Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.
Story: Champion of Olympus: Child of the First One
Chapter 12: Ice Cold Death
Third Person POV
Northwestern United States
The group of fire giants moved towards the trench that the Olympians had dug. Mrs. O'Leary stalked toward them. She was still in her giant form. As she walked the earth shook beneath her paws. The giants paid no attention to the trench; they were transfixed on the giant hybrid hellhound that walked toward them. They had seen her destroy their fellow giants and they would not give her the opportunity to attack them when their backs were turned. Athena and her fellow Olympians waited for the opportune time initiate their plan.
Artemis held Aphrodite in her arms. The goddess of love was covered in her own blood. The wounds she sustained were terrible. Half her body was burned and oozed with golden ichor.
Hermes, Demeter and Poseidon waited by the trenches for the signal from Athena. Poseidon would freeze the sea water that filled the trench before the other Olympians used their powers to shatter the giants into pieces.
The giants continued to back up toward the trench. Athena held her hand over her head ready to give the signal. The giants were standing so close together that when one would fall in the trench the others fell in as well. Mrs. O'Leary sensed that the giants were slowing. She couldn't let them discover the trap that the Olympians had set for them. The hellhound was beginning to tire. She had never used her power to change size before; it was beginning to take its toll on her body. She knew that it was now or never. Flames shot from her eyes and mouth as she charged full speed towards the giants. The giants panicked as the hellhound charged them. They began to turn around to run, but it was too late. The first giant turned and lost its footing as it fell into the open trench. It grabbed onto its fellow giants causing all of them to fall into the trench as well.
Athena lowered her arm. Poseidon had been concentrating on the sea water in the trench. As the first giant fell Poseidon froze the water solid. After just a few seconds the trench was frozen into an immense block of ice that included the giants. The other Olympians were about to use their powers to shatter the frozen giants, but Mrs. O'Leary beat them to it. She ran full speed and jumped over the frozen trench as her powerful tail shattered the frozen giants into pieces. The Olympians scattered as the hellhound landed on the other side of the trench with an immense crash.
The Olympians stared in wonder at the largest hellhound anyone had ever seen. She could have given Typhon a run for his money. Mrs. O'Leary stood in front of them panting. Smoke flew out of her nostrils as she breathed hard from her run. Athena walked towards the hellhound. Mrs. O'Leary's eyes seemed to fade in brightness before the hellhound began to shrink in size. Her body shrank and the power she had emitted earlier faded. Once the cloud of smoke faded from around the hellhound she was now her normal size. Athena approached the creature carefully. She looked at the giant head of the creature and noticed that the hellhound was sleeping soundly. She rubbed behind the creatures head carefully. The other Olympians approached. They marveled at the power of the beast.
"I guess Percy was right," Poseidon said.
Athena looked at her former rival curiously. "Right about what?" Athena asked.
Poseidon grinned. "He told me that she would be a great asset," Poseidon said as he gestured toward the sleeping hellhound.
Athena smiled warmly. "A one dog army seems to be a pretty big asset," Athena said.
Soft crying broke the other Olympians away from their victory celebration. They all turned to see Artemis holding the injured Aphrodite. They all rushed to her side. Athena knelt beside her sister.
"How is she?" Athena asked. She knew it was a stupid question, but she didn't know what else to say.
Artemis looked up at her sister. Her silver eyes were now stained red from crying. No one had seen Artemis cry since the death of her beloved Orion. "We need Apollo," Artemis said softly.
Poseidon knelt beside Artemis. His hand hovered over Aphrodite's body. "She can't wait for Apollo. There's one chance for her, if this doesn't work, she'll fade," Poseidon declared.
"How do we help her?" Artemis asked.
"She was born of the sea. The ocean may heal her and I can use my powers to help," Poseidon answered. He gestured for Artemis to let go of the goddess. Poseidon placed his arms under her and carried her bridal style toward the ocean. The water calmed as he approached. The sea knew what was at stake and it followed the lead of its master. Poseidon walked into the sea with the goddess in his arms. Athena and the others waited at the shoreline. Athena wrapped her arms around Artemis protectively. She never knew her younger sister could ever act so helpless.
"It's my fault," Artemis said.
Athena just stared at her curiously. "How can it be your fault?" Athena asked.
Artemis wouldn't meet her sister's eyes. "I said she was a coward. I said she was weak," Artemis said.
Athena sighed. "She was the goddess of love not battle."
Artemis shook her head. "I made her feel worthless. I made her feel like we didn't need her help. She saved me Athena. After everything I said to her she risked her life to save me. Our father adopted her after the first Titan war. She may be annoying at times, but she has a good heart. I never treated her like a sister. I acted like she was useless; I was so wrong."
Athena looked down at the ground. She had been hard on Aphrodite as well. "We were both hard on her. We both made mistakes. She wouldn't want us to beat ourselves up over it." Artemis didn't answer; she kept her gaze fixed on the churning ocean waters before her.
The sea churned as the power of its master made the water glow with a beautiful sea green color. The other Olympians watched in hushed silence as the sea's powers worked to save the goddess. An hour later Poseidon exited the water with Aphrodite still in his arms, her skin was perfect without any burns or cuts. Artemis and Athena both watched for any movement. Suddenly, Aphrodite's hand moved. Artemis sighed in relief. The two daughters of Zeus approached Poseidon and helped him lay their adopted sister on the ground.
Aprodite's skin was perfect once again. She slept soundly once on the ground. Artemis and Athena looked at Poseidon. His normally tanned face was pale and he looked exhausted.
"Are you okay?" Athena asked.
Poseidon plopped down on the ground next to Aphrodite. He groaned as he stretched his arms over his head. "Just tired," Poseidon said. "That took a lot out of me."
Artemis looked at her uncle. "Thank you for saving her," Artemis said.
Poseidon smiled at his niece. "She's part of the sea and the ocean never forgets its own. It was my pleasure," Poseidon said.
Athena smiled at the sea god. She reminded herself of all the arguments they had, but she also knew a softer and gentler side to Poseidon. Ever since he was betrayed by Amphitrite and Triton, he had changed. He was kinder to her and always offered to help her, if she needed it. She knew that she was attracted to him, but to her it felt wrong to be involved with a man she had first considered her uncle, and then her bitter rival. However, she felt adoration and thankfulness that he was now her friend. Would that friendship turn to something more? She wasn't sure and she wasn't ready to give up being a maiden goddess just yet.
"Athena, are you okay?" Artemis asked.
Athena stared at her sister for a moment before nodding. "Just thinking about Percy and the others," she lied.
"Why don't the rest of you go and help them? I'll stay here with Aphrodite," Artemis said.
Athena looked at her sister worriedly. "Are you sure?" Athena asked.
Artemis smiled at her sister's concern. "We'll be fine, go," Artemis urged.
Athena looked at Poseidon. She knew he was exhausted, but they would need his help. "Can you come with us?" Athena asked.
Poseidon grinned at her before standing up. He stretched his back and arms. Some of the color had returned to his face. "I'm fine, let's go," Poseidon said as he offered the goddess his hand.
Athena held his hand as she pulled herself up to her feet. She felt her cheeks turn red at the feeling that shot through her body at his touch. She let go of his hand before the moment became too awkward.
"Let's get the others. I have a little brother to check on," Athena said before leading Poseidon to the others.
Manhattan, NY
Muninn and Huginn flew through the man-made canyons of Manhattan. That demigod, Annabeth had told them about the mortal forces that would investigate the happenings at the hospitals and their search for stragglers. The two large Ravens sat on a perch looking down at one of the hospitals on Manhattan Island; it was the closest one to Olympus.
Suddenly, the sound of a helicopter echoed through the island. It was the only sound. The city was eerily quiet, it was devoid of movement. The cars were gone and the trains and buses weren't running. This helicopter was the only perceptible movement. The black helicopter landed on the roof of the hospital. The two Ravens watched curiously. Their black eyes glowed in the lights of the city. Even with most of the population gone the city was still illuminated.
Once the helicopter had successfully landed six soldiers stepped out of the vehicle. They held assault rifles in their arms. They were dressed in all black and would have been hard to see for anyone, except the two legendary Ravens of Odin. The soldiers ran across the roof and entered the hospital.
Muninn watched the scene unfold before turning to his brother. "Something is wrong here," he declared.
Huginn could feel it as well. "I feel it too," he confirmed. "This plague the humans talk about is a strange one."
Muninn kept his eyes on the roof of the hospital, but his mind was racing with possibilities. "What's loki up to?"
Gun fire rang out through the quiet of the night time air. The two Ravens stared at the roof of the building as four soldiers sprang from the door on the roof. Two ran for the helicopter as two others ran backwards firing their guns at the door behind them. The door to the roof broke open again and several dark figures ran toward the soldiers. Muninn and Huginn focused their enhanced vision on the dark figures. The birds squawked in surprise as they took in the features of the beings chasing the soldiers. The creatures wore hospital gowns, but there skin was black like the night and their eyes glowed red. Blood ran from the creature's mouths. They ran after the soldiers as bullets flew towards them. The bullets tore through their bodies, but they had no effect on the creatures. One of the soldiers guns jammed he tried to unjam it, but he was overrun by the creatures. His screams echoed through the night as the creature ripped through his flesh before tearing the man apart as if he was a rag doll. The other soldiers entered the helicopter before the craft flew off. The two Ravens just stared at the dozens of creatures on the roof of the hospital.
Huginn looked at Munin worriedly. "Now we know," Huginn said.
"He unleashed this horror here?" Muninn asked still in shock.
"Yes, Loki has unleashed the curse of the Draugr." Huginn's dark eyes shined in the light of the city.
"We must warn the demigods." Muninn said before he flew off toward Olympus.
Huginn gave one more look at the hordes of draugr that stood on the roof of the hospital. He jumped off his perch and followed his brother toward the home of the Olympians.
AN: Draugr, do a google search on them. Are they zombies? Well, I'll let you check them out more in future chapters. Let's just say that they shouldn't be taken lightly. I guess Annabeth is going to find out what Loki had in store for them after all, so stay tuned more to come.