I really need to find something witty to put here. I'm running out of ammunition. Oh well. Read on.
Oh, thank god.
I didn't flipping dream.
Of course, the Fates have to bring balance by making me wake up in the middle of an attack.
I woke to a terrible roar. I barely registered it, surprised I didn't dream, before focusing on the noise. It was a horrible screech, like a dying animal mixed with fingernails down a blackboard. As I jumped out of my bed, I looked around for my hoodie. It took me a minute to realise I hadn't even taken it off before falling to sleep. So, I concentrated, and it melted into my battle armour, sword on my back. Percy was already up, and heading to front of the…reasonably rapidly forming ranks of fighters. The Hephaestus cabin had run out of Greek fire. The Apollo cabin and the Hunters were scrounging for arrows, their quivers depressingly empty.
I was saddened that I could count our numbers: We had sixteen campers, fifteen Hunters and half a dozen satyrs left in fighting shape. Everyone else had taken refuge on Olympus. The Party Ponies were trying to form ranks, but they staggered around giggling, and they all smelled of root beer. The Texans were headbutting the Coloradoans. The Missouri chapter was arguing with Illinois. The chances were pretty high that they'd attack each other, instead of the enemy.
I reached up to where Percy was standing. I nodded, and he nodded back. Then we stayed silent. I saw Chiron walking up to us with Rachel on his back. This surprised me, as Chiron very rarely gave anyone rides, and never had a mortal ever been carried by him. He addressed Percy,
"You friends here has some useful insights."
Rachel blushed. "Just some things I saw in my head.2
"A drakon," Chiron said, "A Lydian drakon, to be exact. The oldest and most dangerous kind."
Percy stared. It was then I noticed Annabeth standing next to him. Strange that I hadn't noticed her before. Percy asked Rachel,
"How did you know that?"
"I'm not sure," Rachel admitted, "But this drakon as a particular date. It will be killed by a child of Ares."
Annabeth crossed her arms, glaring.
"How can you possibly know that?"
"I just saw it. I can't explain."
I leaned in and answered,
"Well, you better be wrong. We're short of Ares kids at the moment."
I had completely forgotten Clarisse. I felt a twinge of anger for the desertion, especially since Apollo cabin had given the flying chariot to Clarisse. Percy suddenly cursed in Ancient Greek, and we all looked at him.
"The spy…"
I suddenly paled. Where was Silena? I hadn't seen her in ages. I was about to point this out, when Percy continued.
"Kronos said, 'We know they cannot beat this drakon.' The spy has been keeping him updated. Kronos knows the Ares cabin isn't with us. He intentionally picked a monster we can't kill."
Thalia had walked up to us, and heard Percy. Determinedly avoiding my eyes, she scowled,
"If I ever catch this spy, he's going to be very sorry. Maybe we could send another messenger to camp…"
Chiron butted in.
"I've already done it. Blackjack is on his way. But if Silena wasn't able convince Clarisse, I doubt Blackjack will be able to…"
A loud roar shook the ground. It sounded close. I immediately forgot my fears of Silena being our hope for convincing Clarisse. She'd probably slow her down. Percy turned the redhead who had slid off Chiron's back.
"Rachel, get inside the building."
"I want to stay."
A giant shadow blotted out the sun. Across the street, the drakon slithered down the side of a skyscraper. It roared, and a thousand windows shattered all at once, the glass raining down to the street. Rachel's voice was small as she whispered,
"On second thoughts, I'll be inside."
I focused on the drakon, but at the same time, an enemy army was marching down Fifth Avenue. All the cars had been pushed to the side, probably to protect the mortals, but this just made it easier for the army to march. The Part Ponies seemed to have instantly sobered. Chiron galloped up and down their ranks, shouting about the glories of victory and root beer, but they looked more likely to piss out the root beer they'd already consumed. I heard Percy squeak,
"I'll take the drakon."
I understood. That thing was terrifying. I still hadn't spoken. Percy took a deep breath, then shouted,
"I'LL TAKE THE DRAKON! Everyone else, hold the line against the army!"
I walked over to Percy, with Annabeth standing on the other side. The daughter of Athena had pulled her owl helmet over her face, but even from here, I saw her red eyes. And judging from Percy's ridiculously guilty expression, he saw as well.
"Will you help me?"
Annabeth shifted miserably.
"That's what I do. I help my friends."
Percy looked as miserable as Annabeth, but turned to me, and said,
"You too?"
I nodded, grinning, and finding my voice.
"And let you have all the fun?"
My attitude seemed to be a confidence boost and Percy nodded. He whistled.
"Mrs. O'Leary, heel!"
"ROOOF!"
The Hellhound bounded over, and licked Percy's face. Even from here, I smelled the pepperoni pizza, and tried not to gag. We all drew our weapons, then charged the drakon.
The lizard was three stories above us, slithering sideways along the building as it sized up our forces. Wherever it looked, centaurs froze in fear. From the North, the enemy crashed into the Party Ponies and our lines broke. The drakon lashed out, swallowing three Californian centaurs in one gulp. We hadn't even reached it yet. Mrs. O'Leary launched herself through the air, a deadly black shadow with teeth and claws. This sight, a pouncing Hellhound, is usually a terrifying sight, but compared to the drakon she looked like a little puppy. Her claws raked harmlessly against the drakon scales. She bit the monsters throat, but couldn't make a dent. Her weight, however, was enough to knock the drakon off the side of the building. It flailed awkwardly and crashed to the sidewalk, Hellhound and serpent twisting and thrashing. The drakon tried to bite Mrs. O'Leary, but she was too close to the serpent's mouth. Poison spewed everywhere, melting centaurs into dust along with quite a few monsters, but Mrs. O'Leary weaved around the monster's head, scratching and biting.
Percy reached the monster first, yelling as he plunged Riptide deep into the monster's left eye. The giant spotlight went dark, and the drakon hissed and reared. I suddenly stopped running, and thrust out my arms. The striking drakon slowed down massively, its teeth inches from Percy's head as he rolled aside. I dropped my arms instantly, and the drakon bit a literal chunk out of the pavement. Concrete flew everywhere. It turned towards Percy with its good eye, and hissed. Mrs O'Leary was trying to cause a distraction, leaping onto the serpent's head and scratched and growled. She looked like an angry black wig.
I looked around as Annabeth ran forward. The battle wasn't going well. Centaurs panicked under the onslaught of giants and demons. An occasional orange camp shirt appeared in the sea of fighting, but it vanished just as fast. Arrows soared across the sky in both directions. Fire exploded in waves across both sides, but every step the enemy took, our side backed down, towards the Empire State Building. We were losing.
I looked back as Annabeth materialised on the drakon's back, her Yankees cap falling off her and skidding down the giant snake. She plunged her bronze dagger into a chink between the scales, and the drakon roared, trying to buck her off. Again, I thrust out my hands, trying to slow the monster down. It worked, and she managed to jump off. Percy grabbed her just as the drakon rolled, smashing the lamppost she had just been standing by. I saw them exchange words, but I was too busy focused on the drakon. At lightning speed, it lunged at the two. I didn't have time to raise my arms, but my powers acted instinctively. A golden bubble exploded around the drakons head, making it rear and slow down to about half its speed as it fell against a building. Percy and Annabeth looked around, shocked. I yelled back at them,
"Talk later!"
They quickly blushed in embarrassment, and ran over to me. Mrs O'Leary body-slammed the monster, sending it careening, but it quickly recovered, and turned its pale glowing eye at us, the yellow colour paralysing us in fear. Meanwhile, our allies were fighting at the doors of Olympus.
All of a sudden, a rumble sounded out. Now as reigning champion of the chariot races, ignoring the time slowing I used to cheat, I recognised that noise Chariot wheels. I heard a girl's voice scream,
"ARES!"
And a dozen war chariots charged into battle. Each flew a red banner with the symbol of the wilds boar's head. The drakon looked around in confusion, and, unfrozen, I whooped with joy. Each chariot was pulled by a team of skeletal horses with manes of fire. A total of thirty fresh warriors, armouring gleaming and eyes bristling with hate, lowered their lances as one…making a phalanx of death.
Annabeth had flipped up her owl visor. She looked shocked in a good way.
"The children of Ares! How did Rachel know?!"
I didn't know, but as I turned back, I immediately noticed something was wrong. The girl in the lead looked like Clarisse, with her familiar red armour, boar head helm, and electrified spear. Only…I had given Clarisse new armour, and she wore mainly black, with blood patterns. Why was Clarisse wearing her old gear? She never took off her bracelet. She couldn't have lost it? Half of the chariots headed to the aid of the army; Clarisse led the other six directly at the drakon.
The serpent reared, and Mrs O'Leary was chucked into the side of a building. Percy ran forward but stopped immediately. The drakon had fixed its glare on the Ares kids. Even with one eye, it managed to paralyse two chariot drivers. They veered into a line of cars. The other four chariots kept charging. The monster bared its fangs to strike, but, again, found itself slowed down in its attack. While I held it in place, the beast got a mouthful of celestial bronze javelins. I let go, and it let out a horrible,
"ESSSSS!"
Hopefully drakon for 'OWWW!'. I turned back to look at Clarisse. Again, I saw her. She wasn't broad enough. She definitely wasn't tall enough. Then she spoke,
"Ares, to me!"
Ok. Clarisse is not that high-pitched. Who is this? I surged forward but Percy held me back, and I yelled,
"That's not Clarisse!"
Percy and Annabeth froze, looking at me. In the confusion, Ares campers had helped the campers beat back the enemy army away from Olympus, but I didn't care. At my words, 'Clarisse' looked at me. Her scared blue eyes shone through her helmet. Clarisse was never scared. And she didn't have blue eyes!
"ARES!"
"NO!"
I had screamed above the yells of the crowd, but no one turned. 'Clarisse' charged, and the drakon turned. Then spit poison directly into the face of the girl. She screamed and fell out of her chariot. I ran forward as Ares campers tried to defend their fallen councillor. Percy shouted at the drakon, desperately trying to get its attention. I was attempting to run at the girl on the floor, but I couldn't. I needed to take out the drakon. My feet glowed, now one of my most used moves, and I sped at the drakon. I blurred towards the lizard, and it turned its head too late. I stabbed straight above its eye, piercing through a scale. It reared its head, yelling in pain.
Unfortunately, I went flying with it, still holding the sword. I heard Annabeth scream as I was launched thirty metres into the air, and against a skyscraper. I tried to slow my fall, but couldn't concentrate. I collided with the building, and tried to slide down the side. It was harder than it looked. Suddenly, I decided to try and speed up my fall. I sped up, and found the inertia had vanished. I righted myself, and ran down the side of the building. The drakon, surprised, reared up to try and bite me. My fist was surrounded with a golden boozing glove, maybe five times the size of my hand, and I punched the drakon. As it got near my hand, its reactions slowed massively, and when my glowing boxing glove collided with its face, it collapsed backwards.
I slid down to the floor, landing on both feet. The damn drakon won't die! It was already getting up, albeit very slowly. Suddenly, I heard someone yell,
"NO! Curse you, WHY?!"
I glanced over, breathless. Clarisse was running towards to the fallen girl. I knew it. Annabeth unfastened the girls helmet straps.
"WHY?!"
The real Clarisse demanded, holding the other girl in her arms while the campers tried to remove the poison-corroded helmet straps. Chris Rodriguez ran over from the flying chariot. He must have flown Clarisse here, chasing the Ares campers. But why had someone pretended to be Clarisse?
The drakon had finally got up, and reared towards us again. The real Clarisse looked up at the drakon, absolute hate that would make Styx proud on her face.
"YOU WANT DEATH!"
She grabbed her spear from the fallen girl, and without shield or armour…she didn't even press her bracelet, she charged.
"COME ON!"
I rushed forward to help, but I'd never seen Clarisse move so fast. She leaped aside as the monster struck, pulverising the ground behind her. Then she jumped onto the creature's head. As it reared up, she drove her electric spear into its good eye with so much force it shattered the shaft, releasing the weapons power. Electricity arced up the drakon's head, causing its whole body to shudder. Clarisse jumped free, rolling safely to the sidewalk as smoke boiled from the drakon's mouth. Its flesh dissolved, leaving a hollow tunnel of scaly armour.
Everyone looked at Clarisse in awe. If the situation wasn't so dire, I would've grinned proudly. But Clarisse had run back to the dying girl. Me and Percy ran over as well. Annabeth finally managed to remove the helmet. We all gathered round, the Ares campers, Chris, Clarisse, Annabeth, Percy and me. The battle still raged behind us, but at that moment, nothing existed outside our small bubble and the fallen girl.
Her features, once beautiful, were badly burned from poison. No amount of Nectar and Ambrosia would save her. Nevertheless, Percy reached into his ever-growing pouch, and tried to pull some out. I held his forearm, and looked at him. We both thought the same thing as we stared at each other.
Something is about to happen. A trick that ends in death.
I looked down at the girl who had led the Ares cabin into battle.
I looked down, at the dying face of Silena Beauregard.
"What were you thinking?"
Clarisse cradled Silena's head in her lap. Silena tried to swallow, but her lips were dry and cracked.
"Wouldn't…listen. Cabin would…only follow you."
"So you stole my armour."
Clarisse sounded shocked and angry.
"You waited until Chris and I went out on patrol, you stole my armour and pretended to be me."
She suddenly rounded on her siblings.
"And NONE of you noticed?! I don't even wear that armour anymore!"
The Ares campers all suddenly gained an interest in their combat boots.
"Don't blame them."
Silena coughed.
"They wanted to…to believe I was you."
"You stupid Aphrodite girl."
Clarisse was actually in tears.
"You charged a drakon. Why?"
"All my fault."
A single tear ran down her face.
"The drakon, Charlie's death…camp endangered…"
My blood ran cold as Clarisse said,
"Stop it! That's not true."
I leaned forward, and grabbed Clarisse's shoulder, saying,
"Clarisse."
My tone of voice made her look up. She saw my face, and glowered.
"Fayden, don't you dare blame her! How could she possibly…"
A sob cut her off. Silena was trying to reach for something in her pocket. I bent down, and closed my hand around her wrist. She stopped moving and looked at me. I stared into her dimming eyes, and said,
"You're the spy."
Clarisse looked up at me, and hatred matching her previous fight filled her face.
"YOU DARE…!"
But she stopped, watching me pull whatever Silena had been grasping to reach out of her pocket. I let my hand loosen slightly, and a small silver charm fell down, dangling from the small chain I clutched. The charm was shaped like a scythe- the mark of Kronos. Percy muttered,
"You were the spy."
Silena tried to nod.
"Before…before I like Charlie, Luke was nice to me. He was so…charming. Handsome. Later, I wanted to stop helping him, but he threatened to tell. He promised…he promised I was saving lives. Fewer people would get hurt. He told me he wouldn't hurt…Charlie. He lied to me. But…"
Silena looked up at me, confusion etched across her face.
"You knew?"
Everyone was staring at me, but I kept my eyes firmly on hers.
"Yes. I found out recently. I tried to engineer you away from our conversations instead of just telling."
I clutched her hand.
"I knew you wouldn't do it voluntarily, so I assumed ratting you would put you in danger."
I felt her squeeze my hand slightly, then she muttered,
"Thank…you."
I looked up. Clarisse looked like she was having an internal war. She was crying, but looked like she wanted to punch me, punch herself, or just punch straight up anything. Mainly me, though. She scowled at her cabin mates.
"Go, help the centaurs. Protect the doors. GO!"
They scrambled off to join the fight. Silena took a heavy, painful breath.
"Forgive me."
Clarisse clutched her hand harder.
"You're not dying," she insisted.
The daughter of Aphrodite gazed up at the sky.
"Charlie…" her eyes were a million miles away, "See Charlie…"
She didn't speak again. Clarisse held her and wept. Chris put a hand on her shoulder.
Finally, Annabeth closed Silena's eyes.
"We have to fight."
Annabeth's voice was brittle.
"She gave her life to help us. We have to honour her."
Clarisse sniffled and wiped her nose.
"She was a hero, understand? A hero."
I nodded, reaching for her.
"We know, Clarisse."
She flinched away. Her glare returned.
"You! Don't touch me! You knew! You could've have stopped this!"
Then she stormed off. I knew it was just the grief talking, but it still hurt like hell. What was worse, was everyone else seemed to silently agree with her, or at least, didn't comfort me. We re-joined the battle with heavy hearts.
Clarisse fought like a demon. She was the only reinforcement we needed. Even without shield or armour, she rode her chariot straight into the Titan's army and crushed everything in her path. She was so inspiring that even the panicked centaurs rallied to her. The Hunters found more arrows, and launched volley after volley. I caught Thalia's eye, and she saw my miserable look. Frowning, she went back to shooting arrows. The Ares cabin slashed and hacked, which happened to be their favourite hobby. The monsters retreated towards Thirty-fifth Street.
Clarisse strung the drakon carcass up behind her chariot, and rode it through the enemy, yelling insults and daring people to fight her. As she rode, I realised she was actually glowing red. Thalia had appeared beside me.
"The blessing of Ares. I've never seen it in person before."
I nodded, and she frowned.
"What's up? What happened?"
I waved a hand, feeling like I was about to burst into tears, but wasn't capable. I looked back at Clarisse. She seemed to automatically dodge every weapon thrown at her.
"I AM CLARISSE, DRAKON SLAYER!"
She screamed across the monster ranks.
"I will kill you ALL! Where is Kronos? Bring him out! Is he a coward?"
Percy ran forward, yelling,
"Clarisse! Stop it! Withdraw!"
She ignored him.
"What's the matter, Titan lord?! BRING IT ON!"
There was no answer from the enemy. Slowly, they began to fall back behind a Dracanae shield wall, while Clarisse drove in circles around Fifth Avenue, daring anyone to cross her path. The fifty-metre-long drakon carcass made a hollow, scraping noise as it dragged along the pavement.
Meanwhile, we tended to our wounded. Thalia came up to me, and demanded to tell me what happened. I told her everything, from the fake Clarisse, to Silena, her being a spy, and Clarisse and probably the others hating me for not telling. Thalia scowled, but, with pure relief, not at me.
"Well, they're idiots. I would've done the same as you."
I smiled, sadly.
"Thank you."
She replied with a sincere smile, then we both sat there. Her head eventually dropped onto mine, but I was too tired to care. She soon fell asleep, both of us just sitting on the curb. I stayed wide awake, however. After maybe fifteen minutes, all of which I did nothing but stare ahead like a crazy person, Thalia woke. She seemed to either be comfy, or, with the knowledge that I like her, no longer embarrassed. She yawned, and said,
"I'll get Zoe. The Hunters can help stand guard. You should probably head up to Olympus. I think Annabeth and Percy look like they're doing the same."
I nodded silently and she got up. After maybe ten seconds, I did the same, heading for the lobby. The elevators had just closed, probably Annabeth and Percy going up. I walked over, looking around. Wounded lay everywhere. Travis and Connor were hurrying around, playing ball-boy for the Apollo campers, fetching medical gear. However, the majority of the inhabitants of the lobby were lying on roll mats, either unmoving, or going that way, medics desperately trying to keep them alive.
I reached the elevator, and it opened. There was no way it had dropped Annabeth and Percy off, and come all the way back down, but I guess it magically created new elevators every time it was used. I stood in silence, trying to suppress the urge to smash whatever the hell was playing music. The buttons lit up sporadically: 450…475…500…525…
Finally, it dinged at …600…and I stepped out onto the suspended walkway connecting the elevator and the Empire State Building to Mount Olympus. I didn't even care enough to look around at the state of the city, but it seemed to match my mood. I finally reached the throne room. Ahead, I saw Hestia smiling at Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and surprisingly, Rachel, although she was walking towards the exit. She nodded at me as I passed, seemingly sensing my dislike for conversation. Ahead, Percy turned around to face his friends, and saw me. I saw his face drop, but he quickly hid it. Annabeth wasn't so inconspicuous. Grover seemed happy enough to see me. I bowed to Hestia, and she nodded, watching the interaction between me and the others. Finally, he said,
"Do not judge Fayden's decision."
Everyone, including me, looked at her.
"He did what was the best choice."
Annabeth opened her mouth to argue, but Hestia shut her up with a swift glare. I had never seen Hestia look annoyed. Her calm ember eyes hardened.
"Do not question me. I have seen all the different paths in my Hearth. I saw the different outcomes. Any other choice, and many more people would have died. Even killing Silena himself, would have endangered more people. Surely that pales what he really did, considering it was the best choice to make?"
She spoke calmly, nut I heard the 'Agree with me or else' undertone, so the others did. Without being threatened by the goddess as a factor, Annabeth and Percy seemed to loosen their glares at me. I nodded thankfully at Hestia, then turned to Percy.
"So…"
I trailed off. He pointed to his father's throne.
"I'm about to disintegrate myself. Wanna watch?"
His carefree tone brought a smile back to my face.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world."
I walked with the others, and watched with tense breath as Percy clambered up onto Poseidon's throne. The moment he sat down, he reddened massively, as if about to catch fire. Suddenly, it died down, and a strange blue glow surrounded him. I don't know how, but the glow appeared confused. Then, after a short while, it turned worried. Steam had started appearing, gently hissing off Percy's clothes. I pointed, and said,
"Um…"
Annabeth gasped.
"If he stays there too long, he'll combust!"
I nodded.
"Thought as much."
This was really strange. The blue glow now definitely showed denial, as if refusing to do something. Finally, it shimmered, as if it had given way and agreed to something it didn't want to. Then Percy opened his eyes, and the glow faded. He slipped off the throne, and Grover said,
"Are you ok? You turned pale and…you started smoking."
Percy looked startled.
"I did not!"
I pointed at his T-shirt. He looked down, and saw the steam curling off his T-shirt. Parts of the hair on his arms had singed. Annabeth spoke worriedly,
"If you had sat there any longer, you would've spontaneously combusted. I hope the conversation was worth it?"
Percy smoothed out his shirt, batting the steam. Then he said,
"We'll find out soon."
Just then, footsteps rang out. I turned, and saw Zoe running in. I smiled at her, but her face looked grim.
"You've got to get down there. The enemy is advancing. And Kronos is leading them."
Dun dun dun!
I ruined the moment, didn't I?
By the time we got back down, it was to late. Campers and Hunters lay wounded on the ground. Clarisse and her chariot were frozen solid in a block of ice. I wasn't sure how long she could even survive being that cold. The centaurs had either died, or run off, because I couldn't see them anywhere. The Titan army ringed the entire building, standing maybe ten to eleven metres from the doors. Krono's vanguard was facing the front doors, right at the front. I didn't care enough to see who was there, but glimpsed a demigod with an eyepatch and a Dracanae with a crown on her head. What I was focused on, was dear old father.
Kronos was standing right at the front, scythe in hand. The only thing stopping him from walking straight inside, was…
"Chiron…" Annabeth's voice sounded weak, like she was about to cry.
If Chiron heard us, he didn't look around. He had an arrow nocked, aimed right at Kronos's head. Kronos saw us, and instantly, his eyes flared. I saw Zoe, Percy, Annabeth and Thalia instantly freeze. Me? My theory of being immune went straight out the window. I was the least affected, still moving, but slowly. It sucked, almost making me feel sorry for the monsters I'd killed like that. Almost. I could feel time around me speeding up at different intervals. Kronos had suddenly let out a silent gasp. He was using a lot of energy just to keep me moving slow.
However, the Titan looked back at Chiron.
"Step aside, little son."
It was a weird reminder that Chiron was my half-brother, but Kronos said son like it was deep insult. Chiron's voice was steely calm, the only way to tell the centaur was very angry.
"I'm afraid not."
Kronos suddenly winced, and glared at me. My eyes were glowing, fighting his power.
"Stop that!"
Everyone was frozen, and couldn't look over to me, but they could talk. Zoe strained on the spot as she said,
"Fayden! Fight it! Come…on!"
My eyes glowed brightly, and so did Kronos'. I realised that he had far greater energy reserves. He could keep this up longer. However, if I suddenly 'failed', he'd lesson his hold, as it was tiring him. So, I let my eyes fade, and stood their struggling normally. Kronos laughed, and I felt most if his hold vanished. The Titan suddenly looked a lot better, but I twitched my finger. I could move almost normally.
The Dracanae queen had grown impatient. She charged Chiron, and his arrow impaled her through the head. Chiron quickly reached round for his quiver, but it was empty. Annoyance clear on his face, he drew the sword at his waist. Any minute now, while Kronos was entirely focused on Chiron. The Titan lord chuckled, and took a step forward. Chiron's horse half skittered nervously. His tail flicked back and forth.
Kronos chuckled,
"You're a teacher. Not a hero."
"Luke was a hero. Until you corrupted him."
"FOOL!"
Kronos' voice echoed around the buildings. "You filled his head with empty promises. You said the gods cared about me!"
I had stopped pretending to struggle. Chiron frowned.
"Me. You said me."
Kronos looked confused, and in that moment, Chiron struck. It was actually a pretty decent combo: A feint followed by a strike to the face, but Kronos was faster. He had all of Luke's fighting skill, which, according to Percy, was great. Still, he didn't have mine.
Kronos knocked aside Chiron's blade and opened his mouth to yell. My eyes suddenly exploded gold, and because father wasn't paying any attention, I easy broke his hold. Speeding towards Chiron, I managed to slow the centaur down as Kronos yelled,
"BACK!"
A blinding white light exploded between the Titan and the centaur, but I stopped it. Chiron flew sideways, but I caught him just before he smacked against the building. However, the sudden stop seemed to have cracked his back leg. He cried out in pain, and when I realised him from my powers, he fell over.
"No!" Annabeth wailed.
The freezing spell broke and they all ran over to Chiron. I stayed facing Kronos. The Titan was looking at me with contempt, but also begrudging respect.
"Hmm. I have to say…Out of all my sons…I hate you the least. You are brave."
"I got that from my mother. Not you, you pathetic coward!"
His face contorted into a silent snarl.
"You dare call me a coward!"
"Yes! You are a coward!"
"AH!"
Kronos had yelled, and another blast of white light flew at me. However, I slowed it down against a wall of gold, and diverted the energy, speeding it towards the left flank of Kronos' army. About 70 monsters flew backwards and disintegrated on impact. The ripples of laughter that had travelled across Kronos' army stopped, and they suddenly looked nervous.
Annabeth had whirled around, drawing her knife.
"YOU!"
She turned to Luke. I knew, somehow, she was talking about Luke. Unless she hung out with Kronos as a kid.
"To think that I…that I thought…"
She raised her knife. Percy grabbed her arm.
"Annabeth, don't."
She pushed him off and attacked Kronos. His sneer faded as she stabbed at him. Her knife collided into his collarbone. It should've sunk into his chest, killing him, but instead, it bounced off. Annabeth doubled over, clutching her arm to her stomach. The force of the strike must have dislocated her injured arm. Percy ran forward as Kronos swung his scythe. The air swished a second later, his scythe swung through the air where Annabeth had stood. The girl fought against Percy, yelling,
"I HATE you!"
I heard Percy tell her,
"I have to fight him."
"Its my fight too, Percy!"
I interrupted them.
"No. It's not. For either of you."
I turned back to my dad. His sneer seemed to hide his real facial expression. There was something quivering in his upturned smirk.
"It's mine."
But before I could even raise my sword, a howl cut through the air.
"Aroooooooo!"
I looked around. So did Kronos. Percy's eyes were wide, and he tentatively called,
"Mrs O'Leary?"
The enemy forces stirred uneasily. Then the strangest thing happened. They began to part, as if controlled by someone else. Soon, there was a free aisle down the centre of Fifth Avenue. Standing at the end of the block was Percy's giant dog and a small figure in black armour. Percy looked shocked.
"Nico?"
I peered closely. I couldn't make out the figure.
"ROWWF!"
Mrs O'Leary bounded over, ignoring the monsters on either side. Nico, for as he came closer, I saw it was Nico, walked forward slowly. The monsters on either side backed away as if he radiated death…which of course…he did. When he reached us, I could finally see through the face guard of his skull-shaped helmet. He was smiling.
"Got your message. Is it too late to join the party?"
Kronos looked furious.
"Son of Hades."
He spat on the ground.
"Do you love death so much you wish to experience it?"
Nico turned to look at him. I gotta say, for a 14-year-old, he had some bravado.
"Your death, would be great for me."
"I'm immortal, you fool! I have escaped Tartarus. You have no business here, and no chance to live!"
Nico drew his sword- a metre long of wicked sharp Stygian Iron, black as a nightmare.
"I don't agree."
His voice was cold, with a hint of humour. The ground rumbled; cracks appeared in the road, the sidewalk, the sides of the buildings. Skeletal hands grasped the air as the dead clawed their way into the world of the living. There were thousands of them, and as they emerged, the Titan's monsters got jumpy and started to back up.
"HOLD YOUR GROUND!"
Kronos looked worried that his troops would flee.
"The dead are no match for the immortal!"
The sky turned dark and cold. Shadows seemed to thicken and come to life. A harsh war horn sounded, and as the dead soldiers formed up ranks with their guns and swords and spears, an enormous chariot roared down Fifth Avenue. It came to a stop next to Nico. The horses were living shadows, fashioned from darkness. The chariot was inlaid with obsidian and gold, decorated with scenes of painful death. Holding the reins, although I had never met him, was undoubtedly Hades, the Lord of the Dead, with Demeter and I guess Persephone riding behind him.
Hades wore black armour and a cloak the colour of fresh blood. On top of his pale head was the legendary helm of darkness: a crown that radiated pure terror. It changed shape as I looked at it. It was a black helmet, a dragon's head, a crown of black bones, a wreath of fire. But the worst part was the terror it projected off. Although…
I saw Percy and everyone trembling slightly, but as I stared at it, I felt nothing. I saw a black helm, but felt no fear. For a split second, Hades met my eyes, wonder in his eyes, and I saw Thalia slowly dying at my feet. For a split second, I felt pure dread, but the moment he looked away, it vanished. Thalia was beside me. She wasn't dead. I frowned. Everyone else was on the verge of tears by being near it. Why was I not shown my fears? Hades had to focus on me and concentrate before it happened, and even then, it only showed one.
As I looked around, I saw that only the fear of Kronos' wrath seemed to overcome the power of Hades' helm, but even then, the enemy forces were trembling in their armour. Hades smiled coldly.
"Hello, Father. Immortal, you say? Tell me, where is Koios?"
Kronos golden eyes flickered with fear, and I saw his eyes focused on the helm. Then he glanced away and sneered.
"Your little magic hat doesn't work on me, Hades."
Hades smirked.
"Really? So you don't fear death? The unstoppable force of withering decay as your body is lost, and your name is lost forever?"
With every word Hades' words seemed to grow heavier. Kronos seemed scared, and failed to hide it.
"No one can kill a Titan!"
Hades looked down at me from his chariot, not saying a word. Kronos followed his gaze, and his eyes flickered. Then he sneered.
"Please. I'd like to see the weaklings try. Regardless, I hope you and the ladies have come to pledge your allegiance."
Hades let out a short, high-pitched laugh.
"I'm afraid not. My son here convinced me that perhaps I should prioritize my list of enemies. As much as I dislike certain upstart demigods, it would not do for Olympus to fall. I would miss bickering with my siblings. And if there is one thing we can agree on…"
He seemed to look down at me, including me in the 'we' of his sentence.
"…It is that you were a terrible father."
I heard Demeter mutter something, and Persephone cried,
"Mother!"
Hades drew his sword, a double-edged Stygian blade, etched with silver.
"Now fight me! For today, the House of Hades will be called the saviours of Olympus!"
"I don't have time for this."
Kronos had snarled at Hades, then slammed his scythe into the ground. A crack spread in both directions, circling the Empire State Building. A wall of force shimmered along the fissure line, separating Kronos' vanguard, me and the others behind me from the bulk of the two armies. Percy muttered,
"What's he doing?"
Thalia answered,
"Sealing us in. He's collapsing the magic barriers around Manhattan, cutting off just the building, and us."
I heard, and, as I looked around, I saw she was right. Outside the barrier, cars roared to life. Pedestrians suddenly woke up and stared at the zombie army and the monsters around them. The Mist would have to be bloody powerful to hide all that. Percy seemed fixed on something outside the barrier, and muttered,
"No. Don't!"
However, Hades seemed to cause a distraction, deliberate or not. He charged his chariot against the wall surrounding us. It capsized, and he rolled out, cursing. Next, he sent a wall of black energy against it. Still, the wall held. Then, angry at being defeated, he yelled,
"ATTACK!"
The armies of the dead collided with Kronos' army. Fifth Avenue exploded into absolute chaos. Mortals screamed and ran for cover. Demeter waved her hand and an entire column of giants turned into wheat stalks. Persephone glared, and suddenly the spears the Dracanae held became sunflowers. Nico hacked and slashed his way through the enemy, trying to protect the mortals as much as he could. What was weird, was about one in four of the monsters he stabbed didn't burst…instead, they turned black and became skeletons, turning back on their old allies.
My attention turned back to Kronos as he spoke.
"Nakamura, attend me. Giants…deal with them."
He pointed at us. I looked around. It took me a second to notice Zoe had been caught on the outside of the bubble. She was fighting viciously against the hordes of monsters. It took me a while to see her usual pale silver glow had hardened slightly, almost like Clarisse's red glow when she fought the drakon. The blessing of Artemis on one of her immortal Hunters. I'd love to see the monster brave enough to go near her.
The two Hyperborean's had charged us. I raised my sword, but Percy and Thalia beat me to it. Percy rolled between his legs and stabbed his ass. Ooh…Percy. Sportsmanship, bro. Thalia had sprinted up the second giant's back, like a flipping ninja, and sliced at his thick blue neck with her hunting knives. She jumped down behind the largest headless ice sculpture. I turned to the Empire State Building, then saw Chiron.
I'd completely forgotten about him. He was lying on the floor, clutching his leg. Percy called to his dog.
"Mrs O'Leary! Protect Chiron!"
The dog barked and ran over, growling at anything that came near her. We all ran towards the elevators. The bridge connecting Olympus to the mortal world was dissolving. We all stepped out onto the white walkway and immediately cracks appeared at our feet. I got ready to use my powers, knowing someone was going to slip.
"Jump!"
Thanks Grover. You're part mountain goat. He sprang across the slabs as ours tilted dangerously.
"Gods, I hate heights!"
I gripped Thalia's arm tight. It wasn't comforting; it was secured. She glanced gratefully at me and we both leaped. Percy followed, but Annabeth was in no condition for jumping. She stumbled on the slab and yelled,
"Percy!"
The son of Poseidon dived, but he was too far. Instantly, I let go of Thalia, and my eyes burned. I didn't have time to raise my hands. Annabeth had a few fingers still left on the slab…the rest of her was hanging in mid-air as her entire glowed gold. Percy grabbed her hand and with a lot of his strength, he managed to pull her back over. I let go as well, and she brushed off. Looking at them holding each other made me smirk. Then she tensed and stepped away.
"Um, thanks."
Percy, as smooth as ever, replied,
"Uh, duh."
I wish I had a free hand to slap my face, but I was holding my sword and gripping Thalia. Grover called back from ahead,
"Keep moving!"
We all sprinted across the sky bridge as it dissolved behind us. Like a typical group of protagonists, we made it as the last section disintegrated. Annabeth looked back at the elevator, now completely unreachable. They were hanging in mid-air, 498 floors above the top of Manhattan.
"We're marooned," she said. "On our own."
"Blah-ha-ha!"
No, I did not say that. It was Grover. The satyr looked stunned.
"The connection between Olympus and America is dissolving! If it fails…"
"The gods won't be able to move on to another country this time," Thalia was quiet. "This will be the end of Olympus. The final end."
We ran through the streets. Mansions were burning. Statues had been hacked down. Trees in the parks were blasted to splinters. It looked like someone had attacked the city with a giant Weedwhacker. Kronos's scythe. Percy said as much, and we all stayed silent, following the winding path towards the palace of the gods. The road seemed to go on forever. I glanced around and was disgusted. The entire mountaintop was in ruins…so many beautiful buildings and gardens…simply gone.
It looked like a few minor gods and nature spirits had tried to stop Kronos. Their remains were strewn about the road…shattered amour, ripped clothing, swords and spears…all broken in half. A voice shook the mountain ahead of us.
"Brick by brick! That was my promise. Tear it down BRICK BY BRICK!"
A white marble temple in the distance exploded. The dome shot up like the lid on a cooking pot, and shattered, raining rubble over the city behind us. Thalia scowled.
"That was a shrine to Artemis. He'll pay for that."
We were running under the marble archway with the huge statues of Zeus and Hera when the entire mountain groaned, rocking sideways like a boat in a sea storm. Grover shouted out,
"Watch it!"
The archway crumbled. I looked up to see a twenty-ton Hera topple slightly. I thrust out my hands as Thalia dived for Annabeth and Percy. Dust exploded around us, and my vision blurred, but when it finally cleared, I saw Thalia standing, dusting herself, and Percy pulling Annabeth up. They turned to see me straining, and Thalia said,
"Oh my god, Fay! How many times are you going to save our lives?"
I grunted as I realised the statue. As it hit the ground, another bout of dust flew into the air. While it floated down, I jumped onto the fallen statue. As it floated away and the air cleared, I jumped down on the other side, and smirked.
"Well, let's see."
I pointed to the throne room, now only a short run from us.
"I'd say a few more, quite soon."
We took off running towards the giant doors, only, they weren't there. The gap could've fit the Princess Andromeda, but they were either side of the doorway, splintered like normal doors. Kronos stood in the middle of the throne room, his arms wide, staring at the starry ceiling as if taking it all in. His laughter, for once, wasn't as cold, and he sounded genuinely happy, like a madman who finally scratched that itch.
"Finally!" he bellowed.
"The Olympian Council…so proud and mighty. Which seat of power shall I destroy first?"
Ethan Nakamura stood to one side, trying to stay out the way of his master's scythe. The Hearth was almost dead, just a few coals glowing deep beneath a pile of ashes. Hestia was nowhere to be seen.
We all stepped forward into the light. Ethan saw us, and said,
"My lord."
Kronos turned, a wide grin on Luke's face. Annabeth made a small sound as if someone had sucker-punched her. Kronos turned to Percy.
"Shall I destroy you first, Jackson? Is that the choice you make? To fight me and die, or bow down? Prophecies never turn out well, you know."
He turned to me.
"Or you, son? I'd feel great pleasure in killing you. I should've done it all those years in your apartment. You've been a consistent thorn in my side. Well…it ends now."
He came at us, and I barely noticed his scythe had become a double-sided sword, one I recognised. Luke's backbiter, double forged celestial bronze and mortal steel. Both me and Percy smashed into him, but he held us both simultaneously, spinning his sword ridiculously fast. I glimpsed Ethan trying to get round us, but Annabeth and Thalia went at him, and he was instantly on the retreat. I could here Grover playing the reed pipes. The song sounded suspiciously like Imagine Dragons 'Whatever It Takes'. Kind of appropriate.
Suddenly, Kronos pulled back from our attacks. I had swung forward, and the momentum made me temporarily lose balance. I never lost balance. But even as I stumbled, I could see an old hag, holding a pair of vicious looking scissors flash across my mind. In that split second, Kronos flicked his hand, and I flew out of a hole in the roof of the throne room, falling down towards America from hundreds of metres up. The last thing I heard was Thalia screaming,
"NOOOO!"
And a bright blue electric flash filled the throne room.
Then I flipped over and fell down through the sky.
MWHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA! I'm sorry.
No, I'm not. What will happen? Who knows? How will Fayden survive? Will he survive?! A bodiless voice did say he'd visit him soon. And he dreamed of being in Tartarus.
Or is that complete lies and he gets rescued?
MWAHAHAHA!
On a serious note, I kinda thought that combining multiple chapters in the book into one chapter here, kinda removed the atmosphere, like Silena's death, but oh well. Just pause for like, five seconds before reading on.