Chapter Fifteen: A Clash of Powers
As Luke raised the astrape, the master bolt of Zeus, ready to strike Percy and Annabeth again, a sudden, searing fireball struck him from behind. He stumbled forward, the bolt slipping from his grasp. Deno stood at the gates of Olympus, his hand still glowing from the spell he had cast.
The Moment of Intervention
Percy and Annabeth, lying on the ground, looked up in astonishment. Percy's face lit up with relief and gratitude, while Annabeth's expression was one of awe mixed with confusion at seeing Deno wield such powerful magic."
Deno!" Percy shouted, scrambling to his feet. "You saved us!"
Annabeth, her analytical mind racing, managed to say, "How did you...?"
Deno picked up the astrape, his eyes never leaving Luke, who was slowly getting back to his feet. "No time to explain," Deno said, his voice steady. "We have to get this back to Olympus."
The Confrontation with Luke
Luke's face twisted with rage as he stood up. "Give me the lightning bolt, Deno," he demanded, his voice dripping with malice.
"Together we can destroy the gods and rule with Kronos."Deno's expression remained calm.
"You know what I said at camp, right?" he replied, his voice unwavering. "Yeah," Luke sneered. "But you are quite a double standard. You became my friend when I got power, now you think you can lecture me?"
Deno shook his head, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Percy is my real friend. Do I look dumb to you, Luke?"
Luke's face contorted with anger. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small ornament. Energy began to surge from it, crackling with power.
But before he could use it, Percy noticed a water tank nearby. He concentrated, and the water began to move, swirling around Luke, disrupting his timing.Seeing the opportunity, Deno channeled a lightning spell into the water.
The combined force of the water and lightning struck Luke, sending him crashing to the ground, unconscious.
The Path to Olympus
Breathing heavily, Percy, Annabeth, and Deno looked at each other. "We have to get the bolt to Olympus," Percy said, his voice filled with urgency.
The three of them moved towards the gates of Olympus. As they approached, they read the inscription that only demigods could enter
. Sally, Percy's mother, stood nearby, a mix of relief and sorrow on her face."Go," she urged Percy. "You need to stop this."
Percy hesitated, then nodded. He, Annabeth, and Deno stepped forward, expecting to see if Deno could pass through the gates.
To their surprise, Deno was able to enter.Annabeth's eyes widened. "How is this possible? You're not a son of any known god."
Deno's face was calm but curious. "I'm the son of Silvius," he said, revealing the truth. "And it seems I'm allowed entry as well."
With a final look back at Sally, the three of them stepped through the gates, into the realm of the gods, their hearts pounding with the weight of their mission and the mysteries that lay ahead.