Heroes Of The Future (SEQUEL TO THE BLOOD OF OLYMPUS)

Twenty Two--Hermione Chace

Just saying before I start, this is NOT Hermione from Harry Potter!

Just clarifying that...

Enjoy!

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The plank shook violently, the scavengers laughing as Hermione stumbled forward, barely catching herself before she could tumble into the raging sea.

"Wait! I--I wouldn't do this if I were you!" She tried to sound genuinely concerned. "My mother isn't going to be happy with you! She'll kill you all!"

The scavengers laughed again, but she could sense the slightest bit of caution in their tone. "A little thief tried to steal our prisoners! Now she is trying to tell us about the gods?" One of them shouted. "Athena isn't one of the most frightening gods. What is she going to kill us with? Wisdom? No one is coming to save you, thief!"

"I'm not a thief! And they aren't your prisoners, they're my friends." Hermione said for the third time. "If you don't give them back--"

"Athena is not going to kill us! In fact, I even doubt if she even can or not!" Another one shouted.

The sky turned dark, thunder rumbling in the sky. The scavengers looked frightened, and Hermione almost felt sorry for them. An angry Athena is never a merciful one.

"You dare to question my power?" A voice cut through the air like a sharp blade of ice. The ship shuddered violently, but the plank Hermione was standing on stayed still. The mast creaked loudly, sounding as if it were about to snap in half. The sails whipped in the wind, unfurling and ripping away from the ropes that so poorly secured them to the deck.

"N--N--No, your--uh--majesty!" One of them gulped. "J--Just admiring your beauty!"

"Do you take me for a fool?" The voice hissed. The wind increased its speed, small scraps of old paper blowing around with the hats that flew right off of the scavenger's heads. The mask creaked again, fracture lines widening in the dark wood. The ship tilted violently, and this time, the plank did tip.

Hermione didn't know if Athena had just forgotten she was there, or didn't even care.

Hermione screamed, barely catching herself by the edge of the plank. She was dangling over the edge.

"Hermione!" A voice yelled above the wind. Several of the men were thrown off board, breaking through the raging sea with loud 'cracks'. Others were blown into the air, through the clouds, and didn't come down. The rest of them held on desperately to the rigging, but it was hopeless. A shimmering figure forced them into the sea with the flick of a finger.

"Hermione, I'm coming!"

She spotted her best friends, her family, dodging their way towards the plank. Luke Caster and Thalia Gracious ran toward her at full speed, horror in their eyes as the ship trembled again and Hermione was nearly thrown off the edge.

"Hold on!" Thalia shouted, swatting aside a sheet of paper that had been slapped onto her face. "We're gonna come get you!"

A huge wave knocked into the side of the boat, making it shudder with concerning creaks and groans. The mast was overwhelmed. It split right in half, the ropes attached started to snap, the sails blowing in the wind wildly. The massive cylinder of wood leaned starboard, tilting the ship so Hermione was lowered even further towards the raging water.

Luke and Thalia both slid towards the railing, still heading in Hermione's direction despite the terrible shaking of the deck.

But they'd never make it in time.