Rift Duology #2: Rift of Shadow

Chapter 24: Disguised

—Jayden's POV—

"Aspen! You made it!" I exclaimed, and she handed me the soaked bag.
"Thank gods you're alright."

"Yeah.. Well, I freed Tallulah- I think. She kinda just flickered away." Aspen said.

"Same happened with Arche. After I stabbed him of course, but same thing." Owen replied and a portal opened on the edge of the building, and Leto returned.

"Leto! You're okay!" Aspen exclaimed and rushed to her.
"Where are the giants?"

"They're on their way. Giants aren't very quick. But, since I only packed 5 Shards, I could only awaken 5. Theres like, 2 left I think." Leto stated.

"It's okay, we'll use all the help we can get. About how long will it be until they arrive?" I asked.

"A few hours. Maybe midnight, if they're fast."
Leto answered.
"They're on the Northeast border of Camp, which is closest to here, so it might take shorter."

"Okay, that's perfect. Now, what do we do about this?" I asked.

"About what?" Owen asked.
"The Etherials, flooding water, or our impending doom?" He listed.

"Everything, Owen. Also, the lights are gone. Maybe that's good news?" I asked, and looked at where Leto was staring, and my hopes were crushed.

On a dark ledge lit up by lightning, I saw a tall figure. Cassiopeia, and the smaller figure next to him must've been Keros.

"Just what we needed. Maybe it's time to use the staff and fragments?" Leto offered, and Owen nodded.

"We have to, otherwise we don't stand a chance." Owen said.
"Besides, the stone giants won't arrive until midnight, and we don't have that long."

"You're right.. but both the fragments and shards are too unstable. We could do more harm than good." I told him.

"Well, whatever we're gonna do, we better do it fast." Aspen said.
"The water's rising, and fast. Plus, Cassiopeia already has all he needs- the Rift Blade."

"Then what're we waiting for?" Leto said and we all ran to get to a higher building, closer to the Spine.

"Demigods-" A loud voice taunted, probably Cassiopeia.

"That's not creepy at all.." Aspen muttered and we were only 3 blocks away from them.

"Look out!" Leto yelled and pushed me aside, and an arc of lightning charged past where I was and sizzled in the waters below.

"Th-thank you-" I stammered.

"Just, pay attention." Leto said and wiped the dust off of herself.
"It could've killed you."

"I know. Thank you, still."

After several minutes of silence, Aspen finally broke it.
"We have to go. And we have to use the Shards and Fragments, no matter how unstable. It's our only chance of actually winning."

"Fine. But we have to be extremely careful." I said.

"Only the Shards. I'll use the hammer again to resurrect Polaris." Leto volunteered.