Rising Heroes Book Four: The Sands of Ouroboros

Chapter Twenty-Two: Arrows of Power

Disclaimer: I don't own HOO or VE

Chapter Twenty-Two: Arrows of Power

Mount Othrys, sometime in the past

As the sky began to turn gold, the demigods and Grigori crept forward. "Wait," Zöe said as three women emerged from beside the sleeping dragon.

As Zöe began to talk to them, James turned to Chessy.

"I don't know what happened in the future," he said, "but right, your mom is pregnant and she never told me that it was mine. But I promise, when we set things right and go back in time, I'm going to make sure I'm the father you deserve."

"You... didn't know?" Chessy said softly. "Mom never told you?"

"I swear," James said, placing a hand over his chest. "I had no idea. I never even suspected. And I don't blame her, because I was a really bad partner to her. But I'm going to change that too. But you have to understand, Chessy; I'm going to be in your life. I'm gonna be there for you."

Chessy blinked. Then she said, "you can't do that."

"Why not?" James whispered angrily.

"Because," Chessy said. "I love Roc. If you go back in time he won't be the one who raised me. And yeah, it would have been great if you were in my life, but I still want him as a dad too."

"But I can't just go back and watch you grow up knowing you're my daughter," James insisted, frustrated.

Chessy shrugged.

"So you're mad at me for not being in your life, and now you're not letting me be in it?" James shook his head. "What am I supposed to do?!"

"Even after you found out, you didn't try and contact me," Chessy said. "That's why I'm mad."

"Well, I can fix that," James said.

"But I still love Roc," Chessy said softly.

"For you," James said, "I am willing to let him be your father. But I'm not giving up on you again. We can both be in your life, can't we?"

"I suppose," Chessy said after a moment.

Suddenly there was a roaring sound as the dragon. "You fool!" Zöe's sister said. "You have awoken him."

She faded into the background just as Zöe moved forward, speaking to Ladon in soft tones. She gestured for the group to move around him, and they started moving at the periphery of the garden. With Ladon's focus on Zöe, they had just about made it when something changed.

Whether it was the mood of the dragon or something Zöe did, he began angry, snapping and clawing at her. She darted to the side, then dove and did and roll between two of his thick serpentine coils. She came up just in time and raced towards them, making it to the edge of the garden just as Ladon was about to grab her. With the group away from the tree, he moved back to his position and regarded them with yellow eyes.

"You're hurt!" Percy said, staring at Zöe's bleeding side.

"I'm fine," Zöe said. She stared at the mountain ahead. "We must face my father."

When they got to the top, they found Atlas and a group of his cronies waiting for them. Monsters lined the top, along with Luke bearing a double metal blade and holding it at Ciara and Annabeth's throats. Thalia clenched her fists.

Artemis was holding the sky, shackled by celestial bronze chains. Zöe cried out and raced over to try and free her, but to no avail.

"Well well well," a voice said, and they turned to see the giant figure of Atlas. He was dressed in traditional Greek armor and leered down at them as he hefted a giant sword. "What have we here?"

"Father," Zöe said. "Let them go."

Luke pushed Ciara forward and she fell to her knees, but he kept his blade at Annabeth's throat. "Thalia," Luke said.

"Shut up!" Thalia yelled. "You're a traitor, Luke."

"I'm trying to save the world!" Luke protested. "Join me now, Thalia. All those times on the run; we can finally build a world like the one we've always talked about. You know your place is with me. If you call the sea-cow, it will come to you." He gestured to the pool of water. "You will sacrifice it, and tomorrow when you turn sixteen you will destroy the gods."

Thalia actually looked tempted. "Thalia," Percy warned.

James snapped in her face, and she broke out of her stupor. "I think that's a no," James told Luke.

Luke bared his teeth- like actually, as though he was about to bite them or something. "Who are you?" he asked.

"Not that it matters," Bia said, "but we're the backup."

She glanced at her mom, and a flash of recognition came over Annabeth's face. She tried to talk against her gag, but Luke put the sword against her throat and she quieted.

"Interesting," Atlas said. He was watching James and Chessy. "Two Grigori."

"Grigori?" Zöe looked alarmed. "Why did thee not tell me?"

"You," Thalia grumbled. "Why did you not tell me."

"You know about Grigori?" James asked.

Zöe nodded. "Of course," she said. "Many of our sisters who lost their partners decided to join us; some were even fleeing partners they did not want but could not get rid of."

James supposed he should be glad that Lily hadn't done that. But something about Zöe's words troubled him. "I thought Grigori and demigods weren't supposed to mix," he said.

Atlas laughed- a deep booming sound. "Young one, there are many things the gods keep a secret. They wish to control you, so they tell you nothing."

"Lies!" Artemis growled. "The gods have always sought to protect humankind. Unlike you, who only wishes to enslave them!"

"We are creating a new world order," Luke said. "You can either join us, or be killed."

"Enough talking," Atlas said, lifting his sword. "Time to fight!"