Ch55

That night Percy dreamt he was in Kronos' tent. The room was cold and the only lights came from two ominous torches. Krono sat in a chair frowning at Nico di Angelo who knelt on the ground.

"What do you mean that you are having trouble summoning more soldiers?" Kronos asked coldly.

Nico frowned. "I don't know, something is interfering with the sword's ability." The young boy paused. "Even without it I feel as if something is preventing me from summoning more undead."

"Must be my son," Kronos muttered. "I hear he hasn't joined the Olympians, he better think wisely before making his move."

"My father cares about no one but himself," Nico said coldly. "He put me and Bianca away like toys to be used later." A dark aura enveloped the boy as he looked up at Kronos. "My lord I really wish to destroy that damn hunt and all of those Olympian dogs."

Kronos smirked. "You'll get your chance soon enough boy. I have a few other things we'll throw at them first."

Nico stood up with a cruel grin on his face. "We'll crush them for good my lord."

He awoke with a cold sweat, his heart racing in his chest. Damn it that kid just won't stop. Sitting up he cleaned the sweat of his face. Nico di Angelo is too dangerous to be left alone, we'll have to take him out soon.

Lately his dreams had been about a lot of things. Rachel and the fact that she might be coming over here, the gods fighting Typhon, and of course the situation on the battlefield.

As he exited the tent he was greeted by the cool New York morning. "Hey Percy you're up early." Lou Ellen came up to him wearing a camp shirt and had a care free smile on her face.

He shrugged. "I ended up waking up early. What about you?"

"Oh I was just helping the wounded." Lou came over to his side as they overlooked the city together. "How are you doing? I hope the stress isn't too much."

"It is what it is," he said. "Listen about Bianca's brother-"

"I know," Lou said firmly. "Bianca does too." She sighed and shook her head. "He chose his side and we chose ours. It's sad but war is war."

"When you get a chance tell her we need to talk. We need to take out her brother and get that damn sword out of his hands," he said.

"I'll let her know," Lou said.

She smiled at him, he never knew how she could always remain calm under these stressful situations but he was grateful to have her here. "So um how are you siblings doing?"

"Oh good. We're all doing our part to defend Olympus just like our mother is doing right now." She gazed up at the Empire State Building. "We can only hope the others recognize our efforts."

"They will," he said firmly. "I'll make sure of it." There had been a lot of deaths in this war but he would make sure everyone was recognized for their efforts in this war.

Lou smiled. "Thank for everything Percy, but don't forget it's never easy holding a god to their word."

He sighed. "Yeah I know."

"Anyway I'll let Bianca know you want to talk to her," Lou said.

"See you around." He waved goodbye as she turned around and left.

After he finished getting ready for the day he went to the command tent and found Medea looking over the map with Circe and Daedalus while in the corner Pandora's box lay surrounded by an eerie glow.

"How are things so far?" He asked.

"We are holding their advances but barely," Daedalus said. "I'll take the Ladon II and help where we are struggling, I highly recommend we activate the Talos II for support."

He nodded. "Do it. Medea how are things on the magical end?"

"My wards have managed to keep the undead out," Medea said. "So far things are strong but we cannot rest until that son of Hades is taken out."

"He'd look so cute as a guinea pig," Circe said as he played with a glass ball in her hand.

"I'll think about it. Lets just take this battle one day at a time," he said. Just one more day, then hopefully the gods will come to our side soon.

"Don't overexert yourself Percy Jackson," Medea said calmly her gaze peering into him. "You are not alone and do not have to shoulder this battle by yourself."

He nodded. "Thanks. I'm trying not to."

It was then the tent opened and Alabaster came in. "Hey Bianca is here, she mentioned something about you wanting to talk to her?"

"Let her in," he said.

"We'll give you all some privacy," Daedalus said as he left the tent with Medea and Circe.

Alabaster came in with Bianca. Her eyes were red as if she had been crying the entire night yet there was no sorrow in them, just a steely determination.

"Hey how are you guys holding?" he asked as they all took a seat.

Bianca sighed. "We've been managing. We lost a lot of hunters when my brother…when he attacked us." Her voice was a soft croak as her posture stiffened up.

He looked at Alabaster who gave him a reassuring gaze. "Well Bianca we need to talk about him. I know he is your brother but he is very dangerous and has a dangerous weapon that has killed a lot of people."

Bianca flinched as her gaze shifted to the ground. "I know."

"I know this isn't easy but he needs to be taken care of," Alabaster said calmly.

Bianca said nothing as she stared at the ground for about a minute before she looked up at him with a dead gaze. "I loved Nico even though I found him annoying he was still my brother. She took a deep breath. "I understand that he needs to go but if there is a way, anyway to not kill him it would mean everything to me."

He looked at Alabaster whose brow was furrowed. A part of him could understand Bianca's pain but at the same time her brother had chosen his side repeatedly. "Fine we'll see what he can do," he said. "But if he tries to kill anybody we won't show mercy."

Bianca met his gaze her red eyes were steely just like her father. "I understand. Do either of you have a plan?"

Alabaster sat up in his chair. "Your brother wants you. If you're willing we can set a trap for him and force him into battle."

"I'll do it," Bianca said quickly.

"We'll keep you aware of our plans," he said. "We'll lure him out and take him down and get that sword back."

Bianca stood up. "My father is going to be in a lot of trouble when this over." She shook her head. "I fear what they'll do. Hopefully he decides to help, it may mitigate the damage."

"He'll the make right choice," Alabaster said. "From what I know of your father he is very calculating when it comes to his realm."

Bianca nodded. "He is. That is why I know deep down he'll come." With that she left the tent.

"Well that went better than I expected," he sighed.

"She knows she needs to do even if she doesn't want to admit it," Alabaster said. "It isn't easy to go up against family but right now there are more important things at hand than a simple family feud."

"Are your siblings doing ok?" he asked.

Alabaster took out his cards and began to shuffle them. "They are. Balthazar and my more combat oriented siblings are giving it their all while Lou and the others are busy helping the Apollo Cabin medics."

The son of Hecate paused and looked at the table where the Empire State Building was. "Our mother and Nemesis are fighting against Typhon with the other gods. She is giving it her all…No she is giving it more than her all to show her worth, that all gods have value in the pantheon."

It was then that Annabeth Chase burst into the tent her face red. "We have a problem."

He stood up. "What now?"

"It's the Calmonian Sow." Annabeth's face was red as she tried to catch her breath. "It's flying around in the sky causing trouble."

"Lets go," Alabaster said.

They quickly ran outside and followed Annabeth. "It just came out of nowhere from the sky," she said as they ran through the streets. "It's causing havoc everywhere."

They quickly ran to the site of Ethan with his katana drawn trying to slash at a large monstrous boar that was diving down at him. He drew Riptide as he watched the creature dive down and narrowly avoid Ethan.

"I got this," Alabaster said as he raised his hand. "Incantare: Tardus!" A green aura enveloped the large monster as its movements became slower and more sluggish. "Incantare: cadunt!" The monster let out a squeal as it fell to the ground and struggled to get up.

He charged at the boar with Riptide in hand and brought it down on its head just as Ethan drew his katana and swung it. Together they decapitated it and the monster turned into dust.

Suddenly there was the sound of clapping from behind them. "Good job."

He turned around and felt a wave of relief as he saw a familiar centaur. "Chiron!"

"My brethren are going to assist where they can," Chiron said as he looked at each and everyone of them. "You all did a good job holding things here. Lets talk somewhere safe."

He nodded and they quickly made their way to the command tent. The air was tense in the command tent, the dull murmur of strategies and battle plans filling the space as everyone leaned over the mas as they told Chiron what had been happening so far.

"Do not overextend the line," Chiron advised, his gaze steady on each of them. "We've held this long, but pushing further without support could leave us vulnerable."

He met Chiron's gaze and nodded, the weight of their situation pressing on him. The front lines were battered, the strength of the Titan forces relentless, and everyone was running on fumes. Even so, he knew they couldn't afford to make a single mistake. If they faltered, they'd lose ground they couldn't afford to give up.

Beside him, Alabaster adjusted the grip on his staff, his expression unreadable but tense. Ethan gave a tight nod, his hand resting on the hilt of his katana. They understood the stakes.

Just then, Lou Ellen burst into the tent, her usually calm face marked by a hint of panic. "We've got a problem. There's a helicopter headed straight for us—it's out of control."

A sharp jolt went through him as a familiar thought crossed his mind. "It's Rachel."

Without another word, he bolted from the tent, the others right behind him. His heart pounded, his mind racing as he pushed through the camp, eyes scanning the sky. High above, through the dense clouds, the dark outline of a helicopter dipped and weaved dangerously, its movements erratic, spiraling closer to the ground. Lou and Alabaster exchanged a look, both already preparing their spells.

"Get ready to steady it!" he shouted, urgency driving him forward as he watched the helicopter careen dangerously.

Alabaster was already muttering under his breath, the words thick with power, as Lou raised her hands, her face tense with concentration. Together, they cast a shimmering web of magic that wrapped around the helicopter, slowing its deadly descent. Even so, it wasn't enough—the helicopter teetered, barely clinging to the weakened spell.

Gritting his teeth, he focused, summoning a cushion of water from the nearby stream, pooling it beneath the helicopter as it wobbled closer to the ground. With a final sputter, it landed hard but intact, the skids sinking slightly into the softened earth. The magic dissolved, leaving only silence and the tense smell of singed metal in the air.

He ran forward, the others close behind. As he reached the side of the helicopter, he wrenched open the door to find her huddled inside, her hands trembling as she gripped the seat. Her face was pale, eyes wide, but she was alive.

"Are you okay?" he asked, reaching a hand to steady her as she climbed out, her legs shaky from the rough landing.

She took a shaky breath, looking up at him with an intensity that made his pulse quicken. "I'm fine," she murmured, but there was something in her voice, something that hinted at a weight she hadn't shared yet. "I had to come. I had to tell you something."

He frowned, concern and curiosity battling in his chest. "What is it?" he asked, his gaze holding hers.

She looked away for a moment, gathering her words, then met his eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're not the hero."

Clarisse swung her spear with precision, slashing through scales and hide, each strike as relentless as the last. The battlefield was pure chaos, her siblings from the Ares Cabin fighting in a brutal rhythm beside her, a wall of strength pushing back the relentless monsters that clawed and snapped at them. She barely had a moment to breathe, her muscles burning as she blocked another strike and lunged, skewering a hellhound that came too close.

There are so many of these damn monsters. She stabbed a hellhound and turned it do dust. When I get my hands on Kronos or that brat Nico I'll let them have it. She quickly thrusted her spear at another enemy and quickly pushed a few back. She was a daughter of Ares and wouldn't let anyone intimidate her.

Then, out of nowhere, a familiar voice broke through the clash of metal and monstrous roars. "Need some assistance?"

She gritted her teeth, flicking her gaze over to the figure sidling into their ranks. Daedalus. She almost rolled her eyes. Of all the times for the old inventor to waltz into the front lines. The battle-hardened demigods were holding their own, but even she knew they could use the help. Glaring briefly at him, she barked, "Fine. Just don't get in my way."

With a curt nod, Daedalus joined the fray, his bronze armor gleaming under the dim, battle-lit sky, and a wickedly sharp sword in hand. He moved with surprising speed, cutting down monsters as he fought alongside her. His strikes were calculated, clean, and a small part of her couldn't help but grudgingly respect his skill.

"It appears that the titan lord is concentrating his forces here," Daedalus said as he effortlessly cut through a few enemy monsters turning them into dust.

She gritted her teeth. "We are handling things just fine."

Daedalus raised an eyebrow and pointed out towards the distance. "Really tell me about that?"

She turned to where he was pointing and that was then the ground shook. Atremor so strong it nearly threw her off balance. She looked up just in time to see a massive shape emerge from the smoke—a drakon, its eyes glowing with malice, scales like iron plating, and jaws that could crush through steel. It reared back, letting out a spine-chilling roar that sent waves of fear through even the bravest warriors. Her grip tightened around her spear, and she felt a fierce, defiant anger rise in her chest.

Pride and anger swelled inside of her as she raised her spear. "For Ares!"

She charged first, weaving through her siblings and leaping toward the drakon's head. She thrust her spear, but it barely scratched the scales. The beast swung its massive head, knocking her back with enough force to make her vision blur. She crashed to the ground, tasting blood, but pushed herself up instantly, adrenaline kicking in as she readied her stance.

Daedalus was beside her again, his gaze sharp. "You can't do this alone, this thing is dangerous."

She only gave a sharp nod in reply, too focused to argue. "Just stay out of my way."

They attacked in tandem, Daedalus darting around the drakon's legs, slashing at its weak spots while she went for its head, aiming for the vulnerable eyes. But the drakon was fast, its tail whipping dangerously close as it tried to crush them both.

A tail swipe sent one of her brothers sprawling to the ground, and she watched as her siblings, covered in dirt and blood, rose back up with defiance burning in their eyes. They were giving it everything they had. That sight fueled a fire deep within her, igniting a strength she didn't know she had left.

With a battle cry that tore through her throat, she drove forward, her strikes faster and more powerful. She could feel energy pulsing through her veins, stronger and hotter than ever. She leaped, dodging a clawed swipe, and jammed her spear into the drakon's eye, feeling the sickening pop as it pierced through.

The drakon reared back, roaring in agony, but she held on, using all her strength to drive the spear deeper. Daedalus lunged forward, landing a blow at the creature's exposed underbelly, his blade slicing through the weaker scales. The drakon let out a final, shuddering roar, its body collapsing in a heaving mass as its lifeblood soaked into the ground.

Breath ragged, she pulled her spear free, chest heaving as the last of the adrenaline drained from her. Daedalus straightened beside her, bloodstained but steady, and she allowed herself a quick nod of acknowledgment.

"Nice work." Daedalus observed the area calmly. "But it appears that the enemy is starting to press on this side. How about some reinforcements?"

She grunted, not bothering with a reply, but deep down, she knew she was grateful. The drakon was dead, her siblings were safe, and for now, that was enough.

It was then she felt the ground shake harder. She swore thinking it was another drakon but realized the tremors were much larger and were coming from behind them. "Look!" One of her siblings pointed up at the sky.

She looked at that was when she saw it. The Talos II stood tall behind them fully armored its gaze bright with intelligence as it began to run towards the enemy lines.

"Destroy the enemy forces!" Daedalus ordered.

The robot gave a curt nod as it jumped into the air and landed amongst the enemy lines where it began stomp and grab at the enemy soldiers like toys.

"Not," She gripped her spear and raised it high. "Come on their lines are disarray, for Ares!"

"Ares!" Her siblings yelled raising their weapons.

With that they charged at the enemy ranks with their weapons in hand.