Athanasios Perseus Apollyon - The Forgotten Tide

Chapter 21: The Giant War

Percy's POV

The sun was sinking low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the ancient city of Hydlona. From his vantage point atop the city's highest tower, Percy could see the sprawling metropolis he had built from the depths of the ocean. It was a place of beauty and strength, a testament to his dedication and the sacrifices of his family. But tonight, that beauty was under threat.

A dark shadow loomed over Hydlona as the giant Ophiuxos, his Bane, advanced toward the city. His presence was like a storm on the horizon—an omen of chaos and destruction. The giant was colossal, towering over the tallest buildings, with skin like hardened granite and eyes that glowed with malevolent intent. He had led a legion of trenchers, vile sea creatures that thrived in the depths and harbored an insatiable thirst for destruction.

Percy tightened his grip on his trident, the weapon that had seen him through countless battles. Its familiar weight was a comfort, a reminder of his strength and the legacy he carried. Around him, his trusted childhood friends and fellow warriors—Aegon, Thalossios, Kyra, Melia, and Zerek—stood ready for the impending conflict. Their faces were grim, each one bearing the weight of the battle that loomed ahead.

As the first of the trenchers breached the city's defenses, a roar echoed through the streets. The ground shook as Ophiuxos stepped forward, his massive footfalls causing tremors that rattled the very foundations of Hydlona. The giant was not cursed like the others of his kind; he could only be slain by a weapon forged from the rarest of materials—one that had been cooled in the Springs of Pontus and blessed by the primordial being himself. It was a blade that only existed in legends, and finding it was a challenge Percy could not afford at this moment.

The city's defenses were soon overwhelmed by the sheer number of trenchers, grotesque creatures with scales like armor and fangs like daggers. The warriors of Hydlona fought bravely, their courage a shining beacon amidst the encroaching darkness. Percy led the charge, his trident flashing with deadly precision as he cut through the ranks of the enemy. The battle was fierce, and despite their formidable strength, the trenchers were relentless.

Percy moved with a fluid grace, each swing of his trident sending a trencher crashing to the ground. His attacks were quick and decisive, a testament to his experience and skill. Yet, for every trencher he felled, two more seemed to take its place. The tide of battle surged and receded like the ocean's waves, each moment filled with a desperate struggle to hold back the tide of darkness.

Hours turned into days, the relentless assault showing no signs of letting up. Exhaustion began to creep into the ranks of Percy's defenders, but their resolve remained unshaken. Aegon, Thalossios, Kyra, Melia, and Zerek fought with unwavering bravery, their combined strength a formidable force against the onslaught. Percy fought beside them, his focus unwavering, driven by a fierce determination to protect his city and those he loved.

In the midst of the chaos, a sudden roar erupted from the enemy lines. Percy's heart sank as he saw one of his childhood friends, Kyra, struggling against a particularly vicious trencher. Her usual agility was hampered by the relentless assault, and she was soon cornered. Before Percy could reach her, the trencher's fangs sank into her shoulder, a brutal wound that sent her crashing to the ground.

Kyra's scream of pain was a sound that pierced through the clamor of battle. Percy's rage was instant and all-consuming. With a roar of fury, he waded through the sea of trenchers, his trident cutting a path through the enemy ranks as if they were mere obstacles. His vision narrowed to a single point of focus: the giant Ophiuxos, who was advancing steadily toward the heart of the city.

The battle around him seemed to fade into the background as Percy confronted the giant. Ophiuxos towered above him, his sheer size and strength a daunting challenge. The giant's eyes burned with a cold, calculating fury, and his massive fists swung with the force of a thunderstorm.