Wildfires, Heroes of Olympus ₂

080, crashout final boss

CHAPTER EIGHTY
JASON        GRACE

As soon as Gaea achieved liftoff, the ground solidified.

Demigods stopped sinking, though many were still buried up to their waists. Sadly, the monsters seemed to be digging themselves out more quickly. They charged the Greek and Roman ranks, taking advantage of the demigods' disorganization.

Jason put his arms around Finn's and Sylvie's waist. He was about to take off when Percy yelled, "Wait! Frank can fly the rest of us up there! We can all—"

"No, Perce." Sylvie grinned softly. "They need you here. There's still an army to defeat. Besides, the prophecy—"

"But Sylv—"

"She's right." Frank gripped Percy's arm. "You have to let them do this. It's like Sylv's quest in Rome. Or Hazel at the Doors of Death. This part can only be them."

"I love you," Sylvie told him.

"I also love you," Finn said, and Jason assumed it was meant to cut the tension, but it seemed as if she actually meant it. 

Percy obviously didn't want to cave, but at that moment a flood of monsters swept over the Greek forces. Annabeth ran up and called out, "Hey, Grace, catch this!"

She tossed him the physician's cure package, and Jason caught it with one hand.

"Guys!" Piper called out. "Problem over here!"

"Fuck," Percy cursed under his breath. "I love you guys, too!"

He ran to join Piper, as did Annabeth. Frank and Hazel turned to Finn and Jason. They raised their arms in the Roman salute, then ran off to regroup the legion.

Finn, Jason, and Sylvie spiraled upward on the wind.

"I've got the cure," Jason murmured like a chant. "You'll be fine. I've got the cure."

Finn and Sylvie looked at each other anxiously.

Jason realized they'd all lost their weapons somehow during the battle, but he doubted it would matter. Against Gaea, swords, daggers, and guns would do no good. This was about two earths... and a third power, Finn's insanity, which would—well—wreak. If it was actually until a final breath...

Well, it wouldn't matter if Gaea destroyed the world. Jason would do that part for her.

As they ascended, he gathered the wind and clouds around him. The sky responded with frightening speed. Soon they were in the eye of a maelstrom. Lightning burned his eyes. Thunder made his teeth vibrate.

Directly above them, Festus grappled with the earth goddess. Gaea kept disintegrating, trying to trickle back to the ground, but the winds kept her aloft. Festus sprayed her with flames, which seemed to force her into solid form. Meanwhile, from Festus's back, Leo blasted the goddess with flames of his own and hurled insults. "Potty Sludge! Dirt Face! THIS IS FOR MY MOTHER, ESPERANZA VALDEZ!"

"AND FOR ISLA BRIGGS!" Finn shouted.

Jason had zoomed over to them, safely maneuvering Finn and Sylvie onto Festus. It wasn't until now that Gaea realized the two girls of the Great Prophecy were here to stop her. He didn't know if the Earth Mother could have her eyes light up with glee, but Jason was pretty sure it happened.