PART 4
A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter 20
Destruction
Typhon grew to an enormous size. His height rivaled that of a skyscraper. All of Olympus could see the horrible entity that had risen up. He looked to be evil incarnate, all blotched with the stains of decay on his body. His face grinned a smile of such pure deviousness that Kronos could not believe what had just happened. Typhon kicked him out of the way like he was kicking a soccer ball.
The gods and demigods watched in horror as Typhon's massive fists descended upon the surface of the mountain. Each hit scattered the rocks of Olympus, screwing up the beautiful sights that had been made over the years.
Groups of the council ran in different ways. Utter chaos reigned over the people of Olympus, and they were separated. Only a few groups managed to stay together.
One such group was the demigods. Annabeth led them to the fields on the outskirts of Olympus where Percy had battled Kronos only a few months ago. The burned out arena that Percy had created still stood, though it was decaying rapidly. The demigods rested there, doing what they could to prepare.
"I can't believe it," muttered Annabeth. "Out of the fire and into the frying pan."
Alex went to comfort his sister. "I'm sure we'll find some way out."
"Really?" asked Annabeth. "What was that you said about a prophecy?"
Alex got stone faced. "Oh, right. Yeah. I suppose that could be a problem."
"You suppose?"
"Percy seemed hesitant to talk about it when I prodded him further. It sounded like something really bad was going to happen. He wouldn't tell me what. He said… he said it would only happen if Typhon got the spear. Fuck it."
"What should we do?" asked Silena. "We can't possibly hope to fight Typhon. We need a miracle."
"And who do you pray to for miracles?" asked Alex.
"Gods," the two girls responded.
"And who is the most powerful god in the universe right now, besides Typhon?"
"No," said the two girls simultaneously. Annabeth continued. "There is no way I'm going to stoop that low and just offer my prayers to that bastard." She walked away, Silena following her.
"Whelp, that's just great," said Alex. "You better listen good, Percy, or else I'm gonna be so fucking mad…
"Om."
He didn't know what else to do. It seemed idiotic. He knew it was the stereotypical chant for meditation, but he felt like it wasn't working. He didn't understand why he had to say it over and over again. He decided to look it up on Wikipedia.
Apparently, Om was the chant that the Hindus used. It was the sound of everything in the universe. He was determined it sounded better again.
"Om."
"Hey."
"Holy shit!" said Percy. "That worked fast! Is this my inner conscience?"
"What? No! It's Alex, you idiot!" said Alex.
"Oh," said Percy. "Um, what's up?"
"I'm praying to you," said Alex. "Yeah, I'm sure you feel all high and mighty. Good for you. Listen, there's a problem on Olympus. Typhon kind of got the spear."
"You're f-ing with me," said Percy. "How the crap did that happen?"
"Kronos put the spear on some ledge, and I guess Typhon happened to be there," said Alex. "He grew, like, ten times as large as he was before. He's destroying Olympus. My sister reminded me of that doomsday thing, but let me tell you why I'm praying: We need a miracle. And if there's anyone who can pull off miracles, it's general Perseus Jackson."
Percy pondered Alex's words. "Yeah. The doomsday thing should already be in the works. It's a nuke in the center of the world. The idea is that if Typhon gets the spear, the world is f-ed."
"There's nothing we can do?" asked Alex.
"I suppose… I can come and try to save you," said Percy. "But I can't promise anything."
"Dude, you're going down with us," said Alex. "Let's face it: you belong on the Earth."
Percy sighed. "Fine. I'll be right there." He shot off from the planet he rested on with lightning speed, headed for Earth. "Btw, there's a doomsday clock on the fields where I fought Kronos. In case you're interested."
"Of course I am," said Alex. "I'll love counting down to when I die. Maybe, while I'm at it, I'll hunt down Artemis and confess my undying love. Oh wait, she'll just hate me more! No, come down and pull off a miracle. I believe in you."
Percy shut off the connection and began to remember what Grace had told him a few days ago. How he would seal his fate under a rock. He didn't totally understand what it meant, but he was sure it would play into this somehow.
"I'm not about to give up faith," said Beckendorf.
The gods who accompanied him stared at him. He was followed by Artemis, Apollo, and Hermes.
"Beckendorf, we're screwed," said Apollo. "Face it, even Percy can't take on Typhon."
"Are you suggesting that Typhon will somehow rewrite history?" asked Beckendorf. "I'm pretty sure Percy is the one who has complete control over the track of time, not Typhon. The Spear of Power is not Typhon's weapon. If Typhon wanted to rule, why wouldn't he just make himself win in the first place?"
"To torture us," said Apollo. "Also, why would Percy do that? The answer is, to prepare himself emotionally. No, I think we're royally screwed."
"Hold on, I'm receiving contact from… oh gods, it's Alex," said Artemis. "I think I'm gonna shut him off-
"Don't!" said Beckendorf. "He could have important info!"
Artemis sighed. "Fine. Hey Alex, what's up?"
"Are you with anyone?" asked Alex.
"Yes, two of my brothers and Beckendorf," she responded. "Why are you contacting me?"
"The world's going to blow up in approximately… 10 hours," said Alex. "At 12 o' clock midnight. Percy just told me. He's gonna try to come and stop Typhon. If he can't, the whole world blows up so that we don't have to suffer. Typhon can't survive in space. The aliens will be able to live in peace."
"But we'll all be dead, won't we?" asked Artemis. "We'll be done for."
"Yep," said Alex. "I guess this would be a good time to-
"Oh, please, spare me Alex," said Artemis. "Do me this one favor. I don't need to hear your teenage, hormone driven confessions of love."
"Actually, I was going to tell you where the emergency supplies are located at Athena's. I saw you running in that direction, so I figured you could use it."
"And I feel like an asshole," said Artemis. "Great, tell me where the stuff is."
"Just go into the basement," said Alex. "And do me a favor. If you see Whiskers, bring him with you. Just tell him it's an emergency. He'll follow."
"Alright, fine," said Artemis. She paused. "I guess I kind of like you."
"Is that your rousing attempt at thanking me for all I've done if the world ends?" asked Alex. He had clear criticism in his voice.
"Yeah, so I'm not the best at romantic goodbyes. Sorry. If I were you, I'd expect it from the virgin goddess."
"Whatever. Good luck. Stay safe," said Alex. He ceased contact.
"Wow," said Beckendorf. "Impressive."
"Shut up," said Artemis. "Come on, let's go find this basement and save his cat."
The group trudged onwards to Athena's house. Artemis and Apollo went into the basement while the other two stayed up above ground.
"Here, Whiskers," said Beckendorf carefully. "It's an emergency."
Whiskers leaped up onto Beckendorf's shoulder like it was nothing.
"Wow, it's almost like he understands English," said Beckendorf.
"Probably can," said Hermes sarcastically. Whiskers meowed.
Apollo and Artemis emerged from the basement with armor and supplies. "This is all we really need," said Apollo. "It'll only need to last a few hours."
"That's a lovely thought," said Artemis. "Come on, let's double back to the council hall. Typhon won't think anybody will go there."
"Sounds good to me," said Beckendorf. "Or maybe we should meet with somebody else? There is strength in numbers."
"Are you suggesting that we hunt down someone else?" asked Apollo. "Like who? Other gods? Or maybe the demigods? We'd have to find a way to contact them first and then they'd have to lead us to where they are safely."
"The demigods seem most organized. And we have someone who can contact Alex…
"Please, no," said Artemis. "I really don't want to spend my last ten hours of life with him hitting on me."
"He's not going to hit on you," said Beckendorf. "He might get a bit emotional, but he'll be perfectly normal. It doesn't help that you hate him."
"I realize that, but that doesn't make it less annoying," said Artemis.
"Whatever," said Beckendorf. "Let's go find them."
Zeus was alone. He sat solitary in the middle of the hall. He was thinking. He tried in his peace to find some way to forgive Percy Jackson. He didn't know why, after Kronos had failed, but he wanted desperately to find inner peace somehow. Slowly, he began to give up his pride and everything which had driven him in the past. He realized that Percy could never fully accept Olympus with Athena hanging on his shoulders. He wondered how that would work out, and for the first time, he found himself praying for peace. He didn't know whom he was praying to, but he was praying anyways.
Athena had just been informed of the end of the world. She too was alone, and she sat pondering life as she had done many times in the past. She wondered if perhaps she had caused this disaster indirectly by disliking Percy. Would he have been able to save the world if she hadn't gotten in his way? She didn't know.
She heard a rustle in some nearby foliage. She turned, sword faced outwards.
"Be at peace, Athena," said Oranos as he emerged from some bushes. I have come simply to talk."
"You've come to talk in the middle of a doomsday situation?" she asked.
"I believe the world is going to end today," said Oranos. "But not in the way that is perceived. I believe a new world will be created today, and that Percy will bring about its creation. But I need you to do me a favor. Are you ready to forgive Percy?"
Athena thought on it for a moment. "I suppose I owe the child an apology. I let my emotions get in the way of my judgment, and yet he spared me twice. And I betrayed him. And now, he might save me a third time," she faced Oranos, "I will do what it takes to get along with the child."
"Good," said Oranos. "Then my favor, I need you to agree to it."
"Tell me," said Athena.
Oranos walked closer and began to talk.