Arsonist's Lullabye ──── Leo Valdez

𝟑𝟕: 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

─────𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞, Vincent knew they were both dead.

The battle had started well enough. Jason analyzed the Giant's moves as Vincent went headfirst into battle. He had fought against zombies, dracanae, hell, even the Ares cabin. What he lacked in pre planning, Vincent made up for in skill. Along with Jason who seemed to have both of those qualities, they made a deadly team. 

Jason blurted out random instructions, making calculations and telling Vincent where and how to hit. Size and strength equaled slowness, so Vincent just had to be quicker—pace himself, wear out his opponent, and avoid getting smashed or flame-broiled.

He rolled away from the giant's first spear thrust and jabbed Enceladus in the ankle. Vincent's sword managed to pierce the thick dragon hide, and golden ichor—the blood of immortals—trickled down the giant's clawed foot.

Enceladus bellowed in pain and blasted him with fire. Vincent scrambled away and Jason rolled behind the giant, and struck again behind his knee.

It went on like that for seconds, minutes—it was hard to judge. Vincent heard combat across the clearing—construction equipment grinding, fire roaring, monsters shouting, and rocks smashing into metal. He heard Leo and Piper yelling defiantly, which meant they were still alive. Vincent tried not to think about it. He couldn't afford to get distracted.

Enceladus's spear missed him by a millimeter. Vincent kept dodging, but the ground stuck to his feet. Gaea was getting stronger, and the giant was getting faster. Enceladus might be slow, but he wasn't dumb. He began anticipating their moves, and their attacks were only annoying him, making him more enraged.

"I'm not some minor monster," Enceladus bellowed. "I am a giant, born to destroy gods! Your little toothpicks can't kill me, boys."

Vincent didn't waste energy replying. He was already tired. The ground clung to his feet, making him feel like he weighed an extra hundred pounds. The air was full of smoke that burned his lungs. Fires roared around him, stoked by the winds, and the temperature was approaching the heat of an oven.

Jason raised his javelin to block the giant's next strike—a big mistake. He managed to deflect the spear, but it grazed his shoulder, blood pouring out at an alarming rate. 

Vincent resisted the urge to cry out. Instead, he tried to give Jason time to heal or back up while he stabbed his sword down into Enceladus' foot. 

Unfortunately, he severely underestimated the response time of the giant, so when a foot kicked him in the chest, he didn't have enough time to dodge. Vincent felt like the very breath inside his lungs had all vanished as he tried to take in oxygen. He flew back and hit a tree so hard, his ribs and back screamed in pain. 

Even though he crumpled like a rag doll, Vincent caught Jason's eye. They had to delay—to keep the giant's attention fixed on them while their  friends dealt with the Earthborn and rescued Piper's dad. They were the only two with actual fighting experience and weapons.

Jason retreated, trying to lure the giant to the edge of the clearing. Enceladus could sense his weariness. The giant smiled, baring his fangs.

"The mighty Jason Grace," he taunted. "Yes, we know about you, son of Jupiter. The one who led the assault on Mount Othrys. The one who slew the Titan Krios."

Vincent could see the confusion on Jason's features. But he had to warn his friend about what the giant was planning. Too slow, he got to his feet and tried to hobble his way to Jason.