──── chapter nine

{ 🔮 } · family joins the fight . ݁ ٬٬ ࣪

EVEN WITHOUT HER armor or spear, Clarisse La Rue was a demon. She rode her chariot straight into the Titan's army and crushed everything in her path. She was so inspiring, even the panicked centaurs started to rally. The Hunters scrounged arrows from the fallen and launched volley after volley into the enemy. The Ares cabin slashed and hacked, which was their favorite thing.

The monsters retreated toward 35th Street. Clarisse drove to the drakon's carcass and looped a grappling line through its eye sockets. She lashed her horses and took off, dragging the drakon behind the chariot like a Chinese New Year dragon. She charged after the enemy, yelling insults and daring them to cross her. As she rode, Endora realized she was literally glowing. An aura of red fire flickered around her.

"The blessing of Ares," Thalia said. "I've never seen it in person before."

For the moment, Clarisse was invincible. The enemy threw spears and arrows, but nothing hit her.

"I AM CLARISSE, DRAKON-SLAYER!" she yelled. "I will kill you ALL! Where is Kronos? Bring him out! Is he a coward?"

"Clarisse!" Percy yelled. "Stop it. Withdraw!"

"What's the matter, Titan lord?" she yelled. "BRING IT ON!"

There was no answer from the enemy. Slowly, they began to fall back behind a dracaenae shield wall, while Clarisse drove in circles around Fifth Avenue, daring anyone to cross her path. The two hundred-foot-long drakon carcass made a hollow scraping noise against the pavement, like a thousand knives.

Meanwhile, they tended their wounded, bringing them inside the lobby. Long after the enemy had retreated from sight, Clarisse kept riding up and down the avenue with her horrible trophy, demanding that Kronos meet her battle

Chris said, "I'll watch her. She'll get tired eventually. I'll make sure she comes inside."

"What about the camp?" Percy asked. "Is anybody left there?"

Chris shook his head. "Only Argus and the nature spirits. Peleus the dragon is still guarding the tree."

"They won't last long," Percy said. "But I'm glad you came."

Chris nodded sadly. "I'm sorry it took so long. I tried to reason with Clarisse. I said there's no point in defending camp if you guys die. All our friends are here. I'm sorry it took Silena. . ."

"My Hunters will help you stand guard," Thalia said. "You should all go to Olympus. I have a feeling they'll need you up there ─ to set up the final defense." 

The doorman had disappeared from the lobby. His book was facedown on the desk and his chair was empty. The rest of the lobby, however, was jam-packed with wounded campers, Hunters, and satyrs. Her siblings were away, talking with Connor and Travis by the elevators, seemingly trying to figure out how it worked.

"Is it true?" Connor asked as the group of demigods approached. "About Silena?"

Percy nodded. "She died a hero."

Travis shifted uncomfortably. "Um, I also heard ─ "

"That's it," son of Poseidon insisted. "End of story."

Basil nodded at his words and threw a pointed look towards Travis, "We figure the Titan's army will have trouble getting up the elevator. They'll have to go up a few at a time. And the giants won't be able to fit at all."

"That's our biggest advantage," Percy said. "Any way to disable the elevator?"

"It's magic," Lou Ellen spoke next. "Usually you need a key card, but the doorman vanished. That means the defenses are crumbling. Anyone can walk into the elevator now and head straight up."

"Then we have to keep them away from the doors," Percy said. "We'll bottle them up in the lobby."

"We need reinforcements," Travis said. "They'll just keep coming. Eventually they'll overwhelm us."

"There are no reinforcements," Connor complained.

Percy looked outside at Mrs. O'Leary, who was breathing against the glass doors and smearing them with hellhound drool.

"Maybe that's not true," the boy said. He went outside, spoke something in Mrs. O'Leary ear and rejoined them moments later. On the way, they spotted Grover kneeling over a fat wounded satyr.

"Leneus!" Percy said.

The old satyr looked terrible. His lips were blue. There was a broken spear in his belly, and his furry goat legs were twisted at a painful angle. He tried to focus on them, but Endora don't think he saw them.

"Grover?" he murmured.

"I'm here, Leneus." Grover was blinking back tears, despite all the horrible things Leneus had said about him.

"Did. . . did we win?"

"Um . . . yes," Grover lied. "Thanks to you, Leneus. We drove the enemy away."

"Told you," the old satyr mumbled. "True leader. True. . ." he closed his eyes for the last time. 

Grover gulped. He put his hand on Leneus's forehead and spoke an ancient blessing. The old satyr's body melted, until all that was left was a tiny sapling pile of fresh soil.

"A laurel," Grover said in awe. "Oh, that lucky old goat." he gathered up the sapling in his hands. "I. . . I should plant him. In Olympus, in the gardens."

"We're going that way," Endora said, putting her hand on Grover's shoulder. "Come on, I'll help you with it."

Easy-listening music played as the elevator rose, which was kind of ironic as they were currently fighting for their lives. The pain in her shoulder was long gone, leaving a scar that would stay there for the rest of her life.

"Percy," Annabeth said quietly. "You were right about Luke."

It was the first time she'd spoken sinceSilena Beauregard's death. She kept her eyes fixed on the elevator floors as they blinked into the magicalnumbers: 400, 450, 500. Percy glanced at Endora for a second; she shook her head, telling him not to say anything wrong.

"Annabeth," Percy said. "I'm sorry ─ "

"You tried to tell me." her voice was shaky. "Luke is no good. I didn't believe you until . . . until Iheard how he'd used Silena. Now I know. I hope you're happy."

"That doesn't make me happy."

Annabeth didn't speak after that. She put her head against the elevator wall and kept her eyes straight ahead.

Grover cradled his laurel sapling in his hands. "Well . . . sure good to be together again. Arguing.Almost dying. Abject terror. Oh, look. It's our floor."

The doors dinged and we stepped onto the aerial walkway.  

Depressing is not a word that usually describes Mount Olympus, but it looked that way now. No fires lit the braziers. The windows were dark. The streets were deserted and the doors were barred. The only movement was in the parks, which had been set up as field hospitals.

Will Solace and the other Apollo campers scrambled around, caring for the wounded. Naiads and dryads tried to help, using nature magic songs to heal burns and poison. Madeline walked around with her siblings, helping one of her sisters, Gracie if Endora remembered it correctly, tying a makeshift gaze over a wounded demigod.

Endora and Grover walked towards the garden. The atmosphere around was a calmer one unlike the center of the Olympus. The satyr knelt, dug a hole in the dirt and placed the sapling in. He patted the soil down, covering the sapling. Endora knelt next to him and placed her hand over the uneven soil. A green glow grew underneath her palm and as she retreated it, a small plant begun to grow.

She patted her friend on the shoulder, "He will be fine here." she spoke in a soft tone, "A lovely laurel to make a beautiful scene."

Grover nodded, "Yeah. . . Let's get back."

When the pair got back, they found Percy, Annabeth and Fredrick walking around trying to cheer up the wounded. They passed a satyr with a broken leg, a demigod who was bandaged from head to toe, and a body covered in the golden burial shroud of Apollo's cabin. Endora swallowed. She didn't know who was underneath nor she wanted to find out. Why did Apollo children had to suffer the most?

"You'll be up and fighting Titans in no time!" Percy told one camper.

"You look great," Annabeth told another camper.

"You did your best, that's what matters." Endora said to a unclaimed child.

"Stay strong, you can do it." Fredrick told one Demeter child.

"Leneus turned into a shrub!" Grover told a groaning satyr.

And then, they found Fredrick's brother, Pollux, propped up against a tree. He had a broken arm, but otherwise he was okay. The blonde boy threw his arms around his brother, hiding his face in his shoulder as Pollux patted him on the head.

"I can still fight with the other hand," he said, gritting his teeth.

"You will not!" Fredrick said, pulling away and looking at his brother in disbelief, "You stay here."

"Yeah," Percy said. "You've done enough. I want you to stay here and help with the wounded."

"But ─ "

"Promise me to stay safe," Percy said. "Okay? Personal favor." he turned towards Fredrick, "You too, Fred. Keep an eye on your brother."

Both boys frowned uncertainly and Endora did too. It wasn't like the they were good friends or anything, only Percy and Fredrick, but with Pollux? It felt kind of weird and awkward. Finally Pollux promised, and when he sat backdown, Endora could tell he was kind of relieved.

"Be safe," Fredrick said, hugging Annabeth and Endora.

"We will."

Endora, Annabeth, Grover, and Percy kept walking toward the palace. That's where Kronos would head. As soon as he made it up the elevator ─ and the girl had no doubt he would, one way or another ─ he would destroy the throne room, the center of the gods' power.

The bronze doors creaked open. Their footsteps echoed on the marble floor. The constellations twinkled coldly on the ceiling of the great hall. The hearth was down to a dull red glow. Hestia, in the form of a little girl in brown robes, hunched at its edge, shivering. The Ophiotaurus swam sadly in his sphere of water. He let out a half-hearted moo when he saw Percy. In the firelight, the thrones cast evil-looking shadows, like grasping hands.

Standing at the foot of Zeus's throne, looking up at the stars, was Rachel Elizabeth Dare. She was holding a Greek ceramic vase.

"Rachel?" Percy said. "Um, what are you doing with that?"

She focused on me as if she were coming out of a dream. "I found it. It's Pandora's jar, isn't it?" her eyes were brighter than usual.

"Please put down the jar," Percy said.

"I can see Hope inside it." Rachel ran her fingers over the ceramic designs. "So fragile."

"Rachel." Endora called out.

That seemed to bring her back to reality. She held out the jar, and Percy took it.

"Dora, Grover," Annabeth mumbled. "Let's scout around the palace. Maybe we can find some extra Greek fire or Hephaestus traps."

"But ─ "

Annabeth elbowed Grover.

"Right!" he yelped. "I love traps!"

The three of them exited the throne room, leaving Percy alone with Rachel and Hestia.

"Come on," Percy told Rachel. "I want you to meet someone." 

They sat next to the goddess.

"Lady Hestia," the boy said.

"Hello, Percy Jackson," the goddess murmured. "Getting colder. Harder to keep the fire going." 

"I know," Percy said. "The Titans are near."

Hestia focused on Rachel. "Hello, my dear. You've come to our hearth at last."

Rachel blinked. "You've been expecting me?"

Hestia held out her hands, and the coals glowed. Percy saw images in the fire: his mother, Paul, and Percy eating Thanksgiving dinner at the kitchen table; his friends and him around the campfire at Camp Half-Blood, singing songs and roasting marshmallows; Rachel and Percy driving along the beach in Paul's Prius. He didn't know if Rachel saw the same images, but the tension went out of her shoulders. The warmth of the fire seemed to spread across her.

"To claim your place at the hearth," Hestia told her, "you must let go of your distractions. It is the only way you will survive."

Rachel nodded. "I. . . I understand."

"Wait," Percy said. "What is she talking about?"

Rachel took a shaky breath. "Percy, when I came here. . . I thought I was coming for you. But I wasn't. You and me. . ." she shook her head.

"Wait. Now I'm a distraction? Is this because I'm 'not the hero' or whatever?" 

"I'm not sure I can put it into words," she said. "I was drawn to you because. . . because you opened the door to all of this." she gestured at the throne room. "I needed to understand my true sight. But you and me, that wasn't part of it. Our fates aren't intertwined. I think you've always known that, deep down. You're already connected to ones prophecy, so us would never be a thing."

Percy stared at her. Maybe he wasn't the brightest guy in the world when it came to girls, but he was pretty sure Rachel had just dumped him, which was lame considering they'd never even been together. But he felt relieved because of it.

"So . . . what," I said. '"Thanks for bringing me to Olympus. See ya.' Is that what you're saying?" 

Rachel stared at the fire.

"Percy Jackson," Hestia said. "Rachel has told you all she can. Her moment is coming, but your decision approaches even more rapidly. Are you prepared?"

Percy wanted to complain that no, he wasn't even close to prepared. He looked at Pandora's jar, and for the first time he had an urge to open it. Hope seemed pretty useless to him right now. So many of his friends were dead. Rachel was cutting him off. His parents were asleep down in the streets somewhere while a monster army surrounded the building. And Endora. . . he didn't know what was happening with them ─ once she is angry with him, the next moment she's hugging him like he would disappear into thin air. It was complicated.

Olympus was on the verge of failing, and Percy'd seen so many cruel things the gods had done: Zeus destroying Maria di Angelo, Hades cursing the last Oracle, Hermes turning his back on Luke even when he knew his son would become evil. Surrender, Prometheus's voice whispered in my ear. Otherwise your home will be destroyed. Your precious camp will burn.

Then the boy looked at Hestia. Her red eyes glowed warmly. He remembered the images he'd seen in her hearth ─ friends and family, everyone he cared about. Son of Poseidon remembered something Chris Rodriguez had said: There's no point in defending camp if you guys die. All our friends are here. And Nico, standing up to his father, Hades: If Olympus falls, he said, your own palace's safety doesn't matter.

Percy heard footsteps. Endora, Annabeth and Grover came back into the throne room and stopped when they saw them. He probably had a pretty strange look on his face.

"Percy?" Endora called, her voice laced with concern. "Should we, um, leave again?"

Suddenly Percy felt like someone had injected him with steel. He understood what to do. He looked at Rachel. "You're not going to do anything stupid, are you? I mean. . . you talked to Chiron, right?"

She managed a faint smile. "You're worried about me doing something stupid?"

"But I mean. . . will you be okay?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "That kind of depends on whether you save the world, hero."

Percy picked up Pandora's jar. The spirit of Hope fluttered inside, trying to warm the cold container.

"Hestia," he said, "I give this to you as an offering."

The goddess tilted her head. "I am the least of the gods. Why would you trust me with this?" 

"You're the last Olympian," Percy said. "And the most important."

"And why is that, Percy Jackson?"

"Because Hope survives best at the hearth," the boy said. "Guard it for me, and I won't be tempted to give up again."

The goddess smiled. She took the jar in her hands and it began to glow. The hearth fire burned a little brighter.

"Well done, Percy Jackson," she said. "May the gods bless you."

"We're about to find out." Percy looked at Endora, Annabeth and Grover. "Come on, guys."

He marched toward his father's throne. 

By the time they got to the street, it was too late. Campers and Hunters lay wounded on the ground.

Clarisse must've lost a fight with a Hyperborean giant, because she and her chariot were frozen in a block of ice. The centaurs were nowhere to be seen. Either they'd panicked and ran or they'd been disintegrated.

The Titan army ringed the building, standing maybe twenty feet from the doors. Kronos's vanguard was in the lead: Ethan Nakamura, the dracaena queen in her green armor, and two Hyperboreans. Kronos himself stood right in front with his scythe in hand. The only thing standing in his way was . . .

"Chiron," Annabeth said, her voice trembling.

If Chiron heard her, he didn't answer. He had an arrow notched, aimed straight at Kronos's face. As soon as Kronos saw Percy, his gold eyes flared. Then the Titan lord turned his attention back to Chiron.

"Step aside, little son."

Hearing Luke call Chiron his son was weird enough, but Kronos put contempt in his voice, like son was the worst word he could think of.

"I'm afraid not." Chiron's tone was steely calm, the way he gets when he's really angry.

Endora tried to move, but her feet felt like concrete. Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Thalia were straining too, like they were just as stuck.

"Chiron!" Annabeth said. "Look out!"

The dracaena queen became impatient and charged. Chiron's arrow flew straight between her eyes and she vaporized on the spot, her empty armor clattering to the asphalt. Chiron reached for another arrow, but his quiver was empty. He dropped the bow and drew his sword. Everyone knew he hated fighting with a sword. It was never his favorite weapon. Kronos chuckled. He advanced a step, and Chiron's horse-half skittered nervously. His tail flicked back and forth.

"You're a teacher," Kronos sneered. "Not a hero."

"Luke was a hero," Chiron said. "He was a good one, until you corrupted him."

"FOOL!" Kronos's voice shook the city. "You filled his head with empty promises. You said the gods cared about me!"

"Me," Chiron noticed. "You said me."

Kronos looked confused, and in that moment, Chiron struck. It was a good maneuver — a feint followed by a strike to the face, but Kronos was quick. He had all of Luke's fighting skill, which was a lot. He knocked aside Chiron's blade and yelled, "BACK!"

A blinding white light exploded between the Titan and the centaur. Chiron flew into the side of the building with such force the wall crumbled and collapsed on top of him.

"No!" Endora and Annabeth yelled.

The freezing spell broke. They ran toward their teacher, but there was no sign of him. Thalia and Percy pulled helplessly at the bricks while a ripple of ugly laughter ran through the Titan's army.

"YOU!" Annabeth turned on Luke. "To think that I. . . that I thought ─ " she drew her knife.

"Annie, don't." Percy tried to take her arm, but she shook the boy off.

She attacked Kronos, and his smug smile faded. Perhaps some part of Luke remembered that he used to like this girl, used to take care of her when she was little. She plunged her knife between the straps of his armor, right at his collar bone. The blade should've sunk into his chest. Instead it bounced off. Annabeth doubled over, clutching her arm to her stomach.

Endora yanked her back as Kronos swung his scythe, slicing the air where she'd been standing. She fought against daughter of Hecate, and Percy ran to help.

Annabeth screamed, "I HATE you!"

The brunette wasn't sure who she was talking to ─ her, Percy, or Kronos. Tears streaked the dust on her face.

"Beth stop," Endora pleaded. "You'll get hurt."

"I have to fight him," Percy told Annabeth.

"It's my fight too, Percy!"

Kronos laughed. "So much spirit. I can see why Luke wanted to spare you. Unfortunately, that won't be possible."

He raised his scythe. Percy got ready to defend, but before Kronos could strike, a dog's howl pierced the air somewhere behind the Titan's army. "Arroooooooo!"

"Mrs. O'Leary?" Percy called.

The enemy forces stirred uneasily. Then the strangest thing happened. They began to part, clearing a path through the street like something behind them was forcing them to. Soon there was a free aisle down the center of Fifth Avenue. Standing at the end of the block was the hellhound, and a small figure in black armor.

"ROWWF!"

Mrs. O'Leary bounded toward them, ignoring the growling monsters on either side. Nico strode forward. The enemy army fell back before him like he radiated death, which of course he did. Through the face guard of his skull-shaped helmet, he smiled. "Got your message, Percy. Is it too late to join the party?"

Endora let out a laugh, "Nico! You're here," she said, "Join us!"

Nico grinned wickedly, "Here, Dora!"

"Son of Hades." Kronos spit on the ground. "Do you love death so much you wish to experience it?"

"Your death," Nico said, "would be great for me."

"I'm immortal, you fool! I have escaped Tartarus. You have no business here, and no chance to live."

Nico drew his sword ─ three feet of wicked sharp Stygian iron, black as a nightmare. "I don't agree."

The ground rumbled. Cracks appeared m the road, the sidewalks, the sides of the buildings. Skeletal hands grasped the air as the dead clawed their way into the world of the living. There were thousands of them, and as they emerged, the Titan's monsters got jumpy and started to back up.

"HOLD YOUR GROUND!" Kronos demanded. "The dead are no match for us."

The sky turned dark and cold. Shadows thickened. A harsh war horn sounded, and as the dead soldiers formed up ranks with their guns and swords and spears, an enormous chariot roared down Fifth Avenue. It came to a stop next to Nico. The horses were living shadows, fashioned from darkness. The chariot was inlaid with obsidian and gold, decorated with scenes of painful death. Holding the reins was Hades himself, Lord of the Dead, with Demeter and Persephone riding behind him.

"Demeter?" Endora said softly, her eyes blurred from tears, "Persephone?"

The goddesses looked down at the daughter of Hecate and smiled upon seeing her, "Hello, Dora." Demeter called, "Long time no see, dear. You did great on the field. I'm proud of you. So, so proud."

"So am I!" Persephone called from behind her mother, "You're a. . . what do they say it these days. . . a badass!"

"Ladies!" Hades scolded.

Endora couldn't help but let out a laugh.

He wore black armor and a cloak the color of fresh blood. On top of his pale head was the helm of darkness: a crown that radiated pure terror. It changed shape as Endora watched ─ from a dragon's head to a circle of black flames to a wreath of human bones.

Hades smiled coldly. "Hello, Father. You're looking. . . young."

"Hades," Kronos growled. "I hope you and the ladies have come to pledge your allegiance."

"I'm afraid not." Hades sighed. "My son here convinced me that perhaps I should prioritize my list of enemies." he glanced at Percy with distaste. "As much as I dislike certain upstart demigods, it would not do for Olympus to fall. I would miss bickering with my siblings. And if there is one thing we agree on ─ it is that you were a TERRIBLE father."

"True," muttered Demeter. "No appreciation of agriculture."

"Mother!" Persephone complained.

Hades drew his sword, a double-edged Stygian blade etched with silver. "Now fight me! For today the House of Hades will be called the saviors of Olympus."

"I don't have time for this," Kronos snarled.

He struck the ground with his scythe. A crack spread in both directions, circling the Empire State Building. A wall of force shimmered along the fissure line, separating Kronos's vanguard, five demigods, a satyr, from the bulk of the two armies.

"What's he doing?" Percy muttered.

"Sealing us in," Endora said. "He's collapsing the magic barriers around Manhattan ─ cutting off just the building, and us."

Outside the barrier, car engines revved to life. Pedestrians woke up and stared uncomprehendingly at the monsters and zombies all around them. No telling what they saw through the Mist, but Endora was sure it was plenty scary. Car doors opened. And at the end of the block, Paul Blofis and Sally Jackson got out of their Prius.

"No," Percy said. "Don't . . ."

Sally could see through the Mist. From her expression, the girl knew Sally understood how serious things were. She hoped the woman would make a run for it. But she locked eyes with Percy, said something to Paul, and they ran straight toward them. No one could call out for them.

Fortunately, Hades caused a distraction. He charged at the wall of force, but his chariot crashed against it and overturned. He got to his feet, cursing, and blasted the wall with black energy. The barrier held.

"ATTACK!" he roared.

The armies of the dead clashed with the Titan's monsters. Fifth Avenue exploded into absolute chaos. Mortals screamed and ran for cover. Demeter waved her hand and an entire column of giants turned into a wheat field. Persephone changed the dracaenae's spears into sunflowers. Nico slashed and hacked his way through the enemy, trying to protect the pedestrians as best he could.

"Nakamura," Kronos said. "Attend me. Giants ─ deal with them."

He pointed at Endora, Annabeth, Percy, Thalia and Grover. Then he ducked into the lobby of the Empire State building. This is what they fought for? Just for the Titan to slip so easily.

The first Hyperborean giant smashed at Percy with his club. Percy rolled between his legs, getting away from him. Endora rose her hand up, sending purple flames at the giant, melting him back to Tartarus. The second giant breathed frost at Annabeth, who was barely able to stand, but Grover pulled her out of the way while Thalia went to work. She sprinted up the giant's back like a gazelle, sliced her hunting knives across his monstrous blue neck, and created the world's largest headless ice sculpture.

Endora glanced outside the magic barrier. Nico was fighting his way toward Sally and Paul, but they weren't waiting for help. Paul grabbed a sword from a fallen hero and did a pretty fine job keeping a dracaena busy. He stabbed her in the gut, and she disintegrated.

"Paul?" Percy said in amazement.

He turned toward them and grinned. "I hope that was a monster I just killed. I was a Shakespearian actor in college! Picked up a little swordplay!"

Suddenly, a Laistrygonian giant charged toward Sally. She was rummaging around in an abandoned police car ─ maybe looking for the emergency radio ─ and her back was turned.

"Mom!" Percy yelled.

She whirled when the monster was almost on top of her and blasted the giant twenty feet backward, right into Nico's sword with a shotgun. Endora's eyes went wide.

"Nice one," Paul said.

"When did you learn to fire a shotgun?" Percy demanded.

Sally blew the hair out of her face. "About two seconds ago. Percy, we'll be fine. Go!"

"Yes," Nico agreed, "we'll handle the army. You have to get Kronos!"

"Nico, stay safe," Endora called out, "I don't need you dying here."

"Same goes for you," Nico said.

"Come on, Water Boy!" Endora said.

Percy nodded. Then he looked at the rubble pile on the side of the building. Endora's heart stopped for a moment. They had forgotten about Chiron. How could they do that?

"Mrs. O'Leary," Percy said. "Please, Chiron's under there. If anyone can dig him out, you can. Find him! Help him!"

The hellhound bounded to the pile and started to dig. And with that, Endora Prince, Annabeth Chase, Thalia Grace, Grover Underwood, and Percy Jackson raced for the elevators. 

niki speaks!

here's an update after idk how long
school's been killing me
i don't have time to write
but i want to 😭
now when i don't have time
ides just start coming to me
it's not okay

have a nice day/night!
bye!