IX

PANDA

The confrontation with Thalia really shook me. Not because I was scared of her or because she was so close to actually killing me, but she had come after me for revenge. Never in my life did I ever think that would happen to me. The guilt I had been feeling before was now more amplified when Thalia looked at me with anguish visible in her blue eyes.

I sank back, as Thalia explained how Artemis was furious and searching for me. She said she had left without letting Artemis know, and hunted me down herself. Honestly, I was glad it was Thalia who had found me, because Artemis was ruthless and wouldn't have hesitated in killing me.

"So, where are you guys headed?" Thalia asked, her gaze landing on me. I blinked when I realized she wanted me to contribute something to the conversation.

"We don't know," I said honestly. I frowned when I realized how hopeless and pathetic that sounded.

"Well, either way, I'll go back and keep her off your trail as much as I can," she said. I kind of felt relieved. I trusted Thalia with my life, so knowing she had my back was refreshing.

"Maybe we can—" she began, but she stopped when there was a loud growl coming from the woods. Everyone jumped up and pulled out their weapons. Like a habit, I pulled out Planaxis and a sense of security flooded over me as I held my old weapon again. We all turned back to back, creating a misshapen circle.

From the woods, emerged a giant fox. I mean, huge. It was at least thirty feet long and about fifteen feet high. Its fur was a bright, bright red and it bared its huge fangs. Thalia gasped.

"It can't be," Thalia said, as she stared at the foaming fox. "The Teumessian Fox," she whispered.

"What?" Nico asked, as he pulled up his sword.

"It's the fox that can't be caught," she said.

"That doesn't make sense!" Percy hissed, but before Thalia could explain further, the fox lunged. Everyone jumped out of the way, as the fox crashed through a tree and spun around. It pawed the ground and its black beady eyes landed on me. Always me. I was about to scream bloody murder (more so than I had done numerous times before) because all these monsters were after me. My breath quickened as it took one preparing step and then sprinted. This thing was huge and fast, and I learned from painful experience, for something so huge, don't jump to the side. As it got closer, I jumped towards, tucking into a ball and rolled under it. It skidded to a halt when it realized it couldn't find me.

It growled and then stumbled back, as an arrow sprouted at its paw. It snapped at Thalia, who quickly rolled out of the way. I heard a war cry, and I knew who it belonged to; Percy. I ran out from under it, as Percy jumped and slashed at its forearm. The fox howled in pain and bared its big teeth at Percy, who yelled "whoa" and stumbled backwards.

From the corner of my eye, I saw a fissure erupt and several skeletons pop out. Good old Nico and his tricks. As the skeletons attacked like flies, jumping onto its flanks, I swung Planaxis and created three bloody gashes on its hind leg. The fox spun and growled and howled and snapped, as the skeletons attacked it with their army knives. A few arrows embedded themselves into its left shoulder, but this fox seemed almost impervious. The fox reared on its hind legs and flung the skeletons off. One smashed into a rock and crumbled into a pile of bones.

Suddenly, Thalia appeared at my side.

"There's no way to beat this!" she screamed over the fox's howling. "It's destined to never be caught! You can't destroy it!" she yelled, as she notched an arrow and sent it sailing into its cheek.

"Then what do we do?!" I yelled. I saw Percy rolled under the fox and slash at its chest, but the fox was still standing and fighting hard. Nico slashed at its back leg, which made the fox kick this time and sent Nico flying into a tree. This thing was tough, and with what Thalia says, there's no way to survive this monster. Thalia didn't answer. I knew she didn't know how it was possible to get rid of this beast. Then I remembered, knowledge is power; I specifically learned that from Annabeth. That was how Odysseus beat the Cyclops and how Percy had saved Grover. I grabbed Thalia's shoulder.

"Tell me more!" Thalia looked at me like I was crazy. I was asking for her to tell me a story during a fight with an unbeatable creature. But my expression must've been determined, because she began telling me everything she knew about it.

"The Teussemian Fox was created and sent by the gods to punish Thebes for a crime!" she yelled. There was a scream, and I barely saw blood running down Nico's arm. Thalia spoke faster.

"He was destined never to be caught! But a hero figured out a way to stop the punishment. He sent Laelaps, a dog destined unavoidable, after the fox. They created a paradox. So, Zeus had two choices: let them follow the same cycle forever or freeze them in time, which is what he did. He turned them to stone and threw them into the stars, hence the constellations for the dog and fox!"

I processed the information as I watched as Percy and Nico fought the giant fox. What did she say in that story that could help them…

"Thalia, can it understand people?" I asked.

"Greek!" she answered, as she shot about five arrows into its flank. I licked my lips and prepared for some rusty Greek. I knew there was no way to beat it, but there was a way to derail it.

"Thalia, I'm gonna need your help! Wait for my signal!" I yelled. Thalia looked confused, but as soon as I opened my mouth, she understood what I meant.

"Hey!" I yelled, stepping forward. The fox's head snapped towards me, pretty much ignoring the sons of the Big Three and the skeletons that were attacking him. I swallowed, pulling as much courage into my body as I could.

"I heard you can't be caught! Yeah right! Laelaps will catch you in five seconds!"

The fox narrowed his eyes at me and turned, so his whole body was facing me. Fear slowly crept up my back, but I stopped it dead. I could do this. Percy and Nico stopped fighting and stared at me.

"He's coming you know. As we speak," I said, taking a step forward. The fox's eyes opened wide. "I can already here him crashing through the forest." There was a giant crash somewhere in the woods behind me and within two heartbeats, the fox took off with skeletons still clinging to its fur. The will to never be caught was too much for the fox. He had no choice but to flee. I couldn't help but laugh in relief.

"How did you—" Percy said as he stared at me in awe.

"Hey! I gave her the idea!" Thalia said proudly, as she walked out of the forest.

"I don't get it," Nico started, but Thalia just rolled our eyes. She explained the story to them and understanding slowly dawned on their faces.

"Just like Odysseus, huh?" Percy smiled, as he tapped my shoulder with his fist.

"Well guys, the excuse I gave Artemis won't last very long. I have to be heading out," she said, as she slung her bow over her shoulder.

"Thanks Thalia. If it weren't for you, we'd be fox food by now," I said. I wanted to give her a hug, but I knew that would probably seem awkward. Thalia wasn't much of the hugging type either.

"No problem," she said, as she winked. "Oh, if you guys need a place to stay… Luke and I had picked out a house as one of our hideouts. It should still have supplies and food," she said and then she recited an address.

"Thanks," I said. Simultaneously, we both turned and walked away. I heard her footsteps for a few seconds until they faded to nothing. I looked over my shoulder and she was already gone.

I am so sorry it took me so long to pull this chapter out. I got really busy all of a sudden, but anyways. I hope this chapter came out good and it's got no mistakes :) The Teussemian Fox and Laelaps are real! It was pretty interesting. Plus, I believe it was Odysseus, but if I got that wrong, let me know! I was too lazy to look for it. Thanks! :) And if you like Thalia&Percy, I'm working on another story you guys can check out: The Boy Who Proved Her Wrong. Hope you liked the chapter :)