Nico's POV

     "We're playing capture the cone today," Coach Hedge announced.

     "Yes!" Percy said, pumping his fists in the air.

     "The captains are Reyna and Annabeth," Coach Hedge continued.

       We were already dressed out, and after some quick stretches, we crowded the center of the room. Annabeth chose Percy first to nobody's surprise. I wasn't really paying much attention as the teams took form. I was usually one of the last picked, so when Hazel nudged me and told me to go over to Reyna's side, I was astounded; half the class was still waiting to be picked.

    Reyna was giving me a small smile that I found myself returning; my cheeks hurt. In the end, Annabeth called her team "The Greeks" and Reyna called us "The Romans." I was on the same team as Hazel, but Will was on the other side chatting with Lou and Cecil.

      We hid our cone underneath the bleachers and set four people to guard it. I was stationed as a free-roaming defense. Reyna has a plan to let the Greeks send over players until we had captured enough of their team. Then, she's give the signal ("SPQR!") and a cohort would be to capture the Greeks' cone.

       When Coach Hedge blew his whistle, a few of the Greeks hated over to our side. I ran towards them and pulled Lou and Cecil's flags. "Go to our prison," I said, still chasing after Will.

      "Not bad," Will said, giving me a grin.

       "Not bad?" I demanded.

       I urged my legs to move faster. Will was taller than me and his longer legs caused the distance between us to widen. I was never going to catch him. My breathe was coming in gasps.

      "You need to take a rest before you damage your cardiovascular system," Will said. "Doctor's orders."

     Instead of responding, I feinted to one side and, like I expected, he halted and turned direction. I kept doing that, herding him until one of my teammates, Michael, pulled his flag.

      "You'll have to go to our prison," I said, smirking at him. "Ghost King's orders."

   Michael gave me a thumbs up as I accompanied Will to the prison. Reyna's plan was going brilliantly! Then, I heard a shout and looked behind my right shoulder. Reyna was looking on as a group of her teammates, led by Octavian, charged to the other side. She hadn't given the signal yet!

      Reyna clenched her jaw, but kept her cool. With her chin held high, she looked like a woman capable of commanding legions and winning battles — a woman like Fulvia — and like his namesake, Octavian feared powerful women.

       Octavian's idea nearly lost us the game, but some quick-thinking on Reyna's part meant we were still standing when class was over; neither team had won. She had led a rescue attempt that freed our prisoners, but the Greeks held their own until they managed to free their own.

     "Cupcakes, that is how you play capture the cone!" Coach Hedge said as we headed to our locker rooms to change. "You've done well, kids — mighty well."