Ch66
Percy examined the map in front of him his brow furrowed. "They are pressing us on all sides," Malcolm said. "Even with all of our strength we can only hold them back for so long."
The day so far had been interesting, he had received a parley from Prometheus who offered them a surrender option with the Pandora's Box which he refused and gave to the Hecate Cabin to watch over.
We won't give up. We'll stop them one way or another.
Chrysaor came up to the map and folded his arms. "We just have to hold out a bit longer, we are doing well with what we have. Trust me I've been against worse odds before."
He nodded just as Lou ran through the door. "Percy that woman Caenis has been spotted."
His body turned rigid. "Where?"
"She is headed towards Central Park alone," Lou said quickly.
Slamming his fist into his map he looked up at Chrysaor.
"Percy calm down," Reyna said. "This isn't the time to be hot blooded."
He took a deep breath and counted to three in his head. "I know sorry," he sighed.
Chrysaor stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll take care of her but we'll need to be careful."
"Percy it could be a trap," Malcolm said softly.
Taking a deep breath he looked around the room. "Lou you, Circe, and Ethan will be on standby with Malcolm in Reyna."
"I'll get my sister and some Amazons," Reyna said. "Percy I know you want revenge but be careful."
He gave her a small smile. "I will. This is a personal fight but I won't let anyone else down. We'll take her down and then Kronos. Malcolm you and Reyna cut the area off with the Amazons."
"Got it," Malcolm said.
Reyna nodded. "We'll make sure the enemy has no chance of escape."
"Good. Chris lets get ready," he said.
She is right. The campers need me I can't die against Caenis or Kronos. Grabbing his armor he looked at the conch shell Triton gave him. Hopefully you can help us. He knew his brother was busy defending their father's realm but he knew he would also exert himself to come to his defense if necessary.
"Percy don't be fooled by her Caenis is a very crafty opponent," Chrysaor said. "She'll fight like a caged dog to the end."
"I know," he said as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. Despite not feeling tired his eyes had bags beneath them. "Do you think our dad is doing the right thing by defending his realm?"
His brother sighed. "I'm not sure, the other gods could use all the help they can get but our father is too proud."
"But he is falling for the enemy's trap," he said. "If he is too preoccupied with his realm the other gods won't be able to defeat Typhon. Could we convince Triton to help convince our father?"
"It won't be easy," Chrysaor said his brow furrowing. "Triton does everything for our father and his realm first. If you were to try and convince him you would have to be very careful and show him the benefit of our father and his realm."
"So it is possible," He said as they exited the tent and went to their pegasi.
"It is," Chrysaor said as they mounted their pegasi. "But you would have to craft your words well."
He nodded. As much as he wanted to try and convince Triton and his dad to help the other gods right now all he could think about was defeating Caenis.
As they flew around Central Park he saw her resting on a bench near a jog route. He clenched his fists and looked around and saw the reservoir in the distance. So we do have water nearby. After making sure no one else was around and Reyna and Malcolm were in position ordered Blackjack to descend. "Blackjack stay in the air we'll call you when we need you."
"Got it boss be safe," Blackjack said as they descended not too far from Caenis.
The air was cold as they approached the woman. At first, Caenis ignored them but eventually, she looked up at them with a gleam in her eyes. "Yo I didn't think you brats would be here," She laughed as she stood up with her spear in hand. She wore bronze armor and carried a large Spartan shield in her hands.
"You have a lot of guts coming here alone," Chrysaor said drawing his golden sword. "No back up you have a lot of guts."
Caenis laughed. "I can take you both don't worry." Her gaze was like a wolf about to pounce on a lamb. "Kronos has demanded to send your father both of your heads who am I to refuse?" Twirling her spear in her hand she approached them. "Tell me Percy Jackson did your mother receive the same treatment I did?"
He clenched his fists and glared at her. "Don't you dare bring my mother into this."
Caenis looked at him with a bemused expression. "Why not? Don't get me wrong I won't hurt her, I'm just curious on how badly he treated her."
"My father never mistreated her," He said coldly.
"Of course," Caenis said rolling her eyes. "Who dares say no to a god?"
"Enough!" he drew the rod he was given and activated the trident. "I'll avenge Tyson right here and now."
Caenis laughed. "Lets end this brat! I'll show your skull to your father right before Kronos ends him and his realm."
"Percy lets go!" Chrysaor yelled as Caenis lunged at them with her spear.
His trident blocked her spear. The force of the attack pushed him back as he glared into her hard gaze. I'll defeat you here and now. He exchanged a few blows with her as Chrysaor came and back him up.
Caenis blocked their attacks with her spear. He tried to land a hit with his trident but was met by her spear and while Chrysaro tried his best to find an opening his golden sword was countered with her shield.
He dodged a thrust of her spear and blocked it with his trident. Chrysaor took the opportunity to thrust at her neck but Caenis pulled away and blocked it with her shield. Chrysaor lunged at her and her with his golden blade and attempted to break through her defenses.
"Come on now Chrysaor don't tell me you've gotten soft?" Caenis mocked as she blocked his brother's blade with her spear.
He went up to support his brother. Chrysaor's face had a bead of sweat on it but his brother seemed undeterred as he tried to attack
I won't give up. He gripped his trident and thrusted it at Caneis's chest. The woman blocked his attack with her shield opening herself up to Chrysaor who slashed her arm. The sword made contact but there was no wound available.
Caenis laughed. "Come on is this the best you both got?"
She went on the offensive pushing him and Chrysaor back. Her skin is indestructible that means we will have to kill her some other way. He and Chrysaor were busy blocking her speech as they tried to land a hit. His ADHD was going haywire as he blocked the attacks his racing through all of the training he received.
"Tell me how did your father react when I killed that cyclops?" Caenis sneered as she blocked their attacks.
"Shut up!" He attempted to slash at her throat but she quicky raised her shield. Damn that shield we have to think of something else. He looked around but saw no fire hydrants around them and the reservoir was far away. Damn it she chose the terrain well.
"Don't worry Percy I'm sure she could greet Tyson herself and ask his forgiveness," Chrysaor said as he blocked her spear and attempted to get close to her.
Caenis laughed and hit his brother in the gut with end of her spear. "Chrysaor!" He yelled as he ran to help him up.
"I'm ok," Chrysaor said as he spat out blood. "Percy I think we could use some help."
He stared at his brother and nodded. "Are you sure?"
Chrysaor stood up and nodded. "She is a troublesome opponent frankly we could use all the help to send her to Tartarus."
"Got it," he said softly as he went to grab the conch shell from his pocket.
Caenis laughed and gripped her spear tightly. "No one will stop me from killing you." She charged at them just as he blew the conch shell.
The scent of the sea spread throughout the area as the sound and churning water reverberated throughout the area. Chrysaor pushed him back his sword in hand as he prepared to intercept Caenis's attack.
However, a torrent of water quickly enveloped the area knocking Caenis down. Is this all the water from the reservoir? He and Chrysaor were unphased by the water which enveloped the area.
Standing in front of them was their brother Triton fully armored with a conch shell in one hand and a trident in another.
"Triton!" He said as Caenis got up and unleashed a stream of profanity.
His eldest brother turned to him and gave him a small tense smile. "Percy Chrysaor glad I could make it. I've put as much energy into this copy of me as possible. Lets defeat her once and for all."
Caenis glared at them. "Oh another one? I'll send you all to your father!"
Triton put his conch shell and blew it. The sound of the ocean reverberated throughout the area for a moment he could smell the seas and feel their presence as the water that flooded the area rose and slammed into Caenis knocking her down.
"Percy Chrysaor lets end this," Triton said as he slammed his trident into Caenis's shield cracking it down the middle.
"Got it," He said gripping his own trident. "Come on Chris lets do this."
Chrysaor nodded as the three of them charged at Caenis. Triton blew his conch shell again causing the water in the area to knock her off balance. He and Chrysaor pushed her back with their weapons while Trident stabbed her with his trident.
Caenis coughed up water but their attacks still couldn't pierce her skin. "We can't kill her through normal means," Triton said stepping in front of them. "Both of you help me imprison her in the water."
He nodded. "Got it."
They raised their hands and willed the water to entrap Caenis. This is for Tyson. Taking a deep breath he focused on the water as it made a swirling vortex to prevent Caenis from escaping. He watched and glared at Caenis as she tried to struggle free from their watery prison but the three of them pushed her back each time she tried to escape.
She roared as she tried to charge through the water but Triton merely held his hand up and will the water to push her back. He could see the cockiness in her eyes turn to panic as she tried to break free but then Chrysaor removed his mask and locked eyes with her.
Caenis froze, her movements stopping as she was held by the water. Eventually her eyes went to the back of her head. "Is she dead?" He asked
"Wait just hold it for a bit longer," Triton said as they watched Caenis's limp body float in their water prison for another ten minutes before releasing her.
Caenis fell to the ground limp like a dead fish as Triton went over and felt her pulse. "She's dead." With a snap of his fingers, Caenis's body disappeared into the foam around the water around them.
"Thanks," he said softly as he watched the water drain into the ground.
Triton nodded. "I'll help around a bit if you want but I should go back to our father, our realm needs all the help to defeat the enemy."
He exchanged a look with Chrysaor who gave him a small nod. "Uh thanks Triton but I think you should relay a message to our father," he said carefully.
Triton raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
He swallowed looking into his brother's tired eyes that looked like the seas on a stormy day. "Well the other gods are fighting against Typhon and they could his help, could you perhaps convince our father to help them?"
Triton frowned. "But that would leave our realm defenseless and destroyed."
"I'm aware of that," he said noting his brother's irritated tone. He forced himself to look Triton in the eyes. "But if they defeat Typhon without our father it would look really bad for him but if he were to go and help it would make him look good, especially if it were at the cost of his realm. He would be seen as selfless and the other gods would owe him."
His heart raced in his chest as Triton folded his arms, his eldest brother looked as if he were debating a problem. "You make a good point but I don't know we did a lot of renovations in the palace."
"They could be built again," He said quickly. "Think about it our father would lose face if he didn't appear and would gain a lot of glory for him and his realm if he did, especially if he helped win."
"Percy's right," Chrysaor said. "Our father could gain a lot more, as his heir you should convince him. We could do our own part as well."
Triton sighed. "Fine I'll see what I can do."
He smiled. "Thanks."
Triton gave them both a weak smile his face suddenly appearing much more fatigued than usual. "Well then I can spare a bit more time here before going back to our father come on."
Thalia still was weak when she left the hospital with her child in her arms. I have to get out of here. Yet her strength was depleted even after the hospital stay and the Titan Krios would probably lock her up once they took her to wherever they were taking her.
Gripping her child tightly her heart fluttered as she looked at his cute face, it reminded her so much of his father. Luke if only you could see him. She wanted to cry but she had to be strong for her child and get him out of here.
There must be a way. As she sat in the back of a car she looked out the window as she watched the scenery around her, she imagined they were somewhere near in California. She could try to escape with her powers but it would be too risky, her car was guarded by a large convoy of monsters.
I have to find an opening somewhere. Maybe when they stop I can find an opening.
Taking a few deep breaths she waited patiently for any opening. I hate heights but that may be my best option at the moment. Looking up at the dark sky she swallowed a lump in her throat, if her father punished her she hoped there could at least be mercy for her child.
The car then suddenly stopped with a powerful jerk. She gripped her child tightly to prevent him from falling. What's going on? She heard screams followed by the howl of wolves. Looking out the right window she saw what appeared to be a group of people in purple advancing towards them in fine precision
A shiver went down her spine, something deep inside of her was telling her to stay put. No I probably won't have another chance. She quickly undid her seat belt and kicked open the door. As soon as she touched the ground she leaped into the sky ignoring her fears as she flew into the distance.
I have to get away far away.
Using all of her strength she flew into the air her heart racing as she faced her greatest fear. I have to do this for him. Tears fell from her face as her strength began to falter. Damn it all.
She forced the winds to cushion her fall, her mind spun as her child began to cry. Please be ok, just a little longer. Her vision blurred as she fell into the brush below her.
Her heart raced as she held her child close to her. Just a little longer. Her vision blurred as what looked like a pack of wolves encircled her.