Horizon's Point: The Rise of the Lyre (Jason Grace)

Chapter 14: I pass out one more time before midnight

It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

Adrenalin pulsed in my blood and I felt like I was born to fight. Born to do this.

My swords slashed in a whirlwind as the Nemean lion tried in vain to batt me out of his way, but I prayed with ease and slashed once more at his eye. My job was to distract him as Percy and Jason snuck the lionesses out and the Hunters took positions outside the cave. I was to lead him out once the lionesses were a safe distance away, I'll know when the boys join my fight.

Artemis knows how to kill it and it's practically impossible, so a few arrows in the chinks in his armour and a bit of Moon Goddess strength should do the trick.

The lion lunged for my face but I dropped and slid under his massive body with ease, making sure to stab upwards into his belly. There was a weak spot there, I figured. Alas, it only seemed to agitate him and -with a roar of outrage- he turned on me and slashed down with those massive claws. I rolled to the left and found myself cornered, backed up against the wall.

The lion sneered cruelly, like it was telling me that I should have never come back, that it was stupid that I thought I could kill it.

Then it turned, hearing something that I clearly couldn't. Percy and Jason. I thought, they must be coming back. But I couldn't let them have all the fun with my oversized feline friend.

"Oi, little kitten!" I called, standing up straighter I found myself not afraid any more. I could do this; I don't need any help.

It took the bait, turning on me with those unforgiving, golden eyes, it pounced. Unfortunately for the lion, I was faster. Weaving around it then jabbing on the side with one sword while slashing at its neck with the other.

Again, it only seemed annoyed, however, I wasn't tiering. I could fight this thing all day if I had to, but Thalia doesn't have that time. I needed to get killing an ancient lion off my bucket list as fast as possible.

Another pounce, its mouth wide open, allowing me to breath in its disgusting breath. I gaged, yet somehow managed to not pass out again (I've done enough of that today) and slashed at its teeth then stabbed up the roof on his mouth.

It howled in pain, I guess I found a weak spot. Someone came up beside me holding a celestial bronze sword.

"Nice work sis." He remarked, "Let's go give the Hunters some prey."

I smirked and ran to the left while Percy went to the right. The loin followed as we hoped, chasing us as I sheathed my swords. Jaso came to join the party, and soon, we were out of that cave into the fresh air where it was noon. It appeared that the sun had set recently. How long had I been fighting that thing?

"NOW!" I heard Audrey shout as the three of us ducked for cover.

The sky was filled with silver arrows. Seeing that he had been led into a trap, the gigantic lion let out a cry and started at the Hunters.

"Oh no you don't." I growled and pulled my pendant, spinning it in front of me as soon as I got into the space blocking the lion's path to the Hunters.

Slamming it into the ground with all the force I could muster, I sent tremors pouring through the earth as it whimpered if fear. I decided that I was going to be the one to teach this lion a valuable lesson: never cross me.

I thrusted my arms into the air and water shot up from the ground, cracks formed in the hard floor where my trident was plunged in. Artemis arrived at my side, glowing silver with a crescent moon above her head.

"Together." She locked eye contact with me and I nodded.

Letting out a defiant yell, I brought my hands down in sync with Artemis's massive silver arrow -glowing with power- that she shot straight into the lion's mouth and thousands of tons of water came crashing down on the beast from two different angles, a streak of lightning hit the creature all at once.

Time seemed to slow; I spotted five lionesses slowly turning back into beautiful, young girls wearing white cloth dresses. Then I saw Jason and Percy standing across from Artemis and I, Percy gave me a thumbs up and Jason grinned like a mad-man. I would have run to them, if my legs didn't feel like lead. Weariness spread across my body with such a pace, my thoughts were becoming sluggish, but I saw the lion's hide lying on the floor. We had killed it. Maybe I could rest for just one moment?

Without a word, I fell forwards and passed out from sheer exhaustion.

˜"*°•.˜"*°.•°*"˜.•°*"˜

"Hey sleeping beauty." A familiar voice chided, he sounded close, really close "You need to get up now, you were out for an hour."

The thing was that I didn't want to get up. I felt safe and warm right where I was; strong arms were wrapped around my body; I was quite happy right where I was. My head was resting against his forearm and I felt so content. There was no wind, no cold, no monsters, no immediate danger.

Opening my eyes, I stared deep into those of Jason. Those electric blue eyes were kind and softly looking down at me.

"Don't want to." I mumbled to my best friend before burying my face into his chest. He let out a low laugh, moving his hands to my back like we were sharing some kind of awkward hug.

Just then, Percy walked in and stood over us. Jason's grip on me seemed to loosen (which I really didn't appreciate) and they had a brief exchange where I couldn't be bothered to catch any of it.

"Pup?"

"No." My voice came out muffled in Jason's shirt, I heard them laughing at my response.

"Abi?" Jason tried, pulling me away from him so I was sat a little further down on his knees with one of his strong arms still wrapped around my middle. "Rude." I grumbled, trying -and failing- to hide my smile. "Also, what time is it? It can't be that late."

"It's two o'clock. In the morning. Artemis told us to get some rest until you woke up but I was worrying too much and stole you from your tent. Hope you don't mind." Jason added the last bit in hastily but I could tell by the way he was looking at me that he already knew that I didn't mind. He was my best friend, why would I mind?

Hello dear.

"What?" I asked out loud, only realising as soon as I said it that it was Ember, my lovely pegasi. "Oh, hey."

I heard that you did amazing things on the battle field, well done!"

"Thanks."

"Yeah, she did. We're gonna be heading off soon. Can you wake up Blackjack and Tempest?" Percy asked my stallion sweetly while Jason was just sat there looking verry confused. Poor guy. I bet he wishes that he could speak horse too.

Of course. But, could we get some doughnuts when were there? Blackjack told us all about them and they sound splendid!

"Er, sure." Percy awkwardly replied as Ember trotted off. "I guess Blackjack is starting to rub off on her." He muttered while pulling on a shirt.

I tried to stand up to change into my shirt and jeans but an arm around my waist prevented me from doing that. The moment I stood someone pulled me back onto his lap. I glared at him as he was attempting to hide a laugh.

Percy had just left to get our bags while we got changed, but there was just one problem: Jason had chosen to be annoying today and I was too tired to fight him.

"Jace, let me get up." I complained giving him a pouty expression.

"Ummm, don't want to." He was about to smile but I gave him the famous baby seal eyes, so he had to cover his own with his free hand. "That's not gonna work, Abi."

"But will this?" I pondered, pulling his arm off from around me and leaning in teasingly. He didn't appear to latch on and looked me in the eyes clearly not knowing what to do. When I got close enough, I did something Annabeth taught me, said she used it on Percy in a reunion (only they kissed first and Jason's my best friend and I wouldn't kiss him). I judo flipped the son of Jupiter.

It defiantly caught him off-guard, and now he was back-down on the floor of the tent with my arm on his chest and crouching over him. "I guess it did." I pointed out obviously.

"Hmph." He looked at me sadly (and why was he this handsome when sad? Not fair) "Ok, ok. Let's get dressed." He sighed.

I pulled him up and gave him a quick apology hug before darting into another section of the tent with my clothes so I could get changed in peace.