttered to Chiron.

Chiron gave me a questionable stare but complied as he blew on his horn. His trust in his students was far too deep.

Annabeth crossed her arms. Anger slowly appearing on her face.

"Barehanded? Really? Your ego can't keep up with your body Clarisse."

I ignored her and closed my eyes.

Ares. My father always wanted to prove that his children were the strongest, but he would never have a love for us. Our wins in battle were just little points to contribute to his list of egotistically large accomplishments. He wasn't proud of us; he was proud of his power. If we were successful in battle, it was because of him. If we failed, it was all on us. He was never to blame. He was and still is a deadbeat godly parent.

That never fazed me though. There's no love lost between us. He has his way of doing things and I got mine, so a mutual victory was fine in my book. Ares always sent me gifts so I could win in battle. Maimer, CSS Birmingham and all its soldiers, and even his chariot. No matter the item, I get it. Call me spoiled, but I'm trying to win, and now I'm asking for the biggest gift of all. His finest weapon.

Annabeth, Chiron, and even the crowd were all wondering what I was doing, but I had to focus. I had to channel inner strength. It was the only way to communicate with him.

Moments pass before I heard it. I heard his voice echoing through my head.

"Watch yourself, kid. What you're asking for is a timeless and priceless weapon. You ain't proved yourself yet." Ares answered through the void.

I concentrated and let my thoughts be heard. I might have talked out loud even. That would freak people out for sure.

"I don't have time for your lecture, old man. Send the goods per usual. The faster you send them, the faster I win. That's our deal."

"You're going against the Tartarus punk? You sure you can handle that, college girl?"

He spit out his words like venom and I took the bait willing. My anger grew alongside my impatience and I forgot Leo's words. This was the last time he looked down on me. The last time anybody looked down on me.

"I can handle anything you throw at me. If you weren't some voice in my head, I would've beaten you into a pulp the second I called, you immortal shit stain. Now send the goods so you can see what this college girl can do." I said through my gritted teeth.

Silence filled my head. Ares was thinking, which was new for him. I hedged my bets all on my father. It was do or die. I didn't have a fourth maimer and I couldn't grab a weapon now. My plan had to come together. It just had to.

Seconds pass before Ares speaks again.

"That's my girl. Give em hell."

My prayers have been answered as I looked to the sky and something came flying down.

Everyone looked up with me as it fell faster and faster. Annabeth was the first to see it as the moonlight wasn't hard on the eyes. I positioned my hands in the air so grabbing it was easy. By doing this, I could see the despair on Annabeth's face as she realized what came down. She was the biggest nerd in camp. If anybody would know what this weapon was, she would.

The weapon dropped in my hands. Its extended pole was long enough for horseback riding but easy enough for a foot soldier. Its spear tip was Celestial Bronze but the rest of it was built of another metal. I didn't know what it was, but I could tell it was far more durable. Its hilt was large and sharp, every inch of this weapon was destructive. It was perfectly balanced. Too perfect, like I was wielding air itself as a weapon. It was made for a true warrior in every sense. It was made for me.

The crowd was confused as only Annabeth and Chiron looked stunned. The face on Annabeth. Her rational and level-headed look was gone, replaced with enlarged eyes and flared nostrils. She was on the verge of panic. Ahh, that face was all I needed. Like Leo would say, I stopped her gears from working, and that's all I needed.

Chiron walked forward.

"The Spear of Achilles. The strongest weapon ever wielded by a mortal."

I sneered at Chiron as I spun the spear. The speed alone was amazing.

"Of course, you would know. Wasn't he a student of yours?"

Chiron didn't utter another word as he walked back up the stairs. I didn't even see his reaction to it. I guess I hit a sore spot for him.

Annabeth regrouped mentally. The gears were turning again.

"A weapon on par with Poseidon trident and maybe even Zeus's master bolt."

I twirled my spear before slamming it towards the ground. Causing a small earthquake. There was a smaller spear head on the other side of the weapon that ripped a hole in the earth. It was lethal no matter where you hit.

"All you have is a dinky average dagger. You can forfeit now and go cry to Prissy, wise girl."

"Unlike you, the weapons I have don't define me. I don't get prizes from my godly parent for doing absolutely nothing." Annabeth added.

My smile faded. I didn't put her on tilt at all. Matter of fact, she was starting to piss me off again. No problem, I'll end her in battle. Right here, right now.

Annabeth positioned herself for a fight. Her knife still in her sheath. That's the thing about close-range knife users, they never show their hand until they have to.

I pointed my spearhead towards her. Both hands at the ready with a shield on my back. Ready for a frontal stab. I wanted her to know what was coming. I was going to win no matter what.

Chiron in the booth blew on his horn for a final time.

"Let the match commence!"

I rushed at Annabeth at full speed and stabbed towards her. She dodged it and landed to the left. This was perfect for me as I was controlling the spear with my dominant right hand, with my left hand on the back of the spear. Because of that, I pulled the front of the spear towards me and let the back pole extend towards Annabeth moments before she was done dodging. The back pole of the spear hit her in the chest and sent her flying towards the other side of the arena. Any other spear would send her a few feet, but the Spear of Achilles had an impact.

That is the magic of a spear. I do not know what Thalia was thinking when she threw hers towards Will. The strength of a spear isn't its spearhead but its length. With the range I have, no dagger user can come near me. Prissy may have sliced maimer, but the Spear of Achilles was faster and indestructible.

Annabeth landed on her feet, but I took the air out of her lungs for a second. She was winded and took a few seconds before getting up.

I didn't give her that luxury as I ran towards her. Ruthless aggression was the name of the game. The moment I gave Annabeth a moment to think, it was over.

I did a sweeping motion with the spear and Annabeth jumped over it. When she landed, Annabeth ran towards me and tried to tackle me towards the ground. Her hands extended over my body as she was too close for comfort.

I stood there unmoved looking at her. "You. The skinny twig blonde, thought it was a good idea to tackle me?" I laughed.

I pushed her off with a massive amount of force. Annabeth dropped as her knife scattered towards the ground. She grabbed it and got right back up.

What was her deal? I thought. Annabeth always had a plan in mind and tackling me was the worst plan out there. I overestimated her.

Annabeth rushed back towards me with a knife in hand. She slashed at my armor, but it didn't even scratch it. She was getting closer and closer, but I was letting her. I kept letting her in. Call it cockiness, but I wanted to show her that her dinky knife couldn't even touch my armor.

Once I got my fill, I pushed her back with my spear again. Gaining a range advantage. Annabeth dodged it this time and ran towards the other side of the arena. Dropping on her knees.

She was gasping for air, but her injuries were minor. I was still in top shape. Smiling straight at her.

"You can't cut through my armor and one hit of my spearhead will end you. So, that's checkmate. I've been taking it easy on you and I'm still winning." I sneered at her.

Annabeth did not reply. She stood there looking at her palm.

"Man, I should've been one of the seven. I definitely wouldn't have dropped in a stinking pit first off. How does that even happen? What? Did you slip and Prissy had to save you?"

I laughed straight in her face. Sure, I didn't find it that funny, but I was still trying to put her on tilt. I wanted to make her feel the way I felt moments ago. I was the head honcho of camp, always have and always will be. She needed to know it.

Annabeth let out a weak laugh with me. I really put her on tilt.

I looked straight at her. "Ok, it's not that funny."

Annabeth snickered. "Oh, I wasn't laughing at that."

I became curious, and curiosity turned into impatience.

"What were you laughing at then?" I asked.

Annabeth stopped laughing and just smiled back at me as she raised her palm.

In her hand were multiple leather straps that were cut off at the seams. I didn't pay any attention to it until I realized what they were. When it hit me, I thought about the moment I pushed her off me after her feeble tackle. Her knife was scattered on the ground alongside her even though it was securely set in her sheath beforehand. I never saw her use her knife until she started to attack my armor. When did she first pull it out?

Stabbed my armor… I thought.

Annabeth didn't try to tackle me. She got close and cut off the straps to my armor pieces. Through the gaps on the joints. The elbows, the back of my knees. Any place that was exposed enough. She cut through the seams easily and discreetly. All without my knowledge. She cut through all of them in a matter of seconds. How fast were her knifing skills?

Attacking my armor pieces after were just a façade. An illusion to make me think I was winning. Forcing me to move even more, so my armor would come unglued.

My armor slowly came off me. The more I moved, the easier it was for the pieces to fall off. Piece by piece I was exposed. Only my armored boots stayed on. My Camp Half-Blood T-shirt and my jeans were my only protection now.

My face burned red with embarrassment. I kept my eyes away from the crowd. I didn't want to see their amused faces reacting to my armor problem. Annabeth stood up and dropped the leather straps on the floor. Her face had no such amusement. Her grey eyes shined brightly as she slowly made her way towards me with a knife in hand.

"Good. Now I can actually do some damage. Sorry, but when it comes to a fight, I'm usually in control." Annabeth added.

No. I was the one who should be in control. I was the one with the best weapon, the best physique, and the confidence. I couldn't be losing. My anger took the driving seat as I rammed my spear down towards the earth.

"No armor? FINE! I'll win without it!" I screamed as my spear ruptured the ground below.

I caused a small fissure as it made its way towards Annabeth. She dodged to the left, and at the same time, I ran towards her and stabbed with a flurry of hits. She dodged the first and the second. I went for a sweeping motion and she backed off from it. Slowly, I was making her push back towards the walls of the arena. She wouldn't have any more room as I strike. My fifth and sixth slashes went through to no avail.

Every strike pushed her back and any attempt to roll out of the way would be met with a hit to the chest by the back of the spear. Attacking me wasn't an option either since she didn't have the range for it. Annabeth inhaled and exhaled after every swing of my spear. She dodged every hit elegantly but looking cool in a fight only fuelled my hatred. When she hits the wall of the arena, I will have her pinned down. Game over.

Annabeth's back was only a few steps away from the wall. With one last swipe of my spear, Annabeth jumped back and was met with a bricked wall 10 meters high. She didn't have a shocked look on her face. She knew this would happen. Doesn't matter though, she was stuck between a wall and a Child of Ares. Much harder than a hard place.

Annabeth had her back against the wall and didn't move. She was waiting for my action. Reacting instead of acting. Please, as if she could react to my spear stabbing her. She didn't have the range or the space to roll left or right. It was over.

With all my strength, I stabbed forward with my spear, aiming for a thigh or leg. There was no killing in this competition, and I knew how to aim a non-lethal shot.

Annabeth waited till the last second before she made her move. In that split second, she ducked under the spear as it collided with the wall. Barely avoiding it. I was already aiming low, so to avoid that successfully was a Hail Mary. One wrong move and I stabbed her in the face. Annabeth was on her back on the ground. Beneath me.

Hmph, whatever. She was still stuck with me with nowhere else to go. All I had to do was reposition myself and my spear. I tried to pull my spear out and it would not give. I tried and tried again but my strength wasn't enough. Annabeth was still under the spear as I struggled to pull it out.

"Come on! How deep is this?" I screamed.

"The one spot they didn't fix. The hole left by Piper's Katoptris after she threw it at Frank." Annabeth whispered.

I didn't listen to her, still trying to pull out my spear. How did she know about this stupid hole? Wait, did I push her towards this wall, or did she want me to push her here?

"The hole is much deeper now, thanks to your reckless stab. Good luck pulling it out. Especially with that protruding hilt."

With swiftness, Annabeth rolled beneath my legs and got on my back. I didn't have time to react as the spear was still in my hand. I felt a knife right below the chin as Annabeth whispered in my ear.

"Say, Uncle. It's over, Clarisse." Annabeth uttered.

Loss. It was all I could think about as Annabeth had a knife to my throat. I put it all on the line to win. My pride, my father's pride, and my cabin's pride. I risked it all for nothing.

My eyes lowered, so did my arms as I let go of the spear. It was over the moment I fought her. She outwitted me at every opportunity. My power meant nothing to her.

I looked down to hide my face. "I- I forei—"

"Is this how it ends? Such a disappointment."

My father's words rang in my head. My eyes widen as I looked towards the spear and seen it dissolving right in front of me. He was recalling it. Already deeming me a failure.

Annabeth caught on quickly. "Say Uncle now. End it."

I stood in silence for a fraction of a second. For me, that second was an eternity.

"Do it." I spoke.

Annabeth flinched. "What did you say?"

"If you have the courage, then slice my throat. You better do it quickly because I'm not saying uncle!"

Before the spear dissolved, I grabbed it with all my might and yanked it out of the wall. The pull alone caused a huge explosion of rubble and debris.

Annabeth jumped off my back for safety and ran towards the center of the arena. Her face covered in soot.

I stood there in the wreckage of rock and destroyed concrete before wiping my eyes and looking towards Annabeth. My sweat froze around my face as I gathered all my strength. With spear in hand, I went rushing towards Annabeth at top speed.

There was no time to roll out of the way as I slammed the back of my spear at Annabeth's sternum and sent her flying towards the back of the arena. Her body rag dolled off the wall and she landed hard. She didn't move from her position for a solid four seconds.

The shade of concern was on my face for a moment before I threw myself in second gear and ran towards her. Annabeth slowly got up as I slammed her again. This time it was a weaker hit, but she still went flying back towards the walls of the arena.

"Agh!" Annabeth yelled before bouncing off the ground.

Now it was two seconds before she got up again. Her mouth was full of blood, but she still had her knife gripped deeply from her hand. Her defiance was showing. She wasn't going to give, and neither was I.

"I'll never break! Say Uncle or lose a leg. I don't care which!

There was a spark on Annabeth's face that developed. My anger didn't let me process it as she continued to get up.

"I won't break either." Annabeth muttered as she wiped the blood from her lip. "Can't say the same for you. Just like the first couple of maimers, you'll break eventually."

"Eventually. Eh?" I said as my anger reached a boiling point.

"Yes. Sooner or later. It is all the same. You're losing tonight, Clarisse."

"AHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" I shrieked. I ran towards her at full velocity.

Annabeth ran straight towards me. It was only moments before we collided. My anger developed into an aura. This feeling was not new to me. I felt the same way when Silena took my armor and posed as me when fighting a drakon. The blessing of Ares was surrounding me. Its red flames fueled my inner self. With my spear and aura. I was becoming an unstoppable killing machine.

Annabeth knew this. There was a new face of panic emerging from her. She knew that a prolonged fight would result in her end. I didn't have temporary invincibility yet, and she wanted to end it now before I truly attained the blessing of Ares. Unlucky for her, I won't let her touch me.

We met in the center of the arena. I swiped first as Annabeth slid right underneath my attack and slashed twice on my legs. My blessing didn't kick in fully yet and I knew I got hit. Lucky for me, I couldn't feel the pain. The blessing of Ares made me feel as if the harshest slash from a blade was a tiny scratch from a kitten's claw. In a few moments, I would have full invincibility and it would be over.

Annabeth rolled after her slash and ran back towards me. This time I went for a low stab to the legs, but Annabeth was faster. She jumped straight over it. Her legs using the hilt of my spear as a jumping point. She landed on my shoulders and punched me in the face. I didn't even feel it as I grabbed her and threw her across the arena. I threw her with so much force that she hit the wall with a thud, and she fell towards the ground. I fell as well. My face tucked in the dirt of a ruptured fighting ground.

I still had a huge amount of energy left, but for some reason, I couldn't get up. That's weird.

Annabeth barely moved. I threw her across the arena too many times. There was only so much a girl could take. We both laid on the ground for moments at a time. I was confused as I still had plenty of energy left. I still had a lot in the tank, so why couldn't I move?

I put some weight on my heel and fell instantly. I did the same on my left heel and the same result occurred. The answer was right in front of me this whole time.

Annabeth got up. Her body was ragged with injuries. Her face was completely swollen. The same could be said of one of her legs that puffed up real good around the calf. She was barely walking.

"Can't get up?" Annabeth said in a worn-out breath. "The Spear of Achilles is a fine weapon, but Achilles himself was only as good as his heel."

I looked straight at her. "You cut my Achilles tendon?"

"Both ligaments on each leg, yes," Annabeth replied. "Poetic justice, is it not?"

The realization haunted me as I forced myself to get up but failed all the same. She did all that before I could even reach a temporary form of invincibility. She had an extremely small timeframe and still found a path towards success.

"Was it when you skid underneath me?"

"I did it when I slipped under you, yes. You didn't feel it right? That was the plan, I didn't want you to notice till the last second." Annabeth added.

"Then what about you jumping in my face right after? What was the point of that?"

Annabeth smiled. "I just wanted to punch you. You've been acting up lately."

I squirmed, pushed and pulled, and turned my head towards the night sky. Anything that would help me up. I didn't say uncle, so the match would still go on. It had to. It just had to.

Annabeth turned to Chiron in the booth. She knew I wouldn't say uncle and cut off my tendons as a checkmate. Forget poetic justice, it was all a tactic.

"The match is over, right? I'm standing and she can't move without medical attention. It's over.

I looked towards Chiron. No words came from my mouth, but I begged him with my eyes.

Chiron's face was of shame. He gave me one final look before turning towards the crowd.

"The match is over, and your winner is Annabeth Chase of Camp Half-blood."

Despair. The worst-case scenario. It all came tumbling down right in front of me.

I don't remember what happened next. Only a few smaller moments within moments. The crowd cheered. Annabeth ran to her boyfriend. Celebrating her win. Her win over me. I remember Leo picking me up and sending me to Will. I remember drinking nectar and eating ambrosia. The food itself should taste like home, but today it tasted like disappointment. I remember staying in the infirmary for a long time. I remember losing. I remember losing to her. I talked a big game, I asked for the strongest weapon a child of Ares could wield, and I still lost it all. The infirmary tent I was stuck in was small and feeble. It only had the bed I was sleeping on and one chair for a visitor or medic.

In my bed, I kept my eyes open. Waiting for someone to visit. Sherman, Leo, Chiron. Anybody that could comfort my sorrows.

Instead, I got another worst-case scenario.

From the shadows, a red mist took form, and in its place was my father. I knew it wasn't the form I was used to as he was in full military gear. I knew it wasn't Ares. It was Mars.

"You failed, kid. Big time." Mar scolded.

I didn't answer back and let him talk. I just couldn't.

"Oh, not in the mood for a conversation? Or maybe you're not worthy enough to talk to one of the most important Gods of Camp Jupiter?"

"I'm sorry." I spoke.

This shocked Mars. He stood closer to my bed with a slow but threatening voice.

"My children don't say sorry, they win wars and take names. Now, you're going to win this tournament through losers and come out on top. Take out Percy Jackson, and we're even."

Mars was going to walk out before summoning the Spear of Achilles in his hand. His eyes covered by his sunglasses, but I knew only dead flames lingered behind them.

"Such a waste of a blessing. I don't even use this weapon, kid. That's how important it is. You'll get this back when you prove yourself in battle. Use a normal spear till then. Remember, either win it all or be disgraced. I don't care which."

With that, both my father and my pride left without a trace.

I was a husk, a shell of my former self. I couldn't win jack and this was the first day. The first match. I rested in my bed and tried to forget it all, but my nightmares were full of my past failures and more failures to come.

Chapter End. End of Part One.

Chapter Zero: ?

Through the smoke, I appeared. We were reaching Oakland at a breath-taking speed. Using Dracaenae instead of horses to pull my chariot was a good idea. Ugly folks to keep, but they got the job done. Once I reached the compound, I knew my plan was coming together. There were hundreds of monsters all at my beck and call. Empousai, Hellhounds, Geyons, Basilks and more. All together just for me. It wasn't easy and I had to use a lot of energy, but I had my army. I was greeted by a troop of Empousa. They would be cute if it wasn't for their hideous legs and attitudes.

The first one who came up had flaming hair and a cheerleading outfit. Weird fashion choice, but I paid no mind to it.

"The Goddess stays in your chamber, my lord. I would not trust her." She sneered.

"I didn't ask for your advice. Make sure the cyclops don't fight one another." I scolded.

She left quickly as I made my way downhill.

My chamber was simply a tent beneath an underpass. My monsters all stayed in the forest for now. Not trying to scare someone off the highway. It was best to keep them hidden.

Within the tent was Victoria. The Goddess of Victory. Her bloodshot eyes were noticeable. Funny, I did not think a God would have such imperfections.

She sneered at me. I was getting a lot of that lately.

"You kept me waiting! I did what I asked of you and started that tournament. Now, release me from your curse, foolish one."

I smiled back at her. She made me sick to my stomach. Any chance I get to use and abuse her, I'll take it.

"Sorry, but your job continues till I say so. The age of Gods will come to an end. There a plenty of ways to go about it, and you'll help me see it through."

End of Chapter Zero.

That was the End of Part One of the story and I have BIG NEWS. I have an upload schedule now! Expect new chapters every Sunday around Noon for most of the summer. The next chapter is coming out May 2nd and will be the start of Part Two of the story! Later