New chapter, rick owns everything
Monica POV:
The next morning we left our campsite in the woods and continued north. James and Percy took the lead while the rest of us followed behind. Annabeth walked next to me, knife at the ready.
"I wish i knew what they were saying." Annabeth muttered. "It's driving me insane."
James and Percy were talking in hushed tones to each other. I focused and their voices became just audible.
"Monica-" Annabeth started.
"I can hear them." I said, silencing her. She obliged and stayed silent.
"You have to trust us." Percy said.
"I tend not to trust anyone." James replied. "Except those I'm close to."
"We share the same world, not many people are closer than that."
"And why is that? Because the gods won't reveal themselves. That would cause utter chaos."
"So you understand, then."
"But have the gods given me a real reason to trust them, or you?"
"They are family, though."
"I didn't know they existed until a few days ago. Not a real good way to gain my trust."
"Then why are you out here still?"
"Revenge. Alabaster or Wrath or something sent a Shard to kill me."
"I knew a hero who wanted revenge once. His name was Luke."
"He gave himself to Kronos, I heard the stories from the campers. I'm not going for revenge against the gods though."
"If you don't get your bloodlust under control you will get us all killed."
I could feel the anger radiating from James's next words. That and the trees began to bend slightly toward him.
"You think you are the only one who can save lives? I am more than willing to give my own life to save anyone of my friends. My "bloodlust" will only get myself killed. And if that is what needs to be done then so be it. If you ever question my ability to defend my friends, who are my family, i will gut you with your own sword."
When he finished he walked ahead. Percy looked like he wanted to catch up but grass bound his legs.
"And that's James mildly irritated, never piss him off." I said as I walked by him.
"He has the power to be a great hero." Percy said.
"And he will, but don't question him. He has a reason for doing anything."
We continued to walk until we reached a clearing. James stood at the edge with his sword at the ready. Snow spread out as far as I could see.
"What's wrong." Bridget asked.
"No plants, I can't sense a thing." James replied. "But I feel something is nearby."
Then I noticed it. A tingling in my gut. I felt the need to skewer a random person.
"Its Wrath." Annabeth said. "He is nearly free."
"We should go." James said.
"We need a plan first."
"Having a plan won't stop anything from attacking us. Go!"
With that the seven of us took off across the ice. I was very thankful for my coat as the wind ripped across the plain. As we ran the snow began to glow a faint red. The further we ran the richer it became. I heard a whistling in the air and an arrow flew over my head.
"We are under attack!" I cried.
Weapons were drawn and we stood back to back. Slowly they formed. Knights made of ice. At least ten of them. Without warning they charged.
My sword cut through them like they weren't even there. James and Joe worked like the brothers they were and cut down monster after monster. The rest fought like mad but more and more knights formed. I felt a boot hit my chest and i dropped to the ground. I stabbed it in the chest then got to my knees. Then i realized more and more knights were joining the fight.
"Get down!" Joe yelled above the clamor. Everyone ducked and he raised his Scorn above his head. "Feel the power of the Night!"
He stabbed the blade into the ground and the air turned even colder. Shadows swirled around Joe in a screaming vortex. Then the darkness lashed out, pulverizing every ice creature around.
"Holy shit." James muttered. Shards of ice littered the ground for fifty feet around us. Then Joe dropped to his knees. "Come on, Joe. You're walking."
James then wrapped his arm under Joe's and picked him up.
"That was awesome!" Toohey exploded, her eyes dilated with excitement.
"Doesn't feel awesome." Joe breathed.
"The gods aren't going to like that much power held by a mortal." Annabeth said.
"Who says I'm mortal?" Joe asked. Annabeth stared at him wide eyed until Joe started laughing. "I'm kidding I am totally mortal."
"But how did you do that?" Percy asked.
"The power of Nyx." Joe said.
"Guys," James called. "We're here."
Standing not a hundred yards from us was a medieval castle. It was made of pure obsidian with glowing red windows in the keep. The only visible entrance was a huge steel gate.
"So... do we knock?" Percy suggested and began to walk forward.
Luckily for us boulders peppered the land between us and the fort. The moment Percy took a step forward a spotlight shined on him. I tackled Percy behind one of the boulders as arrows peppered the ground he was once standing.
"Thanks." He breathed. I nodded to him.
"Everyone OK?" I heard Joe call out.
I heard a chorus of responses before responding myself.
"Joe, can you give us a cover of darkness?" I called out.
"Not now." He yelled back. "Its midday."
"Damn it, Joe!" I heard James yell. "Everyone behind me!"
I looked over and saw something rather surprising. James was standing in the open with his arms raised, a wall of roots writhing in front of him. Arrow after arrow sunk into the roots but his wall held.
"Come on! I can't hold this forever!" He yelled. One by one we dove behind him and began to walk forward under the rhythmic thuds of arrows.
"you said there were no plants." Annabeth pointed out.
"You're worried about that, Annabeth? Really?" James asked angrily. "I saw some really deep down, live with it."
We advanced on the wall agonizingly slowly. I was occasionally shooting bolts of energy at the wall in an attempt to nail any of the archers. After a few tries I was awarded with a scream and a shower of coals.
"The archers are Shards?" Bridget asked.
"That's how we know we're in the right place." James answered. Then with one final push his wall of roots lashed out at the walls, killing the remaining archers. But we still had another problem. The gate.
The end is near. Who will survive the final fight. Because someone isn't making it out alive.