chapter 37: battle

Hoa had been in fights before. Of course she had—she lived during the Vietnam War and is the literal daughter of terror.

But this—this was different.

The first thing she saw were a dozen Laistrygonian giants erupting from the ground, yelling so loudly her ears felt like bursting. They carried shields of flattened cars and clubs of tree trunks with rusted spikes sticking out at the end. One bellowed at the Ares phalanx, smashed it sideways with his club, and the entire cabin swept aside. A dozen warriors rolled to the side like rag dolls.

"Fire!" Beckendorf, a son of Hephaestus, yelled.

The catapults swung into action. Two boulders hurtled towards the giants. One deflected off a car shield with hardly a dent, but the other caught a Laistrygonian in the chest, and the giant went down. Apollo's archers fired a valley, dozens of arrows sticking in the thick armor of some giants like porcupine quills. Several found chinks in armor and some giants vaporized at the touch of Celestial bronze.

But just when it looked like the Laistrygonians were about to get overwhelmed, the next wave surged out of the maze: thirty, maybe forty dracaenae in full battle armor wielding spears and nets. They dispersed in all directions. Some hit the traps the Hephaestus cabin had laid. One got stuck on the spikes and became an easy target for the archers. Another triggered a trip wire and pots of Greek fire exploded into flames, engulfing several of the snake women. But more kept coming. Argus and Athena's warriors rushed forward to meet them.

Hoa saw Annabeth draw a sword and engage one. Nearby, Tyson was riding a giant. Somehow, he climbed onto the giant's back and was repeatedly hitting him on the head with a bronze shield—BONG! BONG! BONG! Chiron calmly aimed arrow after arrow, taking down a monster with every shot. But more enemies kept climbing out of the maze.

The daughter of Deimos took a deep breath, trying to stop shaking. Fight my hardest, she told herself. Until my last breath.

She saw a dryad getting jumped by a hellhound, and she immediately rushed to help her out. Pulling out tia chớp, she aimed the arrow at the beast's head. A deep breath out and the arrow flew, hitting its mark dead-on.

Three monsters engaged her in battle as Hoa leapt forwards. Her eyes narrowed at a scene in the distance, where a dozen other dracaenae broke away from the main fight and slithered down the pathway towards camp. The only person anywhere near was Nico, who had just stabbed a telkhine.

"Nico!" Hoa and Percy, who had also noticed, yelled at the same time. They both pointed at the dracaenae, who were trying to slither to their camp.

He immediately understood, taking in a deep breath and holding out his Stygian iron sword. "Serve me," he said in an insanely deep and hot voice.

The earth trembled. A fissure opened in front of the dracaenae and a dozen undead warriors crawled from the earth. As one, they drew their swords and battled the dracaenae. Nico fell to his knees and Hoa rushed over to him, killing any monster standing in her way.

"Neeks!" Hoa fell down next to him, checking to see if he was okay.

"I'm fine," he gasped. "Just lack of energy. Your kill count is eleven."

Hoa laughed quietly, helping him up. "Thanks."

Once she was sure that he could stand, she began drifting away from him, killing monster after monster that tried to invade her home. A sense of gratification filled her as she defended the place she lived for about two years. It was amazing.

But just as it seemed like the battle had balanced out again—like they might stand a chance—an unearthly shriek echoed from the Labyrinth.

Somehow, Percy ended up next to her, muttering, "Kampê."

Kampê.

And at that moment, she realized which monster would kill her.

The beast shot into the sky, her bat wings fully extended. She landed on top of Zeus's Fist and surveyed the carnage. Her face glimmered with evil glee.

Mutant animal heads protruded out of and growled at her waist. Snakes hissed and swirled around her legs. In her right hand, she held a glittering ball of thread—Ariadne's string—but she popped it into a lion's mouth and drew her curved swords. The blades glowed green with poison. Kampê screeched in triumph, and some campers screamed. Others tried to run and got trampled by hellhounds or giants. Anybody could tell that the beast was old, ancient, and powerful.

"Di Immortales!" Chiron yelled. He quickly aimed an arrow, but Kampê seemed to sense his presence. She took flight with amazing speed and Chiron's arrow whizzed harmlessly past her head.

Tyson untangled himself from the giant whom he'd pummeled into unconsciousness. He ran at their lines, shouting, "Stand! Do not run from her! Fight!"

But then a hellhound leaped on him, and Tyson and the hellhound went rolling away.

Kampê landed on the Athena command tent, smashing it flat. Hoa ran after her and found Nico by her side, keeping pace with his sword in hand. Besides him were Percy and Annabeth, both of them wielding swords. Not wanting to feel left out, she drew her newest and longest blade, Cánh, her hair falling as she took her hairpin out.

"Wait," Hoa said. "One more sentimental moment before potential death."

Percy laughed softly. She could tell that he knew her last moments were coming. "Hurry, then. We dont have much time."

I really don't, Hoa thought. "This is it," she said.

"It might be," Percy said.

Annabeth frowned. "It better not be."

Hoa laughed drily, looking at Nico. It will be, she thought.

"Yeah," she said simply. "But I want you guys to know that I love you all. Percy, thanks for being a great father figure. Annabeth, I love our daughter-mother-sibling-friend relationship. And Nico..."

Her voice faltered as she choked up again. Gods, I am so not ready to die.

Words didn't need to be spoken as the pair looked each other in the eyes. Nico's gaze was grounding as he flashed the tiniest smile at her. He understood what she meant, all the little and big things that she wanted to say but couldn't put into words.

"I know." Nico kissed her cheek, making Percabeth jump in surprise. "But if you die, I want to be there until your very last moments. I love you."

Hoa smiled at him. "I love you too."

"Well then, lovebirds," Annabeth said, smirking. She put her blade in the center of their small huddle session, stepping back to accommodate for the three others. Hoa smiled as she placed Cánh on top, then Percy put Riptide in, leaving Nico there, confused.

"Come on, Neeks," Hoa flashed him a welcoming smile. "Join in!"

He sighed at her childish behavior, but relented as he placed his dark Stygian iron blade on top.

"3, 2, 1," Annabeth counted down.

"Wait, what are we saying?" Nico asked.

"Demigods," Percy suggested.

"Basic." Hoa rolled her eyes. "Fine."

Annabeth sighed, counting down again. "3, 2, 1."

"DEMIGODS!"

And together, they charged.

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hi im madi, your loyal author ♥️

THE END OF THE BOOK IS APPROACHING 😭😭😭

also kampe ew

check out muse! its a jax x reader (from tadc--the amazing digital circus)

anyways

how was the chapter?

also, what are some questions of your own?

anyways, tysm for reading this crappy book! 😃