A/N: So, welcome to chapter 20 of the Dissonant Notes of Fate. If you like it, you know what to do. Happy reading.
LUKE heard a gasp of shock come from behind him. He knew that it was from the huntress, who was also staring up at Thalia and Annabeth with surprise. Luke continued to stare, unblinkingly, at the girls he had once called his best friends. Annabeth was frowning, and Thalia…Thalia's face was blank, expressionless, as she looked down on them. She looked nothing like the girl he had met three years ago in Connecticut.
Luke glanced away and met Annabeth's eyes. The daughter of Athena smiled, coldly. She, like Thalia, was wearing camo pants, a white tee and a bronze breastplate. Next to them sat the largest giant he had ever seen. The monster must have been about fifteen feet tall, wide and huge. He wore only a loincloth, and his skin was dark and tattooed with blue wave designs. Skulls adorned the arena and almost everywhere around them was littered with bones. In the centre, hanging from more bones, was a flag, sea green in colour, with a trident on it. Poseidon's mark.
There was a scream from the arena, and Luke jumped back as the centaur crashed to the dirt beside him. He looked down, and in the centaur's place, he saw Chiron, groaning out, "Help." The demigod blinked and his mentor was replaced by the actual centaur—a brown haired one. Wincing, he reached for his sword. But it had been taken from him.
The centaur struggled to rise and the giant ambled forward, gripping its javelin. A hand with long nails—talons—clasped Luke's shoulder. A dracaena. Luke barely heard as she told him not to interfere. His eyes had moved back to Thalia, who was still seated next to Annabeth, emotionless. No, he thought. She had to be under some sort of spell. She was being controlled. Thalia would never side with Kronos, no matter what she was promised.
Luke turned back to the battle raging before him. The centaur couldn't stand. His right leg was broken and the giant placed a huge foot on the half-man's chest. He raised his weapon, and looked up at Annabeth. The crowd cheered, "DEATH! DEATH!"
Annabeth didn't react, but the giant beside her smiled down at the centaur, rising. He held out a hand and gave the thumbs down sign. The centaur was moaning and pleading for his life. But no one cared. Luke shut his eyes as the giant thrust his javelin through the horseman's chest. When they flickered open again, the centaur was gone, and in his place were yellow ashes.
The crowd roared their approval. A gate opened at the other end of the arena and the giant lumbered away.
"Good entertainment!" The other giant in the loincloth said. "But nothing i have not seen before. What else do you have to show me, daughter of Athena?" Annabeth's jaw clenched and a flicker of annoyance passed through her eyes. She rose to her feet, and stood.
"Lord Antaeus," she called, loud enough for everyone to hear. "You have been an excellent host! We would be happy to amuse you, to repay the favour of passing through your territory."
"A favour I have not yet granted," Antaeus snarled. "I want entertainment!"
Annabeth bowed, although she looked as stiff as a board. "I believe I have something which will certainly entertain you." She stood, turning to face Luke. "Before you stands the eldest son of Hermes alive, Luke Castellan." Luke gritted his teeth. He hated having his last name thrown about. Annabeth knew that, yet she continued. "He used to be best friends with Thalia Grace and I—"
"And how is that going to benefit me?" Antaeus sneered.
"Patience," Annabeth said, a vein appearing on her forehead. She faced Luke again. "I give you a choice, Luke. All the people you care about are on this side. You are either with Thalia and I, or against us."
"Not all of them," Luke shook his head, already knowing where this was going. Betrayal, and loss filled him as he looked towards Thalia again. She regarded him with cold blue eyes, those which would have shocked him had they been able to. Thalia was brainwashed, surely. She would never join the Titans of her own free will. He had to find a way to save her from Kronos' compulsion. "I'll never join Kronos, Annabeth. I'd rather die first," He hissed. "And whatever you've done with Thalia, I'll get her back. I'll save her from you." Anger thrummed in his veins and he clenched his fists.
Annabeth smiled, malice clear in her eyes. "I had a feeling you would say that." She turned to Antaeus. "And here is the interesting part," She gestured to Thalia. "My associate here, offered to fight the son of Hermes to the death should he refuse our offer, which he did." A grin spread on her face. "And so here is your entertainment. Two best friends will fight one another, and one of them shall die today." She nodded to Thalia. Luke heard two gasps behind him as the black haired girl leaped from her spot above them. She landed on the ground, Aegis already on her hand and her spear in her grasp.
Luke's mouth fell open. Surely, she couldn't— Annabeth wouldn't— Thalia would never kill him, compulsion or no. He knew that. But the girl advancing towards him was not the daughter of Zeus he remembered.
Luke barely noticed as his sword with thrusted into his hand by the empousa. He looked back to Annabeth, horror written on his face. "No way. You can't force me to fight her."
The blond haired traitor narrowed her eyes. She held out a hand, and said, "We have the huntress and the mortal, Luke. If you refuse to fight, you, along with them, shall die. Whichever option you choose, your life is over." She grinned once more. "Do you want to go to Hades knowing that you're the reason two souls were robbed of their life?" Luke hesitated. But Thalia…
He would die for Thalia, yes. He would do anything for her. But Rachel and Zoë also mattered. He couldn't let them be killed here. He wouldn't. He took in a sharp breath and said, "Fine. I'll do it." Zoë hissed and said, "No. We can figure—"
"They'll kill you if I don't," He turned to her, gritting his teeth; trying to convey his message for her to understand in his voice.
"Luke…" Rachel sounded morbid, and terrified. He had asked her to help them. He couldn't allow her to forfeit her life because he couldn't kill Thalia. He turned, clutching his sword tighter. He wouldn't kill his best friend. He would find a way to save her. But for now, Zoë and Rachel had to be his top priority.
He slipped into a stance and spun his sword, expertly. Thalia levelled her spear at his chest. Above them, the giant Antaeus laughed out loud. He raised a hand, and shouted, "Begin!" Instantly, the daughter of Zeus shot forward. Luke ducked under her first swing, hitting the ground and rolling aside. He was on his feet in an instant, but then he had to sidestep as Thalia thrust her spear at him once again, eyes dancing with fire and a wild grin on her face.
"You can still join us, Luke," She let out. "You can stop this now."
Luke gritted his teeth, dodging under a blow and spinning away from range. Thalia attacked again and this time, his sword clashed with her spear. Unlike he had expected, the spear did not shatter into splinters, but a clang erupted from it, making Luke guess that even the shaft was metal now. He pulled away as Thalia swept at him with her spear.
"I'll never join Kronos, Thalia," Luke managed, leaning back to avoid a slash. "Whatever he's done to you, I'll find a way to save you."
Thalia scoffed and attacked him once more. The crowd roared as they clashed, spear against sword, Luke against Thalia. She had gotten better. She was a lot faster than she had been one week before and parrying her strikes were harder to do than before. Luke and Thalia met in a flurry of stabs, jabs and slashes, her trying to put him down, him trying to dodge her attacks and avoid injuring her. Their dance of death lasted for about ten minutes, none of them coming close to injuring the other. They moved quickly in the semi-darkness, with agility and speed only demigods could possess. Thalia and Luke fought—they fought like they did when training at camp, except, this time, she was trying to kill him.
They spun around each other, her spear coming close to tearing through his chest many times, her shield fending off all his attacks. They parried each other's blows, sparks flying each time they clashed. Thalia's eyes were alight with the thrill of battle and Luke took note of the bloodthirsty look in them. They clashed once more, repeating their dance of death, neither of them landing a hit. Stabs, slashes and jabs were traded, curse words muttered, attempts to kill still ongoing.
Above them, Antaeus growled and bellowed, "I want blood!"
Thalia grinned, maniacally, and jabbed at Luke. He attempted to stand back but she anticipated his move, and the end of her spear slid into his shoulder. Red hot pain erupted in his arm and he hissed, gritting his teeth. Dark spots danced in his eyes and Luke let out a small moan as Thalia jerked out her spear. He stared down at his shoulder, which was coated with blood, quickly soaking his shirt.
Pain flashed in his eyes as he turned to his best friend. His arm was throbbing but Thalia was smiling, although for some reason it didn't quite reach her eyes. Luke silently cursed Annabeth and Kronos for what they had done. "You'd better say your last prayers to the gods, Luke," Thalia spun her spear in her hands. "Because you'll be visiting Hades soon enough."
She leaped off the ground, launching herself at him. Luke held out his sword to parry the strike, but Thalia was faster. She kicked his sword from his hand as she landed, slamming the non-business end of her spear in his face. Luke heard yells and shouts from Rachel and Zoë as he fell to the ground. His vision swam, and his head was spinning.
Above him the monsters were screaming their approval, along with the words, "Kill, Kill, Kill!"
Luke groaned, forcing his head up. He spotted Thalia, glancing towards Antaeus. The giant was smiling savagely. He held out his hand, and gave a thumbs-down. Luke shut his eyes and inhaled. When they flickered open again, he was staring into the dark blue ones he had known for three years.
Thalia raised her spear, and the crowd went wild. "No!" Luke barely heard Rachel's voice. "Thalia, don't!"
He gritted his teeth. He couldn't die. He wouldn't die. Not when Thalia needed his help now more than ever. Clutching his shoulder, he tensed his muscles, preparing for the daughter of Zeus to bring her weapon down.
The blow never came. Thalia let out a shrill cry of pain and feel to the ground, an arrow protruding from her shoulder. Luke's gaze snapped over to the only entryway. He watched in mild shock as Bianca di Angelo appeared from the shadows. She was coated in dust and grime and looked haggard and worn. But the determination on her face gave Luke the strength to stand.
He watched as Bianca fired two more shots in quick succession, nailing the dracaena holding Zoë and Rachel, and causing her to explode into dust.
"No one is killing anyone today," Bianca's voice rang out. "Except me."
Her gaze travelled to Luke and she shouted, "Come on!" Around them, the monsters who had been stupefied into silence by her sudden appearance surged to life. Luke's eyes went back to Thalia's limp from on the ground. Her chest was still rising and falling and he let out a sigh of relief, barely noticing Rachel and Zoë grab on to his arms.
Screams and yells of outrage came from behind them as monsters rose from their seats and jumped into the arena to chase. Antaeus let out a howl of fury and yelled, "After them!" Luke forced his feet into movement, and together, he, the huntresses and the mortal raced into the darkness of the Labyrinth, the injured form a daughter of Zeus on the ground behind them.
-X-
BIANCA forced her feet to go faster. "This way!" the redhead girl yelled. They didn't question her. The questers raced down the passage, whipping around corners and racing through the Labyrinth. The girl seemed to know exactly where she was going, ordering them to duck as a huge axe swung over their heads and leading them to avoid ditches and traps and pits.
Eventually Bianca lost track of how many turns they had made. They continued running, shooting down corridors until finally, they came to a room the size of a gym with old marble columns holding up the roof. Bianca stopped at the doorway, listening, trying to discern sounds of pursuit. She heard nothing. It seemed as though they had lost the monsters.
They collapsed in heaps on the ground, panting and trying to catch their breaths. Bianca held on to her knees, trying to slow her racing heart. After a few minutes Luke sat up. "Bianca. How-how did you get here?" The daughter of hades brushed dark hair from her eyes and stop straight. Relief swam through her.
"I got separated from Clarisse and Grover some time ago," She released. "We were attacked by a giant basilisk and the wall came up and blocked them from me. Then Hermes appeared to me and ordered me to follow the path. I found you at the end of it." She tilted her head. "What about you guys? Why the hell was Thalia trying to—"
"Thalia has turned," Zoë spoke up. "She has allied herself with the Titans now."
Bianca blanched. "What? No—"
"You saw her," The mortal spoke up. "She tried to kill Luke."
"That wasn't Thalia, Rachel," Luke gritted his teeth standing. "Kronos has to have done something—"
"You can't possibly know that," Zoë snarled. "She would have killed you had it not been for Bianca."
"I refuse to believe that Thalia would side with him willingly," Luke hissed. "She would never."
The lieutenant of Artemis scoffed at Luke and turned away. Bianca folded her arms and said, "Could you explain what happened, exactly?"
They were quiet for a few seconds and then Luke spoke. He told her of how they had found the telekhines and how Thalia had blasted Mount Saint Helens. He told her of how she had gone missing for a week and the funeral they had held at Camp. And then they had met her in the arena, and she had fought Luke. Bianca tried not to despair. The war was becoming even more real. With Thalia on the side of the Titans, nothing was stopping her from razing Olympus to the ground.
"We have to meet up with Grover and Clarisse," Luke said decisively.
"Rest first," Zoë said. "We shall move in an hour."
XMX
BIANCA jerked awake when the rumblings started. Beside her Luke and Zoë jumped up, reaching for their weapons. Rachel stirred in her sleep, but didn't rise. The huntress of Artemis stood and jogged over to the mortal girl. She shook the redhead awake.
"What's happening?" Rachel asked, voice sounding groggy.
"Get up," Zoë yelled. "We have to move." The rumblings got louder and the ground began to shake. Debris and dust fell from above them. Rachel shot up and grabbed her pack, and the four of them ran. They were almost to the far tunnel when the column next to them groaned and buckled. They kept going as hundreds tons of marble crashed down around them.
They skidded to the end of the corridor and turned to see other columns around them toppling. White dust billowed around them, and they kept running and running. Soon, they saw light up ahead. Bianca looked up and spotted the electric bulb above them. "There!" Rachel pointed.
They dashed into the stainless steel hallway, and lights glowed from the ceilings. The rumblings continued and the ground beneath them kept shaking. Rachel stumbled, but Luke was there, pushing her up. Bianca lost her footing and slipped, but then a hand grabbed on to her gear and raised her. She thanked Zoë as they kept running. Finally, they spotted the metal gate.
Bianca squinted. She glanced around her. The others all looked pale in the light.
"This way," Rachel ordered. "We're close."
Bianca didn't understand. From what Clarisse had said, the workshop was in the oldest part of the maze. This place looked new—modern. They came to a stop at a set of metal double doors. Inscribed in the grey steel was a large blue Delta.
"This is it," The mortal girl said. She was panting, and her curly hair was all over, covering her eyes. "Daedalus' workshop."
-X-
LUKE saw the daylight first. The sun was blazing, coming into the chamber through giant windows. He looked around, scanning their surroundings quickly and efficiently. The workshop was like a studio, with thirty-four ceilings and industrial lightings, polished stone floors and workbenches along the windows. A spiral staircase led up to a second-story loft. Half a dozen easels displayed hand-drawn diagrams for buildings and machines. Laptops were scattered around on the tables. Greek fire lined one shelf. There were several contraptions too. A bronze chair with electric wires attached, a giant metal egg about the size of an elephant, and a glass grandfather clock. Hanging on the wall were several sets of bronze and silver wings.
"Di Immortales," Zoë murmured. The huntress was looking around in wonder, and Luke couldn't deny it—the Inventor was good.
"He's a genius," Rachel said, awed. She raced to one of the wings. "And an artist." She held a feather. "These things are amazing."
The wings looked ethereal. The feathers were tightly interwoven and self-adhesive strips ran down the sides. They glinted in the sunlight, and Luke's eyes moved to one which was made out of glass. It was shining with colour. The workshop looked like it had recently been used. The laptops were running and a muffin and a cuppa sat on a workbench.
Luke ambled over to the window. The view was simply splendid. He recognised Rocky Mountains in the distance and guessed where they were. He had come here once before, whiles on the run before he had met Thalia. They were high in the foothills, and down below a valley spread out, filled with a collection of flowers and trees and boulders and spires of stone.
"Where are we?" Bianca came over to stand by him, confusion in her voice.
"Colorado Springs," Zoë answered for him. "The Garden of The Gods."
"Quite correct," A voice said behind them. Luke whirred around, drawing his sword. He levelled the blade at the grey haired sword master, Quintus.
"You," Luke snarled. "What have you done with Daedalus?"
Quintus smiled, somewhat sadly, and said, "I warned you, Luke. You do not want to see him."
"You think I care about anything you say, Traitor?" The son of Hermes hissed. "I'm not stopping now. Not after everything that has happened. Where is Daedalus?"
The swordsman came down the stairs, still clutching on to his sword. He wore jeans and boots and a camp half-blood t-shirt which made Luke feel sick inside. How could he dare to wear that when he had abandoned them and gone through the Labyrinth. It hadn't taken long to put two and two together. He had gotten those scorpions from the ranch, and the ranch was allied with Kronos. That was answer enough.
"You think I am an agent of the Titan King?" He tilted his head to the side. "Even if I was, what could you do about it?"
"I could kill you," Zoë stepped forward, notching an arrow in her bow and taking aim. "Right here and now."
"Huntress," He arched a brow. "You are an excellent warrior, but I doubt even you can kill me. Not when the gods failed."
Zoë blanched and lowered he weapon. Luke shot her a confused glance but frowned when he spotted her wide eyes. "No," she muttered, taking a step back."It cannot be."
Quintus smiled. "But it is." And then realisation dawned on Luke. His lips peeled open in shock and he said, "What—how?"
"You—" Rachel's eyes were wide. "You're Daedalus?"
"An automaton," He corrected. "I made for myself a new body."
This time even Bianca took a step back in shock. "This is my fifth body," Quintus gestured to himself. "But do not fret. For I am with you, and not against you." He held out his forearm. The man—robot, really—pressed his elbow and part of his wrist popped open. Underneath his skin, bronze gears whirred. Wires glowed.
"You found out a way to transfer you animus into a machine?" Zoë managed, eyes still wide. "That's…abnormal."
"It's still me, Nightshade," He leaned back. 'I'm still Daedalus. Athena makes sure I never forget that." He pulled back his collar and Luke caught sight of the bird brand grafted into his skin.
"So which side are you on, then?" Bianca shot out. "Who do you fight for?"
"I fight for no one," He bared his teeth. "I have no quarrel with the gods, except my blasted mother, Athena. Yet I do not wish to support them. And I could never side with Kronos when I know she is actively working for him."
"So why did you come into camp, then?" Luke demanded.
"To decide if your safe haven was worth saving," His eyes met Luke's. "The Titans approached me, yes. But I did not give them an answer. I preferred to come to my own conclusions."
"Then you've seen the camp," Zoë spoke. "You know they need your help. You cannot let Athena's daughter get through the maze."
"I no longer control the Labyrinth, Huntress," Daedalus set his sword down. "I created it, indeed, and it is tied to my life force, but I have allowed it to live and grow on its own. That is the price I paid to hide from Thanatos and the gods."
"You can't hide from my father," Bianca said scornfully. "Or the gods. They see everything."
"But they do not know everything," Daedalus said. "You have encountered them, all of you. You know that is true. Only my greatest enemy has kept after me, and even him I have thwarted."
"Minos," Bianca's voice was low, and sour.
Daedalus nodded. 'For centuries he has hunted me. Now that he is a judge of the dead, he would like nothing better than for me to come up to him so he can punish me for my crimes. After he was killed, his ghost haunted me and promised that he would hunt me down. And so I did what I could. I retreated from the world and descended into the Maze. I decided to cheat death."
"You know," Rachel began. "In all the stuff I've seen and read, the character who is revealing his backstory is usually the one who goes first. Because the writers want to readers to know everything about said character before they die."
Quintus scowled, but then his face was an emotionless mask once more. "Nonetheless, you are too late." Luke turned pale. "What do you mean—"
"He means Annabeth was already here," Zoë said. "Wasn't she?"
Quintus looked down, and Luke thought he could see twinge of regret in his eyes. "I told my sister that I would not give up the string when she visited me last. But she is smart, and crafty, that one. She found the string without my help, and she took it." He exhaled. "You are several hours too late."
A chill descended on them. Luke's grip on his sword relaxed. He realised why Annabeth and Thalia had been so happy back in the arena. They already had what they came for. The silence was disheartening. Quintus spoke at last, his voice soft. "There is no way your camp can hold back the might of Kronos."
"That's not true," Luke snarled. He was sick of all this. He wanted it to end.
"You must go and warn your camp," Quintus picked up his sword once more. "Now that Annabeth has the string—"
"Someone's coming," Rachel warned. The doors to the workshop burst open, and Nico was pushed inside, his hands in chains. Kelli and two laistrygonians marched in behind him, followed by the ghost of Minos and a haughty looking goddess of wisdom. Bianca hissed behind Luke, and the demigod heard several weapons being drawn at once.
"Daedalus," Athena's regal voice carried throughout the room. "How nice to see you again."
"You," Daedalus took a step back.
"Annabeth sends her compliments," Kelli smiled evilly.
Daedalus looked stumped. "But—"
"You refused to help us," The goddess spoke. "Now Kronos has several other agreements to honour. Minos required you, My child"—at this she sneered—"In exchange for this son of Hades."
"No!" Bianca surged forward. "You have Thalia! Leave him alone!"
The goddess barely looked at her, but answered anyway, "We can't have the Olympians using the di Angelo boy as a weapon against us, can we?"
"Nico," Luke could barely control the rage in his voice. "Are you okay?"
"I—" He choked back a sob and Luke was reminded that he was just a little boy. "I shouldn't have left the ranch. I'm sorry, Bia. Minos told me Father wanted me to bring mom back. And he said you were in danger so I came back in here and—"
"Quiet, child," Athena thundered. She turned to the other monsters. "You know what your orders are." Her eyes glinted and Luke tightened his hold on his sword as Athena said, "Kill them all."
-X-
NICO was shoved aside immediately the fighting began. Zoë leaped for Athena, firing three quick arrows and dispatching off the first giant. Rachel grabbed a dagger from a table, holding it in front of her protectively. Luke slammed himself into Kelli, sending the two of them flying in a flurry claws and swords. Bianca hurled a knife and Nico ducked, turning just in time to see it sail through the head of a laistrygonian.
In an instant, his sister was rushing towards him, clutching another knife. Nico was aware of Zoë and Athena duking it out, Luke and Kelli still rolling on the floor and Daedalus trying to fend off Minos, who had become more corporeal and was clutching a broadsword. A stream of dracaena slid through the open doorway and attacked the Inventor, making Quintus—Daedalus, whatever his name was—eyes go wide with fear.
Bianca made it to Nico and fell to her knees. She reached out to cup his face in her hands, eyes shining with tears. Around them the battle raged on and Nico leaned into his sister's touch. "I'm sorry," He said sombrely. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left. I—"
"It's okay," She reassured, slamming her knife into his chains. "You're okay. Minos lied to you. Father never wanted this. I'm so sorry I wasn't there—"
"It's not your fault," He bit his lip as she moved to the second chain on his lefty wrist. "It's Minos'. He tricked me into thinking I could bring Mother back, just so he could get to Daedalus." When his sister freed him from his bonds she pulled him into her again, giving him a tight hug and Nico freely returned it. Around them the fighting got louder. The lieutenant of Artemis fought with grace only hunters could have. She and Athena clashed, spear against knives, goddess against huntress. They battled ferociously, slicing and hacking at each other. Athena send blasts of godly energy Zoë's way. She was beginning to glow, giving Nico a view of what a war goddess really seemed like.
But Zoë was faster. She dodged all of Athena's attacks, and sent back a few of her own. "Go help her," Nico spoke quickly. "Athena will run her to the ground in a few minutes." Bianca looked like she didn't want to go. She didn't want to leave him again. But even she knew, that no simple person, semi-immortal or mortal, could go toe-to-toe with a war goddess and win.
"Go!" Nico said harshly. His sister didn't argue. She shot to her feet, a bow materialising in her hand, and raced for the two fighters. Nico glanced around him. Everyone else was too preoccupied to see that he was free. Luke and Kelli were still going at it. Nico watched as they fought, trading blows and lunging at each other and overturning workbenches. The son of Hermes was already sporting several cuts along his arms, but the she-demon looked uninjured. And then she spun around and lunged for the redhead girl.
The girl swung out with her knife but Kelli was fast. She hit it aside and grabbed the girl by the neck making Luke swear in frustration. Kelli laughed and Nico started forward, drawing his sword. He didn't get very far though, because the blond haired demigod drew something from his pocket—a whistle—and blew. A shrill sound emanated in the room and the whistle exploded in Luke's hands. The empousa laughed once more."Do you think that's going to stop—"
She stopped suddenly when a shadow appeared above her. Kelli looked up, swearing in a language Nico didn't know, at the giant black hellhound which had appeared before her. Mrs O'Leary materialised out of the shadows, maw opened wide, and grabbed Kelli from the ground. The demon screamed as the hellhound bit into her, disembowelling her and making her burst into dust. Nico turned away as Luke rushed to the redhead.
The dracaena had slammed into the shelves and tables and Greek fire was burning through everything. From the corner of his eye Nico spotted Luke and the girl race to the wings at the far side of the room. Minos was shouting, "Kill the Inventor! Kill him!" as Daedalus tried to fend off the snake-human hybrids.
"To me!" Minos cried. "Spirits of the dead!" He rose his ghostly hands and the air began to hum. It was then that Nico realised how bad things were getting. Swearing to himself he pushed his feet to move and raced forward to help the Inventor. Nico was aware of the blue shimmering forms which were beginning to take shape in the room. He felt a rush of anger, at Minos, for using him to find Daedalus and building his power.
"No!" He yelled. "Minos! Stop!"
He launched himself forward, slicing through a dracaena to make his way to Minos. "You do not control me, fool," The ghost sneered. "All this time, I have been controlling you! A soul for a soul, yes. But it is not your mother who shall be returning rom the dead! It is I, as soon as Daedalus is dead." The chaos was almost laughable. Cries and screams rang through the air as monsters exploded. Minos laughed, maliciously as spirits began to appear around him, solidifying into men in armour—Cretan soldiers.
"I am the son of Hades," Nico snarled, skidding to a stop in front of the ghosts. "I order you to leave this place!"
Minos laughed once more. "You have no power over me. I am the Lord of Spirits! The Ghost King!"
"No!" Rage, fury and unimaginable anger filled him as he raised his sword. "I am!"
He stabbed his black blade into the floor, and it cleaved through the stone like it was butter. "Never!" Minos let out a strangled scream. His form shimmered, distorting. "I will not—"
The ground rumbled. The windows shattered, letting in a blast of fresh air. A fissure opened in the stone floor or the workshop, and Nico watched as Minos and the spirits were sucked into the void with a horrible sounding wail.
Feeling satisfied, Nico spun around, and after a deep breath, joined the battle.
Mrs O'Leary and Daedalus were still locked in combat with the dracaena. Shouts were coming from the tunnel as more monsters streamed into the workshop.
"Nico!" He heard a yell. He drove his sword into a monster and turned, to find his sister gesturing to him wildly. She stood next to the redhead girl and Luke, who were both fitted with wings. The son of Hermes was attaching one to Bia's back. Nico glanced around, and spotted Zoë driving a knife into Athena's shoulder and pining her into a wall. The huntress turned and raced towards them.
"Come on!" Zoë yelled. She grabbed his hand and they raced for the windows.
They stopped next to the others and within seconds Nico, Bia, Zoë, Luke and the mortal girl were fitted with Daedalus' wings.
"We have to help him!" The girl shouted, motioning to Daedalus.
"There is no time!" Zoë yelled, firing an arrow and impaling a karpos in the head. "We must leave!"
"Daedalus!" Luke called. "Come on!" Greek fire burned around them.
He was cut in several places, but he was bleeding golden oil instead of blood. "I won't leave Mrs O'Leary!" He shouted back. "Go without me!"
They didn't argue. Nico felt hands around as him Luke and his sister grabbed his arms. Zoë fired an exploding arrow into the fray of monsters, and turned, grabbing on to the mortal girl. As one, they jumped out of the window and into the open sky.
A/N: So that's it. Thanks for reading.