Heroes of Olympus: The Aftermath of War

ANNABETH

*Rick Riordan owns all of the characters*

ANNABETH TRIED AIMING FOR the kill-zone of the sacred birds' bodies in vain, her dagger apparently changing maneuver, which was absolutely not according to planned, on the last second. As the daughter of a battle strategy goddess, this appeared to be unusual. She always hits her target precisely.

Percy and Jason were currently joining forces to take down a really humungous, Minotaur-like monster that nobody had surprisingly recognized, its horns almost cracking the two demigods' skulls in a single jolt. Alarming as it was, this kind of beast seemed...new. The Doors of Death are closed, so it would only be illogical to assume that Pasiphae's monstrous son had been reborn again. What was it?

"These guys just won't die!" Piper exclaimed, gesturing at the birds above her. Like Annabeth, she tried hitting them with her Imperial Gold dagger, only to be fended off without the slightest hint of difficulty in the end. "I can't get a good aim!"

"Ornithes Areioi," Annabeth shaked her head. "Birds of Ares. They're extremely well-trained. We need higher ground."

"What's the deal with these birds, anyway?" Hazel asked, annoyed, creating several holes in the ground to keep the Minotaur-like monsters company. "I thought they guarded the war god's temple in Amazon."

"Escapees, probably." Calypso suggested, desperately trying to 'shoo' the creatures away too. "Dozens have been for a long time now."

"Gargh!" Piper shrieked. "Watch your head, Calypso!"

The Ornithes Areioi encircled them closely, unleashing hundreds of deadly arrows towards their direction, and possibly enjoying the moment to show-off. The demigods and the others obviously ran for shelter afterwards, which was probably not a good idea at the time. The Minotaur-ish monsters took this as a great opportunity, though, broke out of Hazel's trap, and came running after them.

"We need to reverse the attack!" Jason shouted out, calling dozens of his controlled venti to buy them time and lash at the unidentified beasts. "Like the first Argo!"

"You mean by shields?" Percy asked, Anaklusmos in his hands. "We don't have those!"

"Leo!" Annabeth called, ducking as another arrow passed through her head. "We could really use one of your brilliant inventions right now!"

"Lucky," Leo nodded, whistling for Festus. "I've been working on that one."

"Can't we just ride your metal dragon instead?" Apollo whined, hiding his face behind the pegasus.

"Too heavy!" Calypso said, annoyed. "All of us can't fit at once!"

"Then get me out of here!" he snapped back. "Give the fabulous god some VIP priority!"

"I'm working on those haikus, Your Majesty!" Percy answered, glaring at him. "You better keep quiet if you know what's good for you!"

The deity shut his mouth.

"Festus!" Leo called, ignoring them. "Toss me the leather thingamajig, boy!"

"Seriously, dude?" the metal dragon seemed to reply, dropping a very large and complicated bag in front of them.

The son of Hephaestus grabbed the said object with surprising aggressiveness, entering more mind-twisting codes and...a voice recognition? The Minotaur-like monsters had taken care of the venti, pushed them aside, and were now stomping their way towards the demigods and company. The beasts growled. Annabeth gulped.

"Aha!" Leo grinned. "Avenge papa, my wondrous creation!"

CLINK.

Leo's masterpiece rearranged and reshaped, transforming itself into one huge Celestial bronze reflector. The stands worked their way through the ground, keeping the whole invention intact and steady.

"Get over here!" he urged the others.

Everyone fit themselves behind the object to hide their humane bodies from the birds, since they had miraculously managed to outrun them awhile ago.

Very soon, just as planned, the Ornithes Areioi became terribly confused and tried shooting the Celestial bronze reflector down. As expected, the arrows bounced backwards, firing at their suspenders, the sacred birds, with much accuracy. Some might have laid dead on the dirt, while most, Annabeth guessed, were now presummably injured.

With a piercing cry, the remaining flock retreated angrily into the sky. The demigods breathed a sigh of relief.

"Someone should take a peak," Annabeth said, her breathing finally steady. "To ensure safety."

"I'll do it." Piper volunteered, moving closer to the edge of the reflector, eyes full of concentration.

Dozens of Ornithes Areioi could be found lifeless on the ground, pools of blood and goo surrounding their wasted forms. Every other bird who had gotten hurt was out of sight, which was a really good sign.

It means there's only one problem left.

"I think we may have company," Piper reported, seeing her friends groan.

The Minotaur-like monsters had survived the 'wrath of the reflector', standing still before the invention with eyes as black as Chaos's pit. Their bodies were filled with holes and ugly arrow scars, but these had rather seemed bothersome and not-so-fatal at all.

"Apollo, son of the Titaness Leto and the god Zeus," they recited in harmony. "Heed our message or die."