𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋

𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐇 𝐜𝐡𝟐𝟓|Giants, Gods and theatrical hunters

Annabeth

Exhilarating. Terrifying. Those were the only words that I could comprehend while riding Arion. The speed was incredible, yet made me so nauseous. I sat in the middle, Percy behind and Hazel in front. I grabbed onto poor Hazel like she was a lifeline. How could she do this and fight?

Finally, the horse slowed down. I was both relieved and disappointed all at the same time. Before I remembered we were on a quest. Of course.

"Annabeth, Arion says - and I'm saying the PG version here - that you should not scream the whole time you're riding him, or he will find a way to get you off," Percy said. I was screaming? Hazel started to giggle before feeding the horse more gold. Percy just looked at me, lopsided smile.

"I'll bear it in mind."
"We are at the same place as before, exact same area," Hazel said, before we slowed to a stop.

We had arrived to an area of vaguely flat ground, the surrounding terrain being very rocky and uneven. We hid behind a chunk of ice. I narrowed my eyes. I saw multiple large figures in the distance. The figures identities made my blood run cold. Artemis was correct. Thalia was right.

"Styx," Percy muttered beside me, his eyes wide.
"Um... Okay, no biggie," Hazel whispered. She looked frozen, her eyes trained in front of her.

In the centre of the icy clearing, Thanatos was on his knees, chained down with icy chains. Behind him stood Porphyrion, the Bane of Zeus himself. Beside him, he seemed to be arguing with Polybotes, the Bane of Poseidon. I guess Zeus and Poseidon's quarrels translate to the giants as well. And finally, next to them stood Enceladus and Thoon. The Banes of my mother and of the Three Fates.

"How... How is this possible? They shouldn't be able to reform this quickly?" I stammered.
"Well it seems they have," Hazel said, gripping her sword bravely.

"They are here!" Polybotes boomed. I could hear him clearly, even though they were about one hundred feet away.
"Don't be so paranoid, brother," Porphyrion replied.
"I smell the son of the sea," he said, looking around furiously.
"Perhaps because we are surrounded by water? They shall be a few hours yet, their son of Hephaestus must surely be too weak to heal yet," his giant brother replied tiredly.
At least they've underestimated us, I thought.

"Come on, let's go before they find us. Let's hope the gods have arrived at the Argo II," I whispered.

Before we left, I prayed to my mother. I told her of the giants we were facing and where Thanatos was. I sensed her presence and just hoped she was listening.

Then we climbed back on Arion, and sped to Disenchantment Bay, where the ship was waiting.

__________

The journey there and back had taken no more than ten minutes both ways, but it didn't get any less nauseating on the way back.

I hopped off the horse and staggered slightly, but Percy caught me before I could fall flat on my face.
He laughed at me.
"How come you're not dizzy?" I scowled.
"I'm a professional, what can I say?" he replied, troublemaker smile again.
Hazel snorted, "You should've seen him the first time-"
"Hazel!" Frank called, coming out from below deck. She waved at him and he came over, with Thalia, Leo, Piper and Jason trailing behind.

"I'll go get the hunters, they're hanging out in the stables - though it's a bit crowded," Thalia said before jogging down below.

"So?" Piper asked and I winced.
"Let's... Just wait until everyone's here," Hazel said.
Frank frowned and looked into the distance with concern.

When the hunters filed out from below, the Gods arrived.

A flash of thunder rocked the ship. The light temporarily blinded us, but when my vision cleared, the King of the Gods stood before us.

Everyone bowed. Percy somewhat begrudgingly, and Thalia only after rolling her eyes spectacularly.

Then a wave crashed over the side of the ship and Poseidon solidified from the sea spray. He gave Percy a warm smile at which he returned before the Sea God turned to his brother.

"You're a bit overdramatic, brother, with the lightening-"
"Says you," Zeus grumbled.

After that, my mother flashed in with silver dust. She nodded gravely to me and I nodded back sensibly. At least I had more acknowledgement than most demigods. I had followed her mark, after all.

After that, Apollo flashed in with a burst of golden light. He waved at the hunters (especially Thalia) while flashing a smile before turning his attention to Zeus.

"We are gathered here, as we have been informed of the presence of the giants."

There were some gasps among the crowd.

"Annabeth has informed us of the enemies we are facing. We will fight Porphyrion, Polybotes, Enceladus and Thoon."

Some more gasps. These hunters were almost as dramatic as Zeus.

"You may be wondering why there are four of us-" Zeus began.

I elbowed Percy before he could make a snarky comment.

"-and this is because we match up best to our enemies. Porphyrion and I. Polybotes and Poseidon. Enceladus and Athena. Thoon and Apollo, as the Fates do as they please-"

I elbowed Percy again.

"-The other Gods are busy tracking down allies."
"I don't think scrolling through beauty hacks on TikTok counts, father," Apollo frowned.
"Aphrodite is a different case," Zeus said hesitantly. Piper literally face palmed next to me and I could tell Leo was trying to contain his laughter.

Zeus skimmed over the topic. He summoned his lightening bolt and held his hand in the air.

"VICTORY TO OLYMPUS!"

"VICTORY TO OLYMPUS!" We echoed fiercely.

__________

In fifteen minutes, we would arrive and face the giants. I had discussed initial ideas with my mother. We would all try to lure our respective giants away from Thanatos. My mother and I would take on Enceladus, of course. Percy and his father would take down Polybotes. Frank and Apollo would take down Thoon. Jason and his father would take down Porphyrion. And finally, Leo would burn Thanatos' chains while Hazel and Piper would cover him should anything come his way. We all had a signal for when we needed backup from Thalia.

It was a good plan.

But of course, at least something had to go wrong.