Duel

Nervous hands ran through wavy brown hair. The young boy peeked out from his hiding spot of the sight of his friends being held captive. Man up they're counting on you. Swallowing his nerves Isaac tries to signal Skylar or Nico without drawing too much attention to himself. He could handle Dustin himself it was the two demigod lackeys and five monsters that worried him. Positioning his axe a certain way in the light he shines the reflection near Skylar's face hoping she'd glance his way.

"The stage is set, now all we need is the main event. Isaac Mackenzie I challenge you to a duel! Your friends lives are at stake. Will you continue to be a coward or face me in combat?!" Dustin boasts throwing his hands into the air.

"H-He's not a coward you *cough* bastard!" Skylar wheezes.

"Are you sure about that? Then why is it he abandoned your brother to save himself? Leaving him and your mother to die by my hand." Dustin cackles twirling a Gladius in his hand.

"I may not always see eye to eye with him but I know Isaac wouldn't leave his friends for dead." Nico's voice comes out raspy. The knife presses deeper to his throat drawing a small amount of blood.

Isaac wouldn't do that. Nico and Skylar were certain of that. Blinking a few times in annoyance Skylar moves her head carefully to the right. Blue eyes fill with relief at the sight of Isaac. Wordlessly he points at the monsters making an explosion motion with his hands then gestures to Dustin making a slicing gesture across his neck. He vanishes behind a pillar right after to stay hidden until the right moment. Faintly smirking to herself Skylar wiggles her fingers siphoning all her remaining energy into the ground below. At the most she could wipe out the remaining monsters for Isaac giving him the space he needs to get Dustin. Nico had one last wave of dead soldiers before he reached his limit. He could handle the remaining two demigods. If they combined their powers they could clear out Dustin's remaining forces and allow Isaac to take over.

"Since you're going to kill us don't we get one final wish?" Skylar asks Dustin pausing his pacing.

"Why should I give you cretins anything?" He hisses glaring down at the daughter of Apollo.

"Not all of us are gonna be let into Elysium so I'd like to say goodbye. I won't try anything you're holding my mom, brother, and boyfriend hostage. I can't risk them getting hurt." She urges further praying to the gods above he would be idiotic enough to allow it. Isaac changed positions ducking behind a trash can not too far from the fountain. From that position he could get to Dustin easily if the monsters on guard were cleared first.

The demigod holding Nico hostage looks to Dustin for an answer. Surely he wouldn't fall for such a simple trick. "Sir, we can't let either of them go it's a trick!" He pleads with the son of Aphrodite.

"Just two minutes. Then kill them all." Ignoring the advice of his subordinate he waves his hand at the hellhound telling it to stand aside. It growls in defiance but releases its prey. The demigod removes the knife away from Nico's neck prodding his back with it instead. He could feel the point of the blade cut through the fabric of his borrowed jacket.

Skylar struggles to her feet clutching her shoulder as warm liquid slowly drips from it. Shuffling over to Nico she kneels to his level. She presses her warm lips against his in a long kiss. Chocolate brown eyes close tightly savoring the feeling. Pulling away, Skylar whispers a few words against his lips. His emotions were going into overdrive as she stood to her feet turning to face a triumphant Dustin. He wanted to stop her to drag her back to him and forget the whole thing. If their plan didn't work she'd be sure to haunt Dustin for all eternity. Taking a few steps forward she kneels before the son of Aphrodite. The hellhound that previously pinned her keeping a close eye on her. It's growling sent a shiver up her spine.

"I tried to figure out the reason why you did all this you know? Some logical reason as to why you betrayed camp. Too bad you're just a self-centered ego maniac that is so power hungry he has to kill his own siblings to get dear old mom to notice him." Dustin flares up at this ordering his few remaining followers to kill her. Isaac rushes from his hiding spot at the same moment Skylar puts their plan into action.

"Don't mess with my family asshole!" Slamming her hands onto the ground a large mass of light energy explodes disintegrating the few remaining monsters that closed in on her. The sound reverberated through the large area shaking free pieces of the stone fountain. A yell of pain fills the air as the demigod holding Nico flails his leg around releasing the son of Hades by accident. Reaper lets out angry hissing noises gripping tighter onto the demigod's skin. Nico mutters a few words summoning four undead soldiers two of which drag away his previous captor to dispose of him. Reaper jumps onto his shoulder nuzzling his neck.

"Good boy." Nico praises scratching the cat's head. The other two undead zero in on the last remaining pawn of Dustin's. His screams piercing through the air followed by silence. Satisfied, Nico crawls over to Skylar who collapsed on her side. Smoke billowed in small streams from hs body. Half-lidded brown eyes look to her exhaustion hitting him like a train.

"S-Sky?" He whispers faintly teetering on the edge of unconsciousness. His hand grips hers lightly falling beside her on the ground.

"Neeks...we did it..."Coughing she squeezes Nico's hand before falling unconscious. Faint particles of light were coming from her singed clothing. Blood seeped through her once yellow t-shirt dying it crimson. The smell of copper lingered in the air around them. Nico forces himself to stay awake only for more and more black dots to dance across his vision. Finally giving in his body hits the carpet, brown eyes closing fully.

A battle axe slams into the ground beside Dustin startling him. His body whips around, Gladius in hand coming face to face with Isaac. It looked like he'd get the duel he wanted after all. Getting into a defensive position Isaac's green eyes harden. His opponent wouldn't hold back so he'd have to give it his all. Laughter comes from Dustin as he twirls his blade in his hand.

"I'm going to relish your demise Isaac Mackenzie. Your screams shall fill the air and I'll deliver your blood drained corpse to the Olympian's doorstep!" He cackles making the first move. The glinting two-toned blade slices at his opponent's midsection. Isaac brings his axe up to block the rapid slashes the loud clanging of metal on metal filling the air.

"You're insane! Mother never would of wanted you to end up like this! The Titan King has brainwashed you!" Isaac grunts pushing all his weight against Dustin's. Their weapons separate long enough for Isaac to roll out of the way of another slash.

"Shut up! I don't want to hear what you have to say!" The blue-eyed boy seethes cutting Isaac in his cheek. Letting out a hiss of pain the brunet swings his axe under Dustin's feet. The platinum blond jumps back narrowly missing the attack. He growls running at the younger boy with a battle cry practically slashing and stabbing at him. Isaac desperately dodges what he can and blocks most of the rest. A few jabs slice through his clothing leaving shallow cuts on his arms and torso. He ducks landing a kick to Dustin's chest knocking him back a few feet.

"Have it your way then. I just wish things could've been different." Vibrant green eyes seem to glow as he charges at the traitor.

"S-stop where you are! You don't have the power to defy me!" Dustin shouts putting all his power into his voice. Isaac stops in his tracks, his face emotionless. The platinum blond sighs in relief believing he finally won. He'd get revenge on his mother once and for all. For all the years she pretended he didn't exist. All the heartache, pain and suffering he endured in the sixteen years of his life. Smirking to himself brings his sword down on Isaac. The brunet blocks, sweeping his leg out to knock Dustin off his feet. Stumbling backwards his blue eyes look up at Isaac in shock.

"You see, there's something you seem to of forgotten. Charmspeak only works if the one you're using it on isn't aware. I won't allow you to bully me any longer. You've hurt my friends, the ones I love for the last time. Goodbye Dustin." Isaac raises his battle axe, his green eyes intense.

"W-what?! That's impossible!" He shrieks as the blade is brought down slicing through the air. Silence falls over the venue. The weapon met its mark.

Will groans sitting up and clutching his head. He felt as if a pegasus trampled his body. Sky blue eyes look around taking in the wreckage surrounding him. Gold dust coated the carpeted floor. Not too far from the fountain the ground had an enormous crack running through it. Next to him his mother lay unconscious. Worried he checks her for major injuries only finding a good sized welt on her head. Fighting the pain in his skull he sings a hymn to his father reducing the swelling significantly. Light blue eyes flutter open drinking in the appearance of Will. Naomi sits up clutching her son to her chest. Tears fall from her eyes as she whispers into his hair.

"Oh my precious boy. I'm so glad you're safe."

Isaac climbs up to him wincing at the bruises coating the blonde's arms and face. "Hey man...I need your help."

"I-Isaac...what happened? I remember we found my mom but then we were ambushed. It's all a little fuzzy after that." Will mumbles as his mother releases him. Her eyes held concern for her children's safety.

"I'll explain later just come on." The green-eyed boy urges, walking off. Will follows obediently clutching his side.

"Where are Nico and Skylar?" His blue eyes search the area landing on two bodies lying beside each other. Dread filled his stomach crossing the floor to reach his sister and friend. "Sky?" He whispers turning her over. Her clothes had scorch marks and faint glowing particles stuck to them. Pressing an ear to her chest he detects a faint heartbeat. Thank gods. A gash on her shoulder coated his hand in sticky crimson liquid. She needed Nectar, Ambrosia, anything. His blue eyes shift to Nico who didn't fare any better. Obsidian locks shielded half his face. Faint wisps of black smoke rose from his body. A sign that he used too much of his power.

"You can't heal them in your state. It'll kill you. S-should we go to a hospital? Can you even carry her?" Isaac stutters not knowing what to do.

Will nods thinking for a minute. He wanders over to the fountain retrieving Nico's sword stuffing it into Skylar's discarded bag. Turning Spitfire back into a ring he pockets it. Lifting his sister into his arms he turns to his mother. Her hands were covering her mouth in horror.

"Mom do you think you'll be able to drive? They need to get home now. We...we can't go to a hospital." His voice wavers slightly looking down at Skylar.

"Y-yes. I'll get the car. Meet me outside." Naomi tells the boys picking up Skylar's bag and rushing out of the nearest entrance into the parking lot.

Isaac hoists Nico into his arms frowning when he doesn't get any form of a response from the young boy. He and Will book it outside to meet Ms. Solace. A cherry red Sedan screeches to a halt in front of them. Naomi jumps out of the driver's seat opening the doors allowing them to place the unconscious duo inside. Onlookers remaining at the mall watched in surprise while others spoke with police about what transpired inside. It was no doubt they would try to be stopped from leaving but they had to press on. For both Skylar and Nico's sakes. Once inside the car Ms. Solace slams on the gas peeling out of the parking lot and back home.