A/N: Hola. So, this is the final chapter in the Titan's Curse arc of this story. It's going to be really involving, epic and interesting and I do hope I manage to keep you all rooted to your screens. When this arc is completed, I will be focusing more on my other stories, The Hunters of The Sun on Wattpad and Excidium Troiae. So in all, my stories will be taking shifts. Yes, you read right. Don't have a go at me if you see the date this was last updated. If this story's turn isn't up, it's not going to be updated. That way, all my stories can have equal attention. I hope you guys will enjoy this chapter and the twists and turns I have planned for all you lovely readers (*wink, wonk*). Leave a vote, comment, kudos or review if you like the chapter. Show your support by dropping a follow. Thank you all for reading!
-TripleHomicide.
LUKE glanced up at the sky, worry overtaking his features. Grey clouds swirled at the top of the mountain, making everything look as bleak as he felt. His eyes roamed the empty path, then fell on the fidgety Titan seated next to him in the shotgun seat. Perseus was fiddling with a few knives he had gotten from Mr. Chase, Annabeth's father. At that thought, Luke grimaced.
If what the son of Gaea had told him was true, then Annabeth…
He shook his head to clear his thoughts. He wouldn't believe it until he had seen it for himself. He knew Perseus was worried for Thalia, almost as much as he was. But there was another reason he was jumping and moving about on his seat like there was a porcupine beneath him. They were returning to his old home, going to cross the Grove of Perseus and then the Garden of the Hesperides. The sword would be there and Luke's decision would impact the course of this war they were going to fight in.
He looked away from the green-eyed immortal, his gaze falling on the blinding white ship on the ocean. He recognised it. It was the Princess Andromeda, a monster infested ship where Kronos' monsters and demigod allies were being held, led by the Titan Lelantos. He had been on that ship once and had almost died by the Titan's hand. It was where he had rescued Blackjack and Luke had to admit that that was the only good thing that had come out of that capture.
He frowned once more when thunder boomed above them. They drove on in silence, trying to get to the Mountain so they could enter the Grove at sunset, the only time it was allowed. He didn't know what he would do if harm befell Thalia or the others. He also had to see Annabeth. Once more, before he had to do battle with her. From everything Perseus had told him, Annabeth was being manipulated by Athena. If he could get to her—if he could talk to her—he might be able to make her see reason.
Biting his lip, he shook his head once again, running his free hand through his blond hair. Suddenly he tensed. The hairs on the back of his neck and arms stood. "Stop the car, NOW!" Perseus' voice rang out, startling Luke into stepping on the brakes. The yellow VW skidded to a stop at the edge of the cliff. "OUT!" Perseus ordered, opening his door. Luke did the same in a fluid motion, not once questioning the Titan. He jumped out of the car, hitting the ground and rolling just as a large BOOM resonated across the cliffside. He could smell burning, the sound from the explosion had his head pounding and his ears ringing.
The shockwave from the lightning blast had hurled pieces of the car his way and Luke grimaced when one sliced through his jeans and created a gash on his calf. He felt pain flare on his leg. He opened his eyes and gulped. One more second and he would have been ashes, just like the car they had been in before. Kronos was trying to stop them from getting to the mountain. If Perseus hadn't—
He tensed, then leaped up, ignoring the pain in his calf. "Perseus!" No response. He hobbled over to the wreckage, panic filling his veins. "Perseus!"
"Silence, you fool," The hiss came from beside him and Luke spun to find the Titan who was a head shorter than he was, standing next to him. "Do you want to wake the beast?"
He felt relief flood his veins. Then he frowned. "What do you mean?" The raven-haired boy motioned for him to be quiet. He flicked his head towards the mist which had engulfed them. Luke hadn't realised it but they were at their destination. Perseus marched forward and Luke followed him through the grey. He gasped in surprise and shock at what met him.
Curled around a huge tree was a giant green and black dragon. It was asleep but its breathing was shaking the earth. In the dimness of the sunset, Luke could see several heads, curled around the base of the tree. He could see the golden apples flash dangerously. He saw the golden grass and the golden gates they had come from. And then his blue eyes fell on the majestic sword, right next to the dragon, in the perfect but jagged stone, glinting gold and calling out to him, looking like it had been hewn into the rock.
He took a step forward. Luke felt Perseus tense next to him. He could feel the sword reverberating, like it wanted him near it, like it wanted to be pulled out. He felt a heavy hand on his shoulder, stopping him short. Luke turned, eyeing the Titan of the Earth. He looked genuinely conflicted, eyes showing all his confusion and uncertainty. But then something seemed to pass through him and his brow furrowed in what seemed like determination.
"We find Thalia first," Perseus said decisively. "Hera's guardians, The Hesperides, will try to stop you if you approach the sword or the tree. Ladon will kill you if you get too close. We don't have much time."
"I thought you wanted this?" Luke asked, arching a brow.
"Thalia comes first. When we both know she's safe, you can think about pulling out the sword." He was silent for a few seconds, but Luke nodded anyway. He let out a huff of air, preparing to carry out the plan they had discussed on their way to the mountain. He couldn't shake the feeling that something big was about to happen. Something he wouldn't like.
-X-
PERSEUS exhaled as he rose out of the ground. He tried to keep his breathing steady as the memories of the time he had spent on this mountain came rushing back. He remembered Calypso, and what he had shared with her. He remembered Zoë and how she had been just a mere child whilst the war was ongoing. He remembered his brothers and sisters and everything they had been through together. But the gods had taken it all from him.
He was still a bit shaken from what had happened a few minutes before. He had actually not cared about his freedom. He didn't care about the sword. All he wanted to do now was find Thalia, beg for her forgiveness and be friends with her once again. She was the only person he could call a true friend. She had believed he had changed and she had trusted him.
He sighed, glancing around him. The passage was dark, the halls empty and hollow, like it had always been. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down in his throat. He remembered the palace being destroyed, but now it seemed as though Othrys was rebuilding itself. Perseus turned to look at the son of Hermes behind him. He nodded to Luke and the two began to creep away from the place he had transported them to.
Perseus led Luke to the audience chamber of Kronos, where he knew Atlas had once been imprisoned. He walked slowly, footsteps almost inaudible, trying not to make any sound. The Titan of The Earth tried to control his erratic heartbeat and tried to still his shaking fingers as he clutched tighter to the celestial bronze knives he had been given by Luke from his friend Annabeth's secret stash at her house.
They came to a stop in a huge archway and he could hear voices and pacing. He motioned to Luke with his head, silently asking him to free the others. Perseus would be the distraction, just like they had planned. Luke nodded, then mouthed, Good Luck. Perseus bobbed his head in response, then turned away from the son of Hermes. Pursing his lips, he marched into the Throne Room of The Titans.
XMX
"ATLAS," His voice rang out through the audience chamber. "You're alive."
The burly man standing next to what had been his prison for ages turned, a scowl on his face. Perseus tried to keep his expression neutral as his eyes met that of the moon goddess. She was sweating, hair stuck to her skin, eyes wild and clothes tattered. He tried to keep down his shock when he realised she could see him. His eyes scanned the room. He saw Apollo, in a cage, like a wild animal, looking just as ragged as his sister.
He turned away when he spotted Zoë Nightshade, tied to a long pole, her head lolling. Phoebe, Grover and Thalia were still unconscious, bound and gagged and dumped on the ground like sacks of potatoes. Lelantos stood next to Apollo's cage, his expression neutral, like Perseus'. The Titan of the Earth tilted his head in greeting to his nephew, who just nodded in response, picking his nails with a knife. The goddesses Athena and Aphrodite were side by side, next to a smaller girl, Annabeth Chase, whom he had seen on the cliffside the first time he had been transported in Ogygia through his dreams. Thorn cowered behind them in his beast form. They all stood by a huge golden sarcophagus that glowed with power. It made Perseus feel like he was choking; it made him want to fall to his knees and give up.
It was oppressive. It was his family.
His gaze drifted over to the two other new figures in the shadows. Two minor gods he had heard of. Morpheus and Hecate stood side by side, glares on their faces as they regarded Perseus. It was because of their presence that everyone in the room could see him he realised. He turned back to Atlas when the General spoke, "Of course I am, Perseus. It's nice to see you finally showed."
"It's just surprising, seeing the scum you have allied yourself with in an attempt to restore my brother to his former glory," He said, eyeing the gods and monsters in the room. "I expected you to have been back-stabbed and rotting in Tartarus by now."
"You've been travelling with demigods and hunters for days, Uncle," Atlas smiled wryly, but warily. "I wouldn't judge if I were you."
Perseus scoffed, turning back to Morpheus and Hecate. "So that's how you've been doing it, huh? It's how you got me to Thalia when I slept." Atlas arched an eyebrow. "I had my suspicions, but no proof. Very ingenious, if I do say so myself."
"Of course it is," Lelantos spoke. "It was my plan, after all."
"Arrogant as always, I see," Perseus sneered at his nephew.
Lelantos grinned at him, although Perseus could sense the danger in his eyes. "Don't tell me you expected anything less, Perseus."
"What are you doing here, Perseus?" Annabeth Chase stepped forward. "I thought you were aiding the demigods now, seeing how close you were with Thalia and your reluctance to get the job done."
He inhaled, then turned back to Atlas, completely disregarding the demigod daughter of wisdom. "Once again, I've come to pledge myself to Lord Kronos. Like before, I come following Mother Gaea's orders." Atlas narrowed his eyes. Artemis grunted in distaste at the same time her brother looked down in resignation. If Perseus joined the Titans Olympus would be lost. Zoë was awake now and was glaring at him like she had done all those years ago, when he had threatened to kill Calypso for her betrayal. Lelantos looked bored, as though he wanted to be anywhere but there. Annabeth and the goddesses looked suspicious, like the insecure twats they were. Thorn and the two minor gods just kept glaring.
After a few heartbeats of tense silence, Atlas laughed. Perseus felt his blood run cold. Of course they would not believe him.
"You were always such a mother's boy, weren't you?' Atlas asked, laughing darkly. "Always did what Gaea asked without question." The Earth Titan blinked in disbelief when the son of Iapetus said, "Welcome back, Perseus."
-X-
THALIA'S eyes fluttered open and she let out a groan. She quickly looked around her, trying her best to spot anything in the semi-darkness. Her mouth went dry when she saw Zoë, tied to a long pole like she was going to get executed by fire. She tried to move, to check if her weapons had been taken or not but the shackles binding her to Grover and Phoebe didn't allow it.
"Grover," Thalia whispered, nudging the satyr next to her. "Grover, wave up."
"Cans," He moaned, his head lolling away from her. Thalia rolled her eyes and then elbowed Grover in the side. He sat up with a jerk and a small yelp "Ouch! Thalia, what the Hades?"
"Just wake Phoebe, we can't stay here," Thalia murmured, trying her best not to send any sound to the ears of their captives. Phoebe was stirring awake when she heard his voice. "Atlas! You're alive." She spun in her shackles, a glare crossing her face as she remembered his betrayal. Emotions slammed into her at that instant. She was hurt, angry and disappointed. Hurt that he had been using her. Angry that she had let herself be played. Disappointed that the next time she saw Luke she would have to admit he had been right.
Thalia looked around properly when Atlas replied, "Of course I am, Perseus. It's nice to see you finally showed." Her hands curled into fists when she saw Artemis and Apollo, captured and weak like common mortals. She saw the Titan who led the monsters on the Princess Andromeda, the one with large feathery wings, Lelantos.
"It's just surprising, seeing the scum you have allied yourself with in an attempt to restore my brother." Thalia stopped looking around when Perseus spoke once more. "I expected you to have been backstabbed and rotting in Tartarus by now."
"You've been travelling with demigods and hunters for days," Atlas said. Thalia felt anger boil inside her, at the casual and almost-friend like conversation they were having. "I wouldn't judge if I were you."
She saw him, his hands resting on the knives at his side, his face expressionless as he looked across the room. "So that's how you've been doing it, huh? it's how you got me to Thalia when I slept." Her eyes flickered over to the spot he had been looking at and she froze when she recognised the two gods. Morpheus and Hecate had sided with the Titans? "I had my suspicions," Percy went on. "But no proof. Very ingenious if I do say so myself."
"Of course it is," Lelantos finally spoke. "It was my plan, after all."
"Arrogant as always, I see." Thalia could hear the sneer and animosity in his voice. Was this the same Titan she had been travelling with for a week now?
"Don't tell me you expected anything less, Perseus," Lelantos responded.
The next voice made Thalia's heart stop beating. She felt her blood run cold, and her mouth go dry. Her head snapped in the direction of the voice and she let out a small gasp when Annabeth said, "What are you doing here, Perseus? I thought you were aiding the demigods now, seeing how close you were with Thalia and your reluctance to get the job done." Thalia's heart shattered. She whispered to herself, "No." It couldn't be.
Annabeth didn't look hurt or injured. She looked fine. Glorious, even. And all this time, Thalia had been worried for her. She was working for Kronos. She had allied herself with the Titans. Thalia caught sight of Athena and Aphrodite behind her friend. Them being there and not captured meant they were also with Kronos. Thalia inhaled. It couldn't be possible. Annabeth would never betray them. Not of her own accord. She had to be brainwashed.
"Anna—" Thalia was about to call out to her friend, to ask her why. She was about to try to find an for the question she had been asking for a while now, since she discovered her heritage as a demigod. Why was everyone betraying her like this?
A hand suddenly clamped her mouth shut, making Thalia gasp. She could smell lemon scented aftershave, one she was familiar with and Thalia felt herself relaxing. "Shh," Luke's voice came from behind her. '"Don't call out to her."
"Luke," She breathed. "You're alive." She tried to turn, tried to see him, but his hand stopped her.
"Wait a sec, let me take care of your chains," He whispered to her. Thalia felt relief engulf her. She had no weapons, but she was going to bash Annabeth's teeth in with her fists if she overcame her shock. Luke's other hand crept to her shackles. He had only ever tried it with doors and windows but as a son of Hermes, he could unlock anything and they were about to find out if that included shackles. She heard a soft click, then her legs were free. His hands reached for hers and she let him take them.
Luke rubbed circles on the back of her hand as if trying to reassure her that it would be okay. His fingers traced their way to her wrist and she felt a hum and a surge of power flow into the shackles, breaking them apart. Silently, he nodded to her and moved on to Grover, who was trying not to bleat in excitement.
Thalia rubbed her wrists, sitting quietly and waiting for the others to be freed. "Once again, I've come to pledge myself to Lord Kronos. Like before, I come following Mother Gaea's orders." She scowled when she heard Percy's voice once more. Thalia felt a despondent sort of sadness engulf her. He was joining the Titans, then. There was a dark silence and finally, Atlas laughed.
"You were always such a mother's boy, weren't you? Always did what Gaea asked without question." He paused. "Welcome back, Perseus."
Thalia glared. "I'm going to kill him," She murmured under her breath, anger replacing her sadness.
"He's still on our side," She felt Luke come up next to her. "He told me what happened after he found me. He told me everything he had done. And I understand why he did it." Thalia blinked when Luke slipped something into her hand. It was her mace canister. How had he gotten to it? She saw Grover with his pipes and Phoebe with her hunting knives. Luke grabbed Thalia's left hand and slipped a silver bracelet to her wrist.
Thalia nodded to him, then asked, "So, why is he here proclaiming his loyalty to Kronos?"
"A distraction," Luke muttered. "I was supposed to get your weapons and get you free. He was supposed to distract them long enough for me to do so."
Thalia blinked. So he was trying to help them. But that didn't change the fact that he had lied and betrayed her. "And then? Now what?"
Luke grinned at her as Grover and Phoebe stood up, next to them. "Now, we bash some Titan heads in."
-X-
PERSEUS grinned when the four heroes stepped into the light. Thalia held her spear and shield, Luke by her side, his hands on his sword. Grover was holding his reed pipes, whilst Phoebe prepared to strike with her knives. The latter was still injured, although the blood flow had been staunched. For a second, Perseus' eyes met Thalia, but she glanced away quickly and called to the daughter of Athena.
"Ah, Thalia," Annabeth stepped forward. "You live."
Atlas narrowed his eyes and said, "It seems you were wrong about this one, girl. She has to die with the rest."
Annabeth's eyes flashed with annoyance as she looked at the Titan of endurance. "I wasn't wrong." She glanced at Thalia. "Call the Ophiotaurus. It will come to you." Thalia remained silent but didn't take her eyes off the grey-eyed girl. Annabeth seemed to be losing patience and she snapped, "Call the beast, Thalia, and you will be more powerful than the gods."
"Annabeth…" Thalia's voice was pained. "What happened to you? Why did you do this?" She glanced towards her mother and in that one second Perseus could see she was doing it all to please Athena.
"Come back to us, Annabeth," Luke said. "It can be like old times again. The three of us against the world."
Annabeth's composure broke for a second and Perseus could see the broken and manipulated girl inside. "You are fools, then, if you believe that anything can go back to normal," Annabeth said, expression cold again. "You could have found out after I poisoned your tree. You could have found out I stole Zeus' master bolt. If you had just listened." She was hissing now. "We will restore Mount Othrys to its former glory together." She said, a desperate look crossing her features. "All we need is you. Join us and you'll be able to find Jason and get revenge on Zeus and Hera for all they've done."
"Thalia…" Luke murmured in warning. Perseus sent her a worried glance. Was she contemplating joining Annabeth and the Titans? Thalia glanced at Luke, then Grover and Phoebe. Her eyes went to Zoë, still silent and hanging on the pole.
Then they travelled across the room and met his. Perseus tried to send his apology and remorse through his eyes. She tilted her head to the side and he gave her a slight nod. Now.
Perseus drew his knives. Together with the demigods, he charged.
XMX
PERSEUS launched himself towards Atlas, the earth shooting him up. His knives flashed and a huge javelin appeared in his nephew's arms. Atlas' clothes melted away and were replaced by the Greek battle armour Perseus was familiar with. He felt his own tunic and boots melt away, replaced by similar armour, and he smiled crazily as he adjusted to the feel of celestial bronze and adamantine. He didn't know how that had happened but he did not care. All he wanted to do was watch Atlas struggle back under the sky.
He was aware of Thalia running towards him, her spear spinning in her hands. She hurled herself off the ground, the business end of her spear going to sink into Atlas' side. The Titan ducked, swinging his javelin. Thalia dodged his strike, flipping over his arm with the grace of a hunter while Perseus went in for the kill, knives slashing. Two gashes appeared on Atlas' chest and he roared in anger as Thalia jabbed her spear through his side. The Titan of Endurance hissed, ripping out the spear and backhanding Thalia.
He saw Thalia sail past him and slam onto the ground next to Artemis. "Thalia!" He was about to run to her when he heard Zoë's voice. "Perseus, Beware!" This was the fourth time she had saved his life before and he sidestepped when Atlas stabbed at him. He didn't have time to run for Thalia and he had to turn to face Atlas and try not to get brutally injured while at it.
XMX
THALIA groaned, sitting up. Her body ached all over, her head spinning. She was at the feet of the goddess of the moon, who was still straining under the sky. She could see Percy, battling Atlas furiously, Luke, trying to face Annabeth and the two goddesses at once, Grover and Thorn having a go at it and Phoebe was next to a now freed Zoë, who was running for Perseus. Phoebe diverged from the lieutenant and raced for her father, kicking Lelantos aside, her knife slicing through the lock of his cage. Apollo stepped out, his eyes suddenly blazing in gold and fury. A bow appeared in his hands and he released a golden arrow at his uncle.
Luke fought against Annabeth ferociously, trying hard not to be overpowered by the two goddesses aiding her. Annabeth fought with her dagger, but it looked different. One part seemed to be made of steel, the other gold.
Thalia saw Percy and Atlas, battling like demons. Atlas landed a hit, and Percy fell to the ground. The burly Titan raised his javelin. "No!" Zoë shouted, releasing several arrows. They slammed into Atlas' side, making him grunt. Thalia turned to Artemis. She saw Luke once more, dodging a strike from Athena, but receiving a cut from Aphrodite. Morpheus and Hecate were long gone. Thalia saw Perseus and Zoë, teaming up to fight Atlas. They could handle themselves.
"The sky," She said, standing. "Give it to me."
"No," Artemis said. Her forehead was beaded with sweat. "You do not know what you ask. It will crush you."
"Annabeth took it. Luke saw her," Thalia argued.
"She was determined to fool me," Artemis managed. "But she had the spirit of a true huntress."
"As do I," Thalia hissed. "You've tried to recruit me before, remember? Give me the bloody sky!"
Thalia pulled a knife from her side, then slashed through Artemis' chains. She looked up at the goddess, not prepared to take no for an answer. Artemis slipped out from under the burden and Thalia was quick to receive it from her. "Go...help—Luke." Every muscle in her body seemed to have been dipped in acid. Her bones felt like they were melting, and she wanted to scream from the pure pain threatening to break her into two. She felt like she was being crushed by the whole of America. Thalia sank onto one knee, the weight of the sky pushing her down. She concentrated on breathing and said, "Help Luke! Now!" Artemis nodded to her. Thalia blinked, already sweating. She watched the goddess run, a blur of silver as she attacked the two goddesses of Olympus.
XMX
LUKE was pushed back a few feet. Annabeth had been training, he could see. She had gotten better. They fought, each of them trying to land a hit. He saw Artemis plough into the two goddesses who had been making his battle hard.
"You have betrayed Olympus!" The goddess bellowed. '"And you shall pay!"
One second she was a lion, ripping Athena's armour to shreds. Then she was a gazelle, slamming her feet into Aphrodite's face. Then she was a blur of silver, hacking and slashing and trying to overpower her sisters. His eyes travelled to the sky and his heart stopped beating for a few seconds. Thalia was holding it up.
"Yield, Luke!" Annabeth yelled. "You know you can't beat me!"
"Why are you still doing this, Annabeth?!" He blocked her strike, ducking under her outstretched arm and kicking at her feet to knock her off balance. Annabeth jumped, flipping over him. She landed at his other side and her knife slashed through his clothes, tearing skin. He hissed in pain as fire erupted through his arm. He glanced at the knife. He had given that to her. But now it was different, just like she was.
He raised his sword to block another strike from her and pushed her back. Luke jumped up, throwing himself at her. He attacked and they both turned into a flurry of slashes and hacks and stabs as they fought. He tried to stab her side but she was faster, sidestepping and attempting to slice at his neck. He leaned back, and then rolled away, wiping the blood from his lips.
"You still pick Thalia, even after all this time?!" Annabeth snarled, jumping for him and attempting to stab him where he stood. "Why is it always her?"
He knew what she was referring to. Since he and Thalia had found her two years prior, he had known. He had known she liked him although she had never said it out loud. But he loved Thalia and he wasn't sure that would ever change.
Annabeth was like a sister to him. He hadn't expected jealousy and the desire to please her mother to cloud her judgement. He hadn't expected her to go to such lengths. Without replying he attacked her, his heart and hands heavy at the prospect of losing his friend forever.
XMX
ARTEMIS blocked a strike from Athena, then spun, round housing Aphrodite before she got too close. She pushed her sister back, then inhaled. "Why? Why did you do this?" She asked, the hurt dripping from her voice. "Why betray Olympus?"
Aphrodite came at her furiously, swinging her knife. Artemis managed to sidestep the blow and slammed her elbow into the goddess of love's face. "You know why, Artemis," Athena snarled. "All these years in Olympus, I was always under Father's shadow!"
"What did Kronos promise you?" Artemis asked, leaping over his sister when she tried to attack her with her spear. She bent low, kicking out with her feet and knocking Athena off balance. Artemis was always fighting for her life in the woods. The goddesses of warcraft and love were no match for her.
"Infinite knowledge. And the opportunity to not be known as Zeus' little bitch!" Athena sneered at her. "I'm sick and tired of you all looking down on me," Aphrodite joined. "You think I can't land a good punch?" She attacked Artemis, turning into a blur of pink, which the goddess found ridiculous. But she could do nothing to stop the cuts which appeared on her skin.
Finally, Artemis blocked a strike, with her two knives. She knew what the goddesses were saying was true. But she didn't…She couldn't believe that they would turn and try to destroy their own family.
Heart pounding, she tried to fight the women she had called friends and sisters once before.
XMX
PHOEBE stood side by side with her father, attacking the Titan of Air with all she had. Apollo seemed to have recovered all his lost energy and was firing arrows with rapid speed at his uncle while Phoebe engaged him in melee combat. A few golden arrows were sticking out of Lelantos but that didn't stop him. He attacked Phoebe with grace only a hunting deity could have and she snarled in annoyance when he caught her once more in the arm.
She had given him a few cuts and scrapes, yes, but he was too fast for even her. The daughter of Apollo sliced upwards, catching Lelantos in the chest and opening a gash through his skin. The golden blood of the immortal soaked his shirt and she attacked again. This time his wings intercepted her strike at the same time her father shot four arrows. They all shattered on the wings, just like Phoebe's two knives did. The shockwave from the impact threw her onto the ground and the huntress felt fear fill her when Lelantos stood over her with his spear.
"Phoebe!" She heard her father drop his bow. He was racing for her and she heard his drawing a sword. He hurled a knife forward and it struck Lelantos in the shoulder. The Titan roared in pain, stumbling back. Phoebe rolled away, drawing more knives from her side as she stood. Apollo raced for his uncle, Phoebe by his side. She went ahead of him, pulling up behind the Titan, who was struggling to rip the knife out of his shoulder. She prepared to attack him from behind and at the same time she heard her father roar. He stabbed forward, but Lelantos was quicker. He sidestepped and Apollo's blade sank into Phoebe's chest. She let out a gasp of pain, her knives clattering to the ground. She saw her father's eyes widen and his grip on his sword go slack.
She remembered the lines of the prophecy as she died. It hadn't been referring to Zoë. As the life faded out of her eyes, Phoebe smiled, thankful that her friend would get to live another day. She shut her eyes and everything went black.
One had died by a parent's hand.
XMX
ZOË gasped in pain, turning. She saw her sister-in-arms fall to Apollo's blade. She saw Lelantos raise a sword to end the god of the sun who had fallen to his knees over the body of his daughter. She saw Artemis hurl one of her knives to stab her uncle in the gut, leaving her with only one to defend herself.
Zoë heard Lelantos scream in pain and disappear in a flash of golden light. She turned back to her own fight. Both she and Perseus were bruised and battered but they still fought on. Zoë watched as Perseus tried to attack Atlas. She glared at her father with hatred burning deep in his eyes when he grabbed Perseus' weapons with his bare hands. The Titan of The Earth was only there in spirit and so his strength was minimised. If he had been fully present, the battle would have been over quickly. Zoë watched in shock as Atlas wrenched the knives from Perseus and hurled it aside.
Perseus was weaponless now and Zoë was too shocked by Phoebe's death to help him. She suddenly heard him cry out in pain and her hand when to the pen in the pocket of her tights. She removed it without thinking, and shouted, "Perseus! Catch!" The daughter of Atlas uncapped and hurled the pen towards her one-time friend and watched it elongate and morph onto a long celestial bronze sword, Anaklusmos. The Titan of The Earth grabbed the sword without looking at it and spun, blocking Atlas' strike. With newfound strength he pushed her father back, towards the sky. Zoë got what he was trying to do.
When Atlas tried to step away she fired four arrows, blocking his bath. He snarled and tried to turn. She fired for more, blocking him from retreating. Zoë raced over to them, and shouted, "Thalia, get ready!"
She fired another arrow, catching The Titan of Endurance in the shoulder. He roared in pain and Perseus took that opportunity to jump and kick him back. With the power of the blow from the good Titan, Atlas sailed back at unimaginable speeds. Zoë saw Thalia let go of the sky and tuck and roll from underneath it as Atlas slammed into her. Her father reached up hurriedly to grab the sky before it flattened him and bellowed in anger. Atlas was trapped under his old burden once more. She saw Perseus run to Thalia to help her up, grabbing her hand and hauling her off the ground.
Zoë turned away from them and took in the sight before her. Grover stood over the dust and fur of his old vice principal, Dr. Thorn. Artemis kicked Aphrodite back and Athena raced to her companion when she realised Atlas was back under the sky. The two goddesses shimmered and disappeared into the night. Luke stood panting, over Annabeth Chase, his sword at her throat. And Phoebe…Zoë gasped in shock. She started to run, racing towards her friend and Apollo. Artemis fell in step next to her.
She skidded to a stop next to the god of the sun who was clutching onto Phoebe. She saw the smile on her friend's face and Zoë felt her heart shatter. Artemis knelt down and inhaled, "Rest well, sister." Zoë watched as Phoebe's body melted into starlight and dust. Then she was gone.
XMX
THALIA walked towards Luke and Annabeth, Percy by her side. Apollo, Artemis, Grover and Zoë stood next to Luke now. They all looked down at the blonde haired grey eyed girl who had betrayed them all. "Well?" Annabeth asked. Thalia could hear her voice shaking with fear. "Are you going to kill me now?"
Luke shook his head, lowering his sword. "You're going to Olympus, Annabeth. Where you'll pay for your crimes."
She glared at them all. "Is that what you both want, Thalia, Luke? To haul me back to Olympus so you can please your dads?"
Luke hesitated and at that moment Annabeth made a desperate grab for his sword. Without thinking Thalia kicked her away. Annabeth's sneer was replaced by a look of terror as she lost her balance. And then she fell, right off the side of the cliff.
"Annabeth!" Luke raced towards the edge, Thalia running with him. Below them, the monsters gathered on the Princess Andromeda watched in shock. Annabeth Chase slammed down into the rocks and laid there, unmoving. Thalia felt a bitter taste in her mouth. She had pushed her. She turned, guilt in her eyes. Thalia glanced around their little group, trying to spot the Titan who had made it all possible.
But he was gone, like he had disappeared all those days ago at Westover. He had vanished without a goodbye.
"Where's Percy?" She asked, worry engulfing her.
"Gone," Zoë said, looking grim. "He woke up on his Island once more, I presume." Thalia noticed that Zoë was not holding her sword. Which meant she had allowed him to take it. She barely registered Artemis saying, "Come heroes, we must leave." They filed away from the edge of the cliff, following the goddess of the hunt away from the miserable sight down below.
-X-
LUKE stood next to his best friend at the tree on Half-Blood hill. Dawn was approaching and they had spent all night on Mount Olympus, explaining to the gods of Olympus all that had happened. He had spoken to his father and although Hermes had told him he was proud Luke felt like they had accomplished nothing. Kronos was still out there, and like Poseidon had said when they made a home for the Ophiotaurus on Olympus, Annabeth was still alive. Now, they were returning home, but this time without the girl they had all come to call their sister and friend. Zoë had stayed up on Olympus with Lady Artemis and Grover had gone ahead of them to meet the Council of Cloven Elders and tell them about his encounter with Pan. He had also gone to drink more coffee. Athena and Aphrodite had apparently gone into hiding.
Luke turned to the black-haired daughter of Zeus at his side. It was the first time she had seen her father and he knew she was overwhelmed by all the praise he had lavished on her. He glanced away from her, looking down at the place they had come to call home. It was quiet and peaceful, blanketed in a thick fog and embracing the earth.
His thoughts drifted to the Titan that had disappeared without a word. Luke turned back to Thalia, saying, "Are you ready?"
Without turning, she said, "I'm always ready to go home." Thalia walked forward, leading the way like Luke knew she would do when Kronos came back. He followed after her, thinking back to Perseus and all the help he had offered. He couldn't shake the feeling that they would be seeing each other one more, sooner or later. Sighing to himself, Luke passed the golden fleece hanging on the pine tree and followed Thalia home.
-X-
PERSEUS sat up, blinking. His eyes immediately drifted to the sword humming with power in his hands. Anaklusmos, or Riptide, in English. Zoë had let him take it with him and although he felt sad he hadn't been able to say goodbye to the others he was glad he was back. Because Ogygia was home. And he did not know what he would do without it.
He knew that it was only a matter of time before he encountered the demigods again. But he was going to be ready this time. He was going to be prepared. He was going to help his friends through the war with Kronos.
He was going to see Thalia again.
A/N: And so, we draw the curtains on this arc of The Dissonant Notes of Fate. Thank you, thank you. *bows*. I hope you all enjoyed it. Tell me what you think and please leave a vote or comment or kudos. Thank you all for being dedicated to this story. I got a few complaints about Perseus' speech being too modern and I want to assure you that that will be rectified soon. If you like my writing, check out a new work I'll be posting soon, The Guardians, and my other works, Fall of Olympus, Perseus: Excidium Troiae and The Hunters of the Sun. This story is on hold now until the first arcs of the works above are completed. Thanks for reading! I'll see you all in a few months.
-TripleHomicide.