Beth

Beth welcomed the Romans with a grin, she had really no idea what was going on. Despite the fact she was one of the five, the older girls had kept her out the loop, trying to protect her. From what she didn't really know, she got all the information at the general meetings anyway.
The day the Romans arrived, the twins held a meeting to sign up Greek campers for each event. They told her not to sign up for anything, that the older campers could take care of it. But she was one of the five, she had to participate in something, didn't she? Plus she had found she was one of the best in camp with a dagger. So, of course, she signed up.
"Day one and two, dagger duels?" Kat called from a list.
Four of the older children put their hands up and Delia scribbled their names on a piece of paper.
"Anyone else?" Kat asked.
Beth took a breath and put her hand up. Protests broke out immediately.
"She can't-"
"Too young-"
"Dangerous-"
"Quiet!" Chiron called. He stood quietly in the corner while the twins led the meeting, insisting he was a trainer, not a leader. "Let her do it, it's her choice and she's one of the best we've got."
Beth nodded her thanks and Delia reluctantly wrote her name down.
"Day three and four, chariot racing." Kat said, her voice had a slight steel bite to it, but Beth knew he'd done the right thing.

---

The next day Beth rose with the sun as her cabin began to glow with daylight. She strapped on armour over her camp clothes, along with a bronze dagger she had named Kevtpi meaning 'sting'.
She ran towards the arena, noticing many Roman campers hovering in groups, their expressions hostile. She nodded greeting towards a few of them and some smiled at the sight of her smile, she had often been told she lit up people's days.
When she reached the arena she was met by grim faces as the older girls conferred with a roman girl in hushed tones. They went quiet as she entered.
"Hey," she smiled.
"Hi, Beth." Tink greeted her. "This is Kerri Davis, a daughter of Bellona."
The Roman stepped forward and Beth could properly see her face. She was very pale, but the way her blue eyes shone out from under auburn hair gave her a striking beauty, marred only by a harsh looking bruise above her forehead.
"Hi," Beth greeted the girl. "I'm just gonna warm up before the competition."
"Wait, you're competing?" Kerri asked.
"Yes." Beth said, slightly hurt. Why did people think that just because she was nine, she couldn't fight?
"Come on, Beth." Delia said, gently leading her away. "I'll help you warm up."
They sparred until the bell rang for breakfast.
"I'm sorry Delia." Beth sighed as they jogged away from the arena.
"What for?" The older girl shrugged.
"Not listening to you and signing up for the tournament." She said meekly.
"It's no big thing." Delia replied. "We all just want to defend our home, right?"
Beth was glad Delia didn't hate her but she really was regretting signing up to fight, her nerves were knawing at her appetite so she forced down a small meal before facing her decision, ready to fight for her home.

---

"Bethany Hughes against Tomas Guildroy," The announcer called.
Bethany entered the ring and sized up a big blonde guy, she could beat him easily.
"Begin," The voice said.
Beth dodged all of the Romans clumsy strokes, ducking around him with ease. She dove between his legs and stomped on his tendons, causing him to fall forward. She jumped on his back, prising his dagger out of his beefy fingers with her nimble ones and holding both daggers to his throat.
"Bethany progresses to the semi-finals!" The announcer called as the small crowd cheered.
She had done it! It had taken less than a minute and she had done it!

Her next aponent was a lithe girl with dark hair falling in her eyes who the announcer introduced as Mariah Regent.
Mariah may have been quick, but she wasn't very accurate. Beth disarmed her in one smooth movement and won easily.
"Bethany progresses to the finals!" The announcer boomed from the speakers.
So far this had all been easy, far too easy.

Her last aponent was another boy, barely older than her with flame-red hair and hard green eyes.
"Bethany Hughes verses Gary McVay" The speaker told the audience.
"You're going down." The boy snarled.
Beth just smiled. "You're in my territory now, boy."
He looked confused but Beth just flashed him one last angelic smile before lunging at him, unleashing all her frustration in smooth, quick movements.
They sparred for a good amount of time, Beth had to admit the kid had skill, but she was better. She ducked a jab and thrust at his side, not a lethal cut but still drawing blood. He gritted his teeth and attacked with renewed ferocity, Beth rolled under attack and came up only to have him stab her in the back.
Her body stiffened and rolled off his knife, she barely noticed hitting the ground before she blacked out.
But she didn't feel pain.
It was cold.
So cold.
Feeling left her body.
Numbness.
She was numb.
She could feel herself slipping away from the light that so desperately clung to her fingertips. Somehow she knew that light was her mother.
But the numbness was pulling her away from the light.
Away from her mother.
Away from life.
Towards death.
She faded out of awareness as a scream pierced the dark.

Notes

Ok, do not freak out at me, I'm not as mean as I may seem.

Thank you to the wonderful people that commented, you guys are amazing!

DO NOT FREAK OUT I'LL UPDATE SOON!