Heirs of Olympus

Chapter 8

The Seven are stunned. The sounds of battle have faded away as the wails from the child goddess Hestia, crying over the body of her sister as it slowly dissolves into flecks of gold, drowns everything out. Annabeth looks in shock at the Giant, but Chthonious didn't get to gloat for very long before being attacked by both Ares and Nike, screaming in rage. The Giant was holding them back, but the Gods could not win without the aid of demigods, those Gods here on the Acropolis were down in fighters as over half of the Olympians were dealing with Typhon.

"What do we do Wise Girl?" Percy yelled after destroying one of the Earthborn next to Jason.

Annabeth looked around and all of the Seven were fighting the lesser monsters and doing well, but she knew that they were mortal now and not only could they not kill the Giants, but if wounded, they couldn't be healed with Nectar or Ambrosia anymore.

"Jason, Piper, Percy" Annabeth shouted. "Defensive ring, protect the center and focus on ground forces! Frank, Leo – any projectiles you have to help Ares and Nike would be appreciated! Hazel, stay on Arion and hack and slash" she instructed while decapitating an Empousa.

The Seven responded quickly but they missed a key element. Annabeth was focused on the Seven and trying to keep them alive. She missed the sudden movement of the Giantess Periobia and suddenly there was a high pitched scream. Turning in shock and feeling her heart catch Annabeth and the others saw the child form of Hestia, Daughter of Kronos and Rhea, first born Olympian, keeper of the Hearthfire of Olympus, impaled upon the Giantess's spear.

Annabeth choked on the fear that drove the breath from her lungs. Periobia roared in triumph for only a second before being blasted across the field. Looking over Annabeth sees the grief ravaged face of Persephone, Daughter of Demeter and wife of Hades, dressed for war. Her armor is golden and green and she is leading a force of the dead that tear into Gaea's forces, giving the Seven breathing room as Persephone reaches her aunt's dissolving body next to the pile that is all that is left of her mother. The Goddess's tears are flowing freely and everywhere they land a flower blooms forth. Flowers never seen before on the earth, both beautiful and sad to behold.

Frank turns back and asks Leo for help. Together they rig one of Frank's arrows with a vial of Greek Fire and he turns it towards the Giant Chthonious and screams "FATHER!" Franks voice is a roar. "In your name and your honor, help me destroy this Giant!" and he lets go his arrow.

Ares and Nike are both bleeding golden ichor when Ares turns to see Frank release his arrow. His sword shifts into a spear and he launches it at the left eye of Chthonious where it enters not even a second before Frank's arrow explodes in a green fireball in the Giant's right eye.

The Giant's screams drown out the sounds of conflict as the Giant teeters and falls. Landing on the ground he dissolves and Nike roars in victory flying up into the air.

Annabeth is stunned. How could they have killed the Giant? A thought bursts in her head so hard that she feels her head will shatter. "Jason!" she turns and yells at the blonde Roman. "Fly!" she orders.

Jason looks at her in shock but nods and summons the wind as he always had and is thunderstruck when he shoots up into the air. He looks back at Annabeth but she is yelling at others. "Frank! Change form. Leo – Burn!" she yells.

Jason sees a giant brown bear where Frank once stood and Leo ablaze with fire when he hears Annabeth roar with delight. "The potion must have failed!" she crowed. "We still have our powers and our heritage!"

She meant to yell it to them to inspire them but it isn't needed. They get it at once and the word roars from six different throats at the same moment, Frank however just roars, "ATTACK!" and the Seven join the battle fully.