Characters: Athena and Triton, guest starring Pallas and possibly others if the need arises. Date/Time: The Past! Location: Rating: R for violence Warnings: Sadness, angst Summary: The day Pallas died
The swords clashed and the laughing had long since stopped. The friendly spar was getting more and more competitive. Sweat was on the brow of both girls. They'd be at it for a long while, neither truly gaining ground over the other. Which was a first after all the years they'd been training with each other.
"Not getting tired are you?" Pallas panted out the half-joking taunted. "You're usually more spry than this, Athena."
The weapons sang, striking again and again against opposing shield and sword.
"What? Nothing to say?"
"Save your breath for fighting, Pallas," Athena rasped out, parrying the nymph's thrust.
"Afraid I'll distract you? You are wearing down!" Pallas sounded so pleased with herself.
Their swords clashed and Athena shoved the other girl back, pride slightly pricked. She didn't want to spar while annoyed, it wasn't wise. "Let's call it for the day."
Pallas blinked at her in shock. She'd been doing better than she ever had against her foster sister, and now that she might have a shot at winning, Athena was backing out? How completely unfair. "No way. We're not done."
The nymph charged and swung, Athena catching and deflecting the weapon with her own. The goddess backed up once again. "I'm serious, Pallas. We're done for the day."
"I'm not." And again the goddess had to parry the nymphs insistent attack.
"Stop, Pallas. I mean it." Athena then turned her back to the other girl. She never once thought that Pallas would do anything to her while her back was turned and she walking away. But the nymph was angry at being denied her first victory. And the anger made her irrational.
The nymph lunged, striking Athena in the back with her shield. The goddess stumbled forward, taken by surprise, but not truly hurt. Pallas then moved to press the advantage, stepping closer and slashing her sword at the other girl's back.
But Athena was too well trained, and the stunning effect of the blow had not worked on her. So she countered, pivoting and bringing her shield up to knock the sword away. Her own sword came up in a natural thrust in follow through. It plunged up underneath Pallas' sternum, the tip jamming harshly against the girl's spine.
For a long moment, both of them were frozen, staring at each other in surprised horror. Then Pallas swayed, and Athena moved to catch her. Cradling her foster sister in her arms, Athena half fell with her to the ground.
"No, no nono. Pallas! Pallas, no!" Athena felt panic bubbling up inside her, as blood trickled out of Pallas' mouth. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
Pallas raised a hand and just managed to brush the backs of her fingers over Athena's cheek, before the life faded from her eyes and her body went limp. It took Athena's panicked brain several long moments before she registered that her sister was gone. And then she just started screaming.