Heir of a Titan - Book 2 PJO

Chapter 49: A Cursed Blade and the Soul of a Hero

"BAH!" Kronos screamed, his face twisted in such hate and furry I took a step back, bumping into Percy. He slashed his sword through the smoke, tearing the image to shreds. 

"They're on their way," Percy said. "You've lost."

"I haven't even started." Kronos snarled.

He advanced with blinding speed. Grover- brave, stupid satyr that he was- tried to jump into the way but Kronos tossed him aside like a rag doll. Raph stood up with a savage yell. Kronos just flicked his wrist, just as Raph took a step forward. Raph was tossed through the air, and slammed into the base of his fathers chair, and didn't get back up. 

I screamed for him to get up. But he didn't. He didn't move. 

I sidestepped and jabbed under Kronos's guard, just trying to get to Raph. It was a good trick. Unfortunately, Luke knew it. He twisted and then kicked my chest sending me toppling back into the hearth fire.  Percy leapt forwards, with a wild yell of his own. He tried doing the same maneuver I just tried, but on the other side. He countered the strike and disarmed him using one of the first moves he'd Percy, or so he claims. Percy's sword skittered across the ground and fell straight into the open fissure. 

"STOP!" Annabeth came from nowhere.

Kronos whirled to face her and slashed with Backbiter, but somehow Annabeth caught the strike on her dagger hilt. It was a move only the quickest and most skilled knife fighter could've managed. Don't ask me where she found the strength, but she stepped in closer for leverage, their blades crossed, and for a moment she stood face-to-face with the Titan lord, holding him at a standstill.

"Luke," she said, gritting her teeth, "I understand now. You have to trust me."

Kronos roared in outrage. "Luke Castellan is dead! His body will burn away as I assume my true form!"

I tried to move, but my body was frozen again. How could Annabeth, battered and half dead with exhaustion, have the strength to fight a Titan like Kronos?

Kronos pushed against her, trying to dislodge his blade, but she held him in check, her arms trembling as he forced his sword down toward her neck.

"Your mother," Annabeth grunted. "She saw your fate."

"Service to Kronos!" the Titan roared. "This is my fate."

"No!" Annabeth insisted. Her eyes were tearing up, but I didn't know if it was from sadness or pain. "That's not the end, Luke. The prophecy: she saw what you would do. It applies to you!"

"I will crush you, child!" Kronos bellowed.

"You won't," Annabeth said. "You promised. You're holding Kronos back even now."

"LIES!" Kronos pushed again, and this time Annabeth lost her balance. With his free hand, Kronos struck her face, and she slid backward. 

I summoned all my will. I managed to rise, but it was like holding the weight of the sky again. Percy was also struggling. Kronos loomed over Annabeth, his sword raised.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. She croaked, "Family, Luke. You promised." She looked like such a small child, her voice wavered. 

I took a painful step forward. Grover was back on his feet, over by the throne of Hera, but he seemed to be struggling to move as well. Raph hadn't moved. My heart felt like shattering again. Before either of us could get anywhere close to Annabeth, Kronos staggered. 

He stared at the knife in Annabeth's hand, the blood on her face. "Promise."

Then he gasped like he couldn't get air. "Annabeth..." But it wasn't the Titan's voice. It was Luke's. He stumbled forward like he couldn't control his own body. "You're bleeding..."