The Mark of Athena (Fan-Fiction)

Chapter 20- Frank

Chapter 20

Frank

   So far, out of the three giants Frank had faced, Gration was the worst. He was one of the taller ones, and he had a greedy look in those blue eyes that sent bad vibes out. The giant’s shield was the size of a flat screen television, and the blade on the knife was very shiny and sharp. Gration was definitely scary.

     Piper stifled a gasp. “Gaea?” she asked, sounding ready to faint. “I- I have no…”

     Gration threw his head back and laughed. “You are the weak link in the seven’s armor, you Aphrodite spawn. Do you think love will save you? I was born to fight Artemis, so I needed fighting skills. Look at your knife! It was used as a mirror. You will use it no better than Helen of Troy.”

     “I will,” Piper insisted, her jaw tense, but Frank could tell her confidence was shaken quite a bit. “I’ve used this knife before. I’ve defeated monsters, destroyed Medea’s store, and brought Jason back from the dead. I can do anything!”

     “You think you can,” Gration growled, obviously pleased that he was rattling the feelings of everyone. “You all think you can. But you can’t stop me. The Doors of Death will remain open, Gaea will run the world, and I’ll get my prize.” He pointed at Piper.

     Hazel whispered, “Prize?”

     “Yes, Hazel Levesque,” Gration said impatiently. “Gaea promised whoever got to the girl first got to spill her blood at the Doors of Death. It will ignite the war between those who remain! Piper McLean is the only thing tying you demigods together!”

     Frank kept a cool head. Everyone else was panicking, so he called up, “Do you really want your prize, Gration? Then come and get it from us!”

     Five seconds later, Frank wished he hadn’t shouted that. Gration charged, but the demigods were ready. Hazel and Percy ran parallel to each other, each cutting a large cut in both Gration’s thighs. He bellowed before swatting them both away. They began to cry out, getting tumbled over each other. They smashed into the cobblestones but instantly stood.

     “Come and get me!” Piper yelled, dancing around, her braid bobbing with every step she took. “I guess I’m some awesome prize!”

     Before Gration could grab her, Leo jumped in front of her, lighting his body on fire. The giant bellowed, and the two scattered away.

     The arrows flying from Frank’s bow were going faster than he’d ever shot before. His hands were soon aching, and his breathing came out in fast pants. As he breathed, the air rose in wisps of smoke around him.

     Behind him, fire cackled. Leo had lit himself on fire, and now fire was burning on the cobblestones. How was that possible? Whatever the reason, the demigods had to dance around the flames, coughing.

     Hazel got batted aside again, and she cried out in fear. “No!”

     A blur of tan suddenly picked her up, and Arion sped her around the Arch of Constantine. The crazy horse knocked Piper and Jason over, but only Gration got hurt. The giant was now furious, his blue eyes glowing with hatred.

     “Hide!”

     Frank dove onto the ground, the cobblestones scraping his hands. The other six were bent down behind the tall flames lapping towards the giant.

     “What’s our stupid plan?” Percy growled, putting a hand through his jet black hair.

     “We don’t have one,” Annabeth snapped back. “He knows our movements. Artemis is one of the greatest warriors on Olympus. So Gration has to be just as good. He’s anticipating our movements. He’s already finding out our weak links.”