The Earth Monarch

Chapter 40: Invasion

"You think you're strong enough to defeat all of us, demigod? 6 cyclops to one measly mortal? Ha!" The same cyclops that apologized, taunted. "Oh, I don't know. I haven't had a good fight in a few decades. Let's see, shall we?" I questioned, amused.

I leapt at the cyclops, soaring straight into his face, and out the other side. A hole was left, and he immediately started disintegrating into golden dust. I flicked my wrist, and 2 earthen spires rose from the ground, impaling 2 of the cyclops.

"I haven't done this in a while, let's see how tolerant you cyclops really are," I said, and sparked a ball of white hot flames in my palm.

I aimed it at 2 of them, and shot a spiraling funnel of flames. They withstood the heat for a few seconds, before they began melting because of the sheer intensity. "Same temperature as a Blue Star, compressed to the size of a golf ball. Neat little trick to get rid of pests," I explained, before rounding on the last cyclops.

He stared at me in pure terror, stumbling away slowly. I stopped the ball of fire, and replaced it with a compressed disc of wind, and started spinning it at hypersonic speeds.

"Here, catch!" I called, and tossed the disc. It sailed faster than he could react, and sliced his entire body to bits. I dispersed the disc, and turned nonchalantly towards the Titan of Fire and Light. He stared back in a way that shows that he knew; "he fucked up."

"Hyperion, good to see you. I'm surprised Kronos greed Atlas, before his very loyal elder brother," I stated, casually walking towards the 20 foot deity. "Lord Perseus, a pleasure as always. I was unaware that you would be here," Hyperion replied, laughing hysterically out of fear.

"Hmm. Lucas Castellan didn't share his encounter with me? I would've assumed that that information would've been essential for Kronos, and would've heard right away," I mused. "Well...I'm not told everything. Just because I didn't know, doesn't necessarily mean Kronos doesn't know either," he explained, backing away nonchalantly.

"I see. How did you manage to infiltrate the encampment? There's a barrier, and the labyrinth defenses aren't decimated," I asked. "I have my ways, Lord Perseus. You may have taught me everything I know, but I should always improve beyond my limits," Hyperion quoted. "I can't argue with my own teachings. You know I can't allow you to remain here, Hyperion. Either leave willingly, or lift your blade and face me," I stated.

He hefted his fiery longsword, and got into a battle stance. His expression hardened, and he gestured me to come at him. I smirked, and summoned my armor. A black trident appeared in my right hand, and my shield strapped to my left gauntlet.

We circled each other, analyzing each other's movements, scanning for weaknesses. After a few minutes of waiting, Hyperion grew impatient, and charged me.

I sidestepped his swing, and slid between his legs, before swiftly turning, and nicking him in his calf as he dove away. He rolled to his feet, and launched himself backwards, his sword outstretched to impale me. I blocked the blade, and was forced onto the defensive, as Hyperion ruthlessly attacked with a flurry of strikes.

I flicked my fingers, causing a dust cloud to encompass us. I dove away, and prepared to fight again. My trident molded into a staffed axe, and I readied for the onslaught. He burst from the cloud, and was nearly on top of me.

I leapt high, over his head in a somersault, striking his head as I went. Ichor spilled from his wound, and he stumbled in pain. As soon as I landed, I pushed backwards, and swung my axe at Hyperion's leg. I perfectly severed his right leg at the kneecap, and he bowled in agony.

He sent a punch, which I blocked, but still got sent flying away a good 30 feet. He grabbed hold of his weapon, leaning on it to stay standing. Ichor pooled from his leg, soaking the ground beneath him.

My axe molded back into a trident, and I aimed the prongs towards him. "Do you yield?!" I called. He looked back in defiance and anger. After a few moments, he backed down at my unwavering glare.

"I surrender, Master," Hyperion answered, lowering to kneel. I looked to the sky, where an owl circled overhead. It dived, and perched on my shoulder. "Send him back to the pit, and increase his security. Exact words," Athena voiced telepathically. I nodded, and raised the trident to the sky.

Thunder rumbled, and lightning arced in the black clouds. A massive bolt struck Hyperion, sending him back to Tartarus in a flash of light. All that was left behind was his longsword.

I lifted the blade, which shrunk to a normal length of 4 1/2 feet. I slammed the trident on the ground, which the vibrations alerted me to the positions of the imprisoned campers. I waved my hand, turning their bindings to mist, and dismissed my arsenal. I dropped Hyperion's sword, and it sunk into the ground.

"Thank the Gods. Are you alright?" Chiron asked, coming up to me. He was still clearly shook, but he was hiding it behind worry. "I am, Chiron. How did they infiltrate camp?" I questioned. "Someone gave them access through the barrier. We have a spy in our midst," Chiron whispered.

"Tend to the campers. I shall call Hestia, she can help with the younger ones. Hyperion and the cyclops have been dealt with, and we need to increase security measures. I will personally figure out who this spy is, but do not mention this to anyone. We don't want to cause a mass panic or distrust within our ranks. Understood?" I asked. He nodded, and ran back to the farmhouse for medical supplies.

I lit a ball of flame in my hand, and launched it into the air. Almost instantly, a column of flame erupted in front of me, and out came Hestia. "You rang, Lord Perseus?" Hestia asked. "I need you to aid the young campers. They had a traumatic experience from an invasion on camp. They need a soothing hand," I explained.

She nodded, and left for the central campfire between the cabins. I snapped my fingers, summoning 20 Earthborn giants. "Secure the camp borders. Space out at equal distances. Your mission is reconnaissance only, no engagement. Report to me about any suspicious activity immediately. Am I clear?" I ordered. They saluted, and spread out.

"Now to secure Hyperion," I said to myself, and sunk into the earth, heading straight for Tartarus.