Daughter of the Sea || HoO

CHAPTER EIGHT

(A/N: italics are dream sequence; first person pov)

Percy sidestepped and jabbed under Kronos's guard. It was a good trick. Unfortunately, Luke knew it. He countered the strike and disarmed me using one of the first moves he'd ever taught him. Percy's sword skittered across the ground and fell straight into the open fissure. 

"STOP!" I yelled.

Kronos whirled to face me and slashed with Backbiter, but somehow I caught the strike on tidal hilt. It was a move only the quickest and most skilled knife fighter could've managed. Don't ask me where I found the strength, but I stepped in closer for leverage, our blades crossed, and for a moment I stood face-to-face with the Titan lord, holding him at a standstill.

"Luke," I said, gritting my teeth, "I understand now. You have to trust me." 

Kronos roared in outrage. "Luke Castellan is dead! His body will burn away as I assume my trueform!" 

Out of the corner of my eye, I  saw Percy tried to move, but his body wouldn't move. I needed him to get up and help me. How could I, battered and half dead with exhaustion, have the strength to fight a Titan like Kronos? 

Kronos pushed against me, trying to dislodge his blade, but I held him in check, my arms trembling as he forced his sword down toward my neck.

"Your mother," I grunted. "She saw your fate."

"Service to Kronos!" the Titan roared. "This is my fate." 

"No!" I insisted. My eyes were tearing up, but I didn't know if it was from sadness or pain."That's not the end, Luke. The prophecy: she saw what you would do. It applies to you!" 

"I will crush you, child!" Kronos bellowed. 

"You won't," I said. "You promised. You're holding Kronos back even now." 

"LIES!" Kronos pushed again, and this time I lost my balance. With his free hand, Kronos struck my face, and I slid backward near an already unconscious  Annabeth  

Percy must have summoned all his will. He managed to rise, but it looked like he was holding the weight of the sky again.

Kronos loomed over me, his sword raised.  

Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. I croaked, "Family, Luke. You promised."  

Percy took, what looked like a painful step, forward. Grover was back on his feet, over by the throne of Hera, but he seemed to be struggling to move as well. Before either of them could get anywhere close to me and Annabeth, Kronos staggered. 

I grabbed the dagger out of Annabeth's scabbard and showed it to the titan. He stared at the knife in my hand, then the blood on my face. "Promise."

Then he gasped like he couldn't get air. "Tori . . ." But it wasn't the Titan's voice. It was Luke's.He stumbled forward like he couldn't control his own body. "You're bleeding. . . ."

He then turned his attention to the unconscious blonde girl next to me. "Annabeth..." he croaked out.

"Annie's knife." I tried to raise her dagger, but it clattered out of my hand. I was exhausted and was fighting to keep my eyes open. I looked at my brother, imploring, "Percy, please . . ." 

Percy surged forward and scooped up the knife. He knocked Backbiter out of Luke's hand, and it spun into the hearth. Luke hardly paid him any attention. He stepped towards me and Annabeth, but Percy put myself between us and Luke.