The Selection

The Final Test

"Now, I have a message for your Boss. Tell him that it's enough of him to hide behind the backs of the others. We declare war!"

"Jason, what-?" Annabeth asks me, obviously, angry. 

"Annabeth, not now..." I say to her. I can't let anything happen to them, they have already helped me a lot. They will understand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Piper's POV

I have made the arrangements, the only thing I am waiting for is him. He will be here at any moment. Urgh...this is so heavy. When will he come! 

And then, I hear something.

"Okay, I want the count of all the armours, swords, arrows, bows, daggers and all the other weapons. Let me know if there are any shortages." I could listen to his distant voice as he instructs a guard. "Groom the horses in the stable for the cavalry. All the accessories should be ready by tomorrow. And..." There he sees me. I turn away. "Get me the information in a few hours. Horses first. I'll just come." I am aware of his footsteps coming towards me from behind as they softly make contact with the ground.

I am ready. My hand holding the cold hold of the sword, firmly. The steps stop abruptly.

"If you don't know that's my-" Before he could complete the sentence, I swing around, swiftly, and keep my sword on his neck, interrupting him and leaving him, astonished. I like it, I am proud of myself.

It doesn't take him much time to recover. He gives me his most amazing smile. I try to resist, unfortunately, I fail. Gods, I practised it for hours! Taking advantage of my distraction, he pulls a dagger out of nowhere and within a few seconds, I see my sword slipping from my hands. Not proud anymore.

Well, now I am the one losing with his arm around my neck, pointing the sharp end of the dagger towards me. My back is against his chest and I could hear his heartbeat, I could actually listen to mine too as the sounds intertwine, reverberating around the Armour Room.

One way to win is still left, though. I look at him, he stares. Being an opportunist, I stab him in his stomach with my elbow, my usual move, against him, which never fails. 

But, he stops it this time! He grips my elbow before it could hit him without even breaking eye contact.

"You always do this!" He says, grinning, as we pull away.

"But, it failed!" I complain. Suddenly, I could feel the burden of the suit again. "It was not my mistake, it's because of this freaking-"

"Come on, Piper, what are you wearing!" He chuckles.

"It's called an armour, Sparky!" I say, irritated. Now, I am really exhausted, so I let myself sit against the wall near me. He comes and sits beside me while trying to figure out how to unfasten my knee and chest guard, sensing my dizziness.

"Why are you here, anyway, dressed like this?" He asks, still amused.

"Because I want to fight in the war too. I thought I will defeat you and then-"

"I will let you accompany me." He raises his head. And then, shakes it.

"Don't you trust me, Sparky?" I stare at him.

"I trust you, Piper. But, one month of training isn't enough to help you fight a war. It's not a child's play. I can't let you come with me." He says, looking straight into my eyes. "It's a serious affair, Piper."

"I want you to be in front of my eyes!" I protest. "I will be dying every minute here in the castle if you left me. I don't want to lose you." I know I am being selfish. But, I don't want to be alone again, missing him yet not able to see him, feeling his presence yet not able to touch him. I feel my eyes, moistening.

He puts his hand beneath my chin, his thumb brushing the tears away. He presses his lips to my forehead and I let my eyes close.

"Piper, " His voice is slow and soothing. "I promised I would never let go whatever happens and I will keep that promise. I will come back. Even if I di-" I put my hands on his mouth.

"Don't say it ever again," I say.

He has broken his every promise earlier. He lied to me about his identity. He kept secrets from me. My brain warns me not to trust him. But my heart, it says the contrary. After all that happened, it tells me to have faith in him. And for once, I obey the latter. 

I hug him tight. I am apprehensive about what the future holds. I don't want him to go away... Maybe, this is just a test. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Jason's POV

I don't know how to express what I am feeling right now. I know I have loads of responsibilities waiting for me. I can't leave them. And above all, I want to live. For my family, for my kingdom. And for Piper. Our future. I can't leave without telling her that. I won't leave her alone. Never. Ever.

This what my final test of Selection is. Whether I truly deserve her or not. Whether I am worthy of becoming a king or not.

I am nervous. What tomorrow holds for me, it's not going to be easy at all. But I know I will get through. I'm my Dad's son and I will fight like him!

~~~~~~~~~~

Next Day

 Everything is almost ready, dressed in armour on our horses. The Lords from Greece and Italy are not going to fight but they have provided us with all the other necessities. They will be with Bianca and Zoe along with Calypso and Hazel. Reyna is going to be with us. She insisted on coming and as she is from a Royal Family and has been trained well, she might benefit us. Still, for her protection, Thalia is going to be with her. We are just waiting for Annabeth to come. 

"Where is Annabeth, Percy?" I ask him.

"Umm... she said she wanted to meet Piper before coming. Shouldn't have taken that much time! I will go and check." He gets off his horse, Blackjack, his buddy since he was around twelve, I guess. He insisted on bringing it here from Greece.

Well, his words do remind me of Piper and the scenes of yesterday's meeting seep in. Gods, her armour! My! It was literally tied loose on her slim body and she wasn't able to handle it. Well, I will definitely train her so that she can accompany me to my future wars. But that will happen only if I stop thinking about her right now, cause I have promised her to take care of myself.

"No need. I'm here." Annabeth comes into view. 

"So, everyone's here. You remember your places?" Everyone nods. According to our battle strategy, Thalia and Reyna to the west front, Annabeth with Percy battling in the east and Will and Nico will be safeguarding the Main gate. Leo is going to be with me for a while for after that, it will be time for formulating my plan, which everyone is unaware of, for securing this final test.

"Let the War began."