𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐈.
we both drew blood but man those cuts were never equal

ᯓᡣ𐭩

𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐃𝐍'𝐓 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 if she'd ever been this terrified before. Not only was she in Kronos' fatal grip, but everything had happened so suddenly, too quickly for her to register the situation and take action.

Now, she was trapped, as she felt her cheekbones being crushed by the hands that used to hold her at her worst times.

This is it, she thought. This is how I die.

She was paralyzed, couldn't even bring herself to raise her daggers to escape. All thoughts fled from her mind as she continued to stare ahead into Kronos' gold eyes, seeing nothing resembling Luke there.

She was shaken out of her trance when Kronos was forcefully pushed off her. Only then did she remember she wasn't alone in this. Ronan was there and he had pushed Kronos off with all his strength, releasing her from his strong grip.

Maisie blinked, and finally she registered what was happening. Ronan was now battling Kronos on his own, his fists being his only weapon. Considering Ronan was best with a bow, his punches weren't the most effective. Maisie moved forward to help him, raising her weapons.

Her daggers found Kronos' torso, not deep enough to kill, but enough to draw blood. Kronos groaned, his eyes lighting angrily. Maisie tried to step back, but he reached her, slashing at her with his own sword, Backbiter.

He found her own torso, blood instantly dripping, soaking her shirt. She winced, clutching the injured area with her arm.

Ronan managed a few more kicks and punches, allowing Maisie to catch her breath. Once she was back on her feet, she shot forward, lower than before, cutting at Kronos' body again. This time, her dagger found his thigh, making him groan in pain as he fell on his knees.

Maisie grabbed Ronan's hand as fast as she could, before he could protest, and she led him away, running away to the hotel, away from Kronos' deadly countenance.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Once safely back at headquarters, after ambrosia had healed Maisie's wound, everyone regrouped, informing the others about what they'd encountered. Ronan spoke for the both of them. Maisie hadn't said more than a word since they fled the bridge, still shaken.

Since the enemy forces had fallen back, they all agreed to have a night's rest, so that they'd be prepared for whatever the next day would throw at them.

Maisie had the same dream as last time. She dreamed of Luke. Him using his sword against her, killing her as he'd done in her previous dream. Now, his sword had in fact been used against her, him against her, two souls who weren't meant to be enemies.

Maisie didn't get much sleep, tossing and turning in bed after that nightmare, always present at the back of her mind, taunting her.

When everyone woke, Percy organized them for battle again. According to him, Kronos was planning on releasing a drakon, so they had to be ready for that, and anything else.

Maisie was more alert this time. She got ready, gripping her daggers tightly, her mind focused as not to be ambushed or be caught off guard again.

Most campers stayed back to fight any unexpected monsters attacking, while Percy and Annabeth went to fight the drakon, which was destined to be killed at the hand of a child of Ares. But, considering the Ares cabin refused to participate in the war, that seemed near impossible now.

As everyone was fighting off the intruders close to their headquarters, they didn't have time to spare a glance at what Percy and Annabeth were doing. But it didn't take a genius to figure out it was not going well.

Maisie was in the middle of battling a monster when she heard battle roars coming from behind her. She quickly stabbed her opponent, sending it tumbling, before turning into ashes. Only then did she allow herself a quick look behind, the sight surprising her.

The Ares cabin was trudging into the battle, red streaks all over their armor, while their helmets covered their faces. In the front, leading them, was Clarisse, her spear raised. Maisie marvelled at what was happening, though delighted that they had finally decided to help.

Clarisse was quick to charge at the drakon, raising her spear somewhat awkardly, which was odd. Clarisse was never unsure of herself.

The drakon barely spared her a glance, when it spat poison straight on her face.

"No!" Maisie yelled, along with Clarisse's siblings and some other campers. She tried to run up to her to help her, but monsters kept getting in her way.

She fought her way through, trying to get closer to the fallen girl, when she noticed someone in camp clothes running up to her instead. Maisie's brows pulled together when she noticed Clarisse running towards the fallen girl.

Confusion clouded her mind as she watched, the real Clarisse now clutching her spear and running head on toward the drakon, stabbing its eye with her weapon, killing it on the spot, before running back to the girl.

She cradled the girl's head on her lap, and only when she removed her helmet, Maisie saw Silena Beauregard, dying in Clarisse's arms.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Everyone soon found out about Silena being the spy, and Clarisse promised to honor her, jumping head first into battle, urging her siblings to follow her as well.

The atmosphere had shifted, everyone more determined to end this. There was no room left for mistakes and they knew it. It was time for everything to end.

The group of campers finally made their way to Olympus, ready to guard it, to do anything it took to protect their world. Maisie silently prayed, for herself, for her siblings, for the campers, for Olympus.

───────

dear reader!

one chapter left so I hope you're ready