AN
Roy: Hello everyone! We are back with the next chapter of our story. It's been hectic to say the very least but we thank you all for 15k views on this story!
Jake: Got that right, anyway we're back and we kind of left you guys at a cliffhanger back there and we're now gonna deliver whatever happens next.
Twista: I will reply for today! Got some things set and now all we need to accomplish as a couple (Jake and I) as a goal is to get Roy a date for Prom!
Jake: Or reach second base?
Twista: Don't get ahead of yourself Jake…
Jake: Can't blame a guy for trying considering we're halfway there…
Roy: HAHAHAHA
Replies:
xRinneandSharinx: He does and boy does he have some things to ask his siblings.
Khaos Puncake11: Well group writing is fun with the share of ideas. I'm sure you can find a buddy to write with!
Lord of the Skies: I would say we're sticking to the plot but we'll take a sharp detour after HOO since its essential to our overall plot.
CP Nightshade: Thanks!
Dialgag: Yes, …, thanks!
Guest: I wouldn't say that but thanks! We really appreciate it!
Twista: All done! Anyways enjoy! If you liked it please leave a follow, favorite and review below! It helps us out a lot! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: PJO and HOO are not ours!
Percy 3rd Person POV
As the train turned over, the mortals' screams were heard as Percy's head turned and held out his hand. Closing his fist, the train stopped skidding in a violent jolt as some people stumbled and fell but none seemed to be hurt.
The Son of Neptune held out his open palm at the train's iron doors as he flicked his finger as the wall of the train blasted off and Percy turned to his friends with his eyes blazing purple.
Frank groggily got up as Hazel rubber her head and said "Was that…"
Caleb and Frank nodded as they confirmed Hazel's suspicion on Percy's talents. The Son of Neptune nodded and said "Glad they filled you in, come one we're being attacked!"
The four stepped out to see tens of Griffons circling the train as some dove and smashed the side of the train. The iron locomotive was derailed and was on its side. They inspected the area as Griffons dove for the train and started to attack the windowed side and smashed their beaks on the glass and attempted to pick the mortals off.
Narrowing his eyes, Percy pulled out Riptide and swung his sword horizontally as an arc of fire sent the creatures flying off back into the air surrounding them once more.
"We have to defend the mortals!" said Percy seriously, "They're coming from above to the windows!"
"I'm on it!" said Caleb as he pulled out two pink cards and threw them in the air above the train as a wide blue shield arced over the locomotive protecting it from above. They were protected for now but the creatures tried to smash the barrier and Hazel said "We have to get them away from the train! The mortals are panicking!"
True to word as mortals were squirming out the train and running off into the open area where they could easily be picked off. Percy clicked his teeth as his purple eyes sharpened and said "We can't leave them but we have to lead the fight away!"
"I got it covered!" said Frank as he pulled out his spear form his back,
Caleb raised a brow on the visible side of his face and said "Are you sure? If I remember that's your last charge."
"This is the only way to save these guys while we lead them away." Said Frank,
He jammed the dragon tooth into the ground as Grey popped back up and saluted to Frank as the Son of Mars confidently looked it in the empty eye sockets and said "Grey, protect those mortals!"
He then faced his friends as Grey nodded and said "Follow me!"
Frank was holding a now useless golden pole and was about to drop it but then Caleb grinned widely and said "Wait! Look!"
The golden spear body glowed bright as its color shifted from gold to red as a two pronged bronze tip sprouted from the top and a red ribbon near the tip fell all the way to Frank's hand. The weapons hummed as it had several glyphs on it and Caleb said "I knew I felt something about that spear! It's lined with runes!"
Frank felt the spear in his hands as he instinctively flicked the spear forward and the spear bent from the middle and arced and a straight line shot from end to end as a red bow with the same ribbon dangling from the bottom waved in the wind.
"Dang..." said Frank, "That's cool."
Caleb rubbed his hands together as he said "It reads 'Duty's Might' and it's enchanted to become a bow or a spear, judging by its lines and rune sequence, it's supposed to be light yet very versatile. Has some special arrow charge function and…oh! Is that a shrapnel spear head rune lining?"
Hazel was awestruck at the weapon as Frank dropped his old bow and said "I'm not too good at spears yet I think I'll stick with the bow."
Percy clapped his hands and said "Guys! Focus! We've gotta go!"
Caleb nodded as he pressed a gem on his gauntlet and the hole in the palm glowed as he held his right arm with his left and said "I'll cover fire!"
Percy drew his crossbow and held the blazing Riptide with one hand. He sprinted with Hazel, Frank and Caleb by his tail. The group except Hazel shot projectiles in the air as they caught the pack's attention and ran until the train was out of sight.
Caleb blasted a pulse of energy from his gauntlet as it incinerated a Griffon and he said "Is this far enough?"
"As long as it's far away from the mortals it s as good of a place as any!" said Frank as he pulled another arrow from his quiver and nailed a Griffon on the neck,
Hazel had her spatha drawn but she was surprised as none of the Griffons could get near them. She was amazed on how Caleb shot blast after blast of energy form his gauntlet. She was impressed by Percy as he hefted his moderately sized bowgun with one hand and fired it accurately as he slashed arc after arc of gold fire to the flying monsters.
Most of all, she was undoubtedly stunned by Frank. He had selflessly given his Spartus slave as a guard for the mortals. He then led them out here as he stood tall and shot down beast after beast with his new red bow.
The pack was now undoubtedly large as Frank said "There's too many!"
Caleb incinerated another as he shot three cards in the air and he said "He's right!"
Percy's eyes went from purple to their regular gold rimmed green hue as he shouldered his bowgun and raised his blade and said "Get to Caleb! Raise a shied!"
Hazel and Frank did as they were told as Caleb watched Percy raise Riptide as it burst into golden flames and he said "Get down!"
Caleb's eyes went wide as he spread his cape and a blue shield surrounded the trio as Percy eyed the spinning flock of Griffons and roared with power as went to one knee and stabbed the blade down and a golden inferno roared to life illuminating the night.
A maelstrom of fire raged on as all the monsters, snow and creatures in the vicinity were burned into golden dust. The trio stood within the shield as the golden flames violently raged and threatened to burn them where they stood.
As the flames died, Caleb put the shield down and stepped away from the duo as they saw Percy sling his bowgun back and pull Riptide form the ground as he expertly twirled it around and capped it back to its pen form.
"Such power…" said Caleb, "Truly you are a force to be reckoned with."
"There must have been at least thirty of them!" said Frank,
Percy looked up at the dark sky and sighed as he said "I didn't want to do that. Riley's mount Chain was a Griffon. He's a good monster unlike these ones. These ones were wild and dangerous."
"You did what you had to do," said Hazel putting a hand on his shoulders,
At the distance, a helicopter was flying over them onto the direction of the train crash. Percy nodded at them as Frank said "We better stay hidden. I suggest we follow the train tracks but from the cover of the forest."
"Isn't that dangerous?" asked Hazel, "Especially at night?"
"I'll handle that," said Caleb as he swiped a finger over a small glyph on his gauntlet which glowed purple as a thick purple smog blew from the hole and surrounded them for a few seconds and faded away.
Hazel coughed in her hands as Frank wheezed for air and Percy said "What was that?"
"Scent mask," said Caleb waving his hand dismissively, "It's going to keep us hidden from monsters for at least till dawn."
"Sounds like a plan," said Percy as he gazed at the sky for another second and watched as the northern lights blazed to life,
His green eyes reflected the natural spectrum and he walked forward as Frank, Hazel and Caleb followed him into the woods. The area was truly unlike anything the four had seen before.
The thick trees, gorgeous sky and lush area was contrasted by the beasts, animals and monsters in the area and it looked so untouched that Pan could have lived there. Percy had his hands in his pockets as they walked for an hour in dead silence.
Frank who had his new weapon slung across his back walked next to Percy and said "How are you doing Percy?"
"A little shaken up," said the Son of Poseidon as he pulled his hands out of his pockets and rubbed them together,
"We all are," said Hazel seriously, "I think we've seen a lot today but I'm glad none of the mortals got really hurt."
"All thanks to Frank," said Percy smirking,
The chubby Asian looked away as Caleb was burying his nose in his booklet and read as he said "I agree good call on using the Spartus as a mortal protector."
"You're really showing your stuff Frank," said Percy, "And I meant it when I said I was proud to be related to you."
The Asian teen smiled as Hazel gave him a small smile and he muttered "Thanks guys…"
"I'd hate to ask," said Caleb, "but the Feast of Fortuna, your due date, is it not after midnight?"
The three met eyes as Percy said "Same plan right?"
"Yeah…" muttered Hazel, "Free Thanatos…"
Frank put a hand inside his coat pocket and felt the firewood as he said "We need to do it."
"I won't let him take you guys away," said Percy, "I promise that."
Caleb then immediately started to stumble and dropped his book to the ground as he supported himself by pressing a hand on a tree's bark as he coughed violently and wretched. He wiped his lip behind Percy and the others and Hazel said "Caleb you okay?"
The sorcerer scowled at his blood stained hand as he wiped it on the bark and faced the trio with a small smile and said "I'm fine, just choked a little."
"I see you have those spasms man," said Percy, "You don't think anyone sees it but I do."
"Me too," said Hazel,
"Same," said Frank, "What's up with that?"
"Just a little sick," said Caleb waving his hands as they walked forward, "A little cold wouldn't hurt anyone."
Percy raised a brow as the Son of Trivia looked up high and said "We're all dead tired. I suggest we have a rest."
He pulled out four cards from his belt pocket and threw then a few feet from each other and small brown tents which looked really comfortable sprung up from the mediums. Caleb entered the nearest one and said "Ta-da!"
Frank looked as surprised as Hazel and whispered "Is there anything his cards can't conveniently turn into?"
"Now that a think about it," said Caleb as he put a hand on his chin,
Percy shook his head and said "He's right, we need some rest. I'll take the first watch."
"You always take the first watch," said Frank seriously,
"It's because I can last with no sleep," said the Son of Poseidon as he sat by the outside of his tent,
He then waved his hand in a shooing manner as his legs were in Indian sitting position and said "Now get some shut eye! Don't worry Frank doesn't mean I'm first o0ne it doesn't mean I'm usurping command. You're still leader of the quest."
"You know neither of you two can convince him right?" shouted Caleb from within his tent, "Go to bed together for all I care! Just get some rest!"
The two blushed and avoided eye contact and immediately went inside their tents with their faces beet red. Percy could only chuckle and shake his head in amusement while he was left alone with the familiar sounds of the night.
The whispering wind willowing past him gently, the chirps and the creaks of the crickets, the occasionally grunt and shuffle of monsters but none seemed to come close. Looking at the illuminated northern sky, Percy closed his eyes and his family's familiar faces slowly came back to him but he remembered his father, his true father, Prometheus, the immortal who had given him a chance at a better life.
Chuckling, he realized he wouldn't even be here without him. He would have died on the streets eaten for a snack if he hadn't intervened. Watching the moving lights, it reminded Percy of Prometheus' eyes which changed tone often but always had the same concerning yet powerful look in them.
He needed his father right now. He needed his advice. He was scared. There was a chance, he could lose his two new friends Hazel and Frank and that made Percy didn't want to free Thanatos but duty called to release him for the sake of others.
Prometheus always gave him the right words he needed. He was the guide in his head which helped him be a great leader. He was the usher who guided him and his siblings together as a team to become what they are now.
Opening his eyes he whispered silently "Father…I am aware I am beyond the Gods' help but am I beyond yours? Please…help me and tell me what to do…"
Closing his eyes, Percy meditated as the wind blew by and a single word in his ear was whispered "Hope"
Opening one eye, Percy smirked at the northern lights and remembered his father's tale of Pandora's Box, or jar in his case. Only hope remained despite all of the sins and sorrows of man being released but that one thing could change a lot.
"You always know exactly what to say father…thank you." said Percy as he closed his eyes and lost himself but ever ready within the silence of the night,
-Timeskip-
At dawn, Percy's eyes fluttered open as he saw Caleb hitting him gently on the leg with his hand and said "Percy wake up, it's time to go."
The Son of Neptune opened one eye as Caleb gestured with his head and said "Come on, I made breakfast with whatever I could scrounge up."
Percy then sat up, rubbed his eyes and stretched as he gave a long yawn and exited the tent where his bag was leaning by a tree. The sun was just about to rise and Frank and Hazel were at opposite ends of the fire pit he had made last night.
Hazel was just tying her boots on a stump while Frank was poking the fire with a stick as a metal pot was suspended above the flames and something seemed to be cooking from the inside.
Caleb took off his fedora, scratched his head and put it back on and said "It's not much but I hope it'll make breakfast."
Percy laughed nervously as he said "Take a seat, I'll handle the food."
Caleb raised a brow as he took a seat and Percy wrinkled his nose and said "So what do you guys want for breakfast?"
"Is this a trick question?" asked Frank,
"Humor me," said Percy crossing his arms as he gave a wry smile,
"I'll have Shrimp Gumbo then," said Hazel with zeal,
Frank and Caleb raised a brow at her as she shrugged and said "What? He asked?"
The Son of Mars chuckled a little sheepishly and said "Yeah, I'd have a big turkey sandwich."
"Just a simple plate of mashed potatoes and bacon," said Caleb nodding,
Percy rubbed his hands together and pointed to the small table Caleb summoned and said "I'll have some mac and cheese!"
In a snap of his fingers, four plates shimmered to reality with the respective orders of the four on each. Caleb, Frank and Hazel eyed the food hungrily with jaws open as Percy slowly walked over, picked up a fork on his plate and put some of his food into his mouth.
He swallowed and said "Dig in guys we have a long day!"
They immediately rushed to their food and wolfed it down in record time. Caleb wiped his lip slowly as he was finished and Hazel gave a small lady like burp which was barley hearable as she giggled and whispered an apology. Frank and Percy on the other hand had hands on their bellies and gave a good hearty burp as Percy stood and said "Everyone full?"
"Not sure if that food was real or not," said Frank happily, "but how in Pluto's name did you do that?!"
"Frank!" said Hazel in annoyance,
He laughed and whispered "Sorry!"
"It comes with being Hestia's champion," said Percy, "I can make any food that can be home made."
"Best home cooked meal I've had then," said Caleb as he stood and put his metal gauntlet encased hand in the air and all of the camp equipment gave a white glow and flew into Caleb's hand and formed into any one of his cards and he pocketed it silently.
He pointed left as he picked his nose with his right hand and said "Seward is in that direction, if we can get out to the open, I could summon Doctor Claymore and a car to drive us to at least near Seward's outskirts. If Alcyoneus is anywhere near there then I should refrain from bending the mist too much then."
The three silently agreed and walked for a good five minutes and Caleb for once summoned something subtle and not flashy. He called out a small white minivan where the Mistform was already in the driver's seat and they took off to Seward's outskirts immediately.
They were dropped off a mile from Seward and they had made good time since the Mistform was not only a good driver but he was a fast one too. It was early morning now and the four stepped out as Caleb recalled his car and said "I'll call on you if I need you help again Doctor."
"I'll be waiting," said Doctor Claymore as he turned into wisps of mist and into a card which was tucked in Caleb's belt,
Hazel looked over the small road they were on and saw a small bay surrounded by mountains. She felt her chest rise with grim feelings as the dark skinned girl put a hand over her chest and said "Seward…"
"Good to be home?" asked Caleb sarcastically as he put his hands in his pockets,
Frank glared at him as Percy was in front and he said "I think we'll get down there quick through here."
Hazel watched as Percy took a few steps forward but then he sank like a rock and the earth swallowed him whole.
Frank and Hazel's eyes widened as they yelled "Percy!"
Caleb was surprised but he put his hands together as if he was praying and pulled them apart and an azure staff with a red ruby gripped in between two pikes formed from the light and he held the tip as he said "Frank help me! Hazel take the end! Don't let go!"
She nodded and gripped the end as she leapt in and she too was swallowed by the earth. Frank and Caleb struggled against the pull and Caleb muttered "I freaking hate nature!"
-Dream-
The last thing Percy remembered was falling into the earth. It was so sudden and he couldn't seem to breathe. His eyes were open but he seemed to be within nothing but pure darkness.
Just then, air filled his lungs and he could breathe at last. Looking around the darkness, Percy narrowed his eyes and heard a gentle yet malicious whisper 'Hello Percy Jackson,'
"Gaea," spat Percy, "What do you want?"
The Goddess gave a soft and small chuckle as she said 'I want to talk boy…I am speaking with your friend Hazel as of now Perseus. She will eventually succumb to me.'
"You're dead wrong if you think Hazel will sell us out," said Percy with a small smile, "earth can't break an iron will."
Suddenly, Percy felt a giant hand close around him as it tightened and tired to squeeze him. He growled in pain as Gaea whispered 'You're lucky I need you alive boy…not only will your blood be important but you will be the key to my victory!'
Percy's eyes shot open with his irises in a violent purple tone. He growled in anger as he felt the hand open through his mental force. Gaea chuckled and said 'Yes…that power is indeed what I have been looking for.'
Percy's eyes glowed violently as Gaea went dead silent for a minute and he said "Where are you?!"
'Such power for one so young,' said Gaea softly, 'a great power lost for a long time. I nearly had it back then but it was lost but here it is again in front of me.'
"You're talking about the Truths?" asked Percy angrily,
'Is that what Prometheus calls it?'asked Gaea, 'I always wondered why he joined the Gods…'
"Because my father isn't a crazy psycho like the rest of the Titans!" said Percy with fury,
'Do you know the tale of your power?' asked Gaea,
"The Truths have a story?" asked Percy,
'It is too early for me to speak of it,' said Gaea, 'but look around you!'
She raised her voice as the area went from a pure dark void into a ravaged battlefield where corpses, half-living bodies and all kinds of monster remains lay. The area was lit with fire and debris was everywhere.
A man with short brown hair carrying a one handed sword that gave an ethereal yet evil violet/red glow, his clothes were a bit torn and smoking. But above all, the sword was what caught Percy's eye. It was long, broad in just the right size and dual edged. It was made of a glistening grey metal that arced with red and violet energies that made the earth around him crack. It gave off a very powerful feel of a legendary weapon, probably on the same caliber as the Gods' weapons or higher. It also seemed malevolent and malicious as it gave off a powerful surge of bloodlust and anger.
To his right, a cry was heard where three soldiers stood in bronze armor and they rushed for him.
The first one threw his spear but the man blinked out of existence and moved way too fast for Percy to follow. He grabbed the man's face and arcs of violent red lightning arced and the man screamed in pain as he felt his body boil and he was thrown away into a distance where he lay dead and a smoking heap.
The second pulled out a bow and arrow but yet again the man moved too fast and Percy didn't catch his face and the next thing he knew, the archer's head was rolling on the ground with a terrified look and a fountain of blood sprouted from his neck.
The third soldier was now terrified to the point that he dropped his weapon and decided to run. He failed as while he turned, the man was now facing his eyes to eyes and Percy could see his face. His eyes' irises were like his, glowing a powerful, violent and commanding purple but his sclera was pitch black and his eyes seemed like purple infernos within a dark void. Black vein likes were spreading from the sides of is eyes to his lower cheeks and he gave a sadistic grin as he held the poor soldier by the neck and whispered in a deep and melodious yet wicked voice "Die fool…"
The man closed his hand around the soldier's throat and lifted him in the air as he let go and the soldier went higher to the point of ten feet and as repeatedly slammed to the ground with the power of a bullet train.
Soon there was nothing left of him but a bloody mangled mess of a corpse. The man gave a loud maniacal laugh as the blade glowed with power and he cried out "I am undefeatable!"
He then faced Percy as he slowly stepped forward step by step. The Son of Poseidon was quivering in his shoes as he walked closer and he eyes Percy and met his gaze and said in Gaea's voice 'This is but a mere sample of what your power can truly supposed father sealed it within you and as of now your power is in its most innocent form but if you allow me to release it and your power will grow beyond your comprehension!'
Percy bit his tongue and thought "She thinks I'll become like that guy…I'm not like most guys. I can use that power to send her and all the Giants back to Tartarus! She won't expect that…"
"I accept," said Percy seriously,
'Foolish boy…' whispered Gaea, 'Let's see how your will can last as your power grows…'
The man raised his hand and put a finger to Percy's forehead as it glowed the same color as the burning sun and he cried out as if hot iron was pressed to his head and all the blood in his body boiled.
It was too much to bear as he screamed in pain and felt his skin start to peel off. Gaea was slowly chuckling as Percy cried out "I can do this! You won't kill me here!"
'Oh how you would wish for death when the time comes,' said Gaea mockingly, 'You will not defeat Alcyoneus, the camp will fall and all shall die and finally you will be captured and taken to me…'
"Don't bet on it lady!" said Percy as he felt his body boil and heat up and he gave a final yell of rage and pain as his whole body glowed white and his vision went dark.
-Dream End-
As his eyes shot open and he screamed in fear, Percy scrambled back with terror evident in his eyes. He felt a bit worn and he was hyperventilating as he gasped for air.
Frank stood over them and asked "Oh Gods are you two alright?"
At his side was Hazel who was coughing and spitting out mud as she gave a faint smile and said "I'm fine…thanks Frank. How about you Percy?"
Percy spat out a blob of mud and said "Good, thanks you two."
Caleb released his scepter in mid air as it broke into light particles and he said "No worries, glad we got you two out though. You were in there a while but Hazel tugged and thanks to Frank's brutish strength, we pulled you out."
The Son of Mars nodded as he said "What happened down there? That isn't any ordinary quicksand."
"It was Gaea," said Percy seriously,
"She spoke to you?" asked Hazel shakily as Frank helped her up,
Percy nodded as he scowled and said "She made a big mistake…she told me we could defeat Alcyoneus and you three will die. I'll prove her damn wrong!"
Anger flared within him as Frank said "Percy calm down! Dude your eyes!"
The Son of Posed ion glared at Frank and said "What about them?"
Caleb pulled out a mirror as Percy's eyes widened as he saw his reflection. Black vein markings were creeping from the side of his eyes and there were lining of dark in his eyes. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath as he opened them and found his irises back to their regular golden rimmed green hue and the black markings gone from his face.
"What was that?" asked Caleb as he took back the mirror,
"Nothing to worry about," said Percy as he looked up and the sun seemed to have moved,
"We're wasting time," said Percy seriously,
"Guys…" said Hazel nervously, "Gaea told me she captured Nico, Riley and Talon!"
"Damn it!" said Percy, "So it is true! So that means Talon is definitely on the top of that glacier! It's more important for us to get there now!"
"We're not exactly in the cleanest condition," said Hazel as she gestured to everyone's grimy and mud stained outfits,
Caleb just waved his hand and said "καθαρός (clean)"
The mud seemed to fall of instantly and the scent of the ground was gone from their bodies. Frank was shaking his head as he said "Could you teach me how to do that?"
"You'll need a certain affinity for the mist my friend," said Caleb, "children of Trivia just have a greater and more natural affinity for it."
"What else can you do with it?" asked Hazel suddenly curious,
"We can continue while walking," said Percy as he open and closed his hand and walked on forward carefully watching where he stepped,
As Caleb explained the concept of magic and mist, Percy was deep in thought as he looked at his open palm and thought "I can't believe that power, it's nothing like whatever I felt before. Lupa told me I would probably the most powerful demigod of my time but I don't know how to describe that power…I felt like a God!"
He then remembered what had happened in his vision and he bit his tongue and thought "I have to ask father first before I do anything else. As of now, the Truths are off limits unless I really need to. I don't think I can turn it off when I taste that power again."
They found themselves soon inside the town of Seward and they stopped by a train car that Hazel recognized and said "I remember that train it looks like they made it into a diner."
Frank and Percy's stomach rumbled as they smelled the food coming from it and Caleb rolled his visible eye and said "Hazel you know this place best can you ask around for a boat to Hubbard Glacier? I'll keep an eye on the two while we eat."
"Got it," said Hazel as she walked off,
The three boys had taken a seat and ordered some burgers and fries and sat back as they began to wait. Frank kept putting a hand in his coat pocket and he was startled when Percy said "You freaking out about the firewood?"
"What?!" asked Frank suddenly, "No! I'm not! It's just that-"
"We get it," said Caleb as he put down his glass of water, "I saw the look on your face. I couldn't tell though if you were scared to lose the firewood or for Percy and Hazel's life."
Frank's ears went red with rage as he said "Of course I was more worried for them than that stupid piece of wood!"
"Yeah but that stupid piece of wood is what keeps you alive," said Caleb nonchalantly,
The Son of Mars glared right at Caleb's bored eyes and grabbed his cape sides near his neck and said "You better stop there Caleb!"
"I'm just saying," said the sorcerer in a bored tone, "every person would fear for their life first than others. It's human nature, mortal folly or wherever else we call it. I don't believe anyone could throw away their lives for others, I won't believe it till I see it."
Frank shook with anger as Caleb slapped his hand and said "So let go of me then. You're showing your promise but you're not perfect."
Frank let go of Caleb as Percy looked back and forth between the two. True, it was human nature to preserve one's own life and Percy knew people who could throw away their lives for the people they care about. There was Charles Beckendorf, Silena Beauregard, Daedalus, Jack and Tadi.
Percy glared at Caleb and said "There are those who can throw their lives away for people they care about. I knew some very well and saying that is you spitting on their graves."
"I meant nothing," said Caleb seriously, "All I wanted to do is voice my opinion."
The tension was high but Hazel came walking back with a grim look on her face but as she stepped in her seat, she felt the tense feel and said "What happened guys?"
"It's nothing," said Caleb with a fake smile, "just a little argument. Any news?"
She sighed and said "We've got trouble"
"There are no boats to take us to Hubbard Glacier?" asked Frank as if he expected it,
"No," said Hazel, "There are but the problem is, the path is so filled with debris and danger that it could take a week for us to get there."
"We don't have a week," said Percy as he put down his food,
"No planes?" asked Caleb,
"We should have chartered one week before," said Hazel dejectedly, "So we're stuck…"
Frank glared a bit at Caleb who raised a brow and he said "You don't happen to have an airplane card on you?"
"Sadly I don't," said Caleb shaking his head, "Look I apologize for a while ago. Doctor Claymore speaks of my sharp tongue often and says I should watch it."
"It's alright," said Frank as he put a hand 0n Caleb's shoulder,
Just then a squawk was heard and the four turned to see on a telephone pole was a griffon like the ones form the train perched on the telephone pole. More seemed to flock around them while Caleb tapped a gem on his gauntlet, Percy drew Riptide, Hazel drew her spatha and Frank readied his new bow.
"Uhhh guys…" said Percy, "I don't think I can make an inferno here. Too much mortals…"
The bird monsters eyed them hungrily while Caleb pointed at the distance where a thick cloud of those monsters were swarming towards them. Percy gulped as Frank said "We have to stand here!"
"Do you believe in miracles Percy?" asked Caleb nervously,
"I do now," said the Son of Poseidon as he smirked along with Hazel as she heard a horse whine and she yelled out,
"ARION! OVER HERE!"
A tan blur shot past the four as the nearest Griffons were stomped into golden dust. Percy smirked as Caleb stood back and said "Hey isn't that-"
"How in the world!?" questioned Frank,
"Doesn't matter!" screamed Hazel in joy, "He's here and he's the best horse ever! Get on!"
"Can that thing carry all four of us?" asked Caleb nervously,
The horse whined as Percy laughed out loud and said "In latency terms, he said yes."
The four rode the stallion as Hazel glanced at the Griffons behind them and yelled "Run Arion! Let's go! Hubbard Glacier!"
The horse reared and sot over the water in a tan blur as its hooves ran over the water and the surface turned to steam as the horse ran on the cold water's surface.
On the horse, Hazel felt her most powerful, she grinned in excitement as they shot past iceberg and glacier alike. Soon, in about a minute, they had come before a giant glacier and Frank yelled out "We're gonna crash!"
"Go Arion!" said Hazel, "Giddyup!"
The horse leapt and ran on the vertical surface of the glacier as Frank, Percy and Caleb hung on. The horse made it to the top as he skidded to a stop and the three boys flew off into the ice while Hazel and Arion reared as she leapt off and yelled out "That was awesome!"
"I think I'm about to throw up!" said Frank as he groggily got up,
Caleb dusted himself and said "Amazing! He must have ran up 300 feet at a 90 degree angle!"
The horse huffed proudly as Hazel said "We're not done yet! We have to reach the camp!"
"Excuse me?!" asked Caleb,
"We need to ride Arion again!" said Hazel grinning,
"I don't know about you three but I'll see you guys there!" said Caleb as he turned and took a seat down,
"Don't be difficult Caleb," said Percy in an annoyed fashion,
"Is there room for two?' asked Frank to Caleb hopefully,
"Frank!" said Hazel seriously, "You too?"
"I can take all of us," said Caleb with a nod, "I can feel a great collection of mist. It's probably there."
Arion whined angrily as he stomped his hoof and Percy stepped back and said "Calm down!"
"What did he say?" asked Hazel,
"Without all the cussing, he's willing to do it but he bets that he could do it faster."
"All set then," said Caleb as he tipped his fedora down with two fingers, "Gather around!"
The group gathered around as Caleb lifted the edge of his cape with one hand as swung it around them and the fabric seemed to glow with a multitudes of runes and glyphs as it expanded to the size to cover all of them and as Caleb retracted the cape back, the group found themselves in front of what seemed like a frozen tundra replica of Camp Jupiter.
Everything seemed to be frozen over or the entirety was made of ice. The guard towers, the barracks, the structures but what seemed odd was that no sound came from the camp. Not a step, not a patter, not a sound.
"Oh my," said Caleb seriously, "it looks like they have a camp here!"
"It looks almost exactly like Camp Jupiter…" said Frank as he took a tentative step and gazed around,
"Looks like no one is home though," said Hazel as she held Arion's mane and made him move,
Percy clicked his teeth in irritation and thought "I could have a look around, but I don't want to risk that power again."
"We should look around," said Frank as he drew his weapon in its bow form,
Percy nodded and drew Riptide while Caleb calmly pocketed his hands and they trailed behind Hazel who was in front as she was mounted on Arion. The floor wasn't solid ice as a small layer of snow was on it which made it easy to walk on.
Roman banners with a thin line of frost fluttered in the wind as they hung form poles and the group saw what seemed to be the Via Principalis and by the structure, two figures were bound by chains.
The group looked more cautious as Hazel felt herself weaken but Frank held her hand and said "Don't be afraid Hazel, we're here."
"I don't know about you," said Caleb as he kicked up some snow with his shoes as he had his hands in his pockets, "but I feel like we're in a trap. No defenders, no giant. I'd be very disappointed to have made the trip all the way here to only find the Giant I was hunting wasn't here."
"This is obviously a trap," said Percy as he kept his eyes on the chained figures,
He wanted to sprint over there and see if it was Talon and check if his older brother was okay but that could get him killed. He had to keep calm since a real leader thinks of what the many needs than the few.
Hazel and Frank were next to each other as Frank stepped to the gates to the principia and said "Thanatos? Talon?"
The other figure did not respond while the other one who had a head of messy blackish brown hair looked up as the group noticed his face. It was definitely Talon. He had his hair and his orange reptilian eyes along with his green jacket which was stained with dried blood and the shirt he wore was a bit torn and stained with blood. He had visible gashes on his chest, legs and arms but he gave a weak grin with his fanged teeth and said "Hey there mincemeat, fancy seeing you guys here."
"Talon!" said Percy as he ran forward with his eyes full of worry,
"Hey Percy" said the half-breed weakly,
He was on his knees as his legs and arms were chained like the man next to him and Percy helped Talon stand up as he said "You okay? What happened how did you get captured?"
"Woah there buddy," said Talon weakly, "Last I saw you, you were as quiet as a mouse! What's with the concern about me?"
"I remember everything Talon," said Percy with a glare to his older brother's eyes,
The Son of Godric gave a weak chuckle as he raised a brow and sarcastically asked "I have a lot of explaining to do don't I?"
Percy remained silent as Talon shook his head and chuckled more evidently as he said "Glad to have you back Percy. We can catch up later."
Caleb pointed at the other figure as the figure rose as well and his hood fell off and the rest of his robes fell as well as he was now wearing a black tunic and his regal face was seen. He had a long head of hair that reached somewhere in his back and a pair of glimmering wings that changed colors were on his back.
"Oh…" said Hazel as she stepped back,
His chains were different from Talon's metal ones. They were made of pure ice and it looked like they would break for anything. He stood tall and said "Hello"
"Its Cupid," said Frank,
"Say hello to my friend Thanatos," said Talon jokingly, "AKA Mr. Buff Black Cupid."
"Your friend here has been rather talkative despite his beaten state," said Thanatos in a melodious yet annoyed voice,
"We're here to free you," said Hazel as she mounted off Arion,
Percy nodded as he swung Riptide on Talon's binds and shattered the metal chains which had some runes and glyphs on it. Talon stood and felt his wrists as he said "Thanks, those things were enchanted, it nullified my healing abilities."
Caleb gave the chains a mind's eye and he said "Strange, that's some high ranking rune sequences."
"Who's the Masked Magician?" asked Talon weakly,
"Hold on," said Percy as he put a hand on Talon's chest and a faint light spread from his hand and soon, Talon found himself uninjured but his internal damage was still there but he was now battle ready.
He cracked his knuckles and said "That's better."
"Not as good as Fecilia but it'll do," said Percy with a sly smirk, "You are so dead when we see each other again."
Talon paled as Hazel drew her spatha and swung at the icy chains but a violent frost crept up the blade and she immediately pulled away. Frank knelt down and said "The heck?"
"Only the fires of life can melt these chains," said Thanatos with a nod,
Frank froze in place as Caleb sharply turned and said "We have company!"
The whole camp stirred to life as Percy glared around. Figures in Roman armor formed out from the barracks and different structures. They weren't anything close to human though. They were shades. They were nothing but vague looking figures that wore Roman armor and held Roman weapons but they surrounded the group with silent and dead stares.
"I think we found the trap," said Caleb waving his hand in the air,
"I like that guy," said Talon with a laugh,
"Fire of life?" asked Hazel, "Frank please tell me-"
"I have to," said Frank as he slung over his bow, "This is my duty and I have to do this."
"Are these shades yours?" asked Percy,
"No," said Thanatos, "They are Gaea's. They were promised a better life than their sentence to Asphodel. They follow her now and aim to live in a new world."
"They don't attack though," said Talon with a serious look, "I tried agitating them when we were chained but they only do something if you try to free him."
"So if we free you," said Percy, "we get attacked by a mob of ghosts?"
"My friends!" said a booming voice, "I'm glad you're here! It had been awfully boring!"
They looked to the source and saw a being larger than Polybotes. It was Alcyoneus for sure since Hazel felt a negative vibe from him and Caleb. He had metallic golden skin, armor of platinum links and an iron staff the size of a totem pole. He had scaly dragon legs like his siblings and he gave a smile of shiny silver teeth.
Frank held his stick of firewood as the Giant laughed and said "Welcome Percy Jackson! I am Alcyoneus! Pluto's Bane! Say hello to the New Legion!"
Frank 3rd Person POV
The Son of Mars glared at the Giant at it said "Oh Frank Zhang! That thing in your hands? Is that for me?"
"The only thing here for you is death Giant!" said Frank angrily,
"Brave words!" said the Giants with a small smirk, "Too bad you must die! Oh and the famous Percy Jackson! Leader of the Forethought Five, Prometheus' little band of lackeys! I've been intrigued by your exploits!"
The Giant smiled and said "Your battle with Kronos? Gaea hates you above all others but she has plans for you Jackson, very fun plans indeed. Son of Neptune who has trained under Lupa for six months and is said to be the most powerful of his generation, you know Polybotes would like you as a pet?"
"No thanks," said Percy seriously, "and I'm not a Roman Son of Neptune nor a Greek Son of Poseidon but I'm a Son of Prometheus."
"Greek or Roman it doesn't matter," said the giant as the ghost army shuffled and drew weapons, "We will destroy both camps and your precious little family. The Titans were children compared to us when we thought of our plans. We are preparing for the final battle in the Ancient Lands and by then, we'll be unstoppable! I already have Death under my control and soon I shall dethrone Pluto and take his place as the Underworld's ruler!"
"Don't get to ahead of yourself Golden Boy," said Frank with a scowl, "we won't let that happen."
"Like it or not," said Alcyoneus, "You five will join my army. Dead or alive."
"Taking orders from someone besides Percy doesn't really sit well with me." Said Talon as he cracked his neck and stretched his fingers, "How about you guys?"
"Same here!" said Frank and Hazel while Caleb gave a small smirk and said "I concur"
Hazel handed Frank the firewood as she said "The Giant is mine. Caleb could you lend me a hand? I may need some support. Percy, Talon could you guys hold off the shade army and defend Frank?"
"That's nothing," said Talon as he snarled in a very feral manner and said "leave it to us."
Percy nodded at his three friends and said "We'll cover you."
Frank gripped the firewood tight as Talon slammed his hand on the icy glacier floor as his bangle glowed and he drew his massive lance. Percy readied Riptide and his mirror shield while Hazel mounted Arion who reared as she drew her spatha and Caleb pulled out his azure scepter and slammed its butt on the ground.
Hazel then charged the Giant as Caleb trailed behind her. Percy and Talon stood back to back as the Ghost Legion surrounded them but a pole with a golden eagle on top caught Percy's eye and he slowly circled with Talon and said "Hey Talon, see that golden eagle standard?"
The Son of Godric nodded as he said "First one who gets it wins?"
"Let's cut loose!" said Percy as his eyes blazed in its green hue,
Talon chuckled as he slammed his lance down and a wave of energy erupted from the crack and tore through the Ghost Legion's ranks. Percy then nodded and started to spin as a small hurricane surrounded him as he dashed forward and ripped through their ranks. The rest of the shades charged as the two brothers faced the small army on their own.
Frank unwrapped the stick and closed his eyes in concentration peering into his deepest and most sincere merriest as they blazed the piece of wood into fire. Frank felt sick to his stomach but he jabbed it under the first shackle and began to get to work.
Deep memories were flowing through him and as he tried to burn through the shackles, Thanatos encouraged him with words as he was also excited to be freed at last. Glancing over his back every few seconds, he caught glimpses of a massive fight.
He saw Percy holding off a great number of them as he deflected arrows and spears with the small hurricane as he made his way to the golden standard of the Legion. Shades were ripped apart by the violent cyclone but they seemed to reform instantly yet Percy seemed to be unwavering and continued his onslaught.
Talon who was swinging around his massive lance was then dogpiled by a vast amount of Shades which worried Frank but then a great heat came from where the half-breed was and a cyclone of flames tore through them and Talon shouldered his blazing lance as his green scaly wings and tail were now showing and he opened his wings as he dashed to a new group of Shades.
The third shackle broke as Frank jabbed the tinder on the final chain and he felt his body shaking with pain. He turned and saw Percy and Talon who were back to back as they put their fists together and held out their other arms in fists as well as they yelled in unison "Prometheus Cannon!"
A bright beam of energy shot from their fists in a wide and powerful blast that should have destroyed at least half of the shades but as soon as they were vaporized, they reformed and stood ready againt the brothers.
Percy frowned while Talon looked around with a scowl and said "You know it's not the numbers that are the problem. Skill beats numbers any day but it's just that they won't stop coming!"
Percy gave a tired nod as Frank watched the two go at it again. He saw Hazel who was dashing on Arion as they narrowly dodged each of the Giant's swipes with the pole. Caleb was providing support as he blasted bolt after bolt of energy and spell after spell at the Giant who growled and roared in anger for each one.
Each blast and deep slash the two caused could have made any other monster die but the mounds seemed to mend and heal in seconds and Alcyoneus laughed and said "I am immortal in my homeland fool! You cannot slay me!"
"This shouldn't be a problem then!" said Caleb as he pointed his scepter forward and a large bright blue rune formed from the air and he yelled "ενέργεια πύραυλος! (Energy Missile)"
A powerful blue blast of energy knocked the Giant back with his skin dark and wounded from the attack but then the skin fixed itself and Caleb scowled and said "Damn it! I guess it's time for me to bring out the big spells-"
Frank yelled in pain as he watched the fourth shackle snap and he jammed the piece of wood onto the cold snow. He pulled out the tinder and saw that it was but a small bark now, no bigger than a small branch.
Thanatos rose and stretched his arms as he said "I thank you for freeing me."
"Help us then!" said Frank,
"I will!" said Death, "I shall watch and those who die shall stay dead."
Frank called out and said "Talon! Percy! They can die now!"
"Gotcha mincemeat!" said Talon as he fought with renewed vigor,
Frank's eye twitched but then he turned with fear in his eyes a she heard Hazel scream in pain as she failed to evade one of the Giant's swipes and she was sent crashing with Arion onto the destroyed barrack's walls.
Caleb raised his voice and yelled "μάνα φράγμα! (mana barrier)"
The Sorcerer raised his scepter as a blue shield covered the downed Arion and Hazel while Alcyoneus attempted to smash through it.
Percy and Talon were too far to help as Caleb was occupied with the shield and he was unable to do anything else. Death raised a brow at Frank who stood tall and said "Do you know what you must do?"
"I do," said Frank as it all came to him during his episode with the fire,
Death then nodded and faded into shadows while Frank watched Alcyoneus raise his pole and slam it hard on the barrier which made the energy shield form cracks. Caleb growled in concentration as he said "Frank! Do something!"
He closed his eyes and used his final understanding of his gift as he remembered those bald eagles in the Legion and stretched his arms as he felt them shift into wings and his feet turn into talons. Feathers grew on his and his eyes sharpened tenfold and he soared towards the Giant and raked his talons on his eyes causing him to roar and rear back in pain.
He landed in front of Hazel whom he helped up and she looked at him surprised as she said "Frank! What happened! You were a bird!"
The Giant growled and said "Fool! I am immortal here!"
"We'll see!" said Frank as he felt his power activate once more and he felt himself growing taller and rippling with muscles. Caleb grinned as he blasted the Giant forward while Frank, who was now a massive Grizzly Bear, tackled him into a frozen watchtower which collapsed over him.
Frank repeatedly pounded the Giant's face as it began to dent and the Giant lost consciousness as he formed back to normal and pulled out his rope as he threw one end to Hazel and said "Hazel! Take this! I have an idea how to kill this guy!"
The giant murmured as he began to stir but a blast of fire scorched his face and sent him back to his dreams and they saw Caleb who pointed his smoking scepter at the Giant and he said "A plan? I'm in! Let's go!"
Hazel tied the rope to Arion and Frank asked "How far can Arion pull this guy?"
"Frank what's your plan?" asked Hazel seriously and a bit surprised,
"We need to get this guy inland as far as possible!" said Frank loudly,
"But Percy and Talon!" said Hazel,
The group turned to see Percy on a massive wave as blasts of fire and torrents of water decimated the troops while a massive, fully grown green dragon raged through the army sending shades into the sea or dying by a monster made inferno.
"I think they'll be fine!" said Caleb as he mounted behind Hazel,
Thanatos drifted over to them and said "Ah yes, much death occurring. That's good."
He glanced at Alcyoneus with disgust as he said "As for this one, I think you know what to do to kill him."
"We do," said Frank seriously,
"Then I am finished here" said Thanatos as he turned,
Caleb raised a brow and said "Just like that?"
"So you won't take us away?" asked Hazel surprised,
"I don't think you're on the list," said Thanatos with a rub of his chin, "Let's see…"
He pulled out a pitch black Ipad out of thin air and started to scroll down the machine. The God looked up from the list and said "Nope, nothing here about you three."
"Pluto told me to capture escaped souls," said Death, "there are some which are above my power to reclaim due to Gaea's grasp but I have no warrant of yours Hazel Levesque. I could ask him right now if you'd-"
"No!" said Hazel waving her arms, "No thanks!"
Thanatos gave a small chuckle which either gave him a creepy look or a smile of amusement as he said "As for you Frank Zhang."
The Son of Mars slammed a shield on the Giant's nose as it murmured in its sleep and Death said "It isn't your time yet either. You still have some of your lifeline. Don't thank me yet heroes, no one ever thanks me when it's their time."
He forlornly looked away and then faced Caleb who glared at him and the God said "As for you…your fate is unclear but we'll meet again very soon if you don't do something about your condition."
The teen nodded as Thanatos said "I'll be off south!"
"The Doors of Death!" said Hazel, "Where are they?"
"Oh yes," said the God shaking his head, "those doors, anyway they can only be found through questing. I can tell you to begin in Rome though."
"How about Riley and Nico?" asked Hazel, "Are they alive?"
She watched as the God shrugged and vanished with the words "Till we meet again"
Frank immediately hopped on the Giaqnt's chest as Caleb followed and he said "Hazel come on! We need to take this up 10 miles due north!"
The dark skinned girl nodded as she gestured to Arion who was under her and the horse blasted through the sound barrier, dragging the Giant across the barren icy tundra.
Along the short trip, Frank's mind was drifting elsewhere but he had to stay focused. Caleb had a frown on his face as he held his azure scepter by his side and as they passed inn between two mountains and a valley of ice and rocks, Frank yelled out "Hazel here!"
Hazel drew her spatha and cut the rope as Frank and Caleb leapt off and rolled away as Alcyoneus' large form slid and crashed on the land formation's side, completely burying his face on the side of the mountain.
Frank got up with Caleb as Hazel swerved beside the two on Arion and said "Okay so what now?"
The Giant shot raised his head from the snowy mountainside and rose slowly as he rubbed his head and growled "Where? Who? What?"
He focused his eyes on the trio and it would be an understatement if they said the Giant didn't look really beat up. His nose was bent horrifically and his skin had lost some of its glint. He growled and pulled out an identical pole like the one he had back at the Glacier from the ground and he smashed a nearby boulder with it as he said "You mongrels! You dare take me for a ride? You will regret this!"
He sniffed the air and said "Damn you! I know Thanatos has been freed! It matters not! You cannot kill me!"
He slammed the pole on the ground hard as he grinned and said "My mother's subject has sent me some gifts."
As he slammed his pole on the ground, a massive fissure cracked open and three massive dragons in metal armor soared out into the open air and landed next the Alcyoneus who chuckled and said "These are under my mother's underling's control. Dragons like that half-breed back there."
He smirked and said "Kill them!"
Each of the fifteen foot tall dragons roared at them as Arion stepped back and Hazel said "Oh no…we can't kill those things! It isn't right!"
The armored beasts roared as Alcyoneus slowly mended and Frank drew his bow but Caleb said "Hazel, I know how you must feel about these creatures about them being the same species as your friend but they intend to kill. It's either them or us."
Her gaze dropped as Caleb said "We can't take these three alone. I'll handle the dragons. You two handle the Giant."
Caleb pulled out a purple card and threw it in the air as the card glowed and in a bright flash of white light, a massive ten foot figure, full clad in Celestial Bronze with a dark grey paint tint armor with a pair of glowing red eyes like light peering from the helmet's sockets formed and stood tall before them.
The giant metal man smoothly pulled out a giant medieval style broadsword form its back and held it ready with both hands as a familiar voice rumbled "You called Caleb?"
"Doctor," said the sorcerer with a nod, "We have a situation here, there are three armored dragons and you and I need to take them and keep them busy while the Frank and Hazel deal with the Giant. Can you help me?"
"But of course Caleb," said the metal man with a nod, "by your word."
The sorcerer pulled off his fedora and dropped it without facing the two and he said "Take the Giant, don't mind us, we'll be fine."
Hazel and Frank nodded as they ran towards the massive Giant who was slowly mending himself. Caleb picked up his fedora from his head and slowly dropped it as well as he held his scepter as the dragons perched by the mountains and started to growl and hiss more dangerously at him.
"Shall we begin?" asked Claymore as he took a forward step to get into stance,
"Allow me to get ready," said Caleb as he snapped off his cape as it fell down to the snowy ground beside his fedora and he raised his scepter with one hand as the sapphire core on the tip gave a bright shine which caught the dragons' eyes as he expertly swung and twirled around as their eyes followed it and he slammed the butt of the scepter on the ground with a crash as light arced all around as he whispered "πνεύμα σώμα! (Arcane Avatar!)"
Energy exploded around Caleb as he rose from the ground and an ethereal blue mist surrounded him as it solidified and formed a faint silhouette of a human being wielding a two handed long sword. Caleb floated in the middle of it and he swung his closed fisted arm as the avatar tested his blade and he said "Let us begin!"
The three dragons roared as they descended onto the two armored beings.
Hazel was running in between the Giant's legs on Arion as Frank rained arrows on the Giant who growled and swiped his pole around angrily as his wounds failed to heal and he said "Stop this! I cannot be killed!"
He wildly swung as his calves bled a good amount of oil and Hazel stopped next to Frank who handed her the bow as Alcyoneus groggily stepped forward and he said "I'll kill you!"
He charged with reckless force and it was intimidating to see a forty foot tall Giant lumbering towards you but Frank held his ground as Hazels aid "Frank!"
"I got this!" called the Son of Mars as he closed his eyes and began to run forward,
He felt his body growing larger and more powerful. HIs sight narrowed but his sense of smell got stronger and he felt as if he was a meat tank. Two tusks protruded from his face and Alcyoneus found himself tackled by a full grown ten ton elephant.
The giant staggered back but Frank tackled him once more as he skidded back to the mountain side with a crash and slid down slowly out of breath and power as he bled oil everywhere and wheezed.
"Cant…kill me…" said the Giant angrily,
"Don't you see?" asked Hazel as she hopped off Arion and held her golden spatha, "You already lost!"
Frank reverted back to human and held his spear as he said "By the way, this isn't Alaska. Welcome to Canada idiot!"
His eyes went wide as Hazel and Frank brought their weapons down and the Giant dissolved into a pile of expensive rocks. Frank shouldered his spear and said "That's that!"
Hazel gave him a weird look that seemed to unnerve Frank. She looked into his eyes and tilted her head as she asked "An elephant?"
"Seemed like a good idea," said the teen with a nervous scratch of his head,
She raised a brow at him and Frank thought that he had officially freaked her out but she just gripped him by the shirt and pulled him close as their lips met. She pulled away and said "That was amazing, you make a great elephant!"
"Humuhuhm-"was all Frank could mutter,
Hazel giggled as she inspected the Giant's remains and noticed all the gems had been swallowed by the earth except one. A small eye sized grey oval shaped quartz gem glittered in the snow and Hazel picked it up as she said "Is this what Caleb was looking for? A Giant's Stone?"
Just then an explosion sounded off from the side as Doctor Claymore came crashing onto the snowy ground as he had pinned a dragon on the ground and he had impaled his broadsword deep in its armored chest and the beast roared as it flailed and thrashed as it died and turned into golden dust.
Claymore stood as he lifted his sword and said "Ah I see you're done! Come, we must help Caleb!"
The suit of metal led them to the clearing where Caleb inside the avatar swung his sword across a dragon's chest as he grasped one by the neck and punched it squire on the snout.
Frank drew his bow while Hazel readied her blade but Caleb made some distance as he slashed his sword horizontally and a massive glyph, almost as big as the dragons, appeared in the air and he called out "Πύλη Λήθης! (Oblivion's Gate)"
The rune glowed as the dragons roared in anger while Caleb slashed through the glyph and his ethereal sword acquired a faint white glow and in one vertical slash, a massive wave of energy rose from the ground and swallowed the monsters leaving no trace they ever existed.
Caleb's avatar repeatedly spun as it shrunk down and what remained was Caleb who was reattaching his cape onto his back. The sorcerer then faced them with a raised brow as he said "I see you have taken care of the Giant."
"What was that?!" asked Frank in surprise,
"My most powerful spell," said Caleb waving his hand, "its unfinished but I'm on my way to."
Hazel pulled out the quartz and she said "This is what's left of Alcyoneus. Is this what you were looking for?"
He took the gem while Hazel cringed in fear but he inspected it fiercely with one eye as he placed it on the empty slot on his gauntlet and it turned to be a perfect fit. He moved around his fingers as he smiled and bowed to Frank and Hazel as he said "Its exactly what I was looking for, now my research can be furthered."
"Should we head back?" asked Frank to everyone,
Arion nudged Hazel but Caleb held up a hand and said "We'll take our leave here."
"Huh?" asked Hazel and Frank,
"The deal was till you save Death and until I get my stone." Said the sorcerer with a nod, "Deal is over."
"So you don't want to come with us?" asked Frank, "I thought we were all friends."
Caleb stopped for a second as he then said "We are you oaf but I must part ways for now. I have things to do. I wish you three luck and fortune for your quest."
"There's really no convincing you is there?" asked Hazel as Caleb rolled his eyes and held up two fingers,
Claymore gave a glow as he nodded and said "Farewell for now Hazel and Frank,"
He turned back into a card which Caleb pocketed and he held his hand out as his fedora found its way to his hand and he slipped it over his head as he said "This is goodbye for now. Speak to Percy of my farewell. Good luck and may our paths cross again my friends."
Caleb then swung his cape over his head as he seemed to vanish into thin air. Frank was then left with Hazel and Arion on the empty barren area as she looked around with Frank and he said "He really is gone"
"That' Caleb," said Hazel, "If there's anything we picked up, he loves to show off."
"Got that right," said Frank with a chuckle,
"Let's head back," said Hazel as she held Frank's hand and they mounted Arion and zoomed back to Hubbard Glacier.
AN
Jake: HOLY CRAP 11K WORDS!
Twista: LONGEST. CHAPTER. EVER.
Roy: Just saying, expect the last two chapters of each book to be super long. As you can see this is 11k and we may have had some slip ups so please don't berate over it.
Twista: REVIEW PEOPLE! REVIEW!
Jake: I GOT TO SECOND BASE!
Roy: Mind not the two idiots with me and please, if you did enjoy and like this chapter, leave a review, follow and favorite below and tell us what you think. It helps us out if you encourage us!
Roy: Last chapter of SoN next time! See you all till then!
This is Roy Markov…signing off!