The blazing storm

Chapter 25

Darcy and the others arrived at the border in the nick of to late.  Piles of monster dust linned the pathways.  Only two monsters were left standing.  Tar and Reaper Hands. 

A shiver ran down Darcy's spine.  Her scars seemed to tingle and throb along with her heartbeat which was picking up speed as the seconds went by. 

A  warm hand scooped hers up.  She turned to see James looking just as sick as she felt.  His golden eyes seemed dull now.  "Ready?" He asked.  He was obviously trying to sound strong.  His eyes betrayed him. 

Darcy nodded.  "James," He looked at her at the sound of his name.  "It's ok to have fears.  After all, we wouldn't be human without them."

James stared at her, his eyes sad.  "I guess it's unfortunate that we are only half human." He said blandly before walking decisively towards their old enemies. 

Leigh placed a hand on Darcy's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.  "At least you tried."

Darcy looked down at her feet.  "Sure." She said before walking after James. 

Even from several feet away, she could smell Tar and Reaper Hands's pungent smell and gagged.  She remembered that Tar always smelt like, well, tar and Reaper Hands smelt like rotting meat and onions and smelly armpits. 

"I love you." James whispered into Darcy's ear.  That wasn't the best timing but she knew he meant well. 

She glanced at James an gave him a soft smile.  "I love you too." 

A thundering laugh shook Camp Half-Blood.  "Look who has come to take revenge!" Tar laughed, pointing towards James and Darcy.  Reaper Hands said nothing.  He only scoweld in their direction.  Tar walked towards the two of them.  Because of his size and weight, Tar was slow. 

Demigods slashed at his shins but Tar didn't seem bothered.  He swiped some of them aside, sending them sailing into a nearby tree or building.  Darcy winced as she heard their bodied collide with the objects they were thrown into.

Suddenly, Darcy had an idea.  She moved her lips to James's ear.  "Can you hold him off for like, thirty seconds?"

James nodded.  "You have a plan?"

Darcy didn't answer.  She turned to Leo.  "Leo," She pointed at his tool belt and spoke urgently.  "Wire, string, twine- something."

Leo nodded and pulled a coil of copper wire and handed it to Darcy.  Darcy pulled one end of the wire out and wrapped it around the end of an arrow.  Leo quickly snipped the other end of the wire at the length Darcy indicated him to with a pair of wirecutters. 

Darcy nocked the arrow and aimed it at Tar's right knee.  James was darting around Tar's feet, taunting him.  "JAMES!" Darcy yelled.  "MOVE!"

James leapt to the side and Darcy fired her arrow.  It git Tar in the knee and he let out a satisfying wail.  Holding the other end of the wire, Darcy weaved between Tar's legs, nimbly avoiding his big hands as he grabed for her. 

She ran back towards Leo and the waiting gang and yanked the wire as hard as she could manage.  The wire tightened around Tar's legs and he tumbled to the ground, hollering.  Taking advantage of the circumstances, James jumped onto Tar's back and plunged his sword into his back. 

Tar wailed with rage one last time before exploding into a cloud of monster dust.  James was covered in it from head to toe and looked almost like a glittering booger carrying a sword. On looking Demigods erupted into cheers.

Leigh blasted him with some water and the dust washed away.  "Thanks he muttered."

Leigh nodded.  Darcy noticed that James was shaking.  He didn't look as afraid as he looked about half an hour ago. 

A slow, loud clap rang through the camp.  All eyes turned to Reaper Hands.  "Well done," He sounded unimpressed.  But what could you expect from an evil Cyclops?  "You have disposed of two of my brothers, but will you manage to end me?" He laughed maniacally, spraying Cyclops spit and chewed up food all over everyone and everything.  Gross.  His breath smelt even worse than his overall body odour.  Darcy didn't know how that was possible. 

Reaper Hands advanced towards them, still laughing and spraying.  "Prepare to die."