Here's another long chapter. It's the end of Titan's Curse. I'm going to continue with PoA tomorrow. Thank you to my two reviewers. I used your song at the end sassiecassie218. Nina doesn't sing it, but it still fits in nicely. There are two songs in this chapter. Enjoy the chappie!
Chapter Forty Three: Mt. Othrys and Olympus
The statues put us down by the Embarcadero Bridge. Thalia looked ready to be sick. A homeless guy ran away yelling something about metal angels from Mars. Talk about insane people, Hank and Chuck are obviously from Mercury. Duh! "Apollo told me to find Nereus," Percy said. "The old man of the sea."
Zoe nodded. "All we have to do is follow the smell." She led us to the waterfront, then had me get dressed like a hobo. She had me put on a large, navy blue flannel shirt, jeans that were a good three sizes too big for me, and red sneakers. Thalia messed up my hair so it looked like I had been sleeping on the streets. The fact that I had been sleeping on the streets really helped. Why couldn't Percy do this?
I walked over to the docks grumbling about stupid parents and stupid school. At the end of the docks, an old, fat man in pajamas and a bathrobe was sleeping. He smelled like brine and hot seaweed. This had to be Nereus. I sat down next to him. When no one was looking, I tackled him into the ocean. He felt really slimey. He turned into a seal and went straight down. If I wasn't the daughter of Poseidon, I never would have been able to hang on.
Nereus shifted his form again. This time, he was a killer whale. He jumped out of the water just after I grabbed his dorsal fin. I managed to wave to the tourists as we plunged back underneath the waves. He changed into an eel and I tied him into a knot.
Nereus quickly changed back and flashed us up to the pier. "How did you manage to hold on?"
"I am the daughter of Poseidon."
He glared, "What is your question?"
I could only ask one question. I needed to find out where Annabeth was for Percy. On the other hand, I needed to find out where Artemis was for Zoe, Apollo, and me. I also needed to find out what the bane of Olympus was. "Alright, Nereus. Tell me where to find the monster that Artemis was hunting."
Nereus cackled, "Oh, that's an easy one. He's right there." Nereus pointed into the water and disappeared. I looked down and saw a creature with the front half of a cow and the tail of a serpent. I remember him from myths I read a few years back. It was the Ophiotaurus.
"Bessie," Percy exclaimed. "Not now." The Ophiotaurus mooed and I couldn't stop my laugh. I can't believe Percy named the most powerful creature in all of Greacen history Bessie. It was just too ridiculous. Thalia, Zoe, and Grover recognized him too. We all had to explain to Percy about the Ophiotaurus.
I felt a hand on my shoulder. I froze and turned around. Why do the monsters always hold me hostage? Dr. Thorn was gripping my shoulder tightly. I could feel my bones shatter. I have the worst luck. "This is just pairrr-fect," gloated the manticore. His accent really mangled his speech. "You, Daughter of Zeus, shall unleash the power of the manticore, or, you shall watch your friend die." Oh, gods, how do I get myself into these hostage situations? I couldn't believe they were forcing Thalia to either destroy the Olympians or destroy me. I'm going to die!
Thalia went into a daze as the manticore began to list reasons that she should kill the Ophiotaurus. I had a brilliant idea. These shoes were two sizes too big on me. I kicked my right foot towards Thalia and the shoe went flying off. It hit her in the face. She fell backwards onto the pavement. Yes, it worked!
Grover told Bessie to dive deep and stay there. Thankfully, she got the message. Zoe shot a fart arrow at Thorn's feet and he let go of me to cover his mouth. I grabbed Thalia's hand with my good arm and started dragging her after Percy, Zoe, and Grover. We hid behind a kiosk. Grover made a rainbow and we contacted camp. We told Mr. D. about the Ophiotaurus. He was reluctant to help unless we said please. That was something I refused to do. I looked at Thalia as the rest got ready to fight. A tear fell down her face. This had happened to her before, on top of Half-Blood Hill, except she wouldn't be able to save us this time. I turned to Mr. D., "Please, Mr D., help us." He smirked and cut off the connection. I turned and pulled out Mov. There were mortal guards surrounding us. Nothing happened.
I looked at my friends one last time. Thalia had Aegis out, more tears were leaking from her eyes. Grover had his pipes to his lips. His eyes were wide with fear. Zoe had an arrow pointing at Dr. Thorn. Her face held no emotion, but her eyes revealed how scared she was. I looked at my brother last. He had Riptide raised in one hand and the other was held in a fist. His eyes held a ferocity I had never known him capable. He was ready to defend us to his last breath.
The wind rushed around us. The sunlight had a purple tinge to us. I smelled grapes in the air and something more sour-wine. There was a loud SNAP! It was the sound of many minds breaking. The guards began to go insane. They started doing the funky chicken and the worm. One stuck his gun in his mouth and began to run around barking like a dog.
"Grover, you take the Ophiotaurus to Olympus. You will be safe in the water. Percy and I will pray to Dad. Percy, we're going to need a big sacrifice." Percy pulled off his coat of Nemean Lion fur. "Are you sure, fratello? That could be very useful." Percy nodded and threw the coat into the bay. We began to pray out loud together.
"Percy, why did you do that?" asked Thalia. "Heracles use it. Do you have any idea how helpful that could have been?" I looked at Zoe as something flashed through her eyes. We were running to Annabeth's dad's house. We really needed to borrow his car. Dionysus said Artemis was in the Garden of the Hesperides. That was on Mount Othrys and like the rest of the Ancient Greek world, it had moved west. It was now on Mount Tamalpais. I remembered a story Zoe had told me when I was 10 about Heracles. There had been a Hesperid who helped him trick Atlas. Zoe was that Hesperid. I realized Zoe must have told that to Percy as well. He didn't want to be Heracles, not after he betrayed Zoe like that.
We made it to the Chase residence and Thalia began to bang on the door. A man who looked a little like Annabeth opened the door. His shirt was buttoned wrong so one side of his collar stuck up higher than the was wearing an aviator's hat and goggles. He looked kinda crazy. "Are you delivering the airplanes?"he asked.
"No, we're friends of Annabeth's. She's in trouble," Percy said. Dr. Chase's forehead crinkled. He looked really worried. I have no idea why Annabeth said her dad didn't like her. He was 9 times as worried as my mother had ever been about me. Dr. Chase led us up to his study where Mrs. Chase brought us cookies. When Percy finished the story, I noticed Annabeth's younger half brothers standing at the door. The younger one, who looked to be about three, looked ready to cry.
"I'll get them, Dr. Chase. You and the rest can figure something out," I whispered. He nodded as his eyes betrayed him getting even more worried about his daughter. I picked up the youngest in my good arm and led the other one downstairs. When we got downstairs, I sat down on the couch and lifted one up on either side of me. "Hi, my name's Nina. What's yours?"
"I'm Bobby," the older one said.
"I'm Matthew," sniffled the youngest. "Is Annabeth going to be okay?"
"Yeah, she's going to be fine. We're going to go rescue her. She's brave, she'll be fine." Both boys seemed to be content with that answer and curled into me.
"Can you sing us a song?" asked Bobby. "Annabeth always used to sing to us. Bobby looked to be about 9.
"What do you want me to sing?" Both boys shrugged. I thought, I couldn't play with my arm all messed up, but I didn't mind singing acapella.
You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
'Cause they'd fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You'd think me rude
But I would just stand and stare
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance
A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
The disco ball is just hanging by a thread
(Thread, thread...)
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
(When I fall asleep)
Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
'Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep?
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far too tired to fall asleep
(Ha-ha)
To ten million fireflies
I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell
(Said farewell)
But I'll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
'Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar
(Jar, jar, jar...)
[2x]
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
(When I fall asleep)
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams
As I finished singing, Percy, Thalia, and Zoe ran down the stairs, followed by Dr. Chase. I jumped up and waved good bye to the little boys. We ran outside the house and into Dr. Chase's VW convertible. I jumped in the back with Percy and we raced towards Mt. Tam. When we got there, the sun was just beginning to set.
Zoe pulled us up the mountain and instructed us to go around Ladon, the 100 headed dragon, while she went straight towards him. She whispered to the dragon as we snuck around him. He lashed out and bit Zoe's side. She ran fast towards us. We ran the rest of the way up the mountain and hid behind a rock when we arrived at the Titan's fortress. It was half built and seemed to be constructing itself. Zoe was clutching her side where she had been bitten. I looked in her eyes, and both of us knew she would not make it to see the end of this quest.
I saw Artemis tied up and holding up the sky where the titan, Atlas, used to. I rushed forward with Zoe to aid her. Artemis tried to warn us to go back, but it was too late. A man stepped out of the shadows followed by some monsters who kept addressing him as General. This man was the tallest man I had ever seen. I recognized him after a few moments. This was Atlas, titan of astronomy and navigation. He was the general of Kronos' armies in the first Titanomachy. I gasped, this was Zoe's father. He would deliver the killing blow. My mind flashed into the future. I had taken Artemis' burden with my brother. We both had a grey streak running through our hair. Mine was more silvery. I watched as Zoe and Artemis battled Atlas. He swung his giant hand at Zoe and she was flung into a boulder. I came back to the present in a flash of light.
"Percy!" I shouted over the din. "We need to take Artemis' burden. She must fight!" Percy nodded and we ran over to where the sky pushed to touch the earth. Percy and I braced ourselves on either side of the moon goddess.
"Are you sure?" she asked. I nodded my head, fierce determination in my eyes. Artemis slipped out from under the sky. For a moment, it rested on all three of our shoulders. It was the heaviest thing I had ever lifted. Sharp pain was shooting up and down my broken shoulder. I could feel my strength being sucked out of my body. It hurt so much. Luke came out pulling an unconscious Annabeth behind him. Thalia engaged him in contact. I watched as my vision replayed itself. Zoe Nightshade was officially dying.
Artemis fell to the ground. I screamed as Atlas brought his javelin down on my friend. At the last second, she grabbed the javelin and flipped it over her head. Atlas came hurtling toward us. Just in time, Percy and I leapt out of the way. The sky crashed down on Atlas' back and he roared with anger. I landed on my injured shoulder and screamed again. My vision was fuzzy from the pain in my shoulder and the pain of having to hold up the sky. It had been like holding up 1 billion pounds! I began to have double vision and the last thing I saw before blacking out was my brother running towards me.
I woke up to find my shoulder bandaged and Artemis was holding Zoe in her arms. I crawled over them in time to hear Zoe say, "Stars. I can see the stars again, my lady."
A tear escaped Artemis' eye. "Yes, my brave one. They are beautiful tonight."
"Stars," repeated Zoe before she stilled. Tears began to trail down Artemis' cheeks. She held her hand over Zoe and whispered an incantation. A silvery mist escaped Zoe and flew up into the night sky. Zoe's body shimmered before disappearing. I looked up to see a new constellation in the sky.
"The Huntress," I whispered. "May she watch over all young maidens." Artemis nodded her head in agreement. She stood up and got into a silver chariot. I guess that's the moon chariot.
"I shall see you all on Olympus," she said before flying off into the sky. Annabeth hugged her dad. When had he gotten here? He gave her a brave smile and climbed into an old helicopter. Wait what? I stared at the plane as it flew off. Weird...
I heard a WHOOSH! behind me. I turned and saw four pegasi gliding toward us. The silver one landed in front of me. She nuzzled my bandage shoulder. You really need to stop injuring yourself, Nina.
I laughed. Hello to you too, Silvermist. You guys come to give us a ride to Olympus?
Yes! another horse shouted in my head. I smiled at him. His name was Guido. I pulled myself up on to Sil's back as Percy got up on Blackjack, Thalia climbed onto Porkpie, and Annabeth climbed on to Guido. During the whole ride to Olympus, I told Sil all about our quest. Thalia was so tired, she managed to fall asleep on Porkpie. The pegasus had to keep shifting so she wouldn't tumble off.
When we got to Olympus, we all rushed into the throne room. Apollo grinned at me and pointed us out to Zeus who had been talking to Grover. Apollo seemed very relieved that I was alive. "Welcome heroes," smiled Artemis. The Ophiotaurus said Moooo!
Zeus was staring intently at Thalia and waved to Grover, signaling he could come up and hug us. He winced slightly when he hit my shoulder. I didn't think anyone noticed until I saw Apollo looking me with concern in his eyes. I smiled to show I was fine, but he didn't seem to believe that. Oh yeah, he's the god of truth. He will always know when I'm lying. Apollo leaned back in his thrown. He had earbuds in and I doubted he had been listening to his father's rambling. 'What you listening too?' I mouthed to him.
'Maroon 5,' he mouthed back. That was one of my favorite bands. I liked a variety of music. "I gotta say," Apollo said aloud, "these kids did okay."
"First class," Hermes agreed. "All in favor of not blasting them?"
A few tentative hands were put up by Aphrodite and Demeter. Artemis, Hermes, Apollo, my dad, and Hades (who was sitting on a guest throne since it was the winter solstice) all shot their hands up. "Wait just a minute," growled Ares. He looked at Thalia, Percy and me. "These three are dangerous. It'd be much safer, while we've got them here-"
"Ares, they are worthy heroes," interrupted Dad. I gave him a thankful smile. "We will not blast my twins to bits."
"Nor my daughter," grumbled Zeus. He didn't seem to care though. "She has done well." At the end I caught his lips curving up into a minute smile.
"I am proud of my daughter as well," began Athena. "But there is a security risk with the other three."
Apollo jumped from his throne. "We're not blowing up Nina," he growled. "Or the others," he added as an afterthought while sitting down. I blushed and smiled at him. All of the Olympians stared at me.
Athena continued. "Ignore Apollo, of course he will stand up for the first daughter of Poseidon. It is not even like he cares for her."
Athena was interrupted by Apollo again. "How dare you," he snarled. I had never been scared by him, but his tone terrified me. I had no idea how Athena was able to hold her ground. "How dare you suggest I do not care for Nina. I would go to the deepest pits of Tartarus and give up my immortal life for her. Keep your nose out of business that is not your own." Apollo glared at her one more time before stalking off to his seat. I was so touched by what he said. No one had ever been willing to defend me to that degree. I kept my eyes trained on the floor. I didn't need Apollo to see how much I was blushing.
Athena scowled at Apollo. "We cannot allow these three children to live." I could see the fury growing in Apollo's eyes. I had never seen him this mad and never wanted to see him like this again.
"I will not have them punished," Artemis sneered at her half sister. "I will reward them. If we punish heroes who do us a great favor, we are no better than the titans. If this is Olympian justice, I will have none of it!"
"Perhaps," Zeus agreed.
"Thalia, I have need of a new lieutenant. Would you like to fill this position?" Thalia nodded eagerly and said an oath to Artemis. She would now never reach the age in the prophecy, lucky. Artemis snapped her fingers and Thalia was suddenly dressed in the outfit of the Hunters. A silver circlet sat upon her short, spiky hair. She seemed to radiate life.
"The twins are still a danger," warned Ares. Apollo turned his glare on the war god. Ares cowered back slightly. Apollo is a pretty relaxed god. I have never seen him angry until now. He once told me he would do anything for his loved ones. I didn't want to see how he would protect them. It was probably very scary if even the war god was frightened.
Poseidon stepped forward. "The twins will not betray us. I would vouch for this on my honor."
"All in favor of keeping the children of Poseidon alive?" asked Zeus lazily. Apollo's hand was the first in the air. He was followed by Artemis, Poseidon, and Hades. Slowly, all the gods except Zeus, Athena, and Ares raised their hands. "Majority wins." I almost started jumping up and down in excitement. I wasn't going to die, yet. During the rest of the meeting, it was agreed upon that Poseidon would create an aquarium for the Ophiotaurus on Olympus. Zeus decided we needed a party.
Aphrodite was the first to reach me and my friends. Apollo was standing off to the side talking to Hermes. Aphrodite squealed and snapped her fingers. We were suddenly all in party clothes. Thalia kept the Hunters' outfit though. Percy was in a white button down shirt and some jeans. Annabeth had a sort grey dress on. They wandered off together. I looked down to see I was in the same outfit I wore to Westover. I looked up at Aphrodite curiously. She winked at me and said, "Apollo told me how amazing you looked in that dress last Saturday. He was right." I felt my blush deepen. I didn't think that was possible. Aphrodite laughed and pushed me towards Apollo.
I straightened out my skirt and walked up to him. "Hi," I whispered softly. He looked up from his phone and grinned at me. He placed his phone in his back pocket and wrapped an arm around me, pulling me up against him. He was in his 15-year old form. At least he was only two years older than me.
Apollo looked at my shoulder where the bandages were and frowned. "You need to stop getting hurt, Sparkles."
"That's what my pegasus said," I grimaced as he began to remove the bandages. "What are you doing?"
"Healing you." By now, all the bandages were off. He placed his hand over my shoulder and I winced. He gave me an apologetic smile before closing his eyes and concentrating. His hand glowed golden and I could feel the bones mending themselves. "There, all better," he exclaimed when he was done. "C'mon, let's dance." He dragged me out onto the dance floor as a song by David Guetta came on.
"I love this song!" I shouted over the noise that kept getting louder as we made our way onto the dance floor.
I can't win, I can't reign
I will never win this game
Without you, without you
I am lost, I am vain,
I will never be the same
Without you, without you
I won't run, I won't fly
I will never make it by
Without you, without you
I can't rest, I can't fight
All I need is you and I,
Without you, without you
Oh oh oh!
You! You! You!
Without...
You! You! You!
Without...you
Can't erase, so I'll take blame
But I can't accept that we're estranged
Without you, without you
I can't quit now, this can't be right
I can't take one more sleepless night
Without you, without you
I won't soar, I won't climb
If you're not here, I'm paralyzed
Without you, without you
I can't look, I'm so blind
I lost my heart, I lost my mind
Without you, without you
Oh oh oh!
You! You! You!
Without...
You! You! You!
Without...you
I am lost, I am vain,
I will never be the same
Without you, without you
Without...you
Apollo and I danced until it felt like my feet were about to fall off. I was really glad Aphrodite had given me my flats and not heels. Apollo led me t the garden outside his temple. It was beautiful. All of the flowers were different colors. He led me to a bench and we sat down next to each other. I curled into his side and told him about Hogwarts. He always was a really good listener. I'm glad we're not fighting anymore. I fell asleep curled up into the god I was slowly falling in love with.