Chapter 9: Kenzie

My heart was thudding so hard as Apollo finished reciting the prophecy that I was sure even Nico could hear it. All I could think was, Oh my gods no, please no. I knew the prophecy, Nimn had explained it to me shortly after I learned of it. What Apollo had recited was a shortened version, but it got the main points down. I clutched the flaming shackles that imprisoned us, desperately willing them to break. They were as cold as steel, but as strong as fire. Zeus's eyes shifted restlessly around. Once he met my eyes, but he looked away almost immediately. Coward. Didn't even have to courage to dispose of us himself. I was worried for Nico though. I feared his reaction and I didn't want him to die. My punishment for running would be great, this I knew. Nimn stirred beside me and raised her head. I turned instantaneously.

"Mother?" I whispered.

"Not with words," she said softly.

I understood. What now? I asked.

I have an idea, she replied. But I'm going to need your help.

Anything to escape the wrath of Zeus, I replied wryly. I'm not afraid to suffer, but we haven't done anything wrong.

I agree. This is tyranny.

What is it you wish me to do? I asked, getting interested again. I touched the back of my head and when I drew my fingers back they were sticky with blood. There was a lump there that throbbed painfully, and I felt fearful. I probably had a fractured skull and as I probed further, I discovered that this was so. I just prayed that there wasn't brain damage. If there was, I was a goner.

I need you to lend me your strength child, please.

Very well, I replied, slightly bemused.

First however, your head needs to be fixed. Her voice was suddenly more like a concerned mother than a goddess in need and I almost smiled. She closed her eyes and I felt the crushed bone mend and the skin knit itself together again. It still felt sensitive to the touch, but no longer life threatening. I can't do much about the brain damage, she said sadly, only Apollo can cure that.

I grimaced. Well, seeing that he's under Zeus, I deem that unlikely.

I am sorry, my power can only extend so far.

It's alright. Now what is it that we need to do?

Like I said, lend me your strength. This is ice-fire, its elemental. I can use its power, but it's also completely alien to me. There's a slight complication to it to prevent me from using it that I've never encountered before. I just hope it isn't too draining…

Okay, I thought at her. Anything to get out of this.

I felt her tense against me. Muscles straining in her lithe frame, I almost felt the battle of wills ensuing around me. I felt myself weaken slightly. Then she relaxed. I have it under my control, she said.

Good, that's good.

Nico was still gaping at Apollo, he hadn't noticed what was just undertaken and for that I was glad. None of the others noticed either, all eyes were on him. In a way, that was a good thing. His mouth worked spasmodically as he tried to give voice to his thoughts. At last he gasped out, "You can't seriously mean… Kenzie'd never… She wouldn't…"

"It is final," Zeus said coldly and without pity.

Nico glared at him. "Nothing's final. Not whilst I'm still breathing!"

"Your courage is admirable son of Hades, but you all must suffer the consequences for your actions. Nico, you because you assisted the child while she hid from us. The girl because she resisted. Nimn because this whole mess is her fault." He sounded like he had rehearsed what he was going to say. I could almost hear the singsong of it in his voice.

Nimn tensed. Be ready.

KK,I replied.

Nico spat at Zeus. "If you believe that, you're as bad as your father."

"Watch your mouth kid," Ares snarled, twisting Nico's arm viciously. Nico snapped. H raised a foot kicked Ares in his soft spot and writhed free the second the war god's grip slackened.

NOW! Nimn cried. She wrenched the flames aside as if they were twine. She rose and I leaped to my feet. Nimn drew a silver double-bladed sword and she and Artemis at once engaged in open combat while Nico grappled with Ares. Poseidon and Percy went to aid Ares and a few of the other gods who were impartial vanished on the spot. Demeter, Aphrodite, Hera, Hestia, Hermes, and Dionysus teleported out of the throne room. Artemis, Poseidon, Percy, Hephaestus, Percy, and Nimn were all that remained. I ran over to where Nico fought and pulled Poseidon off of him. Without hesitating, I punched him in the adam's apple. His eyes crossed and his breath came in a rattling gasp as he crumpled to the ground. Noticing this, Percy dove at me, sword raised, ready to kill. I dodged with ease and kicked him hard as he flew by. He was sent sprawling, hitting his head hard against the marble floor as he did so. I didn't stop to congratulate myself. Ares' nose broke with a sharp crack and ichor poured from both nostrils. He stumbled back and Nico slashed at him with the sword Percy had dropped when I sent him flying. Ares parried the strike with his own and delivered a thrust of his own. Nico sidestepped and hit him hard in the ribs with the blade. Ares fell back, looking stunned. His body convulsed once before going limp. He wouldn't die, but he'd be in a lot of pain for a very long time. Artemis cried out as Nimn overpowered her and we whipped around. Artemis was covered in blood, most of it her own. There was a gash over her right eye and her left arm hung limp at her side. It took me a moment to notice that Zeus was gone. I swore a violent oath.

Nico chuckled slightly and took my hand gently in his. "Don't worry, he can't hide forever. We'll find him," he promised.

"We had better," I muttered. "That yellow-bellied coward has no place ruling Olympus after this."