All Heroes Fall

If you've ever seen a bird fly, you'd know just how much I envy their ability to lose itself in flight and escape the horrors of the world. I'd be able to sing and lift my head into the wind and be carried away, distracted. Distractions come up in the midst of the strangest things. Like right now for example. It seems almost, disrespectful, to be thinking of birds when I'm about to step off the ship into a sea of monsters. Not that I mind the distraction. I tie my long hair back into a ponytail, struggling with the gold tangles. If I survive this, I'm cutting my hair. It just wasn't practical for a battle setting.

As the elevator creaks to a stop, we all brace ourselves. Exchanging looks, the seven of us step off of the elevator and onto the warm ground above the underworld. Silence fills the air around us until it threatens to turn around and choke the life out of our souls. Nobody moves, until an armor clad figure steps forward into the clearing the monsters have created for us. They snarl and glare at us as they bide their time until they can attack and reap whatever vengeance they had planned for us. Beneath a helmet of gold, is Polybotes, seething with rage. Literally. You an see him frothing at the mouth. It's disgusting. He smiles at the disgust, easily portrayed on our faces. He turns to Percy and bellows, "Perseus Jackson. Your end has come. I am greatly privileged to be the one to bring it forth. I have a deal for you." We all strain our ears to hear what the mortal enemy of Poseidon/Neptune has to say.

"I challenge you to a dual. It is you and me. Your friends may not help you once you have accepted this challenge. You have a choice. Either face me in all my rage and die, or charge us now and die instantly. But be warned Percy, I am a terrible monster when I am angry." Percy had gone pale by this time, clutching my hand harder than he already had. I was surprised by how strong and steady his voice was when he spoke,

"You mean more of one than you already are?" He asked. Polybotes smiled a ghastly smile.

"What is your decision, Jackson?" Percy didn't even hesitate to answer.

"I'll fight you. I took you out once, I'd happily do it again." Polybotes' smug smile shifted to one of anger and frustration.

"So be it. Be prepared to meet your death, young Demi-God." And as the words left his mouth, he charged screaming, as Percy fumbled for his sword, and gave me a kiss. Almost a goodbye kiss. Almost. We needed to make this look as real as possible if we were going to pull this off.

Notes