Damasen loomed over the bed. “There is no time, little mortals. The drakon is returning. I fear its roar will draw the others — my brethren, hunting you. They will be here within minutes.”
Annabeth’ s pulse quickened. “What will you tell them when they get here?”
Damasen’ s mouth twitched. “What is there to tell? Nothing of significance, as long as you are gone.”
He tossed them four drakon-leather satchels. “Clothes, food, drink.”
Bob was wearing a similar but larger pack. He leaned on his broom, gazing at Annabeth as if still pondering Damasen’ s words: What have the demigods given you? We are meant to be the foes of the gods and their children.
Suddenly Annabeth was struck by a thought so sharp and clear, it was like a blade from Athena herself.
“The Prophecy of Seven,” she said.
Percy had already climbed out of the bed and was shouldering his pack. He frowned at her. “What about it?”
Annabeth grabbed Damasen’ s hand, startling the giant. His brow furrowed. His skin was as rough as sandstone.
“You have to come with us,” she pleaded. “The prophecy says foes bear arms to the Doors of Death. I thought it meant Romans and Greeks, but that’s not it. The line means us — demigods, a Titan, a giant. We need you to close the Doors!”
The drakon roared outside, closer this time. Damasen gently pulled his hand away.
“No, child,” he murmured. “My curse is here. I cannot escape it.”
“Yes, you can,” Annabeth said. “Don’t fight the drakon. Figure out a way to break the cycle!
Find another fate.”
Damasen shook his head. “Even if I could, I cannot leave this swamp. It is the only destination I can picture.”
Brielle's mind raced. “There is another destination. Look at me! Remember my face. When you’re ready, come find me. We’ll take you to the mortal world with us. You can see the sunlight and stars.”
The ground shook. The drakon was close now, stomping through the marsh, blasting trees and moss with its poison spray. Farther away, Annabeth heard the voice of the giant Polybotes, urging his followers forward. “THE SEA GOD’S SON! HE IS CLOSE!”
“Girls,” Percy said urgently, “that’s our cue to leave.”
Damasen took something from his belt. In his massive hand, the white shard looked like another toothpick; but when he offered it to Annabeth, she realized it was a sword — a blade of dragon bone, honed to a deadly edge, with a simple grip of leather.
“One last gift for the child of Athena,” rumbled the giant. “I cannot have you walking to your death unarmed. Now, go! Before it is too late.”
Annabeth wanted to sob. She took the sword, but she couldn’t even make herself say thank you. She knew the giant was meant to fight at their side. That was the answer — but Damasen turned away.
“We must leave,” Bob urged as his kitten climbed onto his shoulder.
“He’s right, Annabeth,” Percy said.
They ran for the entrance. Annabeth didn’t look back as she followed the others into the swamp, but she heard Damasen behind them, shouting his battle cry at the advancing drakon, his voice cracking with despair as he faced his old enemy yet again.
Then the darkness dispersed with a massive sigh, like the last breath of a dying god. In front of them was a clearing — a barren field of dust and stones. In the center, about twenty yards away, knelt the gruesome figure of a woman, her clothes tattered, her limbs emaciated, her skin leathery green.
Her head was bent as she sobbed quietly, and the sound shattered all Percy’s hopes.
He realized that life was pointless. His struggles were for nothing. This woman cried as if mourning the death of the entire world.
“We’re here,” Bob announced. “Akhlys can help.”
YOU ARE READING
Shimmer
Fantasy{#2 On GREEK DEMIGODS} A "Heroes of Olympus" story. What happens when two teenagers find out that they are part of a Prophecy to save the world from the Earth? This book is an AU!Heroes of Olympus book, and the credits for the original storyline go...
