𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

118

"IAPETUS!" Hyperion bellowed. "Well, well. I thought you were hiding under a cleaning bucket somewhere."

Bob lumbered forward, scowling. "I was not hiding."

Percy crept toward the right side of the Doors. Hadrian sneaked toward the left. The Titans gave no sign of noticing them, but Percy took no chances. He kept Riptide in pen form. He crouched low, stepping as quietly as possible. The lesser monsters kept a respectful distance from the Titans, so there was enough empty space to maneuver around the Doors.

The space also had a sole demigod.

Percy didn't have to think back to the photos in Hadrian's room to know who it was. They looked exactly like the photos- short, wavy hair dyed bright red that made her look like an empousa. But their skin was much darker than the vampires— she looked vaguely south asian as Percy had guessed from her name as well.

They wore bronze armor that reminded Percy of the Battle of Manhattan. It was so easy to remember the fight— the adrenaline coursing through his veins as he shattered the bridge- the guilt that engulfed him like a tsunami when he realized Michael Yew was gone. And now he found out another child of Apollo had died... because of him. Sure, he didn't mean to break the bridge, he'd just been angry that Ethan Nakamura had hurt Annabeth. But he'd still caused Kira's death and for that, he couldn't forgive himself.

Hadrian had though. Hadrian hadn't blamed him, maybe initially, but not anymore. Somehow that just made Percy feel guiltier.

In any case— Kira had their hands and legs bound. Thankfully, the titans didn't think she was important enough to be guarded, after all, who would be stupid enough to try and escape while surrounded by millions of monsters? Twenty feet away from them, near Percy, lay a bow and a quiver full of arrows. For someone that was dead and captured by Titans, they actually managed to look bored.

Hadrian had decided to take the side Hyperion was guarding. Percy didn't know if it was a natural instinct, a random decision or calculated response. Technically, Hyperion should be more likely to sense Percy. After all, Percy was the last one to have killed him in the mortal world. That was fine with Percy. After being in Tartarus for so long, he could barely look at Hyperion's burning golden armor without getting spots in his eyes.

Then again, if Hadrian had taken this side, Percy wasn't sure if he trusted him not to ditch the plan and focus on Kira.

On Percy's side of the Doors, Krios stood dark and silent, his ram's-headed helmet covering his face. He kept one foot planted on the chain's anchor and his thumb on the UP button.

Bob faced his brethren. He planted his spear and tried to look as fierce as possible with a kitten on his shoulder. "Hyperion and Krios. I remember you both."

"Do you, Iapetus?" The golden Titan laughed, glancing at Krios to share the joke. "Well, that's good to know! I heard Percy Jackson turned you into a brainwashed scullery maid. What did he rename you... Betty?"

"Bob," snarled Bob.

"Well, it's about time you showed up, Bob. Krios and I have been stuck here for weeks—"

"Hours," Krios corrected, his voice a deep rumble inside his helmet.

"Whatever!" Hyperion said. "It's boring work, guarding these doors, shuffling monsters through at Gaea's orders. Krios, what's our next group, anyway?"

"Double Red," said Krios.

Hyperion sighed. The flames glowed hotter across his shoulders. "Double Red. Why do we go from A-22 to Double Red? What kind of system is that?" He glared at Bob. "This is no job for me—the Lord of Light! Titan of the East! Master of Dawn! Why am I forced to wait in the darkness while the giants go into battle and get all the glory? Now, Krios I can understand—"