A Game of Promises

Chapter 30: Team

Piper's POV

Jason, Leo, and I are a good team. We know where to fight with each other, we now each other's weaknesses, it's like we've been best friends for years.
But I know that's not true, we just met. For some reason, I know Jason just like I know Leo.

It's crazy. But so is fighting for your life in an arena. Nothing here makes any sense.

"Hey, let's take a break for a few. Get some water and stuff," Jason says.

"Fine by me. I'm not exactly the 'rough it out in the woods' kind of guy. Not really my style," Leo says, already sitting down.

I laugh and take a seat next to him. Jason hands me a bottle of water and I take it appreciatively.

"So what's the whole game plan?" I ask, taking a drink.

"I don't really have a plan. I was just wandering around the woods, hoping we don't die," Jason tells us.

"Great, no plan, no food. Anyone want to add anything else to the long list of things we don't have, but need?" Leo says.

"Chill, we're doing fine. I doubt anyone is doing all that better than we are. Besides, we have water and that's most important," Jason reassures us.

"Great, I feel so much better. So very much better. Pass the water, Beauty Queen," Leo calls.

I give him the water bottle and he dunks it all the way back.

"Geez, Leo, leave some for the rest of us," I tease.

"Hey, all this hotness needs a cool down sometimes. What can I say?"

I roll my eyes at him and I catch Jason looking at me. He immediately turns away, blushing.

"So, uh, is everyone ready to head off again?"

Leo stands up, rubbing his hands together. "Oh boy, the adventure awaits. Let's go while I'm still alive."

Jason and I laugh and all three of us go deeper into the woods. Leo seems to be at complete ease with Jason and I feel the same way. For some reason, I trust him. I trust him and Leo both, more so than anyone. I trust both of them with my life.

"Hey, what is that?" Leo asks, shaking me from my thoughts.

He's pointing at a pile of leaps heaped up in between two tall trees. The leaves are completely gone where we are standing.

"I don't know, but I don't like it," Jason mutters.

I take a cautious step forward, then another.

"Be careful, Pipes," Jason calls out.

"I know, I will," I say.

I take another step and the world blows up.

I'm thrown back a hundred feet. I land hard on the ground, the wind knocked out of me.

"Piper!" Jason yells.

I try to sit up, but I can't move. I'm paralyzed and I can't breathe.

"Stay back or she does," a new voice says right behind me. I feel a sharp point of a sword on my throat.

I take a deep breath in and the sword point lowers down. It's digging into my throat, almost drawing blood.

"Get away from Piper," Jason growls at the newcomer.

"One more step and the girl is dead."

Jason hesitates. Leo sets his hands ablaze, but he looks at Jason for the final call.

Jason lowers his sword down to the ground, surrendering. The sharp point on my throat lessens a bit and I take that moment to roll to the side.

The golden blade slams down on the ground right beside me. But I'm safe right next to it. I scurry to my feet and I run next to Jason and Leo.

I turn and see a girl with long dark hair that is in a braid. Her Imperial golden blade is still in her hand.

"Fine, stand together. But I must kill you three," she says.

"Good luck with that," Leo says. "I've been told that I'm hard to kill."

"I'll test my luck," she growls.

Jason lifts his sword, ready to swing. I raise my knife and Leo sets his hands on fire. (Sorry for interrupting, but someone should totally draw these three looking all dangerous like this. That would be awesome. Okay, back to the story)

The girl launches herself towards us, her golden blade raised. She swings down at Jason, who blocks the strike. I swing my knife at her, but she easily sidesteps the blow.

Jason takes a jab at her and his sword almost cuts her hair. She glares at him while she swings again.

Her sword slices Jason's stomach. He grimaced in pain, but delivers another strike. The girl dances out of the way.

Leo shoots a fireball at her, but misses completely, hitting a tree instead. It comes up in flames.

"Whoops," Leo mutters.

The girl takes one last swipe at Leo, who barely manages to get out of the way. Then she runs in the opposite direction of the fire.

"Great job, Leo. Grab Jason's legs,"
I tell him.

He does and I grab Jason's arms.

"Hang in there," I murmur to him. He groans back.

Leo and I run as fast as we can, which isn't that fast with Jason lying limp in between both of us. He's heavy and I'm half tempted to drop him and make a break for it. But I don't want to be burned alive. And I feel something deep for Jason, deeper than anything I've ever felt before.

I love Jason. I love him with all that I am and more. I don't know why I feel so strongly for someone that I just met, but I love him. I'm sure of it.