You'll Learn to Love Me

Chapter 81: Percy Wakes a Goddess

"No, no, no!" Laylana jumped down before she could even think properly. Her disguise melted off her as she quickly disappeared into the shadows and appeared back behind the giant king, swinging her daggers at him. Piper watched in horror as the giant king rose to his full height, and intercepted Laylana's blow, smacking her hard against the ground. Her daggers clattered to the floor and she fell to the floor.

"Laylana!" Annabeth shrieked in terror, watching as another giant, Ephialtes, grabbed her in his fist. 

Porphyrion loomed over the captives, watching them wriggle. "Ah! Just as I thought. You don't leave your brother's side, do you? They arrived just as you foresaw, Enceladus! Well done!"

The giant Laylana had fought all those months ago bowed his head. "It was simple, my king." The flame designs gleamed on his armour. His spear burned with purplish fire. He only needed one hand to hold his captive. Despite all of Percy's power, despite everything he had survived, in the end he was helpless against the sheer strength of the giant – and the inevitability of the prophecy. Percy's eyes gazed into Laylana's, the two of them wearing an equally terrified expression. 

"I knew these three would lead the assault," Enceladus continued. "I understand how they think. Athena and Poseidon... they were just like these children! They both came here thinking to claim this city. The daughter of Erebus always thought she was tough. Her father being the god of darkness itself, he is everywhere... But where is he now, child? Their arrogance has undone them!"

Over the roar of the crowd, Laylana could barely hear herself think, but she replayed Enceladus's words: these three would lead the assault. Her heart raced. The giants had expected her, Percy and Annabeth. They didn't expect Piper. Maybe that could be used as an advantage?

Annabeth tried to say something, but the giantess Periboia shook her by the neck. "Shut up! None of your silver-tongued trickery!" The princess drew a hunting knife glancing at Laylana. "Let me do the honours, Father!"

"Wait, Daughter." The king stepped back. "The sacrifice must be done properly. Thoon, destroyer of the Fates, come forward!"

The wizened grey giant shuffled into sight, holding an oversized meat cleaver. He fixed his milky eyes on Laylana, who began to struggle in the giant's grip. Her ribs ached in protest after the blow she took. Percy shouted, thrashing and calling out to his sister. At the other end of the Acropolis, a hundred yards away, a geyser of water shot into the sky.

King Porphyrion laughed. "You'll have to do better than that, son of Poseidon. The earth is too powerful here. Even your father wouldn't be able to summon more than a salty spring. But never fear. The only liquid we require from you is your blood! And your sister's soul, of course."

"Please, no!" Laylana shook in Thoon knelt and touched the blade of his cleaver reverently against the earth.

"Mother Gaea..." His voice was impossibly deep, shaking the ruins. "In ancient times, blood mixed with your soil to create life. Now, let the blood of these demigods return the favour. We bring you to full wakefulness. We greet you as our eternal mistress!"

Laylana screamed in panic as Thoon rose to use his cleaver. Annabeth and Percy shouted and cried in alarm. Then, Piper appeared out of nowhere and slashed upward with her sword. She took off Thoon's hand at the wrist. The old giant wailed. The cleaver and severed hand lay in the dust at Piper's feet. Her Mist disguise burned away until she was just Piper again – one girl in the midst of an army of giants, her jagged bronze blade like a toothpick compared to their massive weapons.

"WHAT IS THIS?" Porphyrion thundered. "How dare this weak, useless creature interrupt?"

Piper drew her knife Katoptris and threw it at Enceladus, and it implanted right in his head. She veered aside as the giant howled in pain. Several giants ran at her at once. Piper dodged between their legs and let them bash their heads together. She wove through the crowd, jabbing her sword into dragon-scale feet at every opportunity and yelling, "RUN! RUN AWAY!" to sow confusion. Laylana watched in partial horror, partial amazement as Piper continued her onslaught.