United As The Ten- Part One Of The Conclusion To The United Series

Chapter Seventeen

Max's POV:

John took away Bryce's legacies and we tied him back up. Percy started furiously apologizing but I told him to forget about it. He didn't know Bryce had legacies.

"Everybody get ready! We're in New York!" Leo shouts to us. I grip my Voron sword tightly, looking down at the tall New York skyscrapers below us. Somewhere around here, Setrákus Ra is giving the public a speech with Ella as his prisoner.

Anger swells inside of me as I remember my dream, how easily Setrákus Ra can take down one Garde.

But how about ten Garde, ten Cêpans, eleven demigods, two humans, and two traitor Mogadorians?

Hopefully.

A warm hand grabs mine, interlocking our fingers. I look to my left and see Leo smiling warmly at me with a comforting look on his face.

"We'll get Ella back," Leo promises, staring at me in a love-struck way. I nod my head in agreement and think of something else.

"And kill Setrákus Ra and end this war," I add bitterly. Leo glances at me with a slightly concerned look. I know I might sound a bit over-the-top, but it's true. Setrákus Ra is going to regret capturing Ella, destroying Lorien, planning to take over Earth, and hurting my family and friends. I'll make sure of it.

"Max, are you okay?" Leo asks me, his eyebrows furrowed. I realize I must have a hard glare as I stare down upon New York. I soften my expression and look back at Leo.

"I'm fine," I bluff. I'm not sure what happened, but something clicked inside of me when I saw how dark and heartless Bryce was to Jason, Ivan, and I. It reminded me how cruel and ruthless some people can be, and Bryce was only used by Setrákus Ra to get to me, bring me back to the Anubis, and experiment on me just so he could bring back his dead soldiers when he still has hundreds left.

I scowl again, hoping Leo doesn't magically read my mind and see how angry I really am.

When I face Setrákus Ra again, I pray that the gods have mercy on him, cause I won't.

Leo's POV:

I won't admit this, but I'm scared for them.

Not for the Lorics, not for the other demigods, not for Max- for the Mogadorians.

I sneak another look at Max and I remember why I'm scared for those evil monsters. The look on Max's face- I've only seen it a few times on people. It's the look of a thirst for revenge. She looks ready to fight an entire war by herself. She looks ready to kill something.

I bite my lip and look back down at New York. Somewhere around here is Setrákus Ra, the leader of the Mogadorian army, the cause of this entire bloody war, holding the youngest, most innocent Garde prisoner. She's probably being used to make himself look better to the public. No wonder Max wants to kill him so badly.

"You two must be close. You and Ella," I wonder aloud. Max's scowl lessens and she gets a far-away look.

"Pretty close," Max replies, her eyes scanning the city below us. She seems distant and I don't want her to be. I want to be as close to her as possible, but during a deadly war like this, it's hard to get close to someone- especially if they've gotten the worst of it.

I softly place my hand on her shoulder. She looks at me gratefully then without warning leans in and places a soft kiss on my lips. I immediately kiss back, wrapping my arms around her waist. She rests her hands on my shoulders and we move in perfect sync. I once again can't believe I'm with her. All those times on the Argo ll, on our first quest with each other, when we were together, I was longing to be with her, to stay with her every step of the way, and when she left- both for the Garde with John and from the explosion in Chicago- I was the most heartbroken than I've ever been. Much more upset than when I thought Calypso left me (though she was just lured and captured by Cyclopes) and leaving Ogygia for the first time.

And now, we're together again, kissing just like we did the first time, but we're both more confident and passionate about it. But in just a few minutes we're going to charge right into battle with the Mogadorian leader and an entire warship, maybe more.

I shake off the terrifying thoughts, focusing just on our kiss. It's the most amazing thing I've ever felt, like coming home to my favorite things with the best people after years of being gone. Her lips are sweet and soft and taste like vanilla and the way an ocean breeze smells.

I'm a bit upset when we break apart, but being able to see Max and her dazzling green eyes is enough for me.

I softly grab her hands and stare straight into her bright eyes, full with love and passion, but still the eyes of a warrior ready for battle, ready to fight for her life- or give it up- at anytime.

"I'm never losing you again, Max. I promise. You've already been gone from me too many times, and I'm not going to lose you again. So promise me that you won't do anything stupid and dangerous while we're fighting," I tell her, softly skimming my thumb across the back of her hand. Max chuckles, a small smile on her face.

"I'm a Garde and a demigod. Stupid and dangerous just come to me," Max replies. I smile at her, at how confident and ready she is. I didn't think it was possible for someone to be as confident as Max is right now. She stands tall and proud with a powerful aura. She doesn't like to be the center of attention, but it's impossible not to look at her- she's powerful, beautiful, strong, brave, loyal, and a natural-born leader. We're lucky enough to have her as our ally, much less as a family member, friend, and girlfriend.

I give her a quick kiss on the cheek and a small blush creeps up her cheeks.

"And you? You better not do anything stupid or dangerous while we're fighting," Max warns me, a slightly playful look in her eyes. Seeing her in even a slightly cheerful mood, even though we're about to charge head-first into a war zone, makes my day.

I shrug my shoulders, a smile appearing on my face. "They just come to me."

Max laughs, brightening my mood more than I thought possible. I open my mouth to tell her that we'll be fine when somebody rushes towards us. Max and I look that way and see Percy staring at us, his eyes wide and wild.

"Guys, get ready." Percy orders us, looking worried and ready for battle. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his ballpoint pen. He uncaps it and holds Riptide in his hands. "We're here."

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