Chapter Thirty-One


Disclaimer: I do not own the PJO or HoO series by Rick Riordan, nor do I own Star Holder Commander's character, Walker. I do own all of the other OCs mentioned.


Adrienne's POV

As the monster quickly approached, we were trying to figure out who would do what when it reached us. James and Keegan would quite obviously be farther away with their bows and arrows, firing away and jumping from place to place to get the right shot. Jade, Tristan, and I would be up much closer, considering our weapons were of the close combat type.

"You guys ready?" Jade asks.

"Nope," James says, starting to edge back a little to get into position.

"That's what I thought."

The rest of us get into our stances and wait as the creature nears. As it had gotten closer, I could see that it looked to be Hydra, but made out of seaweed and sloshing, algae ridden, green water. I make a small sound of disgust as the smell of it hit my nose. It smelled like old lake water and sweat from someone who hadn't put on deodorant in three months. And you don't even want to know how I know what that smells like.

Before I know it, the thing is on top of us. All I could hear was its enormous roar. It was like that was only sound there was and ever would be, it overpowered every other sound there was. I couldn't even hear Tristan's yell. I could see his mouth wide open and screaming a battle cry, but I couldn't hear anything else except for the monster's deafening screech.

It had at least ten heads, and the long black claws on its feet were so long that they dug into the ground wherever it stepped. There were large bumps all around its head, almost as if something had repeatedly smashed its head against a rock, and now it had a bunch of welts.

I try to drive the screeching out of my head and concentrate on where to throw my stars. I had to conserve them as best as I could, because I only had four. There was no way in Hades that I was going to go up and pick them out of its seaweedy skin unless it was completely dead.

I couldn't see a visible weak spot anywhere on it. That would be a problem, no doubt. If this thing was like the Nemean Lion, and we couldn't kill it from hacking at its skin, we were doomed. There had to be a weak spot somewhere.

Keegan and James were already firing all the arrows they dared to, so as not to run out before the thing was dead. Jade was trying to draw its attention while Tristan quickly made his way around it. As it turned its back on the rest of us, following Jade and her yelling, I saw a spot on its back, close to the long, winding necks. I dart forward, jumping on before Tristan had the chance.

I could barely hear James shouting after me, asking me if I was mad. But I knew I was only one who could scale this thing the fastest. Tristan might be fast, but he lags a little because of carrying a sword. I didn't, because all I had were throwing stars.

The thing hadn't noticed me yet, which was good. I wasn't quite to the spot yet, and I didn't favor the idea of it seeing me now. I climb it as fast as I can, trying to keep my grip on its slimy skin, which wasn't an easy feat by any means.

I finally make it, hanging on for dear life by this point. It was a much wilder ride up here than it was down towards the bottom. I had been right, the spot I had seen from the ground was definitely a weak spot, the skin was much thinner. It was only in this one spot too, as if the skin had stretched as far as it could, then only had a little left for this one spot.

I struggle to grab two of my stars, but finally manage it. I raise my arm, gripping the stars tightly. I could feel them starting to rip at the palm of my hand. I sling my hand forward and into the weak spot, the stars gouging right into the skin like they were cutting butter. Gross smelling green water spews out, and I fight the urge to gag.

Then, I loose my grip and fall. The first thought that popped into my head was, "Oh great, not this again." The thing was making a horrid sound now, and I thought my ears were going to fall off from having to hear it.

Before I know it, I land hard on my back. I didn't want to move, or even groan. There wasn't a word for how badly my bones hurt. It was like the most intense pain I had ever felt, multiplied by a hundred.

I feel the ground shake one last time, then there was nothing else. No sound, no shaking. My vision started to blur and I felt dizzy. I close my eyes in an attempt to lessen it. I could vaguely hear James shouting my name, almost sounding like he was hysterical.

Then, there was nothing. Absolute silence and darkness enveloped me.

A/N:

Okay, first of all, I am sooooooooo sorry I didn't update yesterday. I completely forgot it was Monday, and by the time I remembered, it was too late and I had to go to bed. I had to be at work at ten this morning, and I wanted to get to bed a little earlier than usual. But hopefully this chapter made up for it being a day late. Am I right?

I bet you kinda hate me for leaving it like that, huh? Well, you're just gonna have to wait two weeks to find out what happens to Adrienne!

It has been an incredibly long day for me. As I said above, I had to be at work early this morning, but I didn't want to get up when my alarm went off at 8:40, so I thought, "Ah, I'll just sleep for ten more minutes, then I'll get up." Nope, that't not what happened at all. Instead, I slept for twenty more minutes, then woke up and saw it was 9:00. Needless to say, there was much rushing to get ready and take the dogs out and then feed both of them.

Some other things happened today, but I don't really feel like going into detail on that stuff, so I'm not gonna. But I could use some good vibes.

Two perks of today though, I got The Blood of Olympus today! And also, the tenth season of Supernatural came on tonight! It's almost over now, but I've got it recording, so I'm going to watch it once I upload this.

M/A:

"'In moments you cannot reprise

Like a soldier or a watch that you can't wind

We fought the world with hands twice-tied

The people cheered, the captain cried

I'll keep the souvenir inside

It's just better in my mind'"

~ How It's Going To Be by Gerard Way

XOXO,

Mrs-diAngelo25