Apple of Discord: Chapter 6

As your normal vision returns, you glance over at Otis and Ephealtes to see them struggling with the swarm of plague spirits.

At least the gum is doing its job. Then it occurs to you. What if you could get the necklace to them? But how?

“Waffle Cone, can I have one of your arrows?” you ask.

“Uh, sure?” Waffle Cone replies with a single shoulder shrug.

She offers you an arrow. And watches you with interest. You remove the talisman Herakles gave you and wrap it around the shaft of the arrow, knotting it to the arrow tightly. Then offer it back.

“Shoot that at Ephialtes,” you say.

“What? Why?” Waffle Cone asks.

“Trust me. Shoot him. In a non-lethal sort of way.”

Waffle Cone takes the arrow, checks the weight and balance in her hand and then nocks it. She takes aim and lets loose. The arrow finds purchase just below the giant’s right collarbone.

“Hey!” Ephialtes shouts.

“You’re welcome!” you shout in response.

The effect is immediate. The plague spirits scatter away from the giants like dry leaves in a brisk breeze.

You turn back to the ironworks building and make some quick mental calculations based on the scarab’s interior scan.

“I need that section of wall, between the third and eighth broken windows, taken out. Right there,” you yell while pointing at the specific section of the iron works structure. “I need the two people tied back-to-back rescued and alive.”

Otis and Ephealtes nod, charging the building, crushing Germani as they go. Otis scoops up an old steel I-beam and heaves it into the wall, destroying the cinderblock and shattering the remaining glass.

A mix of dust and rust mushrooms out from the side of the building, completely obscuring the remaining Germani.

Otis and Ephealtes continue through the side of the ironworks, arms wide, further tearing down that section of the wall.

For a few seconds you hear a lot of screaming, yelling, gurgling and rending of bone and flesh noises. The ground shakes violently, you assume from the simple dance of carnage taking place inside.

You and Tree are the first to break formation and charge toward the newly formed doorway into the ironworks.

“Demigods! Get to the inside of the building. We have to stay as close to the giants as possible. They can repel the plague spirits, but they can also crush you underfoot without realizing it.

There are about 200 Germani and Blemmyae combined inside the building. The space is way bigger than it looks from the outside. Masters Da’Mon and Cat are depending on us. Be careful! Hellas!”

The campers still standing all nod, indicating they understand. They all readjust their grips on their weapons.

“For Cat!” yells David.

“For Master Da’Mon!” Yasin responds, khopesh held high.

I love Camp Half-Blood Austin, you think.

“Let’s finish this,” Tree roars.

It’s bedlam inside the building. Otis and Ephealtes cut huge swaths through the assembled lines of the enemy, but the nearly indestructible Blemmyae bound up and onto the two giants, covering nearly thirty feet in a single leap.

It’s like ants swarming a piece of food. Otis and Ephealtes howl madly. Shadow division fires arrows into the surge of Germani, dropping them by the dozen.

“Pig’s head formation! Make a wedge and push toward the steam hammer! Quickly,” Tree commands.

Even with the campers fighting like possessed demons and making steady headway, they won’t make it to your combat instructors in time.

You can see the massive cyclops being poked and stabbed by the Germani mercenaries. They are forcing the beast toward the far side of the steam hammer, you presume to activate it.

“Tree, you gotta stop the cyclops!” you yell.

Tree nods and, scutum shield held in front of him, charges through the enemy line like a battering ram. You quickly slide in behind him and notice the faint angry red glow he radiates. Did he receive the blessing of Mars? You’re glad you aren’t on the receiving end of Tree’s charge.

You can feel enemy hands reach out for you as you pass. Tiny knicks and cuts from slashing swords and spears bite into your flesh. You get the impression that one of the giants has fallen under the swarm of the relentless Blemmyae.

You can’t see Cat or Da’Mon through the press of bodies. You can see a very reluctant Cyclops take position in front of a massive lever on the base of the steam hammer. The Germani scream and yell at the cyclops, jabbing it violently with spears.

No, no, no. You grit your teeth.

The cyclops reaches up with both hands and grabs the lever.

“Gods, no! Stop. Please!” you yell.

Tree’s momentum slows. Even with the blessing of Mars, there are too many combatants between the two of you and the cyclops.

There is always hope, you mutter to yourself. Don’t give up. Carry your hope with you.

“Tree! Throw me!” you shout, pushing Tree from behind. Your hand burns on contact with Tree’s back. The blessing wasn’t meant for you, and it’s letting you know.

You draw your sword again as the mercenaries close ranks around you. Tree shield smashes one side of the enemy line, causing them to fall back momentarily. Just long enough for him to place one hand on your neck and the other on the seat of your pants.

He lifts you and heaves you toward the steam hammer.

Your arc is higher than you thought possible, and you come down on the ground with two guards between you and the steam hammer. You manage to retain your grip on your sword.

Rising up you slash at the first Germani, who crumbles. You bound over his body toward the base of the steam hammer. You can see Masters Cat and Da’Mon now, mere feet away.

The cyclops’s muscles tense.

This is it. I’m so sorry…

Only one guard stands between you and your fight trainers. The Germani’s stance is wide and you immediately see your opening.