Chapter 9:

The air was electric with anticipation. The campgrounds, once tranquil, were now a frenzy of motion as campers gathered around, forming the boundaries of the playing field. The sun blazed overhead, casting sharp shadows on the ground. Aidon stood at the edge of the Red team's side, his staff gripped tightly in his hand, feeling the pulse of power within it.

The Blue team—led by Jacob—stood on the opposite side, brimming with confidence. Jacob's posture was relaxed, his blue eyes flashing with pride. He was the kind of person who seemed effortlessly perfect, and his aura radiated a sense of superiority that grated on Aidon's nerves.

"You ready to lose, Red?" Jacob's voice rang out, a taunt directed at Aidon. His smirk was arrogant, and he didn't even wait for a response before he spun on his heels to face the field.

Aidon kept his gaze fixed on the Blue team, trying to ignore the heat of Jacob's words. He didn't have time to get distracted by petty taunts. There was more at stake here than just winning. This was a test of skill, strategy, and—though he hated to admit it—his pride.

"You have no idea what you're up against," Aidon muttered under his breath, his amber eyes narrowing.

"Alright, enough talking," Annabeth's voice sliced through the growing noise, drawing everyone's attention. She stood beside Chiron, the centaur looking both serious and calm. "The rules are simple. You fight to capture the flag in the middle of the field and bring it back to your side. The first team to do so wins. But remember, no killing—just knockouts."

Chiron gave a sharp nod. "If you're caught in the enemy territory for too long, expect an ambush. No one gets to take the flag without facing consequences."

There was a flicker of something in his gaze, a quiet acknowledgment of the intense rivalry between the teams. The challenge was clear: this wasn't going to be an easy win.

Annabeth raised her hand, signaling for the start of the game. "The flag is placed at the center of the field. Good luck to all of you."

The horn blew a sharp, shrill sound that pierced through the camp. The campers immediately sprang into action, their movements coordinated like a well-oiled machine.

Aidon moved swiftly, darting into the field with an agility that made him hard to track. He spotted Jacob's team making their move, with Jacob himself leading the charge. His bow was already drawn, the gleaming arrows ready to be fired. The Blue team had numbers on their side, and they knew exactly what they were doing.

Aidon's heart raced as he scanned the field. This wasn't just about running and grabbing the flag. It was about strategy. And right now, the Blue team had it in spades.

Jacob, still at the forefront, released an arrow that sliced through the air. It wasn't aimed at anyone in particular, but the sheer speed and accuracy forced the Red team to scatter. Aidon felt the wind rush past him as the arrow zoomed dangerously close, embedding itself in the dirt. He barely had time to react before the Blue team moved in.

They weren't playing fair. Aidon could feel it—the subtle undercurrent of trickery beneath their polished moves. As the Blue team advanced, they weren't just trying to capture the flag. They were trying to take down anyone in their way.

Jade, who had been running at full speed alongside Aidon, suddenly stumbled. An arrow had struck his shoulder. He gritted his teeth, swiping at the arrow with one hand, but it wasn't the wound that concerned Aidon. It was the Blue team's tactics. While the Red team was scrambling to make their way toward the center, the Blue team was working in perfect harmony, picking off Red campers one by one.

"Jade!" Aidon called, rushing over to him. "You good?"

Jade nodded, though his face twisted in discomfort. "I'll be fine. Go on. We can't let them win."

Aidon hesitated but nodded, his eyes flicking over to the field where Blue team members, including Jacob, were closing in. They were so well-coordinated. It wasn't just a game for them—it was a show of dominance.

As Aidon turned to head back into the fray, he heard a loud shout.

"Cheaters!"

It was Igor, charging forward with the ferocity of an angry bull. His gauntlets glinted in the sunlight as he barreled into the Blue team's front lines, knocking one of their archers out of the way.

"Knock it off, Igor!" Annabeth shouted from the sidelines. "Play fair!"

But Igor didn't listen. He was too caught up in the heat of the moment. The Red team was growing desperate, and he wasn't going to let the Blue team get away with their unfair advantage.

The Blue team, for their part, didn't back down. They kept pushing forward, undeterred by the increasing resistance. Jacob stood at the rear, watching his teammates with a calculated gaze. He barely flinched when one of his archers was knocked out, his only reaction a cold, knowing smirk. He was in control, and he knew it.

Aidon was growing more and more frustrated. Every time he made a move, there was another Blue team camper ready to block his path, or worse—trick him into a trap. He wasn't playing on equal footing.

Just when Aidon thought things couldn't get worse, a massive shadow swept across the field. The campers on both teams froze, looking up in surprise as a large, winged creature descended from the sky.

It was a hippogriff—half horse, half eagle—its wingspan wide enough to cast a shadow that covered most of the field. The creature landed with a powerful thud, its sharp talons digging into the dirt. The Blue team's archers grinned in unison, their eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and malice.

"That's our advantage," Jacob called out, his voice smooth and triumphant. "Meet our secret weapon."

The hippogriff flapped its wings, sending a gust of wind so strong that it knocked some of the Red team back. Its beak gleamed like metal, its sharp eyes locking onto the Red team members. It was clear that the Blue team wasn't just relying on their numbers—they had a pet to back them up.

Aidon's heart sank. This was no longer a game of skill—it was a fight for survival.

"This isn't fair!" Rose shouted from the sidelines. "That thing is too dangerous!"

Annabeth's brow furrowed. "They're not supposed to have creatures in the game... But it's not explicitly against the rules," she muttered under her breath.

Aidon's eyes narrowed as he watched the hippogriff circle the field, its keen eyes scanning for any movement. The Blue team knew they had the upper hand now.

"Alright, then," Aidon muttered to himself, a fire sparking in his chest. "If they want to play dirty, I'll give them a fight they'll never forget."

He turned to his team, who were regrouping on the far side of the field.

"I'll make them regret this," Aidon said, his voice low and determined. "We're taking back that flag."