The Animal Within

Chapter 43 - Immortals

Hazel had never seen a Titan be killed before, but she supposed there was a first time for everything.

"Hazel," Leo whispered. Hazel followed his gaze to Hyperion. The Titan was gaping at the splatter of ichor that had been his brother, specks of gold across his face. His expression twisted, horror and disbelief then a sharp rage. The sudden warmth that was filling the room had Hazel sweating.

Hyperion roared as he burst into flames. The stone at his feet melted and twisted. Luke yelped, snatching hold of Annabeth's arms and dragging her away from the Lord of Light. Even from where Hazel was standing, the opposite side of the altar and chains and several dozen feet away from him, the air was sucked out of the room and her lungs as it was pulled towards the flaming Titan. The altar itself liquified, the chains melting to molten metal.

Hazel remembered what Pasiphaë had said. No mortal fire can harm him. She assumed that was because mortals couldn't muster up the energy required to burn the giant. But Hyperion? Surely, he would be one of the immortals whom could take down the giant.

Clytius certainly seemed wary enough, reaching out towards Hyperion with his black smoke to try to keep him at bay, but Hyperion's flames dissolved all of the smoke around him. The giant spoke, using Annabeth's body, "He's a traitor, Porphyrion said to kill him if he emerged," Clytius insisted.

Hyperion's flames burned hotter and fiercer. "He's my brother. Kronos wanted him back with us, bastard." The Doors of Death, free of the molten chains, slammed shut. It made little difference, since Hyperion was lighting up the entire room with his flames.

The anti-Hecate sneered. "I don't answer to the omega."

The Lord of Light reacted, his form rippling amongst the flames. Fire shot over the altar, threatening to incinerate Hazel. Leo lurched in front of her, palms splayed out as he blocked them. The fire-wielder gasped, stumbling back as the flames lessened significantly like a dog returning to its master, drawing back as Hyperion focused the stray wisps onto the giant.

"Can't do that again," Leo gasped as he doubled over, hands on his knees. Hazel guessed stopping the Titan's flames had taken a lot out of him.

Hazel grabbed his hand. "Annabeth," she said.

Leo nodded shakily. "Right," he agreed. "Sure." He forced himself to stay upright as Hazel helped him skirt around the edge of the room to avoid Hyperion, whom had by then thrown himself at the giant with his sword drawn. "He must like his brother for him to do this," Leo said.

Hazel grabbed his arm. "Don't stop," she hissed. "Come on." She took her sword, continuing on towards Luke.

Leo followed after her, glancing back towards the two immortals as he did so. Hyperion seemed to have turned entirely into a column of roaring flames, the heat and light licking away at everything around him.

--

Percy couldn't force his legs to move since he was too tired and weak, so Alabaster Torrington ended up dragging him bodily across the rocky ground. It made his stomach scream in pain and Percy yelped.

Somewhere close, he heard the clashing of scythe on spear as Porphyrion roared his fury. Sharp and silent, Kronos may have looked to have one foot in the grave, but he still managed to dance out of reach of the giant's spear. The Titan lashed out in response, but the strike only bounced off of Porphyrion's chestplate.

Kronos hissed as he backed up a step, trying to put some distance between the two. But both spear and scythe had similar reach, and the point of Porphyrion's spear followed Kronos as he moved.