Son of Artemis Book 4

Chapter 22: (Great) Gramps is invincible

Percy's POV:

We were being driven around Colorado Springs for an hour or two before we decided to head to Denver to see if there was an entrance there. The driver dude was confused with what we were doing but just went with it anyway.

We pulled onto I-25 and started heading north towards Denver. We were still looking around, because you never know with the labyrinth, "Pull off now" Rachel stated, "I saw something"

The Driver looked confused but listened to Rachel, "where to Ms. Dare"

"The Museum of mining" Rachel answered, now we were looking at her like she was crazy.

The driver pulled up to the museum and let us out, "Is there anything else you need Ms. Dare" he asked

"No thank you James" Rachel responded

"Are you sure I could always" James started

"No" Rachel said our in a slight panic, "my father knows I'm here"

Now I'm not the expert in lying, that's uncle Hermès, nor am I lie detector, like uncle Apollo, but even I could tell that was a pretty bad lie, and needed work.

James though shrugged and let us be. Rachel made sure he left before we continued because the last thing we needed was a driver to go missing.

"Where is it" Annabeth asked, slightly irritated, "and how were you able to get that driver"

"Right this way" Rachel said softly, "and my dad is wealthy" she added with a bit of spite.

I recognized the spite. It was the same when Annabeth spoke of her father. I think Annabeth also recognized it but she didn't add on comment.

Rachel lead us to the entrance of an old abandoned mine shaft, which to my surprise even, had Daedalus's symbol on one of the planks glowing a very faint blue.

Annabeth went up and activated the entrance, which we all entered.

"We're heading back to camp right" Nico asked

"Yeah" Rachel said, as she started leading us through the labyrinth again. We were heading down a corridor when all the sudden a breeze and the smell of eucalyptus entered into the cave, and horrible dragon breathe

Annabeth and I immediately froze which caused them to do so as well. "It's nothing we're probably just near a eucalyptus forest" Nico said, though Rachel wasn't looking as if she was in agreement.

"No I need to check this" I said, and started heading down the tunnel Annabeth and the others closely behind.

"Percy let me come with you" Annabeth asked as we got to the exit, I made up my mind quickly. I didn't tell her that, but the Palace was near completion. I wasn't going to allow her to risk herself.

I hugged her and stole her cap, "I'm sorry" I whispered. Annabeth let go in shock "Nico keep them here" I said and put on the cap rushing off

I ran up to the palace and saw the telekhines from Hephaestus' forge carrying the Scythe and the demigod I spared on their way to the entrance. The telekhines were going on about how the demigod would present and all this other stuff I didn't care to listen to as I snuck in.

Now I don't know about you all, but a little secret Zeus although creative with punishments, lacks creativity with architecture...so I had an idea of where Kronos would be if he was here.

I ran straight into the palace throne room and yup at the foot of Black granite throne laid a gold sarcophagus. The throne was missing a piece though, right in the middle of the backrest.

I ran up to the up to the sarcophagus and pushed the lid off. Fully expecting to see some pure manifestation of evil. Like seriously how could he eat a new born Hestia.

I was surprised when I saw Luke lying there. He was lying in the sarcophagus and had a giant hole right in the middle of his chest where his heart should be.

Knowing that there might not be a better chance, I took out Riptide and stabbed him in the center of his chest...or at least I tried to but the blade ricocheted off.

I tried again, but tried taking off his head, again it ricocheted off, from all sides as well.

How?No...no no no no no. That's not possible. Hades wouldn't allow it. Nor Charon. Nor Cerberus. They wouldn't allow him entry especially to do that. No. They haven't betrayed us. They couldn't. Hades wouldn't do that to family. Especially not to his oldest sister, and my patron.

I have to think...brain stop panicking. I I heard the doors open up. I knew I had to make my escape. I couldn't risk being here when Kronos woke. I ran passed the telekhines and the demigod and straight out the palace.

I continued running until I crashed into Nico and the two girls, causing the cap to fall off. "Perseus what were" I hushed Annabeth and started pushing and dragging them back to the labyrinth

"Percy what's wrong" Annabeth asked

"He's back and invincible" I hurried and got the two girls back into the labyrinth.

"Nico I need your help" I said, "We need to destroy this place, we need to buy time" I said

Nico looked confused before he remembered he had control over the earth. "Oh ok what do you need me to do" he asked

"We need to destroy this place together" I said simply, which Nico looked scared at the task, I mean it is a large palace. I looked back at Annabeth and Rachel "if we pass out drag us into the labyrinth please" I asked, Rachel nodded, and Annabeth looked like she wanted to protest but knew she couldn't as I was right about this

I looked at Nico, "I'm not sure how your powers work for this but what we need is the palace destroyed" Nico nodded

I once again pulled out riptide, but this time I added Blackbeard's cutlass. I knew the task was daunting but I knew it needed to be done. I covered both blades with fire, water, and lightning. We would need all the power possible.

Nico caught onto my idea and pulled out his sword wrapping it in shadows, "now" I said driving both my blades hilt deep into the earth causing the largest earthquake I ever summoned. I hope the mortals don't feel it, but I won't be able to know till later.

Nico copied me channeling his powers to destroy the titan lord's palace. I'm pretty sure we woke Ladon as numerous screams of show yourself and stop scaring our dragon were shouted off elsewhere.

I looked up to see crack forming along the palace walls and all the sudden a large spire shot up from the ground and through one wall and came out on the other side. Another spire soon joined that one and then another shot straight up through the entry way.

I watched as the palace started to crumble away, collapsing. I looked over to see Nico shakily get up, withdrawing his sword from the earth only to collapse in Rachel's arms.

I slowly got up withdrawing my swords as well. Annabeth stabilized me and started leading my dazed self back into the labyrinth.

I was able to get one last look at the carnage Nico and I left. The palace was destroyed, and the cracks in the ground lead straight to the labyrinth.

If they didn't know we knew their plans before they certainly know now and they also know we know where their entrance is.