A group of Athena campers walked through the forest, sticking to the shadows and trying their best to muffle their approach to the red team flag. The leader seemed to spot something as he signalled his squad to pause.
"You can come out now."
There was only silence for a minute, before the ruffling of the underbush broke it, out stepped the twins, a little nervous at standing before so many in a combat scenario. Still, after an encouraging glance to each other, they stayed strong and faced the blue squad.
The blue team leader didn't immediately mattack, he stayed tense, scouring through the surroundings looking for other ambushers, he didn't believe the Dionysus twins were alone. Unfortunately, while he was correct, the true threats were indeed before him.
"You are surrounded, surrender, and save us the effort" Pollux spoke, encouraging the blue team to surrender instead of pointlessly suffering.
That seemed to amuse them as they laughed, not taking the twins threat seriously, the leader frowned, unable to see any other ambushers that would allow the twins to be so confident. Yes, they could release their maddening scream like they have become known for, but before the game began the blue team put in wax earplugs to stop such a scenario, feeling a little more confident, he called for two of his members to come forth and capture the twins.
Before they could approach the twins, the ground shook. Before he could call a warning, the ground split, and wooden tendrils emerged wrapping around the two who came forth.
"Scatter!"
The blue team split, attempting to dodge but their senses were soon clouded by a strong mist.. Their thoughts slowed and their senses slurred, they had become drunk. This allowed the tendrils to catch up and catch them, hanging the whole squad upside down, trapped.
The Hermes trio stepped out, and the leader gave out a low whistle in admiration.
"Never would have guessed you guys could be so dangerous, makes me wonder about your father."
...
Near the western ridge, Ethan Nakamura moved like a shadow along the tree line. His sword flicked left, then right, every movement calculated. He was silent, deadly. The group of Ares and Apollo campers he faced didn't get a second chance, every mistake was capitalised on.
One lunged, spear high.
Ethan sidestepped and struck once, flat-bladed to the ribs. The boy crumpled.
Another tried from the side. Ethan spun, low and tight, his blade catching the incoming spear shaft. Sparks flew as celestial bronze met celestial bronze.
The Ares girl stepped back, using the force as momentum to create distance to allow her spear an advantage, but her foot caught in root, tripping her. With her balance stolen, she was helpless as Ethan used the pommel of his sword to knock her out.
Before he could catch his breath, an arrow wooshed past his face, embedding itself in the trunk before him. Confusion flashed across the archer's face, for he was aiming for his shoulder, intending to incapacitate him, and at such a close distance he shouldn't have missed.
What he didn't know was that as a child of Nemesis, Ethan could subtly shift things in his favor. This wasn't the first case of this happening, as everytime the blue team could surround Ethan and attack his blind spot, accidents would occur, allowing Ethan to escape unharmed.
Soon Ethan was standing alone, the blue team scattered around him.
...
At the heart of the forest, Thalia stood with her back to a jagged pine trunk. Luke was beside her, crouched low. The red team's flag fluttered behind them, tied high between the branches.
They were alone.
Clarisse stormed into the clearing with six Ares kids fanned out behind her. Her helmet gleamed, and her spear crackled faintly with static from its repeated use. Her eyes locked on Thalia.
Thalia smiled in return.
The Ares kids didn't wait. Two charged from the left, swinging twin blades, while another launched a javelin from the rear.
Luke dashed forward, blade catching the javelin mid-air and twisting it off-course. He spun, caught the first attacker by the wrist, and brought him down with a sweep of the legs.
Thalia fought like a storm contained. Every movement tight and efficient, no wasted power. Her spear arced, clashing against Clarisse's with a force that made the trees shudder.
Their fight became its own world, a dance of bronze and fury. Clarisse's strength was undeniable. Her strikes shattered bark, and one swing cut clean through a fallen log. But Thalia wasn't weak. She used footwork, feints and her own strength to counter, allowing her to pressure Clarisse.
Overhead, the eagle circled. When Thalia barked a command in Ancient Greek, it dove, screeching. Its wings clipped a blue team archer aiming for Luke, claws raking the girl's helmet off as she fell back.
While she detested her father, she wouldn't hesitate to use his sacred animal if it helped.
Luke ducked under Thalia's arcing spear, his own blade catching an Ares camper trying to flank her. In return, Thalia deflected a hammer meant for Luke's spine. Luke fought beside her with a rhythm that mirrored hers. Where she advanced, he defended. Where she dodged, he countered. They spoke little, only brief calls and glances, but it was enough. Their time together, their constant spars, and their time of fighting together had made them seamless in coordination.
Clarisse bellowed in frustration. She pressed harder, her spear flashing in heavy arcs, trying to use her brute strength to tilt the scales.
Then lightning cracked.
Not from the sky. From Thalia herself. Her eyes lit with electric fury, and the spear in her hand surged with raw voltage. She twisted her body, deflected Clarisse's strike wide, and struck her in the chest with the haft.
The jolt sent Clarisse flying backward, smoke curling from her armor.
Luke stepped forward, blade still ready. But Thalia didn't follow.
Clarisse groaned and rose to her knees.
"Stay down," Thalia said. Not cruel. Just certain.
The Ares kids faltered. One by one, they dropped their weapons.
The red flag still flew.
Butch laugh came from the rainbow communication "Game's over. We win."
Breaking through the treeline came the campers of the Hephaestus cabin, led by Beckendorf, carrying the blue flag.
Luke grinned, and Thalia relaxed the grip on her spear, breathing heavily, Luke embraced her, allowing her to lean on him.
The Red Team won.