The Beginning of the End (J. Grace)

XV: Getting ambushed isn't fun

Gods, I don't know whether to loath or love Roman eagles: they're super cool and fascinating, but a pain in my ass!

Three of them descended in front of us as we ran across the dock, trying to make it to the Argo II in time. But we didn't, obviously.

Each eagle deposited a Roman commando in purple and denim with glittering gold armour, a sword and a shield. Quite the fashion statement, if you ask me. Once their riders were off, the eagles flew away, like: I don't wanna deal with those girls who will kick my feathers. I'm out.

"Surrender to Rome!" Octavian, who was in the middle, shrieked, his voice way to high for my eardrums.

My daughter drew her cavalry sword. "Fat chance, Octavian."

I followed her lead and pulled out my own sword, eager for a fight to ensue. Annabeth, on the other hand, seemed less excited as she cursed under her breath about her and Dove only fighting with daggers and about how big the other two guys were.

Speaking of, Piper raised her hand calmingly like the Romans were skittish wild animals. "Octavian, what happened at camp was a set-up. We can explain."

"Can't hear you!" The annoying teddy-murderer yelled. "Wax in our ears – standard procedure when battling evil sirens." Did he just call my friend an evil siren? Oh, I know he didn't just do that. "Now, throw down your weapons and turn around slowly so I can bind your hands."

"Let me skewer him, mum." Hazelnut muttered. "Please."

"Only if you let me help." I grinned, sizing the three of them up, then directing my speech to Bethy Baby. "Can we?"

No answer. Gods, she's probably thinking. Thinking's so hard and unnecessary when you can just kick ass.

"Well?" Octavian demanded, his two friends (dare I call them that) brandished their swords, clearly not having heard what my daughter and I were discussing.

I glanced sidelong to Wise Girl who was slowly drawing her dagger with only two fingers, making my jaw drop. No. No! We are not surrendering! What is she doing?!

Then, she tossed the weapon as far as she could into the water and something went click in my brain. Smart move.

"What was that for?" Octavian made a squeaking sound. "I didn't say toss it! That could've been evidence! Or spoils of war!"

My bestie smiled innocently, making the guy who was quickly giving me a headache huff in exasperation.

"You other three," He pointed his blade around at us each in turn. "Put your weapons on the dock. No funny bus- "

That's when the sea went BOOM! It erupted like a volcano, making me whoop with joy and grin like the idiot I am. When the water came crashing back down, the three Romans were spluttering and frantically trying to stay afloat in their armour. It was quite a sight.

Then I drew my attention away to see Percy stood on the dock, Annabeth's dagger in hand.

"You dropped this." He stated nonchalantly.

Wise Girl embraced him tightly. "I love you!"

"Guys," Piper interrupted with a smile on her face. "This is very cute, but we need to hurry."

"Get me out of here!" An annoying, squeaky voice screeched. "I'll kill you!"

"What was that?" I mused, tilting my head to the side. "Must've imagined it."

Annabeth chuckled, "Let's go."

"We can't let them drown... can we?" Hazel looked around at us, frowning.

"They won't." Seaweed Brain sighed sadly. "I've got the water circulating around their feet. As soon as we're out of range, I'll spit them out ashore."

"Nice." Dove and I grinned.

It wasn't long till we were all back on the Argo II and Annabeth was running to the helm while I was still thinking about my missed opportunity to beat some people up.

"Piper, get below. Use the sink in the galley for an Iris-message. Warn Jason to get back here!" Bethy Baby ordered, then looked to Hazel as Dove raced below deck. "Hazel, go find Coach Hedge and tell him to get his furry hindquarters on deck!"

"Right!"

"And, Percy, Lara – you two and I need to get this ship to Fort Sumter."

Guineapig and I ran to the mast as Wise Girl took the helm, some part of it felt like sailing through the sea of monsters again in a strange, nostalgic way. Ropes flew on their own – releasing dock ties and weighing the anchor as I teleported around to do anything Percy missed, the ship getting ready so quickly thanks to his son-of-Poseidon powers. The sails soon unfurled and caught the wind and the sound of the oars extending like machine-gun fire sounded as we turned from the dock, heading to the island in the distance.

Festus was blowing fire at the three eagles circling overhead, keeping them at bay while more of the pesky birds were flying in formation to Fort Sumter – at least a dozen.

"I can go there, fight of the eagles when they land on the island!" I volunteered. Annabeth knows I can run on water; it wouldn't be hard. Besides, if each of those eagles were carrying a rider, that's a lot of enemies.

She seemed to contemplate this for a moment before curtly nodding her head. "Don't leave the shore and, Lara... stay alive."

"You're asking for a lot with that." I joked. "I'll meet you there."

And with that, I was off, dashing over to the island at top speed, feeling momentarily free until one of the eagles tried to dive-bomb me. I yelped in surprise, narrowly avoiding it as another came towards me and I was forced to start dogging and weaving, zigzagging my way to the Fort.

Overhead, I could hear the sound of a cannon being fired then Leo's voice screaming and cursing as he came into view above me. He was falling with Jason, and a bald eagle who I assumed to be Frank, the three plummeting towards the island as Lightning Boy struggled to gain altitude. Teddy Bear's wing was singed.

A smoking chariot followed them down, the pegasi and riders thrown into chaos. I barely had time to register it before a Roman dropped from one of the eagles and pushed me under water.

It was terrifying.

I struggled to swim upwards as the Roman crushed me, forcing me further and further down under the waves, his sword pointed at my chest, his other hand gripping a bunch of my crumpled shirt to keep my head under. I squirmed and tried to punch him, but the water slowed my movements as imperial gold dug into my chest.

What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?

My struggling was in vain, my attempts all worthless as I desperately tried to re-surface, to gulp down air.

But I couldn't.

I was going to drown.

This can't be how it ends!

And yet, I felt the fight ebb out of my bones, leaving me defenceless and useless, staring up at the Roman in a silent plea to release me, to let me live another day. But he didn't move except to lift his head slightly to take another breath, to look away from me and to show me what I couldn't have.

I won't get to see my son before he's saved.

I won't get to see my daughter again.

I won't get to laugh with Annabeth, Percy, Grover, Piper, Leo and Frank again.

I won't get to tell Jason I love him.

Perhaps the last one's for the best.

And that was my last thought before my eyes fluttered closed and darkness overcame me.

I'll see you soon, Luke.

Well, that was...something.

I'm so sorry I didn't upload last week, I'm currently in a writer's block which is fun (not).

Also, tysm for 4K reads, how'd we reach that? omg