Changing the Future

Chapter 94

I paced the length of the Argo II thirty times over. Frank clapped a hand onto my shoulder on my thirty-first lap, forcing me to stop.

Tensions were high. Our nerves were frayed. My pacing did nothing to soothe the frantic energy simmering in the air. The tips of Leo's ears steamed. Jason's hands crackled and popped. Hazel's spatha threatened to bend out of shape while Arion whinnied. Frank's fingers thrummed along his quiver's strap.

Piper, Percy, and Annabeth had disappeared with King Kekrops and the other gemini a few minutes ago, but it felt like an eternity had passed. I'd wanted to tag along to be there the moment things went south; I knew better than to go, though.

Enceladus had expected Percy and Annabeth, given the lingering energies of Poseidon and Athena embedded into the Athenian stones. Piper served as our wildcard, undetectable until she made a move. I would have blown their cover the second I stepped foot into the Athenian sewer system thanks to my godly aura.

It didn't help matters that I sensed my aura strengthening the closer we got to the Acropolis. Something about being here made my blood sing: this was Athens, one of the pinnacles of the Ancient Greek empire. Thousands of years' worth of prayers, beliefs, and influence all merged here.

No wonder Gaea chose to be reborn in this city.

A chill ran down my spine.

"Now!" I said, turning toward Leo. "Get us into position."

No one asked any questions.

I drew Epithymia and walked toward the railing.

We lowered through the clouds, revealing the amassed army overcrowding the Parthenon. Had the sky been blood red and the giants been replaced by silver doors, this scene would've been straight out of Tartarus.

Annabeth struggled to her feet. She retrieved Periboia's hunting knife, but she could barely stand upright, much less fight. Each time a drop of her blood hit the ground, it bubbled, turning from red to gold.

Percy tried to stand, but he was dazed. He wouldn't be able to defend himself. Thankfully, he had the mark of Achilles going for him, so it wouldn't be his blood waking Gaea.

Piper shouted, "Come on, then! I'll destroy you all myself if I have to!"

Jason leapt over the side the second Piper opened her mouth. I watched as charge built around him. The air reeked of ozone. I followed suit, summoning as much electricity from the sky and routing it through Jason as I soared.

Jason fell like an avenging angel, wreathed in lightning, before making contact with King Porphyrion.

I shifted trajectory and headed for Thoon, the destroyer of the Fates, who was in the process of trying to reattach his severed hand. I may have had my beef with my employers, but I recognized their importance in maintaining the fabric of reality. This guy had to go.

I didn't wait for any long-winded speeches or promises to tear us apart. The moment my feet settled on solid ground, I launched into battle.

Greek fire ran the length of Epithymia, slicing through the Earthborn who'd tried to buy Thoon time. I saw my friends in the corners of my vision and made a split-second decision to abandon the anti-Fates. Might as well leave some fun for Lachesis, Clotho, and Atropos.

Thanks for the consideration! they chorused.

Vines erupted from the ground and wrapped around the legs of nearby Laistrygonians, pulling them away from their onagers while also clearing a path for Arion. I forced the vines to climb higher, wrapping around their throats and choking the life out of them. Fires erupted from a pack of cynocephali that threatened to tear out Jason's throat while his back was turned; they screamed as they turned to ash. Shadows clouded empousai's eyes, sending them into a frenzy as they trampled each other in an attempt to protect Pallas, the giant whom Athena had flayed for the hide of her aegis.