The Legend of Elodie Grant (Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

Chapter Sixteen

I rested my head against the ping pong table, listening to the blasts echoing throughout the camp. All of us were weary and tired, exhausted from this war. It was silent, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

I glanced over at Arsen, blushing when I noticed him already looking at me. My hair was still wet from my shower, and I was stunned about what had happened. Arsen and I kissed. Not only had we kissed, but we had ravished one another. I wasn't sure how much of it was the war and how much of it was actual emotion for one another, but I couldn't bring myself to mind.

Arsen stood up finally, clearing his throat to gain everyone's attention. We all turned our heads to watch him, curious about why we were here for the meeting.

"We are losing this war."

Everyone froze at his words, before I burst out laughing. His words were nothing like what we had been expecting and the sheer absurdity of the phrase snapped something in side of me. I couldn't help but laugh loudly, tears rolling down my face.

"No shit!" I gasped out, laughing even harder.

Chuckles could be heard around the table as the others started to realize how ridiculous this entire situation was. Arsen looked down at all of us, disapproval all over his face. Anyone could tell he was very serious about this meeting.

Slowly laughter died off as he glared around the table, his eyes finally landing on me. I quieted down, blushing slightly under his gaze.

"We are about to lose the only place where we are safe, I don't find this funny." His voice boomed in the small room.

"It's not so safe now, is it?" I snapped, "We won't win this war! Even if we do come out victorious, we will have lost so many of our kind! Think of all the lives we have lost already! It won't stop any time soon."

"What do you want us to do? Give up?!" The Apollo kid asked.

"We just need a plan." I murmured, "One that isn't so pessimistic."

"That's why I've gathered you here today." Arsen spoke up, bringing all focus to him once again. "We won't ever be able to end this war until we figure out why we are big targeted. Until then, we need to shut down the camp. Call everyone in."

"We can't!" Harriet, the Athena kid, spoke up. "Grover is fighting to bring in three demigods right now. One of them is extremely powerful, like nothing we have seen in a long time. We can't leave them stranded."

"A barricade then!" I exclaimed, sitting upright. "Close off the entire camp save for one entrance! A single open spot is easier to defend than our entire perimeter."

Harriet laughed caustically, "And how do you suggest we do that? What in this camp is strong enough to defend our entire perimeter without even trying?"

Everyone fell silent, pondering over her question. We all knew it was a good idea, we just had no way to execute it.

"Elodie can do it." Arsen spoke up, suddenly, causing all heads to turn to him. "She can raise a thorn wall around the camp, leaving one entrance."

"Wait, what?" I demanded, frowning immediately, "I can do what now?!"

He ignored me, focusing on trying to convince the others.

"We've all seen her in action. Remember the strawberry fields? Or the hell hounds when she first arrived?"

"It would take a lot of power." Harriet said, but she didn't seem to be against the idea.

"She can do it." Arsen said firmly, confidence oozing from him.

I sat back, stunned about this turn of events. The others were talking it over, contemplating his plan.

"Arsen!" I hissed quietly, glaring at him, but he only ignored me.

He watched the others talk it over. They were arguing, but it was weak. I watched as they all agreed. I was to raise the wall.

"Great!" Arsen exclaimed, "Meeting dismissed!"

Everyone broke away from the table, leaving the room, but I sat still, glaring at Arsen's back with my arms crossed over my chest. He turned to look at me, a sheepish smile on his face.

"You realize I can't do this," I said, raising my eyebrows.

"Yeah, probably not." He agreed, "But it won't hurt to try."

I rolled my eyes, standing up from my chair. He walked closer to me, and I held my ground, staring him down. He stopped when he was barely an inch away from me, his mouth hovering over mine.
I closed my eyes, pulling away slightly. "Whatever happens is on you."

I turned and walked out of the house. I made my way to the center of the camp, listening to Arsen's footsteps as he followed behind me. I kicked off my shoes, digging my toes into the dirt. Power seemed to rush through me, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Okay." I muttered, almost to myself, "Let's do this."

I closed my eyes, pulling from my power until it was in my hands. A pull in my gut tightened and I opened up, letting loose a powerful scream. Pain shot through my body as thorns sprouted violently from the ground, surrounding the camp.

I could feel my nose begin to bleed, but I never once lost focus, shutting everyone out except for the thorn wall. When it was solid enough, I felt the power drain out of my body. Cheers were heard all around the camp as I swayed, completely drained.

Blood dripped from my nose and I reached up to catch it, slightly in shock. I swayed heavily and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground, staring up at the sky. Arsen's face appeared before mine, his mouth moving, yet I could hear nothing.

I blinked slowly, aware of nothing but the exhaustion that flooded my body. My head rolled to the side as I stared at nothing in particular. A voice started yelling, sounding fuzzy in my ears. I vaguely recognized it as Arsen's.

"Elodie!"

I went to respond, but darkness consumed me as I passed out.