The Mark of Athena,Heroes of Olympus, Book 3

Leo XXVI


Leo got dressed, even though it was only 4:30 A.M. and went to his workshop to grab his sword. When he got there, someone was already occupying the room.

"Annabeth?"

Annabeth jumped. "I think so, but Octavian hit me pretty hard, so I'm not even sure." Leo had to laugh.

"Why are you up so early?" Leo asked.

"Dream. From Gaea."

"Did people insult you and you lost control and killed them, but you also killed the people who stood up for you?"

"Yeah...?"

"Did you wake up and go out on the top deck and have yourself a little argument with Gaea before waking up for real?"

"Yeah. You too?"

"No, I'm just psychic. Yeah, me too." Annabeth smiled at him sympathetically.

"Gaea told me I was dangerous and that I would lose control and kill the people I cared about." Annabeth seemed like she wanted to cry. It was so unlike her Leo was worried.

"She told me that, too," Leo murmured. "And I think she told Percy." Annabeth shrugged.

"I just came in here to look around. Nice sword."

"Thanks. I had a mixture of Imperial Gold and Celestial Bronze so it would be stronger, but it would always melt every time I tried to use it. Hazel separated the metals and it worked." Leo grinned, remembering the night before. He liked Hazel. A lot. But she was way out of his league-just like Khione or Thalia. Leo sighed and picked up his weapon.

Annabeth jumped back upon seeing the blade become engulfed in fire.

"Well, you may have made a pretty good weapon-but can you use it?" Annabeth asked mischievously. Leo raised his eyebrows at her.

"Um, no thanks. I enjoy living."

Annabeth laughed. "Or are you just scared?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty terrified."

"Come on, you've got a burning sword. I've got a bronze knife."

"Yeah, and if my burning sword hurts you... well, let's just say I'm scared of Percy, too."

"Come, on, Valdez." Annabeth grabbed his wrist and dragged him downstairs to the lowest deck, where Leo tested the weapons he made.

"You ready?" she said.

"Uh, no?" Annabeth ignored him and lunged. Leo caught her first strike on the hilt of his sword. Annabeth gave him an impressed look, and Leo took his chance. He slashed at Annabeth, and she seemed surprised, but quickly recovered. Annabeth swiped at Leo's face, but he ducked and dodged the weapon. Their blades met, and heat blasted from Leo's sword.

"Impressive," she said. "But still not good enough to beat me!" Annabeth pressed harder and twisted her blade, forcing Leo to drop his weapon. Annabeth put her knife at Leo's throat.

"I win," she whispered with a grin.

"Nice." Leo turned.

It was Hazel.

"You were doing pretty well until she did that," she called across the arena. She picked up her sword and faced Annabeth. "Mind if I try?" Annabeth grinned.

"You've obviously recovered," Leo yelled over the clang of Annabeth and Hazel's weapons. Their battle was lasting longer than Leo's and he was kind of embarrassed. Then again, it was his first time using a sword like that.

"Ambrosia and Nectar are literally magical things," Annabeth shouted back. Annabeth tried the move that she had used on Leo, but Hazel kept a grip on her spatha. Hazel pressed back against Annabeth and stared at Annabeth's knife. The knife clattered out of Annabeth's hand.

After a moment of stunned silence, Leo applauded.

"Whoo!" Hazel laughed.

"Come on, we've been down here for a while. Let's go back up." Hazel and Annabeth began walking towards the door, but before they could open it, a wall of stone blocked the only exit.