²𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐃𝐘. percy jackson

XXIV.

MΛЯK ӨF ΛƬΉΣПΛ

THINGS WENT WRONG IMMEDIATELY. The giants vanished in twin puffs of smoke. They reappeared halfway across the room, each in a different spot.

Percy sprinted toward Ephialtes, but slots in the floor opened under his feet, and metal walls shot up on either side, separating him from the rest.

The walls started closing in on him like the sides of a vise grip. Percy jumped up and grabbed the bottom of the hydra's cage.

Lucia was busy skipping across a hopscotch pattern of fiery pits, making her way towards Nico, who was dazed and weaponless and being stalked by a pair of leopards. She flashed a light in their direction, causing the wild cats to stagger at their loss of vision.

She was glad her powers were coming back to her, but she still didn't feel as strong as she did before they were submerged in the nymphaeum. The darkness of the water had a big impact on her.

"I'm coming, Nico!"

Meanwhile, Jason charged at Otis, who pulled his spear and heaved a great sigh, as if he would much rather dance Swan Lake than kill another demigod.

"Wonderful!" Ephialtes cried. He stood at his control panel about sixty feet to Percy's left. "We'll consider this a dress rehearsal. Shall I unleash the hydra onto the Spanish Steps now?"

He pulled a lever, and Lucia glanced behind her for a split second. The cage Percy had just been hanging from was now rising toward a hatch in the ceiling. In three seconds it would be gone. If Percy attacked the giant, the hydra would ravage the city.

"Shit!" He threw Riptide like a boomerang. The sword wasn't designed for that, but the Celestial bronze blade sliced through the chains suspending the hydra. The cage tumbled sideways. The door broke open, and the monster spilled out—right in front of Percy.

"Oh, you are a spoilsport, Jackson!" Ephialtes called. "Very well. Battle it here, if you must, but your death won't be nearly as good without the cheering crowds."

Lucia shook her head, trusting him to fend for himself. She ran faster towards Nico Di Angelo.

At the dais, Lucia stood guard over Nico as the leopards advanced. She aimed her bow hesitantly, not sure if she was capable of hurting the animals unless they attacked. Thankfully Piper was right behind her and came up with a better idea.

From her horn of plenty, she sent a pot roast over their heads. It must have smelled pretty good, because the leopards raced after it.

Lucia sighed in relief, crouching down in front of the boy. "Neeks. You're okay, You'll be okay. We're getting you out of here."

"Lucia?" Nico's voice was dry and crackly. He was still dazed and looked half asleep as his eyes struggled to stay open. "You came."

"Of course I did." Lucia smoothed his hair back. Revealing the sallow and fatigued face behind his bangs, She frowned at the sight. "Nico, I'll always be here for you—Now take care of yourself okay? Rest, Stay here with my friend Piper. What do you think about getting some Roman McDonalds after? I hear they sell Gelato." She grinned.

"Mm.." Nico squeezed his eyes shut tight, but the steady beat of his heart told Lucia that he was going to be alright. "...I like that, I guess,"

About eighty feet to their right, Jason battled Otis, sword against spear.

The giant insisted on doing a pirouette with every attack, which slowed him down.

"—Gotta go!" Lucia patted the boy's head. He grumbled but didn't argue against the gesture.

She entrusted Piper with Nico and sprinted forward. When she was close enough, she aimed an arrow at Otis, distracting him from his attempt to impale Jason after a lousy spin.