11. Outnumbered

Some days you just can't win, Percy thought. First, he forgot his math homework. Then he forgot there was an English test. Then Chiron IM'ed him to go check out a potential new demigod in the middle of absolutely nowhere. Not only wasn't the kid a demigod but there was a horde of monsters in the area, probably attracted by the scent of the son of Poseidon in the middle of absolutely nowhere. Go figure. So now, he was cornered in the middle of some muddied field a gazillion miles from nowhere, trusted Riptide at his side but literally nothing else.

He just wanted to go to bed, not get the stuffing beat out of him.

"Oof!"

A well-landed punch from the giant sent Percy sprawling across the mud, limbs trying to slow his velocity but not finding any traction in the natural slip and slide. He scrambled to his feet in time to stop a fatal stab from a skeleton but not quite fast enough to stop a kick from the stupid giant the skeleton army brought with them.

Percy braced himself against the attack but it seemed the giant was Hades bent on using him like a hacky sack. He would kick the demigod, who managed to protect his vital organs but not much else as he was continuously kicked around. The giant didn't seem like the brightest bulb because he could have easily squashed Percy or something equally gruesome but seemed content instead to keep punting the demigod. The skeletons gave displeasing cries in the background but Percy was too preoccupied to pay them much mind. He had just enough time to realize they were being circled before he was being used as a human soccer ball again. Riptide had long since flown from his hand, and while the faithful sword may have tried to reappear in its wielder's hand, the constant tumbling lost it again.

"Di immortals, stop it!" Percy cried, fed up as he finally managed to land on his feet for once, half crouching as he snarled up at the irksome giant.

Everything hurt. His bruises had bruised and Percy knew he would be feeling that for weeks to come.

"Back-off!" Percy shouted in warning, holding his arm out threateningly.

Riptide hadn't reappeared in his pocket yet but he had the power of the ocean on his side and while he wasn't sure how much good it would do him out here miles from the ocean itself, he was willing to bet he could do some damage. He breathed through the pain, anger boiling in his chest. The skeletons crept closer, eyeless sockets waiting for the right moment to strike. The giant was either too stupid or too arrogant to care about the demigod's anger. It took a limbering step forward.

Percy narrowed his eyes as the giant charged, feet firmly planted to stand his ground. He tugged at his core, drawing on the power of Poseidon that always flickered inside him.

The result wasn't quite what he had expected. Instead of a jet of water that would send the monster head over heels to see how he liked it . . . something else happened. The bones of the skeleton group rattled as the ground beneath their feet gave a low rumble, the muddied grass shaking violently before—

Percy barely had time to think oh, no not good before the ground shifted. Great slabs of rock past one another, coming off the ground sideways to create a massive fissure that tore straight under his adversaries. Percy watched in a mixture of horror and amazement as the (oh gods, his) earthquake wrecked devastation on the muddy field and his enemies.

He barely had time to panic, however, as he was suddenly falling because there was literally no ground beneath his feet anymore. Too surprised to cry out, Percy fell flat on his back, startled but uninjured as the ground gave one last great shudder before falling silent. Percy blinked, staring at his mud-soaked pants. One uncertain hand reached out, patting himself down to make sure all limbs were present and accounted for. He cataloged bruises from his foray with the giant but nothing more.

He angled his head up, staring at the crevice he had created. Percy himself has neatly tucked on a little ledge four feet or so below the surface. Beneath him the crack dove deep, the depth unintelligible to his mortal eyes. No doubt the monsters fell down there. Percy ran an aching arm through his hair, hysteria bubbling in his chest. He created an earthquake. He created an earthquake. A semi-hysterical choking sound erupted from his lips. Was that Poseidon's idea of helping? Percy was certain it was and the thought brought another semi-hysterical giggle to his lips. He stared up at the level ground barely visible above his ledge. He could definitely pull himself out with little trouble but first . . .

"I think I'll just . . . lay here for a while," Percy decided out loud, hoping Poseidon might catch on to the near heart attack he gave his son. He probably won't, Percy thought with exasperated fondness as he closed his eyes and concentrated on steadying his heart.

A/n Sorry to miss a day guys! It's officially finals week though so I might miss a few more but don't worry they're all coming. Thank you all so much!

Up next: Soothing Bath/Shower