𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕎𝕒𝕣||HoO

𝐗𝐗𝐈𝐈𝐈

THE PLAN went wrong almost immediately. Piper scrambled along the ridge, trying to keep her head down, while Leo, Jason, and Coach Hedge walked straight into the clearing, as Maisie watched her bow at the ready.

Jason summoned his golden lance. He brandished it over his head and yelled, "Giant!" 

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."

Maisie did not like the sound of that. She started to draw her bow, but gasped in pain as her side burned in pain.

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

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

"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."

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 Maisie had to cover her face.

When she looked up, Jason was charging the giant, and Coach Hedge ripped off his canary yellow jacket, which was now on fire, but she didn't see Leo.

Hedge 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 grown. The entire mountain shook.

Maisie managed to duck behind the rock before the shockwave hit her, but it left her ears ringing and vision blurry.

She blinked and shook her head trying to clear it, but it wouldn't go away.

"I see you, Piper McLean!" the giant bellowed. Maisie stood up just in time to see him blow fire at a line of bushes. Piper ran out like a flushed quail, the underbrush burning behind her.

Enceladus laughed, "I'm happy you've arrived. And you brought me most of my prizes! Let me guess, the last one died on the way here?"

Maisie didn't dare move. Enceladus didn't know she was here. They could use that to their advantage. How? She wasn't sure yet.

"That's right, son of Hephaestus. I didn't expect you all to stay alive this long, but is doesn't matter. By bringing you here, Piper McLean had 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?"

Maisie glanced over at Piper's dad and saw him lift his head. He had a nasty cut down the side of his face, and he looked thin and sickly.

"Dad!" Piper yelled.

Mr. McLean blinked, trying to focus, "Pipes...? Where..."

Piper drew her dagger and faced Enceladus, "Let him go!"

"Of course, dear," the giant rumbled. "Swear your loyalty to me, and we have no problem. Only these others must die."

Piper looked back and forth between Leo and her dad.

"He'll kill you," Leo warned. "Don't trust him!"

"Oh, come now," Enceladus bellowed. "You know I was born to fight Athena herself? Mother Gaea made each of us giants with a specific purpose, designed to fight and destroy a particular god. I was Athena's nemesis, the anti-Athena, you might say. Compared to some of my brethren - I am small! But I am clever. And I keep my bargain with you, Piper McLean. It's part of my plan!"