7: The Chariot Ride (Part II)

Thalia

The chariots went for a loop around the city. Beautifully designed buildings whizzed by, crowds of mortals, nymphs and gods lined the streets, cheering and throwing roses. Ha! I thought. They just do it because the Half-Blood Games are entertainment. They don't have to feel the dread of being reaped or the possibility of dying in a stupid game.

My brother Jason stood next to me. I could feel the unease peeling off him as his sky-blue eyes sparkled and his lips curled into a smile. A fake one.

He was wearing golden armour. I was wearing bronze. The pegasus pulling the chariot were white, their wings tucked at their sides and trotting swiftly through the streets.

The scenery didn't really change. Crowded pavements stood in front of buildings which rose up into the clouds with their elegant colours while the chariots sped around to Zeus' palace. It was very uncomfortable, constantly bumping up and down in a long line. Suddenly a grand white and gold palace came into view. On the front steps stood Zeus, while the other gods stood to the side.

My father. I was seeing my father in person for the very first time. He regarded me with a cold stare, before going back to welcome us. "Gods, demigods, nymphs, monsters, satyrs and any else I have forgotton." He bellowed. "I welcome you to the seventy-fourth annual Half-Blood Games!"

Annabeth

Everyone cheered and threw streamers and roses which littered the streets. The chariots pulled up to face the palace, and I was amazed at the architecture.

Grand white columns lined an entrance courtyard with wide, welcoming doors that were decorated with golden ancient greek lettering. Zeus stood on the front steps, his beard crackling with electricity and his eyes glinting in the sunlight.

Like most people would, I didn't feel imitated. Instead I was staring at my mother Athena who wasn't looking at me, she was staring at Andrew. Her face was hard to read, but I caught many emotions on her face. The main ones were pride and pity, and when she glanced over at me, all she gave me was a small satisfied look, before she went back to scrutinising the other demigods with her steely grey eyes.

I didn't listen to Zeus as he gave his speech, all I did was stare at my mother and wonder why she wasn't telling me anything. The feeling of dread was eating away inside of me, and suddenly I wasn't so sure that I was meant to be here, even if I was excited about competing. And the best prize, the glory of winning.

If I did win, that is.

•••

I groaned and sat up in my bed. It was so soft and comfortable, I didn't want to ever get back up! But then I remembered that we had our first day of training. Sighing, I walked into my bathroom and looked at the clothes laid out for me. There was a black shirt with 'Athena' written on the back in silver writings and dark shorts with grey running shoes.

I had a shower and got changed, tying my hair up and brushing my teeth before walking out into the dining room. "Morning sleeping beauty." Andrew smirked.

"At least I don't snore like a pig." I retorted.

He threw up his hands. "Jeez princess-" he didn't finish the sentence. I lunged at him and held my arm over his throat and glared fiercely at him. He visibly winced and gulped.

"Don't call me princess. Ever." I sneered, then pulled back and walked away to the dining table where Juniper was sitting stunned.

"What?" I snapped, loading my plate with eggs, bacon and toast.

"Nothing." She muttered, looking at her plate of eggs. I sighed, and dug in.

A/N:

Sorry it's so short!! I'm having a terrible writers block at the moment!!