Állaxe //HOO x m.oc\\ (ON HOLD)

29

Remind Jace NEVER to let Leo make plans EVER again.

Piper scrambled along the ridge, trying to keep her head down, while Leo, Jason, Jace, and Coach Hedge walked straight into the clearing. Jason summoned his golden lance. He brandished it over his head and yelled, "Giant!"

Jace pulled out his gun even though it would most likely do nothing to damage a giant. He really should branch out to some other weapon that could do damage to more enemies. The most damage he did on this quest was to himself! Or that gold dragon. And he didn't even use his gun on it! He used a rusty-ass-axe.

Enceladus stopped chanting at the flames. He turned toward them and grinned, revealing fangs like a saber-toothed tiger's. "Well," the giant rumbled. "What a nice surprise." Jace didn't like the sound of that.

Coach Hedge shouted, "Let the movie star go, you big ugly cupcake! Or I'm gonna plant my hoof right up your—"

"Coach," Jason said. "Shut up."

"Can I shit talk him? I'm pretty good at that." Jace asked, he was somewhat glad he was there. He could see the ghost of an amused smile faintly appear on Jason's lips before they fell back down into a straight line. That was a good price for the little damage of getting struck by lighting.

Enceladus roared with laughter. "I've forgotten how funny satyrs are. When we rule the world, I think I'll keep your kind around. You can entertain me while I eat all the other mortals."

"Is that a compliment?" Hedge frowned at Leo. "I don't think that was a compliment."

"Coach," Jace copied Jason. "Shut up."

Enceladus opened his mouth wide, and his teeth began to glow. "Scatter!" Leo yelled. Jason and Hedge dove to the left as the giant blew fire—a furnace blast so hot even Festus would've been jealous. Jace dove right behind Leo , who dodged behind the bulldozer, wound up his homemade device, and dropped it into the driver's seat.

Then he ran to the right, heading for the tree harvester (Jace was glad Leo explained what it was). Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jason rise and charge the giant. Coach Hedge ripped off his canary yellow jacket, which was now on fire, and bleated angrily.

"I liked that outfit!" Then he raised his club and charged, too. Before they could get very far, Enceladus slammed his spear against the ground.

The entire mountain shook. The shockwave sent Leo sprawling. Jace quickly ran over to him to lift him up. He blinked, momentarily stunned. Jace wrapped his arms under Leo's armpits and pulled him to his feet.

"Get up Valdez!" He grunted when Leo was lifted back to his feet.

The giant bellowed, "I see you, Piper McLean!" He turned and blew fire at a line of bushes to Leo's right. Piper ran into the clearing like a flushed quail, the underbrush burning behind her. Enceladus laughed. "I'm happy you've arrived. And you brought me my prizes!"

This was the moment Piper had warned them about. They'd played right into Enceladus's hands. The giant must've read Leo's shocked expression, because he laughed even louder. "That's right, son of Hephaestus. I didn't expect you all to stay alive this long, but it doesn't matter. By bringing you here, Piper McLean has sealed the deal. If she betrays you, I'm as good as my word. She can take her father and go. What do I care about a movie star?"

"I can distract him. Pretty sure I'll make it out alive as well." Jace whispered when his eyes looked around for anything he could use. As much as he hated it, he was still his mother's child. Everything could be used in his advantage if he chose right. And everything could be used as a plan.