¹𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀. percy jackson

LIII.

ｔｈｅ ｌａｓｔ ｏｌｙｍｐｉａｎ

THE BRIDGE TO OLYMPUS WAS DISSOLVING. When Lucia stepped out of the elevator onto the white marble walkway cracks started to appear at her feet.

Thankfully they weren't up to the point of breaking and they were able to make an easy path to the palace. But dread filled Lucia at the thought of it falling before her friends could make it. She didn't know if she could defeat him without them...but she sure as hades was going to try if necessary.

"What is this," Lucia asked, little by little Olympus chipped apart around her. The sky fading away.

Kronos grinned. "The connection between Olympus and America is dissolving. The gods won't move on to another country this time, This will be the end of Olympus. The final end."

She grinned, but her heart fell to her stomach at the thought. "Perfect.."

Kronos walked and swung his scythe. Mansions began to burn. Statues were hacked down. Trees in the parks were blasted to splinters. He kept attacking the city, making sure it fell to ruins.

"Golden girl." Ethan whispered, "Are you okay?"

She blinked but her gaze didn't leave the fires that raged on. "I'm fine. Why are you asking? Because of your precious plan?"

His face fell. "I—"

"Tried to warn me?" Lucia remained emotionless, "Well it doesn't matter. Your plan worked." She finally turned to look at him, "You should be proud of yourself E. You have your girlfriend back..."

Lucia kept walking. The whole mountaintop was in ruins—so many beautiful buildings and gardens gone.

A few minor gods and nature spirits had tried to stop Kronos. What remained of them was strewn about the road: shattered armor, ripped clothing, swords, and spears broken in half.

Lucia fought so hard not to get involved. Guilt ate her alive but she knew, she knew the only way Kronos could be defeated is if she were patient.

Kronos's voice roared: "Brick by brick! That was my promise. Tear it down BRICK BY BRICK!"

A white marble temple with a gold dome suddenly exploded. The dome shot up like the lid of a teapot and shattered into a billion pieces, raining rubble over the city.

Lucia tried to remain stoic, I'm sorry Aunt Artemis.

'That was a shrine to Artemis,' Thalia grumbled. She could hear her old friends approaching now. If she could, she would have sighed in relief. 'He'll pay for that.'

'Look out!' Grover yelped. Lucia heard the cracking of marble, and the loud thud of something collapsing.

'Thalia!' Grover cried.

Lucia stopped in her tracks.

Kronos turned to look at her. His eyes peered into Lucia's and she focused on keeping her heart steady and her face blank.

"Are you alright dearie?" His voice was painful to Lucia's ears. Like the scraping of metal against more metal. It held an edge, ready to pierce through her with his suspicions.

She nodded with confidence, "Yes my lord, My apologies I heard something."

"And what was it?"

"Just the sound of rubble," She grinned. "Nothing to worry about."

He nodded, "Good Work, Apollonione. You've always been my most component helper."

'Well, don't just stand there! I'll be fine. Go!'