Chapter 25: The Castle of Lambert
The journey to the castle's gate had been arduous, filled with treacherous paths and hidden dangers. Percy, Annabeth, Grover, Amy, and Deno finally reached the castle gate, only to find that unlocking it was a challenge they hadn't anticipated.As they deliberated on their next move, the massive iron gates creaked open.
They hid quickly, watching as giants, each towering eight feet tall, marched in and out of the gate, their movements methodical and purposeful. A van rumbled through, loaded with strange, glowing plants and creatures from the nearby forest.
"Look," Annabeth whispered, her eyes widening. "This must be the castle's garden, filled with magical plants and animals."
Deno nodded, formulating a plan. He cast an illusion spell over them, making them appear as giants. Amy added another layer to the spell, fooling the giants' senses into believing they were fellow guards.
As the van approached, the group took their positions, blending seamlessly into the scene.When the van stopped near the gate, the giants, seeing what they believed to be their comrades, greeted them without suspicion. Using this distraction, Deno and his friends slipped inside the castle.
The grand hall they entered was awe-inspiring, with towering columns and tapestries depicting Lambert's many conquests.The air was thick with the scent of incense and something more sinister—a hint of decay masked by layers of magical glamours.
Moving stealthily through the labyrinthine corridors, they finally arrived at a grand podium where Lambert himself stood, Ethan bound to a bamboo stake at the center of a ritual circle.
Lambert was a figure of dark majesty, his long, dark robes embroidered with arcane symbols. His face, partially hidden by a hood, bore the scars of a life filled with dark magic and treachery. His left eye was covered with an ornate, silver patch, and his remaining eye gleamed with a malevolent intelligence.
"My men," Lambert began, his voice resonating through the hall, "I was—no, I am—the greatest chimera maker of all times. A thousand years ago, I was one of the most powerful humans to walk this earth. I sailed through continents, conquering as much as I saw fit, my army—your ancestors—and my chimeras instilling fear in even the minor gods."He paused, his gaze sweeping over his followers, who stood enraptured.
"But my grand designs were thwarted by Marcus, the damned son of Silvius. He destroyed me because he fell in love with one of my nymph slaves, a love that led him to dismantle my empire and nearly kill me. He shattered one side of my brain," Lambert said, pointing to the metal plate covering the left side of his skull, "but I survived. I created an amalgamation of brains to boost my knowledge and power, and it is this that has kept me alive."The air grew colder as Lambert continued, his voice tinged with bitterness and rage. "For a thousand years, I have waited to reclaim my kingdom. Now, I am forced to sell chimeras on the black market, but even there, they are unmatched, crafted by my students with the knowledge I imparted. And today, I have gathered enough power and resources to make my final stand."
His eye narrowed as he looked directly at Deno, who was hiding among the crowd. "I can sense foresight magic. The other son of Silvius is here, in this castle. Come out, or I will kill your brother," Lambert declared, drawing a sword and placing it against Ethan's neck.
Deno's heart pounded in his chest. He knew he had no choice. Stepping forward, he allowed the illusion to fade, revealing himself to Lambert and his minions.
The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife."I'm here," Deno said, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him.
Lambert's lips twisted into a cruel smile. "Good. Surrender yourself, and I may spare your brother."
Deno glanced at Ethan, bound and helpless, his eyes filled with terror yet also with a silent plea for Deno to stay strong. Deno stepped forward, hands raised in surrender, his mind racing for any possible way to turn the situation to their advantage.As he moved closer, Lambert's men bound his hands with enchanted chains, their cold metal biting into his skin.
The ritual was about to begin, and the air hummed with dark magic. Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Amy moved silently into position, ready to strike.Just as Lambert raised his hands to cast the final spell, a sudden burst of light filled the room.
Percy and the others sprang into action, attacking Lambert's men with a coordinated ferocity. Deno, despite his bonds, focused his energy and broke free, the chains shattering under the force of his magic.
The room erupted into chaos, Lambert's men falling one by one under the assault.
Deno raced to Ethan, cutting the ropes that bound him. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice urgent.
Ethan nodded, his eyes wide with fear and relief. "I am now. Let's get out of here."
Lambert, enraged by the turn of events, roared with fury. "You will all pay for this!"
But it was too late. Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Amy fought with a renewed vigor, their determination unyielding. Deno and Ethan joined the fray, their combined strength overwhelming Lambert's forces.With a final, desperate spell, Lambert attempted to summon a powerful chimera, but Deno countered it, his magic surging with a strength he had never felt before.
The chimera dissipated, and Lambert, defeated and exhausted, fell to his knees."This isn't over," Lambert hissed, his voice weak but filled with venom.
Deno stood over him, his expression resolute. "It is for now. You won't harm anyone else."
As Lambert was taken away by his remaining men, the group gathered around Ethan, their faces etched with relief and triumph. They had faced incredible odds and emerged victorious, but they knew the battle was far from over.
"We need to get out of here," Annabeth said, her voice steady.
"Lambert's forces will regroup soon."
Deno nodded, his gaze lingering on the fallen enemy. "Let's go. We have a lot to do."As they made their way out of the castle.