Chapter Nine

A Costly Sacrifice is Made

I swallowed. This plan had better work, because it was about to go against everything I had ever fought for. I was having second thoughts.

Oh, gods. No, I couldn't do it.

I tried reasoning with myself, but I couldn't work up the guts. Now, I was stranded alone with a monster. I would just have to think of something different. Grendel grunted contentedly, gripping my throat tighter for no reason at all. He was really getting on my nerves.

Ding!

The doors opened, revealing my wife's beautiful architecture. Oh, man, it was stunning. She really overdid herself. There was a large, solid gold statue of me, holding my sword in my right hand. My left hand was stretched out. Determination showed in my eyes. Gods, the detail was amazing. I tried not to let my pride get to my head. I reminded myself to come back later when I could really enjoy the art more.

Grendel dragged me along. With his free hand, he smashed a nearby sculpture of Thalia. Anger bubbled within me. He was ruining Annabeth's hard work. I attempted to pry myself from Grendel's grip. He wouldn't budge. Grendel simply chuckled, lifting me into the air. He kicked open the doors to the Throne Room of Olympus. He tossed me, hard, to the ground, roaring in frustration at the empty space. Thank Zeus that the gods had received my message.

"You damn bastard!" Grendel growled, saliva dripping from his yellow fangs. Gods, did all monsters have to have yellow teeth? He balled his fists, smashing both into the ground beside me. I rolled away quickly, hopping to my feet.

"Oh Styx, oh Styx, oh Styx." I cursed, reaching for Riptide. Grendel charged me, looking a lot like the Minotaur at this moment. I had just enough time to raise my arms before he plowed into me, sending my flying. I landed on Zeus's throne. My entire body sizzled. I scrambled off, before I got electrocuted. Thanks, Zeus. You'd think he would cut me a break considering I was saving his butt right now. But gods don't usually care. They're quite petty. Grendel charged again. I planned on jumping off his head, similar to how I fought the Minotaur, but he anticipated it. He snatched my body out of the air, his fingers crushing my ribs. I gasped, struggling for air.

"I know every move you're going to make before you make it," Grendel bragged, licking his lips. "I know everything about you, Perseus. I've been watching you since you recovered Zeus' bolt. There is nothing you can do to surprise me."

I coughed, my vision blurring. I wondered what he'd do if I started singing The Sound of Music. I bet that would surprise him

"Gack!" I managed. Grendel smashed my back into the concrete flooring. He released his grip, watching me writhe in pain.

"Does it feel good, Percy Jackson? To know you've come this far? Everything is futile-"

He stopped, sniffing the air. He swiveled his neck, staring into the corner.

"Is that-" he laughed. "Good, gods, you kept it here!"

Mooooooo! Bessie cried on cue.

Styx. I began wishing that I would have developed a better plan than this one. Grendel stomped towards the aquarium. Bessie was an Ophiotaurus. He was a legendary monster that could bring the end to the gods if you burned its entrails over fire. I had saved him from a net years ago, and then kept him from being destroyed by the gods. He thought he owed me. I wasn't sure what he was going to do for me, though.

"Perfect! The gods abandoned their home and left me with something even greater. This requires little effort! Oh, Perseus, thank your father for me. Once I sacrifice this creature, I will be in control of it all."

He placed his arms into the Rocky position, advancing closer. Victory radiated in his demeanor.

Mooooo!

I assumed that meant help.

I struggled to my feet. The back brace was useless at this point. Fire ants seemed to be crawling all over my spine. It tingled.

"Grendel. Back off." I demanded. "Or I'll make you."

I'm sure I looked threatening, slumping over, sword dangling almost uselessly at my side.

"Come at me, Percy Jackson." He challenged.

I ignored the pain and charged. Please forgive me, I thought. Grendel braced himself in front of the tank, preparing for my attack. I decided that I had to do the unpredictable. Oh, gods, I hated myself. Grendel raised his palm, ready to swat me away. Instead of engaging, I darted around him, inserting my sword into Bessie's heart. Bessie stared at me in shock and pain.

Moo? I could tell by his eyes that he was saying I thought we were friends.

Grendel bellowed in rage.

"AUGH! Damn you, Perseus Jackson, damn you to Tartarus!"

I'd been there. I wasn't eager to go back. He balled his fists, slamming on into my face. I crashed through the water tank, Bessie's body landing on me. The fire ants disappeared as soon as I touched the water, but my back was still pretty messed up. I pushed Bessie's corpse off, Grendel's fist smashing into my face again. Blood squirted from my nose. I coughed some up, too. I think my nose was broken now. I lay dazed on the ground A rainbow suddenly appeared above me. Annabeth's smiling face appeared, along with Sophia's.

"Hey, Percy. We haven't heard from you yet, and I was trying to show Sophia how to-"

Annabeth stopped as Grendel's paw delivered another solid sock to my chin. More blood poured from my mouth. I coughed up a storm, nearly choking on the iron taste.

"Percy!"

"Daddy!"

Punch!

I think I bit my tongue that time. I hadn't been in a good-old-fashioned-beat-up in a while.

"Percy, what's going on, where are you? Oh, gods! Sophia, leave. Please, go find someone to play with"

Annabeth's eyes were full of concern and fear. She was beautiful. I really hoped I got out of this mess so I could kiss those lips again.

"Percy-"

"Stay out of this, bitch," Grendel spat. "Perseus is mine, now." He swiped through the mist.

My blood boiled. Or at least, the part of it that was actually still in my body. Grendel had smashed my wife's work and now he just called Annabeth a bitch. That was not going to fly. I climbed to my feet, legs wobbling. I curled my fingers, making the water around me rise. I shot it at Grendel's mouth. He wasn't ready, thankfully. The liquid entered his mouth, I forced it into his lungs, trying to drown him. I seethed in anger. I churned the water faster. Grendel clawed at his throat and reached for me, eyes bulging. I was going to make sure he died right here. I finally had the upper hand. But, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a flash of orange. I flinched, losing concentration. I dropped to my knees, the burst of strength gone. Grendel collapsed completely. A fire kindled in the middle of the thrones. It was Hestia, goddess of the Hearth.

"Make your final choice, Percy." She spoke kindly, sorrowfully. "You've already made your first. It was not an easy decision either. That creature was so innocent. Yet, I do not fault you, Percy. I believe that it was the best choice. Whether or not it was the right choice, we can never truly answer."

Hestia's marsh mellow scent filled my nose, calming me. I knew she was talking about Bessie. But what about that final choice?

"What choice are you talking about?" I asked, wiping blood from my face. It didn't help much, as my nose and mouth were still bleeding profusely.

"The Ophiotaurus, Percy. You killed it, it is your sacrifice."

Sacrifice? It dawned on me. I had the power to destroy the gods. Could I get rid of the Egyptian gods? Or the Norse gods? Make the battle easier to win?

"You mean. . ."

Hestia nodded. "It is not my place to influence the choices of heroes, Percy, but I would like to remind you: Do not try to change Fate, Percy. You've been told this since you found out about the gods. It remains true. Make the right choice. All choices had consequences."

I bit my lip, pondering her advice. I couldn't wipe out an entire line of deities. That's just not fair. I hefted Bessie's body over to the Hearth.

"I, Percy Jackson, sacrifice the Ophiotaurus for the perseverance of the gods."

I dropped his body over the flames. Watching it burn gave me chills. Maybe this was simple foreshadowing into what was to become of me in the near future. Hestia provided me with a warm smile (yeah, pun intended).

"You've done well, Percy. I pray that you will be able to continue. Your path has always been a difficult one. Stay well."

She disappeared into a wisp of smoke. I picked up my sword, ready to end my problems, but when I looked over at Grendel's body, it was gone. I cursed, banging my fist into a column. I was miserable. I hoped Bessie would forgive me, if I ever saw him again. I got a sinking feeling that I never would. I took a step towards the exit. I collapsed, my vision blurring. I had lost too much blood. For me, slipping into unconsciousness was just as common as eating lunch. But unlike lunch, I was really tired of blacking out.