The Five Demigods Who Saved Olympus | Book 1, 2, & 3

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"I suppose I have my offspring to thank for this... unpleasantry." The man said. The Half-bloods knew by the way he spoke, the violent act he displayed by stepping on Donovan's arm, and by his air of authority, that this man was none other than Cronus. King of the Titans, and father to Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus. Amara jumped off of Zander's back and pulled two knives out of her pockets. She had a knife in one hand, resting the base of it atop her chest and the other resting just below it. She stood with her feet apart and her chin held high giving him an intense stare. Cronus took notice of this and gave a mocking laugh, one that seemed to shake the ground beneath them.

"And who might you be, little warrior?" Cronus asked.

"Amara, daughter of Athena." Amara stated. Cronus huffed.

"Never heard of her." Cronus simply said.

"Granddaughter of Zeus." Amara clarifies. Cronus clicked his tongue, bringing his hands behind his back, and began pacing back and forth.

"Now there's a name I haven't heard in some time. Do you think your little knives will cause any arm to my thick skin?" Cronus asked. Amara didn't respond, she only lunged forward to attack. Cronus couldn't believe the audacity of the young girl. Once Amara reached him, he grabbed ahold of her wrist, bruising her milk-white skin in the process, and tossing her in whichever direction. She tumbled down the mountain but saved herself from getting into any serious hurt by grabbing a hold of a branch. Cronus looked between the other three Half-bloods standing in front of him. Noelle ran from the area and down the mountain, causing Cronus to stifle a laugh.

"I take it she's the smartest one of you here. Tell me, which of my offspring does she belong to?" Cronus asked.

"Poseidon." Zander said, making it sound as if it was obvious to anyone who her father was. Cronus huffed.

"Yes, I can see the resemblance. It's uncanny." Cronus said, only joking of course considering the two looked close to nothing alike. Noelle had taken all of her mother's physical features. She had olive skin, dark hair, and dark chocolate eyes, while Poseidon had light brown hair, cerulean blue eyes, and pale skin.

"Now, which of you two will be the one to challenge me?" Cronus asked. Heath knew he couldn't do much. His power was far different from the rest. He could control the dead, and make them do anything he pleased. He could control minds, though Cronus is not currently at a weak point, so he'd be unable to do so. And his other ability, turning invisible, wouldn't do them much good right now. Zander stepped forward. His eyes lit up with golden flecks and electricity sparked from his fingertips.

"I warn you, I have my father's temper." Zander said. The skies turned dark grey, and lightning could be seen in the sky. Thunder shook the ground beneath them. Cronus quirked a brow at him upon learning who he was the son of. It excited him to know he'd be taking down both the son of Zeus and Zeus himself. Zander began running straight for Cronus and attacked him. Meanwhile, Noelle slid down the mountain and to a lake nearby. She almost slipped on the frozen ice that covered the lake. She made it to her knees and realized she had no way of accessing the water. She mentally prepared herself before punching the ice. She sat there for a few, trying to break the ice apart. Zander grew tiredly quickly, having never fought someone so great before.

"O, great goddess Hygieia, heal me and give me the strength I need." Donovan sent a quick prayer above to Hygieia, Goddess of Health. He stood despite his arm being in immense pain. He grabs a sword from Amaras' bag and begins to fight Cronus, hoping it'll give Zander enough time to recover. Seeing as it was winter and all the plants were dead, Donovan couldn't use much of his power to help out. But, he was quite well with a sword. Noelle finally broke the ice. She pushed away the small particles to reach her bloodied and undoubtedly broken hand into the water. She didn't spend the time to heal her hand. She instead summoned the water to come out of its lake, draining it completely. She created a whirlpool with the water. She stood, trying to control it as best as she could. She looked over to Heath who was trying to stay out of the fight. She needed to gain his attention now, seeing as she was losing control of the water.

Heath.

Noelle called for him in her mind. He turned to her and noticed her struggle. She nodded her head towards the whirlpool she had created. Heath read what she was thinking and gained the attention of Zander. Zander made an attempt to grab ahold of Cronus, but he countered back and shoved him away. Heath became one with the wind, dissolving into the air, turning himself invisible to the eye. He quickly made his way behind Cronus and stuck his long, bone fingers into the back of Cronus, reappearing to the eye. Cronus shut his eyes, feeling as if his soul was being drained out of his as Heath's fingers immobilized him, making him weak. Donovan spotted Heath behind Cronus. He looked down at Heath's hand. The skin that once surrounded his hand had now melted away, revealing his ivory-colored skeleton hand. Zander made his way back to his feet and grabbed ahold of Cronus. He tossed him into the whirlpool and instantly Noelle felt herself losing control over the water tornado she had made.

"Guys, I don't know how much longer I can hold this for!" Noelle shouted, grunting afterward.

"Hold on Noelle, we're coming down there." Heath said.

"I don't think you understand just how difficult this is for me!" Noelle exclaimed, now bringing her other hand up to help control the water.

"You're the daughter of Poseidon! It shouldn't be that difficult!" Donovan snarled, feeling frustrated.

"Noelle, just a moment, alright? We're coming down." Heath said. Noelle could no longer ignore the pain in her hands. She cried out, still managing to keep the tornado upright.

"Guys! I can't!" Noelle wailed.

"Just a minute, Noelle!" Heath said, running over to her alongside Zander and Donovan. Noelle just couldn't do it anymore, she let go and fell to her knees to hold her aching hands. The water dispersed and Cronus was sent yelling in another direction. The direction seemed to be the Atlantic Ocean.

"We were almost here, Noelle!" Zander shouted.

"I'm sorry!" Noelle exclaimed. Donovan walked over and grabbed ahold of her hands forcefully, bringing her up from the ground.

"We had him! We had his ass and you let him go, all for a few cuts on your hand?!" Donovan asked in disbelief, gripping onto her hand, tightly.

"Donovan, let her go. She didn't mean to." Heath said, trying to convince Donovan to walk away. Heath didn't interfere. He'd never interfere. Knowing Noelle is the kind of person who'd never let a man come to her aid. Noelle kept her cold stare though she wanted to break down in tears. The pain was too much to bear, and she hated feeling like she was a disappointment to her group. Donovan threw her hands away from his and walked away from her. Noelle kept the expression on her face. She wouldn't show emotion, not right now at least. Heath walked over to her hand. He gingerly lifted her hands up to examine it closer with his eyes.

"Can you move them?" Heath asked, looking up at her.

"I won't try." Noelle stated, monotone. He looked into her eyes and could see them welling up. He didn't try to comfort her, knowing she wouldn't have liked for him to do so in front of others. She could read the emotions in his eyes. He felt terrible, he wanted to hold her close. She knew. They stayed there for a moment, staring into each other eyes as the world spun, not caring what went on around them for the time being. They stopped when Amaras' small voice said,

"Hey guys... a little help?"