Percy Jackson: Hardened

Chapter 12

Back on the surface, the kingdom was in just as much disarray as the prison I had just escaped from. It was the frenzy that was only brought about by war, by the threat of losing everything. Going on my fourth war, I was all too familiar with this unkempt panic.

I darted through the bustling streets, dodging disgruntled Asgardians, earning myself quite a few dirty looks and names.

Loki warned that I would have trouble leaving because Heimdall was going to close the Bifrost, whatever that is. If I'm lucky, which I never am, I can get out of here before that happens.

After running away from the castle for a bit, the massive rainbow bridge I first arrived on came into view.

Was the bridge how I arrived? If so, does that mean it has some sort of connection to earth? I turned the idea over in my head for a moment. I think that thing is my ticket home.

I pushed forward, shoving through a few unsuspecting chickens in my plight to the bridge.

As I neared the edge of the village, a whole squadron of dark space ships abruptly appeared in the sky.

They were confronted by Asgardian turrets and weaponry, causing a couple to explode, but the agile ships were easily maneuvering around the blasts.

The explosions grounded my mind and I was suddenly aware of the full raging battle across both the sky and ground. I can't bail yet.

Manipulating the water in the air, I leapt towards an incoming ship, boosting myself high enough, before uncapping riptide, catching the side of the craft with the blade. Sliding down the side, my celestial bronze sword ripping through the metal like butter, until I reached the space ship's vulnerability, triggering it to explode, promptly launching me through the air.

I crashed into another ship, managing to catch myself on the slender wing. The weakened metal crushed beneath my grip, as I pulled myself up. With a water coated fist, I break open the cockpit, grabbing the dark elf pilot and throwing him out of the ship and towards his demise.

Grabbing the controls, I attempt to steer the ship's course away from the castle. Luckily, a golden shield begins to crawl up the castle before my eyes, completely destroying the unlucky crafts that collide with it.

I glance upwards, my gaze still following the growing shield when I notice a ship heading to make it passed the barrier. Turning my ship towards the enemy's, I lock onto the craft, heading in its direct path.

The two collide with an ear-shattering explosion, and I narrowly manage to launch myself out of the explosion.

I tumble onto the ground this time, and spring into battle, reaping any dark elves in my path. My blade an arch and my body a blur, I wreak havoc on the enemy forces.

I easily pick through their numbers, until I find myself face to face with the beast responsible for the jailbreak.

He reminds me of some of the countless monsters I have fought, only a shell of a being.

His clouded, beady eyes land on me, glancing over the deadly path that lay behind me, a trail of bodies. Narrowing his eyes, he leans forward slightly, muscles tensing, preparing to charge me. I am his next challenge, his biggest threat, and I plan to live up to that.

Without giving me the time to even so much as blink, he is storming towards me, barely paces away, bloodthirst in his eyes. Thanks to my old pal, the Minotaur, I am more than prepared for his sudden attack. I surge forward myself, closing the gap, and catching the monster off guard. Using this falter to my advantage, I leap into the air overtop of him, rotating my body to stab Riptide into the beast's shoulder blade, dragging the sword down his back as I fall to the ground.

Tucking into a roll, I recover and face the beast, Riptide at my side and dripping with his dark blood

"Round two?" I mock, gesturing with my sword, the sun gleaming off his blood.

A growl rips from his throat, as the beast seeps with anger.

Our battle is cut short however, as a ship flies dangerously low over us, reminding my foe of his purpose.

Begrudgingly, and with one final noise of distaste in my direction, he turns and continues on his way into the castle, tearing down Asgardian guards on his way.

Slightly disappointed our fight got cut short, I return to the battle at hand, my blade seeking compensation.

Ripping my way through the streets turned battlefield, I found myself back at the rainbow bridge.

I easily took care of the remaining elves surrounding me, before dropping to my knees on the bridge. I placed a blood-stained hand on the ever-changing surface.

For the love of Iris this stupid thing better take me home, I've helped enough.

My body starts to feel less concrete, like a hazy mirage.

I sigh in relief.

It's working.

I feel myself disappear completely, before suddenly reappearing.

Thankfully, I was not still at the end of the bridge, but not so thankfully, I was falling out of the sky, presumably to my death. Again.

I wait for my vision for a moment before I realize my eyes have cleared, there is just something interfering with my line of sight.

My hands shoot to my head, and are met by a cold hard surface. I'm wearing a helmet. Sometimes my intelligence scares me.

You know what else scares me? The quickly approaching ground.

I brace myself for the worst, when a ship intercepts my fall. I drop into a roll before jumping up, preparing to defend myself, when I notice I am not on a dark elf ship.

"Warrior, where have you come from?" the voice of my second least-favorite thunder god boomed.

I simply pointed upwards, not believing my poor luck.

The god of mischief only rolls his eyes.

Honestly, I wonder why I'm even surprised anymore when the Fates screw me over like this. I'm starting to think that they've got some sort of daily quota for it. Like 'Oh hey, y'know we haven't completely screwed with Percy Jackson today. We should do that.'

Luckily, I have half a brain to say a quick thanks for at least giving me a helmet to mask my identity.

Suddenly, we come under Asgardian fire, the blasts narrowly missing us.

Loki's grip on the steering tightens, as he navigates us all while dodging the onslaught of fire. 

Another man on the ship that I don't recognize grabs a rope, launching himself over the edge of the ship.

"For Asgard!" he yells out, jumping onto the attacking Asgardian craft.

"Loki!" Thor calls out, dragging my attention back to the front of our stolen ship.

We were headed straight for the side of a mountain, and were making no efforts whatsoever to slow down or maneuver away.

I swallow hard.

I really hate flying.