New Age

Four days after the Battle Of the Labyrinth, both Luke and Kronos were dead, and a new tyrant had taken their place. When the news had reached me and Annabeth in the ruins of Camp Half-Blood, we had refused to believe it. After all, Luke and Kronos were literally invincible. What were the chances that someone had managed to find their weak spot?

Of course, that was before the Titan army marched on Olympus.

When Chiron had heard that the Titan army was moving towards New York City, he had the camp fortified so heavily that a fly couldn't get through the defenses, obviously expecting another siege on the camp while it was vulnerable.

Nobody had expected the army to march directly to the stronghold of the gods.

One of their scouts ran into the camp, shouting that the army was rampaging through the streets towards the Empire State building, and there was indeed a new leader at the head of the mob.

The demigods had scrambled for their weapons and armor, a few petty squabbles breaking out as they streamed out of the barrier, ready for battle.

Annabeth walked up to me, handing me a shield. I groaned, batting it aside.

"Come on, Annabeth, you know I can't use shields." I said with a grin.

Annabeth laughed, sheathing her xiphos at her hip. "Knowing you, you would probably hit your head with your own shield."

Although she was trying to keep her voice light, I could hear the undertone of worry in her words.

Annabeth kissed me once, then shoved her way to the front of the crowd of demigods forming by Peleus and the pine tree.

"Alright, listen up everyone!" The crowd silenced, and stared at Annabeth. I did too, just a bit more dreamily. Gods, my girlfriend was beautiful.

"The first thing we're going to do is to warn the gods about the attack. I know a majority of them are...indisposed of right now, but we're pretty sure it's an invasion. We'll go to the Empire State Building and tell Zeus about the army and the new leader."

A voice piped up from the crowd. "But we're leaving the camp virtually undefended! How will we face the army and protect the camp at the same time?"

Annabeth glared at the camper who had spoken. "The camp doesn't matter if the gods are dead and their thrones are destroyed. We need to go now."

The camper hung his head, ashamed, while the rest of the kids let out war cries, charging towards New York city.

Annabeth hung back, staring at the children eager for war.

"How many will we lose today?" she murmured. "It's not even your 16th birthday yet; are we supposed to last until then?'

I wrapped an arm around her, squeezing her shoulder. "You'll be alright. We'll be alright. We don't have to follow any stupid prophecies from the gods. We can write our own future."

She gives me a watery smile, clearly not believing me, before walking off to join the other campers.
_

The campers spill out of the bus, weapons ready as they sprint into the plaza of the Empire State building. In the streets, I can see monsters running around, and screaming people on the sidewalk.

I wince, feeling the urge to help them, but ultimately decide that I have to get to the gods first.

When I arrive, he can hear Annabeth say "Six hundredth floor, please."

The security guard behind the counter eyes their weapons, then deadpans "There is no six hundredth floor, kid." like it was a line he was required to say.