Chapter 31 - We Kick Some Giant Booty

I had managed to make it close enough to Piper and Jason that they could help me. Hazel and Frank were there as well. We formed a defensive ring, trying to defend each other from the Giants' attacks. It felt utterly hopeless. Blood still flowed from my leg onto the ground, turning gold as each drop hit. There was a clear gold trail from everywhere I'd walked. Hazel was dazed from being knocked out of the saddle. Jason looked pale - I didn't think he usually summoned more than one lightning strike. The second one had taken too much out of him.

I wondered if we would all be killed. Every one of us. Maybe there would be no waiting in the Underworld for the rest of the crew to join us - we'd all be there by the end of the day. A blow struck my face, and I heard Hazel call my name. I shook my head to try and clear it, raising the hunting knife just in time to block a strike.

Then, trumpets filled the air. The smoke cleared above us, and at last, the gods came charging in. I'll admit it, it was a beautiful sight to see, though the blood loss made me unsure what I was actually seeing or just imagining.. Zeus was in the lead, his Master Bolt in his hand, his chariot pulled by the Four Winds.

I saw the bomber doors on the Argo II open, releasing Nike. She flew to Zeus and took over as his charioteer, allowing him to focus solely on the Giants.

"My mind is restored!" Nike screamed. "Victory to the gods!"

I hoped Nike didn't have any hard feelings towards us now that she was whole again. Now that she was whole again. I looked at all the gods. They were whole again. That could only mean…. Reyna had succeeded. The Athena Parthenos stood at Camp Half-Blood. The rift was healed. I wanted to collapse right then and there. My mission, the one that had hounded me for months, was finally completed. I grabbed my head, trying to steady myself.

Hera was right behind Zeus, her chariot pulled by the biggest peacocks you can imagine. No, bigger than that. The things were huge. "You could've stayed home." I muttered in her direction. I still was not a fan of Hera, even if she were here to help us. Ares was behind her, riding a fire-breathing horse and screaming war cries. My mom was on the other side of Zeus, her chariot pulled by four gorgeous grey Pegasi. As the gods approached the air flickered and suddenly, they were on the ground. They were human-sized and ringed around us, protecting us.

My mom turned to me. "Well done, Annabeth." I wanted to scream, or slap her for making me go on that stupid quest, or curse her or something, but she placed her hand on my head and I felt healing course through me. I looked down. My leg wound had stopped bleeding. It was healing quickly - flesh growing at a crazy speed to replace what I lost. My ears finally stopped ringing and my head cleared. I felt like I'd just been given a triple shot of my favorite espresso directly into my heart - everything felt super crisp and clear and I was eager to work.

"Now, are you ready for a fight?" My mom asked me calmly. I nodded, swinging the hunting knife from the Giantess up.

"Will you join me this time?" I asked her pointedly. I was still mad, healing or no.

She raised her eyebrows at me. I sighed. I supposed she wasn't going to apologise for the suicide quest, or my hat not working, or Tartarus, or being of absolutely no help this last year, or…. Athena pointed at Enceladus. We charged together as I heard the others break into attacks behind me. Together, we drove him toward the nearest scaffolding. He stumbled against it and it collapsed on top of him. I ran my blade through his heart while my mom stabbed him through the neck. I turned to her.

"Any chance you'll stick around to help me save Percy this time?" I asked her with a glare.

"You're bitter. We can discuss that another time." She informed me. "And I think that boy is doing ok without our help." She pointed across the clearing.

Percy and Poseidon were fighting the twin Giants he had faced in Rome. Poseidon changed his trident into a firehose and sprayed the two Giants out of the Parthenon. The hose didn't seem to release water, though. It almost seemed like… wild horses spraying from it? I shook my head to clear it. Clearly my mom's healing hadn't finished fixing my vision. I glanced around the clearing to take stock of where all my friends were and who needed help.

Further away from us, Frank and Ares smashed through several of the smaller Giants. Ares had a spear and shield. Frank, at least I thought it was Frank, was an elephant. Ares was laughing madly, reminding me very much of Clarisse. Frank was grabbing enemies with his trunk and throwing them straight at Ares's spear, allowing his dad to skewer each one.

Hazel was back on Arion. Any time a Giant came close to touching her, she'd throw out a wall of Mist that she and Arion would ride through, disappearing and appearing behind many Giants. Hades was nowhere to be seen, but Hecate seemed to have taken Hazel as her own. Hecate would set fire to each enemy that Hazel stabbed, using her two torches with great skill. While Hades wasn't present, I did realize that something was swallowing every Giant that fell to the ground. And I doubted it was Gaea. Hazel's dad must've been working magic from somewhere, sending the Giants straight to Tartarus.

Piper was fencing with the Giantess who had kept me captured. Aphrodite wasn't much good in a fight, it seemed. She was floating above the Giantess, throwing rose petals into her eyes to blind her and calling encouragement to Piper. Occasionally doves would swarm the Giantess, but still. Other than blinding her foe, Aphrodite was not being much help to Piper. I pointed to them. "Piper. She needs help. And I want justice."

My mom grinned at me and nodded. We ran across the clearing to help. As we ran I caught sight of Leo, still aboard the Argo II. I let out a little sob of relief. I had been worried he'd been killed by Enceladus. Hephaestus was much as I remembered him. He stood at the controls and worked furiously, clearly trying to repair the ship and get it moving again. Leo was launching ballista and every other weapon on board at the enemies. He was moving from weapon to weapon with a speed that only Leo could handle.

As we ran, my mom grabbed my arm and pointed. Thoon was being bludgeoned by the Fates, but they couldn't beat him alone. They'd need a demigod. I looked at Piper one last time but turned and ran to kill Thoon. My mom threw her shield Captain America-style, smacking him in the face. Thoon sat down with a hearty Whoomp, as the three Fates continued to batter him. I ran in with my giant hunting knife and stabbed him through the belly.

"Consider this a sacrifice." I informed the Giant as I withdrew my blade.

"Thank you, dearie." One of the Fates told me. They continued battering the Giant as he faded to shadows.

I turned to my mom. "Piper." I said simply and we turned and ran as one. As we went to her aid I saw Jason, fighting hand in hand with Zeus against Porphyrion. Porphyrion was fast and deadly. Jason was having a hard time just dodging and rolling. He was barely getting any strikes in.

I heard a crash and stumbled as I ran to Piper's aid. I turned and saw Porphyrion stumble and land in his throne, which crumbled beneath him.

"No throne for you!" Zeus bellowed. "Not here, not ever."

"You can not stop us! It is done! The Earth Mother is awake!" Porphyrion yelled.

Zeus blasted the Giant straight out of the temple, then he and Jason ran after the Giant. I was at Piper's side.

"Hey, thanks for joining the fight." She told me as she parried the Giantess's blade.

"No problem. I got a score to settle with this one."

She grinned at me and we ran in sync at the Giantess. Piper ran at her right, I at her left. We cut our blades across the Giantess's legs. She fell to her knees with a scream. Piper ran to the front of the Giantess, stabbing into her middle. I ran my blade directly into the Giantess's ribs. She managed a last scream as Aphrodite and Athena finished her off. Piper grinned at me and I grinned back. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a hug, and we went to join the others in the middle of the Parthenon.

All the Giants had been destroyed. All that was left was floating ash and dust. Some piles of monster remains. And some cracks in the ground where Hades had done his work. When I saw Percy coming towards me I couldn't help it - I dropped my arm from Piper and ran to him. Yes, the prophecy had come true. Our blood had been spilled to awaken Gaea. But we were both alive. Gloriously, amazingly alive.

When we met he swept me up and spun me around. When he set me down we began kissing again. I heard my mom clear her throat to try and get us to separate, but I wasn't about to let him go. We were alive. That same giddy feeling that had filled me when we got above ground after the House of Hades filled me again. Every sense was extra sharp and extra good. We were alive. The wind was blowing through my hair. The sunlight was hitting my back. I could feel my own pulse, my heart beat, still wonderfully thumping. I could feel Percy shake as he stroked my hair, assuring himself that we were still here, still together.

I heard the others talking nearby but only let Percy go when I heard Zeus speak. Even then, I turned so I could rest my back against him. He wrapped his arms around me and I rested mine on his. We were both trembling with relief and exhaustion and love and a million other feelings. We had a future again.

"Brethren, we are healed thanks to the work of these demigods. The Athena Parthenos, which once stood in this temple, now stands at Camp Half-Blood." Zeus was saying. "It has united our offspring and, thus, our own essences."

"Lord Zeus, is Reyna ok?" Piper asked. "And Nico? Coach Hedge?"

Zeus looked confused by the statement, or maybe the outburst. I was surprised that Piper was so bold to ask that in the midst of all these gods.

"They succeeded in their mission." Zeus informed her. "As of this moment, they are alive."

A fist around my heart let go. I had been worried my friends would be killed fulfilling my mission, my quest. They were alive. We were all alive. I looked around until I spotted Leo. All of us, then, had survived the first battle. But it was only the first battle. With Gaea awake, we had another to face. With the Camp surrounded by enemies, we may have a third.

"Whether or not they are ok -" Zeus said but was cut off by Hera. I glared at her.

"There is still work to be done." She said calmly, spreading her arms as if to welcome us to hug her. "But my heroes, you have triumphed over the Giants as I knew you would. My plan succeeded beautifully."

Before I could yell to her that I wasn't one of "her" heroes, Zeus turned on her. "Hera, do not dare take credit." He thundered, shaking the Acropolis. "You have caused at least as many problems as you fixed."

Hera took a step back. "Husband, surely you do not see this now? This is the only way."

"There has never been only one way. That is why there are three Fates, not one." He bellowed. I turned to catch a glimpse of the old ladies. I raised my hand in a small wave to them. All three were bowing their heads in recognition of Zeus. When he turned from them, one of the Fates, I thought it was Clotho, winked at me.

"Please, husband." Hera said, trying to smile at him.

"She uses 'husband' like a pet name." Percy whispered to me.

I tried not to giggle. "Should I use that someday?"

"Nah. I still prefer Seaweed Brain."

I turned to kiss him again but both Poseidon and Athena cleared their throats. When I turned to them they both shook their heads. I pouted, but decided against angering the gods today.

"I only did what I -" Hera continued.

"SILENCE!" Zeus snapped at her. "You disobeyed my orders. Nevertheless, I recognize that you acted with honest intentions. The valor of these seven heroes proves that you are not entirely without wisdom."

Hera looked like she was going to argue but decided against it.

"Apollo, however - my son, come here." Zeus said, calling forward the god who was hiding near one of the columns.

Apollo inched forward, clearly not looking forward to his punishment. I wondered what Zeus would decide to do with him. Gods couldn't be killed. But I also knew enough to know that their punishments were harsh. I thought about Calypso, still stuck on her island. Atlas, struggling under the weight of the world. I looked back at the scene. The three Fates gathered around Apollo, forming a loose circle and raising their hands.

"Twice you have defied me." Zeus informed Apollo.

"M-my lord." Apollo stammered.

"You neglected your duties." Zeus continued. "You succumbed to flattery and vanity. You encouraged your descendant Octavian to follow his dangerous path. And you prematurely revealed a prophecy that may yet destroy us all."

"But -"

"Enough!" Zeus bellowed. "We will speak of your punishment later. For now, you will wait on Olympus." He flicked his hand at Apollo, who vanished into a column of glitter. The Fates swirled around him, dissolving into the air. Then the glittery tornado shot into the sky, heading back to Olympus.

"Pretty." I heard Percy remark behind me, softly enough that only I would hear. I grinned.

"What will happen to him?" Jason asked his dad. All the gods turned to look at Jason. Uh-oh. I wasn't sure Jason had ever been to a major godly meeting before. But let me tell you from experience, you don't speak out of turn without threats of being blasted and killed in many painful ways.

"That is not your concern." Zeus informed him stiffly. "We have other problems to address."

Silence settled over the Parthenon. I wanted to ask the gods to just send us back to Camp now, we can figure out the rest later, our friends might be dying as we stood here. I opened my mouth to speak, but my mom caught my eyes and shook her head. Her message was clear. Not yet.

"Father." Jason tried again. "I made a vow to honor all the gods. I promised Kymopoliea that after this war is over, none of the gods would be without shrines at the Camps."

"That's fine." Zeus said, scowling at his son. "But - Kim who?"

Poseidon coughed. "She's one of mine."

"My point -" Jason continued. "Is that blaming each other isn't getting anything solved. That's how the Romans and the Greeks got divided in the first place."

"Can you kick him to make him shut up?" Percy whispered behind me. "I'm not against making enemies on Olympus -" He nodded towards Ares, "but we've got other problems right now."

"I can't from this far away. Maybe Piper can." I whispered back. I tried to catch her eye and mimed whacking Jason with a brick. She looked confused.

"Apollo wasn't the problem." Jason continued. "To punish him for Gaea waking is…. Unwise."

"Unwise?" Zeus's voice was dangerously quiet. "Before the assembled gods, you would call me unwise?"

"Do you see a brick anywhere?" I muttered to Percy. "Maybe we can throw it at him from here."

Percy looked around. "Not close enough to grab without causing some attention."

"Any water close by? Can you shove him over here?"

Thankfully, Artemis stepped out of the shadows. "Father - this hero has fought long and hard for our cause. His nerves are frayed. You should take that into account."

"Saved by the Artemis." Percy muttered.

"That's like, the third time she's saved us? We should send her a Christmas card or something." I whispered back.

Jason started to protest, but Artemis stopped him with a firm glance. "Surely, Father," Artemis continued, "We should attend to our more pressing problems, as you pointed out."

"Gaea." I announced, stepping forward. I was trying to get the spotlight off Jason. At least for long enough for Percy to find a brick to hit him with.

"She's awake, isn't she?" I asked, even though I knew the answer. I could feel her clearly. I didn't know if that was because it was my blood that had awakened her or what.

Zeus turned to look at me. Thankfully, the electric-storm feeling in the air dissipated. Zeus must've been calming down.

"That is correct." Zeus spoke clearly. "The Blood of Olympus was spilled. She is fully conscious."

My leg throbbed, though the wound had disappeared. I wondered if I was permanently connected to Gaea now.

"Oh come on!" Percy protested behind me. "I get a little nose bleed and I wake up the entire Earth? That's not fair!"

My mom shouldered her shield. "Complaining of unfairness is like assigning blame, Percy Jackson. It does no one any good." She looked at Jason with approval, then gave me a look so clear she could've spoken it in my mind - You had to fall for the idiot instead of someone like Jason. I glared at her. She hadn't seen Percy in Tartarus. Who was she to judge?

"Now you must move quickly." She said calmly. "Gaea rises to destroy your camp."

Poseidon leaned on his trident and replied, "For once Athena is right."

"For once?" Mom replied, a dangerous note to her voice.

"Why would Gaea be back at Camp?" Leo asked. "Percy's nosebleed was here."

"Dude." Percy complained. "First off, you heard Athena, don't blame my nose. Second, Gaea's the earth, she can pop up anywhere she wants. Besides, she told us what she was going to do. She said first thing on her to-do list was destroying our camp. The question is, how do we stop her?"

Leo met my eyes. I nodded. Time for Leo's part of the prophecy. I could only hope it ended as well as my own - with everyone alive and well.

"Um, your majesty." Frank said to Zeus. "Can't you gods just pop over there with us? You've got chariots and magic powers and what not."

"Yeah!" Hazel said excitedly. "We defeated the Giants together in two seconds. Let's all go -"

"No." Came the firm reply from Zeus.

"No? But Father -" Jason asked.

The air got that electric-storm feeling again. Percy handed me a brick.

"That's the problem with prophecies." Zeus growled. "When Apollo allowed the Prophecy of Seven to be spoken, and when Hera took it upon herself to interpret the words, the Fates wove the future in such a way that it had only so many possible outcomes. So many solutions. You seven, the demigods, are destined to defeat Gaea. We, the gods, cannot."

"I don't get it." Piper said. "What's the point of being gods if you have to rely on puny mortals to do your bidding?"

Most of the gods gave each other uneasy looks. Aphrodite just laughed like Piper was a very amusing toddler. She kissed Piper on the head.

"My dear Piper, don't you think we've been asking ourselves that question for thousands of years? But it's what binds us together - keeps us eternal. We need you mortals as much as you need us. Annoying as that may be, it's the truth."

Frank shuddered at the thought. "So, how can we possibly get to Camp Half-Blood in time to save it? It took us months to reach Greece."

Jason piped up, so I readied the brick just in case. "The winds - Father, can't you unleash the winds to send our ship back?"

"I could slap you back to Long Island." Zeus informed Jason. I couldn't tell if Zeus was joking or not. Did Zeus joke? My mom didn't.

"Um, was that a joke, or a threat, or -"

"No. I meant it quite literally." Zeus assured Jason. "I could slap your ship back to Camp Half-Blood, but the force involved -"

Hephaestus stepped forward from his spot by the crumbled throne. "My boy, Leo, built a good ship. But it won't sustain for that kind of stress. It would break apart as soon as it arrived, maybe sooner."

Leo straightened his toolbelt and gave me a wicked grin, the kind he gave when he was planning something amazing, nearly impossible, and absolutely crazy. "The Argo II can make it. It only has to stay in one piece long enough to get us back home. Once there, we can abandon ship."

I didn't think Leo would ever want to abandon one of his creations. Didn't he plan to use it to get Calypso?

"Dangerous." Hephaestus warned him. "Perhaps fatal."

Nike was twirling her laurel wreath, but didn't seem inclined to kill us for keeping her bound and gagged in a horse stall for part of the journey. "Victory is always dangerous, and it often requires sacrifice. Leo Valdez and I have discussed this."

I realized something - as dangerous as Leo's plan was, he had checked with at least three gods, then, to make sure it would work. Apollo, Artemis and Nike. I gave him a worried look but he winked at me. He was still planning on going through with it, then. He would sacrifice himself for the prophecy. I could only hope the vial of Physician's Cure would work.

I noticed Jason was about to ask Leo, so I did it instead. "Leo, what is Nike talking about?" I asked him. I hoped he got the message that I wasn't really asking, but trying to warn him that Jason was onto him. Jason was fairly different from Percy, but they shared a level of bravery and loyalty that went unmatched. Jason would definitely sacrifice himself to save Leo - so would Percy. I knew that without any doubt in my mind.

He waved it off. "The usual, victory, sacrifice, blah blah blah. It doesn't matter. We can do this, guys. We have to!" I was glad he wasn't rattled by the question. I wasn't sure he got my warning, but at least we had managed to get past the question.

"Leo's right." Jason called out. He looked determined. "All aboard for one last trip."