Light flashed pass Cory eyes. Trees, bushes, and rocks blended together in swirl of light. A girl ran in front of him at blinding speeds, clad in gray camouflage. "I must reach her in time," she thought.
"Great now I can hear others thoughts," Cory internally grumbled. Suddenly the girl stopped as a group of more girls met her.
"My lady we have a report," spoke the girl who had shot at Cory. Or the Cyclops had imitated.
"Speak quickly Phoebe," the girl demanded.
"We found Thalia," tension released from the girls shoulders. "Then lost her." That tension returned ten fold. "Also we have more news about Leto."
"What?" The girl looked at her franticly, hoping for something good no doubt.
"It was from Thalia. Those two bears have her on some mountain. We have until midnight to release her before some beast comes to destroy her."
"Beast?"
"Yes my lady a beast strong enough to destroy even Leto." The huntress eyes looked out at the moon. If Cory wasn't wrong, her eyes resembled his own. Silver gray with intensity.
"De Immortals," she breathed.
"Their is also some type of male she was looking for, as well as another after her." The huntress looked at Phoebe in shock.
"What males?"
"I do not know the hunters name, I do however know the boy name." Cory listened in slow motion while his name rang out. Wide eyes looked on at the Phoebe. "My lady." Like lighting the girl was off. Running dead sprint in direction opposite her own.
"Why mother, why that one." Cory watched as the girl vanished in to the dark.
"We have to follow her," a random girl shouted. Phoebe took charge then.
"No, we have our orders. We must find Thalia and quickly this clock is ticking."
"One of the dogs have a scent," another random girl with a wolf hollered. "East of our position."
"Then we must hurry. Six hours is all we have," Phoebe ordered.
"Great, so now everyone is after me." Cory felt his dream self being tugged elsewhere. "Ow sure like I wanted any rest." Light twisted and bent until he stood yet again at the cave of Leto. "You rang your Highness," sarcasm dripping his voice. "Wow, you look rough." Leto laid against her cage wall. Sweat poured out of every por golden blood dripped from her lip. "Anchor," his mind instantly remembering immortals had weird blood.
"Yes child, are here yet?" Cory did not want to spoil her already down appearance.
"Well you see about that." Leto head rolled back an exasperated noise escaping her lips. "Hay not my fault. I got some weird hunter dude and his dogs trying to kill me." She seemed unsurprised by this bit of information. "Ok so you knew that, just like I found out what you've been hiding from me." Cory dared not speak her name. Worried he could some how be pulled back to her.
"How, how could you have found out?" Leto seemed beside herself that Cory could put two and two together. "You must not let her find you."
"Yeah yeah, hates boys." He knew all the legends of this goddess. Leto head began shaking a look of foreboding playing her face.
"No child, their is still so much more you do not understand. If you are found by her," a shiver ran up her spine. "My daughter will show no mercy." Cory kinda figured that but hearing it made it that much more loving.
"Ok what ever, why am I here?" Leto leaned forward with a wince of pain.
"You must hurry, I wish to give you one last piece of advice." Cory waited. "Drop your restraints," she locked eyes with him.
"I,"
"You know what I speak of. That soft spot you have for killing, if you truly are to save me and yourself. Kill those two monsters before they can bring what can kill all of us." Cory hated when people tried to read him. "You must brake me of this cage before twelve o one. If not all my power I've ever contained will be drained along with."
"Any children you have, they'll be weakened." Leto nodded.
"It is very dark magic, very old. You see now why you of all people must hurry?" Cory dream self started to fade. "One last thing," it was already becoming hard to hear her. "To unlock this.. The key… make it quick.."
"Wait, what?"
"Wake up already," Thalia smacked Cory hard. He shot up from the ground disoriented. "That worked."
"We need to move fast," Cory told her.
"No kidding," dogs barked behind her. "Our friend freed himself," hunting horns went off a lot closer. "Sounds like my hunter are here also." Thalia stuck out her hand that Cory took. "Come on, lead the way before we lose our chance at rescuing Leto." Cory was still unsure what he had needed to hear, some thing about a key.
"This way," he took off through the snow. "How is my body recovered so quickly?"
"Nectar remember." Testing his shoulder for no pain, a little stiff but other wise perfect.
"Works that fast?"
"Yeah well I let a few more things play in to affect." Thalia did not need to say more, he could feel the moonlight still on him. Charging his body with strength he'd need to run. "Any plans on what to do once we get their?" One really.
"Kill those bear twin," Thalia looked at him a little concerned. She had hoped that he had lost that anger. Cory noticed.
"Not about that, well kinda. Leto made it clear those two have to go plus." A smile spread his lips. "It puts me one step closer to going home." Thalia just shook her head.
"How are we going to come at them though? Up the side of the mountain, sneak shot, what?"
"I thought we would just call their names really loud and when they show up. Shoot them." Thalia looked at Cory as if he had sprouted a third head. "It'll work."
"Perhaps," that was not Thalia voice. "If I where not ready to kill already." Oreius dove out of what seemed to be no where. "You wish to kill me half blood go ahead." Cory went for his new bow and felt air.
"Why would you not grab the bow?" He dove to avoid a swipe of razor sharp claws.
"To busy trying to keep you from dieing," Thalia jumped back tapping her bracelet. "Try this," she tossed him a hunting knife.
"Yeah just what I need, a knife to fight a bear. Why don't I go fight a forest fire with a squirt gun." Thalia rolled in as she pulled her spear.
"AAA," the bear cried out.
"By Oreius," Thalia smirked. Her spear protruding the bears side. A swipe of his a paw sent Thalia flying. "Great he won't drop easy either."
"Thalia you alright?"
"I would be concerned of myself boy," Oreius charged. "Die," he swiped his paw out numerous times in an attempt to kill him.
"You know that seems to be the only thing I can get people to say to me. I get it, I'm not a people person but come on." Tying up Oreius would be pointless. He would just cut right through his bindings. "This would be so much easier if you died like you should. Thalia jumped in between him and fought Oreius back.
"Leave now," she shouted.
"And leave you?" Not that he was overly attached to her or anything. But you take all the time to save someone just to leave them.
"We can't wait any longer, I can handle myself. Free Leto before it's too late." She drove Oreius back in to the trees. Cory watched for a moment more before following orders.
"Great, I can never seem to keep a bow." Trees raced by as a he took of at a dead sprint, willing everything he had. "Ok, key key. What type of key?" In his dream it had appeared Leto was trapped in an a gold cage. "Maybe a torch, no not really realistic. Probably dynamite." Cory stopped his nonsense ideas about keys when a thought hit him. "Why was Argus not with his brother?" The two could not seem to function a viable thought without the others criticism. Slowly the trees parted for a creek."No time like now I guess," Cory thought. Backing away a few steps. He knew Artemis stories told she could channel the spirit of animals. "Think good jumper, like a kangaroo." Taking off at dead sprint, Cory tried to tune in to some primal animal. A large splash went off from his failed attempt. "Ok so tunning animal talent, we can check that off the list of possible abilities."
"How about dieing, have you tried that boy o," an arrow whizzed pass Cory ear. Fresh blood dripped from the his fresh injury. "Drats, it would seem I truly rust after all those years." Cory froze, no idea if running would work. "No words child? Very well," Cory heard another shot pulled back."Farewe-, BACK YOU BEAST." Turning toward a glorious sight. Watching as the hunter fought yet again that same lion.
"You two look like have some catching up to do," standing from the water.
"Do not leave child, we are not finished here."
"RRRRaaa," screamed out the lion. Pointing out his obvious distaste for the hunter. With a swipe of his paws the hunter was forced to retreat.
"Love to stay and chat but I have business else where. Don't worry I am sure they'll try killing me as well." Taking off again Cory ran as hard as his legs could possible carry him.
"Why defend him brat?" Oreius struck out a clawed hand for Thalia head. Who in turned countered with a shield. "You maidens do not defend boys." Rolling out with a spear thrust, Oreius grabbed hold and tossed Thalia ten yards out.
"Aaa ow." She stood steady legs, a smile spreading across her lips. Fighting always got her blood pumping. "Because you floor mat. He saved me by making you look like a fool." Oreius howled out in rage. "I could not pass up a perfect opportunity to make you and Argus look equally as moronic." Thalia walked slowly through the trees. Never taking her eyes off the angry bear twin.
"You will not win young hero, not this time."
"Really? Why's that, because you brought another dusty titan out for revenge?" With luck Oreius would have a evil guy monologue then fall just as quickly. Instead he only laughed.
"Ha, ah hah," laughed the bear twin. "Foolish girl. We have no titan," Oreius smiled coldly.
"What then, a monster. We hunters have killed every beast." That evil look in Oreius eyes had started to worry her. No answer, no instead the bear twin picked up and launched a chunk of rock and ice at her. Nailing her unprotected side in the sudden attack. "Uuufff," Thalia exhaled. Falling on her back, hearing trampling of a bear charging in for the kill.
"MINE!" Thalia rolled just as nine hundred pounds landed were she had just been. Thrusting again so Oreius could only disarm her. "Weak," he raised his clawed hand. Rage had built at that word as ozone filled the air between them. With a mighty yell, Thalia thrust her hands skyward. Bringing down both hands pointing at the bear.
"How about this for weak," a large arc of lightning shot from the heavens to blast Oreius down in to the dirt. Exploding in demolition style blast. Chunks of ice, rock, and fur flew. Sweat beaded Thalia forehead, her heart raced. "I am the general of the hunters of Artemis, do not think one bear is enough for me." A large scream sent birds from their trees, only it was not human. "What the," Thalia raised her shield for defense against a large rock. "Uuugfff," she landed hard on her back. Standing to find no one and an even greater concern.
"You say one is not enough," laughter filled the air. "How about two young huntress. RRRRRRRR."
"Great so this is supposed to be the mountain?" Cory looked up at the snow covered mountain in front of him. "Not so bad," just as he finished that thought a large growl shook the ground. "Well, I think I'll go home now." A twig snapped behind him just then. "What is this? Stuck between a painful death or an unknown death." Bushes rustled nearby. "Not many options now I guess." Taking off in another dead sprint.
Cory reached midway up the mountain without a single problem so far. "This is way too easy." He slapped himself. "Maybe the fates didn't hear that one?" Slowly rock morphed in front of him into the ugliest creature he had ever seen. Which was saying something if you've ever seen a seventy year old social worker with ten pounds of eyeliner. "Ok, let me guess you're fates answer?" The monster looked at Cory confused momentarily. Probably deciding why any one would be so stupid to come this far. "Good he's not trying to kill me maybe," no such luck.
"Aaaaa," the monster wailed out. Scooping up a large handful of rock and pitching it.
"CRAP!" Cory dove against a rock wall, his options limited as to what he could do. The monster scooped up another mound of dirt. "This would be so much easier if I had my bow. Hello," another volley of rock flew toward his wall.
"Not all gifts are so easy to lose," spoke a voice. Cory remembered Lambe voice. The monster looked around in confusion, obviously the voice had not been in his head. Charging in while the monster looked away. Attempting a down swipe with his knife. "Great, you have more arms." Surely enough the monster grew two more arms on each side of its body. One it had managed to use in block of his attack. With its other arms he leveled the rock for his face.
"AaAaaa," the monster wailed out and dropped Cory on his butt.
"Ow, huh?" Sprouting from the monsters arm or one of his six was an arrow. Searching in horror of he hunter, Cory found no one below. "That you hunter dude?" No reply. Trying to come up with a strategy all Cory could think was what Lambe voice had just said. Not so easily lost. Scratching his head in confusion he noticed bracelet around his wrist. Carved from vines and what appeared to be tree root. In its center was a bow with an arrow for a lock. "No way," Cory muttered. Pulling at the arrow, he stumbled back a step as the solid oak bow appeared over top his wrist. One shot coming with it. "This..is..sweet."
"Aaaa," screamed the now angrier monster. Pulling back his arm with a backhoe load of gravel.
"Hold up," Cory shouted as he pulled back and fired a shot. Watching in victory as the beast dissolved. "Alright I took out the uumm, earth mold monster?"
A female scream came from atop the mountain just then. "Can't ever have a moment can I."
"Hurry," Leto voice rang clear as a bell in his head. Cory knew it had to be Argus up top, waiting for his friend. Formations of rock started moving slowly up ahead.
"Can't ever be simple." Rock monsters started sprouting from walls in groups of three. "Well I guess this is any time as ever to die, not really the way I was hoping to go." Arrow less, Cory planned a brave last stand which ended with him flying of the mountain to his death. "Oww," he winced as a sharp pain assaulted his head.
"MOVE!" Rang out a distinctly familiar voice. Weight appeared at his back. "NOW." Arrows at least thirty filled a quiver.
"Yup, definitely dead." Pulling out shot after shot, Cory nailed as many as possible between the eyes. In between dodging truck loads of flying gravel and snow. "You all really need to quit with all the rocks. Crap!" Taking his advice, one of the monster hailed a volley of boulders. "Not what I meant." Nailing the one holding the boulder ended with a new game. "Donkey kong," a boulder rolled down a small path, the only path. Leaping out of the way. Cory watched as the boulder harmlessly passed him. Only one problem. "Why do I always seem to end up hanging from a cliff?" From atop the mountain another earth quaking growl went off.
Looking up at the face of another six handed monster. "Looks like it actually can get worse." The monster reached down and grabbed a hold of his neck. Lifting him up so as to drag him up the mountain.
Sweat beaded Thalia body, air filled her lungs in heaving intakes. Blood pulled at her shirt a now open wound in the form of a bear twins claws. Which ever one she was unsure. Argus had managed in Thalia confusion to allow his brother to retreat. Now their where two wondering around in the dark.
"Tell us young hero hee hee. Have you ever experienced this much fear? Knowing you will die?" Thalia wanted to answer back yes, yes she had died in a way such as this. To protect some one. But she needed to keep quiet for now. Her hiding place behind a tree had luckily not been discovered yet. "You can not hide forever, we'll find you eventually." Thalia attempted to listen for any sign the two found her, nothing though. Nothing but the pounding of her blood in her ears.
"Need a way out of this," she thought. "They have the advantage for now in a closed forest."
"Blood trails, such a nasty give away," Argus stood behind Thalia tree. A gruesome smile while he peered down. Drawing back quickly for a swipe at Thalia throat. Argus missed his first attempt only to be cut by Thalia spear in his right flank. "AAaa, you brat." Blocking another swing with her shield. Thalia pulled back in order to finish him. Just as she did Oreius threw a large ice ball about the size of a small car at Thalia. Smacking in to her shield and sending her flying backwards. Affectively knocking her breath out of her body. "Good one brother," Argus complimented. "Now we have a treat."
"With news for Tityos of our victory." Argus stepped and turned toward his brother.
"Do not speak his name now brother, not until he has taken Leto life force," Argus ended their. Not of choice. Thalia spear pieced him were his heart is. Cutting short his warning.
"BROTHER!" Oreius screamed. "Why you little," Thalia watched in amazement. Argus dissolved in to dust at her feat, swept up by a warm breeze. That if she where going insane, carried laughter. "AAAAA," Oreius wailed out and charged. Thinking for survival, Thalia pulled out her last escape trick. "Die hero," Oreius shouted as he neared Thalia. Who snapped off a fart arrow and drove it in to the ground. Sulfur filled the air between them. Making it impossible to see or track by scent.
"Hopefully that bought him enough time," Thalia thought.
"I guess this is one way to reach the top," Cory muttered. The earth monster carrying him over its head toward the peak of the mountain. As they reached its peak slowly he noticed something peculiar jutted from the center. "Is that? Dude that's weird," he spoke to the monster. His Arrows had disappeared along with his bow. Both more than likely on his wrist. So fighting was still an option, if he could figure out what it was he had to fight.
The top of the mountain had a large flat area about twenty yards both ways. Rocks surrounded the outer ring, a fire blazed in an a pit about as wide as forty inch TV. Beside it stuck from the ground was what looked like a carved head at a distance. Like the carved heads of Easter Island. "Bring him forth," spoke the statue.
"Great talking heads out of the ground. Seems legit I guess." The monster dropped Cory on the ground directly in front of the statue. Now up close, Cory could make out more details. Long hair draped down its skull, with putrid gray skin, and wide blood shot eyes. "Dude you aren't a statue." Both blood shot eyes looked down at Cory, flashing a chipped tooth grin that revealed the man had not brushed his teeth since the stone age.
"Rite you are child," he spoke in a booming voice. "My name is Tityos and who might you be?" The man spoke kindly to Cory, which only made his skin crawl.
"Cory, my name is Cory. Look I think we have one big misunderstanding." A booming laugh echoed the mountain and shook Cory back a seat.
"Do you now child," his blood shot eyes saying he had made no such mistake.
"Yeah. You see I was just passing through looking for a friend."
"Is that so?"
"It looks like she ain't here, so I'll just," Cory went to stand. An earthquake shook the mountain.
"While you are here hero."
"Great," Cory thought. "He knows what I am."
"Allow me to extend a token of my generosity." Flowing from the ground until it took a solid form. A large cage of gold and rock stood off toward the right of the head.
"Ummm."
"Perhaps this Titan could tell you were your friend is. I found her wandering my land." Slumped in the cage looking worse for wear was Leto. Golden blood leaked from her wounds.
"Maybe, or she could just walk me to her," Cory tried for a long shot.
"Aahaa," laughed the head. "You are an interesting one hero," he sighed. "It will be a shame when you die." Panic filled Cory lungs.
"Die, whhhat do mean die?" The giant regarded him with a sad stair inhaling greatly.
"You child this whole mess you have been brought in to was my doing. Well more my mothers, however the planning was mine." Cory just looked on confused. "This witch before you is a problem of mine. You see long ago we dated."
"WHY YOU INSOLENT," a fury of cursing followed. Some in english some in Greek, and others in another language Cory had no idea what it was. A slab of rock sealed the cage.
"Better, sorry about that child." Cory tried to remember something about Leto. Trying to remember who this thing was and how to stop it. Or more importantly what it wanted. "Were where we, ah yes. We had a falling out and in doing so her husband at the time banished me to depths of horrible plain. Forced to undergo my punishment over and over again for all time." Cory still had no idea what he was talking about or who Leto had been married to.
"Hold on," he raised a finger interrupting the monster story. "Why do you want to kill me?" A good starting point in Cory opinion.
"Kill you," the giant repeated seeming confused. "I do not wish to kill you child."
"Then why did you say."
"Not me child, that woman and her blasted child. Surely you must see what they will do to you. Even if where to escape with that titan, her daughter will be sure to kill you." Cory had wanted to believe Leto could stop Artemis, but.
"She would stop her." He tried to convince himself more than the monster.
"Do not believe me? Ask her yourself." The rocks went away from the entrance. Leto swearing picking up were it had stopped. Standing and walking over toward her. Neither monster attempted to fort him. Leto froze mid profanity. Looking at Cory in confusion.
"What are you waiting for? Free me."
"You have no intentions of stopping her from killing me do you?" Leto face became stoic. "He's telling the truth then? You where going to get me to help you stop him, then you where going to just leave." Cory watched as Leto eyes searched for an answer, or an excuse.
"That is how they work child," spoke the head. "First they need you and when done, toss you to the side." Rage filled his mind. He had gone through all this just to killed at the end. "Help me instead child," the rock monster moved beside Cory. Holding his knife out for him. Cory looked at it, then Leto and back toward the head. "In order for me to be free I must have a sacrifice." A memory or and idea hit Cory. "Her blood will do for a start, that cage can be opened by any hunter. A drop blood is all that I need." Leto looked even more scared than Cory had felt. "Help me and I shall destroy those who wish death on you." A pendulum swung in Cory mind. One side dieing for nothing on the other living with the knowledge he killed someone.
"I," stuttering.
"It is simple child a little cut and all your worries go away." Clamping his eyes shut in attempt at clarity. Memories came to him. All his nightmares he had endured this week. They where showing him a moment just like this. One cut and the Mayors boy escaped his troubles, no one came after him. But he killed some one in the process, forever remembered as coward. The hunter had been the same in a way. He knew the chances he faced for his crime, yet he still did it. All the memories flooded him threatening to overload his brain. Thalia, she had stayed behind in order to give him time and if Argus was not here.
"One cut huh?" Cory gave Leto a granite stair while grabbing the hilt of the knife. "You lied to me," Leto stuttered. Backing against the wall. "Just remember this," pulling up the blade. "I still found the courage to stand up for you," spinning out Cory drove the blade in to the rock monsters head.
"Aaaaa," it wailed before dissolving. Reaching over and flicking the door latch open.
"Now we run for our lives." All around the mountain more rock monsters started to appear. "What are these things anyway, they just keep coming?" Pulling out his bow and attacking one shot at a time.
"Earth born, stupid creatures," Leto answered. "More so than those bear twins." The earth born seemed to take offence to being compared to the bear twins. More rock flew at them like heavy rain fall.
"Yeah but who got caught by them," Cory laughed.
"I would not laugh so much, you very well may share my fate." Shot by shot the earth born fell. Only problem was that they more just followed after.
"We really need an exit plan," Cory shouted over the noise of falling boulders.
"I, aaa," Leto hollered in pain as an arrow cut her arm. "Bastard," she cursed. Standing at the entrance to the peak covered in blood and claw marks, looking more mortal than he had before.
"As said, we have plans for you." By the looks of things that had been his last shot. "Now," he stopped when an arrow landed at his feet. "Nice try child but your aim still needs practice." Cory smiled devilishly.
"Not really but you may want to cover your ears," Leto took his hint and covered hers. A massive explosion shook the mountain top. Smoke concealed everything in sight. Not wasting any time, Leto and Cory ran pass the spot hunter had just been standing.
"When do you get exploding arrows?" Cory had an idea but did not answer as he was too busy trying not to slip of the mountain.
"No time we need to run before they come after us." Rock fell from above, another ground shaking growl released in to the air.
"Something is not right," Leto shouted over the hollering. "He is still shouting." Finally at bottom.
"Yeah and those things didn't even chase us." Cory had no idea why they had not pursued them. Leto was free and escaping.
"Ow no," Leto breathed. "That arrow."
"Not really sure about what you mean." Looking down at her arm, Cory gut hit the ground. Golden anchor dried on her arms.
"A drop," shouted the stone head.
"What happens now?" Looking to Leto for some bright idea.
"Now we die." Earthquakes shook the ground until both Leto then Cory fell on their backs. Rock formation in the mountain exploded out as if dynamite charges had been planted.
"Are those arms?" Sure enough large gray arms jutted from the mountain. Followed closely by feet shooting out and a shoulders. "How big is he," it looked as if he had no end to his great height.
"His body spread could span half of Tartarus. This is very bad." Cory still had no idea who the guy was, or how they would beat a guy who had his own zip code.
"How do you beat him?" A nuclear missile came to mind. Leto only gawked on in horror. "Yow grandma, how do we stop stone britches before we become appetizers."
"Do not call me grandma," Leto eyes glowed. "Firstly it took both my children to take down this giant last time."
"Wait giant?" He knew the guy was big. "Like that earth lady kids, the ones who almost destroyed the gods in those stories? Those giants." It finally made since now, slightly. "I thought he was trapped in Tartarus."
"Yes up until now he had been trapped forced to have his liver eaten and regrow it time and time again."
"Sounds like a barrel of laughs, wonder who he wants to kill first."
"It was a punishment worthy of his crimes." Leto eyes had a nuclear look of their own. Cory did remember something about his crime.
"Yeah he tried."
"Do not speak it child or I will just drop in front of your mother and figure this mess or myself." She looked serious but Cory snorted.
"Yeah if you could have done that I would not be here. By the way I think he's done with his flashy entrance." Standing on top of the mountains looking down. All Cory could make out where his stained teeth and toe fungi's. "Dude does not hygiene."
"Any ideas," Leto looked up at the monster.
"I was going to ask you that actually."
Oreius searched for Thalia in hopes of ripping her apart limb by limb. His brother now forced to wait his turn for returning. "Death is assured hero, so why hide? Face me and get it over with." Stepping and snapping a twig. "AAAAa," Oreius hollered as he was pulled skyward by his feet.
"I really have to thank Cory for reminding me of this trick." Thalia stepped out from behind a tree at Oreius back. "It really does wonders on stupid pray." A growl emitted from the bear twin. "Now," Thalia pulled her spear.
"BOOOM," went off an explosion toward the mountains. Thalia looked over and almost could not believe what she stood out in the sky.
"Ha, all will die now child at the giants hands."
"Giant," Thalia knew of them. She had always thought if anything they would at the least be a myth. "Cory," he had gone to stop that.
"Yes child he was too late, now so are all of you." Sweeping out his clawed foot. Oreius freed himself and landed in front of Thalia. Not waisting any time the bear twin lunged opening his mouth. An arrow cutting through his throat just as he did. More at the same time pinned his body and rained down till he dissolved.
"Perhaps next time you will wait and bring support," Phoebe said. All huntresses accounted for and grinning.
"Yeah that seems manageable," Thalia grinned back. "Why don't we all go to him." Pointing at the giant standing atop the mountain. All the huntresses mouths hung agape.
"You would make things difficult on us." Thalia only smiled.
"Why would you expect anything different?" Together they ran toward the beast. In the back of Thalia mind she hoped Cory had not gotten killed or his mother had reached him. A shiver caused her to pick up speed, even against her injuries. "Move Faster!"
"Little anticlimactic," Cory said to Leto. "Why is he so short?"
"His true form could not be summoned yet," Leto informed. "It takes either a whole life form of a god or an entire day." Cory watched as the giant went from being as tall as the mountain to no more than perhaps ten feet tall. "Good for us however we still have the problem with killing him.
"How come?" Cory just thought about shooting him with an arrow and be done with it.
"In order to defeat him it takes a god or goddess along with a half blood." That seems simple Cory thought. Leto must have been inside his head. "I can not be the one to help you."
"Why," he briefly wondered if she where afraid. "Your an immortal with power."
"Yes but my blood was used in the offering."
"Ok so what," Cory really did not see the problem here.
"Another one of our rules," Leto made air quotes. "When an immortals blood is used in a sacrifice that immortal can not kill the object. I can hurt him and distract him, just not kill."
"Ooook, how do you expect me to beat him then? I'm not exactly hiding any immortals." Leto grimaced.
"We have one option, it will not go well for you though." Ice creeped up Cory spine. "She is only choice."
"Hold on," Cory tried not to sound afraid but his cracked. "You have a son?" He remembered his mothers twin the sun god also a great archer.
"He is with my former husband at the moment, on lock down." Leto saw Cory look of confusion. "Long story. We only have my daughter to call on." Snow avalanched off to the side with boulders mixed in. "It would seem, he is done waiting around." Looking up at the mountain peak, Cory could see Tityos running full sprint. "I will go off to the side and summon her," Leto seemed less pleased with the idea than Cory felt.
"Umm what about me?" He had a bad idea of what his job would be.
"Hold him off."
"I was afraid you would say that." With one last leap of a football field. Tityos landed forty yards away from Cory at the foot of the mountain.
"Thank you boy," he straightened up. "It has been so long since I could move. Now," Tityos searched. "Were is my prize?"
